cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sgs1—The Maestro of Recombination

The Sgs1 DNA helicase and its mammalian homolog BLM control crossover formation in mitotic cells. Zakharyevich et al. and De Muyt et al. now uncover a key role for Sgs1 in meiotic crossover regulation, which in turn reveals a joint molecule resolution pathway that produces the majority of crossovers in budding yeast.
Interaction of diethylpyrocarbonate with poliovirus double-stranded RNA.

Summary Diethylpyrocarbonate appears not to react with double-stranded nucleic acids at moderate temperatures, and has been used successfully in the preparation of biologically active double stranded RNA and DNA from bacterial and viral sources. Under conditions of elevated temperature, however, reaction with diethylpyrocarbonate renders poliovirus double-stranded RNA subsequently susceptible to digestion with ribonuclease. Exposure to diethylpyrocarbonate for 10 min at 90° followed by digestion with ribonuclease causes complete conversion to acid-soluble material; the same treatment in the absence of diethylpyrocarbonate causes no degradation of RNA.
RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF FOUR SUBSCALES OF A SCALE FOR RATING BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SUPERIOR STUDENTS AS SELF-REPORTING TOOLS

Evidence for reliability and validity of Learning, Motivation, Creativity, and Leadership subscales of a Scale for Rating Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students as self-reporting instruments was obtained from 121 students in Grades 10 to 12 and 77 of their teachers. Determination of validity of the four subscales was based on comparisons of self-report testing and subjects' scores on the California Psychological Inventory. Analyses suggest the Leadership subscale appears to have potential as a reliable and valid self-reporting tool, in screening candidates for enrichment programs, but data do not support such use of the other three.
Fibrinolytic response during exercise and epinephrine infusion in the same subjects.

Abstract To determine whether exercise-induced increases in tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) were related to plasma epinephrine concentration during exercise, 14 healthy men (aged 24 to 62 years) were studied during epinephrine infusions (10, 25 and 50 ng/kg per min) and graded supine bicycle exercise, beginning at 33 W and increasing in 33-W increments until exhaustion. Plasma epinephrine, active and total t-PA, active plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and t-PA/PAI-I complex concentrations were measured at each exercise and infusion level. During epinephrine infusion, active and total t-PA levels increased linearly with the plasma epinephrine concentration (respective slopes [± SEM]of 0.062 ± 0.003 and 0.076 ± 0.003 pmol/ng epinephrine). During exercise, t-PA levels did not increase until plasma epinephrine levels increased, after which both active and total t-PA levels again increased linearly with the plasma epinephrine concentration, but at twice the rate observed with epinephrine infusion (0.131 ± 0.005 and 0.147 ± 0.005 pmol/ng, respectively). The t-PA level in blood was directly proportional to the plasma epinephrine concentration during both exercise and epinephrine infusion, suggesting that epinephrine release during exercise stimulates t-PA secretion. In these healthy subjects, active plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 and t-PA/PAI-1 complex levels were low (41 ± 11 and 21 ± 5 pmol/liter, respectively) and did not change significantly during exercise or epinephrine infusion. It is concluded that approximately 50% of the increase in t-PA during exercise is due to stimulated release of t-PA by epinephrine. Other factors, such as reduced hepatic clearance during exercise, must account for the remaining 50% of the increase in t-PA.
Effect of primary degradation–reaction products from Ammonia Fiber Expansion (AFEX)-treated corn stover on the growth and fermentation of Escherichia coli KO11

The primary degradation-reaction products (DRP) identified in Ammonia Fiber Expansion (AFEX)-pretreated corn stover are acetate, lactate, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (4HBD) and acetamide. The effects of these products at a broad concentration range were tested on Escherichia coli KO11, a strain engineered for cellulosic ethanol production. Fermentations using glucose or xylose as the sole carbohydrate source and a sugar mixture of glucose and xylose were conducted to determine how these products and sugar selection affected fermentation performance. Co-fermentation of the sugar mixture exhibited the lowest overall ethanol productivity compared to single-sugar fermentations and was more susceptible to inhibition. Metabolic ethanol yield increased with the increasing initial concentration of acetate. Although these degradation-reaction products (with exception of acetamide) are generally perceived to be inhibitory, organic acids and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde at low levels stimulated fermentation. Adaptation of cells to these products prior to fermentation increased overall fermentation rate.
Disposition index identifies defective beta-cell function in cystic fibrosis subjects with normal glucose tolerance

