cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The correction of stereotactic inaccuracy caused by brain shift using an intraoperative ultrasound device

Cranial stereotactic systems which utilize preoperative computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data sets to guide surgery are subject to inaccuracy introduced by the intraoperative movement of the brain (brain shift). Although these systems allow precise navigation initially during a procedure, brain shift resulting from surgical intervention can lead to progressive degradation in accuracy, with the greatest inaccuracy occurring when deep structures are manipulated. One method of addressing this issue is with the use of an intraoperative scanning device such as CT or MRI; however, such scanners are costly and restrict surgical access. We have developed an alternative intraoperative imaging device consisting of an ultrasound unit coupled to a stereotactic system to quantify the degree of brain shift. This system determines the orientation of ultrasound images produced by the device and reformats the pre-operative CT or MRI images to match the ultrasound image. By comparing the position of specific structures on the two images, the amount of shift can be determined. Furthermore, this system is being expanded to include the aquisition of three-dimensional ultrasonic volumes.
Effect of O2 and CO2 partial pressure on selected phenomena affecting fruit and vegetable quality.

Abstract It is likely that from the time of the Roman Empire and perhaps before, people involved in the storage of plant material as food recognized that atmospheric modification can provide some benefit in improving storability. However, active, commercial modification of the atmosphere for the preservation of fresh fruit and vegetables dates to the early part of this century. Early successes with apple fruit has lead to the attempt to apply modified atmospheres to a wide range of commodities. Responses to atmospheric modification are found to vary dramatically among plant species, organ type and developmental stage and include both unwanted and beneficial physiological responses. Desirable responses include a reduction in respiration, a reduction in oxidative tissue damage or discoloration, a reduction in the rate of chlorophyll degradation and a reduction in ethylene sensitivity with the concomitant reduction in the rate of ripening and other ethylene-mediated phenomena. Undesirable responses have included the induction of fermentation, the development of disagreeable flavors, a reduction in aroma biosynthesis, the induction of tissue injury and an alteration in the makeup of microbial fauna. The physiological bases for some of these responses to elevated CO2 and reduced O2 are discussed.
Oral retinoids and plasma lipids

Retinoids and rexinoids are prescribed for conditions ranging from acne vulgaris to hyperkeratosis to cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Dyslipidemia is a frequent consequence of the use of these drugs, with more than one-third of patients manifesting aberrations in triglyceride (TG) levels. The efficacy of retinoic acid derivatives is linked to their influence on lipid metabolism in the skin, which can impair systemic lipid trafficking and metabolism in some patients. Thus, baseline screening for preexisting dyslipidemia and regular follow-up lipid panels are mandated, especially when powerful agents such as bexarotene are used. Dietary modification, increased physical activity, and weight management are the cornerstones of initial management for mild hypertriglyceridemia, which is a contributor to cardiovascular risk. More severe impairments (fasting TG > 500 mg/dL) warrant pharmacologic interventions early on to reduce the risk of pancreatitis. Retinoic acid derivative action, lipid metabolism, and treatment of incident dyslipidemias are reviewed to empower prescribers in management of adverse lipid effects.
CONCENTRATION OF PYRUVIC ACID IN THE BLOOD OF THE NEWBORN INFANT Demonstration of Differences in Concentration between Maternal and Cord Circulation

THERE are several aspects of carbohydrate metabolism in the newborn infant which are peculiar to that age group. The normal, full-term newborn exhibits concentrations of glucose in the blood between 15 and 120 mg/100 ml.1 Concentration of glycogen in the liver may be as high as 10 gm/100 gm wet-weight immediately after birth and then there is a precipitous decrease.2 There is a relative resistance of the fetus and newborn to anoxia.3-4 This phenomenon has been attributed to the preponderance of anaerobic over aerobic metabolism in the tissues of the newborn.5 Further data seemed desirable concerning the concentrations of intermediates in the blood, other than glucose, in the carbohydrate metabolism of the newborn. Accordingly a study was made of the normal concentration of pyruvic acid in the newborn for the first 5 days of life. Data on concentration of pyruvic acid in the blood have also been obtained in normal adults, pregnant and parturient women, and on venous and arterial blood from the umbilical cord. PATIENT MATERIAL AND METHODS The control or normal adult group was predominantly composed of white females and consisted of hospital employees and student nurses in the reproductive age period. Previous studies by others showed no significant difference between males and females6 or between whites and Negroes.7 The controls were divided into a group which supplied venous blood and another group which supplied capillary blood. Minimal squeezing proximal to the site of puncture was applied during all collections. The group of pregnant women consisted of both private and clinic patients, while the parturient group consisted of clinic patients only.
On motion planning amidst transient obstacles

