cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular Detection of Human Papillomaviruses

The importance of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) in biology and medicine was most recently highlighted by the award of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine to Harald zur Hausen in recognition of his discovery of the oncogenic role of HPV in cervical cancer. This chapter provides a brief overview of the biology and natural history of the virus and a description of current clinical applications, laboratory methods, and possible future directions. The major (L1) and minor (L2) capsid proteins make up the viral protein coat. The chapter focuses on the HPV assays that have been used in published studies, been designed to provide clinically relevant information, and are available commercially. The major limitation of targeting the E6/E7 region is the large number of variants, not all of which have been fully described for all types targeted by HPV assays. The Invader HPV16/18 reagents employ probe amplification technology for the Invader HPV screening assay. The research-use-only Linear Array HPV genotyping test is based on PGMY09/11 L1 consensus PCR followed by reverse line probe hybridization for detection of 37 HPV types. It is clear that HPV testing is evolving and many new assays are appearing on the market. Nucleic acid detection assays are often performed in molecular diagnostic or cytology laboratories and necessitate specific training of personnel. The clinical utility of HPV genotyping and implementation of guidelines for appropriate clinical follow-up based on genotype may change the paradigm for HPV testing.
Commentary: Visualization verisimilitude and civic participation

This commentary considers three visualization studies that have implications for civic participation in design and planning of landscape change. Together, these studies suggest the inherent conflict posed by the verisimilitude of visualizations that are understood to be real or true. Their verisimilitude gives visualizations the capacity to engage stakeholders but also mislead or bias them, and this can promote or distort civic participation. I use the Principle of the Landscape as a Medium for Synthesis and the Principle of the Landscape as Method for Invention to discuss the implications of these studies for civic participation in landscape change, and for the use of visualization to advance landscape science and practice.
Entropy analysis of generalized stochastic Petri net s-transitions

A density function can be formulated with the maximum entropy method (MEM) that achieves entropy while meeting various constraints. The following three constraints are considered in the present work: a specified mean a specified variance, and knowledge that the density is one-sided (i.e., positive domain). A 1D gradient search (i.e., a line search) for obtaining the maximum entropy density is presented. Entropy and performance analysis results on a manufacturing system example are presented to compare the s-transition and maximum entropy density functions (MEDFs). The similarity between MEDF transitions and s-transitions is shown. >
Smart Card Readers and Terminals

To write and read data to a smart card or to execute a command on a smart card, it is necessary to have a physical connection with the card. To make the connection with a contact card, it has to be inserted in a smart card acceptance device. In this chapter we give an overview of the different types of card acceptance devices.
Violent victimization and hooking up among strangers and acquaintances on an urban campus: an exploratory study

College students anticipating a competitive labor market and arrested economic independence increasingly elect to delay romantic commitment and reproduction. Casual sexual relationships provide an alternative to the commitment required in traditional romantic relationships. Although committed and casual sexual relationships each have their benefits, both likewise have respective risks. The present exploratory study adds to the growing literature on ‘hookups’ among strangers and acquaintances by examining experiences with (a) hookups, (b) sexual violence, and (c) relationship violence in a nontraditional urban university sample. Findings from logit regression models indicate that gender, race, ethnicity, employment, relationship status, housing, class standing, psychological relationship abuse, and sexual assault by force significantly vary between students who report hooking up with strangers and acquaintances and those who do not. Gender-specific logit models find unique patterns of variables associated ...
Characteristics of a deterministic supervised learning scheme

Supervised learning in a one-layered, hard-limited perceptron can be formulated into a set of linear inequalities containing the unknown weight coefficients. Solving these inequalities under a generalized separability condition by a noniterative method then achieves the goal of supervised learning. The speed of learning, the robustness of recognition, the automatic feature competition and automatic feature extraction, and other characteristics of this novel one-step learning system are then discussed in detail. >
Water, food, and energy security: scrambling for resources or solutions?

Anthropogenic-induced climate changes and population growth projected by 2050, combined with global economic growth driven by emerging markets, suggest that greater stress will be placed on water, food, and energy resources in the future. These resources are interdependent and are linked in a complex global network of trade. As pressures on the three resources grow, three-way interactions arise so that a solution to address scarcity in one cannot be achieved without impact on the others. The water security, food security, and energy security trilemma creates a multidimensional web that is a structurally complex network with dynamic links among resources that vary in both weight and direction. Because structure affects function, characterizing the network anatomy that links the resources in three-way interactions is helpful when setting goals to meet resource security. We argue that water plays a central role in shaping interactions and that the main scarcity issues occur with trade-offs between thermoelectric power generation and agriculture, between hydroelectric power generation and agriculture, and between biofuel production and food production. Three illustrations—the Apalachicola–Chattahoochee–Flint River Basin in the southeastern United States, the island nation of Sri Lanka, and Brazil—capture the main three-way interactions that we have identified. Although the problems that strew the path to global sustainability are massive, we suggest alternatives along both technological and nontechnological paths to meet future needs. WIREs Water 2014, 1:49–68. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1004 Conflict of interest: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest for this article. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Utility of the Frontonasal Suture for Estimating Age at Death in Human Skeletal Remains

