cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. IX. Further flow birefringence studies on inhibited clotting systems.

Abstract 1. 1. Flow birefringence measurements have been made on solutions in which bovine fibrinogen (4 g./l.) and thrombin (1 unit/ml.) had been allowed to react for various times in the presence of 0.5 M hexamethylene glycol. 2. 2. The dependence of extinction angle on velocity gradient indicates the presence of elongated fibrinogen polymers of various lengths which increase with time of reaction, attaining values of the order of 4000 A. after 1 day. These polymers apparently dissociate into somewhat shorter particles when the protein concentration is reduced by a diluent which contains glycerol. 3. 3. The sign of the birefringence was in all cases positive. The magnitude of the reduced birefringence indicates that a substantial proportion of the fibrinogen is in the form of elongated polymers in these systems.
Development and implementation of a remote audit tool for high dose rate (HDR) Ir-192 brachytherapy using optically stimulated luminescence dosimetry

Purpose: The aim of this work was to create a mailable phantom with measurement accuracy suitable for Radiological Physics Center (RPC) audits of high dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy sources at institutions participating in National Cancer Institute-funded cooperative clinical trials. Optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) were chosen as the dosimeter to be used with the phantom. Methods: The authors designed and built an 8 × 8 × 10 cm3 prototype phantom that had two slots capable of holding Al2O3:C OSLDs (nanoDots; Landauer, Glenwood, IL) and a single channel capable of accepting all 192Ir HDR brachytherapy sources in current clinical use in the United States. The authors irradiated the phantom with Nucletron and Varian 192Ir HDR sources in order to determine correction factors for linearity with dose and the combined effects of irradiation energy and phantom characteristics. The phantom was then sent to eight institutions which volunteered to perform trial remote audits. Results: The linearity correction factor was kL = (−9.43 × 10−5 × dose) + 1.009, where dose is in cGy, which differed from that determined by the RPC for the same batch of dosimeters using 60Co irradiation. Separate block correction factors were determined for current versions of both Nucletron and Varian 192Ir HDR sources and these vendor-specific correction factors differed by almost 2.6%. For the Nucletron source, the correction factor was 1.026 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.023–1.028], and for the Varian source, it was 1.000 (95% CI = 0.995–1.005). Variations in lateral source positioning up to 0.8 mm and distal/proximal source positioning up to 10 mm had minimal effect on dose measurement accuracy. The overall dose measurement uncertainty of the system was estimated to be 2.4% and 2.5% for the Nucletron and Varian sources, respectively (95% CI). This uncertainty was sufficient to establish a ±5% acceptance criterion for source strength audits under a formal RPC audit program. Trial audits of four Nucletron sources and four Varian sources revealed an average RPC-to-institution dose ratio of 1.000 (standard deviation = 0.011). Conclusions: The authors have created an OSLD-based 192Ir HDR brachytherapy source remote audit tool which offers sufficient dose measurement accuracy to allow the RPC to establish a remote audit program with a ±5% acceptance criterion. The feasibility of the system has been demonstrated with eight trial audits to date.
An analysis of diffusive load-balancing

Diffusion is a well-known algorithm for load-balancing in which tasks move from heavily-loaded processors to lightly-loaded neighbors. This paper presents a rigorous analysis of the performance of the diffusion algorithm on arbitrary networks. It is shown that the running time of the diffusion algorithm is bounded by: Ω(log σ/Γ) ≤ Time ≤ O(Nσ/Γ) and Ω(log σ/decimal: Γ) ≤ Time ≤ O(σ/decimal: Γ2), where N is the number of nodes in the network, σ is the standard deviation of the initial load distribution (which represents how imbalanced the load is initially), and Γ and decimal: Γ are the network's electrical and fluid conductances respectively (which are measures of the network's bandwidth). For the case of the generalized mesh with wrap-around (which includes common networks like the ring, 2D-torus, 3D-torus and hypercube), we derive tighter bounds and conclude that the diffusion algorithm is inefficient for lower dimensional meshes.
Dietary weight loss decreases serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in obese adults.

Objective: To study the effect of dietary weight loss, postural change, and an oral glucose load on serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in obese adults. Research Methods and Procedures: Sixteen obese adult men and women with a mean body mass index of 35.7 ± 4.3 kg/m2 were studied after 1 week on a maintenance energy lead-in diet and after 5 weeks on an identical but 40% reduced-energy diet provided by the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC). ACE activity was measured spectrophotometrically. Plasma renin activity and serum aldosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: All subjects lost weight, with a mean decrease in body weight of 7.0 ± 2.1 kg or 6 ± 3% of initial body weight (p < 0.00001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, supine plasma renin activity, and serum aldosterone levels decreased with weight loss (p < 0.05). Supine ACE activity decreased 23 ± 12% with weight loss (p < 0.00001). Standing ACE activity, which was significantly higher than supine ACE activity before and after weight loss (p < 0.05), also decreased 18 ± 17% with weight loss (p = 0.0007). A 75-g oral glucose load had no effect on serum ACE activity over a 3-hour period. Discussion: In obese adults, serum ACE activity declines with modest weight loss, increases with postural change, and is unaffected by an oral glucose load.
Postoperative Internal Thoracic Artery Spasm After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Spasm of the left internal thoracic artery in the perioperative period represents a life-threatening complication after coronary artery bypass grafting. We present a case in which graft spasm was treated with the administration of intra-arterial nitroglycerin and verapamil. Although vasospasm is more often seen in radial artery grafts, this case demonstrates that left internal thoracic artery grafts are also prone to spasm.
Interdigitated Array microelectrode-based electrochemical impedance immunosensor for detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7.

