cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microfabricated channel array electrophoresis for characterization and screening of enzymes using RGS-G protein interactions as a model system.

A microfluidic chip consisting of parallel channels designed for rapid electrophoretic enzyme assays was developed. Radial arrangement of channels and a common waste channel allowed chips with 16 and 36 electrophoresis units to be fabricated on a 7.62 × 7.62 cm2 glass substrate. Fluorescence detection was achieved using a Xe arc lamp source and commercial charge-coupled device (CCD) camera to image migrating analyte zones in individual channels. Chip performance was evaluated by performing electrophoretic assays for G protein GTPase activity on chip using BODIPY−GTP as enzyme substrate. A 16-channel design proved to be useful in extracting kinetic information by allowing serial electrophoretic assays from 16 different enzyme reaction mixtures at 20 s intervals in parallel. This system was used to rapidly determine enzyme concentrations, optimal enzymatic reaction conditions, and Michaelis−Menten constants. A chip with 36 channels was used for screening for modulators of the G protein−RGS protein interacti...
II. Nietzschean notes on the Tennessen‐Naess exchange

Tennessen and Naess both assume that we can make meaningful judgments about the value of life but disagree with one another about whether it is obvious, as Tennessen believes, that the more men know the less reason they have to affirm life. It is their common assumption which Nietzsche would question and these notes try to bring out why.
Analyzing a computer facility queueing problem by simulation

Abstract This paper puts forward a “C” simulation model for the analysis of queueing systems. The model is applied to a computer facility queueing problem with and without preemption. The C program was executed on a PS2 using DOS 3.30, and TURBO C-10. The program is easy to understand and implement, and can be used to simulate considerably more complicated queueing systems than the one presented.
A multiaxial differential model of flow in orthotropic polycrystalline ice

Abstract A multiaxial differential model is proposed for pure flow in orthotropic polycrystalline ice. The derivation of the constitutive equations is based on thermodynamics with internal-state variables. The model equations consist of the equations-of-state and evolution equations for the internal variables and a nonelastic deformation variable. The internal state of the material is described in terms of a scalar and a second-rank tensor, which represent isotropic and kinematic hardening in the material, respectively. The nonelastic deformation-rate tensor is additively decomposed into transient and steady-state components. The orthotropic texture of ice during incompressible flow is characterized by five material parameters which define appropriate measures of the thermodynamic forces and deformations. Conventionally-used mechanical tests under constant-stress creep and constant strain-rate loading are sufficient to determine these parameters.
Phytoplankton productivity in the North Pacific ocean since 1900 and implications for absorption of anthropogenic CO2

THE world's carbon budget has not been in steady state since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution1. At present, carbon dioxide released by anthropogenic activities adds about 7±1.2 gigatonnes (Gt)Cyr−1 to the atmosphere, of which about 2Gt Cyr−1 is thought to be sequestered in the oceans2. In the steady state, phytoplankton fix about 35–50 Gt C yr−1, representing a significant component of the natural carbon cycle1. If ocean productivity were changing, these biological processes could have a significant influence on anthropogenic CO2 levels by drawing down the CO2 concentration in surface waters and increasing the concentration gradient across the air–sea interface1,3,4. The question of productivity changes is unresolved, however2,5,6. Venrick et al.7 reported that phytoplankton chlorophyll concentrations had roughly doubled in the central North Pacific gyre between 1965 and 1985. Here we use historical records of Secchi depth data to investigate whether such dramatic changes in phytoplankton biomass have occurred throughout the North Pacific ocean during this century. We find that, although very minor changes may have occurred in this basin over the past 70 years, they are too small to have a significant effect on the rise in atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
Arginine of retinoic acid receptor β which coordinates with the carboxyl group of retinoic acid functions independent of the amino acid residues responsible for retinoic acid receptor subtype ligand specificity

Abstract The biological actions of retinoic acid (RA) are mediated by retinoic acid receptors (RARα, RARβ, and RARγ) and retinoid X receptors (RXRα, RXRβ, and RXRγ). Consistent with the X-ray crystal structures of RARα and RARγ, site-directed mutagenesis studies have demonstrated the importance of a conserved Arg residue (αArg 276 , βArg 269 , and γArg 278 ) for coordination with the carboxyl group of RA. However, mutation of Arg 269 to Ala in RARβ causes only a 3- to 6-fold increase in the K d for RA and EC 50 in RA-dependent transcriptional transactivation assays while the homologous mutation in either RARα or RARγ causes a 110-fold and a 45-fold increase in EC 50 value, respectively. To further investigate the nature of this difference, we prepared mutant RARs to determine the effect of conversion of βR269A to a mutant which mimics either RARα ligand selectivity (βA225S/R269A) or RARγ ligand selectivity (βI263M/R269A/V338A). Our results demonstrate that in RARβ mutants that acquire either RARα or RARγ ligand specificity the Arg 269 position responsible for coordination with the carboxyl group of retinoids continued to function like that of RARβ. Furthermore, three mutant receptors (βA225S/R269A, βA225S/F279, and αF286A) were found to have a greater than wild-type affinity for the RARα-selective ligand Am580. Finally, a homology-based computer model of the ligand binding domain (LBD) of RARβ and the X-ray crystal structures of the LBD of both RARα and RARγ are used to describe potential mechanisms responsible for the increased affinity of some mutants for Am580 and for the difference in the effect of mutation of Arg 269 in RARβ compared to its homologous Arg in RARα and RARγ.
Ferromagnetic film on a superconducting substrate

