cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gadolinium-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance scanning in cerebellopontine angle tumors.

We recently studied six patients with a new MR (magnetic resonance) image-enhancing contrast, gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA). All patients were suspected of having CPA pathology, and the standard MR scan was either negative, equivocal, or left unanswered questions regarding confirmed lesions. The Gd-DTAPA-enhanced MR scan confirmed tumors or added useful information in five of six patients
WISCS 2014: The First ACM Workshop on Information Sharing & Collaborative Security

Sharing of security related information is believed to greatly enhance the ability of organizations to defend themselves against sophisticated attacks. If one organization detects a breach the automated sharing of observed security indicators (such as IP addresses, domain names etc.) provide valuable, actionable information to others. Through analyzing shared data it seems possible to get much better insights into emerging attacks. Sharing higher level intelligence about campaigns, threat actors and mitigations is also of great interest. Both in the US and the EU there are major efforts underway to strengthen information sharing. Yet there are a number of technical and policy challenges to realizing this vision. The First ACM Workshop on Information Sharing and Collaborative Security (WISCS 2014) aims to bring together experts and practitioners from academia, industry and government to present innovative research, case studies, and legal and policy issues. WISCS 2014 is held in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA on Nov. 3, 2014 in conjunction with 21st ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security (CCS 2014).
Can the Lennard—Jones 6-12 function replace the 10-12 form in molecular mechanics calculations?

A protocol to replace «10-12» hydrogen bonding function with the «6-12» form to reproduce hydrogen bond distances, energies, and geometries in molecular mechanics calculations is described. The 6-12 function was least-squares fit to the normally employed 10-12 form of the function for the hydrogen bond types of the Weiner et al. force field by iterating over the A and B coefficients. A weighting function was used to fit the curves in the most critical areas. The 6-12 hydrogen bond model was compared with the Weiner et al. force field, OPLS/AMBER fore field, and quantum mechanical calculations on two simple systems, the water dimer and the chloride-water interaction
Bronchiolar narrowing and occlusion in sarcoidosis--correlation of pathology with physiology.

We report the clinical, physiological and pathological findings in a man with intrathoracic sarcoidosis who died suddenly of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
A comparison of the antimicrobial activity of garlic, ginger, carrot, and turmeric pastes against Escherichia coli O157:H7 in laboratory buffer and ground beef

The antimicrobial effects of garlic, ginger, carrot and turmeric pastes against Escherichia coli O157:H7 in laboratory buffer and model food system were investigated. Turmeric paste, fresh carrot, ginger and garlic pastes from roots, and commercial ginger and garlic paste were heated alone or with buffered peptone water (BPW) or ground beef at 70 degrees C for 7 min. All samples were inoculated with a three strain cocktail of overnight cultures of E. coli O157: H7 and stored at 4 degrees C and 8 degrees C for 2 weeks. Each paste exhibited different antimicrobial effects alone and in ground beef or BPW at 4 degrees C and 8 degrees C for 2 weeks. Commercial ginger paste and fresh garlic paste showed the strongest antimicrobial activity with complete inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 in the paste at 3 days at 4 degrees C and 8 degrees C. Carrot and turmeric pastes did not show any antimicrobial activity both at 4 degrees C and 8 degrees C. Commercial garlic showed antimicrobial activity at both 4 degrees C and 8 degrees C (about 1 log CFU/g reduction) in the paste. However, fresh ginger paste showed antimicrobial activity only at 8 degrees C. Only commercial ginger paste had antimicrobial activity in BPW at 4 degrees C for 2 weeks. However, commercial ginger paste showed antimicrobial activity in ground beef at 3 days and after (about 1-2 log CFU/g) compared to control samples at 8 degrees C for 2 weeks. Fresh garlic paste showed antimicrobial activity only in BPW (1.3 log CFU/g) at 8 degrees C. These results indicate that the antimicrobial activity of these pastes is decreased in ground beef and laboratory buffer.
ALVEOLAR PaC02 AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF EXOGENOUS CO2 IN PRETERM INFANTS: ACHIEVEMENT OF STEADY STATE

Top of pageAbstract Rapid achievement of steady state of alveolar PaCO2 was noted in a group of infants evaluated for ventilatory response to CO2. Ten infants,BW: 2.10±1.18kg and GA 33±6wks, were tested at a postconceptual age of 39±5wks. Ventilatory response was obtained by a computerized CO2 waveform analyzer that measures breath by breath alveolar CO2 concentration. Steady state was defined as equal values of PaCO2 for a 15 second interval that was usually comprised of 7 to 12 breaths. After administration of 2% CO2 the time to steady state was 39±23 seconds (range 15-75 sec) and after 4% it was 39±15seconds (range 15-60 sec). Time to achieve steady state did not correlate with birthweight, gestational age or postconceptual age. In addition there was no correlation noted between the results obtained in 2% and 4% CO2. Alveolar PaCO2 reaches a stable level quickly during CO2 response testing. Data can be safely collected after a lag time of approximately one minute.
MELAS‐ and kearns‐sayre‐type with myopathy and autoimmune polyendocrinopahy

A 35-year-old woman with features of Kearns-Sayre syndrome consisting of progressive ptosis, ophthalmoparesis, mitochondrial myopathy, and pigmentary retinopathy also had autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 11 (Addison's disease, autoimmune insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and primary ovarian failure). There was no history of similarly affected relatives. Analysis of muscle mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) revealed a 2,532-bp deletion of the type seen in Kearns-Sayre syndrome as well as a heteroplasmic A3243G mutation in the tRNA-Leu(UUR) gene of the type seen in mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and strokelike episodes (MELAS). The patient's blood and her mother's blood harbored the A3243G mutation but not the deletion, and the maternal grandmother's blood had neither mutation. In muscle, the species of mtDNA harboring the deletion was exclusively associated with the species harboring the A3243G mutation, suggesting that the point mutation predisposed to the large-scale deletion. The mtDNA species with both mutations accounted for 88% of total muscle mtDNA. Other and as yet unrecognized point mutations in mtDNA might also be associated with, and possible causally related to, large-scale mtDNA deletions.
Application and adaptation of intensive family preservation services to use for the reunification of foster children with their biological parents

Abstract This report presents a comparison of (a) an application of intensive family preservation services (IFPS) to reunify children in out-of-home care placement with their biological families, with (b) the same service as originally used for preventing the need for such placements. The relative usage of specific services and service goals largely confirmed the essential continuation of the original intervention model, which appeared to be a synthesis of these three major practice approaches: Rogerian relationship-building techniques; behavioral interventions including parent skill-building, behavioral modification, and cognitive treatment; and the provision of concrete services. Some adaptations for reunification were identified, including more selective use of crisis techniques, more work with relationship-building and a longer treatment contracting process, a greater problem-solving focus, and slightly less emphasis on parent skills training. For the provision of concrete services, there was more emphasis on enabling services and transportation with less direct provision of tangible assistance. Adaptations in the use of the service model appear to be consistent with differences in the circumstances of reunification clients and may define critical ingredients for successful application of the IFPS technology to the field of reunification.
We Don't Need The Same Things! Recognizing Differential Expectations of Instructor Communication Behavior for Nontraditional and Traditional Students

(2004). We Don't Need The Same Things! Recognizing Differential Expectations of Instructor Communication Behavior for Nontraditional and Traditional Students. The Journal of Continuing Higher Education: Vol. 52, No. 1, pp. 11-24.
The Legacy of U.S. Educational Leadership: Notes on Distribution and Economic Growth in the 20th Century

The United States led all rich and industrialized countries in the establishment of mass secondary and higher education, and it led all in Europe by at least several decades for much of the 20th century. The U.S. advantage in the schooling of its young produced, by midcentury, large differences between the educational stock of its labor force and that of other rich countries, a result that would hardly be surprising except for the fact that the United States had absorbed millions of less-educated immigrants. Only in recent decades have many rich countries caught up to, and even exceeded, the United States in years of education for young persons. At the same time that the United States led the world in mass education in the 20th century, it rapidly expanded its economic lead. No single factor can account for the economic dominance of the United States in the 20th century, and most of the favored explanations, be they rooted in technological, institutional, or natural resource factors, are complementary ones. Despite that admonition, it would appear logical that part, possibly a major part, of the economic
Characterization of insulin-like growth factor I binding sites in human bladder cancer cell lines.

The role of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in the growth and development of bladder cancer cells was investigated using cultured human cell lines representing differentiated (RT-4, 5637) or undifferentiated (T-24, J-82, TCC-SUP) transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). In the presence of 2% serum, IGF-I significantly stimulated the growth of all cell lines. The proliferation of T-24, 5637, and RT-4 cells was more sensitive to IGF-I than that of J-82 and TCC-SUP cells. [125I]IGF-I binding to 5637 and J-82 cells was significantly higher than that to T-24 and TCC-SUP cells (P<0.001). RT-4 cells possessed the lowest binding capacity among the cell lines tested. Scatchard analysis of [125I]IGF-I binding to four of the five cell lines indicated a single binding site for IGF-I, with apparent dissociation constants (Kd) of 1.27, 1.18, 1.34, and 1.39 nmol/l for TCC-SUP, J-82, 5637, and T-24, respectively. Therefore, the difference observed in [125I]IGF-I binding among the bladder cancer cell lines was attributed to the difference of IGF-I binding sites and not to a change in receptor binding affinity. Cross-linking studies supported the suggestion that [125I]IGF-I was bound to a receptor on these cells. The results indicate that cultured human bladder cancer cells contain functional IGF-I receptors. A differentiated cell line, RT-4, possesses significantly fewer IGF-I receptors than other cell lines. This suggests that the overexpression of IGF-I receptor may reflect the malignant potential of bladder cancer cells.
Kinetic Pathway of dTTP Hydrolysis by Hexameric T7 Helicase-Primase in the Absence of DNA *

Bacteriophage T7 gp4A' protein is a hexameric helicase-primase protein that separates the strands of a duplex DNA in a reaction coupled to dTTP hydrolysis. Here we reexamine in more detail the kinetic mechanism of dTTP hydrolysis by a preassembled T7 helicase hexamer in the absence of DNA. Pre-steady state dTTP hydrolysis kinetics showed a distinct burst whose amplitude indicated that a preformed hexamer of T7 helicase hydrolyzes on an average one dTTP per hexamer. The pre-steady state chase-time experiments provided evidence for sequential hydrolysis of two dTTPs. The medium [(18)O]P(i) exchange experiments failed to detect dTTP synthesis, indicating that the less than six-site hydrolysis observed is not due to reversible dTTP hydrolysis on the helicase active site. The P(i)-release rate was measured directly using a stopped-flow fluorescence assay, and it was found that the rate of dTTP hydrolysis on the helicase active site is eight times faster than the P(i)-release rate, which in turn is three times faster than the dTDP release rate. Thus, the rate-limiting step in the pathway of helicase-catalyzed deoxythymidine triphosphatase (dTTPase) reaction is the release of dTDP. Chase-time dTTPase kinetics in the steady state phase provided evidence for two to three slowly hydrolyzing dTTPase sites on the hexamer. The results of this study are therefore consistent with those reported earlier (Hingorani, M. M., Washington, M. T., Moore, K. C., and Patel, S. S. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94, 5012-5017), and they support a model of dTTP hydrolysis by T7 helicase hexamer that is similar to the binding change mechanism of F(1)-ATPase with dTTP hydrolysis occurring sequentially at the catalytic sites.
Theoretical calculations of solvent effects on the adsorption of linear molecules using the multilayer lattice model

Abstract Ash, Everett, and Findenegg's model for multilayer polymer adsorption was modified to handle solvent effects upon adsorption behavior. Some of the assumptions of the model are: (1) the segments of the polymer and the solvent monomer are approximately the same size, (2) the segments of the polymer and the solvent monomer occupy only the lattice points of a given geometrical array (close-packed hexagonal) ; (3) the energies of interaction between nonbonded segments are angularly independent, are additive in nature, and extend no further than the nearest neighbors; and (4) the surface has a homogeneous interaction energy for each segment type. The specific polymers examined were the asymmetric dimer (A–B) and the asymmetric tetramer ( A - B - B - B ) in a solvent ( C ). Parameters required for computer calculations were the nearest neighbor energies of interaction between all combinations of nonbonded segment pairs ( A , A ; B , B ; C , C ; A , B ; A , C ; and B , C ) and interaction energies between the surface and each segment type in each layer near the surface. Analyses were made for the effects of each of these parameters on the surface excess, and on the energy, entropy, and number of each molecular configuration in each layer near the surface.
Selecting the most reliable Poisson population provided it is better than a control: a nonparametric empirical Bayes approach

Abstract We study the problem of selecting the most reliable Poisson population from among k competitors provided it is better than a control using the nonparametric empirical Bayes approach. An empirical Bayes selection procedure is constructed based on the isotonic regression estimators of the posterior means of failure rates associated with the k Poisson populations. The asymptotic optimality of the empirical Bayes selection procedure is investigated. Under certain regularity conditions, we have shown that the proposed empirical Bayes selection procedure is asymptotically optimal and the associated Bayes risk converges to the minimum Bayes risk at a rate of order O(exp(−cn)) for some c>0, where n denotes the number of historical data at hand when the present selection problem is considered.
TESTING MORPHOLOGICAL PRODUCTIVITY

Summary We have shown how an experimental technique borrowed from cognitive psychology, the Lexical Decision Task, can be used to study morphology. In particular, we have shown that native speakers of English respond positively more often to novel words of the form Xiveness than they do to words of the form Xivity, a result which was predicted from the greater productivity of the former pattern, as determined by techniques of linguistic analysis. Our finding holds true under a variety of instructions. While the result of our study is not particularly surprising, we hope that in demonstrating that the Lexical Decision Task is a reliable tool in the study of morphology we will encourage further research along the lines that we have developed.
Ethanol photoreactions over Au–Pd/TiO2

A prototype Au–Pd/TiO2 catalyst was prepared, characterized and tested for the photoreaction of ethanol. XPS Au4f and Pd3d indicated that the as-prepared material is composed of metallic Au, metallic Pd as well oxidized Pd (Pd2+). Ar ion sputtering (5 min) of the catalyst surface resulted in almost total reduction of Pd2+ to metallic Pd in addition to considerable reduction of surface Ti cations to Ti3+ and Ti2+ cations; XPS Au4f lines were not affected. Transmission electron microscopic studies indicated that Au particles have a mean particle size of about 3.5 nm while Pd particles are smaller 1–1.5 nm in size. UV excitation of the catalyst in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions resulted in the formation of acetaldehyde and hydrogen in addition to photodesorption of the reactant ethanol. Hydrogen production, representing ca. 30 % of the desorbing products, was delayed compared to acetaldehyde desorption. This was interpreted as due to kinetic effect whereby initially most electrons transferred to the conduction band are trapped by surface hydroxyls as well inevitable presence of oxygen in the powder accelerating acetaldehyde formation (dehydrogenation). Only once most oxygen-containing species have reacted and molecular hydrogen was formed. To our knowledge, this is the first UHV in situ study of hydrogen production from ethanol photocatalytically over M/TiO2 system.
Purification and Characterization of a Unique Alkaline Elastase from Micrococcus luteus

Abstract Micrococcus luteus isolated from human skin secretes an alkaline protease which degrades elastin. M. luteus protease (MLP) was produced in the late logarithmic and stationary phases of growth. MLP, purified to homogeneity by a three-step process, had a molecular mass of 32,812 Da and an isoelectric point of 9.3. MLP was active and highly stable in solution for 24 h from pH 6.0 to 10.5; it had maximal activity at temperatures between 57 and 59°C. The presence of calcium in the solution was essential for enzyme activity and to prevent autolysis. Optimal activity occurred between pH 9.0 and 9.5, with 60% maximal activity from pH 6.5 to 11.0. The enzyme was inhibited by the serine enzyme inhibitors phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and chymostatin but not by the metalloenzyme inhibitor 1,10-phenanthroline or sulfhydryl enzyme inhibitors. Casein, bovine serum albumin, ovalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, and elastin were digested by the protease while collagen and keratin were resistant to digestion. MLP demonstrated both esterase and amidase activity on synthetic peptide substrates. MLP preferentially cleaved the Leu 15 -Tyr 16 and Phe 24 -Phe 25 bonds of the oxidized β-chain of insulin. Longer digests of insulin and the pattern of activity against synthetic substrates suggest that MLP has a cleavage specificity for bulky, hydrophobic, or aromatic amino acids in the P 1 or P 1 ′ positions. Amino acid sequences from the N-terminus and internal peptides of MLP were unique.
Application of Survey Techniques to the Dolphin, Coryphaena hippurus, Fishery of North Carolina

Abstract North Carolina's dolphin fishery was surveyed in 1961 and 1962 to evaluate its importance to the offshore sport-fishing industry, and to develop suitable and reliable techniques for sampling a marine sport-fishery. As a prelude to the investigation, characteristics of the prominent offshore charter-boat fishery are described. Duration of the sport-fishing season, species captured, fishing methods, and economical aspects of the fishery are discussed. In 1961, catch-forms, personal enumerations, and interviews with dockmasters were used to estimate the catch of party boats, private boats, and transient charter boats. Catch by these boats was approximately 3,150 fish. The activity of resident offshore charter boats operating from the principal North Carolina ports was sampled by use of log books. Complete catch records were returned from 20% of the 90 resident boats that habitually frequented offshore waters. Ports were stratified for statistical treatment into five areas on the basis of proximity a...
Convergent synthetic routes to heterobimetallic compounds: Crystal and molecular structure of 1-(η5-cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl)-1-(η6-phenyl chromium tricarbonyl) ethanol

Abstract 13 heterobimetallic compounds have been prepared by a convergent synthetic strategy employing reactions of a lithiocyclopentadienyl or lithioarene metal complex with formyl, acetyl or carbomethoxy functionalized derivatives of a second metal. The resulting lithium alkoxide products were converted to the corresponding alcohols by dilute acid work-up. Two methanol derivatives were successfully converted to their corresponding methane derivatives by reaction with trifluoroacetic acid followed by reaction of the resultant carbocation with sodium tetrahydroborate. Reaction of 1-[ η 6 -C 6 H 5 Cr(CO) 3 ]-1-[ η 5 -C 5 H 4 Mn(CO) 3 ]C 2 H 3 OH with trifluoroacetic acid results in dehydration to yield the corresponding ethene derivative. The molecular structure of 1-[ η 6 -C 6 H 5 Cr(CO) 3 ]-1-[ η 5 -C 5 H 4 Mn(CO) 3 ]C 2 H 3 OH was determined. monoclinic, P 2 1 / c , a = 7.936(2), b = 19.844(8), c = 11.774(4) A , β = 91.58(2)°, V = 1853(1) A 3 , Z = 4, R(F) = 4.52% .
Sodiated β‐Diphosphonate Carbanions: Characterization of the Tetrameric Cubane and the Hexameric Ladder Complexes [{(iPrO)2P(O)}2CHNa]4 and [{(EtO)2P(O)}2CHNa]6

Reaction of the methylene diphosphonates [(RO)2P(O)]2CH2, where R = iPr or Et, with the metalating reagents NaH, nBuNa or the superbasic mixture tBuONa/nBuLi leads to monodeprotonation, and formation of the complexes [{(iPrO)2P(O)}2CHNa]4 (1) and [{(EtO)2P(O)}2CHNa]6 (2). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that 1 is tetrameric in the solid state, with a central Na4O4 cubane core. Each metal in 1 is rendered pentacoordinate by binding to three μ3-O phosphoryl bridges within the cubane, a chelating phosphoryl unit, and also a single iPrO group. In contrast, the structure of 2 is hexameric, and is composed of an unusual six-rung Na6O6 ladder core. Three distinct sodium environments as well as μ1-, μ2- and μ3-O phosphoryl units are present within the ladder framework. No Na−C interactions are present in either 1 or 2. All of the six-membered NaOPCPO chelate rings display localized P=O double bonds and partial multiple bonding on the P−C−P linkages (mean P−O: 1.49 A, and mean P−C: 1.69 A). Ab initio molecular orbital calculations (HF/6−31G*) on model complexes indicate that the hexameric arrangement found for 2 is thermodynamically more stable than the cubane structure of 1, in the absence of steric effects. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)
Estimates of monthly mean daily diffuse irradiation in the Southeastern United States

Abstract The objective of the present work was to identify correlation(s) that may be used to obtain estimates of the monthly mean daily diffuse irradiation on a horizontal surface, Q D , at stations in the Southeastern United States. For this purpose, two sets of correlations (totaling 14 expressions in all) were tested for their statistical efficiency in making such estimates, using long-term measured and calculated relevant solar data (including long-term measured records for Q D ) for one such station: Memphis, Tennessee. It is shown that two of these correlations are very efficient and thus are recommended for the aforementioned purpose. Estimates of Q D at five other stations within about 10° latitude of Memphis are obtained, using the recommended correlations.
Genetic Pedigree Reconstruction Detects Bias in Largemouth Bass Nest Sampling Procedures

AbstractFish recruitment can be influenced by the direct effects of and interactions among biological, environmental, and anthropogenic factors. However, interpretation of data that quantify associations between recruitment during early ontogenetic stages and potential underlying causal factors at whole-population scales can be confounded by the uncertainties associated with data collection. For nest-building species, biases may result from observational methods used to locate nests and determine nest-specific offspring survival. Such biases may hinder efforts to associate estimates of individual reproductive success or failure with recruitment variation at the population level. During spring 2010, Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides nests in a 24-ha Michigan lake were surveyed using established observational methods, and genetic data and pedigree reconstruction were used to assess the reliability of those methods. We georeferenced observed nests, visually assessed whether eggs from nests survived to th...
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 stimulates fibroblast proliferation via a cAMP-dependent mechanism.

In addition to inhibiting the proteolytic activity of the matrix metalloproteinases, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) promote the growth of cells in the absence of other exogenous growth factors. TIMP-2 stimulates the proliferation of fibrosarcoma (HT-1080) cells and normal dermal fibroblasts (Hs68) in a dose-dependent manner. This response is evident as early as 2 h and persists up to 48 h after treatment with recombinant TIMP-2 (rTIMP-2). The specificity of this response is demonstrated by the ability of affinity-purified polyclonal anti-TIMP-2 antibodies to ablate TIMP-2 mitogenesis and by the lack of response to TIMP-1. This response is also blocked by the presence of an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, 9-(tetrahydro-2-furyl)adenine (SQ22536). Although SQ22536 did not affect untreated fibroblasts or fibrosarcoma cells, this inhibitor completely abrogates the proliferative response induced by rTIMP-2. Treatment of these cells with rTIMP-2 also stimulates the production of cAMP in a time-dependent manner that differs for the two cell lines. Moreover, treatment of purified cell membranes with rTIMP-2 suppresses cholera toxin-mediated ADP-ribosylation of the GTP-binding protein, Gsα subunit. These results indicate that the αβγ heterotrimer is dissociated by treatment with rTIMP-2, which may facilitate the Gsα-mediated activation of adenylate cyclase and subsequent production of cAMP. Since cAMP binds to the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and activates kinase activity, we evaluated how treatment with rTIMP-2 affected both these parameters. We demonstrate in this report that the cAMP produced in response to treatment with rTIMP-2 binds to the type I regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and stimulates kinase activity. These results are the first demonstration that TIMP-2 directly activates adenylate cyclase to pro-duce cAMP, which increases cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity, resulting in stimulation of fibroblast mitogenesis.
AN APPROXIMATION OF THE MINIMAL TETRAKAIDECAHEDRON

THE ANALOGY between masses of cells and masses of bubbles has long fascinated students of cellular morphology. In fact, such basic researches on the nature of liquid films as those of Plateau (1873) had a profound effect on the development of modern studies of cell shapes. Kelvin's (1887) derivation of the mathematical concept of the minimal tetrakaidecahedron placed considerable emphasis on the stability of interfacial angles observed in soap films. Lewis (1923) adapted Kelvin's mathematical abstraction as an ideal cell shape. Although its actual realization among cells is a comparative rarity, the minimal tetrakaidecahedron continues to hold a focal point in cell-shape research. Since this report does not deal with cells directly the reader is referred to such papers as those by Meeuse (1942), Hulbary (1948), and Macior and Matzke (1951) for discussions of the occurrence of ideal configurations in masses of cells. In detailed comparisons of the shapes of cells and soap bubbles both Matzke (1945) and Lewis (1949) noted the absence of this geometrical form in masses of bubbles of uniform size. The 14-hedron is most commonly illustrated in the orthic form, fig. 1, which has straight edges and flat faces. The more precise minimal form, fig. 2, is technically difficult to illustrate, since the sides of the six quadrilateral faces are curved outwards while the eight hexagonal faces have undulating surfaces. Kelvin (1887) stated that he created a wire model of the minimal figure and succeeded in covering most of the surfaces with liquid films. Also, he was led to the postulation of this configuration by experiments with a cubical skeleton framework, originally devised by Plateau (1873). When this very instructive device is dipped into a soap solution and withdrawn, liquid films from each of the 12 edges extend toward the center of the frame. They do not, however, meet at a point. Instead, a flat-faced, quadrilateral film with outwardly curved edges is formed at the juncture. The films suspended from the framework form, in a sense, a portion of a minimal tetrakaidecahedron. As noted above, observations of these films provided the basic facts on which Kelvin based his ultimate derivation. As far as is known, no investigator has previously reported the creation of an entire minimal tetrakaidecahedron in soap films without the use of a
Ultrastructural permeability studies in capillaries of rabbit oral mucosa and salivary glands.

Abstract The types of capillaries in rabbit oral mucosa and major salivary glands have been identified, and their permeability to macromolecules, ferritin and thorotrast has been studied. The capillary network of the oral mucosa consisted of continuous and fenestrated capillaries. The fenestrated capillaries constituted a small proportion of the capillary bed in the oral mucosa of rabbit and were predominant in the parotid and submaxillary glands. The transport of ferritin and thorotrast across the endothelial cells occurred through pinocytotic vesicles, the markers being found occasionally in both dense bodies and multivesicular bodies. The marginal folds found projecting on the luminal surface of the endothelial cells may have a collaborating role in pinocytosis. Moreover, a concentration gradient was apparent along the fenestrated endothelial barrier where the bridging diaphragms separate the high density on the vascular lumen from the scattered particles in the extravascular connective tissue. Where the marker particles were noted apparently traversing endothelial fenestrae, the bridging diaphragms were not clearly identified. The basement lamina surrounding the endothelial cells acted as a temporary barrier to thorotrast but did not restrict the passage of ferritin.
Commentary – ordering lab tests for suspected rheumatic disease

One of the least-appreciated advances in pediatric rheumatology over the past 25 years has been the delineation of the many ways in which children with rheumatic disease differ from adults with the same illnesses. Furthermore, we are now learning that paradigms that are useful in evaluating adults with musculoskeletal complaints have limited utility in children. Nowhere is that more true than in the use of commonly used laboratory tests, particularly antinuclear antibody (ANA) and rheumatoid factor (RF) assays. This short review will provide the practitioner with the evidence base that supports a more limited use of ANA and RF testing in children.
Virtualized Environments for the Harness High Performance Computing Workbench

This paper describes recent accomplishments in providing a virtualized environment concept and prototype for scientific application development and deployment as part of the Harness High-Performance Computing (HPC) Workbench research effort. The presented work focuses on tools and mechanisms that simplify scientific application development and deployment tasks, such that only minimal adaptation is needed when moving from one HPC system to another or after HPC system upgrades. The overall technical approach focuses on the concept of adapting the HPC system environment to the actual needs of individual scientific applications instead of the traditional scheme of adapting scientific applications to individual HPC system environment properties. The presented prototype implementation is based on the mature and lightweight chroot visualization approach for Unix-type systems with a focus on virtualized file system structure and virtualized shell environment variables utilizing virtualized environment configuration descriptions in Extensible Markup Language (XML) format. The presented work can be easily extended to other visualization technologies, such as system-level visualization solutions using hypervisors.
An optimum finite element grid generator for triangulating rotating and fixed objects in electromagnetics

A description of an automatic two-dimensional finite-element grid generator which greatly assists in improving preprocessing operations and geometry handling for electromagnetic field computations is presented. The algorithm developed iteratively triangulates a set of points, defining a field region, into optimal finite-element meshes. The proposed mesh generator uses an approach proven to be user-friendly and efficient, especially in analysis of medical devices. This is because instead of using node-insertion techniques, as employed in most grid generators, the user gives dimensions and characteristics of each subregion in the large region to be analyzed. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or modify a region configuration and grid without gross efforts. The triangulation and mesh refinements are performed automatically by the software without user intervention. The mathematical procedure used in developing the algorithm is based on the concept of Delauney triangulation. Variational principles are used to solve the electromagnetic field problem. Several examples are presented to show the effectiveness of this grid generator in handling a variety of problems and geometrical configurations. >
All-Optical Phase Control of a Square-Wave Photonic Clock

We propose and demonstrate an all-optical technique to control the phase of a class of square-wave photonic clocks. The particular photonic clock used for our demonstration is comprised of a traveling-wave semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) connected to a resonant-type SOA exhibiting hysteresis. Phase control is achieved by cross-gain modulation within the travelling-wave (TW)-SOA, which suspends clock generation over a controlled time interval to achieve the desired phase. We used 1576-nm control pulses with 62- μW peak power and arbitrary polarization states, features that are telecommunications compatible. A useful feature of our scheme is that phase control is independent of the synchronization between the initial clock phase and arrival time of the control pulse.
Goodness-of-Fit Test Based on Arbitrarily Selected Order Statistics

Checking whether or not the population distribution, from which a random sample is drawn, is a specified distribution is a popular topic in statistical analysis. Such a problem is usually named as goodness-of-fit test. Numerous research papers have been published in this area. The purpose of this short paper is to provide a goodness-of-fit test statistic which works for many kinds of censored data formed by order statistics. This is an extension of the work presented in Chen and Ye (2009). The method can be used for censoredsamplesthat are commonly used in reliability analysis including left censored data, right censored data and doubly censored data.
Spatiotemporal Coupling and Scaling of Natural Images and Human Visual Sensitivities

We study the spatiotemporal correlation in natural time-varying images and explore the hypothesis that the visual system is concerned with the optimal coding of visual representation through spatiotemporal decorrelation of the input signal. Based on the measured spatiotemporal power spectrum, the transform needed to decorrelate input signal is derived analytically and then compared with the actual processing observed in psychophysical experiments.
A Humanized Mouse Model of Autoimmune Insulitis

Many mechanisms of and treatments for type 1 diabetes studied in the NOD mouse model have not been replicated in human disease models. Thus, the field of diabetes research remains hindered by the lack of an in vivo system in which to study the development and onset of autoimmune diabetes. To this end, we characterized a system using human CD4+ T cells pulsed with autoantigen-derived peptides. Six weeks after injection of as few as 0.5 × 106 antigen-pulsed cells into the NOD-Scid Il2rg−/− mouse expressing the human HLA-DR4 transgene, infiltration of mouse islets by human T cells was seen. Although islet infiltration occurred with both healthy and diabetic donor antigen-pulsed CD4+ T cells, diabetic donor injections yielded significantly greater levels of insulitis. Additionally, significantly reduced insulin staining was observed in mice injected with CD4+ T-cell lines from diabetic donors. Increased levels of demethylated β-cell–derived DNA in the bloodstream accompanied this loss of insulin staining. Together, these data show that injection of small numbers of autoantigen-reactive CD4+ T cells can cause a targeted, destructive infiltration of pancreatic β-cells. This model may be valuable for understanding mechanisms of induction of human diabetes.
Effects of hemicastration on testicular functions in adult and young puberal bulls

Abstract The effects of hemicastration were studied in bulls at two different stages of testicular maturation. Bulls were unilaterally castrated at average ages of either 928±8.6 or 224±3.8 days and complete castration was performed 135 and 165 days later for the two age groups, respectively. The remaining right testes of hemicastrated bulls were heavier (P
A "radical dance" in thiamin biosynthesis: mechanistic analysis of the bacterial hydroxymethylpyrimidine phosphate synthase.

Thiamin pyrophosphate is an important cofactor in all forms of life, where it plays a central role in the stabilization of the acyl-carbanion biosynthon1, 2. Its biosynthesis involves separate synthesis of the thiazole and the pyrimidine hererocycles, which are then linked to form the cofactor. Thiamin-thiazole biosynthesis is relatively well-understood3-7. In prokaryotes, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate, cysteine and glycine or tyrosine are utilized by five proteins to construct the thiazole moiety, whereas in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, just one gene product converts NAD and glycine to thiazole, obtaining sulfur from a source yet unknown. In comparison, the mechanistic understanding of thiamin-pyrimidine (HMP) biosynthesis, in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, is still at an early stage. In yeast, a single gene product THI5p is implicated in HMP biosynthesis from PLP and histidine, however this reaction has not yet been successfully reconstituted in vitro. In bacteria and plants HMP-P synthase (ThiC) catalyzes the conversion of aminoimidazole ribonucleotide (AIR 1), an intermediate in the purine nucleotide biosynthesis pathway, to hydroxylmethyl pyrimidine phosphate (HMP-P 2)8. In vivo and in vitro studies on the reaction catalyzed by ThiC, using labeled AIR, have revealed the involvement of a rearrangement reaction of remarkable complexity (Figure 1A)9. The ThiC catalyzed reaction has recently been reconstituted in a defined biochemical system. Spectroscopic, structural and biochemical studies established this enzyme as a unique member of the [4Fe-4S] cluster dependent radical-SAM superfamily10-11.
Assembly of Complex Organelles: Pilus Biogenesis in Gram-Negative Bacteria as a Model System

Pathogenic bacteria assemble a variety of adhesive structures on their surface for attachment to host cells. Some of these structures are quite complex. For example, the hair-like organelles known as pili or fimbriae are generally composed of several components and often exhibit composite morphologies. In gram-negative bacteria assembly of pili requires that the subunits cross the cytoplasmic membrane, fold correctly in the periplasm, target to the outer membrane, assemble into an ordered structure, and cross the outer membrane to the cell surface. Thus, pilus biogenesis provides a model for a number of basic biological problems including protein folding, trafficking, secretion, and the ordered assembly of proteins into complex structures. P pilus biogenesis represents one of the best-understood pilus systems. P pili are produced by 80-90% of all pyelonephritic Escherichia coli and are a major virulence determinant for urinary tract infections. Two specialized assembly factors known as the periplasmic chaperone and outer membrane usher are required for P pilus assembly. A chaperone/usher pathway is now known to be required for the biogenesis of more than 30 different adhesive structures in diverse gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Elucidation of the chaperone/usher pathway was brought about through a powerful combination of molecular, biochemical, and biophysical techniques. This review discusses these approaches as they relate to pilus assembly, with an emphasis on newer techniques.
Accelerated template matching using template trees grown by condensation

Template trees provide a means of accelerating nearest neighbor searches for problems in which KD-trees and similar data structures do not work well because of the high dimension and/or sophisticated distance function used. Suppose the points for which nearest neighbors are being sought are noisy 16/spl times/24 images of characters. Each point has 16/spl times/24=384 dimensions. Images which a good distance function would classify as similar may have very different values at a dozen or more randomly chosen pixels. Template trees work directly with the distance function rather than with the 384 components of the points. An algorithm is presented for selecting templates from a set of training points, and organizing them into a template tree which is guaranteed to correctly identify all of the training points. The tree construction algorithm is similar in many ways to the condensation algorithm for template selection, although it organizes templates into a tree as it selects them. A tree containing approximately 2000 images of capital letters was constructed using a training set of about 8000 points. Using the tree, an average of only about 140 point to point distance calculations were needed to identify an unknown image. Identification accuracy was comparable to that obtained using 2000 templates without a tree. >
Phosphorylation : A molecular switch in opioid tolerance

Protein phosphorylation is a key posttranslational modification mechanism controlling the conformation and activity of many proteins. Increasing evidence has implicated an essential role of phosphorylation by several major protein kinases in promoting and maintaining opioid tolerance. We review some of the most recent studies on protein kinase C (PKC), cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase A (PKA), calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), protein kinase G (PKG), and G protein receptor kinase (GRK). These kinases act as the molecular switches to modulate opioid tolerance. Pharmacological interventions at one or more of the protein kinases and phosphatases may provide valuable strategies to improve opioid analgesia by attenuating tolerance to these drugs.
Technique for Multiple Venipuncture Blood Sampling in the Chicken

Abstract Clearance studies employing the single injection technique require that several blood samples be taken at specified time intervals, following the initial injection of the test substance, to determine the rate of disappearance of that substance from the plasma. The commonly used multiple blood sampling techniques, however, are not always satisfactory in such studies: (1) the difficulties encountered from obscurement of the brachial vein of birds by hematomas during multiple sampling from that vessel are well known; (2) the possibility of hemodynamic changes resulting from multiple heart punctures makes this technique undesirable; (3) cannulation of a brachial vein with polyethylene tubing may be used to obtain multiple blood samples, but due to the ligation and subsequent collapse of the cannulated vein upon removal of the polyethylene tubing, such techniques do not allow blood sampling from the same site in repeated clearance measurements on the same animal at later dates. Also, if…
Creativity research: Originality, utility, and integration

(1988). Creativity research: Originality, utility, and integration. Creativity Research Journal: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 1-7.
Extending the Reach of Health Care for Obesity and Diabetes Using Virtual Worlds

Today’s epidemic of obesity and diabetes poses challenges to health care similar to those facing soldiers who return with postdeployment mental health issues. These include geographic barriers, social stigma, and the need for behavioral change. Researchers at University of Southern California’s Institute for Creative Technologies are adapting their extensive experience in technological solutions for training to techniques that can aid veterans in need. These techniques show promise for concerns in the growing crisis of “diabesity.” Virtual reality (VR) has already demonstrated itself as an impactful treatment method for several behavioral and mental health domains. Virtual worlds, the successor technology of original VR, inherited many of its predecessor’s strengths but also presents the new affordances of accessibility, social connectivity, and avatar usage, which pave the way toward future treatment options on a broader scale.
Accelerated Versus Nonaccelerated Rehabilitation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Investigation Evaluating Knee Joint Laxity Using Roentgen Stereophotogrammetric Analysis

Background: The relationship between the biomechanical dose of rehabilitation exercises administered after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and the healing response of the graft and knee is not well understood.Hypothesis: After ACL reconstruction, rehabilitation administered with either accelerated or nonaccelerated programs produces the same change in the knees’ 6 degrees of freedom, or envelope, laxity values.Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.Methods: Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with a bone–patellar tendon–bone autograft were randomized to rehabilitation with either accelerated (19 week) or nonaccelerated (32 week) programs. At the time of surgery, and then 3, 6, 12, and 24 months later, the 6 degrees of freedom knee laxity values were measured using roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis and clinical, functional, and patient-oriented outcome measures.Results: Eighty-five percent of those enrolled were followed through 2 years. Laxity of the re...