A label-free electrochemical impedance immunosensor for rapid detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 was developed by immobilizing anti-E. coli antibodies onto an indium−tin oxide interdigitated array (IDA) microelectrode. Based on the general electronic equivalent model of an electrochemical cell and the behavior of the IDA microelectrode, an equivalent circuit, consisting of an ohmic resistor of the electrolyte between two electrodes and a double layer capacitor, an electron-transfer resistor, and a Warburg impedance around each electrode, was introduced for interpretation of the impedance components of the IDA microelectrode system. The results showed that the immobilization of antibodies and the binding of E. coli cells to the IDA microelectrode surface increased the electron-transfer resistance, which was directly measured with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the presence of [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- as a redox probe. The electron-transfer resistance was correlated with the concentration of E. coli cel...
Mapping ERβ Genomic Binding Sites Reveals Unique Genomic Features and Identifies EBF1 as an ERβ Interactor

Considerable effort by numerous laboratories has resulted in an improved understanding of estrogen and SERM action mediated by the two estrogen receptors, ERα and ERβ. However, many of the targets for ERβ in cell physiology remain elusive. Here, the C4-12/Flag.ERβ cell line which stably expressed Flag.ERβ is used to study ERβ genomic functions without ERα interference. Mapping ERβ binding sites in these cells reveals ERβ unique distribution and motif enrichment patterns. Accompanying our mapping results, nascent RNA profiling is performed on cells at the same treatment time. The combined results allow the identification of ERβ target genes. Gene ontology analysis reveals that ERβ targets are enriched in differentiation, development and apoptosis. Concurrently, E2 treatment suppresses proliferation in these cells. Within ERβ binding sites, while the most prevalent binding motif is the canonical ERE, motifs of known ER interactors are also enriched in ERβ binding sites. Moreover, among enriched binding motifs are those of GFI, REST and EBF1, which are unique to ERβ binding sites in these cells. Further characterization confirms the association between EBF1 and the estrogen receptors, which favors the N-terminal region of the receptor. Furthermore, EBF1 negatively regulates ERs at the protein level. In summary, by studying ERβ genomic functions in our cell model, we confirm the anti-proliferative role of ERβ and discover the novel cross talk of ERβ with EBF1 which has various implications in normal physiology.
Spectrally enhanced imaging of occlusal surfaces and artificial shallow enamel erosions with a scanning fiber endoscope

An ultrathin scanning fiber endoscope, originally developed for cancer diagnosis, was used to image dental occlusal surfaces as well as shallow artificially induced enamel erosions from human extracted teeth (n = 40). Enhanced image resolution of occlusal surfaces was obtained using a short-wavelength 405-nm illumination laser. In addition, artificial erosions of varying depths were also imaged with 405-, 404-, 532-, and 635-nm illumination lasers. Laser-induced autofluorescence images of the teeth using 405-nm illumination were also obtained. Contrast between sound and eroded enamel was quantitatively computed for each imaging modality. For shallow erosions, the image contrast with respect to sound enamel was greatest for the 405-nm reflected image. It was also determined that the increased contrast was in large part due to volume scattering with a smaller component from surface scattering. Furthermore, images obtained with a shallow penetration depth illumination laser (405 nm) provided the greatest detail of surface enamel topography since the reflected light does not contain contributions from light reflected from greater depths within the enamel tissue. Multilayered Monte Carlo simulations were also performed to confirm the experimental results.
A new method for electrostatic ion deflection.

A new approach to electrostatic ion deflection is described where an electrostatic particle guide (EPG) operating with reversed polarity is used to deflect ions in a cylindrical geometry about the axis of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The method has advantages over the standard parallel-plate deflector geometry in that it is more effective in deflecting ion beams that have a significant radial velocity component. The device is being used in 252cs Cf plasma desorption mass spectrometry (252cs Cf -PDMS) experiments in an on/off mode to record neutral particle spectra and in a synchronized pulsed mode to reduce the magnitude of the uncorrelated background in the time-of-flight spectrum. Radial distribution functions have been measured for various EPG voltages. Its use as a background suppression technique is demonstrated by using the 252cs Cf-PDMS spectrum of insulin. (28-36)
Orthogonality Matrices for Modules over Finite Frobenius Rings and MacWilliams' Equivalence Theorem

MacWilliams' equivalence theorem states that Hamming isometries between linear codes extend to monomial transformations of the ambient space. One of the most elegant proofs for this result is due to K. P. Bogart et al. (1978, Inform. and Control37, 19?22) where the invertibility of orthogonality matrices of finite vector spaces is the key step. The present paper revisits this technique in order to make it work in the context of linear codes over finite Frobenius rings.
Association of NASP with HSP90 in mouse spermatogenic cells: stimulation of ATPase activity and transport of linker histones into nuclei.

