cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of fatty acid uptake into tissues: lipoprotein lipase- and CD36-mediated pathways

Cells obtain FAs either from LPL-catalyzed hydrolysis of lipoprotein triglyceride or from unesterified FFAs associated with albumin. LPL also influences uptake of esterified lipids such as cholesteryl and retinyl esters that are not hydrolyzed in the plasma. This process might not involve LPL enzymatic activity. LPL is regulated by feeding/fasting, insulin, and exercise. Although a number of molecules may affect cellular uptake of FFAs, the best characterized is CD36. Genetic deletion of this multiligand receptor reduces FFA uptake into skeletal muscle, heart, and adipose tissue, and impairs intestinal chylomicron production and clearance of lipoproteins from the blood. CD36 is regulated by some of the same factors that regulate LPL, including insulin, muscle contraction, and fasting, in part, via ubiquitination. LPL and CD36 actions in various tissues coordinate biodistribution of fat-derived calories.
The Demise of the Two Presidencies

Presidential-congressional relations scholars have long debated whether the president is more successful on foreign policy than on domestic policy (Wildavsky, 1966). The debate has focused on differential success rates between foreign and domestic policy and whether the gap has narrowed over time. This focus, however, neglects an important dimension of Wildavsky's argument. Wildavsky also argued that presidents should dominate Congress in foreign policy. Hence, the thesis predicts high levels of success on foreign policy as well as differences between foreign and domestic policy. Looking at the trends in success on foreign and domestic votes, we observe that whereas the difference between foreign and domestic success rates shows up consistently for minority presidents, the absolute level of support on foreign and defense issues has declined since the second Reagan administration. Analysis of opposition party base behavior reveals that foreign policy voting has become considerably more partisan.
Hallucinations of musical notation

Hallucinations of musical notation may occur in a variety of conditions, including Charles Bonnet syndrome, Parkinson's disease, fever, intoxications, hypnagogic and hypnopompic states. Eight cases are described here, and their possible cerebral mechanisms discussed.
Probing the charge structure of the neutron with a neutron polarimeter

Knowledge of the distribution of electric charge within the neutron is fundamental to understanding both nucleon and nuclear structure. Little is known at the present time because the theoretical description of the deuteron is model dependent. Experiments are planned at the Bates electron accelerator facility and at CEBAF to probe the charge structure of the neutron in a way that should circumvent these large uncertainties by scattering longitudinally-polarized electrons from deuterium quasielastically and measuring the transverse polarization component ps′ of the recoil neutron, which lies in the scattering plane normal to the neutron momentum. This polarization component PS′ is proportional to the electric form factor of the neutron, GEn, in the impulse approximation. Theory indicates that PS′ has almost no dependence on the deuteron model, and that it is insensitive to the influence of final-state interactions, meson-exchange currents, and isobar configurations.
Research as Chemical Education.

The importance of undergraduate research. From the "State-of-the-Art Symposium for Chemical Educators: Chemical Education for the 80's", held at the ACS meeting, St. Louis, 1984.
SU-E-T-398: 3D Dosimetry Verification for Prostate Implant Treatment Plans

Purpose: A 3D dose calculation program (PIDOSE) for prostate implant was developed for comparison to treatment plans from a commercial treatment planning system (Variseed V7.1, Varian Medical System, Palo Alto, CA). Methods: Although a simple dose verification (one source) was done when Variseed was commissioned, we believe more complicated treatment plans should also be verified. These verifications include 3D dose distributions, dose histograms, isodose lines, maximum, median and minimal doses as a second hand check. A file with needle‐source information was exported from the Variseed planning system to PIDOSE. A 3D dose matrix was created using a tri‐exponential fitting function for the seed model (1). All single‐source doses were summed and selected isodose lines were superimposed on the ultrasoundimage slices together with those from Variseed. Dose‐volume histograms for prostate, urethra and partial rectum were calculated and compared. Results: : Although maximum dose, mean dose and standard deviation were slightly different, there were no large deviations from typical isodose lines (< 1 mm), minimum dose (<2%), median dose (<2%) and DVHs. Conclusions: The 3D dose verification as a second hand check confirms the accuracy of dose calculations provided by the Variseed Planning System. The small differences between maximum dose, mean dose and standard deviation are due to the differences in dose calculation resolution, dose volume interpolation, and radial dose fitting functions. The maximum doses from PIDOSE at some calculation points near the seeds were high due to the exponential fitting function.
Hypoxia, excitotoxicity, and neuroprotection in the hippocampal slice preparation

