cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ORP1L regulates dynein clustering on endolysosmal membranes in response to cholesterol levels

The sub-cellular positioning of endolysosomes is crucial for regulating their function. Particularly, the positioning of endolysosomes between two sub-cellular locations - the cell periphery versus the peri-nuclear region - impacts autophagy, mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) signaling and other processes. The mechanisms that regulate the positioning of endolysosomes at these two locations are still being uncovered. Here, using quantitative super-resolution microscopy, we show that the retrograde motor dynein forms nano-clusters on endolysosomal membranes containing 1-4 dynein motors. Surprisingly, dynein nano-clusters are larger on peripherally positioned endolysosomes having higher cholesterol levels compared to peri-nuclear ones. By perturbing endolysosomal membrane cholesterol levels, we show that dynein copy number within nano-clusters directly depends on the amount of endolysosomal cholesterol. Finally, we show that the dynein adapter protein ORP1L (Oxysterol Binding Protein Homologue) increases dynein clustering in response to increased membrane cholesterol levels. Our work reveals a new mechanism by which endolysosomal positioning is regulated through the cholesterol dependent nano-organization of ORP1L and dynein.
Spalling in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement in Texas

The performance of continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) in Texas has been quite satisfactory, primarily thanks to the continuous improvements in design and construction. However, severe...
Left ventricle and mitral valve reverse remodeling in response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in nonischemic cardiomyopathy

Background Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves left heart geometry and function in nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICMP). We aimed to detail the effects of CRT on left ventricular (LV) and mitral valve (MV) remodeling using 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. Methods Forty-five consecutive patients with NICMP who underwent CRT implantation between 2009 and 2012, and had pre-CRT and follow-up echocardiograms available, were included. Paired t test, linear and logistic regression, and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used for statistical assessment. Results The mean age and QRS duration were 60 years and 157 ms, respectively, and 13 (28.9%) were female. At a mean follow-up of 3 years, there were 22 (48.9%) "CRT responders" (≥15% reduction in LV end-systolic volume index [LVESVi]). Significant improvements were observed in LV ejection fraction (26.3% vs 34.3%) and LVESVi (87.7 vs 71.1 mL/m2 ), as well as mitral regurgitation vena contracta width, MV tenting height and area, and end-systolic interpapillary muscle distance. Five-year actuarial survival was 87.5%. Multivariate regression analyses revealed the pre-CRT LVESVi (β = 0.52), and MV coaptation length (β = -0.34) and septolateral annular diameter (β = 0.25) as good correlates of follow-up LVESVi. Variables associated with CRT response were pre-CRT MV coaptation length (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.0-3.1) and posterior leaflet tethering angle (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.0-1.14), irrespective of baseline QRS morphology and duration (all P Conclusions Cardiac resynchronization therapy improves LV and MV geometry and function in half of patients with NICMP, which is paralleled by decreased mitral regurgitation severity. The extent of pre-CRT LV remodeling and MV tethering are associated with CRT response.
Human ESC-Based Model of H3.3G34R-Mutant High-Grade Glioma Reveals the Oncogenic Role Of Human-Specific NOTCH2NL Genes

H3.3G34R-mutant gliomas are lethal tumors of the cerebral hemispheres, with unknown mechanisms of regional specificity and tumorigenicity. We developed a human embryonic stem cell-based model of H3.3G34R-mutant glioma that recapitulates the key features of the tumors, with anatomical specificity to forebrain but not hindbrain cells. We show that H3.3G34R, ATRX and TP53 mutations cooperatively impact alternative RNA splicing events, particularly suppression of intron retention. This leads to increased expression of components of the Notch pathway, notably NOTCH2NL, a human-specific gene family. We also uncover a parallel mechanism of enhanced NOTCH2NL expression via genomic amplification of its locus in some H3.3G34R-mutant tumors. These findings demonstrate a novel mechanism whereby evolutionary pathways that lead to larger brain size in humans are co-opted to drive tumor growth.
Factors affecting amino acid induced orotic aciduria in rats

Administration of individual amino acids is known to induce an orotic aciduria. The present studies show that the induction of orotic aciduria by glycine is highly influenced by stage of digestion of the test animal and the nitrogen content of the test diet. Short term fasting for 24 hours prevented glycine induced orotic aciduria. However, longer term fasting for 1, 3, 5, or 7 days resulted in a return in the ability of glycine to stimulate pyrimidine biosynthesis. The maximum induced orotic aciduria occurred after 3 days of fasting. The ability of glycine to induce orotic aciduria in the fed rat was also dependent on the dietary protein content. Glycine injections were unable to elicit an orotic aciduria in rats fed a protein-free diet. Addition of increasing quantities of nitrogen to the basal diet resulted in a proportional increase in glycine induced orotic aciduria.
Ensuring the safety of deaf children in residential schools.

