cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of a Protein-Promoting Vibration in the Reaction Catalyzed by Horse Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase

In this article we present computational studies of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (HLADH). The computations identify a rate-promoting vibration that is symmetrically coupled to the reaction coordinate. In HLADH a bulky amino acid (Val203) is positioned at the face of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) cofactor distal to alcohol substrate to restrict the separation of reactants and control the stereochemistry. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed on the dimeric HLADH, including the NAD cofactor, the substrate, and the crystallographic waters, for three different configurations, reactants, products, and transition state. From the spectral density for the substrate-NAD relative motion, and that for the NAD-Val203 relative motion, we find that the two motions are in resonance. By computing the associated spectrum, we find that the reaction coordinate is coupled with the substrate-NAD motion, and from the fact that the coupling vanishes at or near the transition state (demonstrated by th...
Low-dose radiation-induced enhancement of thymic lymphomagenesis in Lck-Bax mice is dependent on LET and gender.

The hypothesis that mitochondrial dysfunction and increased superoxide levels in thymocytes over expressing Bax (Lck-Bax1 and Lck-Bax38&1) contributes to lymphomagenesis after low-dose radiation was tested. Lck-Bax1 single-transgenic and Lck-Bax38&1 double-transgenic mice were exposed to single whole-body doses of 10 or 100 cGy of 137Cs or iron ions (1,000 MeV/n, 150 keV/μm) or silicon ions (300 MeV/n, 67 keV/μm). A 10 cGy dose of 137Cs significantly increased the incidence and onset of thymic lymphomas in female Lck-Bax1 mice. In Lck-Bax38&1 mice, a 100 cGy dose of high-LET iron ions caused a significant dose dependent acceleration of lymphomagenesis in both males and females that was not seen with silicon ions. To determine the contribution of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, Lck-Bax38&1 over expressing mice were crossed with knockouts of the mitochondrial protein deacetylase, Sirtuin 3 (Sirt3), which regulates superoxide metabolism. Sirt3–/–/Lck-Bax38&1 mice demonstrated significant increases in thy...
Crisis, contagion and cross-border effects: Evidence from the Latin American closed-end fund market

Abstract This paper investigates the behavior of four Latin American closed-end country funds – Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico – in the context of the 1994 Mexican and 1997 Asian financial crises. A vector error correction model that imposes a bivariate GARCH-M framework is used to examine volatility spillover and cross-border relationships between each fund's share price (SP) and its underlying net asset value (NAV). Several important results emerge: (a) consistent with the notion of market efficiency, NAV and SP of each fund share a long-run equilibrium relationship; (b) the Mexico Fund plays an influential role during the crises as its NAV and SP influence each other and, furthermore, its discounts, and those of Argentina, exert a strong impact on the movements in the other funds' discounts; and (c) cross-border volatility spillover has a significant impact on changes in NAV and SP. The results of the study provide insights into the differential investor sentiment hypothesis and the evolution of fund discounts in the presence of economic shocks.
Releasable pools and the kinetics of exocytosis in adrenal chromaffin cells

Abstract Using high resolution capacitance (C m ) measurement techniques, we mapped the kinetics of exocytosis evoked by brief (5–100 ms) depolarizations that activate voltage-dependent Ca 2+ channels in rat adrenal chromaffin cells. After correcting the C m signal for contributions from Na + channel-gating charge movements, the initial kinetics of exocytosis were consistent with depolarization-triggered release occurring initially from an immediately releasable pool of only ∼17 secretory vesicles. In contrast, repetitive application of longer depolarizations evoked release from a distinct, larger readily releasable pool of ∼170 vesicles. Our results suggest that the secretory response of a chromaffin cell to an action potential is limited by the size of the immediately releasable pool rather than by a fusion mechanism that is slower than that at synapses.
Detecting Multidimensionality Due to Curricular Differences.

Data were generated to simulate multidimensionality resulting from including two or four subtopics on a test. Each item was dependent on an ability trait due to instruction and learning, which was the same across all items, as well as an ability trait unique to the subtopic of the test (such as biology on a general science test). The eigenvalues of the item correlation matrix and Yen's Q3 were not greatly influenced by multidimensionality under conditions where the responses of a large proportion of students shared the influence of common instruction across subtopics. In contrast, Stout's T procedure was effective at detecting this type of multidimensionality, unless the subtopic abilities were correlated. Achievement tests often report a total score, though the test blueprint may cover multiple objectives or content areas. In interpreting the score or equating scores from different forms, the assumption is made that essentially one construct is being measured, though that construct may be logically viewed as a composite of related topics. For example, a middle school mathematics test may cover pre-algebra, geometry, statistics, and arithmetic. The items covering these topics may be mathematically unidimensional, if for no other reason than that these topics are typically taught in the same course. A practical problem test developers face is that topic emphasis differs across classrooms and may shift over time, which could potentially affect the dimensionality of the scores. There are a number of indices for detecting multidimensionality; the question practitioners may face is which indices are most effective for this situation.
Effects of Surface Conditions on Baseball Playing Surface Pace

