cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prominin-2 expression increases protrusions, decreases caveolae and inhibits Cdc42 dependent fluid phase endocytosis

Abstract Background Membrane protrusions play important roles in biological processes such as cell adhesion, wound healing, migration, and sensing of the external environment. Cell protrusions are a subtype of membrane microdomains composed of cholesterol and sphingolipids, and can be disrupted by cholesterol depletion. Prominins are pentaspan membrane proteins that bind cholesterol and localize to plasma membrane (PM) protrusions. Prominin-1 is of great interest as a marker for stem and cancer cells, while Prominin-2 (Prom2) is reportedly restricted to epithelial cells. Aim To characterize the effects of Prom-2 expression on PM microdomain organization. Methods Prom2-fluorescent protein was transfected in human skin fibroblasts (HSF) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells for PM raft and endocytic studies. Caveolae at PM were visualized using transmission electron microscopy. Cdc42 activation was measured and caveolin-1 knockdown was performed using siRNAs. Results Prom2 expression in HSF and CHO cells caused extensive Prom2-positive protrusions that co-localized with lipid raft markers. Prom2 expression significantly decreased caveolae at the PM, reduced caveolar endocytosis and increased caveolin-1 phosphorylation. Prom2 expression also inhibited Cdc42-dependent fluid phase endocytosis via decreased Cdc42 activation. Effects on endocytosis were reversed by addition of cholesterol. Knockdown of caveolin-1 by siRNA restored Cdc42 dependent fluid phase endocytosis in Prom2-expressing cells. Conclusions Prom2 protrusions primarily localize to lipid rafts and recruit cholesterol into protrusions and away from caveolae, leading to increased phosphorylation of caveolin-1, which inhibits Cdc42-dependent endocytosis. This study provides a new insight for the role for prominins in the regulation of PM lipid organization.
Vascular and Visceral Injuries Associated with Lumbar Disc Surgery: Medicolegal Implications

Symptomatic perforation of the anterior annulus fibrosus/anterior longitudinal ligament during surgery for herniated lumbar disc disease is one of the more solemn and sobering complications experienced by neurosurgeons or orthopedic surgeons. This complication frequently results in the death of the patient. Its occurrence is probably more common than the medical community would expect. The authors report 21 cases since 1985 in which an injury to an intra-abdominal vessel or viscera occurred. In all cases litigation resulted and a settlement or verdict was rendered. A review of the literature is presented and the medicolegal implications of symptomatic ventral perforations of the annulus fibrosus/anterior longitudinal ligament are discussed.
Whole-genome phylogenies of the family Bacillaceae and expansion of the sigma factor gene family in the Bacillus cereus species-group

The Bacillus cereus sensu lato group consists of six species (B. anthracis, B. cereus, B. mycoides, B. pseudomycoides, B. thuringiensis, and B. weihenstephanensis). While classical microbial taxonomy proposed these organisms as distinct species, newer molecular phylogenies and comparative genome sequencing suggests that these organisms should be classified as a single species (thus, we will refer to these organisms collectively as the Bc species-group). How do we account for the underlying similarity of these phenotypically diverse microbes? It has been established for some time that the most rapidly evolving and evolutionarily flexible portions of the bacterial genome are regulatory sequences and transcriptional networks. Other studies have suggested that the sigma factor gene family of these organisms has diverged and expanded significantly relative to their ancestors; sigma factors are those portions of the bacterial transcriptional apparatus that control RNA polymerase recognition for promoter selection. Thus, examining sigma factor divergence in these organisms would concurrently examine both regulatory sequences and transcriptional networks important for divergence. We began this examination by comparison to the sigma factor gene set of B. subtilis. Phylogenetic analysis of the Bc species-group utilizing 157 single-copy genes of the family Bacillaceae suggests that several taxonomic revisions of the genus Bacillus should be considered. Within the Bc species-group there is little indication that the currently recognized species form related sub-groupings, suggesting that they are members of the same species. The sigma factor gene family encoded by the Bc species-group appears to be the result of a dynamic gene-duplication and gene-loss process that in previous analyses underestimated the true heterogeneity of the sigma factor content in the Bc species-group. Expansion of the sigma factor gene family appears to have preferentially occurred within the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor genes, while the primary alternative (PA) sigma factor genes are, in general, highly conserved with those found in B. subtilis. Divergence of the sigma-controlled transcriptional regulons among various members of the Bc species-group likely has a major role in explaining the diversity of phenotypic characteristics seen in members of the Bc species-group.
Rethinking sociology: Applied and basic research

In this article, Whyte makes eight criticisms of conventional sociology. He then suggests ways of improving sociology through an emphasis on applied research and active field work.
A molecular survey of ectomycorrhizal hyphae in a California Quercus–Pinus woodland

