cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neonatal serum bilirubin from skin reflectance.

Summary: To provide a noninvasive method for serum bilirubin determination in newborn infants, a reflectometer system was developed using a novel fiber optic arrangement permitting measurement of the light reflected from a small area (3 cm2) of the infant's skin. The reflectometer was operated over the spectral region 400–750 nm with a 30-sec scan time. The reflectometer consisted of a monochomatic light source, fiber optic probe, detector, and data acquisition system Spectral reflectance measurements were performed on the blanched and unblanched skin on the backs of 56 Caucasian newborn infants. Examples of the spectra and corresponding serum bilirubin values of 30 of the infants are presented, illustrating that near 460 nm, the spectral reflectance of the skin decreases with increasing serum bilirubin concentrations. It was also observed that the individualities in epidermal hemoglobin concentration affected the skin reflectance spectra. For this reason the statistical analysis was limited to inclusion of only reflectance spectra of blanched skin. The multispectral analysis of the data was based upon statistical regression analysis investigating the predictability of serum bilirubin level from reflectance spectra. The spectrum between 400 and 740 nm was divided into 5-nm intervals (71 discrete bands). First order linear, multiple linear, and polynomial nonlinear regressions were performed on the spectral reflectance values at each of the intervals with respect to serum bilirubin level. The coefficients of determination (R2 values) are summarized. Because an R2 of only 0.783 was observed at 450 nm, scatter diagrams of serum bilirubin concentration versus spectral skin reflectance at a given wavelength were studied. These indicated that a logarithmic transformation of the data might yield improved results. The double natural logarithm was taken of the 71 discrete spectral reflectance values and a polynomial nonlinear regression was performed with respect to serum bilirubin concentration. The best results of this regression analysis were obtained for a combination of five wavelengths yielding an R2 value of 0.931. The ability to predict serum bilirubin concentration from skin reflectance using this relationship was tested using the original observations. The 95% prediction limit for this empirical relationship was shown to be ± 2 mg/100 ml. Speculation: Spectral reflectance measurements on the newborn skin provide a noninvasive screening method for neonatal jaundice and may also be useful in assessing the efficacy of phototherapy and the potential for kernicterus.
Prediction of transonic flutter for a supercritical wing by modified strip analysis

The experiments of Farmer, Hanson, and Wynne showed that use of a supercritical airfoil can adversely affect wing flutter speeds in the transonic range. Inasmuch as adequate theories for three-dimensional unsteady transonic flow are not yet available, the modified strip analysis published by Yates in 1958 has been used to predict the transonic flutter boundary for the supercritical wing tested by Farmer, Hanson, and Wynne. The steady-state spanwise distributions of the section lift-curve slope and aerodynamic center, required as input for the flutter calculations, were obtained from pressure distributions measured by Harris. The calculated flutter boundary is in excellent agreement with experiment in the subsonic range. In the transonic range, a ''transonic bucket" is calculated which closely resembles the experimental one with regard to both shape and depth; however, it occurs at about 0.04 Mach number lower than that found experimentally.
Thinking Globally and Acting Locally?: Environmental Attitudes, Behaviour and Activism

Abstract Using data gathered from a 1992 national study of American public environmental attitudes and behavior, this paper empirically investigates the link between attitudes and self-reported behaviors regarding the environment. Findings suggest that attitude intensity is correlated with self-reported environmental behavior and political activism in environmental issues, controlling for socio-demographic factors. Respondents with environmentally protective attitudes report they are indeed “thinking globally and acting locally”. Additional findings suggest that women are significantly more likely than men to participate in environmentally protective behaviors and policy issues, and the gender difference in behavior appears to be greatest among older adults.
Guembelitria-dominated late Maastrichtian planktic foraminiferal assemblages mimic early Danian in central Egypt

Abstract During the late Maastrichtian (66.8–65.5 Ma) the Asyut Basin in central Egypt experienced a breakdown of the surface to bottom gradient of the 13C/12C ratio with planktic δ13C values 0.2–0.8‰ lighter than benthic values. Planktic foraminiferal species diversity was reduced by more than 50%, with assemblages dominated (60–90%) by the opportunistic blooms of the disaster species Guembelitria cretacea, which mimic the early Danian. The prolonged breakdown in productivity occurred during a time of tectonic activity and increased terrestrial runoff that may have resulted in highly eutrophic waters, coupled with a sea-level regression (65.5 Ma) that led to restricted circulation. Increased productivity during the short climate warming between 65.4 and 65.2 Ma is associated with increased species diversity, abundant rugoglobigerinids and common heterohelicids. At the end of the Maastrichtian, decreased productivity coincided with the K/T impact and mass extinction, followed by characteristically early Danian low diversity assemblages. The similarity of the late Maastrichtian and post-K/T impact Guembelitria-dominated assemblages reveals that the planktic foraminiferal response to the K/T catastrophe was not unique, but followed a predictable pattern of response to severe environmental perturbations.
Tebipenem, a new carbapenem antibiotic, is a slow substrate that inhibits the β-lactamase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis contains a gene, blaC, which encodes a highly active β-lactamase (BlaC). We have previously shown that BlaC has an extremely broad spectrum of activity against penicillins and cephalosporins but weak activity against newer carbapenems. We have shown that carbapenems such as meropenem, doripenem, and ertapenem react with the enzyme to form enzyme–drug covalent complexes that are hydrolyzed extremely slowly. In the current study, we have determined apparent Km and kcat values of 0.8 μM and 0.03 min–1, respectively, for tebipenem, a novel carbapenem whose prodrug form, the pivalyl ester, is orally available. Tebipenem exhibits slow tight-binding inhibition at low micromolar concentrations versus the chromogenic substrate nitrocefin. FT-ICR mass spectrometry demonstrated that the tebipenem acyl–enzyme complex remains stable for greater than 90 min and exists as mixture of the covalently bound drug and the bound retro-aldol cleavage product. We have also determined the ...
Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta 1, insulin-like growth factor-1, and insulin on human osteoarthritic articular cartilage explants.

