cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional profiling in Streptococcus mutans: construction and examination of a genomic collection of gene deletion mutants

A collection of tagged deletion mutant strains was created in Streptococcus mutans UA159 to facilitate investigation of the aciduric capability of this oral pathogen. Gene-specific barcoded deletions were attempted in 1432 open reading frames (representing 73% of the genome), and resulted in the isolation of 1112 strains (56% coverage) carrying deletions in distinct non-essential genes. As S. mutans virulence is predicated upon the ability of the organism to survive an acidic pH environment, form biofilms on tooth surfaces, and out-compete other oral microflora, we assayed individual mutant strains for the relative fitness of the deletion strain, compared with the parent strain, under acidic and oxidative stress conditions, as well as for their ability to form biofilms in glucose- or sucrose-containing medium. Our studies revealed a total of 51 deletion strains with defects in both aciduricity and biofilm formation. We have also identified 49 strains whose gene deletion confers sensitivity to oxidative damage and deficiencies in biofilm formation. We demonstrate the ability to examine competitive fitness of mutant organisms using the barcode tags incorporated into each deletion strain to examine the representation of a particular strain in a population. Co-cultures of deletion strains were grown either in vitro in a chemostat to steady-state values of pH 7 and pH 5 or in vivo in an animal model for oral infection. Taken together, these data represent a mechanism for assessing the virulence capacity of this pathogenic microorganism and a resource for identifying future targets for drug intervention to promote healthy oral microflora.
The Synthesis of Biologically Active Pteroyloligo-γ-l-Glutamates (Folic Acid Conjugates) EVALUATION OF [3H]PTEROYLHEPTAGLUTAMATE FOR METABOLIC STUDIES

Abstract Homogeneous pteroyltri-, pteroylpenta-, and pteroylhepta-γ-l-glutamates (folic acid conjugates) have been synthesized and, when desired, specifically labeled with tritium. The synthetic procedures consist of: (a) production of pteroic acid from folic acid by microbiological techniques; (b) preparation of [3',5',9-3H]pteroic acid; (c) synthesis of crystalline homogeneous N10-trifluoroacetylpteroic acid; (d) mixed anhydride condensation of N10-trifluoroacetylpteroic acid with tri-, penta-, and hepta-γ-l-glutamic acid tert-butyl esters prepared by peptide synthesis in solution; (e) purification of protected products by LH-20 column chromatography; and (f) removal of protecting groups and final purification of products by gel filtration. The compounds have been obtained in good yields and have been characterized by correct elemental analyses, amino acid analyses, ultraviolet spectral data, ascending paper chromatography, and high voltage electrophoresis. These data compare favorably with analytical information reported for natural products. Behavior of the synthetic materials in microbiological assays and enzyme studies of intestinal mucosal homogenates confirms their biological identity with natural conjugates.
FREQUENCY OF MOLECULAR MIMICRY AMONG T CELL PEPTIDES AS THE BASIS FOR AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE AND AUTOANTIBODY INDUCTION

Experimental ovarian autoimmune disease is inducible by immunization with an ovarian peptide from zona pellucida (ZP) 3, a glycoprotein of the zona pellucida on mouse oocyte. The murine ZP3 peptide contains two nested T cell epitopes with slightly different critical residue motifs. To investigate the frequency of cross-reaction between nonovarian and ovarian peptides, we have chosen arbitrarily 16 nonovarian peptides with complete or partial homology to the critical residue motifs of the two T cell epitopes. Based on peptide induction of autoimmune oophoritis and T cell-dependent amplified autoantibody response to ovarian ZP, cross-reaction was documented for 7 (or 44%) of the 16 nonovarian peptides studied. Thus, molecular mimicry as a pathogenetic mechanism of autoimmunity should not be limited by the frequency of cross-reaction among self and nonself peptides. On the other hand, the sharing of critical residue motif per se is not sufficient for mimicry to occur, nor does it predict peptide cross-reaction.
Artiodactyla (Even-Toed Ungulates Including Sheep and Camels)

The Artiodactyla are the even-toed ungulates, one of the most diverse groups of living mammals, including many game and domestic animals, such as sheep and camels. There are over 200 species living worldwide, and many more extinct forms. Keywords: even-toed ungulates; hoofed mammals; ruminants
Compound Nucleus Effects in Deuteron Reactions: B 10 (d, p)B 11 and B 10 (d, α)Be 8

