cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Replaceable Be and Al windows for X-ray beam lines

Construction details and results of on-going performance tests are presented for two ultra-high vacuum compatible, free-convection cooled window assemblies in which the window disk is easily replaceable. In the Be window assembly, an 0.25 mm thick Be disk, 38 mm in diameter is sealed into a stainless steel adapter flange using 0.5 mm diameter pure Al wire. The assembly is leak tight to better than 1 x 10/sup -10/ atm cm/sup 3//sec before and after multiple bakeouts to 250/sup 0/C. However, an unexplained temperature-dependent He leak, with a maximum magnitude in the low 10/sup -10/ atm cm/sup 3//sec range at 250/sup 0/C, appears during bakeout. Possible causes for this leak are discussed. In the Al window assembly, a 25 ..mu..m thick Al disc, 60 mm in diameter acts as the sealing medium as well as the window material over a 10 mm by 50 mm opening. This assembly remains leak tight to better than 1 x 10/sup -10/ atm cm/sup 3//sec throughout multiple bakeouts to 150/sup 0/C and has been successfully tested in white and monochromatic beam lines at the NSLS x-ray ring. 25 refs.
Hybridization of DNA targets to glass-tethered oligonucleotide probes

Hybridization of nucleic acids to surface-tethered oligonucleotide probes has numerous potential applications in genome mapping and DNA sequence analysis. In this article, we describe a simple standard protocol for routine preparation of terminal amine-derivatized 9-mer oligonucleotide arrays on ordinary microscope slides and hybridization conditions with DNA target strands of up to several hundred bases in length with good discrimination against mismatches. Additional linker arms separating the glass surface from the probe sequence are not necessary. The technique described here offers a powerful tool for the detection of specific genetic mutations.
T cell receptor β gene sequences in the circular DNA of thymocyte nuclei: Direct evidence for intramolecular DNA deletion in V-D-J joining

Abstract We have identified circular DNA containing T cell receptor (TCR) β gene sequences in mouse thymocytes, thereby providing direct evidence for the intramolecular DNA deletion model of V-D-J joining in TCR β genes. Two types of excision products of V-D-J joining have been identified. Type I, a circular reciprocal recombinant of normal V-D or D-J joining, contains a 7mer-7mer head-to-head structure expected from an excised product of normal V-D or D-J joining. Type II contains a D β2 -J β1 structure on the circular DNA; the recombination event producing this molecule occurs between an upstream J and a downstream D segment, probably leaving the reciprocal 7mer-7mer structure on the chromosome. Some type I molecules seem to represent excision products of secondary joining after formation of the first D-J or V-D-J structure. The recombination mechanism that generates the circular DNA is discussed.
Real-time multi-target tracking at 210 megapixels/second in Wide Area Motion Imagery

We present a real-time, full-frame, multi-target Wide Area Motion Imagery (WAMI) tracking system that utilizes distributed processing to handle high data rates while maintaining high track quality. The proposed architecture processes the WAMI data as a series of geospatial tiles and implements both process- and thread-level parallelism across multiple compute nodes. Each tile is processed independently, from decoding the image through generating tracks that are finally merged across all tiles by an inter-tile linker (ITL) module. A high performance PostgreSQL database with GIS extensions is used to control the flow of intermediate data between each tracking process. High quality tracks are produced efficiently due to robust, effective algorithmic modules including: multi-frame moving object detection and track initialization; tracking based on the fusion of motion and appearance with a goal of very pure tracks; and online track linking based on multiple features. In addition, we have configured a high-performance compute cluster using high density blade servers, Infiniband networking, and an HPC filesystem. The compute cluster enables full-frame, state-of-the-art tracking of vehicles or dismounts at the WAMI sensor's native 1.25Hz frame-rate, while only taking 7u of rack space and providing 210 megapixels/second throughput.
AnO(n logn) algorithm for the voronoi diagram of a set of simple curve segments

LetX be a given set ofn circular and straight line segments in the plane where two segments may interest only at their endpoints. We introduce a new technique that computes the Voronoi diagram ofX inO(n logn) time. This result improves on several previous algorithms for special cases of the problem. The new algorithm is relatively simple, an important factor for the numerous practical applications of the Voronoi diagram.
Less is more: inpatient management of a child with complex pharmacotherapy.

COMPLEX INPATIENT PHARMACOTHERAPY VIGNETTE An 11-year-old boy was admitted to an acute inpatient psychiatric setting because of a recent exacerbation of physical aggression, accompanied by long-standing problems with verbal aggression, irritability, dysphoria, and sleep disturbance. His family history was notable for domestic violence, substance abuse by his father, depression in his mother, and divorce. Initial treatment with methylphenidate 10 mg three times daily at 8 years of age improved his ability to focus, but this benefit dissipated during the next year. Two years ago, the methylphenidate was discontinued and Adderall XR was initiated and titrated up to 60 mg/day. Clonidine was subsequently added and titrated up to 0.1 mg four times daily, with an initial improvement in agitation during the day and some improvement in sleep, but these effects seemed to have waned. In light of ongoing irritability and dysphoria, sertraline was added and titrated up to a dose of 150 mg at bedtime. There were some improvements in mood noted, but the patient remained irritable and became somewhat activated. Valproic acid was added and titrated to a blood level of 105 without benefit, so quetiapine was added and titrated to a dose of 100 mg at 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. and 200 mg at bedtime. At the time of admission, the parents believed that medication was having no demonstrable benefit. On examination, the boy was hyperactive, impulsive, inattentive, and irritable, with no psychotic symptoms. Blood pressure was 90/58, with a pulse of 68. How would you approach this patient pharmacologically?
Robotic Disaster Recovery Efforts with Ad-Hoc Deployable Cloud Computing

