cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation, characterization and distribution of a DNA ligase from higher plants

Abstract 1. A DNA ligase has been isolated from various organs and subcellular components of plants. It has been purified 600-fold from pea roots. 2. The plant ligase seals single nicks in double-stranded plant and phage T7 DNA, resulting in the formation of typical 3′5′-phosphodiester linkages. The enzyme further catalyzes the conversion of hydrogen-bonded circles to covalent circles of phage λ DNA. 3. For activity, the enzyme obligatorily requires Mg2+, ATP and duplex DNA substrates, and for optimum activity also a sulfhydryl compound. 4. The major subcellular concentrations of the enzyme are localized in nuclei and chloroplasts. Roots contain more enzyme activity per unit protein than leaves. The specific activity of etiolated leaves is higher than of green leaves. Roots of dwarf plants possess a lower specific activity than roots of normal-sized plants.
Chromosomal Proteins HMG-14 and HMG-17 Are Synthesized throughout the S-Phase in Burkitt's Lymphoma

Here we test whether the targeting of chromosomal proteins HMG-14 and HMG-17 to transcriptionally active regions is due to coincidence of the synthesis of these proteins with the replication and assembly of active chromatin. Cells from the Burkitt's lymphoma line CA46 were synchronized with mimosine. The mRNA levels and the protein synthesis rates of HMG-14/-17 were determined at various stages during the S phase. The expression pattern of HMG-14/-17 was essentially constant throughout this phase of the cell cycle. The half-life for HMG-14/-17 protein corresponded to the doubling time of the cells. These results indicate that HMG-14/-17 are synthesized throughout S-phase and persist through the cell cycle. Targeting of HMGs to active genes is not simply due to the timing of their synthesis during S phase.
Studies with thin membranes. III. Measurement of water permeabilities of parlodion membranes formed by the dip technique

Thin Parlodion membranes whose preparation and electrochemical properties have already been described are used to study permeation of water through them. All the membranes allowed water to go through them when subjected to gradients of mechanical pressure or chemical potential. Thicker membranes were less permeable to water than thinner membranes. The total water flow observed under the influence of an applied pressure was analyzed in terms of an existing theory due to Ticknor and found inadequate to describe the flow in thicker membranes containing low quantities of water, whereas the flow in thinner membranes of moderate water content was found to be made up of both viscous and diffusional components. On the contrary, analysis of both the total and isotopic diffusional flows from the standpoint of another theory due to Mauro showed that all membranes gave flows which were composed of both diffusional and viscous components, the proportion of the former in the total flow increasing with increasing thickness of the membrane. The permeability data have been used to derive values for both the average radius of membrane pores and the total number of such pores present in different membranes.
Determinants of long-term facilitation in humans during NREM sleep

Long-term facilitation (LTF) is a prolonged increase in ventilatory motor output after episodic peripheral chemoreceptor stimulation. We have previously shown that LTF is activated during sleep fol...
The use of a free-time contingency with fourth graders to increase spelling accuracy

Abstract This investigation was conducted in a fourth grade class of 32 pupils in a public school. The study assessed spelling performances of the group as a function of three conditions—(1) when traditional procedures were in effect, (2) When contingent free-time was individually arranged, and (3) when a group contingency, listening to the radio, was added to the individually obtained free-time. As a result of these procedures, the majority of the pupils' spelling performance increased, indicating that the use of contingent free-time and radio-listening were effective reinforcers.
Subtalar arthroscopy: indications, technique, and results

The purpose of this study was to present the indications, technique, and results for subtalar arthroscopy in 50 consecutive patients. In each case, ankle arthroscopy was performed concomitantly to assess the exact source of the patient's pain. Surgical indications included chronic pain, swelling, buckling, and/or locking that failed conservative treatment. Arthroscopy of the ankle and subtalar joints were performed using both 2.7- and 1.9-mm arthroscopes through standard and accessory portals; distraction was used in all cases. All patients were followed-up for an average of 48 months (range, 36 to 70 months). Group 1 included 21 patients (42%) with chronic lateral ankle pain following an inversion injury. In this group, the subtalar joints were completely normal and the pathology was found to be limited only to the ankle joint. In group 2, 29 patients (58%) had the following diagnoses at arthroscopy: synovitis, 7; degenerative joint disease, 5; subtalar dysfunction, 5; chondromalacia, 4; nonunion of os trigonum, 4; arthrofibrosis, 2; loose bodies, 1; and osteochondral lesions of the talus, 1. Overall, the results were 86% good-to-excellent in group 2.
Layer-by-layer self-assembled conductive thin films for MEMS applications