Abstract Background In non-cystic fibrosis (CF) subjects, the disposition index (DI) is a strong predictor of the development of type 2 diabetes. CF subjects are at high risk of diabetes. We hypothesized that DI would be reduced in CF patients with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), indicating β-cell dysfunction, and DI would worsen with progression from CF with NGT to CF-related diabetes (CFRD). Methods This was a cross-sectional study in 39 CF patients and 21 healthy controls (Con) who underwent oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Insulin sensitivity was estimated as (1/fasting insulin) and insulin secretion as (∆insulin 0–30min/∆glucose 0–30min). DI was calculated as (insulin sensitivity)×(insulin secretion). Results Among CF subjects, 14 had NGT, 20 had prediabetes and 5 had CFRD. Among the controls, 14 had NGT and 7 had prediabetes. DI was significantly lower in CF-NGT compared to Con-NGT ( p =0.0035). DI was also lower in CFRD compared to CF-NGT ( p =0.025). There were no significant relationships in the CF groups between DI and age, BMI, percent body fat or FEV1. Conclusion β-Cell function as measured by DI is reduced in CF patients compared to non-CF controls—even in CF-NGT—and is decreased further in CF patients with diabetes. If DI proves to be a predictor of the development of CFRD in larger studies, then it could be used to identify CF patients who are at particularly high risk, allowing early interventions aimed to delay or prevent CFRD.
The Railroads and the Public, 1870–1881: A Study of Charles Elliott Perkins' Business Ethics

The railroad leader's conception of his role in business and society is the focus of this study of one of the nineteenth century's most articulate businessmen.
High-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging mapping of noxious heat and tactile activations along the central sulcus in New World monkeys.

Abstract This study mapped the fine-scale functional representation of tactile and noxious heat stimuli in cortical areas around the central sulcus of anesthetized squirrel monkeys by using high-resolution blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) fMRI at 9.4T. Noxious heat (47.5 °C) stimulation of digits evoked multiple spatially distinct and focal BOLD activations. Consistent activations were observed in areas 3a, 3b, 1, and 2, whereas less frequent activation was present in M1. Compared with tactile activations, thermal nociceptive activations covered more area and formed multiple foci within each functional area. In general, noxious heat activations in area 3b did not colocalize with tactile responses. The spatial relationships of heat and tactile activations in areas 3a and 1/2 varied across animals. Subsequent electrophysiological mapping confirmed that the evoked heat and tactile BOLD signals were somatotopically appropriate. The magnitude and temporal profiles of the BOLD signals to noxious heat stimuli differed across cortical areas. Comparatively late-peaking but stronger signals were observed in areas 3b and 2, whereas earlier-peaking but weaker signals were observed in areas 3a, 1, and M1. In sum, this study not only confirmed the involvement of somatosensory areas of 3a, 3b, and 1, but also identified the engagements of area 2 and M1 in the processing of heat nociceptive inputs. Differential BOLD response profiles of the individual cortical areas along the central sulcus suggest that these areas play different roles in the encoding of nociceptive inputs. Thermal nociceptive and tactile inputs may be processed by different clusters of neurons in different areas.
Thinking about Networks in the Control of Male Hamster Sexual Behavior

Motivated social behaviors such as mating are controlled by a complex network of limbic nuclei. Concepts of network organization derived from computational neuroscience may aid our understanding of the links between the neuroanatomical circuitry and what is represented by the anatomy. Research in my laboratory uses mating behavior in the male Syrian hamster as a model to elucidate how chemosensory and steroid cues are integrated in the brain. An interaction of odors and hormones is required for mating in this species. These two essential stimuli are transmitted through separate parallel pathways in the limbic system. The functional organization of the hamster mating behavior circuit is characterized by distributed representation, divergent and convergent neural pathways, and recurrent feedback. Odors and hormones have different modes of action on this neural network. While chemosensory cues stimulate the input units of the network, steroids facilitate behavior through the hidden units. In this manner, steroids appear to create a permissive environment for subsequent activation by odor cues.
Effects of neuroleptic agents on cyclic GMP in rat cerebral cortex.

Cyclic guanosine 3' ,5'-monophosphate(cyclic GMP) levels were increased in incubated tissue slices from rat cerebral cortex in response to added cholinomimetic agents (carbachol and choline chloride) and neuroleptic compounds (chlorpromazine, 8-hydroxychlorpromazine, 7-hydroxychlorpromazine methiodide, haloperidol, thioridazine, chlorpromazine sulfoxide and promethazine). Calcium ion was required for this effect. Moreover, selected agents namely, 7,8-dihydroxychlorpromazine, 7,8-dimethoxychlorpromazine, chlorpromazine and clozapine prevented the rise in cyclic GMP induced by carbachol.
Fluorescence monitoring with steering wheel photonic crystal fiber

