cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laboratory simulation of pelagic asteroidal impact: Atmospheric injection, benthic topography, and the surface wave radiation field

The hypervelocity impact (1.25-6 km/s) of projectiles into water overlying unconsolidated strata is reported for a variety of water depths. Variation of the background atmospheric pressure is found to be an important additional parameter. The relation of these exploratory experiments to pelagic impact of asteroidal-sized objects is discussed from the standpoint of atmospheric injection of sea water, the modification of bottom (benthic) topography, and the generation of a field of mega-amplitude sea waves and their propagation away from the source.
Esophageal bolus transit imaged by ultrafast computerized tomography

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Conventional transit imaging techniques detect only the solid or liquid component of a swallowed bolus within the esophagus. This study aimed to dynamically image the composition, distribution, and propulsion of esophageal contents during swallowing. METHODS: Multiple adjacent cross-sectional images of the esophagus were obtained in 7 subjects using ultrafast computerized tomography. Images from two 10-mL swallows were synchronized and analyzed for bolus distribution and propulsion, cross-sectional area, intraluminal volume, and intraluminal content. RESULTS: Both liquid and air were swallowed, with the relative distribution varying among levels. Within the ampulla, air occupied 71% of the luminal cross-sectional area. Air was propelled ahead of the liquid bolus at 17 cm/s compared with 7 cm/s for fluid (P
A CyberGIS gateway approach to interoperable access to the National Science Foundation TeraGrid and the Open Science Grid

The vision of creating a "virtual supercomputing" environment to solve large-scale scientific problems has largely been facilitated by the development and deployment of Grid middleware. However, with the deployment of multiple disconnected Grid environments, we are now faced with the problem of interoperable access to resources from multiple environments to meet the requirements of scientific applications. Within the U. S. cyberinfrastructure environments, two key elements: both the National Science Foundation TeraGrid and the Open Science Grid (OSG) provide varied but important capabilities and resources needed by diverse computational communities. Hence, it is critical to understand how these communities can benefit from bridging these different environments and utilize them when needed. In this paper we present a novel approach to interoperable access to both OSG and TeraGrid to users through the CyberGIS Gateway -- an online geographic information system. In particular, five key interoperability themes are addressed: authentication and authorization, information services, data management, and computation management and auditing. We take a scientific application use-case (viewshed analysis) on the CyberGIS Gateway to demonstrate how to exploit resources on both OSG and TeraGrid.
Relation of ATPase activities to iron uptake in rabbit and cat erythroid cells.

Fe59-Aufnahme in Kaninchen-Retikulozyten ist durch erhohte Werte des Isotops in der wasserloslichen Fraktion und erniedrigten Werten im Stroma der Katzen-Retikulozyten charakterisiert. Bei Kaninchen- und Katzen-Erythrozyten ist dieses Verhaltnis umgekehrt. Na+ und K+ aktivierte ATPase zeigt die hochsten Werte in den Kaninchen-Retikulozyten.
An investigation of crankshaft oscillations for cylinder health diagnostics

The vibrational characteristics of an internal combustion engine crankshaft are investigated from a cylinder health diagnostics point of view. Experimental results from a six-cylinder industrial diesel engine are presented to demonstrate the effects of cylinder imbalance on the individual harmonic components of the engine speed signal. A crank-angle domain numerical model of the crankshaft dynamics for a six-cylinder industrial diesel engine is also adopted to establish the effects of continuous low-power production in individual cylinders of a multi-cylinder engine. Outline of a diagnostics algorithm that makes use of the properties of crankshaft vibration behaviour is provided. In particular, crank-angle domain notch filters are employed to extact the harmonic components of engine speed. The outlined method can be implemented for individual cylinder health diagnostics across a family of multi-cylinder engines and can be formulated to handle changes in crankshaft characteristics due to replacement of mechanical components and/or wear.
Investigation into Increasing the Precision of a Rotating Disk-Solution Technique for the Analysis of Silicates

The precision of major–minor silicate analyses employing a rotating disk-solution technique may be improved upon by restricting the number of sparkings on each end of the counter electrode to no more than two times; and by placing a more rigid control on disk weight than presently supplied by the manufacturer, i.e., prior to sparking, weigh the disks and place them in weight categories with a range of no greater than 30 mg. Room temperature fluctuations of 5°F or less are enough to decrease precision of the analysis; therefore, in order to maintain maximum precision, a tighter control on room temperature is required. Changes in barometric pressure affect the precision of certain major and minor oxides, therefore, during periods of stable barometric pressure the precision of the analysis is at an optimum. Relative humidity in the range of 40%–60% and minor shifts in the optical alignment of the grating appears to have little effect on the precision of the analyses.
Discovery of potent, selective 4-fluoroproline-based thrombin inhibitors with improved metabolic stability

