cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Volatile Constituents of Coffee-V

PREVIOUSLY1–4, we described the isolation of an ‘aroma complex’ from roasted coffee and the methods used for the separation and identification of some of its constituents.
Relics of supersymmetry in ordinary 1-flavor QCD: Hairpin diagrams and scalar-pseudoscalar degeneracy

The large-${N}_{c}$ orientifold planar equivalence between $\mathcal{N}=1$ supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory and ordinary 1-flavor QCD suggests that low-energy quark-gluon dynamics in QCD should be constrained by the supersymmetry of the parent theory. One supersymmetry relic expected from orientifold equivalence is the approximate degeneracy of the scalar and pseudoscalar mesons in 1-flavor QCD. Here we study the role of the $q\overline{q}$ annihilation (hairpin) contributions to the meson correlators. These annihilation terms induce mass shifts of opposite sign in the scalar and pseudoscalar channels, making degeneracy plausible. Calculations of valence and hairpin correlators in quenched lattice QCD are consistent with approximate degeneracy, although the errors on the scalar hairpin are large. We also study the role of $q\overline{q}$ annihilation in the 1- and 2-flavor Nambu-Jona Lasinio model, where annihilation terms arise from the chiral field determinant representing the axial $U(1)$ anomaly. Scalar-pseudoscalar degeneracy for the 1-flavor case reduces to a constraint on the relative size of the anomalous and nonanomalous 4-fermion couplings.
Bronchoscopy and airway management in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS).

Introduction Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of lysosomal storage disorders characterized by tissue deposition of glycosaminoglycans (GAG). Their musculoskeletal abnormalities and the GAG storage in the airway result in increased risk for patients undergoing anesthesia. This study evaluates a multi-disciplinary airway management approach and reports upper and lower airway findings of flexible bronchoscopy performed during these procedures. Methods This is a retrospective study over 10 years evaluating approaches to and outcomes of airway management and bronchoscopic findings in this patient group. Results Thirty-one patients underwent a total of 105 anesthetic events of which 74 involved multiple surgical services. The majority of patients were either MPS I (n = 9) or MPS II (n = 19). The median age was 8.6 years (range 1.1–24 years). Airway management by anesthesiologists alone occurred in 31 cases including natural airway (n = 7), perilaryngeal airway (n = 7), oral or nasal intubation (n = 7) or tracheostomy (n = 6) and emergent fiberoptic intubation in four cases. In 74 of the procedures, flexible bronchoscopy was performed which included fiberoptic intubation in 22 cases. Post-operative complications occurred in eight cases mostly when prolonged airway instrumentation had occurred. The most frequent findings on bronchoscopy were GAG deposits/adenoid hypertrophy in 72%, laryngomalacia in 31% and lower airway deposits and/or tracheobronchomalacia in 46% of procedures. Deposits of GAG were seen in patients as young as 4 years of age. Conclusion Our experience demonstrates that a multidisciplinary approach and combined surgeries in MPS provides for safe airway management and allows diagnostic assessments for further patient care without added risks. Significant, multi-factorial airway compromise may occur already in early childhood including upper and lower airway GAG deposits. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:601–607. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Deep realities: the fit of usability in business

This commentary provides insight into the case study presented by Mirel by analyzing the social/organizational themes of (a) text book process versus deep reality, (b) group dynamics, (c) leadership, and (d) the role of values. It concludes that social information processing can provide explanatory power for both this case study and for other professional settings. It also notes the importance of ongoing and early educationof software industry professionals in the importance of usability.
Adaptive bone remodeling incorporating simultaneous density and anisotropy considerations

Over 100 years ago, Wolff hypothesized that cancellous bone altered both its apparent density and trabecular orientation in response to mechanical loads. A mathematical counterpart of this principle is derived by adding a remodeling rule for the rate-of-change of the full anisotropic stiffness tensor (all 21 independent terms) to the density rate-of-change rule adapted from an existing isotropic theory. As a result, anisotropy and density patterns develop such that the local stiffness tensor is optimal for the given series of applied loadings. The method does not rely on additional morphological measures of trabecular orientation. Furthermore, assumptions of material symmetry are not required, and any observed regions of orthotropy, transverse isotropy, or isotropy are a result entirely of the functional adaptation of the bone and not the consequence of a modeling assumption. This approach has been implemented with the finite element method and applied to a two-dimensional model of the proximal femur with encouraging results.
Sundays with Mildred

A study of Todd Haynes's HBO adaptation of James M. Cain's 1941 novel, Mildred Pierce , which emphasizes the way compassion for the central character is patiently built, and which argues for the relevance of feminist readings of the earlier 1945 film adaptation for this mini-series.
Generating day-of-operation probabilistic capacity scenarios from weather forecasts

