cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exact analytical solutions for elliptical vortices of the shallow-water equations

It has long been known that the shallow-water equations in a rotating framework admit exact solutions for which the velocity components are linear and the height field is quadratic in the coordinate variables. The resulting 12 coefficients are, in general, functions of time and are governed by a set of nonlinear, coupled, ordinary differential equations. While previous analytical solutions have been plagued by a reduced number of degrees of freedom, the most general solution presented here contains 10 arbitrary constants of integration. These degrees of freedom can be sorted as follows: 4 are accounted for by inertial oscillations of the vortex' center of mass, 2 by an average circular structure (depth and radius), 2 by a circular pulsation mode (amplitude and phase), and 2 by 1 of 2 possible elliptical rotation modes (amplitude and phase). The complete solution with 12 degrees of freedom would be achieved if these 2 elliptical modes could be incorporated simultaneously. Unfortunately, the solution that includes the nonlinear interaction between the elliptical rotation modes has yet to be found. The present solution sheds some ***light on the behavior of time-dependent elliptical warm-core rings as observed in the ocean. It can be used as the basis for further theoretical investigations and testing of numerical models. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0870.1987.tb00304.x
Infectivity, pathogenicity and sulpholipid fraction of some Indian and British strains of tubercle bacilli

Summary A highly significant correlation has been established between ‘infectivity' among a group of strains of Myco. tuberculosis of British and Indian origin for tho-guinea pig and the yield of sulpholipid fraction from these strains cultivated in vitro .
Immunotherapy of food allergy: what is effective?

Food-induced anaphylaxis is the single leading cause of anaphylaxis seen in emergency departments. Consequently, a number of therapeutic strategies to treat food allergies are being pursued. Two non-allergen-specific therapies have been investigated in man: monoclonal anti-human IgE antibodies and a Chinese herbal formulation, FAHF-2. A trial with HU-901 anti-IgE was shown to raise the threshold of reactivity significantly to peanut in a study of peanut-allergic patients. FAHF-2, which was found highly effective in blocking anaphylaxis in a murine model of peanut allergy, was found safe in a phase I safety trial and is now being evaluated in a phase II efficacy trial. Other non-specific approaches showing promise in preclinical studies include the administration of Trichuris suis, Lactococcus lactis transfected with IL-10 or with IL-12 and food b-lactoglobulin, and a Toll-like receptor 9 agonist. A number of allergen-specific therapies are also being investigated in clinical trials: oral immunotherapy (OIT), sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT), modified recombinant peanut proteins within heat-killed E coli (EMP-123), and administration of baked (heat-denatured) foods. OIT appears to effectively “desensitize” the majority of patients treated, although adverse reactions remain problematic and whether “tolerance” can be induced remains to be determined. SLIT appears promising in initial trials with fewer adverse reactions, but whether tolerance can be established is not clear. EPIT and EMP-123 are in early clinical trials, although a small uncontrolled trial of milk-EPIT suggested a beneficial effect with minimal adverse symptoms. In one clinical trial, administering baked milkcontaining products to children who tolerated this form of the food (~80% of milk-allergic children) was found to lead to “tolerance” in ~60% of the children over a 2 3 year period. Other approaches that have shown promise in preclinical studies include peptide (T-cell epitope) immunotherapy, plasmid immunotherapy, immunostimulatory sequence (CpG) conjugated proteins, Human immunoglobulin Fc-Fc fusion proteins, and mannoside-conjugated protein (BSA).
Curriculum Making in Two Voices: Dilemmas of Inclusion in Early Childhood Education.

This article explores ways in which the concept of inclusion as a goal of multicultural education may be understood in reference to the concerns of early childhood education. Originally defined as representation of various dimensions of diversity in children's educational experience, the concept of inclusion is broadened to encompass a dialogue between self and other. Recognition of the teacher's role as mediator among children's knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in fostering inclusionary practice is essential to the promotion of such a dialogue. Work toward these ends must begin with adults in the early childhood program before it can be done effectively with children. Adults need to understand more about the inner structures of their own cultures before they can be expected to recognize those structures in the children they teach. Likewise, adults need to examine possible discontinuities among their own attitudes, behaviors, and current knowledge as sources of negative or mixed messages to children as they strive to implement inclusionary practices in their classrooms.
Intraoperative relationship of the spinal accessory nerve to the internal jugular vein: Variation from cadaver studies

