cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 6 Optimizing Lithium-Ion Batteries - Tailoring Electrodes for Microhybrid Vehicle Applications

Development of higher-voltage electrical systems in vehicles has been slowly progressing over the past few decades. However, tightening vehicle efficiency and emissions regulations and increasing demand for onboard electrical power means that higher voltages, in the form of supplemental 48 V subsystems, may soon be nearing production as the most cost-effective way to meet regulations. The displacement of high-wattage loads to more efficient 48 V networks is expected to be the next step in the development of a new generation of mild hybrid vehicles. In addition to improved fuel economy and reduced emissions, 48 V systems could potentially save costs on new electrical features and help better address the emerging needs of future drivers. Challenges to 48 V system implementation remain, leading to discussions by experts from leading car makers and suppliers on the need for an international 48 V standard. Initial steps toward a proposed standard have already been taken. So the consensus of global forecasts suggests that 48 V mild hybrids will soon come to dominate the market. Compared with 200-600 V full hybrid and battery electric vehicles, the lower-voltage approach avoids the need for high-cost safety features and large battery packs.
A Review of Russian Government’s Meetings Held in August 2013

Following are some of the issues and problems that were considered at Russian Government’s meetings held in August 2013: a draft law which introduces a special form of on-the-ground control by tax authorities of how banks discharge the functions established by the legislation on taxes and levies, as well as a draft law which further defines procedures for state control (supervision) over local self-government bodies and local self-government officials, including regulation of scheduled and spot inspections.
Protein engineering as a tool for understanding electron transfer

Abstract The ability to engineer proteins in a specific manner is a powerful tool when applied to the study of biological electron transfer. Mutagenesis, semisynthesis, and site-specific modification have been employed to prepare novel electron-transfer proteins; theoretical and experimental work on these proteins has elucidated the factors that tune active-site redox potentials and spectroscopic features as well as the properties that control electron transfer through polypeptide structures.
Resonant mode in the modified Huesler alloy U0.85Th0.15NiSn

Abstract We performed reflectance measurements from 10–2500 cm −1 and from room temperature to 10 K for U 1− x Th x NiSn. A semiconducting gap was observed at about 500 cm −1 for all the temperatures. There was a marked reduction in oscillator strength of the gap at 10 K indicating a partial destruction of the gap. Four phonon lines were observed at 137, 156, 172 and 185 cm −1 . A temperature and frequency dependent mode was also seen at lower frequencies. In the semiconducting state the mode was attributed to impurity levels within the gap whereas in the metallic state the mode was due to resonance between the conduction electrons and the U f-level.
Combined orthogonal vector and pseudo-inverse approach for robust pattern recognition

A neural-based orthogonal vector with a pseudo-inverse approach for pattern recognition is presented. A method for generating N orthogonal vectors for an N-neuron network is also presented. This approach converges the input to the corresponding orthogonal vector representing the prototype vector. Moreover, it can restore an image to the original image and thus has error recovery capability. Patterns with 20% error were recognized, using English capital latters as an example. The robustness of this approach is obvious. >
Dissecting Coronary Artery Aneurysm: A Report of Two Cases

Dissecting aneurysm of a coronary artery is an unusual occurrence, with a review of the literature revealing only 32 cases. Because this process results in sudden and unexpected death, frequently in young individuals, such cases often fall within the jurisdiction of the medical examiner. This paper reports two cases of coronary artery dissection seen at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of West Virginia, during a recent six-week period. A review of the literature concerning this unusual entity is also presented.
Marine Microorganisms, Biogeochemical Cycles, and Global Climate Change

Summary: ? Marine microbes drive chemical reactions that contribute to Earth's habitability. ? Although molecular techniques are used to monitor oceanic microbial communities, collecting intermittent samples for laboratory analysis limits the usefulness of this approach. ? Instruments that collect and analyze microbes in situ can provide unprecedented resolution of biogeochemical cycles over large spatial and temporal scales. ? We should combine knowledge of key genes with new instruments to obtain time-series information on key marine microbial biogeochemical transformations. The oceans maintain critical ecosystems that, ultimately, determine the habitability of the planet. Moreover, unicellular eukaryotes, bacteria, and archaea are the most abundant organisms within those ecosystems and thus the dominant biomass within the oceans, situated at the base of the food chain that feeds macroscopic invertebrates, fish, and mammals. We are only beginning to uncover the extent of marine microbial genetic diversity and the complex roles that these microbes play in driving the biogeochemistry of global ocean ecosystems. Molecular biology, genomics, microscopy, mass spectrometry, and high-throughput cultivation are already providing useful information on the diversity and activities of marine microflora, including new biochemical pathways. However, in the face of global environmental change, we need to gain a deeper understanding of the distributions of marine microbes and their activities in maintaining ecosystem functions.
Accretion limits the compactness of static stars