This project evaluated the utility of the frontonasal suture for estimating age at death. Utilizing human remains of known age at death with varying degrees of fusion, curated at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, data were collected from the ectocranial surface of 522 crania; 68 of these were sagittally sectioned, allowing collection of internal data and observation of suture closure through the bone. Degree of ectocranial suture closure does not sig- nificantly predict age, even when sex and ancestry are accounted for. Suture closure progression data were converted into a Hershkovitz ratio (sum of the measurement of open portion divided by the total suture length), and regression models demonstrate that the effect of age accounts for only 13% of variation in suture closure.
Neurorestorative Therapy for Stroke

Ischemic stroke is responsible for many deaths and long-term disability world wide. Development of effective therapy has been the target of intense research. Accumulating preclinical literature has shown that substantial functional improvement after stroke can be achieved using subacutely administered cell-based and pharmacological therapies. This review will discuss some of the latest findings on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), human umbilical cord blood cells, and off-label use of some pharmacological agents, to promote recovery processes in the sub-acute and chronic phases following stroke. This review paper also focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying the cell-based and pharmacological restorative processes, which enhance angiogenesis, arteriogenesis, neurogenesis, and white matter remodeling following cerebral ischemia as well as an analysis of the interaction/coupling among these restorative events. In addition, the role of microRNAs mediating the intercellular communication between exogenously administered cells and parenchymal cells, and their effects on the regulation of angiogenesis and neuronal progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation, and brain plasticity after stroke are described.
Optical inspection of coated particle nuclear fuel

In this paper, we describe the inspection of coated particle nuclear fuel using optical microscopy. Each ideally spherical particle possesses four coating layers surrounding a fuel kernel. Kernels are designed with diameters of either 350 or 500 microns and the other four layers, from the kernel outward, are 100, 45, 35, and 45 microns, respectively. The inspection of the particles is undertaken in two phases. In the first phase, multiple particles are imaged via back-lighting in a single 3900 x 3090 image at a resolution of about 1.12 pixels/micron. The distance transform, watershed segmentation, edge detection, and the Kasa circle fitting algorithm are employed to compute total outer diameters only. In the second inspection phase, the particles are embedded in an epoxy and cleaved (via polishing) to reveal the cross-section structure of all layers simultaneously. These cleaved particles are imaged individually at a resolution of about 2.27 pixels/micron. We first find points on the kernel boundary and then employ the Kasa algorithm to estimate the overall particle center. We then find boundary points between the remaining layers along rays emanating from the particle center. Kernel and layer boundaries are detected using a novel segmentation approach. From these boundary points, we compute and store layer thickness data.
Effect of body mass index and total blood volume on serum cotinine levels among cigarette smokers: NHANES 1999–2008

Abstract Introduction Body mass index (BMI) and total blood volume are not always considered as variables that affect serum cotinine concentrations. Method We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 1999–2008 and fitted regression models for smokers. In addition to traditionally used covariates like age, race, gender, and average number of cigarettes smoked daily, we used BMI and total blood volume (TBV) as continuous variables to evaluate the impact of these variables on serum cotinine levels. Results Adjusted serum cotinine levels increased statistically significantly with increase in age (p A model of serum cotinine including BMI without TBV found BMI to be a significant predictor (p Discussion TBV and BMI are significant predictors of serum cotinine concentrations. TBV or BMI, but not both, should be included in predictive models of serum cotinine concentrations.
Enhancing a Simple MODIS Cloud Mask Algorithm for the Landsat Data Continuity Mission

The upcoming Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) will include new channels centered around 1.38 μm and 12 μm. This work studies the potential impact of these new channels on LDCM's cloud detection capabilities by using MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data as a proxy. Thresholds for the 1.38 μm band and the so-called “split window” technique (using the brightness temperature difference of bands centered at 11 μm and 12 μm) are derived using atmospheric profiles from the ECMWF ERA-40 reanalysis and a MODIS-band radiance simulator. The thresholds are incorporated into a previously published cloud mask scheme and applied on low- and mid-latitude (60°S to 60°N) MODIS radiance data from two different days, six months apart. While the previous scheme yields agreement rates to the MODIS cloud mask just below 80%, the addition of the 1.38 μm and split window tests increases the agreement by 7-9%. The earlier scheme is still appropriate for cloud masking of historical Landsat images and for carrying consistent cloud detection into the future. The enhanced scheme of this paper, on the other hand, with its improved masking of primarily high thin clouds, can be either used independently or combined with other masking techniques for generating reliable LDCM cloud mask products that can potentially include confidence indicators based on the degree of agreement between multiple cloud masks.
Application Of Predictive Compression Methods To Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Imagery