Autonomous operations of search and rescue (SaR) robots is an ill posed problem, which is complexified by the dynamic disaster recovery environment. In a typical SaR response scenario, responder robots will require different levels of processing capabilities during various parts of the response effort and will need to utilize multiple algorithms. Placing these capabilities onboard the robot is a mediocre solution that precludes algorithm specific performance optimization and results in mediocre performance. Architecture for an ad-hoc, deployable cloud environment suitable for use in a disaster response scenario is presented. Under this model, each service provider is optimized for the task and maintains a database of situation-relevant information. This service-oriented architecture (SOA 3.0) compliant framework also serves as an example of the efficient use of SOA 3.0 in an actual cloud application.
Radionuclide angiographic evaluation of left ventricular performance at rest and during exercise in patients with aortic regurgitation

Radionuclide angiographic evaluation of LV performance at rest and during exercise in patients with AR have shown that an abnormal EF response to exercise may be observed in asymptomatic patients with normal resting LV function. The EF response to exercise has been correlated with a number of clinical and exercise measurements; important among these are the slope of the systolic pressure-to-end-systolic volume, end-systolic volume, cardiac index, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and wall stress. The changes in the regurgitant fraction, EF, and LV volume have shown considerable individual variability; they have also allowed a better understanding of the circulatory responses during exercise. Radionuclide angiography provides a reliable and reproducible method of measuring the rest LVEF that is important in the timing and the outcome of valve replacement. The value of the EF response to exercise in patient management is not yet clear; it is possible that other radionuclide-derived measurements at rest or during exercise, such as the systolic pressure-to-end-systolic volume relationship, and the end-systolic volume may provide complementary information to that provided by the EF.
Nicotine as a typical drug of abuse in experimental animals and humans

Tobacco use through cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the developed world. Nicotine, a psychoactive component of tobacco, appears to play a major role in tobacco dependence, but reinforcing effects of nicotine often are difficult to demonstrate directly in controlled laboratory studies with animal or human subjects. To review the major findings obtained with various procedures developed to study dependence-related behavioral effects of nicotine in experimental animals and humans, i.e., drug self-administration, conditioned place preference, subjective reports of nicotine effects and nicotine discrimination, withdrawal signs, and ratings of drug withdrawal. Nicotine can function as an effective reinforcer of drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior both in experimental animals and humans under appropriate conditions. Interruption of chronic nicotine exposure produces withdrawal symptoms that may contribute to relapse. Difficulties encountered in demonstrating reinforcing effects of nicotine under some conditions, relative to other drugs of abuse, may be due to weaker primary reinforcing effects of nicotine or to a more critical contribution of environmental stimuli to the maintenance of drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior with nicotine than with other drugs of abuse. Further experiments are also needed to delineate the role other chemical substances inhaled along with nicotine in tobacco smoke play in sustaining smoking behavior. Nicotine acts as a typical drug of abuse in experimental animals and humans.
Distinct SNARE complexes mediating membrane fusion in Golgi transport based on combinatorial specificity

Syntaxin-5 (Sed5) is the only syntaxin needed for transport into and across the yeast Golgi, raising the question of how a single syntaxin species could mediate vesicle transport in both the anterograde and the retrograde direction within the stack. Sed5 is known to combine with two light chains (Bos1 and Sec22) to form the t-SNARE needed to receive vesicles from the endoplasmic reticulum. However, the yeast Golgi contains several other potential light chains with which Sed5 could potentially combine to form other t-SNAREs. To explore the degree of specificity in the choice of light chains by a t-SNARE, we undertook a comprehensive examination of the capacity of all 21 Sed5-based t-SNAREs that theoretically could assemble in the yeast Golgi to fuse with each of the 7 potential v-SNAREs also present in this organelle. Only one additional of these 147 combinations was fusogenic. This functional proteomic strategy thereby revealed a previously uncharacterized t-SNARE in which Sed5 is the heavy chain and Gos1 and Ykt6 are the light chains, and whose unique cognate v-SNARE is Sft1. Immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed the existence of this complex in vivo. Fusion mediated by this second Golgi SNAREpin is topologically restricted, and existing genetic and morphologic evidence implies that it is used for transport across the Golgi stack. From this study, together with the previous functional proteomic analyses which have tested 275 distinct quaternary SNARE combinations, it follows that the fusion potential and transport pathways of the yeast cell can be read out from its genome sequence according to the SNARE hypothesis with a predictive accuracy of about 99.6%.
Performance of a newly developed integrant of Zymomonas mobilis for ethanol production on corn stover hydrolysate.