This study evaluated the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor-β1, insulin-like growth factor-1, and insulin on the incorporation of thymidine and sulfate in human osteoarthritic articular cartilage. Tissue explants were obtained from 11 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and were categorized as nonfibrillated or fibrillated cartilage. The explants were cultured for 22 days, with changes of medium and growth factor every 72 hours, and labeled with [3H]thymidine and [35S]sulfate. Growth factors were used in the following concentrations: basic fibroblast growth factor at 1, 10, and 100 ng/ml; transforming growth factor-β1 at 0.5, 5, and 50 ng/ml; insulin-like growth factor-1 at 0.15, 1.5, and 15 ng/ml; and insulin at 0.05, 0.5, and 5 μg/ml. Basic fibroblast growth factor decreased thymidine incorporation to 70% and sulfate incorporation to less than 20% that of the growth factor-free controls. Transforming growth factor-β1 had no significant effect on thymidine incorporation, whereas the concentrations studied inhibited sulfate incorporation to approximately 40% that of the controls. At the concentrations tested, insulin-like growth factor-1 had no significant effect on incorporation of either thymidine or sulfate. In contrast, insulin significantly stimulated the incorporation of both. Compared with growth factor-free controls, insulin maximally increased thymidine incorporation by a factor (± EM) of 2.36 ± 0.47 and 1.69 ± 0.19 in nonfibrillated and fibrillated explants, respectively; sulfate incorporation was maximally increased 1.60 ± 0.24 and 1.92 ± 0.29-fold for nonfibrillated and fibrillated explants, respectively. Of the factors tested, insulin demonstrated the greatest promise for promoting a synthetic response that may contribute to the regeneration of osteoarthritic cartilage.
Peripheral metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 mediates mechanical hypersensitivity in craniofacial muscle via protein kinase C dependent mechanisms

We previously demonstrated that peripherally located N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors contribute to acute muscle nociception and the development of chronic muscular hyperalgesia. In the present study, we investigated the potential role of peripheral group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs 1/5) in the development of muscular hypersensitivity to mechanical stimulation, and attempted to elucidate intracellular signaling mechanisms associated with the mGluR activation in male Sprague-Dawley rats. First, our Western blot analyses revealed that mGluR 5 protein, but not mGluR 1 protein, is reliably detected in trigeminal ganglia and the masseter nerve. Subsequent behavioral studies demonstrated that the group I mGluR agonist, R,S-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG), significantly decreased the mechanical threshold to noxious stimulation of the masseter, and that the DHPG-induced mechanical hypersensitivity can be effectively prevented by pretreatment of the masseter with 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine hydrochloride (MPEP), a selective mGluR 5 antagonist, but not by 7-(hydroxyimino)cyclopropa[b]chromen-1a-carboxylate ethyl ester (CPCCOEt), a selective mGluR 1 antagonist. Moreover, the DHPG-induced mechanical hypersensitivity was significantly blocked by inhibiting either the alpha or epsilon isoform of protein kinase C (PKC). Collectively, these data provide evidence that peripherally located mGluR 5 may play an important role in the development of masseter hypersensitivity, and that PKC activation is required for the modulatory effect of peripheral mGluR 5 in the craniofacial muscle tissue. Thus, selective targeting of peripheral mGluR 5 and PKCalpha, as well as PKCepsilon, might serve as an effective therapeutic strategy in the management of chronic muscle pain conditions, such as temporomandibular disorders.
Mixed scheduling disciplines for network flows

We introduce a novel method to prove that the FBPS discipline has optimal mean sojourn time and mean slowdown ratio for DHR service time distributions in an M/G/1 queue. We then discuss the problems related to FBPS, and propose a new scheduling discipline to overcome these problems.
Mesomorphic Properties of an Homologous Series of Alkyl-Terminated Enamine-Ketone Containing Liquid Crystals

In a recent paper, it was shown that compounds containing a six-membered, hydrogen-bonded enamine-ketone ring were capable of forming liquid crystalline phases.1 These compounds are rigid rod compounds that do not contain terminal polar or flexible aliphatic substituents. The present study was conducted to investigate the mesomorphic behavior of enamine-ketone containing compounds which possess a more conventional structure, i.e., a rigid rod core with para-substituted flexible aliphatic substituents.
Synthesis and antiviral activity of 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-foscarnet conjugates in human cytomegalovirus-infected cells.

