cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Purification of Glycoconjugates from Complex Biological Sources by Recycling High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Among of the most urgent needs of the glycobiology community is to generate libraries of pure carbohydrate standards. While many oligosaccharides have recently been synthesized, some glycans of biomedical importance are still missing in existing collections or are available in only limited amounts. To address this need, we demonstrate the use of the relatively unexplored technique of recycling high-performance liquid chromatography (R-HPLC) to isolate and purify glycoconjugates from several natural sources. We were able to routinely achieve purities greater than 98%. In several cases, we were able to obtain isomerically pure substances, particularly for glycans with different positional isomerism. These purified substances can then be used in different analytical applications, for example, as standards for mass spectrometry (MS) and capillary-based separations. Moreover, using a bifunctional aromatic amine, the same derivatization agent can be used to enable UV detection of oligosaccharides during their p...
Can connectionism save constructivism

Constructivism is the Piagetian notion that learning leads the child to develop new types of representations. For example, on the Piagetian view, a child is born without knowing that objects persist in time even when they are occluded; through a process of learning, the child comes to know that objects persist in time. The trouble with this view has always been the lack of a concrete, computational account of how a learning mechanism could lead to such a change. Recently, however, in a book entitled Rethinking Innateness, Elman et al. (Elman, J.L., Bates, E., Johnson, M.H., Karmiloff-Smith, A., Parisi, D., Plunkett, K., 1996. Rethinking Innateness: A Connectionist Perspective on Development. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press) have claimed that connectionist models might provide an account of the development of new kinds of representations that would not depend on the existence of innate representations. I show that the models described in Rethinking Innateness depend on innately assumed representations and that they do not offer a genuine alternative to nativism. Moreover, I present simulation results which show that these models are incapable of deriving genuine abstract representations that are not presupposed. I then give a formal account of why the models fail to generalize in the ways that humans do. Thus, connectionism, at least in its current form, does not provide any support for constructivism. I conclude by sketching a possible alternative.
Limulus psychophysics: Increment threshold

Prior temporal summation work had indicated that the sensory code for certain behaviors (in bothLimulus and humans) can be understood if one suggests that the central nervous system analyzes the integral of the photoreceptor potential. An independent test of this suggestion is available because (inLimulus) the physiological increment threshold function obtained from the receptor potential integral is inflected, whereas that obtained from the initial transient peak of the receptor potential is not. The behavioral increment threshold function was measured inLimulus and found to be inflected. Fechner’s scaling assumption (that equally detectable stimulus increments are mediated by sensory signals of equal size) was supported by the fact that a theoretical function, which was calculated from the receptor integral intensity-response function by using Fechner’s scaling assumption, was able to fit the behavioral increment threshold function quite well. Furthermore, the variability of the behavioral data was proportional to the receptor integral variability. A seasonal effect was observed: Fall animals were more sensitive and had a higher criterion than winter animals. These findings permit the specification of the rerceptor potential that mediates this particular behavior at threshold: It has a steady-state amplitude of 7 mV in winter and 16 mV in fall. Taken in conjunction with the results of earlier temporal summation work indicating that the threshold receptor potential is 4.5 sec long, this specification implies that at least some behaviors are mediated by large, long sensory signals, which have properties very different from those of small, short signals, particularly with regard to both linearity and their relative dependence on time vs. energy.
Reduced Cd accumulation in Zea mays: a protective role for phytosiderophores?

Cadmium is a nonessential trace metal and a frequent soil contaminant. Because plants vary in their accumulation of Cd, an understanding of the specific processes that control uptake could reveal methods for reducing Cd levels in edible plant tissues and conversely increasing Cd accumulation in plants used for phytoremediation. Phytosiderophores are iron chelators excreted by graminaceous plants under conditions of iron limitation, but they also complex other metals including cadmium. Here we examine the influence of Cd exposure on phytosiderophore production by hydroponically grown maize. Cd increased the rate of the phytosiderophore 2‘-deoxymugineic acid (DMA) release under both Fe-sufficient and Fe-limiting conditions (±Fe). In addition, the −Fe plants released more DMA while taking up less Cd than the +Fe plants. In other short-term Cd uptake experiments, plants exposed to Cd in the presence of root exudates in which the DMA−Cd complex was likely the dominant Cd species displayed reduced Cd accumulati...
Improved Left Ventricular Function and Remodeling After the David V for Significant Aortic Insufficiency

