cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanochemical tuning of myosin-I by the N-terminal region

Myosins are molecular motors that generate force to power a wide array of motile cellular functions. Myosins have the inherent ability to change their ATPase kinetics and force-generating properties when they encounter mechanical loads; however, little is known about the structural elements in myosin responsible for force sensing. Recent structural and biophysical studies have shown that myosin-I isoforms, Myosin-Ib (Myo1b) and Myosin-Ic (Myo1c), have similar unloaded kinetics and sequences but substantially different responses to forces that resist their working strokes. Myo1b has the properties of a tension-sensing anchor, slowing its actin-detachment kinetics by two orders of magnitude with just 1 pN of resisting force, whereas Myo1c has the properties of a slow transporter, generating power without slowing under 1-pN loads that would stall Myo1b. To examine the structural elements that lead to differences in force sensing, we used single-molecule and ensemble kinetic techniques to show that the myosin-I N-terminal region (NTR) plays a critical role in tuning myosin-I mechanochemistry. We found that replacing the Myo1c NTR with the Myo1b NTR changes the identity of the primary force-sensitive transition of Myo1c, resulting in sensitivity to forces of <2 pN. Additionally, we found that the NTR plays an important role in stabilizing the post–power-stroke conformation. These results identify the NTR as an important structural element in myosin force sensing and suggest a mechanism for generating diversity of function among myosin isoforms.
Duration of action of neostigmine in man.

This study was approved by the Human Subjects Committee and written consent was obtained prior to anaesthesia. The subjects of the study were 42 unpremedicated surgical patients, ASA status I, mean age 30.1 years ( SE 1.4) with a mean body surface area of 1.67 m 2 (- SE 0.026). Anaesthesia was induced with halothane and 60 per cent nitrous oxide and oxygen. Occasionally a small amount of sodium thiopentone was used to facilitate induction of anaesthesia. No other drugs were administered. The trachea was intubated without the use of muscle relaxants. End tidal halothane was measured with a Beckman LB2 infrared analyzer and maintained between 0.33 and 0.74 per cent. End tidal carbon dioxide was also measured using an infrared analyzer and was maintained between 36 and 42 torr. Oesophageal temperature ranged between 35.1 and 37.2 ~ C. The ulnar nerve was stimulated at the wrist using a Grass $88 Nerve Stimulator and 23-gauge thin walled needles. A supramaximal pulse of 0.1 milliseconds duration and 0.25 Hz was chosen to avoid repetitive excitation of the nerve) The force of thumb adduction produced by this stimulation was transmitted through a force displacement transducer of the boomerang type" and recorded on a Brush recorder. A control group of 12 patients received d-tubocurarine 4 mg/m 2 body surface area after end tidal halothane concentration had remained constant for 20 minutes (Table I). This dose of d-tubocurarine was chosen in order to produce less than 100 per cent twitch depression in control patients (Figure 1 ). The twitch depression produced by this dose of d-tuboeurarine was measured. Group I ( 15 patients - low dose neostigmine ) was given 1.2 mg/m -~ BSA neostigmine and after intervals of 60, 75, 90, and 120 min d-tubocurarine 4 mg/m 2 BSA was administered. Only one dose of d-tubocurarine was used for each patient. The twitch depression produced by d-tuboeurarine administration was measured at each time interval. Croup II ( 15 patients - high dose neostigmine) was given 2.4 mg/m'-' BSA of neostigmine and after intervals of 60, 90, 120, and 180 rain d-tubocurarine 4 mg/m 2 was given. Again only one dose of d-tubocurarine per patient was used. Twitch depression for this group also was measured at each time interval. Administration of neostigrnine
Engine Sound Quality Evaluation Using Semantic Differential Method