Abstract A layer-by-layer self-assembly process is investigated based on the alternate deposition of polyanion and polycation polymer materials onto oxidized silicon substrates for anti-static and electrical applications in MEMS devices. The polyanion and polycation in this study are sulfonated polystyrene and polypyrrole, respectively. The influence of FeCl3 oxidant concentration is examined. It is found that the films prepared with higher oxidant concentrations exhibit lower resistivity; films prepared at 30 mM FeCl3 show a resistivity of 0.05 Ω cm while those prepared at 6 mM FeCl3 have values on the order of 0.15 Ω cm. The influence of doping with p-toluene sulfonic acid on the resistivity is found to be quite small, although the use of the dopant remains highly desirable for increased structural and thermal stability. Using atomic and electric force microscopy, the film morphology is found to exhibit nodular structures with an approximate grain size of 28 nm and 60 mV surface potential distribution. Finally, through reaction with octadecyl-sulfate sodium, the water contact angle of the pyrrole films have been shown to increase from 46° to 85°.
Ocean bottom geoscience observatories: Reuse of transoceanic telecommunications cables

One of the most promising areas of international cooperative research in geophysics is broadband seismology. At a recent symposium on this topic (International Symposium on Global Seismology and the POSEIDON (Pacific Orient Seismic Digital Observation Network) Project, University of Tokyo, August 1988) papers were presented by representatives of the United States, Japan, Soviet Union, People's Republic of China, Italy, Federal Republic of Germany, Canada, Netherlands, and Australia. National and international associations of Earth scientists committed to the establishment of a global network of broadband instruments include the U.S. Geological Survey, POSEIDON of Japan; IRIS (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology) of the U.S.; GEOSCOPE of France; MEDNET (Mediterranean Network) of Rome, Italy, and Geneva, Switzerland, but comprising many Mediterranean countries; ORFEUS (Observatories and Research Facilities for European Seismology), a working group of the European Geophysical Society; and CANDIS (Canadian Digital Seismic Network). An umbrella organization for all these associations is FDSN, the international Federation of Digital Seismological Networks.
Special delivery from mitochondria to peroxisomes

Inter-organellar communication and interactions are necessary and accepted consequences of the segregation of biochemical functions into subcellular organelles. Recently, Heidi McBride and her collaborators found a novel link between mitochondria and peroxisomes in their discovery of mitochondria-derived vesicles (MDVs), which appear to fuse with a fraction of pre-existing peroxisomes in mammalian cells. We discuss the potential role of this vesicle population in the context of pathways for the exchange of metabolites and/or macromolecules between these compartments.
Benign (solitary) ulcer of the rectum — Another cause for rectal stricture

Benign rectal ulcer syndrome is an uncommon cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients may present with mild, often recurrent, rectal bleeding frequently ascribed to hemorrhoids. Barium enema may be normal during the early, nonulcerative phase of proctitis. Single (or multiple) ulcers with or without rectal stricture are the hallmarks of the radiographic diagnosis. Radiologic demonstration of the ulcer(s) is not required, however, for the diagnosis. Benign rectal ulcer should be included in the differential diagnosis of benign-appearing rectal strictures.
Cisplatin nephrotoxicity: Mechanisms and renoprotective strategies

Cisplatin is one of the most widely used and most potent chemotherapy drugs. However, side effects in normal tissues and organs, notably nephrotoxicity in the kidneys, limit the use of cisplatin and related platinum-based therapeutics. Recent research has shed significant new lights on the mechanism of cisplatin nephrotoxicity, especially on the signaling pathways leading to tubular cell death and inflammation. Renoprotective approaches are being discovered, but the protective effects are mostly partial, suggesting the need for combinatorial strategies. Importantly, it is unclear whether these approaches would limit the anticancer effects of cisplatin in tumors. Examination of tumor-bearing animals and identification of novel renoprotective strategies that do not diminish the anticancer efficacy of cisplatin are essential to the development of clinically applicable interventions.
Geology of a portion of the north wall of the Puerto Rico Trench

Abstract Rocks dredged from the north wall of the Puerto Rico Trench represent a thick accumulation of rock types consisting of siliceous mudstones, cherts, basalts, serpentinites and minor amounts of volcanic wackes, carbonaceous material and limestones, all of which formed in a submarine environment. A tentative stratigraphie sequence of the north wall in ascending order is Cenomanian limestone, Upper Cretaceous siliceous mudstones and cherts, Upper Cretaceous-Eocene limestones, Upper Cretaceous-Eocene serpentinites, Eocene-Pliocene siliceous mudstones and cherts, pre-Pliocene volcanic wackes, Pliocene basalts and Pliocene-Recent unconsolidated sediments. Two main fault patterns are apparent in the area of study and trend east-west and northwest-southeast. The east-west faults are older and are terminated by those trending northwest-southeast. Magnetic susceptibility, remanent magnetism and Qn values obtained from the rocks indicate that permanent polarization is responsible for the geomagnetic anomalies measured at sea.
Hyperthermic effects of some tryptamine derivatives in relation to their behavioural activity

Abstract The effects of thirty-six tryptamine derivatives upon the rectal temperature of rabbits and the open-field behaviour of rats are described. Nine compounds were without effect in either test, a further five evoked behavioural changes in the open-field test but were without effect on rectal temperature. Three of these were, however, too toxic to rabbits to be tested completely. The remaining twenty-two compounds produced significant effects in both test situations and a statistically significant correlation existed between the respective potencies of the compounds in evoking the two effects. It is suggested that these tryptamines act on the same receptors in the central nervous system as LSD-25 and that the behavioural changes in the open-field test and the hyperthermia are both part of the resulting syndrome.
Synthesis of a P-1-tethered photoaffinity label for inositol hexakisphosphate binding proteins

