cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RNA 3′-Phosphate Cyclase (RtcA) Catalyzes Ligase-like Adenylylation of DNA and RNA 5′-Monophosphate Ends

RNA 3′-phosphate cyclase (Rtc) enzymes are a widely distributed family that catalyze the synthesis of RNA 2′,3′-cyclic phosphate ends via an ATP-dependent pathway comprising three nucleotidyl transfer steps: reaction of Rtc with ATP to form a covalent Rtc-(histidinyl-N)-AMP intermediate and release PPi; transfer of AMP from Rtc to an RNA 3′-phosphate to form an RNA(3′)pp(5′)A intermediate; and attack by the terminal nucleoside O2′ on the 3′-phosphate to form an RNA 2′,3′-cyclic phosphate product and release AMP. The chemical transformations of the cyclase pathway resemble those of RNA and DNA ligases, with the key distinction being that ligases covalently adenylylate 5′-phosphate ends en route to phosphodiester synthesis. Here we show that the catalytic repertoire of RNA cyclase overlaps that of ligases. We report that Escherichia coli RtcA catalyzes adenylylation of 5′-phosphate ends of DNA or RNA strands to form AppDNA and AppRNA products. The polynucleotide 5′ modification reaction requires the His309 nucleophile, signifying that it proceeds through a covalent RtcA-AMP intermediate. We established this point directly by demonstrating transfer of [32P]AMP from RtcA to a pDNA strand. RtcA readily adenylylated the 5′-phosphate at a 5′-PO4/3′-OH nick in duplex DNA but was unable to covert the nicked DNA-adenylate to a sealed phosphodiester. Our findings raise the prospect that cyclization of RNA 3′-ends might not be the only biochemical pathway in which Rtc enzymes participate; we discuss scenarios in which the 5′-adenylyltransferase of RtcA might play a role.
KNOWING ABOUT READING BEFORE READING: PRESCHOOL CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS OF READING

This paper reports findings from an investigation of preschool children's concepts about reading. Three tasks related to several basic ideas about reading were presented to 60 preschool children, ranging in age from three to five years. The first task assessed children's ability to identify oral and silent reading. The number of children who correctly identified both forms of reading increased with age, with almost all five‐year‐olds giving accurate responses. The second task was aimed at establishing children's perceptions of their own reading ability. Only four of the 60 children incorrectly evaluated their own reading ability. The third task investigated children's ability to recognize what it is on a page that is read. Three‐year‐olds were, on the whole, quite unaware of the salient information in books. Even among the five‐year‐olds, who performed significantly better than three‐ and four‐year‐olds on this task, some children's responses indicated an ambiguity about the role of print in reading. Sugg...
The use of light scattering for precise characterization of polymers for DNA sequencing by capillary electrophoresis

The ability of a polymer matrix to separate DNA by capillary electrophoresis (CE) is strongly dependent upon polymer physical properties. In particular, recent results have shown that DNA sequencing performance is very sensitive to both the average molar mass and the average coil radius of the separation matrix polymers, which are affected by both polymer structure and polymer-solvent affinity. Large polymers with high average molar mass provide the best DNA sequencing separations for CE, but are also the most challenging to characterize with accuracy. The methods most commonly used for the characterization of water-soluble polymers with application in microchannel electrophoresis have been gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and intrinsic viscosity measurements, but the limitations and potential inaccuracies of these approaches, particularly for large or novel polymers and copolymers, press the need for a more universally accurate method of polymer molar mass profiling for advanced DNA separation matrices. Here, we show that multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) measurements, carried out either alone or in tandem with prior on-line sample fractionation by GPC, can provide accurate molar mass and coil radius information for polymer samples that are useful for DNA sequencing by CE. Wider employment of MALLS for characterization of novel polymers designed as DNA separation matrices for microchannel electrophoresis should enable more rapid optimization of matrix properties and formulation, and assist in the development of novel classes of polymer matrices.
Modeling and experimental performance of an intermediate temperature reversible solid oxide cell for high-efficiency, distributed-scale electrical energy storage

Abstract Electrical energy storage is expected to be a critical component of the future world energy system, performing load-leveling operations to enable increased penetration of renewable and distributed generation. Reversible solid oxide cells, operating sequentially between power-producing fuel cell mode and fuel-producing electrolysis mode, have the capability to provide highly efficient, scalable electricity storage. However, challenges ranging from cell performance and durability to system integration must be addressed before widespread adoption. One central challenge of the system design is establishing effective thermal management in the two distinct operating modes. This work leverages an operating strategy to use carbonaceous reactant species and operate at intermediate stack temperature (650 °C) to promote exothermic fuel-synthesis reactions that thermally self-sustain the electrolysis process. We present performance of a doped lanthanum-gallate (LSGM) electrolyte solid oxide cell that shows high efficiency in both operating modes at 650 °C. A physically based electrochemical model is calibrated to represent the cell performance and used to simulate roundtrip operation for conditions unique to these reversible systems. Design decisions related to system operation are evaluated using the cell model including current density, fuel and oxidant reactant compositions, and flow configuration. The analysis reveals tradeoffs between electrical efficiency, thermal management, energy density, and durability.
The role of tephra covers on soil moisture conservation at Haleakala's crater (Maui, Hawai'i)

