cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Meg3-DMR, not the Meg3 gene, regulates imprinting of the Dlk1-Dio3 locus

Abstract The imprinted delta like 1 homolog (DLK1) - thyroxine deiodinase type III (DIO3) locus regulates development and growth. Its imprinting regulation involves two differentially methylated regions (DMRs), intergenic-DMR (IG-DMR) and maternally expressed gene 3-DMR (Meg3-DMR). In mice, a maternal deletion of the IG-DMR leads to LOI in the locus, proving that the IG-DMR is a cis-acting imprinting control region of the locus. However, the Meg3-DMR overlaps with the promoter, exon 1 and intron 1 of the Meg3 gene. Because deletion of the Meg3-DMR inactivates the Meg3 gene, their roles in imprinting regulation of Meg3-DMR mice is unknown. Therefore, we generated two mouse models: Meg3Δ(1-4) and Meg3Δ(2-4), respectively targeting exons 1–4 and exons 2–4 of the Meg3 gene. A maternal deletion of Meg3Δ(1-4) caused embryonic death and LOI in both embryos and placentas, but did not affect methylation status of the IG-DMR. In contrast, mice carrying a maternal deletion of Meg3Δ(2-4) were born normally and did not have LOI. These data indicate that it is the Meg3-DMR, not the Meg3 gene, which regulates imprinting of the Dlk1-Dio3 locus.
CMOS-Compatible Optical Phased Array Powered by a Monolithically-Integrated Erbium Laser

An advanced CMOS-compatible 300- $\text{mm}$ -wafer silicon-photonics platform is introduced that consists of a silicon layer with eight doping masks, two silicon-nitride layers, three metal and via layers, a dicing trench for smooth edge-coupled facets, and a gain-film trench that enables interaction between the gain material and waveguide layers. The platform was used to demonstrate an electrically-steerable integrated optical phased array powered by an on-chip erbium-doped laser. Lasing with a single-mode output, $30\,\text{dB}$ side-mode-suppression ratio, and $\text{40 mW}$ lasing threshold was shown, and one-dimensional beam steering with a $\text{0.85}^\circ \times \text{0.20}^\circ$ full-width at half-maximum and $\text{30}^\circ /\text{W}$ electrical steering efficiency was demonstrated. This system represents the first demonstration of a rare-earth-doped laser monolithically-integrated with an active CMOS-compatible silicon-on-insulator photonics system.
Influence of turbulence and in-stream structures on the transport and survival of grass carp eggs and larvae at various developmental stages

Understanding the response of grass carp to flow and turbulence regimes during early life stages is fundamental to monitoring and controlling their spread. A comprehensive set of hydrodynamic experiments was conducted with live grass carp eggs and larvae, to better understand their drifting and swimming patterns with 3 different in-stream obstructions: (1) a gravel bump, (2) a single cylinder, and (3) submerged vegetation. The hydrodynamic behavior of eggs and larvae with each obstruction was continuously monitored for about 85 consecutive hours. Transient spatial distributions of the locations of eggs and larvae throughout the water column were generated for each flow scenario. Results show that the active swimming capabilities of larvae allow them to seek areas of low turbulence and low shear stresses, and that eggs are susceptible to damage by high levels of turbulence, which was further corroborated with tests in an oscillating grid-stirred turbulence tank. Our study seeks to better inform field collection of grass carp during early life stages, and to guide the design of alternative approaches to control the dispersal of this invasive species in North America.
On the probability amplitude of quantum entanglement and the Pauli matrices

The probability amplitudes for quantum entanglement, also known as Bell sates, are utilized to arrive explicitly at the identity matrix I and the $$\sigma_{x}$$, $$\sigma_{y}$$, and $$\sigma_{z}$$ Pauli matrices, via a straight-forward $$2 \times 2$$ matrix representation that utilizes the vector direct product. It is also indicated that this approach is completely equivalent to the utilization of the Kronecker product $$\otimes$$ to multiply the relevant ket vectors. Furthermore, it is shown that the polarization rotation matrix R, operating on the various versions of the probability amplitude for quantum entanglement, yields four identities elegantly interconnecting these probability amplitudes.
Design of a Decision Support Application to Support Individuals in Mental Health Crisis

Mental health and suicide are two substantial issues facing our society. They have far reaching impacts on the healthcare and public safety systems, the economy, and human life. Despite their impac...
Post-Leave (Return to Work) Training Needs and Human Resource Development:

The ProblemEmployee leave is impacted by a variety of laws that address employer obligations and employee responsibilities. While the employee leave process is managed by an organization’s Human Re...
A Two-Stage Diagnosis Framework for Wind Turbine Gearbox Condition Monitoring