Abstract Purpose Conflicting locations of the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) with respect to the internal jugular vein (IJV) are reported in the literature and anatomy texts. The objective of this study is to analyze this anatomic relationship specifically at the level of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle where it is encountered most often during surgery. Material and Methods This study is a case series with planned chart review of all operative reports for neck dissections/explorations performed between June 2002 to June 2008 at an academic tertiary care referral center. Inclusion criteria required intraoperative identification of the SAN at the level of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. Patients undergoing revision neck dissection were excluded. Data is presented using descriptive statistics. Results One hundred ninety-seven patients were identified; 175 met inclusion criteria. Thirty-two patients received bilateral neck dissections/explorations, resulting in a total of 207 SANs for analysis. The most common location of the SAN was lateral to the IJV (198; 95%). In 6 (2.8%) cases the SAN was identified medial to the IJV and 2 nerves pierced the IJV. A new variant of the SAN splitting around the SAN was identified. Conclusion The majority of SANs course lateral to the IJV at the level of the posterior belly of the digastrics muscle (95%). This intraoperative finding differs from cadaveric studies. Discrepancies may reflect variation in the level at which the nerve was identified, as well as tissue changes related to cadaver versus in vivo studies.
Trade and Circuses: Explaining Urban Giants

Using theory, case studies, and cross-country evidence, we investigate the factors behind the concentration of a nation's urban population in a single city. High tariffs, high costs of internal trade, and low levels of international trade increase the degree of concentration. Even more clearly, politics (such as the degree of instability) determines urban primacy. Dictatorships have central cities that are, on average, 50 percent larger than their democratic counterparts. Using information about the timing of city growth, and a series of instruments, we conclude that the predominant causality is from political factors to urban concentration, not from concentration to political change.
Characteristics and Development of the Murine B-lb (Ly-1 B Sister) Cell Population

In this paper we have outlined the evidence for two distinct branches of the B-1 cell lineage. The data show that phenotypically B-1a and B-1b cells are essentially identical, distinguished only by the presence or absence of the CD5 antigen. Functionally no differences between the two populations have yet been identified. Both produce anti-PtC antibodies, a specificity not observed in conventional B cells. Both produced high levels of IgM as measured in adoptive transfer experiments. Developmentally, B-1a and B-1b cells are indistinguishable with respect to generation from progenitors present in fetal liver and omentum, feedback regulation of new B-1a and B-1b cells from bone marrow, self-replenishment from Ig+ cells following adoptive transfer, and the generation of clonal populations. The major difference in the two populations is seen in the development of B-1a and B-1b cells from B220- progenitors in the adult bone marrow. Although B220- B-1a progenitors are rare in adult (greater than 6 weeks) bone marrow, the progenitors for B-1b cells persist well into adulthood. Our understanding of B-1b cell ontogeny is at a stage similar to that of B-1a cells five years ago. We have evidence from transfer experiments that strongly suggests the existence of two distinct progenitors for B-1a and B-1b, but we have yet to physically separate these progenitors as Solvansen et al. have done for B-1 and conventional B cells. Furthermore we must determine whether the B-1b cells that develop from fetal liver and bone marrow are functionally and developmentally equivalent to those that develop from adult bone marrow. As with B-1a cells, the role of B-1b cells in the immune system is unclear. Although we have not yet discerned functional differences between B-1a and B-1b, given the recent identification of CD72 (Lyb-2) as the ligand for CD5, it is tempting to speculate that B-1a cells are more involved in B-B cell interactions such as idiotype-anti-idiotype regulation of the early B-cell repertoire and that B-1b cells are more involved in B-T cell interactions. Whatever their function, it is clear that in trying to understand the role of the B-1 lineage it is important to consider both the B-1a and B-1b lineages.
Management Education and Its Contemporary Critics

The recent malaise in the market for management education has coincided with a spate of criticism from within academe. (Criticisms from without seem less subject to cyclicality.) This discussion seeks to evaluate these criticisms in terms of their relationship to the decline in demand for management education, and especially for its most expensive varieties. As an accompaniment, I also offer a context for understanding management education’s value proposition and through this vehicle offer a conjecture as to the cause for the market adjustment currently underway.
CMOS readout and control architecture for single-cell real-time microsystems

The paper presents a readout and control architecture for single-cell real-time microsystems. The single-cell microsystem comprises 0.35-/spl mu/m CMOS electronics combined with post-CMOS processing to form a microhotplate and platinum (Pt) electrodes, and a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microfluidic device to form the microchannel. The on-chip electronics can measure cell parameters, such as rate of cell respiration, cell size, membrane capacitance, and cytoplasm resistance. Further, the on-chip electronics can control the microchannel temperature to quantify single-cell messenger RNA (mRNA) for gene expression by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The chip communication is handled with an I/sup 2/C digital standard interface.
Walking atop the cliffs: avoiding failure and reducing risk in large scale e-government projects

Despite a growing body of descriptive, theoretical and practical knowledge about information systems development (ISD), large-scale information system development and implementation projects still fail in high numbers. The deeper causes of such failures are only partially understood. This study uses an action research approach in which prescriptions and recommendations drawn from research on and practice in ISD are utilized, assessed, and expanded in an ongoing large-scale ISD project. This study is undertaken to address this partial understanding of failure and to add some clarity of understanding of the interdependence of technical, social and behavioral elements of the ISD process. Our preliminary results confirm earlier findings that failure causes are intertwined with technical, social, and behavioral factors. Organizational members' deviations from a recommended sequence and scope of an ISD roadmap can be predicted and also adjusted to a certain degree. We also see evidence that the action research methodology provides a reflective framework that ties together theory and practice in a more immediate fashion promising faster and more effective feedback between the two.
“She offered herself up”: The Victim Soul and Victim Spirituality in Catholicism