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) hyphal communities have not been well characterized. Furthermore, there have been few studies where the ECM hyphal community is compared to fungi detected as sporocarps or ECM-colonized root tips. We investigated fungi present as hyphae in a well-studied California Quercus-Pinus woodland. Hyphal species present were compared to those found as sporocarps and ECM root tips at the same site. Hyphae were extracted from root-restrictive nylon mesh in-growth bags buried in the soil near mature Quercus douglasii, Quercus wislizeni, and Pinus sabiniana. Taxa were identified using PCR, cloning, and DNA sequencing of internal transcribed spacer and 28s rDNA. Among the 33 species detected, rhizomorph-forming ECM fungi dominated the hyphal community, especially species of Thelephoraceae and Boletales. Most fungi in soils near Quercus spp. and P. sabiniana were ECM basidiomycetes, but we detected two ECM ascomycetes and three non-mycorrhizal fungi. Many ECM species present as hyphae were also previously detected at this site as sporocarps (18%) or on ECM root tips (58%). However, the hyphal community was mostly dominated by different taxa than either the sporocarp or ECM root communities.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass Primes Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

Abstract Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) superoxide (·O−2) production has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)-related end organ injury. PMN “priming” has been described as an event which enhances the release of ·O−2following a second, activating insult. We hypothesized that PMN priming occurs during CBP and is temporally related to the plasma level of complement (C3a), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8. PMNs were isolated from 10 CPB patients pre-bypass (preCPB), 5 min after protamine administration (PROT), and at 6 and 24 h post-CPB. PMN ·O−2production was measured by a cytochrome c reduction assay in the presence or absence of either phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA, 0.4 μg/ml) orN-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP, 1 μM) and also after priming with 2000 nM platelet-activating factor (PAF) followed by activation with either PMA or FMLP. Plasma levels of C3a, IL-6, and IL-8 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PMA-activated PMN·O−2production was significantly elevated at 6 h post-CPB compared to pre-CPB levels (11.04 ± 0.9 vs 7.62 ± 0.57,P= 0.009), indicating that CPB is associated within vivoPMN priming. When PMNs were primedin vitrowith PAF and then activated with PMA or FMLP, ·O−2release at 6 h post-CPB was also significantly greater than pre-CPB levels (16.04 ± 0.74 vs 12.2 ± 0.92,P= 0.038; and 17.33 ± 1.38 vs 13.33 ± 1.35,P
285 Do Not Resuscitate Orders and Withdrawal of Life Support in Dying Pediatric Patients

Purpose: For some critically ill children, resuscitation is not attempted when further therapy is judged inappropriate. Most pediatric deaths involve withdrawal of life support (WDS). Do not resuscitate (DNR) orders remain infrequent in children.
Photoacoustic microscopy of complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-1) after stellate ganglion blocks in vivo

ABSTRACT We used photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) to assist diagnoses and monitor the progress and treatment outcome of complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS-1). Blood vasculature and oxygen saturation (sO 2 ) were imaged by PAM in eight adult patients with CRPS-1. Patients hands and cuticles were imaged both before and after stellate ganglion block (SGB) for comparison. For all patients, both the vascular structure and sO 2 could be assessed by PAM. In addition, more vessels and stronger signals were observed after SGB. Keywords : Complex regional pain syndrome, photoacoustic microscopy, stellate ganglion block 1. Introduction Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a pain disorder characterized by severe and disproportionate pain, autonomic changes such as abnormal regulation of blood flow and sweating, edema of skin and subcutaneous tissues, motor disorders, and dystrophic changes. The pathophysiological mechanism of CRPS is still poorly understood, although our knowledge of this syndrome has increased sign ificantly [1-3]. Multiple fact ors, including vascular and microcirculatory dysfunction, neurogenic inflammation [4], alteration in sympathetic and catecholaminergic function, as well as peripheral and central sensitization, may all play important roles in the pathogenesis of this disabling syndrome [5]. However, microcirculatory parameters, including rate and volume of blood flow and tissue oxygen saturation (sO
Personality Profiles of Adults with Verbal and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities

This study examined the MMPI-derived personality profiles of three learning-disabled sub-types. Results obtained through profile analysis indicated that there were no significant differences between the three groups on the validity and 10 basic scales of the MMPI. However, the combined learning-disabled groups differed significantly from the normative sample on the MMPI, scoring higher on 11 of the 13 scales studied. Statistical analyses revealed that 20% of the LD sample displayed significantly marked elevations on one or more of the MMPI scales.
β‐Endorphin1–31 in the rat pituitary Discrepancy between the molecular masses of the DNA‐deduced peptide and of the mass spectrometric‐measured endogenous peptide

Mass spectrometry was used to determine the molecular mass of rat pituitary β-endorphin1–31 (BErat, 1–31 The measured molecular mass (3435 ± 1 Da, n= 5) of endogenous BErat, 1–31 differed from the molecular mass of commercially available synthetic BErat, 1–31 (3465 ± 1 Da, n= 9), but corresponded to the molecular mass of synthetic BEbovine, 1–31 (3436 ± 3 Da, n= 3). Based on the combination of these ESIMS molecular mass measurements, HPLC retention time data, LSIMS measurement of the molecular mass of selected tryptic fragments, and consideration of codon sequences, we suggest that the amino-acid sequence of endogenous BErat, 1–31differs from the DNA-deduced sequence of BErat, 1–31, and that endogenous BErat, 1–31 contains Ala instead of Val in position 26. ©Munksgaard 1996.
Cyclotron isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals XXXI. Improvements in77Br production and radiochemical separation from enriched78Se