Advances in high-performance sensing technologies enable the development of wind turbine condition monitoring systems to diagnose and predict the system-wide effects of failure events. This paper presents a vibration-based two-stage fault detection framework for failure diagnosis of rotating components in wind turbines. The proposed framework integrates an analytical defect detection method with a graphical verification method to ensure diagnosis efficiency and accuracy. The efficacy of the proposed methodology is demonstrated with a case study using the gearbox condition monitoring Round Robin study dataset provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The developed methodology successfully detected five faults out of a total of seven with accurate severity levels and without producing any false alarm in the blind analysis. The case study results indicate that the developed fault detection framework is effective for analyzing gear and bearing faults in wind turbine drivetrain systems based on system vibration characteristics.
3-D high-fidelity hydrostructural optimization of cavitation-free composite lifting surfaces

Abstract Design and manufacturing technologies have promoted the use of composites in hydrodynamic lifting surfaces. Composites, even with state-of-the-art coatings, are susceptible to cavitation erosion damage. This work aims to design a cavitation-free composite lifting surface to maximize efficiency while ensuring structural integrity. We optimize a canonical hydrofoil using a gradient-based optimization framework that couples a Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes solver with a finite-element structural solver. The optimization reduces the weighted drag coefficient by 1.2% over lift coefficients between 0.2 and 0.6, and increases the cavitation inception speed by 82% at the nominal condition compared to the baseline. The optimized design shows higher cavitation inception speeds than an Eppler hydrofoil (E1127, known for cavitation-free operation at moderate lift conditions) with the same baseline planform at C L ≥ 0.2 . The improvement from the E1127 hydrofoil was due mostly to delaying tip vortex cavitation induced by 3-D effects. The optimization finds the fiber angle to balance the bend-twist coupling and modifies the directional strength to reduce the susceptibility to excessive deformation and material failure when sweep presents.
The impact of sentinel lymph node sampling versus traditional lymphadenectomy on the survival of patients with stage IIIC endometrial cancer.

Objective To investigate the survival of patients with lymph node positive endometrial carcinoma by type of surgical lymph node assessment. Methods Patients diagnosed between January 2012 and December 2015 with endometrial carcinoma and uterine confined disease and nodal metastases on final pathology who underwent minimally invasive hysterectomy were identified in the National Cancer Database. Patients who had sentinel lymph node biopsy alone or underwent systematic lymphadenectomy were selected. Overall survival was evaluated following generation of Kaplan–Meier curves and compared with the log rank test. A Cox model was constructed to evaluate survival after controlling for confounders. Results A total of 1432 patients were identified: 1323 (92.4%) and 109 (7.6%) underwent systematic lymphadenectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy only, respectively. The rate of adjuvant treatment was comparable between patients who had sentinel lymph node biopsy alone and systematic lymphadenectomy (83.5% vs 86.6%, p=0.39). However, patients who had sentinel lymph node biopsy were less likely to receive chemotherapy alone (13.6% vs 36.6%, p 0.05). After controlling for confounders, there was no difference in survival between the systematic lymphadenectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy alone groups (hazard ratio 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.46 to 1.45). Conclusions Performance of sentinel lymph node biopsy alone was not associated with an adverse impact on survival in patients with lymph node positive endometrial cancer.
Graded buffer Bragg reflectors with high reflectivity and transparency for metamorphic optoelectronics

A graded buffer Bragg reflector (GBBR) is a bifunctional device component that provides the reflection of a distributed Bragg reflector and the adjustable lattice constant of a compositionally graded buffer. Prior work showed that these properties can be combined with low threading dislocation density and high reflectivity. Here, we design and demonstrate complex GBBRs for specific metamorphic solar cell applications. We design buffers that provide (1) high reflectivity over a narrow bandwidth, for quantum well solar cells, (2) reflectivity over a wide bandwidth, for optically thin solar cells, and (3) low sidelobe reflection, for multijunction devices that demand low out-of-band reflection. Apodized and triple GBBRs are demonstrated, and transparency is always considered, requiring designs with carefully engineered material combinations. A GBBR with a reflection of 99% is demonstrated, as well as a triple GBBR that has over 80% reflection for 100 nm of the spectrum around 800 nm. We also analyze potential deviations in a baseline GBBR from that of a perfect DBR using transmission electron microscopy to analyze imperfections in the material and modeling to analyze the impact of imperfect refractive index data for lattice-mismatched AlGaInAs. Minimal crosshatch roughness and unintentional thickness variation occur throughout the buffer, which likely influences reflection slightly. Small deviations between the calculated AlGaInAs and utilized AlGaAs refractive index exist, giving methods for future GBBR improvement. While the GBBR designs are intended for metamorphic solar cells, the broad and high reflection may also be useful for other optoelectronic devices such as light-emitting diodes or lasers.
Online Search and Product Rankings: A Double Index Approach