A teenage Catholic girl lies immobilized in her bed in Worcester, Massachusetts, her dark hair gathered in pink satin ribbons, her lacy nightgown spread neatly around her. The pleasing effect of a damsel in a pre-Raphaelite painting is broken by the sight of a tracheotomy tube in her neck attached to a ventilator, and a feeding tube in her stomach. For the last six years the American media has provided glimpses into the curious vegetative existence of Audrey Santo (1984–), who has lain in a coma-like state since a swimming pool accident at the age of three. Despite the girl's lack of consciousness and brain function, she has been credited as the conduit for extraordinary events in her home which have included bleeding hosts, stigmata, weeping statues, exuding walls, and physical healings. Audrey's popularity is largely a media creation, stemming from a 1996 televised documentary film about her on EWTN, a Christian broadcasting network in Alabama, which spawned a deluge of requests to the Santo family from people wanting to make a pilgrimage to see their daughter.
Feline immunodeficiency virus infection in a population of pet cats from southeastern Florida.

Blood samples from 95 randomly selected pet cats that were brought to veterinarians in south- eastern Florida were tested for antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Virus-specific antibodies (indicative of virus infection) were found in 8 of the 95 (8.4%) cats tested. All of the virus-infected cats were males (statistically significant, P ≤ 0.016) and were at least 1 year of age. The 3 most severely ill cats infected with FIV were also infected with feline leukemia virus. There are currently 2 cat viruses in the family Ret- roviridae that are known to cause immune deficiency syndromes. The first, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), belongs to subfamily Oncovirinae. In addition to caus- ing a fatal immunodeficiency disease, 3,8 FeLV is also the cause of myeloid and lymphoid neoplasias. 4 The second agent, feline T-lymphotropic virus, subfamily Lentivirinae, has been described more recently 9 and has now been designated feline immunodeficiency vi- rus (FIV) in keeping with recognized nomenclature for this type of virus in humans and animals. 12 A few epidemiological studies for FIV have been conducted. These surveys have consisted of smaller regional studies 2,10 and surveys of cats covering larger geographic areas 5,6,11 (Dr. John Black, Nashville, TN, unpublished data). While much has been learned from these surveys, more epidemiological studies of both types are needed to expand the baseline of data thus far established. More specifically, studies from differ- ent geographic regions are important for determining if differences in incidence and infection patterns among different locales exist. Regional epidemiological sur- veys conducted within the United States concerning human immunodeficiency virus have identified locales with rates of infection and disease that are higher than other areas within the country 1,7 Knowing that such differences exist or do not exist for different regions can provide valuable clues concerning the transmission and biology of a virus. The purpose of our study was to determine the in- cidence of FIV infection and its distribution regarding selected demographics in pet cats brought to veteri- narians in southeastern Florida. Comparisons of our findings with those of previous studies are discussed.
Perspectives on Sustainable Waste Management

Sustainable waste management is a goal that all societies must strive to maintain. Currently nearly 80% of global wastes are sent to landfill, with a significant amount lacking proper design or containment. The increased attention to environmental impacts of human activities and the increasing demand for energy and materials have resulted in a new perspective on waste streams. Use of waste streams for energy and materials recovery is becoming more prevalent, especially in developed regions of the world, such as Europe, the United States, and Japan. Although currently these efforts have a small impact on waste disposal, use of waste streams to extract value very likely will increase as society becomes more aware of the options available. This review presents an overview of waste management with a focus on following an expanded waste hierarchy to extract value specifically from municipal solid waste streams.
Virus-induced gene silencing as a tool for functional analyses in the emerging model plant Aquilegia (columbine, Ranunculaceae)

The lower eudicot genus Aquilegia, commonly known as columbine, is currently the subject of extensive genetic and genomic research aimed at developing this taxon as a new model for the study of ecology and evolution. The ability to perform functional genetic analyses is a critical component of this development process and ultimately has the potential to provide insight into the genetic basis for the evolution of a wide array of traits that differentiate flowering plants. Aquilegia is of particular interest due to both its recent evolutionary history, which involves a rapid adaptive radiation, and its intermediate phylogenetic position between core eudicot (e.g., Arabidopsis) and grass (e.g., Oryza) model species. Here we demonstrate the effective use of a reverse genetic technique, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), to study gene function in this emerging model plant. Using Agrobacterium mediated transfer of tobacco rattle virus (TRV) based vectors, we induce silencing of PHYTOENE DESATURASE (AqPDS) in Aquilegia vulgaris seedlings, and ANTHOCYANIDIN SYNTHASE (AqANS) and the B-class floral organ identity gene PISTILLATA in A. vulgaris flowers. For all of these genes, silencing phenotypes are associated with consistent reduction in endogenous transcript levels. In addition, we show that silencing of AqANS has no effect on overall floral morphology and is therefore a suitable marker for the identification of silenced flowers in dual-locus silencing experiments. Our results show that TRV-VIGS in Aquilegia vulgaris allows data to be rapidly obtained and can be reproduced with effective survival and silencing rates. Furthermore, this method can successfully be used to evaluate the function of early-acting developmental genes. In the future, data derived from VIGS analyses will be combined with large-scale sequencing and microarray experiments already underway in order to address both recent and ancient evolutionary questions.
Murine Stat2 is uncharacteristically divergent

