cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Dynamin-like GTPase DLP1 Is Essential for Peroxisome Division and Is Recruited to Peroxisomes in Part by PEX11

Peroxisome division involves the conserved PEX11 peroxisomal membrane proteins and in yeast has been shown to require Vps1p, a dynamin-like protein. We show here that DLP1, the human homolog of the yeast DNM1 and VPS1 genes, plays an important role in peroxisome division in human cells. Disruption of DLP1 function by either RNA interference or overexpressing dominant negative DLP1 mutants causes a dramatic reduction in peroxisome abundance, although overexpression of functional DLP1 has no effect on peroxisome abundance. Overexpression of PEX11 induces peroxisome division in a multistep process involving elongation of preexisting peroxisomes followed by their division. We find that DLP1 is dispensable for the first phase of this process but essential for the second. Furthermore, we show that DLP1 associates with peroxisomes and that PEX11 overexpression recruits DLP1 to peroxisome membranes. However, we were unable to detect physical interaction between PEX11 and DLP1, and the stoichiometry of PEX11 and peroxisome-associated DLP1 was far less than 1:1. Based on these and other aspects, we propose that DLP1 performs an essential but transient role in peroxisome division and that PEX11 promotes peroxisome division by recruiting DLP1 to peroxisome membranes through an indirect mechanism.
An Adaptive Body-Bias Generator for Low Voltage CMOS VLSI Circuits

A CMOS body-bias generating circuit has been designed for generating adaptive body-biases for MOSFETs in CMOS circuits for low voltage operation. The circuit compares the frequency of an internal ring oscillator with an external reference clock. When the reference clock is “high,” a forward body-bias is generated. When the reference clock is “low,” a reverse body-bias is generated. The forward body bias is limited to no more than 0.4 V to avoid CMOS latchup. The reverse body bias is limited to 0.4 V and is very effective in suppressing the subthreshold current. The frequency adaptive body-bias generator circuit has been implemented in standard 1.5 μm n-well CMOS technology and simulated using SPICE. Excellent agreement is obtained between the simulated output characteristics and the corresponding experimentally measured behavior. It is also demonstrated that up to 90% leakage current in CMOS circuits can be reduced by applying the adaptive bias generator to lower threshold voltage CMOS circuits. The design is simple and can be embedded in low power CMOS designs such as the physical nodes of wireless sensor networks.
Effect of inhaled ozone on lung histamine in conscious guinea pigs

The effect of short-term ozone (O/sub 3/) exposure on pulmonary mast cell function was examined. Guinea pigs were continuously exposed to 1.0 ppm O/sub 3/ for 2, 4, and 8 hr. O/sub 3/ exposure produced a significant decrease in lung histamine concentration. Two-hour exposure to O/sub 3/ caused a 22.4 +/- 7.0% decrease in lung histamine concentration compared with controls. Ozone exposures of 4 and 8 hr caused lung histamine concentrations to decrease by 43.7 +/- 7.7 and 49.0 +/- 7.5%, respectively, without significant changes in lung water or protein, or evidence of cytotoxicity. These results suggest that O/sub 3/ or its metabolites affect pulmonary mast cell function by stimulating the release of histamine from the lung.
Centralizing clone group representation and maintenance

This poster describes contributions to improve clone group representation and maintenance tasks. Centralizing the representation of clones enables displaying their properties without the need to look at individual instances. Centralizing their maintenance enables removal to be performed simultaneously. The benefits of centralizing clone groups are demonstrated in an Eclipse plug-in.
Operative versus non-operative management of pediatric medial epicondyle fractures: a systematic review

Purpose There is ongoing debate about the management of medial epicondyle fractures in the pediatric population. This systematic review evaluated non-operative versus operative treatment of medial epicondyle fractures in pediatric and adolescent patients over the last six decades.
Is the Performance Glass Half Empty or Half Full

Next year will be the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993. Has it achieved its goal of creating a performance culture within the federal government? In their article “Does Involvement in Performance Management Routines Encourage Performance Information Use? Evaluating GPRA and PART,” Professors Donald P. Moynihan and Stephane Lavertu off er fi ndings that are both discouraging and hopeful to practitioners. In their article, they assess “the relationship between results-based reforms and managerial use of performance data.” To do this, they analyze federal managers’ use of the performance information that was created in response to the act’s requirements.
Integrating Molecular Modeling with Semiempirical Quantum Mechanical Calculations into the Upper-Level Inorganic Chemistry Course

The analysis of chemical bonding and reactivity from the perspective of molecular orbital theory is challenging for students at the undergraduate level. In an attempt to improve the instruction of this material in my upper-level inorganic chemistry course I developed a series of computational experiments using a molecular modeling program that can perform semiempirical quantum mechanical calculations. These exercises explore the chemistry of molecular systems through an analysis of the variation in the attractive and repulsive forces in the system as a function of structure or composition. The exercises challenge the analysis skills of the students by requiring them to consider how two or more factors contribute to the properties of the system. Examples of exercises that demonstrate different types of computational experiments are given. These sample exercises examine the structure of simple molecules, the reactivity of Lewis acids, and the bonding in transition metal complexes.
African American patient knowledge of kidney disease: A qualitative study of those with advanced chronic kidney disease

