cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How voice calls affect data in operational LTE networks

Both voice and data are indispensable services in current cellular networks. In this work, we study the inter-play of voice and data in operational LTE networks. We assess how the popular CSFB-based voice service affects the IP-based data sessions in 4G LTE networks, and visa versa. Our findings reveal that the interference between them is mutual. On one hand, voice calls may incur throughput drop, lost 4G connectivity, and application aborts for data sessions. One the other hand, users may miss incoming voice calls when turning on data access. The fundamental problem is that, signaling and control for circuit-switched voice and packet-switched data have dependency and coupling effect via the LTE phone client. We further propose fixes to the identified issues.
Investigations into the Physicochemical Properties of Dextran Small Particulate Gadolinium Oxide Nanoparticles

Rationale and Objectives Relatively few studies involving the physicochemical properties of crystalline, nanometer-sized particulate gadolinium complexes have been reported. This is in part because of the challenges associated with making nanoparticulate gadolinium suspensions that are stable in aqueous solution. Small particulate gadolinium oxide (SPGO) and SPGO embedded in albumin microspheres (gadolinium oxide albumin microspheres, GOAM), have been used experimentally as prototype contrast agents for multimodality imaging. Materials and Methods In the present study, an initial attempt was made to better solubilize SPGO, prevent particle aggregation, and investigate the physicochemical properties of dextran SPGO relevant to its use as a high-field magnetic resonance contrast agent in aqueous solution. Results Dextran SPGO demonstrates regular crystalline lattices and has a gadolinium oxide electron diffraction pattern consistent with that of published X-ray powder diffraction (XPD) patterns. The subtraction XPD pattern of dextran SPGO shows diffraction angles and intensities similar, but not identical, to that of published Gd2O3 diffraction patterns. High r2/r1 ratios and magnetic susceptibility studies indicate dextran SPGO can be classified as a superparamagnetic compound. Enhanced relaxivity is observed at high magnetic field strength; largely because of solubilization of SPGO via the surface adherent carbohydrate. Perhaps also contributing to the observed relaxivity enhancement is the ideal lattice structure of the central gadolinium oxide crystal and the effects of sonochemical preparation on nanoparticle physicochemical properties. Conclusions It is anticipated that these studies will help provide a basis for the development of novel nanoparticulate contrast agent platforms capable of improving T1 and T2/T2⁎ contrast for high-field magnetic resonance imaging and molecular imaging.
Differential Roles of the Glycogen-Binding Domains of β Subunits in Regulation of the Snf1 Kinase Complex

Members of the AMP-activated protein kinase family, including the Snf1 kinase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are activated under conditions of nutrient stress. AMP-activated protein kinases are heterotrimeric complexes composed of a catalytic alpha subunit and regulatory beta and gamma subunits. In this study, the role of the beta subunits in the regulation of Snf1 activity was examined. Yeasts express three isoforms of the AMP-activated protein kinase consisting of Snf1 (alpha), Snf4 (gamma), and one of three alternative beta subunits, either Sip1, Sip2, or Gal83. The Gal83 isoform of the Snf1 complex is the most abundant and was analyzed in the greatest detail. All three beta subunits contain a conserved domain referred to as the glycogen-binding domain. The deletion of this domain from Gal83 results in a deregulation of the Snf1 kinase, as judged by a constitutive activity independent of glucose availability. In contrast, the deletion of this homologous domain from the Sip1 and Sip2 subunits had little effect on Snf1 kinase regulation. Therefore, the different Snf1 kinase isoforms are regulated through distinct mechanisms, which may contribute to their specialized roles in different stress response pathways. In addition, the beta subunits are subjected to phosphorylation. The responsible kinases were identified as being Snf1 and casein kinase II. The significance of the phosphorylation is unclear since the deletion of the region containing the phosphorylation sites in Gal83 had little effect on the regulation of Snf1 in response to glucose limitation.
A double-sampled path-coupled single-loop ΣΔ modulator using noise-shaped integrating quantizer

A single-loop delta-sigma modulator based on path-coupling and double-sampling is proposed. This modulator employs a noise-shaped integrating quantizer which by itself increases the order of noise shaping by one. The integrating quantizer used in this structure holds its quantization error at the end of the evaluation phase, and hence this voltage is available in purely analog form and eliminates the need for extra DACs. This enables to utilize local path-coupling which adds another order of noise shaping. A third order example is provided and simulated to demonstrate the efficiency of this structure.
Methods of Measuring Electric Fields

To determine the potential of a spacecraft, an electric field meter is needed to measure the field at the surface and in the neighborhood of the craft. A search was made for field measuring methods which would not involve rapidly moving parts. Several of these methods are discussed along with some experimental work performed to determine their feasibility. The use of the Stark effect in the rotational spectra of gases appears to be the most promising method considered and it is discussed in more detail.
Pressure Drops of Water Flow Through Micromachined Particle Filters

When the particle is in the order of microns, flow through the small opening produces a large velocity gradient, leading to high viscous dissipation. Understanding the flow field is critical in determining the power requirement. We studied water flow through filters fabricated by micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) techniques
A Low-Power and High-Precision Programmable Analog Filter Bank