Efficient conversion of lignocellulosic biomass requires biocatalysts able to tolerate inhibitors produced by many pretreatment processes. Recombinant Zymomonas mobilis 8b, a recently developed integrant of Zymomonasmobilis 31821(pZB5), tolerated acetic acid up to 16 g l−1 and achieved 82%–87% (w/w) ethanol yields from pure glucose/xylose solutions at pH 6 and temperatures of 30 °C and 37 °C. An ethanol yield of 85% (w/w) was achieved on glucose/xylose from hydrolysate produced by dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment of corn stover after an `overliming' process was used to improve hydrolysate fermentability.
High-throughput solid-phase microextraction in multi-well-plate format

This review summarizes different formats of high-throughput, multi-well, solid-phase microextraction (SPME), including fiber, thin-film and in-tip configurations, with the particular focus on its fit within regulated analysis. New developments of the devices, such as monolithic and biocompatible extraction phases, are covered. Finally, selected applications of the technique, including the analysis of whole-blood samples and automated binding studies, are presented.
Chinook Salmon in the California Central Valley: An Assessment

Abstract This paper summarizes information on recent historical distribution and abundance of chinook salmon in the California Central Valley drainage, focusing on the period from the 1950s to today. Most of the principal Central Valley streams that historically supported salmon runs still do so, but nearly half of them have lost at least one seasonal salmon run and several major streams have had all their salmon runs extirpated. Overall abundance of chinook salmon in the Central Valley system has decreased to less than 75% of their number in the 1950s. Fall-run chinook salmon in the Sacramento River basin compose by far the most abundant Central Valley stocks, but they substantially declined between 1953–1966 and 1967–1991. Fall-run chinook salmon stocks in the San Joaquin River basin and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta tributaries showed various changes between 1953–1966 and 1967–1991 but altogether constitute only a minor portion (now 4%) of the total Central Valley spawning escapements. Three other chino...
Secondary pigmentary glaucoma associated with piggyback intraocular lens implantation.

Abstract A 51 year-old man developed bilateral pigmentary glaucoma with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) and signs of pigmentary dispersion syndrome after piggyback intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Cataract surgery had been performed with in-the-bag implantation of poly(methyl methacrylate) IOLs in both eyes. Increasing myopia was subsequently corrected with implantation of an AcrySof® IOL (Alcon Laboratories) in the ciliary sulcus of each eye. After the second implantation, the IOP was unresponsive to antiglaucoma medications, the visual field was damaged, and the visual acuity decreased. Ultrasound biomicroscopy showed that the haptics and the sharp edge of the IOL were chafing the posterior surface of the iris. After the IOL in the sulcus was removed, the IOP was stabilized by medications. This case highlights the importance of the IOL choice for sulcus implantation to avoid the complications of pigmentary dispersion syndrome.
Role of hydrogen bonds in molecular packing of photoreactive crystals: templating photodimerization of protonated stilbazoles in crystalline state with a combination of water molecules and chloride ions.

A difference in photobehavior and molecular packing between hydrated and anhydrous crystals of protonated trans-stilbazoles has been identified. While stilbazoles are not photoreactive in the crystalline state, upon protonation with HCl in the solid state they dimerized to a single dimer (anti-head–tail) when exposed to UV light. In these photoreactive crystals the protonated stilbazole molecules are arranged in a ladder-like format with the rungs made up of water molecules and chloride ions. A combination of water and chloride ion holds the protonated trans-stilbazoles through either N–H⋯O or N–H⋯Cl− interactions. Anhydrous protonated stilbazole crystals prepared by heating the ‘wet’ crystals under reduced pressure were inert upon exposure to UV light. As per X-ray crystal structure analyses these light stable crystals did not contain water molecules in their lattice. The current investigation has established that water molecules are essential for photodimerization of crystalline protonated trans-stilbazoles. To compare the reactivity of protonated trans-stilbazoles with that of protonated cis-stilbazoles, photoreactivity and packing arrangement of cis-4-iodo stilbazole·HCl salt was examined. This molecule in the crystalline state only isomerized to the trans isomer and did not dimerize. Thus, while the trans isomer dimerized and did not isomerize, the cis isomer only isomerized and did not dimerize in the crystalline state. To probe the role of cation⋯π interaction in the packing of protonated trans-stilbazoles, energies of various types of packing in the gas phase were estimated by MP-2 calculations and cation⋯π interaction was found to be unimportant in the packing of protonated trans-stilbazole crystals investigated here.
Evaluating Environmental Impact Statements as Communicative Action

An environmental impact statement (EIS) is supposed to ensure that a government agency thoroughly evaluates a project's impacts, studies feasible alternatives, and gives all stakeholders an active ...
Cognitive Change After Elective Surgery in Nondemented Older Adults.

