cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring the Differential Stoichiometry and Energetics of Ligand Binding to Macromolecules by Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy: An Extended Theory

Many chemical techniques exist for measuring the stoichiometry of ligand binding to a macromolecule; however, these techniques are often specific to certain ligands or require the presumption of specific binding models. Here, we further develop a previously reported, general, thermodynamic method for extracting the change in number of ligands bound to a macromolecule as that macromolecule undergoes a conformational transition driven by mechanical stretching, for example, by magnetic tweezers or optical trapping. We extend the theory of this method to consider systems with many ligands, experiments conducted in different thermodynamic ensembles (e.g., constant-force, constant-extension), and experiments in which the system is not at equilibrium. Further, we show that analysis of the same single-molecule mechanical manipulation data yields a measure of the differential free energy of stabilization due to ligand binding, that is, the free energy contribution by which ligand binding favors one conformation of the macromolecule over another. We interpret an existing data set measuring ion binding to RNA and DNA in terms of this free energy.
Otodental dysplasia: a “new” ectodermal dysplasia

Otodental dysplasia is an ectodermal dysplasia characterized by abnormal crown morphology of the teeth and sensorineural hearing loss. It was documented in six generations of a kindred of Italian extraction. Thirty-three of the 119 examined family members were affected. Twenty-six persons had characteristic dental anomalies combined with a hearing loss. Two had the dental anomalies alone, four had a hearing loss only and one of those with dental anomalies could not be tested for hearing. The teeth of the 29 with dental anomalies had large, bulbous crowns. The normal relationship between cusps and grooves was obliterated. Molars, both deciduous and permanent, were involved. Deciduous canines were large and bulbous. Absence of premolars was documented in 14 of the 29 individuals with abnormal teeth. Those premolars which were present were frequently small. Radiographs of the teeth showed denticles and taurodontia. Twenty-six of the 30 individuals with a hearing loss had concomitant dental anomalies. Of the four with isolated hearing loss, one was proven to have the syndrome. The remaining three were conjectured to be affected. The age of onset of the hearing deficit ranged from early childhood to middle age. The results of a chi-square test supported autosomal dominant inheritance. The pleiotropy in this syndrome is postualed to be due to a genetic defect in the neuroectoderm.
Energetics, stability, and prediction of transmembrane helices

We show that the peptide backbone of an α-helix places a severe thermodynamic constraint on transmembrane (TM) stability. Neglect of this constraint by commonly used hydrophobicity scales underlies the notorious uncertainty of TM helix prediction by sliding-window hydropathy plots of membrane protein (MP) amino acid sequences. We find that an experiment-based whole-residue hydropathy scale (WW scale), which includes the backbone constraint, identifies TM helices of membrane proteins with an accuracy greater than 99 %. Furthermore, it correctly predicts the minimum hydrophobicity required for stable single-helix TM insertion observed in Escherichia coli. In order to improve membrane protein topology prediction further, we introduce the augmented WW (aWW) scale, which accounts for the energetics of salt-bridge formation. An important issue for genomic analysis is the ability of the hydropathy plot method to distinguish membrane from soluble proteins. We find that the method falsely predicts 17 to 43 % of a set of soluble proteins to be MPs, depending upon the hydropathy scale used.
Tuning Microstructure of Cationic Micelles on Multiple Length Scales: The Role of Electrostatics and Specific Ion Binding†

Small-angle neutron scattering has been used to obtain detailed information on local structure, including micellar cross-sectional radii, areas per headgroup, and number of surfactant molecules per...
From invention to social action in early childhood literacy: A reconceptualization through dialogue about difference

What difference should sociocultural difference make in early literacy theory and practice? In response to this question, this article argues that such differences should lead to a reconceptualization that highlights the social nature and cultural meaning of child literacy development. Drawing on a recent ethnographic study of child composing in an urban primary school, the author contrasts dominant assumptions about appropriate developmental practices (i.e., invented spelling, process writing) with children's interpretations of those practices, interpretations grounded in children's social and cultural worlds. The author argues that infusing situatedness and culture into the ways in which educators observe and make sense of children's written language should make “normal” a range of possible pathways to literacy—and “appropriate” a range of ways of teaching—so that difference would in fact make less difference in children's school success.
Perceptions of Authority How Gender Affects Citizen Ratings of Judges

Public officials are vested with authority of the state, and institutions such as courts crystallize this blend of formal power and relational dynamics. We probe how gender affects the interpretation of authority by using simulations of traffic court. Observers evaluated the professional demeanor of the judge. Results indicate that judge gender makes a difference in how professionalism is rated, gender of the citizen makes a difference in how emotive expression is interpreted, and the interaction of judge and citizen gender affects how the judge’s communication is evaluated. We conclude that gender contextualizes power by moderating its perception and interpretation.
A Window on the Plasma Universe: The Very Large Array