The author discusses important class of dynamic obstacles, that is, obstacles that appear and disappear in the environment. This formulation allows modeling of a number of time-varying situations that can arise in application domains. For example, a motion can be planned in an environment where an agent rearranges the environment by picking up an object and placing it back at another location in the same environment. An algorithm is presented to generate a motion in such a dynamic domain. The algorithm runs in O(n/sup 3/ log n) time, where n is the total number of vertices in the environment. >
Hemispheric asymmetry of oceanic heat budget in the Equatorial Atlantic and Eastern Pacific

The oceanic heat budget is studied on the basis of ship observations during 1911–70 compiled by one degree square areas. The clockwise turning cross-equatorial surface air flow is conducive to upwelling to the South and downwelling to the North of the Eastern Pacific and Atlantic Equator, particularly during Northern summer. The wind-induced vertical motion field is considered a factor in maintaining the cold water tongues immediately to the South, and the strong temperature increase northward across the Equator. Net radiation is only slightly higher in the Southern hemisphere equatorial zone, but sensible and latent heat flux are greatly reduced in the cold water regions, especially in Northern summer. As a result, the ocean exports heat at the rate of 53 and 62 W m -2 to the South of the Atlantic and Pacific Equator, respectively, compared to an export of only 29 and an import of 3 W m -2 in the Northern hemisphere equatorial zone. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1977.tb00764.x
Aqueous Solution Properties of pH-Responsive AB Diblock Acrylamido Copolymers Synthesized via Aqueous RAFT

AB diblock and AB statistical copolymers of sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate (AMPS) and sodium 3-acrylamido-3-methylbutanoate (AMBA) have been prepared via aqueous reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Such AB diblock copolymers were tailored to undergo reversible pH-induced self-assembly given the tunable hydrophilic/hydrophobic nature of the AMBA species. Using a combination of 1H NMR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and fluorescence spectroscopy, it has been shown that these AB diblock copolymers exhibit reversible micellization below pH 5.5 with the aggregate sizes dependent on the block copolymer composition.
How to make a rat addicted to cocaine

Procedures have been developed which provide extremely stable patterns of cocaine self-administration in rats and these have been useful in lesion and drug pretreatment studies aimed at understanding the neurobiology of cocaine reinforcement. The issue now is whether studying the neurobiology of reinforcement is the same as studying the neurobiology of addiction. If the goal is to understand a progressive and deteriorating disorder, then the self-administration procedures should model specific aspects of the progressive stages of the addiction process. Here we review theoretical strategies for modeling the addiction process and present data from a series of experiments from our laboratory showing conditions which produce a progressive change in the motivation to self-administer cocaine in rats. This phenomenon is revealed by an escalation in breakpoints on a progressive ratio schedule. The effect, which is robust and persistent, depends on dose and speed of injection. Interestingly, high drug intake can retard the development of this effect, which we argue indicates that the addiction process has a developmental sequence. Finally, we suggest that specific parameters (dose, price and availability) can be used to examine the transition from recreational use to binge-like intake.
Smoke sheets for graph-structured vortex filaments

Smoke is one of the core phenomena which fluid simulation techniques in computer graphics have attempted to capture. It is both well understood mathematically and important in lending realism to computer generated effects. In an attempt to overcome the diffusion inherent to Eulerian grid-based simulators, a technique has recently been developed which represents velocity using a sparse set of vortex filaments. This has the advantage of providing an easily understandable and controllable model for fluid velocity, but is computationally expensive because each filament affects the fluid velocity over an unbounded region of the simulation space. We present an alternative to existing techniques which merge adjacent filament rings, instead allowing filaments to form arbitrary structures, and we develop a new set of reconnection criteria to take advantage of this filament graph. To complement this technique, we also introduce a method for smoke surface tracking and rendering designed to minimize the number of sample points without introducing excessive diffusion or blurring. Though this representation lends itself to straightforward real-time rendering, we also present a method which renders the thin sheets and curls of smoke as diffuse volumes using any GPU capable of supporting geometry shaders.
Apomictic frequency in sorghum R473

Apomixis has been reported in a few lines of sorghum, among them R473 which was originally reported to be an obligate apomict. Although this line has multiple embryo sacs, the frequency of apomictic seed formation has not been determined because a progeny test has not been possible. R473 does not cross as a female with other lines except when its own pollen is present. In the present study mutations were induced in R473 by hydrazine and irradiation. Crosses were made between male-sterile mutants as females and normal R473 as males. Plants of R473 produced F1 hybrids sexually, thus indicating that they were not obligate apomicts. These F1's also reproduced sexually, as indicated by segregation for male sterility and male fertility in F2 progenies.
Initial melanin and nitrogen concentrations control the decomposition of ectomycorrhizal fungal litter

