cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure of phage P22 cell envelope-penetrating needle

Bacteriophage P22 infects Salmonella enterica by injecting its genetic material through the cell envelope. During infection, a specialized tail needle, gp26, is injected into the host, likely piercing a hole in the host cell envelope. The 2.1-A crystal structure of gp26 reveals a 240-A elongated protein fiber formed by two trimeric coiled-coil domains interrupted by a triple β-helix.The N terminus of gp26 plugs the portal protein channel, retaining the genetic material inside the virion. The C-terminal tip of the fiber exposes β-hairpins with hydrophobic tips similar to those seen in class II fusion peptides. The α-helical core connecting these two functionally polarized tips presents four trimerization octads with consensus sequence IXXLXXXV. The slender conformation of the gp26 fiber minimizes the surface exposed to solvent, which is consistent with the idea that gp26 traverses the cell envelope lipid bilayers.
Identifying Lane-Mapping Errors at Freeway Detector Stations

With several loop detectors, numerous junctions, and site-specific configuration files, many opportunities exist for errors at a freeway detector station in mapping from a loop detector input to its physical location and lane in the freeway. If these configuration errors are not caught, they propagate to the station's data and any control decisions based on those data. Great care is necessary to prevent such errors, yet they persist in the field even with the added expense of trying to prevent them. This paper develops and tests two algorithms to identify such errors without using a priori knowledge about the detector station configuration. By correlating events between two loop detectors, the first algorithm tests all active detectors to match pairs from dual-loop detectors and to identify any single-loop detectors at the station. The second algorithm uses a hypothesis-test-based K-means method to group lanes from common directions based on time series velocity. Both algorithms exhibited good performance...
The late Quaternary extinction and future resurrection of birds on Pacific islands

Abstract People have lived on tropical Pacific islands over the past 30,000 years (Bismarcks, Solomons) or 3000 to 1000 years (the rest of Oceania). Their activities have led to the loss of many thousands of populations and as many as 2000 species of birds that probably otherwise would exist today. This extinction event is documented by avian fossils from archaeological (cultural) and paleontological (noncultural) sites from nearly 70 islands in 19 island groups. Extinction of birds in Oceania rivals the late Pleistocene loss of large mammals in North America as the best substantiated rapid extinction episode in the vertebrate fossil record. Some avian extinctions in Oceania occurred within a century or less after human arrival, while others required millennia or even tens of millennia. Any of these time frames is rapid in an evolutionary or geochronological sense. Inter-island differences in the speed and extent of extinction can be explained by variation in abiotic (A), biotic (B), and cultural (C) factors. Levels of extinction on large, near islands can be comparable to those on small, remote islands when C factors (such as high human population density and introduction of invasive plants and animals) override A factors (such as large land area or little isolation) or B factors (such as rich indigenous floras and faunas). An innovative, proactive conservation strategy is needed not only to prevent further extinctions of birds in Oceania, but also to restart evolution of some of the lineages that have suffered the most loss, such as flightless rails. This strategy should focus on islands with ABC traits that retard rather than enhance extinction.
Special Feature the Intel 8089: An Integrated I/O Processor

As most mainframe manufacturers have demonstrated, the logical solution to I/O control problems is to deploy intelligent I/O subsystems. Intel's 8089 brings this capability to microcomputer systems.
Philosophy, Religion and Education American Style: A Literature Review.

This literature review presents an overview of Christian higher education in the United States with particular attention to philosophical trends and their influence on institutions of Christian origin. This literature review is situated in the context of the discussion of the need, or lack thereof, for helping students integrate their faith with the learning they acquire in colleges and universities.
Reproductive biology and feeding habits of the catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) (Pisces: Clariidae) in lake Awassa, Ethiopia

Breeding and feeding habits of the catfish Clarias gariepinus, in Lake Awassa Ethiopia, were studied from samples collected between February 1987 and March 1988. Breeding started at the beginning of the early rains in February and continued until June, after which the proportion of breeding females declined gradually while the proportion of breeding males declined sharply. The sex ratio was not significantly different from unity, because 50.4% females and 49.6% males were caught during the investigation. The smallest ripe female in the catch was 34.0 cm total length (TL) and the smallest ripe male caught was 33.0 cm TL. The weight of ripe ovaries ranged from 11.2 to 962.0 g and the number of eggs ranged from 8,800 to 650,000 eggs. The number of wet weight of preserved eggs per gram ranged from 435 to 1176 with a mean of 669. C. gariepinus was found to be carnivorous in its feeding habit and fish was the most important food item. It contributed 81.7% of the food items of the juveniles and 86.8% of the food of the adults by volume. A cichlid fish (Oreochromis niloticus) was the most utilized prey of C. gariepinus. O. niloticus accounted for 71.0% of the food eaten by juvenile fish (16.3B35.0 cm TL) and 77.5% of the food of adults by volume. Other food items found in the stomachs of C. gariepinus include insects, fish eggs, gastropods, pieces of macrophytes, detritus and zooplankton. SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science Vol. 23, No. 2 (December 2000), pp. 231-246 Key words/phrases: Clarias gariepinus, food, Lake Awassa, piscivory, reproduction
Regulation of cytochrome P4501B1 in cultured rat adrenocortical cells by cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and 2,3,7,8- tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

Cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1), which is responsible for metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in the rat adrenal gland, is partially dependent on ACTH in vivo. The regulation of CYP1B1 and possible involvement in steroidogenesis have been characterized in cultured rat adrenocortical cells. Relatively high basal expression of CYP1B1 is maintained in vitro and is, therefore, independent of ACTH. CYP1B1 expression is elevated 4-fold in primary cultures of fasciculata cells after 24 h of ACTH treatment, as measured by selective 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene metabolism, immunoblot analysis, and parallel changes in the 5.2-kilobase CYP1B1 messenger RNA (mRNA). Corticosterone synthesis was stimulated about 40-fold in these cells after this ACTH treatment. Maximal stimulation of CYP1B1 protein and mRNA by ACTH has been duplicated in fasciculata cells by 8-bromo-cAMP and the adenylyl cyclase agonist, forskolin, indicating that cAMP mediates this induction. CYP1B1 is similarly stimulated by ACTH in rat adrena...
Antegrade pressure measurement as a diagnostic tool in modern pediatric urology

Introduction The antegrade pressure measurement (APM) or perfusion pressure-flow test (Whitaker test) is a method of antegrade measurement of pressure in the upper urinary tract. In this study, we present the long-term follow-up results of APMs performed in our institution in the late 1980s and early 1990s to see whether the diagnostic decisions that were based on the outcomes of the test prove to be correct in the long term.
Regulation of mitochondrial sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase activity: response to feeding status is unique in various rat tissues and is discordant with protein expression.

Triacylglycerol plays a critical role in an organism's ability to withstand fuel deprivation, and dysregulation of triacylglycerol synthesis is important in the development of diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) catalyzes the initial and committed step of glycerolipid synthesis and is therefore a potential site for regulation of triacylglycerol synthesis. Because several studies suggest that triacylglycerol synthesis is linked to the mitochondrial isoform, we studied mitochondrial GPAT expression and the effect of feeding status on the regulation of mitochondrial GPAT in various rat tissues. Liver, adipose, and soleus muscle have high levels of GPAT mRNA, but low protein expression, whereas heart and adrenal, tissues with low GPAT mRNA abundance, have the highest GPAT protein expression. In addition, heart, which has the highest expression of mitochondrial GPAT protein, has low mitochondrial GPAT specific activity (0.02 nmol/min/mg). Liver and adipose have the highest mitochondrial GPAT specific activity (0.17 nmol/min/mg), but very low protein expression. Discrepancies between GPAT protein expression and activity suggest that mitochondrial GPAT may be regulated acutely. In response to a 48-h fast, liver and adipose mitochondrial GPAT protein expression and activity decrease 30-50%. After 24-h refeeding of either chow or high-sucrose diet, mitochondrial GPAT protein expression and activity overshoot normal levels 30-60%. In kidney, mitochondrial GPAT protein and activity increase 65 and 30%, respectively, with refeeding, whereas in the heart, mitochondrial GPAT activity increases 2.3-fold after a fast, with no change in protein expression. We also found that hepatic mitochondrial GPAT activity in the neonatal rat constitutes a lower percentage of the total GPAT activity than in the adult. We postulate that GPAT expression is modulated uniquely in each tissue according to specific needs for triacylglycerol storage.
Independent effects of socioeconomic and psychological social determinants of health on self-care and outcomes in Type 2 diabetes.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the independent effects of socioeconomic and psychological social determinants of health on diabetes knowledge, self-care, diabetes outcomes and quality of life. Research design and methods Cross-sectional sample of 615 adults from two adult primary care clinics in the southeastern United States. Primary outcome variables were diabetes knowledge, self-care behaviors (diet, exercise, medication adherence, blood sugar testing, foot care) and diabetes outcomes (HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein, blood pressure, physical component summary score of SF12 quality of life, mental component summary score of SF12 quality of life). Covariates included age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, health literacy and comorbidity. Linear regression models were used to assess independent associations controlling for covariates. Results In final adjusted models, significant associations for HbA1c included education [β=−0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): − 1.36 to − 0.08], income (β=−0.66, CI: − 1.30 to − 0.16), self-efficacy (β=−0.12, CI: − 0.15 to − 0.08) and diabetes distress (β=0.43, CI: 0.14 to 0.72). Significant associations for self-care included medication adherence with diabetes distress (β=−0.58, CI: − 0.91 to − 0.25) and perceived stress (β=−0.12, CI: − 0.18 to − 0.05) and exercise with depression (β=−0.06, CI: − 0.10 to − 0.01) and self-efficacy (β=0.06, CI: 0.01 to 0.10). Significant associations for quality of life included depression (β=−0.08, CI: − 0.12 to − 0.03), serious psychological distress (β=−0.09, CI: − 0.12 to − 0.05), social support (β=0.01, CI: 0.001 to 0.02) and perceived stress (β=−0.12, CI: − 0.19 to − 0.06). Conclusions Social determinants of health were significantly associated with diabetes self-care and outcomes with socioeconomic factors being most often associated with diabetes outcomes and psychological factors, specifically self-efficacy and perceived stress being most often associated with self-care and quality of life.
Abstract 559: Human ovarian cancer mesenchymal stem cells demonstrate abnormal BMP signaling and promote tumorigenesis