We study the equilibrium domain structure and magnetic flux around a ferromagnetic film with perpendicular magnetization ${M}_{0}$ on a superconducting (SC) substrate. At $4\ensuremath{\pi}{M}_{0}l{H}_{c1}$ the SC is in the Meissner state and the equilibrium domain width in the film, l, scales as $(l/4\ensuremath{\pi}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{L}{)=(l}_{N}/4\ensuremath{\pi}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{L}{)}^{2/3}$ with the domain width on a normal (nonsuperconducting) substrate, ${l}_{N}/4\ensuremath{\pi}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{L}\ensuremath{\gg}1;$ ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{L}$ being the London penetration length.
Comparison of the Nucleic Acid- and NTP-Binding Properties of the Movement Protein of Cucumber Mosaic Cucumovirus and Tobacco Mosaic Tobamovirus

Abstract The cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) 3a movement protein (MP) was compared directly to the well-characterized tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) 30K MP by cloning the genes encoding these proteins into Escherichia coli, isolating the E. coli -expressed MPs, and characterizing them with regard to RNA- and NTP-binding activities. The two MPs were shown to bind single-stranded RNA and DNA cooperatively, but with no sequence specificity. However, discrete lengths of CMV RNA 3 could be protected against RNase digestion by the CMV 3a protein, indicating that the RNA was not uniformly covered by the MP after cooperative binding. The TMV 30K:RNA complex was more stable in NaCl than the CMV 3a:RNA complex; about 50% of the corresponding complexes were stable in 0.6 and 0.4 M NaCl, respectively. Both MPs could bind GTP strongly and UTP weakly, but not ATP or CTP. The CMV 3a protein expressed either in E. coli or in planta from RNA 3 of CMV was tagged at its C-terminus with six histidine residues, which facilitated its purification by affinity chromatography on a matrix containing Ni 2+ -nitrilotriacetate. The soluble, His-tagged 3a proteins, affinity-purified from E. coli and zucchini squash, both were able bind CMV RNA 3 in vitro.
Cooperative learning as applied to resident instruction in radiology reporting.

Rationale and Objectives The study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an active form of resident instruction, cooperative learning, and the residents’ response to that form of instruction. Materials and Methods The residents dictated three sets of reports both before and after instruction in radiology reporting using the cooperative learning method. The reports were evaluated for word count, Flesch-Kincaid grade level, advancement on clinical spectrum, clarity, and comparison to prior reports. The reports were evaluated for changes in performance characteristics between the pre- and postinstruction dictations. The residents’ response to this form of instruction was evaluated by means of a questionnaire. Results The instruction was effective in changing the resident dictations. The results became shorter (P Conclusion Cooperative learning can be an effective tool in the setting of the radiology residency. Instructional time requirements must be strongly considered in designing a cooperative learning program.
Relationships Among Total Weight, Body Shape, Visceral Components, and Fillet Traits in Palmetto Bass (Striped Bass Female Morone saxatilis× White Bass Male M. chrysops) and Paradise Bass (Striped Bass Female M. saxatilis× Yellow Bass Male M. mississippiensis)

. Relationships among total weight (W), and linear measures of body shape, visceral component weights, and fillet weight (Y) in market-size (>454 g) palmetto bass (Morone saxatilis female ×M. chrysops male, N= 138) and paradise bass (M. saxatilis female ×M. mississippiensis male, N= 134) were determined with the allometric equation: Y = aWb. Allometric analysis was used to compare traits of palmetto bass and paradise bass, and to identify factors influencing fillet yield. Paradise bass, an all female hybrid, had deeper, thicker, shorter bodies, and smaller heads than palmetto bass females. Male and female palmetto bass had similar body shapes. Values of growth coefficients (b) for body shape traits (range 0.21–0.48) indicated that shape was proportional across the weight range of fish used. Mean visceral fat and ovary weight were higher in paradise bass than in palmetto bass females suggesting the reproductive cycle was more advanced in paradise bass females. Whole fillet (skin and ribs intact) and skinless fillet (ribs intact) were larger for paradise bass than for palmetto bass, but trimmed fillet (skin and ribs removed) was not different between fish. Relative increases of whole and skinless fillet weights were greater than total weight in both groups indicating that the percentage of body mass attributed to fillet increases slightly as total weight increases. Therefore, small increases in fillet yield can be achieved by rearing fish to a larger size. Stepwise regression of whole, skinless, and trimmed fillet weight on body shape traits resulted in three parameter models with r2-values of 0.27–0.29 in palmetto bass, and of 0.37–0.43 in paradise bass. Addition of visceral components as independent variables in the models increased r2-values to 0.31–0.36 for palmetto bass and to 0.45–0.52 for paradise bass. Low phenotypic variation in fillet yield (CV = 3–5%) and poor predictability of yield from measures taken on live fish limit the potential for improving yield through individual selection. Identification of superior species or strain crosses or rearing fish to a larger size appear to be the best strategies for improving fillet yield of Morone hybrids.
THE EFFECT OF MATERNAL RITODRINE (R) TREATMENT UPON RAT PUPS ADRENAL CATECHOLAMINE (CA) CONTENT