Several variations of a prediction compression system have been demonstrated with 6 meter resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. Due to the uncorrelated nature of SAR imagery, the prediction system design problem was approached from the point of view of statistics matching and decorrelation of reconstruction errors, rather than minimization of mean square error. It is shown that a moving average (MA) predictor can work well, depending upon the quantizer ,used and upon the homogeneity of the data. Due to the occurrence of large data values evolving from returns from cultural objects, slope overload can be a severe problem in system design. This problem is most economically solved by a thresholding type of operation in the quantizer, resulting in a dual rate system. Good results are obtainable at rates of 1.5 bits/pixel.
New developments of the MCNP/CTF/NEM/NJOY code system – Monte Carlo based coupled code for high accuracy modeling

Abstract High accuracy code systems are necessary to model core environments with considerable geometry complexity and great material heterogeneity. These features are typical of current and innovative nuclear reactor core designs. Advanced methodologies and state-of-the art coupled code systems must be put into practice in order to model with high accuracy these challenging core designs. The presented research comprises the development and implementation of the thermal–hydraulic feedback to the Monte Carlo method and of speed-up mechanisms to accelerate the Monte Carlo criticality calculation. Coupled Monte-Carlo calculations can serve as reference solutions for verifying high-fidelity coupled deterministic neutron transport methods with detailed and accurate thermal–hydraulic models. The development and verification of such reference high-fidelity coupled multi-physics scheme is performed at the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) in cooperation with AREVA, AREVA NP GmbH in Erlangen, Germany, on the basis of MCNP5, NEM, NJOY and COBRA-TF (CTF) computer codes. This paper presents the latest studies and ameliorations developed to this coupled hybrid system, which includes a new methodology for generation and interpolation of Temperature-Dependent Thermal Scattering Cross Section Libraries for MCNP5, a comparison between sub-channel approaches, and acceleration schemes.
Investigation of Particle Interactions in Dense Colloidal Suspensions Using Frequency Domain Photon Migration: Bidisperse Systems

The frequency domain photon migration (FDPM) technique was employed for investigation of particle interactions of dense, bidisperse, polystyrene samples of differring volume ratios of small to large particle sizes. The particle interactions of bidisperse systems were evaluated from the angular integrated structure factors, 〈S(q)〉 , which were extracted from FDPM measurements of scattering properties at high volume fractions ranging from 0.1 to 0.3. The FDPM-measured 〈S(q)〉 were then compared with theoretical predictions using the full binary hard sphere Percus−Yevick (HSPY) model, as well as the decoupling approximation (DA) and the local monodisperse approximation (LMA) models. The influence of differing volume ratios of colloid sizes on structure factors at differing wavelengths was also investigated. Results show that the interactions between small and large particles significantly impact the structure factors as well as the scattering properties in dense bidisperse colloidal suspensions. Furthermore, ...
Carbohydrates and T cells: A sweet twosome

Carbohydrates as T cell-activating antigens have been generating significant interest. For many years, carbohydrates were thought of as T-independent antigens, however, more recent research had demonstrated that mono- or oligosaccharides glycosidically linked to peptides can be recognized by T cells. T cell recognition of these glycopeptides depends on the structure of both peptide and glycan portions of the antigen. Subsequently, it was discovered that natural killer T cells recognized glycolipids when presented by the antigen presenting molecule CD1d. A transformative insight into glycan-recognition by T cells occurred when zwitterionic polysaccharides were discovered to bind to and be presented by MHCII to CD4+ T cells. Based on this latter observation, the role that carbohydrate epitopes generated from glycoconjugate vaccines had in activating helper T cells was explored and it was found that these epitopes are presented to specific carbohydrate recognizing T cells through a unique mechanism. Here we review the key interactions between carbohydrate antigens and the adaptive immune system at the molecular, cellular and systems levels exploring the significant biological implications in health and disease.
Increased Expression of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase in Bladder Afferent and Spinal Neurons following Spinal Cord Injury

Changes in the distribution of neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivi-ty (NOS-IR) after chronic (5–6 weeks) spinal cord injury (SCI) were examined in bladder afferent and spinal neurons in the
Security Attack Safe Mobile and Cloud-based One-time Password Tokens Using Rubbing Encryption Algorithm

One-time Password (OTP) Token has become one of the main stream security products during the past few years. OTP Token can automatically generate a random password. It is especially popular to be used with the Two-factor Authentication (2FA) system. OTP Token has proliferated into many different form factors such as standalone token, PC, PDA, cellular phone and Cloud-based token. But most of the implementation has their short comings with high token cost, not easy to carry and high supporting or deployment cost. Certain implementations may also compromise the network security when the token is lost or stolen. Moreover, most of the tokens can be broken-in by Man-in-the-Middle Seed-tracing and Shoulder-surfing security attacks. To overcome such aforementioned issues, we propose a secure encryption algorithm --- Rubbing Encryption Algorithm (REAL). We use REAL to implement a Mobile-based and a Cloud-based OTP Token as design examples. Both of them are of high security level, lower total token cost and can resist the aforementioned security attacks as well.
Alcohol and the lung: an overview