An improved method for production of >100 mCi of77Br with the78Se(p, 2n)77Br nuclear reaction and a 4π water-cooled target containing encapsulated metallic78Se or a Pb78Se alloy has been developed. The77Br was separated with ∼98% radiochemical yield and a radionuclidic purity of 98.9%. The time required to isolate carrier-free77Br free of metallic impurities was less than 4hrs. Isotopically enriched78Se was quantitatively recovered.
Chlorinated hydrocarbons in flatfishes from the Southern California, USA, Bight

Alhough inputs of chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds to the Southern California Bight (SCB) are presently low, historical deposits represent a source of bioaccumulation potential to sediment-associated fauna. To assess this bioaccumulation potential, 14 chlorinated hydrocarbon classes were measured in livers of three species of flatfish collected from 63 randomly selected sites on the coastal shelf between Point Conception and the United States–Mexico international border. Tissue contamination was widespread throughout the SCB, but was limited to just two chlorinated hydrocarbon classes. Virtually 100% of Pacific sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus) and longfin sanddab (Citharichthys xanthostigma) populations were estimated to be contaminated with dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (total DDT = sum of o,p′ and p,p′ isomers of DDT + dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene [DDE] + dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane [DDD]) and/or polychlorinated biphenyls (total PCBs). Total DDT also contaminated the majority (64%) of the Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus) population in the SCB. Total PCB measurements in tissues of SCB flatfish were dominated by 12 congeners (52, 66, 87, 101, 105, 118, 128, 138, 153, 170, 180, and 187), which averaged 95% of the combined mass of the 27 congeners analyzed. Sediment concentrations (normalized by total organic carbon content) accounted for most of the variability observed in tissue concentrations (normalized by lipid content) for 8 of these 12 congeners and total PCBs. Normalized sediment concentrations were also significantly correlated to normalized tissue concentrations for total DDT and p,p′-DDE. Tissue concentrations measured in this study from reference areas of the SCB were compared to tissue concentrations measured from reference areas in studies conducted in 1977 and 1985. Total DDT and total PCB liver concentrations were found to have decreased one to two orders of magnitude in Pacific and longfin sanddabs between 1985 and 1994. Total DDT and total PCB liver concentrations decreased 5- to 35-fold in Dover sole between 1977 and 1994.
Current status of cardiac surgery: a 40 year review.

Abstract Cardiac surgery has undergone dramatic advancements during the past 3 decades. The introduction of cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest ushered in the true era of open heart surgery. Bioprostheses and mechanical valves as well as techniques for valve reconstruction permit routine repair or replacement of stenotic and regurgitant native valves. Progress in the disciplines of mechanical and electrical engineering has led to the development of pocket watch-sized, physiologically responsive pacemakers as well as a variety of circulatory assist devices that include the intraaortic balloon pump, ventricular assist device and total artificial heart. The synthesis of cardiotonic and vasoactive drugs and advancements in anesthetic management, postoperative monitoring and nursing care greatly facilitate perioperative patient management. This summary of state of the art cardiac surgery begins with a brief historical background followed by a review of recent advances in six main categories: coronary artery disease, acquired valvular heart disease, congenital cardiac disease, cardiac transplantation, myocardial preservation and mechanical circulatory assistance. In conducting the review of recent literature, particular attention was directed to large clinical series that document the results of contemporary surgical procedures, novel therapeutic approaches to current clinical problems and unresolved controversies in the field of cardiac surgery. The abundance of surgical literature and constraints on the length of this article do not permit an exhaustive review. Apologies are extended to clinicians and laboratory investigators whose important contributions to the understanding and treatment of cardiac disease are not included herein.
Obstacle Impact Simulation of an ATV Using an Efficient Tire Model

Abstract When a vehicle travels over a large obstacle at a significant speed, dynamic loads are created that are severe enough to cause damage to its components. Prediction of these impact loads early in the design can greatly aid the vehicle development process. Thus, automobile manufactures have devoted considerable effort developing computer models to simulate durability events. An important part of any durability simulation is the tire model. This paper focuses on the problem of efficiently predicting dynamic loads that occur when an all terrain vehicle (ATV) impacts obstacle impact. An ATV simulation model that uses an efficient and simple tire model to represent the enveloping behavior and dynamic response was developed with the AUTOSIM multibody dynamics program. This program, using Kane's Method and symbolic algebra to automatically generate fully parametric simulations that are both efficient and easy to use, was used to model both the tire and ATV rigid body dynamics. This paper describes the co...
Assymetry in the distribution of basic amino acid residues in the moderately lysine-rich histone F2b from calf thymus.

