cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of interconnection technology for large-scale integrated circuits

The size, cost, reliability, and serviceability of modern large data processing systems are influenced by the electrical interconnections required among the hundreds or thousands of chips they contain. The development of the complex interconnection design scheme is profoundly influenced by the interactions among the component and subassembly designs: modules, printed-circuit boards, cables, connectors, etc. The design scheme is also strongly affected by the constraints imposed by manufacturing process limitations and by environmental factors, such as cooling and corrosion. This paper deals with these interactions and constraints as encountered in the interconnection design of the IBM 3081 system and the design discipline required to deal with them.
Transitions Between Levels Spaced Almost Continuously

The transition probabilities between closely spaced energy levels, when calculated according to the usual perturbation methods, lead to apparent infinities if the perturbation is finite. A more appropriate method of approximation which disposes of the infinities is worked out. The resulting finite transition probabilities are identical with the finite parts of the usual expressions in first and second order, but additional finite terms appear in orders higher than the second
Carotid endarterectomy in a metropolitan community: complications in 518 consecutive cases

The records of 518 consecutive carotid endarterectomies done in 427 patients in one institution were evaluated for perioperative complications and catego rized according to their presenting syndrome. Of this surgery, 62.9% was done for hemispheric transient ischemic attack (TIA), 14.5% for nonhemispheric TIAs, 7.9% in patients with previous stroke, and 14.7% for asymptomatic sig nificant carotid stenosis. Each group's complication rate was then evaluated and compared with rates in comparable studies. The postoperative stroke rate and the combined stroke and death rate were 2.6% and 2.6%, respectively, for the group with asymptomatic significant carotid stenosis; 2.7% and 4%, respec tively, for the group with nonhemispheric TIA; 4% and 4.6%, respectively, for the group with hemispheric TIA; and 7.3% and 7.3%, respectively, in the group with previous stroke. The combined postoperative stroke rate for the whole series was 3.9% and the death rate was 1.4% with a combined stroke and death rate of 4.4%.This stu...
Formation of isocyanate on Cu(100) from the oxidation of cyanogen and from the decomposition of isocyanic acid

Reflection adsorption infrared spectroscopy has been used to show that the same surface species forms on Cu(100) from the thermal decomposition of isocyanic acid (HNCO) and from the reaction of cyanogen (C2N2) with preadsorbed oxygen. This species is identified as isocyanate, NCO, linearly bonded to the surface through the nitrogen atom. It is characterized by an intense band due to the asymmetric NCO stretch at 2201 cm−1, a very weak band at 1321 cm−1 due to the symmetric NCO stretch, and a very weak band at 3448 cm−1 due to the symmetric stretch plus asymmetric stretch combination band. Isotopic substitution with13C,15N, and 18O supports the assignment. Isocyanate is stable on Cu(100) up to 500 K.
Exploiting special structure in interior-point algorithms for power generation dispatching

Abstract Different mathematical models of the power generation dispatching problem can be solved using interior-point algorithms for linear programming. The efficiency of these algorithms is related to the effort required to factorise the matrix used to solve for the search direction at each iteration. In this paper, it is shown that when the problems are formulated in symmetric form (i.e. the constraints are Bx ≥ b , x ≥ 0 ), two mathematically equivalent forms for the search direction can be obtained. These are the primal form and the dual form, both involving positive definite matrices. By analysing the fill-in in both forms prior to factorisation, a form with the least fill-in is found for each of the dispatching problems. Simulation results on standard IEEE test systems and on a practical network confirm that the primal form is most advantageous for unconstrained scheduling problems but for constrained problems with a DC network model, the dual form is superior.
Elevator piston effect and the smoke problem

The material in this paper is part of a joint project between the United States and Canada to evaluate the feasibility of elevator evacuation of the handicapped. This paper presents an analysis for the pressure differences produced by elevator car motion and it presents flow coefficients for flow around cars in elevator shafts based on test data. The results of an experiment to verify this prison effect analysis are presented. Also, practical considerations concerning piston effect and elevator smoke control are presented. An equation is developed to determine the upper limit of the pressure difference across an elevator lobby caused by piston effect.
Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage in the evaluation of pulmonary complications of bone marrow transplantation in children

Pulmonary complications are a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality following bone marrow transplantation. We examined the results of flexible bronchoscopy (FB) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in 27 pediatric bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients with 29 episodes of pulmonary complications. Bone marrow transplant was performed for a variety of malignancies and hematologic disorders. Median age of BMT was 10.3 years (range, 1.7-17.6 years). Median time of FB following BMT was 60 days (range, 11-1,026 days). Routine cytologic and culture techniques were utilized to detect malignant cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and protozoa. Positive results were found in 15 (52%) with cytomegalovirus (CMV), the most common positive finding. In 14 (48%) episodes the results were negative. Fourteen patients had follow-up autopsy or open lung biopsy (OLB). Based on autopsy/OLB results, there were two false negatives and no false positives, giving a diagnostic sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 100%. There was one possible complication of FB and BAL. Survival of both positive and negative patients was poor, only seven patients being alive 90 days post-FB with BAL. We conclude that FB with BAL is a safe and accurate procedure for the diagnosis of pulmonary complications of BMT.
Effects of Crowding Agents and Volume Exclusion on Amyloid Beta Fibrillation

