cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Volar versus dorsal plating in the management of intra-articular distal radius fractures.

Purpose To compare the complications and functional and radiographic outcomes of volar and dorsal plating of intra-articular distal radius fractures. Methods This retrospective review included 34 patients found by searching a database of 350 patients treated for distal radius fractures. Inclusion criteria were (1) at least 1 year of follow-up data and (2) open reduction and internal fixation of a multifragmentary fragment intra-articular distal radius fracture with either a nonlocking volar or dorsal plate. Twenty patients were treated with a dorsal plate and 14 patients were treated with a volar nonlocking plate. Objective and subjective outcome parameters were compared between the 2 groups. Objective evaluations included wrist range of motion, grip strength, and preoperative and postoperative radiographic parameters (radial inclination, palmar tilt, ulnar variance, fracture pattern). Subjective evaluations were performed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire score and the Gartland and Werley score. Results Volar plating resulted in a significantly better Gartland-Werley score compared with dorsal plating. There were no significant differences in the DASH score.Volar collapse was documented in 5 of the 20 patients in the dorsal plating group, which resulted in a mild loss of pronation compared with the volar plating group. No collapse occurred in the volar plating group. In addition the difference in the percentage of wrist range of motion compared with the contralateral wrist was not significant. Dorsal plating was associated with a ruptured extensor indicis tendon in 1 patient; secondary surgical procedures were required in 4 patients (tenolyses and radial styloidectomy). Volar plating was associated with median nerve neuropathy in 2 patients and intersection syndrome in one. Conclusions Although both groups of patients had similar DASH scores the functional outcome in terms of Gartland and Werley scores was better in the volar plating group. In addition there was a higher rate of volar collapse and late complications in the dorsal plating group compared with the volar plating group. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic, Level III.
Appendix to Kaplan-Heller

Abstract We present a rigorous mathematical result related to the questions studied in the previous article of Kaplan-Heller.
How Do Corticosteroids Work in Asthma

Recent discoveries about gene transcription have advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of corticosteroid suppression of inflammation.
Control system of the self-mobile space manipulator

The self-mobile space manipulator, (SM)/sup 2/, is a simple, 5-DOF, 1/3 scale, laboratory version of a robot designed to walk on the trusswork and other exterior surfaces of Space Station Freedom. It will be capable of routine tasks such as inspection, parts transportation and simple maintenance procedures. The authors have designed and built the robot and gravity compensation system to permit simulated zero-gravity experiments. The authors have developed the control system for the (SM)/sup 2/ including control hardware architecture and operating system, control station with various interfaces, hierarchical control structure, multi-phase control strategy for step motion, and various low-level controllers. The system provides operator friendly, real-time monitoring, robust control for 3-D locomotion movements of the flexible robot. A hierarchical structure allows the control to be executed in various levels autonomously or by teleoperation, and a multiphase control strategy facilitates the control in different tasks. Based on the dynamic model developed, a linear-structured joint-level controller and model-based control scheme with acceleration feedback is being implemented to provide a stable and fast motion. The configuration-independent control scheme allows the control parameters to adapt to changes in system dynamics due to the robot configuration variation. With a variety of low-level controllers which the authors developed, the system has demonstrated robustness to the uncertainties in modeling and in payload. >
Spatial and temporal variations in the population size structure of three lanternfishes (Myctophidae) off Oregon, USA

Size-frequency distributions were determined for 3 common lantern-fishes (Stenobrachius leucopsarus, Diaphus theta, and Tarletonbeania crenularis) off Oregon in the summer. The fishes were caught mainly in sound-scattering layers by a large pelagic trawl with 5 opening-closing nets. Changes in depth distribution and diel vertical migration with growth were evident for all 3 species. The size of S. leucopsarus increased markedly with depth both at 0 to 90 m at night and 250 to 500 m during the day. Larger D. theta were also found deeper during the day (between 250 and 450 m), but neither D. theta nor T. crenularis demonstrated size segregation in the upper 90 m at night. Large D. theta and small T. crenularis did not appear to migrate into surface waters at night. Age-Group O (15 to 20 mm) S. leucopsarus were most abundant in deep water (400 to 480 m) in the daytime and did not migrate into near-surface waters at night. Age-Group I (30 to 40 mm) S. leucopsarus were common at about 300 m by day and within the upper 30 m at night. Age-Group II–III (50 to 60 mm) apparently followed the evening ascent of Age-Group I fish and most resided at 75 to 90 m at night, beneath Age-Group I fish. Age-Group III+fish (70 to 80 mm) were associated with Age-Group O at 400 to 480 m by day and usually did not migrate above 200 m at night. The size structure of S. leucopsarus differed among the nets of a single tow at one depth, or between two tows that fished the same depths on successive nights, indicating horizontal patchiness in age structure. D. theta demonstrated low within-tow variability in size composition which indicated a spatially more uniform age structure on a scale of kilometers. The size structures of these 3 lanternfishes were different in the same area and the same season during two different years, suggesting variable survival of year classes or horizontal patchiness of age composition in the area sampled.
On the Determination of Second Virial Coefficients and Viscosities of Gases with a Capillary Column