Die Aminosauresequenz der Histonfraktion F2b aus Kalbsthymus wird angegeben und die Verteilung der basischen Aminosauren als nicht symmetrisch ermittelt.
Understanding the effectiveness of the entertainment-education strategy: an investigation of how audience involvement, message processing, and message design influence health information recall

A growing body of evidence suggests that entertainment-education (EE) is a promising health communication strategy. The purpose of this study was to identify some of the factors that facilitate and hinder audience involvement with EE messages. Using confirmatory factor analysis, the authors introduce a construct they call experiential involvement, which describes the experience of being cognitively and emotionally involved with EE messages and is a product of transportation into an EE text and identification with EE characters. Using an experimental design, the authors also investigated how reports of experiential involvement and health information recall varied depending on the degree to which the educational content was well integrated with the narrative content in EE messages. Findings indicated that integration significantly influenced health information recall. Results indicated that experiential involvement and the perception that the health topic in EE messages was personally relevant predicted participants' systematic processing of the information in EE messages. Contrary to expectation, personal relevance did not predict experiential involvement, and systematic message processing was negatively related to health information recall. Implications for the construction of EE messages and the study of the EE strategy are discussed.
Mechanistic implications of the inhibition of peptidases by amino aldehydes and bestatin

Abstract α-Amino aldehydes and bestatin are found to be effective inhibitors of a cytosolic dipeptidase (rat testicular peptidase C), and a cytosolic tripeptidase (rat kidney peptidase B, EC 3.4.11.4), as well as cytosolic leucine aminopeptidase (pig kidney peptidase S, EC 3.4.11.1). Aldehyde hydrates and bestatin share a resemblance to intermediates that might be formed during direct attack by water on peptide substrates, affording a possible explanation for their tight binding. Alternatively, inhibitors of both kinds might form derivatives of an active site nucleophile, resembling intermediates in a double-displacement mechanism. Exchange experiments with H218O suggest that bestatin is bound intact by leucine aminopeptidase, lending support to the first of these two mechanisms.
Nonvisually Guided Locomotion to a Previously Viewed Target in Real and Virtual Environments

Comparing human performance in a virtual environment (VE) with performance in the real world can provide clues about which aspects of VE technology require improvement. Using a technique previously shown to measure real-world distance judgments accurately, we compared performance in a real-world environment with performance in a virtual model of that environment. The technique required participants to walk without vision to a target after viewing it for 10 s. VE distance judgments averaged 85% of the target distance, whereas real-world judgments averaged 92%. The magnitude of the relative errors in the VE was twice that in the real world, indicating that the VE degraded distance judgments. Our analysis suggests that VE performance deficits result either from poor binocular disparity cues or from distortion of pictorial depth cues. Actual or potential applications of this research include the development of virtual environments for training and the design of visual displays for virtual simulations.
Functions of Social Support and Self-Verification in Association with Loneliness, Depression, and Stress

This study investigated the influence of social support and self-verification on loneliness, depression, and stress among 477 college students. The authors propose and test a theoretical model using structural equation modeling. The results indicated empirical support for the model, with self-verification mediating the relation between social support and health outcomes. The results have implications for social support and self-verification research, which are discussed along with directions for future research and limitations of the study.
Stage-specific expression of fuco-neolacto- (Lewis X) and ganglio-series neutral glycosphingolipids during brain development: characterization of Lewis X and related glycosphingolipids in bovine, human and rat brain

We have purified and characterized a bovine brain pentaglycosylceramide as Lewis X and identified it in human and rat brain using anti-Lewis X (anti-SSEA 1) monoclonal antibody. Neutral glycosphingolipid expression in developing rat brain has been examined by digoxigenin immunostaining and TLC-immunostaining using anti-SSEA 1 and anti-GgOse4Cer (GA1) monoclonal antibodies. Five transient Lewis X-series bands were identified in brain at embryonic day 15 that disappear by postnatal day 5 (one disappears at embryonic day 18). Gangliotetraosylceramide (GA1) first appears at embryonic day 21 and increases in concentration with age until postnatal day 21. In addition, we have purified another minor brain neutral glycosphingolipid and tentatively identified it as a Lewis X-series glycolipid by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis followed by TLC-immunostaining with anti-SSEA 1 antibody.
Muscle Over Mind

Depression is associated with elevated kynurenine levels, a tryptophan metabolite generated under stress and inflammatory conditions. Agudelo et al. (2014) now reveal how PGC-1α1 overexpression in muscle mimics anti-depressant effects of exercise by promoting kynurenine aminotransferase expression, likely preventing kynurenine from crossing the blood brain barrier to disrupt neural plasticity.
Gene therapy for cardiovascular diseases