Kidney disease is a costly and prevalent condition that affects African Americans more than any other group. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge of kidney disease African Ameri...
Topology of bovine red cell antigens as a function of the organization of their genes

Bovine erythrocytes from genetically defined animals were examined by electron microscopy for cell surface distribution of their antigens as a function of the organization of genes coding for the antigens. No blocking or inhibition of labeling was found when cells were double-labeled for two antigens whose genes resided in a) cis or trans conformations within the same blood group system (R2 and W antigens of the C system), or b) in different blood group systems (R2 and Z antigens of theC and Z systems, respectively). The results suggest that these antigens are probably distinct moieties on the cell surface rather than a series of determinants on a common backbone macromolecule. Genes coding for these antigens are, therefore, probably arranged in the genome as separate but closely linked genes and not as a series of multiple alleles, each allele coding for several serological determinants. A nonreciprocal increase in labeled sites was found on labeling two particular antigens within the same blood group system (R2 and X2 antigens of the C system). By absorption a parallel serological effect was also found for this pair of antigens.
Multi‐color light emitting diode using polarization‐induced tunnel junctions

A multi-color light emitting diode (LED) using two distinct active regions connected via a tunnel junction was grown by rf-plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The LED is contacted through n-type layers, one of which provides efficient contact to a p-type layer via a second tunnel junction. The tunnel junctions used in the structure use the high polarization fields found in the III-nitrides material system to narrow the depletion width of the junction. Two peaks at 405 nm and 490 nm are observed in the electroluminescence spectrum of the LED, and current-voltage characteristics indicate a turn-on voltage of roughly 7.5 V and dynamic series resistance of 19 Ω at 80 mA for a 300 μm square device. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A real‐time polymerase chain reaction‐based method for rapid and specific detection of spoilage Alicyclobacillus spp. in apple juice

Aims: To develop a real-time PCR-based rapid detection method for spoilage Alicyclobacillus spp. in juice products. Methods and Results: The squalene-hopene cyclase-encoding gene was targeted for primer-and-probe development. Gene fragments from representative strains were cloned, and PCR primers and probe were designed by DNA sequence comparison. Selected bacteria were examined for cross-reactivity by the new method. Cells were serially diluted in apple juice and saline, and examined by the new method to establish detection sensitivity. Using the newly developed Taqman® real-time PCR-based method, strains of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and A. acidoterrestris were detected without cross reactivity with other common food-borne micro-organisms. Detection of <10 cells per PCR reaction from juice samples was accomplished within 3–5 h. Conclusion: This is the first reported real-time PCR-based detection method for Alicyclobacillus spp. and its application in juice products is demonstrated. Significance and Impact of the Study: As a favourable alternative for the laborious and time-consuming culture- or biochemical characterization-based techniques, the system has great potential for industrial applications from raw material screening to final product quality control.
An SU(2) L ×U(1) L ×U(1) R Model with Finite Dirac Neutrino Masses

An SU(2)L×U(1)L×U(1)R model of electroweak interactions is presented in which the conventional fermions of the standard model are left-handed doublets under SU(2)L× U(1)L and are right-handed singlets under U(1)R. The triangle anomalies are canceled by adding vector-like singlet fermions. Neutrinos are massless at the tree level due to a discrete symmetry and acquire tiny finite masses at the one-loop level due to the exchange of two charged scalar singlets. The singlet scalars carry two units of lepton number.
A comparison of ad hoc methods to account for non-cancer AIDS and deaths as competing risks when estimating the effect of HAART on incident cancer AIDS among HIV-infected men.

Abstract Objective To compare three ad hoc methods to estimate the marginal hazard of incident cancer acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in a highly active antiretroviral therapy (1996–2006) relative to a monotherapy/combination therapy (1990–1996) calendar period, accounting for other AIDS events and deaths as competing risks. Study Design and Setting Among 1,911 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive men from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, 228 developed cancer AIDS and 745 developed competing risks in 14,202 person-years from 1990 to 2006. Method 1 censored competing risks at the time they occurred, method 2 excluded competing risks, and method 3 censored competing risks at the date of analysis. Results The age, race, and infection duration adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for cancer AIDS were similar for all methods (HR ≈ 0.15). We estimated bias and confidence interval coverage of each method with Monte Carlo simulation. On average, across 24 scenarios, method 1 produced less-biased estimates than methods 2 or 3. Conclusions When competing risks are independent of the event of interest, only method 1 produced unbiased estimates of the marginal HR, although independence cannot be verified from the data. When competing risks are dependent, method 1 generally produced the least-biased estimates of the marginal HR for the scenarios explored; however, alternative methods may be preferred.
Programming by successive refinement of data abstractions