Analog filter banks befit remote audio- and vibration-sensing applications, which require frequency analysis to be performed with low-power consumption and with moderate-to-high precision. The precision of a filter bank depends on both the signal-path precision (i.e., dynamic range) and also the parameter precision (e.g., accuracy of the center frequencies). This brief presents a new bandpass filter for audio-frequency filter banks and provides a procedure for designing this filter. The filter is used in a 16-channel filter bank which has been fabricated in a 0.35- CMOS process. This filter bank has a dynamic range exceeding 62 dB and consumes only 63.6 when biased for speech frequencies. The filter bank's parameters are set via floating-gate current sources. This brief shows how to use these floating gates to obtain a versatile filter bank that can be precisely reprogrammed to arbitrary filter spacings and frequency weightings, with a parameter accuracy exceeding 99%.
Synthesis and chemical oxidation of 3-ferrocenylpyrrole and ferrocenyl-substituted triazoles: Iron versus ligand based oxidation

Abstract Copper catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reactions between ethynylferrocene and benzylazides yields 1-benzyl-4-ferrocenyl-1,2,3-triazoles ( 2 – 5 ). Reaction between phenylacetylene and azidoferrocene yields 1-ferrocenyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3-triazole ( 6 ). Anodic electrochemistry of 2 – 6 suggests reversible oxidation at potentials more positive than ferrocene. Chemical oxidation of 2 and 3-ferrocenylpyrrole ( 1 ) with dichlorodicyanoquinone (DDQ) yields the salts [ 2 + ] [ DDQ − ] and [ 1 + ] [ DDQ − ], respectively. 57 Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy reveals the presence of low-spin Fe II in [ 1 + ][ DDQ − ] while Fe II is oxidized to low-spin Fe III in [ 2 + ][ DDQ − ]. Magnetization measurements indicate that [ 1 + ][ DDQ − ] is paramagnetic and cannot be viewed as a simple neutral charge transfer complex reminiscent of the mixed stack diamagnetic [ferrocene] 0 [TCNE] 0 .
Controlled fabrication of photoactive copper oxide-cobalt oxide nanowire heterostructures for efficient phenol photodegradation.

Fabrication of oxide nanowire heterostructures with controlled morphology, interface, and phase purity is critical for high-efficiency and low-cost photocatalysis. Here, we have studied the formation of copper oxide–cobalt nanowire heterostructures by sputtering and subsequent air annealing to result in cobalt oxide (Co3O4)-coated CuO nanowires. This approach allowed fabrication of standing nanowire heterostructures with tunable compositions and morphologies. The vertically standing CuO nanowires were synthesized in a thermal growth method. The shell growth kinetics of Co and Co3O4 on CuO nanowires, morphological evolution of the shell, and nanowire self-shadowing effects were found to be strongly dependent on sputtering duration, air-annealing conditions, and alignment of CuO nanowires. Finite element method (FEM) analysis indicated that alignment and stiffness of CuO–Co nanowire heterostructures greatly influenced the nanomechanical aspects such as von Mises equivalent stress distribution and bending of...
Curvature fluctuations in maximally symmetric spaces

Metric tensor fluctuations in maximally symmetric spaces induce fluctuations in the various curvature tensors away from their background values. Coordinate-independent correlation functions for these fluctuations are found as sums of maximally symmetric bitensors, and physical implications of their behaviors at large times are discussed.
IMPACT OF RESIDUAL MITRAL REGURGITATION ON CLINICAL OUTCOMES AFTER ACUTE SUCCESSFUL PERCUTANEOUS MITRAL VALVE REPAIR WITH MITRACLIP SYSTEM

Percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) using MitraClip system is novel treatment option for significant mitral regurgitation (MR). We evaluated the effect of residual MR on clinical outcomes after acute successful procedure with PMVR. In this study, 165 patients who had underwent PMVR with acute
Narrow linewidth VCSELs for high-resolution spectroscopy

A future generation of high-performance low-power atomic systems is expected to require VCSEL linewidths below 10 MHz for compatibility with the natural atomic linewidth (5 MHz for cesium) that is realized with atomic beams, trapped atoms, and trapped ions. This paper describes initial efforts at Sandia to reduce VCSEL linewidth by increasing the effective cavity length of an 850-nm monolithic VCSEL. In particular, two aspects of VCSEL design will be discussed: the Q of the VCSEL cavity, and the linewidth enhancement factor of the active region material. We report a factor of two linewidth reduction, from 50 MHz for our standard oxide-aperture VCSEL to 23 MHz for an extended-cavity VCSEL.
KU stochastic adaptive control undergraduate success stories

A few undergraduate success stories will be provided. It will be shown that the REU experience, plus a strong stochastic theory and control systems program, equals success. The examples provided include different types of partnerships in undergraduate education; mathematics and engineering; mathematics, physics, and astronomy; mathematics and philosophy of sciences; mathematics and medicine; mathematics and information technology; and mathematics and finance. It will be shown that stochastic theory and control systems, with their inherently cross-disciplinary nature, play a fundamental role in undergraduate students' careers. The development of new courses that significantly broaden the standard introductory control systems course and the development of follow up courses at the undergraduate level that provide the necessary depth to prepare students both for industrial careers and for graduate studies in systems and control will be described. Furthermore, it will be shown that a format of working in small groups supervised by graduate students as well as research and practical experience in control systems provided to freshmen, in particular, in honors programs, to stimulate future interest, has been very successful.
Biochemical characterization of density-separated human erythrocytes.