Abstract NASP (nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein) is a linker histone-binding protein found in all dividing cells that is regulated by the cell cycle (Richardson, R. T., Batova, I. N., Widgren, E. E., Zheng, L. X., Whitfield, M., Marzluff, W. F., and O'Rand, M. G. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 30378-30386), and in the nucleus linker histones not bound to DNA are bound to NASP (Alekseev, O. M., Bencic, D. C., Richardson R. T., Widgren E. E., and O'Rand, M. G. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 8846-8852). In mouse spermatogenic cells tNASP binds the testis-specific linker histone H1t. Utilizing a cross-linker, 3,3′-dithiobissulfosuccinimidyl propionate, and mass spectrometry, we have identified HSP90 as a testis/embryo form of NASP (tNASP)-binding partner. In vitro assays demonstrate that the association of tNASP with HSP90 stimulated the ATPase activity of HSP90 and increased the binding of H1t to tNASP. HSP90 and tNASP are present in both nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of mouse spermatogenic cells; however, HSP90 bound to NASP only in the cytoplasm. In vitro nuclear import assays on permeabilized HeLa cells demonstrate that tNASP, in the absence of any other cytoplasmic factors, transports linker histones into the nucleus in an energy and nuclear localization signal-dependent manner. Consequently we hypothesize that in the cytoplasm linker histones are bound to a complex containing NASP and HSP90 whose ATPase activity is stimulated by binding NASP. NASP-H1 is subsequently released from the complex and translocates to the nucleus where the H1 is released for binding to the DNA.
The application of ionic equilibria to metamorphic differentiation: An example

Mineral segregations formed by metamorphic differentiation are an important source of information on diffusion processes in metamorphism. Segregations consisting of andalusite-biotite-quartz cores surrounded by a quartz-feldspar mantle in sillimanite-biotitefeldspar-quartz gneiss near Vastervik, Sweden (Loberg, 1963) formed by core-to-mantle migration of K, and mantle-to-core migration of Fe, Mg and Ca. These migrations can be represented by a set of interconnected ionic equilibria involving reaction of microcline and Fe(OH)+ in the core to form andalusite plus biotite, and reaction of K+, sillimanite and biotite in the mantle to form microcline. Equilibrium constants for these reactions, calculated for conditions inferred from the mineral assemblage and biotite composition, indicate gradients of K+ activity (higher in core) and Fe(OH)+ activity (higher in mantle). These gradients result simply from the free energy difference between andalusite and sillimanite, without invoking pre-existing megascopic inhomogeneities in the rock or surface energy effects. Although small, these gradients appear to be capable of driving the segregation process.
Successful treatment of disseminated mucormycosis in a neutropenic patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Mucormycosis is a rare angioinvasive fungal infection, more commonly seen in immunosuppressed patients, with reported mortality rates of 95% in disseminated disease. We present a case report of a patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia who developed disseminated infection with mucormycosis (involving the pancreas, left occipital lobe, right lower lobe of lung, appendix and right kidney) after having completed induction and consolidation chemotherapy. Growth of Lichtheimia corymbifera was initially isolated following a right pleural tap with fungal elements identified repeatedly on subsequent pathology specimens. Following radical surgical debridement and concurrent treatment with combination antifungal therapy, the patient survived. This case demonstrates that aggressive multisite surgical de-bulking of disseminated fungal foci, in conjunction with combination antifungal therapy and reversal of immunosuppression, can result in survival despite the grave prognosis associated with disseminated mucormycosis.
Neuronal Birth to Cortical Circuitry

Neuropsychiatric diseases, such as schizophrenia and autism, likely involve dysfunction in cerebral cortical microcircuits. Although some of this dysfunction probably results from disruptions near the time of symptom onset, some also likely evolves from abnormalities that occurred earlier during cortical neuron development. However, a major challenge has been to link microcircuitry dysfunction to a disruption in the developmental trajectories of constituent neuronal subtypes. A recent paper in Science by Taniguchi et al. ( 1 ) lays crucial groundwork for meeting this challenge. They describe a method for reliably labeling a distinct subtype of cortical neuron, the chandelier interneuron, from its genesis through postnatal development. Their work advances understanding of cortical microcircuitry development, and highlights the potential challenges of using the current genetic armamentarium to label increasingly specific subsets of cortical neurons.
TEMPERAMENT, COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT OF KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN

This study examined different aspects of children's psychological adjustment within 8 traditional kindergarten classrooms in relation to both characteristics of temperament and communicative abilities. The sample consisted of 122 boys and 95 girls (N = 217, M age = 70 mo.) from middle-class Caucasian families residing in the Upper Midwest. Communicative competence and the temperament dimensions of approach/withdrawal, mood and general activity level were significantly predictive of various manifestations of adjustment/maladjustment during the early phases of kindergarten, including peer relations, dependency, hostility, and productivity. In addition, the sex and age of the children were predictive of their dependency, productivity, and withdrawal as evaluated by teachers within the school environment.
Persistence in food chains with general interactions

