cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular dynamics simulations of the whey protein ß-lactoglobulin

Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to model the motions and conformational behavior of the whey protein bovine beta-lactoglobulin. Simulations were performed for the protein by itself and complexed to a single retinol ligand located in a putative interior binding pocket. In the absence of the retinol ligand, the backbone loops around the opening of this interior pocket shifted inward to partially close off this cavity, similar to the shifts observed in previously reported molecular dynamics simulations of the uncomplexed form of the homologous retinol binding protein. The protein complexed with retinol does not exhibit the same conformational shifts. Conformational changes of this type could serve as a recognition signal allowing in vivo discrimination between the free and retinol complexed forms of the beta-lactoglobulin molecule. The unusual bending of the single alpha-helix observed in the simulations of retinol binding protein were not observed in the present calculations.
The penny-shaped crack in an infinite body of a power-law material subjected to remote shear

Abstract The problem of the penny-shaped crack imbedded into an infinite body of an incompressible power-law isotropic material subjected to remote shear stress is addressed in two ways. First, we conduct a detailed numerical analysis using the finite element program ABAQUS. This analysis provides accurate estimates of the discontinuity in the sliding displacements across the crack, and the crack front distribution of the J- integral . A perturbation analysis, proposed earlier in the literature for the corresponding axisymmetric problem, is chosen as an attempt to obtain explicit formulae for the numerical results. Unfortunately, a comparison of the two approaches is not encouraging.
Update 2001: Localized supravalvar aortic stenosis: a new technique for repair

Abstract As Originally Published in 1993: Localized Supravalvar Aortic Stenosis: A New Technique for Repair by Richard B. Chard, FRACS, and Timothy B. Cartmill, FRACS. Department of Cardiac Surgery, Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The deformity in supravalvar aortic stenosis includes generalized thickening of the tissues of the aortic root with a fairly normal sized aortic valve ring. The thickened tissues may obstruct the origins of the left and right coronary arteries. We have repaired 2 cases with complete excision of the stenosing ring below the level of the commissures of the aortic valve into the sinuses, to the level of the left and right coronary arteries.
A Cause for Concern: Standard Abstracta and Causation

Benjamin Callard has recently suggested that causation between Platonic objects—standardly understood as atemporal and non-spatial—and spatio-temporal objects is not ‘a priori’ unintelligible. He considers the reasons some have given for its purported unintelligibility: apparent impossibility of energy transference, absence of physical contact, etc. He suggests that these considerations fail to rule out a priori Platonic-object causation. However, he has overlooked one important issue. Platonic objects must causally affect different objects differently, and different Platonic objects must causally affect the same objects differently. How are Platonic objects—ones outside space and time—supposed to do that?
Evaluation of a combination of self-administered fluoride procedures for the control of dental caries in a nonfluoride area: findings after four years.

Schoolchildren in a rural area have received considerable benefits since a preventive program was introduced four years ago In a rural area with a stable population, the participation in this study has been 91% to 94% of the enrollment in six elementary schools. The preventive procedures have become a part of the school day.
Imaging and clinical characteristics of focal atrophy of segments 2 and 3 in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Background and Aims: Focal atrophy in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is usually thought to result from severe biliary stricture and focal biliary cirrhosis. Atrophy of the left lateral segments (segments 2 and 3) are striking when observed grossly. This type of atrophy may be subtle on cross-sectional imaging and by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) because of the peripheral location and compensatory hypertrophy of other parts of the liver. We examined 44 consecutive PSC patients to determine the incidence and clinical characteristics of this abnormality, and to correlate imaging studies with the gross appearance. Methods: We reviewed all cases of PSC encountered over a 3 year period ascertained from the liver disease registry. Magnetic resonance imaging or CT images were re-examined for evidence of segment 2 and 3 atrophy. Results: Four of 44 patients had focal segment 2 and 3 atrophy. These four had been confirmed laparoscopically or by inspection of the liver explant. The remaining segments of the liver were relatively spared of injury in two of the patients, and three of the four patients had preserved synthetic function without evidence of portal hypertension. While the abnormality is clearly visible on cross-sectional imaging, its peripheral location caused it to be an unobtrusive. Likewise, ERCP did not clearly reveal the abnormality on initial inspection. Conclusions: We conclude that focal atrophy of segments 2 and 3 is a sometimes early and subtle finding in PSC that may be overlooked in cross-sectional imaging or ERCP unless specifically sought.
Hamiltonian surface shaping with information theory and exergy#47;entropy control for collective plume tracing

The goal of this paper is to design and analyse distributed decentralised control laws for a team of robots performing collective plume tracing based on Hamiltonian surface shaping, information theory, and exergy/entropy control. The process begins with the design of a kinematic controller based on the application of static and dynamic stability concepts and exergy/entropy control. The process is completed with the design of a kinetic controller based on Hamiltonian surface shaping with physical and information exergies in the form of control potentials that determine the accessible phase space of the power flow controller. The resulting kinetic controller is evaluated using Fisher Information.
Sustaining coastal urban ecosystems