The speed at which a baseball travels after impact with a playing surface has been referred to as playing surface pace. Little information is available regarding the effects of varying construction and maintenance practices on the pace of baseball playing surfaces. Research was conducted to evaluate the effects of construction and maintenance practices on a non-turfed basepath, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) turf, and six synthetic turf surfaces. Factors evaluated on the non-turfed basepath included soil compaction at installation, surface scarification, and topdressing with a soil conditioner (calcined clay). The effects of cutting height and thatch thickness were evaluated on Kentucky bluegrass, while the effects of simulated traffic and grooming were evaluated on synthetic turf. On the non-turfed basepath, increasing soil compaction yielded increases in surface pace. Calcined clay topdressing and increasing scarification depth did not affect surface pace. On Kentucky bluegrass, varying cutting height and thatch thickness levels had no effect on surface pace. On synthetic turf, increases in simulated traffic resulted in slight increases in pace. Surface pace measurements on synthetic turf were less variable than those made on natural turfgrass. The results indicate that the pace of commonly used baseball playing surfaces is not easily altered with minimally invasive maintenance procedures and should be addressed at construction or during aggressive renovations.
Fracture mechanics of brittle matrix ductile fiber composites

Abstract A model to predict the increase in critical flaw size or stable crack growth potential which can occur by the inclusion of ductile fibers in a brittle matrix is considered. The model is based upon the super-position of two known stress intensity solutions; one for the crack opening mode resulting from a remotely applied stress and the second, an opposing stress intensity that results from a crack closing force exerted by unbroken fibers spanning the crack surfaces. The extent of stable growth possible is computed at the ultimate stress of the brittle phase as functions of fiber strength and of volume fraction for various amounts of fiber rupture. A hot pressed beryllium matrix is used as an example. The crack surface displacement over which a given fiber is capable of deforming without rupture is found to be sensitive to the fiber-matrix interface strength. The factors leading to maximum crack surface displacement without rupture are a high strain hardening capability of the fiber and an interface designed to fail at fiber stresses between yield and ultimate strengths.
Protein kinases in the subretinal fluid.

Abstract Samples of subretinal fluid from patients with retinal detachment of various duration were examined. Protein kinase activity increased with the duration of the detachment. The specific activity of the enzyme increased up to 14 days of retinal detachment, subsequently decreased up to 21 days and thereafter remained constant. Cyclic AMP dependent and cyclic AMP independent protein kinase activities were present. The data suggest that protein kinases may be involved in the degradation of rod outer segments during retinal detachment.
The translational hull of an inverse semigroup

An ideal extension of one semigroup by another is determined by a partial homomorphism into the translational hull of the first semigroup [3, §2, Theorem 5]. In most ins tances, the development of the theory of ideal extensions has been hindered by inadequate knowledge of the translational hull; it is our purpose here to characterize certain basic structures in the translational hull of an arbitrary inverse semigroup.
The Parallel Solving and Program Implementation Method of Large-Scale Power Flow Correction Equations

This paper present a parallel solving method of large-scale power flow correction equations and the program implementation based on the shared memory programming model OpenMP, which Improve the utilization rate the computer CPU resources and the computing speed. The method uses factor tables for solving the power flow equations. Combined the sparsity of correction equations coefficient matrix, the rows which can be do normalized simultaneously are grouped for doing the normalization and elimination operations in parallel. Meanwhile, use the row grouping information which is obtained during the factor table generation process to do parallel previous generation computing. Finally, the simulation for the actual power grid verified the validity and rationality of the method.
Novel strain-induced defect in thin molecular-beam epitaxy layers.

We have studied the morphology of thin epitaxial Ge films on Si(001). By terminating the surface with a monolayer of As during growth, Ge is forced to grow layer by layer, instead of the preferred mode, which is layer by layer for three monolayers, followed by islanding. In layer-by-layer growth, there are no nucleation sites for misfit dislocations to accommodate the 4% lattice mismatch. Instead, we observe by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy a novel strain relief defect combining two \ensuremath{\Sigma}9 boundaries and a twin. An estimate of the defect energy compares favorably with the energy of equivalent misfit dislocations.
The essential Shakespeare and the material book

(1988). The essential Shakespeare and the material book. Textual Practice: Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 69-86.
TURBULENT GAS-SOLID FLOWS, PART I: DIRECT SIMULATIONS AND REYNOLDS STRESS CLOSURES