A new photoaffinity analog of inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP 6 , or phytic acid) was prepared for investigation of InsP 6 -binding proteins. The racemic P-1-(O-6-aminohexyl) derivative of InSP 6 was synthesized in six steps from inositol, and a tritium-labeled benzophenone-containing photophore was attached in the final step to give P-1 [ 3 H]BZDC-InsP 6 (sp. act. 35 Ci/mmol).
Trust and Credit: The Role of Appearance in Peer-to-peer Lending

Although it is well known that appearance-based impressions affect labor market and election outcomes, little is known about the role appearance plays in financial transactions. We address this question using photographs of potential borrowers from a peer-to-peer lending site. Consistent with the trust-intensive nature of lending, we find that borrowers who appear more trustworthy have higher probabilities of having their loans funded. Moreover, borrowers who appear more trustworthy indeed have better credit scores and default less often. Overall, our findings suggest that impressions of trustworthiness matter in financial transactions as they predict investor, as well as borrower, behavior. A man I do not trust could not get money from me on all the bonds in Christendom. --John Pierpont Morgan, 1913 The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com., Oxford University Press.
It Began with a Daydream: The 150th Anniversary of the Kekulé Benzene Structure

In January 1865, August Kekule published his theory of the structure of benzene, which he later reported had come to him in a daydream about a snake biting its tail. Although other theories had been postulated before 1865, Kekule was the first to identify the correct structure. Kekule's theory resulted in a clear understanding of aromatic compounds and thus had a major impact on the development of chemical science and industry.
Anisotropy and double (reentrant) transitions in rare-earth-transition metal alloys

Abstract We report on the relationship between anisotropy strength in amorphous rare-earth alloys and the speromagnetic and double (reentrant) transition behavior in such systems. Gd 65 Co 35 , where both exchange fluctuations and anisotropy are small, was chosen as the base system. Anisotropy is induced in a controlled manner by alloying Gd 65 Co 35 with an anisotropic rare-earth R according to the formula R x Gd 65− x Co 35 . The magnetic transition temperature scales approximately with the average value of S ( S +1) for Gd and the alloying rare-earth and we also see systematic changes in crystallization temperature and magnetic transition temperature with the lanthanide radius of the substituting rare-earth. In particular we report in some detail on the relationship between double transition behavior found in Er x Gd 65− x R 35 and related alloys and anisotropy strength. A comparison is also made with random anisotropy model predictions and it is concluded that the mechanism leading to double transition behavior is not yet understood.
Figurate Erythema Resembling Erythema Annulare Centrifugum in a Ferret with Adrenocortical Adenocarcinoma-associated Alopecia.

Resumen— Describimos un caso de alopecia simetrica bilateral en un huron hembra esterilizada de 3 anos. El cuadro resulto estar asociado con un adenocarcinoma adrenocortical y con concentraciones sericas elevadas de estradiol. Ademas el animal presentaba eritema figurado en la zona dorsolateral, lumbosacra y en la cola con caracteristicas clinicas e histopatologicas parecidas al eritema annulare centrifugum de la especie humana. El eritema figurado se trato con exito con un producto comercial que contiene el acido graso omega-3/omega-6. [Scott D. W., Gould, J. W., Cayatte, S. M., Lawrence, H. J., Miller, W. H., Jr. Figurate erythema resembling erythema annulare centrifugum in a ferret with adrenocortical adenocar-cinoma-associated alopecia (Eritema figurado parecido a eritema anulare centrifugum en un huron con alopecia asociada a un adenocarcinoma adrenocortical). Abstract— Bilaterally symmetric alopecia and vulvar enlargement is reported in a 3-year-old, spayed female ferret. The condition was ultimately shown to be associated with an adrenocortical adenocarcinoma and elevated serum estradiol concentrations. In addition, the ferret had a figurate erythema over the dorsolateral lumbosacral region and tail that was clinically and histopathologically similar to erythema annulare centrifugum in humans. The figurate erythema was successfully treated with a commercial omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid-containing product.
Pendeo-epitaxial growth of gallium nitride on silicon substrates

Pendeo-epitaxy (PE)1 from raised, [0001] oriented GaN stripes covered with silicon nitride masks has been employed for the growth of coalesced films of GaN(0001) with markedly reduced densities of line and planar defects on Si(111)-based substrates. Each substrate contained previously deposited 3C-SiC(111) and AlN(0001) transition layers and a GaN seed layer from which the stripes were etched. The 3C-SiC transition layer eliminated chemical reactions between the Si and the NH3 and the Ga metal from the decomposition of triethylgallium. The 3C-SiC and the GaN seed layers, each 0.5 µm thick, were also used to minimize the cracking and warping of the GaN/SiC/silicon assembly caused primarily by the stresses generated on cooling due to the mismatches in the coefficients of thermal expansion. Tilting in the coalesced GaN epilayers of 0.2° was confined to areas of lateral overgrowth over the masks; no tilting was observed in the material suspended above the trenches. The strong, low-temperature PL band-edge peak at 3.456 eV with a FWHM of 17 meV was comparable to that observed in PE GaN films grown on AlN/6H-SiC(0001) substrates.
Swell and the drag coefficient