Mathematical analysis suggests that a laboratory method that varies the pressures at both ends of a capillary column should be able to determine the second virial coefficient, viscosity at zero pressure, and pressure dependence of the viscosity of pure gases and gas mixtures. By assuming an empty column, the approach would be free from the interference of solvents or packing solids. Using a chromatograph to analyze the composition of the gas mixture permits rapid measurements of the second virial coefficient and the viscosity of the mixture.
A conceptual framework for analysing migration behaviour in the developed world.

This paper explicates a theoretical scheme with which to orientate research aimed at explaining various facets of migration behavior. Both aggregate and individual level approaches are subsumed within the scheme with the so-called behavioral perspective representing an attempt to probe inside the black box that exists between a set of observed variables and overt migration. 4 major links are postulated relating 1) observed variables to observed behavior 2) observed or objective variables to their subjective counterparts 3) subjective variables to an overall utility value and 4) the overall utility value to observed behavior. Suggestions for future research include 1) recognizing the limits of single-equation regression models 2) recognizing that results from the transformation of objective variables into their subjective counterparts are likely to vary according to methodology 3) considering powerful methodologies such as information integration theory and conjoint analysis and 4) appropriately modifying the relationship between the overall utility value or preference and overt behavior to incorporate a variety of individual and institutional level constraints.
Travel demand model system for the information era

The emergence of new information technologies and recent advances in existing technologies have provided new dimensions for travel demand decisions. In this paper we propose a comprehensive travel demand modeling framework to identify and model the urban development decisions of firms and developers and the mobility, activity and travel decisions of individuals and households, and to develop a system of models that can be used by decision makers and planners to evaluate the effects of changes in the transportation system and development of information technologies (e.g. various tele-commuting, tele-services and Intelligent Transportation Systems). The implementation of an operational model system based on this framework is envisioned as an incremental process starting with the current “best practice” of disaggregate travel demand model systems. To this end, we present an activity-based model system as the first stage in the development of an operational model system.
Electronic Screen Media for Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Results of a Survey

Social and anecdotal reports suggest a predilection for visual media among individuals on the autism spectrum, yet no formal investigation has explored the extent of that use. Using a distributed questionnaire design, parents and caregivers report on time allotted toward media, including observable behaviors and communicative responses. More time was spent engaged with electronic screen media (ESM) than any other leisure activity. Television and movie viewing was more popular than computer usage. Across media platforms, animated programs were more highly preferred. Prevalent verbal and physical imitation was reported to occur during and following exposure to ESM. Clinical implications to strategically incorporate ESM into learning approaches for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are provided.
Epitaxial Overgrowth Of Si On SiO2 Surface

The novel approach to increase the performance of semiconductor devices is proposed. This approach is based on the concept of three-dimensional device fabrication where a single-crystalline Si layer is electrically isolated from a similar Si layer by a Si02 film. The growth of this single-crystalline Si layer is accomplished by an epitaxial growth of Si on slots of the seed region of a Si substrate bordered with a Si02 film and the overgrowth of Si on top of the Si02 surface by the CVD technique. The single-crystallinity of the epilayer has been revealed by the presence of Kikuchi lines on its surface.© (1986) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Distributed motor commands in the limb premotor network

Neuroanatomical studies have demonstrated extensive interconnections between the motor cortex, red nucleus and cerebellum, forming a premotor network for controlling limb movement. Single-unit studies indicate that command signals for limb movements are distributed broadly throughout this network. Cellular studies have demonstrated multiple recurrent loops in this network, and the presence of excitatory and inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitters. A recent model suggests that movement commands are initiated by sensory inputs to these loops, and that positive feedback, regulated by inhibition from cerebellar Purkinje cells, distributes commands throughout the limb premotor network. This model offers a new framework for exploring relationships between basic neural mechanisms and concepts of motor performance that derive from experimental psychology.
Aeromagnetic anomalies over faulted strata

High-resolution aeromagnetic surveys are now an industry standard and they commonly detect anomalies that are attributed to faults within sedimentary basins. However, detailed studies identifying geologic sources of magnetic anomalies in sedimentary environments are rare in the literature. Opportunities to study these sources have come from well-exposed sedimentary basins of the Rio Grande rift in New Mexico and Colorado. High-resolution aeromagnetic data from these areas reveal numerous, curvilinear, low-amplitude (2–15 nT at 100-m terrain clearance) anomalies that consistently correspond to intrasedimentary normal faults (Figure 1). Detailed geophysical and rock-property studies provide evidence for the magnetic sources at several exposures of these faults in the central Rio Grande rift (summarized in Grauch and Hudson, 2007, and Hudson et al., 2008). A key result is that the aeromagnetic anomalies arise from the juxtaposition of magnetically differing strata at the faults as opposed to chemical process...
Density matrix renormalization group calculations for doped Hubbard ladders