For nearly two decades, the aperature synthesis telescope known as the Very Large Array (VLA) has been providing a wealth of data on all types of astronomical objects. This telescope fills the need for more powerful and more sensitive instruments to gather data on a vast range of plasma phenomena in astrophysical settings. Currently the VLA is capable of observing at eight radio frequency bands (four corresponding to important spectral lines) with sensitivities on the order of 10−29 Wm −2 Hz −1, or 10−3 Jansky (1 mJy), and noise levels ten times lower. This paper describes the VLA and its capabilities, and describes how researchers interested in plasma astrophysics can use the instrument.
Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of (NH4)2(C3H12N3)8[V2P2BO12]6·15H2O

Abstract The compound NH4(C3H12N3)8{NH4⊃[V2P2BO12]}6·15H2O (1) was synthesized in single-crystal form by interdiffusion at room temperature of aqueous solutions of (NH4)17{NH4⊃[(VO)2BP2O10]6}·nH2O and 1,3-diaminopropane. The compound contains a known cluster anion, but unlike the previously reported examples that were synthesized hydrothermally, shows no disorder. Compound 1 crystallizes in space group Pn with Z=1, a=13.8684(8), b=17.492(1), c=22.500(1) A, β=102.147° and V=5336.0(5) A3. The magnetic data show pairwise antiferromagnetic coupling between vanadium(IV) atoms and were fitted by using a modified dimer-exchange model.
Application of Ree-Eyring generalized flow theory to suspension of spherical particles. II. Flow in low shear region

Abstract The generalized flow theory of Ree and Eyring has been applied to the data of Maron and Belner (5) on the flow behavior of X-667 latex at low rates of shear in both the Newtonian and non-Newtonian regions. Whereas in the intermediate shear regions, Maron and Pierce (1) were able to represent the results in terms of two flow units, three such units were required at the low rates of shear. These were a Newtonian water unit, and two latex flow units of different relaxation times. As a result, the dependence of viscosity on rate of shear, at any given concentration in the non-Newtonian range, required five parameters for satisfactory representation of the experimental data. Equations have also been deduced for the dependence of the parameters on concentration, and these were used to predict the Newtonian viscosities measured by Maron and Belner below v = 0.25. Good agreement was found between the observed and calculated viscosities. Further, on extrapolation to v = 0, η nsp v t was found to be 2.67 as against the expected Einstein 2.50 for suspensions of spheres, while extrapolation to infinite viscosity gave a volume fraction in very good accord with that expected for rhombohedral close packing of spheres.
Stereocontrolled total synthesis of (±)-Δ9(12)-capnellene

Abstract The first total synthesis of the marine triquinane sesquiterpene Δ9(12)-capnellene ( 1 ) is described.
Twins' responses to pleasant, unpleasant, and life events.

Abstract Pairs of monozygotic (n = 41) and same-sex dizygotic (n = 29) twins were administered the Pleasant Events Schedule, the Unpleasant Events Schedule (Lewinsohn & Amenson, 1978), and the Life Experiences Survey (Sarason, Johnson, & Siegel, 1978). These provided indices of both the frequency of and the emotional response to mood-related events. Monozygotic twins resembled one another more than dizygotic twins on all subscales of these measures, and the greater similarity was statistically significant for most of the subscales. This suggests that there may be a genetic influence on affect, which is expressed through both the frequency of engagement in and the emotional response to mood-related events. The results are discussed in the context of studies of genetic influences on subclinical levels of depression and other emotions.
Organizational Culture Types and their Relationship with Knowledge Flow and Knowledge Management Success: An Empirical Study in the U.S. Government and Nonprofit Sectors

The adoption of Knowledge Management programs and systems in the U.S. government and nonprofit sectors is rapidly growing. However, for them to truly be successful, involves more than just implementing a new technology that can be acquire in a box; it requires understanding and integrating the human aspect of it as well as the culture in which they operate. This paper characterizes and evaluates the enterprise culture composition using four organizational culture types (Clan, Adhocracy, Market, and Hierarchy), the existing strategic approach for knowledge flow, and the success of knowledge management systems. A total of 341 responses were collected using a questionnaire. Executives, knowledge managers, and many others can benefit by gaining better understanding and insight in these areas, integrating the human aspect of it to leverage the enterprise intellectual assets in the most efficient and effective way.
The impact of the energy crisis on the demand for fuel efficiency: The case of general aviation

Abstract One of the most important questions accompanying the debate over energy policy is whether or not consumers will react to increased fuel prices by choosing more fuel efficient transportation modes. This paper addresses this question by developing a theoretical rationale for the hypothesis that the energy crisis has induced an increase in the demand for fuel efficiency as a characteristic of aircraft and empirically tests this hypothesis with data from the U.S. general aviation market.
The effect of rise time on vibrotactile thresholds

Thresholds of detectability were determined for vibration over the thenar eminences of six Ss at frequencies of 25 and 250 Hz as a function of the rise times of the envelopes of sinusoidal bursts. The results showed no effect over rise times ranging from 16 microsec to 160 msec, indicating that for long (1,000 msec) sinusoidal bursts the rise time is not an important parameter in the determination of vibrotactile thresholds.
A morphometric and X-ray energy dispersive approach to monitoring pH-altered cadmium toxicity in Anabaena flos-aquae.