Forest biogeochemical cycling is strongly influenced by the turnover of ectomycorrhizal fungal tissues. Fungal tissues may decompose differently from plant tissues due to their unique chemistry and may be important to understanding ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycles. Melanin is a recalcitrant, complex cell wall polymer commonly found in fungi. Melanin concentration varies significantly among species, which may contribute to the wide variation in their rates of decomposition previously observed. In a comparative experiment we examined decomposition of ectomycorrhizal fungi of varying melanin concentrations. In an additional experiment we examined the effect of melanin biosynthesis inhibition on decomposition of the highly melanized ectomycorrhizal fungus Cenococcum geophilum. Among species, initial melanin concentration was negatively correlated with decomposition while initial nitrogen concentration was positively correlated with decomposition. When melanin synthesis was inhibited, tissues of C. geophilum decomposed significantly faster. We conclude that melanin and nitrogen concentrations may control decomposition of ectomycorrhizal fungi as do lignin and nitrogen concentrations in plant material, and thus may have significant consequences for terrestrial carbon and nutrient cycling.
Evaluating the utility of administering a reaction time task in an ecological momentary assessment study

Cognitive processes underlying drug use have typically been assessed in laboratory settings. More detailed and ecologically valid data may be possible if assessments were conducted in an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) setting. We evaluated the feasibility and utility of administering a reaction time task on a hand-held computer (personal digital assistant, PDA) in an EMA setting. Twenty-two smokers and 22 non-smokers carried around the PDA for 1 week as they went about their daily lives. They were beeped at random times four times per day (random assessments, RAs). Participants were also instructed to press an “anxiety assessment” (AA) button on the PDA whenever they felt suddenly anxious. At each assessment (RA, AA), participants responded to items assessing subjective, pharmacological, and contextual variables, and subsequently completed a Stroop task (classic-Stroop, emotional-Stroop, or smoking-Stroop task). Participants responded to 81.2% of RAs, completed assessments in an average of 4.44 min, reported no interruptions on the majority of assessments (62.4%), and produced data with adequate reliability. Using generalized estimating equation (GEE) analyses, age was associated with the classic-Stroop effect, state anxiety was associated with the emotional-Stroop effect, and Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence scores were associated with the smoking-Stroop effect. The study provided evidence for the feasibility and utility of the approach.
One school's experience with virtual reference

In 2004, ten libraries in the Texas A&M University System began AskNow, a collaborative pilot project offering a chat-based virtual reference service to patrons. This article attempts to describe o...
Power in Politically Charged Networks

We offer a theory and measure for determining powerful nodal positions based on potential inter-actor control in “politically charged” networks, which contain both allies and adversaries. Power is derived from actors that are dependent on the focal actor and sociometrically weak, either due to a lack of alternative allies or from being threatened by others. We create a new Political Independence Index (PII), compare it to other established measures, and illustrate its use in the setting of an international network of alliances and military conflicts from 1946-2000. Results show that politically independent nations as measured by PII have smaller increases in military personnel than others over time.
Governor Smith introduces the cabinet in New York State

Not the least gain from the consolidation of hte state's administrative organization is the opportunity it affords for a governor's cabinet nad coordinated policy.
The Priority of Legitimacy in Times of Political Transition

This paper interprets the relation between justice and legitimacy found in John Rawls's Political Liberalism and then applies it to the field of transitional justice. The author argues that transitional mechanisms can be better defended in terms of “legitimacy” than in “justice,” because the circumstances of transitional justice admit of reasonable disagreement over “just” public policy. In such circumstances, policy recommendations can always be construed as falling short of justice, thus raising plausible concerns over their normative justification. This paper attempts to answer such concerns by justifying transitional mechanisms as morally appropriate yet less than fully just. The author explains how the concept of legitimacy facilitates such a justification and how such a justification can secure the normative grounds that are ironically threatened by investigations relying on a concept of justice.
A sampling theorem for multivariate stationary processes

Abstract The notion of sampling for second-order q -variate processes is defined. It is shown that if the components of a q -variate process (not necessarily stationary) admits a sampling theorem with some sample spacing, then the process itself admits a sampling theorem with the same sample spacing. A sampling theorem for q -variate stationary processes, under a periodicity condition on the range of the spectral measure of the process, is proved in the spirit of Lloy's work. This sampling theorem is used to show that if a q -variate stationary process admits a sampling theorem, then each of its components will admit a sampling theorem too.
SU‐GG‐I‐122: ACR MRI Accreditation Equipment Performance Evaluation for Various Scanner Settings