Few disciplines in medicine will have as great an impact as molecular biology. Since the introduction of these techniques in cardiology multiple pathophysiologic pathways of cardiac diseases have been better elucidated. We have been very successful in prolonging life and providing better care for cardiac patients in the last 50 years. We could even consider that conventional therapy has reached its peak; but the new developments in molecular biology have sparked an increase in the knowledge of basic mechanisms of cardiac disease, which is likely to markedly improve diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Nevertheless, it may be some time before we achieve a significant breakthrough in the therapy of these diseases, despite the progress in molecular and computational techniques. Gene therapy has not shown enthusiastic results, but we must be reminded that the application of these techniques to medicine is only the beginning.
Diffuse Optical Tomography Imaging of the Hemodynamic Response to a Breath Hold for Use in Breast Cancer Detection

We discuss here a recent study using diffuse optical tomography to make simultaneous dual-breast measurements in 21 subjects during a breath hold. An exponential fit to the transient response differentiates between tumor-bearing and healthy breasts.
Fine structure of degenerating abdominal motor neurons after eclosion in the sphingid moth, Manduca sexta

Ultrastructural aspects of the natural degeneration of a group of six motor neurons in the fourth abdominal ganglion of Manduca sexta are described. These motor neurons innervate intersegmental muscles that degenerate and disappear immediately after adult eclosion. The first detectable changes in the cell bodies appear 12 h after eclosion and include disruption of the endoplasmic reticulum and an increase in the size and number of lamellar bodies. At 32 h the nuclear membranes rupture, and the membranous and granular cytoorganelles segregate in different parts of the cell. At that stage the surrounding glial cells participate in the digestion of material from the degenerating neurons. From 72 h onward the remaining neuronal structures become disrupted, and are finally transformed into a single, large lamellar body (residual body) within the glial profile. The degeneration pattern differs significantly from that of embryonic vertebrate neurons.
Salicylate release characteristics of selected polyethylene glycol suppositories

Abstract Salicylate suppositories were prepared using polyethylene glycol 1540 and polyethylene glycol 6000 in various proportions. The in vitro release of salicylates from each suppository combination was studied using a closed system apparatus designed to circulate fluid about the suppository at 37 ± 0.2°. At scheduled time intervals, samples of the circulating fluid were assayed spectro‐photometrically for salicylate content. Suppositories were also removed from the apparatus, their length and diameter were measured with a vernier caliper, and the change in their surface area was calculated. These surface area changes were then correlated with the salicylate release data. Release of salicylate from the polyethylene glycol suppositories simulated zero‐order kinetics, and the time for 50% release of salicylate ( t ½) from each polyethylene glycol combination did not differ significantly for salicylic acid or its sodium salt. Salicylate release differed markedly for bases composed solely of polyethylene glycol 1540 or 6000; however, when suppositories contained a mixture of the two polyethylene glycols, the rate of release of salicylate approximated that observed for a base composed solely of polyethylene glycol 6000.
Effect of Source of Calcium and Phosphorus on Antibiotic Potentiation and Egg Production of Caged Layers

Abstract DIETARY CALCIUM has been shown to inhibit the absorption of broad-spectrum antibiotics by the domestic fowl (Price et al., 1958, 1959). For this reason, differences in the biological availability of calcium and phosphorus in various dietary supplements have led researchers to investigate their use as broad-spectrum antibiotic potentiators in poultry nutrition. The phosphorus in colloidal phosphate has been shown to have limited biological availability for poultry (Baruah et al., 1960; Gardiner et al., 1959; and Motzok et al., 1957). Evidence is available to indicate the efficacy of dietary colloidal phosphate as an antibiotic potentiator. Camp (1960) substituted colloidal phosphate for dicalcium phosphate in the diet of chicks and obtained approximately twice the level of serum oxytetracycline with diets containing colloidal phosphate. Donovan et al. (1960) obtained an increase in oxytetracycline serum levels when colloidal phosphate was used to replace a part of the dietary dicalcium phosphate. The source of calcium …
The response of the neutral upper atmosphere to variations in solar activity

Neutral upper atmosphere response to solar activity variations, discussing temperature, density and helium/oxygen composition
Suburban growth controls and the price of new housing

Abstract The effect of Petaluma, California's growth control program on new house prices is examined by a comparative (quasi-experimental) design, using statistical controls. The difference in price increases between Petaluma and two comparison cities is calculated for houses of standard quality and for average actual houses in each city. It was found that prices of standard quality houses increased significantly more in Petaluma than in one of the comparison cities but not the other. A similar pattern was observed for actual houses. Reasons for the observed results and specific causes of the growth control effect are analyzed.
Radiative Corrections to β Decay and the Quantum Numbers of Fields Underlying Current Algebra

It is shown that the second-order radiative corrections to ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay are finite, provided one assumes a $V\ensuremath{-}A$ interaction and a current algebra constructed from spin-\textonehalf{} SU(3) triplet fields with the quantum numbers of $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$, ${\ensuremath{\Xi}}^{0}$, and ${\ensuremath{\Xi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, or ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${\ensuremath{\Xi}}^{0}$, and ${\ensuremath{\Xi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, and $\frac{1}{3}$-integral hypercharge; or, equivalently, $V+A$ together with $p$, $n$, $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ or $p$, $n$, ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}^{\ensuremath{'}+}$ triplets.
Time series forecasting with neural network ensembles: an application for exchange rate prediction