Characterization of the ability of human interferons (IFNs) to rapidly induce genes led to the identification of the first two members of the STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) family, Stat1 and Stat2. To study the unique role of this transcription factor in IFN signaling under more physiological conditions, murine Stat2 was isolated and found to be surprisingly divergent. This divergence was most striking in the C-terminal transcriptional activation domain. Studies on murine Stat2 indicate that it functions in IFN signaling. This includes IFN-alpha-dependent activation, nuclear translocation, DNA binding and activation of reporter genes. However, the profound divergence at the C-terminus suggests that murine Stat2 may have evolved to mediate some unique functions as well. To explore this possibility, proteins that interact with the C-termini of murine and human Stat2 were examined. These studies indicate that the murine and human C-termini interact with an overlapping, but distinct set of proteins.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Young Lean Men: Impact on insulin sensitivity and secretion

OBJECTIVE To assess whether the presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects glucose metabolism in young, lean individuals who are healthy and free of cardiometabolic disease. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In a prospective design, 52 healthy men (age 18–30 years; BMI 18–25 kg/m 2 ) underwent laboratory polysomnogram followed by a morning oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). We stratified all subjects according to the presence or absence of ethnicity-based diabetes risk and family history of diabetes. We then used a frequency-matching approach and randomly selected individuals without OSA, yielding a total of 20 control men without OSA and 12 men with OSA. Indices of glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion (early phase and total) were compared between men with OSA and control subjects. The incremental areas under the glucose (incAUC glu ) and insulin (incAUC ins ) curves were calculated using the trapezoidal method from 0 to 120 min during the OGTT. RESULTS Men with OSA and control subjects were similar in terms of age, BMI, ethnicity-based diabetes risk, family history of diabetes, and level of exercise. Both groups had normal systolic and diastolic blood pressure and fasting lipid levels. After ingestion of a glucose load, men with OSA had 27% lower insulin sensitivity (estimated by Matsuda index) and 37% higher total insulin secretion (incAUC ins ) than the control subjects, despite comparable glucose levels (incAUC glu ). CONCLUSIONS In young, lean, and healthy men who are free of cardiometabolic disease, the presence of OSA is associated with insulin resistance and a compensatory rise in insulin secretion to maintain normal glucose tolerance. Thus, OSA may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes independently of traditional cardiometabolic risk factors.
Astrocytic Modulation of Sleep Homeostasis and Cognitive Consequences of Sleep Loss

Astrocytes modulate neuronal activity by releasing chemical transmitters via a process termed gliotransmission. The role of this process in the control of behavior is unknown. Since one outcome of SNARE-dependent gliotransmission is the regulation of extracellular adenosine and because adenosine promotes sleep, we genetically inhibited the release of gliotransmitters and asked if astrocytes play an unsuspected role in sleep regulation. Inhibiting gliotransmission attenuated the accumulation of sleep pressure, assessed by measuring the slow wave activity of the EEG during NREM sleep, and prevented cognitive deficits associated with sleep loss. Since the sleep-suppressing effects of the A1 receptor antagonist CPT were prevented following inhibition of gliotransmission and because intracerebroventricular delivery of CPT to wild-type mice mimicked the transgenic phenotype, we conclude that astrocytes modulate the accumulation of sleep pressure and its cognitive consequences through a pathway involving A1 receptors.
Effects of risperidone on cognitive-motor performance and motor movements in chronically medicated children.

This study was designed to explore the placebo-controlled effects of risperidone on cognitive-motor processes, dyskinetic movements, and behavior in children receiving maintenance risperidone therapy. Sixteen children aged 4-14 years with disruptive behavior were randomly assigned to drug order in a crossover study of risperidone and placebo for 2 weeks each. Dependent measures included tests of sustained attention, memory, visual matching, tremor, seat activity, abnormal movements, and parent behavior ratings. Results were compared by repeated measures ANOVA Fourteen boys and 2 girls with disruptive behavior and IQ ≤ 84 all completed the protocol. Risperidone was superior to placebo on response time (p = 0.01, ηP 2
Analysis of proteins in renal tubule fluid by ultramicrogradient gel electrophoresis in 0.5 microliter capillary tubes