Simultaneous measurements of waves and turbulent fluxes were collected from a moored surface buoy in the Philippine Sea. Waves were partitioned into their wind sea and swell components, and the ratio of swell to wind sea energy was used to assign a swell index. The 10-m neutral drag coefficient was calculated using the eddy correlation method. Four hundred hours of data were processed in 30 minute runs for wind speeds 8.5 to 16.5 m s−1 when the peak wave direction was within 90° of the wind direction and included observations during mixed seas, swell dominant, and wind sea dominant conditions. The data were analyzed to explore the influence of swell on the drag coefficient. It was found that when compared to periods of equal wind speed, the drag coefficient was reduced up to 37 % when swell energy was twice that of the wind sea energy. It is believed that this reduction was due to a decrease in the turbulent flux around the swell frequency, suggesting that the swell diminishes the surface aerodynamic roughness.
COSOD opts for Explorer

With the withdrawal of industry support in the Ocean Margin Drilling Program (OMDP) (Eos, October 20, p. 705), a giant wave of uncertainty on the future of scientific ocean drilling swept over the oceanographic community. To steer the next decade's programs toward scientific objectives, the Conference on Scientific Ocean Drilling (COSOD) was held November 16–18 in Austin, Tex. The conference (scheduled before the industry decision) was sponsored by the Joint Oceanographic Institutions for Deep Earth Sampling (JOIDES), one of the principal operating arms of the Joint Oceanographic Institutions, Inc. (JOI). ‘A broad range of global scientific objectives were identified that require a worldwide drilling program for at least the next decade,’ Roger L. Larson, chairman of the COSOD Steering Committee, told Eos at the meeting's conclusion. ‘Many of these objectives can be accomplished with the presently available drill ship Glomar Challenger, but the extended capabilities of the Glomar Explorer are required to accomplish a large number of other objectives. Thus, it was the unanimous consensus of the conference attendees that Glomar Explorer was clearly the preferable vessel for future scientific ocean drilling.’
Polymer mechanochemistry: Flex, release and repeat.

Force-induced covalent bond changes in mechanophore-linked polymers typically require large, irreversible material deformation, limiting successive activation cycles. Now, repeated force-induced reactions have been achieved by incorporating flex-activated mechanophores into elastomeric networks.
HCI-tolerant NoC router microarchitecture

The trend towards massive parallel computing has necessitated the need for an On-Chip communication framework that can scale well with the increasing number of cores. At the same time, technology scaling has made transistors susceptible to a multitude of reliability issues (NBTI, HCI, TDDB). In this work, we propose an HCI-Tolerant microarchitecture for an NoC Router by manipulating the switching activity around the circuit. We find that most of the switching activity (the primary cause of HCI degradation) are only concentrated in a few parts of the circuit, severely degrading some portions more than others. Our techniques increase the lifetime of an NoC router by balancing this switching activity. Compared to an NoC without any reliability techniques, our best schemes improve the switching activity distribution, clock cycle degradation, system performance and energy delay product per flit by 19%, 26%, 11% and 17%, respectively, on an average.
Investigating the Folded State of Type III Fibronectin Domains in Stretched Fibrils

Fibronectin is an extracellular matrix protein that is assembled by fibroblasts into fibrils. Previous studies have shown that fibronectin fibrils are extremely elastic: cells can stretch them up to four times their resting length. The mechanism of this elasticity has been debated. Some have hypothesized that unfolding of the 15 Type III domains, each of which are a 7-beta strand sandwich, drives fibril elasticity. Others have hypothesized that the elasticity is driven by a conformational change of the entire fibronectin molecule from a compact to an extended form, without unfolding of Type III domains. Here we have investigated the unfolding of Type III domains in stretched fibrils by fluorescent labeling of buried free thiols. We generated a library of recombinant fibronectins, each of which had a single buried free thiol in a different Type III domain. Fibronectin matrices containing these recombinant fibronectins were labeled with a thiol reactive fluorescent probe; successful labeling indicated that the domain was unfolded to expose the buried free thiol, while no labeling suggested that the domain remained folded. Thiol labeling experiments were also conducted on fibronectin in solution, as some Type III domains have previously been shown to unfold and refold in the absence of applied tension. Data indicates that Type III domains can be categorized into three groups based on their unfolding properties: nine (9) Type III domains showed no evidence of unfolding in either fibrils or solution; four (4) domains showed evidence of unfolding in both fibrils and in solution; and two (2) domains showed evidence of unfolding exclusively in fibrils. These results suggest that there is a subset of Type III domains that unfold within fibronectin that may play a role in fibronectin fibril elasticity.
Mechanism of release of endogenous cholecystokinin by jejunal amino acid perfusion in man