This paper investigates the use of neural network combining methods to improve time series forecasting performance of the traditional single keep-the-best (KTB) model. The ensemble methods are applied to the difficult problem of exchange rate forecasting. Two general approaches to combining neural networks are proposed and examined in predicting the exchange rate between the British pound and US dollar. Specifically, we propose to use systematic and serial partitioning methods to build neural network ensembles for time series forecasting. It is found that the basic ensemble approach created with non-varying network architectures trained using different initial random weights is not effective in improving the accuracy of prediction while ensemble models consisting of different neural network structures can consistently outperform predictions of the single ‘best’ network. Results also show that neural ensembles based on different partitions of the data are more effective than those developed with the full training data in out-of-sample forecasting. Moreover, reducing correlation among forecasts made by the ensemble members by utilizing data partitioning techniques is the key to success for the neural ensemble models. Although our ensemble methods show considerable advantages over the traditional KTB approach, they do not have significant improvement compared to the widely used random walk model in exchange rate forecasting.
Parametric Modeling Method for Conceptual Vehicle Design

Early conceptual design is one of the most important stages in vehicle product development. At this stage, various iterations of design, analysis, validation, and confirmation need to be carried out with limited and constantly changing vehicle design information. To overcome this difficulty, computer aided design tools are widely used. Various parametric concept models are created and employed to increase the number of design iterations and reduce the design cycle time. However, two of the most common challenges still exist: 1) how to build a parametric model that is flexible and robust while maintaining adequate accuracy, and 2) how to easily manipulate the model based on limited dimensional and geometrical input available at early design stages. In this paper, a parametric modeling and controlling method is presented. It has been developed to generate and manipulate a parametric vehicle concept model for vehicle design at early design stages. This method greatly improves the flexibility and robustness of the parametric concept model, and allows easy modifications of the model based on the limited available input.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
EQUIVALENCE OF DIFFERENT PAIR-BREAKING MECHANISMS IN SUPERCONDUCTORS

Paramagnetic impurities in a superconductor and a magnetic field parallel to a thin superconducting film with short electronic mean free path are known to have similar effects on many physical quantities. By investigating the properties of vertex functions and their renormalization factors we have derived necessary and sufficient conditions for such a physical quantity to be equally affected by the two pair-breaking mechanisms. We find that different expressions are obtained in the two theories only for those quantities which involve $s$-wave, spin-triplet vertices with momentum transfer $q\ensuremath{\le}{(l{\ensuremath{\xi}}_{0})}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}}$, where $l$ is the electron mean free path and ${\ensuremath{\xi}}_{0}$ is the coherence distance. With the help of those results different response functions are analyzed and it is shown that the spin susceptibility is the only one of the quantities usually considered which satisfies the above requirements and hence gives different results for the field and paramagnetic-impurity cases.
The Role of Specimen Geometry and Boundary Conditions on Stress Development and Cracking in the Restrained Ring Test

Early-age cracking can be a significant problem in concrete pavements, floors, and bridge decks. Various test methods have been developed to assess the potential for early-age cracking, however due to the economy and simplicity of the ring test, it has become widely used. Although the ring test procedures employed by various authors are similar, they vary in terms of curing duration, specimen geometry, and boundary conditions. This paper describes an experimental study of restrained ring specimens tested using different geometries and boundary conditions. Specimen geometry was found to have a significant effect on the stress development and age of cracking in the restrained ring specimens. Specimens that shrink uniformly along the radius show the greatest variation in the age of cracking with thicker specimens cracking at a later age. Acoustic emission testing has been used to illustrate that specimen boundary condition substantially influence crack development and propagation in the restrained rings.
Effects of surface disorder on EXAFS modeling of metallic clusters

Small (1--5 nm) metal clusters may undergo significant surface relaxation under the influence of ligands, adsorbates, and substrate-induced stress. As a result, the nearest-neighbor distance between surface atoms can be reduced by up to 10% relative to those in the cluster core, enhancing the disorder in the interatomic distances. Accordingly, the pair distribution function extracted from EXAFS data under the standard assumption that the distribution function of nearest-neighbor bonds is quasi-Gaussian yields systematic errors. Here we analyze the surface disorder effects with emphasis on their impact on the accuracy of the size and shape determination of nanocatalysts.
The role of adenosine monophosphate nucleosidase in the regulation of adenine nucleotide levels in Azotobacter vinelandii during aerobic-anaerobic transitions.