In 1983, 75,000 to 90,000 children and youth in the United States had hearing impairments severe enough to warrant some sort of special education, and 28% of that total (i.e., 21,000 to 25,000) were in residential schools. Deaf youngsters in institutional settings are at risk for maltreatment by surrogate caretakers--foster parents or institutional child care workers. Attempts to report the abuse may produce denials by institutional administrators who do not want to believe that children under their care have been abused or who fear serious personal and/or institutional consequences should the abuse report become public. Clearly, steps must be taken to ensure the safety of deaf children being educated in residential institutions. Health providers must assume a special responsibility for detecting and preventing abuse/neglect of handicapped children for whom they are providing medical care on a continuing basis. This article will explore relevant aspects of the present system for delivery of health services to deaf children, as well as present specific strategies for detection, documentation, and prevention of maltreatment of these particularly vulnerable children.
Comparison of myristoyl-CoA:protein N-myristoyltransferases from three pathogenic fungi: Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Candida albicans.

Abstract Myristoyl-CoA:protein N-myristoyltransferase (Nmt) transfers myristate from CoA to the N-terminal Gly residue of cellular proteins in an ordered reaction mechanism that first involves binding of myristoyl-CoA to the apoenzyme. The gene encoding Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nmt1p (NMT1) is essential for vegetative growth. Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans, and Histoplasma capsulatum are the principal causes of systemic fungal infections in immunocompromised humans. Metabolic labeling studies indicate that they synthesize a small set of cellular N-myristoylproteins during exponential growth on rich media, the most prominent of which co-migrate with two essential functionally interchangeable S. cerevisiae N-myristoylproteins, ADP ribosylation factor-1 (Arf1p) and Arf2p. NMT and ARF genes have been recovered from C. neoformans and H. capsulatum using the polymerase chain reaction. They are single copy genes, interrupted by multiple introns. C. neoformans and H. capsulatum Nmts have approximately 50% amino acid sequence identity with the orthologous S. cerevisiae, C. albicans, and Homo sapiens N-myristoyltransferases, whereas C. neoformans and H. capsulatum Arfs are approximately 80% identical with C. albicans Arf and S. cerevisiae Arf1p and Arf2p. Functional studies of C. neoformans and C. albicans Nmts conducted in Escherichia coli reveal that (i) both efficiently acylate S. cerevisiae Arf2p; (ii) C. neoformans Arf is a substrate for C. neoformans Nmt; and (iii) substitution of an Asp for a Gly located 5 residues from the C terminus of these two enzymes causes marked temperature-dependent reductions in their catalytic efficiency, just as it does with S. cerevisiae and H. sapiens Nmts. Wild type C. neoformans, C. albicans, and H. sapiens NMTs can fully complement the lethal phenotype of a S. cerevisiae nmt1 null allele at 24 and 37 degrees C when the GAL1-10 promoter controlling their expression is induced by galactose. Only the C. albicans enzyme is able to do so when the promoter is repressed with glucose. This complementation profile likely arises, at least in part, from differences in the protein substrate specificities of the orthologous Nmts. A Gly-->Asp mutation in S. cerevisiae, C. neoformans, C. albicans, and H. sapiens Nmts produces temperature-sensitive growth arrest in isogenic S. cerevisiae strains with a nmt1 null allele. Growth of strains producing the mutant C. albicans or H. sapiens, but not the C. neoformans, enzyme can be rescued by myristate at the non-permissive temperature (37 degrees C) even in the presence of cerulenin, an inhibitor of fatty acid synthetase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Leaching of actinide-doped nuclear waste glass in a tuff-dominated system

A laboratory leaching test has been performed as part of a project to evaluate the suitability of tuff rocks at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, as a site for a high-level nuclear waste repository. Glass samples were placed in water inside tuff vessels, and then the tuff vessels were placed in water inside Teflon containers. Glass-component leach rates and migration through the tuff were measured for samples of the ATM-8 actinide glass, which is a PNL 76-68 based glass doped with low levels of {sup 99}Tc, {sup 237}Np, {sup 238}U, and {sup 239}Pu to simulate wastes. Disc samples of this glass were leached at 90{sup 0}C for 30, 90, and 183 days inside tuff vessels using a natural groundwater (J-13 well-water) as the leachant. At the end of each leaching interval, the J-13 water present inside and outside the rock vessel was analyzed for glass components in solutions. Boron, molybdenum, and technetium appear to migrate through the rock at rates that depend on the porosity of each vessel and the time. The actinide elements were found only in the inner leachate. Normalized elemental mass loss values for boron, molybdenum, and technetium were calculated using concentrations of the inner and outer leachates and assuming a negligible retention on the rock. The maximum normalized release was 2.3 g/m{sup 2} for technetium. Boron, molybdenum, technetium, and neptunium were released linearly with respect to each other, with boron and molybdenum released at about 85% of the technetium rate, and neptunium at 5 to 10% of the technetium rate. Plutonium was found at low levels in the inner leachate but was strongly sorbed on the steel and Teflon supports. Neptunium was sorbed to a lesser extent. 8 refs., 6 figs., 6 tabs.
Half-life time of ozone as a function of air conditions and movement

