cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bounds on dark matter from the “atmospheric neutrino anomaly”

Bounds are derived on the cross section, flux, and energy density of new particles that may be responsible for the atmospheric neutrino anomaly: ${4.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}45\mathrm{}}{\mathrm{}\mathrm{cm}}^{2}{l\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}l2.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}34}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}.$ The decay of primordial homogeneous dark matter can be excluded.
Problems in interpreting active control equivalence trials.

(1996). Problems in interpreting active control equivalence trials. Accountability in Research: Vol. 4, No. 3-4, pp. 267-275.
Leveraging Cognitive Context for Object Recognition

Contextual information can greatly improve both the speed and accuracy of object recognition. Context is most often viewed as a static concept, learned from large image databases. We build upon this concept by exploring cognitive context, demonstrating how rich dynamic context provided by computational cognitive models can improve object recognition. We demonstrate the use cognitive context to improve recognition using a small database of objects.
Closed-loop automatic phase control

The dynamics of a closed-loop method of phase control of a local oscillator are discussed in this paper. An equivalent circuit is derived, on which further analysis of the system is based. While a linearized system and a system which uses time domain filtering have appeared in the literature, this paper presents a new, simple, and direct approach to the optimization of the system. A more general analysis is given and the general requirements for the nonlinear element and the subtraction device are pointed out. A method of design for the equalization filter is given. The theory is verified with experimental results.
Structural and functional properties of human hemoglobins reassembled after synthesis in Escherichia coli.

Human hemoglobin produced in the Escherichia coli coexpression system of Hernan et al. [(1992) Biochemistry 31, 8619−8628] has been transformed into a functionally homogeneous protein whose properties closely approximate those of normal hemoglobin A. Both of the α and β chains of this hemoglobin contain a valine−methionine substitution at position 1 in order to accommodate the difference in specificity of the protein-processing enzymes of procaryotes. Despite extensive purification, functional homogeneity of the E. coli expressed hemoglobin was achieved only by the complete disassembly of the hemoglobin into its component α and β globins and their reassembly in the presence of hemin. The kinetics of CO combination and the thermodynamics of O2 binding and cooperativity of the reassembled αV1M−βV1M hemoglobin closely approximate those of HbA. The α globin obtained from the E. coli expressed hemoglobin was also combined with normal human β chains and hemin to form the αV1M variant. The α+M variant of HbA, in...
Rhenium tricarbonyl complexes of 1-benzyl-4-(5-bipyridyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazoles

Abstract Copper(I) catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reactions between 5-ethynylbipyridine and benzyl, p -methylbenzyl, or m -bromobenzyl azides yields the corresponding 1-benzyl-4-(5-bipyridyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazoles 1 – 3 . Reaction between 1 – 3 and [NEt 4 ] 2 [Re(CO) 3 Br 3 ] yields the [1-benzyl-4-(5-bipyridyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole]Re(CO) 3 Br complexes 4 – 6 . The Re(CO) 3 Br complexes of 5- and 6-ethynylbipyridine complexes ( 7 – 8 ) are prepared in a similar fashion. Cycloaddition reactions between 7 and benzyl azide yields mixtures of 4 and unreacted starting material.
National States and Global Markets: Is There a Prima Facie Case for Neoliberal Policies in the Developing World?

AbstractOne disagreement that divides students of globalization and national development is the influence of international capitalism on economic growth and human welfare in developing countries. Another is the role of national states in harnessing global markets to serve broad-based human welfare. Those in the “neoliberal” camp view international capitalism as an unalloyed benefit that spurs economic growth, but consider strong, interventionist states counterproductive and repressive. Critics of globalization view international markets with skepticism, but champion the need for strong redistributionist governments in spreading both wealth and welfare. Using a maximal sample of LDCs (N=131) over the longest time period possible (1960-2007), we employ pooled time-series analysis with country fixed effects to determine whether a Prima Facie case can be made for either perspective. Regressing both economic growth and changes in infant mortality, our results broadly justify a “neoliberal” perspective in the contemporary development of LDCs, but some forms of government spending also contribute to prosperity and human welfare (i.e., education and the military), which tempers our conclusions.
Effects of Long-Term Disturbance on Riparian Vegetation and In-Stream Characteristics

Abstract We assessed the influence of riparian disturbance on 26 stream variables in Linesville Creek and six tributaries, in northwestern Pennsylvania, USA. Redundancy analysis, a canonical ordination technique, was used in three separate analyses to test for significant relationships between riparian characteristics and the multivariate stream data (aspects of geomorphology, substrate composition, leaf litter processing and macroinvertebrate shredder species composition). Ordination (PCA) showed riparian vegetation to be strongly related to land use. Pasture sites, characterized by grasses and Eupatorium spp., had the most distinctive plant assemblages, while species composition was most variable among woodland sites. In-stream variables were significantly related to both land use and riparian vegetation. Generally, disturbed sites tended to have more silt and higher populations of Gammarus sp. Land use, in particular, had a great effect on detritus processing and storage. Stream reaches in pastures ten...
A Comparison of WSR-88D Reflectivities, SSM/I Brightness Temperatures, and Lightning for Mesoseale Convective Systems in Texas. Part II. SSM/I Brightness Temperatures and Lightning