There is an emerging effort in the automotive industry to explore a new horizon of quality, e.g. sensory comfort, beyond the traditional measure of reliability and durability. This is evidenced by the birth of a new engineering field, referred to here as sensory engineering. The objective is to evaluate and characterize human's feeling and incorporate these findings into the engineering and design of the product. In this paper, engine sounds from various passenger vehicles were examined using this approach. Five sound samples under wide-open-throttle acceleration condition and five under constant speed conditions were evaluated using the semantic differential method. Results showed that subject's perception of these sounds can be very well characterized in a semantic space made of three factor axes. Significant difference of mean factor scores appeared along ‘smooth, reliable, & desirable’, ‘loud/whining’, and ‘special & modern’ axes. These results can be used to refine the engine design to achieve a bett...
ETHICS OF BEWILDERMENT

An ethics of bewilderment, which differs dramatically from the more familiar ethics of ease, is best understood through poetic presentations. Using examples drawn from Chinese and Western sources—notably Du Fu and Dante—this inquiry treats bewilderment as both an emotion and a virtue. Both these forms of bewilderment involve an acknowledgment of how minimal is the ethical confidence we have, given the feelings we have and the judgments we must make, but they also extend in productive ways the implications of that acknowledgment.
Understanding the Power of Words in Multicultural Education

Historically, words are powerful! In many cases, they are used appropriately when we value people and used inappropriately when we hate them. As a result, they have become powerful tools in multicultural education and interactions. In today's changing world with demographic shifts in power and paradigm, the society is bombarded with words that hate and words that love. As it appears, words are used to satisfy jaundiced and myopic views, and they are constructs that frequently lead to labels, stereotypes, and illusory generalizations. While we do not advocate policing or legislating words, we advocate words that can help individuals to maximize their fullest potential in our multicultural society. In this article, we advance this premise and suggest ways to increase multicultural education in schools and communities.
Low-temperature phase transitions of Fe3O4 with innocuous dopants

Abstract Both Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ dopants on the A-sites in Fe 3 O 4 lead to a loss in the furcation of the lambda anomaly at the Verwey transition but at markedly different dopant levels. Equilibrium adiabatic calorimetry from 5 to 350 K on new compositions of cadmium- and zinc-doped magneties, e.g. Cd 0.002 Fe 2.998 O 4 and Zn 0.01 Fe 2.99 O 4 , permits an estimate of the mole ratios of Cd and Zn at which they have equivalent effects on the furcation of the lambda anomaly. These results are consistent with a mechanism in which the furcation of the Verwey transition in doped samples depends linearly on the deviation of the lattice constant from that of pure Fe 3 O 4 . Further studies on a deliberately oxidized sample demonstrate that the furcated lambda anomaly is characteristic of stoichiometric materials; apparently B-site vacancies have a much greater effect on the transition than A-site dopants. Heat capacities and thermodynamic properties of the three samples are summarized.
Data-Free Prior Model for Upper Body Pose Estimation and Tracking

Video based human body pose estimation seeks to estimate the human body pose from an image or a video sequence, which captures a person exhibiting some activities. To handle noise and occlusion, a pose prior model is often constructed and is subsequently combined with the pose estimated from the image data to achieve a more robust body pose tracking. Various body prior models have been proposed. Most of them are data-driven, typically learned from 3D motion capture data. In addition to being expensive and time-consuming to collect, these data-based prior models cannot generalize well to activities and subjects not present in the motion capture data. To alleviate this problem, we propose to learn the prior model from anatomic, biomechanics, and physical constraints, rather than from the motion capture data. For this, we propose methods that can effectively capture different types of constraints and systematically encode them into the prior model. Experiments on benchmark data sets show the proposed prior model, compared with data-based prior models, achieves comparable performance for body motions that are present in the training data. It, however, significantly outperforms the data-based prior models in generalization to different body motions and to different subjects.
Phase stability of artificial metallic superlattices: Chemical-order effect.