Abstract A series of new lipid prodrugs with the general structure, 1-O-octadecyl-2-X-sn-glycero-3-PFA were synthesized and evaluated for antiviral activity in HCMV-infected human lung fibroblasts (X is –H, –OH or an O-alkyl group of increasing chain length) in order to study structure–activity relationships of PFA lipid prodrugs. The EC50 values for the 2-O-octyl, 2-O-butyl, 2-H, 2-OH, 2-O-methyl and 2-O-ethyl substituted analogs were 1.96, 0.36, 1.0, 0.7, 0.53 and 0.18 μM respectively versus 40 μM for PFA, representing increases in antiviral activity of 20–220 fold. We also synthesized the enantiomer of ODG-PFA, 3-O-octadecyl-sn-glycero-1-PFA, and found that the antiviral activity of both enantiomers as well as the racemate were not significantly different, with EC50 values in the range of 0.67–0.71 μM.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Symptomatology in a Sample of Gulf War Veterans: A Prospective Analysis

The authors examined the relationship over time of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms in a sample of Gulf War veterans. A large sample (N = 2,949) of Gulf War veterans was assessed immediately following their return from the Gulf region and 18-24 months later. Participants completed a number of self-report questionnaires including the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD (T. M. Keane, J. M. Caddell, & K. L. Taylor, 1988) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (L. R. Derogatis & N. Melisaratos, 1983) at both time points and an extended and updated version of the Laufer Combat Scale (M. Gallops, R. S. Laufer, & T. Yager, 1981) at the initial assessment. A latent-variable, cross-lag panel model found evidence for a reciprocal relation between PTSD and Depression. Follow-up models examining reexperiencing, avoidance-numbing, and hyperarousal symptoms separately showed that for reexperiencing and avoidance-numbing symptoms, the overall reciprocal relation held. For hyperarousal symptoms, however, the association was from early hyperarousal to later depression symptoms only.
Torsionfree modules and classes of orders

It is shown how torsionfree modules can be used to characterize certain important classes of orders over Dedekind rings. In particular, we show that an order is Gorenstein if and only if each of its lattices can be embedded as a pure sublattice of a free lattice. We also show that an order is hereditary if and only if the tensor product of any of its right lattices with any of its left lattices is torsionfree over the ground domain.
Effect of energy spread and gyromotion on efficiency of a Smith-Purcell FEL

Abstract The start-oscillation current, gain and energy spread requirement for operation of a Smith-Purcell free-electron laser oscillator are determined. The effects of beam thickness, energy spread and gyromotion on the efficiency are discussed.
Psychological Distress as a Barrier to Preventive Healthcare Among U.S. Women

To examine the role of psychological distress in accessing routine periodic health examinations among U.S. women of reproductive age, we examined data on 9,166 women aged 18–49 years from the 1998 National Health Interview Survey. In multivariate regression, women with psychological distress were more likely than non-distressed women to report delayed routine care, not having insurance, and lack of a usual source of care. Among women without a usual source of care, distressed women were more than six and one-half times more likely to delay care compared with non-distressed women. Women with psychological distress report delays in receiving routine care. Editors’ Strategic Implications: The findings suggest that, for distressed women in particular, continuity of care is vital in accessing routine care and obtaining timely and effective preventive services.
Fixed-point analysis and realization of a blind beamforming algorithm

We present the fixed-point analysis and realization of a blind beamforming algorithm. This maximum-power beamforming algorithm consists of the computation of a correlation matrix and its dominant eigenvector, and we propose that the later be accomplished by the power method. After analyzing the numerical stability of the power method, we derive a division-free form of the algorithm. Based on a block-Toeplitz assumption, we design an FIR filter based system to realize both the correlation computation and the power method. Our ring processor, which is optimized to implement digital filters, is used as the core of the architecture. A special technique for dynamically switching filter inputs is shown to double the system throughput. Finally we discuss the issue of hardware/software hybrid realization.
Induction of NGFI-B mRNA following contextual fear conditioning and its blockade by diazepam