Abstract The influence of tephra covers on soil water was studied in Haleakala (Maui, Hawai'i) during two summers; eight sites with tephra layers and silverswords ( Argyroxiphium sandwicense DC.) were sampled at 2415–2755 m. At each site, eight paired-sample sets were obtained in bare soils and under adjacent tephra, at three depths. Tephra were sharply separated from underlying soils and showed prominent vertical stratification. Tephra clast size-distribution was assessed by photosieving and on interstitial-gravel samples; stones included 45.6% cobbles, 29.4% pebbles, and 25% blocks. Moisture content increased with depth in both positions, but soils below tephra had more water at all depths than exposed areas. Surface soils beneath tephra contained 83% more water than bare ground. Soils at 5–10 cm had ∼ 106% greater moisture under rocks, but only ∼ 70% at 10–15 cm. Differences between plots were statistically significant (∼ p All soils were coarse, with ∼ 20% gravel and ∼ 94% sand; most fine material (≤ 0.063 mm) was silt, as clay content was negligible. Organic-matter percentage was low (1.65%). Bulk density and porosity were associated with moisture variation both in tephra-insulated and bare soils; 80% of field moisture was statistically ( p
Somatic crossing over in glycine max (L). Merrill: Possible potentiation of the recombinogenic effect of caffeine by 5-fluorodeoxyuridine and cytosine-β-D-arabinofuranoside

Abstract The leaves of variety T219 of Glycine max (soybean) exhibit yellow, dark green and twin or double spots on the two simple leaves and the first compound leaf of heterozygous Y11y11 plants. These spots mimic the phenotypes controlled by Y11y11, Y11Y11 and Y11Y11−y11y11 genotypes. It has been argued that p recombination is responsible for the origin of twin spots. At least some of the single spots appear due to failure of one of the components of the double spots. Treatment of seeds with caffeine solutions increases the frequency of all types of spots, particularly those of doubles. 5-Fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR) and cytosine-β- D -aranibofuranoside (CA), both inhibitors of DNA synthesis, cause potentiation of the effects of caffeine by increasing all three types of spots. Since the relative frequencies of the different types of spots do not differ much in caffeine plus FUdR (or CA) treated materials from those observed in case of caffeine treatment alone, it is suggested that (1) the increase in the frequency of spots in caffeine plus FUdR (or CA) treated material is not due simply to additive effect of the two chemical, and (2) there is true synergism between caffeine and FUdR (or CA) which somehow leads to enhancement of the phenomenon of compementary reunions.
Dopant states in a-Si: H. I. Tight-binding-model results

The gap states of substitutional dopants in $a$-Si: H are studied with the use of tight-binding models. Within its 1.8-eV-wide gap, N is found to be the only truly shallow donor, and P is borderline deep, with As, Sb, and Bi deeper still. For acceptors, only B is found to be shallow because of its small atomic radius. It is argued that bond-length disorder at substitutional impurity sites is small, as elsewhere in $a$-Si. The remaining forms of disorder are calculated to cause only a small \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05-eV broadening of donor levels but a dramatic \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2-eV broadening of any deep acceptor levels. Pairing of dopant sites is found to cause a small broadening of levels, but donor-acceptor pairing is shown to give shallower levels.
Absolute-Gravity Workshop planned

The new FG5 absolute gravimeter has a design goal accuracy of 1 μGal and represents the most recent of a series of gravimeters inspired by advances in gravimeter design by J. Faller at the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics (JILA) in Boulder, Colo. A 2-day workshop will be held in Boulder from March 22 to 23 to discuss current and future applications of absolute gravity (g). Details of the workshop appear at the end of this article. The instrument is based on the principle of interferometrically measuring the time and position of a weight falling in a vacuum, using a stabilized laser and an atomic clock [cf. Cook, 1967; Faller, 1963; Hammond, 1970; Zumberge, 1981; Niebauer, 1986].
Neurokinin3 receptor regulation of the airways

Neurokinin(3) (NK(3)) receptors may regulate the airways primarily through actions on the nerves. In the periphery, airway parasympathetic ganglia neurons are depolarized following NK(3) receptor activation resulting subsequently in the facilitation of synaptic transmission. Such an effect may account for the excessive parasympathetic reflex effects (e.g. airway smooth muscle contraction, vascular engorgement, mucus secretion) associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the central nervous system (CNS), NK(3) receptor activation may regulate airway vagal afferent relay neurons, rendering them hyperresponsive to parallel inputs from glutamate containing afferent nerves. This process is analogous to the process of central sensitization regulating hyperalgesia and pain in somatic tissues. In both the CNS and in the airways, NK(3) receptors are likely activated by either substance P and/or neurokinin A (NKA), both of which are full agonists at NK(3) receptors, as there is little evidence that airway nerves express neurokinin B (NKB). Evidence for other potential sites of regulation by NK(3) receptors in the airways (e.g. vasculature, airway smooth muscle, epithelium, mucus glands) is either inconclusive or conflicting.
Stability of recursive digital filters

Abstract If B ( z ) is an absolutely convergent power series on the unit disk, the requirements for the reciprocal of B to also be absolutely convergent on the unit disc are well known. These requirements are that B does not vanish on the unit disc. This paper gives an alternate characterization of the corresponding theorem in two-variables along with a new proof.
Blunted stress cortisol response in abstinent alcoholic and polysubstance-abusing men.