Cadmium toxicity and uptake as influenced by different pH values have been studied in the freshwater cyanobacteriumAnabaena flos-aquae, using the techniques of morphometric analysis, x-ray energy dispersive analysis and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A general reduction in cell dimension, thylakoid surface area, number and volume of polyhedral bodies, polyphosphate bodies, cyanophycin granules, lipid bodies, membrane limited crystalline inclusions, volume and number of wall layers and mesosomes was observed. These reductions were more pronounced in both acidic and alkaline medium than at pH 7.2. At 0.12 μM Cd, the uptake increased with alkaline pH values, and uptake was greater at pH 7.2 than at either acid or alkaline pHs. Lysis of cell wall at 1.18 μM Cd showed the following decreasing trend: pH 4.0 > pH 5.5 > pH 10.0 > pH 9.0 > pH 7.2. There was a total loss of lipid bodies at 1.18 μM Cd at all pH values listed. It is suggested that these techniques can be successfully employed for bioassay studies of metal toxicity to algae. In particular, cell wall lysis and loss of lipids by algae are good indicators of pH effects and metal toxicity in the aquatic ecosystem.
Turning the Other Cheek Agreeableness and the Regulation of Aggression-Related Primes

Aggression-related cues (e.g., violent media) can prime both hostile thoughts and the tendency to commit aggression. However, not everyone engages in an aggressive act after being exposed to an aggression-related cue. Some thought pattern, perhaps an automatic one, may prevent the cue-aggression sequence in some individuals. These considerations motivated the present research, which examined the potential for agreeableness to moderate the effect of aggression-related cues on behavior and cognition. In Study 1, we found that priming with aggression-related cues increased aggressive behavior, but only among individuals low in agreeableness. Study 2 showed that aggression-related cues activated prosocial thoughts among individuals high in agreeable affect (a component of agreeableness). These results reveal that agreeable individuals are able to short-circuit the cue-aggression sequence, likely by recruiting prosocial thoughts in response to aggression-related primes.
Tapping-mode scanning force microscopy: Metallic tips and samples

The operation of a tapping-mode scanning force microscope using a metallic tip and metallic sample, with a bias voltage applied between the two, is modelled as a driven nonlinear oscillator, where metal-metal adhesion and electric forces are taken into account. The model, which applies to the case where the sample indentation by the tip is minimal, shows that one can obtain a good estimate of the tip-sample contact time from the tip-sample current.
The influence of boundary structure on the mechanical properties of ultrafine grained AA1050

Abstract Commercial purity aluminum AA1050 was subjected to one of two equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) routes. Route “A” is defined as no rotation between passes and route “C” is rotated 180° between extrusion passes. The resulting microstructures have similar grain sizes but relatively different grain boundary structures. The microstructure processed by route “A” has approximately 70% high angle boundaries (HABs), while the route “C” has approximately 40% HABs. The boundary structure plays an important role in the mechanical properties of the material because these boundaries act as a source and sink of dislocations. Mechanical tests conducted on these two microstructures at intermediate and dynamic strain rates at both 77 and 298 K are compared with the results of material tested at quasi-static strain rate.
Marginal production in the Gulf of Mexico – I. Historical statistics & model framework

Abstract Experts may disagree on when world oil production will peak, but there is general agreement that marginal fields will contribute a greater percentage of world supply in the future. As fields mature and operations transition into the later stages of their production cycle, decreasing revenue streams, higher operating costs, and fewer upside opportunities lead to declining profitability. Eventually, all properties are abandoned when cost exceeds the revenue of production. In this two-part paper on marginal production in the Gulf of Mexico, the number of marginal structures in the gulf and their expected contribution to future production is forecast using established economic models. In Part 1, a historical perspective on producing assets is provided and the inventory of committed assets is modeled and categorized. We operationalize the definition of marginal production based on a structure’s economic limit. The model framework to identify marginal assets in the Gulf of Mexico is discussed and a step-by-step description of the methodology is provided. In Part 2, the results of the model are described.
Expression of the BNLF-1 oncogene of Epstein-Barr virus in the skin of transgenic mice induces hyperplasia and aberrant expression of keratin 6