This work deals with direct numerical simulation (DNS) and development of a new Reynolds stress model (RSM) for description of gas-solid turbulent flows with low volume fraction and high density ratio. The coupling between the two phases is "two-way," which allows investigation of the effects of the mass loading ratio and the particle time constant on both phases. DNS is conducted of a homogeneous turbulent shear flow laden with monosize particles using a Eulerian-Lagrangian formulation. The RSM is based on a "two-fluid" methodology in which both the carrier phase and the dispersed phase are considered in the Eulerian frame. Closures are suggested for the unclosed terms (including the pressure- velocity gradient) which manifest the effects of two-way coupling. The final model predictions for all the components of the fluid, the particle, and fluid-particle Reynolds stresses are assessed via detailed comparisons against DNS data.
Frontogenesis driven by horizontally quadratic distributions of density

Attention is given to the quadratic density distribution in a channel, which has been established by Simpson and Linden to be the simplest case of the horizontally nonlinear distribution of fluid density required for the production of frontogenesis. The porous-media and Boussinesq flow models are examined, and their evolution equations are reduced to one-dimensional systems. While both the porous-media and the inviscid/nondiffusive Boussinesq systems exhibit classic frontogenesis behavior, the viscous Boussinesq system exhibits a more complex behavior: boundary-layer effects force frontogenesis away from the lower boundary, and at late times the steepest density gradients are close to mid-channel.
Secular trends in prevalence of diabetes among younger patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction

Abstract Background Diabetes prevalence is increasing in the population, both in the young and the elderly. We assessed the impact of increasing prevalence of diabetes on admissions for acute myocardial infarctions (MI) from 1990 through 1997. Methods and results We retrospectively identified all patients discharged with the primary diagnosis of MI from any Veteran's Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in the country between October 1990 and September 1997. Patients were classified as having diabetes from the ICD-9-CM codes and stratified by age. Demographic data were extracted from the patient treatment files. Prevalence of diabetes among MI patients for the years 1990 through 1997 was compared to that in the general population obtained from the Center for Disease Control. We identified 67,889 patients with MI of whom 17,756 (26%) had diabetes. In the age group ≤44 years, the prevalence of diabetes remained at approximately 11.5% from 1991 to 1998. In the age group 45–64 years, the increase was from 23% to 28%—a 23% increase ( p p Conclusions Despite substantial increase in prevalence of diabetes among the younger population, it does not appear to be predisposing them to increased risk for MI. The prevalence of diabetes among older patients with MI paralleled the increase seen in the general population with the steepest increase seen in the group ≥65 years. These data are important in focusing our resources for preventive measures.
Community enforcement with observation costs

Abstract Takahashi (2010) [12] proves a folk theorem in an environment where a continuum of players are randomly matched in each period to play the prisoner's dilemma with a different partner. A key assumption there is that a player can observe her partner's past play without any cost , while she cannot observe the past play of her partner's past partners, the partners of her partner's past partners, and so on. However, Takahashi's [12] result is not robust to the introduction of an infinitesimal cost to acquire information about partners' past play. In this note, with the help of cheap-talk communication, I prove a folk theorem by constructing an equilibrium strategy that is robust to an infinitesimal cost.
Sex and ethnic differences in past aggressive behaviors

To investigate gender and ethnic differences in experiences of violence, 415 Black and White males and females were asked about some of their aggressive behaviors in the past. In their most aggressive encounters, males were more likely than females to have received and instigated physical violence and females to have experienced violence in a sexual context; same-sex aggression was more common than cross-sex violence. More males than females had urged or screamed at others to be more aggressive, with males more likely to incite other males and females to urge other females to be aggressive. Males were more likely than females to have last been angry with a male, and a number of sex differences were found in the behaviors exhibited when last angry. Although positive consequences of aggression did not differ significantly by sex, females were more likely to have experienced negative interpersonal effects of behaving aggressively and males to have suffered physical harm or legal troubles. Relatively few differences between Black and White subjects were found, but Black males were more likely than Whites to keep their anger to themselves and to get the target in trouble; White males were more likely to yell at the target and tell the target of their anger. White females were more likely than Blacks to get the target in trouble. In general, the results are consistent with sex role stereotypes and suggest that the experiences of aggression and responses to anger may be substantially different for males and females.
Inference over heterogeneous finite-/infinite-dimensional systems using factor graphs and Gaussian processes