With the advance of atom by atom deposition techniques, such as magnetron sputtering and molecular-beam epitaxy, it has become possible to design and manufacture materials with composition modulations in one dimension on an atomic scale. A theoretical understanding of the thermodynamic phase stability of these layered materials is still lacking. Therefore, as a first step, the role of short-range interactions within the context of the first-principles electronic theory of phase stability of substitutional bulk alloys on the stability of superlattices and interfaces at $T=0$ K is examined.
Clinical lessons from an experimental model of ARDS.

The oleic acid (OA) lung injury model is one of the most common laboratory methods for studying the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in experimental animals. Many features of the model mimic the pathophysiology of ARDS in humans, despite obvious differences in pathogenesis. Thus, the OA lung injury model has been used extensively to study the consequence of lung injury and to evaluate potential new treatment strategies. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Oxidative stress and antioxidant supplementation in the management of diabetic cardiovascular disease

The diabetic state confers an increased propensity to accelerated atherogenesis. In addition to the established risk factors, there is evidence for increased oxidative stress in diabetes. Increased oxidative stress is manifested by increased lipid peroxidation, increased F2-isoprostanes, increased nitrotyrosine, and increased DNA damage. Also, in diabetics, there is increased superoxide release. With regard to diabetes, antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol, alpha-lipoate, and ascorbic acid supplementation have been shown to be beneficial. Most importantly, alpha-tocopherol therapy, especially at high doses, clearly shows a benefit with regard to low-density lipoprotein oxidation, isoprostanes, and monocyte superoxide release. Thus, it appears that, in diabetes, antioxidant therapy could alleviate the increased attendant oxidative stress and emerge as an additional therapeutic modality.
Formation of resonance states due to interaction between resonators in arrays used in dielectric metamaterials

Electromagnetic responses of 1D dielectric resonator arrays variously positioned with respect to the incident wave are investigated in standard waveguides and free space. It is demonstrated that interaction between resonators causes splitting of the array resonance with the formation of several states that exhibit different capabilities for supporting wave transfer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:555–560, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26596
A note on the distribution of integer points on spheres

In this note, by applying the works of Bocherer and Schulze-Pillot, we evaluate asymptotically the variance of the Linnik distribution, and show as Y → ∞, $$\label{eq1} \sum _{n \leq Y,\, n \not \equiv 0 \, (\, {\rm mod} 4)} \frac{\sum _{|x|^{2} = n} P\left( \frac{x}{|x|} \right)}{n^{1/4}} {\overline{\frac{\sum _{|z|^{2} = n} Q \left(\frac{z}{|z|} \right)}{n^{1/4}}}} = \, c \, \Lambda (1/2,\, P) \, Y + o(Y) ,$$ for any spherical harmonics P, Q on S2 which are Hecke eigenforms, where | · | is the usual Euclidean norm on R3, and c is an explicit constant.
Amyloid formation results in recurrence of hyperglycaemia following transplantation of human IAPP transgenic mouse islets

Aims/hypothesis Islet transplantation is a potential cure for diabetes; however, rates of graft failure remain high. The aim of the present study was to determine whether amyloid deposition is associated with reduced beta cell volume in islet grafts and the recurrence of hyperglycaemia following islet transplantation.
A cylinder‐plate method for the quantitative determination of diffusion of antibacterial drugs from ointments

Plotting the squares of the diameters of the inhibition zones produced by varying concentrations of antibacterial drugs against the logarithms of the concentrations resulted in straight line curves for mercury bichloride, chlortetracycline hydro-chloride, oleandomycin phosphate, salicylic acid, and sodium sulfacetamide. A cylinder-plate method for quantitative determination of diffusion of antibacterial drugs from ointments by reference to the standard curves is presented. The results of simple cylinder-plate-inhibition zone diffusion tests in six different ointment bases are compared with the quantitative data obtained in testing diffusion from the six ointments by the cylinder-plate standard curve method.
Protective effect of metabotropic glutamate mGluR5 receptor elimination in a 6-hydroxydopamine model of Parkinson's disease