The BNLF-1 gene of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encodes the latent membrane protein (LMP), one of the putative oncogene products of the virus. This gene has been expressed from two different enhancer-promoter constructs in transgenic mice, to determine its biological activity and possible contribution to oncogenesis. While transgenic mice expressing LMP in many tissues demonstrated poor viability, expression of LMP specifically in the epidermis induces a phenotype of hyperplastic dermatosis. Concomitant with the expression of LMP in this tissue (and in the esophagus) is an induction of the expression of a hyperproliferative keratin, K6, at aberrant locations within the epidermis. The epithelial hyperplastic phenotype caused by the LMP-encoding transgenes implies that the LMP plays a role in the acanthotic condition of the tongue epithelium in the human EBV- and HIV-associated syndrome oral hairy leukoplakia, as well as possibly predisposing the nasopharyngeal epithelium to carcinogenesis.
Raman spectroscopic studies of beta-turn-containing cyclic peptides

Abstract Two cyclic nonapeptides, cyclo(glycine-S-benzyl- l -cysteine-glycine)3 and cyclo(glycine-S-methoxybenzyl- l -cysteine- l -proline) 3, and a cyclic hexapeptide, cyclo( d -alanine- l -proline- d -alanine)2, were studied by Raman spectroscopy to determine the effects of conformation on their amide frequencies. The first and third of these peptides are known to contain three repeating type-II beta turns in solution. The second is also known to contain three repeating turns, but the turn type has not been established. Depending upon solubility properties of individual peptides, amide assignments were made either through HD exchange or by evaluating spectra of constituent amino acids. The results suggest that, at least in these systems, beta turn types may be distinguished more readily by amide III rather than amide I vibration frequencies.
Follow the Money

Last year I had a discussion with a colleague administrating an independent arts funding organization, one which funds artists "based" in the New York City metropolitan area. I wasn't being considered for a grant, but the question of whether I am a "New York-based artist" nagged at me, picking at the many layers of my identity. In our peripatetic times, when many of us are forced to relocate for paying work, this policy, which is hardly unique, raises some questions.
Visions of community: Women and children in the developing and developed worlds

Experiences traveling in Kenya provide a backdrop to an examination of the principles and practices of the Harambee and women’s movements in Kenya as they compare with feminist social work practice in the United States. Concluding remarks address the implications of our learning for our work in social work education.
CYTOPHOTOMETRIC MEASUREMENT OF NUCLEAR DNA IN SEVEN HETEROTHALLIC ISOLATES OF DIDYMIUM IRIDIS, A MYXOMYCETE

A B S T R A C T Absorption cytophotometry was used to measure nuclear Feulgen-DNA content of myxamoebae and plasmodia in seven heterothallic isolates of Didymium iridis. Measurements of myxamoebal nuclei from clones of four isolates (Hon 1, Pan 1, Pan 2, and CR 5) gave a mean DNA value of 0.34, whereas the nuclei of plasmodia which develop from each of the four intraisolate crosses had a mean value of 0.63. These values correspond to the 2C haploid level in myxamoebae and the 4C diploid level in plasmodia. DNA values in two additional isolates (Pan 3 and CR 2) are much higher than the mean for the other five. Accordingly, it is proposed that these may be polyploid. The question of polyploidy in D. iridis and in other myxomycetes is evaluated. The seventh isolate, Ky 1, is taxonomically very close to D. nigripes and was not included in calculations of mean values for D. iridis.
Temperature dependence of rate constants of thermal activated processes and vibrational relaxation in starvation kinetics

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to study the conditions under which the rate constant exhibits the Arrhenius type of temperature dependence and the damping effect on the rate constant. According to the starvation kinetics, the rate of reaction is determined by the rate of energy flow in the high temperature range. We shall show that the rate of energy flow (vibrational relaxation) reaches a finite limit in the high temperature condition.
A knowledge processing method for intelligent systems based on inclusion degree

: The probability reasoning method, fuzzy reasoning method, evidential reasoning method and other reasoning methods are main techniques employed in intelligent systems for processing uncertain and vague information. The concept of inclusion degree was proposed earlier and it has been proved that the methods mentioned above are examples of inclusion degrees. In this paper, we introduce type S1 and type S2 inclusion degrees, discuss the relationship between them, and further propose inclusion degrees on interval numbers, divisions, vectors and set vectors. This paper addresses an uncertainty analysis method with different inclusion degrees for intelligent systems and other systems such as fuzzy relational databases.
Inversion of Apparent Attenuation and Phase Velocity to Determine Scattering Parameters

Summary We invert apparent attenuation in order to determine the scattering power spectrum. Examples are given illustrating this general inversion procedure including Wu's (1982) single-scattering theory for acoustic waves, and Lerche & Petroy's (1987) mean-field scattering model of both compressive and shear-waves by fluid-filled fractures. Frequency dependent phase velocity and attenuation factors for both compressive and shear-waves provide improvements in the inverse methods for separating intrinsic and apparent attenuation factors. In the cases where only total attenuation factors (phase velocities) are available, phase velocities (attenuation factors) can be determined by using causality considerations. For a small degree of attenuation per unit wavelength travelled approximate solutions provide relatively simple expressions connecting phase velocity and attenuation. If both phase velocity and apparent attenuation factors are measured for compressive and/or shear-waves, then the Kramers-Kronig causality relations provide consistency requirements which must be met. the non-linear nature of these causal requirements is used to explore an inverse method for separating intrinsic and apparent attenuation factors. the non-linear connections of (1) total attenuation to wave phase speeds, and (2) apparent attenuation to intrinsic attenuation, can be used to determine intrinsic properties of the propagation characteristic of the medium.
Observations of a sonic-scattering layer during the total solar eclipse 30 June, 1973