The ability to reason over partially observable networks of interacting states is a fundamental competency in probabilistic robotics. While the well-known factor graph and Gaussian process models provide flexible and computationally efficient solutions for this inference problem in the special cases in which all of the hidden states are either finite-dimensional parameters or real-valued functions, respectively, in many cases we are interested in reasoning about heterogeneous networks whose hidden states are comprised of both finite-dimensional parameters and functions. To that end, in this paper we propose a novel probabilistic generative model that incorporates both factor graphs and Gaussian processes to model these heterogeneous systems. Our model improves upon prior approaches to inference within these networks by removing the assumption of any specific set of conditional independences amongst the modeled states, thereby significantly expanding the class of systems that can be represented. Furthermore, we show that inference within this model can always be performed by means of a two-stage procedure involving inference within a factor graph followed by inference over a Gaussian process; by exploiting fast inference methods for the individual factor graph and Gaussian process models to solve each of these subproblems in succession, we thus obtain a general framework for computationally efficient inference over heterogeneous finite-/infinite-dimensional systems.
3-substituted alanines inactivate γ-aminobutyric acid aminotransferase by the same mechanism as do 4-amino-5-halopentanoic acid analogues

L-Serine O-sulfate inactivates γ-aminobutyric acid aminotransferase (GABA-AT) by a mechanism that involves elimination of the leaving group and an enamine rearrangement, the same mechanism as that for the inactivation of GABA-AT by 4-amino-5-fluoropentanoic acid.
Transient hyperglycemia in hispanic children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Background Transient hyperglycemia occurs commonly during the treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of and risk factors for transient hyperglycemia during induction chemotherapy in Hispanic pediatric patients diagnosed with B-Precursor ALL.
The Limits and Art of Understanding in Social Work Practice

If quantity is an any way a measure of one's preoccupation with something, then the number of pages I devoted to the question of understanding in my book, Social Work Practice: A Unitary Approach (1973) was a sure indication of my concern at that time. Altogether, over eighty pages — more than one-third of the book — were given over to what I called, “The Strategies of Study and Evaluation.” Exhaustively, this section covered the phases of practice and the characteristics of the various client systems that are met in practice within each phase. Pure overkill: the attempt to cover the myriad data and details of this plan would be beyond the scope and time of any practitioner.
Construction and expression of a monomeric c-Jun protein that binds and activates transcription of AP-1-responsive genes.

Abstract c-Jun is a typical member of the bZIP (basic zipper) family of dimeric transcriptional activators. These proteins contain a basic region responsible for DNA sequence recognition and a leucine zipper that mediates dimerization. bZIP proteins regulate a large number of important physiological functions and, therefore, present an interesting target for molecular interference and mimicry. As a step toward the development of peptide and nonpeptide analogs of such proteins, we constructed a derivative of c-Jun that binds DNA as a monomer. This construction was done by connecting a second basic region to the natural basic region of c-Jun by means of a short peptide loop. Although the polypeptide backbone of the second basic region has an inverted polarity relative to that of the natural basic region, the monomeric c-Jun protein binds DNA with reasonably high affinity and indistinguishable specificity from the wild-type, dimeric c-Jun protein. Furthermore, the monomeric c-Jun protein can activate transcription in vivo. These findings indicate that the polypeptide backbone of the basic region contributes little to sequence recognition and that the leucine zipper is not directly involved in transcriptional activation.
Fin (on a Pipe) Effectiveness: One Dimensional and Two Dimensional

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate two-dimensional effects by comparing the results of one- and two-dimensional analyses of a rectangular fin on a pipe with convection from the tip as a function of the Biot number and the relative fin size. That is, the difference in the two results will be pointed out through a comparison of heat transfer situations using the fin effectiveness versus the Biot number
Analysis of the proepicardium–epicardium transition during the malformation of the RXRα−/− epicardium

The epicardium of the heart originates from a cluster of mesothelial-derived cells that develop beneath the sinus venosus in the embryonic day (E) 9.0-9.5 mouse. The subsequent proepicardium-epicardium transition that forms the epicardial layer of epithelial cells covering the myocardial surface is nearly complete by E10.0-E10.5 and results in a fully covered heart by E11.0. In this study, we show that an established model of congenital heart disease, the retinoid X receptor alpha knockout (RXRalpha-/-) embryo, displays a malformed epicardium. At E10.0-E10.5, the RXRalpha-/- has several large regions of myocardium that remain bare. Furthermore, by E11.5-E12.5, when a complete epithelial layer is formed in the mutant, large regions of the epicardium become distended from the underlying myocardium. Close examination of the E9.5 mutant revealed an elevated apoptosis level within the proepicardial cluster of mesothelial cells. Additionally, among the extracellular matrix proteins analyzed, expression of fibronectin was elevated in the RXRalpha-/- as assessed by immunostaining in paraffin-embedded sections and proepicardial explants. We propose that these events contribute to a developmental delay in the formation of the epicardium, which leads to an abnormal epicardium and ultimately contributes to the cardiac malformations seen in the RXRalpha-/-.
Induction of TH1 and TH2 Immunity in Neonatal Mice