ABSTRACT The development of a chemical sensor based on steering-wheel photonic crystal fiber (SW-PCF) and a NanoSpectrometer TM from Nano-Optics Devices, LLC can benefit industrial process-monitoring and environmental sensing applications. This chemical sensor can potentially result in a compact, image-based sensor with enhanced spectral resolution (~0.15nm) for applications such as environmental monitoring of water quality or quality control of pharmaceutical production. A nanospectromete r is a planar spectrometer-on-chip that can be combined with a number of light sources. The chip diffracts incident light to a series of wavelength dependent spatially addressed units that can be imaged and collected with a CCD camer a. It is compact in size (10 mm x 15 mm x 0.5 mm) and has a high spectral resolution of 2x10 -5 um. This study is an extension of a previous investigation of water-filled SW-PCF spectroscopy. Instead of analyzing water samples fluorescent dyes were tested. Different types of dyes that absorbed and emitted light in the same spectral window as the chip were identified. Sp ectroscopy measurements for nile blue perchlorate dye are presented in this conference paper. A 70 mW laser at 637nm was employed to demonstrate the fluorescence spectroscopy capability of SW-PCF enhanced spectroscopy with a nanospectrometer. It was demonstrated th at the SW-PCF is suitable for spectroscopy of dyes with a conventional optical spectrum analyzer and a nanospectrometer. A 5 microliter sample of dye was loaded into a 14cm long SW-PCF. The fluorescence-spectroscopic data was compared to an un-filled SW-PCF. Absorption and emission spectra for the dye were measured near 637nm. Keywords: Photonic crystal fiber, nanosp ectrometers, fluorescence spectroscopy
Band-stop filter based on a substrate embedded with metamaterials

The effects of embedding SRR into a substrate of microstrip line are investigated, in particular in transmission. The simulation and experimental results show band-stop property of the device. Also, reduced radiation loss and device volume are achieved by applying the image theory from a symmetric SRR. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 530–534, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22184
Distribution and origin of serotoninergic afferents to guinea pig cochlear nucleus.

The distribution of serotoninergic fibers in the guinea pig cochlear nucleus was studied with serotonin immunohistochemistry. In addition, the origin of the serotoninergic fibers was determined by combining the retrograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin-apohorseradish peroxidase (gold conjugated) with serotonin immunohistochemistry. Immunoreactivity was present in varicose and nonvaricose fibers that were unevenly distributed throughout the cochlear nucleus. The fibers were most prominent in the superficial layers of the dorsal cochlear nucleus and the anterior spherical cell area of the anteroventral cochlear nucleus. Although less prominent, serotonin-positive fibers were also present in the remaining part of the anteroventral cochlear nucleus and the posteroventral cochlear nucleus. A few positive fibers were present in the auditory nerve root and the dorsal and intermediate acoustic stiae. Double-labeled cells were found throughout the rostral- caudal extent of the serotoninergic system from the caudal linear nucleus to the nucleus raphe pallidus. However, most were confined to the dorsal (52%) and median (18%) raphe nuclei. Some serotoninergic cell groups contained retrogradely labeled cells that were not serotonin immunoreactive, indicating nonauditory afferents to cochlear nucleus containing other neurotransmitter substances. Serotonin may tonically modulate auditory processing within the cochlear nucleus as well as influence certain ascending auditory pathways. Most of the serotonin in the cochlear nucleus comes from superior raphe nuclei that also project to basal ganglia motor systems and limbic strctures. Therefore, the effect of serotonin on the cochlear nucleus may be related to level of arousal or behavioral state. © 1995 Willy-Liss, Inc.
CSF proteome: a protein repository for potential biomarker identification

Proteomic analysis is not limited to the analysis of serum or tissues. Synovial, peritoneal, pericardial and cerebrospinal fluid represent unique proteomes for disease diagnosis and prognosis. In particular, cerebrospinal fluid serves as a rich source of putative biomarkers that are not solely limited to neurologic disorders. Peptides, proteolytic fragments and antibodies are capable of crossing the blood–brain barrier, thus providing a repository of pathologic information. Proteomic technologies such as immunoblotting, isoelectric focusing, 2D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry have proven useful for deciphering this unique proteome. Cerebrospinal fluid proteins are generally less abundant than their corresponding serum counterparts, necessitating the development and use of sensitive analytical techniques. This review highlights some of the promising areas of cerebrospinal fluid proteomic research and their clinical applications.
Current Practices in the Assessment of Students with Severe Handicaps.

Little if any documentation exists regarding the types of tests currently used with students with severe handicaps. The purpose of this study was to estimate the frequency with which specific tests were administered to public school children with severe handicaps. The cumulative school files of 143 students (ages 6 years 5 months to 20 years 10 months) with severe handicaps from five metropolitan school districts were examined to determine what tests were administered to these students. Reliability, validity, norming characteristics, and the type of test for each device was determined. Results of the investigation indicated that (a) there is a lack of technically adequate norm-referenced tests appropriate for students with severe handicaps, (b) the technical adequacy of tests does not appear to be a major determinant in the selection of tests, and (c) criterion-referenced tests and adaptive behavior measures are used less frequently than suggested by the literature. Continued documentation of current asse...
Antibody to the α4 Integrin Decreases Infarct Size in Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