The properties of the two-chain Hubbard Model doped away from half-filling are investigated using the density matrix renormalization group. A finite spin gap exists over a range of interchain hopping strength t⊥. A resonating valence bond ansatz provides an intuitive picture of the origin of the spin liquid phase.
The Effect of the Quantity and Quality of Light on the Thyroid Activity of the Baby Chick

Abstract VARIOUS investigations have indicated the cyclic nature of thyroid gland activity, increased activity being associated with winter and decreased activity with summer. Levine and Remington (1933) have suggested that the variable nature of thyroid activity might be due to a change in one or more of three environmental factors, namely, iodine content of food, temperature and light. Kligler et al. (1945) after observing in rats that the effects of changes in relative humidity were similar to those following thyroid stimulation suggested that changes in the relative humidity may cause increased thyroid activity. Many observations have been made to the effect that temperature is an important factor in relation to thyroid activity. Direct evidence of this has recently been reported by Dempsey and Astwood (1943) who found that the thyroid glands of rats secreted 1-thyroxine at the rate of 9.5 micrograms per day when kept at a temperature of 1°C., but . . .
Is mathematical software a legitimate research area

Recently the chairman of a Computer Science department wrote to solicit my views "regarding the legitimacy of mathematical software development as a research area that can stand by itself". This question arose in that department's deliberations on promotions and tenure and they sensed "a clear split in the numerical analysis community on this question. The opposing view takes the position that mathematical software development is a sub-branch of the area of numerical analysis for which the software is being developed, and is not itself sufficient to establish research credentials for a numerical analyst." The following is my response to this solicitation.
Baseline characteristics and treatment preferences of oral surgery patients.

Purpose Patient preferences for treatment choices may depend on patient characteristics. Using standard gamble (SG) and willingness to pay (WTP), this study compares preferences for treatment of mandibular fracture among patients in a low-income urban area. Patients and Methods Surveys of African-American and Hispanic adults receiving treatment at King/Drew Medical Center for either mandibular fracture (n = 98) or third molar removal (n = 105) were used to investigate differences in patient characteristics across treatment groups (third molar vs fracture) and treatment preference (wiring vs surgery). Results The fracture patients were willing to pay more to restore function without scarring or nerve damage than were the third molar patients. Patients who chose surgery were willing to accept a greater risk of possible nerve damage or scarring than those who chose wiring. Among 15 potential predictors of SG and WTP studied in 4 subgroups defined by actual treatment and treatment preference, significant predictors varied, with associations for education and clinical experience for SG and associations with income and psychosocial predictors for WTP. Conclusions SG and WTP capture different domains of health values in patients. There is considerable heterogeneity in relationships among patient characteristics and patient preferences across subgroups defined by actual treatment and treatment preferences.
Diffraction by a crack of a cylindrical longitudinal pulse

The diffraction of a cylindrical longitudinal pulse by a semi-infinite crack is studied analytically using integral transform techniques and the Wiener-Hopf method. The inverse transformations are performed by an extension of the Cagniard-de Hoop technique that enables three successive inversions to be performed in one step rather than the usual two successive inversions. Examination of both the reflected and diffracted displacements near the transverse-wave reflection boundary indicates the presence of a transition disturbance. Such a disturbance is not found if the incident pulse is plane or if the elastic solid is replaced by a medium supporting only one wave type such as an inviscid fluid. Asymptotic approximations to the most important diffracted pulses, that are valid near their wave fronts, are given and are compared with those predicted by the geometrical theory of diffraction.
Isolation and characterization of SNP variation at 90 anonymous loci in the banded wren (Thryothorus pleurostictus).

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are becoming more commonly used as molecular markers in conservation studies. However, relatively few studies have employed SNPs for species with little or no existing sequence data, partly due to the practical challenge of locating appropriate SNP loci in these species. Here we describe an application of SNP discovery via shotgun cloning that requires no pre-existing sequence data and is readily applied to all taxa. Using this method, we isolated, cloned and screened for SNP variation at 90 anonymous sequence loci (51 kb total) from the banded wren (Thryothorus pleurostictus), a Central American species with minimal pre-existing sequence data and a documented paucity of microsatellite allelic variation. We identified 168 SNPs (a mean of one SNP/305 bp, with SNPs unevenly distributed across loci). Further characterization of variation at 41 of these SNP loci among 256 individuals including 37 parent–offspring families suggests that they provide substantial information for defining the genetic mating system of this species, and that SNPs may be generally useful for this purpose when other markers are problematic.
Optical Vortices and Information Transfer