The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season once again highlighted the challenges awaiting low-lying population centres close to the ocean. In the face of global sea-level rise, unconventional thinking is required to make urban coasts more resilient.
Advancing global capacity for engineering education research: relating research to practice, policy and industry

Findings are presented from a series of moderated interactive sessions held at international engineering education conferences between July 2007 and December 2008, where attendees discussed the current state and future trajectory of engineering education research. More specifically, this study examines how session attendees described: (1) the relationship between engineering education research and educational practice, policy considerations and industry; (2) important stakeholders, mechanisms/strategies and challenges for relating research to practice, policy and industry. Thematic analysis and open coding procedures were used to analyse the data collected at each session. In summary, frequent discussion and widespread consensus was observed about the need to relate engineering education research to the practice of engineering teaching. Discussions about relating research to policy and industry remain formative, but appear to be gaining traction. The paper concludes by proposing a cyclic model to better c...
Analyzing the impact of intrafraction motion: correlation of different dose metrics with changes in target D95%.

PURPOSE A number of techniques are available to determine the dosimetric impact of intrafraction motion during intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Motion-induced dose perturbations can be determined both computationally and experimentally using a number of different dosimetric metrics. However, these measures may lead to different conclusions regarding the clinical impact of motion. This study compares the analysis of identical dose perturbations using different dosimetric metrics. Calculated changes in target D95% are used as a reference. METHODS A total of 3768 motion-encoded dose distributions were calculated for nine lung tumor patients. The motion-encoded dose distributions were compared to static dose distributions using three dosimetric metrics: 2D gamma, 3D gamma, and histogram analysis. Each of these metrics was used to analyze dose perturbations both globally and within the target structure. Furthermore, the failing voxels were analyzed separately according to failure mode, i.e., under vs. over-dosed voxels. Metrics were evaluated based on their agreement with changes in target D95%. Evaluations included the metrics' maximum average sensitivity and specificity (MASS) in detecting unacceptable deliveries, a coefficient correlated to ranking (tau), and the linear correlation coefficient, r. RESULTS Of the evaluated metrics, the histogram metric restricted to the under-dosed voxels within the target agreed best with changes in target D95%. This metric achieved a MASS of 0.93, a tau of 0.69, and an r-value of 0.85. In comparison, the unrestricted 2D gamma metric achieved MASS = 0.77, tau = 0.40, and r = 0.67. Restricting the 2D gamma test both geographically and in failure mode increased the MASS to 0.85, tau to 0.70, and the r-value to 0.80. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that any clinical decisions based solely on an unrestricted 2D gamma metric are suboptimal. A geographic and failure mode restriction can improve results. The remaining uncertainties with non-DVH (dose volume histogram) based metrics should be kept in mind when they are used to evaluate the dosimetric impact of target motion.
Cardiac and skeletal muscle disease in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma): A high risk association

To examine the possible relationship between cardiac and skeletal muscle disease in systemic sclerosis, we reviewed computerized records of 1095 consecutive patients with systemic sclerosis. One hundred eighty three (17%) had skeletal myopathy. Thirty-nine (21%) of the 183 fulfilled criteria for myocardial disease, compared with 90 (10%) of the 912 without myopathy (p < 0.0001.) Nineteen (10%) of the 183 had clinical CHF compared with 38 (4%) of the remainder (p < 0.002.) Fifteen (8%) of the patients with myopathy died of cardiac causes compared with 27 (3%) of the 912 without myopathy (p < 0.002.) Twenty-five patients with coexistent myopathy and myocardial disease, in the absence of other identifiable contributing causes, were identified. This group was characterized by a high incidence of cardiac conduction abnormalities (60%) and by the severity of the myocardial dysfunction and arrhythmias, both atrial and ventricular that they experienced. Eighteen of these 25 patients died; 12 (67%) died suddenly. Eight of the 18 (44%) had intractable CHF, which directly contributed to their deaths. Myocardial fibrosis was the predominant histologic abnormality at autopsy. However, autopsy of a patient who died in the context of acute "myocarditis" showed severe myocytolysis with contraction band necrosis but without inflammation or fibrosis; this is consistent with possible ischemically mediated injury. We conclude that skeletal and cardiac muscle disease in systemic sclerosis are associated. Patients with myopathy are at increased risk for CHF, sustained symptomatic arrhythmias, and cardiac death, particularly sudden death.
Do natural killer cells accelerate or prevent autoimmunity in multiple sclerosis