The Model Programming Language implements a form of data abstraction that has been used in a large programming project, the Demos Operating System. The use of the abstraction mechanism suggests a particular programming style that has evolved over an extensive period of gaining experience with the language. The programming style and Model's approach to data abstraction are both documented here using an example designed to illustrate several of the more important issues. The goal of the paper is to demonstrate a programming style and an approach to data abstraction in a programming language that has proved useful in a significant systems programming application.
RNA Polymerase II Ternary Complexes May Become Arrested after Transcribing to within 10 Bases of the End of Linear Templates

Abstract In the presence of elongation factor SII, arrested RNA polymerase II ternary complexes cleave 7-17 nucleotides from the 3′-ends of their nascent RNAs. It has been shown that transcription of linear templates generates apparent run-off RNAs, which are nevertheless truncated upon incubation with SII. By using high resolution gels, we demonstrate that transcription of blunt or 3′-overhung templates with RNA polymerase II generates two populations of ternary complexes. The first class pauses 5-10 bases prior to the end of the template strand. These complexes respond to SII by cleaving approximately 9-17 nucleotide RNAs from their 3′-ends and therefore may be termed arrested. A second class of complexes, which fail to respond to SII, transcribe to within 3 bases of the end of the template strand. These complexes appear to have run off the template since they have released their nascent RNAs. Run-off transcription occurs on all types of templates, but it is the predominant reaction on DNAs with 5′-overhung ends. Thus, RNA polymerase II ternary complexes that retain 5-10 bases of contact with the template strand downstream of the catalytic site become arrested. Further reduction of downstream template contacts can lead to termination. We also show that the addition of Sarkosyl to the elongation reactions significantly changes the pattern of transcriptional arrest near the end of linear templates.
New results on the instanton vacuum and the chiral phase transition

The talk contains brief review of two related topics. The first is the last year progress in the instanton-based vacuum model, including (i) properties of the glueballs, (ii) screening of the topological charge and η ′ physics. Those are done in the “interacting instanton liquid model”, with the “unquenched” dynamical quarks. The second topic is physics of chiral symmetry restoration, which is attributed to formation of polarized instantonantiinstanton molecules. New Lagrangian describing non-perturbative interaction at T > T c , as well as calculation of the spectrum of “screening masses” are presented.
Neutron dose equivalent next to the target shield of a neutron therapy facility using an LET counter

The use of a spherical tissue-equivalent proportional counter for measurements of the lineal energy (y) and derivations of the linear energy transfer (LET) for fast neutrons has the advantage of giving distributions of dose and dose equivalent as functions of either LET or y. A measurement next to the target shielding of the neutron therapy facility at the University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics (UCHC) is described, and the data processing is outlined. The distributions are presented and compared to those from measurements in the neutron beam. The average quality factors are presented.
Efficient Rank-Adaptive Least-Square Estimation and Multiple-Parameter Linear Regression Using Novel Dyadically Recursive Hermitian Matrix Inversion

Least-square estimation (LSE) and multiple- parameter linear regression (MLR) are the important estimation techniques for engineering and science, especially in the communications and signal processing areas. The majority of computational complexity incurred in LSE and MLR arises from a Hermitian matrix inversion. In practice, the Yule-Walker equations are not valid and hence the Levinson-Durbin algorithm cannot be employed for general LSE and MLR problems. Therefore, the most efficient Hermitian matrix inversion method is based on the Cholesky factorization. In this paper, we derive a new dyadic recursion algorithm for sequential rank-adaptive Hermitian matrix inversions. In addition, we provide the theoretical computational complexity analyses to compare our new dyadic recursion scheme and the conventional Cholesky factorization. We can design a variable model-order LSE (MLR) using this proposed dyadic recursion approach thereupon. Through our complexity analyses and the Monte Carlo simulations, we show that our new dyadic recursion algorithm is more efficient than the conventional Cholesky factorization for the sequential rank-adaptive LSE (MLR) and the associated variable model-order LSE (MLR) can seek the trade-off between the targeted estimation performance and the required computational complexity.
Skin cancer and artificial sources of UV radiation.