Stored grain products, such as corn, can harbor multiple microorganisms, including fungi such as Aspergillus species that produce toxins harmful to both humans and animals. In previous studies, we have demonstrated that ozone-treatment can significantly reduce the level of viable microorganisms on the surface of corn kernels. Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent, which is used in a growing number of industrial applications to control harmful microbes and volatiles. To achieve this goal, a better understanding of the properties of ozone is needed, especially with respect to the half-life of ozone and time/concentration criteria to reduce microbes on corn. The focus of this project was to determine the half-life time of ozone in air as a function of air speed (0 to 370 m 3 /h), temperature (4 to 40°C) and relative humidity (0 to 80%) inside the cylinder. Half-Life Time (HLT) averaged ~1500 minutes in still air at room temperature (24°C) and zero humidity, which was substantially longer than previosly published data (i.e., 30-40 minutes). As air speed, temperature and humidity increased, HLT decreased to ~40, 800 and 450 minutes, respectively. The results suggest that ozonation will be more effective in still air at low temperature and humidity (e.g., headspace ozonation of rail cars in the early spring) than at high flow rates of ozonated air at high temperature and humidity (e.g., grain storage silo in the middle of summer). Keywords : Ozone, Ozone concentration, Half-life time, Treatment
Studies of Cryptococcus nigricans n. sp. I. Identification and taxonomic classification.

An asporogenous, non-filamentous, black pigmented yeast-like fungus, isolated from paint scrapings, was characterized and identified as a heretofore undescribed species of the genusCryptococcus. Because of its jet-black pigmentation, the nameCryptococcus nigricans was proposed.
Ambient ozone injury to forest plants in Northeast and North Central USA: 16 years of biomonitoring

The US Forest Service administers a long-term, nationwide ozone biomonitoring program in partnership with other state and federal agencies to address national concerns about ozone impacts on forest health. Biomonitoring surveys begun in 1994 in the East and 1998 in the West provide important regional information on ozone air quality and a field-based record of ozone injury unavailable from any other data source. Surveys in the Northeast and North Central subregions cover 450 field sites in 24 states where ozone-sensitive plants are evaluated for ozone-induced foliar injury every year. Sites are typically large, undisturbed openings (>3 acres in size) close to forested areas where >3 bioindicator species are available for evaluation. Over the 16-year sampling period, injury indices have fluctuated annually in response to seasonal ozone concentrations and site moisture conditions. Sites with and without injury occur at all ozone exposures but when ambient concentrations are relatively low, the percentage of uninjured sites is much greater than the percentage of injured sites; and regardless of ozone exposure, when drought conditions prevail, the percentage of uninjured sites is much greater than the percentage of injured sites. Results indicate a declining trend in foliar injury especially after 2002 when peak ozone concentrations declined across the entire region.
A Propensity Scale for Type II Polyproline Helices (PPII): Aromatic Amino Acids in Proline-Rich Sequences Strongly Disfavor PPII Due to Proline–Aromatic Interactions

Type II polyproline helices (PPII) are a fundamental secondary structure of proteins, common in globular and nonglobular regions and important in cellular signaling. We developed a propensity scale for PPII using a host–guest system with sequence Ac-GPPXPPGY-NH2, where X represents any amino acid. We found that proline has the highest PPII propensity, but most other amino acids display significant PPII propensities. The PPII propensity of leucine was the highest of all propensities of non-proline residues. Alanine and residues with linear side chains displayed the next highest PPII propensities. Three classes of residues displayed lower PPII propensities: β-branched amino acids (Thr, Val, and Ile), short amino acids with polar side chains (Asn, protonated Asp, Ser, Thr, and Cys), and aromatic amino acids (Phe, Tyr, and Trp). tert-Leucine particularly disfavored PPII. The basis of the low PPII propensities of aromatic amino acids in this context was significant cis–trans isomerism, with proline-rich peptid...
Analysis of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Membrane Dynamics in Hippocampal Neurons via a Fluorescent Protein and Biotin Tagged Nav1.6 Channel

Voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) are densely accumulated at the axon initial segment (AIS) of neurons where they are responsible for action potential initiation. The dense clustering of channels at the AIS involves ankyrinG binding, however the details of trafficking these channels to the AIS remains elusive. Furthermore, it is unclear what percentage of AIS channels is actually conducting. Since the large sodium channel cDNAs are difficult to manipulate and suffer from rearrangements in E. coli, the most elegant trafficking work to date has utilized chimeric proteins containing the sodium channel ankyrin-binding motif fused to other membrane proteins. To fully address trafficking in real time, an appropriately tagged full-length and functional channel is required. Therefore, we developed a Nav1.6 tagged with either GFP or Dendra2 fluorescent-proteins on the C-terminus and an extracellular biotin-acceptor-domain (BAD). The BAD allows for visualization and single molecule tracking of quantum-dot-bound sodium channels on the neuronal surface. This modified Nav1.6 demonstrated wild-type activity when expressed in hippocampal neurons. The tagged channel efficiently trafficked to the cell surface and was localized at the AIS as indicated by both confocal and TIRF microscopy. Alexafluor 594-conjugated-streptavidin binding indicated the surface-density of channels at the AIS was approximately 60 times greater than on the soma, comparable to endogenous Nav1.6 channels. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and single particle tracking showed that channels at the AIS had recovery time constants of greater than 2 hours and were confined to 60nm +/- 20nm compartments. In summary, we constructed a sodium channel with fluorescent protein and extracellular biotin reporters that has both wild-type trafficking and biophysical properties. This construct will permit the examination of sodium channel turnover, trafficking, diffusion and location-dependent function in neuronal cells.
Stacks, Serials, Search Engines, and Students' Success: First-Year Undergraduate Students' Library Use, Academic Achievement, and Retention