Abstract Alcohol is a remarkable molecule whose ingestion is tolerated in such high concentrations by human beings that it has the potential to biologically affect every organ system. In spite of the universality of alcohol exposure, the lung is sometimes disregarded by both alcohol researcher and pulmonologist as a target for ethanol's action. This disregard fails to appreciate the decades of research and thousands of publications in the area of alcohol and lung.
Correspondence of psychiatric patient and informant ratings of personality traits, temperament, and interpersonal problems

Psychological assessment of psychiatric patients frequently relies on self-report, yet descriptions from patients often are regarded as suspect. Investigation of agreement between reports from patients versus knowledgeable informants is critical to assessing the validity of self-ratings. Self- and informant reports of temperament, personality traits, and interpersonal problems were collected from an adult, nonpsychotic psychiatric sample (N = 90). The majority of patients had depressive diagnoses (62%), were female (81%), and were Caucasian (98%). Few mean-level differences between self- and informant reports were found. Self-informant agreement correlations were comparable in magnitude and variability to findings from nonclinical samples. Results suggest that the overall effect of psychopathology on self-ratings of personality traits, temperament, and interpersonal problems was minimal in the authors' patient sample. This conclusion runs counter to the intuitively appealing notion that psychopathology has a detrimental effect on self-awareness.
The crystal structure of azulene dimolybdenum hexacarbonyl

Abstract The single crystal x-ray structure determination of azulene dimolybdenum hexacarbonyl has been completed. The compound was found to crystallize in the triclinic space group P 1 with a = 9.791, b = 12.402, c = 6.995 A, α = 87.68, β = 113.11, γ = 86.75° with two molecules per unit cell giving a calculated density of 2.09 g/cc. Least squares refinement using the 3545 observed reflections collected by counter methods gave a final conventional R-factor of 5.8%. C10H8Mo2(CO)6 exists as molecular units. One molybdenum is π-bonded to the five-membered azulene ring and to three carbonyls. The other molybdenum is bonded strongly to the end three carbons of the seven-membered ring (2.336 A) and more weakly to the next two (2.499 A) as well as to the three carbonyls. The two molybdenum atoms are bonded to one another by a long metal-metal of 3.226 A. the azulene ring is disordered as it is in solid molecular azulene. The azulene ring is not planar, the dihedral angle between the seven and five-membered rings being about 15°, the rings being bent away from the metals. The nonplanarity of the ring and semi-allylic character of the molybdenum bond to the seven-membered ring are apparently compromises necessitated by the bolybdenum-molybdenum bond.
Membrane Tether Formation from Blebbing Cells

Membrane tension has been proposed to be important in regulating cell functions such as endocytosis and cell motility. The apparent membrane tension has been calculated from tether forces measured with laser tweezers. Both membrane-cytoskeleton adhesion and membrane tension contribute to the tether force. Separation of the plasma membrane from the cytoskeleton occurs in membrane blebs, which could remove the membrane-cytoskeleton adhesion term. In renal epithelial cells, tether forces are significantly lower on blebs than on membranes that are supported by cytoskeleton. Furthermore, the tether forces are equal on apical and basolateral blebs. In contrast, tether forces from membranes supported by the cytoskeleton are greater in apical than in basolateral regions, which is consistent with the greater apparent cytoskeletal density in the apical region. We suggest that the tether force on blebs primarily contains only the membrane tension term and that the membrane tension may be uniform over the cell surface. Additional support for this hypothesis comes from observations of melanoma cells that spontaneously bleb. In melanoma cells, tether forces on blebs are proportional to the radius of the bleb, and as large blebs form, there are spikes in the tether force in other cell regions. We suggest that an internal osmotic pressure inflates the blebs, and the pressure calculated from the Law of Laplace is similar to independent measurements of intracellular pressures. When the membrane tension term is subtracted from the apparent membrane tension over the cytoskeleton, the membrane-cytoskeleton adhesion term can be estimated. In both cell systems, membrane-cytoskeleton adhesion was the major factor in generating the tether force.
Patterns of silver staining in cells of six-day blastocyst and kidney fibroblast of the domestic rabbit

The distribution pattern of silver-NORs was studied in cells of six-day blastocysts and kidney fibroblasts of the rabbit using the Ag-AS technique. At metaphase and interphase there was a binomial distribution of the number of stained sites in both populations but blastocysts had a greater percentage of cells with larger numbers of stained sites. Up to 7 of the 8 chromosomes known to bear NORs were stained in cells from blastocysts while a maximum of 6 were stained in fibroblasts. A significant difference was found between the mean numbers of chromosomal NORs per cell in metaphases from blastocysts and fibroblasts, where they were 4.2 and 3.3 respectively. Similarly, the mean number of NORs in interphase was significantly greater in cells from blastocysts. The distribution of staining on chromosome pair 13 was related to cell type. Significantly more cells in blastocysts than fibroblasts showed staining in this chromosome pair.
The genes associated with trans-dominance of the influenza A cold-adapted live virus vaccine.