Abstract Previous reports from our laboratories described potent tripeptide thrombin inhibitors which incorporate heterocycle-substituted chlorophenyl groups in the P1 position. Using these as lead compounds for further optimization, we identified sites of metabolism and designed analogs with 4-fluoroproline in P2 and cyclopropane-containing side chains in P3 as an approach to reducing metabolism and improving their oral pharmacokinetic performance. The large (300-fold) difference in potency between analogs containing (4 R )- and (4 S )-4-fluoroproline was rationalized by analyzing inhibitor–enzyme interactions in crystal structures of related compounds and by molecular modeling which indicated that the more potent (4 R )-4-fluoroproline isomer stabilizes a proline ring conformation that is preferred for binding to the enzyme. An optimal compound from this work, 41 , exhibits high potency in a coagulation assay in human plasma (2×APTT = 190 nM), excellent selectivity versus the digestive enzyme trypsin ( K i = 3300 nM), and excellent oral bioavailability in dogs with moderate clearance ( F = 100%, CL = 12 mL/min/kg).
CsI(Tl)-241Am calibration source for Pb-glass detectors

Abstract A light pulser for calibrating Pb-glass detectors has been designed consisting of a 3 mm diameter by 1 mm thick CsI(Tl) scintillation crystal positioned in an Al cup 1 mm from an 241 Am α-emitting source. Optical coupling to a Pb-glass detector is provided by a glass window and epoxy. Calibration consists of exposing the Pb-glass detector to high-energy electrons, typically 2 GeV, and comparing the Cherenkov pulse with the line from the CsI(Tl)- 241 Am source. The advantages of this source are its expected long-term stability of light output, simplicity, and low cost.
Identification of mercapturic acid pathway metabolites of alachlor formed by liver and kidney homogenates of rats, mice, and monkeys

Abstract Incubation of alachlor in the presence of glutathione (GSH) with the cytosolic fraction from rat, mouse, and monkey livers produced the GSH conjugate of alachlor as the initial metabolite. The conjugation occurred through thiol displacement of the chlorine atom of alachlor and was catalyzed by glutathione S -transferases (GST). Species and gender differences were observed in the activity of liver cytosolic GST for alachlor in rats, mice, and monkeys. Prior exposure of male rats to acute and chronic doses of alachlor resulted in a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in their liver GST activity. Further enzymatic conversion of the alachlor-GSH conjugate was studied with kidney cell-free preparations of rats and monkeys, which readily degraded the alachlor-GSH conjugate through the mercapturic acid pathway to the corresponding cysteinylglycine, cysteine, and N -acetylcysteine conjugates of alachlor.
Work methods measurement—a comparison between robot and human task performance

SUMMARY The industrial robot, already an accepted element in modern manufacturing, when coupled with sensors and controlled by a computer, is better modelled as an operator than as a machine. In this paper the basic characteristics of sensor controlled robots are defined : workspace, actuation, positioning, orientation, sensing and decision making. Actual values of these characteristics are given for the Stanford Arm running under the WAVE system. In order to compare a robot to a human operator we consider each of the task elements defined in an established methodology for human work analysis, method time measurement (MTM). We translate each of these work elements into robot program statements. From this comparison we find that a robot can be modelled as an operator but that a different set of work elements is appropriate. We develop a new methodology, which we call RTM (robot time and motion) and describe an actual robot assembly operation. The same assembly task is described using MTM for a human operat...
Compound-specific amino acid δ15N patterns in marine algae: Tracer potential for cyanobacterial vs. eukaryotic organic nitrogen sources in the ocean

Abstract Stable nitrogen isotopic analysis of individual amino acids (δ 15 N-AA) has unique potential to elucidate the complexities of food webs, track heterotrophic transformations, and understand diagenesis of organic nitrogen (ON). While δ 15 N-AA patterns of autotrophs have been shown to be generally similar, prior work has also suggested that differences may exist between cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae. However, δ 15 N-AA patterns in differing oceanic algal groups have never been closely examined. The overarching goals of this study were first to establish a more quantitative understanding of algal δ 15 N-AA patterns, and second to examine whether δ 15 N-AA patterns have potential as a new tracer for distinguishing prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic N sources. We measured δ 15 N-AA from prokaryotic and eukaryotic phytoplankton cultures and used a complementary set of statistical approaches (simple normalization, regression-derived fractionation factors, and multivariate analyses) to test for variations. A generally similar δ 15 N-AA pattern was confirmed for all algae, however significant AA-specific variation was also consistently identified between the two groups. The relative δ 15 N fractionation of Glx (glutamine + glutamic acid combined) vs. total proteinaceous N appeared substantially different, which we hypothesize could be related to differing enzymatic forms. In addition, the several other AA (most notably glycine and leucine) appeared to have strong biomarker potential. Finally, we observed that overall patterns of δ 15 N values in algae correspond well with the Trophic vs. Source-AA division now commonly used to describe variable AA δ 15 N changes with trophic transfer, suggesting a common mechanistic basis. Overall, these results show that autotrophic δ 15 N-AA patterns can differ between major algal evolutionary groupings for many AA. The statistically significant multivariate results represent a first approach for testing ideas about relative eukaryotic vs. prokaryotic ON sources in the sea.
Treatment of FSGS in Children