The tocolytic agent R is used to prevent premature labor by direct effects (β-agonist) upon uterine smooth muscle. The pharmacology of R is much like the CA epinephrine(EPI)in its metabolic effects. Since R is EPI-like,the effects on pup adrenal CA content was investigated by delivering to the Dam pharmacologic R (13.8 mg/M2/hr),by subcutaneous osmotic mini-pump on days 15-21 gestation. Control Dams were identical to R treated except pumps contained saline. On day 21 pups were taken by C-section and adrenals were immediately processed for CA analysis by high perform ance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The EPI was significantly reduced (↓28%) in the R treated group; no effects were seen in dopamine(DA)or norepinephrine(NE)content. The decreased adrenal EPI content is most likely due to either displacement of EPI by R and/or an inhibition of EPI synthesis. The mechanism and ramifications of R's effect on pup adrenal EPI content remain to be established.
Experimental measurement of the variation in sensitivity within a single pixel of a CCD

The sensitivity of a solid state detector array varies as a result of changes in transmission, diffusion effects and scattering. This variation will occur on a scale length less than that of a single pixel and its knowledge is of importance for improved device design and in applications such as event centroiding in photon counting systems. This paper reports on a measurement of sensitivity variation on a sub-pixel scale for a two-phase front-illuminated CCD. The measurement was made using a scanning reflection microscope. Variation in sensitivity between the phases within a pixel and on much smaller spatial scale are clearly observed as well as crosstalk.
Everyday Buddhism and Environmental Decisions in the World’s Highest Ecosystem

As Tibetan Buddhists from the Nyingma sect, the Khumbu Sherpa generally view the landscape as sacred and protected by various deities and spirits. Beliefs that humans can earn protection by following certain religious practices have traditionally provided bene?cial environmental outcomes. Changing economic conditions, including those driven by foreign tourism, however, have reduced the prevalence or changed the character of these religious beliefs and practices. Mixed quantitative and qualitative research conducted in 2004–2007, 2008, and 2011 showed both generational and market-driven changes related to how consultants conceived of the relationship between humans and nonhumans and which environmental taboos they observed. Everyday Buddhist knowledge and practice appeared to focus on fewer spiritual entities and to be hybridizing with more secular belief systems. For Sherpa who are not following place-based religious traditions, economics may motivate less sustainable decisions; other Sherpa will likely continue their practice or utilize new knowledge to support sustainable environmental behavior.
Online Cost-Sharing Mechanism Design for Demand-Responsive Transport Systems

Demand-responsive transport (DRT) systems provide flexible transport services for passengers who request door-to-door rides in shared-ride mode without fixed routes and schedules. DRT systems face interesting coordination challenges. For example, one has to design cost-sharing mechanisms for offering fare quotes to potential passengers so that all passengers are treated fairly. The main issue is how the operating costs of the DRT system should be shared among the passengers (given that different passengers cause different amounts of inconvenience to the other passengers), taking into account that DRT systems should provide fare quotes instantaneously without knowing future ride request submissions. We determine properties of cost-sharing mechanisms that make DRT systems attractive to both the transport providers and passengers, namely online fairness, immediate response, individual rationality, budget balance, and ex-post incentive compatibility. We propose a novel cost-sharing mechanism, which is called Proportional Online Cost Sharing (POCS), which provides passengers with upper bounds on their fares immediately after their ride request submissions despite missing knowledge of future ride request submissions, allowing them to accept their fare quotes or drop out. We examine how POCS satisfies these properties in theory and computational experiments.
Hydrogen bonded solvation structures in the reaction of car☐ylic acids and anilines in cyclohexane acetic acid solutions

Abstract Short range solvation effects have been studied in reactions of car☐ylic acids and primary, secondary and tertiary amine anilines in cyclohexane and cyclohexane-acetic acid mixed solvents. Acetic acid is found to hydrogen bond with the amine protons of primary and secondary anilines. Trichloroacetic acid reacts as a trimeric structure. Acetic acid interferes with reactions of trichloroacetic acid, possibly by forming a tight heterodimer.
Opioid Therapy in 2012: A Call for a High Degree of Attention to Detail