Background Valve-sparing root replacement is controversial in patients with significant aortic insufficiency (AI) because the aortic valve cusps often require repair, which may potentially jeopardize long-term valve function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate valve function and left ventricular reverse remodeling in patients undergoing valve-sparing root replacement in the setting of significant AI. Methods A review of the Emory Aortic Surgery database between 2004 and 2012 identified 616 aortic root replacements. Of these procedures, 169 were performed for patients with 3+ or greater AI. Fifty-one patients (30%) underwent a David V procedure. Echocardiography was used to evaluate the degree of AI, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, and left ventricular end-systolic diameter. Results The mean echocardiographic follow-up was 18 ± 21 months (range, 1 to 89). Patients undergoing valve-sparing root replacement had an increase in ejection fraction (preoperative 51% ± 7% versus postoperative 57% ± 6%, p Conclusions The David V technique produces significant left ventricular reverse remodeling and improved ventricular function in patients with chronic severe AI. Long-term data and close follow-up will be paramount in evaluating the durability of valve repair in this patient population.
Semiconductor surface study by transverse acoustoelectric voltage using surface acoustic waves

Abstract Electrical properties of semiconductor surfaces can be determined by measuring the transverse acoustoelectric voltage. This voltage is produced by the interaction of the surface acoustic wave propagating on a piezoelectric substrate and the carriers on semiconductor surface placed in proximity. Using 110 MHz LiNbO 3 delay lines, the transverse acoustoelectric voltage has been measured across CdS and Si, the surface properties of which are varied by different light illumination. Detailed study of the voltage waveform reveals the type of traps and the amount of charge in the traps. The method is simple, needs no contacts to the sample, and is sensitive.
Dialogue on informatic philosophy of behavioral sciences: A misapplication of the metasystem concept

This article offers critical comments about Federico Frischknecht's article “Informatic Philosophy of Behavioral Sciences,” (Vol. 31, pps. 162-172). It covers disagreements with the above-named author's categorization and hierarchy of sciences and metasciences, and raises questions in connection with (a) his comparison of descriptive and prescriptive systems; (b) his use of linguistic levels; (c) alleged differences between natural and behavioral sciences; (d) alleged differences between induction and deduction; and (e) his labeling of metatheories.
Real-time three-dimensional display based on the partial pixel architecture

We previously reported several static three-dimensional (3-D) display implementations of the partial pixel architecture [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 12, 73 (1995)]. We report herein our first real-time 3-D display based on this architecture. The display is functionally equivalent to a real-time holographic stereogram. It is autostereoscopic and provides horizontal motion parallax. The display device is composed of a diffractive optical element (fabricated with standard photolithographic techniques) and a separate conventional liquid-crystal display. The display has been used to play back a precomputed animated 3-D scene at video frame rates using a standard VGA video output.
Role of Photoreceptor-specific Retinol Dehydrogenase in the Retinoid Cycle in Vivo

The retinoid cycle is a recycling system that replenishes the 11-cis-retinal chromophore of rhodopsin and cone pigments. Photoreceptor-specific retinol dehydrogenase (prRDH) catalyzes reduction of all-trans-retinal to all-trans-retinol and is thought to be a key enzyme in the retinoid cycle. We disrupted mouse prRDH (human gene symbol RDH8) gene expression by targeted recombination and generated a homozygous prRDH knock-out (prRDH–/–) mouse. Histological analysis and electron microscopy of retinas from 6- to 8-week-old prRDH–/– mice revealed no structural differences of the photoreceptors or inner retina. For brief light exposure, absence of prRDH did not affect the rate of 11-cis-retinal regeneration or the decay of Meta II, the activated form of rhodopsin. Absence of prRDH, however, caused significant accumulation of all-trans-retinal following exposure to bright lights and delayed recovery of rod function as measured by electroretinograms and single cell recordings. Retention of all-trans-retinal resulted in slight overproduction of A2E, a condensation product of all-trans-retinal and phosphatidylethanolamine. We conclude that prRDH is an enzyme that catalyzes reduction of all-trans-retinal in the rod outer segment, most noticeably at higher light intensities and prolonged illumination, but is not an essential enzyme of the retinoid cycle.
A novel immunocytolytic factor secreted by pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Abstract Background. We have observed a putative immunocytolytic factor secreted by several pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines that mediates a potent cytolytic effect on lymphocytes. We sought to investigate its mechanism of action and determine if it is Fas ligand (FasL)-mediated. Materials and methods. Coincubation assays with murine splenocytes and supernatants from various species of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines were performed. The mechanism of lymphocytic cell death was evaluated by the TUNEL assay. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma supernatant was coincubated with Fas-sensitive Jurkat cells and Western blotting for FasL was performed. Results. A marked reduction in the viability (%/control) of target splenocytes was observed after incubation with the conditioned media from hamster PAN-1 (14.7%), PC 1.0 (21.7%), Taka-1 p70 (12.4%), Taka-1 p79 (7.6%), murine PANCO2 (16.1%), and human Capan-1 (14.0%) pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines. FACS analysis demonstrated significant lymphoid apoptosis at 16 h. The cytolytic effect appeared to be specific for lymphocytes and was not observed with the conditioned media of other tumor cells or normal pancreatic ductal cells. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma supernatant had no killing effect on Jurkat cells compared with control supernatant of TC-248 cells (87% vs 15%) and immunoblotting did not demonstrate soluble FasL. Conclusions. These findings demonstrate that pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells secrete a potent cytolytic factor that induces apoptosis of lymphocytes and is not FasL-mediated.
The 2008 prevalence of chiropractic use in the US adult population.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to produce prevalence estimates and identify determinants of variability in chiropractic use in the US adult population. Methods The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey was used to estimate prevalence for the adult population and subpopulations according to several sociodemographic, geographic, and health characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to explore the effects of the independent predictors on chiropractic use. Results The 2008 chiropractic prevalence of use was estimated to be 5.2% (95% confidence interval, 4.7-5.6). The adjusted odds of using chiropractic services were approximately 46% less for Asians, 63% less for Hispanics, and 73% less for blacks compared with whites; 21% less for men than women; and 68% higher for those with arthritis compared with those without. Persons from high-income families have greater odds of using chiropractic services compared with those from middle-income (42%) and low-income (67%) families. There was a significant interaction between Census region and urban-rural location. The results showed the prevalence of chiropractic use to be highest in small metro areas in the Midwest (10.5%) and Northeast (10.4%) as well as micropolitan/noncore areas in the West (10.8%) and Midwest (10.1%). Conclusions This study validates previous findings showing the prevalence of use is higher for whites, women, and persons with higher family income or reported arthritis. The results of this study also indicate that chiropractic use varies across the urban-rural landscape depending on the region of the country, suggesting that the effect of geographic location may be more complex than previously reported.
Relation of cholesterol-year score to severity of calcific atherosclerosis and tissue deposition in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