In an attempt to identify biomarkers, which are able to better characterize the phenotypic heterogeneity of multiple sclerosis, and at the same time dissect disease-relevant mechanisms of this autoimmune disease, de Jager and colleagues (2008) determined flow cytometric profiles of circulating blood cells from untreated patients with clinically isolated demyelinating syndrome (CIS) and relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) in comparison to healthy volunteers. Profiles were generated using a panel of 50 monoclonal antibodies which primarily targeted lymphocyte populations and were distributed amongst 56 pools of four antibodies each. The key finding of this discovery-based study was that a population of CD8dimCD4− cells was reduced in frequency in both RR-MS and CIS patients. Within this population, only the frequency of CD3−CD56+CD8dimCD4− lymphocytes, consistent with the profile of natural killer (NK) cells but not CD8dimCD4− T cells appeared to be lower in multiple sclerosis. Notably, the same NK cell population (CD8dimCD4−) was reported to expand during interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor α-targeted immunotherapy (daclizumab) in multiple sclerosis. Among these, the expansion of a specific subset of NK cells, namely CD56bright NK cells, was found to correlate with the inhibition of contrast-enhancing lesions on brain MRI during daclizumab treatment (Bielekova et al ., 2006). These findings reinforce the notion that NK cells, …
Synthesis, structure, and conductivity of the new group IV chalcogenides, KCuZrQ3 (Q = S, Se, Te)

Abstract The new compounds KCuZr Q 3 ( Q = S, Se, Te) and KCuHfS 3 have been synthesized through direct reaction of the elements with a K 2 Q y flux. The compounds crystallize in space group D 17 2 h - Cmcm of the orthorhombic system with four formula units in cells of dimensions: a = 3.730(2), b = 13.915(7), and c = 9.754(6)A for KCuZrS 3 ; a = 3.874(2), b = 14.506 (7), and c = 10.159(5)A for KCuZrSe 3 ; and a = 4.088(1), b = 15.299(5), and c = 10.886(3)A for KCuZrTe 3 ( T = 113 K). From photographs taken at room temperature the cell parameters for KCuHfS 3 are a = 3.70(6), b = 14.24(2), and c = 9.86(5)A. The structures of the KCuZr Q 3 compounds have been determined from single-crystal X-ray methods. The KCuZr Q 3 structure is composed of 2 ∞ [CuZr Q − 3 ] layers separated by K + cations that are coordinated by eight atoms in a bicapped trigonal prismatic arrangement. The Cu atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated and the Zr atoms are octahedrally coordinated by Q atoms. Within the 2 ∞ [CuZr Q − 3 ] layer, the tetrahedra share edges with four adjacent octahedra. The crystal structure is related to FeUS 3 or its structural anti-type Pd 3 Te 2 , with Cu atoms occupying the tetrahedral sites that remain unoccupied in the parent structures. Electrical conductivity measurements indicate that KCuZrS 3 is an insulator; KCuZrSe 3 undergoes a metal-to-semiconductor transition at 50 K; and KCuZrTe 3 is a metal.
BVRJK observations of Northern Hemisphere old novae

BVR photometry has been accomplished for 65 objects in the Duerbeck atlas along with J photometry of 52 and K of 30 objects. The (B - V), (V - R), and (V - J) colors are compiled with those available in the literature to assess the color change of novae as a function of time since outburst. Using available reddening values results in a list of 42 (B - V), 28 (V - R), and 38 (V - J) dereddened colors for novae that are from 1 to 319 years past outburst. The results indicate all the colors cluster about zero, with no obvious transition to red values as would be expected for novae undergoing a hibernation scenario. This indicates the accretion disk is sustained for at least 200 years after outburst. It is also apparent that red novae with giant secondaries and/or unusual properties readily stand out from the normal novae in color.
Damage detection in beams by roughness analysis

A new damage detection technique using the roughness profile of structural mode shape is developed in this study. In this method, the spatially distributed signal (e.g., displacements or mode shapes) of a damaged structure is treated as an engineering surface. Irregularity of the surface induced by damage in beam-type structure is then treated as the roughness of the surface. A simple algorithm is developed to extract the roughness profile from the surface. The location and severity of damage is then determined by a sudden change on the roughness profile. This method is then applied to the mode shapes of cracked and delaminated beams obtained analytically, from which the damage location and size are determined successfully. As verifications, the proposed method is further applied on the experimentally measured curvature mode shapes to detect damage in carbon/epoxy composite beams. The successful detection of crack and delamination damage in the composite beams demonstrates that the new technique developed in this study can be used efficiently and effectively in damage identification and health monitoring of beam-type structures.
Quenching of pyrene fluorescence by cupric ions in micellar solution: Effect of quenching on the polarity reported by the probe

Abstract The ratio of peak III to peak I intensities of the so-called III and I fluorescence bands of pyrene increases dramatically when cupric ions are used as quenchers for pyrene emission in sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles. These results indicate a decrease in the polarity sensed by the probe when its lifetime is reduced and are attributed to the interdependence of kinetic and spectroscopic parameters.
3D lumbar spine intervertebral disc segmentation and compression simulation from MRI using shape-aware models