A research method is described for producing ultramicrogradient acrylamide gels in 0.5 μL constant volume capillary tubes (inner diameter 130 μm and 32 mm length) suitable for the determination of protein in kidney tubule fluid. Previous methods have been limited to gels contained in 1 and 5 μL capillary tubes. The acrylamide gel concentration varies from 4 to 27% in a functional gel of approximately 40 nL and a length of 2.0 to 2.9 mm. Relative migration distances in these gels of known proteins of varying molecular weight (6000 to 669 000) are comparable to those measured in gels contained in 5.0 μL capillary tubes. After electrophoresis, the gels are extruded from the capillary tubes, stained with Fast Green, destained and scanned in a Joyce-Loebl microdensitometer with integrator unit. Such gels are capable of retaining and quantitating low molecular weight proteins contained in nanoliter volumes of biological fluids. The reproducibility of this technique for 0.5 μL capillary gels is comparable to that achieved with the routine analysis of proteins in unconcentrated urine using 5.0 μL gels. Examples are given of protein analyses in kidney tubule fluids and urine obtained from normal rats and those with glomerulonephritis.
Dissolution of Ibuprofen Enantiomers from Coprecipitates and Suspensions Containing Chiral Excipients

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the stereospecific interaction of ibuprofen with chiral excipients such as hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPCD), tartaric acid, sucrose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), methylcellulose (MC), and a nonchiral excipient, citric acid. Coprecipitates of ibuprofen were prepared in molar ratios ranging between 1:0.5 and 1:10 by a solvent evaporation method and characterized using x-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and dissolution testing. Phase solubility studies of ibuprofen were carried out by adding excess amount of ibuprofen to aqueous excipient solutions of varying concentrations. Interaction was studied in suspensions of ibuprofen with HPMC, MC, and sucrose stored at room temperature and 60 degrees C for 12 weeks. Solubility of ibuprofen in HPCD solutions increased 10-fold, whereas solubility decreased in the tartaric and citric acid solutions, a result of decreased pH with increased amount of the acids in which ibuprofen (pKa 4.8) is less soluble. Phase solubility diagrams of ibuprofen in aqueous HPCD, citric acid, and tartaric acid solutions showed no stereospecific differences in solubility of the two enantiomers. X-ray diffraction studies showed that ibuprofen exists in a crystalline form at low ibuprofen-to-excipient ratios, whereas at the higher ratios, it exists in an amorphous form. FTIR spectroscopy for HPCD coprecipitates showed a shift of the carbonyl stretching band of ibuprofen to a higher wavelength with a markedly decreased intensity, probably because of a breakdown in the intermolecular hydrogen bonding with ibuprofen and restriction of the drug molecule in the HPCD cavity, respectively. Dissolution profiles of the coprecipitates demonstrated higher dissolution rates than those of pure ibuprofen. The presence of chiral excipients did not appear to cause stereoselective release of the drug from the coprecipitates and the suspensions.
Influence of Sodium and Potassium Ions on Acid Production by Washed Cells of Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt and Streptococcus sanguis NCTC 7865 Grown in a Chemostat

A comparison was made of acid production by cells of Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt and S. sanguis NCTC 7865 that had been washed twice and incubated in different concentrations of sodium and potassium ions. Organisms were grown under defined conditions in a chemostat under both glucose limitation and glucose excess conditions at a dilution rate of 0.1 h−1 (mean generation time, 6.9 h). Acid production after a pulse of glucose, sucrose, and fructose was measured by pH fall experiments and as a rate at pH 7.0. S. mutans produced more acid than S. sanguis as measured by either criterion, although statistically faster rates of acid production and lower terminal pH values were obtained when cells of both species were suspended in KCl rather than in NaCl, with 200 mM KCl resulting in the lowest terminal pH in pH fall experiments. Sodium ions inhibited acid production: 183 mM NaCl reduced the glycolytic rates of S. mutans and S. sanguis metabolizing glucose at pH 7.0 in 135 mM KCl by 39 and 33%, respectively. The most pronounced stimulatory effect of potassium on acid production was by washed cells of S. sanguis that had been grown under arginine and under phosphate limitation. The pH fell by a further 0.86 and 1.21 pH units, respectively, and to below the critical pH for enamel demineralization when these cells were metabolizing glucose in 135 mM KCl compared with the same concentration of NaCl. This enhancement of acid production was not due to potassium translocation, as had been suggested previously, because no movement of potassium ions across the cell membrane could be detected. An alternative explanation is proposed in which sodium ions are excluded from the cell at the expense of membrane energy, i.e., the proton motive force, which could otherwise be used for the transport of sugars.
Activation of 6-phosphofructokinase via phosphorylation by Pkn4, a protein Ser/Thr kinase of Myxococcus xanthus.