We develop a flexible yet tractable model of consumer search and choice, and apply it to the problem of product rankings optimization by online retail platforms. In the model, products are characterized by an observable search index, which governs what consumers search; and a utility index, which governs which of the searched options is purchased. We show that this framework generalizes several commonly used search models. We then consider how platforms should assign products to search ranks. To optimize consumer surplus, platforms should promote “diamonds in the rough,” products whose utility index exceeds their search index. By contrast, to maximize static profits, the platform should favor high-margin products, creating a tension between the two objectives. We develop computationally tractable algorithms for estimating consumer preferences and optimizing rankings, and we provide approximate optimality guarantees in the latter case. When we apply our approach to data from Expedia, our suggested ranking achieves both higher consumer surplus and higher revenues than is achieved by the Expedia ranking, and also dominates ranking the products in order of utility.
Tissue factor (coagulation factor III) inhibition by apolipoprotein A-II

Apolipoprotein A-II (apoA-II) has been shown to inhibit tissue factor participation in the activation of coagulation factor X by factor VIIa. The magnitude of inhibition was dependent on the concentration of the enzyme (factor VIIa) and substrate (factor X) present in the reaction. With factor VIIa at 0.86 nM, 0.41 microM apoA-II inhibited factor X activation as much as 50% at 200 nM factor X, with inhibition decreasing to 39% at 3 nM factor X. When factor X was held constant at 100 nM, 0.41 microM apoA-II inhibited its activation by 80% when factor VIIa was present at 26.7 pM, but the inhibition decreased to 47% when factor VIIa was increased to 1.75 nM. Kinetically, increasing apoA-II decreased the reaction Vmax. ApoA-II produced little effect on the apparent Km, but the apparent K1/2 for factor VIIa in the reaction increased as apoA-II concentration increased. In the presence of 0.75 pM bovine tissue factor, reconstituted with 4.31 microM phosphatidylserine-phosphatidylcholine (30:70, w/w) vesicles, and in the absence of apoA-II, the apparent Km was near 7 nM factor X when factor VIIa was present at 0.86 nM. Under the same conditions with factor X at 100 nM, the apparent K1/2 was near 56 pM factor VIIa. As apoA-II was added to 0.41 microM, the apparent K1/2 increased to about 200 pM factor VIIa. The aggregate results support a model in which apoA-II inhibits tissue factor potentiation of factor VIIa activity. Because the apparent K1/2 increases when apoA-II is added, the factor VIIa can apparently protect tissue factor from the effects of apoA-II. Thus, apoA-II appears to inhibit factor X activation by preventing the appropriate association of tissue factor with factor VIIa.
The Need for Information Ethics: A Graduate Student's Perspective

Pour un enseignement concernant les problemes d'ethique dans le domaine des sciences de l'information et des bibliotheques
A simplified anatomic classification of abortions.

Abstract This system of classifying and reporting abortions is based on the morphology of products recovered, and requires neither a special interest in embryology nor an undue expenditure of time. Uniform recording of such data would provide a basis for studies of mechanisms of abortions and their pathophysiology. Patterns of special interest, such as abnormal fetal growth, might also be recognized.
Adaptive therapy strategies: Efficacy and learning framework

This paper considers a data-driven framework to model target selection strategies using runtime kinematic parameters of individual patients. These models can be used to select new exercise targets that conform with the decision criteria of the therapist. We present the results from a single-subject case study with a manually written target selection function. Motivated by promising results, we propose a framework to learning customized/adaptive therapy models for individual patients. Through the data collected from a normally functioning adult, we demonstrate that it is feasible to model varying strategies from the demonstration of target selection.
Hearing: speech recognition

Speech recognition (SR) technology is an interface technology that makes it possible for a computer user to use speech as an input such as issuing commands and instructions to a computer using spoken words instead of a keyboard, mouse, or other interface device. Speech recognition is possible because of advancements in digital signal processing, computer programming, and psycholinguistics. SR depends on the fact that speech utterances have distinct and characteristic acoustic properties associated with them. Contemporary SR devices, when programmed properly by experts who recognize the appropriate constraints, can be successfully employed in interesting ways. >
Two variants of the FxLMS algorithm

We present a time-domain feedback analysis of the FxLMS algorithm, which has been receiving increasing attention in the literature due to its potential application in the active control of noise. In particular, we introduce a generalized FxLMS variant and derive conditions for its l/sub 2/-stability. We also show that the algorithm can in fact be regarded as a member of the class of filtered-error variants. A special case of the generalized algorithm is the so-called MFxLMS recursion, which refers to a recent modification of the standard FxLMS update. While this modification significantly improves the convergence behaviour of FxLMS, it requires of the order of 3M elementary computations per time step. This is in contrast to the 2M operations required by the standard FxLMS. We suggest two new modifications that keep the computational load at the 2M level, and which present improved convergence over the FxLMS algorithm. Simulation results are included to demonstrate the points raised in the paper.
The Ordering Challenge: An Online Game to Introduce Independent Demand Inventory Concepts

