cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blood sugar formation from dietary carbohydrate is facilitated by the pentose phosphate pathway in an insect Manduca sexta Linnaeus

Abstract Dietary carbohydrate, the principal energy source for insects, also determines the level of the blood sugar trehalose. This disaccharide, a byproduct of glycolysis, occurs at highly variable concentrations that play a key role in regulating feeding behavior and growth. Little is known of how developing insects partition the metabolism of dietary carbohydrate to meet the needs for blood trehalose, ribose sugars and NADPH, as well as energy production. This study examined the effects of varying dietary sucrose levels between 3.4 and 34 g/l in an artificial diet on growth rate, depot fat content and blood sugar formation from 13C-enriched glucose in Manduca sexta. (2-13C)Glucose or (1,2-13C2)glucose were administered to larvae by injection and after 6 h blood was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. [2-13C]Trehalose was the principal product of [2-13C]glucose, but trehalose was also 13C-enriched at C1 and C3, demonstrating activity of the pentose phosphate pathway. The trehalose C1/C2 13C-enrichment ratio, a measure of the substrate cycled through the pentose pathway, significantly increased with increasing dietary sugar, and reached a mean of 0.22 at the highest level. Blood trehalose concentration increased from approximately 38 mM at the lowest dietary carbohydrate level to 75 mM at the highest. Moreover, blood trehalose, growth rate and depot fat all increased in precisely the same way in relation to the level of pentose cycling. Based on the multiplet 13C-NMR signal structure of trehalose synthesized from [1,2-13C2]glucose by insects maintained on a high carbohydrate diet, it was established that the formation of trehalose from glucose phosphate derived directly from the administered substrate, with no involvement of the pentose pathway, was greater than that from glucose phosphate metabolized through the pentose pathway prior to trehalose synthesis. On the other hand, glucose phosphate first metabolized through the pentose pathway contributed more to pyruvate formation than did glucose phosphate formed from the labeled substrate metabolized directly to pyruvate via glycolysis; this finding based on the multiplet 13C-NMR signal structure in alanine derived from pyruvate. The results suggest that as dietary carbohydrate increases blood sugar synthesis from glucose phosphate derived directly from dietary sugar is facilitated by the pentose pathway which provides an increasing amount of substrate to pyruvate formation.
A low-power high-PSRR current-mode microphone preamplifier

Bionic implants for the deaf require wide-dynamic-range low-power microphone preamplifiers with good wide-band rejection of the supply noise. Widely used low-cost implementations of such preamplifiers typically use the buffered voltage output of an electret capacitor with a built-in JFET source follower. We describe a design in which the JFET microphone buffer's output current, rather than its output voltage, is transduced via a sense-amplifier topology allowing good in-band power-supply rejection. The design employs a low-frequency feedback loop to subtract the dc bias current of the microphone and prevent it from causing saturation. Wide-band power-supply rejection is achieved by integrating a novel filter on all current-source biasing. Our design exhibits 80 dB of dynamic range with less than 5 /spl mu/V/sub rms/ of input noise while operating from a 2.8 V supply. The power consumption is 96 /spl mu/W which includes 60 /spl mu/W for the microphone built-in buffer. The in-band power-supply rejection ratio varies from 50 to 90 dB while out-of-band supply attenuation is greater than 60 dB until 25 MHz. Fabrication was done in a 1.5-/spl mu/m CMOS process with gain programmability for both microphone and auxiliary channel inputs.
INTEGRATION OF N- AND P-CONTACTS TO GaN-BASED LIGHT EMITTING DIODES

Low-resistance Ohmic contacts are essential for the fabrication of electrical devices. While low contact resistance has been achieved to p-type layers or n-type layers separately, contacts are likely to degrade when both types need to be integrated into a single fabrication process, in particular when prior mesa etching is required. We present a solution to the problem, resulting in low-resistance Ohmic contacts on n-type GaN layers without post-deposition thermal anneal, while maintaining the quality of typical p-type contacts. We implement an integrated process for both, n- and p-contacts, involving an oxygen pretreatment to fabricate light emitting diodes with lower series resistance in the contacts and lower voltage drop at high current when compared to separately optimized contacts.
Neural substrates of syntactic mapping treatment: an fMRI study of two cases.

Two patients (G01, J02) with chronic nonfluent aphasia and sentence production deficits received syntactic mapping treatment to improve sentence production. The patients had dramatically different outcomes in that improved syntax production generalized to nontreatment tasks for G01, but not for JO2. To learn how treatment influenced the neural substrates for syntax production, both patients underwent pre- and posttreatment functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of sentence generation. G01 showed more robust activity posttreatment than pretreatment in Broca's area; ventral temporal activity decreased slightly from pre- to posttreatment. Comparison of J02's pretreatment and posttreatment images revealed little change, although activity was more diffuse pre- than posttreatment. Findings suggest that for G01, rehabilitation led to engagement of an area (Broca's area) used minimally during the pretreatment scan, whereas for J02, rehabilitation may have led to more efficient use of areas already involved in sentence generation during the pretreatment scan. fMRI findings are discussed in the context of sentence-production outcome and generalization. (JINS, 2006, 12, 132–146.)
Removal of anti-human immunodeficiency virus 2′,3′-dideoxynucleoside monophosphates from DNA by a novel human cytosolic 3′ → 5′ exonuclease