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a pathologic condition that represents many disease entities. The goals of therapy are to cure the disease. When this is not possible, the secondary goals are to reduce proteinuria to avoid the complications of nephrotic syndrome and to delay progression of kidney disease. Proteinuria remission is one of the most important independent predictors of kidney survival. Children with FSGS who do not achieve partial or complete remission have a 50% risk of progression to ESRD within 5 years whereas those who enter complete remission have a 5-year kidney survival rate of 90%. Treatment of idiopathic FSGS commonly involves immune-based and nonimmunologic therapy options. This manuscript will review the current state of FSGS therapy for children.
Gibb's overshoot on a fractal

Abstract Gibbs' overshoot refers to the persistent discrepancy between a Fourier series' approximation and actual values near a functional discontinuity. Here this phenomenon is generalized to a fractal discontinuity on a trial function. Analytic results support the conclusion that fractal dimension can parameterize the Gibbs' overshoot on an example sawtooth with a fractal distribution of discontinuous depths. Simulations confirm this finding on a fractal Brownian walk and the devil's staircase. Results indicate that the overshoot arises on a fractal not as much from any general ruggedness, but more from the fractal discontinuity directly.
Abstraction and composition techniques for reconfiguration of large-scale complex applications

Complex distributed applications are often developed incrementally while they are in active use. Programming and runtime environments must allow software designers to make these changes easily and efficiently. This must be provided within the appropriate framework for modeling, analysis and correct execution that is essential for complex applications. The key to supporting reconfiguration of large-scale applications is providing efficient abstraction and composition mechanisms. By separating specification of well-defined components from the component interaction and composition behavior, we allow designers to implement easily replaceable components and changeable interaction behavior. The abstraction mechanism simplifies development of large-scale reconfigurable applications by hiding implementation details. The facility also includes automatic analytical tools for checking consistency, reachability and dependency in the behavior of interacting components. These tools are essential for development and runtime support of large-scale and reconfigurable decentralized applications.
Syndecan-1 regulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype.

Objective We examined the role of syndecan-1 in modulating the phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells in the context of endogenous inflammatory factors and altered microenvironments that occur in disease or injury-induced vascular remodeling. Methods and Results Vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) display a continuum of phenotypes that can be altered during vascular remodeling. While the syndecans have emerged as powerful and complex regulators of cell function, their role in controlling vSMC phenotype is unknown. Here, we isolated vSMCs from wild type (WT) and syndecan-1 knockout (S1KO) mice. Gene expression and western blotting studies indicated decreased levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), calponin, and other vSMC-specific differentiation markers in S1KO relative to WT cells. The spread area of the S1KO cells was found to be greater than WT cells, with a corresponding increase in focal adhesion formation, Src phosphorylation, and alterations in actin cytoskeletal arrangement. In addition, S1KO led to increased S6RP phosphorylation and decreased AKT and PKC-α phosphorylation. To examine whether these changes were present in vivo, isolated aortae from aged WT and S1KO mice were stained for calponin. Consistent with our in-vitro findings, the WT mice aortae stained higher for calponin relative to S1KO. When exposed to the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, WT vSMCs had an 80% reduction in syndecan-1 expression. Further, with TNF-α, S1KO vSMCs produced increased pro-inflammatory cytokines relative to WT. Finally, inhibition of interactions between syndecan-1 and integrins αvβ3 and αvβ5 using the inhibitory peptide synstatin appeared to have similar effects on vSMCs as knocking out syndecan-1, with decreased expression of vSMC differentiation markers and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines, receptors, and osteopontin. Conclusions Taken together, our results support that syndecan-1 promotes vSMC differentiation and quiescence. Thus, the presence of syndecan-1 would have a protective effect against vSMC dedifferentiation and this activity is linked to interactions with integrins αvβ3 and αvβ5.
3D Multi-Resolution Microscopy for the Study of the Early Stages of Cellular Uptake

Phenomena in biological systems are inherently multi-scale in both time and space, from the behavior of a single enzyme to long range interactions between cells. The traditional approach to investigate these systems is imaging, which is an attempt to evaluate each voxel in a sample at a set time interval indiscriminately for all voxels. Here we demonstrate a 3D multi-resolution microscope, which rather than sampling uniformly and unselectively, is capable of collecting high-precision information local to a nanoscale probe (∼10 nm, ∼10 µsec) and complement it with lower-resolution information for the slowly varying larger-scale cellular environment (10s of microns). High precision data is collected from freely diffusing nanoscale probes by using a target-locking microscope which “locks” the probe of interest in the focus of the objective lens, while the cellular contour is concurrently evaluated by two-photon laser scanning microscopy (2P-LSM). We apply this multi-scale method to the unexplored early stages of cellular uptake. We observe unexpected long range dynamics associated with the approach and landing of 100 nm HIV1-Tat coated nanoparticles on the cell surface, as well as the correlation of dynamics “hot-spots” with sub-diffraction membrane structures.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Affinity of fibroblast growth factors for β-cyclodextrin tetradecasulfate