Students are put in the role of a manager who watches inventory levels decrease and must order at the right time and in the right quantity to minimize costs. This interactive game requires the students to race against time and has levels of increasing difficulty. It introduces the students to the concepts of holding cost, ordering cost, backlog cost, the sawtooth curve, reorder point, order quantity, ABC categorization, and continuous review systems. The game is simple and is available free online. An accompanying assignment is designed to guide the student's reflection process while playing the game.
Dynamics of the formation of antibubbles

Antibubbles refer to drops of liquid that are surrounded by a thin gas shell with the whole object immersed within a liquid phase. Although first observed more than 70 years ago, only recently have details of the formation and disappearance of antibubbles been considered. Here we provide an experimental study of the optimal conditions necessary for the formation of antibubbles. In addition, we characterize the dynamics of the collapse of the liquid column, formed from the initial impact of a drop with a liquid bath, which eventually leads to the antibubble.
Complexes of the lanthanide elements with α-hydroxy carboxylate ligands

Abstract The successive formation constants have been determined for the α-hydroxy-isobutyrate, lactate and glycolate complexes of nine lanthanide elements and yttrium by potentiometric titration. The formation constants increase as a function of atomic number for each ligand system with some irregularity in the trend in the SmEuGd region. For a given lanthanide the order of complex stability is α-hydroxy isobutyrate > lactate > glycolate. This order and the values of ΔH and ΔS for the formation of the monocomplex of Ce(III) and Gd(III) indicate that the relative order of complex stability is governed by an inductive effect of the ligand. For all the metal ions, including Y(III), the average ligand number exceeds a value of three indicating the formation of the complex ML4− (M = trivalent metal ion, L = organic ligand).
Automation and the price of progress.

Our inability to cope with automation appears to be due to our misuse of intellectual talent in the arms and space race. There is not scientific and organizational strength to create useful work for the presently unemployed. Automation by itself has too many built-in limitations and there are too many unmet needs of our society for us to speak of a permanent problem.
Patterns of gene expression during teleost embryogenesis: Lactate dehydrogenase isozyme ontogeny in the medaka (Oryzias iatipes)☆

Abstract The ontogeny of the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; EC 1.1.1.27) isozymes during medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryogenesis was determined after the genetic and molecular bases of this multilocus isozyme system were established. Three LDH loci are differentially expressed among the tissues of the adult medaka. The LDH-A locus was expressed almost exclusively in the white skeletal muscle, the LDH-B locus in all tissues examined, and the LDH-C locus in the eye and brain. The contribution of each of these LDH loci was quantitatively determined throughout early medaka embryogenesis by using a combination of electrophoretic, immunochemical, and spectrophotometric procedures. LDH-B4 is present throughout embryogenesis and is the predominant LDH isozyme during this period. LDH-C subunit activity was first detected 146 hr after fertilization (26°C), 142 hr prior to hatching. LDH-A subunit activity, however, was not detected until after hatching and, then, only as heterotetramers containing LDH-B subunits. The pattern of LDH gene expression during medaka embryogenesis was compared with the patterns of LDH gene expression during early development in five other teleost species. Some common patterns of differential LDH gene expression appear to exist among the teleosts. In all species examined, isozymes encoded in at least one LDH locus, A and/or B, were present throughout development. Those isozymes present continually during embryogenesis also tend to be active in a wide variety of differentiated tissues in the adult fish. Conversely, LDH isozymes which are active in a restricted number of adult tissues are detected only later in embryogenesis. The initiation of LDH-C gene expression, however, is closely coupled with morphological and functional differentiation of those cells in which this locus is predominantly expressed in the adult.
Estimation of quality of service in spelling correction using Kullback-Leibler divergence

Research highlights? We created a name spelling correction algorithm which combines String and Phonetic Matching Techniques. ? We examine the effectiveness of the algorithm not only with its correction rate, but also estimate the quality of the algorithm based on its false corrections. ? Increasing random mistyped characters in the source is the main reason that the algorithm has failed to do provide the correct suggestions. In order to assist the companies dealing with data preparation problems, an approach is developed to handle the dirty data. Cleaning the customer records and producing the desired results require different set of effective tools and sequences such as the near miss strategy and phonetic structure and edit-distance to provide a suggestion table. The selection of the best match is verified and validated by the frequency of presence in the 20th century's Census Bureau statistics. Although, the conducted experiments resulted in better correction rates over the well known ASPELL, JSpell HTML and Ajax Spell Checkers, another remaining challenge is to introduce an estimation of quality factor for our Personal Name Recognizing Strategy Model (PNRS) to distinguish between submitted original names and suggested name estimations from PNRS. Here, we implement a statistical distance metrics for a quality measure by computing the Kullback-Leibler distance (K-L). K-L distance can be used to measure this distance between probability density function of original names and probability density function of suggested names estimated from the PNRS to assess/validate to what degree our edit distance strategy has been successful in correcting names. All submitted names as inputs of the PNRS model were taken in a maximum edit distance of 2 with respect to the original name. Kullback-Leibler distance will be an indicator of name recognizing quality.
The role of specific β-γ subunit interactions in oxyanion stimulation of the MgATP hydrolysis of a hybrid photosynthetic F1-ATPase