Background and Purpose—Inflammation, a process that involves neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, contributes to cerebral ischemic injury. Blockade of neutrophil adhesion to endothelium improves outcome after experimental stroke. In this study we sought to assess the contribution of lymphocytes and monocytes to ischemic brain injury. Methods—Male Lewis rats underwent 3 hours of middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 45 hours of reperfusion. Two hours after the onset of ischemia, one group of animals received an intraperitoneal injection of antibodies to the α4 integrin (n=16); another group was injected with an isotype control antibody (n=11). Neurological examination, body temperature, and body weight were assessed at different time points after stroke. Animals were killed 48 hours after the onset of ischemia for determination of infarct volume and leukocyte counts. Results—There were no significant differences in body temperature or weight at any time. Neurological scores (deficits) were signi...
A multiscale finite element method for the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations

This paper presents a new multiscale finite element method for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. The proposed method arises from a decomposition of the velocity field into coarse/resolved scales and fine/unresolved scales. Modeling of the unresolved scales corrects the lack of stability of the standard Galerkin formulation and yields a method that possesses superior properties like that of the streamline upwind/Petrov–Galerkin (SUPG) method and the Galerkin/least-squares (GLS) method. The multiscale method allows arbitrary combinations of interpolation functions for the velocity and the pressure fields, specifically the equal order interpolations that are easy to implement but violate the celebrated Babuska–Brezzi condition. A significant feature of the present method is that the structure of the stabilization tensor s appears naturally via the solution of the fine-scale problem. A family of 2-D elements comprising 3 and 6 node triangles and 4 and 9 node quadrilaterals has been developed. Convergence studies for the method on uniform, skewed as well as composite meshes are presented. Numerical simulations of the nonlinear steady and transient flow problems are shown that exhibit the good stability and accuracy properties of the method. � 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Toxaphene inhibition of calmodulin-dependent calcium ATPase activity in rat brain synaptosomes

Abstract Effect of toxaphene on Ca 2+ -ATPase activity in rat brain synaptosomes was studied in vitro and in vivo . Ca 2+ -ATPase in calmodulin-depleted synaptosomes was inhibited in vitro to a maximum of about 50% at 150 μ m toxaphene. Substrate activation kinetics of Ca 2+ -ATPase in synaptosomes revealed that toxaphene inhibited the enzyme activity noncompetetively by decreasing V max values, without affecting the enzyme-substrate affinity. Toxaphene inhibited the calmodulin activated Ca 2+ -ATPase activity in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 of 10 μ m , a concentration at which no significant effect was observed on basal enzyme activity. Nuclear and P 2 fraction (synaptosomes) calmodulin levels were reduced significantly in toxaphene-treated rats. The synaptosomal Ca 2+ -ATPase was also reduced to about 45% in toxaphene-treated rats and the activity was restored to normal levels by the exogenously added calmodulin. These results suggest that toxaphene may cause synaptic dysfunction by interfering with calmodulin and its regulation of neuronal calcium.
Performance of an approximation to continuous review (s, S) policies under compound renewal demand†

SUMMARY Performance of an approximation to continuous review (s,S) inventory policies under constant lead time, full backlogging, compound renewal demand, and a linear cost structure is examined. The approximations are based on a lower bound for the optimal order-up-to level and the corresponding best reorder point. It is shown that the approximate policy is unique and that it performs better under relatively higher shortage costs, longer lead times, and lower set-up costs. Both exact and approximate policies are computed and the corresponding objective function values are compared under a large number of different parameter settings. The average relative approximation error is found to be 2·23% with a 27-fold average reduction in computing times.
A comparison of antecedents of homicide-suicide and suicide in older married men.

The authors compared characteristics of 27 older men who perpetrated a spousal homicide–suicide and 36 age-matched married men who committed suicide in west central Florida between 1988 and 1994. Data were collected as part of an ongoing retrospective study of homicide and suicide among older adults in Florida. Men who committed suicide had significantly more disease conditions than homicide–suicide perpetrators (P 2 =5.40; P=0.027). Depression was a prominent premorbid feature of both groups, but none of the perpetrators tested positive for antidepressants postmortem.
Exploring racial/ethnic differences in substance use: a preliminary theory-based investigation with juvenile justice-involved youth

Racial/ethnic differences in representation, substance use, and its correlates may be linked to differential long-term health outcomes for justice-involved youth. Determining the nature of these differences is critical to informing more efficacious health prevention and intervention efforts. In this study, we employed a theory-based approach to evaluate the nature of these potential differences. Specifically, we hypothesized that (1) racial/ethnic minority youth would be comparatively overrepresented in the juvenile justice system, (2) the rates of substance use would be different across racial/ethnic groups, and (3) individual-level risk factors would be better predictors of substance use for Caucasian youth than for youth of other racial/ethnic groups. To evaluate these hypotheses, we recruited a large, diverse sample of justice-involved youth in the southwest (N = 651; M age = 15.7, SD = 1.05, range = 14-18 years); 66% male; 41% Hispanic, 24% African American, 15% Caucasian, 11% American Indian/Alaska Native). All youth were queried about their substance use behavior (alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, illicit hard drug use) and individual-level risk factors (school involvement, employment, self-esteem, level of externalizing behaviors). As predicted, racial/ethnic minority youth were significantly overrepresented in the juvenile justice system. Additionally, Caucasian youth reported the greatest rates of substance use and substance-related individual-level risk factors. In contrast, African American youth showed the lowest rates for substance use and individual risk factors. Contrary to predictions, a racial/ethnic group by risk factor finding emerged for only one risk factor and one substance use category. This research highlights the importance of more closely examining racial/ethnic differences in justice populations, as there are likely to be differing health needs, and subsequent treatment approaches, by racial/ethnic group for justice-involved youth. Additionally, this study highlights the need for timely, empirically supported (developmentally and cross-culturally) substance abuse interventions for all justice-involved youth.
A spatially sensitive kernel to predict cognitive performance from short-term changes in neural structure