Abstract Segment 7 (M) of the cold-adapted live influenza A virus vaccine plays a primary role in the ability of this virus to interfere with the replication of wild-type influenza A viruses. This conclusion is based on several lines of evidence. Single gene reassortant viruses derived by crossing influenza A/Ann Arbor/6/60 (H2N2) cold-adapted donor virus with an epidemic wild-type strain, A/Korea/1 /82 (H3N2), were tested for their ability to interfere with wild-type parental virus in the Madin-Darby line of canine kidney cells and embryonated eggs. It was apparent in both hosts that the single gene reassortant carrying segment 7 (M) derived from the cold-adapted virus was dominant over wild-type virus. Additional confirmation of the role of segment 7 (M) in trans-dominance of the cold-adapted vaccine virus was derived from the analysis of reassortants produced by mixed infection by a wild-type virus and its cold-adapted reassortant vaccine strain. After three serial passages, the virus yield contained a high proportion of reassortants carrying segment 7 (M) of the cold-adapted parental strain. When used in mixed infections, these reassortants were dominant over the replication of the parental wild-type virus.
Biogeochemistry of 226Ra in contaminated bottom sediments and oilfield waste pits

Abstract Solubility of 226 Ra in sediments contaminated by produced water discharges was investigated using integrated microcosm, geochemical modelling and field sampling techniques. These studies strongly indicate that the biogeochemical control on 226 Ra solubility in these sediments is coprecipitation with barite (BaSO 4 ). The role of barite was confirmed by selective extractions of contaminated sediments, geochemical measurements of solution saturation, theoretical coprecipitation calculations, and direct measurement of barite using X-ray diffraction. Despite elevated activities that are three orders of magnitude higher than background, fluxes of 226 Ra from these contaminated sediments are of the same order of magnitude as those measured in natural systems. Remobilization of 226 Ra was observed in the Humble Bayou sediment under anaerobic, sulfate-reducing conditions. Management of these contaminated sites will involve understanding the role of barite solid-solution chemistry on the fate and mobility of 226 Ra.
Analysis on the Reasons of 500kV High-Voltage Disconnectors Hoop Fracture

The fracture reasons of 500kV high-voltage disconnectors hoops were analyzed. The fracture appearance, composition of chemical elements, metallographic, mechanical properties of the fractured hoops were investigated by ICP-AES, SEM, optical microscope, brinell hardness tester, universal testing machine. The test results that one reason is substandard products of this batch hoop. The composition of chemical elements and mechanical properties is fails to comply with applicable standards prescribed and the casting defects are found. Another reason is that the large pre-tightening force and tightens reverse order.
Development and sensitivity to visual impairment of the Low Vision Functional Status Evaluation (LVFSE).

Background. Functional limitation because of visual impairment is one of the most important measures of low vision rehabilitation outcome because it represents the true impact of visual impairment upon the daily lives of individuals. The Low Vision Functional Status Evaluation (LVFSE) was designed to evaluate functional limitation because of visual impairment using both observed and self-reported performance on daily activities. Methods. Performance on 27 daily activities was evaluated for 155 visually impaired subjects. Subjects also provided ratings of task difficulty. Results. Correlations between observed performance and visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and visual field loss severity were moderate, r = -0.60 to r = 0.34. Correlations between self-reported task performance difficulty and measures of visual clinical state were weaker, r = -0.44 to r = 0.21. Conclusions. The LVFSE shows promise as a sensitive measure of low vision-related functional status but more work is needed to refine the measure.
Health Care Utilization Among Surgically Treated Medicare Beneficiaries With Lung Cancer

Background Markers of increased health care utilization are surrogates for adverse events, and one such metric—prolonged length of stay greater than 14 days (PLOS)—was recently endorsed as a provider-level performance measure. Methods This is a cohort study (1992 through 2002) aimed to describe increased health care utilization among 21,067 operated lung cancer patients using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results-Medicare database. Increased utilization was defined by PLOS, discharge to an institutional care facility (ICF), or readmission within 30 days. Results Twelve percent of patients had a PLOS, 13% were discharged to an ICF, and 15% were readmitted. In multivariate analyses, factors associated with a higher odds ratio of PLOS, discharge to ICF, or readmission included age older than 80 years, increasing comorbidity index, not being married, and pneumonectomy (all p p p p Conclusions Baseline health status and nonclinical factors were associated with increased utilization, nonuniform trends in utilization were observed with time, and increased utilization was associated with worse long-term outcomes. These findings have implications for quality-improvement initiatives that measure increased health care utilization as a surrogate for provider performance.
Gaps-fill of SLC-off Landsat ETM+ satellite image using a geostatistical approach

