cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular investigation of the interactions of trehalose with lipid bilayers of DPPC, DPPE and their mixture

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study structural and dynamic properties of fully hydrated pure and mixed bilayers of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPPE) in the presence of trehalose (5 wt%). Simulations were performed for 50 ns at 350 K and 1 bar in the liquid-crystalline state of the lipid bilayers. At the concentration considered, the effect of trehalose on pure and mixed DPPC/DPPE structure are minimal, with the area per headgroup and lipid tail order parameter unchanged compared to systems without trehalose. Density profiles indicate a larger concentration of trehalose near the interface, suggesting preferential binding of trehalose with the bilayer. Hydrogen bond analysis between trehalose and the bilayers shows that the largest number of interactions occurs with DPPC lipids, whereas the fewest interactions occur in a mixed 1:1 DPPC/DPPE bilayer. The latter is a result of the inter and intramolecular binding o...
In vivo and in vitro iron deficiency reduces protein kinase C activity and translocation in murine splenic and purified T cells

We investigated the effects of iron deficiency anemia, iron repletion, and iron chelation by deferoxamine on protein kinase C (PKC) activity, an enzyme that plays a crucial role on T lymphocyte proliferation. The study involved 23 control (C), 18 pairfed (PF), and 24 iron deficient (ID) mice or ID mice that were repleted for 3 (n = 14), 7 (n = 17), or 14 (n = 14) days. The low iron (0.09 mmol iron/kg) and iron-supplemented (0.9 mmol iron/kg) diets were fed to mice for 53 days. Mean hemoglobin, hematocrit, and liver iron stores of ID mice were one third of those of C mice. Lymphocyte proliferation was reduced (P < 0.05) in spleen and purified T cells in ID but not PF mice. In concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and anti-CD3 antibody-treated and untreated cells that were incubated in serum-free and serum-containing medium, PKC activity was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in ID but not PF mice and returned to normal before correction of anemia. In mitogen-treated cells, while the ratios of membrane-bound to cytosol activity increased nearly seven-fold (from 0.4-0.63 in resting cells to 1.43-7.23) in spleen cells from C, PF, and repleted mice and 11-fold in T cells (P < 0.005), they remained below 1 in ID mice suggesting reduced translocation. In vitro iron chelation by deferoxamine for 120 min prior to cell activation reduced (P < 0.05) PKC activity by 46-60% in C and PF and 28-53% in ID mice. The data suggest that: 1) it is iron-deficiency but not anemia or differences in the proportion of immunocompetent T cells that reduced PKC activity in cells from ID mice; 2) reduced PKC translocation may play an important role on altered lymphocyte proliferation and associated functions in iron-deficient individuals.
Coexpression of embryonic, fetal, and adult globins in erythroid cells of human embryos: Relevance to the cell-lineage models of globin switching

The cellular control of the switch from embryonic to fetal globin formation in man was investigated with studies of globin expression in erythroid cells of 35- to 56-day-old embryos. Analyses of globins synthesized in vivo and in cultures of erythroid progenitors (burst-forming units, BFUe) showed that cells of the yolk sac (primitive) erythropoiesis, in addition to embryonic chains, produced fetal and adult globins and that cells of the definitive (liver) erythropoiesis, in addition to fetal and adult globins, produce embryonic globins. That embryonic, fetal, and adult globins were coexpressed by cells of the same lineage was documented by analysis of globin chains in single BFUe colonies: all 67 yolk sac-origin BFUe colonies and 42 of 43 liver-origin BFUe colonies synthesized ϵ-, γ-, and β-chains. These data showed that during the switch from embryonic to adult globin formation, embryonic and definitive globin chains are coexpressed in the primitive, as well as in the definitive, erythroid cells. Such results are compatible with the postulate that the switch from embryonic to fetal globin synthesis represents a time-dependent change in programs of progenitor cells rather than a change in hemopoietic cell lineages.
A comparison of asymptotic and numerical rolling models for quasi-three-dimensional problems

Abstract This study compares two quasi-three-dimensional steady-state rolling models. The validity of both models assumes that the ratio of strip half-thickness to contact length is small. Thickness to length ratios less than 0.3 are acceptable, and sometimes the models work well beyond this limit. One model is a finite element calculation which uses one layer of elements through the strip half-thickness. The other is an asymptotic approach which includes both first- and second-order terms. For this study, both models use the relative slip friction model at the roll/sheet interface and a hyperbolic sine constitutive relationship between stress and strain rate. An important feature of the solution is that it is very sensitive to the spread. Small changes in spread often lead to significant changes in stresses. The predicted spreads are always small and their magnitudes are typical of those found in practice. However, the spreads found by the models do not always agree. Results show that when the entry and exit forces for the two models coincide, the stress distributions in the roll bite are in good agreement.
Preoccupied and Avoidant Coping during Middle Childhood