We investigate the role of optical vortices in conveying wavefront information and show that these vortices can be manipulated without information loss but their relation to information content in 2- and higher dimensions is complicated.
Hepatic iron accumulation may be associated with insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background/Aim: Insulin resistance and hepatic iron overload are frequently demonstrated in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver diseases. We investigated the relationship between insulin resistance and hepatic iron deposition in patients with chronic HCV infection. Methods: Insulin resistance was evaluated using the homeostasis model assessments for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in 56 non-diabetic non-obese patients with biopsy proven chronic hepatitis C. The relationship between insulin resistance and serum ferritin levels or the grade of hepatic iron deposition was assessed. Results: The levels of plasma immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and HOMA-IR were significantly correlated with serum ferritin levels and the grade of hepatic iron deposition (P = 0.003).Although IRI and HOMA-IR increased in parallel with the development of hepatic fibrosis, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR > 2) was observed in 11 (26.2%) of 42 patients even without severe fibrosis (F0–2). Among patients without severe fibrosis, IRI and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in patients with iron deposits than in those without iron deposits. Conclusion: Hepatic iron overload may be associated with insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis C, especially in patients with mild to moderate fibrosis.
Energy-based collaborative source localization using acoustic microsensor array

A novel sensor network source localization method based on acoustic energy measurements is presented. This method makes use of the characteristics that the acoustic energy decays inversely with respect to the square of distance from the source. By comparing energy readings measured at surrounding acoustic sensors, the source location during that time interval can be accurately estimated as the intersection of multiple hyperspheres. Theoretical bounds on the number of sensors required to yield unique solution are derived. Extensive simulations have been conducted to characterize the performance of this method under various parameter perturbations and noise conditions. Potential advantages of this approach include low intersensor communication requirement, robustness with respect to parameter perturbations and measurement noise, and low-complexity implementation.
Robust classification using structured sparse representation

In many problems in computer vision, data in multiple classes lie in multiple low-dimensional subspaces of a high-dimensional ambient space. However, most of the existing classification methods do not explicitly take this structure into account. In this paper, we consider the problem of classification in the multi-sub space setting using sparse representation techniques. We exploit the fact that the dictionary of all the training data has a block structure where the training data in each class form few blocks of the dictionary. We cast the classification as a structured sparse recovery problem where our goal is to find a representation of a test example that uses the minimum number of blocks from the dictionary. We formulate this problem using two different classes of non-convex optimization programs. We propose convex relaxations for these two non-convex programs and study conditions under which the relaxations are equivalent to the original problems. In addition, we show that the proposed optimization programs can be modified properly to also deal with corrupted data. To evaluate the proposed algorithms, we consider the problem of automatic face recognition. We show that casting the face recognition problem as a structured sparse recovery problem can improve the results of the state-of-the-art face recognition algorithms, especially when we have relatively small number of training data for each class. In particular, we show that the new class of convex programs can improve the state-of-the-art face recognition results by 10% with only 25% of the training data. In addition, we show that the algorithms are robust to occlusion, corruption, and disguise.
Seeing Past the Orange: An Inductive Investigation of Organizational Respect in a Prison Context

This project develops grounded theory on how respect, the “worth accorded to one person by one or more others” (Spears, Ellemers, Doosje, & Branscombe, 2006: 179), is received and internalized in organizations, and the personal and work-related outcomes of receiving respect. A company that employs inmates at a state prison to perform professional business-to-business marketing services provided a unique context for data collection, as respect is typically problematic in a prison environment but was deliberately instilled by this particular company. The emergent theoretical model suggests that receiving respect was experienced in two distinct ways, labeled generalized and personalized respect. Generalized respect, the sense that all members are valued, led to social validation and identity security for social identities. In contrast, personalized respect, the sense that one’s unique contribution is valued and recognized, led to social validation and identity security for personal identities. The social val...
Single-Crystal Semiconducting Chromium Disilicide Nanowires Synthesized via Chemical Vapor Transport

Single-crystal CrSi2 nanowires were synthesized for the first time by a chemical vapor transport (CVT) method, using CrSi2 powder as the source material and iodine as the transport reagent. Structural characterization using electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive spectroscopy shows that these nanowires are hexagonal CrSi2 single-crystal structures along the growth axis, with diameters ranging from 20 to 300 nm and length up to 100 μm. Two-terminal electrical transport measurements show that these NWs have an estimated average resistivity of 4.4 × 10-3 Ω cm and behave like a degenerate semiconductor. These novel semiconducting silicide nanowires will be useful for optoelectronic and thermoelectric applications. The reported CVT method can be general for the chemical synthesis of other metal silicides.
A comparison of the effects of ursolic acid and l-leucine supplementation on IGF-1 receptor and AKT-mTOR signaling in response to resistance exercise in trained men