Determining the number of patients with pain in theU.S. has been a difficult task because calculations of the prevalence of pain vary depending on the definitions of the levels of pain andon themethodsused toquantify it. Recently, however, the Institute of Medicine estimated that in 2011 there were 100 million individuals with pain in the U.S. This calculation was made based on a study that used the World Health Organization’s World Mental Health Surveys instrument in 10 developed countries and concluded that approximately 37% of adults have common chronic pain conditions. It is noteworthy that this number includes neither patients with acute pain nor children with pain. The high prevalence of pain has led to an increase in the use of prescription analgesics, including opioids. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed an increase in the percentage of Americans using opioids from the period 1988e1994 (3.2%) to the period 2005e2008 (5.7%). Of these individuals, 7% were patients aged 65 years or older. Moreover, according to theWhite House Action Plan, the number of opioid prescriptions dispensed by retail pharmacies increased by an astounding 48%, to 257 million prescriptions
The Human Ecological Niche1

The concept of the ecological niche has been used in a number of ways in anthropology: as a specialized part of human society, as synonymous with culture, and as a segment of the habitat. It is proposed that the “multi-dimensional” concept of the human ecological niche renders the niche concept of greater value to studies of human ecology. The importance of biological factors is stressed, and particular attention is paid to the principle of competitive exclusion, to human niche specialization, and to Cohen's (1968) criteria of human adaptive success.
The effects of drought and disturbance on the growth and developmental instability of loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda L.)

a b s t r a c t Ecological indicators provide early warning of adverse environmental change, helping land managers adaptively manage their resources while minimizing costly remediation. In 1999 and 2000, we studied two such indicators, growth and developmental instability, of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) influenced by mechanized infantry training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Disturbed areas were used for military train- ing; tracked and wheeled vehicles damaged vegetation and soils. Highly disturbed sites had fewer trees, diminished ground cover, warmer soils in the summer, and more compacted soils with a shallower A- horizon. We hypothesized that disturbance would decrease the growth of needles, branches, and tree rings, increase the complexity of tree rings, and increase the developmental instability of needles. Con- trary to our expectations, however, disturbance enhanced growth in the first year of the study, possibly by reducing competition. In the second year, a drought reduced growth of branches and needles, eliminating the stimulatory effect of disturbance. Growth-ring widths increased with growing-season precipitation, and decreased with growing-season temperature over the last 40 years. Disturbance had no effect on tree-ring complexity, as measured by the Hurst exponent. Within-fascicle variation of current-year nee- dle length, a measure of developmental instability, differed among the study populations, but appeared unrelated to mechanical disturbance or drought.
MODELING INTERACTIVE BUCKLING OF PLATE STRUCTURES USING SPECIAL ELEMENTS

The interaction of local and overall buckling has been analyzed using a novel finite element in which local buckling deformation has been embedded. Amplitude modulation, a key feature of the interactive buckling, has been incorporated in the element formulation. The model has the following additional features: (1) The inclusion of a key secondary local mode where the cross section has complete or approximate double symmetry; and (2) the introduction of a simple approach for capturing localization of local buckling. This involves incorporating a single local buckling mode in the analysis, but allows the amplitude modulation function to be different for different elements. Numerical examples of thin-walled columns are presented to throw light on these issues as well as to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the model.
ADOLESCENT GRIEF: RELATIONSHIP CATEGORY AND EMOTIONAL CLOSENESS*

Bereaved adolescents (N = 90) who had experienced relatively common death losses (e.g., grandparent, friend) completed the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief and the Emotional Closeness Scale and Continuum. Results indicated that present grief was significantly higher for friend than for grandparent death loss. A MANOVA revealed that those in the high closeness group reported significantly higher mean scores on past and present grief than those in the low closeness group. Finally, in a hierarchal multiple regression, after demographic variables were entered (e.g., age, present at death), emotional closeness added significant variance to the prediction of past and present grief. This research contributes to the understanding of grief intensity following adolescents' most common death losses and highlights the importance of counselors' intentionally and directly assessing bereaved adolescents' perceived emotional closeness to the deceased as part of grief-related counseling.
Plant Recruitment and Soil Microbial Characteristics of Rehabilitation Seedings Following Wildfire in Northern Utah

One goal of post-fire native species seeding is to increase plant community resistance to exotic weed invasions, yet few studies address the impacts of seeding on exotic annual establishment and persistence. In 2010 and 2011, we investigated the influence of seedings on exotic annuals and the underlying microbial communities. The wildfire site in northern Utah was formerly dominated by Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, but burned in September 2008. Experimental seeding treatments were installed in November 2008 to examine strategies for establishing native species using two drills, hand broadcasts and different timing of seed applications (resulting in 13 seeding treatments). We collected aboveground biomass of invasive annuals (Halogeton glomeratus, Salsola kali, and Bromus tectorum), other volunteer plants from the extant seed bank, and seeded species from all treatments in the second and third years after fire.We sampled soils within microsites beneath native perennial bunchgrass and exotic annuals to characterize underlying soil microbial communities. High precipitation following seeding led to strong seedling establishment and we found few differences between seeding treatments established with either drill. All seeded treatments reduced exotic biomass by at least 90% relative to unseeded controls. Soil microbial communities (phospholipid fatty acid analysis), beneath B. tectorum, Poa secunda, and Pseudoroegneria spicata microsites differed little 3 years after fire. However, microbial abundance beneath P. spicata increased fromJune to July, suggesting that microbial communities beneath successful seedings can vary greatly within a single growing season.
Polymerization of para‐xylylene derivatives. VI. morphology of parylene N and parylene C films investigated by gas transport characteristics