.Prior research on attachment to caregivers during middle childhood has failed to include assessments of the divergent coping styles that insecure attachment can take. In this study, self-report scales were developed to assess children's preoccupied coping (strong need for mother during stress but inability to be soothed by her) and avoidant coping (denial of need for mother and avoidance of her during stress). The scales were administered to 229 boys and girls in the third through seventh grades (mean age 11.3 years) and were associated in theoretically meaningful ways with peers' reports of the children's adjustment at school. The advantage of including assessments of coping style in studies of attachment-adjustment relations in middle childhood is noted.
Effects of diverse acid catalysts on the reaction course in the two-step one-flask synthesis of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin

A set of 45 acids or acid combinations was examined in the condensation of pyrrole + benzaldehyde (10 mM each in CH2Cl2) leading to meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP). Initial screening experiments identified suitable acid catalysts and the optimal concentration (in terms of TPP formation) for each acid. Subsequent experiments followed the time course of reactions using the best conditions identified in the screening experiments. The reaction course was followed by monitoring reactions from 1 min to 24 h for the yield of TPP (by UV-vis and HPLC), the yields of N-confused tetraphenylporphyrin and tetraphenylsapphyrin (by HPLC), the quantity of unreacted benzaldehyde (by TLC), and the oligomer composition (by laser desorption mass spectrometry). Diverse acids (Bronsted or Lewis; soluble or insoluble) were found to provide yields of TPP ranging up to ~50%. Only 10 acids gave no TPP. In addition, N-confused tetraphenylporphyrin was found to be a ubiquitous byproduct, whereas tetraphenylsapphyrin was not widely observed. MgBr2-etherate and CuCl2 each catalyzed porphyrinogen formation and resulted in porphyrin metalation following oxidation and neutralization of the reaction mixture, thereby providing direct, one-flask syntheses of magnesium and copper porphyrins. Observations concerning the reaction course obtained from prior studies of TFA or BF3-etherate catalysis have been found to be quite general across a broad range of acid catalysts. Collectively, these results show that many acids have potential utility in porphyrin syntheses.
Prevention by 3-N-ribosyluric acid of the oxidation of bovine hemoglobin by sodium nitrite

The addition of sodium nitrite to washed bovine erythrocytes incubated in buffered saline resulted in the formation of methemoglobin with a decrease in the concentration of 3-N-ribosyluric acid. The oxyhemoglobin in hemolysates prepared from bovine red cells which contained high concentrations of 3-ribosyluric acid was oxidized to methemoglobin more slowly than oxyhemoglobin from cells with low levels of 3-ribosyluric acid. Oxyhemoglobin from hemolysates that were dialyzed was oxidized more rapidly than oxyhemoglobin which was not dialyzed. 3-Ribosyluric acid, glutathione, uric acid, and ascorbic acid prevented the oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by nitrite. Uric acid protected oxyhemoglobin at the lowest concentration, followed closely by ascorbic acid, 3-ribosyluric acid, and glutathione. Hydrogen peroxide enhanced the oxidation produced by nitrite; this effect was also prevented by the four antioxidants used.
Applications of electron spin echo spectroscopy to location control of alkylphenothiazine derivatives in photoinduced charge separation across vesicles, micelles and reverse micelle interfaces

Abstract The efficiency of photoinduced charge separation across surfactant interfaces of micelles and vesicles depends in part on the location of electron donors and acceptors relative to the interface. Achievement and assessment of control of such location by the addition of pendant alkyl chains to donors and acceptors is shown to be achievable. The net photoionization efficiency can be measured by electron spin resonance of radical ions in frozen surfactant solutions. Assessment of relative locations of radical ions with respect to a surfactant interface has been achieved by analysis of electron spin-echo modulation from deuterium in deuterated water at the interface. Results for a series of positive, neutral and negatively charged alkylphenothiazine derivatives in vesicle, micelle and reverse micelle surfactant assemblies of different interface charge are discussed. Controlling factors involve the alkyl chain length of the electron donors, the relative charge of the surfactant assembly interface versus that of the electron donor derivative, and the degree of molecular order in the interface. Secondary factors include alkyl chain bending, photoinduced radical conversion and back electron transfer.
Scattering of Protons by Tritons

The proton-triton differential scattering cross section has been measured for laboratory angles between 45\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 135\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and proton energies between 0.7 and 2.5 Mev. In this angular range the scattering is predominantly nuclear and shows a rapid increase in intensity for angles greater than 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} in the center of mass system. Some indications of anomalous behavior near the threshold for ${\mathrm{T}}^{3}(p,n){\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ are reported.
Antimicrobial activity of cefotaxime tested against infrequently isolated pathogenic species (unusual pathogens)