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Numerous recent reports indicate a critical role for MSC in solid tumor growth. Unfortunately, very little is known about human solid tumor associated MSC. We analyzed over 15 samples of primary ovarian tumors for the presence MSC. MSC were isolated from over 90% of these samples. These cells had the morphologic appearance of CFU-F (colony forming unit-fibroblastic), a normal karyotype, and were non-tumorigenic. Phenotypic characterization of these cells indicates they express the surface markers normally associated with MSC; they express traditional MSC markers including SH2, SH3, and CD90, and do not express hematopoietic markers such CD34, CD14, or CD4. Functional characterization demonstrates that these cells are multipotent, capable of differentiating into adipose, cartilage, and bone. However, ovarian cancer-derived MSC appear to be somewhat less efficient at differentiation than the healthy donor control MSC. When combined with tumor cells in immune deficient mice, the promotion of tumor growth by ovarian cancer associated MSC was significantly greater than that seen with healthy donor control MSC. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that cancer associated MSC have significantly altered BMP family member expression. These studies suggest that cancer associated MSC are unique from their healthy tissue associated counterparts and play a critical role in cancer cell growth. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 559.
DETERMINANTS, DIRAC OPERATORS, AND ONE-LOOP PHYSICS

We consider the Dirac operator. Its determinant is examined and in two Euclidean dimensions is explicitly evaluated in terms of geometrical quantities. This leads us to consider a generalization of the Wess-Zumino action that is applicable to arbitrary genus. Our analysis is relevant to a number of interesting systems: Schwinger models on curved two-manifolds; string theories with world-sheet vectors; and as an exploration of possible directions in evaluating determinants in four dimensions.
Distributed Anechoic System Using Electrically Active Fluid

A novel application of electrorheological fluid as a potential candidate for externally controllable anechoic material is discussed. The mechanism postulated is a resonant interaction of the incident compressional waves with the subsonic shear modes of the system. The energy dissipation is expected due to the existence of a loss modulus of the system.
Fatal asthma from powdering shark cartilage and review of fatal occupational asthma literature

Background Work-related asthma (WRA) is the most common work-associated respiratory disease in developed countries. Method We report shark cartilage dust as a new potential cause of occupational asthma (OA) in the context of other fatal OA case reports. Results A 38-year-old white male worked for 8 years in a facility which primarily granulated and powdered various plastics. Sixteen months prior to his death, the plant began grinding shark cartilage. After 10 months of exposure, he reported chest symptoms at work in association with exposure to shark cartilage dust and a physician diagnosed asthma. Six months later, he complained of shortness of breath at work and died from autopsy-confirmed asthma. The latency from onset of exposure to symptoms and from symptom onset to death was shorter than 10 previously reported OA fatalities. Conclusion Recognition of occupational causes and triggers of asthma and removal of affected individuals from these exposures is critical and can prevent progression to irreversible or even fatal asthma. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42: 50–54, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Homogenization and Global Responses of Inhomogeneous Spherical Nonlinear Elastic Shells

Homogenization of radially inhomogeneous spherical nonlinear elastic shells subject to internal pressure is studied. The equivalent homogeneous material is defined in such a way that it gives rise to exactly the same global response to the pressure load as that of the inhomogeneous shell. For a shell with general strain–energy function and inhomogeniety, the strain–energy function of the equivalent homogeneous material is determined explicitly. The resulting formula is used to study layered composite shells. The equivalent homogeneous material for an infinitely fine layered composite shell is examined, and is found to give not only the same global response, but also the same average stress field as the composite shell does.
Socially mediated fear reduction in rodents: Distraction, communication, or mere presence?