Angular distributions and excitation curves have been measured in the energy range ${E}_{d}=0.9 \mathrm{to} 3.0$ Mev for the four highest energy proton groups from the ${\mathrm{B}}^{10}(d, p){\mathrm{B}}^{11}$ reaction and for the ground state $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle group from the ${\mathrm{B}}^{10}(d, \ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{Be}}^{8}$ reaction. Several broad resonances were observed in the excitation curves, but the shapes of the curves obtained for the various particle groups differ considerably. Resonance effects are most pronounced for the ground state proton group, whereas the group leading to the third excited state of ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}$ shows no resonance behavior. The ($d, p$) angular distributions suggest that compound nucleus formation plays an important role at these low bombarding energies. In particular, the stripping peak in the angular distribution of the ground state proton group (${p}_{0}$) does not begin to take shape until ${E}_{d}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}2$ Mev, while the ${p}_{1}$ distributions do not indicate a stripping peak at any energy. It is suggested that a shell-model effect is responsible for the lack of stripping in the case of the ${p}_{1}$ group. At ${E}_{d}=2.0$ Mev, the ${p}_{2}$ angular distribution is almost symmetric about $\ensuremath{\theta}(\mathrm{cm})=90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ while the ${p}_{3}$ distribution shows a fairly well developed ${l}_{n}=1$ stripping peak. The $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle excitation curves indicate that forward-backward asymmetries in the the angular distributions are averaged out when the energy interval ${E}_{d}=1 \mathrm{to} 2.5$ Mev is considered, in accordance with the statistical model prediction.
Sexual orientation disparities in smoking vary by sex and household smoking among US adults: Findings from the 2003-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

Abstract Objective This study examined whether sexual orientation-related smoking disparities in males and females varied by household smoking behaviors in a nationally representative sample of American adults. Methods Data were drawn from the 2003–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, which assessed 14,972 individuals ages 20 to 59 years for sexual orientation, current smoking status, and household smoking. Weighted multivariable logistic models were fit to examine whether differences in current smoking status among sexual minority adults compared to heterosexuals was moderated by household smoking and sex, adjusting for covariates. Results The main effects of identifying as a sexual minority, being male, and living with a household smoker were all associated with a significantly higher odds of being a current smoker. However, there also was a significant three-way interaction among these variables (adjusted odds ratio = 3.75, 95% confidence interval: 1.33, 10.54). Follow-up analyses by sex indicated that the interaction between sexual identity and household smoking was significant for both males (AOR = 6.40, 95% confidence interval: 1.27, 32.28) and females (AOR = 0.43, 95% confidence interval: 0.23, 0.81) but was in the opposite direction. Among males, living with a smoker was associated more strongly with greater odds of smoking among gay and bisexual males, compared to heterosexual males. In contrast, among females, living with a smoker was more strongly associated with greater odds of smoking for heterosexuals compared to lesbians and bisexuals. Conclusions Future research is warranted to examine characteristics of households, including smoking behaviors and composition, to guide more effective and tailored smoking cessation interventions for males and females by sexual orientation.
Google, YouTube, Copyright, and Privacy

It was not that long ago that Napster emerged as an incredibly popular mechanism for accessing and exchanging music for free. That popularity also contributed to its eventual destruction as it rapidly became a mechanism for the exchange of copyrighted music. Napster’s replacements, Grokster, KaZaa, LimeWire, et al., allowed the exchange of not only copyrighted music, but other copyrighted content including videos and movies. These services and their users have also been extensively sued for their role in facilitating the exchange of copyrighted content.Rising in the wake of Napster and Grokster are the newest generation of video exchange platforms, primarily YouTube and similar services run by Yahoo, AOL, and others. Late last year Google purchased YouTube for over $1.6 billion dollars. Given Google’s existing copyright challenges with is Google Book Search program, many commentators wondered if Google wasn’t buying itself a whole new copyright headache.
Studies of the interactions between calcium-binding proteins and phosphofructokinase using fluorescent probes

Phosphofructokinase (PFK) is a calmodulin (CaM) binding protein (Mayr, G.W. and Heilmeyer , L.M.G., Jr (1983) FEBS Lett. 195, 51)..We found that troponin C (TnC), which is homologous to CaM, also binds PFK. PFK titration of AEDANS-TnC showed that their apparent dissociation constant is comparable to that of PFK-CaM. Fluorescent labels were used to probe contact regions on TnC and CaM. It is likely that the C-terminal end of the connecting strand of the TnC molecule is close to PFK in the binary complex. Hydrophobic regions of TnC and CaM also possibly play roles in the binding and in the polymerization of PFK.
The regioselective and stereospecific substitution of unsymmetrical 1,2-diols using the 1,3,2λ5-dioxaphospholane methodology.

Abstract Stercospecific tosylate (−OTs) or azide (N3−) substitution at the C-4 stereocenter of a monosubstituted 1,3,2λ5-dioxaphospholane (the equivalent of the C-2 stereocenter in an unsymmetrical 1,2-diol) is readily achieved by treatment with either p -toluenesulfonic acid ( p -TsOH) in tetrahydrofuran solvent or p -TsOH/sodium azide in acetonitrile solvent, respectively.
Luminance-onset, pattern-onset and pattern-reversal evoked potentials in human albinos demonstrating visual system anomalies.