Background Resistance exercise stimulates skeletal muscle protein synthesis (MPS) during post-exercise recovery due to upregulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. L-leucine supplementation is also known to stimulate MPS by activating mTOR signaling. However, recent research has discovered a natural compound called ursolic acid which also appears to stimulate MPS by activating the mTOR signaling pathway, and has been presumed to occur due to IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) up-regulation. Ursolic acid is a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid carboxylic acid that is widely found in apple skin and other fruits such as cranberries. The main purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a single dose of ursolic acid or L-leucine supplementation given immediately after resistance exercise on IGF-1 (a serum regulator of MPS) and the subsequent effects of IGF-1 on phosphorylating/activating its receptor (IGF-1RTyr1131). Furthermore, the purpose was to also determine the effects on signaling intermediates of MPS contained within the Akt/ mTOR pathway (phosphorylated levels of AktThr308, mTORSer2448, p70S6KThr389).
Fermion masses in minimal SO(10)

We examine the problem of generating the observed fermion mass matrix in SO(10) grand unified theories from the general Yukawa couplings of two Higgs multiplets. We show that a 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3 matrix equation results, relating the observed lepton and up- and down-quark mass matrices to each other. The resulting overspecified system of three coupled nonlinear equations in two unknown functions of Higgs vacuum expectation values is shown to constrain the component mass and Kobayashi-Maskawa parameters. From the parameter constraints, we inspect typical solutions for allowed fermion mass matrices. In particular, we find the approximate quark-mass bounds of ${m}_{s}\ensuremath{\ge}300$ MeV and $19\ensuremath{\le}{m}_{t}\ensuremath{\le}38$ GeV, which are consistent with experimental estimates. Moreover, when coupled with a Gell-Mann\char22{}Ramond\char22{}Slansky mechanism for the generation of neutrino masses, information on the pattern of neutrino mixing can be gleaned.
Anatomical changes in the pharyngeal constrictors after chemo-irradiation of head and neck cancer and their dose–effect relationships: MRI-based study

Abstract Purpose Dysfunction of pharyngeal constrictors (PCs) after chemo-irradiation of head and neck (HN) cancer has been proposed as major cause of dysphagia. We conducted prospective MRI study to evaluate anatomical changes in the PCs after chemo-irradiation, to gain insight of the mechanism of their dysfunction and their dose–effect relationships. The PCs were compared to the sternocleidomastoid muscles (SCMs), which receive high doses but do not relate to swallowing. Patients and methods Twelve patients with stage III–IV HN cancer underwent MRI before and 3months after completing chemo-irradiation. T1- and T2-weighted signals and muscle thickness were evaluated for PCs (superior, middle, and inferior), and SCMs. Mean muscle doses were determined after registration with the planning CT. Results T1-weighted signals decreased in both PCs and SCMs receiving >50Gy ( p R 2 =0.34, p =0.01). The T2 signal changes in the PCs were significantly higher than the T2 changes in the SCMs ( p 50Gy gaining significantly more thickness than PCs receiving lesser doses ( p =0.02). In contrast, the SCM thickness decreased post-therapy ( p =0.002). Conclusions These MRI-based findings, notably the differences between PCs and SCMs, suggest that underlying causes of PC dysfunction are inflammation and edema, likely consequential to acute mucositis affecting the submucosa-lying PCs. These results support reducing mean PC doses to ⩽50Gy, as well as reducing acute mucositis, to improve long-term dysphagia.
The cartographic definition of France's Eastern boundary in the early seventeenth century

(1984). The cartographic definition of France's Eastern boundary in the early seventeenth century. Imago Mundi: Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 72-80.
Translating research to clinical practice: a 1-year experience with implementing early goal-directed therapy for septic shock in the emergency department.

Objective Early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) has been shown to decrease mortality in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Consensus guidelines now advocate EGDT for the first 6 h of sepsis resuscitation. However, EGDT has not yet been widely adopted in practice. A need for effective collaboration between emergency medicine and critical care medicine services has been identified as an obstacle for implementation. We aimed to determine if EGDT end points could reliably be achieved in real-world clinical practice. Methods EGDT was implemented as a collaborative emergency medicine/critical care quality improvement initiative. EGDT included the following: IV fluids (IVF) targeting central venous pressure ≥ 8 mm Hg, vasopressors targeting mean arterial pressure ≥ 65 mm Hg, and (if necessary) packed RBCs (PRBCs) and/or dobutamine targeting central venous oxygen saturation ≥ 70%. A retrospective analysis was performed of emergency department (ED) patients with persistent sepsis-induced hypotension (systolic BP Results All end points were achieved in 20 of 22 cases (91%). The median time to reach each end point was ≤ 6 h. In the secondary analysis, patients (n = 38; EGDT, n=22; pre-EGDT, n=16) had similar age, do-not-resuscitate status, severity scores, hypotension duration, and vasopressor requirement (p = not significant). In the ED, EGDT used more IVF and included PRBC/dobutamine utilization, without any impact on the overall use of these therapies through the first 24 h in the ICU. EGDT was associated with decreased ICU pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) utilization (9.1% vs 43.7%, p=0.01). Conclusions With effective emergency medicine/critical care collaboration, we demonstrate that EGDT end points can reliably be achieved in real-world sepsis resuscitation. ED-based EGDT appears to decrease ICU PAC utilization.
CHROMATOGRAPHY AND ELECTROPHORESIS OF NATIVE AND SPRAY‐DRIED EGG WHITE

