cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the hormone-sensitive Ca2+ uptake activity of the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum

The characteristics and kinetics of calcium uptake activity were studied in isolated hepatic microsomes. The sustained accumulation of calcium was ATP- and oxalate-dependent. Glucagon increased microsomal Ca2+ uptake upon either in vivo injection, or in vitro perfusion of the hormone into the liver. In contrast, the effect of insulin depended on the route of administration. Calcium accumulation by subsequently isolated hepatic microsomes increased when insulin was injected intraperitoneally whereas it decreased when the hormone was perfused directly into the liver. These effects of glucagon and insulin were dose dependent. When insulin was added to the perfusate prior to the addition of glucagon, insulin blocked the glucagon-stimulated increase in microsomal Ca2+ uptake. Cyclic AMP mimicked the effect of glucagon on microsomal Ca2+ accumulation when the cyclic nucleotide was perfused into the liver. The effects of glucagon and insulin on the kinetics of hepatic microsomal Ca2+ uptake were investigated. In microsomes isolated from perfused rat livers treated with glucagon the V of the uptake was significantly increased over the control values (12.2 vs. 8.6 nmol Ca2+ per min per mg protein, P < 0.02). In contrast, the addition of insulin to the perfusate significantly decreased the V of Ca2+ uptake by subsequently isolated microsomes (6.8 vs. 8.3 nmol Ca2+ per min per mg protein, P < 0.05). However, neither hormone had an effect on the apparent Km for Ca2+ (4.1 ± 0.5 μM) of the reaction. The effect of these hormones on the activity of Ca2+-stimulated ATPase was also studied. No significant changes in either V or Km for Ca2+ of the enzymatic reaction were detected.
Synoptic three-dimensional circulation in an onshore-flowing filament of the California Current

Abstract Hydrographic (CTD and XBT casts) and Lagrangian particle drift (satellite-tracked mixed layer drifters) measurements taken off Southern California and northern Baja California in July 1985 are in the region where, historically, a stable, broad onshore flow is indicated in the 0/500 db relative dynamic topography. A 50 km wide onshore-flowing filament of cold and low-salinity water is resolved by the new measurements. Water mass properties (temperature, salinity and spiciness) are used to trace the different water masses and describe the circulation in the surveyed region. A comparison of the 15/300 db relative geostrophic currents to the drifter-inferred velocities shows a significant absolute geostrophic flow at the 300 db level, with coherent patterns similar to the surface mesoscale circulation. Estimates of vorticity calculated from the geostrophic and Lagrangian data are in qualitative agreement. Surface divergence and the implied vertical velocities of the order of 0.5 m day −1 are resolved at scales of 50–100 km. The spatial distribution of these estimates shows significant upwelling within the core of the filament.
The longer you stay, the bigger you get: length of time and language use in the U.S. are associated with obesity in Puerto Rican women.

This cross-sectional study examined whether length of time in the U.S., language use, and birthplace (proxy measures of acculturation) were associated with body mass index (BMI) and obesity in a sample of 174 low-income Puerto Rican women from Hartford, Connecticut. The mean BMI for the total sample (N = 174) was 27.39 (S.D. = 5.07), and nearly 34% of the sample was considered obese (BMI ≥ 30). There was a statistically significant increase in BMI with length of time in the U.S. (P = 0.012) and these differences were even greater among women born in Puerto Rico (P = 0.003). Moreover, obesity prevalence was highest among women who had been in the U.S. for 10 years or more (40%), as compared to those who had been in the U.S. less than 1 year (29%; P = 0.045). There were no statistically significant associations between language and BMI for the total sample. However, among bilingual speakers born in Puerto Rico, there were significant differences in BMI according to their level of English fluency. Those who spoke fluent or very good English had a significantly higher BMI (mean = 29.72; SD = 4.12) than women whose English was good to not-so-good (mean = 26.8; SD = 5.24; P = 0.016). The findings from this study point to the need for more research on the acculturation process and obesity, in order to design culturally tailored obesity prevention programs. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The development of a maximum likelihood model for model-based applications

Abstract Since model parameter uncertainties affect the accuracy of the model's outputs, this work describes the development of a maximum likelihood model based on robust parameter estimates to improve the model's results. A robust statistical theory framework is used to determine the robust parameter estimates. Next, it is proven that a process model parameterized by robust parameter estimates within their feasible ranges is a maximum likelihood model. A chemical reactor process is presented to demonstrate the development of the maximum likelihood model and its performance properties in a model-based predictive control framework.
Primary Platelet Signaling Cascades and Integrin-mediated Signaling Control ADP-ribosylation Factor (Arf) 6-GTP Levels during Platelet Activation and Aggregation