Abstract Sufficient conditions for persistence in n-link food chain models with interaction functions gi are given: for gi nondecreasing and n = 3, and for gi positive in some compact interval to the right of zero and general n. The results generalize those for Lotka-Volterra type models. Necessary conditions for persistence are also given.
Teacher perception of burden and willingness to accommodate children with chronic health conditions

Children with chronic health conditions need the support of school staff to flourish socially and academically in educational settings. This study explored teacher experiences and knowledge of the following common paediatric conditions: asthma, food allergies, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, heart disease and seizure disorder. Participants included 140 elementary education teachers. This study also explored teacher perceptions of willingness and burden in implementing a range of classroom accommodations. Findings revealed that teachers were less willing to implement accommodations that were perceived to be burdensome. In addition, teachers perceived HIV/AIDS and seizure disorder to be among the most challenging conditions, and they reported the least amount of exposure to childhood cancer, heart disease, HIV/AIDS and seizure disorder. Suggestions to enhance the educational experiences of students with chronic illness are provided. Specifically, expanded collaborative roles for school-based mental health pract...
Validating the RTOG-endorsed brachial plexus contouring atlas: an evaluation of reproducibility among patients treated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy for head-and-neck cancer.

Purpose To evaluate interobserver variability for contouring the brachial plexus as an organ-at-risk (OAR) and to analyze its potential dosimetric consequences in patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for head-and-neck cancer. Methods and Materials Using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG)-endorsed brachial plexus contouring atlas, three radiation oncologists independently delineated the OAR on treatment planning computed-tomography (CT) axial scans from 5 representative patients undergoing IMRT to a prescribed dose of 70 Gy for head-and-neck cancer. Dose-volume histograms for the brachial plexus were calculated, and interobserver differences were quantified by comparing various dosimetric statistics. Qualitative analysis was performed by visually assessing the overlapping contours on a single beam’s eye view. Results Brachial plexus volumes for the 5 patients across observers were 26 cc (18–35 cc), 25 cc (21–30 cc), 29 cc (28–32 cc), 29 cc (23–38 cc), and 29 cc (23–34 cc). On qualitative analysis, minimal variability existed except at the inferolateral portion of the OAR, where slight discrepancies were noted among the physicians. Maximum doses to the brachial plexus ranged from 71.6 to 72.6 Gy, 75.2 to 75.8 Gy, 69.1 to 71.0 Gy, 76.4 to 76.9 Gy, and 70.6 to 71.4 Gy. Respective volumes receiving doses greater than 60 Gy (V60) were 8.6 to 10.9 cc, 6.2 to 8.1 cc, 8.2 to 11.6 cc, 8.3 to 10.5 cc, and 5.6 to 9.8 cc. Conclusion The RTOG-endorsed brachial plexus atlas provides a consistent set of guidelines for contouring this OAR with essentially no learning curve. Adoption of these contouring guidelines in the clinical setting is encouraged.
Lattice modelling of fracture in composite concrete pavements and overlays

Recent research in the USA has focused on the design, construction and performance of composite concrete pavements – that is, two heterogeneous concrete layers placed sequentially using ‘wet-on-wet’ techniques. In addition, other research into rehabilitation practices has focused on improving the design and analysis of bonded concrete overlays of concrete pavements and bridge decks. While these techniques can offer many benefits to pavements and bridges, they also introduce some uncertainties, including the possibility of thermally, hygrally, or mechanically induced fracture and separation at the interface of the concrete layers. In this work, the potential for mixed-mode fracture at the interface between concrete layers is evaluated using three-dimensional lattice models. This discrete approach is coupled with a finite element model for plate behaviour away from the potential cracking zone. The model, using two damage criteria, was verified and validated against experimental data for failure in notched c...
Polarization acquisition using a commercial Fourier transform spectrometer in the MWIR

ABSTRACT A spectropolarimeter utilizing an Oriel MIR8000 Fourier Transform Spectrometer in the MWIR is demonstrated. The use of the channeled spectral technique, originally developed by K. Oka, is created with the use of two AR coated Yttrium Vanadate (YVO 4 ) crystal retarders with a 2:1 thickness ratio. A basic mathematical model for the system is presented, showing that the Stokes parameters are directly present in the interferogram. Theoretical results are then compared with real data from the system, an improved model is provided to simulate the effects of absorption within the crystal, and error between reconstructions with phase-corrected and raw interferograms is analyzed. Keywords: Yttrium Vanadate, spectropolarimeter, Fourier transform spectrometer, channeled spectrum. 1. INTRODUCTION The use of a Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) has many advantages over other forms of spectroscopic measurement, such as the use of a diffraction grating, in the MWIR. Predominantly, the FTS maintains the throughput (Jacquinot) and multiplex (Fellgett) advantages.
Casimir-Polder interaction between an atom and a cavity wall under the influence of real conditions