Ertan et al have shown that the perfusion of the proximal jejunum with a mixture of amino acids (MAA) in physiological concentration releases endogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) in man. In the present experiment, we investigate the mechanism by which jejunal MAA perfusion mediates an increase in exocrine pancreatic and biliary secretions. The effects of a bolus of topical anesthetic (oxethazaine, 0.5 mg/kg of 0.4% solution) or the simultaneous jejunal perfusion of a topical anticholinergic agent (atropine, 1 mg/liter) were studied in the same five normal patients on different days. Suppression of the response to jejunal MAA perfusion but not to intravenous infusion of CCK or jejunal saline perfusion, was noted in these normal subjects following jejunal application of oxethazaine and atropine. These results suggest a local involvement of the cholinergic mechanism for the endogenous release of CCK, while exogenous CCK acts directly on the pancreatic cells.
Can spouses be trusted? A look at husband/wife proxy reports.

This paper examines biases that may occur when models of couple behavior are estimated using one partner’s report of own and of spouse’s desired family size rather than independent reports obtained from both partners. When estimates of random measurement error are incorporated in a model of couple fertility expectations, proxy reports are valid indicators of spouse desires. In particular, there is little evidence that proxy reports are affected by systematic errors arising from projection of own beliefs onto the spouse. For desired family size, random measurement error in both proxy and self reports is of far greater concern than is systematic error.
Common methodological problems and artifacts associated with studies of myocardial stunning in vivo

Since the original description of myocardial stunning by Heyndrickx et al. in 1975 (6), the number of studies dealing with this phenomenon has continued to increase, to the point that myocardial stunning is now one of the most common problems addressed in experimental cardiology. Each year new drugs or manipulations are added to the lengthening list of interventions that are claimed to attenuate myocardial stunning. This is somewhat reminiscent of the situation that occurred with infarct size limitation in the 1970s and 1980s, when a bewildering array of interventions were claimed to reduce infarct size, and their list kept increasing at a relentless pace. In view of the disastrous outcome of the infarct size limitation saga (the vast majority of the claims were not subsequently substantiated), this similarity is worrisome. We have now come to realize that the main reason for the fiasco of infarct size limitation was the presence of methodological problems in many published studies. To prevent a similar outcome for studies of myocardial stunning it is important that the most common methodological problems and artifacts associated with these studies be recognized and dealt with appropriately. The purpose of this brief review is to identify them and suggest possible approaches for avoiding their interference. The discussion is limited to studies of regional stunning in vivo.
Nord, M., Coleman-Jensen A., Andrews M., Carlson S. Household Food Security in the United States, 2009. EER-108, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Econ. Res. Serv. November 2010

This report confirms that food insecurity remains an important and challenging issue among American households, especially in those headed by single parents and reporting below-poverty income levels. Importantly, although some at-risk households utilize federal and community-based food assistance programs, many do not. Finding ways to close this gap between nutritional need and utilization of food assistance networks must remain an important goal for both federal and private agencies and organizations during this difficult economic period.
Dentinal surface roughness: A comparison of tooth preparation techniques

Abstract Standardization of prepared dentinal surfaces for in vitro investigations is needed for evaluation of luting and bonding agents. Forty-eight intact, noncarious human molars were prepared either with silicon carbide paper mounted on a circular grinder or with carbide bur or a diamond mounted in a dental handpiece, and the dentinal surfaces were analyzed in a profilometer for surface roughness. The results were computed with a parametric ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc test. The dentinal surfaces prepared by Brasseler super coarse, coarse, medium, and Premier coarse diamonds by use of a high-speed dental handpiece with water spray were statisticallydifferent ( p
Summer Distribution and Condition of Striped Bass within Albemarle Sound, North Carolina

Abstract During 1993–1994, 78 adult striped bass Morone saxatilis captured in the Albemarle Sound–Roanoke River (AR) system were tagged with ultrasonic transmitters to examine summer patterns of distribution, migration, and habitat selection. Additionally, 626 striped bass were collected by electrofishing during 1993 to assess summer condition. Water temperatures within Albemarle Sound rose well above suitable levels for striped bass, but dissolved oxygen remained within tolerance limits. No stratification of temperature or dissolved oxygen occurred and no substantial thermal refuges were located. Telemetered striped bass were found throughout the Albemarle Sound system, selecting for deep water or structure. No evidence of migration to the Atlantic Ocean was found. During summer AR striped bass 325 mm total length or longer were in relatively poor condition, as evidenced by the extensive occurrence of red dermal lesions and ectoparasites. Relative weight (condition based on a standard weight at length) o...
Welcome to a new, international open-access research journal with a particular focus on the development of theoretical and experimental techniques and methodology