Purpose: ACR MRI Accreditation program was created a decade ago for assessing performance by various facilities. Accreditation was voluntary at that time. Recently many stand‐alone MRIimaging centers/clinics seek accreditation because it is now mandatory by some insurance companies. For ACR MRI physics survey/system performance evaluation, it is closely correlated with the equipment performance. It is a challenging task to survey a variety of magnets in different field strength, configurations, and with many software versions/optional packages. The purpose of this work is to summarize ACR MR system evaluation and ACR phantom test experience. Method and Materials:GE, Siemens, Philips, and Hitachi's MRImagnets, in fixed or mobile setup, ranging from 0.3T, 0.7T, 1.0T, 1.5T, to 3.0T are surveyed. Both ACR and site T1/T2 scan protocols are used. Results: It is found that when an MRIscanner is properly maintained, geometric accuracy, slice thickness accuracy, and percent signal ghosting is usually within the limit regardless of fixed or mobile setup, or field strength of the magnet. However, intensity uniformity and low contrast detectability are most demanding for very low field (<0.5T) and 3.0T magnets. At a low magnetic field, it is caused by low signal to noise ratio. For a 3.0T magnet, it is caused by low RF penetration at high field strength, and a much higher acceptable limit for low contrast detectability. In some cases, site protocol for T1 and T2 pulse sequences is required to pass the ACR phantom test. Conclusion: The ACR MRI phantom testing items are designed for different scanner performance criteria. When a testing result is out of the ACR acceptable limit, it is important for the physicist to recognize whether the phantom is not setup properly, or it is caused by scan parameter selection, or a service call is necessary.
Do ryanodine receptors regulate transmitter release at the neuromuscular junction of the rat

It has been suggested that calcium that is stored in nerve terminals can be released via activation of ryanodine receptors and this source of calcium could serve to modulate evoked transmitter release. Calcium influx via voltage dependent calcium channels could lead to calcium induced calcium release via ryanodine receptors in neuronal tissue. This additional source of calcium could contribute to the total calcium that is available for transmitter release or it could result in having a negative feedback action on calcium influx and transmitter release. We examined the effect of blocking and activating the ryanodine receptors on quantal transmitter release at the rat neuromuscular junction. Intracellular recording techniques were used to monitor end-plate potentials and miniature end-plate potentials. The data supports the view that intracellular calcium released via ryanodine receptors suppresses calcium influx leading to depressed quantal release.
Control of Epitaxial Growth of SiGe

Silicon-Germanium (SiGe), used to boost pFET performance and enhance the properties of high- ${k}$ metal gate devices, is grown by selective epitaxy on silicon. Since device parameters depend critically on the deposited SiGe thickness, we apply several advanced techniques to control deposition. Feedback and feed-forward of growth rate data is used to control deposition tools. We also apply a pattern-density based predictive growth rate, since pattern density effects cause the deposited thickness to be different across different product chips under otherwise identical conditions. We use run to run analysis of deposition data and a feature of the deposition tool to tune cross wafer deposition rates for optimized uniformity. Finally, we consider local (within chip) growth rate variation. We demonstrate that the deposited layer thickness is in acceptable range for device performance across a product chip.
Radiation blistering of structural materials for fusion devices and reactors

Abstract Radiation blistering can be an important erosion process when the structural components of controlled thermonuclear fusion devices or reactors are exposed to the impact of energetic particles leaving the plasma region. A brief review of some of the important parameters governing the radiation blistering process is given. Erosion rates associated with helium blistering in V, Nb and Type 304 stainless steel are reported for different irradiation temperatures and different projectile energies.
The Influence of Hydrologic Restoration on Groundwater-Surface Water Interactions in a Karst Wetland, the Everglades (FL, USA)

Efforts to rehydrate and restore surface water flow in karst wetlands can have unintended consequences, as these highly conductive and heterogeneous aquifers create a close connection between groundwater and surface water. Recently, hydrologic restoration efforts in the karstic Taylor Slough portion of the Everglades has changed from point source delivery of canal water (direct restoration),to the useofa series of surface water recharge retention basins (diffuse restoration). To determine the influence of restoration on groundwater- surface water interactions in the Taylor Slough headwaters, a water budget was constructed for 1997-2011 using 70 hydro- meteorological stations. With diffuse restoration, groundwater seepage from the Everglades toward the urban boundary in- creased, while the downstream delivery of surface water to the main portion of the slough declined. The combined influence of diffuse restoration and climate led to increased intra-annual variability in the volume of groundwater and surface water in storage but supported a more seasonally hydrated wetland compared to the earlier direct tactics.The data further indicated that hydrologic engineering in karst wetland landscapes en- hances groundwater-surface water interactions, even those designed for restoration purposes.
Truthfulness, risk, and trust in the late lectures of michel foucault

This paper argues that Foucault's late, unpublished lectures present a model for evaluating those ethical authorities who claim to speak truthfully. In response to those who argue that claims to truth are but claims to power, I argue that Foucault finds in ancient practices of parrhesia (fearless speech) a resource by which to assess modern authorities' claims in the absence of certain truth. My preliminary analytic framework for this model draws exclusively on my research of his unpublished lectures given at the College de France between 1982–84. I argue that this model proceeds in three stages: the truth‐teller is first established as independently authoritative, he is subsequently tested under conditions of risk, and the encounter concludes by generating trust and a relation of ‘care’ with the audience. Foucault's model results in an ‘aesthetics of existence’ organized around a set of ethical practices, and thus offers an alternative to other forms of ethical subjectivity. In so doing, this model also ...
Design and Fabrication of a Planar Coupling Structure for Photonic Band Gap Devices