More accurate and robust image segmentations are needed for identification of spine pathologies and to assist with spine surgery planning and simulation. A framework for 3D segmentation of healthy and herniated intervertebral discs from T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was developed that exploits weak shape priors encoded in simplex mesh active surface models. Weak shape priors inherent in simplex mesh deformable models have been exploited to automatically segment intervertebral discs. An ellipsoidal simplex template mesh was initialized within the disc image boundary through affine landmark-based registration and was allowed to deform according to image gradient forces. Coarse-to-fine multi-resolution approach was adopted in conjunction with decreasing shape memory forces to accurately capture the disc boundary. User intervention is allowed to turn off the shape feature and guide model deformation when the internal simplex shape memory influence hinders detection of pathology. A resulting surface mesh was utilized for disc compression simulation under gravitational and weight loads using Simulation Open Framework Architecture. For testing, 16 healthy discs were automatically segmented, and five pathological discs were segmented with minimal supervision. Segmentation results were validated against expert guided segmentation and demonstrate mean absolute shape distance error of $$<$$ 1 mm. Healthy intervertebral disc compression simulation resulted in a bulging disc under vertical pressure of 100 N/cm $$^{2}$$ . This study presents the application of a simplex active surface model featuring weak shape priors for 3D segmentation of healthy as well as herniated discs. A framework was developed that enables the application of shape priors in the healthy part of disc anatomy, with user intervention when the priors were inapplicable. The surface-mesh-based segmentation method is part of a processing pipeline for anatomical modelling to support interactive surgery simulation.
The reactions of HO with CH2O and of HCO with NO2

Abstract NO2 was photolyzed at 366 nm in the presence of CH2O at 296 K. Products of the reaction were CO and CO2. H2, HCOOH and N2O were not produced. The results establish that the reaction of HO with CH2O does not produce HCOOH, but there is evidence that about 50% of the HCO produced has sufficient excess energy to decompose spontaneously to H and CO. The reaction of HCO with NO2 has two major (and probably exclusive) pathways: with k9c/k9e ≈ 1.14 ± 0.13 if k3b/k3 = 0, or k9c/k9e ≈ 0.99 ± 0.13 if k3b/k3 ≈ 0.30, where reactions (3) are
A framework for interpreting social media interactions in the public sector

Abstract Social media applications are extending the information and communication technology landscape in the public sector and are used to increase government transparency, participation and collaboration in the U.S. federal government. The success, impact and performance of these new forms of bi-directional and networked interactions can provide insights to understand compliance with the mandate of the Open Government Initiative. Many government agencies are experimenting with the use of social media, however very few actively measure the impact of their digital interactions. This article builds on insights from social media directors in the U.S. federal government highlighting their current lack of measurement practices for social media interactions. Based on their articulated needs for measurement, existing rules regulating the extent of measurement practices and technological features of the main social media platforms, a framework is presented that traces online interactions to mission support and the resulting social media tactics. Implications for both researchers and practitioners are discussed.
The NASA cryogenic fluid management technology program plan

During the past three decades, NASA has been designing and using large quantities of cryogenic fluids for propulsion system propellants, coolants for experiments, and for environmental control systems. As a consequence, an erroneous conclusion has been drawn that the technology exists for using large quantities of cryogens in space for long periods of time. The attempt here is to dispel that myth and to present the technology needs that require development in order to support the NASA programs of the future. A NASA program, developed through the impetus of the Marshall Space Flight Center and the Lewis Research Center and supported by all NASA centers is outlined. The current state of the art is discussed along with specific needs for near future missions. Then, using the Space Exploration Initiative mission set, cost/benefit projections are made for the development of advanced cryogenic fluid management techniques. Earth based and space based test programs are discussed relative to the technology requirements for liquid storage, supply, and transfer for fluid transfer and advanced instrumentation.
Can Small Laboratories Do Structural Genomics

Structural genomics centers have often been regarded as the "members only" clubs associated with expensive equipment, material, and personnel. Although much expense has been invested worldwide in structural genomics consortia, there has been an enormous amount of criticism on the apparent disproportional output produced relative to the amount of money spent. Here, we review and highlight some of the major achievements in structural genomics projects coupled to X-ray crystallography. Structural genomics has advanced technologies in high throughput bioinformatics, cloning and recombinant protein expression, crystal growth, and crystallographic structure determination. If cost can be reduced and feasibility increased then a modest-sized laboratory research group can significantly contribute to structural genomics efforts. We demonstrate this by examining a sequenced and annotated hyperthermophilic archaeal genome (about 2 million base pairs) with our own structural genomics methods. By incorporating proven strategies developed from large structural genomic centers with practical innovations, we have constructed a mini-pipeline in which a small group consisting of as few as two people can survey 1500 open reading frames for cloning, expression, crystallization, and structure determination for less than $200 000.
Some Ceilings Have More Cracks: Representative Bureaucracy in Federal Regulatory Agencies