The high concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma lead to accelerated atherosclerosis in patients homozygous for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). We addressed the hypothesis that lipid deposition in the arterial vasculature and in nonvascular tissues in these patients correlates with both the duration and severity of their hypercholesterolemia. The severity of calcific atherosclerosis was defined by calcification scores and a calcified volume determined by electron beam tomography. The extent of tendinous xanthomatosis was quantitated by computed tomography. A cholesterol-year score was calculated based on the age and the yearly mean serum cholesterol concentration of each patient. Seventeen patients homozygous for FH were followed up. The average total cholesterol concentration in the study group was 780 +/- 231 mg/dl (20.2 mmol/L), and the cholesterol-year scores ranged from 2,172 mg-year/dl (56 mmol-year/L) to 32,260 mg-year/dl (834 mmol-year/L). Achilles tendon width (r=0.86) and cross-sectional area (r=0.81; both p <0.001) were best correlated with the cholesterol-year score. In addition, the coronary (r=0.61; p<0.05), ostial (r=0.45; p<0.05), and total (r= 0.77; p<0.001) calcification atherosclerosis scores all were best correlated with the cholesterol-year score. Calcific atherosclerosis was not observed in these patients until the cholesterol-year score exceeded 10,000 mg-year/dl (260 mmol-year/L). These findings establish a direct association of cholesterol-year with extravascular lipid deposition in tissues of patients with FH. The cholesterol-year score may be useful in defining the risk of atherosclerosis in patients with more common forms of hypercholesterolemia.
CATALOGUE OF ISOCHRONOUS CYCLOTRONS

Considerable enthusiasm is indicated for fixed-frequency cyclotrons with azimuthally varying magnetic fields designed to provide for isochronous operation at relativistic energies. Of the 41 projects brought to the attention of the Conference, 11 isochronous cyclotrons are now in operation and 12 under construction. The tabulation of specifications indicate that many machines provide for a wide range in energies and a choice of accelerated particles, with high-intensity beams goals projected up to about 800 MeV.
Safety and power

Although the "question of safety vs. power in programming languages" is most interesting, Glass's letter [SEN 6:5 (Oct 81)] addresses only a peripheral issue, namely some (seemingly arbitrary) areas in which certain programming languages have required unsafe solutions.In order to focus discussion, let me propose a definition of safety: a practice is "safe" if it relies only on the language's semantics. Clearly, unsafe practices are in general not portable between compilers or machines. There appear to be two primary motivations for unsafe practices: efficiency and extra-linguistic operations.
Robust human intensity-varying activity recognition using Stochastic Approximation in wearable sensors

Detecting human activity independent of intensity is essential in many applications, primarily in calculating metabolic equivalent rates (MET) and extracting human context awareness from on-body inertial sensors. Many classifiers that train on an activity at a subset of intensity levels fail to classify the same activity at other intensity levels. This demonstrates weakness in the underlying activity model. Training a classifier for an activity at every intensity level is also not practical. In this paper we tackle a novel intensity-independent activity recognition application where the class labels exhibit large variability, the data is of high dimensionality, and clustering algorithms are necessary. We propose a new robust Stochastic Approximation framework for enhanced classification of such data. Experiments are reported for each dataset using two clustering techniques, K-Means and Gaussian Mixture Models. The Stochastic Approximation algorithm consistently outperforms other well-known classification schemes which validates the use of our proposed clustered data representation.
Effect of flame cleaning of ceramic surface on the bond strength of composite to ceramic.