Abstract This study examines simultaneous SSM/I and lightning data for a sample of nine mesoscale convective systems (MCS) near League City, Texas. Comparison of lightning files of varying sizes from ±2 to ±30 min revealed that the ±10-min interval representatively sampled electrical activity in mesoscale systems. The data strongly suggested that flash density was inversely correlated with 85-GHz brightness temperature. The highest negative flash densities corresponded to low (<200 K) brightness temperatures. This relationship can be attributed to the scattering of upwelling 85-GHz radiation by graupel and hail, the same large particles believed to be necessary for charge separation. Variations were found depending on the sizes of an MCSs convective regions and its stage of development. The majority of positive flashes were located in the 210250-K range. This brightness temperature range was comparable to the brightness temperature range of trailing stratiform regions and was consistent with observations...
Expression, purification, and PC1-mediated processing of (H10D, P28K, and K29P)-human proinsulin

Abstract Our previous methods for the generation of recombinant human proinsulin were inadequate in terms of reproducibility and yield. In addition, it was difficult to perform structure/function studies on proinsulin because of its tendency to form hexamers. We have developed an improved procedure, which overcomes many of the technical purification problems, and results in a potentially monomeric version of modified proinsulin. Inclusion bodies were prepared using a commercial bacterial lysis solution. The inclusion bodies were solubilized and the fusion protein’s affinity tag was removed by chemical cleavage. The polypeptide was then reduced and transferred into a refolding buffer. Following an overnight incubation, only a single form of proinsulin was detected using analytical reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The refolded (H10D, P28K, and K29P)-human proinsulin (DKP-hPI) was subjected to a final purification step using reversed-phase chromatography. The method is reproducible and produces milligram quantities of purified DKP-hPI from a single liter of bacterial culture. The final product is greater than 95% pure and is suitable for use as a substrate for the propeptide convertase PC1.
Drainage effects on plant diversity and productivity in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations on wet flats

Abstract Silvicultural practices are under increased scrutiny with respect to environmental impacts and intensive forestry is often cited as a contributing factor in the decline of biodiversity. However, there are few studies which evaluate the long-term impact of forest operations on plant diversity and production. The objective of this project was to determine the rotation age effects of three site preparation methods on plant diversity and productivity in wet pine flat plantations. The study are consisted of three wetland sites in the coastal plain of Virginia. Treatments were originally established in 1969 to study the effects of site preparation on loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda ) growth. The three site preparation treatments applied were: chop and burn, bedding between windrows (windrow-bedding), and secondary ditching. This study was conducted in 1991 when stands were near rotation age (22 years). Plant diversity was lowest and total biomass highest on the windrow-bedding treatment. Windrow-bedding appeared to increase pine growth by providing seedlings with more available soil volume and by reducing the vegetative regeneration of hardwoods and shrubs, thereby decreasing diversity. Secondary ditching increased pine growth by lowering water table levels, but had little effect on plant diversity.
Parents' reactions to children's negative emotions: Relations to children's social competence and comforting behavior.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relations of mothers' and fathers' reported emotion-related practices to parents' and teachers' reports of third-to sixth-grade children's social skills, popularity, and coping, as well as the quantity and quality of children's comforting of an infant. Mothers' problem-focused reactions tended to be positively associated with children's social functioning and coping, whereas maternal minimizing reactions tended to be linked to lower levels of social competence and high levels of avoidant coping. There were few findings for fathers' reactions, although fathers reported fewer problem-focused reactions with socially competent, in contrast to less competent, daughters. Emotion-focused and problem-focused maternal reactions, as well as encouragement of the expression of emotion, were associated with boys' children's comforting behavior, although a moderate level of maternal encouragement of the expression of emotion was associated with quality of girls' comforting.
General Rheological Properties of Fractionated Switchgrass Bio-Oil as a Pavement Material

ABSTRACT An alternative approach for decreasing the demand and dependency for crude petroleum/bitumen binders is the use of bio-binders in three different ways: a direct alternative binder (100% replacement), a bitumen extender (25% to 75% replacement), or a bitumen modifier (10% replacement). In this paper, the applicability of developing bio-binders from switchgrass bio-oil fractions to be utilized as a direct alternative has been investigated. The results showed that the relationship between viscosity and temperature and shear rate can be well described by Arrhenius-type and Power law models, respectively, or by a log linear relationship. As an overall conclusion, the rheological properties of switchgrass bio-oils are similar and comparable to bitumen binders and represent a viable renewable alternative to petroleum derived asphalt binders.
Standardization of laparoscopic pelvic examination: a proposal of a novel system.