Polychloro-p-xylylene (Parylene C) and poly-p-xylylene (Parylene N) films were synthesized in vacuum with and without the presence of 42 mtorr of argon at various deposition temperatures and three different dimer sublimation rates. Depending on the synthesis conditions, the morphology of the films can vary from a homogeneous (nonporous) structure to a heterogeneous (porous) structure. The transport coefficients of the gases He, O2, N2, and CO2 through these films were measured at 25°C. The transport coefficients for both types of films vary with the deposition temperature and the dimer sublimation rate. The variation, however, cannot be solely explained by the change of crystallinity. Anomalous transport behavior is observed in the homogeneous, as-synthesized polymers of relatively high crystalline content (above 20–30%). In many cases the permeabilities and diffusivities increase despite an increase in crystallinity. The effects of crystallization induced by isothermal and solvent annealing on the transport coefficients of polymers of Parylene C are different from those of Parylene N synthesized with or without argon. The mean pore size and effective porosity of the porous films were calculated from gas permeation data. For Parylene C and Parylene N porous films synthesized without argon, increasing the dimer sublimation rate or decreasing the deposition temperature increases the mean pore size but decreases the effective porosity. For Parylene N porous films synthesized in the presence of argon, increasing the dimer sublimation rate or decreasing the deposition temperature results in a decrease in the mean pore size but an increase in the effective porosity. Overall, no appreciable change in transport coefficients is observed upon addition of an inert gas.
Laboratory screening for electrolyte abnormalities and anemia in bulimia nervosa: a controlled study.

Objective Abnormal eating patterns and recurrent purging behaviors can result in significant medical complications. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of abnormalities in clinical laboratory tests in patients with bulimia nervosa who reported being otherwise in good health. Methods Subjects included nonhospitalized women (N = 74) who met criteria for bulimia nervosa outlined in the 3rd Rev. ed. of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They also reported use of self-induced vomiting and/or laxatives as compensatory behaviors (purging subtype). The control group (N = 110) included female volunteers with no history of a psychiatric disorder. All subjects reported being in good medical health, were medication free, and were in a normal weight range. Blood samples were analyzed in the hospital clinical laboratory. Results Compared with controls, patients showed more frequent occurrence of low values for serum potassium (6.8% vs. 0.9%; p < .05) and chloride (8.1% vs. 0.9%; p < .02). Electrolyte abnormalities occurred most often in patients with frequent bulimic episodes. Study groups did not differ significantly in frequency of abnormal hemoglobin concentrations. Discussion These results help to clarify the expected frequency of electrolyte abnormalities in individuals with bulimia nervosa who report otherwise good medical health. The substantial frequency of hypokalemia and hypochloremia underscores the importance of an appropriate medical assessment for individuals with this disorder. © 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 30: 288–293, 2001.
Long Gamma-Ray Bursts

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most luminous events in our universe. In his Perspective, MacFadyen discusses the likely origin of long-duration GRBs. Recent observations show that they are associated with the death of massive stars, as suggested by earlier observations and theoretical arguments. Supernova 2003dh coincided with GRB030329, confirming this picture. In a related Perspective, Rosswog discusses short-duration GRBs, which may be caused by a different mechanism involving the merger of two neutron stars or of a neutron star and a low-mass black hole.
Modern Magic and the War on Miracles in French Colonial Culture

The A. revisits the case of Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin, a French magician who toured Algeria in 1856, at the request of the Bureau of Arab Affairs, to perform tricks and marvels. The great illusionist was on a mission of magic ; his primary objective was not to entertain, but to disenchant. French authorities were disturbed by the appeal of Algerian marabouts, holy men who performed miracles and led anti-French revolts. Of special concern were the 'Isawiyya, a Sufi order who specialized in spectacular displays of bodily mortification, drinking poison, eating glass, stabbing themselves, and so on, all without discernible negative effects. By showing credulous Arabs that he could match and better these feats, and explain how he has done it, Robert- Houdin would unmask the 'Isawiyya as charlatans, striking a mighty blow of rationalism and France. The A. takes us throught Robert-Houdin's Algerian performances, which the magician himself considered a great success, then follows the career of the 'Isawiyya in France, where the brotherhood soon became a popular stage act. Their performances triggered derision, mostly, but also curiosity among spiritualists and mesmerits, who saw alternative forces at work. Few people, it seems, could credit the 'Isawiyya belief that their powers were a form of divine blessing. As the A. argues, the encounter between magic and Sufism was constructed so as to confirm magic as a modern tradition, reflexive and alert to its artifice, designed to inspire wonder, but no belief.
A Brief Review of Chelators for Radiolabeling Oligomers