This study tested the hypothesis that flame cleaning of ceramic surface would increase the bond strength of composite to ceramic than pressure-vaporized steam cleaning. Eris and IPS-Empress ceramic blocks were fabricated, polished (control), airborne-particle abraded with 50-microm alumina particle (A), etched with 5% hydrofluoric acid gel for 2 min (E), or treated with a combination of A and E (AE). They were subjected to either steam cleaning for 20 s or flame cleaning over a gas burner for 2 s. Followed by an application of an adhesive resin, a composite was built-up. Twenty micro-tensile test specimens (approximately 0.9 x 0.9 x 16 mm) were obtained from each group and loaded to failure under tensile force using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm min(-1). anova showed statistically significant differences in the mean bond strength by ceramic, surface roughness, and cleaning method (P steam-cleaned; IPS-Empress > Eris; and AE > E > A for IPS-Empress and AE > E approximately A for Eris (Duncan's multiple analysis; alpha = 0.05). This in vitro study suggests that mechanical bond of composite to ceramic can be improved with flame cleaning of ceramic surface.
Determination of silver in rocks by a stoichiometric radioreagent radioisotope dilution technique

Abstract A rapid procedure for the routine determination of nanogram amounts of silver in rocks is described. After dissolution of the sample with a hydrofluoric-nitric-perchloric acid mixture in the presence of 110Ag tracer, the silver is separated by extraction as the dithizonate into xylene and back-extracted into dilute hydrochloric acid. After evaporation and removal of the hydrochloric acid, the silver is taken up in an acetic acid-sodium tartrate buffer solution and reacted with a constant amount of radioactively labelled iodide. The silver iodide formed is isolated by extraction into amyl alcohol and silver is determined by the ratio of the counting rate of the iodide to that of the silver in the silver iodide complex. Results of the analyses of several U.S. Geological Survey standard rocks are given.
Mechanism of the photochemical dehydrogenation and transfer-dehydrogenation of alkanes catalyzed by trans-Rh(PMe3)2(CO)Cl

Abstract Rh(PMe 3 ) 2 (CO)Cl catalyzes the photochemical dehydrogenation of alkanes to yield alkenes. H 2 is evolved or, in the presence of potential hydrogen acceptors such as t-butylethylene and styrene, hydrogen can be transferred to the olefins. The photokinetics and selectivity of the dehydrogenation reactions have been investigated. Both reactions proceed via a single photochemical step, photoextrusion of carbon monoxide from Rh(PMe 3 ) 2 (CO)Cl. Study of the transfer-dehydrogenation, particularly of the product ratio (H 2 : hydrogenated acceptor), reveals aspects of the dehydrogenation mechanism including steps subsequent to the turnover-limiting step.
Timing of preweanling maternal effects on development of hypertension in SHR rats.

Abstract Cross-fostering of litters was used to determine the timing of preweanling maternal influences on the development of high blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats. The SHR litters were either reared by their natural mothers or reciprocally cross-fostered to normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) mothers for postnatal days 1–7, 1–14, 1–21, 8–21, or 15–21. All SHR litters were weaned at 21 days of age and males were housed in groups of two to three per cage until physiological measures were obtained at 100 days of age. At 100 days of age, all rats were surgically prepared with tail artery catheters and, on the day after surgery, direct measures of mean arterial pressure (MAP, mmHg) and heart rate (HR, bpm) were obtained while rats were resting and undisturbed in their individual home cages. Our findings indicate that cross-fostering SHR pups to WKY foster mothers was attended by significant effects on body weights at weaning and on adult MAPs. Compared to control SHRs, cross-fostered SHRs, with the exception of the 15–21-day group, were significantly heavier at weaning. By 100 days of age, body weights of SHRs were similar across treatment groups. Basal MAPs of SHRs cross-fostered for days 1–7, 1–14, 1–21, and 8–21, but not days 15–21, were reduced significantly compared to SHR controls reared by their natural mothers. In contrast, basal HRs were not affected in any of the cross-fostered SHR groups. These data indicate that maternal environmental influences on the development of high blood pressure in SHRs are limited to the first 2 weeks of postnatal life. This corresponds to the time prior to weaning when rat pups receive all of their nourishment from their mothers.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL KINEMATICS OF THE INTACT AND CRANIAL CRUCIATE LIGAMENT-DEFICIENT STIFLE OF DOGS

Joint motion was measured for the intact and cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)-deficient stifle in five large dogs using an instrumental spatial linkage and radiophotogrammetry. The linkage was directly attached to the bones using modified bone plates. Motion data were presented in terms of a clinical coordinate system. Stifle kinematics were highly reproducible for a given dog. For intact stifle kinematics, the swing phase included flexion-extension, internal-external rotation and abduction-adduction, while stance-phase kinematics included only flexion-extension. Loss of the CCL altered joint kinematics over the entire gait cycle. At the swing-stance transition, the CCL-deficient stifle demonstrated an abrupt cranial subluxation of the tibia which was sustained throughout stance. At the beginning of the swing phase the CCL-deficient joint returned to the cranial-caudal alignment seen in the intact joint. The dog's stifle was shown to be CCL-dependent during stance. The dog compensated for CCL loss by reducing the external limb load and by carrying the limb in greater flexion throughout the gait cycle, but was unable to prevent joint subluxation during stance. Stifle kinematics are greatly altered following CCL loss. It is the repetitive, mechanical, dynamic subluxation in a CCL-deficient joint which may be the cause of joint degeneration.
Resistance exercise overtraining and overreaching. Neuroendocrine responses