The authors report the results of repeated cognitive function tests administered over 10 months to 82 patients between the ages of 55 and 82 who underwent elective surgery. The Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) score, 10 months after surgery, was modeled by a multivariate linear regression that included the baseline demographics, baseline cognitive functions, and immediate postoperative MMSE scores. Immediate postoperative MMSE scores were highly significant to 10-month postoperative MMSE scores not explained by baseline variables. The results suggest that immediate postoperative cognitive change may predict later postoperative cognitive decline.
Si particle size and aspect ratio distributions in an Al–7%Si–0.6%Mg alloy during solution treatment

Abstract D357 castings were solution treated at 540 °C for 1, 4, 16 and 64 h. The size and aspect ratio data were collected using digital image analysis. The data indicate that the particles follow the LSW coarsening after a solution treatment time of 4 h. The particle size distributions are significantly wider than that suggested by the LSW distribution and the one suggested by Llorca. Among the distributions tested, two- and three-parameter lognormal distribution provided the best fits for size and aspect ratio, respectively.
Measurement method for accurate extraction of the base-to-emitter intrinsic and peripheral capacitances of bipolar transistors

A simple measurement method to determine the intrinsic and peripheral emitter junction capacitances is described. The method is based on measurements of BJT's with different emitter geometries and is demonstrated on transistors of an advanced BiCMOS technology. The method can be applied directly to standard deep-submicrometer devices. No special test devices are required. By determining peripheral capacitance for different processes, the method enables the examination of process schemes designed to suppress the effect of the peripheral emitter on the transistor action. The method also provides a useful approach to monitor the scaling behavior of the intrinsic and peripheral capacitances. Results indicate the peripheral capacitance starts dominating the total capacitance as the emitter is scaled into the submicrometer range. For devices with quarter micron emitter widths, the peripheral capacitance is found to be 3 to 4 times higher than the intrinsic capacitance, and puts a fundamental limitation on device design. >
Thin film epitaxy and magnetic properties of STO/TiN buffered ZnO on Si(0 0 1) substrates

Abstract We report integration of epitaxial ZnO films with Si(0 0 1) substrates using STO/TiN buffer layers. It has been demonstrated that the preferential orientation of the a-plane ( 1 1 2 ¯ 0 ) and c-plane (0 0 0 2) of ZnO can be controlled via deposition temperature and oxygen partial pressure. At lower substrate temperatures ZnO grows solely in the (0 0 0 2) orientation, while the ( 1 1 2 ¯ 0 ) orientation was dominant at high substrate temperatures and low oxygen pressures. At higher pressures, the (0 0 0 2) orientation is preferred, while ( 1 1 2 ¯ 0 ) becomes weaker and a ( 1 0 1 ¯ 2 ) ZnO appears. Epitaxial relationships have been determined from X-ray diffraction φ-scans and it was found that both c- and a-ZnO had two types of orientations due to the cubic symmetry of the STO buffer layer. The orientation relationship of c-ZnO on STO(0 0 1) was ZnO(0 0 0 1) ∥ STO(1 0 0); ZnO[ 1 1 2 ¯ 0 ] ∥ STO[1 1 0] and ZnO[ 1 ¯ 2 1 ¯ 0 ] ∥ STO[ 1 ¯ 1 0 ], while that of a-ZnO on STO(0 0 1) was ZnO( 1 1 2 ¯ 0 ) ∥ STO(1 0 0); ZnO[ 1 1 2 ¯ 0 ] ∥ STO[1 1 0] and ZnO[0 0 0 2] ∥ STO[ 1 ¯ 1 0 ]. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy studies revealed atomically sharp interfaces with no reaction at the interface. Reversible d0 ferromagnetism was found to be present in both ZnO and STO layers. Our electron-energy-loss spectroscopy studies conclusively rule out the presence of any external ferromagnetic ions or impurities. Taken together, our data indicate that the ferromagnetic order in these undoped oxides might be defect mediated.
The Pharmacy Student Population: Applications Received 2008–09, Degrees Conferred 2008–09, Fall 2009 Enrollments

This report presents data that describe the 2008-09 pharmacy application pool, degrees conferred in 2008-09, and fall 2009 pharmacy program enrollments. Data for this report were requested from the one hundred and sixteen (116) U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy recognized by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) using five separate survey instruments. There were previously two professional education programs at U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy: one leading to a baccalaureate in pharmacy, and the other leading to the doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. However, June 30, 2005 marked the official expiration of the ACPE standards to the baccalaureate in pharmacy (B.S. Pharmacy) degree programs in accordance with the transition to the doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree as the sole professional degree program in the U.S. Some colleges and schools of pharmacy conferred degrees in the B.S. Pharmacy program until 2004-05. For the purpose of this report, students in doctor of pharmacy programs are categorized under Pharm.D.1 when the program leads to a doctor of pharmacy degree conferred as the first professional degree. Students who have already received a baccalaureate in pharmacy and are enrolled in a doctor of pharmacy degree program are categorized under Pharm.D.2. The following definitions refer to the race/ethnicity groups as used in this report. White, black or African American, and Hispanic or Latino refer to students of the respective race/ethnicity who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or its territories. The Asian, native Hawaiian, or other Pacific Islander group includes students who are Chinese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, Asian Indian, Guamanian, Samoan, or Pacific Islanders who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or its territories. The American Indian or Alaska native classification includes Native Americans, Eskimos, and Aleuts who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or its territories. Students listed under Other are those who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or its territories, but for whom race/ethnicity is unknown. Included in Foreign are all students who are foreign, nonpermanent residents of the U.S., regardless of race/ethnicity.
The E is not a glueball — but flavor symmetry shows how to find them