In this paper we present the design and fabrication of a planar coupling structure for photonic band gap devices. Calculations predict a coupling efficiency of greater than 90% from a multimode silicion waveguide to a singlemode photonic crystal channel. Experimental results are presented.
Bending and Shape Control of Beams Using SMA Actuators

Two new configurations for enhanced bending control of beams with in duced strain actuators are presented. In the first configuration the actuator is external to the beam and passes through selective points on the beam. Since the actuator is outside the beam, differential movement between the actuator and the beam is possible; this results in enhanced bending due to the buckling action of the actuator force. Before actual buckling, there is a fairly large useful range of enhanced bending. In this range the beam displace ments are much greater than can be obtained by embedded or surface bonded actuators. The theoretical formulation for this configuration and its experimental verification is pre sented.
Low energy associated production: π− + p → K° + Λ

The process π− + p → K° + Λ is studied near threshold by means of a resonance model based on the Cini-Fubini approximation using only known resonances. Thus the only term contributing an imaginary part to the amplitude is the N∗(1688) T = 12, F52+ resonance. Reasonable agreement with the total cross-section and angular distribution data is obtained, but the predictions for the polarization are not satisfactory. It is concluded that either several small, complex amplitudes make important contributions to the polarization, or that there are other large partial waves in addition to the F52 resonance. It may be difficult to distinguish between these two possibilities within the framework of this or other conventional resonance models.
Decreasing self-injurious behavior associated with awakening in a child with autism and developmental delays

Direct observation data revealed that self-injurious behavior (SIB) emitted by a young boy with autism occurred primarily within one hour after waking versus all other times of the day. Experimentally manipulated scheduled awakenings supported the hypothesized relation between waking and SIB. A faded-bedtime procedure was then implemented to stabilize his sleep patterns, which reduced awakenings by 81% and post-waking SIB by 82%. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct Detection of Staphylococcus aureus from Adult and Neonate Nasal Swab Specimens Using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus is considered a source of subsequent infection in health care settings. Utilization of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of S. aureus has the potential to dramatically affect infection control practice by rapidly identifying S. aureus-colonized patients. We developed and validated the use of real-time PCR for detection of S. aureus colonization in two patient populations. Paired nasal swabs were collected from 299 neonates and from 151 adult patients at Evanston Hospital. One swab was used for culture and the other placed into a bacterial lysis solution containing achromopeptidase. The DNA liberated was used as the template for real-time PCR with primers for the femA gene. SYBR Green was used for amplicon detection. In the neonatal population the sensitivity, specificity, predictive value positive and predictive value negative for culture and PCR was 92% versus 96%, 100% versus 100%, 100% versus 100%, and 98% versus 99%, respectively. In the adults the results were 90% versus 100%, 100% versus 98%, 100% versus 96%, and 95% versus 100%, respectively. Real-time PCR was able to detect S. aureus in 2 hours compared to 1 to 4 days for culture and provided sensitivity equal to or greater than culture.
Porosity estimation using the frequency dependence of the ultrasonic attenuation

A new technique is reported for estimating the volume fraction of porosity in structural materials. The estimate for the volume fraction is proportional to the slope of the ultrasonic attenuation when plotted as a function of frequency. Both theory and experiment are considered. The theory, appropriate for dilute porosity, uses the uncorrelated, single-scatter approximation. An “attenuation slope” algorithm is derived within this approximation and its limits of validity are tested by computer simulation. Experimental tests consist of three parts. First, the method is compared with other existing techniques through estimates from the published data on gas porosity in aluminum casts. For the second test, cylindrical porosity is simulated by parallel through-holes drilled in aluminum blocks. Finally, the attenuation in porous graphite-epoxy samples is measured and compared with results predicted from theory.
Shaping of free-operant avoidance in the wood rat. Neotoma floridana

A shaping procedure was used with wild wood rats to initiate leverpressing under a free-operant avoidance procedure. The wood rats eventually developed very effective avoidance, but much higher shock intensities were required than have been employed with domesticated rats to produce similar behavior. The wood rats did not display warm-up during avoidance, with shocks being rather evenly distributed over time.
Hydroxylapatite "batch" assay for estrogen receptors: increased sensitivity over present receptor assays.