The Casimir-Polder interaction between an atom and a metal wall is investigated under the influence of real conditions including the dynamic polarizability of the atom, finite conductivity of the wall metal, and nonzero temperature of the system. Both analytical and numerical results for the free energy and force are obtained over a wide range of atom-wall distances. Numerical computations are performed for an $\mathrm{Au}$ wall and metastable ${\mathrm{He}}^{*}$, $\mathrm{Na}$, and $\mathrm{Cs}$ atoms. For the ${\mathrm{He}}^{*}$ atom we demonstrate, as an illustration, that at short separations of about the $\mathrm{Au}$ plasma wavelength at room temperature the free energy deviates up to 35% and the force up to 57% from the classical Casimir-Polder result. Accordingly, such large deviations should be taken into account in precision experiments on atom-wall interactions. The combined account of different corrections to the Casimir-Polder interaction leads to the conclusion that at short separations the corrections due to the dynamic polarizability of an atom play a more important role than---and suppress---the corrections due to the nonideality of the metal wall. By comparison of the exact atomic polarizabilities with those in the framework of the single oscillator model, it is shown that the obtained asymptotic expressions enable calculation of the free energy and force for the atom-wall interaction under real conditions with a precision of 1%.
Clinical behavior of silver-palladium alloy castings: A five-year comparative clinical study

A 5-year clinical comparison between silver palladium alloys (Albacast and Ney 76) and gold alloy (Firmilay) was conducted. Clinical evaluations for the castings of these materials placed in the same patients, were recorded immediately after cementation, at 3 months, 6 months, 1.5 years, 3 years, and 5 years. The changes in surface tarnish, discoloration, polish, and plaque accumulation was compared. The results indicated that gold alloys responded slightly better than Ney 76 alloy, but similar to Albacast alloy with adequate correlation between the four criteria evaluated.
Role of the Major Antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Cell Wall Biogenesis

The dominant exported proteins and protective antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are a triad of related gene products called the antigen 85 (Ag85) complex. Each has also been implicated in disease pathogenesis through its fibronectin-binding capacities. A carboxylesterase domain was found within the amino acid sequences of Ag85A, B, and C, and each protein acted as a mycolyltransferase involved in the final stages of mycobacterial cell wall assembly, as shown by direct enzyme assay and site-directed mutagenesis. Furthermore, the use of an antagonist (6-azido-6-deoxy-α,α′-trehalose) of this activity demonstrates that these proteins are essential and potential targets for new antimycobacterial drugs.
Free space optical nodes applicable to simultaneous ring and mesh networks

The preferred method for ultra-high bandwidth in communications has been the optical. This is mainly due to the demand for more bandwidth, which the 1300-1650nm band of light offers in an optically transparent medium, air or fiber. Although fiber technology has been advanced to produce a wide range of fiber types to meet specific needs, fiber deployment requires long-term planning and installation that culminate to long delays till full service is established. There are applications that demand high-data rate connectivity urgently, either because of natural emergencies or because the private sector cannot wait for the long planning and deployment. Thus, an alternative communication method is free space optical. This method uses a laser beam that is directed from a building to another to establish full-duplex point-to-point high-data rate connectivity. However, this technology has been limited to a point-to-point topology. In this paper we present a free space optical integrated node design suitable for mesh and/or ring topology with full connectivity. We also discuss engineering aspects, traffic management, fault management and security issues.
Hypersonic flow over a six-finned configuration

Experimental data of the flow field over a six-finned configuration are compared with computations from an inviscid Euler code and a parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) code to assess their accuracy. Surface oil flow patterns, surface pressures, and flow field pilot surveys are presented. The PNS computations are in good agreement with the measurements in the inviscid regions. Differences are noted in the viscous regions possibly due to nose tip bluntness effects and the associated entropy layer.
Criterion-Related Validity of the British Ability Scales Short-Form for Black and White Children

Scores for four subtests of the British Ability Scales comprising the Short Form and for the Stanford Achievement Test were compared for a sample of 107 black and white sixth and seventh grade students in the USA. Analysis showed substantial criterion-related validity of the British Ability Scales Short-Form IQ both for the Stanford Complete Battery score and for the Otis-Lennon School Ability Index. Comparison of scores for black and white students showed significant differences on all Stanford scores, on the British Ability Scales Short-Form IQ, and on two subtests, Matrices and Similarities. No race differences were found for the Recall of Digits and the Speed of Information Processing subtests. Significant slope and intercept differences by race indicate that further research on predictive bias is needed.
Umami taste transduction mechanisms