The neonatal period has been thought of as a window in ontogeny, during which the developing immune system is particularly susceptible to tolerization. In the present study, the classic system for induction of neonatal tolerance to protein antigens was reexamined in mice. The presumably tolerogenic protocol was found to trigger a vigorous T helper cell type 2 (TH2) immune response. Thus, neonatal "tolerization" induces immune deviation, not tolerance in the immunological sense. Neonates are not immune privileged but generate TH2 or TH1 responses, depending on the mode of immunization.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Linked Mutation D145E Drastically Alters Calcium Binding By the C-domain of Cardiac Troponin C

The role of the C-domain sites of cardiac troponin C in the modulation of the calcium signal remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-linked mutations A8V, E134D, and D145E in cardiac troponin C on the properties of the C-domain sites. The A8V mutation had essentially no effect on the calcium or magnesium binding properties of the C-domain sites, while the mutation E134D moderately decreased calcium and magnesium binding affinities. On the other hand, the D145E mutation affected cooperative interactions between sites III and IV, significantly reducing the calcium binding affinity of both sites. Binding of the anchoring region of cardiac troponin I (corresponding to residues 34-71) to cardiac troponin C with the D145E mutation was not able to recover normal calcium binding to the C-domain. Experiments utilizing the fluorescent hydrophobic probe bis-ANS suggest that the D145E mutation dramatically reduced the extent of calcium-induced hydrophobic exposure by the C-domain. At high nonphysiological calcium concentration, A8V, E134D, and D145E mutations minimally affected the affinity of cardiac troponin C for the regulatory region of cardiac troponin I (corresponding to residues 128-180). In contrast, at lower physiological calcium concentration, the D145E mutation led to an approximately 8-fold decrease in the affinity of cardiac troponin C for the regulatory region of cardiac troponin I. Our results suggest that calcium binding properties of the C-domain sites might be important for the proper regulatory function of cardiac troponin C.
Genetic and Environmental Modulations of Chromosomal Stability: Their Roles in Aging and Oncogenesis

The primary objective of this review is to suggest a major role of cytogenetic pathology in the genesis of both the neoplastic phenotype and the senescent phenotype of aging mammalian organisms. It is hypothesized that allelic variation at a number of genetic loci that have the potential to modulate various types of chromosomal mutation could account, in part, for species-specific variations in maximum life-span potentials and the times of onset of characteristic age-related neoplasms. As a corollary to this proposition, attention is directed to the potential importance of environmental clastogens and aneugens as both oncogenic and "gerontogenic" agents. By way of introduction, a series of definitions of our subject material is given (aging, oncogenesis, proliferative homeostasis, point mutation, chromosomal mutation, epimutation, mutagens, clastogens, aneugens, gerontogens). There follows a defense of the view that there is a tight coupling of abnormalities in proliferative homeostasis (including atrophies, hyperplasias, benign neoplasias and malignant neoplasias) with intrinsic biological aging. This view differs from those of other authors who either: 1) believe that, to qualify as a bona fide component of aging, the phenotype in question (in this case, neoplasia) must be "genetically programmed" or 2) insist that the rate of development of the neoplastic phenotype should parallel species-specific Gompertz kinetics for the survival of the population of organisms. After briefly reviewing the classification of chromosomal lesions, we consider evidence for constitutional genetic determinants of chromosomal stability, oncogenesis, and some other aspects of the senescent phenotype, both with respect to interspecific and intraspecific differences. The discussion will include the recent evidence characterizing a human segmental progeroid syndrome (Werner's syndrome) as a deletor mutator strain. A summary of research on environmental chemical clastogens and aneugens is given, showing both discordances and concordances of such assays with assays for point mutagens. An analysis of the literature indicates that there is no statistical evidence for the positive correlations when substances showing effects only at comparatively high concentrations (greater than 1 mM) are excluded from the analysis. Brief mention is also made of the roles of viral agents and ionizing radiation in the genesis of chromosomal mutations. Finally, some possible pathogenetic mechanisms common to chromosomal mutagenicity, oncogenicity and gerontogenicity are considered, including chemical free radicals (active oxygen species), DNA transposition, DNA amplification, DNA glycation, virally induced cell fusion, posttranslational modifications of centromeric and mitotic spindle proteins, and alterations in the metabolism of telomeric DNA.
Subgrain imaging of high-purity aluminum using electron channeling in the SEM

Abstract The applicability of electron channeling contrast (ECC) in characterizing fine subgrains was investigated experimentally using warm-rolled aluminum. Subgrain sizes measured using ECC were correlated to values measured from scanning transmission electron micrographs (STEM). The influence of misorientation between subgrains and the experimental parameters of the beam current and accelerating voltage were examined analytically and experimentally. To obtain optimum resolution, the beam current was set slightlyabove the signal-to-noise threshold. The optimum accelerating voltage was found to be a function of several material characteristics including the Bragg angle and the misorientation of subgrains.
Study of silylation mechanisms and kinetics through variations in silylating agent and resin