Using appropriate techniques to fill the data gaps in SLC-off ETM+ imagery may enable more scientific use of the data. The local linear histogram-matching technique chosen by USGS has limitations if the scenes being combined exhibit high temporal variability and radical differences in target radiance due, for example, to the presence of clouds. This study proposes using an alternative interpolation method, the kriging geostatistical technique, for filling the data gaps. The case study shows that the ordinary kriging techniques may provide a powerful tool for interpolating the missing pixels in the SLC-off ETM+ imagery. While the standardized ordinary cokriging has been shown to be particularly useful when samples of the variable to be predicted are sparse and samples of a second, related variable are plentiful, the case study demonstrates that it provides little improvement in interpolating the data gap in the SLC-off imagery.
Realization and canonical representation of linear systems through I/O maps

Abstract In this paper, we use input and output maps to develop simple procedures to obtain minimal realizations for linear continuous-time systems. The procedures developed are numerically efficient and yield explicit formulae for the state-space matrices of the realization in terms of the system parameters, notably the system eigenvalues. Both systems with distinct eigenvalues and repeated eigenvalues are treated. We also present a procedure for transforming a realization obtained through the input or output map to Jordan canonical form. The transformation matrices required to transform the realization to Jordan canonical form are specified entirely in terms of the system eigenvalues. We illustrate the results obtained with several examples.
A general derivation of the density of states function for quantum wells and superlattices

Abstract The intent of this paper is to provide the reader with a detailed summary of the development of the density of states (DOS) functions for two-dimensional systems. Specifically, the DOS is derived for an infinite quantum well, a finite well, and a periodic array of coupled wells (a superlattice). Many authors state that the DOS is “simply …” without references, yet many who are new to the subject of two-dimensional systems may not see the “simplicity,” for instance, of the derivation of the DOS for a superlattice. We also show the relationships between the expressions for each case when the appropriate limits are taken. This comparison shows the consistency that such a general derivation furnishes to each expression.
Distributed Memory Prestack Kirchhoff Time Migration: Parallelization And Scalability

Summary Kirchhoff 3D prestack migration is a seismic data processing application which produces a subsurface image of the earth by integrating large amounts of recorded seismic data. It is an industry staple (particularly the "time migration" variant), and is very computationally intensive, requiring the use of supercomputers to produce results in a timeframe of weeks or months. One type of supercomputer is based on a clustering of many smaller computers, each with their own memory and some sort of network connection to each other. These machines - distributed memory parallel computers - provide a cost-effective solution for commercial Kirchhoff migration, provided the algorithms can be efficiently parallelized. Parallel scalability is crucial, so that adding more processors will reduce the time to completion accordingly. There are many ways to implement a parallel Kirchhoff prestack time migration. Three basic strategies are discussed, and their parallel scalability analyzed. The impact of operator antialiasing on parallel performance is considered for two common methods of antialiasing protection. A timing model of the parallel computation is developed, and used to predict runtimes for a production sized migration problem on a given number of processors. Based on these predictions, the best approach for parallelization is a master/slave model with dynamic distribution of the data traces to the nodes. The bulk of processor memory is used to hold individual copies of the image volume, and antialiasing is accomplished with multiple banks of bandpass filtered data.
GaInAsP/InP lasers and detectors for fiber optics communications at 1.1-1.3 &#181;m

Diode lasers and avalanche diodes of GaInAsP/InP are under development for the 1.1-1.3 µm wavelength region of current interest for fiber optics applications. Early versions of both of these devices show highly promising performance characteristics. Current state-of-the-art results, as well as a description of the device structures, will be presented.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Nortriptyline in Smoking Cessation: A Multistudy Analysis

Multiple, controlled clinical trials support the efficacy of nortriptyline as a smoking cessation agent. Although therapeutic plasma nortriptyline concentrations (PNCs) are known for the treatment of depression, little is known about PNCs in smoking cessation treatment. PNCs from three randomized, placebo-controlled smoking cessation trials (N=244) were analyzed both separately and pooled. PNCs normalized for dose and weight were associated with cigarettes per day and race, but not with sex or age. Greater smoking was associated with decreased normalized PNCs. In addition, both Asian and black populations had significantly higher normalized PNCs than the white populations. Weak and inconsistent associations between PNCs and self-reported side effects were observed. PNCs were linearly related to end of treatment and long-term biochemically verified smoking abstinence. Maximum therapeutic effects were observed over a range of plasma concentrations somewhat lower than those found effective for the treatment of depression.
Site-Specific Bioorthogonal Labeling of a G Protein-Coupled Receptor at a Genetically Encoded Azido Amino Acid