This paper develops methodologies for generating probabilistic capacity scenarios from two terminal weather forecasts: The Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) and the San Francisco Marine Initiative (STRATUS) forecast. The scenarios are assessed by using them as inputs to a static stochastic Ground Delay Program (GDP) model to determine efficient Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) strategies, and determining the effectiveness of the strategies in reducing the realized cost of delay. We use San Francisco International airport as a case study to quantify the benefit of using weather forecasts in decision making. It is shown that capacity scenarios generated using day-of-operation weather forecasts can reduce the cost of delays by 17%-23% compared to scenarios that do not make use of this information. The paper also compares the cost of delays using strategies determined using the scenarios generated from TAF and STRATUS. It is shown that on average TAF-based scenarios result in delay costs of similar magnitudes to STRATUS-based ones. The methodologies developed using the TAF can be applied to other airports to better plan operations during a GDP.
Modified quasilinearization method for solving nonlinear, two-point boundary-value problems

Abstract This paper presents a general method for solving nonlinear, differential equations of the form x − ϑ(x, t) = 0, 0 ⩽ t ⩽ 1 , subject to boundary conditions of the form ƒ[x(0)] = 0, g[x(1)] = 0, h[x(0), x(1)] = 0 . Here, t is a scalar, x and ϑ are n-vectors, and ƒ, g, h are p-, q-, r-vectors, with p + q + r = n. The method is based on the consideration of the performance index P, the cumulative error in the differential equations and the boundary conditions. A modified quasilinearization algorithm is generated by requiring the first variation of the performance index δP to be negative. This algorithm differs from the ordinary quasilinearization algorithm because of the inclusion of the scaling factor or stepsize α in the system of variations. The main property of the modified quasilinearization algorithm is the descent property: if the stepsize α is sufficiently small, the reduction in P is guaranteed. Convergence to the desired solution is achieved when the inequality P ⩽ ϵ is met, where ϵ is a small, preselected number. The variations per unit stepsize Δx α = A are governed by a system of n nonhomogeneous, linear differential equations subject to p separated initial conditions, q separated final conditions, and r mixed boundary conditions. This system is solved employing the method of particular solutions: q + r + 1 independent solutions are combined linearly, and the coefficients of the combination are determined so that the linear system is satisfied. Several numerical examples are presented. They illustrate (i) the simplicity as well as the rapidity of convergence of the modified quasilinearization algorithm and (ii) the importance of stepsize control.
Ferris Wheels: An Illustrated History – By Norman Anderson

Few would quarrel with this author's contention that “the Ferris wheel, perhaps more than any other amusement ride, symbolizes all that is magic about amusement parks and country fairs” (3). And ce...
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of Substituted s -Triazines in Solution

Substituted s-triazines are biologically active compounds and are commonly used as herbicides. The proton magnetic resonance (PMR) spectra of several 2, 4 substituted triazines has been reported by Declerck et al. The s-triazine herbicides described by the general formula (I) are readily adsorbed on surfaces and are protonated when (R1, R2, R3, or R4 are alkyl group or H); (Y=Cl, OCH3, or SCH3) an acidic proton is available on the [Equation 1] surface. In this paper we shall present the PMR spectra of several s-triazines. Studies have also been carried to investigate the PMR spectra of these compounds in a strongly protonating trifluoro acetic acid (TFA) as solvent.
On the environmental impacts of pallet management operations

Purpose – This paper seeks to frame and model the environmental issues and impacts associated with the management of pallets throughout the entire life cycle, from materials to manufacturing, use, transportation to end‐of‐life disposal.Design/methodology/approach – A linear minimum cost multi‐commodity network flow problem is developed to make pallet‐related decisions based on both environmental and economic considerations.Findings – This paper presents a review of the environmental impacts associated with pallets by life cycle stage. The types of materials used to fabricate pallets, the methods by which they are treated for specific applications, and various pallet management models are described with respect to embodied energies, toxicity and emissions. The need for companies to understand the cost, durability, and environmental impact tradeoffs presented by pallet choices is highlighted. The paper introduces a model to assist in choosing both how pallets are managed and the material they are constructe...
Fast and slow mammalian muscles after denervation.

Abstract The extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles of the rat were denervated and the acetylcholine (ACh) sensitivity and electrical constants of these muscles were measured at various times up to 45 days. The miniature end-plate potentials were no longer detected at 20 and 24 hours after motor nerve section of soleus muscle and extensor muscle, respectively. Twenty-four hours after denervation extrajunctional ACh-sensitivity had appeared in the extensor and had increased in the soleus muscle fibers. At 48 hours, ACh-sensitivity appeared at the muscletendon region of the extensor muscle but was not detected in most fibers midway between the end-plate area and the tendon region. The ACh-sensitivity increased simultaneously along the fiber of the soleus muscle. The ACh-sensitivity along the fibers did not develop centrifugally and was not greater than at the end-plate region. The resting membrane potential of surface fibers had decreased about 10% 48 hours after denervation and decreased by about 15% 4 days after denervation. ACh-sensitivity appeared before there was a change in membrane resistance. The transverse resistance of a unit area (Rm) increased in the soleus muscle on the third day and in the extensor muscle on the fourth day after denervation.
Chemical composition of P. elliottii var. elliottii turpentine and its possible relation to taxonomy of several pine species