Background: This study tested cortisol responses to a psychological stressor in controls (CT) versus patients who were diagnosed as alcohol dependent (AD) or alcohol and stimulant dependent (ADSD) by DSM-IV criteria and who were abstinent for 3 to 4 weeks from alcohol and illicit drugs. Alcohol increases cortisol secretion acutely and during withdrawal. However, there is little information about abnormalities of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) reactivity in recovering alcoholics. Methods: Accordingly, we tested HPA function in the laboratory between 7:00 and 9:30 AM on control versus stress days. Stress consisted of a 20-min public speaking challenge with preparation and delivery of two short speeches, ostensibly evaluated for quality of delivery, whereas control involved relaxing for the same period. Cortisol was measured in saliva collected at baseline, stress or control, and recovery period, and also at home at 9:00 PM on one of the two days. Results: The three groups did not differ in diurnal patterns of cortisol secretion on the rest day and 9:00 PM sample, which indicated that AD and ADSD patients had intact diurnal HPA regulation at rest. During speech stress, the CT subjects showed the expected cortisol increase (p < 0.0001), whereas neither AD nor ADSD patients responded significantly. Cortisol values were not accounted for by covariates such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, glucose metabolism, or anthropometric or demographic characteristics. Conclusions: The apparent stress hyporesponsiveness of the AD and ADSD patients suggests a persistent disruption of HPA function, perhaps due to incomplete recovery from prior abuse, or to a preexisting alteration in neural systems that regulate HPA responses to stress.
The Role of Decision Analysis in Transfusion Medicine

Transfusion medicine has become challenged by its own success. Within little more than two generations, diligent workers in this field have transformed blood conservation and transfusion techniques from a ‘cottage industry’ with unpredictable outcomes to a science that delivers components that are safe and efficacious and transfusion advice that is increasingly based on evidence rather than speculation.
Self-Direction and Political Legitimacy: Rousseau and Herder

Part 1 From extended selfhood to political rightness - Rousseau: self-direction and political will self-mastery and paternalism extended selfhood - "patriotism and citizenship" public reasons and political legitimacy self-choosing and right-acting self-direction or self-destruction - an appraisal. Part 2 From historical self-understanding to civic humanity - Herder: rationality and self-direction coping with autonomy natural growth and human purpose historical understanding - "dispositions and reasons" historical consciousness and political culture - levels of legitimacy analogy and political vision - an appraisal. Part 3 From individual self-direction to national self-determination - Rousseau and Herder: nature, culture and political legitimacy.
Effect of shear on the electrical conductivity of suspensions of graphite in an unsaturated polyester resin

The effect of shear on the electrical conductivity of suspensions of conductive graphite particles in a nonconductive unsaturated polyester resin was investigated. At graphite loadings near 30 wt% the electrical conductivity was higher when the suspension was undergoing shear than when shearing stopped. Moreover, shearing caused a large permanent increase in the electrical conductivity of the suspension. When shear was restarted after a period of rest the transient response of the electrical conductivity depended on the direction of previous shear, indicating that the suspension acquires an anisotropic structure under shear. The transition upon shear reversal was strain-dependent. Surprisingly, at graphite loadings near 50 wt% the effect of shear on the electrical conductivity was the opposite of that at loadings near 30 wt%. At intermediate loadings the effect of shear on the electrical conductivity was less clear. The results may have applications in the manufacture of composite bipolar plates for fuel cells and of various other parts made from conductive polymers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 45:1540–1545, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers
Upper-bound problem for a rotating system

Recent work (Hunter & Riahi 1975) on nonlinear convection in a rotating fluid is extended to a multi-modal regime. The schematic multi-boundary-layer method of Busse (1969) and the upper-bound technique of Howard (1963) are used to obtain upper bounds on the Nusselt number N . It is shown that there are infinitely many modes in the range $Ta \ll R^{\frac{3}{2}}$ , where Ta is the Taylor number and R is the Rayleigh number, and different types of mode optimize N in different regions of the parameter space ( R, Ta ). While the optimal N is independent of Ta for Ta [Lt ] R , it is found that it increases with Ta in $R \ll Ta \ll (R \log R)^{\frac{4}{3}}$ and decreases as Ta increases in $(R \log R)^{\frac{4}{3}} \ll Ta \ll R^{\frac{3}{2}}$ , and that the functional dependence of the optimal N on R and Ta is continuous (within a logarithmic term) throughout the region of R, Ta space.
Beliefs and behaviour related to water in rural Swaziland

Abstract A knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) survey relating to water use and contact was conducted in rural Swaziland. A complementary qualitative survey reinforced and helped in the interpretation of KAP findings. Nearly two‐thirds of rural Swazis lacked access to protected drinking water. The most important independent variable determining “correct” beliefs and practices, from a public health standpoint, was the level of formal education achieved by the respondent or by another member of his or her immediate extended family.
Chinese cities: a research agenda.