Previous studies showed that ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (Arf6) is important for platelet function; however, little is known about which signaling events regulate this small GTP-binding protein. Arf6-GTP was monitored in platelets stimulated with a number of agonists (TRAP, thrombin, convulxin, collagen, PMA, thapsigargin, or A23187) and all led to a time-dependent decrease in Arf6-GTP. ADP and U46619 were without effect. Using inhibitors, it was shown that the decrease of Arf6-GTP is a direct consequence of known signaling cascades. Upon stimulation via PAR receptors, Arf6-GTP loss could be blocked by treatment with U-73122, BAPTA/AM, Ro-31-8220, or Go6976, indicating requirements for phospholipase C, calcium, and protein kinase C (PKC) α/β, respectively. The Arf6-GTP decrease in convulxin-stimulated platelets showed similar requirements and was also sensitive to piceatannol, wortmannin, and LY294002, indicating additional requirements for Syk and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. The convulxin-induced decrease was sensitive to both PKCα/β and δ inhibitors. Outside-in signaling, potentially via integrin engagement, caused a second wave of signaling that affected Arf6. Inclusion of RGDS peptides or EGTA, during activation, led to a biphasic response; Arf6-GTP levels partially recovered upon continued incubation. A similar response was seen in β3 integrin-null platelets. These data show that Arf6-GTP decreases in response to known signaling pathways associated with PAR and GPVI. They further reveal a second, aggregation-dependent, process that dampens Arf6-GTP recovery. This study demonstrates that the nucleotide state of Arf6 in platelets is regulated during the initial phases of activation and during the later stages of aggregation.
An Interview with Tristan Murail

11 Computer Music Journal, 24:1, pp. 11–19, Spring 2000 © 2000 Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Tristan Murail was born in Le Havre, France in 1947. Following university studies in economics, Arabic, and political science, he entered the composition class of Olivier Messiaen at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris in 1967. Upon graduation in 1971, he was awarded the Prix de Rome. On his return to Paris, he founded the ensemble L’Itineraire with composers and former Conservatoire classmates Gerard Grisey and Michael Levinas. L’Itineraire soon became known as the starting point for an aesthetic movement known as spectral composition, its two main proponents being Tristan Murail and Gerard Grisey. In a nutshell, much of the material in a spectral composition is derived from the frequencies of spectra and their behavior. Tristan Murail has been involved with IRCAM since 1980 as a composer, researcher, and professor. In 1997 he moved to New York City, where he is a professor of composition at Columbia University. The following interview was conducted by telephone on 7 February 1999.
INDICATIONS FOR EXCLUDING THE SEMINAL VESICLES WHEN TREATING CLINICALLY LOCALIZED PROSTATIC ADENOCARCINOMA WITH RADIOTHERAPY ALONE

Purpose: The indications for treating the seminal vesicles (SV) in patients with clinically localized carcinoma of the prostate are controversial. We sought to define subgroups of patients in whom coverage could be avoided, using pretreatment prostate specific antigen (PSA) values and the Gleason score. Because the rectum is the major dose-limiting structure, we also measured the extent of rectal sparing achieved by excluding the SV from external beam treatment fields. Methods and Materials: We retrospectively studied lateral x-ray simulation films of 43 patients treated with standard four-field radiotherapy and dose-volume histograms of eight patients treated with conformal radiotherapy. The rectal surface areas were measured and the volumes were calculated including and excluding the SV. The pathology reports of patients treated with radical prostatectomy alone between 1987 and 1993 were reviewed. Patients without preoperative PSA levels or biopsy Gleason scores, or who received neoadjuvant hormonal therapy were excluded. Of the 368 remaining patients, 66 (18%) had preoperative PSA levels 5 4, 172 (47%) had PSA levels 4-10, and 130 (35%) had PSA levels > 10. The Gleason score was 5 6 in 269 (73%), and 99 (27%) had a score 2 7. Results: The reduction in the total irradiated rectal areas to full doses when the SV were excluded ranged from 5 to 67% in individual patients (median, 44%). The median reduction in the irradiated rectal volumes to 50% of the prescribed dose, as determined by dose-volume histograms, was 51% (range: 37-76%). The median reduction in bladder volumes was 9% (range: 6% -15%). The incidence of SV involvement was 19% (70 out of 368). Patients with normal PSA levels (5 4 ng/mL) had a 3% (2 out of 66) rate of SV involvement. Patients with PSA levels between 4-10 ng/mL had a 8% (10 out of 126) rate of SV involvement. All other cases had at least 20% rate of SV involvement, with a combined rate of 33%. Using a cutoff of 15%, two low risk groups were identified: all patients with PSA levels 5 4, and patients with PSA 4-10 and Gleason score 5 6. These constituted 52% (192 out of 368) of all patients. Overall, the low-risk patients had a 6% (12 out of 192) incidence of SV involvement vs. 33% (58 out of 176) for the high risk patients (p s .OOl). Conclusions: Excluding the SV from the treatment field can signilicantly reduce (40% -50%) the volume of h-radiated rectmu. Our data contirm that pretreatment PSA levels and Gleason scores can be effectively used to define subgroups of patients in whom SV irradiation can be avoided. We propose excluding the SV in all patients with PSA levels 5 4, and patients with PSA levels 4-10 and a Gleason score 5 6. 0 1997 Elsevier Science Inc. Prostatic neoplasms, Semhtal vesicles, Conformal radiotherapy, Prostate specific antigen, Gleason score.
Chitin: New facets of research