In recent decades, representative bureaucracy has been a core area of interest, both in theory and in practice, in public administration. The focus on representative bureaucracy is important because the characteristics of bureaucrats influence the nature, scope, and implementation of public policies. Integrating management literature on men and women in leadership with existing work on representative bureaucracy, this study constructed a new data set examining the distribution of women in leadership in 118 U.S. federal regulatory organizations. We find that women remain underrepresented in federal regulatory agency leadership but not in the same magnitude as in political representation and private organization leadership. Specifically, women are expected to get into leadership positions in organizations working in “feminine” policy areas and where a woman holds the top level of leadership. In addition, the proportion of women in upper-level leadership positions is expected to increase in agencies with a h...
Decreased number and impaired functionality of endothelial progenitor cells in subjects with metabolic syndrome: implications for increased cardiovascular risk

Abstract Objective Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by low-grade inflammation and confers an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are a measure of vascular health and are decreased in patients with various risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). There is a paucity of data examining the EPC status especially in terms of their functionality in MetS subjects without diabetes or cardiovascular disease. We aimed to enumerate and functionally characterize EPCs in subjects with MetS in comparison to healthy controls. Methods The study was performed at the University of California Davis Medical Center. Healthy controls ( n =31) and MetS ( n =46) subjects were included in the study. EPCs were enumerated in fasting blood by KDR/CD34 dual positivity. Functionality was assessed by the colony forming units (CFU) assay, migration and tubule formation. Results Subjects with MetS had significantly decreased number of EPCs compared to control subjects. Furthermore, EPCs from MetS subjects depicted significantly impaired clonogenic capacity, i.e., decreased colony forming units, and impaired capacity to incorporate into tubular structures suggesting functional impairment of EPCs from MetS subjects. Conclusions We make the novel observation that MetS subjects without diabetes or CVD have decreased EPC number and impaired functionality as compared to control subjects. These findings could contribute to the increased CV risk in this population.
HLA-G and HLA-C at the feto-maternal interface: lessons learned from pathogenic viruses.

Immunoevasive viruses which effect antigen presentation by class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules have helped to broaden our understanding of the intracellular transport and processing of HLA-G and HLA-C in the placenta. Cellular infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) are each associated with the downregulation of surface expression of HLA-A and -B, albeit by remarkably distinct mechanisms. Investigations on the effects of HSV and HCMV infection on HLA-G and HLA-C in the trophoblast have revealed both hypothesized similarities and surprising differences between trophoblast and classical class I products.
Matching and motion estimation of three-dimensional point and line sets using eigenstructure without correspondences

Abstract This paper presents moment-based algorithms for matching and motion estimation of three-dimensional (3D) point or line sets without correspondences and application of these algorithms to object tracking over long image sequences. The motion analysis is performed by identifying two sets of coordinate directions based on the relative position of points (or lines) before and after the motion. Since these coordinate vectors are motion invariant, the relationship between them gives parameters of rigid motion. However, we need to determine the set matching before and after the motion estimation algorithms can be applied. We propose several measures suitable for matching of 3D point (and line) sets. We also evaluate these approaches with simulated data and develop criteria for determining the sensitivity to noise. Finally, we apply the proposed algorithm to a time sequence of experimental data (moving vehicle) on which 3D points were determined by stereo matching.
Double-target experiments with a sequential neuro-controller

This paper describes some double-target experiments simulated with a neural system that drives a three-joint redundant limb. The system is composed of a controller (a sequential network) and a limb emulator. The system was trained to generate reaching movements of the limb towards targets specified as sensory stimuli; it was not trained to perform the double-target task itself. The experiments demonstrate that the system possesses the ability to carry out the double-target task, which requires generalization with respect to both initial limb posture and sensory stimulation. I performed the experiments under two different perceptual conditions: 1.(1) on/off switching of the two stimuli 2.(2) temporal overlap of the two stimuli. The second case refers to a hypothesis proposed by some experimental investigators about two different systems being involved in the programming of movements: a ''where-system'' that would build an internal representation of the target that shifts gradually to the new value, and a ''when-system'' that would start the motor program generator. The ''where-system'' would be able to account for the observed differences in path, while the ''when-system'' would be able to account for the reaction-time phenomenon. The case of temporal overlap of the two stimuli is a simulation of the ''where-system.'' I present a qualitative comparison of data generated by the neural system under conditions (1) and (2), namely 1.(i) the endpoint paths and velocity profiles 2.(ii) the patterns of muscular activation. Result of the comparison show that in the case of temporal overlap of the stimuli, the controller can account for the variability in paths and the basic two-peak structure of the velocity profiles commonly observed in psychophysical experiments. In the case of on/off target-change, the behavior of the controller is, on the contrary, highly stereotyped.
A β-tubulin mutation in Aspergillus nidulans that blocks microtubule function without blocking assembly