Objective. Laparoscopic pelvic assessment is often performed in a nonstandardized fashion depending on the surgeon's discretion. Reporting anatomic findings is inconsistent and lesions in atypical locations may be missed. We propose a method for systematic pelvic assessment based on anatomical landmarks. Design. Retrospective analysis. Setting. Tertiary care academic medical center. Intervention. We applied this system to operative reports of 540 patients who underwent diagnostic or operative laparoscopy for unexplained infertility between 2006 and 2012. The pelvis was divided into 2 midline zones (zone I and II) and right and left lateral zones (zone III and IV). All reports were evaluated for the comprehensiveness of description with respect to normal findings or pathology for each zone. Results. Of 540 surgeries, all reports commented on the uterus, tubes, and ovaries (100%), but only 17% (n = 93, 95% CI: 13.8–20.2) commented on the dome of the bladder and the anterior cul-de-sac. 24% (n = 130, 95% CI: 20.4–27.6) commented on the posterior cul-de-sac, and 5% (n = 29, 95% CI: 3.2–6.8) commented on the pelvic sidewall. Overall, 6% (n = 34, 95% CI: 4–8) reported near complete documentation of the pelvic zones. Conclusion. Implementation of a systematic approach for laparoscopic pelvic examination will enhance the diagnostic accuracy and provide better communication between care providers. In the absence of pelvic pathology, we recommend a minimum of 6 photographs of the 6 pelvic zones.
Should computed tomography be the modality of choice for imaging Crohn's disease in children? The radiation risk perspective.

Computed tomography (CT) and, more recently, CT enterography are excellent non-invasive tools for diagnosing Crohn’s disease, and for subsequent assessment of the disease, before and after therapy.1 In this light, and given the general availability and ease of use of CT machines, it is not surprising that CT is steadily replacing barium small-bowel follow-through as the radiological modality of choice for imaging Crohn’s disease. There is, however, a potential downside, which is the radiation exposure produced by the CT scan. By their nature, CT scans result in radiation doses which are very much at the high end of those produced in diagnostic radiology, simply because a CT scan is effectively a large number of individual images that are electronically combined to produce a three-dimensional image. The effective dose involved in a CT scan is not large, but it is typically two to six times larger than that from barium small-bowel follow-through. Because of the typical long-term remission/relapse pattern of Crohn’s disease, together with the fact that is predominantly a disease of young people, Crohn’s disease patients are often imaged multiple times which, of course, correspondingly multiplies the radiation dose. In this light, the report by Desmond et al 2 in this issue of the journal ( see page 1524 ) surveying trends in radiation exposure as a result of imaging …
Dephosphorylation of the Core Clock Protein KaiC in the Cyanobacterial KaiABC Circadian Oscillator Proceeds via an ATP Synthase Mechanism

The circadian clock of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus can be reconstituted in vitro from three proteins, KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC in the presence of ATP, to tick in a temperature-compensated manner. KaiC, the central cog of this oscillator, forms a homohexamer with 12 ATP molecules bound between its N- and C-terminal domains and exhibits unusual properties. Both the N-terminal (CI) and C-terminal (CII) domains harbor ATPase activity, and the subunit interfaces between CII domains are the sites of autokinase and autophosphatase activities. Hydrolysis of ATP correlates with phosphorylation at threonine and serine sites across subunits in an orchestrated manner, such that first T432 and then S431 are phosphorylated, followed by dephosphorylation of these residues in the same order. Although structural work has provided insight into the mechanisms of ATPase and kinase, the location and mechanism of the phosphatase have remained enigmatic. From the available experimental data based on a range of approaches, including KaiC crystal structures and small-angle X-ray scattering models, metal ion dependence, site-directed mutagenesis (i.e., E318, the general base), and measurements of the associated clock periods, phosphorylation patterns, and dephosphorylation courses as well as a lack of sequence motifs in KaiC that are typically associated with known phosphatases,more » we hypothesized that KaiCII makes use of the same active site for phosphorylation and dephosphorlyation. We observed that wild-type KaiC (wt-KaiC) exhibits an ATP synthase activity that is significantly reduced in the T432A/S431A mutant. We interpret the first observation as evidence that KaiCII is a phosphotransferase instead of a phosphatase and the second that the enzyme is capable of generating ATP, both from ADP and P{sub i} (in a reversal of the ATPase reaction) and from ADP and P-T432/P-S431 (dephosphorylation). This new concept regarding the mechanism of dephosphorylation is also supported by the strikingly similar makeups of the active sites at the interfaces between {alpha}/{beta} heterodimers of F1-ATPase and between monomeric subunits in the KaiCII hexamer. Several KaiCII residues play a critical role in the relative activities of kinase and ATP synthase, among them R385, which stabilizes the compact form and helps kinase action reach a plateau, and T426, a short-lived phosphorylation site that promotes and affects the order of dephosphorylation.« less
Fast Joint Reconstruction of Dynamic $R_2^*$ and Field Maps in Functional MRI

Blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is conventionally done by reconstructing T2 * -weighted images. However, since the images are unitless they are nonquantifiable in terms of important physiological parameters. An alternative approach is to reconstruct R2 * maps which are quantifiable and have comparable BOLD contrast as T2* -weighted images. However, conventional R2 * mapping involves long readouts and ignores relaxation during readout. Another problem with fMRI imaging is temporal drift/fluctuations in off-resonance. Conventionally, a field map is collected at the start of the fMRI study to correct for off-resonance, ignoring any temporal changes. Here, we propose a new fast regularized iterative algorithm that jointly reconstructs R2 * and field maps for all time frames in fMRI data. To accelerate the algorithm we linearize the MR signal model, enabling the use of fast regularized iterative reconstruction methods. The regularizer was designed to account for the different resolution properties of both R2 * and field maps and provide uniform spatial resolution. For fMRI data with the same temporal frame rate as data collected for T2 * -weighted imaging the resulting R2 * maps performed comparably to T2 * -weighted images in activation detection while also correcting for spatially global and local temporal changes in off-resonance.
Outage mutual information of space-time MIMO channels

We derive analytical expressions for the probability density function (pdf) of the random mutual information between transmitted and received vector signals of a random space-time independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel, assuming that the transmitted signals from the multiple antennas are Gaussian i.i.d.. We show that this pdf can be well approximated by a Gaussian distribution, and such a Gaussian approximation is based on expressions for the given pdfs mean and variance that we derive. We prove that at high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), every factor of 2 increase in SNR leads to an increase in outage rate in the amount of min(M,N) bits, where M and N denote the number of transmit and receive antennas, respectively. A simple expression for the moment generating function (MGF) of the mutual information pdf is also provided, based on which we establish normality of the pdf, when both M and N are large, and the SNR is large.
Electronic Companion: How Does Popularity Information Affect Choices? A Field Experiment

This Electronic Companion contains supporting materials for the paper: Tucker, Catherine and Juanjuan Zhang (2011), “How Does Popularity Information Affect Choices? A Field Experiment.”
Electrotactile adaptation on the abdomen: preliminary results

Electrotactile (electrocutaneous) stimulation at currents greater than sensation threshold causes sensory adaptation, which temporarily raises the sensation threshold and reduces the perceived magnitude of stimulation. After 15 min of moderately intense exposure to a conditioning stimulus (10 s on, 10 s off), the sensation threshold elevation for seven observers was 60-270%, depending on the current, frequency, and number of pulses in the burst structure of the conditioning stimulus. Increases in any of these parameters increased the sensation threshold elevation. Adaptation and recovery were each complete in approximately 15 min.
Genomic mid-range inhomogeneity correlates with an abundance of RNA secondary structures.

Genomes possess different levels of non-randomness, in particular, an inhomogeneity in their nucleotide composition. Inhomogeneity is manifest from the short-range where neighboring nucleotides influence the choice of base at a site, to the long-range, commonly known as isochores, where a particular base composition can span millions of nucleotides. A separate genomic issue that has yet to be thoroughly elucidated is the role that RNA secondary structure (SS) plays in gene expression. We present novel data and approaches that show that a mid-range inhomogeneity (~30 to 1000 nt) not only exists in mammalian genomes but is also significantly associated with strong RNA SS. A whole-genome bioinformatics investigation of local SS in a set of 11,315 non-redundant human pre-mRNA sequences has been carried out. Four distinct components of these molecules (5'-UTRs, exons, introns and 3'-UTRs) were considered separately, since they differ in overall nucleotide composition, sequence motifs and periodicities. For each pre-mRNA component, the abundance of strong local SS (< -25 kcal/mol) was a factor of two to ten greater than a random expectation model. The randomization process preserves the short-range inhomogeneity of the corresponding natural sequences, thus, eliminating short-range signals as possible contributors to any observed phenomena. We demonstrate that the excess of strong local SS in pre-mRNAs is linked to the little explored phenomenon of genomic mid-range inhomogeneity (MRI). MRI is an interdependence between nucleotide choice and base composition over a distance of 20–1000 nt. Additionally, we have created a public computational resource to support further study of genomic MRI.
Phototherapy, photodynamic therapy and photophoresis in the treatment of connective-tissue diseases: a review

Summary Connective-tissue disorders, which include lupus erythematosus, morphoea/scleroderma and dermatomyositis, are characterized by cutaneous manifestations that are sometimes resistant to conventional therapy. Light treatments, which include phototherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photopheresis, are routinely utilized in the treatment of dermatological conditions and may provide unique mechanisms of action in the treatment of these connective-tissue disorders. The objective of this study is to conduct a review of the literature that describes the use of phototherapy, PDT and photopheresis in the treatment of lupus erythematosus, morphoea/scleroderma and dermatomyositis. A MEDLINE search was conducted to find articles that discuss treatment of connective-tissue diseases with light therapies and more than 30 publications that discuss light therapy for these diseases were identified. These range in design from case reports to randomized, prospective trials. Study outcomes and details were summarized and presented within each connective-tissue disease by light therapy modality, which includes phototherapy, PDT and photopheresis. Although there is a known association between photosensitivity and connective-tissue diseases, light therapies, when used appropriately, may be legitimate therapeutic options for recalcitrant cutaneous manifestations in lupus erythematosus, morphoea/scleroderma and dermatomyositis.
Dispersion and the size composition of the aerial insect fauna