Abstract A simple, reproducable method for the separation of human erythrocytes, described recently (Murphy, J. R. (1973) J. Lab. Clin. Med. 82, 334–341) has been utilized for the purpose of obtaining a wide range of biochemical data on these cells. Using phthalate ester density centrifugation of the fractions obtained by Murphy's method, we established that the cells were separated exclusively on the basis of their densities. Data on a wide range of biochemical and hematological parameters, when compared with previously reported density separation procedures showed that this simple technique can be used to fractionate the cells according to their densities (age) in their own plasma. Cells of increasing density consistently and reproducibly exhibited an increase in hemoglobin concentration, a moderate elevation in Na+ and a decrease in the following: K+, acetylcholinesterase, sialic acid, membrane protein, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, ATP, cholesterol, phospholipid, mean corpuscular volume and critical hemolytic volume, However, no change in mean corpuscular hemoglobin was evident. The observed differences were not artifacts of the centrifugation process. This was determined in recentrifuged top fractions from which new top and bottom cells were obtained. The latter cells resembled the top fraction from which they were obtained, rather than the original bottom fraction. Whereas the parameters mentioned above exhibited consistency and repoducibility, such was not the case with the ATPase values. Depending on the cell density group examined and/or buffer as well as other conditions, significant variabilityu in the activity levels of the ouabain sensitive, as well as the Ca2+-stimulated ATPase, was observed. Use of these enzyme activities as indicators of cell age must be viewed with caution.
Nonlinear pulse propagation using an advanced wavelet transform

Problems associated with nonlinear pulse and beam propagation, especially those involving higher-order terms in the nonlinear Schroedinger equation, usually require robust numerical techniques for their solution. In this paper we utilize an adaptive wavelet transform in order to investigate optical pulse self-steepening and optical beam self-focusing, as well as higher-order nonlinear terms which cannot be approximated by higher-order derivatives. Additionally, we show that the numerical method developed herein can be used to approximate any order of nonlinearity in the self-phase modulation term. The adaptive capability of the discrete wavelet transform developed herein allows this technique to accurately track the steep pulse gradients associated with higher-order terms by adaptively switching to higher, more accurate wavelet levels. By utilizing this adaptive wavelet transform technique, one can perform analysis of any terms in the NLS equation entirely in the wavelet domain without the need for resorting to a split-step method, as is often the case.
Photochemistry of Planetary Atmospheres

From the distant, small, and icy bodies of the solar system, such as comets and Pluto, to the gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn, and the rocky inner planets (except Mercury), chemistry driven by the Sun plays a central role. Some of the most abundant constituents of the atmosphere become a principal source of a variety of minor constituents following the action of sunlight. The minor constituents, in turn, hold the key to the stability of the atmosphere, and they provide important clues to the planetary interiors, and transport, origin, and evolution of the planetary atmospheres. On Earth, trace species are central to an understanding of such questions as global climate change and the biosphere.
Theory of thermal conduction in low density materials

In rigid low density materials, there must be a continuous path for the transmission of force, and thus also a continuous path for heat flow. The elastic stress field due to an applied force arranges itself to minimize the strain energy. Heat currents and local temperature gradients similarly arrange themselves to minimize the rate of entropy production. In open structures, both strain energy and entropy production are concentrated in the regions of contact between the structural units which make up the material. This results in the same geometrical reductions of the effective thermal conductivity and the effective bulk modulus from the values for the fully dense solid. Thus, the thermal conductivity, λ e , relative to that of the bulk material, λ 0 , should be λ e /λ 0 = ρ e υ 2 0 / ρ 0 υ 2 0 , where ρ is the density, and υ is the sound velocity, either in the low density material (suffix e) or the bulk solid (suffix 0). If the particles are very small or contain internal substructure, λ 0 would be appropriately reduced. Observations indicate that λ e /λ 0 is larger at low density. Contacts between particles may have a larger effective area for heat conduction than for the transmission of force.
Pain complaint and the weather: weather sensitivity and symptom complaints in chronic pain patients