Abstract We have isolated a heat-sensitive β-tubulin mutation, benA33 , that blocks nuclear division and nuclear movement at restrictive temperature. This blockage demonstrates that the β tubulin encoded by the benA gene is essential to both processes. The blockage of both processes is suppressed by the α-tubulin mutation, tubA1 ; thus the a tubulin encoded by the tubA gene must also be involved in both processes. When benA33 is shifted from a permissive to restrictive temperature, nuclei are blocked in mitosis. Light microscopy of blocked nuclei reveals that benA33 inhibits movement of chromosomes to the poles, and electron microscopy of blocked nuclei shows that they contain apparently normal spindles. Thus benA33 does not block microtubule assembly but, directly or indirectly, blocks microtubule disassembly. BenA33 also confers resistance to several antimicrotubule agents and the heat sensitivity conferred by benA33 is suppressed by each of these agents. We suggest that the simplest explanation for these effects is that benA33 causes a temperature-dependent hyperstabilization of microtubules that blocks chromosomal movement by blocking microtubule disassembly.
Diabetes: Have We Got It All Wrong? Hyperinsulinism as the culprit: surgery provides the evidence

In this “clinical” contribution to the Bench to Clinic Symposia, we will show data to support the hypothesis that fasting hyperinsulinemia is the initial underlying cause of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and that the remission of the disease following bariatric surgery may be due to the correction of hyperinsulinemia. The intent of this article is to elicit critical thinking about the pathophysiology of T2DM in view of the effects of surgery and to open debate. If our hypothesis is correct, then more research resources should be focused on the cause(s) of fasting hyperinsulinemia and the therapies that may correct it. The study of diabetes has always focused on glucose. Whether the diagnosis was made by the attraction of flies to urine as described in ancient India in 1552 BC (1), the sweet taste of the urine noted by Shushruta in 400 BC (2), or our current dependence on fasting blood glucose levels, HbA1c, and glucose tolerance curves, the severity of the disease is still measured by the level of hyperglycemia. Similarly, our therapeutic directions also aim, almost exclusively, to reverse the hyperglycemia. In 1921 when Banting and Best reported that a pancreatic extract reversed the soaring glucose levels following a pancreatectomy in a dog, the use of insulin spread rapidly to children and adults alike. By the time Sir Harold Percival Himsworth noted, in 1936, that there were at least two types of diabetes (3), the objectives of T2DM treatment were already set; goals that still continue today. Even though type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and T2DM are virtually two opposite diseases, i.e., a total lack of insulin production versus abnormally high levels, the therapeutic goals for both entities continue to be the same: lower glucose levels by 1 ) giving insulin, 2 ) increasing insulin production, and/or 3 …
Cell-to-cell passage of large molecules.

A WIDE variety of epithelial tissues are now known in which cells form interconnected systems1,2. Our earlier work showed that the membrane surfaces of cell contact (junctional membranes) are permeated by small ions in these systems3. The work reported here deals with the permeation of the junctional membranes by large molecules.
The ophiolitic North Fork terrane in the Salmon River region, central Klamath Mountains, California

The North Fork terrane is an assemblage of ophiolitic and other oceanic volcanic and sedimentary rocks that has been internally imbricated and folded. The ophiolitic rocks form a north-trending belt through the central part of the region and consist of a disrupted sequence of homogeneous gabbro, diabase, massive to pillowed basalt, and interleaved tectonitic harzburgite. U-Pb zircon age data on a plagiogranite pod from the gabbroic unit indicate that at least this part of the igneous sequence is late Paleozoic in age. The ophiolitic belt is flanked on either side by mafic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks, limestone, bedded chert, and argillite. Most of the chert is Triassic, including much of Late Triassic age, but chert with uncertain stratigraphic relations at one locality is Permian. The strata flanking the east side of the ophiolitic belt face eastward, and depositional contacts between units are for the most part preserved. The strata on the west side of the ophiolitic belt are more highly disrupted than those on the east side, contain chert-argillite melange, and have unproven stratigraphic relation to either the ophiolitic rocks or the eastern strata. Rocks of the North Fork terrane do not show widespread evidence of penetrative deformation at elevated temperatures, except an early tectonitic fabric in the harzburgite. Slip-fiber foliation in serpentinite, phacoidal foliation in chert and mafic rocks, scaly foliation in argillite, and mesoscopic folds in bedded chert are consistent with an interpretation of large-scale anti-formal folding of the terrane about a north-south hinge found along the ophiolitic belt, but other structural interpretations are tenable. The age of folding of North Fork rocks is constrained by the involvement of Triassic and younger cherts and crosscutting Late Jurassic plutons. Deformation in the North Fork terrane must have spanned a short period of time because the terrane is bounded structurally above and below by Middle or Late Jurassic thrust faults. The North Fork terrane appears to contain no arc volcanic rocks or arc-derived detritus, suggesting that it neither constituted the base for an arc nor was in a basinal setting adjacent to an arc sediment source. Details of the progressive accretion and evolutionary relationship of the North Fork to other terranes of the Klamath Mountains are not yet clear.
An approximate method for numerically solving fractional order optimal control problems of general form