l-Glutamate elicits the umami taste sensation, now recognized as a fifth distinct taste quality. A characteristic feature of umami taste is its potentiation by 5'-ribonucleotides such as guanosine-5'-monophosphate and inosine 5'-monophosphate, which also elicit the umami taste on their own. Recent data suggest that multiple G protein-coupled receptors contribute to umami taste. This review will focus on events downstream of the umami taste receptors. Ligand binding leads to Gbetagamma activation of phospholipase C beta2, which produces the second messengers inositol trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. Inositol trisphosphate binds to the type III inositol trisphosphate receptor, which causes the release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores and Ca(2+)-dependent activation of a monovalent-selective cation channel, TRPM5. TRPM5 is believed to depolarize taste cells, which leads to the release of ATP, which activates ionotropic purinergic receptors on gustatory afferent nerve fibers. This model is supported by knockout of the relevant signaling effectors as well as physiologic studies of isolated taste cells. Concomitant with the molecular studies, physiologic studies show that l-glutamate elicits increases in intracellular Ca(2+) in isolated taste cells and that the source of the Ca(2+) is release from intracellular stores. Both Galpha gustducin and Galpha transducin are involved in umami signaling, because the knockout of either subunit compromises responses to umami stimuli. Both alpha-gustducin and alpha-transducin activate phosphodiesterases to decrease intracellular cAMP. The target of cAMP in umami transduction is not known, but membrane-permeant analogs of cAMP antagonize electrophysiologic responses to umami stimuli in isolated taste cells, which suggests that cAMP may have a modulatory role in umami signaling.
A Precedence Graph Algorithm for the Shop Scheduling Problem

This paper is concerned with the development of a precedence graph algorithm for solving certain combinatorial problems. This algorithm is applied mainly to job-shop scheduling problems; however, the extension of its applicability can be demonstrated by considering project scheduling, travelling salesman and explosion problems. The algorithm employs linear graphs to construct the quantified precedence matrix, a powerful criterion to resolve the conflict between the tied operations, and the use of a quasi-Boolean procedure to evaluate the obtained sequence.
Reproduction and Pollination of the Endangered Dwarf Bear-Poppy Arctomecon humilis (Papaveraceae) across a Quarter Century: Unraveling of a Pollination Web?

Abstract.— Arctomecon humilis, a rare gypsophile of the extreme northeastern Mojave Desert, is restricted to a few isolated populations in Washington County, Utah, USA. At several times in the past quarter century, we have studied the breeding system and reproductive success of this endangered species, recorded its pollinators, and tested the feasibility of human-assisted gene flow by performing reciprocal crosses between 2 isolated “populations” approximately 4 km apart. Arctomecon humilis possessed a mixed breeding system in the population studied (Beehive Dome in 1988); some plants exhibited self-compatibility but produced significantly fewer fruit/flowers and seeds/fruit for geitonogamous self-pollinations than for cross-pollinations. Few fruits and seeds were produced in the absence of pollinators. The results of cross-pollination treatments did not differ from unassisted open-pollinations (controls), suggesting that pollinators were not limiting reproductive success. Our more recent results (2012) s...
Influence of the aortic component of the second heart sound on left ventricular maximal negative dP/dt in the dog.

Abstract Maximal negative left ventricular dP dt is widely used as a measure of isovolumic muscular relaxation of the left ventricle. In the course of canine experiments designed to elucidate the hemodynamic events responsible for the aortic component of the second heart sound, high-fidelity left ventricular pressure and dP dt signals were recorded and accelerations detected on the root of the aorta and epicardium at the cardiac apex. The second heart sound was coincident with maximal negative dP dt and affected its magnitude to a variable and unpredictable extent. This may account for some of the unexpected variations in magnitude of maximal negative dP dt that have been described in various disease states and in laboratory experiments where the effects of physiologic and pharmacologic interventions have been studied.
Optimal Long-Term Infrastructure Maintenance Planning Accounting for Traffic Dynamics

Periodic infrastructure maintenance is crucial for the operation of safe and efficient transportation systems. Numerous decision models for the maintenance planning problem have been proposed in the literature. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, no model exists that simultaneously accounts for traffic dynamics and is intended for long-term planning purposes. This article addresses this gap in the literature. A mixed-integer bi-level program is introduced that minimizes the long-term maintenance cost as well as the total system travel time. For the solution approach, a genetic algorithm is utilized in conjunction with mesoscopic traffic simulation. The model is illustrated via a numerical example.
Comparison of the effects of continuous subcutaneous infusion and split-mixed injection of insulin on nerve function in type I diabetes mellitus☆

Abstract Comparable groups of type I diabetic patients (n = 19) were matched for age, duration of diabetes, mean HbA1, values, insulin requirements, degree of neuropathy, and the mean of nerve conduction velocities (CV) in median, ulnar, and peroneal motor and median, ulnar, and sural sensory nerves. One group (n = 9) was managed with continuous subcutaneous infusion of (regular) insulin (CSII); the other (n = 10) with split-mixed injections of (intermediate and regular) insulin (SMII). After 12 months, glucose regulation was equally and significantly improved in both groups (P
Molecular orbital calculation of some vibrational properties of the complex between HCN and HF

Abstract Ab initio LCAO-SCF calculations with an extended basis set are used to predict the geometry and various vibrational properties of the hydrogen bonded complex between HCN and HF. The complex is predicted to be completely linear, HF being the proton donor. The frequencies of the intermolecular vibrations are in good agreement with experiment. The intramolecular frequency shifts and absorption intensity changes are also determined. The large increase in the intensity of the HF stretching frequency in the complex is found to be due to both charge transfer and polarization forces.
Highly selective bimetallic FeMoP catalyst for C–O bond cleavage of aryl ethers