Abstract Glueballs are flavor singlets and can be identified by flavor symmetry predictions for selection rules and branching ratios. Flavor SU(3) predictions for glueball decays are expected to hold since SU(3) predictions for similar glue to light quark transitions in charmonium decays agree with experiment. The absence of a strong ηππ signal relative to K K π in E decay rules out the δπ dominance of K K and the flavor singlet classification for E. Enhancement of a low-mass is shown to follow from G parity without the presence of the δ, while the known branching ratios of δ decay require a large ηπ signal. Data in the E region are consistent with a normal 1+ quarkonium nonet and additional broken nonets of quarkonium pseudoscalars with nearest-neighbor radial mixing.
Carbon dimers on the diamond (100) surface: Growth and nucleation

We use a density-functional based tight-binding method to study diamond growth by ${\mathrm{C}}_{2}$ on a nonhydrogenated diamond $(100)\ensuremath{-}(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)$ surface. The study is motivated by advances in the growth of ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) films under hydrogen-poor conditions. We identify and classify stable adsorbate configurations formed above dimer rows and troughs on the reconstructed surface. We also investigate adsorption and migration barriers using the nudged elastic band method. We find viable adsorption pathways leading to chain growth and step advancement. Initial depositions proceed without barriers into topologically imperfect configurations. The most stable configuration is a growth position that bridges two adjacent surface dimers along a dimer row. It is reached over a barrier of 1.2 eV and has an adsorption energy of $\ensuremath{-}6.9$ eV. Many other configurations exist that have adsorption energies differing by up to 2.7 eV. By comparison, analogous structures for silicon are fewer in number and closer in energy because Si lacks $\ensuremath{\pi}$ bonding, which is important for ${\mathrm{C}}_{2}$ on diamond. Migration barriers for ad-dimers are in the range of 2--3 eV due to relatively large differences in the energies of intermediate local minima. Comparing our results with previous studies on the (110) surface, we note that barriers leading to growth are higher and pathways are more complex on the (100) surface. The barriers suggest that reactions leading to both growth and re-nucleation are possible, which helps to understand the small observed grain sizes in UNCD.
Development of a recombinant Anaplasma marginale DNA probe.

An Anaplasma marginale DNA probe has been developed by using an improved method for the isolation of genomic DNA. Purified genomic A. marginale DNA from the St. Croix isolate was partially digested with Sau 3A1 into fragments (greater than or equal to 5.0 kb). The restriction fragments were cloned using standard techniques in the pBR322 vector and used to transform E. coli (DH5) host cells. The recombinant A. marginale DNA library was screened by the colony lifting procedure. Colonies containing plasmids with A. marginale DNA inserts were identified by hybridization with a genomic A. marginale DNA radiolabeled probe (32P). Seven recombinant A. marginale DNA probes were evaluated by dot-blot in vitro hybridization assays to identify candidates as diagnostic tools in bovine anaplasmosis studies. Specificity and sensitivity experiments were carried out by using heterologous and homologous DNAs. The heterologous panel contained bovine DNA (WBC) and blood parasites DNA from Babesia bovis (Bb), Babesia bigemina (Bbi), Eperythrozoon suis (Es) and Eperythrozoon wenyoni (Ew). The homologous DNA panel included A. marginale DNAs of 12 different isolates which were isolated in the Caribbean, Mexico, and the U.S.A. The selected diagnostic probe was identified as pSt. Croix A1, and labeled with 32P by using in vitro nick translation and random primer techniques. The pSt. Croix A1 probe demonstrated 100% specificity and high sensitivity by hybridization in dot blotting and Southern blotting. The probe can detect 500-1000 infected erythrocytes per microliters which corresponds to a parasitemia of less than 0.01%. The A. marginale DNA insert was approximately 6.4 kb in size and a partial restriction map has been constructed.
Lentil (Lens culinaris L.): A prebiotic-rich whole food legume

Abstract Prebiotic carbohydrates are important components of healthy diets, supporting healthful hindgut microflora. Lentils grown in North Dakota, USA were evaluated for their prebiotic carbohydrates. Raffinose-family oligosaccharides (RFO), sugar alcohols, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and resistant starch (RS) carbohydrates were analyzed in 10 commercial lentil varieties grown in Ward and McLean Counties in 2010 and 2011. Mean concentrations of RFO, sugar alcohols, FOS and RS were 4071 mg, 1423 mg, 62 mg, and 7.5 g 100 g − 1 dry matter, respectively. Significant variations were observed in lentil prebiotic carbohydrate concentrations: RFO concentrations varied with variety, RS varied with location, and sorbitol and mannitol each varied with both variety and location. These results show that lentils contain nutritionally significant amounts of prebiotic carbohydrates and, that it may be possible to enhance those amounts through breeding and locational sourcing.
Excess adenosine in murine penile erectile tissues contributes to priapism via A2B adenosine receptor signaling

