cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Odorant Receptors Govern the Formation of a Precise Topographic Map

Olfactory neurons expressing a given odorant receptor project with precision to 2 of the 1800 glomeruli within the olfactory bulb to create a topographic map of odor quality. We demonstrate that deletions or nonsense mutations in the P2 odorant receptor gene cause the axons of these cells to wander rather than converge on a specific glomerulus. Receptor substitution experiments that replace the P2 gene with the coding region of the P3 gene result in the projection of P3-->P2 axons to a glomerulus touching the wild-type P3 glomerulus. These data, along with additional receptor substitutions, indicate that the odorant receptor plays an instructive role in the establishment of the topographic map.
Synthesis and characterization of tantalum(V) complexes containing bis-sulfamide ligands: X-ray crystal structure of Ta[N(Me)2]3[SO2(NCMe3)2]

Abstract The bis-sulfamide compounds, SO2[NHCMe3]2 and SO2{NH[CH(Me)Ph]} were successfully employed as chelating diamide ligands in the synthesis of the tantalum complexes Ta[N(Me)2]3[SO2(NCMe3)2] (1) and Ta(NMe2)3[SO2(NCH(Me)Ph)2] (2). Compound 1 assumes a distorted trigonal pyramidal geometry in the solid state as determined by an X-ray crystallograpic study. Compounds 1 and 2 are fluxional at room temperature. Variable temperature 1H NMR was used to investigate the nature of these fluxional processes. In addition, preliminary attempts to generate halide and alkyl derivative of 1 and 2 are presented. Specifically, the reaction of 1 with excess AlR3 (R=Me or Et), in order to generate alkyl derivatives of 1 led to the isolation of AlR3 adducts.
Crystal Structure of CIF4+SbF6-, Normal Coordinate Analyses of CIF4+ BrF4+, IF4+, SF4, SeF4, and TeF4, and Simple Method for Calculating the Effects of Fluorine Bridging on the Structure and Vibrational Spectra of Ions in a Strongly Interacting Ionic Solid

The crystal structure of the 1:1 adduct ClF5·SbF5 was determined and contains discrete ClF4+ and SbF6- ions. The ClF4+ cation has a pseudotrigonal bipyramidal structure with two longer and more ionic axial bonds and two shorter and more covalent equatorial bonds. The third equatorial position is occupied by a sterically active free valence electron pair of chlorine. The coordination about the chlorine atom is completed by two longer fluorine contacts in the equatorial plane, resulting in the formation of infinite zigzag chains of alternating ClF4+ and cis-fluorine bridged SbF6- ions. Electronic structure calculations were carried out for the isoelectronic series ClF4+, BrF4+, IF4+ and SF4, SeF4, TeF4 at the B3LYP, MP2, and CCSD(T) levels of theory and used to revise the previous vibrational assignments and force fields. The discrepancies between the vibrational spectra observed for ClF4+ in ClF4+SbF6- and those calculated for free ClF4+ are largely due to the fluorine bridging that compresses the equatori...
Reblurred deconvolution method for chemical shift removal in F-19 (PFOB) MR imaging.

Perfluorocarbons such as perfluoroctylbromide (PFOB) can be used as contrast agents in the vascular system for fluorine-19 magnetic resonance imaging or as synthetic oxygen carriers. F-19 imaging has been proposed for studying the vascular system, capillary flow, tissue perfusion, and tumor oxygenation. A major difficulty is that F-19 compounds often have complex multipeak spectra. These peaks result in chemical shift artifacts, lower signal-to-noise ratios, and blurred images. Each peak also excites a different section when a section-select gradient is applied. Direct inverse filtering is the simplest deconvo-lution method for correcting such artifacts; however, two major difficulties present themselves: functional singularity and noise amplification at high frequencies. The use of a new reblurred de-convolution (RED) method appears to overcome these problems. Although this method is based on iterative deconvolution in the spatial domain, the computational overhead is negligible. Since the point spread function and object data are already available in the time domain as FID data, RED appears to be useful for eliminating chemical shift artifacts and suppressing noise amplification while restoring the original image without loss of resolution.
Quantifying the correctness, computational complexity, and security of privacy-preserving string comparators for record linkage

Record linkage is the task of identifying records from disparate data sources that refer to the same entity. It is an integral component of data processing in distributed settings, where the integration of information from multiple sources can prevent duplication and enrich overall data quality, thus enabling more detailed and correct analysis. Privacy-preserving record linkage (PPRL) is a variant of the task in which data owners wish to perform linkage without revealing identifiers associated with the records. This task is desirable in various domains, including healthcare, where it may not be possible to reveal patient identity due to confidentiality requirements, and in business, where it could be disadvantageous to divulge customers' identities. To perform PPRL, it is necessary to apply string comparators that function in the privacy-preserving space. A number of privacy-preserving string comparators (PPSCs) have been proposed, but little research has compared them in the context of a real record linkage application. This paper performs a principled and comprehensive evaluation of six PPSCs in terms of three key properties: (1) correctness of record linkage predictions, (2) computational complexity, and (3) security. We utilize a real publicly-available dataset, derived from the North Carolina voter registration database, to evaluate the tradeoffs between the aforementioned properties. Among our results, we find that PPSCs that partition, encode, and compare strings yield highly accurate record linkage results. However, as a tradeoff, we observe that such PPSCs are less secure than those that map and compare strings in a reduced dimensional space.
Circadian Disruption and Fatal Ovarian Cancer