Research on chitin as a marine resource is pointing to novel applications for this cellulose-like biopolymer. Discovery of nondegrading solvent systems has permitted the spinning of filaments, for example, for use as surgical sutures. New methods for preparing the bioactive alkyl glycoside of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (the monomer unit of chitin) and a microcrystalline chitin has encouraged their use as promoters for growth of bifidobacteria and as an aid in digestion of high-lactose cheese whey by domestic animals. Chitin-protein complexes of several crustacean species show great variability in ratios of chitin to covalently bound protein and in residual protein in the "purified" chitins.
Development of a robust anti-islanding algorithm for utility interconnection of distributed fuel cell powered generation

In this paper, a robust anti-islanding algorithm for distributed fuel cell powered generation (DFPG) is proposed. Three different islanding scenarios are explored and presented based on analysis of real and reactive power mismatch. It is shown via analysis that the islanding voltage is a function of real power alone, whereas its frequency is a function of both real and reactive power. Following this analysis, a robust anti-islanding algorithm is developed. The proposed algorithm continuously perturbs (/spl plusmn/ 5%) the reactive power supplied by DFPG while simultaneously monitoring the utility voltage and frequency. If islanding were to occur, a measurable frequency deviation takes place upon which the real power of DFPG is further reduced to 80%; now a drop in voltage positively confirms islanding, and the DFPG is safely disconnected. This method of control is shown to be robust, able to detect islanding under resonant loads, and fast acting (operable in one cycle). Possible islanding conditions are simulated and verified with analysis. Experimental results on a 0.5 kW fuel cell inverter connected to 120 V 60 Hz utility are discussed.
Positively Charged Ceramide Is a Potent Inducer of Mitochondrial Permeabilization

Ceramide-induced cell death is thought to be mediated by change in mitochondrial function, although the precise mechanism is unclear. Proposed models suggest that ceramide induces cell death through interaction with latent binding sites on the outer or inner mitochondrial membranes, followed by an increase in membrane permeability, as an intermediate step in ceramide signal propagation. To investigate these models, we developed a new generation of positively charged ceramides that readily accumulate in isolated and in situ mitochondria. Accumulated, positively charged ceramides increased inner membrane permeability and triggered release of mitochondrial cytochrome c. Furthermore, the positively charged ceramide-induced permeability increase was suppressed by cyclosporin A (60%) and 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (90%). These observations suggest that the inner membrane permeability increase is due to activation of specific ion transporters, not the generalized loss of lipid bilayer barrier functions. The difference in sensitivity of ceramide-induced ion fluxes to inhibitors of mitochondrial transporters suggests activation of at least two transport systems: the permeability transition pore and the electrogenic H(+) channel. Our results indicate the presence of specific ceramide targets in the mitochondrial matrix, the occupation of which triggers permeability alterations of the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes. These findings also suggest a novel therapeutic role for positively charged ceramides.
A Multilevel Assessment of School Climate, Bullying Victimization, and Physical Activity

BACKGROUND: This study integrated criminological and public health perspectives to examine the influence of bullying victimization and the school environment on physical activity (PA). METHODS: We used a weighted sample of 7786 US middle school students surveyed as part of the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children study to conduct a multilevel analysis of bullying victimization as a predictor of self-reported PA and number of days attending physical education (PE) classes. Hierarchical models assessed the contribution of school climate and anti-crime programs. RESULTS: Results indicated that bullying victimization was associated with fewer days in PE and lower odds of reporting at least 60 minutes of PA more than once a week. Although one of the school crime prevention policies examined was associated with more days in PE, the school-level factors did not account for a large portion of the variance in the 2-level models for either days in PE or PA. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that reduced levels of PA can be added to the growing list of health issues associated with bullying victimization and provide support for the importance of bullying prevention efforts in conjunction with health promotion programs targeted to middle school students. Language: en
The structure and pseudorotation of cyanocyclopentane as determined by gas phase electron diffraction

Abstract The structure of cyanocyclopentane has been determined by gas phase electron diffraction. The molecule was found to have a low barrier to pseudorotation with two minima corresponding to C S envelope conformations with the CN in the quatorial and axial positions. The best least squares value obtained for the barrier to pseudorotation was 240(330) cal mol −1 , and the energy difference between the equatorial and axial conformers was found to be 180(330) cal mol −1 with the equatorial form being preferred. The puckering amplitude for the five-membered ring was found to be 0.42(28) A, and an average CC(ring) distance of 1.544(1) A was obtained. Other parameters obtained from least squares analysis of the experimental data include: r g (CCN) = 1.477(7) A, r g (CN) = 1.160(2) A, r g (CH) = 1.102(6) A, avg = 107.2(3.2)°. The results obtained are in excellent agreement with related cyclopentyl compounds, and with the microwave spectroscopic results obtained for cyanocyclopentane.
The use of artificial neural networks in PVT-based radiation portal monitors