Most fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds have laterally placed eyes and primarily panoramic vision. These vertebrates usually have complete crossing of optic fibres at the chiasm, i.e., optic ganglion fibres originating from each eye terminate in visual centres of the contralateral hemisphere. One of the features of the mammalian visual system is the appearance of an uncrossed optic projection terminating in visual centres of the ipsilateral hemisphere. As the eyes shift to a more frontal position on the head the number of ganglion fibres originating in temporal retinae increases. Concomitantly, stereoscopic vision and binocular overlap of visual fields increase. The number of optic fibres that do not cross at the chiasm varies: approximately l-5 percent in guinea pigs and mice, 5-10 percent in rats, 20 percent in dogs and horses, 30-40 percent in domestic cats, 4030 percent in primates (Giolli. and Creel, 1973; Hayhow et al, 1960; Polyak, 1957).
Determination of hydroperoxide concentrations in cross-linked polymer coatings containing hindered amine light stabilizers

A procedure for measuring hydroperoxide concentrations in unstabilized, cross-linked polymer coatings as a function of weathering time has been extended for use on coatings containing hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS). The modification involves electron spin resonance spectroscopic measurements of the nitroxide concentration in HALS stabilized coatings. Hydroperoxide concentrations are determined by correcting iodometric titration values for the contribution from nitroxide reduction by I−. The correction is usually small. This procedure has been used to compare hydroperoxide concentrations formed during weathering of unstabilized and HALS stabilized acrylic melamine and urethane cross-linked coatings. The reduction in hydroperoxide level with the addition of HALS is consistent with longer-term infrared spectroscopic measurements of carbonyl growth in these coatings. The results strongly suggest that measurements of hydroperoxides formed during controlled ‘outdoor-like’ exposures can be used for the rapid evaluation of stabilized coating weatherability and the selection of effective HALS additives.
987-104 Flexible Annuloplasty Support Preserves Physiological Annular Movement and Non-planar Shape: A 3-Dimenslonal Intraoperative Echocardiographlc Study

Mitral annular motion and nonplanar shape has been shown to be important to normal valve dynamics and left ventricular systolic function. We evaluated the effect of a new flexible annuloplasty ring on the morphology and motion of the mitral annulus in patients undergoing mitral repair. Methods The mitral valve was imaged over one complete cardiac cycle at ≈10° rotations using a multiplane transesophageal probe in 4 patients intraoperatively after mitral repair. Two had data pre and post repair for a total of 6 reconstructions. The data were digitized off-line and annular insertion points and ring location (post-op) were identified for each frame of data over the cardiac cycle (≈ 1000 points per reconstruction). The data were reconstructed in 3-D, and a least-square plane was fit. The following measures were obtained: A) annular area as projected onto the least-squares plane B) Atrio-ventricular motion of the annulus C) non-planarity of the annulus (mean-square- deviation from the least-squares fit plane). Results All the patients maintained the non-planarity with a maximal deviation from the plane of 8.6 mm. The mean atrio-ventricular motion was 2.6 mm and the % change in area during the cardiac cycle was 14.7%. For the 2 patients with pre and post repair data, there was a reduction in total area of 59%, an increase of 18% in non-planarity and a reduction of maximal excursion of 47%. Conclusion This preliminary study shows that annuloplasty repair with a flexible ring preserves annular motion and nonplanarity while allowing significant reduction in annular area. Download : Download high-res image (40KB) Download : Download full-size image
1 Å crystal structures of B-DNA reveal sequence-specific binding and groove-specific bending of DNA by magnesium and calcium

The 1 A resolution X-ray crystal structures of Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) salts of the B-DNA decamers CCAACGTTGG and CCAGCGCTGG reveal sequence-specific binding of Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) to the major and minor grooves of DNA, as well as non-specific binding to backbone phosphate oxygen atoms. Minor groove binding involves H-bond interactions between cross-strand DNA base atoms of adjacent base-pairs and the cations' water ligands. In the major groove the cations' water ligands can interact through H-bonds with O and N atoms from either one base or adjacent bases, and in addition the softer Ca(2+) can form polar covalent bonds bridging adjacent N7 and O6 atoms at GG bases. For reasons outlined earlier, localized monovalent cations are neither expected nor found.Ultra-high atomic resolution gives an unprecedented view of hydration in both grooves of DNA, permits an analysis of individual anisotropic displacement parameters, and reveals up to 22 divalent cations per DNA duplex. Each DNA helix is quite anisotropic, and alternate conformations, with motion in the direction of opening and closing the minor groove, are observed for the sugar-phosphate backbone. Taking into consideration the variability of experimental parameters and crystal packing environments among these four helices, and 24 other Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) bound B-DNA structures, we conclude that sequence-specific and strand-specific binding of Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) to the major groove causes DNA bending by base-roll compression towards the major groove, while sequence-specific binding of Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) in the minor groove has a negligible effect on helix curvature. The minor groove opens and closes to accommodate Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) without the necessity for significant bending of the overall helix. The program Shelxdna was written to facilitate refinement and analysis of X-ray crystal structures by Shelxl-97 and to plot and analyze one or more Curves and Freehelix output files.
A hybrid computer interface for microprocessors

I/O Interfaces for Microprocessor Systems, designed for use in analog data environments, should be made as powerful as reasonably possible to compensate for the "no-frills" micro-processor. The Hybrid Computer Interface (HCI) is a multi-function module composed of standard off-the-shelf components that augments the micro-processor's capabilities by performing not only the standard AD & DA conversions but also all four arithmetic, and compare operations. Its central element is a programmable hybrid arithmetic unit (HAU) which performs these operations directly on both analog and digital operands. The HCI derives its program from the micro-processor memory and operates either as a pre-processing peripheral or as a self-sufficient processor independent of the micro-processor.
Gallium nitride whiskers formed by selective photoenhanced wet etching of dislocations