Abstract A “batch” hydroxylapatite procedure for the adsorption of the uterine estradiol 17β-receptor complex is described. Characterization with respect to washing efficiency, binding specificity, competition, adsorption time, sensitivity and stability against increasing KC1 ionic strength were included. Equilibrium parameters obtained by Scatchard analysis were compared to the range of values found in the literature. Ktaand receptor site concentration per uterus obtained by this “batch” technique were found to be well within the range described by these reported values. This technique is particularly advantageous due to its wide range of operational sensitivity (capable of detecting specific estradiol-17β binding to a cytosol fraction containing from 5 to 500 μg protein per 225 μl). The assay is run entirely at low temperature (0–2°C). In addition this technique depends on a homogeneous insoluble chemical, hydroxylapatite, which can be obtained in analytical grade quantities of uniform particle size, shows little affinity for free steroid, can be readily packed or resuspended, and appears independent of changes in concentrations of KC1 up to 2500 mM. Additional considerations include the effect of temperature during assay, the importance of empirical correction for non-specific binding, the contributions of binding information on the calculation of equilibrium parameters and statistical evaluation of random error and assay repeatability.
Alix Serves as an Adaptor That Allows Human Parainfluenza Virus Type 1 to Interact with the Host Cell ESCRT System

The cellular ESCRT (endosomal sorting complex required for transport) system functions in cargo-sorting, in the formation of intraluminal vesicles that comprise multivesicular bodies (MVB), and in cytokinesis, and this system can be hijacked by a number of enveloped viruses to promote budding. The respiratory pathogen human parainfluenza virus type I (HPIV1) encodes a nested set of accessory C proteins that play important roles in down-regulating viral transcription and replication, in suppressing the type I interferon (IFN) response, and in suppressing apoptosis. Deletion or mutation of the C proteins attenuates HPIV1 in vivo, and such mutants are being evaluated preclinically and clinically as vaccines. We show here that the C proteins interact and co-localize with the cellular protein Alix, which is a member of the class E vacuolar protein sorting (Vps) proteins that assemble at endosomal membranes into ESCRT complexes. The HPIV1 C proteins interact with the Bro1 domain of Alix at a site that is also required for the interaction between Alix and Chmp4b, a subunit of ESCRT-III. The C proteins are ubiquitinated and subjected to proteasome-mediated degradation, but the interaction with AlixBro1 protects the C proteins from degradation. Neither over-expression nor knock-down of Alix expression had an effect on HPIV1 replication, although this might be due to the large redundancy of Alix-like proteins. In contrast, knocking down the expression of Chmp4 led to an approximately 100-fold reduction in viral titer during infection with wild-type (WT) HPIV1. This level of reduction was similar to that observed for the viral mutant, P(C-) HPIV1, in which expression of the C proteins were knocked out. Chmp4 is capable of out-competing the HPIV1 C proteins for binding Alix. Together, this suggests a possible model in which Chmp4, through Alix, recruits the C proteins to a common site on intracellular membranes and facilitates budding.
Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric analysis of nucleic acids using high‐throughput on‐line desalting

A rapid on-line desalting method utilizing ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (IP-RP-HPLC) was employed in tandem with negative electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) for the routine analysis of nucleic acids. Desalting was performed on a short 10 x 2.1 mm guard column packed with 3.5 microm C(18) sorbent. The HPLC system was connected in-line to an orthogonal ESI-TOF mass spectrometer via a six-port, two-position switching valve, allowing desalting followed by mass analysis of nucleic acids. Duty cycle times for the method were as low as 1.5 min per sample. This allowed for the analysis of approximately 950 samples per 24-h time period, which is suitable for medium- to high-throughput applications. Average mass accuracy was determined to be 80 ppm for oligonucleotides up to 110 mer in length with external calibration. The method was utilized for synthetic oligonucleotide quality control and analysis of DNA genotyping fragments.
Shell structure of the A = 6 ground states from three-body dynamics

Three-body (..cap alpha..NN) models of the /sup 6/He and /sup 6/Li ground states are used to investigate their shell structure. Three models for each nucleus are considered: simple, full (nn), and full (np) for /sup 6/He, and simple, full (0%), and full (4%) for /sup 6/Li. The full models in both cases are obtained by including the S/sub 1/2/, P/sub 1/2/, and P/sub 3/2/ partial waves of the ..cap alpha..N interaction, whereas the simple model truncates to only the strongly resonant P/sub 3/2/ wave. The /sup 6/He full models distinguish between use of the nn or np parameters for the /sup 1/S/sub 0/ NN interaction, while the /sup 6/Li full models have either a pure /sup 3/S/sub 1/ NN interaction (0%) or a /sup 3/S/sub 1/-/sup 3/D/sub 1/ interaction that leads to a 4% d-wave component in the deuteron (4%). These models are used to calculate the probabilities of the orbital components of the wave functions, the configuration-space single-particle orbital densities, and the configuration-space two-particle wave function amplitudes in j-j coupling with the nucleon coordinates referred to the alpha particle as the ''core'' or ''center of force.'' The results are then compared with those from phenomenological and realistic-interaction shell models.more » Major findings of the comparison are the following: None of the shell models considered have a distribution of orbital probabilities across shells like that predicted by three-body models; the orbital rms radii from three-body models indicate an ordering of the orbits within shells, i.e., p/sub 1/2/ outside p/sub 3/2/, unlike oscillator shell models with a single oscillator parameter where the p-shell orbitals have the same shape; and, as expected, three-body orbital densities decay at large radial distances as exponentials rather than the too compact Gaussian falling off of oscillator shell models.« less
Notes on Some Medicinal Plants of Fiji