Abstract A 3′ → 5′ exonuclease has been highly purified from the cytosol of human acute lymphoblastic leukemia H9 cells. The apparent molecular weight of this enzyme was approximately 50,000, as indicated by its sedimentation in glycerol gradients. The exonuclease did not copurify with DNA polymerase activity, required MgCl 2 for its exonucleolytic activity, and was inhibited by KCl above 60 mM. The enzyme was active on single-stranded DNA, DNA duplexes and DNA/RNA duplexes, and it was efficient at removing 3′-terminal mispairs from DNA. The products of the exonucleolytic reaction were deoxynucleoside 5′-monophosphates. The behavior of the exonuclease was examined on DNA terminated at the 3′ end with a variety of dideoxynucleosides that are potent against human immunodeficiency virus type 1. The exonuclease has a broad substrate specificity; however, the rate of the enzymatic reaction varied among the d dideoxynucleosides tested (ddAMP = ddCMP > d4TMP > AZTMP). Similarly, the enzyme was examined for its reactivity with DNA terminated by either the d or l enantiomers of ddC, SddC or FddC. The removal of analogs with the native d configuration was ] at least 6-fold more rapid than that of the l -compounds, and the type of structural modification had an impact on the rate at which the d enantiomers were removed (SddCMP > ddCMP > FddCMP). The monophosphate forms of AZT, D4T, l -FddC and l -ddC were potent inhibitors of the exonuclease at micromolar concentrations, while d -ddCMP partially inhibited the enzyme at millimolar concentrations. Based on its physical and enzymatic properties, this exonuclease represents a novel enzyme that may have an important role in determining the relative potencies of dideoxynucleosides against human immunodeficiency virus type 1.
Menstrual cycle phase and responses to drugs of abuse in humans

Researchers have recently become aware of the importance of including women in research, including drug abuse research. With this increased awareness has come an increased scientific interest in the potential influence of menstrual cycle phase on responses to drugs. In this review, we discuss recent studies that have examined subjective and physiological responses to drugs of abuse in relation to menstrual cycle phase. With most of the drugs reviewed, including alcohol, benzodiazepines, caffeine, marijuana, nicotine and opioids, responses to the drugs were not different were inconsistent across cycle phases. However, with psychomotor stimulant drugs, such as amphetamine and cocaine, responses to the drugs were greater during the follicular, compared to the luteal, phase of the cycle. These findings suggest that, consistent with certain pre-clinical findings, circulating levels of ovarian hormones influence the central effects of stimulant drugs in women. With other drugs, the evidence to date suggests that ovarian hormones have modest, if any, effects on responses to abused drugs. We discuss methodological issues relating to inclusion of women with regular menstrual cycles.
Corruption by monopoly: Bribery in Chinese enterprise licensing as a repeated bargaining game

Abstract This article presents a structural analysis of corruption in Chinese enterprise licensing using a repeated bargaining model. I demonstrate that once relative bargaining powers are correctly accounted for, certain institutional features of the Chinese licensing system do lead to bribery as a robust outcome. Exercises in comparative statics then reveal that certain conventional anticorruption measures may have counterintuitive effects. Furthermore, the robustness of bribery is a direct result of licensing officials' monopolistic powers. If overlapping jurisdictions are introduced, the resulting bureaucratic competition would completely eliminate bribery in some cases and greatly reduce the size of the bribes in other cases.
Chronic Imaging of Mouse Visual Cortex Using a Thinned-skull Preparation

In vivo imaging using two-photon laser scanning microscopy (2PLSM) allows the study of living cells and neuronal processes in the intact brain. The technique presented here allows the imaging of the same area of the brain at several time points (chronic imaging) with microscopic resolution allowing the tracking of dendritic spines which are the small structures that represent the majority of postsynaptic excitatory sites in the CNS. The ability to clearly resolve fine cortical structures over several time points has many advantages, specifically in the study of brain plasticity in which morphological changes at synapses and circuit remodeling may help explain underlying mechanisms. In this video and supplementary material, we show a protocol for chronic in vivo imaging of the intact brain using a thinned-skull preparation. The thinned-skull preparation is a minimally invasive approach, which avoids potential damage to the dura and/or cortex, thus reducing the onset of an inflammatory response. When this protocol is performed correctly, it is possible to clearly monitor changes in dendritic spine characteristics in the intact brain over a prolonged period of time.
NBO analysis of halogen bridging in 4-halo-1-buten-3-yl cations

The major stabilizing orbital interactions in 4-halo-1-buten-3-yl cations were evaluated by Natural Bond Orbital methodology. Energetics of interactions of halogen lone pairs and bonds with allylic cationic centers for bromine, chlorine and fluorine revealed that hyperconjugative interactions were the major factor in controlling conformer stabilities.
Cathodic Electrophoretic Deposition of Ceramic Nano-Particle Manganese Zinc Ferrite

The electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of micro/nano-particle manganese zinc ferrite (Mnx Zn1-xFe2O4) material has been carried out on silicon substrates. EPD is performed in isopropanol (IPA) solutions containing charging and adhesion agents. The ferrite powders were prepared by grinding ceramic sintered toroids of a commercial high permeability Mn-Zn ferrite. The ferrite film has been deposited up to 4μm in thickness in 30 minutes showing good selectivity to silicon patterned with 250nm thermally grown silicon dioxide. Additionally, selective deposition has been observed on heavily doped p-type regions in n-type silicon substrates. The deposition process is a self limiting process with the initial high elerophoretic current declining to 10% of its value in 10 minutes. This result suggests that majority of ferrite deposition occurs in first 10 minutes. The deposition rate and zeta potential measurements indicate a high particle velocity on the order 5.7x10-3 cm/s with an electric field of 160V/cm generated across the 2 cm electrode spacing. An amorphous like interfacial layer is observed in as deposited substrates. The scanning electron micrographs indicate pattern filling and conformal deposition on copper planar micro-inductors fabricated by chemical mechanical planarization. These results are promising for powder ferrite material (hard and soft) to be selectively deposited for a wide variety of applications in microelectronics passive components and in MEM’s based applications
M-center triplet formation in KCl

Abstract Evidence is presented for a mechanism of M-center triplet formation involving the annihilation of free electrons and M + centers.
Inclusion in Microporous β-Bis(1,1,1-trifluoro-5,5-dimethyl-5- methoxyacetylacetonato)copper(II), an Organic Zeolite Mimic†

In this contribution, we show that the porous β-form of the title complex preserves its host lattice pore structure in the presence of more than 100 guests. Among the species that are able to promote the α-to-β transformation and that are capable of being included as guests are the gaseous and condensed hydrocarbons, their halo derivatives, alcohols, diols, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, esters, ethers of inorganic acids, acids, nitriles, and a variety of substituted aromatics. The empty β-form behaves like a microporous sponge, instantly absorbing significant quantities even of highly volatile compounds such as methane, ethane, and propane. The material demonstrates zeolite-like behavior, not only from the robustness of the empty pore structure, but also from its propensity for efficient adsorption and desorption. The thermal stability of inclusions with normal paraffins increases from 142 °C (incongruent melting) to 163.5 °C (true melting) in the series from n-C5 to n-C16, while the guest-free α-form of the complex melts at 157 °C. The interaction of the complex with alcohols illustrates competing options between chemical bonding to copper and physical sorption into the microporous β-form. Methanol and ethanol coordinate to copper, thereby taking part in building, respectively, 2-D and 1-D polymers, whereas higher alcohols induce conversion to a 3-D β-form, stabilizing this porous modification by inclusion. From the observed stoichiometry and thermal stability, the host matrix is shown to be capable of molecular recognition of alcohols that have a shape and dimensions complementary to available pore geometry. Finally, the prospects for the rational design of new 3-D microporous polymers of bis-chelate building blocks are discussed.
Impulse Response Determination by Cross Correlation

This paper describes the design of a digital cross correlator and its application in determining the impulse response in linear systems. The output of the cross correlator, which correlates the input and the output of a linear system excited by noise, is the same as the response of the linear system to a pulse which is identical to the noise autocorrelation. The impulse response error is defined as the normalized mean-square deviation of the actual from the true impulse response. A digital computer simulation confirms that the conventional technique yields the same impulse error as the correlation technique, when the width of the input rectangular pulse is equivalent to the width of the noise autocorrelation function. The operation and design of the digital correlator are discussed. An advantage of the specially designed digital correlator over a general-purpose digital computer is to operate in real time without problems of software and storage. The presented experimental and digitally computed results show that the digital correlator can accurately determine the impulse response, even in presence of perturbations. Only the correlation technique allows measurement of system impulse response without disturbing normal operation. Suggestions are made to simplify the design and improve the speed (bandwidth capability).
Semi-automated forces for Corps Battle Simulation

This paper describes ongoing development of semi-automated forces (SAFORs) for the Corps Battle Simulation (CBS). Our approach adapts a control architecture which was originally developed to control autonomous mobile robots. The architecture extends a control methodology called behavior control with conditional sequencing and strategic planning capabilities. An initial implementation is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of FY93.
Physical Activity, Inflammation, and Muscle Loss

Sarcopenia is the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle that occurs naturally in individuals as they age. Although many factors underlie sarcopenia, epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that low-grade chronic inflammation is an important contributor to its progression. Still, few healthcare professionals have a clear understanding of the profound effects of cytokines on sarcopenia, or how these effects may be counteracted. Interestingly, mounting evidence suggests that along with good diet and vitamin supplementation, this muscle damage can be mitigated with regular physical activity. Without a doubt, exercise is an intervention that reliably counteracts the loss of muscle mass, strength, and power common in our increasingly aged, and pervasively sedentary, population.
Long time behavior of solutions to P-laplacian equation with absorption