Summary Myxococcus xanthus is a Gram-negative bacterium that exhibits a communal lifestyle during vegetative growth and multicellular development, forming fruiting bodies filled with spores. It contains at least 13 eukaryotic-like protein Ser/Thr kinases (PSTKs from Pkn1 to Pkn13). In the present report, we demonstrate that Pkn4, the gene located 18 bp downstream of the gene for 6-phosphofructokinase (PFK), is a PSTK for M. xanthus PFK (Mx-PFK), the key regulatory enzyme in glycolysis. Both Pkn4 and Mx-PFK were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Mx-PFK was found to be phosphorylated by Pkn4 at Thr-226, which is presumed to be located in the allosteric effector site of the PFK. The phosphorylation of Mx-PFK enhanced its activity 2.7-fold, indicating that Pkn4 plays an important role in glucose metabolism. Although PFKs from other organisms are known to be tetrameric enzymes, Mx-PFK is composed of an octamer and is dissociated to tetramers in the presence of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), an allosteric inhibitor for PFK. Furthermore, phosphorylation of PFK by Pkn4 is almost completely inhibited by PEP. Mx-PFK is associated with the regulatory domain of Pkn4, and this association is inhibited by PEP. This is the first demonstration that a prokaryotic PFK is regulated by phosphorylation by PSTK in prokaryotes.
Sem studies on vessels in ferns. 12. Marattiaceae, with comments on vessel patterns in eusporangiate ferns

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of tracheary elements of roots of five species from four genera of Marattiaceae and of the rhizome of one species revealed vessel elements present in all. The secondary wall framework of perforation plates is the same as that of lateral wall pitting for vessel elements in all species. Thus, no specialization is present in perforation plates of Marattiaceae compared to the simplified morphology of perforation plates of some leptosporangiate ferns (e.g., Dryopteridaceae, Polypodiaceae, and Pteridaceae). The difference between lateral wall pitting and perforation plates in tracheary elements of Marattiaceae cannot be seen by light microscopy (in which pit membranes are transparent), but is evident with SEM. Diversity in structure of perforation plates (especially the alternation of wide and narrow perforations within a plate) and presence of web-like pit membrane remnants are evident. Vessels are widespread in both leptosporangiate and eusporangiate ferns, although specialization in perforation plates (e.g., bars few and more widely spaced in lateral wall pitting of a given vessel element) is to be expected only in ferns of habitats with marked fluctuation in water availability. Vessels of Marattiaceae lack such specializations and are thus are correlated with the mesic habitats characteristic for the family.
Photon statistics and noise modeling of surface-emitting lasers

Langevin noise-driven rate equations are used to model typical surface-emitting (SE) lasers, producing photon statistics, relative intensity noise (RIN) as a function of frequency, and relaxation oscillation frequency. The differential equations were numerically solved with the computer simulation code written in C and compiled and run on a DEC 3100 workstation. Four minutes of computation time is required to simulate a SE laser biased above threshold at 1-ps step for 1- mu s duration. The results are in good agreement with the published data. >
Six, Seven or Eight Coordinate FeII, CoII or NiII Complexes of Amide‐Appended Tetraazamacrocycles for ParaCEST Thermometry

Fe(II) , Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes of two tetraazamacrocycles (1,4,8,11-tetrakis(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L1) and 1,4,7,10-tetrakis(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (L2) show promise as paraCEST agents for registration of temperature (paraCEST=paramagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer). The Fe(II) , Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes of L1 show up to four CEST peaks shifted ≤112 ppm, whereas analogous complexes of L2 show only a single CEST peak at ≤69 ppm. Comparison of the temperature coefficients (CT ) of the CEST peaks of [Co(L2)](2+) , [Fe(L2)](2+) , [Ni(L1)](2+) and [Co(L1)](2+) showed that a CEST peak of [Co(L1)](2+) gave the largest CT (-0.66 ppm (o) C(-1) at 4.7 T). NMR spectral and CEST properties of these complexes correspond to coordination complex symmetry as shown by structural data. The [Ni(L1)](2+) and [Co(L1)](2+) complexes have a six-coordinate metal ion bound to the 1-, 4-amide oxygen atoms and four nitrogen atoms of the tetraazamacrocycle. The [Fe(L2)](2+) complex has an unusual eight-coordinate Fe(II) bound to four amide oxygen atoms and four macrocyclic nitrogen atoms. For [Co(L2)](2+) , one structure has seven-coordinate Co(II) with three bound amide pendents and a second structure has a six-coordinate Co(II) with two bound amide pendents.
An exploratory study of the influence of firm market orientation on salesperson adaptive selling, customer orientation, interpersonal listening in personal selling and salesperson consulting behaviors

The purpose of this study was to study one important firm level antecedent of salesperson's behaviors, namely the firm's market orientation. There have been many studies of personal antecedents of salesperson behaviors and performance, with little predictive success. But there are few studies of firm level influences on salesperson behaviors such as adaptive selling, customer orientation, listening and consulting. The purpose of this study was to examine the direct and indirect relationships between market orientation and those behaviors. Results suggest that the relationship between market orientation and salespersons' consulting behaviors is indirect, through significant influences on adaptive selling, customer orientation and listening. The author discusses explanations for the results and implications for managers and researchers.
Identification of a Nuclear Export Signal in the Catalytic Subunit of AMP-activated Protein Kinase

In this study, we utilized genetic and cell biological approaches to evaluate potential functions for the AMPKα C-terminus. We identify a critical new function for the carboxy-terminal amino acids ...
Modeling within-motif dependence for transcription factor binding site predictions