Priapism, abnormally prolonged penile erection in the absence of sexual excitation, is associated with ischemia-mediated erectile tissue damage and subsequent erectile dysfunction. It is common among males with sickle cell disease (SCD), and SCD transgenic mice are an accepted model of the disorder. Current strategies to manage priapism suffer from a poor fundamental understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the disorder. Here we report that mice lacking adenosine deaminase (ADA), an enzyme necessary for the breakdown of adenosine, displayed unexpected priapic activity. ADA enzyme therapy successfully corrected the priapic activity both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that it was dependent on elevated adenosine levels. Further genetic and pharmacologic evidence demonstrated that A2B adenosine receptor-mediated (A2BR-mediated) cAMP and cGMP induction was required for elevated adenosine-induced prolonged penile erection. Finally, priapic activity in SCD transgenic mice was also caused by elevated adenosine levels and A2BR activation. Thus, we have shown that excessive adenosine accumulation in the penis contributes to priapism through increased A2BR signaling in both Ada -/- and SCD transgenic mice. These findings provide insight regarding the molecular basis of priapism and suggest that strategies to either reduce adenosine or block A2BR activation may prove beneficial in the treatment of this disorder.
Intermediate boson production in pion-proton collisions

The current-current hypothesis has been applied in recent years to the study of the weak interactions. The conserved vector current(1) hypothesis and the pionic character of the divergence of the axial vector current(2) have evolved in its wake. So has the idea of a boson field which mediates all weak interactions.(3) This note deals only with the vector part of the current, leaving for another time similar calculations with the axial vector part; and examines the possibility of producing the boson W, in pion-nucleon collisions, in case of W having relatively low mass.(4)
Personality and conditioning of tumescence and detumescence.

Abstract Retrospective questionnaire surveys have associated extroversion with sexual hedonism and both introversion and neuroticism with sexual inhibition, guilt and fear. These findings have been related by Eysenck to his general theory of personality. In the present study. eight normally functioning adult males participated in eight laboratory sessions involving conditioning and deconditioning of sexual arousal. Direct relationships were found between magnitude of sexual conditioning and extroversion, and between magnitude of sexual deconditioning and introversion. The findings with respect to neuroticism were suggestive but nonsignificant. The findings are discussed in terms of Eysenck's (1967) general theory of personality and Gray's (1972) extension of that theory.
Treatment of exercise incontinence with a urethral insert: a pilot study in women.

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate the short- and medium-term effectiveness of an intraurethral device (FemSoft Insert, Rochester Medical Corporation, Stewartville, Minnesota) in the treatment of exercise-induced incontinence in women.DESIGN: An unblinded, controlled trial of device efficacy during supervised exercise sessions (phase 1) was followed by a 3-month uncontrolled trial of device effectiveness (phase 2). The setting was a tertiary care center, and female participants were 6 community adults with symptoms of significant stress incontinence during exercise. Phase 1 consisted of four standardized exercise sessions, two with and two without the insert in place. In phase 2, patients performed unsupervised exercise using the insert during a 3-month period. The main outcome measure was change in urine loss during exercise sessions performed with and without the device, as measured by change in pad weight. Secondary outcome measures were results of satisfaction surveys and occurrence of a...
An Enhanced Method for Identifying Obstetric Deliveries: Implications for Estimating Maternal Morbidity

Objectives The accuracy of maternal morbidity estimates from hospital discharge data may be influenced by incomplete identification of deliveries. In maternal/infant health studies, obstetric deliveries are often identified only by the maternal outcome of delivery code (International Classification of Diseases code = V27). We developed an enhanced delivery identification method based on additional delivery-related codes and compared the performance of the enhanced method with the V27 method in identifying estimates of deliveries as well as estimates of maternal morbidity. Methods The enhanced and standard V27 methods for identifying deliveries were applied to data from the 1998–2004 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample, an annual nationwide representative survey of U.S. hospitalizations. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from logistic regression were used to examine predictors of deliveries not identified using the V27 method. Results The enhanced method identified 958,868 (3.4%) more deliveries than the 27,128,539 identified using the V27 code alone. Severe complications including major puerperal infections (OR = 3.1, 95% CI 2.8–3.4), hysterectomy (OR = 6.0, 95% CI 5.3–6.8), sepsis (OR = 11.9, 95% CI 10.3–13.6) and respiratory distress syndrome (OR = 16.6, 95% CI 14.4–19.2) were strongly associated with deliveries not identified by the V27 method. Nationwide prevalence rates of severe maternal complications were underestimated with the V27 method compared to the enhanced method, ranging from 9% underestimation for major puerperal infections to 40% underestimation for respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusion Deliveries with severe obstetric complications may be more likely to be missed using the V27 code. Researchers should be aware that selecting deliveries from hospital stay records by V27 codes alone may affect the accuracy of their findings.
A running wheel tachometer