The excitotoxic hypothesis postulates a central role for the excitatory amino acids (EAAs) and their receptors in the neuronal damage that ensues cerebral ischemia-hypoxia and numerous other brain disorders. A major premise of the excitotoxic hypothesis is that neuronal protection can be achieved via blockade of EAA receptors with specific antagonists. This paper describes the use of the rat hippocampal slice preparation in the evaluation of various EAAs and their analogues for their potency as excitotoxins (agonists) and antagonists of the NMDA and the kainate/AMPA glutamate receptor subtypes. The hypersensitivity of hypoxic hippocampal slices to the presence of excitotoxins provided us with an inexpensive, sensitive tool to distinguish between structurally similar compounds. Moreover, these studies indicate that hypoxic neuronal damage cannot solely result from an excitotoxic mechanism; the involvement of voltage-dependent calcium channels in such damage is likely, as is evident from experiments performed in calcium-depleted medium and with the non-competive NMDA antagonist MK-801. At sub-toxic doses, quinolinate, a tryptophan metabolite implicated in Huntington's disease, appears to be a strong potentiator of the toxicity of all excitotoxins tested.
Evidence for differences in the mechanism of cell cycle arrest between senescent and serum-deprived human fibroblasts: Heterokaryon and metabolic inhibitor studies

It has previously been shown that serum-deprived, early passage quiescent human diploid fibroblastlike (HDFL) cells are able to inhibit cycling cells from entry into DNA synthesis upon cell fusion. We have found that the degree of inhibition of DNA synthesis in the heterokaryon correlates with the duration of serum deprivation, which is consistent with the suggestion that serum-deprived cells may enter progressively deeper stages of G0 as they increase their time in quiescence. In contrast to fusions with senescent cells, in heterokaryons between serum-deprived early passage and cycling young cells transient inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide or inhibition of RNA synthesis with 5-6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl benzimidazole (DRB) did not stimulate nuclear [3H]-thymidine incorporation. These results suggest that differences may exist in the mechanisms responsible for inhibiting cell cycle progression in senescent vs early passage quiescent HDFL cells.
Diagnostic computer program for FT-IR spectrometry

Diagnostic computer programs permit the evaluation of FTIR spectrometer thermal, spectral, and interferogram stability. Raw interferogram data is required under four conditions: (1) equal time increments, (2) error code detection, (3) interferogram center burst threshold change, and (4) user request. Collection of raw interferogram data furnishes a robust means of detection and identification of various instabilities, which occur in passive FTIR spectrometers.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Abstract LB-342: Macrophage-secreted cytokines drive acinar-to-ductal metaplasia of the pancreas.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC In response to inflammation, pancreatic acinar cells can undergo acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), a reprogramming event that induces transdifferentiation to a duct-like phenotype and in the context of additional oncogenic stimulation, contributes to development of pancreatic cancer. The signalling mechanisms underlying pancreatitis-inducing ADM are largely undefined. Our results provide evidence that macrophages infiltrating the pancreas drive this transdifferentiation process. We identify the macrophage-secreted inflammatory cytokines RANTES and TNFα as mediators of such signaling. Both RANTES and TNFα induce ADM through activation of nuclear factor κ-B and its target genes involved in regulating survival, proliferation and degradation of extracellular matrix. In particular we identify matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) as targets that drive ADM, and provide in vivo data suggesting that MMP inhibitors may be efficiently applied to block pancreatitis-induced ADM in therapy. Citation Format: Geou-yarh Liou, Heike Doeppler, Peter Storz. Macrophage-secreted cytokines drive acinar-to-ductal metaplasia of the pancreas. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-342. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-LB-342
Differential processing of the two subunits of human choriogonadotropin by granulosa cells. II. In vivo studies

Using a well characterized preparation of hCG, consisting of a mixture of hCG labeled in the alpha-subunit with 125I and hCG labeled in the beta-subunit with 131I (see preceding paper), the hormone-specific preferential retention by granulosa cells in vivo of the radiolabel originally associated with the beta-subunit of hCG has been confirmed and extended. Additional studies have shown that this retention is peculiar to the granulosa cells. Luteal and interstitial/thecal elements of the ovary failed to show preferential accumulation of the label originally associated with the beta-subunit. Measurement of both radioactivities in crude subfractions of the ovarian tissues revealed that granulosa cells retain the excess of beta-subunit label in a plasma membrane/vesicular component. No such preferential retention of label was seen in any of the subfractions obtained from luteal or interstitial/thecal tissues. The radiolabeled components associated with the granulosa cells were shown to be mainly macromolecular by their precipitability with 13% trichloroacetic acid. Luteal tissue degraded the components associated with each label more rapidly than granulosa cells. In contrast, interstitial/thecal tissue degraded very little of the bound labeled components. The differential processing of individual hCG subunits by granulosa cells was shown not to result from different kinetics of binding of serum-borne hormone by two methods. Thus, changes over time in the ability of circulating hormone to bind to LH receptor in vitro were shown not to be a function of the hCG subunit having the label. Moreover, blockade of further radiolabel uptake by injection of a large excess of unlabeled hCG 30 min after radiolabel administration did not alter the rise in the ratio of beta-subunit label to alpha-subunit label normally observed in granulosa cells. The ability of kidney tissue to accumulate and metabolize hCG also varied with the physiological state. Within the limitations of following the radioiodides added to proteins rather than the peptides themselves, these studies demonstrate that differences exist in the metabolism of hCG by the various target cells of the ovary and that changes in processing occur during luteinization.
An improved gas chromatographic method for the measurement of hydroxylamine in marine and fresh waters