Expression of the immediate-early gene, NGFI-B (nerve growth factor inducible gene B), was examined in the amygdala, hippocampus, and neocortex following contextual fear conditioning. Rats were either handled, placed within the testing context without receiving the footshock, received a footshock immediately upon placement within the context, or received a footshock after a 3-min delay (delayed-shock). Only the delayed-shock group displayed a fear response (freezing) in the post-shock period and in a retention test 24 h after fear conditioning. Expression of NGFI-B mRNA was increased in the dorsolateral part of the lateral nucleus of the amygdala (LaDL) and the neocortex 30 min following conditioning in the delayed-shock group compared to the other three groups. In addition, following a retention test conducted 24 h after fear conditioning, NGFI-B mRNA expression was increased in the neocortex of the delayed-shock group compared to the handled group. In a subsequent experiment, the effects of pretreatment with the anxiolytic drug, diazepam, on fear conditioning and the concomitant increases in NGFI-B mRNA were investigated. Rats administered a 2.5 mg/kg, i.p. dose of diazepam before fear conditioning did not acquire contextual fear as demonstrated by a lack of freezing in a retention test. Although diazepam blocked fear conditioning while the 40% propylene glycol, 10% ethanol vehicle solution did not, both diazepam and the vehicle reduced the conditioning-induced increase in NGFI-B expression in the LaDL. In contrast, the fear-conditioning-induced NGFI-B increase in the neocortex was blocked by diazepam, but not by the vehicle. The data suggest that the transcriptional factor NGFI-B in the LaDL and neocortex may play a functional role in learning and memory of contextual fear, but blocking the increase in NGFI-B expression in the LaDL is not essential for diazepam to interfere with fear conditioning.
Islam, Adat, and the State: Matrifocality in Aceh Revisited

Matrifocality has been a rooted tradition in the social history of the community in Aceh. The principles of matrifocality have also affected on how women are positioned in the community, and the socio-gender relation within the community. The fact that Aceh has strongly associated to the Islamic values that claimed to support the paternal traditions. Apparently, the Islamic values and the local matrifocality practices juxtaposed through the roles of adat, which considered as inseparable to Islamic law or teaching, or in local term known as zat ngeun sifeut. Another point in revisiting matrifocality in Aceh in Aceh is an examination of how gender state ideology, particularly during the New Order Regime disregarded some local gender practices across some ethnics in the archipelago. Meanwhile, the state also hegemonied and promoted particular gender state ideology such as state ibuism. Nonetheless, the modernity and social changes have also contributed to the shifting of some matrifocality practices in contemporary Acehnese society. However, since the matrifocality has a strong root in the social life of the community, the principles of the matrifocality still survived until currently, although it transformed into ‘new matrifocality’ practices.
Techniques to derive geometries for image-based Eulerian computations

– The performance of three frequently used level set-based segmentation methods is examined for the purpose of defining features and boundary conditions for image-based Eulerian fluid and solid mechanics models. The focus of the evaluation is to identify an approach that produces the best geometric representation from a computational fluid/solid modeling point of view. In particular, extraction of geometries from a wide variety of imaging modalities and noise intensities, to supply to an immersed boundary approach, is targeted., – Two- and three-dimensional images, acquired from optical, X-ray CT, and ultrasound imaging modalities, are segmented with active contours, k-means, and adaptive clustering methods. Segmentation contours are converted to level sets and smoothed as necessary for use in fluid/solid simulations. Results produced by the three approaches are compared visually and with contrast ratio, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio measures. , – While the active contours method possesses built-in smoothing and regularization and produces continuous contours, the clustering methods (k-means and adaptive clustering) produce discrete (pixelated) contours that require smoothing using speckle-reducing anisotropic diffusion (SRAD). Thus, for images with high contrast and low to moderate noise, active contours are generally preferable. However, adaptive clustering is found to be far superior to the other two methods for images possessing high levels of noise and global intensity variations, due to its more sophisticated use of local pixel/voxel intensity statistics. , – It is often difficult to know a priori which segmentation will perform best for a given image type, particularly when geometric modeling is the ultimate goal. This work offers insight to the algorithm selection process, as well as outlining a practical framework for generating useful geometric surfaces in an Eulerian setting.
Stable isotope analysis of carbon cycling in the Perdido estuary, Florida

Stable carbon isotope (δ13C) analysis was used in the Peridido Estuary, Florida U.S. to determine the predominant carbon source that supports the bacterial assemblage. Stable carbon isotope values were measured in the suspended particulate matter (SPM), dissolved organic and inorganic matter, and bacteria. Stable nitrogen isotope (δ15N) ratios were measured in SPM and nitrate to assist in understanding carbon cycling through the estuary. Analyses were conducted on samples from riverine, coastal, and anthropogenic sources and compared with samples from the bay. Stable isotope ratio analysis was coupled with estimates of mixing of riverine and coastal waters into the bay. Preliminary observation of the °13C data indicates that terrestrial organic matter is the primary carbon source that is assimilated by bacteria in the ecosystem. Stable isotope data from carbon and nitrogen pools in combination with analysis of estuarine current velocities indicates that primary production is an important factor in the carbon cycle. This study demonstrates the importance of stable isotope analysis of multiple carbon and nitrogen pols to assess sources and cycling of organic matter.
Interactive effects of mGlu5 and 5-HT2A receptors on locomotor activity in mice.