Abstract β-Cyclodextrin tetradecasulfate was found to have a very strong affinity for fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and could substitute for heparin in FGF purification. Basic FGF was purified about 200,000-fold from a rat chondrosarcoma using a method of biaffinity chromatography in which the β-cyclodextrin tetradecasulfate polymer was mixed with copper-Sepharose. This method takes advantage of the strong affinity of FGF for both β-cyclodextrin tetradecasulfate and copper.
HIV-Related Neurocognitive Disorders and Drugs of Abuse: Mired in Confound, Surrounded by Risk

It has long been known that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) uses the central nervous system (CNS) as a reservoir and nursery to replicate; therein, it does damage to cells and creates an inflammation that in turn allows for more virus to pass the blood–brain barrier. The inflammatory process itself can cause considerable damage. Neurocognitive disturbance from HIV infection is also known to occur at any stage of the infection. Likewise, common drugs of abuse also have adverse neurocognitive effects on their own. This review examines the literature available to try to elucidate the mechanisms of neurocognitive disorders in the HIV-infected individuals who have used drugs of abuse. Although the incidence of HIV-associated dementia (HAD) has decreased with the advent of highly active anti-retroviral therapy, less severe forms of neurocognitive impairment persist, even with supported immune systems and undetectable viral loads. Considerations for prevention are discussed.
The possible involvement of a plasmid(s) in actinomycin synthesis by Streptomyces parvulus and Streptomyces antibioticus.

The treatment of Streptomyces parvulus and Streptomyces antibioticus with acriflavine or novobiocin resulted in the loss of ability to produce actinomycin. The concomitant loss of ability to form aerial mycelium and the incidence of auxotrophic progeny (S. parvulus) were both low relative to the loss of the antibiotic-producing property. Protoplast fusion induced by polyethylene glycol 4000, using suitable auxotrophic strains of S. parvulus, resulted in high recombination frequencies to prototrophy (9.6-15%). When fusion was carried out between auxotrophic act+ and act- strains, respectively, there was a high frequency (84-95%) of the actinomycin synthesizing character among the prototrophic recombinants examined. No actinomycin-producing recombinant was detected in similar experiments between auxotrophic non-producing strains.
The fine structure of the cockroach subgenual organ.

Abstract This paper describes the fine structure of the cockroach subgenual organ, a complex ciliated mechanoreceptor that detects vibrations in the substrate upon which the animal stands. Located beneath the knee in each walking leg, the cockroach subgenual organ is a thin, fan-shaped flap of tissue slung across the dorsal blood space of the tibia at right angles to the leg's long axis. It is innervated by approximately 50 chordotonal sensilla. The fine structure of the chordotonal sensilla is is described in detail ; possible transducer sites are discussed.
Flow cytometric analysis of human erythrocytes. I, Probed with lectins and immunoglobulins

A recent review (Aminoff, 1988) summarized the evidence for and against our hypothesis for the role of glycophorin in the senescence and clearance of mammalian red blood cells (RBC) from circulation. This hypothesis postulates the loss of sialic acid from RBC surface in two forms: (a) as vesicles containing the sialoglycoprotein glyco- phorin, and (b) as free sialic acid residues from glycophorin molecules remaining on cell surface. In this report we demonstrate the applicability of flow cytometric procedures to explore, at the cellular level, time-dependent changes on RBC surface with change in cell size, and with in vivo age. The RBC are probed with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labelled lectins and goat anti-human-IgG and -IgM. The relative intensity of fluorescence is correlated to the change in RBC size as measured by forward lightscatter. Reactivity of RBC with FITC-labelled wheat germ agglutinin can be inhibited with either 0.2M N-acetylglucosamine or by removal of sialic acid residues with neuraminidase. The prop- erties of the smallest RBC correspond to those of the oldest RBC in their: (a) decreased reactivity with FITC-labelled lectins that recognize sialic acid residues, wheat germ and Limax flavus agglutinins, and (b) increased reactivity with FITC-labelled goat anti-human- IgG and -IgM. These results are compatible with our glycophorin hypothesis. Moreover, they suggest that the initial loss of sialic acid as glycophorin containing vesicles is grad- ual, while the subsequent step involving the loss of sialic acid residues is rapid and ex- poses multiple disaccharide galactose 13(1-3)N-acetylgalacosaminyl residues. These unmasked disaccharide sites are recognized by autoimmune IgG, IgM, and lectin-like re- ceptors on macrophages resulting in the clearance of senescent RBC from circulation.
Decay characteristics of bone marrow in the presence of a trabecular bone network: In vitro and in vivo studies showing a departure from monoexponential behavior

In this study, we examine MRI T2' decay characteristics for bone marrow in trabecular bone networks, using an asymmetric spin-echo sequence to isolate the inhomogeneous decay due to susceptibility variations between bone and marrow or water. In in vitro measurements on trabecular bone specimens from human vertebral bodies, tibia, and radii, we find significant deviations from a monoexponential signal decay. The initial decay is seen to have a Gaussian decay character, switching to a primarily exponential decay at later decay times. A similar trend is observed in in vivo measurements in the distal radius. Unlike an exponential decay, which may be characterized by a single decay rate, this is indicative of a significant variation in the decay rate with time. The deviations from exponential decay are seen to be orientation dependent, being most significant when the primary trabecular orientation is perpendicular to the static magnetic field.
Synthesis of nucleotide analogues by a promiscuous phosphoribosyltransferase.