Abstract The behaviour of an animal community, depicted as a sonic-scattering layer by a Ross Laboratories 200 kHz echosounder, was observed during the total solar eclipse on 30 June, 1973. Observations were made at a position in the center of the path of eclipse totality, 40 miles north of Santo Antao, Cape Verde Islands. During its usual morning descent, the layer was seen to be associated with the 2 × 10 −1 μW cm −2 nm −1 isolume at 470 nm. As eclipse totality approached some 3 h after sunrise, the layer began an upward migration that continued throughout totality. As the sky brightened again at the end of totality, the layer resumed its association with the isolume and continued its downward migration. Measurements were made of the spectral distribution of the photoenvironment throughout the water column on 29 and 30 June. These observations and those made by other authors during other eclipses are discussed, and reasons are presented for the observed ‘lag’ between animal migration and light withdrawal.
RAPID: Prototyping control panel interfaces

RAPID is a design environment to support human factors specialists in designing user interfaces for small control panels. RAPID permits modeling of both the appearance and behavior of operator interfaces. Its main goal is to allow exploration of a greater number of design alternatives by decreasing the time and effort required to generate and evaluate those alternatives. It is a graphically-based system intended to be used by non-programmers. RAPID is implemented in Smalltalk-80.
Lie products in incidence algebras

We give conditions when a strictly upper triangular element of an incidence algebra over a commutative ring is the Lie commutator of two elements of the incidence algebra, one of which is strictly upper triangular. In particular, it follows that this is the case for the ring of n × n upper triangular matrices, where n is either finite or infinite.
Distinct expression patterns of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins 2 and 5 during fetal and postnatal development

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), when isolated from serum or tissue fluids, are usually found as part of a protein complex which also contains one of several IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). Although some IGFBPs have been shown to alter interactions of IGFs with their receptors in vitro and can modify the responses of cultured cells to exogenous IGFs, the in vivo functions of IGFBPs remain unclear. This study examines expression of a recently described IGFBP gene, IGFBP-5, in the rat embryo and fetus and in selected adult tissues. Embryonic IGFBP-5 messenger RNA (mRNA) can be detected as early as embryonic day 10.5 and has an mRNA expression pattern distinct from the previously characterized pattern of IGFBP-2 mRNA expression. Major sites of IGFBP-5 expression during early postimplantation stages of development include the notochord, the floor plate, regions of the surface ectoderm, muscle precursor cells, and specific axial regions of neuroepithelium. Later in development IGFBP-5 mRNA is found in severa...
Inhibition of cell-mediated immune reactions by an aqueous extract of normal human skin.

An aqueous extract of normal human skin has been shown to contain an inhibitor of certain cell mediated immune reactions. In this report, the effect of the effect of the inhibitor on cell membrane markers and antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity was determined. Significant diminution of E rosette formation was demonstrated using as little as 0.6 μ g of the skin fraction ( p β -N-acetylglucosaminidase, and thus was not associated with membrane or lysosomal enzymes.
On Evaluating Efficiency of a Combined Power and Cooling Cycle

A combined power and cooling cycle is being investigated. The cycle is a combination of the Rankine cycle and an absorption refrigeration cycle. Evaluating the efficiency of this cycle is made difficult by the fact that there are two different simultaneous outputs, namely power and refrigeration. An efficiency expression has to appropriately weigh the cooling component in order to allow comparison of this cycle with other cycles. This paper develops several expressions for the first law, second law and exergy efficiency definitions for the combined cycle based on existing definitions in the literature. Some of the developed equations have been recommended for use over others, depending on the comparison being made. Finally, some of these definitions have been applied to the cycle and the performance of the cycle optimized for maximum efficiency. A Generalized Reduced Gradient (GRG) method was used to perform the optimization. The results of these optimizations are presented and discussed.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Imaging left ventricular remodeling: targeting the neurohumoral axis