General relativity limits the compactness of static stars. If the pressure of the fluid is positive and the density decreases with distance from the center, the value of the circumferential radius of the star must be greater than (9/4) G M/c^2, or equivalently the redshift of the surface must be less than two. If constraints on the equation of state of the material are relaxed, general relativity alone does not restrict the redshift of a static stellar surface. However, because black hole candidates in the universe generally accrete material from their environs, the process of accretion provides upper limits on the redshift of a astrophysical black-hole candidates.
Distribution of the McMurdo Station sewage plume

Abstract The spatial distribution and movement of the sewage plume from McMurdo Station, Antarctica, was investigated in the ocean under the early summer ice. Samples of seawater were obtained via holes drilled through the ice and analysed for coliform bacteria. Ocean currents were also examined to determine their effect on the movement of the plume. High densities of coliform bacteria were found along the ca. 1 km shoreline of McMurdo Station and the plume extended 200–300 m seaward. The relocation of the outfall from a surface configuration to the subsurface (11 m deep) had little influence on the distribution of the plume that sometimes reached the seawater intake station, 400 m to the south. Ocean current measurements in the study area confirmed that, while the prevailing advection was to the north and away from the intake area, episodic reversals of flow at some current meter stations coincided with pulses of sewage that moved into the intake. These findings support the use of bacterial indicators as one means to map the distribution and movement of recent sewage contamination in cold (−1.8°C) seawater and provides evidence that the disposal and movement of domestic wastes in coastal polar environments deserves attention.
Multisensor analyzer detector (MSAD) for low cost chemical and aerosol detection and pattern fusion

MSAD is being developed as a low-cost point detection chemical and biological sensor system designed around an information fusion inference engine that also allows additional sensors to be included in the detection process. The MSAD concept is based on probable cause detection of hazardous chemical vapors and aerosols of either chemical or biological composition using a small portable unit containing an embedded computer system and several integrated sensors with complementary capabilities. The configuration currently envisioned includes a Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) sensor of chemical vapors and a detector of respirable aerosols based on Fraunhofer diffraction. Additional sensors employing Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS), Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) detection, Flame Photometric Detection (FPD), and other principles are candidates for integration into the device; also, available commercial detectors implementing IMS, SAW, and FPD will be made accessible to the unit through RS232 ports. Both feature and decision level information fusion is supported using a Continuous Inference Network (CINET) of fuzzy logic. Each class of agents has a unique CINET with information inputs from a number of available sensors. Missing or low confidence sensor information is gracefully blended out of the output confidence for the particular agent. This approach constitutes a plug and play arrangement between the sensors and the information pattern recognition algorithms. We are currently doing simulant testing and developing out CINETs for actual agent testing at Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center (ECBC) later this year.
Relationship of milking rate to somatic cell count.

Abstract Information on milking rate, monthly bucket somatic cell counts, mastitis treatment, and milk production was obtained from 284 lactations of Holstein cows separated into three lactation groups. Significant correlations between somatic cell count (linear score) and other parameters included production in lactation 1 (−.185), production in lactation 2 (−.267), and percent 2-min milk in lactation 2 (.251). Somatic cell count tended to increase with maximun milking rate in all lactations, but correlations were not statistically significant. Twenty-nine percent of cows with milking rate measurements were treated for clinical mastitis. Treated cows in each lactation group produced less milk than untreated cows. In the second and third lactation groups, treated cows had a shorter total milking time and a higher percent 2-min milk than untreated cows, but differences were not statistically significant. Overall, the data support the concept that faster milking cows tend to have higher cell counts and more mastitis treatments, particularly beyond first lactation. However, the magnitude of the relationship was small.
Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectra of α‐ and β‐aspartame

Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used to study the gas-phase reactions of protonated α- and β-aspartame. The results show that under collision-induced dissociation conditions, these ions undergo dehydration to form anhydro derivatives in addition to carbon–carbon bond cleavages. The fragment ions formed from these dissociation pathways can be used to distinguish the two isomers. Specifically, ions at m/z 175 and 88 are unique to protonated α-aspartame whereas ions at m/z 249, 189 and 74 are unique to protonated β-aspartame. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of flag leaf axial lesions caused by Septoria nodorum on 14C translocation and yield of wheat

Abstract Wheat flag leaves having axial lesions caused by infection with Septoria nodorum were studied to determine how grain yield was affected and whether there was interference with translocation of carbohydrate. Kernel yield was reduced less than 5% when the axil and sheath of the flag leaf were the only tissues infected. When all leaves except the flag leaf were removed, kernel yield was reduced 14%, and when all leaves were removed, the reduction was 19%. After administration of glucose-U-14C, translocation of 14C from the flag-leaf lamina to the developing kernels was not impeded; rather, in some instances, it was enhanced by infection with Septoria. In addition, glucose-14C was metabolized more readily to ether-soluble components in infected tissue than in control tissue. Because axial lesions did not interfere with translocation of assimilates, the yield damage must have been caused by interference with other metabolic functions.
Speculation on Primary Commodities: The Effects of Restricted Entry

We present a model of oligopolistic commodity speculation, in which a limited number of speculators practice non-cooperative storage in an infinite-horizon game. A significant technical difficulty due to the non-negative stock constraint is overcome, and a tractable sub-game perfect equilibrium is presented, in which it is shown that less is stored and prices are more volatile than under perfect competition. It turns out that a tax on consumption of the good would increase storage, stabilize prices, increase welfare and raise speculative profits; the oligopolists would thus lobby for a tariff raised against their own shipments.
Invited commentary: can we reliably differentiate normal from abnormal parathyroid glands? (In the operating room? Eventually?)