An Escherichia coli strain overexpressing a mutant variant of a phosphoribosyl transferase was developed as a catalyst for the efficient preparation of a range of purine nucleotide analogues. This system offers an efficient and rapid method for nucleotide analogue synthesis with 100% β-selectivity, providing analytically pure product in a single purification step.
Conditioning (habit growth) in the absence of CRs

The assumption that conditioning (growth of H) developed in Ss who gave no eyelid CRs in an initial series of 10 reinforced trials was supported by data which showed that a subsequent test involving a difference in UCS intensity (level of D) led to a difference in level of response to the CS.
Enhancing predation of a subterranean insect pest: A conservation benefit of winter vegetation in agroecosystems

Abstract Generalist predator communities are abundant and diverse in agroecosystems, but pests often persist nevertheless. Winter vegetation (e.g., cover crops) provides an agronomically sound opportunity to conserve predator communities and promote their impact on pests. We evaluate whether winter vegetation increases predation of Diabrotica virgifera , a key subterranean pest of maize. Fields of maize were preceded by a winter cover crop (slender wheatgrass) or a fallow period (bare soil) over two years. Pest populations and root damage were measured in each field, from which the gut contents of predators aspirated from the soil surface, or extracted from the soil column, were analyzed using qPCR and primer sets specific to D. virgifera COI gene sequences. Predation intensity on restrained D. virgifera larvae (sentinels) was observed during the three larval stadia of the pest ( n = 400 3rd instars per plot per stadium). A diverse predator community consumed D. virgifera in maize fields, and predation was significantly greater in maize following cover crops (as measured with sentinels, but not gut content analysis). Predation was particularly intense during the 3rd stadium of the pest, especially in the cover-cropped maize. qPCR-based gut content analysis of natural populations functioned well in determining which predators consumed D. virgifera , but was only correlated with their impact on the pest and its damage when the relative frequency of detection, quantity of DNA calculated, and predator abundance were combined into a predation index. In support of these observations, predation intensity on sentinels was negatively correlated with D. virgifera populations and plant damage, but did not provide an accurate picture of the community involved. Cover crops reduced D. virgifera populations by increasing predation levels on this pest, which indicates that conserving predation as an ecosystem service is a mechanism for how this form of habitat diversification functions. Also, we conclude that employing diverse methods provides the best insight into trophic relationships within subterranean systems. Finally, because of the dynamic and diverse interactions between pests and their natural enemy complexes, we advocate conserving diverse predator communities within agroecosystems, rather than targeting conservation efforts at specific key predator taxa.
Physics-based modeling of cosmogenic nuclides part I – Radiation transport methods and new insights

Abstract We present a comprehensive, nuclear-physics-based cosmogenic nuclide production rate model combining radiation transport modeling with excitation functions for commonly measured nuclides. This model allows investigation of factors influencing nuclide production, such as the energy spectrum and angular distribution of the incident radiation that cannot be easily isolated in calibration measurements on natural samples. We present neutron and proton fluxes over a range of atmospheric depths and cut-off rigidities. Calculated production rates for 3He, 10Be, 14C, 21Ne, 26Al, and 36Cl based on these fluxes are presented. The model predicts that production rates for these nuclides diverge from one another with altitude, hence that production ratios depend on altitude. Compared to existing scaling schemes, the model predicts a larger difference between sea-level production rates at low and high latitude.
LONG-TERM FLOW MEASUREMENTS (1961-2002) OF THE ARAPAHO, TAYLOR, AND FAIR ROCK GLACIERS, FRONT RANGE, COLORADO

During the 1960s, several surveying networks were established on rock glaciers located in the Front Range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Most surveys were updated every 1 to 5 years until approximately 1966, providing a short-term record of flow velocities; however, since these initial studies, the measurements have not been updated. Short-term and long-term flow velocities are needed to examine the evolution of rock glaciers. During the summer of 2002, I re-established surveying networks, and obtained a 40-plus year record of flow. Average rates of 7.3, 6.3, and 9.5 cm/year were calculated for the Arapaho, Taylor, and Fair rock glaciers, respectively. Compared to other rock glaciers, the displacements are small because surveyed rocks are situated in a zone of compressive flow near the toes of the rock glaciers. Most displacements were within 10% of the projected estimates and were not significantly different from the earlier short-term measurements. Meteorological data do not show a clearly defined war...
Band filling effects on temperature performance of intermediate band quantum wire solar cells