Several common neurodegenerative disorders can be attributed to pathological protein aggregation, including Alzheimer Disease, the most common form of dementia. It is known that macromolecular crowding promotes protein associations, including the formation of complexes and aggregates, both through theoretical works and in vitro. Therefore a possible contributing factor in the onset of Alzheimer Disease and other amyloidoses could be an increase in crowding content inside cells. In this work, we carried out computational simulations demonstrating the promotion of a generalized aggregation reaction model for amyloid beta fibrillation by increasing crowding agent concentration within biologically relevant values. In our in silico experiment, we implemented simulations with emulating the biophysico chemical properties of the intracellular environment, including nonspecific affinity of reacting species to crowding agents, varying size and shape of crowding agents, glymphatic removal and new synthesis of reactants, and others, demonstrating conditions in which aggregation can be more highly dependent on crowding agent concentration. Our work suggests loss of cellular crowding or volume control as a precursor to pathological aggregation.
β-Amyloid 25–35 and/or quinolinic acid injections into the basal forebrain of young male Fischer-344 rats: Behavioral, neurochemical and histological effects

beta-Amyloid peptides have been shown to potentiate the neurotoxic effect of excitatory amino acids in vitro. In order to determine if this occurs in vivo, four experiments were performed. We injected beta-amyloid 25-35 (beta A 25-35) and/or quinolinic acid (QA) bilaterally into the ventral pallidum/substantia innominata (VP/SI) of rats. Control rats received vehicle infusions. A high dose of QA (75.0 nmol/3 microliters) increased open field activity and impaired spatial learning in the Morris water maze, but did not affect the acquisition of a one-way conditioned avoidance response. These changes were associated with histological evidence of neurotoxicity and a reduction in amygdaloid but not frontal cortical or hippocampal choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity. A lower dose of QA (37.5 nmol/3 microliters) produced no behavioral effects. It reduced amygdaloid ChAT activity to a lesser extent than the higher dose (15% vs. 29-37%), and caused less histological damage. beta A 25-35 (1.0 or 8.0 nmol/3 microliters) failed to produce behavioral, histological or neurochemical signs of toxicity. Neither dose of beta A 25-35 potentiated the effects of QA (37.5 nmol) on behavior or amygdaloid ChAT activity, and did not appear to increase the histological damage caused by QA. These results suggest that in vivo beta A 25-35 is not neurotoxic and does not potentiate the neurotoxicity of QA in the VP/SI. Further, the histological effects of a high dose of beta A 25-35 (8.0 nmol/3 microliters; a cavitation containing a Congo red positive proteinaceous material) are quite distinct from those produced by a high dose of QA (75.0 nmol/3 microliters; widespread neuronal loss and gliosis).
A B3LYP/6-31+G(d) study of the reaction pathways and conformational preference in a model Chichibabin reaction

Abstract The mechanism of the sodium amide initiated amination of pyridine, known as the Chichibabin reaction, was investigated at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level of theory. Although this reaction has been known for more than one hundred years, it remains a very useful and sometimes unique method for the synthesis of a variety of heterocyclic nitrogen-containing compounds. A total of six S N (A E )-based mechanistic pathways were proposed to explain the formation of the major product, α-aminopyridine, and the minor γ-byproduct. Our investigations showed that reaction pathways leading to both products proceed similarly. Our results showed that the most likely first step is the addition of sodium amide to either the alpha or the gamma position, then hydrogen gas elimination occurs, and finally the desired product forms in the work-up step. We found that the temperature and especially the nature of the solvent are critical factors in the reaction energy barriers and thus in obtaining reasonable yield for the preferred product. The alpha aminopyridine pathway is preferable to the gamma substitution when modeled regardless of temperature. The influence of the studied experimental conditions provides a reasonable explanation for the experimentally observed gamma byproduct. Based on the experimental evidence and our calculations, it is proposed that the mechanism proceeds through the loss of hydrogen gas rather than the formation of sodium hydride in the second step.
On the absorption of light in the Orinoco River plume