Effects of the spray-drying process on egg white proteins were studied by diethylaminoethyl cellulose ion-exchange chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Major chromatographic peaks of native egg white were characterized by electrophoresis. Chromatograms and electrophoretographs of native egg white were compared to those of egg white which was adjusted to various pH levels, then spray-dried. Changes in spray-dried egg white protein patterns were minor, even at pH levels where conalbumin is heat sensitive. Egg white globulin proteins appear most sensitive to the spray-drying process. Large scale denaturation of egg white protein does not occur during spray-drying, but may initiate changes in the protein which affect the functional properties of rehydrated products. Globulin proteins require further characterization in order to properly describe their electrophoretic and chromatographic behavior.
Knowledge kills action – why principles should play a limited role in policy-making

This essay argues that principles should play a limited role in policy-making. It first illustrates the dilemma of timely action in the face of uncertain unintended consequences. It then introduces the precautionary and proactionary principles as different alignments of knowledge and action within the policy-making process. The essay next considers a cynical and a hopeful reading of the role of these principles in public policy debates. We argue that the two principles, despite initial appearances, are not all that different when it comes to formulating public policy. We also suggest that allowing principles to determine our actions undermines the sense of autonomy necessary for true action.
Electronic structure and total-energy migration barriers of silicon self-interstitials

Pseudopotential density-functional calculations have been performed on silicon self-interstitial supercell model geometries to yield extensive information on electronic states. We present band structures, charge densities, and densities of states to identify and characterize electronic states associated with silicon self-interstitials in the geometries studied. Total energies obtained yield migration barriers for both ${\mathrm{Si}}^{(0)}$ and ${\mathrm{Si}}^{(2+)}$ interstitials. We also present the results of preliminary total-energy relaxation studies and show their effects on electronic states and total-energy calculations, demonstrating the importance of relaxation in determining migration barriers. Electron-assisted migration is shown to occur, thus solving the mystery of the disappearing self-interstitial and providing an initial understanding of migration in low-temperature irradiated silicon.
Generalized perturbation series

Abstract An approximate solution of the Green's function equation may be used to generate an exact solution of the Schrodinger equation. This is accomplished through an iterative procedure. The procedure is equivalent to a perturbation expansion if the approximate Green's function is exact with respect to some reference potential.
Epitaxial Growth and Surface Roughness Control of Ferromagnetic Thin Films on Si by Sputter Deposition

Epitaxial growth of ferromagnetic (FM) thin-film electrodes on Si substrates is attracting increasing attention for magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) studies as it enables both a high tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) for practical applications and a well-defined junction structure for fundamental research. In this paper, we report epitaxial growth of both conventional FM and emerging Heusler FM electrodes by magnetron sputter deposition on Si substrates via appropriate buffer layers. Our primary focus is not only on the ability to grow epitaxial structures of the FM electrodes but also to achieve the desired smooth surfaces of these electrodes. The crystalline structures of the␣FM electrodes are known to play a critical role on the TMR of an MTJ. On the other hand, surface roughness of the FM electrode significantly degrades the performance of these junctions by interface scattering of spin-polarized electrons. We successfully grew various epitaxial face-centered cubic, hexagonal close-packed and body-centered cubic structures for Ni, Co, Fe, and their alloys in addition to the ordered intermetallic Heusler alloys, Co2MnSi and Co2MnAl, with appropriate buffer layers such as Ag between the FM layers and the Si substrates, followed by post-annealing. This annealing process greatly improves the quality of the epitaxy and the surface roughness of the FM layers deposited at room temperature. The crystallographic orientations of the ferromagnetic layers as well as the surface roughness were also found to vary with the orientation of the Si substrate.
Revascularización endovascular y abierta combinadas