Abstract Polyvinyl toluene (PVT)-based gamma-ray scintillation detectors are cost effective for use in radiation portal monitors (RPMs) applied to screening for illicit radioactive materials at international border crossings. While such systems can provide good sensitivity for detecting the presence of radioactive materials, they have poor spectral resolution that limits their ability to identify the isotopic content of the source of radiation. Without use of spectral information, RPMs cannot distinguish innocent materials that contain low levels of normally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) from special nuclear materials of concern. Thus, to reduce the number of “nuisance” alarms produced in PVT-based RPMs by innocent materials, algorithms that analyze spectra from PVT detectors must be optimized to make use of the limited information contained in their energy spectra. This paper reports the first application of artificial neural networks (ANNs) in such an analysis. This work was performed as a feasibility study whose primary objective was to describe how an ANN-based alarm algorithm can be used to reduce the nuisance/false alarm probability while maintaining high-detection probabilities for radioactive sources of interest. The spectra used in this study were obtained from a limited set of actual PVT-based RPM data, and included cases where simulated spectra were inserted into the measured spectra. This paper also includes an analysis of spectral channel importance and shows evaluations of two methods used to reduce the initial set of energy spectra channels into smaller sets. Although not a comprehensive study, the results of this work show that it is possible to use ANNs successfully to discriminate NORM from other materials for realistic PVT-based RPM spectra. The algorithms described may also have potential application in the analysis of sodium iodide based RPM spectra.
Personal perspective: Reflections of the 2011 Academy of Management meeting

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to share a personal perspective on the 2011 Academy of Management meeting held in San Antonio, Texas. It explores the author's experience of the conference theme of “West meets East: Enlightening, Balancing and Transcending” as well as providing a doctoral student's overall reflections of a major conference. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a constructivist perspective in order to reflect upon conference experiences. Observations and the gathering of conference materials helped inform the approach. Findings – This paper argued that the Academy of Management Annual meeting is likely to have a lasting impact on the author. The author was inspired to continue to discover how to become an engaged scholar and practitioner, as well as broadening her understanding of East‐West management practices and cultures. Originality/value – This paper has value as it presents a personal perspective of a first‐year doctoral student attending her first large, international conference.
Bifurcations in the cranking model

Abstract An informal presentation is given of a new theorem associated with the self-consistent cranking method, dubbed the Cranking Bifurcation Theorem, which extends the range of the cranking technique to generate certain types of collective multiphonon anharmonic solutions of time-dependent mean-field equations. Applications to the cranked volume-conserving oscillator are offered as simple examples.
Effect of moisture and casein on demethylation of trimethylselenonium in soil.

Trimethylselenonium ion (TMSe+) is a major urinary selenium (Se) metabolite of animals. The effect of soil moisture and casein on the demethylation of TMSe+ were examined in three California soils [Tulare Basin (TL), Losthill (LH) and Five Points (FP) upland areas] treated with 20 μg/g TMSe+. Results showed that soil moisture positively affected the demethylation of TMSe+ to volatile dimethylselenide (DMSe). In the non-saline TL and FP soils, the highest demethylation rates were 0.169–0.454, 0.646–2.71, and 3.15–6.01 μg/g per day from a 10, 20, and 100% moisture soil, respectively. During 51 days of the experiment, approximately 75.4–80.2% of added TMSe+ was demethylated to volatile DMSe. In contrast, in a saline LH soil, the demethylation rate was <0.2 μg/g per day, and only 7% of the added TMSe+ was demethylated to volatile DMSe. Addition of casein stimulated the demethylation of TMSe+ in a 10% moisture TL soil. Dissolved DMSe, dimethylselenoxide (DMSeO) and TMSe+, and adsorbed TMSe+ were found in the three experimental soils. Concentrations of dissolved and adsorbed TMSe+ were much higher in the LH soil than in the TL and FP soils. This study showed that demethylation of TMSe+ dominates in the FP and TL soils, and adsorption of TMSe+ is a more important process in the LH soil.
The Effect of Goal Visualization on Goal Pursuit: Implications for Consumers and Managers:

Abstract This research demonstrates that as people approach a goal, external representations, which increase the ease of visualizing the goal, enhance goal pursuit. Specifically, consumers judge easy-to-visualize goals to be closer than difficult-to-visualize goals, which in turn increases effort and commitment. Ease of visualization affects performance in swimming competitions and the physical effort exerted in the lab. Visualization also affects commitment toward savings, willingness to wait for service, and performance in a simulated sales task. Importantly, the beneficial effects of visualization exist only when people are close to the goal. In addition, the effect of visualization attenuates when the goal is split into subgoals. Managers can use these results to enhance consumer goal pursuit, influence consumer satisfaction in online service encounters, and motivate employees to improve performance. In these varied contexts, visual representations of goal progress (e.g., progress bars) enhance motiva...
CHARGE FRACTIONS AND EXCITED-ATOM POPULATIONS OF 8- TO 100-keV DEUTERIUM BEAMS EMERGING FROM SOLID FILMS OF C, Mg, Nb, AND Au.