The cefotaxime sodium spectrum of activity is very broad and includes many common species and a variety of less frequently isolated pathogens. We have reviewed the clinical microbiology literature (44 references) and the data base of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (Iowa City, IA) to collect data on the activity of cefotaxime against the less common species. Cefotaxime was consistently active against Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Capnocytophaga spp., Eikenella corrodens, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Pasteurella multocida, Plesiomonas shigelloides, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. The species Alcaligenes xylosoxidans, Flavobacterium spp., Stenotrophomonas (Xanthomonas) maltophilia, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Rhodococcus equi were uniformly cefotaxime resistant. For many other species there was considerable variation in reported minimum inhibitory concentrations. These data may be helpful in guiding therapy of unusual infections, particularly in the case of fastidious species, where the appropriate susceptibility testing methodology may not be immediately or routinely available.
Lipid lowering therapy and risk management: The role of a multidisciplinary team

Summary Lipid lowering therapy and risk reduction strategies hold tremendous potential to improve the outlook for patients with cardiovascular disease. Current changes in healthcare delivery suggest that the effective implementation of these therapies will involve a team approach using nurses and other healthcare professionals to assist physicians in the management of patients in the outpatient setting. Success with these efforts is essential if we are to reduce the toll and burden of cardiovascular disease on contemporary society.
A simplified implementation of van der Waals density functionals for first-principles molecular dynamics applications

We present a simplified implementation of the non-local van der Waals correlation functional introduced by Dion et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 246401 (2004)] and reformulated by Roman-Perez et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 096102 (2009)]. The proposed numerical approach removes the logarithmic singularity of the kernel function. Complete expressions of the self-consistent correlation potential and of the stress tensor are given. Combined with various choices of exchange functionals, five versions of van der Waals density functionals are implemented. Applications to the computation of the interaction energy of the benzene-water complex and to the computation of the equilibrium cell parameters of the benzene crystal are presented. As an example of crystal structure calculation involving a mixture of hydrogen bonding and dispersion interactions, we compute the equilibrium structure of two polymorphs of aspirin (2-acetoxybenzoic acid, C9H8O4) in the P21/c monoclinic structure.
How Smart Is my Dummy? Time Series Tests for the Influence of Politics

Of necessity, many tests for political influence on policies or outcomes involve the use of dummy variables. However, it is often the case that the hypothesis against which the political dummies are tested is the null hypothesis that the intercept is otherwise constant throughout the sample. This simple null can cause inference problems if there are (nonpolitical) intercept shifts in the data and the political dummies are correlated with these unmodeled shifts. Here we present a method for more rigorously testing the significance of political dummy variables in single equation models estimated with time series data. Our method is based on recent work on detecting multiple regime shifts by Bai and Perron. The article illustrates the potential problem caused by an overly simple null hypothesis, exposits the Bai and Perron model, gives a proposed methodology for testing the significance of political dummy variables, and illustrates the method with two examples. Before the curse of statistics fell upon mankind we lived a happy, innocent life —Hilaire Belloc, On Statistics
Domain structures in 6H-SiC wafers and their effect on the microstructures of GaN films grown on A1N and A10.2Ga0.8N buffer layers

Abstract Silicon carbide wafers contain domains with varying sizes and degrees of tilt. The present research has shown that this microstructure is mimicked in GaN films deposited on AlN-containing buffer layers and that it masks most variations in the FWHM of the X-ray rocking curves of the former. The shape and FWHM in the GaN curves are determined both by domain tilting and dislocation broadening; the latter was dominant in areas of reduced tilt. Analyses of the on- and off-axis X-ray data acquired from these regions of lower tilt revealed the marked effect of the higher density of edge dislocations on broadening. This effect decreased with increasing GaN thickness due to dislocation annihilation. The densities of edge dislocations in GaN films deposited at 1010°C on pitted, less pitted and very smooth AlN layers of the same thickness grown at 1010°C, 1130°C and 1220°C, respectively, were lowest and highest in those films grown on the last two respective layers. Additional studies showed that GaN films grow on Al 0.2 Ga 0.8 N layers via step-flow and possess a lower edge dislocation density than films grown via the Stranski–Krastanov mode on AlN because of the reduced misfit and the absence of boundaries between coalesced islands.
On the information entropy of squeezed states and the entropic uncertainty relation

Abstract The information entropy of squeezed states is investigated and compared with the familiar properties of the corresponding Heisenberg uncertainties. We find that the squeezed state and its thermally relaxing state obey the entropic uncertainty relation but do not fulfill it with an equal sign when it is expected from the Heisenberg uncertainty relation.
Key plants preserve elements of culture: A study over distance and time of fresh crops in Puerto Rican markets in Hartford, Connecticut, “A moveable feast”