A study using several silylating agents to incorporate silicon into phenolic resins is presented. Results obtained from the systematic variations of the silylating agent size and reactivity, the resin molecular weight, temperature, and pressure gave insights into the factors controlling the silylation process. The silylating agents used were: (1) hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS), (2) trimethylsilyldimetheylamine (TMSDMA), (3) trimethylsilyldiethylamine (TMSDEA), (4) dimethylsilyldiomethylamine (DMSDMA), (5) 1,1,4,4-tetramethyl-1,4- bis(N,N-dimethylamino)disiethylene (TMDDS), (6) 1,1,3,3,5,5- hexamethylcyclotrisilazane (1,1,3,3,5,5-HMCTS), (7) 1,2,3,4,5,6- hexamethylcyclotrisilazane (1,2,3,4,5,6-HMCTS). Poly(para- hydroxystyrene) resin was chosen instead of photoresist due to its well- defined chemistry and availability in different molecular weights. The silylation was monitored by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, which showed the amount of silicon chemically bound to the resin, and Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) measurements, which indicated the total silicon uptake reacted and unreacted) in the resin at any given time. Issues involved in operating a QCM and in controlling silylaint agent degradation are also discussed.
Optical performance of pivoting micromirrors

In this paper we describe optical and dynamic performance of tip/tilt micromachined mirrors fabricated using the SUMMIT V surface micromachining process. We find that the tilt angle for a given mirror design is determined by a combination of geometric factors and stiffness of the capacitive suspension. Switching speeds of ~40-50 microsecond(s) econds are measured for 50 micrometers -square mirrors. Finally surface roughness and curvature before and after metallization are obtained using white light interferometry.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Structure, mechanical and tribological properties of d.c. magnetron sputtered TiB2 and TiB2(N) thin films

Abstract TiB2 and TiB2(N) ceramic compounds may have potential application as protective coatings in the magnetic recording industry, because of their high hardness, wear resistance and chemical stability. In this paper, TiB2(N) and TiB2 films were prepared by d.c. magnetron sputtering with and without a nitrogen gas ambient, respectively. The microstructures of these films were examined by X-ray diffractometry and TEM. The mechanical properties of these films were characterized by nano-indentation. Thin film stresses were measured by a wafer curvature technique. The wear volume losses of these films rubbed by a magnetic tape were determined by a sphere-on-flat accelerated wear tester. The results of grazing angle X-ray diffraction and TEM showed that increasing the nitrogen flow rate resulted in a structure change in as-deposited films from (001) textured crystallites to an amorphous microstructure. It was found in nano-indentation and tribological experiments that hardness elastic modulus and wear resistance of these films were significantly improved with an initial incorporation of a small amount of nitrogen. However, further increase of nitrogen resulted in a sharp decrease in these properties in the TiB2(N) films. The mechanical and tribological properties of the TiB2 and TiB2(N) coatings are discussed in terms of the nitrogen content and the film microstructure.
The Recording And Large Scale Replication Of Crossed Holographic Grating Arrays Using Multiple Beam Interferometry

In the photographic industry, two dimensional periodic arrays, or hole patterns, that have a periodicity on the order of one to several micrometers, can have many significant applications. One use of such an array is the regular positioning of photosensitive elements, including, for example, photographic emulsion grains, into film systems of exceptionally low noise. A method is described for producing the array patterns using the technique of multiple beam interferometry applied to the already well known techniques of holographic grating formation. In the first process a square hole pattern is formed using two sequential two beam interference exposures in a thick layer of positive photoresist. Upon development an array of hills and valleys is formed, with the valleys corresponding to the holes and occupying about half of the available surface area. In the second process a hexagonal close packed hole pattern (honeycomb array) is formed using a single simultaneous three-beam coherent exposure of the photoresist. In the third process a square close packed hole pattern (egg-crate array) is formed using a single simultaneous four-beam exposure. The second and third processes produce surface depressions in the photoresist layer that occupy practically all of the available surface area. Because the periodic arrays are required in large quantities, the patterns formed in photoresist must be replicated. A nickel master is made from the original photoresist by electroplating, and this master is then used to repeatedly emboss the pattern into long plastic sheets. A description is given of the special industrial requirements for making high quality embossed patterns in this way on a large scale.
Galilean presymmetry and the quantization of circulation

A theorem of Jauch is used to establish symmetry properties of the free energy of the state of persistent circular flow. The quantization of circulation is shown to follow for equilibrium flow states.
Coming clean on reuse of endoscopic equipment