Overtraining is defined as an increase in training volume and/or intensity of exercise resulting in performance decrements. Recovery from this condition often requires many weeks or months. A shorter or less severe variation of overtraining is referred to as overreaching, which is easily recovered from in just a few days. Many structured training programmes utilise phases of overreaching to provide variety of the training stimulus. Much of the scientific literature on overtraining is based on aerobic activities, despite the fact that resistance exercise is a large component of many exercise programmes. Chronic resistance exercise can result in differential responses to overtraining depending on whether either training volume or training intensity is excessive. The neuroendocrine system is a complex physiological entity that can influence many other systems. Neuroendocrine responses to high volume resistance exercise overtraining appear to be somewhat similar to overtraining for aerobic activities. On the other hand, excessive resistance training intensity produces a distinctly different neuroendocrine profile. As a result, some of the neuroendocrine characteristics often suggested as markers of overtraining may not be applicable to some overtraining scenarios. Further research will permit elucidation of the interactions between the neuroendocrine system and other physiological systems in the aetiology of performance decrements from overtraining.
Numbers of Bollworms, Tobacco Budworms, and Cotton Leafworms Caught in Traps Equipped with Fluorescent Lamps of Five Colors

In field survey experiments in southern Texas and on the isle of St. Croix, V.I., most bollworms, Heliothis zea (Boddie), native or laboratory-reared, preferred traps equipped with BL lamps over traps equipped with green, gold, pink, or white fluorescent lamps. Most native tobacco budworms, H. virescens (F.), and cotton leafworms, Alabama argillacea (Hubner), were attracted to green lamps, but on St. Croix, catches of laboratory-reared tobacco budworms (but not native tobacco budworms) in BL traps were about twice as high as those in traps with green lamps. Catches of nuisance species (large beetles that mutilate light trap collections) were substantially reduced in traps with green lamps, thus identification of economically important lepidopteran species was more reliable. Green lamps may be recommended for survey of low density populations of native tobacco budworms and cotton leafworms, but BL is recommended for survey of bollworms.
Neuro-genetic nonlinear controller for a micro-resonator

The nonlinear coupling stiffness for a two degree of freedom micro-resonator is shown to have a strong effect on the micro-resonator output frequency and performance. By controlling the stiffness parameters. A smart controller design is proposed, based on artificial neural network and genetic techniques. A good performance is obtained. The genetic algorithm functions to optimize the magnitudes and sign of the neural network weights.
HYPOXIC CONFORMANCE OF METABOLISM IN PRIMARY RAT HEPATOCYTES: A MODEL OF HEPATIC HIBERNATION

Following prolonged hypoxia, mammalian cells invoke adaptive mechanisms to enhance oxygen delivery and promote energy conservation. We previously reported that hepatocytes subjected to prolonged moderate hypoxia (PO2 = 20-50 mmHg for >3 hours) demonstrated a reversible inhibition of cellular respiration with maintenance of cell viability, associated with a decrease in mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis; acute hypoxia (similar PO2 for <30 minutes) did not induce a similar suppression of respiration and ATP synthesis. In the current study, using an in vitro model of primary rat hepatocytes, we measured the changes in metabolic demand for ATP during hypoxic conformance, and tested whether viability is maintained by preferentially suppressing nonessential processes while sustaining processes essential for maintaining cell homeostasis. In addition, the rate of recovery of oxygen consumption and ATP concentrations following reoxygenation after prolonged and acute hypoxia/anoxia was compared. Oxygen consumption and ATP concentrations decreased during prolonged hypoxia compared with acute hypoxia. However, ouabain-inhibitable respiration did not decrease during prolonged hypoxia, indicating that membrane Na+/K+ ATPase activity, an essential process for cell viability, was maintained. In contrast, ATP-dependent glucuronidation and sulfation of acetaminophen, deemed “non-essential” processes, were decreased significantly compared with normoxic cells. After reoxygenation, cells exposed to prolonged moderate hypoxia demonstrated a more rapid recovery of respiration compared to acute hypoxia/anoxia. Conclusion: This “hepatic hibernation” during prolonged moderate hypoxia may represent an anticipatory adaptation that seeks to maintain cell viability while delaying or preventing the onset of lethal hypoxia, and facilitates rapid recovery after the resumption of normoxia. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)
Mass spectrometric and thermodynamic studies of vapor-phase growth of In(1−x)GaxP