Abstract The botanical complexity of Pinus elliottii is briefly reviewed; chemical composition of turpentine of this species has been studied extensively but not completely. The present investigation revealed the following composition of P. elliottii var. elliottii turpentine: α-pinene, 56·6%; camphene, 0·6%; β-pinene, 35·6%; myrcene, 0·3%; dipentene, 1·5%; β-phellandrene, 3·3%; p-cymene 0·2%; methyl chavicol, 0·7%. Camphene, myrcene and p-cymene are reported for the first time as constituents of P. elliottii var. elliottii turpentine. The difference of turpentine composition between var. elliottii and var. densa and chemical relation of P. elliottii to other pine species are discussed. The possible relationship of the Caribbean pines is suggested; further studies appear to be necessary.
Scrapie in sheep selectively bred for high susceptibility

THE enigma of scrapie disease of sheep is still unresolved, in spite of intensive efforts—especially over the past 12 yr—to elucidate its pathogenesis and to define the transmissible agent. Various hypotheses on the nature of scrapie remain unproved1–10.
Holographically Defined Nanoparticle Placement in 3D Colloidal Crystals

We demonstrate an optical interference-based photochemical method for the high-resolution localization of nanoparticles inside colloidal crystals or other porous structures. The method specifically relies on photoinduced inversion of the colloidal crystal surface charge to drive the localized deposition of charged gold nanoparticles. 4-Bromomethyl-3-nitrobenzoic acid (BNBA) was used as a photocleavable linker, and dansylamide was attached to BNBA to increase the absorption at 351 nm. Two-beam interference lithography was used for high-resolution optical patterning of the colloidal crystals; the resulting pattern was then decorated with functional nanoparticles. The periodicity of the pattern was 400 nm, and the width of the gold nanoparticle decorated region was ∼200 nm. Our strategy of using photoswitching in a refractive-index-matched porous medium followed by the attachment of nanoparticles to the photoswitched region should be applicable to wide classes of charged nanoparticles.
Detection of the stable addition of carbodiimide to proteins

Abstract A simple convenient synthesis is described for radioactive 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride. This reagent makes possible convenient detection of the extent of internal rearrangement and the stable addition of carbodiimide to protein when the compound is used in chemical modification studies. A survey of the reaction of carbodiimide alone with eleven typical proteins indicates that the reagent itself may be suitable for selective modification of only a few residues, including carboxylic acid side chains partially buried on the surface or in active sites. This would provide a powerful and selective tool for probing residue function in enzymes.
Bottleneck-induced dissolution of self-incompatibility and breeding system consequences in Aster furcatus (Asteraceae)

Aster furcatus is a rare species with extremely limited genetic variation at isozyme loci. We utilized crossing experiments and seed set data obtained from natural populations to verify that there is also little allelic variation at the self-incompatibility (S) locus. Seed set in several populations was limited by a low number of S-alleles. Associated with a low number of S-alleles in populations was the dissolution of the incompatibility system, manifest by individual variation in self-compatibility, and by complex dominance relationships among S-alleles. Plant self-compatibility was correlated with mean number of ovules per inflorescence. Thus, self-compatibility appeared to be under partial environmental influence. Computer simulations revealed that the shapes of seed set distribution curves of modeled self-incompatible plant populations depend on the number of incompatibility alleles in the populations. By varying the number of S-alleles in modeled populations, we generated seed set distribution curves similar to those of natural populations. Genetic bottlenecks reduce the number of S-alleles and the proportion of compatible matings in populations of multiallelic self-incompatible species. Self-compatible genotypes are at a selective advantage in populations that lack a sufficient number of S-alleles to produce compatible crosses. Aster furcatus appears to be evolving self-compatibility as a result of bottleneck-induced losses of S-alleles.
Genetic analysis of protein export in Escherichia coli K12.

Abstract Genetic studies on the secretion process in gram-negative bacteria have made considerable progress. Within the near future, such studies should lead to a detailed understanding of the important features of signal sequences and how they function. The cloning of the structural gene for an enzyme that cleaves signal sequences from precursors of secreted proteins will allow the genetic characterization of this locus and its function. 31 Finally, the isolation and characterization of mutants that affect components of the cell's secretory apparatus are also under way. These mutants permit the detection of genes and their products that are involved in secretion. A combination of the genetic approaches and in vitro studies should lead to a picture of the details of passage of proteins through a membrane.
Regionalization of Care for Acute Ischemic Heart Disease A Call for Specialized Centers