Abstract We present here an improved method for the analysis of hydroxylamine at nanomolar levels, which involves oxidation by Fe(III) and the subsequent measurement of nitrous oxide by electron-capture gas chromatography. The relationship between the pH and salinity of natural waters and the conversion of hydroxylamine to nitrous oxide by Fe(III) is defined, the rates of the reaction are evaluated, and the effects of dissolved O 2 , Cu(II), and Hg(II) on the reaction are investigated. The method is linear to more than 300 nM and the standard deviation for a single measurement is 1 nM in the 0–40 nM range, thus exceeding the sensitivity of the spectrophotometric methods by almost an order of magnitude. This method eliminates the effects of pH and salinity that have burdened an earlier gas chromatographic approach, making possible the investigation of this labile substance not only in seawater, but in fresh and brackish waters as well.
Transport properties across high-angle bicrystals of melt-textured YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 6+x/

The transport properties of eight individual bicrystals in melt-textured YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 6+x/ were investigated in low and high fields at 4 K and 77 K. Bicrystals were cut from samples produced by the melt texture process with 10% and 20% added Y/sub 2/BaCuO/sub 5/. Misorientations between the crystals were determined by pole figure analysis, backscatter channeling patterns and light microscopy. The bicrystals exhibited a wide range of misorientations in both the ab planes and c-axis direction and all boundaries were high angle. Contrary to many reported expectations for melt-textured materials, all of the grain boundaries were weakly coupled. However, the strength of the coupling varied with misorientation angle and a weaker field dependence of J/sub c/ was observed in the samples with lower misorientation angle and lower grain boundary resistivity. >
Ultrastructure of primary sporidia of a wheat-bunt fungus,Tilletia caries, during ontogeny and mating

Primary sporidia ofTilletia caries (DC.) Tul. are borne on denticles at the tips of promycelia. The promycelia contain many small vacuoles and mitochondria and numerous lipid bodies. As the primary sporidia develop, the promycelial cytoplasm passes into the nascent cells. Septa develop between the bases of mature sporidia and the tips of the denticles. Sporidia that abscise from the denticles commonly have prominent birth scars at their bases. The sporidia have very thin walls, few vacuoles, attenuated mitochondria, and numerous lipid bodies. Conjugation pegs are generally produced by both members of a conjugating pair of sporidia and there are bud scars where they emerge from the sporidia. The sporidial walls are apparently hydrolyzed during emergence of the pegs. Vesicles are sometimes present at the tips of the conjugation pegs and, before fusion, electron-dense accumulations are sometimes observed between the tips of adjacent pegs. The approaching conjugation pegs are precisely aligned prior to fusion, suggesting polar communication. The walls of the conjugation pegs fuse and then are hydrolyzed. Fused sporidia are relatively homogeneous in content. The nucleus in a sporidum is often close to the conjugation tube and occasionally is partly within the fusion tube.
Collisionless collapse of stellar systems: Analytical vision

The present paper surveys some results on the collisionless system evolution that were obtained by the Gravitating System Dynamics Laboratory team from the Fessenkov Astrophysical Institute.
Enabling cargo-carrying bacteria via surface attachment and triggered release.

The use of microorganisms to ferry cargo, previously described as microoxen by Weibel et al., [ 1 ] provides an attractive route to propel and guide microstructures. In principle, a multitude of microorganisms could be utilized to enable motility and guidance in response to specifi c stimuli. Amongst these microorganisms, bacteria are small (micrometer sized) and especially relevant for ferrying microand nanoscale cargo. In addition, bacteria are motile and capable of exhibiting different types of motion, such as run-and-tumble, swarming, gliding, and twitching. [ 2–5 ] These modes play an important role in guiding the response of bacteria to external stimuli— in phenomena such as chemotaxis, phototaxis, and magnetotaxis. [ 6–8 ] There has been considerable interest in harnessing the motion of bacteria in the creation of biological motors or bioactuators on account of their small sizes, ability to respond to environmental cues, ability to convert chemical energy to motion (obviating the need for an external power supply), and higher swimming speed as compared to several microscopic artifi cially engineered devices. [ 1 , 9 ] These advantages have recently been realized and there has been growing interest in utilizing the motion of intact microorganisms in propulsion. [ 1 , 7 , 10–13 ] However, previous use of bacterial propulsion has focused mainly on the utilization of large numbers of bacteria to propel 10–100μ m-scale cargo. It is noteworthy that in these studies, conjugation of bacteria to cargo was effected by blotting. [ 14 ]
Compiling Esterel into Static Discrete-Event Code

Executing concurrent specifications on sequential hardware is important for both simulation of systems that are eventually implemented on concurrent hardware and for those most conveniently described as a set of concurrent processes. As with most forms of simulation, this is easy to do correctly but difficult to do efficiently. Solutions such as preemptive operating systems and discrete-event simulators present significant overhead. In this paper, we present a technique for compiling the concurrent language Esterel into very efficient C code. Our technique minimizes runtime overhead by making most scheduling decisions at compile time and using a very simple linked-list-based event queue at runtime. While these techniques work particularly well for Esterel with its high-level concurrent semantics, the same technique could also be applied to efficiently execute other concurrent specifications.
Maxicircle genomic organization and editing of an ATPase subunit 6 RNA in Trypanosoma cruzi.