MR WHITE AND HIS COAUTHORS continue a longstanding tradition from the Massachusetts General Hospital that has centered on the differentiation of normal from abnormal parathyroid glands. They were pioneers in this field, and their work has been followed carefully by all involved in the care of patients being surgically treated for hyperparathyroidism, be it primary, persistent, or recurrent. Obviously, the rapid and accurate differentiation of normal from abnormal is the crux in parathyroid surgery. The authors have presented an extremely sophisticated study of confocal reflectance microscopy that assesses the ability of this technology to separate the normal from the abnormal. As the authors state, this is preliminary data that was performed in an ex vivo setting. The authors accurately state that an ideal situation would be the development of an in situ in vivo probe to accomplish this goal. Confocal reflectance microscopy is a technique that has been used successfully by our colleagues in the field of ophthalmology, in particular, in evaluating the cornea and retinal vascularity. This technique is highly specialized and will require both time and expertise. Although this is a very important experimental study, one has to question its future applicability today in an era when parathyroid surgery is rapidly changing. Currently, endocrine surgeons can accurately perform intraoperative assessment of functional parathyroid tissue with the combination of sestamibi scanning with the use of gamma probes and the physiologic measurement of intraoperative parathyroid hormone. Do the authors predict that confocal reflectance microscopy will be superior to these techniques, which have already made routine frozen section questionable? This reviewer would also caution against the liberal use of biopsy procedures of normal parathyroid glands, which leads to an unacceptably high incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia. The authors should be encouraged to continue their studies, and we look forward to the next report of an in vivo probe to help in the care of patients with hyperparathyroidism. Invited commentary: Can we reliably differentiate normal from abnormal parathyroid glands? (In the operating room? Eventually?)
Reassessment of cross-impact analysis

Abstract Five problems in cross-impact methodology are discussed, solutions are proposed, and a simple illustrative case is provided. The problems are lack of commutativity, probabilistic imbalances, double counting of impacts, linearity, and two-dimensionality.
Pain fMRI in rat cervical spinal cord: an echo planar imaging evaluation of sensitivity of BOLD and blood volume-weighted fMRI.

Abstract Objective measure of pain is valuable in drug discovery research and development of analgesics. Spinal cord is an important relay of the pain pathway, and fMRI offers an excellent opportunity to quantify pain using activation in the spinal cord induced by painful stimuli. fMRI literature of cervical spinal cord with regard to the spatial extent, in both longitudinal and cross-sectional directions, of neuronal activation induced by noxious stimulation is ambiguous. This study investigates the feasibility of developing a robust pain assay using fMRI in the cervical spinal cord in α-chloralose anesthetized rats subjected to transcutaneous noxious electrical stimulation of the forepaw. Blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) and blood volume (BV)-weighted fMRI data were acquired without and with intravenous injection of ultra small superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (USPIO), respectively. BOLD data were acquired by gradient-echo (GE) and spin-echo (SE) echo planar imaging (EPI), while BV-weighted fMRI data were acquired only by GE EPI. Cervical spinal cord activity was robustly detected by all three fMRI techniques. The sensitivity of the fMRI signal was highest in GE BV-weighted fMRI followed in order by GE BOLD, and SE BOLD, respectively. Spatially, the fMRI signal extended ∼ 9 mm in the longitudinal direction, covering C4–C8 segments, coinciding with the synapse location of afferent terminals from the stimulated site. In the cross-sectional direction, the signal change is localized predominantly to the ipsilateral dorsal region. This study demonstrates that cervical spinal cord fMRI can be performed reliably in anesthetized rats offering it as a potential tool for analgesic drug development.
Genetic control of a seasonal morph in Precis coenia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Abstract The seasonal color polyphenism of the buckeye butterfly, Precis coenia, is controlled by environmental and genetic factors. Environmental stimuli, such as photoperiod and tempertaure, alter the pattern of ecdysteroid secretion. If ecdysteroids are present during a critical period early in the pupal stage the pale beige linea form develops, while in the absence of ecdysteroids the dark reddish-brown sa form develops. In this paper we report on the isolation of a genetic strain that constitutively expresses the rosa phenotype. Breeding experiments show that this effect is due to a single recessive gene. The ecdysteroid titer profile of the rosa strain is identical to that of the environmentally induced linea form, and not to that of the environmentally-induced rosa form. Ecdysteroid injections and reciprocal wing imaginai disk transplant studies between genetic rosa and wild-type strains, show that the rosa gene does not affect the endocrine system, but alters the physiological response mechanism that follows the ecdysteroid-sensitive period for linea induction and culminates in the wing-specific synthesis of ommochrome pigments.
Estimating ecotoxicological risk and impact using indigenous aquatic microbial communities