This paper introduces a novel framework for performing machine learning on longitudinal neuroimaging datasets. These datasets are characterized by their size, particularly their width (millions of features per data input). Specifically, we address the problem of detecting subtle, short-term changes in neural structure that are indicative of cognitive change and correlate with risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. We introduce a new spatially-sensitive kernel that allows us to reason about individuals, as opposed to populations. In doing so, this paper presents the first evidence demonstrating that very small changes in white matter structure over a two year period can predict change in cognitive function in healthy adults.
Manufacture of nanoscale structures through integrated top-down and bottom-up approaches

Manufacturing technology designed to interface natural molecular components with a solid surface is fundamental in building higher-order complex functional structures from the nanoscale domain. Here, we present top- down fabrication approaches that define and guide the growth of natural molecular components, such as inorganic ions and proteins, and investigate how external control parameters can influence the growth of the resultant structures. Specifically, electron beam lithography was used to create nanoscale hydrophilic patterns on a hydrophobic substrate to entrap attoliter volumes of liquid containing inorganic ions. As these nanoscale droplets evaporated, they initiated the crystallization of the ions, resulting in the synthesis of nanoscale inorganic structures (-50 nm - 300 nm). Through the use of scanning electron and atomic force microscopy, the effects of external control parameters, such as humidity and size of the hydrophilic patterns, to the formation of the resulting structures were quantified. In a separate but related effort, self-assembling actin filaments were grown from nanoscale binding sites created by electron beam lithography. High-aspect-ratio (~ 1000:1) structures were demonstrated while maintaining the nanoscale surface geometries. These two technologies have laid down a foundation for the systematic study of these synthesized structures in artificial engineered environments.
Distance Education Comes to the Academy: But Are We Asking the Right Questions?.

Abstract “Distance education” has become the latest fad within The Academy — attracting the attention of a wide range of colleges and universities seeking new markets during a time of financial exigency and rapid technological change. Unfortunately, the rush to make use of digital tools in the delivery of instruction appears to be missing the most important points by trying to deliver the traditional content in different packages. This article explores the depth of the impact which networked, digital technologies are having on the global information environment and calls for the development of new curricula appropriate to that new world. Fundamental questions are raised regarding the kinds of knowledge that are required by students entering the 21 st Century as a starting point for helping educators avoid using the new digital tools as a way of delivering a curriculum rendered obsolete by those very tools.
Teacher Ratings of Evidence-Based Practices from the Field of Autism.

Students who have a hearing loss and a comorbid diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have multiple obstacles to overcome. Using Gallaudet Research Institute data, Szymanski, Brice, Lam, and Hotto calculated 1 deaf student in 59 received services for both a hearing loss and an ASD (Szymanski, Brice, Lam, & Hotto, 2012). Teachers of the deaf (TOD) in a Midwestern state completed a survey (N = 68) to indicate familiarity with evidence-based practices (EBP) from the field of ASD in order to confirm or reject the hypothesis that they would not report familiarity with these practices. Further analyses explored use and perceived effectiveness of EBP for those TOD who had familiarity with the instructional practices. Results of the study indicated that there was wide variance in TOD familiarity, use, and perceived effectiveness of the EBP.
Teaching using off-the shelf on-line materials

The use of off-the-shelf on-line materials presents several challenges. In this session panelists report on their experiences in evaluating, installing and using such materials. Both positive and negative aspects of such use are discussed. The aim of the session is to provide useful information to those considering using (and those already using) on-line materials in their teaching. The session presents information in three mini-presentations, followed by a general discussion session.
Comparative Characterization of the Microbial Diversities of an Artificial Microbialite Model and a Natural Stromatolite