Abstract: The chemical modification of oligomers such as DNA, PNA, MORF, LNA to attach radionuclides for nuclear imaging and radiotherapy applications has become a field rich in innovation as older methods are improved and new methods are introduced. This review intends to provide a brief overview of several chelators currently in use for the labeling of oligomers with metallic radionuclides such as 99m Tc, 111 In and 188 Re. While DNA and its analogs have been radiolabeled with important radionuclides of nonmetals such as 32 P, 35 S, 14 C, 18 F and 125 I, the labeling methods for these isotopes involve covalent chemistry that is quite distinct from the coordinate-covalent chelation chemistry described herein. In this review, we provide a summary of the several chelators that have been covalently conjugated to oligomers for the purpose of radiolabeling with metallic radionuclides by chelation and including details on the conjugation, the choice of radionuclides and labeling methods.
Diagnosing Leukemias With Granulated Leukemic Cells (Excluding Eosinophilic Leukemias)

The accurate diagnosis and classification of leukemias are essential for predicting the clinical course and providing the appropriate treatment for affected patients. These procedures are ac­ complished by morphologic examination of wellprepared Romanovsky-stained peripheral blood and bone marrow smears, supplemented by cer­ tain cytochemical stains. 1- 4 Through the ef­ forts of an international group of hematologists, the French-American-British (FAB) Cooperative Group, the acute leukemias have been classified into acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) on the basis of the presence of granules positive for myeloperoxidase or Sudan black B in 3% or more of the blasts (in ANLL) or in less than 3% of the blasts (in ALL). ANLL is then further classified into Ml through M7 subgroups, depending on morphologic characteristics, the reaction of leu­ kemic cells to nonspecific esterase (with or with­ out sodium fluoride inhibition), chloroacetate es­ terase, periodic acid-Schiff reagent, and the immunocytochemical reaction to myeloid anti­ gens and platelet- and megakaryocyte-related antigens 2- 5 (Fig. 1). Although leukemic cells of different origins may contain intracytoplasmic vacuoles, frequently the leukemic cells of non­ lymphocytic lineage contain cytoplasmic granules. Most granules present in ANLL are azurophilic (primary) granules that contain myeloperoxidase, acid hydrolases (such as /3-glucuronidase and 5'-nucleotidase), neutral proteases (such as elastase and collagenase), and lysozyme. The content of these substances, however, apparently differs in myeloid (granulocytic) versus mono· cytic cells. For instance, nonspecific esterases (or-naphthyl acetate esterase, naphthol AS-D acetate esterase, and cr-naphthyl butyrate) and acid phosphatase are most abundant in cells of
Dynamic interactions within sub-complexes of the H/ACA pseudouridylation guide RNP

H/ACA RNP complexes change uridines to pseudouridines in target non-coding RNAs in eukaryotes and archaea. H/ACA RNPs are comprised of a guide RNA and four essential proteins: Cbf5 (pseudouridine synthase), L7Ae, Gar1 and Nop10 in archaea. The guide RNA captures the target RNA via two antisense elements brought together to form a contiguous binding site within the pseudouridylation pocket (internal loop) of the guide RNA. Cbf5 and L7Ae interact independently with the guide RNA, and here we have examined the impacts of these proteins on the RNA in nucleotide protection assays. The results indicate that the interactions observed in a fully assembled H/ACA RNP are established in the sub-complexes, but also reveal a unique Cbf5–guide RNA interaction that is displaced by L7Ae. In addition, the results indicate that L7Ae binding at the kink (k)-turn of the guide RNA induces the formation of the upper stem, and thus also the pseudouridylation pocket. Our findings indicate that L7Ae is essential for formation of the substrate RNA binding site in the archaeal H/ACA RNP, and suggest that k-turn-binding proteins may remodel partner RNAs with important effects distant from the protein-binding site.
The Biology of Cancer Stem Cells

Cancers originally develop from normal cells that gain the ability to proliferate aberrantly and eventually turn malignant. These cancerous cells then grow clonally into tumors and eventually have the potential to metastasize. A central question in cancer biology is, which cells can be transformed to form tumors? Recent studies elucidated the presence of cancer stem cells that have the exclusive ability to regenerate tumors. These cancer stem cells share many characteristics with normal stem cells, including self-renewal and differentiation. With the growing evidence that cancer stem cells exist in a wide array of tumors, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate self-renewal and differentiation because corruption of genes involved in these pathways likely participates in tumor growth. This new paradigm of oncogenesis has been validated in a growing list of tumors. Studies of normal and cancer stem cells from the same tissue have shed light on the ontogeny of tumors. That signaling pathways such as Bmi1 and Wnt have similar effects in normal and cancer stem cell self-renewal suggests that common molecular pathways regulate both populations. Understanding the biology of cancer stem cells will contribute to the identification of molecular targets important for future therapies.
p‐Iso­cyano­benzo­nitrile

p-Di­cyano­benzene and p-diiso­cyano­benzene are not isomorphous. The title compound, C8H4N2, is isomorphous with p-di­cyano­benzene. The mol­ecule lies on a center of symmetry and is end-for-end disordered. The bond lengths and angles lie within normal ranges, but the precise values are obscured by the disorder.
Sudden hearing loss: Eight years' experience and suggested prognostic table†