Abstract Two studies investigated why the presence of conspecifics reduces open-field fear. In Experiment 1 rats paired with another experimentally naive rat were not less fearful than alone controls. However, rats paired with a partner who had been preexposed to the open field exhibited fewer fear responses than alone controls. Since preexposed companions appeared to initiate more social interactions than nonpreexposed companions, it was argued that the preexposure effect could be the result of preexposed companions distracting actor rats from threatening stimuli. Experiment 2 tested this explanation by pairing socially sated or socially deprived rats with a socially sated or socially deprived companion. In accord with a distraction hypothesis, pairing two socially deprived rats produced the greatest fear reduction effects and also led to more social interaction than pairing socially sated rats. Alternative explanations involving conditioning and communication are discussed.
Protein level identification of the Listeria monocytogenes Sigma H, Sigma L, and Sigma C regulons

Background Transcriptional regulation by alternative sigma (σ) factors represents an important mechanism that allows bacteria to rapidly regulate transcript and protein levels in response to changing environmental conditions. While the role of the alternative σ factor σB has been comparatively well characterized in L. monocytogenes, our understanding of the roles of the three other L. monocytogenes alternative σ factors is still limited. In this study, we employed a quantitative proteomics approach using Isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantitation (iTRAQ) to characterize the L. monocytogenes σL, σH, and σC protein regulons. Proteomic comparisons used a quadruple alternative σ factor mutant strain (ΔBCHL) and strains expressing a single alternative σ factor (i.e., σL, σH, and σC; strains ΔBCH, ΔBCL, and ΔBHL) to eliminate potential redundancies between σ factors.
A trans-response effect of partial reinforcement

Eight rats were conditioned to run an L-maze with food pellets as reinforcement Reinforcement was available to the control Ss at the end of the maze on every trial, while the experimental Ss were reinforced on an intermittent schedule. Following this differential training in the maze, all Ss were placed in a Skinner box and conditioned to press a bar for food which succeeded each response. After the bar press response was established, all Ss were run to a 3 min extinction criterion. During the extinction session the experimental Ss emitted more responses than the control Ss, and these results suggest that at least one effect of partial reinforcement, resistance to extinction, may be evidenced across unrelated responses.
What is the purpose of launching the World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics

The first issue of the World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics (WJCP), whose preparatory work was initiated on January 10, 2011, will be published on June 8, 2012. The WJCP editorial board has now been established and consists of 100 distinguished experts from 31 countries. Our purpose of launching the WJCP is to publish peer-reviewed, high-quality articles via an open-access online publishing model, thereby acting as a platform for communication between peers and the wider public, and maximizing the benefits to editorial board members, authors and readers.
Wavelet Analysis of the Convectively Coupled Equatorial Waves in the Wavenumber–Frequency Domain

Abstract Wavelet analysis is performed on 31 yr (1975–2007, except 1978 and 1979) of daily outgoing longwave radiation data in the global equatorial region (15°S–15°N). Power spectra in the zonal wavenumber–frequency domain are obtained. With different scales and bandwidths than in previous Fourier-based analysis, peaks of variances that are associated with the various convectively coupled waves are found. Further, possibly because of the ability to resolve shorter waves that have limited zonal extent, significant variances are also found at tropical depression–type scales. However, waves of zonal wavenumber zero cannot be explicitly analyzed.
A note on an interpretation to consumption-based CAPM

Abstract The consumption-based CAPM pricing rule is sometimes interpreted as implying that the price of an asset with a random payoff falls short of its expected payoff if and only if the random payoff positively correlates with consumption. This note demonstrates that this interpretation to C-CAPM is not generally correct. More importantly, it investigates under what qualifications this intuitive interpretation still holds.
Comparison of Mechanical Characteristics of Deployment for Expandable vs. Fixed Interbody Cages: Implications for Premature Clinical Failures

Both expandable and non-expandable interbody cage designs are available to surgeons for cases involving spinal reconstruction and stabilization following single level lumbar corpectomy [1]. Different expandable cage designs are on the market [2], but all involve a manual mechanism to intraoperatively adjust the compressive load applied by the cage against the vertebral body endplates. Non-expandable cages do not have such a mechanism, and surgeons rely on cutting the cage to the appropriate length to achieve a “press-fit.” The clinical reasoning behind the expandable cage design is that the adjustability of the device will allow the surgeon to achieve the maximum contact area between the cage and the vertebral endplate without “overstuffing” the interbody space and thus causing a sagittal-plane deformity.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Evaluation of the cardiovascular system using NMR.

AbstractThe current status and suggestions of the future potential for nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the cardiovascular system are described. With many of the potential applications, there is overlap with existing methods. For example, imaging of the left ventricle can be accomplished with either echocardiography or radionuclide techniques with adequate evaluation of the left ventricular function. At current costs these conventional techniques may provide a more cost-effective approach for morphologic and functional assessment of the cardiovascular system. For this type of imaging, the advantages of NMR include its excellent resolution, the inherent tissue contrast, the sensitivity to blood motion, the 3-dimensional measure, and the lack of ionizing radiation. Because of these, NMR could provide an important adjunct for evaluation of the cardiovascular system. However for NMR to achieve its full promise as a cardiovascular imaging technique, some of its unique potentials need to be developed. Thes...
Transmission electron microscopy observations on the microstructure of naturally aged Al–Mg–Si alloy AA6022 processed with an electric field