Abstract Chronic pain patients frequently report that weather conditions affect their pain; however, no standardized measures of weather sensitivity have been developed. We describe the development and use of the Weather and Pain Questionnaire (WPQ) which assesses patient sensitivity to meteorologic variables defined by the National Weather Service (e.g., temperature, precipitation). Seventy chronic pain patients (59% females) with an average age of 43 years completed the WPQ. The instrument was revised using factor analysis to produce a Weather Sensitivity Index (WSI) (48% of variance) with high internal consistency (0.93) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.89). Reporting patterns suggested that patients could reliably identify which meteorologic variables influenced their pain but could not reliably determine which physical symptoms were consistently affected. The most frequently reported meteorologic variables which affect pain complaint were temperature (87%) and humidity (77%). The most frequently reported physical complaints associated with the weather were joint and muscle aches (82% and 79%, respectively). Patients labeled as being ‘weather sensitive’, defined by greater than median scores on the WPQ, reported significantly greater pain intensity, greater chronicity of pain problems, and more difficulties sleeping than patients with low scores on the WPQ. No differences in gender, education level, disability status, or global psychological distress were found. Results are discussed with respect to physiological and psychological mediating variables.
Disassembly and reassembly of polyhydroxyalkanoates: Recycling through abiotic depolymerization and biotic repolymerization

An abiotic-biotic strategy for recycling of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) is evaluated. Base-catalyzed PHA depolymerization yields hydroxyacids, such as 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB), and alkenoates, such as crotonate; catalytic thermal depolymerization yields alkenoates. Cyclic pulse addition of 3HB to triplicate bioreactors selected for an enrichment of Comamonas, Brachymonas and Acinetobacter. After each pulse, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) transiently appeared: accumulation of P3HB correlated with hydrolysis of polyphosphate; consumption of P3HB correlated with polyphosphate synthesis. Cells removed from the cyclic regime and incubated with 3HB under nitrogen-limited conditions produced P3HB (molecular weight>1,000,000Da) at 50% of the cell dry weight (<8h). P3HB also resulted from incubation with acetate, crotonate, or a mixture of hydrolytic depolymerization products. Poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid) (PHBV) resulted from incubation with valerate or 2-pentenoate. A recycling strategy where abiotic depolymerization of waste PHAs yields feedstock for customized PHA re-synthesis appears feasible, without the need for energy-intensive feedstock purification.
Designing a web services project for maximum value: the 90 day challenge

The 90 Day Challenge team set out to deliver an end-to-end Web services solution to enterprise sales agents in 90 days, with immediate plans to extend the solution to other user groups. In order to meet their commitments, the team had to reuse the same component Web services in multiple contexts. By modeling the workflows and carefully managing scope at the component level, the team developed a suite of Web services that other teams could easily incorporated into multiple projects. As a result, twelve other programs to date have incorporated Web services from the 90 Day Challenge, saving weeks of development time.
Modulation of HDL metabolism by the niacin receptor GPR109A in mouse hepatocytes.

Abstract The niacin receptor GPR109A is a Gi-protein-coupled receptor which mediates the effects of niacin on inhibiting intracellular triglyceride lipolysis in adipocytes. However, the role of GPR109A in mediating the effects of niacin on high density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism is unclear. We found niacin has no effect on HDL-C in GPR109A knockout mice. Furthermore, niacin lowered intracellular cAMP in primary hepatocytes mediated by GPR109A. We used an adeno-associated viral (AAV) serotype 8 vector encoding GPR109A under the control of the hepatic-specific thyroxine-binding globulin promoter to specifically overexpress GPR109A in mouse liver. Plasma HDL-C, hepatic ABCA1 and the HDL cholesterol production rate were significantly reduced in mice overexpressing GPR109A. Overexpression of GPR109A reduced primary hepatocyte free cholesterol efflux to apoA-I; conversely, GPR109A deficient hepatocytes had increased ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux. These data support the concept that the HDL-C lowering effect of niacin in wild-type mice is mediated through stimulation of GPR109A in hepatocytes; such an effect then leads to reduced hepatocyte ABCA1 expression and activity, decreased cholesterol efflux to nascent apoA-I, and reduced HDL-C levels. These results indicate that niacin-mediated activation of GP109A in liver lowers ABCA1 expression leading to reduced hepatic cholesterol efflux to HDL.
Epitopes of the Highly Immunogenic Trichomonas vaginalis α-actinin are Serodiagnostic Targets for both Women and Men

There is a need for a point-of-care serodiagnostic test for women and men for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. Sera from women with this STI and sera from men that were analyzed in studies showing a relationship between serostatus and prostate cancer are highly seropositive in response to trichomonad α-actinin and its truncated protein (ACT-P2) (positive control sera). Epitope mapping experiments showed that positive control sera from women had antibodies to 13 distinct epitopes, 5 of which were detected by positive control sera from men. Sera from women and men that were unreactive with α-actinin (negative control sera) failed to detect any of the epitopes or other α-actinin amino acid sequences. The T. vaginalis α-actinin amino acid sequence and the sequences of the epitopes showed little or no identity with those of other proteins of microbial pathogens or the human α-actinin 1 (HuACTN1) homolog. Immunoassays such as dot blot, immunoblot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used. Positive control sera did not detect HuACTN1 in immunoassays, and the range of levels of identity of α-actinin epitopes with HuACTN1 was 0% to 50%. Comparison of the T. vaginalis α-actinin epitopes with proteins in data banks, such as Tritrichomonas suis, Candida albicans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteins, gave a range of identity levels of 0% to 22%. Specific 15-mer peptide epitopes of α-actinin with low to no identity with other proteins were synthesized and were reactive with positive control sera only. These findings identify epitopes of α-actinin as candidate serodiagnostic targets and suggest strongly that a highly seropositive reaction to α-actinin suggests exposure to T. vaginalis.
Type I Interleukin-1 Receptor Is Required for Pulmonary Responses to Subacute Ozone Exposure in Mice