In this paper, we study the long time behavior of solutions to the Cauchy problem of $u_t = \mbox{div} ( |\nabla u|^{p-2} \nabla u ) -u^q$ in $R^n \times (0, \infty)$, with nonnegative initial value $ u(x,0) = \phi(x)$ in $R^n$, where $ (2n)/(n+1) 1. For initial data of various decay rates, especially the critical decay $\phi=O(|x|^{-\mu})$ with $\mu=p/(q+1-p)$, we show that the solution converges as $ t \rightarrow \infty$ to a self-similar solution. This extends the recent result of Escobedo, Kavian, and Matano for the semilinear case of p = 2. Here an essential role is played by singular and very singular self-similar solutions established in our previous works [X. Chen, Y. Qi, and M. Wang, J. Differential Equations, 190 (2003), pp. 1--15; X. Chen, Y. Qi, and M. Wang, preprint, Department of Mathematics, HKUST, Hong Kong, 1998].
Restriction mapping of recombinant λ DNA molecules using pulsed field gel electrophoresis

We have integrated pulsed field gel electrophoresis with the partial digestion strategy of Smith and Birnstiel (1976, Nucleic Acids Res. 3,2387-2398) to generate a rapid and accurate method of restriction endonuclease mapping recombinant lambda DNA molecules. Use of pulsed field gels dramatically improves the accuracy of size determination and resolution of DNA restriction fragments relative to standard agarose gels. Briefly, DNA is partially digested with restriction enzymes to varying extents and then hybridized with a radiolabeled oligonucleotide which anneals specifically to one of the lambda cohesive (cos) ends, effectively end labeling only those digestion products containing that cos end. In this study, we have used an oligonucleotide hybridizing to the right cos end. DNA is then fractionated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis, the gel dried down, and cos end containing fragments visualized by autoradiography. Fragment sizes indicate the distances from the labeled cos end to each restriction site for the particular restriction enzyme employed. This procedure requires only minimal quantities of DNA and is applicable to all vectors utilizing lambda cos ends.
Transition metal carbide formation in the Nd2Fe14B system and potential as alloying additions

Abstract Precipitates controlling grain growth in rapidly solidified Nd2Fe14B-type magnets are commercially important for inhibiting grain growth during heat treatments or thermomechanical processing. Compound additions of Group IVA, VA, and VIA transition metals along with C were added to the Nd2Fe14B (2-14-1) system. Transition metal carbide (TMC) formation was found for the Group IVA and VA transition metals. All the TMC precipitates observed formed with a 1:1 stoichiometry. To be successful as alloying additions in the 2-14-1 system, additional criteria besides carbide formation are necessary. The alloying ability of each transition metal carbide system was graded using criteria that dealt with phase stability, liquid and equilibrium solid solubility, and high temperature carbide stability. The Group IVA TMC alloys satisfied the proposed alloying criteria and were found to be excellent additions. The Group VA alloys, while forming carbides, only partially satisfied the proposed alloying criteria. Finally, the Group VIA alloys did not form TMCs.
Depression in adults with mild mental retardation: Are cognitive variables involved?

The applicability of models emphasizing the role of cognitive variables in depression originally based on persons with average intellectual abilities was assessed in this study with 107 adults with mild mental retardation. Results indicated that level of depressive symptomatology, as measured by two different self-report measures, was significantly correlated with frequency of automatic negative thoughts, feelings of hopelessness, rates of self-reinforcement, and amount of negative social support. Sixteen members of this original sample, diagnosed as clinically depressed, were then compared to 16 nondepressed controls. A statistical comparison between these two samples supported the previous correlational analyses suggesting the relevance of these findings to clinical depression. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for psychopathology model building specific to adults with mental retardation, as well as the potential utility of cognitive-based therapies for a population previously considered as inappropriate.
Allende Meteorite : Some Major and Trace Element Abundances by Neutron Activation Analysis

THE Allende (Chihuahua, Mexico) meteorite of February 8, 1969 (ref. 1 and unpublished report of R. S. Clarke, jun., E. Jarosewich, B. Mason and J. Nelen), is of great interest because it belongs to a group of relatively rare carbon containing meteorites known as the carbonaceous chondrites and because the amount of material collected so far already exceeds the total weight of all other carbonaceous chondrites in museum collections.
Internal marketing and quality assurance through patient feedback

Patients’ perceptions and suggestions expressed through o neutral third party can provide useful guidance for constructive change in the dental office. Direct response to perceived needs of patients removes some of the barriers to demand for patient care.
Detection of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons in Aqueous Surfactant Solutions by Near-IR Raman Spectroscopy