A photocell-actuated tachometer for running wheels is described. The number of counts generated per revolution of the wheel is a function of the number of trip wires inserted in the hub of the wheel axle. The circuit is presented in configurations that actuate relay contact closures and as a direct driver of TTL logic.
Individual differences in self-initiated processing at encoding and retrieval: A latent variable analysis

The current study examined individual differences in self-initiated processing (SIP) in memory tasks. Participants performed four memory tasks that varied the amount of SIP required at encoding, retrieval, or both as well as cognitive ability measures. It was found that the correlation between recall performance and cognitive abilities changed as a function of the amount of SIP required. Additionally, it was found that although both free and cued recall measures accounted for variance in cognitive abilities, only the free recall accounted for unique variance in cognitive abilities. It is suggested that the predictive power of a task is determined in part based on the amount of SIP required.
NUTRITIONAL AND INHERITED BLINDNESS IN THE RAT.

In this paper, research on nutritional and inherited blindness in the rat is reviewed with particular emphasis on comparing these two types of blindness. When rats are fed a vitamin A free diet, the initial sign of deficiency is a decline of rhodopsin levels in the eye with parallel rise of log ERG threshold. Early in the deficiency, these visual changes are quickly and completely cured upon the administration of vitamin A. With prolonged time on the diet, visual protein (opsin) levels decline, and outer segments degenerate. Eventually the entire visual cell may be lost. In prolonged deficiency, recovery after vitamin A therapy is variable depending on the extent of visual cell degeneration. If inner segments and nuclei remain intact, new outer segments may be regenerated. Inherited blindness in the rat is characterized by a progressive degeneration of the visual cell with rapid rise of log ERG threshold, commencing at about 18 days of age. Early in the disease process, there is an overproduction of rhodopsin in the eye. Coupled with this is an accumulation of extracellular lamellae between pigment epithelium and visual cells. After 30 days of age, rhodopsin and extracellular lamellae begin to disappear from the diseased eye. This loss, along with the pace of visual cell degeneration and rise of ERG threshold, may be slowed if animals are maintained in darkness.
Quadratic function nodes: use, structure and training

Abstract When computing on continuously valued features, quadratic function nodes provide a capability for prototypic categorization which linear nodes provide for binary features. This paper extends the formal analysis and empirical measurement of thresholded linear functions of multivalued features to determine the corresponding properties for quadratic functions. As with linear functions, the number of functions, weight size, training speed and number of nodes necessary to represent arbitrary Boolean functions are shown to increase polynomially with the number of distinct, equally-spaced values the input features can assume (that is with the required resolution), and exponentially with the number of features. Also paralleling linear functions, certain interesting subclasses of quadratic functions are shown to be learnable in polynomial time. These include functions which require exponential resources (nodes and training time) if a disjunction or conjunction of linear functions (a convex polygon) is used. Alternatively, if a distributed representation is possible, these functions can be represented with a linear number of linear nodes.
Fluoride intake in fluoridated and nonfluoridated communities is similar for packaged foods and beverages, but different for those reconstituted or cooked with local water

Abstract Original article Jackson RD, Brizendine EJ, Kelly SA, Hinesley R, Stookey GK, Dunipace, AJ. The fluoride content of foods and beverages from negligibly and optimally fluoridated communities. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2002;30:382-91. Level of evidence None Purpose To summarize the distribution of fluoride content of foods and beverages in 1 fluoridated and 1 nonfluoridated community and to estimate, on the basis of these data, the mean daily dietary fluoride intake of 3- to 5-year-old children Source of funding National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Type of study/design Cross-sectional
Resolution of axial shear strain elastography

The technique of mapping the local axial component of the shear strain due to quasi-static axial compression is defined as axial shear strain elastography. In this paper, the spatial resolution of axial shear strain elastography is investigated through simulations, using an elastically stiff cylindrical lesion embedded in a homogeneously softer background. Resolution was defined as the smallest size of the inclusion for which the strain value at the inclusion/background interface was greater than the average of the axial shear strain values at the interface and inside the inclusion. The resolution was measured from the axial shear strain profile oriented at 45? to the axis of beam propagation, due to the absence of axial shear strain along the normal directions. The effects of the ultrasound system parameters such as bandwidth, beamwidth and transducer element pitch along with signal processing parameters such as correlation window length (W) and axial shift (?W) on the estimated resolution were investigated. The results show that the resolution (at 45? orientation) is determined by the bandwidth and the beamwidth. However, the upper bound on the resolution is limited by the larger of the beamwidth and the window length, which is scaled inversely to the bandwidth. The results also show that the resolution is proportional to the pitch and not significantly affected by the axial window shift.
Alkyl Aromatic Synthesis: Nucleophilic Alkyl Lithium Addition

Abstract Alkylated and, in particular, methylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heteroaromatic compounds associated with increased coal utilization may be considerably more carcinogenic than the corresponding parent system.1,2 The availability of these alkylated compounds as standards for structural comparison or for biological testing is therefore of some importance. The report describes improvements on methodology for the synthesis of alkyl aromatic compounds by using a nucleophilic addition of an alkyl lithium (often enhanced by UV irradiation)3–11 in combination with the subsequent addition of iodine to conveniently regenerate the aromatic system (Scheme I, Table I).
Gene targeting and cloning in pigs using fetal liver derived cells.