Abstract We report the synthesis of an industrially applicable, non-sulfided bimetallic catalyst with remarkable selectivity to the hydrodeoxygenation of aryl ethers and phenol. Bimetallic FeMo phosphide catalysts have selectivities as high as ∼90% benzene and 10% cyclohexane at hydroprocessing temperatures (400 °C) and industrially low pressures (2.1 MPa H 2 ) at near complete conversion (>99%). Similarly, the selectivities for the hydrodeoxygenation of anisole were 90% benzene, 4% toluene, and 6% cyclohexane at 92% conversion. Furthermore, this catalyst has the ability to cleave aryl ether bonds and specifically β-O-4 linkages with higher selectivities to aromatics compared to hydrocarbons, thus minimizing the use of expensive H 2 . The selectivity to aromatics from phenol was highly dependent on H 2 pressure, where doubling the pressure to 4.2 MPa reduced the selectivity to benzene, while less substantial decreases were observed when anisole or a β-O-4 model compound was reacted. These high selectivities were attributed to the unique FeMo phosphide material, as catalytic studies with FeP, MoP, and the combination of FeP and MoP resulted in selectivities much lower than the FeMo phosphide material.
GOLBALIZATION, CORPORATE FINANCE, AND THE COST OF CAPITAL

International financial markets are progressively becoming one huge, integrated, global capital market—a development that is contributing to higher stock prices in developed as well as developing economies. For companies that are large and visible enough to attract global investors, having a global shareholder base means having a lower cost of capital and hence a greater equity value for two main reasons: First, because the risks of equity are shared among more investors with different portfolio exposures and hence a different “appetite” for bearing certain risks, equity market risk premiums should fall for all companies in countries with access to global markets. Although the largest reductions in cost of capital resulting from globalization will be experienced by companies in liberalizing economies that are gaining access to the global markets for the first time, risk premiums can also be expected to fall for firms in long-integrated markets as well. Second, when firms in countries with less-developed capital markets raise capital in the public markets of countries (like the U.S.) with highly developed markets, they get more than lower-cost capital; they also import at least aspects of the corporate governance systems that prevail in those markets. For companies accustomed to less-developed markets, raising capital overseas is likely to mean that more sophisticated investors, armed with more advanced technologies, will participate in monitoring their performance and management. And, in a virtuous cycle, more effective monitoring increases investor confidence in the future performance of those companies and so improves the terms on which they raise capital. Besides reducing market risk premiums and improving corporate governance, globalization also affects the systematic risk, or “beta,” of individual companies. In global markets, the beta of a firm's equity depends on how the stock contributes to the volatility not of the home market portfolio, but of the world market portfolio. For companies with access to global capital markets whose profitability is tied more closely to the local than to the global economy, use of the traditional Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) will overstate the cost of capital because risks that are not diversifiable within a national economy can be diversified by holding a global portfolio. Thus, to reflect the new reality of a globally determined cost of capital, all companies with access to global markets should consider using a global CAPM that views a company as part of the global portfolio of stocks. In making this argument, the article reviews the growing body of academic studies that provide evidence of the predictive power of the global CAPM as well as the reduction in world risk premiums.
BIOCHEMICAL METHODS FOR THE STUDY OF NITROGEN METABOLISM IN PLANTS

The analytical difficulties encountered in attempts to study the nitrogen metabolism of plants during the course of their growing and fruiting periods give rise to results from which it is hard to draw signficant conclusions concerning that metabolism. Chief among these is the inability of the analyst to separate and identify the various constituents which occur in the plant at the time of harvest without irreversibly altering the chemical nature of many of them before they can be determined. The lability of many compounds concerned in plant metabolism, combined with the drastic action of the reagents in the comparatively crude methods used, make it difficult to construct accurate nitrogen balances. It is quite probable that a thorough understanding of plant nitrogen metabolism will be greatly facilitated by the construction of such nitrogen balances. The preparation, alone, of plant juice for analysis of nitrogen constituents has been the object of a number of investigations (1, 4, 19), but at the present time there is no generally used or accepted method. This is partially due to varying constituents in different types of tissue, but it is more directly due to the inadequacy of these methods for giving extracts or juices which can be readily analyzed. The objective of this paper is to present and suggest modifications of these various methods that give preparations which may be analyzed to give nitrogen balances as they probably occur in the plant. While these methods were developed specifically for the analysis of soybeans, they may be readily adapted to other types of tissue as well.
Changes in ion permeability and membrane potential during early echinoderm development: Electrophysiological and tracer-flux determinations