Rationale Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors have been suggested to play a role in neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, drug abuse, and depression. Because serotonergic hallucinogens increase glutamate release and mGlu receptors modulate the response to serotonin (5-HT)2A activation, the interactions between serotonin 5-HT2A receptors and mGlu receptors may prove to be important for our understanding of these diseases.
Preservation of nonclassicality in the continuous-variable quantum teleportation

We first establish the relation between the P-function of the input and output states in the protocol of quantum teleportation of continuous variables of an optical field. We find a condition involving the squeezing parameter and the detector efficiency, under which the P-function of the output state becomes the Q function of the input state such that any nonclassical features in the input state will be eliminated in the teleported state. In particular, we notice that if the homodnye detection efficiency is less than 0.5 the teleported field must be classical even if the entanglement in the quantum channel is perfect.
Low temperature ordering of sodium overlayers on RU(001)

Abstract The adsorption of alkali metals on transition metals can produce several technologically important effects, but only limited results have been reported on the geometrical structure of such adlayers, especially for adsorption temperatures below 300 K. We have examined the adsorption of Na on Ru(001) as a function of coverage and temperature using LEED to determine the adlayer structure and thermal desorption spectroscopy to characterize binding kinetics and relative Na coverages. The only Na LEED pattern observed following adsorption at 300 K was that of ( 3 2 × 3 2 ) structure which occurred near saturation of the first layer. However, Na adsorbed at 80 K produces a progression of distinct, ordered LEED patterns with increasing coverage which does not include the ( 3 2 × 3 2 ) pattern. These patterns result from increasingly compressed, hexagonal arrangements of adsorbate atoms which are uniformly spaced due to mutually repulsive interactions. The order-disorder transition temperature for each structure was also determined by LEED and used to develop a 2D phase diagram for Na on Ru(001). Ordered structures were observed only when Na thermally induced motion was sufficiently limited and the repulsive Na-Na interaction could force the uniform spacing of Na atoms. Thus, low coverage structures only developed where Na mobility was limited by low temperature. High coverage structures were stable to much higher temperatures since motion was inhibited by the high Na density.
Hyperglycemia exacerbates and insulin fails to protect in acute renal ischemia in the rat

Abstract Hyperglycemia worsens ischemic injury in several ischemic models. To determine whether renal lactate accumulation was associated with hyperglycemia-exacerbated postischemic renal dysfunction and mortality, halothane-anesthetized rats underwent right nephrectomy and 45 min of left renal artery and vein occlusion. Prior to ischemia, rats received saline ( n = 22), glucose (2 g/kg, n = 22), or insulin (4 U/kg, n = 18). Sham-operated glucose-treated rats (2 g/kg, n = 4) underwent right nephrectomy and no vascular occlusion. As anticipated, glucose pretreatment elevated plasma glucose, while insulin pretreatment lowered plasma glucose; both were significantly different from values in saline controls. Creatinine was unchanged in sham-operated rats but was significantly higher in glucose-treated rats at 24 and 48 hr postischemia compared to saline controls. No statistical differences in creatinine were found when comparing saline controls to insulin-treated rats. Eighteen percent of glucose-treated rats survived to 72 hr postocclusion, while 45% of insulin-treated rats, 73% of saline control rats, and 100% of sham-operated rats survived this period. In a separate but identical treatment protocol, renal tissue was serially sampled and lactate content was determined in rats pretreated with saline ( n = 7), glucose ( n = 6) or insulin ( n = 6) or sham-operated ( n = 2) and receiving identical operation. Tissue lactate concentration did not change during serial sampling in the sham group. During ischemia, lactate was significantly higher in glucose-treated rats and significantly lower in insulin-treated rats as compared to saline controls. The adverse effects of exogenous glucose and attendant hyperglycemia on renal function during normothermic renal ischemia are demonstrated. Increased anaerobic metabolism of glucose with marked lactate accumulation may increase the severity of injury. However, a direct link between tissue lactate and ischemic damage is not fully supported since insulin reduced renal lactate but failed to lessen morbidity and mortality.
Impact of perceived neighborhood problems on change in asthma-related health outcomes between baseline and follow-up.

Abstract We investigated whether perceived neighborhood problems (NP) predicted changes over a 2-year period in asthma-specific quality of life (QOL), physical functioning (PF), and depressive symptomology (DEP) in a longitudinal cohort of 340 adults with asthma. There is a threshold and plateau effect between NP and PF, such that NP do not affect changes in PF until the problems reach the level of Quartile 3. People who had NP scores in Quartile 3 had lower PF compared to people who reported NP in Quartiles 1 or 2 (mean difference −3.09). High NP also predicted over two-fold odds of high DEP (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression [CES-D] score⩾16) at follow-up (odds ratio=2.34; 95% confidence interval: 1.09–5.00). NP did not predict decline in QOL. Analyses adjusted for demographics, asthma severity, and baseline value of the health outcome.
A glacial chronology for the Fish Creek drainage of Boulder Mountain, Utah, USA