Abstract When cultures of Azotobacter vinelandii are made anaerobic the adenylate pool size remains constant or increases slightly while the adenylate energy charge decreases. Under these conditions, cell growth stops but the cells remain viable for at least 5 h with the decreased energy charge. The changes in the adenylate pool during the aerobic-anaerobic transition include: the formation of adenylates as a result of RNA degradation; the degradation of a portion of the excess AMP to form hypoxanthine by the sequential actions of AMP nucleosidase and adenine deaminase; an increase in the total adenylate pool which is stabilized at approximately 1.5 times the level in growing cells; and stabilization of the adenylate energy charge at a value near 0.3. The degradation of AMP is regulated by AMP nucleosidase, an allosteric enzyme which is activated by MgATP 2− and inhibited by P i . The in vivo activity of AMP nucleosidase was estimated by measuring the rate of hypoxanthine formation in the culture or by measuring the activity of purified enzyme at the concentrations of AMP, ATP, and P i found in the cells. The maximum estimated in vivo rate of AMP degradation was less than 3% of the catalytic capacity of AMP nucleosidase. Thus ample activity is present for rapid adjustments of the AMP levels in these cells. Expression of AMP nucleosidase catalytic activity is tightly controlled since high constant concentrations of intracellular AMP can be maintained for extended time periods at low adenylate energy charge values. Under these conditions controlled degradation of AMP can occur to maintain a constant AMP concentration.
Langerhans cells renew in the skin throughout life under steady-state conditions

Langerhans cells (LCs) are bone marrow (BM)–derived epidermal dendritic cells (DCs) that represent a critical immunologic barrier to the external environment, but little is known about their life cycle. Here, we show that in lethally irradiated mice that had received BM transplants, LCs of host origin remained for at least 18 months, whereas DCs in other organs were almost completely replaced by donor cells within 2 months. In parabiotic mice with separate organs, but a shared blood circulation, there was no mixing of LCs. However, in skin exposed to ultraviolet light, LCs rapidly disappeared and were replaced by circulating LC precursors within 2 weeks. The recruitment of new LCs was dependent on their expression of the CCR2 chemokine receptor and on the secretion of CCR2-binding chemokines by inflamed skin. These data indicate that under steady-state conditions, LCs are maintained locally, but inflammatory changes in the skin result in their replacement by blood-borne LC progenitors.
Linear programming with stochastic processes as parameters as applied to production planning

In formulating stochastic programming with recourse models, the parameters of the linear programs are usually assumed to be random variables with known distributions. In this paper, the requirement vector parameter is assumed to be a stochastic process {ξ i (t),t∈T,i=1,...,m}. The properties of the deterministic equivalents for the cases of the discrete and continuous index setT are derived. The results of the paper are applied to a multi-item production planning model with continuous (periodic) review of the stock on hand of various items.
Anatomic and electrocardiographic correlation of Fallot's tetralogy

Abstract 1. 1. The electrocardiographic features suggesting tetralogy of Fallot include: Right ventricular hypertrophy (R/S in V 1 greater than 1), a shift of the transition zone to V 5 or beyond, a frontal plane ÂQRS between 100 ° and 170 °, and inversion of the T waves in V 3 R to V 1 , but becoming upright from V 2 through V 6 . 2. 2. Three groups of electrocardiographic patterns were noted: group A (forty-one cases) suggested severe right ventricular hypertrophy and clockwise rotation. Group B (forty-five cases) was suggestive of right ventricular hypertrophy but less clockwise rotation was present. A tall R wave in V 1 associated with a qRs complex in V 6 was common. Groups A and B could not be differentiated from pure pulmonic stenosis and group B was suggestive of ventricular septal defect. Group C (fourteen cases) presented an indeterminate pattern. Right ventricular hypertrophy was diagnosed only by leads taken to the right of V 1 . This group was frequently seen in many cases of ventricular septal defect, patent ductus and pulmonic stenosis. 3. 3. There was no apparent correlation of right ventricular pressure and the height of R in V 1 . 4. 4. The anatomic diagnosis by the electrocardiographic method alone of a congenital heart lesion in which right ventricular hypertrophy is expected is hazardous.
Horizontal gene transfer from extinct and extant lineages: biological innovation and the coral of life

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is often considered to be a source of error in phylogenetic reconstruction, causing individual gene trees within an organismal lineage to be incongruent, obfuscating the 'true' evolutionary history. However, when identified as such, HGTs between divergent organismal lineages are useful, phylogenetically informative characters that can provide insight into evolutionary history. Here, we discuss several distinct HGT events involving all three domains of life, illustrating the selective advantages that can be conveyed via HGT, and the utility of HGT in aiding phylogenetic reconstruction and in dating the relative sequence of speciation events. We also discuss the role of HGT from extinct lineages, and its impact on our understanding of the evolution of life on Earth. Organismal phylogeny needs to incorporate reticulations; a simple tree does not provide an accurate depiction of the processes that have shaped life's history.
Aminophylline treatment in severe, acute asthma. A meta-analysis.