Charge-state fractions and yields of highly excited deuterium atoms produced by electron capture when 8-100-keV deuterons emerge from C, Mg, Nb, and Au surfaces deposited on thin carbon foils under high-vacuum conditions are reported. Atoms with principal quantum number $n=6$ were detected with an optical technique; atoms in the levels $n\ensuremath{\approx}12 \mathrm{to} 18$ were detected by ionizing them in a strong electric field. Changes with time after evaporation, presumably due to contamination of the surfaces, were observed. The experimental results are compared with available theoretical estimates. Solid and vapor targets are compared for Mg.
Behavioral and neurochemical sensitization to amphetamine following early postnatal administration of methylmercury (MeHg)

Perinatal exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) in rodents has been linked to changes in sensitivity to dopaminergic agents later in life. In an effort to determine the behavioral and neurochemical response to the indirect dopaminergic and serotonergic agonist amphetamine following neonatal exposure to MeHg, male BALB/c mice were administered MeHg during critical periods of neural development and challenged with amphetamine as adults. Mice were observed 15, 30 and 60 min after a single amphetamine injection (7.5 mg/kg i.p.) for presence of stereotypic and self-injurious behaviors, abnormal posture, and hyperthermia. Mice treated with 2 or 4 mg/kg MeHg on alternate days 3-15 of life demonstrated an increase in body temperature and the appearance of stereotypic and self-injurious behaviors not observed when amphetamine was administered to either vehicle-exposed mice or those treated with an equivalent total amount of MeHg administered on postnatal days 13 and 15. Neurochemical analysis of MeHg- and vehicle-exposed mice challenged with amphetamine or saline revealed alterations in dopaminergic and serotonergic activity which corresponded to the sensitized behavioral response to amphetamine. These observations demonstrate a critical window for MeHg exposure affecting the later appearance of amphetamine-induced self-injurious behavior and support the hypothesis that early exposure to environmental neurotoxicants may predispose individuals to engage in aberrant, intrusive behaviors later in life.
Cyril Stanley Smith’s translations of metallurgical classics

A remarkable contribution of Professor Cyril Stanley Smith was the translation of metallurgical classics into English from several languages -both ancient and modern.
Expected Utility Violations: Implications for Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics

nomic toolkit. They compare the dogged defense of EU by economists to that of a Monty Python character playing the role of a petstore owner disputing the state of an obviously dead parrot. The shop owner goes through incredible machinations to avoid replacing the bird. Let us consider another analogy. The behavior of a caged parrot can likely tell us very little about the behavior of parrots in the wild. A biologist may want to incorporate the behavior of caged parrots into the study of wild birds, but would undoubtedly need to be extremely careful about understanding the underlying differences in the opportunities and constraints faced by caged versus wild birds before inferring much about wild parrot behavior. To some extent, experimental violations of EU present us with the same problem as the hypothetical parrot biologist. Subjects in these risk experiments are in a setting and are completing tasks very different from the setting and tasks they face in their everyday economic and social context. What is missing relates to the power of the rationality assumption discussed in Friedman that relies not only on the person's skill, but also on the feedback they receive from the market; Friedman's "expert" billiards players are selected by a market because of their skill in billiards and th se are the players who fit Friedman's "as if" description.1 Risk researchers should not ignore experimental data. However, before we eliminate EU, we should more fully understand the underlying reasons for the experimental behavior that violates EU. Agricultural and natural resource economists are well suited to assess
Lipid composition of the entomopathogenic fungus Nomuraea rileyi

Abstract The total lipid content, neutral and polar lipid composition, and fatty acid profiles were determined for the different developmental stages of the entomopathogenic fungus, Nomuraea rileyi . In general, the lipid composition of N. rileyi was found to be very similar to that of other Fungi Imperfecti. Triacylglycerides and sterols were the major neutral lipids and phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylserine were the major polar lipids. Phosphatidylcholine, resolved in conidial and mycelial samples, was not detected in hyphal body samples. The major fatty acids were palmitic, oleic, and linoleic. Stearic acid was detected as a minor component of hyphal body samples. During conidiogenesis the overall lipid composition was altered in (1) a reduction in total lipid content, (2) an increase in the polar/neutral lipid ratio, and (3) an increase in the degree of fatty acid unsaturation.
The use of profiles and models in evaluating program environments

Profiling and modeling are ways of describing program environments that can improve the tailoring of policies, resources, and services to the most appropriate participants.
Liver citrate levels in parathyroidectomized rats fed toxic amounts of inorganic fluoride.