Microbialites are organosedimentary structures that result from the trapping, binding, and lithification of sediments by microbial mat communities. In this study we developed a model artificial microbialite system derived from natural stromatolites, a type of microbialite, collected from Exuma Sound, Bahamas. We demonstrated that the morphology of the artificial microbialite was consistent with that of the natural system in that there was a multilayer community with a pronounced biofilm on the surface, a concentrated layer of filamentous cyanobacteria in the top 5 mm, and a lithified layer of fused oolitic sand grains in the subsurface. The fused grain layer was comprised predominantly of the calcium carbonate polymorph aragonite, which corresponded to the composition of the Bahamian stromatolites. The microbial diversity of the artificial microbialites and that of natural stromatolites were also compared using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The ARISA profiling indicated that the Shannon indices of the two communities were comparable and that the overall diversity was not significantly lower in the artificial microbialite model. Bacterial clone libraries generated from each of the three artificial microbialite layers and natural stromatolites indicated that the cyanobacterial and crust layers most closely resembled the ecotypes detected in the natural stromatolites and were dominated by Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria. We propose that such model artificial microbialites can serve as experimental analogues for natural stromatolites.
Mechanism of action of starch as a tablet disintegrant VI: Location and structure of starch in tablets

By using a scanning electron microscope, the location and structure of starch grains in experimental and commercial aspirin tablets and aspirin-phenacetin-caffeine tablets were studied. By scrutinizing tablet faces and cross sections before and after the addition of water, it was observed that rupture of the surfaces occurred where starch agglomerates were found. It was postulated that water hydrates the hydroxy groups of the starch molecules, causing them to move apart. The slight swelling that occurs is due to the rapid hydration step and a slower sorption of addition water step. Channels or pores lined with starch were not evident. The conditions for rapid tablet disintegration are sufficient starch agglomerates, low pressure, and presence of water.
Fractography of hydrogen-embrittled stainless steel

The temperature dependence of embrittlement of Type 304L stainless steel saturated with hydrogen at high pressure was explored. This charging condition was expected to accentuate ductility loss and changes in fracture mode without the complicating effects associated with cathodic charging. The present discussion emphasized the initial fractographic and metallographic examination of the specimens. Further work is in progress.
Neurotrophic Signaling by Membrane Electrical Activity in Spiral Ganglion Neurons

Survival of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) in vitro is supported by neurotrophins (BDNF and NT-3), by permeant cyclic AMP analogs, and by depolarization; the latter being most efficacious. These stimuli act through independent intracellular signal pathways, which accounts for their additivity and for their different effects on neuronal morphology and neurite growth. Depolarization promotes survival by raising cytosolic Ca2+ concentration within a set range. Endogenous cyclic AMP signaling and an autocrine neurotrophin mechanism contribute significantly to the survival-promoting effect of depolarization. However, the major intracellular signals recruited by Ca2+ to promote survival are the Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinases (CaMKs). CaMKs are activated by depolarization in SGNs. CaMK inhibitors inhibit survival-promoting effects of depolarization. Transfection of constitutively active CaMKII and CaMKIV mutants into SGNs permits survival even in the absence of exogenous survival-promoting stimuli. CaMKII and CaMKIV activity are not additive in their promotion of survival, indicating that they act via the same downstream effector(s). However, CaMKII and CaMKIV differ dramatically in their other effects on SGNs: CaMKII activity strongly inhibits neurite outgrowth but CaMKIV activity has no such effect. These observations of the ability of SGNs to sum independent intracellular signals to promote survival helps in understanding how SGN survival is supported in vivo and establishes SGNs as a model for studying the molecular mechanism of summation. These observations also have clinical implications with regard to means used to support SGN survival in deaf people.
The epistemics of social relations: Owning grandchildren

Scholars have long understood that linkages between the identities of actors and the design of their actions in interaction constitute one of the central mechanisms by which social patterns are produced. Although a range of empirical approaches has successfully grounded claims regarding the significance of various forms or types of identity (gender, sex, race, ethnicity, class, familial status, etc.) in almost every form of social organization, these analyses have mostly focused on aggregated populations, aggregated interactions, or historical periods that have been (in different ways) abstracted from the particulars of singular episodes of interaction. By contrast, establishing the mechanisms by which a specific identity is made relevant and consequential in any particular episode of interaction has remained much more elusive. This article develops a range of general analytic resources for explicating how participants in an interaction can make relevant and consequential specific identities in particular courses of action. It then illustrates the use of these analytic resources by examining a phone call between two friends, one of whom relevantly embodies “grandparent” as an identity. The conclusion offers observations prompted by this analysis regarding basic contingencies that characterize self-other relationships, and the role of generic grammatical resources in establishing specific identities and intimate relationships.
Gas turbine engine emissions—Problems, progress and future

The current status of the problem of gas turbine engine emissions is reviewed. Presently promulgated EPA standards and their implications for aircraft gas turbines are discussed. The progress and status of emissions reduction technology programs and other efforts which have emphasized advanced combustor technology are reviewed in detail. Also examined are those efforts underway to determine the emissions floor and incorporate those techniques into practical combustors of the future.
Hippocampal Sclerosis and Febrile Status Epilepticus

The FEBSTAT study team of investigators determined whether febrile status epilepticus (FSE) produces acute hippocampal injury that evolves to hippocampal sclerosis.
A Study of the Electrocatalytic Properties of SrCo0.8Fe0.2O3-δ by Impedance Spectroscopy

The electrocatalytic behavior of the mixed electron - ion conductor SrCo0.8Fe0.2O3-δ, in the form of an electrode on YSZ, has been studied using impedance spectroscopy at low frequencies. The results suggest that the electrode process is dominated by the surface exchange at high temperatures and by the bulk oxygen diffusion at lower temperatures. No limiting current was observed in I-V measurements. The electrode polarization decreased with increasing current density. The creation of additonal oxygen vacancies in the electrode material is suggested to account for the better performance at the higher current densities.
Chromogenic leucyl substrates for aminopeptidase and papain.