Detailed studies of solar cell efficiency as a function of temperature were performed for quantum wire intermediate band solar cells grown on the (311)A plane. A remotely doped one-dimensional intermediate band made of self-assembled In0.4Ga0.6As quantum wires was compared to an undoped intermediate band and a reference p-i-n GaAs sample. These studies indicate that the efficiencies of these solar cells depend on the population of the one-dimensional band by equilibrium free carriers. A change in this population by free electrons under various temperatures affects absorption and carrier transport of non-equilibrium carriers generated by incident light. This results in different efficiencies for both the doped and undoped intermediate band solar cells in comparison with the reference GaAs p-i-n solar cell device.
Iterative multiple reference tissue method for estimating pharmacokinetic parameters on prostate DCE MRI

Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters are probes of tissue status that can be assessed by analysis of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI and are useful for prostate cancer (CaP) detection and grading. Traditionally, PK analysis requires knowledge of the time-resolved concentration of the contrast agent in the blood plasma, the arterial input function (AIF), which is typically estimated in an artery in the field-of-view (FOV). In cases when no suitable artery is present in the FOV, the multiple reference tissue method (MRTM) enables the estimation of PK parameters without the AIF by leveraging PK parameter values from the literature for a reference tissue in the FOV. Nevertheless, PK parameters estimated in the prostate vary significantly between patients. Consequently, population-based values obtained from the literature may introduce error into PK parameter estimation via MRTM. The objectives of this paper are two-fold. First we present a novel scheme, iterative MRTM (IMRTM), to estimate PK parameter values in the absence of the AIF without making assumptions about the PK constants associated with a reference tissue. Then, using IMRTM we investigate differences in PK constants between CaP in the peripheral zone (PZ) and CaP in the central gland (CG), as CG and PZ CaP have previously been shown to differ significantly in terms of both texture and prognosis. We apply IMRTM to 15 patients with CaP in either the CG or the PZ who were scheduled for a radical prostatectomy and a pre-operative MRI. Values for the PK parameters K trans and v e estimated via IMRTM average 0.29 and 0.60 for normal central gland (CG), 0.29 and 0.64 for normal peripheral zone (PZ), and 0.30 and 0.53 for CaP. It is noteworthy that PK constants estimated in PZ CaP are significantly higher than those estimated in CG CaP ( p < 0:05). While both MRTM and IMRTM provide PK parameter values that are biologically feasible, IMRTM has the advantage that it invokes patient-specific information rather than relying on population-based PK constants in performing PK analysis.
Coastal Synechococcus metagenome reveals major roles for horizontal gene transfer and plasmids in population diversity

The extent to which cultured strains represent the genetic diversity of a population of microorganisms is poorly understood. Because they do not require culturing, metagenomic approaches have the potential to reveal the genetic diversity of the microbes actually present in an environment. From coastal California seawater, a complex and diverse environment, the marine cyanobacteria of the genus Synechococcus were enriched by flow cytometry-based sorting and the population metagenome was analysed with 454 sequencing technology. The sequence data were compared with model Synechococcus genomes, including those of two coastal strains, one isolated from the same and one from a very similar environment. The natural population metagenome had high sequence identity to most genes from the coastal model strains but diverged greatly from these genomes in multiple regions of atypical trinucleotide content that encoded diverse functions. These results can be explained by extensive horizontal gene transfer presumably with large differences in horizontally transferred genetic material between different strains. Some assembled contigs showed the presence of novel open reading frames not found in the model genomes, but these could not yet be unambiguously assigned to a Synechococcus clade. At least three distinct mobile DNA elements (plasmids) not found in model strain genomes were detected in the assembled contigs, suggesting for the first time their likely importance in marine cyanobacterial populations and possible role in horizontal gene transfer.
Secondary glaucoma in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis-associated iridocyclitis.

. Purpose: The prevalence and management of glaucoma were evaluated in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)-associated iridocyclitis. Methods: The records of 69 patients with JRA-associated iridocyclitis were reviewed. Results: Twenty-nine (42%) of these patients had secondary glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Glaucoma was controlled with topical treatment in only 7 of the 41 affected eyes (17%); systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitor therapy resulted in control of another 8 eyes. Surgery controlled all but one of the remainder. Conclusion: Glaucoma is a common complication of JRA-associated iridocyclitis. It results from prolonged, inadequately treated intraocular inflammation and in some instances, from steroid use. Medical and surgical therapy for the glaucoma associated with JRA-uveitis is challenging and incompletely effective. We suspect that a more aggressive approach to the treatment of JRA-associated uveitis, earlier in the course of the disease may reduce this vision robbing contribution to the process.
Antibodies to the collagen‐like region of C1q in sera of patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases

Antibodies to the collagen-like region of C1q have recently been observed in sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we documented that these antibodies were present in 47.3% of SLE patient sera, whereas they were uncommon in sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (2.8%) and Sjogren's syndrome (12.8%), as well as in normal sera (6.4%). Markedly elevated antibody levels (greater than 4 SD above the normal mean) were observed almost exclusively in sera of patients with SLE. Levels of antibodies to the collagen-like region correlated highly with levels of solid-phase C1q-binding IgG when analyzed by the C1q solid-phase assay for immune complexes (r = 0.87). We previously found that, after sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation, a predominance of the solid-phase C1q-binding IgG in SLE sera sediments as monomeric IgG. These findings, together with the present data, indicate that reactivity of SLE patients' sera in the C1q solid-phase assay reflects primarily the presence of antibodies to the collagen-like region, and not the presence of immune complexes.
Effects of foam and wind waves on microwave ocean emission

