cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fuzzy and Dempster-Shafer evidential reasoning fusion methods for deriving action from surveillance observations

Fuzzy reasoning and evidential reasoning using Dempster Shafer (D-S) rules of combination are compared in the fusion of identity attribute information to automatically monitor the proposition that a target is a friend or foe. The comparative results show the advantage of using the Dempster-Shafer methodology over fuzzy reasoning in this particular application. The simulated problem consists of 21 different scenarios of sequential information derived from various knowledge sources arriving at an intelligence centre at various times. The centre will track the target observation data digitally on a geographic raster map and monitor the likelihood of each target sequence as either a friend or foe. The sources of information may be derived from fired and variable locations in a 1000 square kilometre area which contains a potential enemy target such as a military base, vital assets (communication towers), parkland, scrubland and a road network.
RECURRENT BACTERIAL INFECTIONS AND DYSGAMMAGLOBULINEMIA: DEFICIENCY OF 7S GAMMA-GLOBULINS IN THE PRESENCE OF ELEVATED 19S GAMMA-GLOBULINS Report of Two Cases

Two patients with recurrent bacterial infections associated with dysgammaglobulinemia are reported in whom there was a marked deficiency of 7S gamma-globulins in the presence of elevated concentrations of 19S gamma-globulins. Both patients lacked detectable beta2A-globulins. One of these patients had been known to have congenital agammaglobulinemia and had been followed for a number of years previously. The synthesis of 19S gamma-globulins in this patient was a transient phenomenon associated with renal and hepatic disease, and the ability to synthesize isohemagglutinins, Forssman antibody and anti-typhoid O antibodies. Plasma cells were not seen in the biopsy specimens of liver, spleen and lymph node from one patient, of lymph node from the other, or in bone marrow aspirates from both patients.
The su(Hw) protein insulates expression of the Drosophila melanogaster white gene from chromosomal position‐effects.

Abstract Mutations in the suppressor of Hairy-wing [su(Hw)] locus reverse the phenotype of a number of tissue-specific mutations caused by insertion of a gypsy retrotransposon. The su(Hw) gene encodes a zinc finger protein which binds to a 430 bp region of gypsy shown to be both necessary and sufficient for its mutagenic effects. su(Hw) protein causes mutations by inactivation of enhancer elements only when a su(Hw) binding region is located between these regulatory sequences and a promoter. To understand the molecular basis of enhancer inactivation, we tested the effects of su(Hw) protein on expression of the mini-white gene. We find that su(Hw) protein stabilizes mini-white gene expression from chromosomal position-effects in euchromatic locations by inactivating negative and positive regulatory elements present in flanking DNA. Furthermore, the su(Hw) protein partially protects transposon insertions from the negative effects of heterochromatin. To explain our current results, we propose that su(Hw) protein alters the organization of chromatin by creating a new boundary in a pre-existing domain of higher order chromatin structure. This separates enhancers and silencers distal to the su(Hw) binding region into an independent unit of gene activity, thereby causing their inactivation.
Recent developments in β″ alumina

Abstract The multivalent β″-aluminas are the first family of high conductivity solid electrolytes for divalent and trivalent cations. The rich ion exchange chemistry of these materials leads to a variety of chemical environments within the conduction plane which consequently influence their ion transport and optical properties. This paper reviews some of the pertinent structural aspects of the multivalent β-aluminas and considers the properties of selected systems which contain either mixed ions or ions with two valence states within the conduction plane. The results indicate that the multivalent exchanged β-aluminas are excellent materials for studying the effects of ion/lattice and ion/ion interactions in 2-dimensional systems.
Load-duration behavior of wood connections

The time-effect factors λ , used in design to account for the load-duration effect were developed through long-term testing of wood members in flexure, yet they are applied to wood connections as well. This study examines time-effect factors for steel-doweled wood connections. In this study, long-term tests were performed on small-scale wood connection specimens, and the resulting time-to-failure data were used to calibrate two cumulative damage (CD) models. A numerical approach was developed for calibrating existing CD models to the test data. Step load tests also were performed on full-scale bolted connection specimens and the results were compared to the results predicted by the CD models fit to the long-term data. The calibrated CD models were then used in a relatively simple procedure to determine an approximate λ for steel-doweled wood connections ASCE-16 stipulates a λ of 0.80 for both snow load and occupancy live load. The best fitting models for the long-term test data produced 7 and 14 day λ ’s,...
Mutation in the cysteine bridge domain of the γ-subunit affects light regulation of the ATP synthase but not photosynthesis or growth in Arabidopsis

The chloroplast ATP synthase synthesizes ATP from ADP and free phosphate coupled by the electrochemical potential across the thylakoid membrane in the light. The light-dependent regulation of ATP synthase activity is carried out in part through redox modulation of a cysteine disulfide bridge in CF1 γ-subunit. In order to investigate the function of the redox regulatory domain and the physiological significance of redox modulation for higher plants, we designed four mutations in the redox regulatory domain of the γ-subunit to create functional mimics of the permanently reduced form of the γ-subunit. While the inability to reduce the regulatory disulfide results in lower photosynthesis and growth, unexpectedly, the results reported here show that inability to reoxidize the dithiol may not be of any direct detriment to plant photosynthetic performance or growth.
Distributed systems to optimize power distribution and support microgrids