Abstract Liver citrate concentrations and food consumption were measured in parathyroidectomized rats fed a low fluoride control diet, or the control diet containing 600 ppm F, as sodium fluoride, for 3- and 14-day experimental periods. Liver citrate concentrations were significantly increased in the parathyroidectomized rats fed the fluoride diet for either 3 or 14 days, but food consumption, which was significantly depressed at 3 days, returned to normal at 14 days. In rats with intact parathyroid glands fed the fluoride diet, liver citrate concentrations were elevated at 3 days, but returned to control levels after 14 days ( Shearer , Le Saouter and Suttie , 1971). It is concluded that parathyroid hormone insufficiency is not part of the mechanism by which fluoride elevates liver citrate concentrations in rats at 3 days, and that parathyroidectomy somehow retards adaptation to diet containing toxic levels of fluoride at 14 days.
Variable step size does not harm second-order integrators for Hamiltonian systems

Abstract Experiments have shown that variable step size degrades some symplectic integrators for certain Hamiltonian systems, in particular for the two-body problem. In this paper, we show that the error growth in time for variable step size symplectic is not in general quadratic. We demonstrate this by applying several integrators to the two-body problem. The error growth in time in the case of the second-order integrators, symplectic or nonsymplectic, turns out to be approximately linear.
Induction of long term lymphocyte lines from delayed hypersensitive human donors using specific antigen plus Epstein-Barr virus.

THE availability of homogeneous populations of human and murine myeloma cells has provided a unique opportunity for investigating the mechanism of immunoglobulin formation1. Continuous lines of cultured lymphoid cells producing specific antibody or manifesting delayed hypersensitivity would be even more useful in studying the molecular events of the immune response. Human lymphoid cell lines have been established in long term culture using Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)2, 3 or phyto-haemagglutinin4 but antigen alone has not been effective5. The purpose of the work reported here was selectively to establish antigen-sensitive cells in culture by stimulating peripheral white cells from delayed hypersensitive donors with antigen in vitro and then exposing the cells to EBV. This combination of antigen and virus was chosen because of the following considerations: (1) some RNA and DNA viruses do not replicate in resting lymphocytes but can infect antigen-sensitive lymphocytes which have been stimulated in vitro with mitogens or specific antigen6, 7; (2) polyoma virus transforms cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle more effectively than in G1 (ref. 8). These observations suggested that combined exposure to antigen and EBV might result in the establishment of cell lines enriched for antigen-sensitive or antibody-forming cells.
The multivariate linear hypothesis with nonnormal errors and a classical setting for the structure of inference in a special case

SUMMARY The distribution theory is given attendant on a model wherein a matrix of observable random variables is linearly related to a matrix of error random variables. This gives rise to an alternative derivation of Fraser's structural distribution on parameters for the linear model. The error variables are not necessarily normal, though when they are an alternative derivation of the Wishart density emerges together with some other results of possible interest.
Broadband low chromatic dispersion and supercontinuum generation in a step-index fiber and an OAM-supporting vortex fiber with a submicron slot

Broadband low dispersion is shown for both fundamental mode and orbital angular momentum mode in fiber structures with submicron slot. Octave supercontinuum generation covering one octave in the slot fiber for both fundamental mode and OAM mode is shown by simulation.
Extraction of spatially sparse common spatio-spectral filters with recursive weight elimination

The common spatial pattern(CSP) technique linearly combines the channels to filter the neural signal spatially. It operates on data that is band-pass filtered between particular cutoff frequency for all subjects and channels. On the other hand the common spatio-spectral pattern (CSSP) method extends the the traditional CSP technique that combines spectral filtering with the original spatial filtering by using the temporally delayed version of the original data. All recording channels and the delayed versions are combined when extracting the variance as input features for a brain machine interface. This linear combination increases the number of channels extensively and results in overfitting and robustness problems of the constructed system in presence of low number of training trials. To overcome this problem, we proposed spatially sparse CSSP method in which only a subset of all available channels and its temporally shifted versions are linearly combined when extracting the features. We utilized three different versions of the recursive weight elimination (RWE) technique to select a subset of electrodes for spatio-spectral projections. We evaluate the performance of the proposed method to distinguish between the movements of the first three fingers of the hand using electrocorticogram (ECoG) signals of the brain computer interface competition 2005. We observed that spatially sparse CSSP filter outperforms both original CSP and CSSP filter and results in improved generalization in classification.
Natural history of patients with unexplained syncope and a nondiagnostic electrophysiologic study.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to define the natural history of 99 patients with unexplained syncope who underwent an electrophysiologic test that either was entirely normal or demonstrated nonspecific abnormalities that were nondiagnostic (inducible polymorphic ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, a mildly prolonged sinus node recovery time of During 20 ± 11 months of follow-up, 2 patients (2%) died suddenly, 19 patients (20%) had recurrent syncope and 74 patients (78%) had no further episodes of syncope. Among the 19 patients who continued to have syncope after the electrophysiologic testing, the cause of syncope was established clinically in 4 and was found to be high degree atrioventricular (AV) block (2 patients) or sinus node dysfunction (2 patients). No clinical or laboratory findings distinguished patients who had sudden death or syncope during follow-up from patients who did not. In conclusion, in patients with unexplained syncope who undergo an electrophysiologic test that is nondiagnostic 1) the incidence of sudden death is low (2%); 2) the remission rate of syncope is high (80%); 3) the electrophysiologic test may be documented to have been falsely negative in ≥20% of patients who continue to have syncope, syncope in these patients being caused by AV block or sinus node dysfunction; and 4) patients at risk of sudden death or recurrent syncope, or both, cannot be readily identified prospectively.
Preparation and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol-co-methyl methacrylate) copolymers

An investigation is presented of the preparation and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol-co-methyl methacrylate) copolymers which can be used for the preparation of novel membranes. These polymers were prepared by copolymerization of vinyl acetate and methyl methacrylate by γ-irradiation, followed by methanolysis of the produced copolymers. IR and 1H-NMR studies established the structure of the copolymers.
Cytotoxic antibodies in preoperative glioma patients: a diagnostic assay.