Abstract The spectral absorption coefficients of particles (phytoplankton and detritus) and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) were measured in the Orinoco River plume in the Gulf of Paria (GOP) and southeastern Caribbean (SEC) Sea in the wet (June, October) and dry (February, March) seasons of 1998, 1999, and 2000. During both seasons and over the three years, there was substantial patchiness in water color off the Orinoco Delta, and CDOM accounted for 61–98% of the total light absorption coefficient at 440 nm in the GOP and SEC at most stations ( x ¯ ≈ 89 ± 7.6 % ; N = 44 ). Detritus dominated absorption due to particles ( x ¯ ≈ 70 ± 20 % ; N = 27 ) near the Orinoco Delta, while phytoplankton dominated particle absorption in the northern GOP and in the SEC ( x ¯ ≈ 65 ± 17 % ; N = 42 ). Absorption coefficients of CDOM, phytoplankton, and detritus at 440 nm ranged 0.23–2.59, 0.016–0.55, and 0.002– 0.545 m - 1 during the dry seasons, and 0.38–3.21, 0.013–0.113, and 0.003– 0.754 m - 1 during the wet seasons, respectively. The ratio of CDOM to phytoplankton absorption in the Orinoco plume [ a CDOM ( 440 ) / a ph ( 440 ) ] ranged from 3.3 to 139 ( x ¯ ≈ 30 ± 24 ; N = 44 ), which are extremely high compared to other coastal regions. These values are explained by the unique characteristics of the Orinoco River (e.g. low phytoplankton biomass and high discharge of sediments and CDOM which inhibit phytoplankton growth). Our results demonstrate that it is fundamentally difficult to estimate phytoplankton absorption or chlorophyll- a concentrations from space using wavelengths in the blue portion of the light spectrum in coastal and estuarine waters affected by large rivers like the Orinoco. New chlorophyll algorithm development efforts need to focus on the red wavelengths (e.g. fluorescence peak) where CDOM influence is minimal.
Effects of Profilin and Thymosin β4 on the Critical Concentration of Actin Demonstrated in Vitro and in Cell Extracts with a Novel Direct Assay

The free actin concentration at steady state, Ac, is a variable that determines how actin regulatory proteins influence the extent of actin polymerization. We describe a novel method employing fluorescence anisotropy to directly measure Ac in any sample after the addition of a trace amount of labeled thymosin β4 or thymosin β4 peptide. Using this assay, we confirm earlier theoretical work on the helical polymerization of actin and confirm the effects of actin filament-stabilizing drugs and capping proteins on Ac, thereby validating the assay. We also confirm a controversial prior observation that profilin lowers the critical concentration of Mg2+-actin. A general mechanism is proposed to explain this effect, and the first quantitative dose-response curve for the effect of profilin on Ac facilitates its evaluation. This mechanism also predicts the effect of profilin on critical concentration in the presence of the limited amount of capping protein, which is the condition often found in cells, and the effect of profilin on critical concentration in cell extracts is demonstrated for the first time. Additionally, nonlinear effects of thymosin β4 on the steady state amount of F-actin are explained by the observed changes in Ac. This assay has potential in vivo applications that complement those demonstrated in vitro.
Collective defense by spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) against triggerfish (Balistes capriscus): effects of number of attackers and defenders

Abstract Migrating queues of Caribbean spiny lobsters, Panulirus argus, suffer attacks during daylight by variable numbers of triggerfish they encounter on patch reefs. When threatened, lobsters assemble into outward facing, rosette‐like groups, remain coherent in their spacing, and defend themselves by parrying with their spinous antennae. In 90‐min field tethering trials involving predatory grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus), solitary lobsters were subdued 44% of the time whereas grouped lobsters suffered only minor bites; triggerfish present numbered from 1 to 23. Victims of fish attack were significantly smaller than survivors in the field trials. Although attack/defense ratios did not differ between solitary and grouped lobsters, fish behaviours towards such different groups did differ with more bite attempts/bites being directed towards solitary lobsters. In a series of experiments in large seawater enclosures, we pitted 1, 3, 5, 10, or 20 free‐moving lobsters against 2 or 5 grey triggerfish, all...
Identification and characterization of a bacterial hydrosulphide ion channel

A channel for the transport of hydrosulphide ions in Clostridium difficile is identified and shown to be polyspecific, being a member of the formate/nitrite transporter family. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and the hydrosulphide ion (HS−) are metabolic products of anaerobic bacterial growth, and are thought to have had a crucial role in the emergence of life on Earth. At high concentrations, both are toxic to the cell, and therefore call for a release mechanism. For many years, such a channel has remained elusive, but now Bryan Czyzewski and Da-Neng Wang have used genetic, biochemical and structural approaches to identify and characterize a hydrosulphide ion channel in the pathogen Clostridium difficile. The channel is a member of the formate/nitrite transport family, and is polyspecific, facilitating the transport of HS−, formate and nitrite. Its low open probability is consistent with its physiological role in the cell. The hydrosulphide ion (HS−) and its undissociated form, hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which are believed to have been critical to the origin of life on Earth1, remain important in physiology and cellular signalling2. As a major metabolite in anaerobic bacterial growth, hydrogen sulphide is a product of both assimilatory and dissimilatory sulphate reduction2,3,4. These pathways can reduce various oxidized sulphur compounds including sulphate, sulphite and thiosulphate. The dissimilatory sulphate reduction pathway uses this molecule as the terminal electron acceptor for anaerobic respiration, in which process it produces excess amounts of H2S (ref. 4). The reduction of sulphite is a key intermediate step in all sulphate reduction pathways. In Clostridium and Salmonella, an inducible sulphite reductase is directly linked to the regeneration of NAD+, which has been suggested to have a role in energy production and growth, as well as in the detoxification of sulphite3. Above a certain concentration threshold, both H2S and HS− inhibit cell growth by binding the metal centres of enzymes and cytochrome oxidase5, necessitating a release mechanism for the export of this toxic metabolite from the cell5,6,7,8,9. Here we report the identification of a hydrosulphide ion channel in the pathogen Clostridium difficile through a combination of genetic, biochemical and functional approaches. The HS− channel is a member of the formate/nitrite transport family, in which about 50 hydrosulphide ion channels form a third subfamily alongside those for formate10,11 (FocA) and for nitrite12 (NirC). The hydrosulphide ion channel is permeable to formate and nitrite as well as to HS− ions. Such polyspecificity can be explained by the conserved ion selectivity filter observed in the channel’s crystal structure. The channel has a low open probability and is tightly regulated, to avoid decoupling of the membrane proton gradient.
Mitochondria: The Next (Neurode)Generation

Adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders are disabling and often fatal diseases of the nervous system whose underlying mechanisms of cell death remain unknown. Defects in mitochondrial respiration had previously been proposed to contribute to the occurrence of many, if not all, of the most common neurodegenerative disorders. However, the discovery of genes mutated in hereditary forms of these enigmatic diseases has additionally suggested defects in mitochondrial dynamics. Such disturbances can lead to changes in mitochondrial trafficking, in interorganellar communication, and in mitochondrial quality control. These new mechanisms by which mitochondria may also be linked to neurodegeneration will likely have far-reaching implications for our understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders.
Formation of carbonaceous deposits on metallic Ni from methane-water vapor mixtures

Abstract The influence of water vapor on the formation of carbonaceous deposits formed in the course of CH 4 -H 2 O reaction on metallic Ni was studied at 1000 K. It was found that a very low concentration of water vapor ( x H 2 O = 0.05) increased the quantity of carbon deposits on the metallic Ni-surface. Only with higher contents of water in the reaction gas mixture an inhibitory effect of this component was established. The reaction rate of C-formation varied with contact time showed a minimum. The reaction mechanism of C-deposition on metallic Ni-surface in the course of CH 4 -H 2 O reaction is proposed.
MICRO‐LENDING INSTITUTIONS: USING SOCIAL NETWORKS TO CREATE PRODUCTIVE CAPABILITIES

Financial service institutions design commercial lending mechanisms for small businesses with specific kinds of business owners in mind, that is, owners who already own or have access to both capital and productive resources. Given the conventional mechanisms devised by traditional lenders, individuals without productive capital appear to be costly, high risk borrowers. Today a new financial service institution called micro‐lending offers credit to just these high risk borrowers by constructing alternative lending mechanisms based on peer networks. These alternative mechanisms reduce the costs of lending to a higher risk population while providing access to business information and human capital skills, creating opportunities to build productive capabilities and other, less tangible resources, such as community networks. Using a case study of a neighborhood‐based inner‐city micro‐loan program in New England, I investigate how micro‐lending operates to reduce the costs of lending, as well as examine the group interaction that emerges among program participants.
A comparative study of the selectivity and efficiency of target tissue uptake of five tritium-labeled androgens in the rat