Near-IR Raman spectroscopy is used to detect chlorinated hydrocarbons under surfactant-enhanced solubilization conditions. The Raman bands of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB) in micelle solutions could be observed in the presence of humic acid when a 784-nm diode laser was used. With 532- or 632.8-nm excitation, humic acid fluorescence obscured the Raman signals. For quantification, the integrated area of the carbon-chlorine stretch mode (PCE) or the phenyl ring-breathing mode (DCB) was used. Test results for samples with unknown concentrations based on linear calibration curves were in agreement with results from an accepted gas chromatography method. Detection limits were calculated to be 240 ppm for tetrachloroethylene and 500 ppm for 1,2-dichlorobenzene. Our study has shown the feasibility of this technique for field applications.
From Water Development to Water Management Federal Agency Opportunism in an Era of Policy Devolution

This article examines the impact on the Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation of changes in federal water quality policy by a citizen suit in Oregon. Having languished for most of the 1980s and early 1990s on the verge of termination, the Bureau has responded in unique and innovative ways to new mandates faced by Oregon and thus demonstrated its ability to move beyond water development to natural resource management and environmental stewardship. Despite significant reductions in force and budgetary constraints, the Bureau of Reclamation exemplifies a new model of agency cooperation with local policy initiatives in an era marked by regulatory devolution.
Re-expression of p16INK4a in mesothelioma cells results in cell cycle arrest, cell death, tumor suppression and tumor regression

Absence of expression of the p16IKN4a gene product is commonly observed in mesothelioma tumors and cell lines, while wild-type pRB expression is maintained. We have examined the biologic and potential therapeutic role of re-expressing p16INK4a gene product in mesothelioma cells and tumors. Following transduction with a p16INK4a expressing adenovirus (Adp16), over-expression of p16INK4a in mesothelioma cells resulted in cell cycle arrest, inhibition of pRB phosphorylation, diminished cell growth, and eventual death of the transduced cells. Expression of p16INK4a protein was accompanied by decreased expression of pRB as detected by immunoblot and immunohistochemistry. Experiments in mesothelioma xenografts demonstrated inhibition of tumor formation, tumor growth arrest and diminished tumor size and spread. p16INK4a gene product expression was also demonstrated in intraperitoneal xenografts of human mesothelioma cells. These results demonstrate that p16INK4a gene transfer may play a therapeutic role in the treatment of mesothelioma.
An Ecumenism of Time

This essay considers what it means to work within and attempt to retrieve aspects of a tradition of thought, in particular, the Christian tradition. Doing so places us in close proximity to certain conversation partners, but it does so without closing off possible enrichment from those who do not share our tradition. Perhaps the most critical issue involves freedom—that is, whether retrieving one’s tradition undermines our own freedom or our recognition of God’s. As an illustration of thinking within the Christian tradition, the essay then considers the concept of a person, attempting to distinguish it from the more recent language of personhood.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Inhibits Expression of the Spot 14 (THRSP) and Fatty Acid Synthase Genes and Impairs the Growth of Human Breast Cancer and Liposarcoma Cells

Spot 14 (THRSP, S14) is a nuclear protein involved in the regulation of genes required for fatty acid synthesis in normal and malignant mammary epithelial and adipose cells. Harvatine and Bauman (1) reported that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) inhibits S14 gene expression in bovine mammary and mouse adipose tissues and reduces milk fat production in cows. We hypothesized that CLA inhibits S14 gene expression in human breast cancer and liposarcoma cells and that this will retard their growth. Exposure of T47D breast cancer cells to a mixture of CLA isomers reduced the expression of the S14 and fatty acid synthase (FAS) genes. The mixture caused a dose-related inhibition of T47D cell growth, as did pure c9, t11 and t10, c12-CLA, but not linoleic acid. Similar effects were observed in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Provision of 8 mircoM palmitate fully (CLA mix, t10, c12-CLA) or partially (c9, t11-CLA) reversed the antiproliferative effect in T47D cells. CLA likewise suppressed levels of S14 and FAS mRNAs in liposarcoma cells and caused growth inhibition that was prevented by palmitic acid. CLA did not affect the growth of nonlipogenic HeLa cells or human fibroblasts. We conclude that as in bovine mammary and mouse adipose cells, CLA suppresses S14 and FAS gene expression in human breast cancer and liposarcoma cells. Rescue from the antiproliferative effect of CLA by palmitic acid indicates that reduced tumor lipogenesis is a major mechanism for the anticancer effects of CLA.
Terahertz wave imaging for landmine detection

Pulsed THz imaging is a promising non-destructive technology based on its high transmission through selected dielectric materials and its capability to provide time-of-flight and spectral information. The traditional method of the pulsed THz imaging is a point-to-point reflective scanning system. The image is acquired by analyzing the peak amplitude information of the THz pulse in the time-domain at each pixel. It requires the THz beam or sample scanned. In this paper, we present our approach of large scale, focal plane THz wave imaging. In our 2-D focal plane THz wave imaging, the THz beam is expanded to be 60 mm in diameter. The THz beam illuminates the target in a reflective manner, in which a polyethylene lens projects the image onto a 40 mm by 40 mm by 2 mm ZnTe sensor crystal. The probe beam is expanded to be 40 mm in diameter and overlap with the THz beam on the sensor. The modulated probe beam profile carrying the image information is captured by a CCD camera. This technique enables us to view the objects which are optically opaque but transparent in THz frequency and shows feasibility in remote sensing, security inspection, and military defense applications.
A simple, rapid method for mapping bathymetry of small wetland basins