Motivation: The position-specific weight matrix (PWM) model, which assumes that each position in the DNA site contributes independently to the overall protein--DNA interaction, has been the primary means to describe transcription factor binding site motifs. Recent biological experiments, however, suggest that there exists interdependence among positions in the binding sites. In order to exploit this interdependence to aid motif discovery, we extend the PWM model to include pairs of correlated positions and design a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm to sample in the model space. We then combine the model sampling step with the Gibbs sampling framework for de novo motif discoveries. Results: Testing on experimentally validated binding sites, we find that about 25% of the transcription factor binding motifs show significant within-site position correlations, and 80% of these motif models can be improved by considering the correlated positions. Using both simulated data and real promoter sequences, we show that the new de novo motif-finding algorithm can infer the true correlated position pairs accurately and is more precise in finding putative transcription factor binding sites than the standard Gibbs sampling algorithms. Availability: The program is available at http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~junliu/
Ultrafast optical control of entanglement between two quantum-dot spins

Optical control over electron spins embedded in semiconductor structures is an efficient way of manipulating quantum information. But a fully fledged quantum information processor will require control over two-spin states. This has now been demonstrated, including the implementation of ‘ultrafast’ two-qubit gate operations that take less than a nanosecond.
Antioxidant enzymes in intramural nerves of the opossum esophagus

Superoxide radical (O2-.) combines with nitric oxide (NO) to form peroxynitrite, thereby nullifying the biological activity of NO. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) prevents this reaction by converting O2-. to H2O2. We tested the hypotheses that the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), Mn SOD, and Cu/Zn SOD are present in enteric neurons of the opossum esophagus, and that O2-. alters esophageal motor function. Immunostaining demonstrated CAT, Mn SOD, and Cu/Zn SOD immunoreactivity in interganglionic nerve bundles and ganglia of the myenteric and submucosal plexuses. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of these enzymes in homogenates of esophageal muscularis propria, and enzyme assays demonstrated Cu/Zn SOD and Mn SOD activities of 262 and 73 U/mg protein, respectively. Both diethyldithiocarbamic acid, an inhibitor of Cu/Zn SOD, and xanthine (X) with xanthine oxidase (XO), which generate O2-., shortened the latency of the nerve-mediated contraction of circular esophageal muscle, the off response, by 20.2 and 23.4%, respectively. SOD alone did not affect the latency, but it inhibited the effect of X with XO on the latency. Antioxidant enzymes found in intramural esophageal nerves may play a role in regulating NO-mediated neuromuscular communication in the esophagus.
End-of-life decisions by adults with cancer: Role of religious practices and spiritual beliefs

9067 Background: Religious practices and spiritual beliefs may affect end of life care decisions. Methods: Adult patients with advanced common cancers (Stages III, IV; lung, breast, prostate, colon) who were within one year of their diagnosis and were receiving active treatment in two community oncology practices, were interviewed (30 questions, 20–30 minutes) during an outpatient office visit to determine the major influences on end of life decisions. Specific attention was given to advance directives, influences on end of life decisions, discussions with family and physicians, and the role of religious practices and spiritual beliefs. 353 consecutive patients were invited to be interviewed and 339 patients (median age 66.2 yrs, 52.7% female, 57% married, 58% Caucasian, 30% African-American, 62% Christian, 61% high school education) completed the interview and were evaluable. Results: Fifty-one percent of the patients had an advance directive. The major influences on end of life decisions were family dis...
Satellite Geodynamics

Satellite geodynamics concerns the use of space technology in the study of the dynamic processes and movements of the solid Earth. The study involves measurements of the Earth's gravity and magnetic fields, the distortions and relative motions of its tectonic plates and the orientation of, and rate of rotation about, its axis. These studies address fundamental questions of geophysics such as the causes of Earth movements and earthquakes, the nature of convection in the mantle, and the origin of the magnetic field. The use of space technology has helped advance our concepts and models in solid-Earth geophysics. Shortly after the dawn of the space age, tracking data were used to precisely define the pear-shaped Earth. Since that time, other data have given several up-to-date representations of the secularly changing magnetic field and global models of the gravity field. Using this technology, it is now possible to determine the contemporary rate of relative plate motion at the level of about 1 cm a year. There are exciting prospects for future missions in satellite geodynamics. The Geopotential Research Mission is designed to improve gravity and magnetic field models and new, highly portable geodetic systems based on the Global Positioning System and spaceborne laser systems should permit rapid determination of positions with 1-cm precision.
“More Destruction to These Family Ties” Native American Women, Child Welfare, and the Solution of Sovereignty

“More Destruction to These Family Ties” looks at the long history of non-Native intervention in the lives of Native American families. It maintains that the desire to educate and raise indigenous c...
webPOISONCONTROL: can poison control be automated?