The influence of an electric field applied during the solution heat treatment and during a short subsequent initial natural aging of AA6022 on the nature of the precipitates which occurred after natural aging for a long time (2–3 years) was determined employing transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction. The precipitates were spherical in shape ranging from 2 nm to 40 nm in diameter d p with an average of 7.9 nm. Their average size was larger than that (4.9 nm) in a specimen processed without field and their size distribution had a greater number of precipitates with d p>∼3 nm. Moreover, their crystal structure differed from that in specimens processed without a field. The increase in yield stress which occurred with the electric field treatments is attributed to an increase in the interaction force between the precipitates and dislocations, which resulted from the larger size and different crystal structure of the precipitates by the field.
NOTCH1 IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRI-LEAFLET CALCIFIC AORTIC STENOSIS

The prevalence of tri-leaflet calcific aortic stenosis continues to grow. An understanding of the genetic role of the disease is important in the development of preventative therapies. We performed a two-center genome wide association study (GWAS) of aortic stenosis. A control group was compared to
Embryonic and fetal hemopoiesis in the mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

A study of the development of hemopoiesis in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) was conducted in order to determine the temporal sequence, the organs involved and the cytology of blood cell formation in this species. Hemopoiesis in the intrauterine life of the gerbil can be divided into four phases based on the site of blood cell formation: (1) the vitelline phase, (2) the hepatic phase, including thymic histogenesis, (3) the splenic phase and (4) the medullary phase, with the development of secondary lymphoid tissues. At the onset of each of these phases a blast-like cell was identifiable in each hemopoietic organ which, because of its morphology and its presumed multipotentiality was classified as a "lymphoid cell". In the yolk sac phase (gestational day 12) two generations of erythrocytes, a primitive and a definitive, are formed. The liver is by day 15 erythropoietic and megakaryopoietic, but later, a few granulocytes are also found in its extravascular compartment. The thymus is exclusively lymphopoietic from the appearance of its earliest cells on day 15. Splenic hemopoiesis is initiated with the presence of lymphoid cells (day 20) followed later by the appearance of morphologically identifiable blood cell lines. Early normoblastic and granulocytic activity begins in the marrow cavities on day 23, though the marrow is not considered to be a source of circulating blood cells during fetal life. Lymph node histogenesis occurs during the last four days of gestation, first in the cervical region and then in other parts of the body. The finding of undifferentiated lymphoid cells in all organs at the initiation of hemopoiesis and in the peripheral blood throughout gestation is discussed in light of the migratory theory of hemopoiesis.
Weight Loss and Leptin Changes in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes

WILLIAMS, KATHERINE V., MONICA MULLEN, WE1 LANG, ROBERT V. CONSIDINE, AND RENA R. WING. Weight loss and leptin changes in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Obes Res. Objective To identify variables associated with leptin change in subjects with type 2 diabetes after 3 weeks and 20 weeks of weight loss. Research Methods and Procedures Subjects with type 2 diabetes treated with diet or sulfonylureas (n = 54) were enrolled in a 20-week behavioral weight control program. Sulfonylureas were stopped ≥2 weeks before study entry. Seven subjects who restarted sulfonylureas after week 3 had their data analyzed separately after this point. Results Leptin, fasting plasma glucose, and insulin levels were measured at baseline and at 3, 10, and 20 weeks. After 3 weeks, subjects lost 2.7±2.0 kg (p<0.001), and had significant decreases in leptin (5.2±7.0 ng/mL, p<0.001), fasting plasma glucose (1.8±1.8 mmol/L, p<0.001), and insulin (23±60 pmol/L, p<0.03). Between week 3 and week 20, subjects lost an additional 6.3±4.4 kg (P<0.001), but had no further changes in leptin. The primary determinants of leptin change at all time-points were weight loss and initial leptin level. Changes in insulin were not related to changes in leptin after controlling for the effects of weight loss. At week 20, more recent weight loss (week 10 to week 20) was as strong a predictor of overall change in leptin as overall weight loss (baseline to 20 week). Subjects who restarted sulfonylureas had an increase in both leptin levels (+1.9±9.0 ng/mL, p<0.05) and insulin levels (+23±65 pmol/L, p<0.05), despite significant overall weight loss (-7.4±4.0 kg, p<0.01). Initial changes in leptin (0 weeks to 3 weeks) did not affect subsequent ability to lose weight. Discussion Both short- and long-term changes in weight had an effect on leptin changes in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Although physiological insulin changes did not independently influence changes in leptin concentration with weight loss, increases in insulin levels with sulfonyl-urea therapy were associated with increases in leptin levels despite weight loss.
Is there an instrumental drift in the counting rate of some high latitude neutron monitors