The past 20 years have witnessed a dramatic evolution in medical care for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). As the vast majority of hospitals lack tertiary invasive cardiac facilities, most therapeutic strategies for acute myocardial infarction have focused on pharmacological reperfusion with intravenous fibrinolytics. In addition, antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies have gained evidence-based support for early use in patients with non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Despite the benefit derived from fibrinolysis in randomized clinical trials, many community hospitals in the United States have sought to implement primary angioplasty infarct reperfusion programs in the absence of elective provisions for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In the context of new data from trials of infarct reperfusion, we should at this time examine the issues that have prompted hospitals of limited resources to provide tertiary cardiovascular services and the evidence-based provisions that must be placed on such strategies. Unquestionably, the rapid restoration of normal coronary blood flow via pharmacological or mechanical recanalization of an occluded infarct-related coronary artery limits myocardial necrosis and reduces mortality. Only recently have the time-dependent efficacies for both mechanical and pharmacological reperfusion strategies been closely scrutinized and have relative differences between these treatment modalities become evident. Although the time from infarct symptom onset to initiation of fibrinolytic reperfusion is a critical determinant for successful recanalization as well as survival, the relationship of infarct duration before PCI recanalization with procedural success or survival is less direct.1 Remarkably, few patients receive PCI within 2 hours of symptom onset, even in highly experienced centers. Indeed, in the stent Primary Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction Study (PAMI) trial only 5.9% of all patients were reperfused within 2 hours.2 Despite time delays incurred during provision of PCI, relative benefits accompany this therapy, including enhanced survival in a meta-analysis of randomized trials of PCI versus …
Using canonical correlation analysis for generalized sentiment analysis, product recommendation and search

Standard Sentiment Analysis applies Natural Language Processing methods to assess an "approval" value of a given text, categorizing it into "negative", "neutral", or "positive" or on a linear scale. Sentiment Analysis can be used to infer ratings values for users based on textual reviews of items such as books, films, or products. We propose an approach to generalizing the concept to multiple dimensions to estimate user ratings along multiple axes such as "service", "price" and "value". We use Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) and derive a mathematical model that can be used as a multivariate regression tool. This model has a number of valuable properties: it can be trained offline and used efficiently on live stream of texts like blogs and tweets, can be used for visualization and data clustering and labeling, and finally it can potentially be incorporated into natural language product search algorithms. At the end we propose an evaluation procedure that can be used on live data when a ground truth is not available. Based on this model we present our preliminary results from empirical data that we have collected from our system Opinion Space1. We show that for this dataset the CCA model outperforms the PCA that was originally used in Opinion Space.
Probing softness of the parietal pleural surface at the micron scale

The pleural surfaces of the chest wall and lung slide against each other, lubricated by pleural fluid. During sliding motion of soft tissues, shear induced hydrodynamic pressure deforms the surfaces, promoting uniformity of the fluid layer thickness, thereby reducing friction. To assess pleural deformability at length scales comparable to pleural fluid thickness, we measured the modulus of the parietal pleura of rat chest wall using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to indent the pleural surface with spheres (radius 2.5 µm and 5 µm). The pleura exhibited two distinct indentation responses depending on location, reflecting either homogeneous or significantly heterogeneous tissue properties. We found an elastic modulus of 0.38–0.95 kPa, lower than the values measured using flat-ended cylinders > 100 µm radii (Gouldstone et al., 2003, Journal of Applied Physiology 95, 2345–2349). Interestingly, the pleura exhibited a three-fold higher modulus when probed using 2.5 µm vs. 5 µm spherical tips at the same normalized depth, confirming depth dependent inhomogeneous elastic properties. The observed softness of the pleura supports the hypothesis that unevenness of the pleural surface on this scale is smoothed by local hydrodynamic pressure.
Etching Selectivity of SiF4 and H2 Plasmas for c-Si, a-Si:H and SiO2

The etching of a-Si:H, c-Si and SiO2 in glow discharges of SiF4 and H2 was studied. The order of the etch rates in a SiF4 plasma is a-Si:H > c-Si > SiO2. The etch rates of these materials are nearly independent of temperature. Only a-Si:H is etched in a H2 plasma.
ECONOMIC AND FISCAL IMPACTS OF A RETIREMENT/RECREATION COMMUNITY: A STUDY OF TELLICO VILLAGE, TENNESSEE

Retirement/recreation communities (RRCS) have been promoted as a way for some rural regions to develop their economies. RRCS can have substantial economic impacts (changes in employment and income) and fiscal impacts (changes in local government revenues and costs) on rural communities, Because the magnitude and direction of these impacts are site-specific, assessments of RRCS as a rural development strategy should consider both the economic and fkcal impacts for a given region. This paper presents a case study of the economic and fiscal impacts of Tellico Village on Loudon County, Tennessee.
Most dorsal root ganglion neurons of the adult rat survive nerve crush injury.