Left ventricular remodeling is a key determinant of the clinical course and outcome of systolic heart failure. The myocardial renin–angiotensin system (RAS) has been closely linked to the major maladaptive cellular and molecular changes that accompany left ventricular remodeling. Direct inhibition of various components of the RAS, such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensin II type 1 receptor, and aldosterone, has resulted in favorable clinical responses in heart failure. Many questions, however, remain unanswered regarding the timing of initiation, optimum doses, need for simultaneous use of RAS inhibitors, and proper monitoring of RAS blockade. Additionally, significant variation has been noted in individual responses to RAS blockade as a result of genetic differences. Answering these questions requires direct access to the myocardial component of RAS, which is largely independent of its systemic component. Molecular imaging using radiotracers with high affinities for myocardial angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin II type 1 receptors can provide direct access to tissue RAS and thus provide a better understanding of the pathophysiology of left ventricular remodeling in individual patients. This Article briefly reviews the potential for evaluating the tissue expression of angiotensin in heart failure by targeted RAS imaging.
Mechanisms of microvascular response to laser pulses

"Selective photothermolysis" is widely used for treating vascular lesions. In order to understand mechanisms of response, we investigated fast events during pulsed laser treatment of microvessels. A high-speed (2000 fps) CCD camera and microscope were used to image hamster cheek pouch microvessels during and after 532 nm and 1064 nm laser pulse exposures. Pulse duration and fluence were varied systematically (1-50 ms, 0-600 J per cm2). Threshold fluences for fast events were determined. On a millisecond time-scale, a specific series of fast events occur, which are wavelength, fluence, irradiance, and pulse duration dependent. In order of increasing fluence we observed: blood coagulation, vasoconstriction, thread-like appearance of the treated vascular segment, vessel disappearance, intravascular cavitation, bubble formation, vessel wall rupture and hemorrhage, and shrinkage of perivascular tissue. With increasing pulse duration, the threshold fluences for coagulation, vessel disappearance, and cavitation increase, and cavitation becomes less violent, conforming to the vessel lumen. Intravascular cavitation did not always rupture the vessel wall, and is not the mechanism for immediate vessel disappearance, a desired endpoint for treating vascular lesions. The apparent mechanism for immediate vessel disappearance is contraction of intravascular blood and perivascular collagen after thermal denaturation. This study suggests that detecting fast events in humans, in real time, may provide useful feedback signals for "smarter" laser devices.
Glove Perforations in Ophthalmic Surgery

To determine the potential rate of intraoperative parenteral exposure of physicians and patients caused by glove perforation during ophthalmic surgery, gloves were analyzed after 125 procedures. Gloves were collected from all surgical team members (surgeon, assistants, scrub nurse, and circulating nurse). The rate of glove perforation was significantly lower for the surgeon, 0.3% (one of 303 gloves) than for the assistants, 5% (ten of 202 gloves [P = .001]), scrub nurses, 16% (52 of 326 gloves [P = .0001]), and circulating nurses, 15% (43 of 293 gloves [P = .0001]); similarly, assistants had a significantly lower rate than did scrub nurses (P = .0001) and circulating nurses (P = .001). There was no statistically significant difference in number of perforations on the basis of surgery duration or type of ophthalmic procedure. These findings suggest that the risk of parenteral exposure during ophthalmic surgery is low for the surgeon, and higher for other surgical personnel. We also analyzed additional safety precautions. Further study is warranted to determine the effectiveness of precautions and to guide policy formulation.
May I Introduce You: Teaching Culturally Diverse End‐Users Through Everyday Information Seeking Experiences

“A generational shift…is just now beginning to unfold” as libraries convert, individually and collectively, into online public access utilities. Adopting an online public access catalog (OPAC) is increasingly signaling the subsequent provision of other electronic technologies that can be used directly by library patrons. Other bibliographic databases are typically added first, followed by numeric, statistical, and graphic databases. The library is becoming, in essence, a local online information utility.
Intratumoral concentrations of imatinib after oral administration in patients with glioblastoma multiforme.

Imatinib, an orally administered tyrosine kinase inhibitor of PDGF receptor, c-abl and c-kit, is currently in clinical trials to assess its efficacy in malignant gliomas. Although imatinib does not readily penetrate an intact blood–brain barrier (BBB), the extent to which it distributes into regions of high grade gliomas where the BBB is compromised has not been determined. Patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas for whom repeat surgical tumor debulking was clinically indicated received imatinib mesylate 600 mg orally once a day for seven days prior to surgery. Tissue samples were collected from different regions of the tumor and the approximate location of these samples was determined using frameless stereotactic neuronavigation. Plasma samples were obtained immediately before and after the resection. The concentration of imatinib in the plasma and tumor samples was determined using high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. Eleven tumor samples were obtained from three patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. The median concentration of imatinib in these 11 tumor specimens was 1.34 μg/g (range 0.21–4.31 μg/g) and the median tumor-to-plasma ratio was 0.71 (range 0.28–3.03). These findings suggest that imatinib can reach intratumoral concentrations similar to those or higher than in plasma in regions of glioblastoma where the BBB is disrupted as indicated by contrast enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging.
Phased cis-acting promoter elements interact at short distances to direct avian skeletal alpha-actin gene transcription.