Abstract For the last six decades the neutron monitors have provided a continuous string of very reliable data to the heliophysics community. Although neutron monitors are not the primary source of data for the galactic cosmic rays, these data serve as a baseline reference for the data collected by the detectors on board the satellites and deep space probes, far away from earth orbit. The pressure corrected hourly data are available from the World Data Centers. These data have been used to derive deep insights pertaining to the electromagnetic states of the heliosphere and the modes of transport of energetic charged particles in the tangled interplanetary magnetic fields. We present evidence that some of the high latitude neutron monitors are undergoing long-term drifts in their baselines. In particular, we argue that there is no physical basis to justify the observed long-term downward trend in the baseline of the South Pole neutron monitor. The real reason may have to do with its maintenance at a distant location with challenging logistics and an improper normalization of its data after the 26 months break in the 1970s.
Lysophosphatidylcholine as a ligand for immunoregulation

Despite the recognized effects of lysophosphatidylcholine upon cells of the immune system and its association with inflammatory processes, its mechanism of action has remained poorly characterized. Our recent identification of the first lysophosphatidylcholine receptor as an immunoregulatory G protein-coupled receptor named G2A whose genetic ablation results in the development of inflammatory autoimmune disease has, therefore, provided a new perspective on the role of this lysophospholipid as a modulator of immune responses. This commentary discusses the biological properties of lysophosphatidylcholine as an immunoregulatory ligand for cells of the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Although we focus primarily on ligand interactions with G2A, we also discuss the issue of possible functional redundancy with other receptors with recently established ligand specificities towards phosphorylcholine-containing lysolipids including lysophosphatidylcholine.
Antigenicity of cell-free staphylococcal coagulase.

The fact that certain strains of staphylococci have the ability to clot plasma was recognized in 1903,1 and since then this reaction has been widely employed as a test for pathogenicity of the organism. From the investigations of Smith and Hale2 and Kaplan and Spink3 the mechanism whereby staphylococcal coagulase clots plasma has been elucidated to some extent. Most strains of Staphylococcus aureus produce an extracellular substance, coagulase, during their growth. Coagulase does not clot fibrinogen directly; a second factor, normally found in the blood of many species, is required in the reaction. This factor was termed "activator" by Smith and Hale2 and "coagluase reacting factor" by Tager.4 Since staphylococcal coagulase has not been identified as the active clotting substance, the term activator is somewhat misleading. It would appear equally possible that the factor found in blood is acted on by staphylo-
An absorption model of the gas/aerosol partitioning involved in the formation of secondary organic aerosol

A partitioning model is developed to allow the modeling of the dynamics of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. The gas/aerosol partitioning is assumed to be governed by equilibrium partitioning into an absorptive, well-mixed liquid (or at least amorphous) organic matter (om) phase. The model is represented using a set of coupled linear equations. It may be especially applicable when photochemical smog is being formed in the summer. The model permits (indeed, it requires) partitioning of a given compound i to occur even when i is present at a level below its saturation vapor pressure. During early periods of SOA formation, to determine the partitioning for each compound of interest, the model must be solved iteratively for each time and location of interest. Iteration is required because the partitioning is assumed to be governed by mole fraction concentrations in the om phase, and because prior to solving the problem, one does not know the total number of mols of condensed compounds in the om phase. During later stages of SOA formation, if the amount and general composition of the SOA begin to become constant, the partitioning coefficient of each of the compounds will also stabilize, and an iterative solution will be less needed.
Enhanced resolution and quantitation from `ultrahigh' field NMR spectroscopy of glasses

Abstract The utilization of higher magnetic fields for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (e.g., 14.1 and 18.8 T) can enhance both resolution and sensitivity in studies of disordered materials. When used in conjunction with fast magic angle spinning (MAS), high-field NMR can yield structural information not always available from NMR experiments of glasses at lower fields. Examples include site distinction of multiple boron groupings in 11 B MAS NMR spectra of borate glasses, the spectroscopic observation of low concentrations of five- and six-co-ordinate aluminum species in 27 Al MAS NMR spectra of aluminosilicate glasses, and new insight into magnesium co-ordination environments in silicate glasses using 25 Mg MAS NMR. Also presented are 17 O MAS NMR spectra of a zeolite in which high-field experiments permit resolution and quantification of bound molecular water. Comparisons of spectral data collected at 18.8 T with those at lower fields demonstrate these principles and indicate the potential of high-field MAS NMR applications to amorphous solids.
Constrained charge-balanced minimum-power controls for spiking neuron oscillators

Abstract In this paper, we study the optimal control of phase models for spiking neuron oscillators. We focus on the design of minimum-power current stimuli that elicit spikes of neurons at specified times, subject to the charge-balance constraint. Such charge-balanced controls, in practice, are used to suppress undesirable side effects occurred due to the accumulation of electric charge resulting from the applied external stimuli. We derive charge-balanced minimum-power controls for a general phase model using the maximum principle, where the cases with unbounded and bounded control amplitude are examined. The latter is of fundamental importance because phase models are valid under weak forcing. The developed optimal control strategies are applied to both mathematically ideal and experimentally observed phase models to demonstrate their applicability, including the widely studied Hodgkin–Huxley model.
Vector Mesons and the Pomeranchuk Trajectory

Within the framework of dispersion theory, it was shown that an elementary pole describing a vector particle necessarily induces a Regge trajectory with alpha (0) = 1 and positive signature, provided the pole appears in the crossed channel of an elastic scattering amplitude. The possibility that the Regge pole with alpha (0) = 1 has a superimposed branch or that it is a double pole is not excluded. If a vector meson is described by a Regge pole, the argument for the existence of an induced Pomeranchuk trajectory does not apply. (C.E.S.)
Longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging in a rat brain glioma model.