See article on page304 Over the past decade, endoscopic accessories have evolved from reusable to disposable in many parts of the world. The impetus for this has been multifactorial and includes concerns of cross-contamination between patients because of inability to assure proper cleaning and the inevitable equipment deterioration that occurs with reuse.1 A contrasting and more cynical view has been espoused, however, that marketing items as “one-time-use” precludes the need for manufacturers to undertake microbiological studies after reprocessing. Moreover, its implementation has been associated with a dramatic increase in the purchase of accessories such as needle injectors, sphincterotomes, and even biopsy forceps.2Within the United States, several factors came together to reinforce this “use and dispose” mentality. On the one hand are the known personnel costs needed to store and reprocess an instrument. On the other are medicolegal concerns regarding both cross-contamination between patients and use of an accessory that failed to maintain optimal form and function. Couple the former with an insurance system that routinely reimbursed for the use and disposal of such devices and the fact that many such accessories were only available in a disposable version (for example, double- …
New approach for modeling climatic data with applications in modeling tree species distributions in the states of Jalisco and Colima, Mexico

Spatial models of monthly climatic data in the states of Jalisco and Colima, Mexico, are developed using a combination of satellite imagery, topographic data and climatic data from 256 weather stations. The models accounted for 45-85% of the variability in the monthly temperature, precipitation and evaporation. In spite of having highly skewed distributions, cross-validation showed the models to have nominal prediction bias. The monthly climatic models for temperature, precipitation and evaporation were used to define 12 climate zones. Comparing the climatic zones against observed patterns of vegetation showed that the model captured the general placement of arid, semi-arid, temperate and tropical dry forests. Distribution models for four tree species are derived based on climatic constraints controlling their abundance. Site conditions are spatially simulated using Geographic Information Systems and represent resource gradients (temperature, precipitation, evaporation) and indirect variables, which reflect soil properties (topographic data). The application of the climatic zones in modeling the spatial distribution of vegetation types, soil texture and other related properties, identifying habitats suitable for selected endangered and threatened species and land use planning are discussed.
Biological Sequence Classification with Multivariate String Kernels

String kernel-based machine learning methods have yielded great success in practical tasks of structured/sequential data analysis. They often exhibit state-of-the-art performance on many practical tasks of sequence analysis such as biological sequence classification, remote homology detection, or protein superfamily and fold prediction. However, typical string kernel methods rely on the analysis of discrete 1D string data (e.g., DNA or amino acid sequences). In this paper, we address the multiclass biological sequence classification problems using multivariate representations in the form of sequences of features vectors (as in biological sequence profiles, or sequences of individual amino acid physicochemical descriptors) and a class of multivariate string kernels that exploit these representations. On three protein sequence classification tasks, the proposed multivariate representations and kernels show significant 15-20 percent improvements compared to existing state-of-the-art sequence classification methods.
Wide-area dynamic model validation using FNET measurements

Model validation is a highly recommended practice that should be performed periodically since the system model is very important for ensuring reliable and economic power system operation. Currently, field data are used to validate a specific model or an entire system. An FNET-based model validation procedure is proposed in this paper. It uses wide-area measurements to correct the response found from simulations so that the simulation output is close to the measurement of system events. An example case is given which demonstrates the successful application of this method. Some general rules are also concluded for system-wide model validation based on FNET measurements.
Variable-width tables with binary-search facility

The family of subroutines described in this report was designed to create, search and maintain tables which are to contain entries of different lengths, and yet be amenable to search by partition, or “binary” search. It is designed explicitly for fixed-word-length binary machines; the tables in question are the argument-function type, with the two parts physically separated—i.e., no one machine word contains both, or parts of both. The family consists at present of seven subroutines, of which four are primitive and three second-generation. (By “primitive” is meant a self-sufficient routine; a second-generation routine is one which calls on one or more primitives.) These routines are at present coded for the IBM 709; with a few trivial changes they are ready also for the 704. The primitives are: (1) STT (Start Table), (2) TLU (Table Look-Up), (3) ITC (Increase Table Capacity), and (4) AOD (Append Ordered Data). The second-generation routines are: (1) INT (Insert in Table), (2) INX (Insert and Expand), and (3) ANX (Append and Expand). It is intended that this family be written, with modifications as necessary, for several stored-program computers. The calling-sequences for any one of the routines will, as far as possible, be identical on the several machines.
Elderly Mexican Americans: Nativity and Health Access.

Information from the 1976 Survey of Income and Education are used to explore nativity differences in the levels of functional impairment and access to some kinds of medical resources among elderly Mexican Americans. The data indicate that foreign-born status is weakly asso? ciated with greater functional disability. It is more strongly associated with some differences in access to medical resources. Some implications for policy and long-term care are discussed.
Impact of breast cancer chemotherapy on ovarian reserve: a prospective observational analysis by menstrual history and ovarian reserve markers.