Background The International Agency for Research on Cancer determination that shift work is a “probable” human carcinogen was based primarily on studies of breast cancer but it was also noted that additional aspects of circadian disruption and other cancer sites deserved further research. Purpose To examine possible associations of three measures of circadian disruption: nontypical work schedules, nightly sleep duration, and monthly frequency of insomnia with risk of fatal ovarian cancer in a sample of American women. Methods Several measures of circadian disruption and other information were assessed in 1982 from 161,004 employed women in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study–II, a cohort that has been followed for mortality through 2010. In 2013, Cox proportional hazards regression was used to model the relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs of death from ovarian cancer for categories of each indicator of circadian disruption. Results Over 28 years of follow-up, 1289 deaths from ovarian cancer occurred in the at-risk cohort. Compared to fixed daytime work, a rotating schedule was associated with an elevated risk of fatal ovarian cancer (RR=1.27, 95% CI=1.03, 1.56). No significant associations were observed for sleep duration ( p trend=0.24) or insomnia ( p trend=0.44). Conclusions In this large prospective study, there was a higher risk of fatal ovarian cancer in women who reported a rotating work schedule. These findings and the high prevalence of rotating shift schedules underscore the need for further research examining the role of work schedule and risk of ovarian cancer.
Effect of Ovarian Steroids on Lactic Dehydrogenase Activity in Endometrium and Myometrium of the Rat Uterus1

Measurements of (a) lactic dehydrogenase activity (LDH) and (b) its isoenzyme distribution were made in both endometrium and myometrium of the rat uterus under 5 endocrine conditions: 1) during early pseudopregnancy; 2) following ovariectomy; 3) following treatment with estrogen; 4) after daily injection of progestogen; and 5) following daily treatment with combinations of these hormones. The response of endometrial tissue to steroid hormone deprivation or stimulation was much more dramatic than myometrium. Following the induction of pseudopregnancy, or after ovariectomy, LDH activity in endometrium declined. Treatment of ovariectomized rats with either estrone or, less effectively, progesteione stimulated both M-LDH and H-LDH. However, when administered simultaneously, progesterone blocked the action of estrogen. The pattern of LDH activity in endometrium during 6 days of treatment with 1 ng estrone and 2 mg progesterone was identical with that in intact pseudopregnant rats. Although the percentage of H-...
Hematological disorders following gastric bypass surgery: Emerging concepts of the interplay between nutritional deficiency and inflammation

Obesity and the associated metabolic syndrome are among the most common and detrimental metabolic diseases of the modern era, affecting over 50% of the adult population in the United States. Surgeries designed to promote weight loss, known as bariatric surgery, typically involve a gastric bypass procedure and have shown high success rates for treating morbid obesity. However, following gastric bypass surgery, many patients develop chronic anemia, most commonly due to iron deficiency. Deficiencies of vitamins B1, B12, folate, A, K, D, and E and copper have also been reported after surgery. Copper deficiency can cause hematological abnormalities with or without neurological complications. Despite oral supplementation and normal serum concentrations of iron, copper, folate, and vitamin B12, some patients present with persistent anemia after surgery. The evaluation of hematologic disorders after gastric bypass surgery must take into account issues unique to the postsurgery setting that influence the development of anemia and other cytopenias. In this paper, the clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis of the hematological disorders associated with gastric bypass surgery are reviewed, and the underlying molecular mechanisms are discussed.
Preliminary observations on a new water–water potential

A new potential formula for water–water interactions has been proposed. It includes a polarization term to take many-body effects explicitly into account. The potential parameters have been obtained by fitting about 250 ab initio calculated water trimer energies and about 350 water dimer energies. Two fittings are obtained: one with the basis set superposition error corrected, the other uncorrected. Molecular dynamics calculations for both potentials have been carried out for liquid water in order to compare the properties obtained from the potentials with each other and with experimental data where possible. Internal energy, pressure and some dynamical properties are found to be very sensitive to the potential hypersurface in use. Experimental data are generally enclosed between the two potentials.
Dynamic scaling and phase transitions in interface growth

Abstract The dynamic scaling approach is an effective tool for understanding the temporal evolution of fluctuating interfaces. The surface width w obeys the scaling form w(L, t)=L α ƒ(t/L α β , where α and β are exponents which characterize how the surface width grows with the length scale L and the time t. Applications of dynamic scaling to a number of surface growth models are discussed. The results of a large-scale simulation of the ballistic deposition model in three dimensions are presented and compared with recent conjectures. The question of universality in interface growth is addressed and a finite temperature generalization of the restricted solid-on-solid model is studied. This model appears to undergo a phase transition from the usual rough phase at high temperatures to a new phase at low temperatures. Numerical solutions of the generalized Langevin equation indicate that there is no phase transition in 2+1 dimensions. Thus, the relation between the continuum equation and the discrete models is still an open question.
Demands of Care and Dilemmas of Freedom: What We Really Ought to Be Worried About

So long as the state defines, confers, and uses marital status as a vehicle for protecting and supporting associations of intimate caregivers, also known as families, it must offer the status to same-sex intimate caregiving couples. A commitment to equal treatment before the law demands it. Period.
Numerical analysis and computational testing of a high accuracy Leray‐deconvolution model of turbulence

We study a computationally attractive algorithm (based on an extrapolated CrankNickolson method) for a recently proposed family of high accuracy turbulence models (the Leray-deconvolution family). First we prove convergence of the algorithm to the solution of the Navier Stokes equations (NSE) and delineate its (optimal) accuracy. Numerical experiments are presented which confirm the convergence theory. Our 3d experiments also give a careful comparison of various related approaches. They show the combination of the Leray-deconvolution regularization with the extrapolated CrankNicolson method can be more accurate at higher Reynolds number that the classical extrapolated trapezoidal method of Baker [6]. We also show the higher order Leraydeconvolution models (e.g. N = 1, 2, 3) have greater accuracy than the N = 0 case of the Leray-alpha model. Numerical experiments for the 2-dimensional step problem are also successfully investigated, showing the higher order models have a reduced effect on transition from one flow behavior to another. To estimate the complexity of using Leraydeconvolution models for turbulent flow simulations we estimate the models’ microscale.
Instruction of young children on number conservation and unidimensional classification

Kindergartners and first graders who were lagging behind their peers in cognitive development were offered either of two forms of special instruction during the fall semester. One group was given learning set training on two forms of simple classification and on number conservation. The other group was given more conventional instruction on letter, word, number, and arithmetic skills. The children who were taught classification and conservation made gains on verbal and arithmetic measures that matched those of the children who were taught verbal and arithmetic skills directly.
Does Acute Whole-Body Vibration Training Improve the Physical Performance of People with Knee Osteoarthritis?

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a single session of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) on the physical performance of individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA) in 3 tests designed to simulate activities of daily living (ADLs). Fifteen individuals with symptomatic knee OA completed the Timed-Up-and-Go Test, step test, 20-m walk test, and visual analog scale (VAS) recordings of knee pain intensity. A main effect was detected for time to complete the step test (F[2,28] = 6.243, p = 0.006, (Equation is included in full-text article.)). Post hoc analyses revealed that the time to complete the step test at 5 minutes after WBVT improved significantly (p = 0.042) from that of the pretest. A moderate correlation (r = 0.465, p = 0.001) was found between the VAS scores and the time to complete the step test across all trials. A main effect was found for time to complete the walk test (F[2,28] = 4.370, p = 0.022, (Equation is included in full-text article.)). Post hoc analyses did not indicate significant improvements from pretest seen at 5 minutes after WBVT (p = 0.110) and 1 hour after WBVT (p = 0.224). The WBVT was well tolerated in nearly all the participants, and we observed that an acute bout of WBVT was effective in improving the ability of individuals with knee OA to perform a step test and 20-m walk test. Our findings suggest that WBVT may be an effective nonpharmacologic modality to treat some knee OA symptoms and improve ADLs.
Tuning gene expression with nucleosome-disfavoring sequences

A new study shows that alteration of poly(dA:dT) tracts in promoters offers a broadly applicable genetic mechanism for predictably tuning gene expression with high resolution. By systematically manipulating these tracts in a controlled yeast system, the authors demonstrate quantitative mechanistic relationships linking regulatory DNA sequences, nucleosome occupancy, transcription factor binding and gene expression.
Improving the diagnostic reliability of rapidly fluctuating plasma hormone levels by optimized multiple-sampling techniques.

When plasma hormone levels undergo rapid and large oscillations, as in the case of testosterone, FSH, and LH, a single random sample is likely to yield a result within ±20% of the true mean value only 68%, 54%, and 30% of the time, respectively. Multiple sampling increases reliability, and computer analysis demonstrates that three equally-spaced samples taken at 6 to 18 min intervals provide the optimum schedule, given certain practical considerations. Pooling of the three plasma samples prior to radioimmunoassay avoids an increased laboratory workload.
Uptake of 2-β-d-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide (Tiazofurin) and analogues by the facilitated transport mechanism of erythrocytes

Abstract Tiazofurin (TR), a new antitumor agent, enters human erythrocytes by utilizing their facilitated nucleoside transport system. TR competes with endogenous nucleosides for this transport mechanism, thereby reducing nucleoside uptake into the cells. Pre-incubation of erythrocytes for 10 min at 22°C with 100 μM and 500 μM TR reduced the transport of 14 C-uridine into the cells by 27% and 74%, respectively. Simultaneous exposure of cells to TR and [ 14 C]uridine did not alter the inhibitory effect of TR. Furthermore, the transport inhibitory effect of TR was lost when cells were washed twice with Hanks basal salt solution following a 10-min pre-incubation with TR. The K m and V max (±S.E.) for radiolabeled TR transport into erythrocytes are 170 ± 26 μM and 55 ± 13 nmol/h per 10 6 cells, respectively, which is similar to the kinetic constants measured for uridine transport into erythrocytes ( K m = 168 ± 37 μ M and V max = 61 ± 16 nmol/h per 10 6 cells). The K i (±S.E.) of TR for uridine transport is 178 ± 11 μM and for thymidine transport is 102 ± 59 μM. Three analogues of TR (its selenium isostere (SR), and Ara (Ara-TR) and Xylo (Xylo-TR) derivatives) were compared with TR for their ability to compete with and inhibit uridine transport, as these analogues were not available in a radiolabeled form for direct measurement of their transport into the cell. SR had similar kinetic characteristics of inhibition of uridine transport to TR ( K i = 145 ± 15 μ M) but Ara-TR had a K i = 1.04 ± 0.13 mM while Xylo-TR inhibited uridine transport with a K i = 1.57 ± 0.67 mM. Thus, TR is transported into erythrocytes with the same velocity and affinity for the carrier as uridine and competitively inhibits nucleoside transport into the cell. Of 3 other C-nucleoside derivatives examined, SR is of similar potency to TR but Ara-TR and Xylo-TR are much less effective at competing with uridine for the nucleoside transporter.
Misattribution theory of tendentious humor.

Abstract Male and female subjects were treated rudely or in a normal manner by a female experimenter in order to establish (a) a negative or (b) a neutral affective disposition toward her. Subjects then witnessed her in one of three conditions: (a) She experienced a misfortune that was associated with innocuous humor cues; (b) she experienced the same misfortune, but the humor cues were not present; (c) the same humor cues were present, but no misfortune was experienced. Subjects' facial expressions of mirth were unobtrusively recorded and later coded by naive judges. No appreciable sex differences in mirth were found. Negative dispositions led to greater mirth reactions to the misfortune than neutral dispositions whether or not humor cues were associated with than misfortune. The dispositional variation was of no consequence in the reactions to humor cues as such, however. Under conditions of neutral disposition, mirth in response to the misfortune plus the humor cues was the sum of the mirth reactions to the component parts in isolation. Under conditions of negative disposition, mirth in response to the combination of misfortune and humor cues exceeded the sum of the responses to the components. A misattribution theory of tendentious humor was developed from Freudian thinking, and the findings were considered to be consistent with it although not definitive. Additionally, the findings were considered to give further support to the disposition theory of mirth.
A continuous film-recirculable drop gas-liquid equilibration device. Measurement of trace gaseous ammonia

A miniature gas−liquid equilibrator or a gas collector, intended as a low-volume interface between a soluble gaseous sample and a liquid phase analyzer or between a liquid phase sample and a detector designed for use with gas samples, is described. This paper addresses the application of the device for the measurement of trace atmospheric ammonia. Gas collection occurs solely by diffusive sampling such that aerosol particles are not collected. The device essentially consists of a tube surrounded externally by a jacket. Gas flows through the jacket and contacts a liquid film flowing on the surface of the tube. The flowing film forms a drop at the tube terminus and is aspirated off through the inner bore of the tube. The collected analyte can be (a) directly sent to an analysis system or (b) preconcentrated on a suitable stationary phase; the preconcentrator effluent can be recycled, if desired. With a fluorometric flow injection analysis system harnessed to measure ammonia with such a collector, the limit ...
An intelligent event adaptation mechanism for business performance monitoring

Business performance monitoring is to observe, analyze, and possibly control the execution of business operations. Often in the information technology implementation environment, dynamic events are generated to indicate the states of the business processes. These isolated and heterogeneous low-level events create needs for adaptation and standardization, before the events can be handled by a central mediation engine, which fillers, sorts and correlates events into key performance indicators relating to business goals. In this paper, we propose an intelligent event adaptation mechanism for capturing, analyzing, enriching and transforming application-dependent IT-level events into a standard event format called the common base event. The resulting event adapter can capture and process low-level events and forward only business related events to the central mediation engine. We select the SAP system as a reference application, and illustrate the configuration issues between the application and its adapter. The architecture and functionality of the proposed event adaptation mechanism are explained with practical industry problems and scenarios
Uptake of 125I‐labelled α2‐macroglobulin and albumin by human placental syncytiotrophoblast in vitro

We have investigated the binding and internalization of α2-macroglobulin and serum albumin by human placental syncytiotrophoblast cells in vitro. The time course (obtained at 4°C) of α2-macroglobulin binding indicated that an equilibrium was reached after 4 h. The binding of 125I-labelled α2-macroglobulin to syncytiotrophoblast cells was competitively reduced in the presence of excess unlabelled α2-macroglobulin. When the concentration-dependence of binding was examined over a wide concentration range, non-linear regression analysis yielded a Kd of 6.4 nM. In the case of albumin, binding was weak and ligand dissociated from the cell surface during aqueous washing making it impractical to analyze the binding reaction. In other experiments, syncytiotrophoblast cells were incubated with 125I-labelled α2-macroglobulin at 37°C. Under these conditions, trypsin-resistant cell-associated radioactivity increased with time consistent with ligand internalization. 125I-Labelled-ligand was internalized with a t1/2 of about 5 min. After a lag period some radioactivity was released back into the incubation medium. When measured at times up to 210 min, this was found to consist of mostly TCA-precipitable material that had been lost from the cell surface. However, when the incubation was extended to 24 h, almost 15% of the initial cell-associated radioactivity was released to the extracellular medium as TCA-soluble material, consistent with a slow rate of ligand degradation. The specific binding of 65Zn-labelled α2M was similar to that of the 125I-labelled ligand and trypsin-resistance measurements provided evidence of α2M-mediated 65Zn uptake. These results support a role for syncytiotrophoblast in the metabolism of α2-macroglobulin during pregnancy and are also consistent with a role for α2-macroglobulin in the maternal-fetal transport of zinc. J. Cell. Biochem. 68:427–435, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comparison of methyl-p-hydroxybenzimidate and 1,3,5-trichlorotriazine in producing sensitive target cells for use in the hemolytic spot assay☆

Two bifunctional reagents were shown to be useful in the coupling of immunogens to the surface of either nucleated or non-nucleated cells. The heterobifunctional reagent methyl- para -hydroxybenzimidate was used to couple aromatic amino-haptens to the surface of SRBC which resulted in a stable and sensitive target cell capable of detecting as little as 20 pg of purified anti-hapten antibody in the hemolytic spot assay. The multifunctional reagent 1, 3, 5-trichlorotriazine yielded similar results when coupling amino-haptens to the surface of SRBC for use in the hemolytic spot assay. This reagent was also used to couple protein to the surface of SRBC which were able to detect as low as 1 ng of purified anti-protein antibody in the hemolytic spot assay. The sensitized SRBC produced using either of these coupling reagents were shown to remain stable for several months giving reproducible results from one test to another. Lastly, 1, 3, 5-trichlorotriazine was used to couple the hapten 4-aminophthalate to the surface of nucleated cells with retention of greater than 90% cell viability with continued growth and cellular division in culture.
Spectra and structure of organophosphorus compounds. LIII. Infrared and Raman spectra, conformational stability, vibrational assignment and ab initio calculations of n-propyldichlorophosphine

Abstract The Raman (3100 to 50 cm −1 ) spectra of the liquid and solid and the infrared (3100 to 50 cm −1 ) spectra of the gaseous and solid n -propyldichlorophosphine, C 3 H 7 PCl 2 , have been recorded. Additionally, the infrared (3100 to 400 cm −1 ) spectrum of the sample dissolved in liquid xenon has been obtained. Qualitative Raman depolarization ratios have been reported for the liquid phase. The spectra of the fluid phases have been interpreted on the basis of three out of five possible conformations. In the most stable trans-trans (TT) conformer, the phosphorus electron lone pair is in a trans position relative to the ethylene group (first trans) and the conformation of the heavy atom skeleton is also trans (second trans). The next most stable conformer is the gauche-trans (GT) rotamer where the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 1.68 ± 12 cm −1 (481 ± 35 cal mol −1 ) from a variable-temperature Raman study in the liquid phase and 105 ± 26 cm −1 (302 ± 75 cal mol −1 ) from a variable-temperature study of the infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquid xenon. Enthalpy differences have also been obtained for the gauche-I-gauche (G 1 G) conformer which is third strongest in stability. In the solid phase, only the TT conformer has been identified. A complete vibrational assignment is proposed for the TT conformer as well as for some of the fundamentals of the other two more stable rotamers. The structural parameters, rotational constants, dipole moments and energies have been obtained from ab initio calculations employing the RHF/3-21G∗, RHF/6-31G∗ and MP2/6-31G∗ basis sets. The vibrational assignments are consistent with the calculated (RHF/3-21G∗ with two scaling factors) fundamental vibrational frequencies. These results are compared with similar quantities obtained for n -propylphosphine and ethyldichlorophosphine.
A new method for immobilization of biomolecules using preirradiation grafting at low temperature

Abstract A new method of biomolecule immobilization is described in which a monomer-conjugated enzyme (asparaginase, Asp) is grafted together with free monomer (acrylamide, AAm) onto a cellulose sheet which had been preirradiated in a 60 Co source. The preirradiation and grafting steps are carried out in air at - 78°C and in vacuum at 0°C respectively. The grafting is probably caused by trapped radicals. The immobilized enzyme retains significant activity and is stable to storage. The technique is applicable to immobilization of a wide variety of biomolecules, such as enzymes, antibodies and drugs. The products may be used for therapeutic or diagnostic applications.
Resonant terms and bifurcations of nonlinear control systems with one uncontrollable mode

In this paper we provide a simple algorithm of feedback design for systems with uncontrollable linearization with only quadratic degeneracy, such as transcritical and saddle-node bifurcations. This approach avoids the computation of nonlinear normal forms. It is based only on quadratic invariants which can be determined directly from the quadratic terms in the uncontrollable dynamics.
Phenolics : Prooxidants or antioxidants?

Both essential and nonessential dietary antioxidants have been suggested to be beneficial for health. However, studies show that many antioxidants can also exhibit prooxidant behavior under certain conditions. The antioxidant/prooxidant activity of phenolics is dependent on such factors as metal-reducing potential, chelating behavior, pH, and solubility characteristics. These factors, in addition to bioavailability and stability in tissues, should be considered when evaluating the potential bioactivity of dietary phenolics.
Fast multiplierless approximation of the DCT with the lifting scheme

In this paper, we present a systematic approach to design two families of fast multiplierless approximations of the DCT with the lifting scheme, based on two kinds of factorizations of the DCT matrix with Givens rotations. A scaled lifting structure is proposed to reduce the complexity of the transform. Analytical values of all lifting parameters are derived, from which dyadic values with different accuracies can be obtained through finite-length approximations. This enables low-cost and fast implementations with only shift and addition operations. Besides, a sensitivity analysis is developed for the scaled lifting structure, which shows that for certain rotation angles, a permuted version of it is more robust to truncation errors. Numerous approximation examples with different complexities are presented for the 8-point and 16-point DCT. As the complexity increases, more accurate approximation of the floating DCT can be obtained in terms of coding gains, frequency responses, and mean square errors of DCT coefficients. Hence the lifting-based fast transform can be easily tailored to meet the demands of different applications, making it suitable for hardware and software implementations in real-time and mobile computing applications.
Acyl chain conformational ordering in 1,2 dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine. Integration of FT-IR and 2H NMR results

The extent of trans-gauche isomerization at the 4 and 4' positions of the acyl chains of fully hydrated 4,4,4',4'-d4 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine (4-d4 DPPE) bilayers was quantitatively evaluated from the infrared (IR) intensity of the CD2 rocking modes. About 20% gauche conformers were observed at 72 degrees C (above Tm), while at 23 degrees C, well below Tm, about 4% were noted. The order parameter SC-D was determined from 2H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) quadrupolar splittings. SC-D is the product of a segmental order parameter (S gamma), which depends on conformational order, and a chain order parameter (S alpha) which depends on slower motions such as chain wobble. The IR-determined percentage of gauche forms was converted into a segmental order parameter and factored out of the measured value for SC-D to yield an estimate of S alpha = 0.59 for L alpha phase DPPE. A comparison with S alpha for 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) suggests that increased wobble is responsible for enhanced motional averaging of the quadrupolar splittings in the latter at a similar reduced temperature. The extent of conformational disordering [at the 4(4') position] is essentially unchanged between the two molecules. The current study demonstrates the advantage of integrating quantitative IR with 2H NMR data, for elucidation of the contributions of the individual motions that average the NMR quadrupolar splittings.
Benthic Macrofaunal Communities in Partially Impounded Salt Marshes in Delaware: Comparisons with Natural Marshes and Responses to Sediment Exposure

This two-part study examined the benthic macrofaunal community in Delaware salt marsh impoundments having partial tidal restriction. The first part compared abundance, diversity, and taxonomic composition in three habitat types in impoundments—creeks, vegetated creek banks, and ponds—to those found in natural marshes. Impoundment effects were present but were habitat-specific. Abundances were higher in natural marsh creeks than in impoundment creeks, and diversities were higher in impoundment ponds than in natural marsh ponds. Vegetated bank communities in impoundments were about 50% insects and arachnids and 50% oligochaetes, while natural bank communities were primarily oligochaetes and the polychaeteManayunkia aestuarina. This is likely due to the decrease in flooding of the vegetated high marsh caused by partial impoundment. Pond and creek community composition also showed impoundment effects: in comparison with natural marshes, impoundments had higher proportions of the burrowing anemoneNematostella vectensis, nemerteans, andTubificoides sp. oligochaetes and lower proportions of the oligochaeteClitellio arenarius. The second part of the study compared benthic macrofauna in an impoundment before, during, and after the water level was lowered so that some bottom sediments were exposed and some covered with just a few centimeters of water for several weeks. During this event, macrofaunal abundances were reduced and the community shifted from being dominated by annelids, anemones, and nemerteans toward one dominated by annelids and insects. About 6 wk after reflooding, persistent effects of this disturbance were still suggested by greatly increased abundances and 96% dominance by one species of oligochaete,Paranais litoralis. Impoundment management plans calling for periods of sediment exposure or very low water may want to consider the potential for strong and persistent effects on the macrofaunal community.
A Comparison of Cerebral Hemovelocity and Blood Oxygen Saturation Levels during Vigilance Performance

This study compared measures of cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) and blood oxygen saturation (rSO2), during the performance of a 40-min vigilance task. Observers monitored a simulated air-traffic control display for flight path deviations which occurred in a unidirectional or a multidirectional context. CBFV and rSO2 measures were secured from the medial cerebral arteries in the left and right cerebral hemispheres and from the corresponding frontal lobes, respectively. Performance efficiency was greater in the unidirectional than the multidirectional condition and declined over time in both conditions, more so in the multidirectional condition. This pattern of results was paralleled in different ways by the two hemodynamic measures. A result of this sort challenges the assumption of a close tie between cerebral blood flow and oxygen saturation (Siesjo, 1978) and supports recent findings (Mintun et al., 2001) that cerebral blood flow and oxygen levels are not tightly coupled in active brain states.
Interconnected Cavernous Structure of Bacterial Fruiting Bodies

The formation of spore-filled fruiting bodies by myxobacteria is a fascinating case of multicellular self-organization by bacteria. The organization of Myxococcus xanthus into fruiting bodies has long been studied not only as an important example of collective motion of bacteria, but also as a simplified model for developmental morphogenesis. Sporulation within the nascent fruiting body requires signaling between moving cells in order that the rod-shaped self-propelled cells differentiate into spores at the appropriate time. Probing the three-dimensional structure of myxobacteria fruiting bodies has previously presented a challenge due to limitations of different imaging methods. A new technique using Infrared Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) revealed previously unknown details of the internal structure of M. xanthus fruiting bodies consisting of interconnected pockets of relative high and low spore density regions. To make sense of the experimentally observed structure, modeling and computer simulations were used to test a hypothesized mechanism that could produce high-density pockets of spores. The mechanism consists of self-propelled cells aligning with each other and signaling by end-to-end contact to coordinate the process of differentiation resulting in a pattern of clusters observed in the experiment. The integration of novel OCT experimental techniques with computational simulations can provide new insight into the mechanisms that can give rise to the pattern formation seen in other biological systems such as dictyostelids, social amoeba known to form multicellular aggregates observed as slugs under starvation conditions.
Protective immunization in mice against group B streptococci using encapsulated C5a peptidase

Objective The purpose of the study was to test whether C5a peptidase encapsulated within a biodegradable polymer can act as a vaccine and elicit an immune response to prevent group B streptococci (GBS) infection in mice and provide protection to pups. Study Design C5a peptidase was encapsulated in semipermeable microspheres of poly(lactide- co -glycolide). Female ICR mice were immunized with encapsulated C5a peptidase, free C5a peptidase, or empty microparticles. Booster doses were given at days 21 and 42. Antibody responses were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Challenge with GBS type III was performed 4 days after the final booster in the vaginal vault of adult mice and intraperitoneally 48 hours after the birth for pups. Results Encapsulated C5a peptidase elicited a systemic immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody response after intramuscular and intranasal administration. Unencapsulated C5a peptidase elicited a smaller systemic response. In addition to the strong IgG response, a secretory IgA response was observed in the vaginal mucosa after intranasal vaccination. No evidence of GBS colonization was found in vaccinated mice. Eighty-seven percent and 81% of the pups from intramuscularly and intranasally vaccinated dams survived a 90% lethal dose (LD 90 ) GBS challenge vs 9% born to nonvaccinated dams. Conclusion Encapsulated C5a peptidase elicited significant immune responses and protection against GBS challenge. C5a peptidase microsphere encapsulation has potential as a GBS vaccine.
Going in GTP cycles in the nucleolus

Proteins are directed to cellular compartments by specific localization signals. A GTP-driven cycle has now been identified as a mechanism for protein targeting to the nucleolus. The involvement of a GTP switch suggests that nucleolar localization can be regulated and may be responsive to extracellular stimuli via signaling pathways. The uncovered mechanism also implies that localization is determined by increased retention rather than directed targeting.
Divorce Mediation: Research and Implications for Family and Couples Counseling

This article reviews the past 10 years of divorce mediation research. Relevant topics of mediation research such as efficiency, client satisfaction, impact on psychological adjustment, levels of conflict and cooperation and a comparison with the adversarial process are presented. Most studies find favorable results for the mediation process. Implications of the mediation process will be discussed for those who are counseling families and couples.
Multi-frequency Range-Doppler signatures of human gaits

Range-Doppler signatures of human motions are a useful tool for retrieving information on observed activities, but require an understanding of the scattering processes involved to enable interpretation. This paper presents a study of human range-Doppler signatures focusing on the impact of the radar frequency to enable an understanding of any advantages in the use of multiple radar frequencies.
Exercise performance as part of a cardiac evaluation

Abstract A standardized exercise test has been employed in the evaluation of fifty-four subjects with heart disease. The method utilized ten minutes of treadmill walking and allowed measurements of heart rate, ventilation, oxygen consumption, oxygen deficit, respiratory quotient, alveolar gas concentrations and physical fitness index. Prediction formulas for several physiologic parameters were obtained by multiple regression analysis of test results in a group of thirty-five control subjects. The selection of parameters is considered and the test results compared with the New York Heart Association classification of functional capacity. The use of the test in the selection of patients for cardiac surgery is discussed. The test proved of greatest value in the selection of patients for mitral commissurotomy, when it often uncovered clear abnormalities of performance when the remainder of the evaluation left considerable doubt as to the degree of disability. In several cases it eliminated the necessity for right heart catheterization. No untoward reactions were encountered.
Stimulus design for auditory neuroethology using state space modeling and the extended Kalman smoother

A new method for designing vocalization based stimuli for experiments in auditory neurophysiology is described. This analysis-synthesis technique leverages a state space statistical signal model and the extended Kalman smoother for tracking the frequency, amplitude, and phase information of harmonically related components in recorded vocalizations. Using the same state space model, these parameters can then be used to synthesize the vocalizations and random or deterministic variants of the vocalizations. This method is shown to outperform short-time Fourier transform based frequency tracking methods in both noisy and noise-free synthetic test signals. It is further shown to accurately track recorded hummingbird, human, and bat vocalizations while removing recording artifacts such as noise, echo, and digital aliasing in the synthesis phase.
Negative-Polarity Rod-Pinch Diode Experiment at 5 MV on RITS-3

Recent theoretical modeling of rod-pinch (RP) diode behavior has been carried out for diode voltages of up to 10 MV.[1] The theory, consistent with experimental results on Asterix at up to 6 MV [2], predicts that, above 4 MV, X-ray production in the forward direction is more efficient for negative-polarity operation than positive- polarity operation. Here we report on negative-polarity RP diode experiments at 5 MV on RITS-3 [3], an inductive-voltage-adder (IVA) generator with vacuum flowing electrons. Extensive analysis of the electrical and X-ray data combined with numerical simulation suggests that the diode operation is consistent with the modeling.
Inhibitive effect of a resin-modified glass ionomer cement on remote enamel artificial caries.

Glass ionomer cements (GICs) demonstrate the inhibition of caries lesions formed immediately adjacent to the restoration. This in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the distance at which a resin-mo
Neuraminidase activity in brain and liver of rats during development

Abstract 1. 1. A soluble neuraminidase (N-acetylneuraminate glycohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.18) with pH optimum 5.8 and particle-bound neuraminidase with pH optimum 4.4. are present in brain and liver of developing rats. 2. 2.The properties (i.e. pH optima, effect of mono and bivalent cations and substrate specificity) of these two enzymes in both organs are essentially identical to those previously reported for the enzymes present in the cytosol and in the lysosomes, respectively, of mature rat liver. 3. 3. The developmental patterns of the soluble neuraminidases of brain and liver are quite different. Brain has very low levels of enzyme activity during the first week of life, followed by a gradual increase which starts on the second week and levels off toward the end of the third week of postnatal development. The liver enzymes, which is fully activate at birth but very low in fetal liver, exhibits a sharp increase during late prenatal development, 3–4 days prior to birth. 4. 4. The specific activities of the particle-bound neuraminidases of both organs remain at a fairly constant level during the period from 1 week before birth to 1 month of age.
Measurement of Toughness for Sin Films on Silicon Using Channel Cracking Technique

Silicon nitride thin films used for transistor spacer are usually under large tensile residual stresses. When a film is thick enough, it can crack by channel cracking mechanism. The toughness of these films, used in models for failure criteria, can be obtained by determining the critical thickness for channel cracking of blanket films with known residual stresses. However, depositing films of a range of different thickness to determine the critical thickness is tedious, and this process also introduces risks of producing particles in the deposition chamber when the film exceeds the critical thickness. An alternative technique is to deposit films of thickness below critical thickness and then to apply additional tensile stresses to the film by bending the substrate. A critical film stress can be determined for channel cracking from which the film toughness is obtained. This paper describes the experiments performed for a new SiN film and presents the results.
The Formation of Comma Vortices in a Tropical Numerical Simulation Model

Abstract A detailed analysis of a numerically simulated tropical disturbance displays a comma-shaped pattern at the mature stage in the low-level vorticity, surface convergence, mid-level upward motion and precipitation fields. This study reveals that the high wind side of the disturbance is the favorable region for the formation of the tail of the comma pattern. The fl effect retards the development of the comma shape in the case of easterly environmental winds and enhances it in the case of westerlies. Analysis of the vorticity field suggests that the initial shape and intensity of the perturbation can influence the wind pattern of an evolving disturbance. Although some indications of band-like features exist in the wind field for dry experiments with no lower-boundary fluxes, surface fluxes of heat, moisture and momentum are found to be vital ingredients for the formative process of the distinct comma shape of the disturbance.
Tank Culture of Sunshine Bass Fingerlings without Using Rotifers

Abstract A previously reported protocol for culture of larval sunshine bass (female white bass Morone chrysops × male striped bass M. saxatilis) to fingerling size in tanks involved an initial feeding of rotifers for several days before the larvae were weaned to nauplii of brine shrimp Artemia spp. and prepared feed. Maintaining rotifer cultures requires space, time, equipment, supplies, and trained culturists. The rotifer cultures are often unstable, which increases risk of poor sunshine bass fingerling production in tanks. Elimination of the use of rotifers would greatly enhance the feasibility of reliable tank culture of fingerlings and should reduce production cost. This experiment compared three treatments with three replicates per treatment. In one treatment, larvae were initially fed rotifers Brachionus plicatilis and then were weaned to brine shrimp nauplii (0.48 × 0.19 mm). In a second treatment, larvae were fed brine shrimp nauplii throughout the experiment. In a third treatment, larvae were fed...