We have developed a strategy for site-specific bioorthogonal labeling of expressed G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to facilitate single-molecule fluorescence imaging studies. We employed a two-step method that is highly efficient and specific and does not perturb receptor function. First, we used the amber codon suppression technique to introduce p-azido-L-phenylalanine (azF) at single sites into rhodopsin, a prototypical class A GPCR. We then ligated a fluorophore to the unnatural amino acid by strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition. We showed that two types of dibenzocyclooctyne reagents, DIBO and DBCO, gave robust stoichiometric labeling of rhodopsin with satisfactory kinetics. Moreover, the extent of non-specific covalent labeling was negligible. To evaluate whether this approach is general, we generated a series of azF-containing rhodopsin mutants and observed consistent labeling for most of them. Curiously, the dibenzocyclooctyne reagents readily labeled residues in the transmembrane region as well as the aqueous exposed extracellular and cytoplasmic receptor domains. To characterize the functionality of the labeled rhodopsins, we devised an energy transfer-based fluorescence assay to assess the 11-cis-retinal uptake kinetics. This assay both confirmed the functional integrity of the samples and provides a general scheme for studying receptor-ligand binding. We are currently characterizing the labeled receptors using single-molecule TIRF microscopy. In the long term, this strategy will serve as a key enabling technology to monitor the dynamics and allosteric regulation of GPCR signaling complex. Further, the approach described here can, in principle, be applied to other membrane or cellular proteins.
Scanning capacitance microscopy for thin film measurements

We have used direct, low-frequency scanning capacitance microscopy measurements to characterize variations in thin, dielectric films with up to 1 nm thickness and ~200 nm lateral resolution. This technique may be used on metallic as well as semiconducting substrates because it does not rely upon d C/d V measurements. We also find that the sensitivity of capacitance to film thickness can be enhanced by an aqueous meniscus that typically forms between the atomic force microscope tip and the sample surface. Further, we quantified the nanometre-scale capacitance of the tip–meniscus–sample system that is sensitive to variations in film thickness by making simultaneous capacitance and cantilever deflection measurements. This capacitance is used along with an average film thickness to quantify variations in film thickness.
Videogame Experience: A Possible Explanation for Differences in Anticipation of Coincidence:

Differences in the accuracy (AE, CE) and consistency (VE) of anticipation of coincidence on the Bassin Timer were evaluated by sex, age, and videogame experience for 105 7- to 9-yr.-old children. Analyses indicated that (a) videogame experience was associated with both accuracy and consistency of anticipation of coincidence and (b) sex differences may be negated by increased videogame experience.
The Detection of Multimodal Oscillations on α Ursae Majoris

We have used the star camera on the Wide-Field Infrared Explorer satellite to observe the K0 III star α UMa, and we report the apparent detection of 10 oscillation modes. The lowest frequency mode is at 1.82 μHz, and it appears to be the fundamental mode. The mean spacing between the mode frequencies is 2.94 μHz, which implies that all detected modes are radial. The mode frequencies are consistent with the physical parameters of a K0 III star, if we assume that only radial modes are excited. Mode amplitudes are 100-400 μmag, which is consistent with the scaling relation of Kjeldsen & Bedding.
Hybrid techniques in statistical analysis II

This note follows the report last month outlining the technique of using digital memory for accumulating statistical functions for cumulative, probability, and correlation distributions.
Synthetic control of excited-state properties. Tris-chelate complexes containing the ligands 2,2'-bipyrazine, 2,2'-bipyridine, and 2,2'-bipyrimidine

The photophysical and photochemical properties of the series of tris-chelate complexes Ru(bpy)/sub n/(bpyz)/sub 3-n//sup 2 +/, Ru(bpy)/sub n/(bpym)/sub 3-n//sup 2 +/, Ru(bpym)/sub n/(bpyz)/sub 3-n//sup 2 +/, and Ru(bpy)(bpym)(bpyz)/sup 2 +/ (n = 0, 1, 2, 3; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, bpyz = 2,2'-bipyrazine, bpym = 2,2'-bipyrimidine) are described. From the results of temperature-dependent lifetime (210-345 K) and room-temperature emission quantum yield measurements have been obtained: (1) k/sub r/ and k/sub nr/, the radiative and nonradiative decay rate constants for the emitting MLCT manifold and (2) kinetic parameters which suggest the intervention of additional excited states. The significant points of the study are the following: (1) trends in k/sub nr/ properties are understandable based on the energy gap law, (2) low-lying dd states strongly influence lifetimes and photochemical instabilities for the complexes Ru(bpyz)/sub 3//sup 2 +/, Ru(bpym)/sub 3//sup 2 +/, Ru(bpy)(bpyz)/sub 2//sup 2 +/, Ru(bpy)(bpym)/sub 2//sup 2 +/, Ru(bpym)(bpyz)/sub 2//sup 2 +/, Ru(bpym)/sub 2/(bpyz)/sup 2 +/, and Ru(bpy)(bpym)(bpyz)/sup 2 +/ at room temperature, and (3) for the complexes Ru(bpy)/sub 2/(bpyz)/sup 2 +/ and Ru (bpy)/sub 2/(bpym)/sup 2 +/ there is no evidence for low-lying dd states and these and/or related mixed-ligand complexes may provide a basis for a new series of photochemicallymore » stable Ru-polypyridyl chromophores.« less
Activation of epidermal growth factor receptor is required for Chlamydia trachomatis development

Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is a clinically significant human pathogen and one of the leading causative agents of sexually transmitted diseases. As obligate intracellular bacteria, C. trachomatis has evolved strategies to redirect the host’s signaling and resources for its own survival and propagation. Despite the clinical notoriety of Chlamydia infections, the molecular interactions between C. trachomatis and its host cell proteins remain elusive. In this study, we focused on the involvement of the host cell epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in C. trachomatis attachment and development. A combination of molecular approaches, pharmacological agents and cell lines were used to demonstrate distinct functional requirements of EGFR in C. trachomatis infection. We show that C. trachomatis increases the phosphorylation of EGFR and of its downstream effectors PLCγ1, Akt and STAT5. While both EGFR and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFRβ) are partially involved in bacterial attachment to the host cell surface, it is only the knockdown of EGFR and not PDGFRβ that affects the formation of C. trachomatis inclusions in the host cells. Inhibition of EGFR results in small immature inclusions, and prevents C. trachomatis-induced intracellular calcium mobilization and the assembly of the characteristic F-actin ring at the inclusion periphery. By using complementary approaches, we demonstrate that the coordinated regulation of both calcium mobilization and F-actin assembly by EGFR are necessary for maturation of chlamydial inclusion within the host cells. A particularly important finding of this study is the co-localization of EGFR with the F-actin at the periphery of C. trachomatis inclusion where it may function to nucleate the assembly of signaling protein complexes for cytoskeletal remodeling required for C. trachomatis development. Cumulatively, the data reported here connect the function of EGFR to C. trachomatis attachment and development in the host cells, and this could lead to new venues for targeting C. trachomatis infections and associated diseases.
Estimates of photochemically deposited contamination on the GPS satellites

After about three years on orbit (altitude « 20,000 km), it became apparent that the solar array output from the first block of Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites was degrading faster than could be accounted for on the basis of radiation damage alone. There are at least two possible explanations. Either the Van Alien radiation environment was causing unexpected damage, or contamination, such as would result from outgassing by the spacecraft itself, was partially obscuring the solar panels. An extensive analysis is presented of the outgassing properties of the materials used on the GPS Block I vehicles, their masses, temperatures, locations, and possible outgassing paths. It is shown that if a small fraction of the matter impinging upon the solar panels is subject to a photochemical reaction initiated by the solar uv and sticks, a sufficient amount of matter will remain on the panels to account for the unexplained degradation. The calculation is repeated for the GPS Block II vehicles now being launched, and estimates for the expected lifetimes of these vehicles are presented.
Characterization of CMIX, a chicken homeobox gene related to the Xenopus gene mix.1.

Abstract Members of the TGF β , Wnt and FGF families act in concert to induce and pattern the mesoderm of gastrulating embryos. Downstream effectors for these growth factors include homeobox proteins, which also feed back to activate and repress upstream signaling pathways (e.g. Fainsod, A., Steinbeisser, H., De Robertis, E.M. 1994. On the function of BMP-4 in patterning the marginal zone of the Xenopus embryo. EMBO J. 13, 5015–5025; Carnac, G., Kodjabachian, L., Gurdon, J.B., Lemaire, P. 1996. The homeobox gene Siamois is a target of the Wnt dorsalization pathway and triggers organizer activity in the absence of mesoderm. Development 122, 3055–3065). As well as having interwoven upstream and downstream regulatory pathways Mix.1 , siamois and goosecoid , all paired- type homeobox genes, may physically interact with each other as heterodimers to regulate dorsal-ventral polarity (Mead, P.E., Brivanlou, I.H., Kelley, C.M., Zon, L.I. 1996. BMP-4 responsive regulation of dorsal-ventral patterning by the homeobox protein Mix.1. Nature 382, 357–360). We report here a chicken paired- type homeobox gene, CMIX , with a homeodomain having 72% aa identity to its nearest homolog, Xenopus Mix.1 . CMIX is expressed in the epiblast of the posterior marginal zone of early chick embryos, and later along the entire anterior-posterior axis of the primitive streak in cells of the medial ectoderm, in nascent mesoderm, but not in endoderm. Coincident with formation of prechordal mesoderm, CMIX mRNA levels rapidly decline throughout the embryo.