Pharmacologic or genetic blockade of metabotropic glutamate mGlu5 receptors (mGluR5) has been shown to attenuate parkinsonian motor deficits and protect nigrostriatal neurons from damage in the acute MPTP model of Parkinson's disease (PD), suggesting that therapeutically targeting the mGluR5 receptor may offer a novel approach to improving motor symptoms and/or slowing neurodegeneration in PD. This study further explored the neuroprotective potential of targeting mGluR5 receptors. We examined the behavioral and neurochemical effects of receptor elimination on toxicity induced by intra-striatal application of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), thought to represent a comparatively progressive model of PD. mGluR5 knockout (KO) mice and wild-type (WT) littermates received unilateral 6-OHDA infusions. Reflecting the imbalance expected following unilateral infusion, WT but not KO mice demonstrated predominantly ipsilateral forepaw use and robust ipsilateral amphetamine-induced rotation. Further, performance on the vertical pole descent task was profoundly impaired in WT mice, while KO mice completed the task significantly faster. Consistent with the behavioral observations, neurochemical analyses of striatal dopamine depletion showed significantly diminished severity in KO mice with only 64% of striatal dopamine lost, compared to 92% in WT mice. The absence of brain mGluR5 receptors in living KO mice was verified using positron emission tomography (PET). Our findings substantiate the key role of mGluR5 receptors in animal models of PD, strengthening the rationale for the development of mGluR5 antagonists for their neuroprotective, as well as symptomatic, benefit.
Education to increase ophthalmologic care in older onset diabetes patients: indications from the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Abstract Both physicians and diabetic persons must be educated about the need for regular ophthalmologic examinations to prevent blindness. A large population-based study of diabetic persons living in Southern Wisconsin (Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy), designed to evaluate the incidence and associated risk factors for diabetic retinopathy, provided the opportunity to evaluate an intervention to increase ophthalmologic care. As part of this study, a sample of persons less than 80 years of age with older onset diabetes of less than 15 years duration was identified and examined in both 1980–1982 and 1984–1986 ( n = 619) using standardized protocols. Study subjects received educational material on diabetic eye disease, and examination findings were conveyed to each participant and their primary physician. To evaluate the effect of this intervention, a random representative sample of diabetic persons who were not selected for examination (a nonintervention control group) was identified and interviews were completed with 241 (80%) of the surviving subjects. The two study groups were similar with respect to demographic factors, employment status, medical history, and frequency of physician visits and hospitalizations, but not for income. Self-assessments of general health were also identical between the selected and nonintervention groups. Overall, both groups reported very similar patterns of ophthalmologic care, visual impairment, and knowledge of retinopathy. These results suggest that a more intensive intervention is needed to improve the ophthalmologic care patterns of the diabetic population at risk of eye disease.
Quantifying built-in construction gradients and early-age slab deformation caused by environmental loads in a jointed plain concrete pavement

Construction curling and warping produces a built-in gradient, which takes place as the result of changes in temperature and moisture that occur prior to the hardening of Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements. The slab remains flat in the presence of this gradient because the plastic concrete has not developed sufficient stiffness to generate stress or strain. The new Guide for the Design of New and Rehabilitated Pavement Structures has shown the importance of quantifying the built-in gradient. In this study, the magnitude of the built-in gradient was quantified along with the early-age response of the slab to environmental loads. It was found that the equivalent linear temperature gradient at the time of set was < 0.09°C/cm (0.55°F/in.). The largest built-in curvature measured along the diagonal for the restrained and unrestrained slabs was 0.0000124 1/m (0.0000408 1/ft) and 0.0000138 1/m (0.0000454 1/ft), respectively. The increase in curvature with an increase in equivalent linear temperature gradie...
DNA Binding Domain in the Replication Checkpoint Protein Mrc1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The replication checkpoint is activated when replication forks are obstructed by DNA lesions or protein complexes bound to DNA or when DNA synthesis is restrained by the limited availability of deoxyribonucleotides. This checkpoint preserves genome integrity by stabilizing stalled forks and delaying the onset of mitosis. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Mrc1 is a replication checkpoint adaptor protein that allows the sensor kinase Rad3-Rad26 to activate the effector kinase Cds1. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Mrc1 associates with replication forks and co-precipitates with the DNA replication protein Cdc45. Whether or not Mrc1 interacts directly with DNA is unknown. Here we define a approximately 150 amino acid DNA binding domain (DBD) in the N-terminal region of S. pombe Mrc1. The DBD interacts preferentially with branched DNA structures in vitro. Deletion of the DBD or point mutations that diminish its DNA binding activity render cells sensitive to the replication inhibitor hydroxyurea. These mutations also impair the replication checkpoint arrest. The DBD has a helix-loop-helix motif that is predicted to bind DNA. This motif is conserved in the recently identified N-terminal DBD of human Claspin, a presumptive homolog of yeast Mrc1 proteins.
Comparative appraisal of expressive artifacts

This paper describes a form of comparative, structured appraisal of expressive artifacts that adds to the existing repertoire of HCI assessment techniques. Comparative appraisal uses a situationally defined procedure to be followed by multiple assessors in examining a group of artifacts. The conceptual basis for this method is drawn from writing assessment.
Julian of Norwich's Showings and the Ancrene Riwle: Two Rhetorical Configurations of Mysticism

Many medieval women mystics undermined misogyny with persuasive eloquence. This essay does a comparative rhetorical analysis of Julian of Norwich's Showings and the Ancrene Riwle, positing that the...
Tamponade nephrostomy catheter for percutaneous nephrostolithotomy

Hemorrhage from the nephrostomy tract is the most common major complication associated with percutaneous nephrostolithotomy. The tamponade nephrostomy catheter is a new addition to the endourologist's instruments; it is expressly designed to achieve immediate tamponade of the nephrostomy tract. The large-diameter, occlusive balloon (36F) is carried on a 14-F nephrostomy tube which is passed over a 5-F ureteral stent. As such, the catheter not only tamponades the nephrostomy tract but effectively drains the renal pelvis, while maintaining ureteral access.
Functional Generalized Linear Models with Images as Predictors

Functional principal component regression (FPCR) is a promising new method for regressing scalar outcomes on functional predictors. In this article, we present a theoretical justification for the use of principal components in functional regression. FPCR is then extended in two directions: from linear to the generalized linear modeling, and from univariate signal predictors to high-resolution image predictors. We show how to implement the method efficiently by adapting generalized additive model technology to the functional regression context. A technique is proposed for estimating simultaneous confidence bands for the coefficient function; in the neuroimaging setting, this yields a novel means to identify brain regions that are associated with a clinical outcome. A new application of likelihood ratio testing is described for assessing the null hypothesis of a constant coefficient function. The performance of the methodology is illustrated via simulations and real data analyses with positron emission tomography images as predictors.
An overview of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of amlodipine in elderly persons with systemic hypertension

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data were compared between elderly and young patients with hypertension who received single intravenous doses of amlodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, followed by oral administration of amlodipine up to 10 mg once daily for 12 weeks. After intravenous administration, elderly patients had prolonged elimination half-life values (58 +/- 11 vs 42 +/- 8 hr; p < 0.05) caused by decreased clearance (19 +/- 5 vs 7 liters/hr; p < 0.05). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly decreased from baseline throughout the 3-month treatment period in both groups. After long-term oral administration, elderly and young patients had comparable decreases in mean blood pressure at a given drug plasma concentration. The antihypertensive effect of amlodipine is well correlated with plasma concentration and, at a given concentration, is similar in both elderly and young patients.
Optimal Control of Quaternion Propagation Errors in Spacecraft Navigation