Abstract Boulder Mountain, located in South Central Utah, is one of several mountain ranges on the Colorado Plateau that was glaciated during the late Pleistocene. Using 3He exposure-age dating (corrected for non-cosmogenic 3He with shielded samples), we determined 3He exposure-ages for boulders from the most well-preserved moraines in the Fish Creek drainage of Boulder Mountain. 3He exposure-ages indicate a last glacial maximum (LGM) advance ∼23,100 ± 1300 to 20,000 ± 1400 yr ago and a later and smaller advance ∼16,800 ± 500 to 15,200 ± 500 yr ago. This chronology is very similar to other cosmogenic glacial chronologies from the Western U.S. and suggests that the timing of glacial advance and retreat on the Colorado Plateau was generally in phase with the rest of the Western U.S. during the late Pleistocene.
A PP2A Regulatory Subunit Regulates C. elegans Insulin/IGF-1 Signaling by Modulating AKT-1 Phosphorylation

The C. elegans insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) cascade plays a central role in regulating life span, dauer, metabolism, and stress. The major regulatory control of IIS is through phosphorylation of its components by serine/threonine-specific protein kinases. An RNAi screen for serine/threonine protein phosphatases that counterbalance the effect of the kinases in the IIS pathway identified pptr-1, a B56 regulatory subunit of the PP2A holoenzyme. Modulation of pptr-1 affects IIS pathway-associated phenotypes including life span, dauer, stress resistance, and fat storage. We show that PPTR-1 functions by regulating worm AKT-1 phosphorylation at Thr 350. With striking conservation, mammalian B56β regulates Akt phosphorylation at Thr 308 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In C. elegans, this ultimately leads to changes in subcellular localization and transcriptional activity of the forkhead transcription factor DAF-16. This study reveals a conserved role for the B56 regulatory subunit in regulating insulin signaling through AKT dephosphorylation, thereby having widespread implications in cancer and diabetes research.
The cis-acting signals that target proteins to exosomes and microvesicles.

Proteins bud from cells in small single-membraned vesicles (~50–250 nm) that have the same topology as the cell. Known variously as exosomes and microvesicles (EMVs), these extracellular organelles are enriched for specific proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. EMV biogenesis plays critical roles in protein quality control and cell polarity, and, once released, EMVs can transmit signals and molecules to neighbouring cells via a non-viral pathway of intercellular vesicle traffic. In the present paper, we discuss the cis -acting targeting signals that target proteins to EMVs and mediate protein budding from the cell.
Synergistic effects in combined fouling of a loose nanofiltration membrane by colloidal materials and natural organic matter

Abstract Fouling of nanofiltration (NF) membranes in water treatment and wastewater reuse applications is often caused by both colloidal materials and dissolved organic matter. However, most past mechanistic studies on NF membrane fouling have focused on either colloidal fouling or organic fouling. In this study, the performance of a ‘loose’, low salt rejection NF membrane during combined fouling by both colloidal materials and dissolved natural organic matter (NOM) was compared with that during colloidal fouling and organic fouling alone. A significant synergistic effect was observed during combined fouling, manifested as considerably higher flux decline rate than what expected based on the sum of colloidal and organic fouling alone. Microscopic analysis of the colloid/organic foulant layer structure confirmed faster foulant accumulation on the membrane surface, indicating a mechanism of hindered back diffusion of colloidal and organic foulants. The membrane flux decline during combined fouling was also found to depend on solution chemistry and colloidal particle size. Notably, the effects of these factors are different from those during fouling by colloidal materials or dissolved organic matter alone.
Comparison of vertical and oblique rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps for pelvic, perineal, and groin reconstruction

Background Wound complications after perineal and groin obliterative procedures are a significant cause of morbidity, particularly following chemoradiation therapy. Vertical and, increasingly, oblique rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps have been used to fill potential dead space and bring healthy, vascularized tissue into the defect. The authors compared the complications and outcomes of patients undergoing perineal or groin reconstruction with vertical or oblique rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps. They hypothesized that the oblique flap offers outcomes similar to those of the vertical flap, without an increased risk of complications. Methods All patients who underwent immediate reconstruction of perineal, pelvic, or groin defects using vertical (n=49) or oblique rectus abdominis myocutaneous (n=22) flaps over the past 10 years at the University of Washington Medical Center were reviewed retrospectively. Patient, disease, and obliterative procedure characteristics and donor- and recipient-site complications were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using the t test for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Results There were no statistically significant differences in major or minor donor- or recipient-site complication rates, need for augmented fascial closure, need for additional flaps, flap loss, readmission, or reoperation rate between the two groups. Conclusions Immediate reconstruction of perineal or groin defects with oblique rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps results in complication rates similar to those with reconstruction using with vertical flaps. Oblique flap reconstruction is a reasonable and safe alternative, providing several distinct advantages over the vertical flap, including greater arc of rotation, thinner skin paddle, less bulk, and limited fascial harvest. Clinical question/level of evidence Therapeutic, III.
Construction worker fatalities related to trusses: an analysis of the OSHA fatality and catastrophic incident database