Background Since there are no pig embryonic stem cells, pig genetic engineering is done in fetal fibroblasts that remain totipotent for only 3 to 5 wk. Nuclear donor cells that remain totipotent for longer periods of time would facilitate complicated genetic engineering in pigs. The goal of this study was to test the feasibility of using fetal liver-derived cells (FLDC) to perform gene targeting, and create a genetic knockout pig. Materials and Methods FLDC were isolated and processed using a human liver stem cell protocol. Single copy α-1,3-galactosyl transferase knockout (GTKO) FLDCs were created using electroporation and neomycin resistant colonies were screened using PCR. Homozygous GTKO cells were created through loss of heterozygosity mutations in single GTKO FLDCs. Double GTKO FLDCs were used in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to create GTKO pigs. Results FLDCs grew for more than 80 population doublings, maintaining normal karyotype. Gene targeting and loss of heterozygosity mutations produced homozygous GTKO FLDCs. FLDCs used in SCNT gave rise to homozygous GTKO pigs. Conclusions FDLCs can be used in gene targeting and SCNT to produce genetically modified pigs. The increased life span in culture compared to fetal fibroblasts may facilitate genetic engineering in the pig.
Influences on the onset and tempo of puberty in human beings and implications for adolescent psychological development

This article is part of a Special Issue "Puberty and Adolescence". Historical records reveal a secular trend toward earlier onset of puberty in both males and females, often attributed to improvements in nutrition and health status. The trend stabilized during the mid 20th century in many countries, but recent studies describe a recurrence of a decrease in age of pubertal onset. There appears to be an associated change in pubertal tempo in girls, such that girls who enter puberty earlier have a longer duration of puberty. Puberty is influenced by genetic factors but since these effects cannot change dramatically over the past century, environmental effects, including endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and perinatal conditions offer alternative etiologies. Observations that the secular trends in puberty in girls parallel the obesity epidemic provide another plausible explanation. Early puberty has implications for poor behavioral and psychosocial outcomes as well as health later in life. Irrespective of the underlying cause of the ongoing trend toward early puberty, experts in the field have debated whether these trends should lead clinicians to reconsider a lower age of normal puberty, or whether such a new definition will mask a pathologic etiology.
In situ Fourier transform infrared reflection absorption spectroscopic studies of the effects of tin on the electrochemical oxidation of carbon monoxid

Abstract The modifications in the mode of bonding of CO on polycrystalline Pt in perchloric acid electrolytes induced by the presence of tin have been examined using in situ Fourier Transform Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy. It has been concluded, based on the results obtained, that tin adsorbs on a CO-saturated Pt surface displacing up to half of the original CO, and brings about a sizable reduction in the overpotential for CO electrooxidation. In addition, the integrated intensity of the CO peak normalized by the integrated intensity of the CO 2 peak obtained after full CO oxidation appears to be much higher than the corresponding value observed on a tin-free Pt surface. This effect is especially marked for moderate tin coverages at potentials negative to the onset of CO oxidation and has been tentatively associated with the presence of CO on special sites on the tin-free polycrystalline Pt surface for which the IR cross sections are very small.
Cloning of the Gene Encoding α-Methylserine Hydroxymethyltransferase from Aminobacter sp. AJ110403 and Ensifer sp. AJ110404 and Characterization of the Recombinant Enzyme

Genes encoding α-methylserine hydroxymethyltransferase from Aminobacter sp. AJ110403 and Ensifer sp. AJ110404 were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified enzymes were homodimers with a 46-kDa subunit and contained 1 mol/mol-subunit of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate. The V max of these enzymes catalyzing the conversion of α-methyl-L-serine to D-alanine via tetrahydrofolate was 22.1 U/mg (AJ110403) and 15.4 U/mg (AJ110404).
Linear viscoelastic behavior of the Hookean dumbbell with internal viscosity

The linear viscoelastic modulus G(t) predicted by the analytical formulations of Schieber (1993), Wedgewood (1993), Dasbach et al. (1992), and Booij and van Wiechen (1970) for the free-draining Hookean dumbbell with internal viscosity (IV) are compared with exact analytical results and exact numerical results obtained from Brownian dynamics simulations. All of these analytical formulations employ the Booij and van Wiechen expression for the IV force, thereby eliminating errors associated with linearization of the “deformational” velocity, however the theories differ in the approximations employed to solve configuration moment equations. Comparison with the exact G(t) results provides a means of testing these approximations. The approximate theories all correctly predict the singular part of G(t) at t = 0, providing correct predictions of η′∞, however deviations from the exact G(t) are seen in all cases for t > 0.