The uses of 26 medicinal plants found in Namosi Village, Viti Levu are listed. Included are the plant parts used, Namosi names, the illnesses, and the preparations of the remedies.
Genesis of Miami Silt Loam

Miami silt loam and other Gray-Brown Podzolic soils of the United States and Canada are developed from calcareous parent materials of glacial, glacial-fluvial or loessial origin; a large proportion of these materials were deposited during the Wisconsin stage of glaciation. Study of thin sections with polarized light shows clearly that much of the clay of the B₂ horizon has been carried in by water and deposited. Studies of the clay fraction of the soil and parent material indicate that much of the clay was either unaltered or has been transformed from clay originally present, but that some was formed by weathering of primary minerals. Characteristics of the A horizon may be ascribed to the joint effects of leaching, eluviation, and the influence of the broad-leaved deciduous forest and the associated macro- and micro-fauna. Recent leaching experiments, using “undisturbed” soil columns of Miami silt loam, suggest that B horizons are developed primarily through translocation of suspended fine clay and some humus, especially after the periods of soil drying in late summer and early autumn.
The average rank of a product of transformations

We derive an exact formula for the average rank of a product fg of transformations of an n-element set in terms of the ranks of f and g. We show that if no restrictions are placed on the ranks of f and g, this average rank asymptotically equals n(1−exp (e−1−1)).
Atherothrombosis at a distance: contributing role of existing large-burden vascular disease, circulating biosignals and modulating extravascular tissues.

The development of coronary atherothrombosis among patients with inflammatory disorders that includes rheumatoid arthritis and the metabolic syndrome, raises important questions concerning contributing mechanisms, vascular bed specificity and predisposition, and the modulation of proinflammatory and prothrombotic stimuli. Similarly, a well-described relationship between atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta and coronary vascular events, including myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death prompts one to consider the coronary vascular bed as possibly representing a common btarget organ.Q The following review presents a construct of systemic signalling from existing sites of atherothrombosis, which defines coronary atherothrombosis as not merely a coexisting component of multibed vascular disease, but rather the endresult of a thromboinflammatory state originating at remote vascular sites. Because the aorta is the body’s largest vascular structure, an early site of
A Note on the Driving Traction Acting on a Propagating Interface: Adiabatic and Non-Adiabatic Processes of a Continuum

An expression for the driving traction on an interface is derived for an arbitrary continuum undergoing an arbitrary thermomechanical process which may- or may not be adiabatic.
The Effect of Geometry on Patellar Tracking After TKA During Simulated Gait

Abnormal patellar tracking is the main cause of patellofemoral disorders and revision surgeries after total knee replacements (TKA) [1]. The decision to resurface or keep the natural patella has been an ongoing debate when performing TKA since patella morphology and femoral implant design affects patello-femoral (PF) kinematics during gait [2]. A previous study investigated the effects of resurfacing versus unresurfacing the patellae inter-specimen [3]. Error introduced in subject to subject studies can be reduced by performing a cadaveric study where PF kinematics for different patellae geometries are implanted in the same specimen. The purpose of this study was to measure PF kinematics in vitro during three simulated gait cycles with natural, unresurfaced, an anatomical design, and medialized dome patellae to determine the effects of different patellae design and gait cycles on PF kinematics.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Investigation of the curing behavior of a novel epoxy photo-dielectric dry film (ViaLux™ 81) for high density interconnect applications

The objective of this work was to determine the cure kinetics of ViaLux™ 81 photo-dielectric dry film and to optimize its curing schedule for the fabrication of sequentially built up high density interconnect-printed wiring boards. Photosensitive epoxy materials such as the photo-dielectric dry film studied herein have complicated curing regimes. This is attributed to the long lifetime of the curing catalyst that is generated by ultraviolet exposure. Dynamic differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments revealed a two-peak curing mechanism, which could not be separated at lower heating rates. The activation energies for the two cure events, calculated using the Kissinger method, were found to be 129 and 124 kJ/mol, respectively. A cure-dependent activation energy was also determined using the isoconversional method, and a “model-free” approach was adopted to simulate the evolution of degree-of-cure under dynamic and isothermal conditions. The results suggest that cure cycles of approximately 15 min at temperatures above 165°C can result in a degree-of-cure of 90% and above. This implies that faster fabrication is possible with either rapid thermal curing equipment or continuous cure surface mount technology furnaces. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 430–437, 2000
Estimating Annotation Cost for Active Learning in a Multi-Annotator Environment

We present an empirical investigation of the annotation cost estimation task for active learning in a multi-annotator environment. We present our analysis from two perspectives: selecting examples to be presented to the user for annotation; and evaluating selective sampling strategies when actual annotation cost is not available. We present our results on a movie review classification task with rationale annotations. We demonstrate that a combination of instance, annotator and annotation task characteristics are important for developing an accurate estimator, and argue that both correlation coefficient and root mean square error should be used for evaluating annotation cost estimators.
Macrocycle-mediated cation transport from binary Hg2+Mn+ mixtures in A 1 M HNO3CHCI31 M HNO3 liquid membrane system