Premise of the study People retain culinary customs when they migrate. We tested this commitment via the study of Puerto Rican fresh produce markets in the continental United States over time, 18 yr, and space, by comparisons with source markets in Puerto Rico (PR). Methods A survey of Puerto Rican markets in Hartford (HT), Connecticut in 1993-1994 was repeated in 2009-2010. A comparative study was made at open-air markets in PR in 2009. Surveys recorded fresh crops, and interviews with vendors and Hartford Puerto Rican residents provided context. Key results We recorded 84 plant crops (64 species; 32 families) for seven categories. The largest category was viandas (fresh, starchy "root" crops and immature fruits), followed by saborizantes (flavorings). In the second HT survey, 80% of the crops were still present. And ∼90% of the HT 1993-1994 crops and ∼75% of the HT 2009-2010 crops were shared with markets in PR. Conclusions On the basis of our results, we suggest two new concepts. The persistence of these largely tropical foods in a temperate market far removed from tropical PR shows the importance of basic foods as an element of cultural identification. We recognize this stability as an example of "culinary cultural conservation". Second, analysis of these fresh produce markets leads to the conclusion that viandas are the most prominent in diversity, persistence over time and distance, volume, and in terms of consumers' "willingness to pay". Accordingly, we consider the viandas a good example of a "cultural keystone food group", a food group that is emblematic of a community's culinary conservation.
Modulation of dopamine metabolism in the retina via dopamine D2 receptors.

Abstract When rats are placed in a lighted environment from the dark retinal DOPAC increases. There is no significant change of retinal dopamine (DA) under either lighting condition. Blockade of aromatic l -amino acid decar☐ylase results in a more rapid accumulation of DOPA in the retina of animals in the light than in the dark implying that DA synthesis and metabolism are more rapid in the light than in the dark. Retinal DOPAC increases in the dark and in the light when rats are treated with the DA D 2 antagonists sulpiride and spiperone. Treatment with the D 2 agonist, quinpirole, lowers the content of DA in the retina of rats kept in the dark or exposed to light. D 1 receptor drugs induce only limited changes in DA metabolism. We conclude that D 2 receptors play a principal role for modulating DA synthesis and metabolism in the rat retina.
Religious Diversity in the Military Clinic: Four Cases

The military is a context that contains considerable religious diversity. This article presents 4 cases that illustrate a range of important clinical developments arising from a spiritually sensiti...
Mutual gravitational perturbations between planetesimals within protoplanetary disks

Abstract The result of several simulations of a planetesimal swarm orbiting a protostar are examined. It is shown that variations in both protoplanetary masses and inclinations can affect the behavior of these bodies, perhaps even causing ejection from the system or orbits that show large and/or sudden changes in their orbital parameters. Such effects are the result of mutual gravitational scattering between the planetesmials, which can cause motions ranging from nearly quiescent to wildly chaotic.
The replication of bacteriophage f1: Gene V protein regulates the synthesis of gene II protein

Two filamentous phage gene products are required for the replication of phage DNA. One of these, the gene II protein, is a site-specific endonuclease required for all phage-specific DNA synthesis. The other, the gene V protein, is a single-stranded DNA-binding protein required only for single-strand synthesis. Purified gene V protein, when added to an in vitro protein synthesizing system programmed by f1 DNA, specifically inhibits the synthesis of gene II protein. Inhibition seems to be translational, since synthesis of gene II protein from an RNA template is also inhibited by gene V protein. Gene V protein control of gene II expression can account for the regulation of the level of expression of the filamentous phage genome.
Breakdown of Lorentz Invariance

The special theory of relativity results from the postulation of invariance under coordinate transformation of the hyperbolic wave equation $\ensuremath{\square}\ensuremath{\psi}\ensuremath{\equiv}{\ensuremath{\nabla}}^{2}\ensuremath{\psi}\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{{c}^{2}}\frac{{\ensuremath{\partial}}^{2}\ensuremath{\psi}}{\ensuremath{\partial}{t}^{2}}=0,$ and it is required that all laws of physics (except perhaps general theory of relativity) be invariant under Lorentz transformations. Divergencies in present relativistic field equations may be removed by considering more general wave equations, for example, $\ensuremath{-}{{l}_{0}}^{2}{\ensuremath{\nabla}}^{4}\ensuremath{\psi}+{\ensuremath{\nabla}}^{2}\ensuremath{\psi}\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{{c}^{2}}\frac{{\ensuremath{\partial}}^{2}\ensuremath{\psi}}{\ensuremath{\partial}{t}^{2}}=0.$ This equation introduces a universal length ${l}_{0}\ensuremath{\approx}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm as a second invariant and destroys Lorentz invariance except as an approximate invariance. Some theoretical and experimental consequences of this four-dimensional wave equation are discussed.
Elevational gradients of bryophyte diversity, life forms, and community assemblage in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

We investigated the influence of fine-scale elevational gradients and overstory disturbance on bryophyte distribution, diversity, and community composition. Bryophyte species cover and richness wer...
Numerical analysis of the temperature profile in the melt conveying section of a single screw extruder: Comparison with experimental data