. Exposure of people to indoor ultraviolet (UV) radiation has vastly increased in the past one or two decades, mainly due to increased recreational exposure and partly as a result of therapy for skin disease. This trend will result in an increased incidence of skin cancer, but the magnitude of the increase is speculative at present because of a lack of information about the extent and nature of the recreational UV exposure.
Transcriptional regulation of collagenase-3 by interleukin-1 alpha in osteoblasts.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1)alpha is an autocrine/paracrine agent of the skeletal tissue and it regulates bone remodeling. Collagenase-3 or matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 is expressed in osteoblasts and its expression is modulated by several cytokines including IL-1alpha. Because the molecular mechanism of increased synthesis of collagenase-3 in bone cells by IL-1alpha is not known, we investigated if collagenase-3 expression by IL-1alpha in osteoblasts is mediated by transcriptional or post-transcriptional mechanisms. Exposure of rat osteoblastic cultures (Ob cells) to IL-1alpha at concentrations higher than 0.5 nM increased the synthesis of collagenase-3 mRNA up to eightfold and the secretion of immunoreactive protein up to 21-fold. The effects of IL-1alpha on collagenase-3 were time- and dose-dependent. Although prostaglandins stimulate collagenase-3 expression, stimulation of collagenase-3 in Ob cells by IL-1alpha was not mediated through increased biosynthesis of prostaglandins. The half-life of collagenase-3 mRNA from control and IL-1alpha-treated Ob cells was similar suggesting that the stabilization of collagenase-3 mRNA did not contribute to the increase in collagenase-3. However, IL-1alpha stimulated the rate of transcription of the collagenase-3 gene by twofold to fourfold indicating regulation of collagenase-3 expression in Ob cells at the transcriptional level. Stimulation of collagenase-3 by IL-1alpha in osteoblasts may in part mediate the effects of IL-1alpha in bone metabolism.
Physical and physiological characteristics of Trogoderma glabrum infected with the schizogregarine pathogen Mattesia trogodermae

Abstract Physical and physiological characteristics of an infection of Trogoderma glabrum by Mattesia trogodermae were studied. Weights of infected larvae drop markedly between 10 and 20 days post-infection at 30° and 35°C. This loss is less abrupt and not as great when the incubation temperature is 25°C. Reduction of dry matter is gradual during the first 12 days of infection, but drops 70% from 12 to 20 days post-infection. Glycogen reserves in both infected and control insects drop 50% within 3 days after deprivation of food. Healthy insects recover and begin to reconstitute lost glycogen; however, infected larvae continue to deplete glycogen to 15% of prestarvation levels. Similarly, insect protein is reduced 40% within 7 days after starvation and noninfected insects apparently halt protein metabolism at this level. Diseased larvae continue to lose protein to 20% of prestarvation amounts. These losses are at least partially attributable to insect metabolism since infected insects defecate significantly more than control larvae. It is thought that defecation is an effective route of water loss which occurs during the first 20 days of infection. Relative humidities ranging from 0 to 84% had no obvious effects on mortality rates, indicating that water loss is effected through routes other than evaporation through the cuticle, e.g., failure of water retention systems and elimination of body water with feces.
Luminescence properties of Mn2+ doped Zn2SiO4 phosphor films synthesized by combustion CVD

Abstract Zn 2 SiO 4 :Mn 2+ phosphor films were successfully prepared by a novel combustion chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) method. In the CCVD process, a flammable solution, containing precursor materials, is atomized and sprayed through a specially designed nozzle and ignited to form a combustion flame. This enables crystallized films to be directly deposited onto a substrate in open-atmosphere with no post deposition heat treatment. SEM images indicated that the film deposited at 1200 °C consisted of densely packed particles with a fine grain size of several 100 nm. Strong Photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) intensities were observed with Zn 2 SiO 4 :Mn 2+ samples deposited at a substrate temperature of 1200 °C exhibiting the best crystallinity and highest luminescence. The optimum doping level for films deposited using CCVD was found to be ∼4 mol% Mn 2+ of starting concentration, with a maximum CL luminescence equivalent to 53% of the luminescence measured from a commercial powder phosphor. A relatively fast CL decay with life time about 0.6–0.7 ms was also observed from these films.
Current view of the role of transforming growth factor beta 1 in skin carcinogenesis.

Previously, we have shown that transforming growth factor β 1 (TGFβ1) overexpression in suprabasal epidermis suppresses skin carcinogenesis at early stages, but promotes tumor invasion at later stages. To elucidate the role of TGFβ1 overexpression in naturally occurring human squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), we screened TGFβ1 expression patterns in human skin SCC samples and found that TGFβ1 was overexpressed with two distinct patterns: either predominantly in suprabasal layers or throughout tumor epithelia including basal proliferative cells. To determine the effect of TGFβ1 overexpression in basal keratinocytes, we generated transgenic mice expressing wild-type TGFβ1 in basal keratinocytes and hair follicles using the K5 promoter (K5.TGFβ1 wt ). Surprisingly, these mice developed a severe inflammatory skin disorder. Inflammation was also observed in head and neck tissue when TGFβ1 transgene expression was inducibly expressed in head and neck epithelia in our gene-switch-TGFβ1 transgenic mice. Given the importance of inflammation in cancer development, our data suggest that TGFβ1-induced inflammation may override its tumor-suppressive effect even at early stages of skin carcinogenesis. This notion is further suggested by our recent study that Smad3 knockout mice were resistant to skin chemical carcinogenesis at least in part via abrogation of endogenous TGFβ1-induced inflammation.
Modulation of the cytosolic androgen receptor in striated muscle by sex steroids.