This is an introduction to a special issue of Urban Geography devoted to urbanization in China particularly the role of urbanization in the development process that has occurred in the post-Mao period since 1976. The papers included here were presented at a conference on Asian urbanization held at the University of Akron Ohio April 19-20 1985. The authors of this introduction identify a number of important issues related to urbanization in China and suggest areas for future research. (ANNOTATION)
The Self and Its Emotions

The Self and Its Emotions Kristjan Kristjansson New York: Cambridge University Press, 2010 288 pages, ISBN: 0521114780 (hbk); $85.00 The self and its emotions offers a wide-ranging critique of what...
Blocking defects in SAPO-34 membranes with cyclodextrin

Abstract The CO 2 /CH 4 separation selectivity of SAPO-34 membranes increased by 20–150% after soaking them in 1–2% aqueous β-cyclodextrin (CD) solution and drying them at 473 K. The percentage increase was higher at higher pressures, and the selectivities increased more for membranes with more defects. The CD decreased the CO 2 fluxes at high pressures by about 10–20%, whereas CH 4 fluxes decreased by 30–60%. The flux of CF 4 , which is too large to enter the SAPO-34 pores and thus only permeates through defects, decreased 80% for one membrane (5.7 MPa feed pressure) after CD deposition; this confirmed that defects were effectively blocked. Even before CD exposure, the CF 4 permeance at 2.8 MPa was only 0.25% of the CO 2 mixture permeance for that membrane. Permporometry also showed that CD blocked defects; the maximum defect size decreased from greater than 30 nm to less than 20 nm. About 91% of the overall defect area in the original membrane was from defects smaller than 8 nm, whereas 99% was for defects smaller than 2 nm after CD deposition. The membrane separation performance did not change during 3 days of continuous measurements, nor did it change after long term storage at 473 K in air.
Comparison of cerebral glucose metabolic rates measured with fluorodeoxyglucose and glucose labeled in the 1, 2, 3-4, and 6 positions using double label quantitative digital autoradiography

We compared local cerebral glucose metabolic rates (LCMRglu) that were determined with (/sup 18/F)fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and (/sup 14/C)glucose labeled in the 1, 2, 3-4, and 6 positions. Double label digital autoradiography was used with published kinetic models to determine LCMRglu for FDG and glucose in the same animals. Glucose showed metabolic rate dependent underestimation of LCMRglu compared to FDG, which worsened with increasing experimental times. The least underestimation occurred with glucose labeled in the 6 position at 6 min, reaching 10% in areas of high metabolism. Labeling in the 1 position, the 2 position and the 3-4 position caused progressively worse underestimation at all times. In addition, some structures showed differences not directly related to metabolic rate, indicating regional variations in relationships between individual kinetic constants of FDG and glucose.
Continuous-wave room-temperature operation of λ ∼ 3 μm quantum cascade laser

Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs), operating in continuous wave (cw) at room temperature (rt) in 3-3.5μm spectral range, which overlaps the spectral fingerprint region of many hydrocarbons, is essential in spectroscopic trace gas detection, environment monitoring, and pollution control. A 3μm QCL, operating in cw at rt is demonstrated. This initial result makes it possible, for the most popular material system (AlInAs/GaInAs on InP) used in QCLs in mid-infrared and long-infrared, to cover the entire spectral range of mid-infrared atmospheric window (3-5μm). In0.79Ga0.21As/In0.11Al0.89As strain balanced superlattice, which has a large conduction band offset, was grown. The strain was balanced with composite barriers (In0.11Al0.89As /In0.4Al0.6As) in the injector region, to eliminate the need of extremely high compressively strained GaInAs, whose pseudomorphic growth is very difficult.
Does rapid change in ice loading modulate strain accumulation and release in glaciated, tectonically active regions

There are major glaciated regions of the world that are also seismologically active. Changes in the thickness of ice due to glacier surges, advances, or retreats produce stress changes that may be a significant fraction of the tectonic stress accumulated during an earthquake cycle. The changes in ice loading can affect both the normal and shear stress on a fault with stresses being enhanced or reduced depending on glacier and fault geometry. The stress change has a nearly instantaneous elastic component and a longer time-scale viscoelastic component. Thus I propose that glacier motion can produce geodetically significant horizontal and vertical crustal displacements and can affect strain, strain rate, and the time of occurrence of earthquakes. In regions that are not tectonically active, rapid ice motion can also produce locally significant and geodetically detectable crustal deformations.
Acute toxicity, uptake and histopathology of aqueous methyl mercury to fathead minnow embryos.