Objective To determine whether addition of taxanes to anthracycline and cyclophosphamide regimens impact ovarian function as assessed by menstrual history and ovarian reserve markers. Design Prospective observational analysis. Setting Large university fertility center. Patient(s) Forty-five women with a history of breast cancer of stages I–IIIA who either received anthracycline, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel (ACT) or received anthracycline with cyclophosphamide (AC). Intervention(s) Menstrual histories were obtained at 6 months and at a mean of 28 months after chemotherapy. Early follicular phase FSH and E 2 samples were obtained at the second follow-up. Main Outcome Measure(s) Incidence of amenorrhea and abnormal laboratory values. Result(s) There was no statistically significant difference in the rates of amenorrhea at 6 months after chemotherapy (AC group, 41.7%; ACT group, 29%). At the second follow-up, a mean of 28 months after chemotherapy, there was a trend toward higher amenorrhea in the ACT patients (35.7%, vs. 9.1% in the AC group). When the ovarian markers were included, an additional eight menstruating patients were identified with abnormally elevated FSH or E 2 levels. Conclusion(s) We found no significant long- or short-term impact of taxanes on rates of amenorrhea. Future studies on the reproductive effects of chemotherapeutic agents should incorporate ovarian reserve markers, because menstrual history alone may underestimate the impact of these cytotoxic agents.
Tissue factor-bearing microparticles derived from tumor cells: impact on coagulation activation.

Summary. Background: Tissue factor (TF)-bearing microparticles (MP) from different origins are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of cancer-associated thrombosis. However, the role of circulating tumor cell-derived TF is not well understood. Methods: TF antigen and activity were measured in MP generated in vitro from human TF-expressing cancer cells by ELISA and clotting or thrombin generation assays, respectively. TF antigen and activity were also measured in vivo in cell-free plasmas from mice previously injected with in vitro-generated MP or in cell-free plasmas from nude mice bearing orthotopically injected human cancer cells. Results: Tumor cell-derived MP (TMP) exhibited strong TF-dependent procoagulant activity (PCA) in vitro and in vivo. Injection of TMP into mice was associated with acute thrombocytopenia and signs of shock, which were prevented by prior heparinization. Human TF antigen and activity could be detected in mouse cell-free plasmas up to 30 min after TMP injections. Human TF was detected in the spleen of injected mice and its clearance from circulation was delayed in splenectomized mice, suggesting the involvement of the spleen in the rapid clearance of circulating MP in vivo. Detectable levels of TF-dependent PCA and thrombin-antithrombin complex were found in cell-free plasmas from mice growing pancreatic human tumors, suggesting that circulating tumor-derived TF causes coagulation activation in vivo. Conclusions: MP derived from certain cancer cells exhibit TF-dependent PCA both in vitro and in vivo. These results provide new information about the specific contribution of tumor-derived MP to the hypercoagulable state observed in cancer.
Temporal lobe gangliogliomas associated with chronic epilepsy: long-term surgical outcomes.

Abstract Objective To review the clinical features and surgical outcome in patients with temporal lobe gangliogliomas associated with intractable chronic epilepsy. Methods The Rush University Surgical Epilepsy Database was queried to identify patients with chronic intractable epilepsy who underwent resection of temporal lobe gangliogliomas at Rush University Medical Center. Medical records were reviewed for age of seizure onset, delay to referral for surgery, seizure frequency and characteristics, pre-operative MRI results, extent of resection, pathological diagnosis, complications, length of follow-up, and seizure improvement. Results Fifteen patients were identified. Average duration between seizure onset and surgery was 14.3 years. Complex partial seizures were the most common presenting symptom. Detailed operative data was available for 11 patients – of these, 90.9% underwent complete resection of the amygdala and either partial or complete resection of the hippocampus, in addition to lesionectomy. Average follow-up was 10.4 years (range 1.6–27.5 years), with 14 patients improving to Engel's class I and one patient to Engel's class III. There were no recurrences, and permanent complications were noted in one patient. Conclusions Long-term follow-up of patients with temporal lobe gangliogliomas associated with chronic intractable epilepsy demonstrates excellent results in seizure improvement with surgery and increasingly low incidence of complications with improvements in microsurgical techniques.
Pulsed CO/sub 2/ laser ablation of tissue: effect of mechanical properties

The ablation rate of guinea pig skin and bovine aorta, myocardium, and liver by a CO/sub 2/ laser emitting 2- mu s-long pulses was quantified. Ablation efficiency was found to be strongly dependent on the ultimate tensile strength of the tissue; the ablation efficiency of liver is seven times that of skin. Gluteraldehyde cross linking of skin, which is known to greatly increase tissue stiffness but not significantly affect ultimate tensile strength, did not change the ablation rate. The water content of the tissues, which largely determines the optical and thermal properties, was measured and found to vary only slightly. The results demonstrate that tissue mechanical properties are important in the interpretation and modeling of pulsed laser ablation of tissue and that variations in these mechanical properties can lead to drastically different cutting rates for different tissues. >