The influence of orchiectomy (GDX) and steroid administration on the level of the cytosolic androgen receptor in the rat levator ani muscle and in rat skeletal muscles (tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus) was studied. Androgen receptor binding to muscle cytosol was measured using H-3 methyltrienolone (R1881) as ligand, 100 fold molar excess unlabeled R1881 to assess nonspecific binding, and 500 fold molar excess of triamcinolone acetonide to prevent binding to glucocorticoid and progestin receptors. Results demonstrate that modification of the levels of sex steroids can alter the content of androgen receptors of rat striated muscle. Data suggest that: (1) cytosolic androgen receptor levels increase after orchiectomy in both levator ani muscle and skeletal muscle; (2) the acute increase in receptor levels is blocked by an inhibitor of protein synthesis; and (3) administration of estradiol-17 beta to castrated animals increases receptor binding in levator ani muscle but not in skeletal muscle.
Ionization−Reactivity Relationships for Cysteine Thiols in Polypeptides†

Thiol-disulfide exchange reactions are required for many aspects of cellular metabolism including the folding of disulfide-bonded proteins, electron transfer, and numerous regulatory mechanisms. To identify factors influencing the rates of these reactions in polypeptides, the reactivities of Cys thiols in 16 model peptides were measured. For each of the peptides, which contained single Cys residues with thiol pKas ranging from 7.4 to 9.1, the rates of exchange with four disulfide-bonded compounds were measured. In reactions with two of the disulfide reagents, cystine and 2-hydroxyethyl disulfide, the peptide thiols displayed Bronsted correlations between reaction rate and pKa similar to those observed previously with model compounds (betanuc = 0.5 and 0.3, respectively). For two reagents with net charges, oxidized glutathione and cystamine, however, the apparent Bronsted coefficients were 0 and 0.8, respectively. These observations are in striking contrast with those obtained with model compounds, for which the Bronsted coefficients for the nucleophilic thiolates are largely independent of the disulfide-containing compound. The differences in the apparent Bronsted coefficients can be largely accounted for by electrostatic interactions between charged groups on the peptides and disulfide reagents and demonstrate that such interactions can play a dominant role in determining the rates of thiol-disulfide exchange in biological molecules. The results presented here provide an improved basis for predicting the rates of these reactions and suggest ways in which differences in the rates of competing reactions can be either minimized, to simplify the analysis of disulfide-coupled folding reactions, or enhanced, to favor formation of particular disulfides.
Chemical Mechanism of Saccharopine Reductase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharopine reductase (SR) [saccharopine dehydrogenase (l-glutamate forming), EC 1.5.1.10] catalyzes the condensation of l-α-aminoadipate-δ-semialdehyde (AASA) with l-glutamate to give an imine, w...
Surgical dilemma: liver resection or liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis. Intention-to-treat analysis in patients within and outwith Milan criteria

Abstract Background The optimal role of surgery in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is in continuous evolution. Objective The objective of this study was to analyse survival rates after liver resection (LR) and orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for HCC within and outwith Milan criteria in an intention-to-treat analysis. Methods During 1997–2007, 179 patients with cirrhosis and HCC either underwent LR ( n = 60) or were listed for OLT ( n = 119). Patients with incidental HCC after OLT, preoperative macrovascular invasion before LR, non-cirrhosis and Child–Pugh class C cirrhosis prior to OLT were eliminated, leaving 51 patients primarily treated with LR and 106 patients listed for primary OLT (84 of whom were transplanted) to be included in this analysis. A total of 66 patients fell outwith Milan criteria (26 LR, 40 OLT) and 91 continued to meet Milan criteria (25 LR, 66 OLT). Results The median length of follow-up was 26 months. The mean waiting time for OLT was 7 months. During that time, 21 patients were removed from the waiting list as a result of tumour progression. Probabilities of dropout were 2% and 13% at 6 and 12 months, respectively, for patients within Milan criteria, and 34% and 57% at 6 and 12 months, respectively, for patients outwith Milan criteria ( P 3 cm was found to be the independent factor associated with dropout (hazard ratio [HR] 6.0). Postoperative survival was slightly higher after OLT, but this was not statistically significant (64% for OLT vs. 57% for LR). Overall survival from time of listing for OLT or LR did not differ between the two groups ( P = 0.9); for patients within Milan criteria, 1- and 4-year survival rates after LR were 88% and 61%, respectively, compared with 92% and 62%, respectively, after OLT ( P = 0.54). For patients outwith Milan criteria, 1- and 4-year survival rates after LR were 69% and 54%, respectively, compared with 65% and 40%, respectively, after OLT ( P = 0.42). Tumour size >3 cm was again found to be an independent factor for poor outcome (HR 2.4) in the intention-to-treat analysis. Conclusions Survival rates for patients with HCC are similar in LR and OLT. Liver resection can potentially decrease the dropout rate and serve as a bridge for future salvage LT, particularly in patients with tumours >3 cm.
Modeling the effects of fast shocks on solar wind minor ions