Pairs of cysteine residues were introduced into the twisted N- and C-terminal helices of the gamma subunit of the chloroplast F1-ATPase to test, via disulfide cross-linking, potential inter-helical movements involved in catalysis of ATP hydrolysis. The extent of disulfide cross-linking was determined by estimating the amount of free sulfhydryl available for labeling with fluoresceinyl maleimide before and after cross-linking. Significant disulfide formation (50-75%) was observed between cysteines introduced at positions 30 and 31 in the N-terminal helix and 276 and 278 in the C-terminal helix. Cross-linking had no apparent effect on catalysis, therefore eliminating the involvement of large-scale inter-helical movements within this region of the gamma subunit in cooperative ATP hydrolysis. However, the presence of the two cysteines together in the gammaV31C/A276C double mutant, irrespective of whether or not they were cross-linked together, lowered the MgATPase activity by more than 70% and completely eliminated the well-known activating effect of the oxyanion sulfite. The CaATPase activity was unaffected. Similar but less pronounced effects were seen with the gammaK30C/A276C double mutant. The results indicate that residues at or near positions 31 and 276 within the twisted helical pair of the gamma subunit are required to overcome Mg2+ inhibition of ATP hydrolysis. These residues are likely to be involved in forming a point of contact between the gamma and beta subunits that is responsible for this effect.
The estimation of genetic variance from twin data.

Methods are presented for estimating genetic variance simultaneously from monozygotic and dizygotic twin data, care being taken to clarify the necessary underlying assumptions. Testing for the presence of genetic variance is also considered, by both parametric and non-parametric means.
The reaction e− + p → Λ + ν and the contributions of the individual form factors to the differential cross section

Abstract We calculate the differential cross section for the weak, strangeness changing, electron scattering process, e− + p → Λ + ν, for incoming electron energies of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 GeV. We obtain as well contributions of the individual form factors to the differential cross sections. We find that the differential cross sections peak as the maximal scattering angle for the Λ is approached and that the peak height increases as the electron energy is increased. The behavior of the differential cross section near the maximal angle is discussed as is the possibility of observing this reaction in a facility such as TJNAF.
Integration of the transcriptome and glycome for identification of glycan cell signatures.

Abnormalities in glycan biosynthesis have been conclusively linked to many diseases but the complexity of glycosylation has hindered the analysis of glycan data in order to identify glycoforms contributing to disease. To overcome this limitation, we developed a quantitative N-glycosylation model that interprets and integrates mass spectral and transcriptomic data by incorporating key glycosylation enzyme activities. Using the cancer progression model of androgen-dependent to androgen-independent Lymph Node Carcinoma of the Prostate (LNCaP) cells, the N-glycosylation model identified and quantified glycan structural details not typically derived from single-stage mass spectral or gene expression data. Differences between the cell types uncovered include increases in H(II) and Ley epitopes, corresponding to greater activity of α2-Fuc-transferase (FUT1) in the androgen-independent cells. The model further elucidated limitations in the two analytical platforms including a defect in the microarray for detecting the GnTV (MGAT5) enzyme. Our results demonstrate the potential of systems glycobiology tools for elucidating key glycan biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. The integration of multiple data sets represents an important application of systems biology for understanding complex cellular processes.
Modeling the metal-semiconductor interaction: Analytical bond-order potential for platinum-carbon

We propose an analytical interatomic potential for modeling platinum, carbon, and the platinum-carbon interaction using a single functional form. The ansatz chosen for this potential makes use of the fact that chemical bonding in both covalent systems and d-transition metals can be described in terms of the Pauling bond order. By adopting Brenner's original bond-order potential for carbon [Phys. Rev. B 42, 9458 (1990)] we devise an analytical expression that has an equivalent form for describing the C-C/Pt-Pt/Pt-C interactions. It resembles, in the case of the pure metal interaction, an embedded-atom scheme, but includes angularity. The potential consequently provides an excellent description of the properties of Pt including the elastic anisotropy ratio. The parameters for both the Pt-Pt interaction and the Pt-C interaction are systematically adjusted using a combination of experimental and theoretical data, the latter being generated by total-energy calculations based on density-functional theory. This approach offers good chemical accuracy in describing all types of interactions, and has a wide applicability for modeling metal-semiconductor systems.
Effect of single amino acid replacements on the thermal stability of the NH2-terminal domain of phage lambda repressor

Abstract The thermal stabilities of mutant phage lambda repressors that have single amino acid replacements in the NH2-terminal domain have been studied by means of circular dichroism and differential scanning calorimetry. The variations in stability determined by these physical methods correlate with the resistance to proteolysis at various temperatures and can be compared with the temperature-sensitive activity of the mutants in vivo. In general, mutant proteins bearing solvent-exposed substitutions have thermal stabilities identical to wild type, whereas buried substitutions reduce stability. In one case, a single amino acid replacement increases the thermal stability of the repressor.
Rabbit erythrocyte membrane interaction with promazine and calcium