Abstract Like other units within colleges and universities, academic libraries are subject to increasing internal and external pressures to demonstrate their contributions to institutional goals related to students' success. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between first-year undergraduate students' use of the academic library, academic achievement, and retention. Results of ordinary least squares regressions predicting first-year students' cumulative grade point averages (GPA) and logistic regressions predicting students' first-year to second-year retention suggest that students who used academic library services and resources at least once during the academic year had higher GPA and retention on average than their peers who did not use library services. The results of two separate regressions predicting students' GPA by 10 different types of library use suggest that four library use areas were consistently and positively associated with students' GPA: database logins, book loans, electronic journal logins, and library workstation logins. The results of two separate logistic regression analyses suggest that logging into databases and using library workstations were actions consistently and positively associated with students' retention. Additional results predicted by students' use of services at least one time and by one-unit increases in the frequency of library area uses are discussed.
Toxicity of psychotropic drugs in Drosophilia melanogaster.

Toxische Wirkungen von Chlorpromazin und von Tranylcypromin aufDrosophila melanogaster werden beschrieben.
Currency Depreciation in Time of War

I. Depreciation in general and currency depreciation, 253. — Rates of exchange and exchange values, 255. — Depreciation in the accountancy sense, 258. — Currency depreciation, in three senses, 260. — II. The practical tests of currency depreciation, 261. — III. Premium on gold, 263. — IV. Derangement of the foreign exchanges, 268. — Sterling, francs, marks, 270. — V. The behavior of prices, 273. — Indications for England, France, Germany, 276. — Summary, 278.
Vibration of orthogonally stiffened waffle cylinders subjected to initial forces

The kinetic energy expression is formulated for the orthogonally stiffened waffle cylindrical shell. The equations of motion are formulated by using Hamilton's principle for simply supported edge conditions. The effect of initial middle-surface stresses is included. A variety of examples are performed, and results are compared, whenever possible, with alternative solutions. It is found that, when the waffle cylinder is under uniform axial compression, the relation between the square of the frequency and the axial load is linear for each mode shape. This relation, however, becomes nonlinear when the cylinder is subjected to bending load.
Multiple Molecular pathways explain the anti-proliferative effect of valproic acid on prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND Valproic acid (VPA), is a drug approved by the FDA for epilepsy and bipolar disorders. It is a known Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor (HDACI). We tested VPA, for its anti-proliferative activity in prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines in vitro and in vivo. METHODS DU-145 and PC-3 PCa cell lines were cultured with different doses of VPA. Cells were examined for their viability, cell cycle status and expression of cell cycle arrest, and proliferation markers. Nude mice bearing xenografts of human PCa cell lines, DU-145, and PC-3, were administered VPA in their drinking water. RESULTS VPA displayed a dose- and time-dependent anti-proliferative effect on DU-145 and PC-3 PCa cell lines in vitro. A sustained effect of the drug was seen on cell cycle arrest even at 24 hr after removal of the drug, after which the effects returned to the basal state. Administration of 0.4% w/v VPA in drinking water (resulting in 0.4 mM VPA, in plasma) was effective in inducing growth arrest, cell death, and senescence in vivo and was also anti-angiogenic. The activation of all or some of these anti-proliferative pathways may be contingent on acetylation status of histones, confirmed by detection of increased acetyl-H3K9 in VPA-treated samples when compared with untreated controls. Pharmacodynamic studies showed an increase in expression of p21 and decrease in PCNA in xenografts of VPA-treated mice compared with protein expression in untreated controls. CONCLUSIONS VPA may be functioning as an HDACI to inhibit growth of PCa cells in vitro and in vivo by modulating multiple pathways including cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and senescence. Prostate 67: 1099–1110, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Epidermal growth factor antagonizes ovarian theca-interstitial cytodifferentiation

This study was aimed at testing the hypothesis that epidermal growth factor (EGF) can modulate the gonadotropin-dependent differentiation of theca-interstitial cells in vitro. Addition of EGF to chemically defined culture medium severely antagonized the ability of hCG to transform undifferentiated theca-interstitial cells into active androgen-producing cells. The inhibitory action of EGF was dose-dependent, hormone-specific, and independent of granulosa cells. Since ovarian androgens are obligatory precursors to estrogen formation and induce atresia, a repressive action of EGF on theca-interstitial cytodifferentiation has new implications for understanding the way in which follicles develop in the ovary.
The interdependence of geometrical, thermal, and electrical limitations for VLSI logic

With the trend towards further minimization, VLSI chips containing random logic will approach various fundamental limits. The interdependency of geometrical, thermal, and electrical effects is discussed, showing that a 1 cm/SUP 2/ chip is about equally limited by these three effects.
Color-hyperfine splitting in heavy-quarkonium P states from perturbative QCD with a running coupling strength.