Many tools exist for determining and mapping the bathymetry and topography of aquatic systems, such as freshwater wetlands. However, these tools often require time-consuming survey work to produce accurate maps. In particular, the large quantity of data necessary may be prohibitive for projects where determining bathymetry is not a central focus, but instead a necessary step in achieving some other goal. We present a method to produce bathymetric surface maps with a minimum amount of effort using global positioning system receiver and laser transit survey data. We also demonstrate that this method is surprisingly accurate, given the small amount of data we use to generate the bathymetry maps.
Role of humoral and cell-mediated immunity in protection from influenza disease after immunization of healthy elderly

While influenza immunization significantly reduces the risk of pneumonia and associated deaths, vaccination of elderly only affords 30-50% protection against influenza disease. The purpose of this study was to: (1) evaluate the consistency of immune responses across multiple years in young and elderly; (2) determine the contribution of antibody and cell-mediated responses in protection after immunization with influenza vaccine. Independently living healthy elderly (>200/year; mean age 78.8-80.6/year) were recruited yearly in this four year study. The results clearly demonstrate: (1) both young and elderly consistently produced significant antibody and T cell proliferative responses to influenza vaccine upon yearly immunization; however, both responses of elderly were significantly and consistently lower than young. (2) Percentages of both young and elderly demonstrating protective titers (i.e. HI>/=40) increased post-immunization each year, but were consistently higher in young compared to elderly. (3) The risk of developing influenza disease after immunization was highest among elderly demonstrating neither antibody nor cell-mediated responses. Importantly, the risk of influenza disease was comparable in elderly demonstrating a cell-mediated response alone, an antibody response alone, or both cell-mediated and antibody responses. This suggests that cell-mediated responses play a significant role in protection in at least a subset of elderly from influenza disease after immunization.
Life satisfaction in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis of the spine.

This exploratory‐descriptive study was undertaken to determine what combination of variables was the best predictor of life satisfaction in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis of the spine and vertebral fractures. A sample of 93 women, drawn from private osteoporosis clinics, completed the four research questionnaires. Data were analyzed using means, standard deviations, product‐moment correlations, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Analysis of the data revealed that there were significant predictors of life satisfaction in this group. Life satisfaction was best predicted by the following combination of variables: income level, frequency of back pain, perceived internal control over health, and perceived social support.
Testing Analytical Models Using Archival or Experimental Methods

SYNOPSIS: Analytical models can quite naturally complement empirical data, whether archival or experimental. This article begins by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of combining an analytical model with archival or experimental data in a single study. We next describe how models are typically used in empirical research and discuss when including an analytical model is more versus less useful. Finally, we offer examples of more and less successful combinations of analytical models and empirical data, along with a brief discussion of how such studies are likely to fare in the journal review process. JEL Classifications: C02; C51; C99.
Quantitative stereology and radiologic image analysis. Part II: Transmission (projection) radiography

This paper extends the results of Part I to estimates of three‐dimensional anatomy and morphology obtained form measurements on a projection plane. Ambiguities and overlap obscuration in projections are discussed. Estimates of vascular (angiography) network geometry are easily obtained and applications to particle volume, surface area, spacing, and number are possible.
Design for Environment as a Tool for the Development of a Sustainable Supply Chain

In this work, design for environment (DfE) methodologies have been used as a tool for the development of a more sustainable supply chain. In particular by combining life‐cycle assessment (LCA) techniques and by using the quality function deployment (QFD) multi‐criteria matrices, an ‘environmental compromise’ can be reached. In this work, the QFD matrices have been developed in a new way using an iterative process that involves the whole supply chain starting from the product life‐cycle, taking into consideration the machines that make the product and their components. This methodology is compatible with the requirements of the various stakeholders, suppliers, manufacturers and clients, involved in the supply chain. To assess the validity of the proposed approach a specific supply chain was studied concerning packaging systems for liquid food substances (beverage cartons). Firstly all the stages which are most critical from the environmental point of view in the supply chain of packaging systems were ident...
WE‐C‐116‐01: Effects of T2* On the Accuracy of Two‐Point Dixon Water and Fat Imaging