After fertilization the membrane potential of the Asterias embryo undergoes an approximately fourfold increase in internal negativity, as measured by intracellular microelectrodes. Our previous experiments have demonstrated that the ionic basis of the membrane potential in this embryo may be described by a simplified form of the constant field equation. Using this relationship, the present experiments illustrate that the relative permeability of Na to K (PNa/PK) may be determined at any time during the early cleavage of this embryo. The results of these experiments indicate a relative increase of PK as related to PNa as the mechanism responsible for the large change in membrane potential. This has been confirmed by independent determination of absolute values for PNa and PK by means of 24Na and 42K tracer-flux analysis. Experiments carried out during early cleavage demonstrate a greater than two fold increase in K permeability (3.8 × 10−7 cm/sec to 9.5 × 10−7 cm/sec) with no concurrent alteration in Na permeability (0.1 × 10−7 cm/sec). PNa/PK in 15 minute and two hour post-fertilized embryos is 0.03 and 0.01 respectively. Its magnitude is the same whether determined by the constant field assumption or from tracer-flux analysis. These changes in ionic permeability occur on a time scale which is similar to that of increased metabolic and synthetic activities in other echinoderm embryos. A possible regulatory role in the early differentiation of this embryo is discussed.
Distribution of Acute Bowel Inflammation Determined by Technetium-Labeled White Blood Cells in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Knowledge of the distribution of disease in patients with inflammatory bowel disease is important because it has diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications. We studied 215 patients with 99mTc-HMPAO-white blood cell scans, of whom 80 had Crohn's disease (CD), 34 had active ulcerative colitis (UC), and 31 were controls. In our 77 cases of active CD, uptake was seen exclusively in the small bowel in 18% of patients, only the large bowel in 44%, and both the large and small bowel in 38% of patients. Discontinuous colitis was seen in 63 of these patients. In the 29 cases of active UC, the uptake involved the entire colon in 50% of patients, extended farther than the sigmoid in 27% of patients, and was limited to the rectosigmoid in 23%. In the 29 cases of active UC, four of the scans incorrectly revealed discontinuous accumulation of 99mTc-HMPAO-WBC. In 31 controls, no significant colonic uptake was seen. Isolated small bowel involvement with CD is observed less frequently in children undergoing 99mTc-HMPAO-WBC scanning than in adults. In children, the segmental distribution of inflammation as depicted with 99mTc-HMPAO-WBC is similar to the radiologic distribution.
Mortality of Anadromous Coastal Cutthroat Trout Caught with Artificial Lures and Natural Bait

Abstract The mortality of anadromous coastal cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki taken by anglers with worm-baited hooks of four different sizes, spinners with single hooks, spinners with treble hooks, and spinners with treble hooks baited with worms was investigated on the Stillaguamish and Snohomish rivers in Washington. In all but two comparisons mortality of cutthroat trout was greater (P < 0.05) from the four sizes of worm-baited hooks (39.5–58.1%) than from the three different spinner treatments (10.5–23.8%). The probability of killing fish was greater (P < 0.05) when fish were hooked in either the gill (95.5%), tongue (66.7%), esophagus (65.5%), or eye (53.8%) than in other anatomical locations. A group of untagged fish that were caught on worm-baited hooks but hooked only in the jaw or mouth were used as control fish to evaluate tagging mortality. The mortality of the untagged group (7.4%) was not greater than the mortality of fish caught on all terminal gear types and hooked in the upper or lower...
Data concentration and archival to SD card via hardware description language

Smart Grid (SG) is the next generation's power grid system. Delivering control, monitoring and management data to grid elements often requires the efficient archival of acquired information. The main objective of this research is to design an experimental platform for efficient, on-chip, real-time data concentrator for accessing data from a Secure Digital flash memory card using the SD bus protocol. All the hardware design is done using Verilog hardware descriptive language and implemented in Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The data access from the SD card is implemented completely using Verilog and hence there is no use of any microcontroller or on-chip general purpose processors. And since the complete design is a single purpose system, no extra hardware is required. The design has four independent modules for the required different operations on the SD memory card. These four modules are for single block write, multiple block write, single block read, and multiple block read operations. A temporary data is either stored internally in an array of registers or externally in the Synchronous RAM for the analysis purposes. The bidirectional access takes place correctly and the data integrity has been verified using Cyclic Redundancy Code in both FPGA processor as well as the SD card controller. The design is implemented on the Altera's Cyclone II EP2C35F672C6 FPGA chip using 1GB SanDisk SD card and has shown a maximum data concentration rate of 25 Mbps.
Gonadotropic activity of chicken pituitary glands.

Pituitary glands from intactmale chickens and capons castrated at 40 days of age were assayed for gonadotropic content. There was no difference in the gonadotropic activity of glands from the 2 groups prior to 90 days of age. The pituitaries from castrate males were significantly lower in gonadotropin than those from intact males of the same age during the period of 120 to 210 days of age. This difference between these 2 groups during this period was not apparent when the gonadotropic activity was calculated on a per gland basis. The hypertrophy of the glands following castration apparently resulted in a decrease in activity on a per unit weight basis, but there was not a significant change in the total activity per gland. A comparison of the gonadotropic activity of pituitary glands from the chicken, turkey and rat was made by assaying 10 mg of fresh pituitary tissue from each species in the immature female rat, 3-day-old turkey poult and 3-day-old chick. The ovaries of the immature rats responded only t...