Abstract This study was conducted to gain a better understanding of the risks associated with truss installation in building projects. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fatality and catastrophic incident database was analyzed for the years inclusive of 1990–2009. The database includes over 15,000 incidents, 211 of which pertain to trusses. The incidents were analyzed as to the number of fatalities per incident, the type of truss, the truss material, the activity taking place at the time of the accident, the release of the hoisting equipment, the initiation of the accident, the presence of bracing materials, the type of construction, the length of the trusses, the location of the incident, the type of accident (fall, caught-in/between, struck by, or electrocution), and the year the fatality occurred. Many of the accidents occurred at elevation and were initiated in large part by moving or falling objects. The study recommends that further research should focus on the stabilization of incomplete roof structures and the implementation of best practices for fall protection while performing truss-related work.
Three Prochlorococcus cyanophage genomes: signature features and ecological interpretations.

The oceanic cyanobacteria Prochlorococcus are globally important, ecologically diverse primary producers. It is thought that their viruses (phages) mediate population sizes and affect the evolutionary trajectories of their hosts. Here we present an analysis of genomes from three Prochlorococcus phages: a podovirus and two myoviruses. The morphology, overall genome features, and gene content of these phages suggest that they are quite similar to T7-like (P-SSP7) and T4-like (P-SSM2 and P-SSM4) phages. Using the existing phage taxonomic framework as a guideline, we examined genome sequences to establish “core” genes for each phage group. We found the podovirus contained 15 of 26 core T7-like genes and the two myoviruses contained 43 and 42 of 75 core T4-like genes. In addition to these core genes, each genome contains a significant number of “cyanobacterial” genes, i.e., genes with significant best BLAST hits to genes found in cyanobacteria. Some of these, we speculate, represent “signature” cyanophage genes. For example, all three phage genomes contain photosynthetic genes (psbA, hliP) that are thought to help maintain host photosynthetic activity during infection, as well as an aldolase family gene (talC) that could facilitate alternative routes of carbon metabolism during infection. The podovirus genome also contains an integrase gene (int) and other features that suggest it is capable of integrating into its host. If indeed it is, this would be unprecedented among cultured T7-like phages or marine cyanophages and would have significant evolutionary and ecological implications for phage and host. Further, both myoviruses contain phosphate-inducible genes (phoH and pstS) that are likely to be important for phage and host responses to phosphate stress, a commonly limiting nutrient in marine systems. Thus, these marine cyanophages appear to be variations of two well-known phages—T7 and T4—but contain genes that, if functional, reflect adaptations for infection of photosynthetic hosts in low-nutrient oceanic environments.
Potential energy of continuous and discrete distributions of matter from the point of view of the application of the virial theorem

The potential energy of clusters of stars in which the distribution of matter is taken to be continuous is compared with that of static model clusters in which the distribution of matter is discrete, the comparison being made from the point of view of applying the virial theorem to estimate the masses of the clusters. There is good agreement on the average between the two cases as long as the stellar distribution is random. Systematic differences occur whenever there is any departure from randomness. However, reduction of the mass of a cluster as estimated by means of the virial theorem by even as much as a factor of 2 on the average would seem to require even greater departures from randomness in the stellar distribution than are considered here. As might be expected there are sometimes very large fluctuations in the potential energy from one cluster to the next in the discrete case.
Evaluating crown contours of a wax pattern

Abstract A description of various coronal contours has been presented. The various coronal portions of a wax pattern should be developed according to the described contours. These descriptions can be used as criteria for evaluating a finished wax pattern.
Mechanics of mixed-mode ductile material removal with a conical tool and the size dependence of the specific energy

The mechanics of material removal during a single-grit rotating scratch has been investigated both analytically and experimentally. The models for cutting, plowing and mixed modes of material removal are analyzed based on the pressure and the frictional resistance. The mixed-mode model takes into account the contribution of built-up edge (BUE) ahead of the tool. To validate the model, single-grit rotating scratch experiments were conducted with a conical diamond tool on pure titanium. It was noticed that the adhesion between the tool and the deformed material, and the hardening properties of material play active roles in the scratching process and provide a driving force to the formation of the BUE. The overall frictional coefficient was found to oscillate strongly on both ends of the scratch but increases steadily over the central span of the scratch length. It is shown that the mixed-mode model captures the salient features of material removal and the size dependence of specific energy during the formation of a rotating scratch. The size dependence of specific energy may be attributed to the size effect of the yield pressure in titanium.
New Class of Classical Uncertainty Relations Giving Uncertainty for Long and Certainty for Short Times