Meissner and Wentz (M09) [4] report global WindSat measurements of wind-induced emissivity change at 6, 10, 18, 23 and 37 GHz in wind speeds up to about 50 m/s (Fig. 1). Superimposed in the figure are the SSA/SPM simulations accounting for both foam and roughness effects. The agreement between computation and measurements is generally very good. Both measurements and simulations show a monotonic increase of emissivity change with wind speed up to 50 m/s, and the rate of change seem to slow down somewhat in high winds. Fig. 2 shows the comparison of WindSat measurements and SSA/SPM simulations with the foam and roughness components displayed separately. The foam effect increases monotonically with wind stress. For the vertical polarization in the WindSat configuration (incidence angle about 53°), foam is the dominant contributor of wind-induced emissivity change. The roughness contribution is positive at 6, 10 and 18 GHz with decreasing magnitude toward higher frequency; it becomes negative at 23 and 37 GHz. The null roughness contribution occurs between 18 and 23 GHz, and this range represents the ideal frequency band for passive microwave remote sensing with minimal surface roughness contamination. For the horizontal polarization, roughness contribution dominates in all five frequencies except for a small range of wind speeds near 50 m/s at 6 GHz. For microwave frequencies less than about 10 GHz, the wind speed sensitivity of roughness contribution is less than that of the foam contribution; for higher microwave frequencies, the two contributions have similar wind speed sensitivity.
Non-adiabatic dynamics of interfacial systems: a case study of a nanoparticle penetration into a lipid bilayer

Understanding the dynamics of complex molecular systems is often facilitated by analysis of underlying free energy landscapes. In particular, activated transitions between metastable states of a sy...
Recent Advances in the Chemistry and Biology of New Generation Taxoids

Among the numerous chemotherapeutic drugs, paclitaxel and docetaxel are among the most widely used against various types of cancer. However, these drugs cause undesirable side effects as well as drug resistance. Therefore, it is essential to develop "taxane" anticancer agents with better pharmacological properties and improved activity especially against drug-resistant cancers. Several laboratories have performed extensive SAR studies on paclitaxel. Our SAR studies have led to the development of numerous highly potent novel second- and third-generation taxoids with systematic modifications at the C-2, C-10, and C-3' positions. The third-generation taxoids showed virtually no difference in potency against drug-resistant and drug-sensitive cell lines. Some of the new generation taxoids also exhibited excellent cytotoxicity against pancreatic cell lines expressing multidrug-resistant genes. We have also designed taxoids with strategic fluorine incorporation to investigate their effects on the cytotoxicity and the blockage of known metabolic pathways. Furthermore, we have successfully employed computational biology analysis to design novel macrocyclic taxoids to mimic the bioactive conformation of paclitaxel. This account describes our work on the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of these novel taxoids, which has led to the discovery of very promising candidates for further preclinical studies.
METABOLISM OF S AND R FORMS OF PNEUMOCOCCUS

In the present paper are given the results of studies on the respiratory and glycolytic metabolism of Pneumococcus Types I, II, and III, and of the R forms derived from these. The metabolism of the S and R forms are compared, and the relationship between changes in virulence, changes in chemical constitution, and changes in metabolism is discussed. 1. There is no respiration in Ringer solution unless sugar is added. 2. The pH (7.8) that is optimal for growth of pneumococcus is also the pH at which the maximum respiration occurs. 3. The intensity of respiration varies with type in the strains used. The respiratory capacity of Type I is 56 per cent of that of Type III, which in turn is 71 per cent of that of Type II. 4. The anaerobic glycolysis is approximately the same for all three groups. 5. Pneumococcus Type I is capable of aerobic glycolysis. 6. Pneumococcus Types II and III do not effect glycolysis aerobically. 7. The energy set free in respiration is considerably greater than that set free in glycolysis. 8. The oxidation quotient for lactic acid is of the same order as found by Meyerhof in muscle and by Warburg for mammalian tissues. 9. The respiratory capacities of Types I and III are changed on conversion of the smooth to the rough form. (a) For Type I the respiration is increased 110 per cent. (b) For Type III the respiration is diminished 45 per cent. (c) For Type II there is only a slight diminution in respiratory activity (16 per cent). 10. The anaerobic glycolysis is increased about 25 per cent on the average for all R forms irrespective of type derivation. 11. Type I on being converted to the R form, loses its capacity for aerobic glycolysis. 12. Type III, on being converted to the R form, gains the capacity for aerobic glycolysis. 13. The oxygen consumption by Pneumococcus compared with that of the human tubercle bacillus and of mammalian tissue, for the same time intervals, weight for weight, is as follows: (a) Pneumococcus Type I consumes thirteen times as much oxygen as does the tubercle bacillus (H37). (b) Pneumococcus Type II consumes thirty-four times as much oxygen as does the tubercle bacillus. (c) Pneumococcus Type II consumes over twenty times as much oxygen as does isolated rat kidney tissue, and almost 100 times as much oxygen as does isolated dog muscle.
An estimator of the underlying size distribution of overlapping impact-craters