Abstract A time-of-flight mass spectrometer was coupled directly to an open tube vapor growth system. The vapor composition and the processes occurring during the deposition of In (1−x) Ga x P alloys were studied. It was found that the vapor species present in this system are InCl, GaCl, HCl, PH 3 , P 2 , P 4 and H 2 . The deviations from the chemical equilibrium in the system were determined and measured. A chemical equilibrium model was set and used to calculate the equilibrium partial pressures of all species under a wide range of experimental conditions. These calculations were used to predict successfully the proper conditions for growth of desired In (1−x) Ga x P alloys.
Force propagation across cells : mechanical coherence of dynamic cytoskeletons

A critical function of cells is to provide a force-bearing linkage from matrix to matrix, matrix to cells, or from cell to cell in a tissue and organ as well as a force generating structure. In fully differentiated skin cells, much of the force is borne by intermediate filaments. In dynamic tissues or isolated cells on matrix, high forces are generated by myosin II pulling on actin, either through stress fibers or through some other trans-cytoplasmic network. In epithelia, myosin II clearly plays a critical role in forming a contractile ring around wounds that provides turgor and restructuring forces. A major mystery is how a dynamic cytoskeleton can create a mechanically coherent cytoplasm. We suggest that the key lie in the continuous assembly of actin and myosin filaments in the cell periphery that has been recently found in isolated fibroblasts.
Independent review of clinical health services for prisoners

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the parameters for the development of performance measurement of the quality of medical care behind bars, drawing from widely‐published free‐world clinical guidelines and aspects of care that are unique to the criminal justice arena.Design/methodology/approach – One way to help assure that prisoners receive timely and appropriate health care is through independent review of health care services, to identify strengths of programs and opportunities for improvement. This is a quality of medical care assessment. When done in a systematic way, this has the potential to reduce risk of harm and enhance the personal health of the prisoner and improve the public health. Independent external review provides the best opportunity to identify and remedy opportunities for improvement. “External” can mean wholly independent or “corporate,” that is, review by agency staff that has no vested interest in the findings at the individual facility. Recently, the methodology fo...
The Pancreatic and Duodenal Homeobox Protein PDX-1 Regulates the Ductal Specific Keratin 19 through the Degradation of MEIS1 and DNA Binding

Background Pancreas organogenesis is the result of well-orchestrated and balanced activities of transcription factors. The homeobox transcription factor PDX-1 plays a crucial role in the development and function of the pancreas, both in the maintenance of progenitor cells and in determination and maintenance of differentiated endocrine cells. However, the activity of homeobox transcription factors requires coordination with co-factors, such as PBX and MEIS proteins. PBX and MEIS proteins belong to the family of three amino acid loop extension (TALE) homeodomain proteins. In a previous study we found that PDX-1 negatively regulates the transcriptional activity of the ductal specific keratin 19 (Krt19). In this study, we investigate the role of different domains of PDX-1 and elucidate the functional interplay of PDX-1 and MEIS1 necessary for Krt19 regulation. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we demonstrate that PDX-1 exerts a dual manner of regulation of Krt19 transcriptional activity. Deletion studies highlight that the NH2-terminus of PDX-1 is functionally relevant for the down-regulation of Krt19, as it is required for DNA binding of PDX-1 to the Krt19 promoter. Moreover, this effect occurs independently of PBX. Second, we provide insight on how PDX-1 regulates the Hox co-factor MEIS1 post-transcriptionally. We find specific binding of MEIS1 and MEIS2 to the Krt19 promoter using IP-EMSA, and siRNA mediated silencing of Meis1, but not Meis2, reduces transcriptional activation of Krt19 in primary pancreatic ductal cells. Over-expression of PDX-1 leads to a decreased level of MEIS1 protein, and this decrease is prevented by inhibition of the proteasome. Conclusions/Significance Taken together, our data provide evidence for a dual mechanism of how PDX-1 negatively regulates Krt19 ductal specific gene expression. These findings imply that transcription factors may efficiently regulate target gene expression through diverse, non-redundant mechanisms.
AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF A FRAMEWORK FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS

A decision-making orientation to systems design has been suggested to overcome some of the current deficiencies of computer-based information systems. This paper derives several hypotheses from a decision-making framework proposed by Robert Anthony. These hypotheses are tested with empirical data from a sample of twenty major computer-based information systems drawn from seven Bay Area manufacturing firms. The results indicate that present computer-based information systems follow the descriptive aspects of the Anthony framework, but have had little effect on top management. There is little evidence of common guidelines for systems design which are accepted by the different companies. The data also indicate that users have a strong negative reaction to large numbers of computer-produced reports. The implications of the results for systems design are discussed.
Clinical predictors of post-traumatic seizures in children with head trauma.