I have recently had the privilege of being appointed Editor-in-Chief of this very exciting and innovative Open Access Journal, and hereby extend a warm welcome to everyone as we launch Astronomy Studies Development, which will seek to publish high quality, peer-reviewed, original manuscripts in all fields of astronomy and astrophysics, though with a particular focus on mathematical techniques and methodology and innovative ideas for instrumental development and modeling in astronomy and astrophysics. The journal will also seek to publish simulations in all areas, including cosmology, particle astrophysics, accretion, and diffuse media. Our journal will include both full length research articles and letter articles, and its coverage extends over solar, stellar, galactic and extragalactic astronomy and astrophysics, and will report original research in all wavelength bands. Astronomy and Astrophysics are rather mature disciplines, with a history of quality journals over the past century or more. So one may reasonably ask why a new journal such as this is needed. Obviously, I myself have answered this question in the affirmative. After a long career in research and publishing, I have the perspective to provide several good reasons for helping to promote the evolution of publishing in Astronomy and Astrophysics to a place more in line with present technology
Untangling Removal Period Archaeology: The Complexity of Potawatomi Sites

The brief span of the Removal period saw the demise of the fur trade and development of new ways of life as Native Americans adapted to dramatic economic, social, political, and ecological changes. Archaeological studies of this period present special challenges caused by the remarkable diversity of human behavior in both time and space. Investigations of Potawatomi Removal period sites in the Midwest highlight the diversity of Potawatomi responses and the importance of combining archaeological data and historic records for understanding them.
Characteristics of glucokinase of the Kirkman insulinoma

Abstract It was investigated whether the well-known transplantable insulinoma of the hamster (the Kirkman tumor) contains glucokinase and if so, what its kinetic characteristics are, and whether its cellular levels might be regulated in a manner typical for islet tissue. The supernatant of tumor homogenates contained a low-affinity component (Km 9.7 mmol/L) of glucose phosphorylating activity, apparently glucokinase. Partially purified insulinoma glucokinase exhibited similar kinetic characteristics to liver glucokinase (Km for glucose 5.0 and 5.3 mmol/L, half-maximal saturation 6.9 and 6.3 mmol/L, Hill coefficient 1.63 and 1.62, Ki for mannoheptulose 0.9 and 0.6 mmol/L in hamster insulinoma glucokinase and hamster liver glucokinase, respectively). Insulinoma glucokinase activity was not affected by the age of the tumor. Tumor-bearing hamsters without further treatment stayed normoglycemic (172 ± 9.5 mg/dL) for the duration of the experiment. Fasting caused hypoglycemia (49 ± 5.0 mg/dL), and pretreatment with streptozotocin prior to tumor transplantation caused hyperglycemia (393 ± 20.6 mg/dL) in the tumor-bearing hamsters. Blood glucose levels of the host hamsters did not affect the content of the insulinoma glucokinase (83 ± 3.5 mU/g in hypoglycemic group, 88 ± 9.0 mU/g in hyperglycemic group, and 86 ± 3.5 mU/g in normoglycemic group). Thus, biosynthesis and degradation of insulinoma glucokinase does not seem to be regulated by glucose as found to be true for islet glucokinase. Since glucokinase is constitutively present, the stable transplantable Kirkman tumor could serve as a useful model for studying the pancreatic B-cell glycolysis system which is characterized by the presence of both hexokinase and glucokinase.
A quantum conversation.

[ring, ring] Alice : Hello…Quantum Computer Associates. Bob : Quantum Computer? Quantum con-puter is more like it! That stuff will never work (other than as a make-work program for underemployed physicists). I wasn't calling for a quantum computer, just a faster one to help me find matches in a
On how P300 amplitude varies with the utility of the eliciting stimuli

Abstract The bulk of the relevant evidence indicates that stimuli which elicit the P300 component of the human event-related potential (ERP) tend to be unexpected and task relevant. Yet, contradictory evidence has been presented which implied that P300 amplitude is modulated by the intensity difference between two equally relevant, equally probable feedback stimuli (Adams and Benson, 1973). The two experiments reported here were designed to clarify this contradiction. Subjects were instructed to press a button one second after a cue light. A tone at one of two intensities was presented 200 msec later indicating whether the time estimate was ‘correct’ or ‘incorrect.’ The magnitude of P300 varied as a function of the difference in intensity between S+ and S−; the smaller the difference, the smaller was P300, regardless of stimulus meaning (S+ or S−). We attribute this effect to the degree to which the subject chooses to utilize the tones in the performance of the time estimation task. In support of this hypothesis, we found that performance of the subjects as time estimators degraded as the difference between S+ and S− decreased. Moreover, a study of choice reaction times taken for the different pairings of S+ and S− showed that the stimulus pairs were not equally discriminable. It appears that as the S+/S− pairs become increasingly difficult to discriminate, their feedback value decreases and this decrease is positively correlated with a decrease in P300 amplitude. This interpretation received support from Exp. 2 in which the stimulus conditions were the same as in Exp. 1, but the subject's task was to count the S+ stimuli. Here, when subject had no option but to process each individual stimulus, the P300 amplitude remained constant despite variations in S− intensity. Thus, it appears that task relevance must be defined in terms of the subject's behavior rather than by the experimenter's instructions to the subject.
Physical and Functional Properties of Twin-screw Extruded Whey Protein Concentrate–Corn Starch Blends