Interleukin (IL)-1, a proinflammatory cytokine, is expressed in the lung after ozone (O3) exposure. IL-1 mediates its effects through the type I IL-1 receptor (IL-1RI), the only signaling receptor for both IL-1α and IL-1β. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of IL-1RI in pulmonary responses to O3. To that end, wild-type, C57BL/6 (IL-1RI+/+) mice and IL-1RI–deficient (IL-1RI−/−) mice were exposed to O3 either subacutely (0.3 ppm for 72 h) or acutely (2 ppm for 3 h). Subacute O3 exposure increased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) protein, interferon-γ–inducible protein (IP)-10, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNFR1), and neutrophils in IL-1RI+/+ and IL-1RI−/− mice. With the exception of IP-10, all outcome indicators were reduced in IL-1RI−/− mice. Furthermore, subacute O3 exposure increased IL-6 mRNA expression in IL-1RI+/+, but not IL-1RI−/− mice. Acute (2 ppm) O3 exposure increased BALF protein, IL-6, eotaxin, KC, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, IP-10, monocyte chemo...
Williams to become new AGU director of science

Billy Williams, who will join AGU as its new director of science on 15 June, will work to raise AGU's profile and impact and shape AGU's scientific activities and the development of scientific careers for AGU student members. As director of science, Williams will facilitate working relationships and communication of scientific information and resources between and among the AGU Board and Council, committees, sections and focus groups, AGU members (including students), staff, and external partners. In addition, he will facilitate and coordinate the development and implementation of memorandums of understanding and other collaborations with various scientific societies, and he will provide leadership for AGU's efforts to develop resources designed to assist students in preparing for scientific careers. Williams also will serve as senior staff member to the AGU Council.
Freeze-Drying of Pharmaceutical Crystalline and Amorphous Solutes in Vials: Dynamic Multi-Dimensional Models of the Primary and Secondary Drying Stages and Qualitative Features of the Moving Interface

ABSTRACT Dynamic and spatially multi-dimensional mathematical models of the primary and secondary drying stages of the freeze-drying of pharmaceutical crystalline and amorphous solutes in vials, are constructed and presented in this work. The models account for the removal of free and bound water and could also provide the geometric shape of the moving interface and its position. It is proved that the temperature of the moving interface can not be constant if the flux of heat flow to the sides of the vial is not zero. It is also proved that the slope of the free surface (moving interface) at the edge of the vial is always curved downward. The numerical solution of the nonlinear partial differential equations of the models would allow model simulations that could indicate design conditions, operating conditions, and control strategies that could provide high drying rates and could lead to a series of novel experiments in freeze-drying.
Filtering and Smoothing for Linear Discrete-Time Distributed Parameter Systems Based on Wiener-Hopf Theory with Application to Estimation of Air Pollution

Optimal filtering and smoothing algorithms for linear discrete-time distributed parameter systems are derived by a unified approach based on the Wiener-Hopf theory. The Wiener-Hopf equation for the estimation problems is derived using the least-squares estimation error criterion. Using the basic equation, three types of the optimal smoothing estimators are derived, namely, fixed-point, fixed-interval, and fixed-lag smoothers. Finally, the results obtained are applied to estimation of atmospheric sulfur dioxide concentrations in the Tokushima prefecture of Japan.
Epidemiology of type I diabetes mellitus in Switzerland: steep rise in incidence in under 5 year old children in the past decade.

Aims/hypothesis. In this nationwide prospective study we wanted to verify the trend of increasing diabetes incidence data from our earlier retrospective analysis of the military registry of Swiss men. Subjects and methods. The data collection of newly diagnosed children in Switzerland at an age younger than 15 years started in 1991. The countrywide survey used a small questionnaire which was sent back to the study centre. The questionnaire was anonymous and contained: hospital of diagnosis, initials, sex, birth date, date of diagnosis, residence, country of citizenship, and responsible physician. General data on the population were taken from publications of the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. Results. A total of 941 children below the age of 15 years with newly diagnosed Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus were collected (434 girls, 507 boys). The incidence in children aged 0 to 14 years rose significantly between 1991 and 1999 with a yearly average increase of 5.1 %. In the age group 0 to 4 years a more than four-fold increase in incidence from 2.4/100 000 per year to 10.5/100 000 per year (p = 0.0002) was recorded, whereas the age-specific incidence in the 5 to 9-year-old and 10 to 14-year-old children did not change during the data collection period. The incidence was significantly higher in boys than in girls, whereas no difference was found between rural and urban populations. Conclusion/interpretation. The incidence of Type I diabetes is rising in children living in Switzerland but only the youngest age group of under 5 years of age is affected showing a large annual average increase of 23.8 %. [Diabetologia (2001) 44: 286–289]
Developmental analyses of 5A11/Basigin, 5A11/Basigin-2 and their putative binding partner MCT1 in the mouse eye.