Study objectives: To determine the clinical characteristics associated with early post-traumatic seizures in children with head trauma. Design, setting, and type of participants: Retrospective chart review; urban trauma center/pediatric emergency department. Trauma patients aged 3 months to 15 years given discharge diagnosis ICD-9-CM codes indicating head trauma and seen from 1988 to 1990 were eligible for the study. Interventions: None. Measurements and main results: Of 194 patients, 96% suffered blunt trauma and 53% had a loss of consciousness. Fifty-one percent of 141 computed tomography (CT) scans of the head were abnormal, most frequently demonstrating skull fractures (34%), subdural hematomas (15%), and cerebral contusions (14%). Eighteen patients (9.3%) suffered post-traumatic seizures. A loss of consciousness, a low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (3 to 8), and an abnormal CT scan were associated with post-traumatic seizures ( P P Conclusion: In the pediatric head trauma patient, a GCS score of 3 to 8 appears to be predictive of post-traumatic seizures. The data from this retrospective study are consistent with the hypothesis that prophylactic phenytoin reduces post-traumatic seizures in the pediatric head trauma patient with a low GCS score.
A Review on Remote Sensing of Weeds in Agriculture

In the effort of developing precision agriculture tools, remote sensing has been commonly considered as an effective technique for weed patch delineation, where weed infestations are detected based on variations in the plant canopy spectral response. Because the canopy spectral response is important for weed detection, discussions on the irradiative interaction of light in plant canopies and the effect of variable soil background on the canopy spectral response are presented in this review. Also, a presentation of the current techniques for removal of soil effects, including vegetation indices and spectral mixture analysis, shows that these techniques have not been adequately developed for use in remote sensing-based weed detection applications. Given the nature of light interaction in a plant canopy, this review proposes that the spectral response of a plant canopy depends on both the species and the biomass density. Remote detection of weeds from ground-, aircraft-, and satellite-based platforms has been accomplished on a wide scale, yet the use of these weed detection methods to make variable-rate herbicide applications has not occurred as often. By judging success based on variable-rate herbicide applications rather than precise weed localization, some of the current problems in weed sensing may be skirted.
Visual map development depends on the temporal pattern of binocular activity in mice

Binocular competition is thought to drive eye-specific segregation in the developing visual system, potentially through Hebbian synaptic learning rules that are sensitive to correlations in afferent activity. Altering retinal activity can disrupt eye-specific segregation, but little is known about the temporal features of binocular activity that modulate visual map development. We used optogenetic techniques to directly manipulate retinal activity in vivo and identified a critical period before eye opening in mice when specific binocular features of retinal activity drive visual map development. Synchronous activation of both eyes disrupted segregation, whereas asynchronous stimulation enhanced segregation. The optogenetic stimulus applied was spatially homogenous; accordingly, retinotopy of ipsilateral projections was markedly perturbed, but contralateral retinotopy was unaffected or even improved. These results provide direct evidence that the synchrony and precise temporal pattern of binocular retinal activity during a critical period in development regulates eye-specific segregation and retinotopy in the developing visual system.
Some-or-none characteristics of coding behavior

Evidence derived from a variety of experiments dealing with the free recall of categorized word-lists is presented in support of a some-or-none rationale. As discussed here, some-or-none represents the ability of Ss to either recall a high proportion of the words of a given category or fail to recall any of the words of the category. When Ss do recall the words of a category, the mean word-recall per category appears to be invariant with respect to list length, rate of presentation, serial position effects, sex of S, and size of category.
A simplified three‐level model describing the molecular third‐order nonlinear optical susceptibility

A simplified three-level model for γ, the molecular third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility, is presented and discussed. The perturbation theory-based approach suggests that there are three primary avenues to optimizing molecular four-wave mixing susceptibilities and that with each of these is associated a particular class of molecular electronic structures. The three electronic structure classes consist of (1) conjugated donor–acceptor dipolar molecules with a large secondorder susceptibility, β; (2) even-member conjugated chains such as -enes, -ynes, and ene–ynes with large two-photon dominated susceptibilities; and (3) “charged” odd-member conjugated chaines with large linear absorption dominated third-order susceptibilities such as squaryliums (perhaps, more generally, the polymethine dyes). Classes (1) and (2) have been known and investigated in the past, while recent results of ours suggest the existence of the third and perhaps final class.
Nonlinear Aeroelastic Response of Delta Wing to Periodic Gust

A nonlinear response analysis of a simple delta wing excited by periodic gust loads in low subsonic flow is presented along with a companion wind-tunnel test program. The analytical model uses a three-dimensional time-domain vortex lattice aerodynamic method and a reduced order aerodynamic technique. Results for a single harmonic gust and a continuous frequency sweep gust have been computed and measured for both flow velocities below and above the flutter speed. A theoretical jump response phenomenon for the nonlinear structural model was observed both for the single harmonic and the continuous frequency sweep gust excitation. Those results further confirm some conclusions about limit cycle oscillations above the flutter speed and complement our earlier theoretical and experimental studies. Also an experimental investigation has been carried out in the Duke wind tunnel using a rotating slotted cylinder gust generator and an Ometron VPI 4000 scanning laser vibrometer measurement system. The fair to good quantitative agreement between theory and experiment verifies that the present analytical approach has reasonable accuracy and good computational efficiency for nonlinear gust response analysis in the time domain. Without the use of reduced order models, calculations of the gust response for the nonlinear model treated here would be impractical.
Lipid synthesis during reinitiation of growth from stationary phase cultures of Candida albicans.