En la ultima decada hemos sido testigos de la transformacion del tratamiento de pacientes con vasculopatias. A medida que los cirujanos vasculares han adquirido habilidades cada vez mas avanzadas basadas en la manipulacion de cateteres, al igual que un mayor abordaje a dispositivos mas sofisticados, ha tenido lugar una rapida transicion hacia las tecnicas minimamente invasivas. Los pacientes que no son candidatos a una revascularizacion percutanea, o los considerados en riesgo prohibitivo para la correccion quirurgica tradicional, pueden beneficiarse de un tratamiento hibrido, una combinacion de cirugia abierta y endovascular con una disminucion de la morbilidad y la mortalidad. En la presente revision se examinan las aplicaciones de los procedimientos hibridos para tratar a pacientes con claudicacion invalidante e isquemia critica de la extremidad, patologia del cayado aortico, aneurismas toracoabdominales, estenosis de la carotida extracraneal y coronariopatia.
Structure of the strongly associated liquid antimony pentafluoride: An ab initio molecular dynamics study

Under ambient conditions, pure antimony pentafluoride (SbF5) is a strongly associated liquid. Early NMR works established that the molecules oligomerize via cis-fluorine chains. We have employed ab initio molecular dynamics to investigate the structure of liquid SbF5. The simulation confirms the strong tendency of molecules to oligomerize via a barrierless, diffusion-limited process. The nature of the SbF5 chemical bond and the experimentally observed propensity to form cis-fluorine chains has been analyzed in terms of Wannier localized orbital functions. The calculation indicated a very strong ionic character for the Sb–F bond.
Real-time monitoring of intracellular mRNA hybridization inside single living cells.

A molecular beacon, an oligonucleotide probe with inherent signal transduction mechanisms, is an optimal tool for visualizing real-time mRNA hybridization in single living cells. Each molecular beacon (MB) consists of a single-stranded DNA molecule in a stem−loop conformation with a fluorophore linked to the 5‘ end and a quencher at the 3‘ end. In this study, we demonstrate real-time monitoring of mRNA·DNA hybridization inside living cells using molecular beacons. A MB specific for β-actin mRNA has been designed and synthesized. After microinjection into the cytoplasm of single living kangaroo rat kidney cells (PtK2 cells), the MB hybridizes with β-actin mRNA as shown by fluorescence measurements over time. Hybridization dynamics have been followed. Strict control experiments have been carried out to confirm that the fluorescence signal increase is indeed due to the hybridization of mRNA inside single living cells. Variation in the MB/mRNA hybridization fluorescent signal has been observed for different P...
Cloning of a rat cDNA encoding retinol dehydrogenase isozyme type III.

Abstract The primary and rate-limiting step in retinoic acid (RA) biosynthesis requires the conversion of retinol into retinal. Previously, two genes encoding retinol dehydrogenases (RoDH), which recognize holo-cellular retinol-binding protein as substrate, had been cloned, expressed and identified as members of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) gene family. This work reports the cloning of a cDNA encoding a third RoDH isozyme, RoDH(III). The deduced amino-acid sequence of RoDH(III) indicates 97.8% identity with RoDH(I) and 82.3% identity with RoDH(II). RNase protection assays revealed RoDH(III) mRNA expression only in rat liver, in contrast to RoDH(I) and RoDH(II), which had their mRNA expressed in rat liver, kidney, lung, testis and brain. These data extend the insight that a subfamily of SDR isozymes, tissue-distinctively expressed, catalyzes the first step in RA biogenesis
Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Motor Neurons Are Sensitive to the Toxic Effect of Glial Cells Carrying an ALS-Causing Mutation

It has been proposed that human embryonic stem cells could be used to provide an inexhaustible supply of differentiated cell types for the study of disease processes. Although methods for differentiating embryonic stem cells into specific cell types have become increasingly sophisticated, the utility of the resulting cells for modeling disease has not been determined. We have asked whether specific neuronal subtypes produced from human embryonic stem cells can be used to investigate the mechanisms leading to neural degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We show that human spinal motor neurons, but not interneurons, are selectively sensitive to the toxic effect of glial cells carrying an ALS-causing mutation in the SOD1 gene. Our findings demonstrate the relevance of these non-cell-autonomous effects to human motor neurons and more broadly demonstrate the utility of human embryonic stem cells for studying disease and identifying potential therapeutics.
Signaling through the JAK/STAT pathway, recent advances and future challenges.

Abstract Investigation into the mechanism of cytokine signaling led to the discovery of the JAK/STAT pathway. Following the binding of cytokines to their cognate receptor, signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) are activated by members of the janus activated kinase (JAK) family of tyrosine kinases. Once activated, they dimerize and translocate to the nucleus and modulate the expression of target genes. During the past several years significant progress has been made in the characterization of the JAK/STAT signaling cascade, including the identification of multiple STATs and regulatory proteins. Seven STATs have been identified in mammals. The vital role these STATs play in the biological response to cytokines has been demonstrated through the generation of murine ‘knockout’ models. These mice will be invaluable in carefully elucidating the role STATs play in regulating the host response to various stresses. Similarly, the solution of the crystal structure of two STATs has and will continue to facilitate our understanding of how STATs function. This review will highlight these exciting developments in JAK/STAT signaling.
Direct synthesis of highly pure perylene tetracarboxylic monoimide