Observations show that, when alpha particles and other minor ions in the solar wind plasma encounter fast shocks, they are heated more than protons and their bulk motion is decelerated less than protons. These effects have been studied using a three-fluid model, and the model predictions have been compared with observations. The comparison indicates that, for supercritical fast shocks, the three-fluid model can explain cross-shock minor ion heating which is significantly greater than that of protons. When the ratio of specific heats for minor ions, gamma (alpha), equals 2, both the lesser cross-shock deceleration and the greater heating of minor ions than of protons can be predicted by the model; thus, the minor ion heating through the shock transition region is consistent with the involvement of two degrees of freedom. Because the analysis is formulated in the de Heffmann-Teller frame of reference, the method is not valid for perpendicular shocks or when the angle is large. These results agree with the few extant observations and might be confirmed by further observations at the earth's bow shock.
Commensal Bacteria Influence Innate Status Within Gingival Tissues: A Pilot Study

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of commensal bacteria to the innate defense status of gingival tissue by examining the expression of innate host defense mediators in germ-free and conventionally reared groups in both BALBc/ByJ and SCID C.B17 mice. Methods: Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was utilized to determine the constitutive levels within each gingival tissue set (N = 5) for: E-selectin, P-selectin, interleukin-(IL)-8 homologue, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, intercellular adhesion molecule-(ICAM)-1, ICAM-2, and vascular adhesion molecule-(VCAM)-1. In addition, IL-1β protein content was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Gingival samples revealed that only IL-1β mRNA expression among all mediators examined was significantly reduced in conventionally reared mice (P <0.01) compared to germ-free mice. In contrast, IL-1β protein levels were significantly (P <0.001) higher in conventionally ...
How Can Man and Machine Trust Each Other and Work Better Together

Our traditional machines are operated by commands. But Increasing diversification and frequent changes in our environments make it more and more difficult for a designer to foresee the operating conditions. Therefore, designs are shifting from designer-centric to user-centric, because it is a user who knows the situation and can make decisions what he or she should do. So now machines should be designed to help a user understand the current situation better and to help him or her make better decisions. They need more flexibility to work better together with its user. But there are many examples, where although a machine is equipped with a wide variety of functions to cope with almost all sorts of situations, accidents occur due to a human error. Such typical case is CFIT (Controlled Flight into terrain) [1] in airplanes. Norman pointed out that simple mechanical objects can be trusted because their behaviors are so simple people know how to operate them. But machines are getting more and more complicated so a user does not know what to expect from them. And if it does not react to his or her expectations, a user sometimes gets very much emotionally upset and gets panicked. How can we solve this problem? A solution may be found in software development. Software was produced in the past just in the same way as hardware, with their functions fixed. But now software changed its product development style. Software first provides a user with simple functions and once he or she becomes familiar with this basic level of functions, it evolves to a little higher level. Through experience and feedback from a user, software evolves its function gradually and continually. It must be noted that most of our machines are not hardware or software alone. They are combinations of both. So we can develop such a machine which possesses a diversity of functions but reveals at the very early stage of operation a basic level of functions to a user, until he or she gets accustomed to it and puts confidence in it. And when he or she fully experiences this level and desires higher level functions, then the machine evolves. How a user cope with situations varies from user to user, but if a machine is customized this way, a user would trust our machines and would operate with full confidence in them.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Micromachined silicon nitride deformable mirrors for focus control.

We have built a 1000‐μm-diameter silicon nitride deformable mirror for focus-control applications, using micro-optoelectromechanical systems technology. We achieved variable focal lengths from 36 to 360 mm while maintaining zero primary spherical aberration, using a maximum control voltage of 100 V. Active control of spherical aberration of approximately two waves at 660 nm was demonstrated.
Dual colorimetric and electrochemical sensing of organothiophosphorus pesticides by an azastilbene derivative

Abstract We have investigated the optical and electrochemical changes of the azastilbene, dimethyl-[4-(2-quinolin-2-yl-vinyl)-phenyl]-amine (DQA), with four organothiophosphorus (OTP) pesticides: ethion, malathion, parathion, and fenthion. Significant changes in UV–visible absorbance wavelength and in electrochemical signals indicate the effectiveness of DQA as an OTP sensor.
Solar cooling systems: Mass transfer studies for a liquid desiccant dehumidifier

Liquid desiccant cooling systems have the advantage over conventional compression systems of being able to operate with largely solar thermal energy sources, and of efficiently handling the latent load. The solar energy is used to regenerate the liquid desiccant by removing the water absorbed from air in the dehumidifier. A packed-bed liquiddesiccant (LiBr) dehumidification unit has been operated with varying air conditions and liquid streams and with three levels of packing (0, 28 and 40 cm). Number of transfer units (NTU) values of 2–2.5 were obtained in the best performing configuration; the corresponding height of transfer unit (HTU) values were 0.25–0.31 m. Overall, gas-side mass transfer coefficients calculated for the dehumidifier are made up of contributions from the packed bed and spray sections of the tower. With full packing and a higher solution flow rate, the overall Kya was 151.3 g mol/sm3 contact-volume log mean concentration driving force. Spray-only contacting at the higher solution flow rate gave a Kya of 15.7 g mol/sm3 contact-volume log mean concentration driving force. The individual mass transfer coefficients for the two sections have been separated; to the authors' knowledge, this is the first time the separate contributions of spray and packing have been quantified in a composite dehumidifier tower. Spray contributions were found to contribute from 10 to 70% of the mass transfer occurring in the dehumidifier, the higher percentages being found for a very inefficient deep bed and low liquid flow conditions.
Daytime Predictors of Evening Alcohol Use: Treatment Implications for Moderate to Heavy Drinkers