Severe crush of the rat sciatic nerve does not result in any significant cell death among motor neurons (Swett et al., 1991a). The present study reports on the survival of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in the same experiments. From 15 to 187 days after crush of the left sciatic nerve, the common peroneal or sural nerve was cut and labeled distal to the injury with a mixture of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and its wheatgexm agglutinin conjugate (WGA:HRP). In other cases, the crush injury was made far enough distally on a peroneal or sural branch to permit labeling several millimeters proximal to the injury. The procedures for reconstructing the regenerated DRG neuron populations were identical to those used in an earlier study describing the normal sciatic DRG neuron populations in the rat (Swett et al., 1991b). The normal peroneal nerve contains 2699 ± 557 DRG neurons. When the peroneal nerve was crushed near its point of origin from the sciatic and labeled 10 mm distal to the injury, 2186 & 163 ...
Stabilization of reaction-convective systems using inventory control

In this work, we develop an approach for the control of multi-phase and distributed chemical process systems by considering the physics of a process coupled with inventory control, passivity and thermodynamics. The incidence of these theories allows us to assess the stability of a general, distributed process system and stabilize the performance around given fixed reference points. The theory we develop is applied to a simulated model of an electro-chemical process making Silicon, a pre-cursor material for electronics and silicones. Open and closed loop simulations are prepared and discussed.
Reply to Comment by E. A. Okal and C. E. Synolakis on “Origin of the 17 July 1998 Papua New Guinea Tsunami: Earthquake or Landslide?” by E. L. Geist

Okal and Synolakis (2001) discuss important issues regarding the origin of the complex and controversial 17 July 1998 Papua New Guinea (PNG) tsunami. These comments are appreciated by the author in that they allow a more complete discussion within the seismological community of this highly destructive event that claimed the lives of over 2,200 people. The foremost issue facing the people of Papua New Guinea and coastal communities around the world is how damage from catastrophic tsunamis such as the 1998 event can be mitigated. Toward this goal, investigations and discussions such as this comment and reply are important for advancing our scientific understanding of anomalous events such as this. The purpose of this reply is to clearly state the conclusions of Geist (2000) and respond to specific comments made by Okal and Synolakis (2001). The conclusions of Geist (2000) are twofold. Conclusion 1: The Mw 7.0 main shock most likely generated a tsunami that can partially account for the observed maximum run-up of 10-15 m near Sissano Lagoon (Figure 1), and Conclusion 2: There is insufficient local tsunami waveform and timing data with which to precisely constrain earthquake and/or landslide generation mechanisms for the tsunami. The conclusion of Geist (2000) is not “(the tsunami) can be explained by a standard dislocation... without the need to invoke a landslide or slump as the mechanism of generation of the locally catastrophic tsunamis,” as stated by Okal and Synolakis (2001). Because coseismic uplift from the earthquake occurred offshore, the earthquake most likely generated a tsunami; what is unclear is the size of the seismogenic tsunami and what contribution a submarine landslide might have made in generating additional tsunami energy. Okal and Synolakis (2001) state in their introduction that “... we agree with overwhelming evidence indicating that tsunamigenic events are never …
The Political and Economic Sources of Inflation in the American Military Budget

Three complementary explanations are tested for the phenomenon that, since 1940, the inflation rate for military goods and services has been higher on average than the inflation rates for the nonmi...
That syncing feeling: early user experiences with the cloud

We studied how people use file sync and sharing services to better understand how early adopters conceptualize their interactions with the cloud. A survey of 106 users provided background information about current use of these cloud storage services and identified 19 people for in-depth interviews. Use cases described in the interviews revealed a hierarchy of concepts that participants needed to master to make full use of these services. Five pivotal concepts demonstrate that users make sense of the cloud as a: personal file repository, shared file repository, personal replicated file store, shared replicated file store, and synchronization mechanism that coordinates among replicas. We propose specific ways in which process transparency and interface scaffolding can help users build a more robust model of cloud services.
Building a Sibling Aggression Treatment Model: Design and Development Research in Action:

One strategy for addressing the persistent challenge of advancing empirically based social work practice is to engage practitioners in the formulation of empirically developed practice guidelines. Although this approach is promising, there has been relatively little work to guide practitioners, and perhaps consequently, few examples of practitioner-developed guidelines exist. Moreover, available treatment models do not address most social work practice concerns. One such concern involves sibling aggression, which is exceptionally widespread with known deleterious consequences, but it has received scant attention in the intervention literature. This article illustrates a practitioner's development of a task-centered sibling aggression treatment model using the design and development research paradigm, a methodology for systematically formulating, testing, and refining practice guidelines. It also introduces a promising sibling aggression treatment model.
Expression profiling analysis of the metabolic and inflammatory changes following burn injury in rats.