The etiology, incidence, acute and late prognosis, and treatment of sudden hearing loss (SHL) are described variously in the literature. In an 8-year prospective study of 225 SHL patients, initiated in July 1973, overall, normal, or complete recovery occurred in 45% of patients and late otologic complications in 28%. Important prognostic indicators were severity of initial hearing loss and vertigo, time to initial audiogram, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate; other indicators were age greater than 60 and less than 15 years, midfrequency audiogram configuration, and hearing status of the opposite ear. A common inflammatory cause is suggested for all degrees of severity in SHL, and a prognostic table is provided to aid the practitioner in predicting recovery. There is still no evidence that treatment achieves a result better than expected with spontaneous recovery.
An open design approach for distributed energy management systems

Energy management system (EMS) design has traditionally been a top-down process, in which a single vector provides the algorithms, software, and hardware to meet the utility's functional specifications. Trends in power systems, such as the move by utilities to open systems architectures, and the development of distributed computing systems indicate that this process must be changed to incorporate the new expertise required in EMS design. An open design approach is proposed to accomplish this. The design approach is based on decomposing the EMS design problem according to different levels of abstraction. The authors define the components of this decomposition and discuss their relationships. These components form the conceptual design for a CAD simulation package which is being developed at UC Berkeley to evaluate and compare the performance of alternative designs. >
Performance analysis of a cross-layer collaborative beamforming approach in the presence of channel and phase errors

Collaborative beamforming enables nodes in a wireless network to transmit a common message over long distances in an energy efficient fashion. However, the process of making available the same message to all collaborating nodes introduces delays. The authors recently proposed a MAC-PHY cross-layer scheme that enables collaborative beamforming with significantly reduced collaboration overhead. The method requires knowledge of node locations and internode channel coefficients. In this paper, the performance of that approach is studied analytically in terms of average beampattern and symbol error probability (SEP) under realistic conditions, i.e., when imperfect channel estimates are used and when there are phase errors in the contributions of the collaborating nodes at the receiver.
Ionization of C60 (buckminsterfullerene) by electron impact

Utilizing a crosses electron-beam/molecular-beam collision geometry, mass spectra of C60 and C70 ions have been obtained for an electron impact energy range of 20 eV to 600 eV. These spectra are dominated by singly and doubly ionized species. The intensity of fragment ions is very weak, which is in agreement with previous observations. Ionization efficiency curves for the formation of C and C have also been obtained near their threshold regions. From these curves, appearance energies (AE) of these ions have been derived. The AE for C is found to be 7.8±0.3 eV, which agrees well with previous measurements. However, our value of 16.4±0.3 eV for the formation of C is much lower than the value of 19.0±0.3 eV obtained by photo-ionization techniques.
Opposing effects of l-NAME on capillary filtration rate in the presence or absence of neutrophils

Fluid filtration rate (J v/S) from rat mesenteric capillaries was measured using a modified Landis technique before and after superfusion with 100 μMN G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), a ni...
Identity Politics: the Mixed-race American Indian Experience

This paper builds a Critical Race Theory approach to consider how mixed-race American Indian college students conform to, or resist, dominant black/non-black ideology.Current research on multiracials in the U.S. lacks the perspectives of mixed-race American Indians on the heightened disputes of “Indianness,” tribal enrollment, and tribal self-determination. Also under-explored is how mixed-race American Indian persons perceive themselves in racial terms, how they wish to be perceived, and how economic and historical perspectives inform their choices about racial self-identification.This paper provides an overview of the identity politics of mixed-race American Indians at a tribal college and highlights the need for tribal colleges to embrace a growing mixed-race population through self-determination education policies.
Pulmonary Emboli Following Thrombectomy of Hemodialysis Fistula

Hemodialysis graft or fistula occlusion is a common event that occurs frequently in patient with end stage renal disease. As a result, the vast majority of dialysis patients with arterio-venous graft/ fistula thrombosis undergo surgery for thrombectomy. Surgical approach and techniques include surgical thrombectomy, Pharmacomechanical, and Mechanical thrombectomy with surgical devices. Embolization could occur during extraction process and result in mild to severe cardiorespiratory complications
RIESGO OBSTÉTRICO Y PERINATAL EN EMBARAZADAS MAYORES DE 35 AÑOS