In order to investigate the properties of water motion within and around brain tumors as a function of tumor growth, longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was carried out in a rat brain glioma (C6) model. As tumors grow in size, significant anisotropy of water diffusion was seen both within and around the tumor. The tissue water surrounding the tumor exhibited high planar anisotropy, as opposed to linear anisotropy normally seen in white matter, indicating that cells were experiencing stress in a direction normal to the tumor border. When tumors were sufficiently large, significant anisotropy was also seen within the tumor due to longer range organization of cancer cells within the tumor borders. These findings have important implications for diffusion-weighted MRI experiments studying tumor growth and response to therapy.
Ultrashort-pulse fiber ring lasers

This paper reviews recent progress on ultrashort pulse generation with erbium-doped fiber ring lasers. The passive mode-locking technique of polarization additive pulse mode-locking (P-APM) is used to generate stable, self- starting, sub-500 fs pulses at the fundamental repetition rate from a unidirectional fiber ring laser operating in the soliton regime. Saturation of the APM, spectral sideband genera- tion, and intracavity filtering are discussed. Harmonic mode- locking of fiber ring lasers with soliton pulse compression is addressed, and stability regions for the solitons are mapped and compared with theoretical predictions. The stretched- pulse laser, which incorporates segments of positive- and negative-dispersion fiber into the P-APM fiber ring, gen- erates shorter (sub-100 fs) pulses with broader bandwidths (> 65 nm) and higher pulse energies (up to 2: 7n J). We dis- cuss optimization of the net dispersion of the stretched-pulse laser, use of the APM rejection port as the laser output port, and frequency doubling for amplifier seed applications. We also review the analytical theory of the stretched-pulse laser as well as discuss the excellent noise characteristics of both the soliton and stretched-pulse lasers.
Kennedy and Achilles: A Classical Approach to Political Science

Has any president been harder for historians and political scientists to get a handle on than John F. Kennedy? As Fred Greenstein (1992) has noted, “In spite of the voluminous literature on Kennedy himself, the events of his presidency, his associates, image, and assassination, … his reputation remains in dispute.” Not only does “the thirty-fifth president await a satisfactory biographer,” Greenstein observes, but scholars do not seem to be getting any closer: “Recent efforts to assess him fall short even of the ‘court biographies’ of Schlesinger and Sorensen.” Was Kennedy friend or foe of the civil rights movement? A Cold Warrior or a champion of peace? Was his personal character healthily “active-positive” or pathologically reckless? Did he grow in office or remain as he began? Kennedy's hold on Americans' political consciousness, which seems undiminished a third of a century after his assassination, poses a related puzzle for presidential scholars. Dozens of books about Kennedy and his family have appeared on recent bestseller lists. Examining the Kennedy assassination is still a growth industry. Around one-third of Americans say they think that Kennedy belongs on Mt. Rushmore, more than anyone else from U.S. history, and he regularly heads the list of greatest presidents in public opinion polls. At the much-ballyhooed April 1996 auction of Kennedy memorabilia, his possessions were bid up like relics of the True Cross—a set of the late president's golf woods fetched $772,500.
Renin–angiotensin system inhibitors and risk of cancer

In their letter to the editor, Banerjee et al. explore the probable mechanistic basis for a hypothesized increased cancer risk with blockers of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) through a review of the literature [1]. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) inhibit the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II and prevent its action on both AT1 and AT2 receptors. Historically, it was believed that AT1 receptor blockade is beneficial (prevents vasoconstriction, cell growth, sodium/water retention and sympathetic activation effects of angiotensin II), whereas AT2 receptor blockade has been viewed as less desirable (purported to have vasodilatory and antiproliferative action mediated via the kinin system).
Darunavir: a new HIV-1 protease inhibitor for the treatment of HIV infection

Darunavir (formerly known as TMC 114) is a protease inhibitor that was approved by the US FDA in June 2006 for use in treatment-experienced patients, with markedly greater virological and immunological benefits compared with the standard of care. It is dosed twice daily with food and requires boosting with ritonavir. It has demonstrated virological efficacy in vivo, with activity against protease inhibitor-resistant HIV, and in treatment-naive patients in clinical studies with up to 48-week follow-up in combination with an optimized background regimen. Darunavir used with low-dose ritonavir is a largely well-tolerated protease inhibitor with proven efficacy.
A one-handed method for obtaining arterial blood.