Bohr's concept of complementarity enters any statistical description of physical phenomena. In quantum theory the complementary quantities are dynamical variables. In classical theory complementarity exists between dynamical and statistical variables. Slowing down of a "large" particle of mass $m$ by multiple collisions with a gas of "small" molecules leads to certainty for "short times." For "long times," the multiple collisions introduce statistics leading to uncertainty. An uncertainty relation has been derived for the coordinate $q$ as the dynamical and the drift momentum ${p}_{d}$ as the statistical complementary variable: $\ensuremath{\Delta}{p}_{d}\ensuremath{\Delta}q\ensuremath{\ge}mD(1\ensuremath{-}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{t}{\ensuremath{\tau}}})$, where $D$ is a diffusion coefficient and $\ensuremath{\tau}$ a relaxation time. This relation gives uncertainty for "long" and certainty for "short" times.The existence of such a classical uncertainty relation poses the question of whether a generalization of (relativistic) quantum theory is possible, such that for "high energies" $\ensuremath{\Delta}p\ensuremath{\Delta}q\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$, while for low energies $\ensuremath{\Delta}p\ensuremath{\Delta}q\ensuremath{\geqq}\frac{\ensuremath{\hbar}}{2}$. This question is not answered in this note; however, it is pointed out that the telegrapher's equation (which classically implies the aforementioned generalized uncertainty principle) with $\ensuremath{\tau}=\frac{i\ensuremath{\hbar}}{2m{c}^{2}}$ is satisfied by the Klein-Gordon (also Dirac) wave function for a free particle if the time dependence of the rest mass is split off from it.
Achievements of the Annales School

In his presidential address last year Robert Gallman quoted a letter written by Lucien Febvre to Marc Bloch. Febvre and Bloch were the first editors of the journal Annales, and Febvre's exhortation on this occasion to break down the barriers among the social sciences was only one among many. Gallman's “Notes on the New Social History” would have pleased both French scholars, especially the allusion to verve and “trumpet call.” Today we are concerned with the role of economics in the galaxy of disciplines the Annales claim to unify in their “grand alliance.”
Changes in Heart Development in Response to Alteration of Nkx2.3 and Nkx2.5 in Xenopus Embryos

Changes in Heart Development in Response to Alteration of Nkx2.3 and Nkx2.5 in Xenopus Embryos
MHC class I antigen processing of Listeria monocytogenes proteins : Implications for dominant and subdominant CTL responses

Summary: Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) secretes proteins associated with its virulence into the cytosol of infected cells. These secreted proteins are degraded by host cell proteasomes and processed into peptides that are bound by MHC class I molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum. We have found that the MHC class I antigen-processing pathway is very efficient at generating the epitopes that are presented to cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). Depending on which antigen is investigated, from 3 to 30 % of degraded antigens are processed into nonamer peptides that are bound by MHC class I molecules. Surprisingly, neither the efficiency of epitope generation nor the absolute number of epitopes per infected cell determines the magnitude of the in vivo CTL response. One of the least prevalent epitopes, derived from an antigen that is virtually undetectable in infected cells, primes the immunodominant CTL response in L. monocytogenes-infected mice. Our studies suggest that immunodominant and subdominant T-cell responses cannot be predicted by the prevalence of antigens or epitopes alone, and that additional factors, yet to be determined, are involved.
The timing of channel opening during miniature end-plate currents.

Many chemical transmitters act by opening channels with exponentially distributed life-times. We present a way to analyze a synaptic current in terms of its component channels. We can estimate the numbers and times of channel opening within the synaptic current. This approach is used to study miniature end-plate currents (m.e.p.c.s) at the frog neuromuscular junction. The results support the idea that some transmitter rebinds after dissociation from post-synaptic receptors, and suggest that the time of channel closing is related to the time at which acetylcholine leaves the receptor.
Positive Interanimal Transfer with a Control for Arousal

Three experiments used rats and a non-shock passive avoidance task to differentiate between learning and non-specific arousal hypotheses of the interanimal transfer phenomenon. In the first experiment with 57 rats, a multi-trial training procedure was used and positive transfer was obtained from rats receiving “trained-brain” extract injections but not from rats receiving injections of extracts from aroused controls. The second experiment used a one-trial training procedure with 49 rats and reproduced the results of Exp. 1. The third experiment with 56 rats showed some evidence of extinction and spontaneous recovery while this was not found with rats receiving injections from aroused controls. A fourth experiment indicated that the brain-extract solutions of Exps. 1 to 3 contained relatively high concentrations of protein. No detectable concentrations of RNA were discerned. The behavioral results were consistent with the notion that the interanimal transfer resulted from a learning transfer rather than a ...
Effect of Dopants on the Conductivity Anisotropy and AC Dynamic Scattering of Liquid Crystals

Abstract The dynamic scattering (DS) characteristics and the conductivity anisotropy ratio (Rσ = σ∥/σ1) are shown to depend upon the structure and concentration of conductivity dopants as well as upon the structure of two nematic liquid crystals. For both a phenyl benzoate liquid crystal and for MBBA the ac threshold voltage (V th) decreases with increasing Rσ, and the optical density of scattering at 30 V rms is directly proportional to Rσ. In each liquid crystal there is a linear relationship between V −2 th and R −1σ, in agreement with the Carr-Helfrich theory.