Early life stages of fishes have been shown to be especially susceptible to the toxic effects of heavy metal pollution. In this study, fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) embryos were exposed in the laboratory to a graded series of aqueous methyl mercury concentrations under continuous-flow conditions. A number of toxicological endpoints were examined including; acute toxicity, bioaccumulation, protein production, impact on mitosis, gross and histopathology. Acute toxicity, reported as LC50 values of methyl mercury, ranged from 221 μg/l (95% C.I. 246–196 μg/l) for 24-h tests to 39 μg/l (95% C.I. 54–24 μg/l) for 96-h exposures. Fathead minnow embryos were shown to rapidly take up mercury from the surrounding water. Mercury levels in embryos reached levels of 2.80 μg/g wet weight after 96 h exposure to 40 μg/l methyl mercury. An initial elevation of total protein in embryo was observed in embryos exposed to 25 μg/l methyl mercury during the first 12 h of development. At later stages, significantly lower levels of protein/μg embryo were observed. Methyl mercury had no effect on mitotic stages (p=0.05) in early, cleaving blastula-stage embryos. Live embryos and serial sections were utilized to characterize changes in embryo morphology and histopathology.
Zur Chemie der kondensierten Phosphate und Arsenate. XII. Über die Verteilung der (AsO3)(−)‐Gruppen in den Na‐Polyarsenatophosphaten [(P, As)nO3n−1(OH)2] · Nan

Bei der papierchromatographischen Untersuchung der Hydrolysate der schon fruher und z. T. neu hergestellten, dem MADDRELLschen Salz entsprechenden kristallisierten Na-Polyarsenatophosphate mit (P : As)-Verhaltnissen 1 bis 6 und der dem GRAHAMschen Salz entsprechenden Polyarsenatophosphatglaser mit (P : As)-Verhaltnissen 1 bis 7, 12 und 20 ergab sich, das die dabei entstehenden Polyphosphate nicht, wie bisher erwiesen zu sein schien, einheitlich sind, sondern aus Gemengen von polymerhomologen Polyphosphaten bestehen. Der aus den fruheren Befunden gezogene Schlus auf die regelmasige Verteilung der As-Atome in den Anionenketten der hochpolymeren Arsenatophosphate ist daher zu revidieren. Die As-Atome liegen nicht regelmasig, sondern statistisch verteilt in den Anionenketten vor. Dieser Befund andert aber nichts am Beweis fur die Kettenstruktur der Anionen der Polyphosphate und Polyarsenate. Der fruher auf Grund analytischer Befunde gezogene Fehlschlus auf die Einheitlichkeit der aus Arsenatophosphaten isolierten Polyphosphate beruht auf der Fallungen verhindernden Wirkung (dem sog. „Kalkbindungsvermogen”) von Polyphosphaten mit Kondensationsgraden n ≧ 3 auf die in Wasser an sich schwer loslichen Mono-, Di-, Tri- oder Tetraphosphate mit mehrwertigen Kationen. (Hieran wurde bei der analytischen Bearbeitung dieses Gebietes bisher nicht gedacht.) Die Darstellungsmethoden der kristallinen Polyarsenatophosphate (V) und (VI), die der Glaser, ihre schonende Umsetzung zu arsenfreien Polyphosphaten und ihre physikalischen Eigenschaften werden beschrieben.
Toward an Ethics of Knowledge

Modern science is one form of knowledge, demarcated by its time (modernity) and by other "knowledges." There is a fair amount of clarity as to what does not count as scientific, but there is a twilight zone of knowledges whose scientific status is ambivalent. In this zone the encounter between science and religion takes place. The particular contribution of religion and theology in this encounter is to call for an ethics of knowledge in the epistemological endeavors of science.
Biochemical quantitation and histochemical localization of cathepsin B, dipeptidyl peptidases I and II, and acid phosphatase in pulmonary granulomatosis and fibrosis in rats

The purpose of this study was to quantitate biochemically and to localize histochemically the proteases cathepsin B (Cath B), dipeptidyl peptidase I (DPP I), and dipeptidyl peptidase II (DPP II) in experimental pulmonary granulomatosis and fibrosis. These were compared to the prototypical lysosomal hydrolase acid phosphatase (AP). Granulomatosis was induced by the intravenous injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA, 0.2 ml) and fibrosis was induced by the intratracheal instillation of bleomycin sulfate (1 unit) in rats (Wistar, 200 g). Total Cath B, DPP I, and AP activities were markedly elevated over control values five days following both treatments when expressed as activity per lung or as specific activity per milligram protein or milligram DNA. By 14 and 28 days, total activity was elevated for all three enzymes, and activity per milligram DNA remained elevated for Cath B following both treatments and for DPP I 28 days following CFA treatment. Total lung activity of DPP II was significantly elevated at 28 days for both treatments. Histochemical staining indicated that these changes are due, in part, to the influx of inflammatory monocytes and their maturation to macrophages. This study provides a basis for examining the role of these proteases in connective tissue matrix injury during inflammatory processes in the lungs.
Joint estimation of the mean and the covariance of a banach valued gaussian vector

The problem of consistently estimating the mean and the covariance operator of a quite arbitrary GAUSSian random vector with values in a separable BANACH space is considered. Two methods are given. One, the method of sieves, requires some prior in¬formation about the covariance operator. The other, which has no restriction, is the analog of the usual method of multivariate analysis
Evaluating and monitoring the safety and efficacy of drug therapy and surgery.