Recent reports by this laboratory and others have demonstrated an association between 5A11/Basigin, a member of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily, and monocarboxylate transporter-1 (MCT1), a lactose transporter. Indeed, it was determined in the 5A11/Basigin null mouse retina that MCT1 does not properly integrate into the cell membranes of Muller cells (MCs) or the retinal-pigmented epithelium, where the two are colocalized. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the association of 5A11/Basigin and MCT1 in the developing mouse retina. Immunocytochemical localization and real-time RT-PCR were used to evaluate the expression and localization of 5A11/Basigin and MCT1 at embryonic days 12, 15, and 18, as well as post-natal days 1, 7, 14, and 21. Expression of both proteins progressed from a more generalized distribution throughout the undifferentiated neural retina to specific staining of retina-pigmented epithilia, the MCs, photoreceptor cells and the ciliary apparatus. Although these two membrane glycoproteins were often colocalized, distinct differences in the location and magnitude of their expression over time was observed. These findings suggest that although 5A11/Basigin and MCT1 can associate within the cell membrane, their expression is not always associated and colocalized.
A novel method for determining absolute coverages by temperature programmed desorption with application to the adsorption of CH3I on MgO(100)

Abstract A new method is presented for conveniently determining the absolute coverage of molecular overlayers on solid surfaces using only temperature programmed desorption (TPD), i.e. no additional measurement techniques must be employed. The method is based on a calibration of the measured mass spectrometer signal during evaporation from multilayers of the adsorbate using an a priori calculation of the evaporation flux. The computation of the evaporation flux requires a knowledge of the molecule's equilibrium vapor pressure at the evaporation temperature and an assumption of near unity trapping/sticking probability for the vapor impinging on the condensed layer at this temperature. The method is illustrated using TPD of methyl iodide from the MgO(100) surface. Significant features in the TPD are discussed in light of the methyl iodide coverages obtained using the method.
ON THE APPROXIMATION OF PLANE CURVES BY PARAMETRIC CUBIC SPLINES

A plane curveC can be approximated by a parametric cubic splineΓ as follows. Points (xi,yi) are chosen in order alongC and a monotonically increasing variable τ is assigned values τi at the points (xi,yi): τi = the cumulative chordal distance from (x1,y1). The points (τi,xi) and (τi,yi) are then fitted separately by cubic splinesx(τ) andy(τ), to obtain Γ: (x(τ),y(τ)). This paper establishes estimates for the errors involved in approximatingC by Γ. It is found that the error in position betweenC and Γ decreases likeh3, whereh is the maximum length of arc between consecutive knots onC. For first derivatives, the error behaves likeh2; for second derivatives, likeh.
A study of several useful tests for ordered alternatives in the randomized block design

This study investigates the small sample powers of several tests designed against ordered location alternatives in randomized block experiments. The results are intended to aid the researcher in the selection process. Toward this end the small sample powers of three classes of rank tests — tests based on ‘within-blocks’ rankings (W-tests), ‘among-b locks’ rankings (A-tests), and ‘ranking after alignment’ within blocks (RAA-tests)— are compared and contrasted with the asymptotic properties given by Pirie (1974) as well as with the empirical powers of competing parametric procedures.
Combined transhepatic and transvenous approach to hepatic vein stenosis after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)

We describe a simple technique for recatheterization of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) with severe hepatic vein ostial stenoses that are inaccessible to standard transvenous approaches. A small gauge needle is used to transhepatically introduce a guidewire into the shunt; the wire is passed through the hepatic vein stenosis, snared, and used to guide jugular or brachial catheters into the TIPS.
The DØ detector for run II

The general purpose D0 collider detector at the Fermilab Tevatron has undergone major upgrades for Run II. We describe the current status and performance of the D0 detector.
Do Incumbents’ Mergers Influence Entrepreneurial Entry? An Evaluation:

This analysis has evaluated the impact of mergers on new entrepreneurial firm entry in the territories of firms making up the local exchange sector of the United States telecommunications industry. An analysis of first and second mergers undertaken by the local exchange companies has revealed that where mergers occurred there was significantly lower entrepreneurial entry. The results have implications for policy, since the approval of mergers has been shown to lead to lower entrepreneurial entry where mergers occur, and the approval of mergers may serve to impede entrepreneurship. Hence, greater thought should be given to merger approvals so that entrepreneurship and the process of economic growth are not compromised as a result.
Rate-dependent behavior of hierarchical Al matrix composites

We present the rate-dependent constitutive response of hierarchical Al matrix composites which comprise a bi-modal distribution of Al in fine (nanocrystalline Al containing micro-sized B 4 C particles) and coarse (micro-grained Al) grain regimes. The strength of these composites is improved by various strengthening mechanisms. Shear localization is observed to be the primary failure mode. Compared to quaistatic loading, significant increase of strain to failure is observed at high strain rates. Varying rate-sensitivity is observed with different amount of B 4 C particles.
Ictalurid Chromosome Preparation by Cell Culture and Squash Methods