The prediction and measurement off the developing radial temperature profile in a single-screw extruder is essential since excessive extrudate temperature and poor temperature uniformity at the die affect the quality of coextrusion and film/sheet extrusion processes. A finite-difference scheme is used to predict the development of the radial temperature profile in the metering section of a single-screw extruder for power-law fluids. A finite-element analysis of the flow around the screw-tip transposes this temperature profile onto an on-line temperature measuring device consisting of 10 thermocouples for a comparison of numerical results with experimental data on polycarbonates.
The Excitation of the D Lines by the Green Sodium Band

IN a recent paper (Phys. Rev., May 1928) Prof. Wood and the present writer have discussed the conditions under which it is possible to excite the D line fluorescence in sodium vapour by light which is free from wave-lengths absorbed by the atom. A band in the green at 5200 A., 50 A. in width, was found to produce a maximum D line fluorescence when a foreign gas at a few millimetres pressure was mixed with the fluorescing vapour. The presence of a foreign gas seemed essential for the production of the D lines in this way, and the most obvious explanation seemed to be that the excited molecule collided with a foreign gas molecule and dissociated into one normal and one excited atom. But the dissociation potential as calculated by Pringsheim (Zeit. f. Phys., 44, 651; 1927) and Loomis (Phys. Rev., 31, 323; 1928) from the analysis of the band spectra is much too high for this process to occur, as has been pointed out, and the alternative explanation was offered that the D lines were emitted when an atom was raised to the 2P levels on collision with an excited molecule. The molecule would then be left with but 0.3 volt energy, which would be distributed as part vibrational and part kinetic. The presence of a foreign gas would prevent rapid diffusion of the vapour to the cooler parts of the resonance tube, and allow the atomic and molecular densities to increase, thus increasing the probability of collision.
Determination of total and free plasma carnitine concentrations on the Dade Behring Dimension RxL: integrated chemistry system.

Abstract Background l -Carnitine is a naturally occurring quaternary ammonium compound present in all mammalian species. Its major function is to facilitate the passage of long-chain fatty acids through the mitochondrial membrane for subsequent β-oxidation and ketone synthesis. Clinical interest in carnitine disorders relates particularly to possible deficiency states that may result in a phenotypic spectrum that includes cardiomyopathy, skeletal myopathy, hypoglycemia and hyperammonemia. The objective of this study was to develop a method on the Dade Behring Dimension RxL analyzer for measuring free and total carnitine levels in plasma. Methods Plasma samples were deproteinized by ultrafiltration to remove interference by endogenous thiols. Filtrates were measured directly on the RxL for free carnitine or after alkaline hydrolysis for total carnitine by an endpoint enzymatic assay that uses carnitine acetyltransferase. Results Within-run imprecision was 90%. The method was linear between 5.0 and 150.0 μmol/l and the limit of quantification was 5.0 μmol/l. Comparison of our method with another automated procedure developed on the Hitachi 917 system using Deming regression analysis resulted in the following equations: Dimension = 1.034(Hitachi) − 7.44 for total carnitine (r = 0.955) and Dimension = 0.805(Hitachi) + 1.96 for free carnitine (r = 0.951), respectively. Conclusions Our method is suitable for analyzer platforms where the level of imprecision is lower and the throughput is higher than manual methods. It also avoids the use of radioisotopes and is appropriate in labs where access to reference methods such as tandem mass spectrometry and HPLC is limited or unavailable.
Order 53 in Fiji – Practice, Procedure and Cases

Order 53, which governs applications for judicial review, is an aspect of public law that has gained considerable prominence in Fiji’s legal practice since the amendment to the High Court Rules in ...
Physician-patient communication: a lost art?

In the face of rapid advances in technology, there has been a progressive deterioration of effective physician-patient communication. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has identified that patients rate the orthopaedic profession as high in technical and low in communication skills. Poor communication, especially patient-interviewing skills, has been identified in medical students as well as in practicing physicians. Effective communication is associated with improved patient and physician satisfaction, better patient compliance, improved health outcomes, better-informed medical decisions, and reduced malpractice suits, and it likely contributes to reduced costs of care. Recognition of the importance of communication has influenced medical schools to revise curricula and to teach communication skills in residency training and continuing medical education programs. National certifying examinations also are being designed to incorporate these skills. Although written material is useful in increasing awareness of the importance of good physician-patient communication, behavioral change is more likely to occur in a workshop environment. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is taking leadership in designing and implementing such an approach for its membership. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2002;10:95-105
Gender and Other Psychosocial Factors as Predictors of Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in Adults with Comorbid HIV/AIDS, Psychiatric and Substance-related Disorder

This study assessed adherence to HAART among 67 HIV-infected adults, and the degree to which gender and psychological factors-including depression, drug and alcohol use, quality of life, and medication side effects-influenced adherence. Although overall adherence was greater than rates reported in similar studies, no significant difference in adherence was observed between men and women in the present sample. Medication side effects were a significant predictor of non-adherence in the sample at large and among women in particular, while alcohol dependence was a significant predictor of non-adherence only in women. Possible explanations are explored.
Inactivity, age, and exercise: single-muscle fiber power generation