Emphasis has increased on accuracy in predicting the effect that anthropogenic stress has on natural ecosystems. Although toxicity tests low in environmental realism, such as standardized single species procedures, have been useful in providing a certain degree of protection to human health and the environment, the accuracy of such tests for predicting the effects of anthropogenic activities on complex ecosystems is questionable. The use of indigenous communities of microorganisms to assess the hazard of toxicants in aquatic ecosystems has many advantages. Theoretical and practical aspects of microbial community tests are discussed, particularly in related to widely cited problems in the use of multispecies test systems for predicting hazard. Further standardization of testing protocols using microbial colonization dynamics is advocated on the basis of previous studies, which have shown these parameters to be useful in assessing risk and impact of hazardous substances in aquatic ecosystems.
Will the real Milton Erickson please stand up

Abstract Disciples of Erickson are overaccentuating some aspects of his work and are thereby neglecting others. Current training predominantly focuses on indirection, confusion, esoteric metaphors, paradox, and magical expectations of instant success via superficial trances. Therapists are sometimes encouraged to simply go into trance themselves and “trust the unconscious,” instead of following Erickson's model of hard work and careful treatment planning. It is time for a new law in the field of hypnosis: the Law of Parsimony. Interviews with numerous long-time associates of Erickson present him as being much more diverse in his approach. Erickson's true legacy is eclectic hypnotherapy, not a dogmatic and restrictive cultism.
Optimization of DNA-tagged liposomes for use in microtiter plate analyses

Dye-encapsulating unilamellar DNA oligonucleotide-tagged liposomes were prepared and characterized for use as signal-enhancing reagents in a microtiter plate sandwich-hybridization analyses of single-stranded RNA or DNA sequences. The liposomes were synthesized using the reversed-phase evaporation method and tagged with DNA oligonucleotides by adding cholesteryl-modified DNA reporter probes to the initial lipid mixture. Liposomes were prepared using probe coverages of 0.0013–0.103 mol% of the total lipid input, several hydrophobic and poly(ethylene glycol)-based spacers between the cholesteryl anchor and the probe, and liposome diameters ranging from 200 nm to 335 nm. Their signal enhancement functionality was compared by using them in microtiter plate sandwich-hybridization assays for the detection of single-stranded DNA sequences. In these assays, an optimal reporter probe concentration of 0.103 mol%, a liposome diameter of 274 nm, and a phospholipid concentration of 0.3 mM were found. The length between the cholesteryl anchor and the probe was optimal when a spacer composed of TEG+(CH2O)3 was used. Under optimal conditions, a detection limit of 0.5 nM for a truncated synthetic DNA sequence was found with a coefficient of variation of 4.4%. A 500-fold lower limit of detection using fluorescence was found using lysed dye-encapsulating liposomes versus a single fluorescein-labeled probe. Finally, when this method was applied to the detection of atxA RNA extracted from E.coli SG12036-pIu121 and amplified using NASBA, a minimum extracted concentration of RNA of 1.1×10−7 μg/μL was found.
Evaluation of ultrasound technology for the disinfection of process water and the prevention of biofilm formation in a pilot plant

In this study, we investigated the use of ultrasound for the disinfection of process water as an alternative for more traditional techniques, like chlorination and UV-irradiation. A pilot plant was constructed to mimic circulating process water in industrial environments. The disinfection efficiency of ultrasound was assessed and compared to UV-treatment and chlorination. In addition, the operational costs for the different technologies were evaluated. Based on disinfection efficiency and operational costs, the pilot plant experiments indicate that chlorination is the method of preference to treat bacteria in suspension. In the prevention of biofilm formation, the results of UV irradiation and ultrasound are comparable, with a slightly higher energy consumption for the ultrasonic treatment. Finally, the use of ultrasound to prevent biofilms was also evaluated in an industrial environment (case study). The results obtained from the case study are in agreement with the results obtained from the pilot plant study. To our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates the use of ultrasound technology for prevention of biofilm formation in realistic circumstances as encountered in an industrial environment.
Friction seizure and galling seizure