SummaryTwo chromogenic l-leucyl aminopeptides have been prepared by a conventional method of peptide synthesis. These peptides are hydrolyzed by rat tissue extracts and human serum, urine and whole...
Russia in the Microphone Age: A History of Soviet Radio, 1919–1970

Long overlooked by professional scholars, the study of Russian technology has emerged as an increasingly important area of historical inquiry in recent years. The past decade, in particular, has wi...
Immunological actions of cyclosporin A in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is present in a population which is heterogeneous both clinically and immunologically. A variety of cells including lymphocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts play important roles in its pathogenesis, but the T cell appears to be a common thread throughout the disease process. Treatments aimed at reducing these lymphocytes mechanically and specifically result in a good clinical response in many patients. The mechanism of action of cyclosporin A (CyA) in inhibiting T lymphocytes presents a more specific form of therapy. Though limited, studies including immune profiling suggest that certain subgroups of RA patients are more likely to respond to CyA
Single molecule study of silicon quantum dots

Recently, fluorescent Silicon (Si) Quantum Dots (QDs) have attracted much interest due to their high quantum yield, use of non-toxic and environmentally-benign chemicals, and water-solubility. However, more research is necessary to understand the energy level characteristics and single molecule behavior to enable their development for imaging applications. Therefore, single molecule time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy of fluorescent Si QDs (cyan, green, and yellow) is needed. A rigorous analysis of time-resolved photon correlation spectroscopy and fluorescence lifetime data on single Si QDs at room temperature is presented.
On the nature of data collection for soft-tissue image-to-physical organ registration: a noise characterization study

In image-guided liver surgery (IGLS), sparse representations of the anterior organ surface may be collected intraoperatively to drive image-to-physical space registration. Soft tissue deformation represents a significant source of error for IGLS techniques. This work investigates the impact of surface data quality on current surface based IGLS registration methods. In this work, we characterize the robustness of our IGLS registration methods to noise in organ surface digitization. We study this within a novel human-to-phantom data framework that allows a rapid evaluation of clinically realistic data and noise patterns on a fully characterized hepatic deformation phantom. Additionally, we implement a surface data resampling strategy that is designed to decrease the impact of differences in surface acquisition. For this analysis, n=5 cases of clinical intraoperative data consisting of organ surface and salient feature digitizations from open liver resection were collected and analyzed within our human-to-phantom validation framework. As expected, results indicate that increasing levels of noise in surface acquisition cause registration fidelity to deteriorate. With respect to rigid registration using the raw and resampled data at clinically realistic levels of noise (i.e. a magnitude of 1.5 mm), resampling improved TRE by 21%. In terms of nonrigid registration, registrations using resampled data outperformed the raw data result by 14% at clinically realistic levels and were less susceptible to noise across the range of noise investigated. These results demonstrate the types of analyses our novel human-to-phantom validation framework can provide and indicate the considerable benefits of resampling strategies.
Novel Network Services for Supporting Big Data Science Research

Abstract To interconnect research facilities across wide geographic areas, network operators deploy science networks, also referred to as Research and Education (R&E) networks. These networks allow experimenters to establish dedicated network connections between research facilities for transferring large amounts of data. Recently, R&E networks have started using Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Software-Defined Exchanges (SDX) for deploying these connections. AtlanticWave/SDX is a response to the growing demand to support end-to-end network services spanning multiple SDN domains. However, requesting these services is a challenging task for domain-expert scientists, because the interfaces of the R&E networks have been developed by network operators for network operators. In this paper, we propose interfaces that allow domain-expert scientists to reserve resources of the scientific network using abstractions that focus on their data transfer needs for scientific workflow management. Recent trends in the networking field pursue better interfaces for requesting network services (e.g., intent-based networking). Although intents are sufficient for the needs of network operations, they are not abstract enough in most cases to be used by domain-expert scientists. This is an issue we are addressing in the AtlanticWave/SDX design: network operators and domain-expert scientists will have their own interfaces focusing on their specific needs.
Implementation and Impacts of Intergovernmental Grant Programs on Energy Efficiency in the USA