. 1. Beetles sampled in Louisiana at higher levels in the atmosphere were significantly smaller than those sampled at lower levels, which suggests that passive buoyancy is important in high altitude dispersal. 2. A model of long-range dispersal is suggested which combines both active flight and passive buoyancy.
Chest Tomosynthesis: Technical Principles and Clinical Update

Digital tomosynthesis is a radiographic technique that can produce an arbitrary number of section images of a patient from a single pass of the X-ray tube. It utilizes a conventional X-ray tube, a flat-panel detector, a computer-controlled tube mover, and special reconstruction algorithms to produce section images. While it does not have the depth resolution of computed tomography (CT), tomosynthesis provides some of the tomographic benefits of CT but at lower cost and radiation dose than CT. Compared to conventional chest radiography, chest tomosynthesis results in improved visibility of normal structures such as vessels, airway and spine. By reducing visual clutter from overlying normal anatomy, it also enhances detection of small lung nodules. This review article outlines the components of a tomosynthesis system, discusses results regarding improved lung nodule detection from the recent literature, and presents examples of nodule detection from a clinical trial in human subjects. Possible implementation strategies for use in clinical chest imaging are discussed.
Catalytic performance of vanadium incorporated MCM-41 catalysts for the partial oxidation of methane to formaldehyde

Abstract The catalytic performance of incorporated V-MCM-41 catalysts for the partial direct oxidation of methane to formaldehyde with molecular oxygen has been investigated. V-MCM-41 catalysts containing 0.56–1.86 wt.% V have been prepared by incorporating the vanadium ions into the framework of mesoporous siliceous MCM-41, resulting in a highly ordered structure with large BET surface area and high surface density of isolated vanadium atoms. The structure of the V-MCM-41 catalysts was studied by N 2 physisorption. The influence of the main reaction parameters, i.e. reaction temperature, reaction pressure, CH 4 :O 2 ratio, gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) and vanadium content, on the selectivity and space time yield (STY) of formaldehyde were studied. A formaldehyde selectivity of 59.4% using a 0.56 wt.% vanadium loading V-MCM-41 catalyst was achieved at a temperature of 873 K, pressure of 12 psi, CH 4 :O 2 molar ratio of 13:1, GHSV of 2.0 × 10 5 l kg −1 h −1 . The highest STY HCHO of 2103 g kg −1 h −1 with a high HCHO selectivity of 53.2% was obtained with the V-MCM-41 catalyst containing 1.86 wt.% vanadium loading at 933 K, CH 4 :O 2 ratio of 13:1, GHSV of 1.3 × 10 6 l kg −1 h −1 . The improved catalytic performance of the V-MCM-41 catalysts is related to the highly dispersed vanadium oxide species forming a high concentration of isolated active sites, which are crucial to minimize the consecutive oxidation of formaldehyde to carbon oxides.
Reverse‐osmosis membrane for treating coal‐liquefaction wastewater

Two types of low-pressure membranes are evaluated in relation to the separation and water-flux characteristics, with biotreated coal-liquefaction waste water. A spiral-wound module containing a thin-film composite (aromatic polyamide) membrane and a hollow-fiber module of high packing density containing asymmetric (aliphatic-polyamide) membranes. The membrane-separation characteristics are evaluated in terms of pretreatment requirements (Silt Density Index, DSI), flow rates, pressures (14 x 10/sup 5/ to 24 x 10/sup 5/ N/m/sup 2/), and extent of water recovery. In addition to conventional analysis, high pressure liquid chromatography was used to provide a preliminary characterization of feed and permeate quality. More than 95% of the organics in the biotreated water were found to be aliphatic carboxylic acids. High rejections were obtained with both modules. The permeate quality obtained is highly suitable for multiple-pass reuse in cooling towers.
Using deep sequencing to characterize the biophysical mechanism of a transcriptional regulatory sequence