In this article, we discuss fractional order optimal control problems (FOCPs) and their solutions by means of rational approximation. The methodology developed here allows us to solve a very large class of FOCPs (linear/nonlinear, time-invariant/time-variant, SISO/MIMO, state/input constrained, free terminal conditions etc.) by converting them into a general, rational form of optimal control problem (OCP). The fractional differentiation operator used in the FOCP is approximated using Oustaloup's approximation into a state-space realization form. The original problem is then reformulated to fit the definition used in general-purpose optimal control problem (OCP) solvers such as RIOTS_95, a solver created as a Matlab toolbox. Illustrative examples from the literature are reproduced to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology and a free final time OCP is also solved.
FULL-WAVE MULTIPLE-SCATTERING ANALYSIS OF DIFFRACTION BY SUPERPOSED GRATINGS

A recently developed multiple-scattering technique for analyzing wave diffraction by superposed gratings is extended to include backward scattering as well. This extension now permits the accurate determination of transmitted and reflected fields in the presence of both weakly and strongly modulated media. By developing algorithms based on flow graphs that track the scattering process, we show that the multiple-scattering approach can be applied to evaluate any diffracted order without requiring a large computer memory. We discuss examples relevant to optical interconnects by presenting numerical results for full-wave scattering by as many as eight superposed gratings.
Sexual Assault Crisis Centre Workers' Perceptions of Law Enforcement: Defining the Situation from a Systems Perspective

To date, the literature tends to be rife with research examining individuals' perceptions of the police. Most of this research had focused on how members of the public perceived law enforcement. Missing from this research were two types of studies: (1) those examining how certain types of professionals perceive the problems they have collaborating with law enforcement; and (2) those examining the consequences of those perceptions. This study addressed that void by considering how 44 sexual assault crisis workers described their experiences in collaborating with law enforcement agencies. In the discussion, attention was given to the possible consequences of these perceptions. Implications are provided.
A Multigrid Newton-Krylov Method for Multimaterial Equilibrium Radiation Diffusion

We focus on a fully implicit, nonlinearly converged, solution of multimaterial equilibrium radiation diffusion problems. The nonlinear method of solution is a Newton?Krylov (generalized minimum residual, GMRES) method preconditioned by a multigrid method. The multigrid iteration matrix results from a Picard-type linearization of the governing equations. The governing equation is highly nonlinear with the principal forms of nonlinearity found in the fourth-order dependence of the radiation energy on temperature, the temperature dependence of the opacity, and flux limiting. The efficiency of both the linear and nonlinear iterative techniques is investigated. With the realistic time step control the solution of the linear system does not scale linearly with multigrid as might be expected from theory. In contrast, we find that the use of multigrid to precondition a Newton?Krylov (GMRES) method provides a robust, scalable solution for the nonlinear system. Also only through converging the nonlinearities within a time step does the solution method achieve its design accuracy.
Tree-level constraints on gauge groups for type I superstrings

A set of conditions expressing tree-level unitarity in the theory of open superstrings has recently been formulated by Schwarz. His conjecture that the Yang-Mills gauge group must be a classical group, with the massless particles in the adjoint representation, is proved in detail. It is also shown how the representations of the massive states are classified in each one.
Inequalities and asymptotic bounds for Ramsey numbers

Abstract Partitions of pairs of elements of a set into classes are considered. The maximal sizes of sets which admit partitions of the pairs into classes satisfying the conditions of Ramsey are considered and several inequalities are obtained which relate these maximal sizes for various Ramsey conditions. The principal result concerns the partitions into two classes and the upper bound R(N + 1, N + 1) ⩽ C ∗ log log N log N 2N N is obtained.
Negotiating the Social Services Oral Intake Interview: Communicative Needs of Nonnative Speakers of English

Genre analysis is applied to the study of discourse occurring in the social services financial intake interview, in which information previously written on an application form is reviewed to decide whether an applicant is eligible for benefits. This study of three oral intake interviews used a process of triangulation to establish a prototypical structure for the interview, which followed but did not exactly replicate the application form in content and linguistic structure. Although native-English-speaking and English language learner applicants responded to the interviewer in similar ways, the English language learner used little or no back-channeling to show understanding and fewer explicit responses to confirmation requests and directives. Her responses (or lack of them) often suggested that she did not understand all the information conveyed by the interviewer. Misunderstanding in this context puts an applicant at risk of failing to secure financial support and even of unwittingly committing welfare fraud. This genre may be particularly difficult for English language learners to master, as they have no input on its nature before participating in it and no supportive, mediative collaboration during participation because their only interlocutor plays a different, more powerful role. TESOL professionals can use the findings of this study to design materials that will prepare nonnative-speaking applicants to more effectively negotiate the social services oral intake interview.
Tailoring of High‐Order Multiple Emulsions by the Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation of Ternary Mixtures