ABE LILIENFELD had an intense interest in the history of epidemiology and always tried to preface any scientific review or investigation with the historical background. Accordingly, we will introduce our subject with an historical overview. This will be followed by a discussion of the methods of drug monitoring with special attention to the very topical issue of post-marketing drug surveillance, then a discussion of the risks and benefits of surgical procedures, and finally a discussion about future work needed in these fields. Before the beginning of the 20th century, physicians had very little to offer patients who consulted them. The drugs that actually were efficacious numbered a mere handful, although many dangerous drugs and drug mixtures were employed. Surgery of any type was extremely hazardous at best and, for the greatest part of the 19th century, often performed without anesthesia. Diagnostic tests and procedures were rarely performed and the physician had to rely on a detailed history and the basic senses of sight, smell, taste, and touch. The development of the modern chemical industry at the turn of the century began a pharmacological revolution. New chemicals and drugs were synthesized, and the X-ray machine was perfected for diagnostic purposes. With effective anesthesia, blood transfusion, and the development of antibiotics, daring and innovative surgical operations became feasible. The development of certain vaccines, modern drugs, and surgical procedures was rapid. Patients finally were able to receive useful treatment from physicians early in this century. However, modern and potent drugs also had the ability to produce adverse drug reactions, sometimes severe and even life-threatening. New surgical procedures were often adopted without proper evaluation, and only later discarded as inefficacious or too dangerous. The risks attached to X-rays became slowly apparent. The need for proper evaluation of drugs, tests, and therapies, as well as surveillance of their effects and how they were used by physicians was increasingly demanded by consumers, government regulatory bodies, and even a substantial number of health professionals.
Girls in Crisis: Newspaper Coverage of Adolescent Girls:

Within the past several years, a growing body of scholars have exposed the media-generated crisis discourse surrounding youth — a discourse resulting in the construction/ definition of youth as a problem. Informed, in part, by this scholarship and grounded in frame theory, this study analyzes how U.S. newspapers covered the lives of adolescent girls during a particularly noteworthy period — the mid- to late 1990s, a time when a number of high-profile studies of girls' lives were published. During this time, the press, through the choice of topics covered, sources quoted, and overall organizing themes employed, perpetuated a discourse that constructed girls as a social problem in need of a solution. The authors argue that this construction of girls as weak and vulnerable denied them any form of agency and presented to the reader a dire situation in which adult intervention was needed to save these girls in crisis.
Cooking Temperature of Turkey Ham Affects Lactate Dehydrogenase, Serum Albumin and Immunoglobulin G as Determined by ELISA

ABSTRACT Protein indicators were identiﬁed and enzyme-linked immunosorbent as-says (ELISA) were developed for verifying endpoint processing temper-atures (EPT) of turkey ham. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),immunoglobulin G (IgG), and turkey serum albumin (TSA) were iden-tiﬁed by electrophoresis, Western blotting or enzyme assays as potentialmarkers in turkey ham processed between 66.9 and 73.97C. TSA andIgG were quantiﬁed using indirect competitive ELISAs, and LDH wasquantiﬁed by a sandwich ELISA. The concentration of all indicatorsdecreased as processing temperatures were increased. At 73.87C, 9.3 µgTSA and ,0.5 µg LDH or TSA were detected/g meat. At the USDArequired EPT of 68.37C, residual concentrations of 1221 ng IgG/g meat,330 ng LDH/g meat and 51,852 ng TSA/g meat were detected.Key Words: ELISA, processing, turkey, ham, endpoint temperature INTRODUCTION I NADEQUATELY COOKED MEAT products are most commonlycited in foodborne disease outbreaks (Bean and Grifﬁn, 1990).Title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Causality and the impulse response scandal

In a recent study of a family of continuous input-output maps representing linear time-invariant systems that take a set of continuous-time signals into themselves, it is shown that the family contains maps the impulse response of which is the zero function, but which take certain inputs into nonzero outputs. Here we show that such maps exist that satisfy the additional condition that they are causal.
A semi-collocated ocean model based on the SOMS approach

In application to the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), a new DieCAST ocean model, which uses a modified Arakawa ‘a’ grid, and the SOMS model, which uses an Arakawa ‘c’ grid, give remarkably similar results. The new model avoids ‘null space’ problems of the standard ‘a’ grid approach by first using fourth-order interpolations to a ‘c’ grid advection velocity, then applying incompressibility to the result. Accuracy is further improved by using fourth-order pressure gradient approximations at ‘a’ grid locations. Incompressibility with general geometry is satisfied efficiently by a fast-converging iteration with a regular gteometry elliptic solver. Results are compared with satellite-measured r.m.s. sea surface elevation anomaly and detailed front structures, climatological mean thermocline and empirical orthogonal functions and other observations.
Pediatric consent Case study analysis using a principles approach

This article will explore pediatric consent through the analysis of a clinical case study using the principles of biomedical ethics approach. Application of the principles of autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice will be dissected in order to attempt to establish resolution of the ethical dilemma. The main conflict in this case study deals with whether the wishes of an adolescent for end-of-life care should be followed or should the desire of his parents outweigh this request. In terminal cancer, the hope of early palliative care and dignity in dying serve as priorities in therapy. Application of the moral principles to both sides of the dilemma aided in providing an objective resolution to uphold pediatric consent.
An Adaptive Learning Rate for Stochastic Variational Inference