This paper explores the structure, use, and value of Distributed Grid Management as a process and technology to support distributed grid optimization functions and microgrids to better integrate into the electrical grid small quantities of local, distributed power generated from renewable resources. The paper describes the value of distributed distribution management as it applies to Microgrids to support overall value in moving electricity generation toward a more sustainable model. We will discuss operational demonstration projects in San Diego, California, USA, and another planned in Shanghai.
Root biomass and soil δ13C in C3 and C4 grasslands along a precipitation gradient

Many studies have investigated the aboveground distributions of C3 and C4 grasses along climatic gradients because they illustrate complex interactions between abiotic and biotic controls on ecosystem functions. Yet few studies have examined belowground components of these distributions, which may present very different patterns compared with aboveground measures. In this study, we surveyed grass species cover and collected soil and root samples from field plots at 100–150-m elevation intervals along a climatic gradient in Hawai‘i. We examined how the relationship between soil carbon isotopic composition (δ13C), a proxy for C4 dominance, and % C4 cover changed along a climatic gradient. We also evaluated root biomass to determine if belowground dominance reflects aboveground patterns under climate variation. Results showed that soil δ13C under predicted C4 dominance in wetter sites. The relationship between % C4 cover and soil δ13C became more negative with increasing mean annual precipitation (MAP) based on a linear mixed-effects model (F 1,34 = 12.25, P < 0.01). Soil δ13C in wetter sites indicated a larger C3 contribution than estimated by aboveground cover, which was in part due to C3 root biomass increasing (P < 0.05), whereas C4 root biomass did not change along the precipitation gradient. C3 and C4 grasses appear to allocate disproportionately belowground; thus, a different understanding of C4 ecological dominance (biomass or productivity) may emerge when considering both the above and belowground components. Our results show that belowground allocation and interpretation of soil δ13C need to be more carefully considered in global vegetation and carbon models and paleoecological reconstructions of C4 dominance.
HLA-D related (DR) antigens in various kinds of myositis

Forty-eight patients with various kinds of myositis were studied for HLA-A, B, C, and DR antigens and compared to both local and 7th International Workshop controls. No A, B, or C antigens were increased except for B8 in white patients (7/13 or 54%) (p = 0.005, pc = NS) and for B7 in black patients (6/9 or 67%) (p = 0.02, pc = NS). HLA-DR3 occurred in 8/12, or 67% of whites with polymyositis (PM) as compared to 23% of white controls (p = 0.003, pc = 0.02). HLA-DRw6 was found in 7/9, or 78%, of blacks with PM compared to 26% of black local controls (p = 0.005, pc = 0.04) and 38% of black Workshop controls (p-0.05, pc = NS). Dermatomyositis (DM) patients, however, showed no increased frequencies of any HLA antigens. HLA-DR4 was decreased overall (p = 0.005, pc = 0.04). These immunogenetic differences between PM and DM suggest that they are pathogenetically different disorders.
Clinical and genetic factors predictive of mortality in early systemic sclerosis.

Objective To investigate the clinical and genetic variables at initial presentation that predict survival in the Genetics versus Environment in Scleroderma Outcome Study (GENISOS) cohort. Methods GENISOS is a prospective, observational study of a multiethnic early systemic sclerosis (SSc) cohort. To date, a total of 250 patients have been enrolled. In addition to clinical and laboratory data, electrocardiograms (EKGs), chest radiographs, and pulmonary function tests have been obtained from each patient. A modified Rodnan skin thickness score, HLA class II genotyping, and a Medsger Damage Index also have been collected. We performed multivariable analyses utilizing the Cox regression following a purposeful model building strategy. Results The study analyzed 122 white, 47 African American, and 71 Hispanic SSc patients with an average disease duration of 2.6 years at enrollment. At the time of analysis, 52 (20.8%) of the 250 patients had died. In the final multivariable model excluding HLA genes, 7 variables emerged as significant predictors of mortality: age ≥65 years at enrollment, forced vital capacity <50% predicted, clinically significant arrhythmia on EKG, absence of anticentromere antibodies, hypertension, chest radiograph suggestive of pulmonary fibrosis, and low body mass index (BMI). In separate modeling that included HLA genes, HLA alleles DRB1*0802 and DQA1*0501 were significant predictors of mortality in addition to the predictors mentioned above. Conclusion A limited number of variables collected at presentation, including BMI, are able to predict mortality in patients with early SSc. In addition, some of the HLA genes associated with SSc susceptibility are useful for predicting SSc outcome.
Lung cancer risk in germline p53 mutation carriers: association between an inherited cancer predisposition, cigarette smoking, and cancer risk