The use of a microcytotoxicity test for complement-dependent serum antibodies cytotoxic to cultured astrocytoma cells has been explored as an aid in the diagnosis of brain tumors. Fourteen of 21 randomly selected preoperative glioma patients (67%) had antibodies detectable by this assay in contrast to 4 of 21 normal blood donors (19%). Five of the glioma patients (24%) were strongly positive (cytotoxic index > 80 · 80) while none of the controls was in this range. Although positive responses were seen in patients with tumors of every grade, only 6 of 11 patients with astrocytomas of Grades I–III were positive as compared to 8 of 9 patients with Grade IV astrocytomas.
Charge storage in vertically integrated GaAs n-channel JFET/junction capacitor device

A GaAs vertical npn structure in which the bottom layer serves as a JFET charge sensing channel has been fabricated and tested as a dynamic memory element. The device can be read nondestructively and exhibits tens of seconds storage times at room temperature. Use of an n channel for sensing charge provides increased sensitivity compared to earlier p-channel device.
Yeast cox17 solution structure and Copper(I) binding.

Abstract Cox17 is a 69-residue cysteine-rich, copper-binding protein that has been implicated in the delivery of copper to the CuA and CuB centers of cytochrome c oxidase via the copper-binding proteins Sco1 and Cox11, respectively. According to isothermal titration calorimetry experiments, fully reduced Cox17 binds one Cu(I) ion with a Ka of (6.15 ± 5.83) × 106 m-1. The solution structures of both apo and Cu(I)-loaded Cox17 reveal two α helices preceded by an extensive, unstructured N-terminal region. This region is reminiscent of intrinsically unfolded proteins. The two structures are very similar overall with residues in the copper-binding region becoming more ordered in Cu(I)-loaded Cox17. Based on the NMR data, the Cu(I) ion has been modeled as two-coordinate with ligation by conserved residues Cys23 and Cys26. This site is similar to those observed for the Atx1 family of copper chaperones and is consistent with reported mutagenesis studies. A number of conserved, positively charged residues may interact with complementary surfaces on Sco1 and Cox11, facilitating docking and copper transfer. Taken together, these data suggest that Cox17 is not only well suited to a copper chaperone function but is specifically designed to interact with two different target proteins.
Performance of an automated renal segmentation algorithm based on morphological erosion and connectivity

The precision, accuracy, and efficiency of a novel semi-automated segmentation technique for VIBE MRI sequences was analyzed using clinical datasets. Two observers performed whole-kidney segmentation using EdgeWave software based on constrained morphological growth, with average inter-observer disagreement of 2.7% for whole kidney volume, 2.1% for cortex, and 4.1% for medulla. Ground truths were prepared by constructing ROI on individual slices, revealing errors of 2.8%, 3.1%, and 3.6%, respectfully. It took approximately 7 minutes to perform one segmentation. These improvements over our existing graph-cuts segmentation technique make kidney volumetry a reality in many clinical applications.
Alternant boron nitride cages: A theoretical study

Heteroatomic cages (BN/2NN/2) with borons and nitrogens fully replacing alternant sets of carbons in cages are built graph-theoretically and investigated via the semiempirical MNDO Hamiltonian. The comparison with their parent carbon cages CN is made in terms both of electronic and of geometric changes. Infinite classes first of octahedral symmetry and second of hexagonal-bipyramidal symmetry fullerenoid cages are considered in detail. The difference in the electronegativities for boron and nitrogen implies the opening of HOMO-LUMO gaps for alternant BN clusters. In general, the borons prefer planar geometry (sp2 hybridization) while the nitrogens prefer pyramidalization (sp3 hybridization). © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Herbicide-Degrading α-Keto Acid-Dependent Enzyme TfdA: Metal Coordination Environment and Mechanistic Insights†

TfdA is a non-heme iron enzyme which catalyzes the first step in the oxidative degradation of the widely used herbicide (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetate (2,4-D). Like other α-keto acid-dependent enzymes, TfdA utilizes a mononuclear Fe(II) center to activate O2 and oxidize substrate concomitant with the oxidative decarboxylation of α-ketoglutarate (α-KG). Spectroscopic analyses of various Cu(II)-substituted and Fe(II)-reconstituted TfdA complexes via electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), electron spin−echo envelope modulation (ESEEM), and UV−vis spectroscopies have greatly expanded our knowledge of the enzyme's active site. The metal center is coordinated to two histidine residues as indicated by the presence of a five-line pattern in the Cu(II) EPR signal, for which superhyperfine splitting is attributed to two equivalent nitrogen donor atoms from two imidazoles. Furthermore, a comparison of the ESEEM spectra obtained in H2O and D2O demonstrates that the metal maintains several solvent-accessible sites, a co...
Recent developments and current challenges in interfacing and integrating 1D semiconductor nanowires in devices and circuits