Multiple emulsions with an "onion" topology are useful vehicles for drug delivery, biochemical assays, and templating materials. They can be assembled by ternary liquid phase separation by microfluidics, but the control over their design is limited because the mechanism for their creation is unknown. Herein we show that phase separation occurs through self-similar cycles of mass transfer, spinodal decomposition or nucleation, and coalescence into multiple layers. Mapping out the phase diagram shows a linear relationship between the diameters of concentric layers, the slope of which depends on the initial ternary composition and the molecular weight of the surfactant. These general rules quantitatively predict the number of droplet layers (multiplicity), which we used to devise self-assembly routes for polymer capsules and liposomes. Moreover, we extended the technique to the assembly of lipid-stabilized droplets with ordered internal structures.
Mycetozoans of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: An All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory Project

Abstract During the period of 1998 to 2004, surveys for dictyostelids (cellular slime molds) and myxomycetes (plasmodial slime molds or myxogastrids) were carried out at numerous study sites throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as one component of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) project. As a result of these surveys, some general patterns have emerged relating to the occurrence and distribution of these two groups of organisms in the Park. Since the surveys began, the number of dictyostelids known from the Park has increased from 12 to at least 30, the highest total known for any comparable region outside of the tropics. Ten of the 30 species were described as new to science from material collected in the Park. Many of these are “small” species (<2 mm total height) that seem to be confined to marginal habitats at high elevations. The number of myxomycetes known from the Park has increased from 88 to approximately 220, but there are likely to be many additional records as the surve...
Colorfastness of Nontextile Wall Covering

The purpose of this study was to assess the need for a colorfastness standard for nontextile wall covering. Although manufacturers do not provide information on product colorfastness, consumers may erroneously assume that all wall covering products are colorfast to light. To determine the need for colorfastness standards, eighteen nontextile wall covering samples from six major manufacturers were evaluated. Specimens were tested in an accelerated weathering instrument, which simulated exposure to sunlight through window glass. Both visual assessment and instrumental color measurement indicated that the majority of the wallpaper samples changed color following exposure to light. The implementation of a standard is recommended, and points to be considered in the development of such a standard are addressed.
Infant With a Papular Eruption Localized to the Back

A 9-week-old girl had a rash on her back that had been present for 7 weeks. The rashwasasymptomatic andstartedas redbumps that then evolved into pustules and blisters. On further questioning, it was discovered that thepatient’s fatherworked in a nursing home that had experienced a recent outbreak of scabies. Shortly after the onsetof theoutbreak, thepatient andall familymemberswere treated with 2 once-weekly doses of permethrin, 5%, cream. All other family members had significant improvement with the treatment; however, our patient’s lesions continued to worsen during the subsequent 2 weeks. On physical examination, the patient had numerous erythematousmacules, papules, andpustules onher back.Manyof the lesions had superimposed hemorrhagic crust and surrounding scale. In addition, several grouped papules were noted, including some in a linear array (Figure 1A andB). The rest of her cutaneous examination results were unremarkable except for a few fading pink papules noted on her left abdomen (Figure 1C). A B C
Annual Frequency of Clutches of Pseudemys texana and Trachemys scripta at the Headwaters of the San Marcos River in Texas

Abstract I observed 215 nesting events of Pseudemys texana (134) and Trachemys scripta (81) from 25 April to 14 July 2008 on a golf course in Hays County, Texas. For P. texana, 111 (82.8%) nested one time, 21 (15.7%) nested twice, and 2 (1.5%) nested three times. For T. scripta, 53 (65.4%) nested one time, 24 (29.6%) nested twice, 3 nested three times (3.7%), and 1 nested four times (1.2%). Both species had an internesting interval of ca. 30 days between first and second clutches. Subsequent internesting intervals were shorter but samples were not sufficient to address whether this was fortuitous. On their first attempt, 82% of P. texana and 78% of T. scripta completed nesting. Nesting was diurnal with most activity occurring before noon. Neither distance to nesting site from water nor number of days from the first nesting event to the next nesting event varied with length of plastron.
Deterministic time-inconsistent optimal control problems — an essentially cooperative approach

A general deterministic time-inconsistent optimal control problem is formulated for ordinary differential equations. To find a time-consistent equilibrium value function and the corresponding time-consistent equilibrium control, a non-cooperative N-person differential game (but essentially cooperative in some sense) is introduced. Under certain conditions, it is proved that the open-loop Nash equilibrium value function of the N-person differential game converges to a time-consistent equilibrium value function of the original problem, which is the value function of a time-consistent optimal control problem. Moreover, it is proved that any optimal control of the time-consistent limit problem is a time-consistent equilibrium control of the original problem.