Aminophylline is routinely recommended as a basic part of the emergency treatment of asthma. A comprehensive search found 13 reports of controlled trials of intravenous aminophylline therapy in severe, acute asthma. These studies compared aminophylline therapy with treatment with either albuterol (salbutamol), epinephrine, or other bronchodilators. The 13 reports did not agree. Seven reported no difference in spirometric values between aminophylline treatment and the control regimens. Three found aminophylline treatment superior. Three favored the control regimen. The results of the 13 trials were reanalyzed and pooled. Overall, there was no difference between the aminophylline-treated groups and the control groups. Sensitivity analysis suggests that aminophylline therapy is ineffective alone but may be more effective than single-drug therapy when combined with an injected β-agonist. Despite widespread practice, available trials do not provide adequate evidence to support or reject the use of aminophylline in the treatment of severe, acute asthma. (JAMA1988;259:1678-1684)
Was Intelligence necessary

Abstract In this brief editorial, I examine the question posed when the journal was founded: Is Intelligence necessary? A brief history of the journal is presented. Data are presented showing that publications indexed under intelligence have dramatically increased since Intelligence began publishing. Citations to articles published in Intelligence have also increased. The correlation between publication year and two-year impact factor is 0.88 for years in which data were available. While these relationships may not be causal, it is clear that intelligence research is gaining in importance and the journal may have played some role in that. Finally, I discuss the importance of editor, reviewers and authors in the success of the journal.
The relationship of magnetic flux ropes to substorms

Abstract Flux ropes have been observed to occur at all X GSM distances between −20 and −240 R E . During its first flyby of the Earth, Galileo observed several flux ropes between the X GSM distances of −68 and −58 R E . One of the prominent structures occurred during the recovery phase of a substorm and was propagating Earthward. Another of these structures occurred near the onset of a substorm, had a duration of 400 s, and was propagating tailward. All of the flux ropes had an axial field in the positive Y (GSM) direction. The IMF also had a positive Y component during these events. We have now performed a detailed modeling of several of these flux ropes. We present results on the size, orientation and total magnetic flux content of two of the flux ropes. Our study suggests that during the formation of the tailward propagating flux rope, the NENL was probably located beyond the X GSM distance of −50 R E and that the flux rope contained nearly a quarter of the B z flux pervading the quiet time plasma sheet.
An Application of the Boostrap Method to the Simultaneous Equations Model of the Demand and Supply of Audit Services

This paper extends the application of the bootstrap method in accounting research to a simultaneous equations model of the demand and supply of audit services with mixed qualitative and continuous dependent variables. A moderately sized sample of 118 quality control reviews (Copley, Doucet, and Gaver 1994) is used to demonstrate the bootstrap method and compare results to estimates of standard errors obtained from Amemiya's 1978 asymptotic generalized least squares (GLS) procedure. We find that the GLS t-statistics are inflated by as much as 55 percent and the corresponding p-values are likewise overstated when compared to the bootstrap results. The problem is more acute with the qualitative dependent variable for audit quality, which is often the key variable of interest.
An efficient acoustic echo cancellation design for systems with long room impulses and nonlinear loudspeakers

Acoustic echo is an annoying issue for many hands-free telecommunication systems. Because of room acoustics and delay in the transmission path, echoes affect the sound quality and may hamper communications. Thus, acoustic echo cancellers (AECs) are critical for enhancing the audio quality. Echo cancellation is challenging because long room impulse response slows down the convergence rate and increases the computational complexity of the AEC designs. Nonlinearity of the power amplifier or the loudspeaker further exacerbates the problem. In this paper, we propose a novel AEC algorithm when the loudspeaker-enclosure-microphone system is described by a Hammerstein model. We show that by introducing a channel shortening filter, the length of the ''effective'' acoustic echo path is reduced considerably. Hence, the computational complexity of AECs is reduced and the convergence rate is increased. Adaptive algorithms are developed for the proposed structure and their convergence is shown analytically. The effectiveness of our method is illustrated by computer simulations.
Strong and weak convergence of orthogonal systems of rational functions on the unit circle

Abstract Pan, K., Strong and weak convergence of orthogonal systems of rational functions on the unit circle, Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics 46 (1993) 427–436. We study weak and strong convergence of rational functions that are orthonormal on the unit circle and have all their poles in a given sequence of points outside the unit disk. The Erdős measures have been characterized as well.
Conditions Affecting Beliefs About Visual Perception Among Children and Adults

Children and adults were tested on their beliefs about whether visual processes involved intromissions (visual input) or extramissions (visual output) across a variety of situations. The idea that extramissions are part of the process of vision was first expressed by ancient philosophers, including Plato, Euclid, and Ptolemy and has been shown to be evident in children and in some adults. The present research showed that when questions about vision referred to luminous as opposed to non-luminous objects, under certain conditions there was some increase in intromission beliefs, but almost no corresponding decline in extramission beliefs, and no evidence of transfer of intromission responses to questions referring to nonluminous objects. A separate study showed that college students, but not children, increased their extramission responses to questions providing a positive emotional context. The results are inconsistent with the idea that simple experiences increase or reinforce a coherent theory of vision. The results also have implications for understanding the nature of beliefs about scientific processes and for education.