Burn injury initiates an inflammatory response as part of the healing process that is associated with extensive metabolic adjustments. While most studies have focused on understanding these changes...
Down With The Triple-Crown: Evaluating On-Field Performance

The first step in valuing player performance is figuring out which aspects of performance ought to be rewarded and how to weight them. It might be tempting to borrow from baseball’s traditional wisdom to determine which skills that players possess are most important; however, popular notions of what determines success in baseball are not necessarily so. Baseball fans tend to be capable of recalling performance statistics of their favorite players with ease, but there exists widespread innumeracy regarding their interpretation. Despite the available evidence regarding player contributions to winning, most mainstream baseball commentary judges players with antiquated notions of what constitutes good and bad performance.
Redefining the structure of the mouse connexin43 gene: selective promoter usage and alternative splicing mechanisms yield transcripts with different translational efficiencies

The connexin43 (cx43) gene was originally described as consisting of two exons, one coding for most of the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR), and the other for the protein sequence and 3'-UTR. We now report that in mouse four additional exons are expressed, all coding for novel 5'-UTRs. Altogether, we found nine different cx43 mRNA species (GenBank accession numbers NM010288, and AY427554 through AY427561) generated by differential promoter usage and alternative splicing mechanisms. The relative abundance of these different mRNAs varied with the tissue source. In addition, the different transcripts showed varying translational efficiencies in several cell lines, indicating the presence of cis-RNA elements that regulate cx43 translation. We propose that it is the promoter driving the expression of the cx43 gene that determines exon choice in the downstream splicing events in a cell-type-dependent fashion. This in turn will affect the translation efficiency of the transcript orchestrating the events that lead to the final expression profile of cx43. Since a similar organization of the cx43 gene was also observed in rat it is likely that the complex regulation of cx43 expression involving transcription, splicing and translation mechanisms is a common trait conserved during evolution.
Glucose Tolerance in Mice is Linked to the Dose of the p53 Transactivation Domain.

Aim. To test the transactivation domain-mediated control of glucose homeostasis by the tumor suppressor p53. Background. The tumor suppressor p53 has a critical role in maintenance of glucose homeostasis. Phosphorylation of Ser18 in the transaction domain of p53 controls the expression of Zpf385a, a zinc finger protein that regulates adipogenesis and adipose function. This results suggest that the transactivation domain of p53 is essential to the control of glucose homeostasis. Materials and Methods. Mice with mutations in the p53 transactivation domain were examined for glucose homeostasis as well as various metabolic parameters. Glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance tests were performed on age matched wild type and mutant animals. In addition, mice expressing increased dosage of p53 were also examined. Results. Mice with a mutation in p53Ser18 exhibit reduced Zpf385a expression in adipose tissue, adipose tissue-specific insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance. Mice with relative deficits in the tr...
A low power battery management system for rechargeable wireless implantable electronics

An integrated battery management system for low power wireless implantable electronics is presented herein. The system is designed for miniature implantable Li-ion rechargeable batteries with limited cell capacity and employs a new control loop that relaxes comparator resolution requirements, provides simultaneous operation of constant-current and constant voltage loops, and eliminates the external current sense resistor from the charging path. The accuracy of the end-of-charge detection is primarily determined by the voltage drop across matched resistors and current-sources and the offset voltage of the sense comparator. Preliminary simulations in 0.5/spl mu/m bulk CMOS technology indicate that /spl plusmn/1% (or /spl plusmn/15/spl mu/A) end-of-charge accuracy can be obtained under worst-case conditions for a comparator offset voltage of /spl plusmn/5mV. The proposed battery control loop measures roughly 170/spl mu/m by 960/spl mu/m and dissipates approximately 150/spl mu/Watts.
A non-deterministic approach to 3-D modeling underwater

A framework for multisensor exploration of underwater environments is presented with results of applications in 3-dimensional sonar mapping. A multidimensional model provides the basis for extracting information relevant to concurrent real-time processes. Probabilistic methods account for nonideal sensors while spatial decomposition and numerical techniques treat amorphous underwater features and allow an incremental approach to representing the surroundings. No all-encompassing theory is advocated. A plausible kit of multidisciplinary tools has shown immediate benefits when applied to subsea tasks. Computer simulations and field applications with profiling and imaging sonars aboard ships, towed platforms, and remotely operated vehicles offer supporting evidence in the areas of underwater archaeology, geological mapping, and search operations.
Do consumers substitute opium for hashish? An economic analysis of simultaneous cannabinoid and opiate consumption in a legal regime.

Aim To analyze interrelationships in the consumption of opiates and cannabinoids in a legal regime and, specifically, whether consumers of opiates and cannabinoids treat them as substitutes for each other.
Optofluidic grating spectrograph on a chip

We demonstrated liquid metal based optical components such as mirrors and reflection gratings for building on-chip optofluidic spectrographs and monochromators. We designed a Czerny-Turner spectrograph with 1.7nm resolution, 200nm FSR and a footprint of 3cm by 3cm.
Water content of hydrophilic phenol‐formaldehyde resins: Vapor pressure‐temperature relationships