Abstract The stochastic model of lunar type impact-crater formation which assumes (a) random impacts, (b) circular craters, each obliterating any portions of earlier craters lying within, and (c) a probability Pi(t) that a newly formed crater (primary or secondary) has an area ai is analyzed to develop a method of estimating Pi from the final overlapping pattern. It is found that if each crater is weighted by the fraction of the rim which is visible and which lies in an observation area A, then the expected value of the weighted sum Ω i of craters of area ai is simply proportional to Pi for any degree of coverage under several conditions, including (a) constant Pi for all i, and (b) Pi stepping from a constant early value to zero (for some i's) with otherwise arbitrary bombardment. Furthermore, in the general case, the expected value of the contribution ΔΩ i (t 0 ) to Ω i produced during t0 ± Δt/2 is found to be proportional to Pi(t0). Thus measurement of Ω i in the first two cases, or of ΔΩ i if crater age data is available in the last case, provides an estimate of the desired Pi. Therefore the Ω i introduce the correct weighting factors that just compensate for the effect of overlap. Expressions for the variances of Ω i and Ω = Σ i Ω i are derived from which it is shown that under the above conditions, Ω i /Ω or ΔΩ i /ΔΩ are consistent estimators of Pi. Formal evaluation of the variances is carried out in the special case of constant Pi and no secondary cratering. A criterion for the degree of coverage is given; in particular it is shown that the expectation of σ = Σ i a i Ω i at saturation is just A.
Hybridoma monoclonal antibodies in the analysis fo human cell surface antigens

In the present paper, we will summarize studies we have performed on two distinct human lymphocyte cell surface antigens defined by monoclonal antibodies: Leu-1 and HLA-DR.
Climate hazards, climatic change and development planning

Abstract The threat of global warming calls for a new approach to development planning, one that incorporates (a) analysis of the sensitivity of resource systems to variations in climate and environmental change; (b) gradual adjustment to climate change; and (c) expansion of the repertoire of options, to avoid being pressured into premature action or paralysed by uncertainty. The author asserts that such a repertoire should include actions that are easily and cheaply implemented and reversed, and that adjustments should expand rather than limit future options. Planners should expand on a ‘tie-in’ strategy that links the uncertain threat of climatic change to the certainty that current resource management systems contribute to current environmental problems. The mitigation of current natural hazards should be linked to concerns about climatic warming so that actions taken today have both immediate and long-term benefits.
Cesarean Delivery on Maternal Request Versus Planned Vaginal Delivery: Impact on Development of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) (ie, pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence) are prevalent and impact quality of life as well as our health care system. It has been estimated that the demand for health care related to PFDs will increase at twice the rate of the population itself. This speaks to the fact that PFDs are an important women's and public health issue, warranting studies aimed at their prevention.
Energy-Efficient Hybrid Silicon Electroabsorption Modulator for 40-Gb/s 1-V Uncooled Operation

This letter demonstrates a high-speed and energy-efficient lumped electroabsorption modulator on the hybrid silicon platform for an uncooled operation at up to 80°C . This 100-μm-long modulator has a 3-dB bandwidth of 30 GHz. Eye diagrams measured at the temperatures of 20°C , 40°C, 60 °C, and 80°C with corresponding adjustment on the input wavelength and the bias voltage show a dynamic extinction ratio of around 5 dB at 40 Gb/s with a 1-V drive voltage swing and an energy consumption of 112 fJ/bit.
Farming the home place : a Japanese American community in California, 1919-1982

In 1919, against a backdrop of a long history of anti-Asian nativism, a handful of Japanese families established Cortez Colony in a bleak pocket of the San Joachin Valley. Valerie Matsumoto chronicles conflicts within the community as well as obstacles from without as the colonists responded to the challenges of settlement, the setbacks of the Great Depression, the hardships of World War II internment, and the opportunities of postwar reconstruction. Tracing the evolution of gender and family roles of members of Cortez as well as their cultural, religious, and educational institutions, she documents the persistence and flexibility of ethnic community and demonstrates its range of meaning from geographic location and web of social relations to state of mind.
A new case of Grange syndrome without cardiac findings

Grange syndrome comprises arterial stenoses with hypertension, brachysyndactyly, bone fragility, learning disability, and cardiac defects. To date, we know of two reported families with five affected individuals. We report on one of the youngest cases, in a third family, a 3-year-old girl with brachysyndactyly, renal artery stenosis with hypertension, and bone fragility. She does not have apparent cardiac disease, suggesting cardiac anomalies may not be an obligatory finding in this syndrome. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.