Cells use protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions to regulate transcription. A biophysical understanding of this process has, however, been limited by the lack of methods for quantitatively characterizing the interactions that occur at specific promoters and enhancers in living cells. Here we show how such biophysical information can be revealed by a simple experiment in which a library of partially mutated regulatory sequences are partitioned according to their in vivo transcriptional activities and then sequenced en masse. Computational analysis of the sequence data produced by this experiment can provide precise quantitative information about how the regulatory proteins at a specific arrangement of binding sites work together to regulate transcription. This ability to reliably extract precise information about regulatory biophysics in the face of experimental noise is made possible by a recently identified relationship between likelihood and mutual information. Applying our experimental and computational techniques to the Escherichia coli lac promoter, we demonstrate the ability to identify regulatory protein binding sites de novo, determine the sequence-dependent binding energy of the proteins that bind these sites, and, importantly, measure the in vivo interaction energy between RNA polymerase and a DNA-bound transcription factor. Our approach provides a generally applicable method for characterizing the biophysical basis of transcriptional regulation by a specified regulatory sequence. The principles of our method can also be applied to a wide range of other problems in molecular biology.
Theories of power, poverty, and law: In commemoration of the contributions of Peter Bachrach: The challenge of Peter Bachrach

Peter Bachrach had a remarkable impact on those who encountered him in person and on generations of readers. Judith Baer vividly captures, among other things, his inspiring, emboldening influence on his students and the sheer fun it was to be with him. My recollections are of exciting, forward moving, intense, and probing arguments, in private and public settings, with an infectiously warm, buoyant, generous friend.
Establishment of Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Lovastatin, Isolated From Pleurotus ostreatus

Enzyme inhibition is significant biological process to characterize the enzyme reaction, extraction of catalysis parameters in bio-industry and bioengineering. The enzyme inhibitors are low molecular weight chemical compounds. Inhibitor can modify one amino acid, or several side chain(s) required in enzyme catalytic activity. To protect enzyme catalytic site from any change, ligand binds with critical side chain in enzyme. Safely, chemical modification can be done to test inhibitor for any drug value. In the present day world they are known for culinary values due to their high-quality proteins, vitamins, fibers and many medicinal properties and accordingly they are called nutraceuticals. Overproduction of ROS can damage cellular biomolecules like nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, proteins and enzymes resulting in several diseases. The chemical nature of the bioactive compounds present in this mushroom includes: polysaccharides, lipopolysaccharides, proteins, peptides, glycoproteins, lectins, lipids and their derivatives. We report the presence of Statins in fruiting bodies and fermentation processes from Pleurotus ostreatus . Lovastatin extracted from the Pleurotus ostreatus showed Anti-oxidant Activity when compared with Standard Quercetin, IC50 values of 3.5?g/ml and 7.5 ?g/ml respectively, amylase Assay the percentage inhibitions of 35% and 70 % with 1 and 3 mg/ml respectively. In Membrane Stability assay, the percentage inhibitions of 47.06% and 50%. Acid Phosphatase Assay: percentage inhibitions of 82.78% and 76.11% with 2mg/ml and 4mg/ml respectively. Pleurotus possess a good antioxidant and enzyme inhibitions for Alpha Amylase, Acid Phosphatase and membrane stability studies, hence as health promoter and environmental restorer is gaining more importance. Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 3(3): 408-416
An environmentally driven time‐integrating water sampler

[1] Quality concerns drive many water studies and practices, but obtaining samples from water bodies over time and space for quality determination is often difficult and expensive. We present a low-cost approach that allows integration of water samples over timescales of days to months to allow more widely distributed acquisition of time-integrated samples than possible with previous technology. The device is simply a submerged bottle with a small hole in the lid. In an alternative design the submerged bottle is connected by a tube to a second bottle located outside of the water. In either case, pressure changes inside the sampler arising from natural fluctuations in temperature and atmospheric pressure lead to an accumulation of water in the bottle. For example, when the sampler warms, air escapes the hole, and when it cools, water enters the hole, so with daily variation of 6°C per day the bottle will half fill in 1 month. Laboratory and environmental tests confirm the concept's function. Variants of the design for well sampling and use in deep water are also presented.
Sex Differences in the Incidence of Peripheral Artery Disease in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort

Background— To define how the incidence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in chronic kidney disease differs according to sex and age. Methods and Results— The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) is a multicenter, prospective cohort study of chronic kidney disease participants. Fine and Gray methods were used to determine the cumulative incidence of PAD, defined by an ankle brachial index 70 years, the risk was similar across both the sexes. Older men had a substantially greater PAD risk compared with younger men. In women, PAD risk did not vary with age. Conclusions— Females with chronic kidney disease have a higher PAD risk compared with males at younger ages. There is an important need to improve our understanding of the biological and clinical basis for these differences.
Multiple pathways in the oxidation of a NADH analogue.