Abstract Two different factors, not clearly distinguished in the literature, cause sliding surfaces to seize. Friction seizure occurs when the driving member provides insufficient force to overcome frictional resistance, and no permanent surface damage occurs. Galling seizure occurs when, during sliding, the surface roughening and the formation of wear particles eliminates the clearance within a sliding component and brings on press-fit conditions. This type of seizure is catastrophic and irreversible. Practical experience indicates that galling seizure can be prevented if the clearance is at least three times the average diameter of wear particles formed during sliding.
Cloning and expression of deoxyribonuclease II from chicken

Acid endonucleases of the deoxyribonuclease II (DNase II, EC 3.1.22.1) family have been implicated in the degradation of DNA from apoptotic cell corpses formed in the process of normal mammalian development. Although a predicted DNase II has been detected in the chicken through expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis, to date no homolog of these important enzymes has been identified in vivo in any avian species. Here we report the cloning and expression of DNase II from the chicken, Gallus gallus. When expressed, the 363 amino acid glycoprotein is observed to be approximately 45 kDa in size and to exhibit DNA hydrolytic activity at pH 5 consistent with DNase II in other species. Furthermore, chicken DNase II sequence is compared with an identified partial sequence from the zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata, as well as the previously identified homologs found in the fowlpox and canarypox viruses and the previously cloned mammalian DNases II. Through analysis of its amino acid sequence, comparative gene structure, and conserved synteny, chicken DNase II appears to represent a member of the DNase IIβ subfamily and the apparent lack of a DNase IIα homolog in the chicken has important evolutionary implications for the study of this gene family. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Gsα Deficiency in Adipose Tissue Leads to a Lean Phenotype with Divergent Effects on Cold Tolerance and Diet-Induced Thermogenesis

Summary G s α, the G protein that mediates receptor-stimulated cAMP generation, has been implicated as a regulator of adipogenesis and adipose tissue function. Heterozygous G s α mutations lead to obesity in Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO) patients and in mice. In this study, we generated mice with adipose-specific G s α deficiency. Heterozygotes had 50% loss of G s α expression in adipose tissue and no obvious phenotype, suggesting that adipose-specific G s α deficiency is not the cause of obesity in AHO. Homozygotes (FGsKO) had severely reduced adipose tissue, indicating that G s α is required for adipogenesis. Although FGsKO mice had impaired cold tolerance and reduced responsiveness of brown adipose tissue (BAT) to sympathetic signaling, diet-induced thermogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle were increased. In normal mice, high-fat diet raised sympathetic nerve activity in muscle, but not in BAT. Our results show that cold- and diet-induced thermogenesis may occur in separate tissues, especially when BAT function is impaired.
Characteristics of an In Vivo Canine Model of Phonation With a Constant Air Pressure Source

Many previous studies of laryngeal biomechanics using in vivo models have employed a constant air flow source. Several authors have recently suggested that the lung-thorax system functions as a constant pressure source during phonation. This study describes an in vivo canine system designed to maintain a constant peak subglottic pressure (Psub) using a pressure-controlling mechanism. Increasing levels of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) stimulation resulted in a significant rise in resistance followed by a plateau. For a given Psub, flow decreased significantly and precipitously with increasing stimulation and then quickly plateaued. Vocal intensity increased with increasing RLN stimulation until a peak was reached. After this peak, intensity dropped until a plateau was reached, corresponding to the flow minimum. At a given Psub, increasing levels of RLN stimulation resulted in a normal distribution of vocal efficiencies.
Implementation research: Issues and prospects

The concern that addiction treatment be grounded in science has been recognized and enthusiastically endorsed in both the clinical and research communities. With recognition of the gap between knowledge development and application, there has been a recent emphasis on developing strategies for more effective application, i.e., for the incorporation of evidence-based practice in routine clinical programming. This has translated to a need to develop strategies designed to achieve organizational change and a field of study whose objective is to better understand how to expedite change in treatment organizations and their clinical practices. This paper focuses on the roles and responsibilities of researchers, practitioners, and the federal government in achieving changed practice and applying new knowledge to improve treatment. Even though great strides have been made to shift the emphasis from dissemination of knowledge to its application, much still remains to be done in the development and testing of additional application strategies specific to the substance abuse treatment field. Future considerations for implementation research are discussed.
Postcomplaint Processes: From Organizational Response to Repurchase Behavior

Dissatisfied consumers have the opportunity to complain, and businesses can respond to these complaints. Research into what occurs following this response has been sketchy and incomplete. This study attempts to integrate what is known about organizational response to complaints and consumer reaction to that response. A model of post-complaint processes is offered and tested using a sample of complainants who wrote to an oil company.
Profiling demographic characteristics of alienated consumers

Abstract Alienation, a subject of considerable research in some behavioral science areas, has been receiving growing attention in relation to unfavorable attitudes toward the marketplace, consumer disgruntlement, and other aspects of consumerism. This paper discusses several elements of alienation adapted and applied specifically to consumers as they perceive the marketplace vis-a-vis themselves. These elements of alienation were examined in relation to demographic factors consisting of ethnic background, sex, age, income, formal education, and marital status. The results offer some insights into consumer alienation and into the feasibility of utilizing traditional demographic variables to identify consumer segments apt to be alienated from the marketplace. These results take on importance because general disgruntlement with the market- place was significantly related to alienation.
The Embrace of Chaos: Definitions of the Genre of Alienation—Thrillers