We obtain an expression for the color-hyperfine interaction in heavy quarkonium in perturbative QCD including terms up to one loop, but going beyond one loop by letting the strong-interaction coupling constant {alpha}{sub {ital s}} run. The resulting expression cannot be written analytically in position space, but we make approximations which enable us to obtain approximate upper and lower bounds on the {ital P}-wave color-hyperfine splittings in charmonium and bottomonium.
Legislative Logjams: a Comparative State Analysis

Beyond these basic generalizations, we know precious little about how state legislatures handle their workloads. How is the workload divided among committees? At what stage of committee consideration do bills die? Why do some bills pass and others fail? When during the session are the various kinds of legislative business transacted? What linkages exist between legislative practice and legislative performance? No practice of state legislatures' workload management has been more thoroughly condemned than the end-of-session logjam of business. In the closing weeks of the session, state legislators are buried in an avalanche of work. In many states it becomes impossible to find bills, let along secure action on them (Wahlke 1966: 147). Legislative chambers become scenes of madness and mayhem (Berkley and Fox 1978: 84). In the midst of such confusion, legislators vote wildly and blindly on countless measures they don't know a thing about (Chamberlain 1969: 206; Lorch 1983: 164). The leadership is able to push bills or amendments through hastily without giving the members a chance to deliberate on them (Harrigan 1980: 110). The most important legislation receives the least careful consideration (Burns 1971: 56). The result is legislation of inferior quality (Luce 1974: 155). There seems to be widespread agreement among legislators, legislative scholars, and legislative reformers that the end-of-session logjam is endemic and pernicious. For some, the end-of-session logjam seems inevitable. For others, the logjam is a function of legislative workloads or procedures. For yet others, the logjam is a strategy of legislative leaders to enhance their own power. Many observers have identified presumed causes of logjam; some have suggested ways to reduce the size of logjams. The literature on state legislative logjams is more speculative than empirical. There are many statements which describe logjams in state legislatures. However, such generalizations have not been confirmed by data analysis. Numerous hypotheses concerning factors which affect the comparative size of logjams in state legislatures have been advanced. Yet,
Chelators for Radioimmunotherapy: I. NMR and Ab Initio Calculation Studies on 1,4,7,10-Tetra(carboxyethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (DO4Pr) and 1,4,7-Tris(carboxymethyl)-10-(carboxyethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (DO3A1Pr)

This work describes the modification of the chelating agent 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N‘,N‘ ‘,N‘ ‘‘-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) to improve the rate of metal loading for radioimmunotherapy applications. Previous ab initio calculations predicted that the compounds 1,4,7,10-tetra(carboxyethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (DO4Pr) and 1,4,7-tris(carboxymethyl)-10-(carboxyethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (DO3A1Pr) have a ca. 2000-fold improvement in yttrium metal loading rates compared to those of DOTA (Jang, Y. H.; Blanco, M.; Dasgupta, S.; Keire, D. A.; Shively, J. E.; Goddard, W. A., III. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 121, 6142−6151). In this study, we report the synthesis, purification, 1H-NMR chemical shift assignments, pKa values, metal loading rate measurements, and additional ab initio calculations of these two compounds. The yttrium loading rates of DO3A1Pr are approximately twice those of DOTA, at pH 4.6 and 37 °C. The NMR data indicates that the DO4Pr analogue forms a stable type I complex but does not form a type II complex. The new ab initio calculations performed on DO4Pr and DO3A1Pr indicate that the rate-determining step is the deprotonation of the first macrocycle amine proton, not the second proton as assumed in the previous calculations. The new calculations predict an improvement in the rate of metal loading that more closely matches the experimentally observed change in the rate.
Osteoporosis prevention and nutrition

Although calcium and vitamin D have been the primary focus of nutritional prevention of osteoporosis, recent research has clarified the importance of several additional nutrients and food constituents. Further, results of calcium and vitamin D supplementation trials have been inconsistent, suggesting that reliance on this intervention may be inadequate. In addition to dairy, fruit and vegetable intake has emerged as an important modifiable protective factor for bone health. Several nutrients, including magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K, several B vitamins, and carotenoids, have been shown to be more important than previously realized. Rather than having a negative effect on bone, protein intake appears to benefit bone status, particularly in older adults. Regular intake of cola beverages shows negative effects and moderate alcohol intake shows positive effects on bone, particularly in older women. Current research on diet and bone status supports encouragement of balanced diets with plenty of fruit and vegetables, adequate dairy and other protein foods, and limitation of foods with low nutrient density.
Knowledge transfer: An innovative role for information engineering education