Stochastic variational inference finds good posterior approximations of probabilistic models with very large data sets. It optimizes the variational objective with stochastic optimization, following noisy estimates of the natural gradient. Operationally, stochastic inference iteratively subsamples from the data, analyzes the subsample, and updates parameters with a decreasing learning rate. However, the algorithm is sensitive to that rate, which usually requires hand-tuning to each application. We solve this problem by developing an adaptive learning rate for stochastic variational inference. Our method requires no tuning and is easily implemented with computations already made in the algorithm. We demonstrate our approach with latent Dirichlet allocation applied to three large text corpora. Inference with the adaptive learning rate converges faster and to a better approximation than the best settings of hand-tuned rates.
Creativity support in web design tools for end-user developers

We describe semi-structured interviews of web design students that seek to identify the activities that they engage in to support creativity, the tools that they rely on for these activities, and their satisfaction with these outcomes. We expect that these interviews will yield insights into how web design tools can be improved to better foster creativity for end-user developers.
Land-cover change in the conterminous United States from 1973 to 2000

Abstract Land-cover change in the conterminous United States was quantified by interpreting change from satellite imagery for a sample stratified by 84 ecoregions. Gross and net changes between 11 land-cover classes were estimated for 5 dates of Landsat imagery (1973, 1980, 1986, 1992, and 2000). An estimated 673,000 km 2 (8.6%) of the United States’ land area experienced a change in land cover at least one time during the study period. Forest cover experienced the largest net decline of any class with 97,000 km 2 lost between 1973 and 2000. The large decline in forest cover was prominent in the two regions with the highest percent of overall change, the Marine West Coast Forests (24.5% of the region experienced a change in at least one time period) and the Eastern Temperate Forests (11.4% of the region with at least one change). Agriculture declined by approximately 90,000 km 2 with the largest annual net loss of 12,000 km 2 yr −1 occurring between 1986 and 1992. Developed area increased by 33% and with the rate of conversion to developed accelerating rate over time. The time interval with the highest annual rate of change of 47,000 km 2 yr −1 (0.6% per year) was 1986–1992. This national synthesis documents a spatially and temporally dynamic era of land change between 1973 and 2000. These results quantify land change based on a nationally consistent monitoring protocol and contribute fundamental estimates critical to developing understanding of the causes and consequences of land change in the conterminous United States.
Religious Connectedness Among Urban African American Families Who Have A Child With Disabilities

Abstract The role of religion and its relation to adjustment for 52 African American caregivers who had a child with mental retardation was examined. Comparative studies of cultural/ethnic contexts of families with a child who has disabilities often cite religion as a salient factor in family adjustment. This finding was expanded upon through (a) a focus on the African American population, (b) the relation of adjustment to religious experiences considered relevant to most African American families, and (c) documentation of the validity and reliability of the participants' responses to the Religious Connectedness Questionnaire. Religion in personal and family life and church support were related to positive outcomes in adjustment. Analysis of open-ended responses co-validated the quantitative outcomes.
Genotypic diversity of a dominant C4 grass across a long-term fire frequency gradient

Aims and Methods Diversity-disturbance research has focused on community diver sity, but disturbance frequency could impact diversity within species as well, with important consequences for community diversity and ecosystem function. We examined patterns of genetic diver sity of a dominant grass species, Andropogon gerardii, in native North American tallgrass prairie sites located in eastern Kansas that have been subjected to a gradient of fire frequency treatments (burned every 1, 2, 4 or 20 years) since the 1970s. In addition, we were able to assess the relationships between genetic diversity of A. gerardii, species diversity and productivity across this range of fire frequencies. Important Findings We found no significant relationships between genetic diversity of A. gerardii at the local scale (1 m 2 plot level) and disturbance frequency (burned 2 to 32 times over a 38-year period). However, at the site level (i.e. across all plots sampled within a site, ~100 m 2 ) there were differences in genotype richness and composition, as well as genomic dissimilarity among individuals of A. gerardii. Genotype richness was greatest for the site burned at an inter mediate (4-year) frequency and lowest for the infrequently (20year) burned site. In addition, genotypes found in the frequently burned sites were more similar from each other than expected by random chance than those found in the infrequently burned sites. Genotype composition of A. gerardii was not significantly different between the frequently burned sites (annual vs. 2 year) but did differ between frequently burned and infrequently burned sites (1 and 2 year vs. 4 and 20 year, etc.). Together, these results suggest site-level ecological sorting of genotypes in intact prairie across a broad gradient of disturbance frequencies, likely driven by alterations in environmental conditions. Frequent fire promotes the abundance of dominant grass species, reduces plant community diversity and impacts ecosystem processes such as productivity. Our study suggests that genetic diversity within dominant grass species also may be affected by disturbance frequency, which could have important implications for how species are able to respond to disturbance.
Chromosome instability in ICF syndrome: Formation of micronuclei from multibranched chromosomes 1 demonstrated by fluorescence in situ hybridization