We recently observed a significantly increased risk for lung cancer in carriers of p53 germline mutations. Because cigarette smoking is known to play an important role in increasing the risk for lung cancer in the general population, we wanted to determine the role of cigarette smoking in lung cancer risk in people with a genetic susceptibility based on a p53 germline mutation. We studied 1263 people from 97 families enrolled in a cohort study of families systematically ascertained through childhood soft-tissue sarcoma patients treated at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, between 1944 and 1975. We assessed the incidence of lung and smoking-related cancers in 33 carriers of germline p53 mutations and in 1,230 noncarriers to determine whether there was an association between an inherited cancer predisposition, cigarette smoking, and cancer risk. We analyzed the association between cigarette smoking, mutation status, and lung and other smoking-related cancers by the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model with adjustments for birth year, race, and sex. In the hazards model, we incorporated a robust variance estimation to adjust for familial correlation. We observed an increased risk of a variety of histological types of lung cancer in the carriers of the p53 germline mutation. Mutation carriers who smoked had a 3.16-fold (95% confidence interval =1.48-6.78) higher risk for lung cancer than the mutation carriers who did not smoke. Our results demonstrate that cigarette smoking significantly increases lung cancer risk in carriers of a germline p53 mutation. This finding could be useful in designing strategies for early detection and treatment of lung and smoking-related cancers in individuals with this inherited cancer predisposition.
Multiscalar p-Brane Solitons

In a previous paper,10 supersymmetric p-brane solutions involving one dilatonic scalar field in maximal supergravity theories were classified. Although these solutions involve a number of participating field strengths, they are all equal and thus they carry equal electric or magnetic charges. In this paper, we generalize all these solutions to multiscalar solutions in which the charges become independent free parameters. The mass per unit p volume is equal to the sum of these Page charges. We find that for generic values of the Page charges, they preserve the same fraction of the supersymmetry as in their single scalar limits.
Influence of phototherapy on the serum lipids of jaundiced newborn infants.

Summary: The serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglycerides, total cholesterol, lipid P, lysolecithin, sphingomyelin, lecithin, and phos-phatidylethanolamine were determined on 15 full term and 13 premature jaundiced infants, before and after 48 hr of phototherapy and compared to nonjaundiced matched control subjects.
Optical pumping of high-density Rb with a broadband dye laser and GaAlAs diode laser arrays: Application to He 3 polarization

We have studied laser optical pumping of Rb at densities up to 4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{14}$ atoms/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ and produced polarized $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ by spin exchange with Rb. Numerical calculations show that for a high-density Rb vapor GaAlAs diode laser arrays can provide results similar to those obtained with a broadband ${\mathrm{Kr}}^{+}$-ion--dye-laser system. We have confirmed these calculations with measurements using a 40-GHz full width at half maximum bandwidth dye laser and 100- and 500-mW GaAlAs diode laser arrays (Spectra Diode Labs Array Nos. SDL-2410C and SDL-2450C). We have optically pumped Rb of density [Rb]=4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{14}$ atoms/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$, and we have measured up to 70% $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ polarization in a 4-${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ volume with 600 mW from the dye laser. With the diode laser arrays, we have pumped with 30 and 300 mW with results comparable to those obtained with the dye laser. With a 1-W diode laser array, we anticipate 70--80 % $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ polarization in a 4-${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ volume.
Incommensurate fluctuations in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8

A special neutron scattering technique has been used to discover an incommensurate fluctuation in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 that appears below Tc. The fluctuation is identified as a dynamic charge density wave since its scattering intensity appears to increase with increasing momentum transfer. The fluctuation is found at a wavevector near 2kF and could be associated with a dynamic stripe phase.
Systematic Analysis of Cell Cycle Effects of Common Drugs Leads to the Discovery of a Suppressive Interaction between Gemfibrozil and Fluoxetine

Screening chemical libraries to identify compounds that affect overall cell proliferation is common. However, in most cases, it is not known whether the compounds tested alter the timing of particular cell cycle transitions. Here, we evaluated an FDA-approved drug library to identify pharmaceuticals that alter cell cycle progression in yeast, using DNA content measurements by flow cytometry. This approach revealed strong cell cycle effects of several commonly used pharmaceuticals. We show that the antilipemic gemfibrozil delays initiation of DNA replication, while cells treated with the antidepressant fluoxetine severely delay progression through mitosis. Based on their effects on cell cycle progression, we also examined cell proliferation in the presence of both compounds. We discovered a strong suppressive interaction between gemfibrozil and fluoxetine. Combinations of interest among diverse pharmaceuticals are difficult to identify, due to the daunting number of possible combinations that must be evaluated. The novel interaction between gemfibrozil and fluoxetine suggests that identifying and combining drugs that show cell cycle effects might streamline identification of drug combinations with a pronounced impact on cell proliferation.
Finite complexity and the folk theorem in repeated games

Abstract We show that the folk theorem for repeated games with discounting will hold if strategies and threats are allowed to have only finite complexity, even without the fully dimensionality requirement that is required for the perfect folk theorem for repeated games with discounting. It is then quite easy to see that the perfect folk theorem for repeated games without discounting is the limit of the perfect folk theorem with finite complexity and discounting.
Direct demonstration of multiple VH allotopes on rabbit Ig molecules: allotope characteristics and Fab arm rotational flexibility revealed by immunoelectron microscopy

Immune complexes composed of rabbit IgG and Fab fragments of antibody specific for the VH framework allotypes were analyzed by molecular immunoelectron microscopy. In this manner, the number of allotypic epitopes ( allotopes ) and their approximate topological location could be determined. A monoclonal anti-allotype Fab was used to show that relatively fine details of allotope location and orientation are demonstrable with this technique. Each of the three VH allotypes (a1, a2 and a3) was found to express at least two spacially separated allotopes . The locations of the allotopes varied for each of the three allotypes. Some allotopes were observed near the VH-CH1 switch region while others were in close proximity to the complementarity-determining region or were at intermediate positions. In addition to the information concerning allotope topology, the variety of configurations resulting from the interaction of monoclonal antibody Fab with IgG suggest considerable rotational flexibility (twisting) of the Fab arm of IgG about its long axis.
Characterization of single nucleotide polymorphism markers for the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)

We present data on 29 new single nucleotide polymorphism assays for the green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas. DNA extracts from 39 green turtles were used for two methods of single nucleotide polymorphism discovery. The first approach employed an amplified fragment length polymorphism technique. The second technique screened a microsatellite library. Allele-specific amplification assays were developed for high-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping and tested on two Pacific C. mydas nesting populations. Observed heterozygosities ranged from 0 to 0.95 for a Hawaiian population and from 0 to 0.85 for a Galapagos population. Each of the populations had one locus out of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, SSCM2b and SSCM5 for Hawaii and Galapagos, respectively. No loci showed significant genotypic linkage disequilibrium across an expanded set of four Pacific nesting populations. However, two loci, SSCM4 and SSCM10b showed linkage disequilibrium across three populations indicating possible association.
EXTENDED-SPECTRUM β-LACTAMASES AND OTHER ENZYMES PROVIDING RESISTANCE TO OXYIMINO-β-LACTAMS

Bacteria have once again demonstrated their remarkably versatility in meeting the introduction of new classes of beta-lactam antibiotics by modifying available plasmid mediated beta-lactamases to expand their spectrum of action and by incorporating chromosomal beta-lactamase genes onto plasmids that permit their spread to new hosts. Such resistance is more common than presently is appreciated because current NCCLS breakpoints for resistance underestimate its prevalence. A number of risk factors for acquisition of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae have been defined, but most will be no easier to control than those for infection by MRSA or VRE. More clinical and animal model studies are needed to evaluate options for treatment. Most strains remain susceptible to imipenem and other carbapenems, but carbapenem resistance has appeared either by spread of metallo-beta-lactamase or by production of an AmpC enzyme combined with loss of an outer membrane porin channel. Attack on our adversaries' latest biological weapons is likely to require enhanced versatility on our part as well.
Fluorometric measurement of phosphoglucoisomerase.

Abstract A fluorometric method is described for assaying phosphoglucoisomerase in as little as 0.05 μg of frozen-dried sections of liver. The simplicity of the procedure and the stability of the fluorescence facilitate the measurement of a large number of samples. Several steps in the procedure have been studied in detail.
Ketosis following administration of adrenal cortex extract.

ConclusionsAn active adrenal cortex extract has been found to increase the ketosis of fasting female rats when administered in large doses. The ketosis of fasting male rats is only slightly increased. Adrenal cortex extract abolishes the partial oxidation of B-hydroxybutyric acid when fed to fasting rats.
2,3‐Fused 1,8‐Naphthyridines

The Friedlander condensation of 2-aminonicotinaldehyde with cyclic ketones leads to the preparation of 2,3-fused 1,8-naphthyridines. The spectral properties and basicities of these molecules are discussed.
Cloning and functional characterization of recombinant equine P-selectin

The recent molecular characterization and sequencing of equine P-selectin (ePsel), and its glycoprotein ligand, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), have provided the tools for further investigation into their role in leukocyte trafficking. Here, we report the generation of a genetically engineered chimeric protein (ePsel-IgG) in which the equine P-selectin lectin and epithelial growth factor (EGF) domains were covalently linked to the equine IgG1 heavy chain constant region. The soluble ePsel-IgG was observed to bind to equine monocytes by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Furthermore, equine monocytes bound to immobilized ePsel-IgG in a time course and dose dependent manner. Not only did ePsel-IgG act as an adhesion molecule, it was also found to activate ERK1/2 kinase and induce IL-8 mRNA expression in equine monocytes. That all of the aforementioned ePsel-IgG-induced cell binding and cell signaling were abolished by the addition of EDTA, suggested that ePsel-IgG chimera mediated events occurred via the P-selectin ligand, PSGL-1. We were able to demonstrate that 78% of equine monocytes cross-reacted with anti-human HECA-452 antibody, which recognizes the sialy-Lewis X (sLex) epitope, a well-known carbohydrate binding site on human PSGL-1. Pre-incubation of equine PBMC with neuraminidase or O-sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase (OSGP) reduced ePsel-IgG monocyte binding to 36% or 60%, respectively. Taken together, these data suggest that there might be two ligand recognition sites on P-selectin, one of which recognizes sLex and another which recognizes P-selectin ligand core protein. The ePsel-IgG chimera can be a useful as a reagent for further studies on the role of equine P-selectin and signal transduction in inflammatory events in horse.
WIRE 3 : Driving Around the Information Super-Highway

Interactive voice browsers offer an alternative paradigm that affords ubiquitous mobile access to the WWW using a wide range of consumer devices. This technology can facilitate a safe, “hands-free” browsing environment that is of importance both to car drivers and various mobile and technical professionals. This paper describes the challenges of architecting an interactive voice browser that combines digital audio with the features of a speech synthesizer to make structural elements of the document explicit to the listener. The aesthetics of the audio rendition can simultaneously help reduce the monotony factor and enhance comprehension. The evolution of the voice browser gave rise to a new conceptual model of the HTML document structure and its mapping to a 3D audio space. A number of novel features are discussed for improving both the user’s comprehension of the HTML document structure and their orientation within it. These factors, in turn, can improve the effectiveness of the browsing experience.
N2O Decomposition over Manganese Oxides

The catalytic decomposition of N2O was studied over four different oxides of manganese—MnO, Mn3O4, Mn2O3, and MnO2. The respective specific activities were 6.3 × 10−4, 2.5 × 10−3, 4.8 × 10−3, and 8.1 × 10−4μmol/sċm2at 623 K and 0.066 atm of N2O. Apparent activation energies fell between 19 and 27 kcal/mol, and the reaction orders with respect to N2O were between 0.74 and 0.89. XRD patterns showed that pretreatment at 773 K under He converted MnO2into Mn2O3, which gave a specific activity similar to that of the original Mn2O3sample; therefore, MnO2was pretreated under pure oxygen at 645 K prior to reaction to retain the bulk MnO2phase. On the other hand, MnO was oxidized to Mn3O4during the course of N2O decomposition. Thus Mn2O3is the phase associated with the highest catalytic activity. A detailed kinetic study with the most active Mn2O3sample found that the reaction order at 648 K with respect to N2O was near 0.8 over a wide pressure range, and the reaction rate was retarded by oxygen. The experimental data fit a simple Langmuir–Hinshelwood model well and both kinetic and thermodynamic parameters could be determined. The activation energy for the rate determining step—dissociation of adsorbed N2O into N2(g)and adsorbed oxygen—was 31 kcal/mol. Weak N2O adsorption was indicated by heat of adsorption and entropy of adsorption values of 7 kcal/mol and −9 cal/molċK, respectively, while for O2adsorption the respective values were 22 kcal/mol and −26 cal/molċK. Independent Langmuir isotherms for N2O adsorption between 297 and 353 K revealed only reversible adsorption with a heat of adsorption of 5 kcal/mol.
Optimal concentration of SiC in SiC/Al composites: experiment and percolation theory prediction of lower and upper bounds

Abstract We have measured the mechanical strength of composites made by pressing mixed powders of deformable aluminum (Al) and non-deformable silicon carbide (SiC) as a function of the volume fraction of SiC and porosity. The experimental results show a peak in green strength at low SiC concentration. We explain these results as a competition between strengthening by clusters of interlocking Al–SiC sub-units and weakening by clusters of SiC particles. This clustering behavior of the composites is modeled by a random binary mixture model and described in terms of percolation theory. From extensive simulations of the model in three different lattice structures, we find the critical concentrations of SiC required to form two different types of percolating clusters, thus providing lower and upper bounds for the optimal concentration. Quantitative comparison between the simulations and experimental results shows good agreement.
Combined fitting of small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray total scattering data from nanoparticles: benefits and issues

Simultaneous fitting of small- (SAS) and wide-angle (WAS) X-ray total scattering data for nanoparticles has been explored using both simulated and experimental signals. The nanoparticle types included core/shell metal and quantum-dot CdSe systems. Various combinations of reciprocal- and real-space representations of the scattering data have been considered. Incorporating SAS data into the fit consistently returned more accurate particle-size distribution parameters than those obtained by fitting the WAS data alone. A popular method for fitting the Fourier transform of the WAS data (i.e. a pair-distribution function), in which the omitted SAS part is represented using a parametric function, typically yielded significantly incorrect results. The Pareto optimization method combined with a genetic algorithm proved to be effective for simultaneous SAS/WAS analyses. An approach for identifying the most optimal solution from the Pareto set of solutions has been proposed.
Excitation-contraction latencies in postnatal rat skeletal muscle fibers.

Abstract Recent observations showing the presence of predominantly longitudinally oriented triads in the leg muscle fibers of newborn rats suggest a difference between the excitation-contraction (E-C) latencies in the leg muscles of newborn and adult rats. The extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (SOL) muscles were prepared in situ and stimulated indirectly through the peripheral segment of the crushed sciatic nerve. The preparations were maintained at a constant temperature of 37 C. Muscle action potentials were recorded with extracellular electrodes. The time between the beginning of the action potential and the beginning of the recorded development of tension in the muscle was measured in 98 young rats ranging in age from 1 to 40 days. This time was used as an indication of the E-C latency of the muscles. The average E-C latency in the EDL of 1-day rats was found to be about 6 msec. This latency rapidly declines during the first 10–15 days after birth to an average E-C latency of 2.8 msec by day 15 and then gradually approaches the average adult latency of 2.5 msec. Similar decreases in latency occur in the SOL muscle. Recent observations on the rat EDL and SOL, indicating that there is a change from the predominantly longitudinal to a predominantly transverse orientation of the triads during the first 10–15 days after birth, suggest that changes in the triads may be related to the observed decrease in E-C latency.
A GENERIC-LEVEL REVISION OF THE SPIDER SUBFAMILY COELOTINAE (ARANEAE, AMAUROBIIDAE)

Abstract The Holarctic coelotine spiders are revised at the generic level. Coelotine morphology, particularly genitalic morphology, is described, the subfamily and generic limits are defined, and a cladistic hypothesis of generic relationships is presented. The subfamily Coelotinae is defined to include 20 genera and 277 species. The 20 genera are: Ambanus Ovtchinnikov, 1999, with 18 species from far eastern Russia, northeastern China, Japan, and Korea (including 6 new combinations); Asiacoelotes, new genus, with 15 East Asian species (all new combinations, with 3 new synonyms); Bifidocoelotes, new genus, with 2 species from China (both new combinations); Coelotes Blackwall, 1841, with 123 species from Europe and Asia (including 2 new synonyms); Coras Simon, 1898, with 15 North American species and 2 species from China; Coronilla Wang, 1994, with 2 species from China (including 2 new synonyms); Draconarius Ovtchinnikov, 1999, with 26 Asian species (including 25 new combinations and 1 new synonym); Eurocoe...
Quark-gluon transport theory II. Color response and color correlations in a quark-gluon plasma

Starting from a classical kinetic description of the quark-gluon plasma, we derive in the linear response approximation the color response function near thermodynamic equilibrium. From its poles the dispersion relations for the collective color modes (one longitudinal and one transverse) are obtained. The absence of Landau damping in the quark-gluon plasma is shown, and other damping mechanisms are discussed. A common misunderstanding concerning Landau damping in an electron plasma at low momenta is clarified. Finally we find the color correlation function in an equilibrium QCD plasma, using the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. Its relation to the gluon polarization operator in finite temperature QCD is discussed. The coefficient for color transport (color conductivity) is determined within a relaxation time model. Possible applications in the computation of plasma observables are pointed out.
Mobility-Resolved Ion Selection in Uniform Drift Field Ion Mobility Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry: Dynamic Switching in Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations

A Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations (SLIM) module that allows ion mobility separations and the switching of ions between alternative drift paths is described. The SLIM switch component has a “Tee” configuration and allows the efficient switching of ions between a linear path and a 90-degree bend. By controlling switching times, ions can be efficiently directed to an alternative channel as a function of their mobilities. In the initial evaluation the switch is used in a static mode and shown compatible with high performance ion mobility separations at 4 Torr. In the dynamic mode, we show that mobility-selected ions can be switched into the alternative channel, and that various ion species can be independently selected based on their mobilities for time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF MS) IMS detection and mass analysis. This development also provides the basis of, for example, the selection of specific mobilities for storage and accumulation, and the key component of modules for the assembly of SLIM devices enabling much more complex sequences of ion manipulations.
Efficient synthesis of a novel m-phenylene derivative as a selective EP4 agonist inducing follicular growth and maturation in the ovary.

Abstract An efficient and straightforward synthesis of a novel m-phenylene derivative has been developed. The optically pure dibromo compound was selected as a starting material. Through a protocol involving the Prins reaction and two steps of the Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction, the basic skeleton was constructed with appropriate alpha and omega side chains. The compound proved to be a highly selective EP4 agonist and a possible drug candidate for maturation of the uterine cervix.
Cognitive Functioning in Children from Alcoholic and Non‐alcoholic Families

Summary Cognitive, academic, and behavioral problems have been reported to occur among school-aged children of alcoholics. Many of these reports have obtained data from very mixed samples of high risk subjects. The present study focused instead on a homogeneous non-disadvantaged sample of 50 male and female children of recovering alcoholics and compared them to 48 male and female children of non-alcoholics using a test battery assessing cognitive functioning. Included were measures of intelligence and academic performance as well as parental ratings and self ratings of perceived cognitive competence. Statistically significant differences between these two groups on Verbal, Performance, and Pull Scale IQ were not found. Similarly, there were no significant differences in academic performance. However, there were significant differences in mother's perceptions and self-perceptions of cognitive competence. The pattern of results suggest evidence that cognitive functioning problems in non-disadvantaged children of alcoholics are subtle and perhaps less influential with regard to academic problems than maternal performance expectations and self perceptions of cognitive competence.
Nonlinear response of lipid-shelled microbubbles to coded excitation: implications for noninvasive atherosclerosis imaging

Nonlinear (subharmonic/harmonic) imaging with ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) could characterize the vasa vasorum, which could help assess the risk associated with atherosclerosis. However, the sensitivity and specificity of high-frequency nonlinear imaging must be improved to enable its clinical translation. The current excitation scheme employs sine-bursts — a strategy that requires high-peak pressures to produce strong nonlinear response from UCA. In this paper, chirp-coded excitation was evaluated to assess its ability to enhance the subharmonic and harmonic response of UCA. Acoustic measurements were conducted with a pair of single-element transducers at 10-MHz transmit frequencies to evaluate the subharmonic and harmonic response of Targestar-P ® (Targeson Inc., San Diego, CA, USA), a commercially available phospholipid-encapsulated contrast agent. The results of this study demonstrated a 2 - 3 fold reduction in the subharmonic threshold, and a 4 - 14 dB increase in nonlinear signal-to-noise ratio, with chirp-coded excitation. Therefore, chirp-coded excitation could be well suited for improving the imaging performance of high-frequency harmonic and subharmonic imaging.
Proline in α‐helix: Stability and conformation studied by dynamics simulation

Free-energy simulations have been used to estimate the change in the conformational stability of short polyalanine alpha-helices when one of the alanines is replaced by a proline residue. For substituting proline in the middle of the helix the change in free energy of folding (delta delta G degrees) was calculated as 14 kJ/mol (3.4 kcal/mol), in excellent agreement with the one available experimental value. The helix containing proline was found to be strongly kinked; the free energy for reducing the angle of the kink from 40 degrees to 15 degrees was calculated, and found to be small. A tendency to alternate hydrogen bonding schemes was observed in the proline-containing helix. These observations for the oligopeptide agree well with the observation of a range of kink angles (18-35 degrees) and variety of hydrogen bonding schemes, in the rare instances where proline occurs in helices in globular proteins. For substituting proline at the N-terminus of the helix the change in free energy of folding (delta delta G degrees) was calculated as -4 kJ/mol in the first helical position (N1) and +6 kJ/mol in the second helical position (N2). The observed frequent occurrence of proline in position N1 in alpha-helices in proteins therefore has its origin in stability differences of secondary structure. The conclusion reached here that proline may be a better helix former in position N1 than (even) alanine, and thus be a helix initiator may be testable experimentally by measurements of fraction helical conformation of individual residues in oligopeptides of appropriate sequence. The relevance of these results in regards to the frequent occurrence of proline-containing helices in certain membrane proteins is discussed.
Contrast enhancement of mammogram by image processing

Digital mammography has great potential effect on the management of breast cancer. With an appropriate image processing technique, the sensitivity and specificity of tumor detection in mammography may be improved further. Small objects such as microcalcifications in mammograms have low contrast because of the high x-ray penetration of the objects, scattered radiation, and the limited capability of film to develop maximum contrast over an extended range of exposure values. Low contrast tumors may be missed by radiologists during mammogram reading. Standard image processing techniques, such as gray-level histogram equalization, spatial filtering and/or unsharp masking, do not perform well on mammographic images due to large variation in feature size and shape as well as the variation of normal background tissues. This paper presents a technique based on local contrast histogram modification. We associate a contrast value with each pixel in the image. The contrast of a pixel with respect to its background is enhanced by modifying the contrast histogram. The following section gives a brief review of contrast enhancement techniques for mammographic images.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Hatching scarf: a critical design about anxiety and persuasive computing

In HCI there are many applications and tangible objects that focus on how we can measure quantified data about ourselves, which encourage us to pursue desired behavior and to support our achievement of goals. Yet to what extent do many of these persuasive technologies inadvertently contribute to unhealthy anxieties about, e.g., body weight? I present Hatching Scarf, which is a computational interactive design that encourages its users to reflect on their persons as both objects and subjects of knowledge. This computational object contains a range of metaphors, symbols, and concepts to help critically interrogate the relations among technology, social norms, and comforting habits.
Classical estrogen receptor α signaling mediates negative and positive feedback on gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuron firing