Oxidation of the NADH analogue, N-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH), by the 1e– acceptor, [Os(dmb)3]3+, and 2e–/2H+ acceptor, benzoquinone (Q), has been investigated in aqueous solutions over extended pH and buffer concentration ranges by application of a double-mixing stopped-flow technique in order to explore the redox pathways available to this important redox cofactor. Our results indicate that oxidation by quinone is dominated by hydride transfer, and a pathway appears with added acids involving concerted hydride-proton transfer (HPT) in which synchronous transfer of hydride to one O-atom at Q and proton transfer to the second occurs driven by the formation of the stable H2Q product. Oxidation by [Os(dmb)3]3+ occurs by outer-sphere electron transfer including a pathway involving ion-pair preassociation of HPO42– with the complex that may also involve a concerted proton transfer.
The New Deal As Watershed: The Recent Literature

A s the fundamental tasks of historians are the description, measurement, and explanation of change in human affairs, historians of the New Deal are interested first of all in that program's relations with the past. Was the New Deal a radical innovation or a continuation of earlier themes in American life? Was it a revolution or part of a long-term evolutionary development? Was it a watershed in American history or a deepening and widening of a stream that had its sources in earlier periods? Should historical interpretations of the New Deal stress change or emphasize continuity? The recent literature on the New Deal makes significant contributions to our understanding of the fundamental problem of New Deal historiography. As a group, the more than one hundred relevant books and articles that were published from 1962 to 1966 suggest that historians need to employ two concepts, change and continuity.' Recent studies stress the innovations that were made in the 1930s, the earlier preparations for those changes, and the difficulties encountered by reformers and radicals. The consequence is a view of the New Deal that recognizes it as a significant stage in developments long under way-a response to more than the depression-and that calls attention to the preservation of major institutions.2 Scholars who have emphasized discontinuity have received very important support from William E. Leuchtenburg's broad and penetrating survey, Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal. The "Roosevelt Revolution" is the subject of Leuchtenburg's book. He both applauds historians like Carl Degler and Richard Hofstadter, who have written of the New Deal as "a revolutionary response to a revolutionary situation" and a "new departure," and criticizes
Tribological Investigation of a Low Friction, Low Wear Polymer/Polymer Composite

Wear resistant and low friction solid lubricants offer the design engineer attractive options for extreme environment lubrication, particularly in situations where the use of fluid lubricants are precluded. Past work with wear resistant PTFE nanocomposites made with sub 100nm particles of alumina showed that the nanoparticles decorate the PTFE surface during jet-milling process. Subsequent compression molding of these powders is believed to result in a compartmentalize PTFE composite. It is hypothesized that these reinforcing nanoparticles arrest crack propagation, although there is qualitative evidence that they weaken strength of the composite. The hypothesis for this investigation was to use small particles of PEEK as the filler, which can act to compartmentalize damage and form a structural filler network that would not require matrix/filler strength for mechanical integrity. The tribological properties of composite samples ranging from 0–100 weight percent PEEK filled PTFE were evaluated in this study.© 2005 ASME
Endogonaceous Mycorrhizal Endophytes in Florida

In Florida 21 species of Endogonaceae forming vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae are reported. Eight species of the genus Glomus, including a new species G. clarus, and three species of Sclerocystis ...
Attenuation correction in molecular fluorescence imaging(Conference Presentation)

Fluorescence-guided surgery has demonstrated more complete tumor resections in both preclinical models and clinical applications. However, intraoperative fluorescence-based imaging can be challenging due to attenuation of the fluorescence by intrinsic tissue scattering and absorption. Removing attenuation in fluorescence imaging is critical in many applications. We have developed both a model based approach and an experimental approach to retrieve attenuation corrected fluorescence based on spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI). In the model based approach, we extended an attenuation correction model initially developed for point measurement into wide-field imaging with SFDI. To achieve attenuation correction, tissue optical properties were evaluated at both excitation and emission wavelengths, which were later applied in the model. In an in-vitro phantom study, we achieved a relative flat intensity profile over entire absorption range compared to over 80% drop at the highest absorption level before correction. Similar performance was also observed in an ex-vivo tissue study. However, lengthy image acquisition and image processing make this method ideal for static imaging instead of video-rate imaging. To achieve video-rate correction, we developed an experimental approach to reduce absorption by limiting the imaging depth using a high spatial frequency pattern. The absorption reduced fluorescence image was obtained by performing a simple demodulation. The in-vitro phantom study suggested an approximate 20% intensity drop at the highest absorption level compared to over 70% intensity drop before correction. This approach enabled video-rate attenuation corrected imaging at 19 fps, making this technique viable for clinical image guided surgery.
Genetic Analysis of Gene ozmF in Methoxymalonyl-ACP Biosynthesis Locus of OZM Biosynthetic Gene Cluster in S.albus JA3453

Oxazolomycin(OZM),produced by Streptomyces albus JA3453,is a hybrid peptide-polyketide antibiotic structurally characterized by a unique spiro-linked β-lactone/γ-lactam moiety,an oxazole ring,an(E,E)-diene,and a(Z,Z,E)-triene chain.OZM exhibits potent antitumor,antiviral,and limited antibacterial activities.In previous study we have localized a 135 kb DNA region from S.albus JA3453 covering the entire OZM biosynthetic gene cluster.Sequence analysis of this fragment revealed six genes likely responsible for methoxymalonyl-ACP biosynthesis.The involvement of the latter in OZM biosynthesis was proven directly by mutational and complementary analysis of selected genes,ozmF encoding a methyltransferase within this locus.These results have now set the stage for generation of novel OZM analogs by combinatorial biosynthesis methods in S.albus.
Significance of Fhit protein expression in human gastric tissue