This study examined daytime mood, stress, and drinking-related consequences as predictors of evening alcohol use. Twenty-four moderate to heavy drinkers completed diaries twice daily for 28 days. Results of hierarchical linear modeling analyses indicated daytime negative mood states predicted higher levels of evening alcohol use, whereas negative drinking-related consequences predicted lower levels of subsequent alcohol use. Clinical implications include emphasizing negative drinking-related consequences in enhancing client motivation to change. Results also support routine assessment of anxiety and depressed mood to help clinicians identify risk factors for drinking and provide intervention strategies targeting negative mood states to improve treatment outcomes.
High-Temperature Ceramic Gas Sensors: A Review

Identifying chemical species and their quantification have become important in many industrial applications involving high temperatures and chemical contaminants. Center for Industrial Sensors and Measurements has developed TiO2 semiconducting sensors, zirconia and lithium phosphate-based electrochemical sensors, and a sensor array for high-temperature emission control. The underlying theme in our sensor development has been the use of materials science and chemistry to promote high-temperature performance with selectivity. This article presents key results of previous studies on CO, NOx, CO2, and O2 sensors, and scope for future development.
Serum Apoptosis Markers in Acute Liver Failure: A Pilot Study

Background & Aims: We sought to determine whether circulating apoptotic markers are altered in acute liver failure (ALF), differ with etiology, or predict clinical outcome in this condition. Methods: Serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas), tumor necrosis factor–alpha (TNF-), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured in 67 acute liver failure patients, as well as controls. In a subset of the groups, we measured serum M-30 antigen, an exposed neoepitope from caspase cleavage. We also assessed M-30 immunoreactivity in liver tissue of ALF patients and controls. Results: Median levels for TNF-, HGF, IL-6, and M-30 antigen were at least 10-fold greater in ALF than in hepatitis C virus or normal controls (P < .0001). Median day 1 sFas, day 3 sFas, and day 1 HGF levels varied according to etiology of acute liver failure (P .004, P .011, and P .019, respectively), with values for druginduced liver injury and acetaminophen-related ALF higher than other etiologies. Median M-30 antigen levels were significantly higher in patients who were transplanted and/or died (2183 U/L) than spontaneous survivors (1004 U/L) (P .026). M-30 immunoreactivity in liver tissue was significantly greater in ALF patients than HCV controls (P .004). Conclusions: TNF-, HGF, IL-6, and M-30 antigen were significantly elevated in ALF. High levels of sFas and HGF might help to confirm a diagnosis of druginduced liver injury or acetaminophen-related ALF. Higher levels of M-30 antigen are associated with poor clinical outcomes in ALF.
Shifts in diversification rates and clade ages explain species richness in higher-level sedge taxa (Cyperaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Understanding heterogeneity in species richness across the tree of life is a challenge in evolutionary biology. The sedge family, Cyperaceae, is classified into tribes that exhibit a roughly 200-fold range in species richness. The Cyperaceae present an excellent case study in the determinants of species richness within higher-level taxa. METHODS We used secondary calibration based on prior studies and fossils from a rush (Juncaceae) and five sedges to calibrate two previously published Cyperaceae phylogenies, then compared our results to previous molecular clock analyses. We used an information-theoretic approach to identify shifts in lineage diversification rates and phylogenetic generalized least squares to fit alternative models of clade species richness. KEY RESULTS Our results suggest a late Cretaceous origin for Cyperaceae (76-89 mya). The inferred 0.06 speciation events Ma(-1) is comparable to overall diversification rates in the order Poales but faster than angiosperm background rates. A threefold increase in diversification rate at the base of the species-rich SDC+FAEC clade is correlated with climatic changes during the Paleocene-Eocene boundary (ca. 55 mya). The greater driver of among-clade variance in species richness, however, is clade age (simple R(2) = 0.334, P = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS Although shifts in diversification rates play a role in the generation of heterogeneous patterns of species richness, our study demonstrates that variance in clade age alone explains ca. 33% of among-clade variation in species diversity, which stands in contrast to the general pattern for angiosperms.
A geometric construction of coordinates for convex polyhedra using polar duals

A fundamental problem in geometry processing is that of expressing a point inside a convex polyhedron as a combination of the vertices of the polyhedron. Instances of this problem arise often in mesh parameterization and 3D deformation. A related problem is to express a vector lying in a convex cone as a non-negative combination of edge rays of this cone. This problem also arises in many applications such as planar graph embedding and spherical parameterization. In this paper, we present a unified geometric construction for building these weighted combinations using the notion of polar duals. We show that our method yields a simple geometric construction for Wachspress's barycentric coordinates, as well as for constructing Colin de Verdiere matrices from convex polyhedra---a critical step in Lovasz's method with applications to parameterizations.
Minimal Nuclear Deterrence

This article develops a rational theory of minimal nuclear deterrence: What is the minimal amount of weapons needed to maintain a stable balance of power? By searching for the requirements of minimal nuclear deterrence, we hope to gain a better understanding of how to proceed with arms reduction without compromising the value of deterrence.
Epidemiology of chronic kidney disease among normotensives: but what is chronic kidney disease?