During the female reproductive cycle, the neuroendocrine action of estradiol switches from negative feedback to positive feedback to initiate the preovulatory GnRH and subsequent LH surges. Estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) is required for both estradiol negative and positive feedback regulation of LH. ERalpha may signal through estrogen response elements (EREs) in DNA and/or via ERE-independent pathways. Previously, a knock-in mutant allele (ERalpha-/AA) that selectively restores ERE-independent signaling onto the ERalpha-/- background was shown to confer partial negative but not positive estradiol feedback on serum LH. The current study investigated the roles of the ERE-dependent and ERE-independent ERalpha pathways for estradiol feedback at the level of GnRH neuron firing activity. The above ERalpha genetic models were crossed with GnRH-green fluorescent protein mice to enable identification of GnRH neurons in brain slices. Targeted extracellular recordings were used to monitor GnRH neuron firing activity using an ovariectomized, estradiol-treated mouse model that exhibits diurnal switches between negative and positive feedback. In wild-type mice, GnRH neuron firing decreased in response to estradiol during negative feedback and increased during positive feedback. In contrast, both positive and negative responses to estradiol were absent in GnRH neurons from ERalpha-/- and ERalpha-/AA mice. ERE-dependent signaling is thus required to increase GnRH neuron firing to generate a GnRH/LH surge. Furthermore, ERE-dependent and -independent ERalpha signaling pathways both appear necessary to mediate estradiol negative feedback on serum LH levels, suggesting central and pituitary estradiol feedback may use different combinations of ERalpha signaling pathways.
Senescence- and death-related alteration of chlorophylls and carotenoids in marine phytoplankton

Abstract This report extends previous work ( Louda et al., 1998a , Louda et al., 1998b . Chlorophyll degradation during senescence and death. Organic Geochemistry 29, 1233–1251.) in which we detailed type-I (alteration) and -II (destruction) degradation of chlorophyll with representative fresh water phytoplankton. The present study covers similar experiments with marine phytoplankton, namely, a cyanobacterium (“ANA” Anacystis sp), a coccolithophore (“COC” Coccolithophora sp.), a dinoflagellate (“GYM” Gymnodinium sp.) and two diatoms (“CYC” Cyclotella meneghiniana and “THAL” Thalassiosira sp.). Mg loss (‘pheophytinization') was rapid and continuous in all species under room-oxic conditions and slow or sporadic under anoxic conditions. The proportion of dephytylated pigments (pheophorbides-a, chlorophyllides-a), relative to the phytylated forms (chlorophyll-a, pheophytins-a), increased over the first year under room-oxic conditions and in room-anoxic conditions only in “CYC”. Pheophorbide-a was converted to pyropheophorbide-a within 15 months only in “THAL” and “ANA”, and slightly in “COC”. After 9–15 months of oxic incubation, “COC” was found to contain traces of purpurin-18 phytyl ester. Consideration of carotenoid pigments is also included herein. All fucoxanthin containing species, except “THAL”, exhibited conversion of fucoxanthin to fucoxanthinol in room-oxic conditions. Diadinoxanthin was rapidly de-epoxidized to give diatoxanthin within the first 2–4 weeks. Diatoxanthin then disappeared from all species by 15 months with a concurrent increase in a pigment which we tentatively identify as a cis-zeaxanthin. Incubations of pure cultures are found to be an effective way by which to model the early type-I reactions for both chlorophylls and carotenoids. The influence of oxygen during senescence-death and the onset of early diagenesis is of paramount importance. The absence of oxygen and, by inference, aerobic microbiota, retards the breakdown of these pigments dramatically.
Fostering Empathy in Undergraduate Health Science Majors through the Reconciliation of Objectivity and Subjectivity: An Integrated Approach.

The demand for empathetic health care practitioners requires an academic curriculum suited to that need. Here we describe a series of integrated activities that were designed to foster empathy in undergraduate health science majors. By combining content and pedagogical approaches from the humanities and sciences, we asked students to reconcile objective and subjective modes of understanding the human body as a learning object. Preliminary evaluations of student behavior, written student responses, and survey results are offered as support for our conclusion that the integration of a humanities perspective into the Anatomy classroom at University of Minnesota Rochester can facilitate the process of developing student empathy through the reconciliation of objective and subjective modes. Furthermore, students were able to apply this understanding to images on the page or screen, to living human learning objects and human cadavers. Although to claim that these activities in themselves can stymie the stasis/decline of empathy that health science students report would be patently false, we conclude that similar approaches could offer an avenue by which other educators might develop similar activities that, in aggregate, might have a lasting effect from the undergraduate through the graduate level of training in the health sciences. Anat Sci Educ. © 2012 American Association of Anatomists.
Automatic seal imprint verification system for bank check processing

In this paper, we propose a multi-expert seal imprint verification system. The system has been specifically designed for applications in the Japanese bank check processing. A difficult problem encountered in automatic seal imprint verification is that the system is required an extremely low error rate despite of using a small number of reference data for training. To conquer this problem, it combines two different algorithms for seal imprint verification. A seal imprint is first extracted from bank check image based on color features. The first verification algorithm is based on a method using local and global features of seal imprint. The second algorithm uses a special correlation based on a global approach. The two algorithms are combined in the multi-expert system by a voting strategy. Experimental results showed that the combination of the two algorithms improves significantly the verification performance both on "false-acceptance error rate" and "false-rejection error rate".
Complex‐coordinate studies of helium autoionizing resonances

Several aspects of the numerical application of the complex-coordinate method for calculating helium autoionizing resonances are discussed. A direct-search algorithm is used to locate resonance eigensolutions that satisfy the virial theorem, and the influence of the basis set on the accuracy of the calculated positions and widths is investigated. The complex-coordinate method is related to the stabilization method of Holoien and Midtdal.