Abstract A comparative study of the tissue distribution of five tritium-labeled androgens was done in rats to determine the efficiency and selectivity of their uptake by target tissue. Testosterone (T), 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 19-nortestosterone (nor-T), mibolerone (Mib) and methyltrienolone (R1881) all showed selective uptake by the ventral prostate in one-day castrated rats (250 g) that was 61–90% displaceable by co-injection of an excess of unlabeled steroid. The greatest uptake was with R1881 (0.69% injected dose per gram prostate tissue (%ID/g) at 1 h), and Mib (0.56% ID/g); the other three showed lower uptake (approx. 0.4% ID/g). The target tissue activity remained high for all compounds up to 4 h after injection, and at 2–4 h the prostate to blood ratio for Mib and R1881 exceeded 10 and 20, respectively. The uptake efficiency and selectivity of these five androgens appear to be related to their affinity for the androgen receptor and their resistance to metabolism. Mib and R1881 have substantial affinity for other steroid receptors, which might account for some of their prostate uptake. However, co-administration of triamcinolone acetonide, which has high affinity for progesterone and corticosteroid receptors but not for the androgen receptor, failed to block their uptake significantly, whereas co-administration of DHT, the most selective ligand for the androgen receptor, blocked their uptake as completely as the unlabeled tracer itself. The prostate uptake of Mib and R1881 in intact animals was significantly lower than in castrated animals, but treatment of the intact animals with diethylstilbestrol restored their uptake nearly to the level seen in castrated animals. These uptake patterns are consistent with earlier studies of in vivo androgen uptake and with known changes in androgen receptor content and occupancy as a result of castration or diethylstilbestrol treatment. They further suggest that high affinity androgens labeled with suitable radionuclides—particularly derivatives of mibolerone (Mib) or methyltrienolone (R1881)—may be effective receptor-based imaging agents for androgen target tissues and tumors, even when patients are already receiving hormonal therapy.
Genomic predictors of survival in patients with high-grade urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Abstract Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) is genomically heterogeneous, with frequent alterations in genes regulating chromatin state, cell cycle control, and receptor kinase signaling. To identify prognostic genomic markers in high-grade UCB, we used capture-based massively parallel sequencing to analyze 109 tumors. Mutations were detected in 240 genes, with 23 genes mutated in ≥5% of cases. The presence of a recurrent phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha ( PIK3CA ) mutation was associated with improved recurrence-free survival (RFS) (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.35; p =0.014) and improved cancer-specific survival (CSS) (HR: 0.35; p =0.040) in patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC). In multivariable analyses controlling for pT and pN stages, PIK3CA mutation remained associated with RFS (HR: 0.39; p =0.032). The most frequent alteration, TP53 mutation (57%), was more common in extravesical disease (69% vs 32%, p =0.005) and lymph node–positive disease (77% vs 56%, p =0.025). Patients with cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A ( CDKN2A )–altered tumors experienced worse RFS (HR: 5.76; p p =0.029) in multivariable analyses. Mutations in chromatin-modifying genes were highly prevalent but not associated with outcomes. In UCB patients treated with RC, PIK3CA mutations are associated with favorable outcomes, whereas TP53 and CDKN2A alterations are associated with poor outcomes. Genomic profiling may aid in the identification of UCB patients at highest risk following RC. Patient summary Using next-generation sequencing, we identified genomic subsets of high-grade urothelial bladder cancer associated with favorable and unfavorable outcomes. These findings may aid in the selection of patients most likely to benefit from novel combined modality approaches.
Determinants of the Use of Four Categories of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The purpose of this research is to assess the social and health determinants of the use of four separate and distinct categories of complementary and alternative medical therapies: biologically based, mind-body, manipulative, and whole CAM medical systems. The behavioral model of health services use, which holds that health service use is a function of predisposing, enabling, and need characteristics, is used as the theoretical framework for linking specific determinants with the four categories of CAM use. Data are taken from a statewide interview survey of Kansas adults (N = 2,166) conducted in 2001. Results from multivariate analyses demonstrate that there is variation in the determinants of the use of different categories of CAM therapies. Overall, the results indicate that future research on the determinants of CAM must delineate between various CAM therapies to gain an accurate portrayal of the factors contributing to CAM use.
Solution to a class of three-dimensional pulse propagation problems in an elastic half-space

Abstract An exact solution to a class of three-dimensional half-space pulse propagation problems in elasticity is developed in a simple way through the use of the extended Bateman-Pekeris theorem. Results in terms of finite integrals susceptible to numerical integration are obtained. Discontinuities arising at the various wave fronts are discussed and analyzed. In particular, the strength of the logarithmic discontinuity in displacement occurring behind the head (SP) wave at the arrival of the shear wave is found. An asymptotic formula for the Rayleigh wave effects is also given. The solution covers the basic problems of surface step concentrated loads. It applies equally well to surface motions due to buried loads or sources. As an illustration, explicit expressions for the surface motions due to a buried step horizontal point load are derived.
All-optical carrier regeneration at optical network unit using a Brillouin/Erbium fiber laser

We propose an all-optical carrier regeneration scheme for wavelength independent optical network units based on a Brillouin/Erbium fiber laser. It is experimentally evaluated through bidirectional transmission at 1.25 Gb/s.
Evolution Versus Equilibrium

Post Keynesian economists have followed Joan Robinson's criticism of general equilibrium theory as abolishing history by allowing all contracts to be executed today for all future contingencies. This was the justification for the support of financial innovation to provide for the completeness of futures markets. The recent crisis has shown that force of history. Instead, many evolutionary and Keynesian economists have suggested the approach of cumulative causation as an approach that includes history and eschews equilibrium. This approach may provide a way to take history seriously in economic analysis.
Quality Improvement in Gastroenterology Clinical Practice

An emphasis on quality improvement (QI) is vital to the cost-effective provision of evidence-based health care. QI projects in gastroenterology have typically focused on endoscopy to minimize or eliminate procedure-related complications or errors. However, a significant component of gastroenterology care is based on the management of chronic disease. Patients with chronic diseases are seen in many different outpatient practices in the community and academia. In an attempt to ensure that every patient receives high-quality care, major gastrointestinal societies have published guidelines on the management of common gastrointestinal complaints. However, adherence to these guidelines varies. We discuss common outpatient gastrointestinal illnesses with established guidelines for management that could benefit from active QI projects; these would ensure a consistently high standard of care for every patient.
Identification of proteins that interact with NF-YA.

We used the yeast two-hybrid system to show that the serum response factor (SRF) and zinc-fingers and homeobox 1 (ZHX1) proteins interact with the A subunit of nuclear factor-Y (NF-YA). GST pulldown assays revealed that both proteins interact specifically with NF-YA in vitro. Amino acids located between 272 and 564, a region that contains two homeodomains, are required for the interaction of ZHX1 with NF-YA. Two different domains of NF-YA, a glutamine-rich region and a serine/threonine-rich region, are necessary for the interactions with ZHX1 and SRF, respectively.
Cytokinin regulation of a soybean pollen allergen gene

Cytokinin treatment of suspension-cultured soybean cells stimulated the accumulation of an mRNA, called cim 1, by a factor of ca. 20 within 4 h. Induction of cim 1 mRNA accumulation occurred at benzyladenine concentrations as low as 10-8 M. Furthermore, cim 1 mRNA accumulation was stimulated in the absence of cytokinin by staurosporine (an inhibitor of protein kinases) and inhibited in the presence of cytokinin by okadaic acid (an inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2a), suggesting that cim 1 accumulation in response to cytokinin is dependent on cytokinin-induced dephosphorylation of one or more cellular proteins. The deduced amino acid sequence of the cim 1 protein product, derived from the complete nucleotide sequence of a cim 1 cDNA, was 40% identical to that of a perennial rye grass pollen allergen cDNA (Lol Pl). This sequence also indicated that the cim 1 protein product contains a putative signal peptide followed by predominantly hydrophilic residues, consistent with the hypothesis that it is exported to the apoplast.
Ascorbic acid uptake in guinea pig intestinal mucosa

Cellular accumulation of ascorbic acid was investigated in vitro in distal intestinal mucosa of guinea pig. With 14C-ascorbic acid present at 8 microM/L in the bathing media, tissue/media (T/M) concentration ratios of at least 5 were routinely achieved. Recently absorbed ascorbic acid appeared to be free in solution in the cellular fluid in that it diffused from tissue exposed to poisons with a disappearance half-time of approximately 10 minutes. Ascorbic acid uptake was highly dependent on the presence of sodium in the bathing media; total Tris substitution resulted in a 97% decrease in uptake. Also, metabolically depleted tissue did not accumulate ascorbic acid against a concentration gradient. Uptake of 14C-ascorbic acid from a bathing solution concentration of 8 microM/L was reduced 67% in the presence of 0.8 mM/L nonlabeled ascorbic acid. Recently absorbed 14C-ascorbic acid moved more rapidly back into the lumen when the luminal solution contained nonlabeled ascorbic acid (5 mM) than when it contained mannitol (5 mM). This demonstration of counter transport substantiates a carrier mechanism in the brush border.
Antagonism of antinociception in mice by glucose and fructose: comparison of subcutaneous and intrathecal morphine.

Abstract Determination of the ED 50 s of glucose and fructose, administered i.p., for antagonizing the antinociceptive action of morphine (4 mg/kg s.c. or 0.5 μg i.t.) and determination of the ED 50 s for i.t. morphine after i.p. pretreatment with saline, glucose (5 g/kg) or fructose (5 g/kg) in the mouse tail-flick test indicated that fructose was more potent than glucose in antagonizing antinociception after either route of morphine administration. It is concluded that the antagonism of morphine-induced antinociception by glucose and fructose is due to a direct effect of these sugars or their metabolic products within the central nervous system.
Geometric-model-based segmentation of the prostate and surrounding structures for image-guided radiotherapy

We present a computer vision tool to improve the clinical outcome of patients undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer by improving irradiation technique. While intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) allows one to irradiate a specific region in the body with high accuracy, it is still difficult to know exactly where to aim the radiation beam on every day of the 30~40 treatments that are necessary. This paper presents a geometric model-based technique to accurately segment the prostate and other surrounding structures in a daily serial CT image, compensating for daily motion and shape variation. We first acquire a collection of serial CT scans of patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy, and manual segmentation of the prostate and other nearby structures by radiation oncologists. Then we train shape and local appearance models for the structures of interest. When new images are available, an iterative algorithm is applied to locate the prostate and surrounding structures automatically. Our experimental results show that excellent matches can be given to the prostate and surrounding structure. Convergence is declared after 10 iterations. For 256 x 256 images, the mean distance between the hand-segmented contour and the automatically estimated contour is about 1.5 pixels (2.44 mm), with variance about 0.6 pixel (1.24 mm).
An amide from salmea scandens

Abstract Costunolide and the isobutylamides of 2 E ,4 E ,8 Z ,10 Z - and 2 E ,4 E ,8 Z ,10 E -dodeca-2,4,8,10-tetraenoic acid were isolated from the roots of Salmea scandens .
The Making And Adoption Of Health Data Standards

Health data standards are key to the U.S. quest to create an aggregated, patient-centric electronic health record; to build regional health information networks; to interchange data among independent sites involved in a person’s care; to create a population database for health surveillance and for bioterrorism defense; and to create a personal health record. This paper discusses why health data standards are required, the process of creating those standards, the groups creating those standards, and some of the problems and issues that are affecting the progress and acceptance of standards. It makes a recommendation for dealing with those issues.
Modelling transparent ceramics to improve military armour

Abstract The dominant materials solution used for ballistic transparency protection of armoured tactical platforms in commercial and military applications is low cost glass backed by polycarbonate. Development of next generation ceramics is critical to offering enhanced protection capability and extended service performance for future armoured windows to the soldier. Due to the high cost of testing transparent ceramics, a modelling approach has been undertaken in parallel with ballistic testing to validate armour designs based on a transparent magnesium aluminate spinel, MgAl 2 O 4 , striking-ply backed by polycarbonate. A key purpose is to characterize the influence of defects on the failure of laminates, both statically and dynamically tested. Finite element modelling is used to predict unsuccessful designs and reduce number of laminate configurations in experimental testing. A notional ceramic armour system based on spinel/polycarbonate assemblies is used to report results on the effect of surface and interior, equal area defects on the ballistic behavior of a laminates.
Magnetic Manipulation of Axonal Transport in Live Neurons

Retrograde neurotrophic signals, from the axon terminal to the cell body, are essential for the survival and function of neurons. Axonal microtubules serve as polarized tracks for molecular motor proteins driving the signaling endosomes from the axon terminal to the cell body. The robustness of this long-distance transport and the direction specificity can be attributed to the cooperative mechanics of multiple motors and/or specific coordinators in vivo. Noninvasive external force control of axonal endosomes in live neurons is a challenging prospect, which can unravel the transport machinery and the direction regulation mechanisms in vivo. Here, we present an integrated methodology based on microfluidic neuron culture, high-gradient magnetic trapping and pseudo-TIRF imaging that permits external control of axonal endosome transport in live neurons via magnetic forces. We fabricated a novel microfluidic device for neuron culture by patterned electrodeposition of soft micromagnets on glass coverslips. In the presence of an external magnetizing field, the soft micromagnetic pattern gives rise to local zones of high magnetic gradients. By culturing neurons in this device, with axons aligned along these high gradient zones, we can exert pN forces on axonal endosomes carrying magnetic nanoparticles (<100 nm). The magnetic forces can be designed to either assist/oppose the molecular motor forces driving the axonal endosomes. We have successfully compartmentalized DRG neurons in prototype magnetic devices. Further, high-resolution tracking of axonal endosomes under external load and stochastic modeling reveal that A) motors of both polarity are involved even in the apparent unidirectional transport of axonal endosomes and B) mechanical force balance is a critical component in determining the endosome directionality.
In vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance saturation transfer measurements of phosphate exchange reactions in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract 31P saturation transfer techniques have been used to measure phosphate kinetics in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The phosphate consumption rate observed in acetate grown mid-log cells was combined with measurements of O2 consumption to yield P/O ratios of 2.2 and 2.9, for cells respiring on glucose and ethanol, respectively. However, no phosphate consumption activity was observed in saturation transfer experiments on anaerobic glucose fed cells. The phosphate consumption rates measured by saturation transfer in cells respiring on glucose and ethanol was attributed to the unidirectional rates of mitochondria! ATP synthesis.
Early ingrowth of thalamocortical afferents to the neocortex of the prenatal rat

Abstract The initial ingrowth of thalamocortical afferents into the presumptive somatosensory cortex was examined in the fetal rat. Thalamic fibers were labeled in fixed brains with the carbocyanine dye 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI). On embryonic day 16, thalamocortical afferents arrive in the neocortex and course tangentially within the intermediate zone immediately underneath the cortical plate. By embryonic day 17, thalamocortical fibers have begun their radial growth into cortex and their arbors span the cell-sparse zone between layer VIb and the bottom of the cortical plate. By the day of birth (embryonic day 21), thalamocortical fibers from a dense plexus within layers VI and V below the dense cortical plate. Our observations indicate that in the rat thalamic afferents arrive in the cortex at a very early age and arborize within the forming cortical layers without an apparent "waiting" period.
Enabling Cleaner Fuels: Desulfurization by Adsorption to Microporous Coordination Polymers

Microporous coordination polymers (MCPs) are demonstrated to be efficient adsorbents for the removal of the organosulfur compounds dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT) from model diesel fuel and diesel fuel. For example, packed bed breakthrough experiments utilizing UMCM-150 find capacities of 25.1 g S/kg MCP for DBT and 24.3 g S/kg MCP for DMDBT from authentic diesel indicating that large amounts of fuel are desulfurized before the breakthrough point. Unlike activated carbons, where selectivity has been a problem, MCPs selectively adsorb the organosulfur compounds over other, similar components of diesel. Complete regeneration using toluene at modest temperatures is achieved. The attainment of high selectivities and capacities, particularly for the adsorption of the refractory compounds that are difficult to remove using current desulfurization techniques, in a reversible sorbent indicates that fuel desulfurization may be an important application for MCPs.
Validating DICOM Content in a Remote Storage Model

Verifying the integrity of DICOM files transmitted between separate archives (eg, storage service providers, network attached storage, or storage area networks) is of critical importance. The software application described in this article retrieves a specified number of DICOM studies from two different DICOM storage applications; the primary picture archiving and communication system (PACS) and an off-site long-term archive. The system includes a query/retrieve (Q/R) module, storage service class provider (SCP), a DICOM comparison module, and a graphical user interface. The system checks the two studies for DICOM 3.0 compliance and then verifies that the DICOM data elements and pixel data are identical. Discrepancies in the two data sets are recorded with the data elements (tag number, value representation, value length, and value field) and pixel data (pixel value and pixel location) in question. The system can be operated automatically, in batch mode, and manually to meet a wide variety of use cases. We ran this program on a 15% statistical sample of 50,000 studies (7500 studies examined). We found 2 pixel data mismatches (resolved on retransmission) and 831 header element mismatches. We subsequently ran the program against a smaller batch of 1000 studies, identifying no pixel data mismatches and 958 header element mismatches. Although we did not find significant issues in our limited study, given other incidents that we have experienced when moving images between systems, we conclude that it is vital to maintain an ongoing, automatic, systematic validation of DICOM transfers so as to be proactive in preventing possibly catastrophic data loss.
Blind channel estimation in aperiodic time-hopping ultra-wideband communications

Impulse radio ultra-wideband (UWB) communication systems employ a time-hopping technique to enable multiple access. Each user is assigned a distinct time-hopping sequence, either periodic or aperiodic, to suppress multiuser interferences. Aperiodic codes have many promising features compared with periodic codes, such as smoothed spectrum and enhanced security. But they pose additional challenges to channel estimation. This paper studies channel estimation issues in aperiodic time-hopping systems. Both a least squares technique and a correlation matching technique are developed. An instantaneous estimate of the mean or correlation of received signals is exploited for simultaneous estimation of all users' channels based on a pulse-rate discrete-time model. If only the desired user's time-hopping codes are available, single-user channel estimators are developed by utilizing the time-varying property of aperiodic time-hopping codes. Performance of each proposed channel estimator is analyzed and numerically evaluated by computer simulations. This paper shows that the correlation matching approach has better performance while the least squares approach has lower complexity. Matched filter receivers based on proposed channel estimators yield detection performance close to corresponding ones with known channel state information. Significant improvement of detection performance is observed by using modified matched filter receivers or multiuser receivers that explicitly take into account interferences to the desired signal.
A cautious surfer for PageRank

This work proposes a novel cautious surfer to incorporate trust into the process of calculating authority for web pages. We evaluate a total of sixty queries over two large, real-world datasets to demonstrate that incorporating trust can improve PageRank's performance.
A morphological and histological examination of the pan-tropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata) and the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) adrenal gland.

Summary The morphology and histology of the cetacean adrenal gland are poorly understood. Therefore, this study examined 32 pairs of adrenal glands from 18 pan-tropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata) and 14 spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris). In both species, the cortex was pseudolobulated and contained a typical mammalian zonation. Medullary protrusions (0–3 per section) and a medullary band were identified in both species. For S. attenuata, no statistical differences were found in the cortex to medulla (CM) ratio or the percent crosssectional area (PCA) of the adrenal glands compared with sex or sexual maturity. The mean CM ratio for S. attenuata was 2.34 and the PCA was 64.4% cortex, 29.4% medulla and 6.2% other. Other indicates blood vessels, connective tissue and the gland capsule itself. For S. longirostris, there was no statistical difference in the CM ratio compared with sexual maturity. However, a statistical difference was found between the CM ratio and sex, suggesting sexual dimorphism (female CM ratio = 2.46 and males = 3.21). No statistical differences were found in the PCA of S. longirostris adrenal glands by sexual maturity. However, a statistical difference was found between the PCA by sex. Female S. longirostris adrenal glands consisted of 65.0% cortex, 27.3% medulla and 7.7% other, whereas male adrenal glands consisted of 71.7% cortex, 22.7% medulla and 5.6% other.
Evidence for allelopathic interference of Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) to loblolly and shortleaf pine regeneration

Abstract Japanese honeysuckle presents a serious problem to the economically attractive natural regeneration of loblolly and shortleaf pine. This research investigated the potential allelopathic interference mechanisms of Japanese honeysuckle in relation to pine regeneration and growth, which may provide insight into overcoming this problem. The allelopathic potential of root exudates and leaf litter from Japanese honeysuckle was tested against loblolly and shortleaf pine seedlings. When Japanese honeysuckle and loblolly pine seedlings were grown using the same irrigation reservoir, there was no significant effect on the growth of either pine species. Exudates of Japanese honeysuckle grown as a pure culture in donor cups also produced no growth effects on pure-cultured pine seedlings grown in acceptor cups. In other assays, aqueous extracts of Japanese honeysuckle leaf tissue were toxic to duckweeds at concentrations well below levels where plasmolysis might cause effects. When Japanese honeysuckle leaf t...