Abstract Recently, site-directed mutagenesis uncovered four positive cis-acting elements in the 5' promoter region of the chicken skeletal alpha-actin gene that directs myogenic tissue-restricted expression. In this study, interactions between the four promoter sites were examined by means of a series of insertion mutations that increased the linker region between adjacent elements by roughly half or complete DNA helical turns. Unexpectedly, transcriptional activity for all three sets of linker mutants, as assayed with a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene, was found to vary in a fashion resembling a damped sinusoid with a period of roughly 10 base pairs, where the sinusoidal maxima appeared when length was increased by half-integral number of helix turns. We present a model which states that in the undistorted wild-type 5' flanking sequence, linker domains position each of the four promoter sites on the helix face opposite that of its immediate neighbors; when any of the three linkers is increased by approximately a half-integral number of helix turns, pairs of neighboring promoter sites are brought into alignment. We propose that this is the required orientation for inducing skeletal muscle-specific promoter activity, achieved in the wild-type promoter as a result of protein-induced torsional deformation.
Tree-guided Bayesian inference of population structures

Motivation: Inferring population structures using genetic data sampled from a group of individuals is a challenging task. Many methods either consider a fixed population number or ignore the correlation between populations. As a result, they can lose sensitivity and specificity in detecting subtle stratifications. In addition, when a large number of genetic markers are used, many existing algorithms perform rather inefficiently. Result: We propose a new Bayesian method to infer population structures using multiple unlinked single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Our approach explicitly considers the population correlation through a tree hierarchy, and treat the population number as a random variable. Using both simulated and real datasets of worldwide samples, we demonstrate that an incorporated tree can consistently improve the power in detecting subtle population stratifications. A tree-based model often involves a large number of unknown parameters, and the corresponding estimation procedure can be highly inefficient. We further implement a partition method to analytically integrate out all nuisance parameters in the tree. As a result, our method can analyze large SNP datasets with significantly improved convergence rate. Availability: http://www.stat.psu.edu/~yuzhang/tips.tar Contact: yuzhang@stat.psu.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Intelligent techniques applied to power plant

Developments in power plant control are increasing steadily in recent years by seeking new techniques other than conventional PID controls. This panel introduces intelligent techniques to power plant control, which deal with complex dynamic systems having significant uncertainties. As for intelligent techniques, neural network (NN), fuzzy logic (FL), evolutionary programming (EP), genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO) and multi-agent system (MAS) are presented for the power plant control. Intelligent techniques provide control methodologies that improve the performance of the plant in a wide-range of operation. Moreover, intelligent techniques are shown to overcome the unpredictable dynamics, computational complexity and problems associated with large-scale distributed complex power plants.
Context-sensitive object request broker for ubiquitous computing environments

Context-awareness is an important property of applications in ubiquitous computing and communication (ubicomp) environments. Context-sensitive applications use various data from the surrounding environments and the devices to adapt their behavior. Using context as a criterion to transparently establish communication links among devices requires effective system support. A context-sensitive middleware is effective to address these emerging applications since such a middleware provides both development and runtime supports to context-sensitive applications in addition to providing the interoperability in heterogeneous ubicomp environments. This implies that the object request broker (ORB) of the middleware must provide a mechanism to provide context-sensitive communication among objects. In this paper, the principles and software-hardware co-design aspect of a context-sensitive ORB is presented to facilitate context-sensitive communication among application objects in ubicomp environments.
The Neurochemistry of Pair Bonding

The formation and maintenance of social attachments are fundamental to human biology. Because deficits in the ability to form such attachments are associated with a variety of psychological disorders, an understanding of the neural basis of social attachment may provide insights into the causes of such disorders. Comparative studies using several closely related species of voles that display different social organizations and behaviors have begun to provide important insights into the neurochemical events underlying social attachment. Here we review recent developments in the study of social attachment, focusing on the roles of specific neurochemical systems in pair-bond formation.
Monotone preimages of dendrites

Abstract A counterexample to a theorem of J.J. Charatonik and K. Omiljanowski giving sufficient conditions for a dendrite to be contained in all of its monotone preimages is given, and a corrected version of the theorem is presented. An alternative proof is provided for a characterization of dendrites monotonely equivalent to a universal dendrite that was originally proved using the erroneous result. Finally, in response to a question by J.J. Charatonik, it is shown that a dendrite contained in all of its monotone preimages must have a discrete set of ramification points.
In Vivo Cardiac, Acoustic-Radiation-Force-Driven, Shear Wave Velocimetry

Shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI) was employed to track acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) -induced shear waves in the mid-myocardium of the left ventricular free wall (LVFW) of a beating canine heart. Shear waves were generated and tracked with a linear ultrasound transducer that was placed directly on the exposed epicardium. Acquinsition was ECG-gated arid coincided with the mid-diastolic portion of the cardiac cycle. Axial displacement profiles consistent with shear wave propagation were clearly evident in all SWEI acquisitions (i.e., those including an ARFI excitation); displacement data from control cases (i.e., sequences lacking an ARFI excitation) offered no evidence of shear wave propagation and yielded a peak absolute mean displacement below 0.31 μm after motion filtering. Shear wave velocity estimates ranged from 0.82 to 2.65 m/s and were stable across multiple heartbeats for the same interrogation region, with coefficients of variation less than 19% for all matched acquisitions. Variations in velocity estimates suggest a spatial dependence of shear wave velocity through the mid-myocardium of the LVFW, with velocity estimates changing, in limited cases, through depth and lateral position.
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity: a review

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), a restrictive bariatric operation, has not been commonly used as a primary bariatric operation. It has been used as a part of biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) and as the first stage of a staged operation for super-obese patients [1,2]. It is also done for high-risk patients, because it is a simpler and safer operation. Recent published reports have seemed to indicate that LSG is an effective bariatric operation and may be a promising alternative to more complex operations such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and BPD-DS. These interesting observations prompted us to undertake this review [3‐7]. Morbid obesity affects an estimated 15 million people in the United States. Surgery is the most effective and only durable treatment for morbidly obese patients. It ensures long-term weight loss, with acceptable morbidity and mortality. It also favorably affects the comorbidities associated with obesity. The bariatric procedures can be classified into 3 main categories: restrictive, malabsorptive, and a combination of both. The restrictive procedures include laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), LSG, vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), and endoscopic intragastric balloon (BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon [BIB], Allergan, Irvine, CA) placement. The purely restrictive procedures induce a lesser degree of weight loss than the malabsorptive procedures, such as BPD-DS, or the mixed procedures, such as LRYGB. Of the restrictive operations, LAGB is the most popular. LAGB results in an average excess weight loss (EWL) of 50‐60% at 3‐5 years postoperatively [8‐10]. It is the least invasive and is a low-risk procedure in experienced hands. The operative morbidity and mortality rate with this procedure has been 5% and 0.1%, respectively. Moreover, the band can be removed in the case of problems or insufficient weight loss. Complications unique to LAGB include band slippage, pouch dilation, gastric erosion and necrosis, stomal obstruction, gastric prolapse, and port complications. VBG is a nonadjustable restrictive procedure. Since its
Incorporation of Aspects of Systems Security and Software Security in Senior Capstone Projects

In this paper, we present our efforts at incorporating aspects of systems security and software security into the two-course senior capstone project sequence (Software Engineering and Senior Project courses) in the undergraduate Computer Science curriculum at Jackson State University. In this regard, we discuss: (i) the development of course modules and lab projects on security that were respectively taught and assigned to the students in the two capstone project course sequence, and (ii) the incorporation of aspects of systems and software security in the capstone projects that were conducted by our students during the academic year 2010-11. To further assist students on their capstone projects, we developed and offered two new elective courses on Systems and Software Security and Advanced Information Security in conjunction with the two capstone project courses during the Fall and Spring semesters as well as incorporated a network security module, lab projects and reading assignment to a regular Computer Networks course. We disseminate all of our course modules, lecture materials and lab project descriptions through an actively maintained website. Our approach could be adopted as a model for incorporating security in the software systems design and development courses in a computer science or software engineering curriculum.
Evaluation of perceptions regarding Top 200 drug information exercises in a pharmaceutical care lab curriculum

Abstract This study evaluated perceptions regarding the effectiveness of Top 200 drug information exercises in a pharmaceutical care lab (PCL) curriculum. Questionnaires were distributed online via Qualtrics ™ to fourth-year (PY4) students and advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) preceptors. The PY4 questionnaire inquired about perceptions of usefulness of current exercises and possible areas of future focus. The preceptor questionnaire inquired about preparedness of students for APPE rotations. Response rates for student and preceptor questionnaires were 43.7% ( n = 72) and 15.1% ( n = 128), respectively. Overall, 93% of students felt current exercises were helpful in learning the material, and 86% felt prepared at the start of APPEs with regard to Top 200 drug information. Of the practitioners that precept for multiple schools, 40% (35/88) felt students were better prepared in this area, as compared to students from other institutions. Information from this study identified strengths and weaknesses of the current process. Areas of future focus could include dosing information and major drug interactions.
Solid-phase synthesis of polynucleotides. IV. Usage of polystyrene resins for the synthesis of polydeoxyribonucleotides by the phosphotriester method

Contrary to the expectation, the Merrifield polystyrene resin, 2% cross-linked by divinylbenzene, is as efficient as the polyacrylmorpholide resin for the synthesis of polydeoxyribonucleotides using a phosphotriester method. On the Merrifield resin, the tetradecamer, dTpCpGpTpCpApApCpTpGpGpCpTpT, and the hexadecamer, dCpCpApGpTpCpApCpGpApCpGpTpTpGpT, were synthesized by the phosphotriester method using di and trinucleotide blocks as coupling units.