We review recent studies on intergovernmental grants for energy efficiency in the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)’s clean energy package, which has been the biggest federal investment in the energy sector over the past few decades. Our review provides a holistic picture of the implementation process of ARRA’s energy intergovernmental grants and their impacts on energy efficiency. State and local governments experienced challenges on implementing their grant programs efficiently. The implementation delay was affected by recipient administrative capacity, political support, use of contractors, and red tape in grant compliance. Existing evaluation studies are mostly conducted for two programs that subsidize the weatherization of low-income homes and the purchase of Energy Star appliances. The impacts of these programs on energy efficiency adoption and energy savings vary across jurisdictions. However, low participation and marginal energy savings are reported as common issues, which might be related to program designs and implementation. There has been a lack of integration between implementation studies and grant program evaluation. To better inform energy efficiency intergovernmental grant design, further research is needed to understand the link between program design, implementation, and program effectiveness. In addition, rigorous evaluation regarding other outcome metrics, such as energy efficiency, technology innovation, and green jobs, are desirable.
Predictors of intracranial hemorrhage volume and distribution in brain arteriovenous malformation.

Background and purposeDespite evidence regarding risk factors for brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM)-associated spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), few data exist describing the spectrum of clinical outcomes that bAVM-associated ICH may manifest. This study aimed to identify the demographical, clinical, and bAVM anatomical variables associated with ICH volume and the presence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) of ruptured bAVMs, two indicators of worse clinical outcome, to help better predict outcome for unruptured bAVMs.MethodsComputed tomography images (n = 169) of patients with ruptured bAVM in a prospectively maintained institutional database were retrospectively reviewed to calculate ICH volume and the presence or absence of IVH. Demographic, clinical, and bAVM characteristics information was summarized and analyzed with univariable and multivariable regression models to identify the associations of these features with ICH volume and the presence of IVH.ResultsPatient sex, exclusively d...
Ash Aerosol and Deposition Formation Mechanisms during Air/Oxy-combustion of Rice Husks in a 100 kW Combustor

Pulverized rice husks are co-fired with natural gas in a 100 kW (rated) down-fired oxy-fuel combustor (OFC) under two conditions: 1) air combustion (denoted as Air); 2) oxy-combustion with 70% O2 and 30% CO2 in the inlet oxidant gas (denoted as OXY70). Studied in this paper are: 1) mechanisms governing the partitioning of inorganic matter within the fly ash aerosol, and 2) how these affect mechanisms of deposition on heat transfer surfaces. In each case, the ash aerosol particle size distributions (PSDs) were determined using electric mobility/light scattering instruments (SMPS/APS) and a Berner Low Pressure Impactors (BLPI), where the latter collected size segregated aerosol for subsequent analysis. The ash deposition rate was measured experimentally using a specially designed probe, and its relationship with aerosols was explored. The properties of the deposits were also investigated using a laser diffraction particle size analyzer for PSDs, and SEM/EDS and XRD for compositions. The data show that, comp...
Parallel approach to motion planning in uncertain environments

Real world motion planning often suffers from the need to replan during execution of the trajectory. This replanning can be triggered as the robot fails to properly track the trajectory or new sensory information is provided that invalidates the planned trajectory. Particularly in the case of many occluded obstacles or in unstructured terrain, replanning is a frequent occurrence. Developing methods to allow the robots to replan efficiently allows for greater operation time and can ensure robot mission success. This paper presents a novel approach that updates heuristic weights of a sampling based A* planning algorithm. This approach utilizes parallel instances of this planner to quickly search through multiple heuristic weights within its allotted replanning time. These weights are employed upon triggered replanning to speed up computation time. The concept is tested on a simulated quadrupedal robot LLAMA with realistic constraints on computation time imposed.
Gp120 V5 Is Targeted by the First Wave of Sequential Neutralizing Antibodies in SHIVSF162P3N-Infected Rhesus Macaques

Simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infection provides a relevant animal model to study HIV-1 neutralization breadth. With previously identified SHIVSF162P3N infected rhesus macaques that did or did not develop neutralization breadth, we characterized the transmitted/founder viruses and initial autologous/homologous neutralizing antibodies in these animals. The plasma viral load and blood CD4 count did not distinguish macaques with and without breadth, and only one tested homologous envelope clone revealed a trend for macaques with breadth to favor an early homologous response. In two macaques with breadth, GB40 and FF69, infected with uncloned SHIVSF162P3N, multiple viral variants were transmitted, and the transmitted variants were not equal in neutralization sensitivity. The targets of initial autologous neutralizing antibodies, arising between 10 and 20 weeks post infection, were mapped to N462 glycan and G460a in gp120 V5 in GB40 and FF69, respectively. Although it is unclear whether these targets are related to later neutralization breadth development, the G460a target but not N462 glycan appeared more common in macaques with breadth than those without. Longitudinal plasmas revealed 2–3 sequential waves of neutralizing antibodies in macaques with breadth, implicating that 3 sequential envelope variants, if not more, may be required for the broadening of HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies.