cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diffusion-Controlled Dopant Transport During Magnetically-Stabilized Liquid-Encapsulated Czochralski Growth of Compound Semiconductor Crystals

During the magnetically-stabilized liquid-encapsulated Czochralski (MLEC) process, a single compound semiconductor crystal is grown by the solidification of an initially molten semiconductor (melt) contained in a crucible. The melt is doped with an element in order to vary the electrical and/or optical properties of the crystal. During growth, the so-called melt-depletion flow caused by the opposing relative velocities of the encapsulant-melt interface and the crystal-melt interface can be controlled with an externally applied magnetic field. The convective dopant transport during growth driven by this melt motion produces nonuniformities of the dopant concentration in both the melt and the crystal. We present a model for the unsteady transport of a dopant during the MLEC process with an axial magnetic field. Dopant distributions in the crystal and in the melt at several different stages during growth are presented
Peripheral osteoarticular tuberculosis in children: 106 case-reports.

Abstract Introduction . – We retrospectively reviewed 106 pediatric cases of peripheral osteoarticular tuberculosis (OAT) seen over a 21-year period in Morocco. Patients with vertebral tuberculosis were excluded from the study. Patients and results . – The 55 boys and 51 girls had a mean age of 8 years. The hip and knee together contributed 63% of the osteoarticular foci. Organ involvement was documented in 32 cases. Mean time from symptom onset to evaluation was 10 months. This resulted in diagnostic delay, which contributed to the 22% rate of residual abnormalities consisting of joint ankylosis and leg length inequality. Conclusion . – OAT is a source of functional disability that should be recognized and treated early, particularly in children, given that appropriate management can lead to a full recovery (14 patients in our series).
Spurious Overestimation of Plasma Cortisol in Patients with Chronic RenalFailure

Plasma cortisol concentrations in patients with chronic renal failure were measured by five different RIAs, four commercial methods, and an in-house method after paper chromatography. It was observed that cortisol concentrations of the same samples measured by the various methods did not agree. The difference was attributed to cross-reactivity of the antisera with steroids and glucuronide conjugates which circulate at high concentrations in patients with chronic renal failure. With two of the methods, values were higher in unextracted plasma (P less than 0.001) than after paper chromatography (in-house procedure). The values obtained with the other two methods were not significantly different from those obtained by the postpaper chromatography method for baseline and postdexamethasone samples. Plasma cortisol values after methyrapone administration were much higher when measured by any of the four commercial assays than after paper chromatography. A simple dichloromethane extraction improved the results from one of the methods. Laboratories are encouraged to assess carefully the behavior of cortisol antisera before using them in the assay of plasma cortisol concentrations in patients with chronic renal failure.
High-power femtosecond light strings as novel atmospheric probes

High-power, femtosecond light filaments, also termed light strings, are experimentally observed to propagate over distances which substantially exceed the diffraction lengths that would correspond to their transverse dimensions. Thus, they provide a way to deliver high powers of focused light over long distance, and may potentially serve as light probes in remote sensing. We concentrate on a theoretical understanding of the underlying physics. In this talk, we review the results of our computer simulations providing insight into the rich spatio-temporal dynamics of this interesting phenomenon.
Theoretical investigation of iron isotope fractionation between Fe(H2O)63+ and Fe(H2O)62+: Implications for iron stable isotope geochemistry

Abstract The magnitude of equilibrium iron isotope fractionation between Fe(H2O)63+ and Fe(H2O)62+ is calculated using density functional theory (DFT) and compared to prior theoretical and experimental results. DFT is a quantum chemical approach that permits a priori estimation of all vibrational modes and frequencies of these complexes and the effects of isotopic substitution. This information is used to calculate reduced partition function ratios of the complexes (103 · ln(β)), and hence, the equilibrium isotope fractionation factor (103 · ln(α)). Solvent effects are considered using the polarization continuum model (PCM). DFT calculations predict fractionations of several per mil in 56Fe/54Fe favoring partitioning of heavy isotopes in the ferric complex. Quantitatively, 103 · ln(α) predicted at 22°C, ∼ 3 ‰, agrees with experimental determinations but is roughly half the size predicted by prior theoretical results using the Modified Urey-Bradley Force Field (MUBFF) model. Similar comparisons are seen at other temperatures. MUBFF makes a number of simplifying assumptions about molecular geometry and requires as input IR spectroscopic data. The difference between DFT and MUBFF results is primarily due to the difference between the DFT-predicted frequency for the ν4 mode (O-Fe-O deformation) of Fe(H2O)63+ and spectroscopic determinations of this frequency used as input for MUBFF models (185–190 cm−1 vs. 304 cm−1, respectively). Hence, DFT-PCM estimates of 103 · ln(β) for this complex are ∼ 20% smaller than MUBFF estimates. The DFT derived values can be used to refine predictions of equilibrium fractionation between ferric minerals and dissolved ferric iron, important for the interpretation of Fe isotope variations in ancient sediments. Our findings increase confidence in experimental determinations of the Fe(H2O)63+ − Fe(H2O)62+ fractionation factor and demonstrate the utility of DFT for applications in “heavy” stable isotope geochemistry.
Antioxidant capacity and phenolic content in leaf extracts of tree spinach (Cnidoscolus spp.).

Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of two tree spinach species (Cnidoscolus chayamansa McVaugh and C. aconitifolius Miller.) were determined in raw and cooked leaf extracts. Antioxidant capacity was assessed by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, and flavonoid glycoside composition was quantified by HPLC and identified by GC. Total phenolics and antioxidant capacity were higher in raw than in cooked leaf extracts. The ORAC values were strongly correlated with total phenolic content (r = 0.926) in all leaf extracts. The major flavonoids isolated from the leaf extracts were kaempferol-3-O-glycosides and quercetin-3-O-glycosides. C. aconitifolius leaves contained more varieties of the flavonoid glycosides than C. chayamansa. Cooking reduced antioxidant activity and phenolic content and resulted in losses of some kaempferol glycoside and quercetin glycoside residues in leaf extracts. The results of this study indicate that tree spinach leaves are a rich source of natural antioxid...
Mercuric Chloride Effects on the Activities of Some Hepatic Enzymes in Chicks

Three groups of 6 male chicks each were fed a commercial diet and were given drinking water which contained either 0, 150 or 300 ..mu..g of mercury/ml. as mercuric chloride from hatching to 3 weeks of age. The chicks were killed, the livers were removed and weighed, and the activities of selected enzymes were measured in the 800 x g/sub av/ supernatant fractions of the liver homogenates. Liver weights were depressed from control values in chicks receiving 300 p.p.m. mercury but not in chicks receiving 150 p.p.m. Fatty acid synthetase specific activity was depressed by both levels of added mercury, but microsomal fatty acid elongation was depressed only by 300 p.p.m. of mercury. Both levels of added mercury stimulated acid phosphatase specific activity. The specific activities of cytochrome c oxidase, glucose-6-phosphatase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase were unaffected by added mercury. The data support the hypothesis that mercury administration does not result in generalized hepatotoxicity. 22 references, 1 table.
Sulfide-Driven Microbial Electrosynthesis

Microbial electrosynthesis, the conversion of carbon dioxide to organic molecules using electricity, has recently been demonstrated for acetogenic microorganisms, such as Sporomusa ovata. The energy for reduction of carbon dioxide originates from the hydrolysis of water on the anode, requiring a sufficiently low potential. Here we evaluate the use of sulfide as an electron source for microbial electrosynthesis. Abiotically oxidation of sulfide on the anode yields two electrons. The oxidation product, elemental sulfur, can be further oxidized to sulfate by Desulfobulbus propionicus, generating six additional electrons in the process. The eight electrons generated from the combined abiotic and biotic steps were used to reduce carbon dioxide to acetate on a graphite cathode by Sporomusa ovata at a rate of 24.8 mmol/day·m2. Using a strain of Desulfuromonas as biocatalyst on the anode resulted in an acetate production rate of 49.9 mmol/day·m2, with a Coulombic efficiency of over 90%. These results demonstrate ...
Mixed convection heat transfer to liquid metals in a rotating crucible

Abstract An experimental study has been carried out for mixed convection heat transfer to liquid metals in a rotating crucible. Gallium arsenide ( GaAs ) and argon gas are used in the test as the liquid metal and inert gas, respectively. In addition, boric oxide is placed on top of the melt to prevent the loss of volatile arsenic from the melt. The experiments were conducted in a commercial crystal puller, with the system pressure maintained at 300 psig and the crucible rotated at 5, 10, 15 and 20 rpm . Three crucible positions (relative to the heater) were tested. The measured axial and radial temperature distributions in the melt, boric oxide and gas are examined. The influences of crucible rotation rate and the crucible position on the temperature fields are discussed. The results can be used in selecting the initial growth condition for GaAs crystals in Liquid Encapsulated Czochralski systems.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Nasal Glioma Associated with Metopic Craniosynostosis: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Nasal gliomas (nasal glial heterotopia) are rare benign congenital frontonasal lesions occurring in approximately 1: 20.000 – 40,000 live births. The diagnosis is rarely reported prenatally. Nasal gliomas are typically isolated lesions, with syndromic association being exceedingly rare. Metopic craniosynostosis can occur as an isolated abnormality or in association with multiple syndromes. This case is the first reported case of nasal glioma in association with craniosynostosis in the published literature.
The Type 7 Serotonin Receptor, 5-HT7, Is Essential in the Mammary Gland for Regulation of Mammary Epithelial Structure and Function

Autocrine-paracrine activity of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a crucial homeostatic parameter in mammary gland development during lactation and involution. Published studies suggested that the 5-HT7 receptor type was important for mediating several effects of 5-HT in the mammary epithelium. Here, using 5-HT7 receptor-null (HT7KO) mice we attempt to understand the role of this receptor in mediating 5-HT actions within the mammary gland. We demonstrate for the first time that HT7KO dams are inefficient at sustaining their pups. Histologically, the HT7KO mammary epithelium shows a significant deviation from the normal secretory epithelium in morphological architecture, reduced secretory vesicles, and numerous multinucleated epithelial cells with atypically displaced nuclei, during lactation. Mammary epithelial cells in HT7KO dams also display an inability to transition from lactation to involution as normally seen by transition from a columnar to a squamous cell configuration, along with alveolar cell apoptosis and cell shedding. Our results show that 5-HT7 is required for multiple actions of 5-HT in the mammary glands including core functions that contribute to changes in cell shape and cell turnover, as well as specialized secretory functions. Understanding these actions may provide new interventions to improve lactation performance and treat diseases such as mastitis and breast cancer.
An iterative clustering procedure

In many remote sensing applications millions of measurements can be made from a satellite at one time, and many times the data is of marginal value. In these situations clustering techniques might save much data transmission without loss of information since cluster codes may be transmitted instead of multidimensional data points. Data points within a cluster are highly similar so that interpretation of the cluster code can be meaningfully made on the basis of knowing what sort of data point is typical of those in the cluster. We introduce an iterative clustering technique; the procedure suboptimally minimizes the probability of differences between the binary reconstructions from the cluster codes and the original binary data. The iterative clustering technique was programmed for the GE 635 KANDIDATS (Kansas Digital Image Data System) and tested on two data sets. The first was a multi-image set. Twelve images of the northern part of Yellowstone Park were taken by the Michigan scanner system, and the images were reduced and run with the program. Thirty-thousand data points, each consisting of a binary vector of 25 components, were clustered into four clusters. The percentage difference between the components of the reconstructed binary data and the original binary data was 20 percent. The second data set consisted of measurements of the frequency content of the signals from lightning discharges. One hundred and thirty-four data measurements, each consisting of a binary vector of 32 components, were clustered into four clusters.
Peeling Back the Layers of Policy and School Reform: Revealing the structural and social complexities within

This article explores the complex process of school change over a six‐year period in one high‐poverty, urban elementary school in a northeastern city of the United States. The school included in this instrumental case study was identified by its State Department of Education as “being in need of improvement” in March 2000. Findings suggest that creating opportunities for context‐based solutions, curricular coherence, and responsive and consistent coaching were the necessary means for leveraging change at this school. Further, responding to the layers and iterations of educational policy, and addressing the deeper social issues intimately associated with serving high‐poverty communities, was essential. We identify policy issues that contributed to the complexity of this school’s improvement efforts. Our analysis extends beyond surface‐level documentation of the school’s inputs and outputs, and illustrates what it means to meet individual students’ needs in complex social and institutional spaces. We also d...
Port-access bilateral internal mammary artery grafting for left main coronary artery disease: canine feasibility study.

BACKGROUND To extend the applications of minimal access cardiac surgery, an endovascular cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) system that allows cardioplegia delivery and cardiac venting was used to perform bilateral internal mammary artery (IMA) bypass grafting in six dogs. METHODS The left IMA (LIMA) was taken down thoracoscopically from three left lateral chest ports, followed by the right IMA (RIMA) from the right side. One left-sided port was extended medially 5 cm with or without rib resection, to expose the pericardium. Both IMAs were divided and exteriorized through the left anterior mediastinotomy. Flow and pedicle length were satisfactory in all cases. Femoral-femoral bypass was used and the heart arrested with antegrade delivery of cardioplegic solution via the central lumen of a balloon catheter inflated to occlude the ascending aorta. All anastomoses were made through the mediastinotomy under direct vision. In five studies the RIMA was attached to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the LIMA to the circumflex, and in one study the RIMA was tunneled through the transverse sinus to the circumflex and the LIMA was anastomosed to the LAD. All animals were weaned from CPB in sinus rhythm without inotropes. CPB duration was 108 +/- 27 minutes (mean +/- SD) and the clamp duration was 54 +/- 10 minutes. RESULTS Preoperative and postoperative cardiac outputs were 2.9 +/- 0.71/min and 2.4 +/- 0.31/min, respectively (p = NS), and corresponding pulmonary artery occlusion pressures were 6 +/- 3 mmHg and 7 +/- 2 mmHg, respectively (p = NS). All 12 grafts were demonstrated to be fully patent. Postmortem examination revealed well aligned pedicles and correctly grafted target vessels. CONCLUSION This canine model demonstrates the potential for a less invasive approach to the surgical management of left main coronary artery disease in humans.
A comparison of three microindentation hardness scales at low and ultralow loads

Abstract Indentation hardness tests were performed on thick, fine-grained, electro-formed deposits of copper and nickel using Knoop, Vickers, and Berkovich indenters. The latter type of indenter was used for shallow penetrations (85–1750nm), and results are reported in terms of nanoscale hardness (NH) numbers. Knoop and Vickers indenters were used with applied loads of between 0.15 and 0.98 N, and at the lowest load, produced indentation depths comparable to the larger ones obtained with the Berkovich indenter. The NH numbers became very sensitive to penetration depth when the penetration depth was less than certain critical values. NH numbers for Cu and Ni were higher than those for Knoop and Vickers testing at comparable penetration depths. Applying indenter area function corrections to calculate hardness numbers (i.e., considering projected area versus facet contact area) resulted in a closer correlation between microhardness and nanohardness scales; however, changes in the tip shape because of wear or other imperfections can lead to inaccurate calculation of NH numbers at the lowest loads. Results also suggest that the interconversion of lowload hardness numbers from one scale to another can be material-dependent.
Effects of epithelial nuclear size and density on elastic scattering spectroscopy: an experimental study using two-layer tissue phantoms

Elastic scattering spectroscopy (ESS) has shown to be a useful technology for determining morphological changes associated with the progression of intra-epithelial neoplasia; however, the origins of differences seen in ESS spectra with the progression of disease is not well understood. We use a two-layer tissue model to study the effects of nuclear size and density on ESS spectra collected via an optical fiber probe. The presence of various sizes and densities of epithelial nuclei distort the diffuse reflectance spectrum; however, information regarding the nuclear size and density is preserved.
Biological invasions and ecological hypotheses

At the time of an enormous inflation of edited volumes on biological invasions (many of them claiming their uniqueness), this is clearly an outstanding book. It is exceptional for two reasons. First, it deals with both ancient (nine studies) and modern (nine studies) migrations and/or invasions of plants and animals to, or from, Australasia (mostly Australia). Second, each study is consistently built around a set of 11 central hypotheses from population and community ecology: H1 – a species will not be able to invade an area that has abiotic conditions that are outside its physiological tolerance levels; H2 – the extent of an invasion is negatively correlated with the species diversity of functional guild competitors in the invaded environment; H3 – an invasive species will not be able to replace a native species if they occupy the same niche and are in all other ways equal; H4 – a species will not be able to invade an area that harbors pathogens (that cause disease) or predators (that prey on the invading species) that it has not encountered before (the opposite of this hypothesis is stated as the Enemy Release Hypothesis); H5 – a species will not be able to invade an area if its coevolutionary species (necessary for parts of the invader's life cycle) is/are not present in the area; H6 – species that occur at low population densities in their native range will not be invasive; H7 – a species will not be able to invade an area if it has a lower use efficiency of its limiting resource than a native species that occupies the same location; H8 – species can more easily invade highly disturbed areas; H9 – species from older lineages are more vulnerable to being replaced by invasive species that occupy a similar niche; H10 – a species will be able to invade an area only if it has a life-history strategy that is more r selected than that of the species that is already occupying the niche; and H11 – there are no rules concerning whether a species is invasive or not, it all happens by chance.
dI-Domains as prime information systems

Abstract This paper introduces prime information systems. Prime information systems determine dI-domains and stable approximable mappings give stable functions, and vice versa. The notion of rigid embedding is captured by a subsystem relation. Under this relation, prime information systems form a complete partial order (cpo). Constructions like lifting, sum, product, and function space are proposed which induce continuous functions on the cpo. In this way recursive prime information systems can be defined using fixed point theory.
A bedside test for peripheral venomotor reactions, with demonstration of a defect in portal cirrhosis

Abstract A bedside technique for the study of acute changes in tone in unobstructed superficial forearm veins has been decribed. A direct venodilator effect of hypercapnia has been demonstrated. Failure of normal reflex venoconstriction in response to immersion of the opposite hand in ice water has been observed in patients with advanced portal cirrhosis.
Normal length of fetal kidneys: sonographic study in 397 obstetric patients.

This study was done to measure normal lengths of fetal kidneys sonographically during pregnancy. Knowledge of these measurements may allow earlier diagnosis of a variety of abnormalities. The greatest length of each of 498 kidneys in 397 consecutive fetuses between 18 and 41 weeks gestation was measured on sonograms. Gestational ages were determined by last menstrual period and biometry; significant discrepancies led to case exclusion. Abnormal fetuses, twins, offspring of diabetic mothers, and fetuses with renal pelvic dilatation of 4 mm or greater were excluded to avoid any questionable measurements. The results show that mean lengths are greater and confidence intervals are wider than previously reported. Renal lengths are similar to those reported in premature and full-term neonates. Strong correlation exists between renal length and gestational age, determined by biparietal diameter, femoral length, and abdominal circumference, and an average of the three. No significant difference was found between right and left renal lengths in fetuses in whom both kidneys were imaged. Average renal lengths are significantly different when compared across the range of gestational ages (p less than .001). No correlation is seen (r = .00) between parental height or weight and fetal renal length. Our results show that fetal renal lengths are longer than previously reported.
Plasma Proteome Response to Severe Burn Injury Revealed by 18O-Labeled “Universal” Reference-Based Quantitative Proteomics

A burn injury represents one of the most severe forms of human trauma and is responsible for significant mortality worldwide. Here, we present the first quantitative proteomics investigation of the blood plasma proteome response to severe burn injury by comparing the plasma protein concentrations of 10 healthy control subjects with those of 15 severe burn patients at two time-points following the injury. The overall analytical strategy for this work integrated immunoaffinity depletion of the 12 most abundant plasma proteins with cysteinyl-peptide enrichment-based fractionation prior to LC−MS analyses of individual patient samples. Incorporation of an 18O-labeled “universal” reference among the sample sets enabled precise relative quantification across samples. In total, 313 plasma proteins confidently identified with two or more unique peptides were quantified. Following statistical analysis, 110 proteins exhibited significant abundance changes in response to the burn injury. The observed changes in prote...
The prognostic significance of adenomyosis in endometrial carcinoma

Depth of myometrial invasion is accepted as one of the most important prognostic factors in carcinoma of the endometrium. In an effort to define the significance of adenomyosis containing adenocarcinoma as it relates to myometrial invasion, 52 cases of Stage I adenocarcinoma with coexisting adenomyosis were identified. A subset of 11 cases was noted to have adenocarcinoma in adenomyosis, invasive to a depth greater than would have been appreciated had this entity not been identified. These 11 cases had a 100% 5-year survival, suggesting that adenocarcinoma in adenomyosis does not indicate a more ominous prognosis. The depth of invasion into the myometrium proper is the significant prognostic factor. The pathologist must be able to differentiate these two distinct entities to accurately assess prognosis.
Effect of Selected Yogurt Cultures on the Concentration of Orotic Acid, Uric Acid and A Hydroxymethylglutaric-Like Compound in Milk After Fermentation

Eight yogurts, each fermented by different strains of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, were produced, then analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the presence of orotic, uric and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric (HMG) acids. In all yogurts orotic acid decreased 15-53% after fermentation while uric acid levels did not change. A compound was found in all yogurt extracts that co-chromatographed with HMG on HPLC and had a similar UV spectrum to HMG after both were collected from a reverse phase HPLC column. However, the HMG co-elutant did not correspond to HMG on thin-layer or paper chromatography. These results suggest that HMG is not present in milk or yogurt. Fermentation of milk by yogurt strains reduced the concentration of the HMG co-elutant in six of the yogurts, but increased it in two yogurts.
Spark plasma sintered tantalum carbide-carbon nanotube composite: Effect of pressure, carbon nanotube length and dispersion technique on microstructure and mechanical properties

Abstract TaC–4 wt.% CNT composites were synthesized using spark plasma sintering. Two kinds of CNTs, having long (10–20 μm) and short (1–3 μm) length, were dispersed by wet chemistry and spray drying techniques respectively. Spark plasma sintering was carried out at 1850 °C at pressures of 100, 255 and 363 MPa. Addition of CNTs leads to an increase in the density of 100 MPa sample from 89% to 95%. Short CNTs are more effective in increasing the density of the composites whereas long CNTs are more effective grain growth inhibitors. The longer CNTs are more effective in increasing the fracture toughness and an increase up to 60% was observed for 363 MPa sample. Hardness and elastic modulus are found to increase by 22% and 18% respectively for 100 MPa samples by addition of long CNTs. Raman spectroscopy, SEM and TEM images indicated that the CNTs were getting transformed into flaky graphitic structures at pressure higher than 100 MPa.
High PSR Low Drop-Out Regulator With Feed-Forward Ripple Cancellation Technique

A low drop-out (LDO) regulator with a feed-forward ripple cancellation (FFRC) technique is proposed in this paper. The FFRC-LDO achieves a high power-supply rejection (PSR) over a wide frequency range. Complete analysis and design steps of the FFRC-LDO are presented in this paper. Kelvin connection is also used to increase the gain-bandwidth of the LDO allowing for faster transient performance. The LDO is implemented in 0.13 ?m CMOS technology and achieves a PSR better than - 56 dB up to 10 MHz for load currents up to 25 mA. Load regulation of 1.2 mV for a 25 mA step is measured, and the whole LDO consumes a quiescent current of 50 ?A with a bandgap reference circuit included. To our knowledge, this is the first LDO that achieves such a high PSR up to 10 MHz.
Stochastic analysis for the recursive median filter process

Vector probability measure functions (density function) for recursively median filtered signals are found when the underlying input binary sequences are either independent identically distributed (i.i.d.) or Markov chains. The results are parametric in the window size of the filter and in the probability distribution of the input sequence. Using statistical threshold decomposition, the same results are found for discrete alphabet random sequences that are either i.i.d. or Markov chains. Some examples illustrating the efficacy of the recursive median filter relative to the nonrecursive implementation are presented. In particular, the breakdown probabilities are tabulated for both recursive and nonrecursive median filters. >
Cloning and homology modelling of a Pto-like protein kinase family of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Degenerate primers, based on conserved subdomains of several plant serine/threonine kinases (STK) similar to the tomato Pto protein kinase, were designed to amplify similar regions from the common bean genome. Sequence analysis of the products defined five distinct classes sharing from 56.9 to 63.9% amino-acid identity with Pto. Inter-class identity ranged from 61.2 to 81.4%. Each of the five classes contain the conserved residues found in subdomains II through IX of most STKs. Multiple sequence and neighbor-joining tree analysis suggest the Pto and the cloned common bean sequences define a unique class of plant protein kinases. Southern hybridization to common bean DNA determined that the sequence classes represent low to moderate copy number families. Using PCR amplification with class-specific primers followed by restriction enzyme digestion of the products, these five classes were found to be essentially monomorphic among 20 divergent common bean genotypes. Each class was determined to be expressed in a leaf mRNA population. Further analysis of the Sg5 class using 3′-RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) identified seven unique family members. All Sg5 3′-RACE products share a high degree of identity, but contain numerous differentiating features that demonstrate the presence of microheterogeneity within the Sg5 class. Three-dimensional homology modelling demonstrated that Pto and Sg5–3e contain nearly all of the structural features found in type α cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (cAPKα) except α-helices within subdomains II and XI. Based on these homology models and models of ten other plant kinases, two subfamilies of plant protein kinase sequence could be differentiated based on subdomain XI structure. Database searches revealed that subdomains VIa, VIb, VIII and IX of the Pto-like class are unique to plant species, whereas for a second subfamily of plant protein kinases (containing the common bean kinase PvPKI) these subdomains are also similar to those found in non-plant eukaryotic species.
The Arabidopsis general transcription factor TFIIB1 (AtTFIIB1) is required for pollen tube growth and endosperm development

Pollen tube growth and endosperm development are important for fertilization and seed formation. The genetic mechanism of the processes remains poorly understood. This study reports the functional characterization of AtTFIIB1 in pollen tube growth and endosperm development. AtTFIIB1 shares 86% and 44% similarity with AtTFIIB2 and AtTFIIB3/AtpBRP2, respectively. It is expressed in many tissues including vegetative nuclei and generative cells of pollen grains and pollen tubes, endosperm, and embryos. It is thus different from AtTFIIB2, whose expression is not found in the endosperm and vegetative nucleus of mature pollen, and AtTFIIB3/AtpBRP2, which is expressed mostly in male gametophytes and weakly in seeds. Mutations in AtTFIIB1 caused a drastic retardation of pollen tube growth and endosperm development, as well as impaired pollen tube guidance and reception, leading to disruption of fertilization and seed development. Expression of AtTFIIB2 driven by the AtTFIIB1 promoter could restore the defective pollen tube growth, guidance, and reception completely, but only partially recovered the seed development in attfiib1, whilst expression of AtTFIIB3/AtpBRP2 driven by the AtTFIIB1 promoter could rescue only the defective attfiib1 seeds. All these results suggest that AtTFIIB1 plays important roles in pollen tube growth, guidance, and reception as well as endosperm development and is partially functionally different from AtTFIIB2 and AtTFIIB3/AtpBRP2.
Ten-year Outcomes of Sexual Function After Radical Prostatectomy: Results of a Prospective Longitudinal Study

Background: The long-term impact of radical prostatectomy (RP) on sexual function (SF) and erectile function (EF) has important implications related to the risk-to-benefit ratio of this treatment. Objective: To determine the long-term effect of RP on male SF and EF over 10 yr of follow-up. Design, setting, and participants: This was a prospective, longitudinal outcomes study in 1836 men following RP at a university hospital. Men were invited to complete the University of California, Los Angeles, Prostate Cancer Index SF survey at baseline, 3, 6, 12, 24, 96, and 120 mo postoperatively and a survey at 4 and 7 yr postoperatively assessing global changes in their EF over the preceding 2 yr. Intervention: All men underwent open RP. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Multiple, generalized linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between time following RP and SF and EF scores controlling for age, prostate-specific antigen, Gleason scores, stage, nerve sparing, race, and marital status. Results and limitations: After an expected initial decline, time-dependent improvements in SF and EF were observed through 2 yr postoperatively. Overall, SF and EF were both generally stable between 2 and 10 yr following RP. The subgroups of younger men and men with better preoperative function were more likely to maintain their EF and SF through 10 yr following RP. The primary limitation is the potential bias attributable to nonresponders. Conclusions: The recovery of EF can extend well beyond 2 yr. There is a significant association between younger age and better preoperative function and the likelihood of experiencing improvements beyond 2 yr. Assessing the comparative effectiveness of treatment options for localized prostate cancer must examine SF beyond 2 yr to account for delayed treatment effects and the natural history of SF in the aging male population. # 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of European Association of Urology.
Improvement of total transfer capability using TCSC and SVC

Total transfer capability (TTC) is usually limited by overloaded circuits and buses with relatively low voltage. Flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) technology can redistribute load flow and regulate bus voltage, so it is a promising method to improve TTC. In the FACTS family, thyristor controlled series compensator (TCSC) and static VAr compensator (SVC) are the two main commercially available FACTS controllers. This paper presents the formulation and general procedure of TTC calculation using TCSC and SVC. The improvement of TTC using TCSC and SVC is demonstrated with a simple test system. Both thermal limit dominant case and voltage limit dominant case are investigated and the results show that TCSC can improve TTC in both cases while SVC can improve TTC only in voltage dominant case. The location of TCSC and SVC in the system also affects the improvement. Generally speaking, TCSC is more effective than SVC in improving TTC.
Isolated talar fracture in an adolescent

Abstract Isolated talar fractures are rare. Their true incidence is unknown and may be overlooked following ankle and hindfoot injuries. We present an isolated talar fracture in an adolescent girl following a trivial injury and suggest a rationale for the investigation of persistent ankle and hindfoot pain in this situation.
Novel recognition motifs and biological functions of the RNA-binding protein HuD revealed by genome-wide identification of its targets.

HuD is a neuronal ELAV-like RNA-binding protein (RBP) involved in nervous system development, regeneration, and learning and memory. This protein stabilizes mRNAs by binding to AU-rich instability elements (AREs) in their 3′ unstranslated regions (3′ UTR). To isolate its in vivo targets, messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) complexes containing HuD were first immunoprecipitated from brain extracts and directly bound mRNAs identified by subsequent GST-HuD pull downs and microarray assays. Using the 3′ UTR sequences of the most enriched targets and the known sequence restrictions of the HuD ARE-binding site, we discovered three novel recognition motifs. Motifs 2 and 3 are U-rich whereas motif 1 is C-rich. In vitro binding assays indicated that HuD binds motif 3 with the highest affinity, followed by motifs 2 and 1, with less affinity. These motifs were found to be over-represented in brain mRNAs that are upregulated in HuD overexpressor mice, supporting the biological function of these sequences. Gene ontology analyses revealed that HuD targets are enriched in signaling pathways involved in neuronal differentiation and that many of these mRNAs encode other RBPs, translation factors and actin-binding proteins. These findings provide further insights into the post-transcriptional mechanisms by which HuD promotes neural development and synaptic plasticity.
Collective Behavior as Group‐Induced Shift*

Data from the risky shift literature are brought to bear on collective behavior. The author suggests that the extreme behavior common in collective behavior is parallel to the shift to risk in small groups decision making, and that both phenomena can be conceptualized as group-induced shifts to an extreme.
Real-time shape estimation for continuum robots using vision

This paper describes external camera-based shape estimation for continuum robots. Continuum robots have a continuous backbone made of sections which bend to produce changes of configuration. A major difficulty with continuum robots is the determination of the robot's shape, as there are no discrete joints. This paper presents a method for shape determination based on machine vision. Using an engineered environment and image processing from a high speed camera, shape determination of a continuum robot is achieved. Experimental results showing the effectiveness of the technique on our Elephant's Trunk Manipulator are presented.
Impact of checklists on peri-intubation care in ED trauma patients☆☆☆

Abstract Background Checklists have successfully been used in intensive care units (ICUs) to improve metrics of critical care. Proper peri-intubation care including use of appropriate induction agents and postintubation sedation is crucial when performing endotracheal intubation (ETI) on critically ill patients, especially in the emergency department (ED). We sought to evaluate the impact of checklists on peri-intubation care in ED trauma patients. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all trauma patients intubated in the ED of an urban, level 1 academic center from November 2010 to October 2012. As part of a quality improvement project, a peri-intubation checklist was instituted on November 1, 2011 to guide peri-intubation care. Using a predesign and postdesign, we compared peri-intubation parameters using parametric and nonparametric statistics when appropriate to evaluate the impact of a checklist on peri-intubation care. We also evaluated outcome measures including mortality and lengths of stay. Results During the 2-year study period, 187 trauma patients underwent ETI in the ED, 90 prechecklist and 97 postchecklist. Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) use was greater with the checklist than without (90.7% vs 75.6%, P = .005). No difference was found between the number of ETI attempts per patient, hemodynamic parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation), postintubation anxiolysis, median number of ventilator days, length of ED stay, length of ICU stay, or mortality. Conclusion Peri-intubation checklists result in higher rates of RSI in ED trauma patients but do not alter other measured metrics of peri-intubation care.
Densification and sintering viscosity of low-temperature co-fired ceramics

In this paper, we present sintering and uniaxial viscosity data of three commercial low-temperature co-sintered ceramic systems, i.e., DuPont 951Tape (DU), Heraeus CT2000 (CT), and Ferro A6M (FE), measured by cyclic loading dilatometry. The viscosity initially decreases with temperature, changes little during the intermediate stage, and increases towards the end of densification. The viscosity increases sharply beyond the onset of crystallization. At slower heating rates, the viscosity increases at lower temperature, because of densification and crystallization. The isothermal viscosity data range from 0.1 to 100 GPa·s between 73% and 95% density. Ceramic particle-filled glasses show a higher isothermal viscosity compared with pure glass system, i.e., FE. From master viscosity curves based on isothermal data, the activation energies for viscous flow were ∼375±30 and 450±10 kJ/mol for DU and FE, respectively. These energies are comparable to values obtained from the master sintering curve approach.
Learning from structured data with high dimensional structured input and output domain

Structured data is accumulated rapidly in many applications, e.g. Bioinformatics, Cheminformatics, social network analysis, natural language processing and text mining. Designing and analyzing algorithms for handling these large collections of structured data has received significant interests in data mining and machine learning communities, both in the input and output domain. However, it is nontrivial to adopt traditional machine learning algorithms, e.g. SVM, linear regression to structured data. For one thing, the structural information in the input domain and output domain is ignored if applying the normal algorithms to structured data. For another, the major challenge in learning from many high-dimensional structured data is that input/output domain can contain tens of thousands even larger number of features and labels. With the high dimensional structured input space and/or structured output space, learning a low dimensional and consistent structured predictive function is important for both robustness and interpretability of the model. In this dissertation, we will present a few machine learning models that learn from the data with structured input features and structured output tasks. For learning from the data with structured input features, I have developed structured sparse boosting for graph classification, structured joint sparse PCA for anomaly detection and localization. Besides learning from structured input, I also investigated the interplay between structured input and output under the context of multi-task learning. In particular, I designed a multi-task learning algorithms that performs structured feature selection & task relationship Inference. We will demonstrate the applications of these structured models on subgraph based graph classification, networked data stream anomaly detection/localization, multiple cancer type prediction, neuron activity prediction and social behavior prediction. Finally, through my intern work at IBM T.J. Watson Research, I will demonstrate how to leverage structural information from mobile data (e.g. call detail record and GPS data) to derive important places from people's daily life for transit optimization and urban planning.
Differential integrin expression by cardiac fibroblasts from hypertensive and exercise-trained rat hearts.

Abstract The cardiac fibroblast is the principal cell type responsible for extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis in the heart during growth and pathophysiological conditions. A dynamic interaction exists between the cardiac ECM and fibroblasts that is sensitive to the local mechanical and chemical tissue environment. We propose here that cardiac fibroblasts structurally and functionally adapt to changing local environments by altering their expression of receptor integrins. Changes in the extracellular environment are communicated in part by integrins, which link the ECM to the cell and regulate phenotype and function. In this report, we analyze integrin protein expression, migration and gel contraction by cardiac fibroblasts from rats subjected to 10 weeks of treadmill exercise (XTR), experimental hypertension (HYP) or controls (CONT). Immunoprecipitation shows that β1 protein increases in XTR and HYP. Also, α1 and α2 integrins are lower in XTR and HYP, and α5 integrin is higher in XTR and lower in HYP. Functional assays show that XTR and HYP migrate slower on collagen, while XTR migrate faster and HYP slower on fibronectin. Cell isolation procedure, population expansion number or a general adaptation to culture conditions does not explain the differences observed. No significant differences in collagen gel contraction are detected. These results indicate that cardiac fibroblasts retain their in vivo patterns in vitro for a limited number of population expansions. This tissue-specific phenotype is exhibited in early passage (≤6). However, by late passage (>8), cells begin to show adaptation to the in vitro conditions. These results show that cardiac fibroblasts respond to changing environments in pathophysiological conditions by modulating integrin expression, which is associated with changes in cell migration. They also suggest a pragmatic use for primary cardiac fibroblasts as a model to study the cardiac matrix remodeled by physiological (exercise) and pathological (hypertension) stressors.
Use of remote functional assessment tools to enhance rehabilitation research and practice

This research project studies the use of videoconferencing technology to assess functional status from outside the clinic. The technologies under use meet the H.320 and H.324 videoconferencing standards. The Wolf Motor Function Test, Arm Motor Ability Test, Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, Barthel Test, Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Motor Activity Log are the measures under investigation. For each of these assessment instruments, the aim is to both evaluate whether remote evaluation is as effective as face to face, and to disseminate recommendations regarding specific protocols.
Technique and Apparatus for Accurate Cross-Sectional Stress Profiling of Optical Fibers

The design and performance of a technique for determining 2-D cross-sectional stress distributions in optical fibers and fiber-based devices is described. The Brace-Kohler phase compensation method is implemented on a commercial polarization microscope to perform full-field measurements of the transverse retardations induced by the low levels of birefringence in optical fibers. Analysis of the region surrounding the fiber enables removal of the background retardation induced by the imaging optics. A custom microscope stage plate, fiber rotation apparatus, and compensator rotation apparatus allow for semi-automated measurements at various angular orientations of the fiber. Image analysis techniques are described that reduce the number of angular increments over which the compensator must be rotated, thus providing a more workable total data acquisition time. Computed tomography principles and the filtered backprojection algorithm are implemented to determine full cross-sectional axial stress distributions. The lateral spatial resolution of the technique is 0.46 μm . The axial stress distribution in Corning SMF-28 fiber is presented. The resolution of the axial stress determined with the technique is estimated to be 0.24 MPa. The accuracy of the axial stress is estimated to be ±0.18 MPa.