The dismissal of the ordinary and the embrace of chaos are characteristics of the thriller which has, over the last decade, accounted for nearly 25 percent of the best‐seller market. In spite of its existential overtones, the thriller, with rare exceptions, is seldom viewed as quality fiction, yet is not generally classified as genre fiction with attendant categorization by libraries and bookstores. Readers of thrillers in pursuit of authors must either search through the general fiction or “mystery” shelves where thrillers are sometimes placed. However, the latter solution offends both mystery and thriller readers.
Carbon monoxide dehydrogenase from Rhodospirillum rubrum: effect of redox potential on catalysis.

The Ni−Fe−S-containing C-cluster of carbon monoxide dehydrogenases is the active site for catalyzing the reversible oxidation of CO to CO2. This cluster can be stabilized in redox states designated Cox, Cred1, Cint, and Cred2. What had until recently been the best-supported mechanism of catalysis involves a one-electron reductive activation of Cox to Cred1 and a catalytic cycle in which the Cred1 state binds and oxidizes CO, forming Cred2 and releasing CO2. Recent experiments cast doubt on this mechanism, as they imply that activation requires reducing the C-cluster to a state more reduced than Cred1. In the current study, redox titration and stopped-flow kinetic experiments were performed to assess the previous results and conclusions. Problems in previous methods were identified, and related experiments for which such problems were eliminated or minimized afforded significantly different results. In contrast to the previous study, activation did not correlate with reduction of Fe−S clusters in the enzym...
Intratracheal double-stranded RNA plus interferon-γ: A model for analysis of the acute phase response to respiratory viral infections

Double-stranded (ds)RNA is made as a by-product of viral replication. Synthetic dsRNA induces virtually all of the same systemic symptoms as acute viral infections, such as fever and malaise. In order to develop a model of respiratory viral infections (such as influenza) suitable for use in gene knockout mice (where the deleted gene may affect viral replication), we examined C57BL/6 mouse body temperature and locomotor activity responses to the synthetic dsRNA polyriboinosinic.polyribocytidylic acid (poly[rI.rC]) introduced via the intratracheal (IT) route. We compared the IT poly[rI.rC] responses to the well-characterized intraperitoneal (IP) poly[rI.rC] responses. IT poly[rI.rC] failed to induce an acute phase response (APR) in mice, in contrast to IP poly[rI.rC]. However, addition of interferon (IFN)gamma to the IT poly[rI.rC] inoculum induced sustained hypothermia and suppressed locomotor activity responses with similar kinetics to those responses seen in acute mouse influenza. We further examined cytokine, antiviral, muscarinic M2 receptor and inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression at 5 hr in the lungs of IT challenged mice. These studies suggested that priming the lung with IFNgamma could enhance proinflammatory (IL1beta, IL6, TNFalpha) cytokine gene expression and suppress interferon gene expression compared to IT poly[rI.rC] alone. No differences were detected for the other genes examined. While further molecular characterization of the model is required, we demonstrate that IT challenge with combined poly[rI.rC] and IFNgamma closely simulates the APR to an acute respiratory virus, and may serve as a suitable model for analyzing the molecular basis of the viral APR in gene knockout mice.
Strain counterstrain technique to decrease tender point palpation pain compared to control conditions: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Summary Background Strain counterstrain (SCS) is an indirect osteopathic manipulative technique that uses passive positioning to relieve tender point (TP) palpation pain and associated dysfunction. Objective The purposes of this systematic review with meta-analysis were to 1) determine the pooled effect of SCS on TP palpation pain compared to a control condition and 2) assess the quality of the overall evidence. Data source A search conducted using the MEDLINE with AMED, PUBMED, CINAHL, and SCOPUS databases for publications from January 2002 and April 2012 yielded 29 articles for eligibility screening. Study selection Included studies were limited to randomized control trials comparing TP palpation pain after isolated SCS treatment compared to control conditions assessed with a visual analog scale. Other study designs or manipulative treatments were excluded. Data extraction Two reviewers adhered to a predetermined study protocol following current Cochrane Collaboration recommendations to independently extract the data with standardized extraction forms and assess studies for methodological quality and determine risks of bias. Results Five randomized control trials were included for qualitative and quantitative analysis. The pooled effect of SCS was a reduction of TP palpation pain (p Conclusions This systematic review and meta-analysis found low quality evidence suggesting that SCS may reduce TP palpation pain. Future studies with larger samples of better quality studies with patient populations that assess long-term pain, impairment, and dysfunction outcomes could enrich the literature.
A multi-omic systems approach to elucidating Yersinia virulence mechanisms