Abstract Use as a minor component in corn starch extrudates may provide an outlet for underutilized whey protein concentrate (WPC). Several physico-chemical and functional properties of corn starch–WPC extrudates were determined in this study. This information can be used for process scaling-up purposes and for tailoring such extrudates to specific applications. Blends of whey protein concentrate and corn starch were extrusion-cooked with a co-rotating intermeshing twin-screw extruder at 220 g/kg moisture content, 140 rpm screw speed and 140 °C barrel temperature. A split-plot experiment was conducted to investigate four levels of amylose in starch (main plots) with four levels of WPC in WPC–corn starch blends (sub-plots). The design was a randomized complete block with the three replications being three different WPC sources. Studied ranges were 0, 250, 500 and 700 g/kg for amylose and 0, 100, 200 and 300 g/kg for WPC. Measured properties were shear strength (51.4 to 361 kPa), radial expansion ratio (4.32 to 13.1), specific mechanical energy (SME) (240 to 383 J/kg), water absorption index (WAI) (1.98 to 8.57), % water solubility index (% WSI) (9.51 to 67.6%), total color difference (8.08 to 35.9) and % apparent amylose content (0–66%) of extrudates. The WPC source affected several extrudate properties. Data were modeled with polynomial regression. Waxy starch differed from amylose starches in terms of % WSI, WAI, and SME. Significant interactions between levels of amylose and WPC were found for radial expansion ratio, total color change and apparent amylose content. This suggested the presence of a physico-chemical interaction between amylose and WPC.
Calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II regulates notch-1 signaling in prostate cancer cells.

Notch signaling is associated with prostate osteoblastic bone metastases and calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) is associated with osteoblastogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells. Here we show that prostate cancer cell lines C4-2B and PC3, both derived from bone metastases and express Notch-1, have all four isoforms of CaMKII (α, β, γ, δ). In contrast, prostate cancer cell lines LNcaP and DU145, which are not derived from bone metastases and lack the Notch-1 receptor, both lack the alpha isoform of CaMKII. In addition, DU145 cells also lack the β-isoform. In C4-2B cells, inhibition of CaMKII by KN93 or γ-secretase by L-685,458 inhibited the formation of the cleaved form of Notch-1 thus inhibiting Notch signaling. KN93 inhibited down stream Notch-1 signaling including Hes-1 gene expression, Hes-1 promoter activity, and c-Myc expression. In addition, both KN93 and L-685,458 inhibited proliferation and Matrigel invasion by C4-2B cells. The activity of γ-secretase was unaffected by KN93 but markedly inhibited by L-685,458. Inhibition of the expression of α, β, or γ-isoform by siRNA did not affect Hes-1 gene expression, however when expression of one isoform was inhibited by siRNA, there were compensatory changes in the expression of the other isoforms. Over-expression of CaMKII-α increased Hes-1 expression, consistent with Notch-1 signaling being at least partially dependent upon CaMKII. This unique crosstalk between CaMKII and Notch-1 pathways provides new insight into Notch signaling and potentially provides new targets for pharmacotherapeutics. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 25–32, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Simulations of Fault-Adaptive Control

The objective of this work is to detect failures in a vibration control system and adapt the control system in order to maintain optimal performance. Fault detection and isolation (FDI) filters, which are a subset of state observers specifically designed to detect and identify known types of system failures, are used to detect sensor and actuator malfunctions. The output of such filters is used to reconfigure feedback compensators in order to maintain closed loop objectives. Such reconfiguration allows the system to continue operating optimally under certain system failures. Simulations have been performed for vibration control of a simply supported beam. The simulation is allowed to “fail” in certain pre-defined ways. FDI filters designed to detect these failures operate in parallel with the compensator. When a failure occurs the FDI filter output is used to switch to a new compensator that is appropriate for the new system condition. There are several challenges inherent in this effort but the most important is the management of compensator switching. Since switching involves system discontinuity, therefore stability of the system is very difficult to guarantee. Even if the plant and compensator are dissipative, stability cannot necessarily be proven. Simulation results will demonstrate some of these challenges and the effectiveness of this approach for maintaining suitable closed loop performance in the presence of system failures.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
GAN NUCLEATION AND GROWTH ON SAPPHIRE (0001) : INCORPORATION AND INTERLAYER TRANSPORT

GaN growth on nitridated sapphire (0001) by rf plasma-assisted metal-organic molecular-beam epitaxy is shown to exhibit a highly superlinear growth rate and a transition from strained, smooth growth to relaxed cluster growth during the first layer. A coupled rate-equation model suggests that the growth rate arises from both the site-dependent reactivity of precursor molecules and a layer-dependent interlayer transport probability. The nitridation layer, which determines the initial strain of the GaN film, bears a striking resemblance to a well known Al-rich surface reconstruction of sapphire.
Product Safety and Liability Considerations for Home Furnishings

Home furnishings are not normally considered as a critical concern for product safety, but the large number of exposure hours and the vunerability of of exposed populations tend to increase the relative importance of their safe and functional design. This paper explores the scope of this problem and provides a discussion of ergonomic design factors to be considered as means of reducing the hazards associated with home furnishings.
The effect of antiretroviral therapy on liver disease among adults with HIV and hepatitis C coinfection