The evolution of systems engineering and information technology is discussed. It is argued that there is a very important role for universities in contributing to the productivity improvements made possible by the confluence of the emerging informatics knowledge base in these areas. Internal and external changes, each associated with knowledge transfer, will be required in order to realize these new opportunities. A discussion of these and their relevance to contemporary information systems and systems design engineering is included.
Direct activation of the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathways by an inducible mitogen-activated protein Kinase/ERK kinase kinase 3 (MEKK) derivative.

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) pathway, and the p38 pathway are three major mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades known to participate in the regulation of cellular responses to a variety of extracellular signals. Upstream regulatory components of these kinase cascades, the MAPK/ERK kinase kinases (MEKK), have been described in several systems. We have isolated a cDNA encoding human MEKK3. Transfected MEKK3 has the ability to activate both SAPK and ERK pathways, but does not induce p38 activity, in agreement with a previous report on murine MEKK3 (Blank, J. L., Gerwins, P., Elliott, E. M., Sather, S., and Johnson, G. L. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 5361-5368). We now demonstrate that MEKK3 activates SEK and MEK, the known kinases targeting SAPK and ERK, respectively. Utilizing an estrogen ligand-activated MEKK3 derivative, we furthermore demonstrate that MEKK3 regulates the SAPK and the ERK pathway directly. Consistent with the fact that several SAPK-inducing agents activate the transcription factor NFκB, we now show that MEKK3 also enhances transcription from an NFκB-dependent reporter gene in cotransfection assays. The ability of MEKK3 to simultaneously activate the SAPK and ERK pathways is remarkable, given that they have divergent roles in cellular homeostasis.
The challenges and opportunities of supersonic transport propulsion technology

The major challenges confronting the propulsion community for civil supersonic transport applications are identified: high propulsion system efficiency at both supersonic and subsonic cruise conditions, low-cost fuel with adequate thermal stability at high temperatures, low noise cycles and exhaust systems, low emission combustion systems, and low drag installations. Both past progress and future opportunities are discussed in relation to perceived technology shortfalls for an economically successful airplane that satisfies environmental constraints.
Rural health in a global context: case study of human trafficking

education centered on the social determinants of health for both Ugandan and international health professional students engages the contentious topic through structured intercultural dialogue. The methodology utilized provides Ugandan and international students alike the opportunity to not only examine the neglected and controversial global health issue but to develop the critical ability to constructively dialogue. Structure/Method/Design: SocMed’s intercultural dialogue on sexual orientation aims to challenge students to engage in effective communication and develop an attitude and skill-set associated with inquiry rather than one that reinforces ideologies. SocMed utilizes Freirian pedagogy to create an innovative learning environment inwhich students participate as both learners and teachers to advance understanding of social determinants of health, social experience of illness, effective models for intervention, and applicable models for health advocacy. To discuss sexual orientation, SocMed utilizes a structured intercultural dialogue process, in which students develop skills of activelistening, inquiry, social analysis, and respectful articulation of personal beliefs. After defining terms and soliciting anonymous questions, students are broken into small groups with diverse representation. A series of questions are provided that prompt students to reflect on their own experiences of marginalization, their own socialization to sexual orientation, and health-related concerns of LGBTQpersons. Furthermore, in small groups, students are given the text of recent Ugandan legislation on the topic and are asked to read it, discuss it, and explore explanations for why the bill was introduced in Uganda. Outcomes & Evaluation: To gauge the impact of the sexual orientation dialogue along with other sessions taught in the 4-week immersion course, a formal self-assessment evaluation tool is utilized at the end of the course. Seventy-nine percent of the students stated that they “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that they found the [sexual orientation] section of the course interesting and [they] learned a considerable amount. Given the polarizing indications of students prior to the session, this represents significant impact. Furthermore, ethnographic observation indicates that students continue to effectively dialogue on sexual orientation outside of class. Going Forward: Creating safe spaces of trust and mutuality are central in SocMed’s evolution; it is an essential dimension for sensitive dialogue to be fruitful. An ongoing challenge is SocMed’s capacity to measure the impact of the dialogue on students and on their communities to which they return after the course. Funding: None. Abstract #: 01ETC030
Mass and power estimates for Mars in-situ propellant production systems

An in-situ propellant production (ISPP) concept, a method for producing oxygen from carbon dioxide in the Martian atmosphere, is evaluated. The concept considered here employs zirconia membrane technology to separate O2 from CO2. Several options which can improve the reliability of the CO2/O2 ISPP system and also reduce the mass and power requirements are examined, and it is noted that the use of absorption pumps and advanced zirconia membranes significantly improves system reliability by eliminating the rotating turbomachinery of mechanical pumps. Mass and power requirements of ISPP systems designed to produce O2 only from CO2 (for an unmanned Mars mission) and to produce both CO and O2 from CO2 (for a manned Mars mission) are evaluated.
Performance of turbulence models for flows through rough pipes