The underlying mechanisms that lead to dramatic differences between closely related pathogens are not always readily apparent. For example, the genomes of Yersinia pestis (YP) the causative agent of plague with a high mortality rate and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (YPT) an enteric pathogen with a modest mortality rate are highly similar with some species specific differences; however the molecular causes of their distinct clinical outcomes remain poorly understood. In this study, a temporal multi-omic analysis of YP and YPT at physiologically relevant temperatures was performed to gain insights into how an acute and highly lethal bacterial pathogen, YP, differs from its less virulent progenitor, YPT. This analysis revealed higher gene and protein expression levels of conserved major virulence factors in YP relative to YPT, including the Yop virulon and the pH6 antigen. This suggests that adaptation in the regulatory architecture, in addition to the presence of unique genetic material, may contribute to the increased pathogenecity of YP relative to YPT. Additionally, global transcriptome and proteome responses of YP and YPT revealed conserved post-transcriptional control of metabolism and the translational machinery including the modulation of glutamate levels in Yersiniae. Finally, the omics data was coupled with a computational network analysis, allowing an efficient prediction of novel Yersinia virulence factors based on gene and protein expression patterns.
The Role of Religious Reasons in a Liberal Democracy

There is a long tradition of political thought that takes the use of religious reasons for supporting public policy to be a violation of one’s duties as a citizen. I refer to this as the ‘liberal position.’ But is this line of thought correct? In this paper, I examine three philosophers’ views on the matter, before staking out my own. First, I examine the position of John Rawls, the most influential contemporary heir of the liberal tradition. Then, I look towards Nicholas Wolterstorff for his charges against Rawls and this tradition, as well as his own view of the duties of citizens. Thirdly, I use Richard Rorty to examine how an antifoundationalist (like Wolterstorff) might respond to Wolterstorff in defense of the liberal position. Finally, I offer my own position, which uses the virtue of agreeableness to strike a balance between Wolterstorff and Rorty. The thrust of my argument is that this debate should transfer from one concerned with “religious” versus “secular” reasons to one concerned with fundamentalist versus pragmatist attitudes.
Structural investigations of copper(II) complexes containing fluorine-substituted β-diketonate ligands

Abstract The crystal structures of the β-diketonate complexes Cu(pta)2, Cu(pta)2·EtOH, and Cu(F6-thd)2 (where pta is the anion of 1,1,1-trifluoro-5,5-dimethylhexane-2,4-dione and F6-thd is the anion of 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-6,6-dimethylheptane-3,5-dione) were determined. The solid-state structures of Cu(pta)2 and Cu(F6-thd)2 are square planar, while Cu(pta)2·EtOH is approximately square pyramidal with the EtOH ligand occupying the apical position. In each case, only one geometrical isomer (cis or trans) was observed in the crystals; arguments are presented that both isomers are present in bulk samples. Calculations of molecular volumes for structurally related Cu(II) complexes containing non-fluorinated versus fluorinated ancillary ligands show that fluorine substitution does not significantly affect packing efficiency in the solid-state; however, solvent coordination decreases packing efficiency slightly. [Cu(tdf)(py)(μ-C3F7CO2)]2 (where tdf is the anion of 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,7,7,8,8,9,9,9-tetradecafluorononane-4,6-dionate), a derived impurity from preparations of Cu(tdf)2, was isolated in low yield. The copper coordination geometries in the centrosymmetric structure are intermediate between square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal, with two unsymmetrically bridging μ,η1:η1-C3F7CO2 ligands.
Building the PHARAOH Framework using Scenario-Based Design: A Set of Pandemic Decision-Making Scenarios for Continuity of Operations in a Large Municipal Public Health Agency

Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) is actions taken before, during and after a disaster to maintain the delivery of an organization’s essential services. The application of COOP in public health is necessary to save lives and protect population health when disaster strikes. However, COOP decision-making and COOP decision support technology are under-explored in the public health domain. This work approaches the problem of designing a COOP decision support system for a large municipal public health agency using scenario-based design. Through a series of meetings and informal interviews, we developed a set of 12 scenarios of use for public health decision-making roles during a pandemic. These scenarios were validated as reliable, useful and acceptable by professional public health COOP planners. The results of this work show scenario-based design can be a powerful tool in designing decision support systems for public health leadership information needs during a crisis.
Dose-response for biochemical control among high-risk prostate cancer patients after external beam radiotherapy.