Objective: To investigate the expression of the Fhit protein,the fragile histidine triad(FHIT) gene product,in human gastric tissues and its possible significance in the tumorigenesis and development of gastric cancer(GC).Methods: Fhit protein expression was detected by immnohistochemical staining in 54 normal gastric tissues,31 cases of premalignant disease,12 cases of moderate or severe dysplasia,and 67 cases of GC.Results: The positive expression rate of Fhit protein in patients with GC was significantly lower than that in normal gastric tissues(P 0.01).There was significant difference in the positive expression rate of Fhit protein among patients with different histological or Lauren types of GC(P 0.01),but no difference was found among patients with different TNM stages of GC(P 0.05).The positive expression rate of Fhit protein was reduced in turn from normal gastric tissues to premalignant diseases to moderate or severe dysplasia to GC,and the differences in the positive expression rate of Fhit protein among these 4 groups were significant(P 0.01).Conclusion: The loss of Fhit protein expression was notable in diffuse type and poorly differentiated type of GC,which may suggest the worse prognosis,and the decreased Fhit protein expression and loss of Fhit protein expression may play an important role in the tumorigenesis and development of GC.
Relationship between Standard Germination, Accelerated Ageing Germination and Field Emergence in Soyabean

Twenty six field emergence experiments were conducted over a 10 year period (two to four planting dates per year) to evaluate the effect of seed bed conditions on the relationship between standard germination (SG), accelerated ageing germination (AA) and field emergence in soyabean (Glycine max L. Merrill). Seed bed conditions were characterized by the field emergence index (FEI = mean field emergence/mean standard germination × 100). The ability of the laboratory tests to predict field emergence was evaluated using the prediction accuracy (proportion of the seed lots in each treatment with a specified quality level that had a field emergence above a minimum level). The FEI varied from 108 to 44 across the 26 experiments and the prediction accuracy varied from 0 to 100%. The prediction accuracy was high for both SG and AA in ideal field conditions and decreased as soil stress increased. The AA test had a higher prediction accuracy than SG in moderate stress conditions. Lowering the minimum acceptable field emergence from 80 to 60% improved the prediction accuracy for SG and AA, but only seed lots with AA≥80% had acceptable prediction accuracy over a wide range in seed bed conditions.
Vaginal replacement in children.

AbstractBetween 1980 and 1990, 17 patients underwent total vaginal replacement at our hospital. The majority of these patients presented with mullerian failure or gender reassignment for intersex. Colon vaginal replacement was done in 15 patients and small bowel was used in 2. Complications included prolapse in 2 patients and stenosis in 2. Of the 17 patients 4 are married, 10 are sexually active, only 1 reports dyspareunia and 1 requires home self-dilation.
Stress Proteins as Biomarkers of Toxicity

The development of more sensitive and predictive test methods to characterize the safety of drugs and chemicals is an important part of the missions of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. One approach is to develop methodologies which would define biomarkers of exposure and toxicity. Biomarkers have been proposed to be used to: 1) identify potential hazards, 2) establish dose-response relationships, 3) estimate risk at low-dose exposures, 4) serve as short-term in vitro toxicity tests, and 5) improve risk assessment and risk management capabilities (Committee on Biological Markers, 1987).
Development and Validation of a 50th Percentile Male Pedestrian FE Model

The objective of this study was to develop and validate a finite element (FE) human model that represents a 50th percentile adult pedestrian male. The geometry of the previously developed and well validated Ford Human Body (FHB) model was modified to change the posture from driving to standing. The femur, tibia, and fibula were validated against published test data of human bone specimens in different dynamic loading scenarios. The leg model was validated against dynamic, three-point bending test data of human legs from Post Mortem Human Subjects (PMHS). The kinematics and dynamics of the full pedestrian model was validated against PMHS car-pedestrian impact test data under different levels of severity. The model responses were compared with the corresponding published generalized response corridors. In all the component level and full body model simulations the responses from the model correlated well with both the generalized response corridors and the responses from the individual cadavers.© 2010 ASME
Seeing the Present and Interpreting the Past—and Keeping Things Straight

In order to interpret what we see in the archaeological record, inferences must be made regarding (a) the formation processes of the material record and how they reflect the role that places played in the organization of the past and (b) how that role (and the organizations as well) changed through time. Two different strategies of “looking” are currently in vogue: site surveys and nonsite or distributional or landscape approaches. When interpretation is based on the paradoxical seriation/settlement pattern methodology, traditional site surveys are clearly not appropriate for addressing organizational questions. When interpretation is based on inferences (middle-range theory) as robust as those commonly used to identify features, however, the first question about the role that places played in the system can be addressed. On the other hand, nonsite approaches are more productively directed toward answering the second question.