Antecedentes: El embarazo en edades tardias es una condicion que ha aumentado en los ultimos anos. Objetivo: Evaluar el riesgo materno y perinatal en embarazadas mayores de 35 anos. Metodo: Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva de todos los embarazos atendidos en el hospital Dr. Gustavo Fricke de Vina del Mar, entre enero de 2001 y diciembre de 2006. Se excluyeron menores de 20 anos. Se analizaron variables maternas y perinatales. Resultados: En el periodo hubo 16.338 partos, 10,9% fueron en mujeres entre 35 y 39 anos y 3,6% en embarazadas de 40 anos o mas. Un 27,2% de los embarazos fue en primigestas. La comparacion entre embarazadas de 20-34 anos y de 35-39 anos mostro mayor frecuencia de hipertension arterial cronica, hospitalizacion durante el embarazo, diabetes, preeclampsia, hemorragia del tercer trimestre, parto cesarea, hemorragia puerperal, menor peso del recien nacido, y defectos congenitos, entre otros. Hubo mayor frecuencia de rotura prematura de membranas al analizar las mayores de 40 anos. Las primigestas tuvieron mayor frecuencia de obesidad, preeclampsia, diabetes, hospitalizacion del recien nacido, y hemorragia puerperal. Al realizar una regresion logistica para determinar influencia de la edad, se aprecio que el riesgo de comorbilidades y eventos adversos maternos y fetales aumentaba proporcionalmente con la edad. Conclusion: La edad materna se asocio significativamente en forma independiente con resultados maternos y perinatales adversos. Hubo mayor riesgo para la mayoria de las variables analizadas en embarazadas de 35 anos o mas.
Subject independent computational framework for myoelectric signals

A subject independent computational framework is one which do not require to be calibrated by the specific subject data to be ready to be used on the subject. The greatest challenge in developing such a framework is the variation in parameters across subjects which is termed as subject based variability. Subject based variability is the variability in data across subjects for the same task, activity or physiological condition. Physiological signals are highly subject specific in nature. Myoelectric signals are one such physiological signals generated in the muscles during any musco-skeletal activity of the body. Spectral and amplitude variations in the myoelectric signals are analyzed to determine the physiological status of a muscle with respect to the intensity of activity and the fatigue state of the muscle. But variations in the spectrum and magnitude of myoelectric signals across subjects pose a great challenge in developing a generalized framework for detecting physiological status of the muscle. In this paper we present statistical tools and techniques to measure subject based variability in myoelectric signals and also present a novel feature selection method based on robustness to subject based variability, with the aim of developing a subject independent measurement framework for fatigue using myoelectric signals. The proposed method provides a subject independent classification accuracy of 80.65%, which is an improvement of 10% to 18% compared to the existing techniques when tested with a wide range of classifiers such SVM, HMM, AdaBoost and KNN. More information and source code are available from the authors.
Dynamics of capturing process of multiple magnetic nanoparticles in a flow through microfluidic bioseparation system

A mathematical model based on finite-element technique is developed for predicting the transport and capture of multiple magnetic nanoparticles in a microfluidic system that consists of a microfluidic channel enclosed by a permanent magnet. The trajectories and trapping efficiencies are calculated for multiple magnetic nanoparticles when released in the microsystem. It is demonstrated that not only the size but also the point of release of nanoparticles within the microchannel affects the capturing process. Influence of three important parameters, inlet velocities of fluid containing magnetic nanoparticles, diameter of magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic field strength on the trapping efficiency are investigated and optimised values of inlet velocity and magnetic field strength for completely trapping 50 nm magnetic nanoparticles are predicted. It is further demonstrated that the angular position of magnet around the microchannel is also critical in dictating the resulting bioseparation performance. Furthermore, combination of these analyses using the mathematical model will be very useful in the design and development of novel microfluidic bioseparation microsystems.
Experimental Study with Real-world Data for Android App Security Analysis using Machine Learning

Although Machine Learning (ML) based approaches have shown promise for Android malware detection, a set of critical challenges remain unaddressed. Some of those challenges arise in relation to proper evaluation of the detection approach while others are related to the design decisions of the same. In this paper, we systematically study the impact of these challenges as a set of research questions (i.e., hypotheses). We design an experimentation framework where we can reliably vary several parameters while evaluating ML-based Android malware detection approaches. The results from the experiments are then used to answer the research questions. Meanwhile, we also demonstrate the impact of some challenges on some existing ML-based approaches. The large (market-scale) dataset (benign and malicious apps) we use in the above experiments represents the real-world Android app security analysis scale. We envision this study to encourage the practice of employing a better evaluation strategy and better designs of future ML-based approaches for Android malware detection.
Conceptualizing and Measuring Citizenship and Integration Policy Past Lessons and New Approaches

Research on immigration and citizenship has become one of the fastest growing areas in political science, with one trend being the boon of comparative citizenship and immigration policy indices. Th...
Using Drupal: Byron, Angela, Addison Berry, Nathan Haug, Jeff Eaton, James Walker, and Jeff Robbins.Sebastopol, CA: O’Reilly Media Inc., 2008, 464 pp., $44.99, ISBN 978-0-596-51580-5.

This introductory manual to the popular open source content management system (CMS) is strategically written for an audience with varying experience levels using the software. For those wanting to ...
Telebasis Flammeola, T. Carota and T. Livida, New Dragonflies from Ecuador (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

The following descriptions are of material collected by William Clarke-MacIntyre on the head-waters of Tributaries to the Amazon in the Province of Oriente, Ecuador. They are from the edge of the Amazonian jungle on the lower eastern slope of the Andes Mountains, a tropical region of swift streams lying 400-8OO meters above sea-level. The types are in the author's collection.