Abstract Promazine behaved as a competitive antagonist to the association of calcium with hemoglobin-free erythrocyte membrane when the interactions were characterized by membrane fluorescence quenching or by using a fluorescent probe. The promazine-induced quenching of membrane fluorescence could be reversed by the addition of calcium. Addition of calcium to mineral cation-free membrane in the presence of the drug resulted in an increased fluorescence in the region of 300–320 nm. The calcium-induced spectral change was interpreted as being due to increased tyrosine emission. The association of drug possibly induced structural modifications of the erythrocyte membrane, as suggested by light scattering. The fluorescence quenching of membrane was only slightly altered by variation in pH. It is suggested that the drug may serve as a stabilizer of bound calcium through the formation of coordinated complexes.
DISTINGUISHING AMONG BRUISES IN PEACHES CAUSED BY IMPACT, VIBRATION, AND COMPRESSION

Five cultivars of peaches [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch], each in three different stages of development, were subjected to mechanical abuse in the form of impact, vibration and compression. Bruise features relating bruise appearance to the form of abuse were observed. Bruises caused by impact generally exhibit tear lines and voids. They occur in the flesh of the peach separated from the skin by an unbruised area. Bruises caused by vibration occur under abrasion marks on the skin. Bruises caused by compression originate at the pit and have a geometry related to the direction of the applied compressive force. The features of impact bruises suggest brittle fracture. Those of vibration bruises relate to the visco-elastic nature of peaches. The geometry of compressive bruises is related to the stress concentration effect of an inclusion.
BAC transgenic expression efficiency: bicistronic versus ATG-fusion strategies.

Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-based transgene can be expressed bicistronically with the target gene or fused to its translation start codon. To compare the transgene expression efficiencies of these two methods, mice were created that expressed green fluorescent protein (GFP) from the genomic locus of nucleostemin using the bicistronic (NSiGFP) or the ATG-fusion approach (NSmGFP). Three lines with 1, 2, and 4 copies of the NSiGFP transgene, and two lines with one copy of the NSmGFP transgene were generated. Of the three NSiGFP lines, only the 4-copy line can match the NSmGFP lines in their GFP protein expression levels. Analyses of the GFP and nucleostemin RNA transcript levels exclude IRES inefficiency and suggest premature termination of the bicistronic message as the cause for low GFP expression in the NSiGFP mice. This work provides important information for designing BAC transgenics when the transgene expression level is crucial.
Data Protection and the Commerce Clause

Abstract Congress and the courts have had to address an inevitable result of the new technology — the erosion of personal privacy. While our economy depends on the free flow of information, the individual's right to maintain privacy, personal dignity, and anonymity must be maintained. Courts have long recognized that the law must protect private matters and personal data against governmental and business intrusion.
Elucidating the severity of preclinical traumatic brain injury models: A role for functional assessment?

BACKGROUND:: Concussion remains a symptom-based diagnosis clinically, yet preclinical studies investigating traumatic brain injury, of which concussion is believed to represent a 'mild' form, emphasize histological endpoints with functional assessments often minimized or ignored all together. Recently, clinical studies have identified the importance of cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms, in addition to somatic complaints, following concussion. How these findings may translate to preclinical studies is unclear at present. OBJECTIVE:: To address the contrasting endpoints utilized clinically compared to those in preclinical studies and the potential role of functional assessments in a commonly used model of diffuse axonal injury (DAI). METHODS:: Animals were subjected to DAI using the impact-acceleration model. Functional and behavioral assessments were conducted over 1 week following DAI prior to completion of histological assessment at 1-week post-DAI. RESULTS:: We show, despite the suggestion that this model represents concussive injury, no functional impairments as determined using common measures of motor, sensorimotor, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric function following injury over the course of 1 week. The lack of functional deficits is in sharp contrast to neuropathologic findings indicating neural degeneration, astrocyte reactivity, and microglial activation. CONCLUSION:: Future studies are needed to identify functional assessments, neurophysiologic techniques, and imaging assessments more apt to distinguish differences following so-called 'mild' traumatic brain injury (TBI) in preclinical models and determine whether these models are truly studying concussive or subconcussive injury. These studies are needed to not only understand mechanism of injury and production of subsequent deficits, but also for rigorous evaluation of potential therapeutic agents. Language: en
Reflectance measurements and optical constants in the extreme ultraviolet of thin films of ion-beam-deposited carbon