Among adults in the United States, 1 in 4 has hypertension and 1 in 8 has chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although the relationship between hypertension and CKD has been recognized for several hundred years, the prevalence of CKD among patients with normal blood pressure has not been assessed in randomly sampled populations. Crews et al1 in this issue of Hypertension are the first to report such estimates: 13.4% of people who have normal blood pressure have CKD. Among those with prehypertension, the prevalence is 17.3%; among those with undiagnosed hypertension, the prevalence is 22.0%; and among those with diagnosed hypertension, the prevalence is 27.4%. The magnitude of these CKD prevalence estimates is astounding and may even be misleading unless placed in appropriate context. The awareness of CKD diagnosis was dismal: <10% of people were aware of CKD regardless of hypertension category. A thorough analysis of the definition of CKD is necessary to understand how the varying definitions of CKD may have influenced both the prevalence and awareness estimates. The prevalence estimates may be inflated because of CKD that is so mild that it may not be considered a disease at all. For example, examination of the Figure (derived from Table 3 of the article) shows that if one considers the prevalence of more severe CKD defined as macroalbuminuria or estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <45 mL/min per 1.73 m2, then the prevalence estimates fall dramatically. These stricter definitions of CKD yield the following prevalence estimates of CKD: normal blood pressure 0.5%; prehypertension 1.0%; undiagnosed hypertension 2.0%; and <5.0% prevalence of CKD among those with diagnosed hypertension. These prevalence estimates are much lower than those obtained with the more sensitive definition that is typically used to define CKD. Thus, the prevalence estimates of CKD may be driven up …
Critical GPS: Toward a New Politics of Location

This paper aims to extend the purview of critical GIS to also account for what would be akin to a critical GPS by examining two cases where GPS technology is used as a similar means to two decidedly different ends. I look at Acme-Rent-a-Car’s use of GPS technology to track the driving speed of their customers and then fine their customers for speeding, and the Amsterdam Real-Time Project’s recent use of GPS technology to create, for aesthetic purposes, maps of the real-time movements of individual Amsterdam citizens. I examine the social implications of a consenting or nonconsenting subject who is always already locatable. I suggest that the questions raised by each of these two cases are indicative of a social dilemma in GPS, and thus advocate for a critical engagement with GPS technology.
Cloning and identification of the promoter of the tobacco Sar8.2b gene, a gene involved in systemic acquired resistance.

Expression of the Sar8.2 gene family is induced by salicylic acid (SA) in tobacco during induction of systemic acquired resistance. Expression of Sar8.2b, one member of this 12-member family, was detected as early as 12 h after treatment with SA and was maximal 36 h after SA treatment. In NahG transgenic tobacco plants, benzothiadiazole and dichloroisonicotinic acid induced expression of Sar8.2b but SA did not, suggesting that expression of the Sar8.2b gene is SA-dependent. Several putative cis-acting elements were found in the Sar8.2b gene promoter region, including an as-1 element and GT-1 and Dof binding sequences. We constructed a series of progressive deletion mutations in the Sar8.2b promoter region linked to the b-glucuronidase (GUS) coding region and analyzed GUS activities by stable expression in transformants of Arabidopsis thaliana. Deletions between 2728 and 2927 bp or between 2351 and 2197 bp of the promoter region resulted in a significant reduction in GUS activity induced by SA treatment as shown in stable transformants of A. thaliana. The 2197 bp fragment of the promoter region was found to confer a relatively low level of GUS activity induced by SA treatment in stable expression of transformants in A. thaliana. The results suggest that 927 bp of the Sar8.2b gene promoter confers full promoter activity and that cis-acting elements required for high-level SA-inducible expression of the Sar8.2b gene may exist within the regions 2728 to 2927 bp and 2197 to 2351 bp. q 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
SciSketch: a tabletop collaborative sketching system

Sketching is a vital process in scientific research and procedural learning. In educational contexts, sketching helps students visualize abstract concepts and facilitates communication with their instructors as well as with other students. Inspired by a problem-based learning science class in which students use papers and pens to collaboratively sketch diagrams and equations for given problems, we aim to provide a digital tabletop platform for collaborative learning and customization. Current tabletop systems are unaffordable to be widely adopted in the classroom and are unable to identify multiple pens. We propose a pen-based tabletop system that utilizes a low-cost high-frame-rate infrared camera and HTML5 web canvas programming, making it cheaper and easier to customize for specific uses.