Abstract The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations were solved along with turbulence models, namely k–e, k–ω, Reynolds stress models (RSM), and filtered Navier–Stokes equations along with Large Eddy Simulation (LES) to study the fully-developed turbulent flows in circular pipes roughened by repeated square ribs with various spacings. Solutions of these flows were obtained using the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software Fluent. The numerical results were validated against experimental measurements and other numerical data published in literature. The performance of the turbulence models was compared and discussed. All the RANS models and LES model were observed to perform equally well in predicting the time-averaged flow statistics. However no instantaneous information can be obtained from the RANS results. Therefore, when a rough overview of the flow process in a pipe roughened by repeated ribs is needed, any one of the RANS models can be of value. On the other hand, the instantaneous as well as time-averaged flows could be studied with more insight using LES, albeit at a cost of CPU effort at least one order higher.
Passive cooling of gossamer telescopes

We discuss the rationale for gossamer telescopes and why the initial ones will be used for infrared wavelengths and this necessitates a cold telescope. The sunshield presents major problems for gossamer telescopes and may limit the potential for large IR telescopes in space. Astronomical sources of heat other than sun, moon and earth would set the telescope temperature at 4.5 K. We discuss the sunshield problem and suggest that gossamer telescopes at 1 AU are more likely to be limited to approximately 10 K. We discuss the spacing of the telescope and the sunshield. The optimum spacing is 100 times the telescope size. Such spacing will require constantly firing ion engines to keep the sunshield and telescope moving around the sun with the same angular velocity. Alternatively it is possible to attach the sunshield to the telescope with a compression member. This will require the telescope and sunshield to be closer together. A single layer sunshield will bring the telescope temperature to approximately 25 K. Heat sources on the telescope will limit the cooling, and so far as possible heat sources must be off-loaded to the vicinity of the sunshield.
A hierarchical refinement algorithm for fully automatic gridding in spotted DNA microarray image processing

Gridding, the first step in spotted DNA microarray image processing, usually requires human intervention to achieve acceptable accuracy. We present a new algorithm for automatic gridding based on hierarchical refinement to improve the efficiency, robustness and reproducibility of microarray data analysis. This algorithm employs morphological reconstruction along with global and local rotation detection, non-parametric optimal thresholding and local fine-tuning without any human intervention. Using synthetic data and real microarray images of different sizes and with different degrees of rotation of subarrays, we demonstrate that this algorithm can detect and compensate for alignment and rotation problems to obtain reliable and robust results.
A hybrid finite element micromechanical analysis of composite materials

Abstract The hybrid finite element method has been adapted to analyse a two-dimensional elastic body containing circular fibres or holes, and subjected to an in-plane loading. Each fibre or hole, and a portion of the surrounding matrix material, is represented by a primary element having an outer boundary in the shape of a polygon, the vertices of which lie on a circle concentric with the fibre or hole. The remainder of the region to be analysed is represented by conventional finite elements, i.e. triangular, constant stress elements. A numerical analysis and computer program has been developed and applied to several problems for which analytical or valid approximate solutions already exist. Numerical results and a comparison with existing analyses are presented for the problem of transverse normal loading of a periodic array of fibres. Results of an analysis of stress distributions in a random arrangement of fibres at the tip of a standard notch in a Charpy impact specimen under load are also presented.
PHYSICAL AND RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF SLAUGHTERHOUSE SWINE BLOOD AND BLOOD COMPONENTS

Blood, a valuable by-product of livestock slaughter, has numerous food, industrial, and pharmaceutical uses. Physical and rheological properties, including apparent viscosity, density, surface tension, thermal conductivity, and specific heat, are needed for the design of transport processes and by-product applications such as spray drying, blending, and extrusion. Information about these properties for slaughter by-products, however, is not currently available. Consequently, the objective of this study was to determine these properties for anticoagulated swine blood, blood plasma, and red blood cells between 5 and 35°C. The plasma in this study was enriched with hemoglobin from the red cells as a result of the rupture of red cells during frozen storage of the blood. These fluids all exhibited a pseudoplastic behavior which was affected by both shear rate and temperature; a nonlinear regression model which accounted for both factors was then determined for each fluid. In addition, these fluids all had density values 1.0 to 6.3% higher, and surface tension values 20.7 to 33.0% lower, than the respective values for water at temperatures between 5 and 35°C. Thermal conductivity results were 42.0 to 57.0% lower, and specific heat results were 9.0 to 17.4% lower, than the respective values for water at each temperature. Drying curves were also established for each fluid at drying temperatures of 80, 100, and 120°C.
Graduates Linked With Undergraduates in Engineering (GLUE): A Case Study