A series of perylene tetracarboxylic monoimides substituted with cycloalkanes were synthesized through a one-step reaction between cycloalkyl amines and the parent perylene dianhydride. The reaction demonstrates high selectivity for the production of monoimides with no formation of diimides. The high reaction selectivity is primarily due to the insolubility of the monoimides in the reaction medium, which in turn causes rapid precipitation of the products, shifting the reaction equilibrium to the right.
3. INDIGENOUS EMPIRES AND NATIVE NATIONS: BEYOND HISTORY AND ETHNOHISTORY IN PEKKA HÄMÄLÄINEN'S THE COMANCHE EMPIRE

How should historians write Native history? To what extent should one privilege Native terms, sources, chronologies, and epistemologies? And to what extent should historians align Native history with concepts developed for other peoples and places? These crucial questions about emic (insider) and etic (outsider) approaches to the past are cast into sharp relief in Pekka Hamalainen's award-winning The Comanche Empire. This essay charts the perils and possibilities of each position. It then explores possible ways to move beyond the emic/etic division that has dominated many of the recent debates about Native history through a rereading of an episode in which Comanche history collides with US and Mexican history.
Multisensory processing in children with autism: high-density electrical mapping of auditory–somatosensory integration

Successful integration of signals from the various sensory systems is crucial for normal sensory–perceptual functioning, allowing for the perception of coherent objects rather than a disconnected cluster of fragmented features. Several prominent theories of autism suggest that automatic integration is impaired in this population, but there have been few empirical tests of this thesis. A standard electrophysiological metric of multisensory integration (MSI) was used to test the integrity of auditory–somatosensory integration in children with autism (N=17, aged 6–16 years), compared to age- and IQ-matched typically developing (TD) children. High-density electrophysiology was recorded while participants were presented with either auditory or somatosensory stimuli alone (unisensory conditions), or as a combined auditory–somatosensory stimulus (multisensory condition), in randomized order. Participants watched a silent movie during testing, ignoring concurrent stimulation. Significant differences between neural responses to the multisensory auditory–somatosensory stimulus and the unisensory stimuli (the sum of the responses to the auditory and somatosensory stimuli when presented alone) served as the dependent measure. The data revealed group differences in the integration of auditory and somatosensory information that appeared at around 175 ms, and were characterized by the presence of MSI for the TD but not the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children. Overall, MSI was less extensive in the ASD group. These findings are discussed within the framework of current knowledge of MSI in typical development as well as in relation to theories of ASD.
Acetic Acid Extraction by Solvent Membrane

Abstract Solvent extraction of acetic acid at low concentrations from aqueous solutions was studied. Decalin was found to be the optimal solvent and trioctyl phosphine oxide an effective carrier species. Phase equilibrium constants were measured and the results agree with the theoretical equation in the low carrier concentration range. The polymer supported solvent membranes carrying the same solvent and carrier, under various physical and chemical conditions, were prepared and the apparent diffusion coefficients of acetic acid through these membranes were measured and the results were discussed. The apparent diffusion coefficient of acetic acid in these tests was not interfered with by the existence of hydrochloric acid in the feed stream.
Strain sensing based on coherent Rayleigh scattering in an optical fibre

A fibre optic strain sensor based on Rayleigh backscatter using a time division multiplexing scheme with an optical pulse is presented. The sensor has a gauge length of <0.5 m and a strain sensitivity of <1 n/spl epsiv///spl radic/Hz at 2 kHz.
Relationship Between β-Lactamase Activity and Resistance of Enterobacter to Cephalothin

The relationship between cephalosporin beta-lactamase activity and resistance to cephalothin was investigated in strains of Enterobacter cloacae and E. aerogenes. beta-Lactamase activity was detected in all strains, but a quantitative correlation between amount of beta-lactamase activity and level of resistance to cephalothin was not observed. Permeability barriers to cephalothin were observed and varied from strain to strain. beta-Lactamase activity was increased by growing organisms in the presence of penicillin G. These enzymes hydrolyzed cephalosporins more rapidly than penicillins. Penicillinase-resistant penicillins, especially those of the isoxazolyl series, effectively inhibited Enterobacter beta-lactamase. A synergistic antibacterial effect was observed when organisms were exposed to cephalothin and oxacillin in combination, and the resistance of even very small inocula to cephalothin was reduced by addition of oxacillin. Oxacillin probably exerts its effect by inhibiting beta-lactamase at an intracellular site. Intracellular beta-lactamase may make an important contribution to the resistance of even small inocula of gram-negative bacilli to cephalosporin and penicillin antibiotics. Although beta-lactamase plays a significant role in the resistance of Enterobacter to cephalothin, other factors, such as permeability barriers, also participate in determining the level of resistance.