Abstract Reflectance measurements of ion-beam-deposited (IBD) C films were performed in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectral region from 49 to 200 nm. Near normal incidence reflectance of IBD C films was determined to be higher than that of evaporated C films but lower than that of diamond. Optical constants of IBD C films were obtained from reflectance measurements as a function of the angle of incidence in the spectral range 49.0–121.6 nm. The relatively high reflectance of IBD C films in the spectral region 49–92 nm and its stability when stored in a desiccator make it an interesting coating material for the EUV.
Mild Hypothermia Protects against Irreversible Damage during Prolonged Spinal Cord Ischemia

Mild hypothermia to 32°C protected the spinal cords of 5 rabbits subjected to 90 min of surgically created spinal cord ischemia. Spinal cord ischemia was produced in 10 New Zealand White rabbits by transection of four out of the five segmental arteries arising from the abdominal aorta below the renal arteries plus 90-min occlusion of the remaining segmental artery 24 hr later. Of these 10 rabbits, 5 served as controls. Recovery, or failure to recover, as assessed by examining the rabbits for permanent loss of sensory and motor function in the hind limbs, was compared in the two groups. The duration of the ischemia was sufficient to lead to a total or near total loss of sensory and motor function in all control rabbits. These results may have implications for the care of patients subjected to spinal cord ischemia.
Radiation therapy of suspected brain tumor without definitive diagnosis.

T he Case A 67-year-old man was taken to the emergency department of a hospital. The man presented with left hemiparesis and slurred speech that had worsened over 3 days. After examining the patient, an internist suspected a stroke and ordered a CT scan of the brain (Fig. IA). The radiologist interpreted the CT scan as disclosing a “4 cm ring-enhancing mass in the right parietal lobe with surrounding edema, most likely representing a primary or metastatic neoplasm but an inflammatory process cannot be ruled out. Because of clinical suspicion of brain infarct, MRI scan is suggested.” The MR study (Figs. I B and IC) was obtained and was reported by the radiologist as follows: “TI and T2 weighted images demonstrate in the right parietal lobe a round lesion with a well-marginated rim, surrounding edema and mass effect. Neoplasm is the primary consideration although an inflammatory process including an abscess, or a brain infarct, cannot be excluded.” Now working on a presumptive diagnosis of brain tumor, the internist admitted the patient to the hospital and requested consultation with a neurosurgeon. The next morning, the neurosurgeon performed a biopsy of the brain using a stereotactic technique. The pathologist reported seeing a “probable” malignant glioma on a frozen section. At this point the neurosurgeon and the internist referred the patient to a radiation oncologist for emergency radiation therapy to the brain. Although the radiation oncologist later claimed that he verbally expressed to the referring physicians reservations about treating the brain without a confirmed histologic diagnosis, nevertheless he acquiesced and started a course of radiotherapy to the whole head with a daily dose of 1.8 Gy. Two days later, the final pathology report on the stereotactic brain biopsy revealed “gliosis and necrotic tissue
Anterior Uveal Melanomas and Intraocular Pressure

A study of 11 consecutive patients with anterior uveal melanomas from one institution demonstrated the wide variation in the clinical and histopathologic manifestations of the tumors. The intraocular pressure in the involved eye compared with the fellow eye was elevated in five cases, equal in four, and reduced in two. Histologic studies suggest that the anterior uveal melanomas influence intraocular pressure through their effect on the balance between aqueous production and outflow. Three of the four patients with ciliary body melanomas and glaucoma died of metastatic disease within 3 years of enucleation.
Production of Roentgenograms by X-ray Radiations Obtained from Radioactive X-ray Emitters

Dental roentgenograms have been taken, under experimental conditions, without the aid of an x-ray machine. Harry D. Spangenberg and M.L. Pool of Ohio State University have found radioisotopes which act as sources of radiation similar to that produced by the dental x-ray machine. In their experimental technic, demonstrated on a skull, the x-ray source was so small and compact that it could be placed inside the mouth, thereby avoiding the confusing shadows caused by such superimposed bony structures as the zygomatic arch. Drs. Spangenberg and Pool point out that newly available isotopes may make possible the practical application of this technic. Armed forces in the field may find that this means of taking dental roentgenograms offers intriguing possibilities. No electrical generator or bulky transformers are needed, and the source is small and of light weight. Many new clinical technics are possible since the small source may be placed inside body cavities for new types of projection onto x-ray film.
New Algorithms for 3-D Imaging and Analysis of Open-Celled Foams

Open-celled foams are three-dimensional networks of polymeric cells. The mechanical properties of a foam depend on the size and geometry of its cells. Since foams have a three-dimensional polyhedral structure, the two-dimensional characterization techniques currently used provide limited accuracy.Nuclear magnetic resonance and x-ray tomography methods offeropportunities for three-dimensional imaging of these polyhedral structures. Software, which can use digital three-dimensional images to determine structural parameters such as strut length distribution, connectivity, and cell size, is being developed.The image processing approach uses conformal curvature flow (CCF)segmentation to find the surfaces of foam struts in the 3-D images. Once these surfaces have been found, volume thinning is used to find the structural skeleton of the foam. The resulting data set can then be used to determine many statistical characteristics of the foam, including strut length distributions, window size and shape distribution...
Functional analysis of a recently originating, atypical presequence: mitochondrial import and processing of GUS fusion proteins in transgenic tobacco and yeast