We examined the effects of mild therapeutic exercise during a period of inactivity on size and contractile functions of myosin heavy chain (MHC) type I (n = 204) and type II (n = 419) single fibers...
Learning Object Shape: From Drawings to Images

We consider the important challenge of recognizing a variety of deformable object classes in images. Of fundamental importance and particular difficulty in this setting is the problem of "outlining" an object, rather than simply deciding on its presence or absence. A major obstacle in learning a model that will allow us to address this task is the need for hand-segmented training images. In this paper we present a novel landmark-based, piecewise-linear model of the shape of an object class. We then formulate a learning approach that allows us to learn this model with minimal user supervision. We circumvent the need for hand-segmentation by transferring the shape "essence" of an object from drawings to complex images. We show that our method is able to automatically and effectively learn and localize a variety of object classes.
Sex-Determining Mechanisms in Land Plants

Sex determination is a process that leads to the physical separation of male and female gamete-producing structures to different individuals of a species. Even though sexually reproducing species have only three possible options—to relegate the two sexes to separate individuals, to keep them
Analysis and simulation of business solutions in a service-oriented architecture

Modeling and simulation of business processes is a powerful capability for analysis of business solutions in a service-oriented architecture (SOA). In this paper, we describe analysis techniques that are applicable during the design-time and runtime development of business solutions to estimate business process performance. During the design phase, our analysis framework converts the business process model, which is annotated with additional information, into a more granular model by using an underlying middleware model that describes all the middleware components in an SOA. The resulting model can then be evaluated in terms of performance and cost. We discuss a prototype implementation that uses WebSphere® Business Integration (WBI) Modeler and present the results of a case study. After the design phase, several services required to support the business process execution may exist, but others may need to be newly developed. Our runtime simulation framework supports this by allowing users to simulate implementation models consisting of real and simulated services for function and performance testing. Furthermore, when new services are available, they can be easily included in the analysis by switching from the Simulator to the new service. We discuss a prototype implementation for this capability that uses the Process Choreographer of WBI Server Foundation and present results of a case study.
A regression approach to estimating reactive solute uptake in advective and transient storage zones of stream ecosystems

A method is developed, the Regression Partitioning Method (RPM), for estimating the proportion of reactive solute uptake occurring within transient storage zones of streams. The RPM is a technique for analyzing solute addition data in which whole stream uptake (mg m � 2 d � 1 ) is determined from the longitudinal pattern in plateau tracer concentrations. At one location, a time series of samples are collected that define the rising limb of the solute breakthrough curve. The y-intercept estimated by regressing a measure of reactive tracer availability (e.g. NO3– 15 N:Cl ratio) and the percentage of tracer that has resided within, and returned from, the transient storage zone (i.e. hyporheic zone) was used to predict channel-specific NO3 uptake rates. Uptake within the transient storage zone of stream-derived material is calculated by difference. Several numerical steps are developed that link uptake rate estimates to first-order reaction rate constants (kC and kS, min � 1 ) more commonly used to describe solute behavior in onedimensional transport models. The RPM was used to analyze the results of 2 stable isotope additions performed in Snake Den Branch, a small headwater stream in western North Carolina, USA. Channel-specific uptake rates (UC) ranged from 10.6 to 23.0 mg NO3–N m � 2 d � 1 and slightly exceeded uptake in the transient storage zone (US), which varied from 10.1 to 18.2 mg NO3–N m � 2 d � 1 . Uptake within the transient storage zone accounted for 44–49% of the total uptake. kC and kS estimates ranged from 0.023 to 0.034 min � 1 and 0.011 to 0.024 min � 1 , respectively. These processing rates correspond to solute residence times of 30–44 min and 41–90 min in the channel and storage zones, respectively. Finally, we assess the sensitivity of our approach to variation in the subsurface uptake coefficient and differing proportions of uptake occurring within the hyporheic zone. � 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Is there a favorable subset of patients with prostate cancer who develop oligometastases