Abstract The DNA sequence of a 5736-nucleotide (nt) Trypanosoma cruzi maxicircle fragment was determined. Sequence comparisons indicate that its 5′ terminus is the homologue of the downstream portion of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 7 gene and that its 3′ region is homologous to the maxicircle unidentified reading frame II gene. The region between these two gene segments contains six additional genes that encode mitochondrial proteins, including ATPase subunit 6 (A6). Comparison of the A6 maxicircle DNA sequence with that of an A6 cDNA indicates that the A6 RNA is extensively edited throughout its length. A 49-nt sequence that could serve as template for transcription of a guide RNA for editing a segment of the A6 RNA was found in one of 24 minicircle variable regions sequenced. Moreover, the presence of an RNA having this sequence was demonstrated in an RNAse protection assay. This is the first identification of a guide RNA template in a T. cruzi minicircle. Taken together, our findings suggest that T. cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei brucei are phylogenetically closer to each other than they are to Leishmania tarentolae, despite the relative similarity of the life cycles of the latter and T. cruzi.
Sterile ascites from a ventriculoperitoneal shunt : a case report and review of the literature

Background Symptomatic, sterile cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ascites is a rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery. To date, reports in the literature have linked this unusual circumstance to various intra-abdominal, CNS, or nonspecific inflammatory causes.
Theory of transition times: Catalysis at rotating disk electrodes

Abstract An exact solution to the problem of convective diffusion to a rotating disk electrode in the limit of high Schmidt numbers, with a prescribed initial profile and current step conditions at the surface is presented. Based on this solution a current density—transition time relationship is established which, in the limit, reduces to a previously proposed expression that accounts for experiemntally observed deviations from the Sand equation. Applications of this theory in connection with the determination of rate parameters for electroactive species undergoing a catalytic reaction at the electrode surface are discussed.
Two weeks of metformin improves clomiphene citrate-induced ovulation and metabolic profiles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective To determine if short courses of metformin (MET) administration in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) would reduce fasting insulin and improve the efficacy of clomiphene citrate (CC) to induce ovulation. Design A randomized prospective trial involving 31 subjects with PCOS and infertility. Setting University-based medical center. Patient(s) Obese patients (body mass index > 29 kg/m 2 ) with PCOS. Intervention(s) Patients with PCOS were treated either with CC or CC+MET for 2 weeks. Main Outcome Measure(s) Ovulation as determined by serum P, serum insulin, and total and free T. Result(s) In the CC/MET group, a significant increase in sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) levels, a decrease in fasting insulin, and an increase in fasting glucose/fasting insulin was detected on day 21 of the cycle. Of these parameters, only SHBG levels increased significantly in the CC group. In the CC/MET group, a significant increase in day 21 progesterone occurred, with 44% of subjects ovulating in the CC+MET group as compared with 6.7% in the CC group. Five subjects in the CC+MET group and none in the CC group conceived. Total and free testosterone levels did not change significantly for either group. Conclusion(s) In obese PCOS patients, 2 weeks of MET significantly reduces serum insulin and insulin resistance and increases SHBG levels, resulting in an improved response to CC. This regimen may be beneficial in noncompliant patients or those with intolerance to the side effects of MET.
Durability of Cu–Al coating on Ti–6Al–4V substrate under fretting fatigue

Abstract The durability and degradation mechanisms of Cu–Al coating on Ti–6Al–4V substrate under fretting fatigue condition were examined. Fretting fatigue tests were conducted at several applied stress amplitudes with a constant normal contact load. Surface profile measurements on the contact zone showed a gradual coating wear with increasing fretting fatigue cycles at the low applied stress amplitudes, and the coating survived up to one million cycles. At the high applied stress amplitudes either the coating was separated from the substrate due to insufficient interfacial strength or the specimen fractured at locations away from the contact area. The static coefficient of friction (COF) was lower on the coated substrate than that on the un-coated substrate before the application of fretting fatigue loads. After the exposure to fretting fatigue cycles, the static COFs of the coated and the un-coated substrates were almost equal. The surface of the coated substrate thus became relatively rougher with cycling than that of the un-coated substrate from fretting action. Similar behavior was observed from the evolution of tangential force with cycling. The fretting loops between the tangential force and relative slip amplitude of the coated and un-coated substrates were similar, i.e. shapes were almost identical except for the difference in the magnitude of tangential force.
MINIATURIZATION OF THREE CARBOHYDRATE ANALYSES USING A MICROSAMPLE PLATE READER

Three carbohydrate analyses (reducing value by copper-bicinchoninate, total carbohydrate by phenol-sulfuric acid, and D-glucose by glucose oxidase) have been miniaturized using a microsample plate reader. The use of the reducing-value procedure to measure the hydrolysis of starch by alpha-amylase and the use of the glucose oxidase method to measure the hydrolysis of lactose by lactase are illustrated.
The Effects of Mexico’s Seguro Popular Health Insurance on Infant Mortality: An Estimation with Selection on the Outcome Variable

Summary This paper estimates the effects of Mexico’s Seguro Popular health insurance on infant mortality during its first 5 years of implementation. It uses data on births reported in the micro sample from Mexico’s 2010 general population census. However, births of surviving children are more likely to be observed than births of non-surviving ones. This selection on the outcome variable is addressed using the weighted exogenous sampling maximum likelihood (WESML) estimator, originally developed for the case of choice-based samples. The results indicate that the program can be expected to reduce Mexico’s infant mortality by close to 5 out of 1,000 births.
Mapping the transition state for ATP hydrolysis: implications for enzymatic catalysis

Abstract Background: Phosphoryl transfer, typically involving high energy phosphate donors such as ATP, is the most common class of biological reactions. Despite this, the transition state for phosphoryl transfer from ATP in solution has not been systematically investigated. Characterization of the transition state for the uncatalyzed hydrolysis of ATP would provide a starting point for dissection of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. Results: We examined phosphoryl transfer from ATP GTP and pyrophosphate to a series of alcohols; these reactions are analogous to the phosphorylation of sugars and other biological alcohols and to the hydrolysis of ATP. The Bronsted β nucleophile value of 0.07 is small, indicating that there is little bond formation between the incoming nucleophile and the electrophilic phosphoryl group in the transition state. Coordination of Mg 2+ has no measurable effect on this value. The Bronsted β leaving group group value of −1.1 for phosphoryl transfer to water from a series of phosphoanhydrides is large and negative, suggesting that the bond between phosphorous and the leaving group oxygen is largely broken in the transition state. Conclusions: Uncatalyzed hydrolysis of ATP in solution occurs via a dissociative, inetaphosphate-like transition state, with little bond formation between nucleophile and ATP and substantial cleavage of the bond between the γ-phosphoryl moiety and the ADP leaving group. Bound Mg 2+ does not perturb the dissociative nature of the transition state, contrary to proposals that enzyme-bound metal ions alter this structure. The simplest expectation for phosphoryl transfer at the active site of enzymes thus entails a dissociative transition state. These results provide a basis for analyzing catalytic mechanisms for phosphoryl transfer.
Interdiffusion of Short Chain Oligomers into an Entangled Polymer Film

The crossover from a simple liquid to an unentangled oligomer diffusing into liquid and glassy entangled polymer matrices is studied by molecular dynamics simulations. The oligomer film is described by a bead−spring model of chain length No = 10 and 50 while the polymer matrix consist of chains of length Np = 500. Results are compared to interdiffusion into an unentangled polymer matrix of chain length Np = 50. Diffusion of the oligomer into the polymer is observed in all cases as evidenced by t1/2 scaling of both the mass uptake of the oligomer by the polymer and oligomer density profiles on the polymer-rich side of the interface as a function of time t. On the oligomer-rich side, the scaling exponent is less than 1/2 due to the swelling of the polymer film and depends on the chain length of both the oligomer and polymer. Oligomer diffusivities into the entangled polymer matrix are highly concentration dependent, in contrast to a nearly constant diffusivity for penetration into the unentangled polymer. T...
Measurements of charged colloidal bulk moduli using optical bottles

We report a novel method, the optical bottle that was used to directly measure the osmotic bulk modulus for a colloid suspension. We determined the bulk modulus by optically trapping multiple nanoparticles and considered a mechanical balance between the compressive laser gradient force pressure and the resulting resistive osmotic pressure. Osmotic bulk moduli results measured with the optical bottle are presented for aqueous suspensions of latex particles as a function of solution ionic strength; and are compared to results from identical samples measured using turbidity spectra.
A Practical Application of Simulated Annealing to Clustering

Abstract We formalize clustering as a partitioning problem with a user-defined internal clustering criterion and present SINICC, an unbiased, empirical method for comparing internal clustering criteria. An application to multi-sensor fusion is described, where the data set is composed of inexact sensor “reports” pertaining to “objects” in an environment. Given these reports, the objective is to produce a representation of the environment, where each entity in the representation is the result of “fusing” sensor reports. Before one can perform fusion, however, the reports must be “associated” into homogeneous clusters. Simulated annealing is used to find a near-optimal partitioning with respect to each of several clustering criteria for a variety of simulated data sets. This method can then be used to determine the “best” clustering criterion for the multi-sensor fusion problem with a given fusion operator.
MAXIMUM ATTAINABLE MTF FOR ROTATIONALLY SYMMETRIC LENS SYSTEMS

Most optical systems have rotational symmetry. For such systems, we establish a method of finding (a) the maximum attainable modulation transfer function (MTF) at arbitrary frequency ω0; and (b) the required pupil function U(ω0; ρ). Physically, the latter are absorbing films in the pupil of diffraction-limited optics. The method of solution is numerical and iterative, based upon the Newton–Raphson algorithm. Solutions (a) and (b) are established at frequencies ω0 = 0.1, 0.2, ⋯, 0.9 (× optical cutoff). The computed (a) are correct to ±0.0001 over all ω0 indicated. Quantities (b) have an average error over each pupil of ±0.002 for frequencies ω0 ≤ 0.5. With 0.6 ≤ ω0 ≤ 0.9, the error is ±0.01. The curve of maximum MTF(ω0) seems sufficiently smooth to allow for accurate interpolation. Solutions (a) and (b) were also found over the finer subdivision ω0 = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, ⋯, 0.8 with slightly less accuracy than above, in order to allow for interpolation of pupils U(ω0; ρ) over values ω0. This seems possible for 0.05 ≤ ω0 ≤ 0.40. The maximum MTF(ω0) shows appreciable gain (e.g., 8% at ω0 = 0.2) over the MTF for uncoated, diffraction-limited optics at all ω0 except in the intermediate region 0.4 ≤ ω0 ≤ 0.6. However, in the high-frequency band 0.5 ≤ ω0 ≤ 1.0, the maximum MTF(ω0) shows little gain over the MTF due to an uncoated, diffraction-limited pupil with the proper central obstruction. The light loss due to each U(ω0; ρ) may be measured by the total energy transmittance and the Strehl flux ratio. These are plotted against ω0, and indicate moderate light loss.
Processing of indexical information requires time: Evidence from change deafness

Studies of change detection have increased our understanding of attention, perception, and memory. In two innovative experiments we showed that the change detection phenomenon can be used to examine other areas of cognition—specifically, the processing of linguistic and indexical information in spoken words. One hypothesis suggests that cognitive resources must be used to process indexical information, whereas an alternative suggests that it is processed more slowly than linguistic information. Participants performed a lexical decision task and were asked whether the voice presenting the stimuli changed. Nonwords varying in their likeness to real words were used in the lexical decision task to encourage participants to vary the amount of cognitive resources/processing time. More cognitive resources/processing time are required to make a lexical decision with word-like nonwords. Participants who heard word-like nonwords were more likely to detect the change when it occurred (Experiment 1) and were more confident that the voice was the same when it did not change (Experiment 2). These results suggest that indexical information is processed more slowly than linguistic information and demonstrate how change detection can provide insight to other areas of cognition.
Quantification of hemoglobin saturation on tissue phantom using phase-modulation spectroscopy

ABSTRACT In this article, we analytically present the influence of the systematic error due to the theoretical assumptions on the blood oxygenation determination using a 'Phase-only' dual-wavelength phase-modulation spectroscopy (PMS). To approach an accurate quantification of hemoglobin saturation, an empirical method to experimentally acquire the initial phase-shift value (O') in oxygenation quantification from PMS data is investigated on blood-perfused phantom. Our results show that thequantification error of blood oxygenation determination can be substantially compensated by using theacquired Oo method and is confirmed to be less than 10% by comparison with the measured results ofthe Pt electrode.I. INTRODUCTIONBlood oxygenation is a very important clinical parameter which can be used to assess the vital state oforgans and physiological condition of patients. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has the great potentialof quantitatively measuring hemoglobin concentration and saturation in tissues based on the fact of asubstantial absorption difference of light in NIR region between oxy- and deoxy-haemoglobin. Recently,three NIR techniques, i.e., steady-state, time-domain and frequency-domain techniques have beenimplemented for non-invasive monitoring of blood oxygenation in vivo[1-3]. Despite the fact that thesteady-state method, e.g., the pulse oximetry is technically simple and has been developed into a clinicalinstrument, some criticisms about the basic assumption of a constant pathlength of the light propagationin tissue have been raised. This results in a poor accuracy in the low oxygen saturation range specifiedfor 502 value below 70%[4].In principle, the time-resolved method can separate absorption from tissue scattering. Time-resolvedspectroscopy has recently been developed into the novel tissue oximeters operating in both time- andfrequency-domains. In other words, these instruments can measure the absorption coefficient (i-ta)
Association between cardiac tumors and tuberous sclerosis in the fetus and neonate

A retrospective review was performed in 94 patients with ≥1 cardiac tumors seen on prenatal or neonatal echocardiography at 5 major referral centers. Tuberous sclerosis was present in 68 patients diagnosed with a cardac tumor in utero or during the neonatal period, including 61 of 64 with multiple tumors.
Carbohydrate fed state alters the metabolomic response to hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation in liver

Hemorrhagic shock with injury results in alterations of the metabolic state of an organism, which contribute to organ dysfunction and death. Previous investigations have explored the effects of carbohydrate prefeed in murine models but few in clinically relevant large animal models. We performed carbohydrate prefeed in pigs undergoing simulated polytrauma and hemorrhagic shock with resuscitation to determine if carbohydrate prefeeding if the metabolic response to shock is dependent on fed state. Sixty-four Yorkshire pigs were divided into two experimental groups: fasted (32) and prefed (32). Experimental animals were subjected to a standardized hemorrhagic shock protocol, including pulmonary contusion and liver crush injury. To determine molecular alterations in response to trauma as a result of prefeeding, liver biopsies were obtained at set timepoints throughout the procedure. Fifty-one metabolites were profiled for each sample via proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). Partial-Least Squared Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) was used to examine clustering of the data with respect to fed state. Cross-validated models separated the fed from fasted animals. Metabolites contributing to the separation have known relationships to alternate carbon energy sources, amino acid metabolism, oxidative stress response, and membrane maintenance. In conclusion, metabolomic techniques allowed identification of an alternate response to shock and resuscitation, dependent upon fed state, through the use of metabolomics.
Factor Structure of Decisional Balance and Temptations Scales for Smoking: Cross-Validation in Urban Female African-American Adolescents

Background The transtheoretical model is an influential theoretical model in health psychology, particularly in its application to smoking cessation research. Decisional Balance (DB) and Temptations are key constructs within this framework.
An Energy Multi-path AODV routing protocol in ad hoc mobile networks

In this paper we present a full performance analysis of an energy conserving routing protocol in mobile ad hoc network, named EM-AODV (Energy Multi-path Ad-hoc On-demand Distance Vector routing). EM-AODV is a reactive routing protocol which combines two mechanisms used in the basic AODV protocol. AODV and most of the on demand ad hoc routing protocols use single route reply along reverse path. Rapid change of topology causes that the route reply could not arrive to the source node, i.e. after a source node sends several route request messages, the node obtains a reply message, and this increases in power consumption. To avoid these problems, we propose a mechanism which tries multiple route replies. The second mechanism proposes a new adaptive approach which seeks to incorporate the metric "residual energy " in the process route selection, Indeed the residual energy of mobile nodes were considered when making routing decisions. The results of simulation show that protocol EM-AODV answers better energy conservation
Nerve Impulses from Single Receptors in the Eye of Limulus

One of us1 has reported “small but definite electrical changes” in the optic nerve of Limulus polyphemus when the eye is exposed to light. The present communication continues this study with improv...
E2F4 regulatory program predicts patient survival prognosis in breast cancer.

Genetic and molecular signatures have been incorporated into cancer prognosis prediction and treatment decisions with good success over the past decade. Clinically, these signatures are usually used in early-stage cancers to evaluate whether they require adjuvant therapy following surgical resection. A molecular signature that is prognostic across more clinical contexts would be a useful addition to current signatures. We defined a signature for the ubiquitous tissue factor, E2F4, based on its shared target genes in multiple tissues. These target genes were identified by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) experiments using a probabilistic method. We then computationally calculated the regulatory activity score (RAS) of E2F4 in cancer tissues, and examined how E2F4 RAS correlates with patient survival. Genes in our E2F4 signature were 21-fold more likely to be correlated with breast cancer patient survival time compared to randomly selected genes. Using eight independent breast cancer datasets containing over 1,900 unique samples, we stratified patients into low and high E2F4 RAS groups. E2F4 activity stratification was highly predictive of patient outcome, and our results remained robust even when controlling for many factors including patient age, tumor size, grade, estrogen receptor (ER) status, lymph node (LN) status, whether the patient received adjuvant therapy, and the patient’s other prognostic indices such as Adjuvant! and the Nottingham Prognostic Index scores. Furthermore, the fractions of samples with positive E2F4 RAS vary in different intrinsic breast cancer subtypes, consistent with the different survival profiles of these subtypes. We defined a prognostic signature, the E2F4 regulatory activity score, and showed it to be significantly predictive of patient outcome in breast cancer regardless of treatment status and the states of many other clinicopathological variables. It can be used in conjunction with other breast cancer classification methods such as Oncotype DX to improve clinical outcome prediction.
Structure and axis curvature in two dA6·dT6 DNA oligonucleotides: Comparison of molecular dynamics simulations with results from crystallography and NMR spectroscopy

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been performed on the A6 containing DNA dodecamers d(GGCAAAAAACGG) solved by NMR and d(CGCAAAAAAGCG) solved by crystallography. The experimental structures differ in the direction of axis bending and in other small but important aspects relevant to the DNA curvature problem. Five nanosecond MD simulations of each sequence have been performed, beginning with both the NMR and crystal forms as well as canonical B-form DNA. The results show that all simulations converge to a common form in close proximity to the observed NMR structure, indicating that the structure obtained in the crystal is likely a strained form due to packing effects. A-tracts in the MD model are essentially straight. The origin of axis curvature is found at pyrimidine-purine steps in the flanking sequences.
Paired-Ion Liquid Chromatographic Method for the Analysis of a Phenanthrenemethanol Antimalarial in Whole Blood

A sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay was developed for the determination of the candidate antimalarial (±)-(1, 3-dichloro-6-trifluoromethyl-9-phenanthryl)-3-di-(n-butyl)aminopropanol hydrochloride in whole blood. A reversed-phase, paired-ion (lauryl sulfate) system achieved separation of the antimalarial and internal standard from interfering constitutents with a sensitivity limit of 10 ng/mL by UV detection (254 nm). Cnromatographic variables (counterion concentration, pH, and column temperature) were examined to determine their effect on assay characteristics (retention, efficiency, and relative response) in clinical analysis. The antimalarial was isolated from 2.0 mL of whole blood using overnight extraction with 30% ethyl acetate in hexane followed by an acid/base partition sequence to remove major interferences. Overall recovery for the antimalarial was 84% with a CV of 5.0%, and the recovery of the internal standard was 81% (CV = 3.6%). The assay was validated by analysis of both intra- and interlaboratory samples. The assay was applied to the analysis of whole blood samples taken from a 30-year-old healthy human male who had received a single 14.1-mg/kg oral dose. The stability of the antimalarial in whole blood for up to 4 months and in sample extracts for up to 34 d at −17°C was also demonstrated.
Progress in the prevention of cancer.

Abstract Most cancers appear to arise through the action of environmental factors, especially those to which we are exposed as a result of our diet, occupation, or lifestyle. Only a few factors, including radiation, tobacco, and certain chemicals, have been identified precisely. To the extent that causal factors can be identified and controlled, the cancers they would otherwise induce may be considered preventable. Epidemiological studies of cancer incidence in human populations have suggested that up to 90% of all cancers are attributable to environmental causes. The results of these studies are supported by research on the mechanisms of carcinogenesis in laboratory animals and cellular model systems. The observations in both the human and animal studies strongly suggest that there is no “safe” level of any carcinogen. The strategy for prevention calls for a multipronged approach, including epidemiological studies to identify high-risk populations and risk factors, bioassays to detect carcinogens in the environment, research on the causes and mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and education of health professionals, the public, and lawmakers so that policies can be instituted to minimize the risks. In addition, efforts should be made to identify disorders that increase susceptibility to cancer.
Patient perception of treatment burden is high in celiac disease compared with other common conditions.

Patient Perception of Treatment Burden Is High in Celiac Disease Compared With Other Common Conditions
Studies on the mucopolysaccharides of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus)

Abstract 1. 1. Procedures for the extraction of mucopolysaccharides from the midgut of the wax moth are presented. 2. 2. Chromatography of this extract on the anion exchanger, ECTEOLA cellulose, showed the presence of a single component, having a elution pattern similar to that of mammalian hyaluronic acid. 3. 3. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the insect mucopolysaccharide served to establish its identity with hyaluronic acid.
Reliance on High Technology Among SeniorMedical Students

To gain a better understanding of senior medical students who perceive high-technology medicine as the desirable form of medical practice, we developed and evaluated a structural equation model. Intolerance to clinical uncertainty, Machiavellianism, and authoritarianism characterized students who scored higher on reliance on high-technology medicine. High scorers also tended to have a negative orientation toward patients' psychological problems and were unlikely to choose careers in primary care medicine. Students who perceive high technology as a panacea in clinical medicine share personal traits and attitudes toward patients that are not conducive to achieving the national goal of a 50:50 ratio between primary and non-primary care physicians.
An integrated circuit for stepwise or continuous microdrive advancement

A circuit for inexpensive automation of a hydraulic microdrive is described. The circuit uses two integrated timing circuits with output periods defined by resistance-capacitance circuits. The output of this circuit operates a relay that controls a small electric motor that runs the microdrive. This system can operate in either a continuous mode for long-term infusion of solutions or in a stepwise fashion for lowering electrodes. When attached to an appropriate microdrive, the circuit can be employed in experiments in which brain-behavior relationships are investigated within anatomical, pharmacological, or electrophysiological paradigms.
Partial Purification of a Vasoactive Protein in Guinea Pig Skin

A permeability factor extracted from guinea pig skin was partially purified by Sephadex G-50, hydroxylapatite and CM-Sephadex C-50; and its properties were studied. The factor is a heat labile protein (m.w. ca. 31,000) which gave a prolonged increase in vascular permeability after intradermal injection and its activity was slightly inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor (24%) and diisopropyl fluorophosphate (10%) but not by Trasylol. A heat inactivation study indicated that the increase in permeability was not due to a proteinase which was present in vasoactive fractions from CM-Sephadex C-50 eluate. Separation of the permeability factor from any esterolytic activity (α-n-Benzoyl-L-Arginine Ethyl Ester as substrate) was achieved. All available evidence indicated that the permeability factor was different from previously described endogenous vasoactive substances.