A gene family of at least five members encodes the tobacco mitochondrial Rieske Fe-S protein (RISP). To determine whether all five RISPs are translocated to mitochondria, fusion proteins containing the putative presequences of tobacco RISPs and Escherichia coli β-glucuronidase (GUS) were expressed in transgenic tobacco, and the resultant GUS proteins were localized by cell fractionation. The aminoterminal 75 and 71 residues of RISP2 and RISP3, respectively, directed GUS import into mitochondria, where fusion protein processing occurred. The amino-terminal sequence of RISP4, which contains an atypical mitochondrial presequence, can translocate the GUS protein specifically into tobacco mitochondria with apparently low efficiency. Consistent with the proposal of a conserved mechanism for protein import in plants and fungi, the tobacco RISP3 and RISP4 presequences can direct import and processing of a GUS fusion protein in yeast mitochondria. Plant presequences, however, direct mitochondrial import in yeast less efficiently than the yeast presequence, indicating subtle differences between the plant and yeast mitochondrial import machineries. Our studies show that import of RISP4 may not require positively charged amino acid residues and an amphipathic secondary structure; however, these structural properties may improve the efficiency of mitochondrial import.
Effects of noise bandwidth on the late-potential masking level difference.

Abstract The masking level difference (MLD) is a psychoacoustic phenomenon derived from the subtraction of Sπ No thresholds (signals π radians out of phase and noise in phase at the two ears) from SoNo thresholds (signals and noise in phase at the two ears). The purpose of this study was to determine if the MLD derived from the late components (P1, N1, P2, N2) of the auditory evoked potentials was a physiological correlate of the behavioral MLD. Subjects were 15 young adults with normal hearing. Comparisons were made between behavioral and late potential thresholds to 500 Hz stimuli in So and Sπ conditions in quiet, and to 500 Hz stimuli in SoNo and Sπ No conditiones in narrow band (50 Hz) and wide band (600 Hz) noise. No significant differences were seen for behavioral or late-potential thresholds to So and Sπ conditions. The SπNo threshold was significantly lower than the SoNo threshold, yielding an MLD for both the behavioral and physiological responses. The magnitudes of both the behavioral and late-potential MLD were larger with the narrow band noise than with the wide band noise. Evidence, therefore, is provided that the late-potential MLD reflects similar processes as are responsible for the behavioral MLD.
Atomic modeling of surface photovoltage: Application to Si(1 1 1):H

Abstract The dependence of surface photovoltages on the wavelength of light are obtained for the first time from an atomic model and ab initio calculations. Photovoltages follow from a time-dependent density matrix treatment using a basis set of Kohn–Sham orbitals and a steady state solution for the time-dependent density matrix. An application to a H-terminated Si(1 1 1) surface gives the main features of calculated photovoltage versus incident photon energies in agreement with experimental trends. Our treatment can be implemented for a wide class of photo-electronic materials relevant to solar energy capture.
Programmed trapping of individual bacteria using micrometre-size sieves

Monitoring the real-time behavior of spatial arrays of single living bacteria cells is only achieved with much experimental difficulty due to the small size and mobility of the cells. To address this problem, we have designed and constructed a simple microfluidic device capable of trapping single bacteria cells in spatially well-defined locations without the use of chemical surface treatments. The device exploits hydrodynamics to slow down and trap cells flowing near a narrow aperture. We have modeled this system numerically by approximating the motion of Escherichia colicells as rigid 3-D ellipsoids. The numerical predictions for the speed and efficiency of trapping were tested by fabricating the devices and imaging GFP expressing E. coli at a high spatio-temporal resolution. We find that our numerical simulations agree well with the actual cell flow for varying trap geometries. The trapped cells are optically accessible, and combined with our ability to predict their spatial location we demonstrate the ease of this method for monitoring multiple single cells over a time course. The simplicity of the design, inexpensive materials and straightforward fabrication make it an accessible tool for any systems biology laboratory.
Peer influence and gender differences in problematic cannabis use among individuals with social anxiety

Despite epidemiological reports indicating that individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) are at heightened risk for cannabis use disorders (CUD), there is a dearth of research investigating the mechanisms underlying the nature of this co-occurrence. The present study examined the role of a well-established risk factor for cannabis use, peer influence, on the relationship between symptoms of SAD and CUD in a non-referred sample (N = 123). Lifetime symptoms of SAD and CUD were assessed using a structured diagnostic interview. SAD symptoms were significantly correlated with CUD symptoms and this relationship was moderated by peer use of both alcohol and cannabis. Further, a gender effect indicated that the relationship between symptoms of SAD and CUD occurred only in women. Implications of these novel findings are discussed.