Abstract Objective To analyze, retrospectively, the patterns and behavior of metastatic lesions in prostate cancer patients treated with external beam radiotherapy and to investigate whether patients with ≤5 lesions had an improved outcome relative to patients with >5 lesions. Methods and materials The treatment and outcome of 369 eligible patients with Stage T1–T3aN0-NXM0 prostate cancer were analyzed during a minimal 10-year follow-up period. All patients were treated with curative intent to a mean dose of 65 Gy. The full history of any metastatic disease was documented for each subject, including the initial site of involvement, any progression over time, and patient survival. Results The overall survival rate for the 369 patients was 75% at 5 years and 45% at 10 years. The overall survival rate of patients who never developed metastases was 90% and 81% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. However, among the 74 patients (20%) who developed metastases, the survival rate at both 5 and 10 years was significantly reduced ( p 5 lesions (73% and 36% at 5 and 10 years vs. 45% and 18% at 5 and 10 years, respectively; p = 0.02). In addition, both the metastasis-free survival rate and the interval measured from the date of the initial diagnosis of prostate cancer to the development of bone metastasis were statistically superior for patients with ≤5 lesions compared with patients with >5 lesions ( p = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). However, the survival rate and the interval from the date of diagnosis of bone metastasis to the time of death for patients in both groups were not significantly different, statistically ( p = 0.17 and 0.27, respectively). Conclusion Patients with ≤5 metastatic sites had significantly better survival rates than patients with >5 lesions. Because existing sites of metastatic disease may be the primary sites of origin for additional metastases, our findings suggest that early detection and aggressive treatment of patients with a small number of metastatic lesions is worth testing as an approach to improving long-term survival.
Pharmacological therapy for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a common and life-threatening disease characterized by progressive dilatation and rupture, and has a mortality rate of up to 90%. Surgical repair is recommended for large aneurysms, whereas small aneurysms are managed by 'watchful waiting'. The recently introduced AAA screening programs reduce aneurysm-related mortality; however, aneurysm detection leads to psychological problems and a reduced quality of life of patients. The success of pharmacological therapy for AAA in small animals continues to provide insights into the pathogenetic mechanisms of this disease. As a result, medications, such as doxycycline, roxithromycin and statins, have been used to limit the growth of AAAs in small human studies with promising results. However, randomized trials with large numbers of patients and long follow-ups are required for the thorough investigation of safe and effective medical therapies. Control of cardiovascular risk factors, particularly smoking cessation, may result in a reduced growth of the AAA and improve overall patient care.
Optimal load cycling of large steam turbines

The availability of inexpensive base load power from independent power producers and nuclear plants has caused electric utilities to cycle their large steam turbines in an effort to reduce overall generation cost. In this paper, the authors present a novel method of controlling a turbine during load cycling. The approach combines heuristic turbine control rules with a rigorous optimal control algorithm. Fuzzy logic encodes these heuristic rules and is used to scan over long term load profile information to prioritize system performance priorities based on both present and future cycling duty. A model predictive control algorithm utilizes these priorities in the form of cost function weights to determine short term optimal setpoint trajectories for boiler pressure and turbine governor valve position. This hybrid fuzzy logic model predictive controller yields both excellent load tracking and minimal long term operational costs. >
Unipolar Electrogram Morphology to Assess Lesion Formation During Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation Successful Translation Into Clinical Practice

The past decade has seen a significant increase in catheter ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation (AF)1; however, data on the efficacy of pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) are soberingly modest, with single and multiple procedure success rates of 54% and 79% for paroxysmal AF, respectively, during long-term follow-up (≥3 years).2 The main mechanism of AF recurrence after catheter ablation is resumption of PV-left atrial (LA) conduction.3 The time-dependent inevitability of recovery of PV conduction has been consistently demonstrated in acute studies showing PV conduction in ≤93% of patients during an intraprocedural waiting period of 60 minutes after PVI.4 Furthermore, late recurrence of AF is associated with conduction recovery in ≥1 PV in >97% of patients who are having a redo procedure.2 Thus, durable PVI is critical if we are to make inroads toward enhancing procedural efficacy. Article see p 1095 Gaps in the ablation line5 and failure to produce transmural lesions6 are implicated in recovery of PV conduction. PVI can be achieved after partial completion of a circumferential ring of lesions around the PVs, irrespective of intervening gaps. This is thought to result from a combination of irreversible and reversible atrial injury.7 Reversible atrial injury may stem from incomplete lesion formation that causes temporary electric uncoupling but not cell death ≤3.5 mm away from the lesion boundary, dependent on tissue temperature and tissue geometry.8 With time, tissue at the boundary of the transmural lesion recovers normal conduction during the course of 1 to 4 weeks.8 Thus, lesion gaps that exhibit conduction block frequently go undetected during the index procedure, and block persists for up to several weeks or months thereafter until tissue injury heals. Conduction block may occur in tissue with normal conductivity despite a gap of ≤1.4 mm …
Global EDF Schedulability Analysis of Arbitrary Sporadic Task Systems

Recent results on the global multiprocessor EDF scheduling of sporadic task systems are, for the most part, applicable only to task systems in which each taskpsilas relative deadline parameter is constrained to be no larger than its period. This paper introduces new analysis techniques that allow for similar results to be derived for task systems in which individual tasks are not constrained in this manner.
Robust Weighted Gain-Scheduling $H_{\infty }$ Vehicle Lateral Motion Control With Considerations of Steering System Backlash-Type Hysteresis