In the past few years, exciting developments in the synthesis and novel device demonstration of one-directional (1D) semiconductor nanowires have given rise to an enormous optimism. Interesting characteristics such as high surface to volume ratio, quantum confinement, and simple and low cost synthesis process are opening new frontiers in novel electronic and photonic devices. One much debated issue of interfacing and integrating such nano-structures in a massively large number of devices and systems has attracted the attention of research groups all over the world and various approaches were proposed. This talk will give an overview of the recent progress and future challenges in the construction of large and complex systems with 1D semiconductor nanowires.
Self care in patients with chronic heart failure

'Heart failure self care' refers to the practices in which patients engage to maintain their own health, and to the decisions that they make about managing signs or symptoms. In this article, we base our discussion of self care in chronic heart failure on the classification of patients as being 'expert', inconsistent', or 'novice' in heart failure self-care behaviors. The available literature on factors predicting heart failure self care and its outcomes are reviewed within this context. Factors known to influence heart failure self care include experience with the illness, physical functioning, depression and anxiety, social support, daytime sleepiness, and attitudes such as confidence. Further research is needed to understand the contributions of comorbidities, patient sex, and health disparities on heart failure self care. The evidence to support a link between heart failure self care and health outcomes is limited, but early evidence suggests that adequate self care is associated with an improvement in health status, a decrease in the number and duration of hospitalizations, and a decline in levels of biomarkers of stress and inflammation, and in intrathoracic impedance. Implications of heart failure self care for clinical practice, policy, and public health are also described.
Effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction in increasing the rate of universal precautions-related behaviors

Abstract Background: With widespread noncompliance to universal precautions well established, an experimental study was designed to compare the rate of universal precautions-related behaviors between nurses who participate in computer-assisted instruction. This study also explored the relationship between rates of universal precautions-related behaviors and subjects' demographic and experiential characteristics and history of occupational blood-borne exposure. Methods: Data were collected by using a questionnaire to elicit information as to subjects' demographic and experiential characteristics and history of occupational blood-borne exposure. The Universal Precautions Assessment Tool was used to gather data on rates of universal precautions-related behaviors on two groups of registered nurses with 30 subjects per group. Results: By using analysis of variance, the null hypothesis was rejected. The intervention used in this study did increase universal precautions-related behaviors. Multiple regression was used to analyze the research question and none of the variables were significant. Forty (67.8%) subjects reported receiving a needlestick or cut caused by a needle or sharp that was actually or potentially contaminated with blood or body fluids. Of these exposures, one one patient was known to be HIV antibody positive. Conclusion: Replication studies using computer-assisted instruction interventions are needed as are studies aimed at exploring other potentially effective interventions.
Evolutionary Conserved Role for TARPs in the Gating of Glutamate Receptors and Tuning of Synaptic Function

Neurotransmission in the brain is critically dependent on excitatory synaptic signaling mediated by AMPA-class ionotropic glutamate receptors (AMPARs). AMPARs are known to be associated with Transmembrane AMPA receptor Regulatory Proteins (TARPs). In vertebrates, at least four TARPs appear to have redundant roles as obligate chaperones for AMPARs, thus greatly complicating analysis of TARP participation in synaptic function. We have overcome this limitation by identifying and mutating the essential set of TARPs in C. elegans (STG-1 and STG-2). In TARP mutants, AMPAR-mediated currents and worm behaviors are selectively disrupted despite apparently normal surface expression and clustering of the receptors. Reconstitution experiments indicate that both STG-1 and STG-2 can functionally substitute for vertebrate TARPs to modify receptor function. Thus, we show that TARPs are obligate auxiliary subunits for AMPARs with a primary, evolutionarily conserved functional role in the modification of current kinetics.
RF density fluctuations measurements in the Phaedrus-T tokamak

Summary form only given, as follows. A swept frequency reflectometer based on a 26.5-40 GHz YIG oscillator has been used to measure RF induced density fluctuations in the Phaedrus-T tokamak. The Phaedrus-T tokamak is conducting experiments on Alfven wave current drive. Up to 400 kW of RF are launched with a two strap fast wave antenna at frequencies between w/sub ch/ and w/sub cd/. The reflectometer can be used in the X or O mode, enabling us to cover a wide range of densities. Both modes of operation are sensitive mainly to density fluctuations. The RF component of the reflected signal, normalized to the total reflected signal, shows strong RF density oscillations in the core. Addition of impurities removes the core signal. This is in agreement with the toroidal Alfven resonance condition. In addition the signal in the core shows significant correlation with the loop volt drop observed during current drive experiments. Further data on the behaviour of the density fluctuations as the magnetic field and plasma density are varied are presented, and compared with the predictions of a toroidal cold plasma wave code.