The significance of the water content to the physical properties of phenol-formaldehyde resins at various stages of preparation is briefly discussed. Available methods for the determination of water in such resins were found to be either unreliable or too elaborate for process control. It was undertaken to develop a simple, rapid, relative method for the continuous measurement of water content which can be used to follow the follow the process of dehydration and to indicate the end-point which will result in the best dispersion of water in the cured resin. In order to standardize or calibrate such a relative method, it was necessary also to develop an absolute method for the analysis of water in the resol. The composition of a homogeneous mixture of liquids is reflected by its vapor pressure-temperature relationships. During dehydration at 80°C., the vapor pressure of the resol decreases about 350 mm. of mercury. A very sharp increase in the slope of the vapor pressure curve occurs at approximately the proper degree of dehydration. At this stage a slight decrease in water content causes a very large decrease in vapor pressure. The sharp inflection in the curve is attributed to the existence of both “free” and “bound” water in the resin. During the process of vacuum dehydration of the resin, while the “free” water decreases to approximately one-eighth of its original content, the “bound” water remains substantially constant. The binding of water is attributed to the methylol groups of the resol molecules and its release during the cure or hardening of the resin is considered to result from the conversion of these groups to methylene linkages.
Population dynamics of Ips pini and Ips grandicollis in red pine plantations in Wisconsin: within- and between-year associations with predators, competitors, and habitat quality.

We sampled bark beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) populations in 17 declining and healthy red pine plantations in Wisconsin over 3 yr. We tested for potential relationships among numbers of bark beetles, conspecifics and competitors, and predators within and among flight seasons to help identify factors affecting population densities. The two most common bark beetle species obtained were Ips pini (Say) and Ips grandicollis (Eichhoff). The predominant predators obtained were Thanasimus dubius (F.) (Cleridae), Platysoma cylindrica (Paykull) (Histeridae), and Platysoma parallelum Say. Declining stands contained significantly more Ips than did healthy stands during the early portion of the season. Healthy stands had more predators than declining stands. There were strong delayed inverse relationships between I. pini and predators at the site level, both within and between flight seasons. The number of I. pini caught during the late portion of the season was lower when each of the above predators was more abundant earlier in the season, during both 1998 and 1999. Likewise, numbers of I. pini and I. grandicollis caught during the early portion of the year were inversely related to numbers of predators caught during the previous year. Although Ips trap counts showed significant correlations with each predator species, simple predator-prey models did not necessarily improve fits based on habitat quality (i.e., Ips numbers regressed on prior Ips numbers). We did not observe evidence for interspecific competition among Ips spp. This pattern is consistent with the view that host plant quality and predation jointly affect I. pini and I. grandicollis population dynamics. These results emphasize the importance of interactions among host tree physiology, predation, and dispersal in the population dynamics of phloeophagous herbivores, and have implications to forest management.
Pulse-to-Pulse Coherent Doppler Sonar Signal Processing Techniques

Abstract In this paper we present and discuss techniques for the computation of the mean and spectral variance of a pulse-to-pulse coherent sonar signal, leading to the measurement of mean water velocity and turbulence. The use of an autocovariance algorithm associated with a dual-pulse repetition rate (PRF) method is recommended. The dual-PRF method allows removal of velocity ambiguities due to signal sampling and also offers a convenient means for the estimation and removal of the receiver noise which otherwise would strongly bias the spectral variance measurements. The performances of the method are illustrated by presentation and discussion of data acquired in a tidal flow.
Effect of agglomeration binders on the copper solvent extraction process

Binders have been suggested as an aid for agglomeration to improve copper recovery in heap leaching operations. However, it has not been established if the use of binders would negatively affect the solvent extraction process, which is used to purify the pregnant leach solution from the heaps and remove any contaminants. Such negative effects would lead to an increase in processing costs or a decreased in copper production. The controlled studies reported here have shown that some binders (a polyacrylamide and a waste treatment additive) did not interfere with the solvent extraction process. Other binders (a polyvinyl acetate emulsion and tall oil pitch) negatively impacted copper solvent extraction and, therefore, should not be used in copper heap leaching plants.
Early Mine Workers' Organizations In The Anthracite Region

Anthracite mine workers, a local editor wrote in 1890, "are patient and long suffering."1 It is possible to dispute the validity of this observation. No one could argue that hard coal miners enjoyed a life of luxury. Indeed, the conditions of their employment placed even a comfortable life beyond their grasp. The hard coal industry paid low wages. In 1884, for example, anthracite mining ranked 34th among the 58 industries reporting average weekly wages in Pennsyl vania.2 Unfortunately, the mine workers were unable to realize the income poten tial of this low wage rate. Organized as a cartel after 1873, the industry restricted production to maintain prices. During the last quarter of the nineteenth century it averaged 172 days of work per year.3 Long periods of compulsory unemployment bit deeply into the expected pay of the mine workers. In 1884 the theoretical (based upon full time) annual income for a contract miner was $842. The actual average income, however, was $460.4 Deductions further eroded the low pay. Miners supplied their own tools, oil and powder which they purchased from their employers at inflated prices. Coal companies also deducted store bills, rent, doctors' fees, and, in some cases, church tithes from their employees' checks. It was not uncommon for mine workers to receive a "snake"?a statement that total deductions equaled wages?on his pay envelope. Some even discovered that a month of hard labor had put them in debt!5 Working conditions placed the mine workers' meager income always in jeop ardy. The anthracite mines were among the most dangerous in the world. During the decade from 1887 to 1896 2.7 hard coal miners were killed for every bitumi nous miner killed in Pennsylvania while 2.6 men were injured in the anthracite mines for every injury in the soft coal mines. Most non-fatal accidents affected the limbs.6 In many cases, given the state of medical technology in the nineteenth century, amputation was the only treatment for badly smashed arms and legs. Acci dents, perhaps, had one positive attribute. They were abrupt. Working conditions slowly sapped the health of the mine workers. Lifting and pushing in the mine's cramped damp quarters contributed to back disorders. Lum bago and rheumatism were common among employees.7 Parasitic infections were also common. Since the mines did not contain toilets, the workers deposited
Neurally-augmented immunity-based detection and identification of aircraft sub-system failures