Reporting a high rate of needle-stick injuries, Mr Elmiyeh and his colleagues (July 2004 JRSM1) offer no detail on the techniques. I would not be surprised if arterial puncture was overrepresented. Here I describe a one-handed method that might lessen the hazard.
Stability of Four Antifungal Antimicrobics in Vitro

The stability of amphotericin B, amphotericin B methyl ester, 5-fluorocytosine, and miconazole was assessed under conditions encountered in bioassay and susceptibility testing in vitro. Although the amphotericins were labile as compared with other drugs, tests should be reliable with all four antimicrobics in view of the rapid action of the polyenes and the relatively slow action of 5-fluorocytocine and miconazole.
Rheed Studies of the Nucleation, Growth, and Mobility of AG Atoms on the Si(111)7 X 7 Surface

The low temperature and flux dependent growth of ultrathin Ag films on the Si(111)7x7 surface is studied with Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED). The grazing incidence geometry of RHEED allows for an incident molecular beam normal to the surface, and makes it an ideal surface probe for studying ultrathin film growth in real time. Short-lived oscillations in the diffracted intensity are observed during Ag deposition at 150 K, indicating quasi-layer-by-layer growth mediated by adatom mobility. When the 150 K growth is performed over a wide range of deposition rates F, the peak intensity is observed to scale, i.e. I(Ft) depends only on the total amount deposited, which implies thermally activated diffusion is absent at 150 K. Scaling is not obeyed at higher temperatures (T{ge}473 K) for the growth of the {radical}3{times}{radical}3 R30{degrees} ({radical}3) superstructure. Testing for scaling of the diffracted intensity constitutes a new experimental method which can be applied generally to determine if thermal diffusion is active at a particular temperature. Scaling is consistent with a constant diffusion length R{sub 0}, independent of substrate temperature and deposition rate. The presence of a non-thermal diffusion mechanism (responsible for the constant diffusion length R{sub 0}) is confirmed by monitoring the flux dependence of the {radical}3 superstructure growth during deposition at T{ge}473 K. At these temperatures the total diffusion length R is given by R=R{sub 0}+(4Dt){sup 1/2}, where (4Dt){sup 1/2} is the thermal component. A non-zero intercept R{sub 0} is found by plotting the peak intensity I{sub p}{sup 1/2} (a measure of the average domain size) vs. deposition rate F{sup {minus}1/2} (F{sup {minus}1} is proportional to the available diffusion time.) From the FWHM of a low coverage (0.2 ML) {radical}3 spot, an estimation of 50 {angstrom} is made for a lower bound of the magnitude of R{sub 0}.
Clinical Pharmacology of Topiramate: A Review

Clinical success with an antiepileptic drug (AED) depends primarily on its efficacy and tolerability. Clinicians also need to have a basic understanding of an AED's pharmacokinetic characteristics, particularly those affecting the potential for drug interactions such as hepatic enzyme inhibition or induction and protein-binding displacement. Successful treatment may be complicated by pharmacokinetic characteristics such as a short half-life, nonlinear kinetics, and active metabolites. Pharmacokinetic characteristics that make a drug easy to use may affect patient adherence. In general, newer AEDs such as topiramate (TPM) are simpler to use than traditional AEDs because they have more favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics and fewer drug interactions.
Computational inference of the molecular logic for synaptic connectivity in C. elegans

Motivation: The nematode C. elegans is an ideal model organism in which to investigate the biomolecular mechanisms underlying the connectivity of neurons, because synaptic connections are described in a comprehensive wiring diagram and methods for defining gene expression profiles of individual neurons are now available. Results: Here we present computational techniques linking these two types of information. A systems-based approach (EMBP: Entropy Minimization and Boolean Parsimony) identifies sets of synergistically interacting genes whose joint expression predicts neural connectivity. We introduce an information theoretic measure of the multivariate synergy, a fundamental concept in systems biology, connecting the members of these gene sets. We present and validate our preliminary results based on publicly available information, and demonstrate that their synergy is exceptionally high indicating joint involvement in pathways. Our strategy provides a robust methodology that will yield increasingly more accurate results as more neuron-specific gene expression data emerge. Ultimately, we expect our approach to provide important clues for universal mechanisms of neural interconnectivity. Contact: anastas@ee.columbia.edu Supplementary Information: Expression and connectivity data will be available and maintained in the future as new results become available, together with software and additional clarifying descriptions of our techniques, on
Predictors and Moderators of Psychological Distress in Mothers of Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders

ABSTRACT This study explored potential predictors of psychological distress and moderators of the relation between parenting stress and psychological distress in mothers of children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs). Ninety-seven mothers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders completed measures assessing children's functional impairment, parenting stress, number of social supports, satisfaction with social support, parenting sense of competence, number of coping strategies, and maternal psychological distress. Consistent with hypotheses, parenting competence and satisfaction with social support were negatively related to maternal distress. However, number of coping strategies and number of social supports were not significantly related to distress. Regression analyses revealed that number of social supports augmented, rather than moderated, the relation between a composite of children's functional impairment/parenting stress and maternal distress; no other variable significantly ...