Abstract Introduction The literature on dose–response characteristics of high-risk prostate cancer has been scarce in this era, when these patients are treated with hormone therapy along with radiotherapy. In this study, we estimated the dose–response of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) control probability in high-risk prostate cancer patients treated with radiotherapy alone. Methods and materials The data set contains information on 363 high-risk prostate cancer patients who were treated with external beam radiotherapy without hormonal treatment between February 1987 and September 1998. These patients have one or more of the following adverse prognostic features: digital rectal examination stage ≥cT3, PSA >20 ng/mL, and biopsy Gleason score ≥8. These patients had biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma of prostate and were staged according to the 1992 AJCC staging system that was based on digital rectal examination. The logistic model was fitted to the data at various time points after treatment, and the dose–response parameters were estimated. Results The dose required to have 50% tumor control, TCD50 (95% confidence interval), for high-risk patients is 75.5 (range: 70.7–80.2) Gy. The γ50 (95% confidence interval) is 1.7 (range: 0.7–2.7) around 75.5 Gy. Recursive partitioning analysis based on the null Martingale residuals identifies two subgroups within the high-risk group. The TCD50 estimates of the two subgroups (PSA ≤ vs. >20 ng/mL) differ by 15 Gy at 5 years. There is a dose response in both subgroups. Conclusion We recognize that this study has the usual limitations of a retrospective study that includes treatment policy change that spanned a long time frame. However, our data strongly suggest a benefit of dose escalation for all the patients in the entire high-risk group. There is a steep dose response in PSA control probability around a modern dose of 78 Gy. A 5-Gy dose increase beyond 78 Gy may improve PSA control by about 10%.
Environmental correlates of acorn production by four species of Minnesota oaks

We measured acorn production by four species of oaks in central Minnesota over a 17-year period with the goal of understanding the proximate drivers of masting behavior. All four species exhibited significant annual variation and within-population synchrony of acorn production, although masting behavior was more pronounced in the two species that require 1 year to develop acorns (‘1-year’ species) than the two species that require 2 years (‘2-year’ species). There was also strong synchrony between species that require the same number of years to mature acorns, but not between species requiring different numbers of years. Acorn production by three of the four species correlated with spring or summer conditions, while no significant environmental correlate of acorn production was detected for the fourth species. Acorn production by none of the four species correlated significantly with variables calculated from the differences in weather conditions from 1 year to the next. These results, combined with prior studies of oaks, suggest that environmental conditions during key periods of acorn development frequently correlate with acorn production, as expected if such factors bear a direct mechanistic relationship to seed production. On the other hand, the environmental factors involve vary greatly both among species and even among populations of the same species, a result consistent with the hypothesis that environmental correlates are simply cues used by plants to synchronize reproductive investment. In either case, our results do not support the recent proposition that variables based on differences in environmental conditions from 1 year to the next serve as a general cue for masting behavior.
Fusion of Otoconia: a Stage in the Development of the Otolith in the Evolution of Fishes

The rigid, polycrystalline otolith of teleosts is a side-branch of the general evolution of endolymphatic otoconia that extends from the sharks and rays to the higher vertebrates including man. The transition from the otoconial mass found in the endolymphatic sac of sharks and rays to the rigid polycrystalline otolith of teleosts probably occurred by progressive fusion of otoconia from a loose aggregate to a semi-rigid mass. Traces of the primitive fused otoconia type of otolith still occur in the otherwise polycrystalline otoliths of some teleosts, and a few species of fish retain otoliths that are probably similar to the primitive fused otoconia type of otolith. The morphology of the fusion of otoconia varies according to the polymorph of calcium carbonate that is involved, as well as the particular crystal habit of the polymorph. Analyses of the size distributions of the polymorph-specific morphologies and crystal structure of otoconia suggest that three physical chemical processes, Ostwald ripening, Keith-Padden spherulitic growth and carbonate cementation are significant in the chemistry of fusion of otoconia in the evolution of the aragonite teleost otolith. Predictions of otoconia growth rate from the theory of Ostwald ripening can be compared with predictions from the Keith-Padden theory of spherulitic growth.
Molecular restructuring at poly(n-butyl methacrylate) and poly(methyl methacrylate) surfaces due to compression by a sapphire prism studied by infrared-visible sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy.

Infrared−visible sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy, performed in visible wavelength total internal reflection (TIR) geometry, was used to determine the molecular structures of poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) surfaces in air and in contact with a smooth sapphire surface with and without the application of pressure. C−H vibrational resonances were probed optically to nondestructively examine the buried polymer/sapphire interfaces and obtain information about the molecular orientation in situ. These findings are contrasted with those of the same polymers cast from a toluene solution directly on the sapphire prism surface and annealed. Compared to polymer surface conformation in air, the SFG spectra of the deformed (compressed) PBMA at the sapphire interface illustrate that the ester butyl side chain restructures and tilts away from the surface normal. However, the molecular conformation in the similarly deformed PMMA at the sapphire interface is id...
Two Standard Field-Strength Meters for Very-High Frequencies

Methods of field-strength measurement are reviewed briefly and the design of field meters conforming closely to the conditions imposed by antenna theory is considered Two instruments approaching ideal theoretical conditions and suitable for reference standards are described. The first of these contains an adjustable matching network. The second utilizes very fine wires on a styrofoam support.