Lipid synthesis has been studied in the dimorphic fungus Candida albicans. 14C-acetate incorporation into lipid material was used to measure new lipid synthesis in two cultures in which either yeast or mycelial growth was initiated from stationary phase yeast cells. When resuspended in fresh medium at 37 °C, cells resume growth and change morphology while at 30 °C cells resume budding growth. When resuspended at the appropriate temperature, both yeast and germ tube cultures immediately incorporated 14C-acetate into lipid material. The labeled lipid was more or less evenly divided between neutral and phospholipid. Phosphatidyl choline was the major phospholipid fraction and along with phosphatidyl ethanolamine accounted for 60–65 % of the total phospholipid. Lipid synthesis during growth initiation of either morphology showed a similar pattern, with no significant differences observed in neutral or phospholipid or phospholipid components between yeast and mycelial forms.
The Neural Network of the Limulus Retina: From Computer to Behavior

SYNOPSIS. The visual system of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, provides an excellent opportunity for studying the neural basis of behavior. Quantitative analysis of the animal's visual behavior is now possible as is theoretical analysis of information processing in its retina. We combine these theoretical and behavioral approaches to investigate the nature of the signals the eye transmits to the brain for the animal to see. Over the years theoretical studies of the Limulus eye were restricted by the limited capabilities of single processor digital computers. However, a breakthrough in technology with the advent of parallel computers greatly enhances the analysis of large neural networks such as that of the retina. We have developed a time-dependent model of the Limulus retina on the Connection Machine (Model CM-2), which is a massively parallel computer containing 32,768 processors. The model represents a matrix of 64 × 128 receptors and simulates interactions among receptors with digital filters and transduction and adaptation within a receptor by a multistage cascade. Neural response patterns computed with the Connection Machine model replicate to a first approximation the patterns of neural activity recorded in the laboratory. Behavioral studies of Limulus vision carried out in the field can be simulated on the Connection Machine. Neural responses recorded from behaving animals serve to test the accuracy of the model. Thus far we have developed just one model of the retina, but it eventually will have two forms, “daytime” and “nighttime,” to account for the known circadian rhythms in retinal function. With a combination of field, physiological, and theoretical studies, we hope to gain a better understanding of the neural mechanisms that underlie the animal's visually-guided behavior.
Partial defect in the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme P450scc (CYP11A1) resembling nonclassic congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia.

We describe the 8th and 9th patients with P450scc deficiency, and only the 2nd and 3rd with partial loss-of-function of P450scc.
Criticisms of the biopsychosocial model in spine care: creating and then attacking a straw person.

Study design Spine update on some major misconceptions of the biopsychosocial model. Objective To refute some of the erroneous beliefs about the weaknesses of the application of the biopsychosocial model to spine care. Summary and background data Currently, the biopsychosocial model of illness is the most heuristic perspective in understanding the etiology, assessment, treatment, and prevention of pain-related disorders such as spinal pain and disability. Only the misuse of the biopsychosocial model by inappropriately trained health care specialists decreases its maximum utility and validity. Methods This is a point-by-point response to a previous article in Spine, which inaccurately discussed some assumed limitations of the biopsychosocial model as related to spine care. It is also a more comprehensive review of the model and related clinical applications. Articles from the scientific literature are cited in refuting those assumed limitations. Results The previous article in Spine provided a superficial, and often erroneous, review of the biopsychosocial model of illness. In providing a point-by-point refutation of that review, a number of important clarifications were delineated. For example, concerns raised about the sole reliance of self-report outcomes are shown to be unfounded. By definition, the "bio" "psycho" "social" underscores the important interactive contribution of factors in each of these defining domains, and requires their individual assessments. It was also erroneously stated that there was an inherent "disconnect" between physical pathology and self-report in this model. However, the richness of the biopsychosocial model is the recognition of the need to continue to understand the pathoanatomic and pathophysiological explanations of spinal disorders (the bio part of the equation), as well as the psychosocial factors that may also be important (the psychosocial part of biopsychosocial). Other questions raised about the scientific status of the model, the effectiveness of treatments based on the model, and so forth, were also addressed. Conclusion In agreement with the earlier Spine update, the "...biopsychosocial model has been readily adapted to all aspects of spine care with many positive implications." However, the author then raised some apparently major concerns. These concerns were shown to be unfounded. In point-of-fact, there is an ever-growing scientific literature demonstrating the heuristic value of this model in developing more effective assessment and treatment methods for spinal disorders, as well as guiding greater "cutting-edge" research on their etiologies and potential prevention techniques.