The macrocycle-mediated flux of Hg2+ individually and of Hg2+ and Mn+ (Mn+ = K+, Tl+, Ag+, Sr2+, Cd2+, or Pb2+) in cation mixtures has been measured at 25°C in a I M HNO3CHCl31 M HNO3 liquid membrane system. Of the ten macrocycles used, 18-crown-6(18C6), dicyclohexano-18-crown-6(DC18C6), and 21-crown-7(21C7)were most effective in transporting Hg2+ individually. Relative cation fluxes in the metal ion mixtures correlated well with relative log K values for cation--macrocycle interaction and with relative partition coefficients for the distribution of the resulting complex between the aqueous and organic phases
Work‐family strains and gains among two‐earner couples

This paper investigates the sources of work-family strains and gains in a sample of 300 two-earner couples. Although most men and women report work-family gains, not all individuals experienced work-family strains. Workload and the quality of experiences at work and at home were major predictors of work-family strains. Experiences at work and at home, social support, and sex-role attitudes were major predictors of work-family gains.
Behavioral and histological outcomes following graded spinal cord contusion injury in the C57Bl/6 mouse.

A computer-controlled electromagnetic spinal cord injury device (ESCID) has been adapted to develop a mouse model of spinal cord contusion injury. In the present study, we have extended this model in C57Bl/6 mice with behavioral and histopathological outcome assessment. Three groups of mice received a laminectomy at the T(9) vertebral level followed by a contusion injury from a predetermined starting load of 1500 dynes. Contusion was produced by rapid displacement of the spinal cord to a peak distance of 0.3, 0.5, or 0.8 mm, with the entire injury and retraction procedure completed over a 23-ms epoch. Control groups received laminectomy alone or complete transection. Functional recovery was examined for 9 weeks after injury using the BBB locomotor rating scale, grid walking, and footprint analysis. Distinct patterns of locomotor recovery were evident across the five groups. Measurements of spared white matter at the epicenter, lesion length, and cross-sectional area of fibronectin-immunopositive scar tissue were also significantly different between injury groups. The severity of injury corresponded with the biomechanical measures recorded at the time of impact as well as with behavioral and histological parameters. The results demonstrate that graded contusion injuries can be produced reliably in mice using the ESCID. The data provide a thorough and quantitative analysis of the effects of contusion injury on long-term behavioral and histological outcome measures in this strain and species.
An architectural model for application integration in open hypermedia environments

This paper provides an architectural framework for modeling third-party application integrations with open hypermedia systems, which collects and extends the integration experience of the open hypermedia community. The framework is used to characterize applications prior to integration, and describe the qualities of a complete integration. Elements of the architectural model are artists, which are used to manipulate anchors, links, and native application objects; communicators, which manage information flow to and from the open hypermedia system; and containers which group the other elements. Prior integration experience is collected in a standard way using the model. Guidance in selecting the final integration architecture is provided by this prior integration experience, in conjunction with the degree of difficulty of an integration, which is related to the integration architecture.
The autonomy of mood disorders among cocaine-using methadone patients.

This study uses an algorithm to determine whether patients dually diagnosed with a mood disorder and cocaine dependence have either (a) an autonomous mood disorder (onset of mood disorder prior to substance use disorder (SUD) or mood disorder symptoms persist during periods of abstinence or (b) a nonautonomous mood disorder (onset of SUD preceded mood disorder and mood disorder symptoms remit during periods of abstinence). The relationship among autonomy, patient characteristics, and treatment completion is examined. The sample included 67 methadone patients with a mood disorder (87% major depression, 13% bipolar) who were enrolling in a 6-month psychosocial treatment for cocaine use. Of these subjects, 27% were rated as having an autonomous mood disorder and 73% a nonautonomous mood disorder. Mean age was 37 years; 55% were female and 82% were Hispanic or African-American. All subjects had been stabilized on methadone (mean = 70 mg). During the 30 days prior to study intake, subjects with an autonomous m...
How Large are the Effects from Changes in Family Environment? A Study of Korean American Adoptees

I analyze a new set of data on Korean American adoptees who were quasi-randomly assigned to adoptive families. I find large effects on adoptees' education, income, and health from assignment to parents with more education and from assignment to smaller families. Parental education and family size are significantly more correlated with adoptee outcomes than are parental income or neighborhood characteristics. Outcomes such as drinking, smoking, and the selectivity of college attended are more determined by nurture than is educational attainment. Using the standard behavioral genetics variance decomposition, I find that shared family environment explains 14 percent of the variation in educational attainment, 35 percent ofthe variation in college selectivity, and 33 percent of the variation in drinking behavior.