This paper presents the development and testing through simulation of an integrated scheme for aircraft sub-system failure detection and identification (FDI) based on the artificial immune system (AIS) paradigm augmented with artificial neural networks. The features that define the self within the AIS paradigm include neural estimates of the angular accelerations produced by the abnormal conditions. The simulation environment integrates the NASA Generic Transport Model interfaced with FlightGear. A hierarchical multi-self strategy was investigated for developing FDI schemes capable of handling malfunctions of a variety of aircraft sub-systems. The performance of the FDI scheme has been evaluated in terms of false alarms and successful detection and identification over a wide flight envelope and for several actuator and aerodynamic surface failures. For all cases considered, the performance was very good, confirming the potential of the AIS paradigm augmented with the proposed neural network-based approach for feature definition to offer a comprehensive solution to the aircraft sub-system FDI problem.
Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for renal condition monitoring

Non- and minimally-invasive techniques can provide advantages in the monitoring and clinical diagnostics in renal diseases. Although renal biopsy may be useful in establishing diagnosis in several diseases, it is an invasive approach and impractical for longitudinal disease monitoring. To address this unmet need, we have developed two techniques based on Raman spectroscopy. First, we have investigated the potential of diagnosing and staging nephritis by analyzing kidney tissue Raman spectra using multivariate techniques. Secondly, we have developed a urine creatinine sensor based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy with performance near commercial assays which require relatively laborious sample preparation and longer time.
Syntheses and Structures of Closely Related Copper(I) Complexes of Tridentate (2-Pyridylmethyl)imine and (2-Pyridylmethyl)amine Ligands and Their Use in Mediating Atom Transfer Radical Polymerizations

A series of five copper(I) bromide complexes of tridentate (N,N,L) pyridine-imine and pyridine-amine ligands with a third amine, ether, or thioether neutral donor was synthesized and utilized in the atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene. The ligand design illustrated a systematic approach to the development of copper complexes for use in ATRP. Variations in the nature of the ligand impacted the solid state structures of the complexes. A mononuclear [CuBr(L)] complex was observed for L = pyridine-amine-amine, whereas complexes of L = pyridine-imine-amine and -thioether formed dinuclear [CuBr(L)](2) structures with a central 10-membered ring. A doubly-bromide-bridged dimer was revealed for the [CuBr(L)] complex of L = pyridine-imine-ether and a polymeric species for [CuBr(L)], where L = pyridine-imine-amine and the imine-amine spacer was extended from two to three carbon atoms. In the application of these complexes to the ATRP of styrene, the redox potentials of the complexes were found to be one indicator of ATRP efficiency. Of the series presented, two complexes in particular provided fast polymerization rates and good to excellent molecular weight control. In both of these complexes, the ligand contained all nitrogen-based donor moieties.
Novel Multilayer Process for CuInSe2 Thin Film Formation by Rapid Thermal Processing

CuInSe2 thin films have been synthesized from binary precursors by Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP) at a set-point temperature of 290°C for 70 s. With appropriate processing conditions no detrimental Cu2-xSe phase was detected in the CIS films. The novel binary precursor approach consisted of a bilayer structure of In-Se and Cu-Se compounds. This bilayer structure was deposited by migration enhanced physical vapor deposition at a low temperature (200°C) and the influence of deposition parameters on the precursor film composition was determined. The bilayer structure was then processed by RTP and characterized for constitution by X-ray diffraction and for composition by Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy.
Polyisobutylene-Supported Phosphines as Recyclable and Regenerable Catalysts and Reagents

Phosphines are important as catalysts or reagents in synthesis but must be separated from products after a reaction. This report shows that polyisobutylene (PIB)-bound alkyldiaryl- and triarylphosphines are useful as catalysts in addition and allylic amination reactions or as reagents in aza-Wittig and Mitsunobu reactions. Heptane solutions of such phosphines and their oxidized byproducts can be easily separated from polar solutions of organic products, and PIB-phosphine oxides formed during a reaction can readily be reduced to PIB-phosphines for reuse.