In the era of antiretroviral therapy (ART), liver disease has emerged as an important cause of death among persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection. The objective of this study was to estimate the burden of liver disease and evaluate determinants of liver fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity among HIV/HCV coinfected patients receiving ART. We studied 112 randomly selected and 98 referred HCV-infected patients undergoing care in the Johns Hopkins University HIV clinic. Liver disease was characterized clinically and histologically. Of the 210 individuals studied--64% of whom had received ART within 2 years of liver disease assessment--33% had no fibrosis (F0), and 26% had bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis (> or =F3). The median necroinflammatory activity score was 3 (range, 0-9 of 18). ART was not associated with fibrosis; however, significantly less hepatic necroinflammatory activity was observed among persons who had received highly active antiretroviral therapy longer (P = .02) and more effectively (defined by HIV RNA suppression; P < .01). Twelve percent of individuals had previous ART-associated liver enzyme elevations (grades 3-4), but liver fibrosis was not more severe if the liver enzyme elevation resolved. On the other hand, liver fibrosis was more severe in persons with persistent liver enzyme elevations (grades 1-4). In conclusion, despite widespread exposure to ART and documented instances of ART-related hepatitis, we found no evidence that ART caused serious histological liver disease. Recognition of bridging fibrosis and cirrhosis in some but not most patients underscores the importance of identifying and treating liver disease in HIV/HCV coinfected persons.
Curvature effects on optical response of Si nanocrystals in SiO 2 having interface silicon suboxides

Several models of oxygenated and hydrogenated surfaces of Si quantum wells and Si nanocrystals (NCs) of variable shapes have been constructed in order to assess curvature effects on energy gaps due to the three Si suboxides. Si suboxides in partially oxydized models of nanocrystals of spherical shapes (or quantum dots) are shown to reduce energy gaps compared to the hydrogenated nanocrystals, consistent with previous results in the literature. This trend is shown to be reversed when planar interfaces are formed in Si NC inside ${\text{SiO}}_{2}$ thin films, as in Si quantum wells. At planar interfaces (or surfaces) the electronic charge density is shown to become extended and to distribute among the Si suboxides, thus generating along these planar interfaces extended, or delocalized, states. This delocalization of the electronic states then increases the energy gap compared to equivalent hydrogenated interfaces (or surfaces). Determination of geometric effects of curvature on the band gaps are based on density-functional theory (DFT) using the real-space numerical approach implemented in the ``Pseudopotential Algorithm for Real-Space Electronic Structure'' (PARSEC) program. A method for measuring interface effects due to Si suboxides in Si NC in ${\text{SiO}}_{2}$ is also suggested by comparing photoluminescence (PL) between as-grown and annealed Si-NC samples. The DFT calculations suggest that blueshift of more than 0.2 eV of the PL should be observed in as-grown samples having Si suboxides at their planar interfaces, in comparison to annealed samples above $950\text{ }\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\text{C}$ that have fewer or no Si suboxides once annealed, providing that the bulk of Si NC remains unaltered.
Simulating switchgrass growth and development under potential and water-limiting conditions.

Anticipating a demand for switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) as a source for biofuel production, a crop simulation model of this crop can be a component of a biofuel decision support system. The objective of this effort was to develop and test a model for switchgrass, based on robust empirical relationships between plant behavior and the environment. The model simulates date of annual growth initiation (AGI), anthesis, aboveground biomass, leaf area index (LAI), and water balance components with a daily time step for crops grown under potential and water- limiting conditions. Daily weather data (solar radiation, maximum and minimum temperature, and rainfall), soil available water-holding capacity (AWHC), and the fraction of AWHC at the date of AGI (FAWHC-AGI) are required inputs. Two cultivar-specific parameters, the maximum rate of development at the optimum temperature (R max ) and maximum LAI (MAXLAI), synthesize differences in development and growth between cultivars. Tested against 10 independent data sets, the model generated good predictions of date of anthesis (root mean square error [RMSE] = 3 d) and aboveground biomass (RMSE = 1.5 Mg ha ―1 ).
Semiautomated High-Throughput Extraction and Cleanup Method for the Measurement of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Polybrominated and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Breast Milk

A semiautomated extraction and cleanup method has been developed to measure eight polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 2,2‘,4,4‘,5,5‘-hexabromobiphenyl (BB-153), and 2,2‘,4,4‘,5,5‘-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153). The method employs solid-phase dispersion on diatomaceous earth in a solid-phase extraction cartridge followed by automated addition of internal standards (13C-labeled). Extraction is then performed using an automated modular solid-phase extraction system. The extraction procedure includes drying the sample on diatomaceous earth by pressurized nitrogen and eluting target analytes and lipids with dichloromethane. Lipid content is determined gravimetrically. Lipid determinations performed using this method are compared with other standard methods and with a certified reference material. A relative standard deviation of 7.9% was obtained for 130 determinations of the lipid content in a breast milk quality control sample. Final analytical determination of target analytes was performed by gas chromato...