A robust weighted gain-scheduling H ∞ control design for ground vehicles possessing steer-by-wire and drive/brake-by-wire functions is presented in this paper. The main control objective is to track vehicle yaw rate reference as well as to regulate vehicle lateral velocity with the hand-wheel steering angle and the external yaw moment as two control efforts. Two major challenges are overcome: 1) the backlash-type hysteresis embedded in the steering system introduces an additional disturbance term to the system and 2) the vehicle longitudinal velocity and the tire cornering stiffnesses are considered varying. Since the external inputs (reference) and backlash-type hysteresis are both involved in the system model, we propose to design a weighted H ∞ gain-scheduling state-feedback controller. The feedback gains can be derived by solving a sequence of linear matrix inequalities. The relative importance of the steering system hysteresis and the reference signals can be tuned by a weighting factor. In addition, the gain-scheduling skill is employed to deal with the time-varying system parameters. Furthermore, the physical limitations of the actuators are considered by an eigenvalue placement technique. Simulation studies conducted in CarSim show that the proposed controller is capable of attenuating the effects of both steering system hysteresis and the time-varying parameters. Experimental results are also presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of this control algorithm in dealing with steering system backlash-type hysteresis when tracking yaw rate references.
Functional Knockout of the Transient Outward Current, Long-QT Syndrome, and Cardiac Remodeling in Mice Expressing a Dominant-Negative Kv4 α Subunit

A novel in vivo experimental strategy, involving cell type-specific expression of a dominant-negative K+ channel pore-forming alpha subunit, was developed and exploited to probe the molecular identity of the cardiac transient outward K+ current (I(to)). A point mutation (W to F) was introduced at position 362 in the pore region of Kv4.2 to produce a nonconducting mutant (Kv4.2W362F) subunit. Coexpression of Kv4.2W362F with Kv4.2 (or Kv4.3) attenuates the wild-type currents, and the effect is subfamily specific; ie, Kv4.2W362F does not affect heterologously expressed Kv1.4 currents. With the use of the alpha-myosin heavy chain promoter to direct cardiac-specific expression, several lines of Kv4.2W362F transgenic mice were generated. Electrophysiological recordings reveal that I(to) is selectively eliminated in ventricular myocytes isolated from transgenic mice expressing Kv4.2W362F, thereby demonstrating directly that the Kv 4 subfamily underlies I(to) in the mammalian heart. Functional knockout of I(to) leads to marked increases in action potential durations in ventricular myocytes and to prolongation of the QT interval in surface ECG recordings. In addition, a novel rapidly activating and inactivating K+ current, which is not detectable in myocytes from nontransgenic littermates, is evident in Kv4.2W362F-expressing ventricular cells. Importantly, these results demonstrate that electrical remodeling occurs in the heart when the expression of endogenous K- channels is altered.
Rater Comparability Scoring and Equating: Does Choice of Target Population Weights Matter in This Context?

When a constructed-response test form is reused, raw scores from the two administrations of the form may not be comparable. The solution to this problem requires a rescoring, at the current administration, of examinee responses from the previous administration. The scores from this “rescoring” can be used as an anchor for equating. In this equating, the choice of weights for combining the samples to define the target population can be critical. In rescored data, the anchor usually correlates very strongly with the new form but only moderately with the reference form. This difference has a predictable impact: the equating results are most accurate when the target population is the reference form sample, least accurate when the target population is the new form sample, and somewhere in the middle when the new form and reference form samples are equally weighted in forming the target population.
Enzyme-catalyzed quantitative chain-end functionalization of poly(ethylene glycol)s under solventless conditions

This is the first report of quantitative vinyl chain-end functionalization of poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) with reduced environmental effects and renewable catalysis. Divinyl adipate (DVA) was transesterified using Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) supported on an acrylic resin at 50 °C under dry nitrogen and solventless conditions. After the reactions CALB was removed by filtration and excess DVA was recovered by hexane extraction followed by distillation for reuse. 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry was used to analyze the structure and purity of the products. The effects of DVA excess and PEG chain length were investigated. Model experiments with tetra(ethylene glycol) (TEG) led to polycondensation. At DVA/TEG 20/1 molar ratio ∼82% of the product was Vinyl–TEG–Vinyl, together with vinyl-telechelic dimers and trimers. When reacting monomethoxy MeO–PEG–OH of Mn = 1100 g mol−1 under the same conditions, pure MeO–PEG–Vinyl was obtained with no coupling. MeO–PEG–OH with Mn = 2000 g mol−1 gave pure MeO–PEG–Vinyl at 5 molar excess of DVA. With HO–PEG–OH1000 of Mn = 1000 g mol−1 at DVA/PEG 20/1 molar ratio no polycondensation and only 2% coupled product was found, while HO–PEG–OH with Mn = 2000 g mol−1 under the same conditions gave pure telechelic Vinyl–PEG–Vinyl.
Strain Engineered Silicon Nanomembranes

Very thin, crystalline semiconductor membranes represent a new nanosystem with very high potential for both technology and novel science. This article reviews aspects of the fabrication and properties of silicon-based nanomembranes and nanowires, including processing, strain engineering, and electronic transport. Particular emphasis is on elastic strain sharing, in which significantly strained single-crystal sheets or novel nanoshapes can be made.