We report on a new patient with immunodeficiency, centromeric heterochromatin instability, and facial anomalies (the ICF syndrome). Studies with traditional cytogenetic methods demonstrate that aberrations in this syndrome primarily involve the centromeric regions of chromosomes 1 and 16. We applied fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using {open_quotes}painting{close_quotes} probes for chromosomes 1 and 16 to document the progression of centromeric instability from simple decondensation aberrations to the subsequent formation of complex multibranched chromosomes 1, and finally to the interphase aberrations of nuclear projections and micronuclei involving both chromosomes 1 and 16. The loss of the large multibranched chromosome 1 configurations from the cells as micronuclei suggests that the centromeric aberrations subsequently interfere with normal chromosome movement at anaphase in ICF syndrome. Circular areas of counterstained chromatin were observed by FISH in the micronuclei corresponding to the intertwined segments of centromeric heterochromatin seen involving multibranched chromosomes 1 in the patient`s G-banded chromosome study. The current hypothesis of recessive inheritance for this disorder suggests that the chromosomal aberrations are not a causative event in this syndrome; however, the chromosome aberrations are clearly an important basic diagnostic criterion. 22 refs., 3 figs.
A method for characterizing desiccation-induced consolidation and permeability loss of organic soils

A new method was developed to measure soil consolidation by capillary suction in organic soils. This method differs from previous methods of measuring soil consolidation in that no external load is utilized and only the forces generated via capillary suction consolidate the soil matrix. This limits the degree of consolidation that can occur, but gives a more realistic ecological perspective on the response of organic soils to desiccation in the field. This new method combines the principles behind a traditional triaxial cell (for measurements of volume change), a pressure plate apparatus, (to facilitate drainage by capillary suction), and the permeameter, (to measure saturated hydraulic conductivity) and allows for simultaneous desaturation of the soil while monitoring desiccation-induced volume change in the soil. This method also enables detection of historic limit of dryness. The historic limit of dryness is a novel concept that is unique to soils that have never experienced drying since their formation. It is fundamentally equivalent to the precompression stress of externally loaded soils. This method is particularly important for forecasting structural and hydrologic changes that may occur in soils that were formed in very wet regimes (e.g., wet meadows at the foot of persistent snowpacks and permafrost peats) as they respond to a changing climate.
Granular fuzzy Web intelligence techniques for profitable data mining

Data mining has a lot of e-commerce applications. The key problem is how to find useful hidden patterns for better business applications. For these problems, granular fuzzy Web intelligence techniques are used to implement the granular fuzzy Web data mining system for available historical data of the credit company customers. Fuzzy computing and granular computing are used to design the Web fuzzy-interval data mining system that can do fuzzy-interval data clustering under uncertainty.
Trauma and Infection Risk Factors for Stroke

Researchers at University of California at San Francisco (UCSF); Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA; and University of Utah, Salt Lake City performed a casecontrol study of recent exposure to trauma or infection in 126 childhood (<19 years old) cases of arterial ischemic stroke (AIS).
Identification of Tobacco Haploids on the Basis of Transgenic Overexpression of PAP1 from Arabidopsis thaliana

Haploid plants have utility in plant breeding for several purposes. In tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) gynogenic haploids can be produced from seed due to parthenogenesis. For practical use, a system is needed to identify infrequent haploid plants at the seed or seedling stage. Interspecific hybridization with N. africana is presently used to isolate gynogenic tobacco haploids because a suitable dominant seedling marker does not currently exist for N. tabacum. Here we investigated the utility of a purple seedling trait conferred by overexpression of the Arabidopsis gene, PAP1, to identify gynogenic haploids produced from seed. Two tobacco cultivars were crossed as females with a genetic stock homozygous at two 35S:PAP1 transgene loci. Gynogenic haploids were recognized as green seedlings among purple F 1 hybrid seedlings. The average frequency of gynogenic haploidy using this system was f = 0.00027. For comparison, the same cultivars were also hybridized as females with N. africana. The average frequency of gynogenic haploidy using this system was approximately seven times higher than that observed for the 35S:PAP1 system. Having a dominant seedling marker for N. tabacum may permit development of genetic stocks that contribute to an increased predisposition for haploid formation via parthenogenesis. In addition, the 35S:PAP1 genetic marker may have utility for identifying androgenic haploids from seed for the purpose of rapidly generating alloplasmic lines of tobacco.
Defect-Tolerant Bioinspired Hierarchical Composites: Simulation and Experiment

Defect tolerance, the capacity of a material to maintain strength even under the presence of cracks or flaws, is one of the essential demands in the design of composite materials, as manufacturing induced defects, or those generated during operation, can lead to catastrophic failure and dramatically reduce the mechanical performance. In this paper, we combine computational modeling and advanced multimaterial 3D printing to examine the mechanics of several different classes of defect-tolerant bioinspired hierarchical composites, built from two base materials with contrasting mechanical properties (stiff and soft). We find that in contrast to the brittle base constituents of the composites, the existence of a hierarchical architecture leads to superior defect-tolerant properties. We show that composites with more hierarchical levels dramatically improve the defect tolerance of the material. We also examine the effect of adding both self-similar and dissimilar hierarchical levels to the materials architectur...