Abstract Cell culture and squash methods were compared in obtaining chromosomes from various species of the family Ictaluridae. Specific techniques are presented. Squash preparations with spleen and kidney tissue were quick, easy, and gave 30-100 metaphase spreads per slide. Preparations from cell cultures of ovarian tissue took longer and had a higher risk of failure, but produced about 50-125 sharply defined metaphase spreads per slide for primary cultures and 300 metaphase spreads per slide for secondary cultures.
DNA methyltransferases of the cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120

From the characterization of enzyme activities and the analysis of genomic sequences, the complement of DNA methyltransferases (MTases) possessed by the cyanobacterium ANABAENA PCC 7120 has been deduced. ANABAENA has nine DNA MTases. Four are associated with Type II restriction enzymes (AVAI, AVAII, AVAIII and the newly recognized inactive AVAIV), and five are not. Of the latter, four may be classified as solitary MTases, those whose function lies outside of a restriction/modification system. The group is defined here based on biochemical and genetic characteristics. The four solitary MTases, DmtA/M.AVAVI, DmtB/M.AVAVII, DmtC/M. AVAVIII and DmtD/M.AVAIX, methylate at GATC, GGCC, CGATCG and rCCGGy, respectively. DmtB methylates cytosines at the N4 position, but its sequence is more similar to N6-adenine MTases than to cytosine-specific enzymes, indicating that it may have evolved from the former. The solitary MTases, appear to be of ancient origin within cyanobacteria, while the restriction MTases appear to have arrived by recent horizontal transfer as did five now inactive Type I restriction systems. One Mtase, M.AVAV, cannot reliably be classified as either a solitary or restriction MTase. It is structurally unusual and along with a few proteins of prokaryotic and eukaryotic origin defines a structural class of MTases distinct from all previously described.
Characterization of a new DNA polymerase from Schizosaccharomyces pombe: a probable homologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA polymerase gamma

Abstract Mitochondrial (mt) DNA replication is carried out by the nuclear-encoded DNA polymerase-γ (Pol-γ). We have cloned a new DNA polymerase-encoding gene from Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Sp), which we believe encodes the homologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) mt DNA polymerase (MIP1). The putative Sp polγ gene expressed a transcript of approx. 4-kb that contained a 3-kb open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 1018 amino acids (aa) (116 kDa). This Sp Pol-γ is 48% identical to the Sc MIP1 and contains uniquely conserved regions not found in the bacterial PolI-type DNA polymerases. The most notable difference between these two proteins is that the MIP1 product has a 236-aa C-terminal region beyond motif C that is not found in Sp Pol-γ. Chromosomal mapping and genomic sequencing of the Sp polγ places this gene on chromosome III downstream from the triose phosphate isomerase-encoding gene.
PATTERNS OF SUCCESSION IN FORESTED DEPRESSIONAL WETLANDS IN NORTH FLORIDA, USA

Swamps dominated by the conifer Taxodium distichumvar. nutans (pondcypress) are believed to develop into swamps dominated by a variety of hardwood trees (primarily bays), where organic matter accumulates and fires do not occur. To determine the validity of this long-accepted pattern of succession, relationships among basin characteristics, tree composition, hydrology, soils, and logging history were ex- amined in nine pondcypress swamps and nine bay swamps in north central Florida. Basin depth was defined as the total of maximum standing water and organic matter depth. Shallow basins ( , 65 cm) contained pondcypress-pine (Pinus elliottii) communities; prolonged drought and fire may control the importance of pondcypress within these basins. Medium basins (65-150 cm) ranged in tree species composition from pure pondcypress communities to pondcypress-swamp tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora ) communities to bay- cypress communities as organic matter depth increased and standing water depth decreased. Bay-cypress communities that had deeper organic matter than medium-basin pondcypress swamps also had low densities of large pondcypress trees and contained no pondcypress regeneration. Logging in medium-depth basins increased incidence of swamp tupelo and loblolly bay in pondcypress and bay swamps. Deep basins ( .150cm) were dominated by bay communities that did not contain pondcypress. Abundant advance regen- eration of loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus) suggests that this species eventually dominates undisturbed bay communities. Total basal area in pondcypress swamps was directly related to organic matter depth (r 2 5 0.53, p 5 0.016, n 5 9), suggesting that growth rate may also be related to this gradient. Productivity of pondcypress may be greatest in medium-basin pondcypress swamps, where deep organic matter leads to faster growth and deep standing water precludes the invasion of hardwoods. Pondcypress does not occur in deep basins. Basin geomorphology appears to play an important role in determining successional seres involving pondcypress and bay trees.
Design and performance analysis of adaptive optical telescopes using lasing guide stars

The use of adaptive optical systems using electrically deformable mirrors to compensate for turbulence effects is discussed. Since these systems require bright reference sources adjacent to the object of interest and can be used only to observe the brightest stars, artificial guide stars suitable for controlling an adaptive imaging system must be created in the upper atmosphere by using a laser to excite either Rayleigh backscattering in the stratosphere or resonance backscattering in the mesospheric sodium layer. The design requirements of a laser-guided adaptive telescope, as well as the expected imaging performance, are discussed in detail. It is shown that a 2-m ground-based laser-guided telescope can achieve imaging performance levels at visible wavelengths nearly matching the theoretical imaging performance of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The required lasers can be either bought off the shelf or built with current technology. The laser power requirement for the Rayleigh guide star approach is on the order of 82 W for zenith viewing when the atmospheric seeing cell diameter is 20 cm. For the same conditions the laser power requirement for the Na guide star approach is on the order of 14 W. Both systems will achieve near diffraction limited imaging with a Strehl ratio of approximately 0.67 and an angular resolution of approximately 0.07 arcsec for an observation wavelength of 0.5 mu m. >
Phylogenetic Analysis of Clostridium botulinum Type A by Multi-Locus Sequence Typing

The genus Clostridium comprises a heterogeneous group of organisms for which the phylogeny and evolutionary relationships are poorly understood. The elucidation of these evolutionary relationships necessitates the use of experimental methods that can distinguish Clostridium lineages that are time and cost effective, and can be accurately and reproducibly employed in different laboratories. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) has been successfully used as a reproducible and discriminating system in the study of eukaryotic and prokaryotic evolutionary biology, and for strain typing of various bacteria. In this study, MLST was applied to evaluate the evolutionary lineages in the serotype A group of Clostridium botulinum. C. botulinum type A has recently been shown to produce multiple subtypes, suggesting that it is not monophyletic as previously reported, but comprises distinct lineages. For MLST analysis, we initially evaluated 14 housekeeping genes (gapdh, tuf, sod, oppB, hsp60, dnaE, aroE, pta, 23S rDNA, aceK, rpoB, 16S rDNA, mdh and recA) for amplification and sequence analysis. In the first phase of the analysis, 30 C. botulinum type A strains producing botulinum neurotoxin subtypes A1–A4 were examined. Results of this pilot study suggested that seven of the genes (mdh, aceK, rpoB, aroE, hsp60, oppB and recA) could be used for elucidation of evolutionary lineages and strain typing. These seven housekeeping genes were successfully applied for the elucidation of lineages for 73 C. botulinum type A strains, which resulted in 24 distinct sequence types. This strategy should be applicable to phylogenetic studies and typing of other C. botulinum serotypes and Clostridium species.
Design of shallow footings on heavily overconsolidated clays

This paper presents an integrated bearing capacity–settlement approach to the design of shallow foundations on heavily overconsolidated clays by alterations of the “modified Cam clay” (MCC) model. ...
SCDFinder, a web-based tool for the identification of putative novel ATM and ATR targets.

MOTIVATION The S/TQ cluster domain (SCD) constitutes a new type of protein domain that is not defined by sequence similarity but by the presence of multiple S/TQ motifs within a variable stretch of amino acids. SCDs are recognized targets for DNA damage response (DDR) kinases like ATM and ATR. Characterizing DDR targets is of significant interest. The aim of this work was to develop a web-based tool to allow for easy identification and visualization of SCDs within specific proteins or in whole proteome sets, a feature not supported by current domain and motif search tools. RESULTS We have developed an algorithm that (i) generates a list of all proteins in an organism containing at least one user-defined SCD within their sequence, or (ii) identifies and renders a visual representation of all user-defined SCDs present in a single sequence or batch of sequences. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The application was developed using Pearl and Python, and is available at the following URL: http://ustbioinfo.webfactional.com/scd/.
The effect of post-exercise caffeine and chlorogenic acid supplementation on blood glucose disposal and insulin sensitivity

Background Caffeine and chlorogenic acid are two compounds in green coffee beans that alter blood glucose disposal and insulin sensitivity. Caffeine has been shown to decrease glucose disposal and insulin sensitivity when taken 60 minutes prior to an oral glucose tolerance test in humans, whereas chlorogenic acid has been shown to increase glucose disposal and insulin sensitivity in humans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ingesting caffeine with dextrose or chlorogenic acid with dextrose immediately after an exhaustive bout of cycling on blood glucose and insulin disposal when compared to ingesting dextrose alone. Methods
Mesoscopic modeling of two-phase behavior and flooding phenomena in polymer electrolyte fuel cells

A key performance limitation in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC), manifested in terms of mass transport loss, originates from liquid water transport and resulting flooding phenomena in the constituent components. Liquid water covers the electrochemically active sites in the catalyst layer (CL) rendering reduced catalytic activity and blocks the available pore space in the porous CL and fibrous gas diffusion layer (GDL) resulting in hindered oxygen transport to the active reaction sites. The cathode CL and the GDL play a major role in the mass transport loss and hence in the water management of a PEFC. In this work the development of a mesoscopic modeling formalism coupled with realistic microstructural delineation is presented to study the influence of the pore structure and surface wettability on liquid water transport and interfacial dynamics in the PEFC catalyst layer and gas diffusion layer. The two-phase regime transition phenomenon in the capillary dominated transport in the CL and the influence of the mixed wetting characteristics on the flooding dynamics in the GDL are highlighted.