This paper presents a case study from the Graduates Linked with Undergraduates in Engineering (GLUE) Program in the College of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. This student mentoring program, offered in the spring semester every year, pairs undergraduate students (mentees) with graduate researchers (mentors) to foster undergraduate research. The benefits from the GLUE program are two-fold. While the undergraduate mentees get a feel for research, the participating graduate students can enhance their research mentoring skills. In this article we present a GLUE case study in the area of Robotics. The mentee in this case was a sophomore in Mechanical Engineering and the mentor (the first author) was a senior doctoral student in Mechanical Engineering. The project involved the design and development of a Dual Input Single Output (DISO) epicyclic gear train to enhance the performance of a robot joint. The system was completely designed and tested using MSC.ADAMS. While describing the project, the paper will demonstrate the improvement in research skills of the mentee using three different sets of criteria from the literature.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Fiber array optical-coupling design issues for photonic beam formers

Novel two-dimensional (2-D) optical polarization switching array-based photonic time delay units (PTDUs) have been introduced for phased array antenna and wideband signal processing applications. The use of low loss optical fibers allows remoting of the photonic beamformer, along with providing a compact, lightweight, and low electromagnetic interference (EMI) microwave frequency signal interconnection and distribution method, such as needed for very large aperture wide instantaneous bandwidth phased array antennas/radars. However, there are losses associated with multiple fiber interconnects that limit the maximum number of array channels in these systems. Thus, accurate analysis of such losses is crucial to the design of an optimal photonic fiber-based system. In this paper, we present theoretical design and simulation results on optical fiber array interconnects for our 2-D N bit M channel photonic beamformer for wideband phased array antennas. In addition, we discuss an alignment technique for the large channel count fiber arrays proposed for our beamformer that uses V-grooved silicon wafers. Note that these precise V- groove structures are fabricated via crystallographic perfection of the substrate, accurate alignment of the etch pattern with respect to the crystal planes, and optimized etch conditions. This paper discusses these and other fiber array issues.
Has guideline development gone astray? No

The move to evidence based medicine has led to a proliferation of guidelines. R Grol is concerned that many are of poor quality, but Raymond Gibbons and colleagues ( doi:10.1136/bmj.c343) argue that guidelines are important for improving health
A chimeric path to neuronal synchronization

Synchronization of neuronal activity is associated with neurological disorders such as epilepsy. This process of neuronal synchronization is not fully understood. To further our understanding, we have experimentally studied the progression of this synchronization from normal neuronal firing to full synchronization. We implemented nine FitzHugh-Nagumo neurons (a simplified Hodgkin-Huxley model) via discrete electronics. For different coupling parameters (synaptic strengths), the neurons in the ring were either unsynchronized or completely synchronized when locally coupled in a ring. When a single long-range connection (nonlocal coupling) was introduced, an intermediate state known as a chimera appeared. The results indicate that (1) epilepsy is likely not only a dynamical disease but also a topological disease, strongly tied to the connectivity of the underlying network of neurons, and (2) the synchronization process in epilepsy may not be an “all or none” phenomenon, but can pass through an intermediate stage (chimera).
Performance analysis of a common aperture antenna diversity system

Summary form only given. An aspect of wireless communication that is of paramount interest is reliable connectivity unhampered by signal fading caused by scatterers such as walls, buildings and other obstacles. For power limited ad hoc networks in complex environments, various phenomenon including multipath, diffraction from sharp corners contribute to the fading and distortion of electromagnetic waves that severely limit the coverage and reliability. Because of the difference in path length among the various signal components and in the absence of a direct signal, the received electric field will have uneven spatial distribution and significant fluctuations. This phenomenon is called fast fading and results in intermittent signal drop-offs causing the communication channel to be unreliable. A viable approach to mitigate fast fading is the use of antenna diversity systems. Antenna Diversity Systems, when used in multipath environments such as indoor and urban environments, enable improvement in signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) without increasing the transmit power. A thorough and accurate analysis of a diversity system requires three main components: the Tx and Rx antenna radiation patterns (phase and amplitude), the multipath coherent propagation model and calculation of figures of merit for the performance of the diversity system including complex and envelop correlation coefficients and diversity gain. Existing simulation based diversity analysis techniques essentially model the multipath channel using a stochastic model such as Rayleigh and Rician distributions. While these probabilistic models provide generalized approximations to the indoor channel, such models do not accurately capture all the propagation mechanisms such as angle of arrival and polarization, and hence diversity analysis techniques based on such models inherently lack the information needed to assess the true performance of a given diversity system. In this work, we discuss a new diversity system analysis approach that takes into account the complex radiation pattern of the Tx and Rx diversity antennas and make use of an accurate deterministic, coherent, and polarization preserving propagation model for a complex indoor scenario. The new physics-based pattern diversity analysis approach will be introduced. The propagation modeling with specific focus on near-ground antennas will also be discussed. Measurement results in indoor scenarios utilizing a compact, co-located radiation pattern diversity antenna system will be utilized to assess the performance of the diversity system via complex correlation coefficients and diversity gain.