Gallium nitride is used to fabricate high brightness blue and green light-emitting diodes in spite of high densities of extended structural defects. We describe a photoelectrochemical etching process that reveals the dislocation microstructure of n-type GaN films by selectively removing material between dislocations. The GaN whiskers formed by the etching have diameters between 10 and 50 nm and lengths of up to 1 μm. A correlation between the etched features and threading dislocations in the unetched film is confirmed through transmission electron microscopy studies. The whisker formation is believed to be indicative of electrical activity at dislocations in GaN.
Circuit-level requirements for MOSFET-replacement devices

Power consumption has grown to be the dominant challenge for continued CMOS scaling. This issue can be traced directly to the fact that the thermal voltage kBT/q does not scale, limiting the extent to which the MOSFET threshold voltage and hence the supply voltage (f/dd) can be scaled. To circumvent this limit, alternative switching device designs [1,2] which can achieve <60 mV/dec subthreshold swing (S) have been proposed and demonstrated. In this paper, we apply circuit-level metrics to establish guidelines for assessing the promise of alternative switching devices for replacing the MOSFET.
Solution of the Chapman-Ferraro problem with an arbitrary magnetopause

We present a global model of the magnetic field of the magnetosphere that includes the effects of the Chapman-Ferraro currents at the magnetopause. In contrast to ealier models, the magnetopause shape is arbitrary, thus allowing the use of more realistic geometries. The internal magnetospheric field model of Hilmer and Voigt (1993), is completely shielded within the magnetopause by solving the Laplace equation with Neumann boundary conditions using a finite difference method on a non-orthogonal, curvilinear grid. The resulting model magnetosphere is perfectly closed although the method can also be applied with more general boundary conditions, to generate a set of open models based on the approach of Toffoletto and Hill (1989, 1993). The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the feasibility of a purely numerical approach to solving the Chapman-Ferraro problem with arbitrary magnetopause shape and boundary conditions.
Biochemical separations by continuous-bed chromatography

Innovations in column-packing media for biomolecule purification have progressed from large spherical, porous polysaccharide beads to advanced polymeric supports. Continuous-bed technology is a radical new technology for chromatography based on the polymerization of advanced monomers and ionomers directly in the chromatographic column. The polymer chains form aggregates which coalesce into a dense, homogeneous network of interconnected nodules consisting of microparticles with an average diameter of 3000 A. The voids or channels between the nodules are large enough to permit a high hydrodynamic flow. Due to the high cross-linking of the polymer matrix, the surface of each nodule is nonporous yet the polymeric microparticles provide a very large surface area for high binding capacity. This paper will demonstrate the properties and advantages of using a continuous bed support for high resolution biomolecule separations at high flow-rates without sacrificing capacity.
Heterogeneity of saturable estradiol binding sites in nuclei of human endometrium. Estetrol studies.

Abstract Competition of [ 3 H]-estradiol (E 2 ), estetrol (E 4 ) and ethynyl estradiol (EE) for binding to estrogen receptors in human endometrial cytosol was studied at various competitor/estradiol (C/E 2 ) ratios. The fraction of E 2 that remains bound to the receptor in the presence of competitor (F) was measured at different concentrations of the competitor. Straight lines were obtained by plotting (1−F)/F vs C/E 2 , a result that would be expected if E 2 , E 4 and EE compete for the same set of binding sites in endometrial cytosol. The relative values of association constants of E 2 , EE and E 4 , estimated from the slopes of the regression lines, were 100:70:1.5. Scatchard analysis of binding of each of these labeled compounds yielded values for relative association constants which were in agreement with those from competition studies. Similar concentrations of specific binding sites were obtained using labeled E 2 , E 4 , and EE. These results indicate that previously published data on competition of E 4 and E 2 for nuclear binding in human endometrium, interpreted to reveal heterogeneity in estrogen binding sites in the nucleus, are not due to heterogeneity in cytosolic E 2 receptors.
BALANCING CRITERIA AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO CURRENT AMERICAN PRACTICE.

Abstract : The results of a survey on acceptable residual specific unbalance are discussed in the context of existing balancing criteria. The study includes a statistical analysis of the data received. The results are divided in two subclasses of information according to rotor-use and rotor-weight for the purpose of grouping quantitative data for similar rotors. (Author)
Tomographic image compression using multidimensional transforms

Abstract Since image compression in general and transform coding in particular have been studied most intensively by researchers outside the medical field, many of the resulting techniques are non-optimal when the constraints and characteristics associated with medical applications are applied. Tomographie images obtained using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging are particularly suitable for development of application-specific compression algorithms because their high dimensionality can be exploited in the algorithm design. While a PET or MR study can be considered as a collection of 2D images and compressed accordingly, a better approach is to apply transform compression using all available dimensions. This takes maximum advantage of redundancy of the data, allowing significant increases in the compression efficiency and performance. The standard practice of modeling images using separable covariance functions is shown to be increasingly unsuitable as the number of dimensions increases. A numerical solution based on an isotropic covariance matrix gives much better results, particularly at low bit rates.
Pacing for ventricular tachycardia.

Pacing has been used for more than two decades in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia (VT) (1). There has been a steady evolution in the indications and applications of pacing in the therapy of VT. Within the medical community, the enthusiasm for VT pacing has waxed and waned, and implanted pacemakers for VT therapy continue to be used in a small minority of patients referred to specialized centers for treatment of these arrhythmias. Improved diagnostic and therapeutic abilities of implantable devices may greatly increase the number of patients suitable for therapy, but regulatory issues remain to be resolved.
Association between expression of glutathione-associated enzymes and response to platinum-based chemotherapy in head and neck cancer

We examined the correlation between response to platinum-based chemotherapy and expression of glutathione S-transferase (GST), γ-GGT (both by immunohistochemistry) and γ-GCS (by in situ hybridization) in 51 patients with head and neck cancer, who received a total of 56 courses of chemotherapy. The overall response rate for the 56 chemotherapy treatment courses was 48%. The overall response rate (CR, PR) for patients with low GST scores was 88% (21 of 24), while among the patients with high GST scores, the overall response rate was 19% (6 of 32, P=0.001). Patients with a low GST score were 4.7 times more likely to respond to chemotherapy than patients with high GST scores. GST scores corresponded to response in 84% of cases. Among 33 patients treated with chemotherapy for relapsed disease, the overall response rate for patients with low GST score was 70% (7 of 10), while among the patients with high GST scores, the overall response rate was 8.7% (2 of 23, P<0.001). In contrast, both γ-GCS and γ-GGT showed a range of expression in these samples, but there was no significant correlation with treatment response. We conclude that GST expression correlates well with response to platinum based chemotherapy in head and neck cancer.
Using spatial and temporal contrast for fluent robot-human hand-overs

For robots to get integrated in daily tasks assisting humans, robot-human interactions will need to reach a level of fluency close to that of human-human interactions. In this paper we address the fluency of robot-human hand-overs. From an observational study with our robot HERB, we identify the key problems with a baseline hand-over action. We find that the failure to convey the intention of handing over causes delays in the transfer, while the lack of an intuitive signal to indicate timing of the hand-over causes early, unsuccessful attempts to take the object. We propose to address these problems with the use of spatial contrast, in the form of distinct hand-over poses, and temporal contrast, in the form of unambiguous transitions to the hand-over pose. We conduct a survey to identify distinct hand-over poses, and determine variables of the pose that have most communicative potential for the intent of handing over. We present an experiment that analyzes the effect of the two types of contrast on the fluency of hand-overs. We find that temporal contrast is particularly useful in improving fluency by eliminating early attempts of the human.
Differentiability of the cost functions is equivalent to strict quasiconcavity of the production functions

Abstract The assumption that cost functions are differentiable with respect to input prices is equivalent to the assumption that production functions are strictly quasiconcave.
Melatonin for treatment of REM sleep behavior disorder in neurologic disorders: results in 14 patients.

Abstract Objective : To describe the treatment response with melatonin for rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) associated with other neurologic disorders. Background : Clonazepam has been considered the treatment of choice for RBD. However, an alternative treatment is desirable for those with RBD refractory to clonazepam, for those who experience intolerable side-effects with clonazepam, and for those in whom clonazepam precipitates or aggravates obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). To date, there is minimal published data and limited follow-up regarding the use of melatonin for patients with RBD associated with other neurologic syndromes and disorders. Design/methods : The response to melatonin treatment for RBD was reviewed on consecutive patients the investigators treated with this agent at Mayo Clinic Rochester from January 2000 to June 2001. The coexisting neurologic disorders, reasons for using melatonin, effective doses, side-effects, and duration of follow-up were also reviewed on all patients. Results : Fourteen patients were commenced on melatonin over the specified time period (13 male, median RBD onset age 56 years, range 20–77 years). The coexisting neurologic findings/disorders were dementia with Lewy bodies ( n =7), mild cognitive impairment with mild parkinsonism ( n =2), multiple system atrophy ( n =2), narcolepsy ( n =2), and Parkinson's disease ( n =1). The reasons for using melatonin in these cases were incomplete response of RBD to clonazepam in six patients, existing cognitive impairment in five, intolerable side-effects with clonazepam in two, and presence of severe obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy in one. With seven patients continuing to use clonazepam at 0.5–1.0 mg/night, RBD was controlled in six patients, significantly improved in four, and initially improved but subsequently returned in two; no improvement occurred in one patient and increased RBD frequency/severity occurred in one patient. The effective melatonin doses were 3 mg in two cases, 6 mg in seven cases, 9 mg in one case, and 12 mg in two cases. Five patients reported side-effects, which included morning headaches (2), morning sleepiness (2), and delusions/hallucinations (1); these symptoms resolved with decreased dosage. The mean duration of follow-up was 14 months (range 9–25 months), with eight patients experiencing continued benefit with melatonin beyond 12 months of therapy. Conclusions : In this series, persistent benefit with melatonin beyond 1 year of therapy occurred in most but not all patients. Melatonin can be considered as a possible sole or add-on therapy in select patients with RBD. Prospective, long-term, controlled trials with melatonin are warranted in a larger number of patients with RBD associated with a variety of neurologic symptoms and disorders.
Forensic acquisition and analysis of palm webOS on mobile devices

The emergence of webOS on Palm devices has created new challenges and opportunities for digital investigators. With the purchase of Palm by Hewlett Packard, there are plans to use webOS on an increasing number and variety of computer systems. These devices can store substantial amounts of information relevant to an investigation, including digital photographs, videos, call logs, SMS/MMS messages, e-mail, remnants of Web browsing and much more. Although some files can be obtained from such devices with relative ease, the majority of information of forensic interest is stored in databases on a system partition that many mobile forensic tools do not acquire. This paper provides a methodology for acquiring and examining forensic duplicates of user and system partitions from a device running webOS. The primary sources of digital evidence on these devices are covered with illustrative examples. In addition, the recovery of deleted items from various areas on webOS devices is discussed.
Generation of 1.6 ns ruby laser pulses by passive Q-switching

Abstract We describe the generation of high-power (#62;10MW) 1.6-ns single-longitudinal mode TEM 00 ruby laser pulses by passive Q-switching; these are believed to be the shortest ruby laser pulses yet produced by this method. The pulses were generated by Q-switching a lossy, short-cavity laer with a saturable absorber whose recovery time was shorter than the cavity round-trip time. We attribute the short pulsewidth to a clipping of the tail of the pulse due to recovery, during the pulse , of the saturable absorber.
Radiation grafting of acrylic and methacrylic acid to cellulose fibers to impart high water sorbency

Acrylic and methacrylic acids have been directly grafted to rayon and cotton using the preirradiation technique with /sup 60/ Co gamma rays. The rate of grafting increased with increasing temperature and monomer concentration, as did the final degree of grafting. The amount and rate of grafting also increased with the total irradiation dose but tended to level off at higher doses, in agreement with the leveling off of the radical content reported previously. Methacrylic acid grafted more and faster than acrylic acid to both rayon and cotton. Methacrylic acid grafted more with rayon than cotton, but acrylic acid gave somewhat similar yields with both fibers. The water abosrbency of the grafted fibers depended strongly on their posttreatment. Decrystallizing with 70% zinc chloride or with hot sodium hydroxidy developed supersorbency. The two treatments in succession, respectively, gave the highest values. Metacrylic acid brought about less sorbency than the corrsponding acrylic acid grafts. Useful levels of grafting and supersorbency could be readily and practically achieved by the methods described.
Chronic Inhibition of Prostanoid Generation Produces an Increased Role of Nitric Oxide in the Newborn. 218

Hypercapnia-induced cerebral vasodilation is a prostanoid associated response in the piglet, but a nitric oxide (NO) associated response in many adult models. While NO does not appear to play a major role in the maintenance of cerebral vascular tone in the newborn (NB), hypercapnia-induced cerebral vasodilation is both NO and prostanoid associated in the juvenile pig. We hypothesized that chronic inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) in the piglet would increase the role of the NO system in cerebrovascular responses. The closed cranial window technique was used in piglets anesthetized withα-chloralose to determine pial arteriolar response. Chronic indomethacin(75mg SR po BID) treated NB animals dilated in response to CO2 similarly to control NB animals (40.8±36% vs 46.0±4.6%). Topical LNA (10-3M) attenuates CO2 induced dilation in chronic indomethacin treated animals (14.3±4.4% vs 40.8±3.6%; p<0.001). Neither indomethacin nor LNA altered response to isoproterenol. We conclude that with chronic COX inhibition, there develops a significant hypercapnia-induced cerebral vasodilation in which NO has an important role. The chronic inhibition of the NB's principal dilator system accelerates the role of the constitutive NO system in NB cerebral hemodynamics.
Computer-aided architecting of disaggregated space systems

This paper examines metaheuristic cost effectiveness optimization across collections of disaggregated space systems. Within the systems engineering community, there has been a realization that organizations optimize individual systems performance and manage system-specific cost, schedule and risks, with comparatively little regard to the holistic System-of-Systems (SOS) context. Optimization of individual satellite and homogeneous constellation design parameters have been well documented in literature. We expand extant techniques to the larger SoS context, with the potential to realize efficiencies by synthesizing and evaluating a larger design space. Using genetic algorithms, the method models a disaggregate space system as a combinatorial optimization problem. The combination of potential large satellites and small satellites are evaluated for cost effectiveness. Cost coefficients are derived from a variety of cost models, and overall effectiveness of a design alternative is provided through integrated simulation and optimization routines. We apply the proposed method to determine the optimal mix of space-based systems in an example remote sensing earth observation scenario.
Learned Appetites for Calcium, Phosphorus, and Sodium in Sheep

If supplemental minerals are needed to promote optimal animal performance, what is the best way of providing them: free choice or in the diet? We hypothesized that herbivores discriminate among feeds containing Na, P, and Ca and modify their choices as a function of need. One group of lambs was fed a basal diet low in P and high in Ca (low P-high Ca), whereas another group was fed a basal diet high in P and low in Ca (high P-low Ca). After 73 d of exposure to the unbalanced diets, the lambs were conditioned by offering flavored grape pomace containing NaCl, CaCO(3), or NaH(2)PO(4). Preference for pomace + minerals was determined when all lambs were fed a basal diet of alfalfa pellets and barley grain (initial preference) and during 4 phases. Phases 1 and 2 occurred after 40 and 67 d of feeding the unbalanced basal diets, phase 3 occurred after conditioning with NaCl, CaCO(3), or NaH(2)PO(4), and phase 4 occurred 22 d after the groups were moved to 2 new (separate) locations so the animals in the different groups could not eat dirt, urine, or feces from the other pen. Preference for pomace did not differ between the groups during the initial preference tests (P = 0.62); both groups preferred NaCl > CaCO(3) = NaH(2)PO(4) (P CaCO(3) (P NaCl = CaCO(3) (P < 0.001). In contrast, lambs in high P-low Ca avoided NaH(2)PO(4) (P < 0.05). Lambs offered high P-low Ca showed a greater preference for CaCO(3) (P = 0.12) and NaCl (P < 0.05) and a lower preference for NaH(2)PO(4) compared with lambs fed low P-high Ca (P < 0.001). In summary, lambs discriminated among different flavored feeds containing NaCl, CaCO(3), and NaH(2)PO(4) and displayed preferences as a function of the mineral imbalance in their basal diets. Thus, it may be possible to feed Ca and P supplements free choice, such that individual animals within a group can manifest preferences based on their specific needs.
Review—Computational Methods for Internal Flows With Emphasis on Turbomachinery

Current computational methods for analyzing flows in turbomachinery and other related internal propulsion components are presented. The methods are divided into two classes. The inviscid methods deal specifically with turbomachinery applications. Viscous methods, deal with generalized duct flows as well as flows in turbomachinery passages. Inviscid methods are categorized into the potential, stream function, and Euler approaches. Viscous methods are treated in terms of parabolic, partially parabolic, and elliptic procedures. Various grids used in association with these procedures are also discussed.
Conserved Amino Acid Sequence Features in the α Subunits of MoFe, VFe, and FeFe Nitrogenases

Author(s): Glazer, Alexander N; Kechris, Katerina J | Abstract: This study examines the structural features and phylogeny of the α subunits of 69 full-length NifD (MoFe subunit), VnfD (VFe subunit), and AnfD (FeFe subunit) sequences. Methodology/Principal Findings: The analyses of this set of sequences included BLAST scores, multiple sequence alignment, examination of patterns of covariant residues, phylogenetic analysis and comparison of the sequences flanking the conserved Cys and His residues that attach the FeMo cofactor to NifD and that are also conserved in the alternative nitrogenases. The results show that NifD nitrogenases fall into two distinct groups. Group I includes NifD sequences from many genera within Bacteria, including all nitrogen-fixing aerobes examined, as well as strict anaerobes and some facultative anaerobes, but no archaeal sequences. In contrast, Group II NifD sequences were limited to a small number of archaeal and bacterial sequences from strict anaerobes. The VnfD and AnfD sequences fall into two separate groups, more closely related to Group II NifD than to Group I NifD. The pattern of perfectly conserved residues, distributed along the full length of the Group I and II NifD, VnfD, and AnfD, confirms unambiguously that these polypeptides are derived from a common ancestral sequence.Conclusions/Significance:There is no indication of a relationship between the patterns of covariant residues specific to each of the four groups discussed above that would give indications of an evolutionary pathway leading from one type of nitrogenase to another. Rather the totality of the data, along with the phylogenetic analysis, is consistent with a radiation of Group I and II NifDs, VnfD and AnfD from a common ancestral sequence. All the data presented here strongly support the suggestion made by some earlier investigators that the nitrogenase family had already evolved in the last common ancestor of the Archaea and Bacteria.
Effects of aerosolized endotoxin in feedyard dust on weanling goats

Abstract Weanling female Spanish goats ( n =36) were randomly allotted to four treatment groups (each group, n =9): principal dust group with antibiotic; principal dust group without antibiotic; control group with antibiotic; and control group without antibiotic. The principals were exposed to twenty-two 4 h dust treatments in a closed tent. Dust treatments occurred as follows: one dust treatment, 18-day rest, seven daily dust treatments, 7-day rest, seven daily dust treatments, 7-day rest, and seven daily dust treatments. All principals and six controls were euthanatized and necropsied at the end of the experiment. There was an interaction between dust and tilmicosin antibiotic for feed intake and average daily gain following the first dust treatment. The interaction occurred because control goats not exposed to dust nor receiving tilmicosin protection had lower ( P P P ≤0.0003). Four hours ( P ≤0.0016) after dust treatment, the mean rectal temperature of the two principal groups was higher than the controls. On the first 7-day dust treatment series there was a significant ( P ≤0.0006) difference between the groups. The mean rectal temperatures of the two principal groups at 8 h on day 1 were significantly ( P ≤0.02) higher than the control groups. On the second 7-day dust treatments, there were no significant differences in mean rectal temperature between the groups. On the third 7-day treatment series there were significant ( P ≤0.0001) differences among the four groups. On the first day of the dust treatment series, at 8 h, the trend of the principal groups’ mean rectal temperature was higher than the controls. It appears that repeated endotoxin/dust exposures induces a state of tolerance for increased rectal temperatures that are characteristic after one dust exposure. There were no gross observable differences between the controls and principal respiratory tracts. The following histologic changes were observed in the principal goats: a mild alveolar septal hypercellularity, moderate multifocal airway exudation of neutrophils and macrophages containing foreign particulate material, and there was a marked increase in bronchial associated lymphoid tissue compared to controls. The diagnosis was mild acute exudative bronchointerstital pneumonia. No significant microscopic lesions were observed in the control goats.
Respect des obligations relatives aux droits de la personne et role de la surveillance externe

Partout dans le monde, les autorites correctionnelles sont de plus en plus pressees par les legislateurs et la societe d’adopter des systemes carceraux plus austeres (sans superflu), d’imposer de nouvelles restrictions aux detenus et de renforcer les exigences en matiere de securite. Meme dans les pays europeens, traditionnellement plus liberaux et ouverts, on a pris, ces dernieres annees, des mesures plus spartiates et, dans certains cas, on a accru la repression dans le systeme carceral pour repondre a la tendance courante qui veut qu’on mette l’accent sur l’ordre public. La guerre contre le terrorisme a aussi donne une legitimite a certains pays pour reprimer leur population carcerale – ce ne sont pas seulement les terroristes presumes et condamnes qui ont ete touches, mais dans certains cas, l’ensemble de la population carcerale. Dans un tel contexte social, il est maintenant encore plus difficile pour les responsables de l’administration penitentiaire de faire en sorte que la detention des etres humains respecte les normes juridiques. Garantir les droits de la personne pour les detenus continuera d’etre un defi important pour de nombreux pays, meme pour les democraties avancees comme le Canada.
Segregation of Mg to the (0001) Surface of Doped Sapphire

Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) were used to study the segregation of Mg to the surface of a sapphire crystal doped with 40 ppm of Mg. In situ vacuum annealing and AES measurements at 900° to =1800°C failed to reveal Mg segregation on the (0001) plane above the detectability limit of the cylindrical mirror analyzer. However, when identical crystals were placed together to simulate a “closed system” and annealed in air, surface segregation of Me was detected above 1200°C. The variation of the equilibrium surface concentration of Mg with temperature in the range 1300° to =1500°C, gave an effective Langmuir heat Of segregation of Mg of =–146 kJ/mol. Evidence for the formation of a two-dimensional ordered structure on the sapphire surface was also obtained through LEED studies. The implications of these segregation results for our understanding of the sintering behavior of magnesia-doped alumina are discussed.
Novel Hydrogel and Conducting Polymer-based Skin Surface Electrode Design

Various formulations of polymeric hydrogels were synthesized and evaluated with the goal of developing a novel skin-surface biopotential electrode. Materials explored within the study included poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (polyHEMA) in pure form or impregnated with the conducting polymers polypyrrole or poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), as well as polyacrylate. The drying dynamics, ionic conductivity, and impedance of the prototype materials were characterized when applied to porcine and human skin, in order to determine their utility for a minimum preparation and low specific impedance surface electrode. The addition of a fraction of PEDOT or polypyrrole within a polyHEMA gel was found to decrease hydrogel impedance when tested within PBS, as well as on non-abraded porcine skin. A polyacrylate component added to polyHEMA had no significant effect on hydrogel impedance in PBS, but significantly reduced impedance on the porcine skin surface. Although having much lower specific impedance (impedance normalized by the contact area) than the commercial skin surface electrode (3M Red Dot), polyHEMA based electrodes require skin abrasion. Pure cross-linked polyacrylate gel was found to provide the most attractive option, and yielded competitive low-impedance performance on non-abraded human skin.
'Postconditioning' the human heart: multiple balloon inflations during primary angioplasty may confer cardioprotection.

Growing evidence from experimental models suggests that relief of myocardial ischemia in a stuttering manner (i.e., ’postconditioning’ [PostC] with brief cycles of reperfusion-reocclusion) limits infarct size. However, the potential clinical efficacy of PostC has, to date,been largely unexplored. Using a retrospective study design, our aim was to test the hypothesis that creatine kinase release (CK: clinical surrogate of infarct size) would be attenuated in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients requiring multiple balloon inflations-deflations during primary angioplasty versus STEMI patients who received minimal balloon inflations and/or direct stenting. To investigate this concept, we reviewed the records of all STEMI patients with single vessel occlusion who presented to our institution from November 2004 – April 2006 for primary angioplasty. Exclusion criteria were: previous MI, cardiogenic shock, patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest, or pre-infarct angina. Patients were prospectively divided into two subsets: those receiving 1–3 balloon inflations (considered the minimum range to achieve patency and stent placement) versus those in whom 4 or more inflations were applied. Peak CK release was significantly lower in patients requiring ≥4 versus 1–3 inflations (1655 versus 2272 IU/L; p<0.05), an outcome consistent with the concept that relief of sustained ischemia in a stuttered manner (analogous to postconditioning) may evoke cardioprotection in the clinical setting.