Purpose: To quantify the error caused by T2* decay in two‐point Dixon imaging with flexible echo times. Specifically, we seek the error in the water values as well as the relative background phasor, which is vital for identifying pixels as water‐dominant or fat‐dominant, as a function of the echo times. Understanding how these errors depend on the echo times will enable us to choose echo times that will Result in more accurate fat‐water separation. Methods: In simulation, a model that includes T2* decay was used to generate signals. Water and fat values and the background phasor were then reconstructed from these signals using the traditional model that neglects T2* decay, and the error in these values was calculated. These results were validated experimentally by scanning an oil‐water phantom using a dual‐echo GRE sequence. The first‐echo signal values were taken as the “true” fat and water values, and the error was determined by comparing them to the values obtained using the traditional model. Results: For long T2* values, the error is very small except at TE combinations for which noise performance is also bad. Error is much larger for shorter T2* values and depends strongly on the echo times. For example, error at TE1/TE2 = 1.8/3.0 ms is approximately ten times that at TE1/TE2 = 1.2/2.4 ms. Plots are presented to show dependence on both T2* and echo times. Conclusion: Shorter T2* values Result in greater error, as expected. More interesting is the dependence on echo times, which is similar to error caused by signal noise. For two‐point Dixon imaging, the echo times should be chosen carefully to avoid large errors that can be caused by T2* decay.
Personnel Policies in Higher Education: A Covert Means of Sex Discrimination?.

Inequities in employment and compensation of female faculty in institutions of higher education are shown to be related, in part, to personnel policies that adversely affect married women. Regulations concerning antinepotism, inbreeding, leaves of absence, part-time employment, and provision of childcare tend to have greatest negative impact on women academicians.
Suppressive effects of ansamycins on inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

The production of nitric oxide by the inflammatory isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) in brain glial cells is thought to contribute to the causes and development of neurological diseases and trauma. We previously demonstrated that activation of a heat shock response (HSR) by hyperthermia reduced NOS2 expression in vitro, and in vivo attenuated the clinical and histological symptoms of the demyelinating disease experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE; Heneka et al. [2001] J. Neurochem. 77:568–579). Benzoquinoid ansamycins are fungal-derived antibiotics with tyrosine kinase inhibitory properties, and which also induce a HSR by allowing activation of HS transcription factor HSF1. We now show that two members of this class of drugs (geldanamycin and 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin) also induce a HSR in primary rat astrocytes and rat C6 glioma cells. Both drugs dose-dependently reduced nitrite accumulation, NOS2 steady-state mRNA levels, and the cytokine-dependent activation of a rat 2.2-kB NOS2 promoter construct stably expressed in C6 cells. These inhibitory effects were partially reversed by quercetin, a bioflavonoid which prevents HSF1 binding to DNA and thus attenuates the HSR. Ansamycins increased mRNA levels of the inhibitory IκBα protein, suggesting that inhibition of NFκB activation could contribute to their suppressive effects. Finally, in C57BL/6 mice actively immunized to develop EAE, a single injection of geldanamycin at 3 days after immunization reduced disease onset by over 50%. These results indicate that ansamycins can exert potent anti-inflammatory effects on brain glial cells which may provide therapeutic benefit in neuroinflammatory diseases. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A FLEXIBLE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE VISUALIZATION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURES

Abstract “Ducky” is a flexible and versatile software system for processing, rendering, and animating 3D datasets. The system is based on a powerful run-time interpreted language similar to C. The language includes many built-in functions for animation, rendering, shading, surface definition, and the creation of interactive menu and window-based visualization environments. Both volume and surface rendering methods are provided and may be combined in a single visualization. Ducky can create animations of a sequence of different views of a structure either within a 3D volume or across a series of volumes. Scripts implementing several common visualization tasks are provided. The system is readily extendible. Existing scripts can be modified or new scripts written to create additional interactive environments and processes.
Further studies on the role of phenylalanine in gramicidin S biosynthesis by Bacillus brevis

Abstract In a chemically defined medium (F4/3) containing fructose, arginine, histidine and methionine, the addition of 0.1% l -phenylalanine to Bacillus brevis ATCC 9999 enhanced growth and gramicidin S (GS) production on both volumetric and specific bases; surprisingly, it decreased the specific activities of the two GS synthetases. Decreased specific activities were observed even when both soluble and particulate GS synthetases were assayed. The decreases were not caused by inhibition or repression by phenylalanine itself but, more probably, by a negative feedback effect of cellular GS on its own synthetases. High concentrations of GS were found to be associated with cells even before the presence of GS in the fermentation broth was detected. These cellular GS concentrations were much higher in fermentations conducted with phenylalanine.
Replication protein A interacts with AID to promote deamination of somatic hypermutation targets

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is a single-stranded (ss) DNA deaminase required for somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class switch recombination of immunoglobulin genes. Class switch recombination involves transcription through switch regions, which generates ssDNA within R loops. However, although transcription through immunoglobulin variable region exons is required for SHM, it does not generate stable ssDNA, which leaves the mechanism of AID targeting unresolved. Here we characterize the mechanism of AID targeting to in-vitro-transcribed substrates harbouring SHM motifs. We show that the targeting activity of AID is due to replication protein A (RPA), a ssDNA-binding protein involved in replication, recombination and repair. The 32-kDa subunit of RPA interacts specifically with AID from activated B cells in a manner that seems to be dependent on post-translational AID modification. Thus, our study implicates RPA as a novel factor involved in immunoglobulin diversification. We propose that B-cell-specific AID-RPA complexes preferentially bind to ssDNA of small transcription bubbles at SHM 'hotspots', leading to AID-mediated deamination and RPA-mediated recruitment of DNA repair proteins.
The Effect of Aging of Urea-Formaldehyde Foam On Thermal Conductance:

The thermal conductance of vertical panels was measured over a period of months. Urea formaldehyde foam filled the cavities of the panels. The conductance was found to increase with aging. The cause of the increase is due to shrinking and cracking of the foam. The variation of shrinkage and conductance with time are discussed and quantified.
Effect of diffusion on rates and molecular weights in graft polymerization

A theoretical analysis has been made of the graft polymerization process in terms of the quantitative interrelationship between the initiation rate R/sub i/, the k/sub p//k/sub t/sup 1/2/ ratio of the monomer, the equilibrium solubility M of the monomer in the polymer, the polymer film thickness L, and the diffusivity D of the monomer in the polymer. It is shown how the values of these parameters in any grafting system interact to lead to diffusion controlled graft polymerization. Whether graft polymerization is diffusion-free or diffusion- controlled depends on the values of R/sub i/, D, k/sub p//K/sub t/sup 1/2/, and L as gathered in the parameter A = [(k/sub p//k/sub t/sup 1/2/)(R/sub i/sup 1/2// D)]/sup 1/2//L/2. When the values of the various terms are such that A is less than 0.1 (i.e., D is large while R/sub i/, k/ sub p//k/sub t/sup 1/2/, and L are small), the reaction is diffusion-free. When A is greater than 3 (i.e., D is small while R/sub i/, k/sub p//k/sub t/sup 1/2/, and L are large), the reaction is diffusion-controlled. The derived equations showing the relationship between kinetic and diffusional parameters are theoretically applicable to all grafting systems, i.e., for all monomer-polymer combinations under allmore » conditions of reaction temperature, radiation intensity and polymer film thickness. The theoretical analysis has been verified for the rate and degree of polymerization for the radiation-induced graft polymerization of styrene to polyethylene. (auth)« less
Quick Performance Models Quickly: Closely-Coupled Partitioned Simulation on FPGAs

In this paper we explore microprocessor performance models implemented on FPGAs. While FPGAs can help with simulation speed, the increased implementation complexity can degrade model development time. We assess whether a simulator split into closely-coupled timing and functional partitions can address this by easing the development of timing models while retaining fine-grained parallelism. We give the semantics of our simulator partitioning, and discuss the architecture of its implementation on an FPGA. We describe how three timing models of vastly different target processors can use the same functional partition, and assess their performance.
Short-Course Treatment of Sinusitis and other Upper Respiratory Tract Infections with Azithromycin: A Comparison with Erythromycin and Amoxycillin

In two randomized, multicentre studies patients with upper respiratory tract infections treated with 1.5 g azithromycin in five or six doses over 5 days were compared with patients treated with 10 g erythromycin in 40 doses over 10 days or 15 g amoxycillin in 30 doses over 10 days. The majority of azithromycin- (65%) and erythromycin- (67%) treated patients in the azithromycin/erythromycin study and all patients in the azithromycin/amoxycillin study had sinusitis. Clinical cure was recorded in 83% of azithromycin- and 79% of erythromycin-treated patients, and in 81% and 87%, respectively, of azithromycin- and amoxycillin-treated patients. There was no significant difference in bacteriological eradication between the treatments. Adverse events, predominantly mild or moderate gastro-intestinal complaints, occurred in 17% and 15%, respectively, of azithromycin- and erythromycin-treated patients, and in 5% and 11%, respectively, of azithromycin- and amoxycillin-treated patients but there were no serious laboratory safety abnormalities. Azithromycin appeared to be an effective, simplified treatment for upper respiratory tract infections and may improve patient compliance compared with standard therapies.
Fast bandwidth reservation scheme with multi-link and multi-path routing in ATM networks

The authors propose a burst level bandwidth reservation scheme which is appropriate for an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network that supports the transfer of high-speed burst traffic. The proposed scheme utilizes multiple links and multiple paths in a network to transfer individual bursts, thereby increasing network efficiency. As the link and path selection is implemented on a burst-by-burst basis, instead of the cell-by-cell basis used in the conventional multilink approach, the proposed scheme does not require a cell-by-cell distributor and out-of-order cell delivery is avoided, which was the disadvantage of the conventional cell-by-cell multilink approach. Performance evaluation showed that the delay and blocking probability characteristics are greatly improved, as the number of links between each pair of adjacent nodes and the number of source-destination paths increase. For example, around 40% link utilizations are achieved with 16 multiple links, while the conventional single-link schemes yield only to 1% link utilization to guarantee the same quality requirements. It is shown that the proposed scheme works well if the round-trip propagation delay is less than about 10% of the burst duration. >
Consumption Values and the Choice of Marketing Electives: Treating Students Like Customers

In all of academe, educators in marketing should be best suited to a customer orientation. Customer-oriented marketing education might include an effort to better understand the values students der...