Abstract Background A free webPOISONCONTROL app allows the public to determine the appropriate triage of poison ingestions without calling poison control. If accepted and safe, this alternative expands access to reliable poison control services to those who prefer the Internet over the telephone. This study assesses feasibility, safety, and user-acceptance of automated online triage of asymptomatic, nonsuicidal poison ingestion cases. Methods The user provides substance name, amount, age, and weight in an automated online tool or downloadable app, and is given a specific triage recommendation to stay home, go to the emergency department, or call poison control for further guidance. Safety was determined by assessing outcomes of consecutive home-triaged cases with follow-up and by confirming the correct application of algorithms. Case completion times and user perceptions of speed and ease of use were measures of user-acceptance. Results Of 9256 cases, 73.3% were triaged to home, 2.1% to an emergency department, and 24.5% directed to call poison control. Children younger than 6 years were involved in 75.2% of cases. Automated follow-up was done in 31.2% of home-triaged cases; 82.3% of these had no effect. No major or fatal outcomes were reported. More than 91% of survey respondents found the tool quick and easy to use. Median case completion time was 4.1 minutes. Conclusion webPOISONCONTROL augments traditional poison control services by providing automated, accurate online access to case-specific triage and first aid guidance for poison ingestions. It is safe, quick, and easy to use.
Procedures Used to Demonstrate a Pleuroperitoneal Communication: A Review:

A variety of procedures are used to demonstrate transdiaphragmatic transport of peritoneal fluid. Ideally, the procedure should be safe, reliable and generally available. At present, three procedur...
Dynamic compensation mechanism gives rise to period and duty-cycle level sets in oscillatory neuronal models

Rhythmic oscillation in neurons can be characterized by various attributes, such as the oscillation period and duty cycle. The values of these features depend on the amplitudes of the participating ionic currents, which can be characterized by their maximum conductance values. Recent experimental and theoretical work has shown that the values of these attributes can be maintained constant for different combinations of two or more ionic currents of varying conductances, defining what is known as level sets in conductance space. In two-dimensional conductance spaces, a level set is a curve, often a line, along which a particular oscillation attribute value is conserved. In this work, we use modeling, dynamical systems tools (phase-space analysis), and numerical simulations to investigate the possible dynamic mechanisms responsible for the generation of period and duty-cycle levels sets in simplified (linearized and FitzHugh-Nagumo) and conductance-based (Morris-Lecar) models of neuronal oscillations. A simplistic hypothesis would be that the tonic balance between ionic currents with the same or opposite effective signs is sufficient to create level sets. According to this hypothesis, the dynamics of each ionic current during a given cycle are well captured by some constant quantity (e.g., maximal conductances), and the phase-plane diagrams are identical or are almost identical (e.g., cubic-like nullclines with the same maxima and minima) for different combinations of these maximal conductances. In contrast, we show that these mechanisms are dynamic and involve the complex interaction between the nonlinear voltage dependencies and the effective time scales at which the ionic current's dynamical variables operate.
A process for human-aided Multi-Entity Bayesian Networks learning in Predictive Situation Awareness

Predictive Situation Awareness (PSAW) is the ability to estimate and predict aspects of a temporally evolving situation. PSAW systems reason about complex and uncertain situations involving multiple targets observed by multiple sensors at different times. Multi-Entity Bayesian Networks (MEBN) are rich enough to represent and reason about uncertainty in complex, knowledge-rich domains, and have been applied to representation and reasoning for PSAW. To overcome a labor-intensive and insufficiently agile process for manual MEBN modeling by a domain expert, MEBN machine learning was developed. Although technologies for machine learning have improved dramatically, the necessary capabilities to build a MEBN model efficiently do not yet exist. The search space for components of an MEBN model is too large and complex to investigate all possible structures, variables, and parameters. For this reason, this paper proposes a method which relies partially on expert knowledge and insight to reduce the search space. The proposed method, a process for Human-aided MEBN learning in PSAW, is a framework to develop a MEBN model from the domain expert's knowledge combined with relational data. This paper presents the process for Human-aided MEBN learning in PSAW and a case study to evaluate the process on development of a defense system in PSAW.
A thermo mechanical finite element modeling approach to solving stress induced passivation failures

Multi-layered systems are susceptible to cracking and or delamination upon temperature cycling. Passivation integrity test (PIT) is widely leveraged to assess and qualify the mechanical integrity of the passivation films (oxide, nitride) deposited on metal conductor. Cracking/delamination in the passivation film over the metal line results in moisture diffusion and may lead to metal corrosion. Therefore, it is imperative to identify the key geometric and process parameters that significantly affect the passivation integrity and understand the physics-of-failure in order to have a reliable structure. This paper demonstrates the failure assessment and mitigation in passivation films for a leading technology node chip during PIT. A finite element (FE) stress-strain model of the test vehicle (TV) is built to provide fundamental understanding of the effect of the critical input design parameters including the Aluminum (Al) line layout, Al space, Al width, and the passivation thickness on the passivation stress level. The FE model is validated with the experimental pass/fail data and is further leveraged to mitigate the passivation cracking issue. The effect of Al plastic behavior on the interfacing passivation layer is highlighted to accurately predict and understand the failure mechanism.