Optimal control techniques are used to drive the numerical error (truncation, roundoff, commutation) in computing the quaternion vector to zero. The normalization of the quaternion is carried out by appropriate choice of a performance index, which can be optimized. The error equations are derived from Friedland's (1978) theoretical development, and a matrix Riccati equation results for the computation of the gain matrix. Simulation results show that a high precision of the order of 10 to the -12th can be obtained using this technique in meeting the q(T)q=1 constraint. The performance of the estimator in the presence of the feedback control that maintains the normalization, is studied.
Keeping our teachers! Investigating mentoring practices to support and retain novice educators

For this study the researchers used data from the 2006 North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions survey to investigate the possible relationship between mentoring and intentionality with respect to beginning teachers’ intentions to remain in the profession. The sample consists of 8838 teachers who were mentored during their first two years of teaching. To determine whether the quality of mentoring is related to teachers’ intentions to stay or leave the profession, mentor matching, degree of support, and frequency of interactions were variables examined. Beginning teachers who were matched by grade level, who received assistance with the supports investigated, and who met with mentors at least once monthly for the specified activities were more likely to commit to remaining in the profession than their peers who had received less support.
A new fibrous structure from fibrous tissue and fibroblasts

A structure that often looked like 200 A particles spaced 600–700 A apart along a thinner fiber was first found in bovine thyroid polyribosome preparations. Further experiments suggested that these strands were associated with connective tissue. Although the particle separation along the fiber was approximately the major spacing of native collagen and in some preparations the fiber between the particles showed beading somewhat similar to embryonic collagen, these strands were not collagen since they were unaffected by collagenase. In very clean preparations the fiber between the particles appeared to be a bundle of several smaller fibers.
The self-consistent mean spherical approximation for the one-component plasma

The consequences of choosing the adjustable hard-core diameter in the mean spherical approximation for the one-component plasma so as to achieve thermodynamic consistency between the energy and compressibility equations are investigated. Such a choice is found to be possible only for Γ>8.5 and, although the resulting correlation functions are discontinuous, the height of the main peak in the static structure factor is remarkably accurate. Two especially noteworthy aspects of the thermodynamic results are that the compressibility equation is much more accurate than in any previous approximation free of input from computer simulations and that the nonstatic part of the internal energy has a Γ1/4 dependence in the strong coupling limit in agreement with Monte Carlo data.
Aplysia synapse associated protein (APSAP): identification, characterization, and selective interactions with Shaker-type potassium channels.

The vertebrate post-synaptic density (PSD) is a region of high molecular complexity in which dynamic protein interactions modulate receptor localization and synaptic function. Members of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family of proteins represent a major structural and functional component of the vertebrate PSD. In order to investigate the expression and significance of orthologous PSD components associated with the Aplysia sensory neuron-motor neuron synapse, we have cloned an Aplysia Dlg-MAGUK protein, which we identify as Aplysia synapse associated protein (ApSAP). As revealed by western blot, RT-PCR, and immunocytochemical analyses, ApSAP is predominantly expressed in the CNS and is located in both sensory neuron and motor neurons. The overall amino acid sequence of ApSAP is 55–61% identical to Drosophila Dlg and mammalian Dlg-MAGUK proteins, but is more highly conserved within L27, PDZ, SH3, and guanylate kinase domains. Because these conserved domains mediate salient interactions with receptors and other PSD components of the vertebrate synapse, we performed a series of GST pull-down assays using recombinant C-terminal tail proteins from various Aplysia receptors and channels containing C-terminal PDZ binding sequences. We have found that ApSAP selectively binds to an Aplysia Shaker-type channel AKv1.1, but not to (i) NMDA receptor subunit AcNR1-1, (ii) potassium channel AKv5.1, (iii) receptor tyrosine kinase ApTrkl, (iv) glutamate receptor ApGluR1/4, (v) glutamate receptor ApGluR2/3, or (vi) glutamate receptor ApGluR7. These findings provide preliminary information regarding the expression and interactions of Dlg-MAGUK proteins of the Aplysia CNS, and will inform questions aimed at a functional analysis of how interactions in a protein network such as the PSD may regulate synaptic strength.
2010-09 Inequality, social respectability, political power and environmental devastation

Although healthy societies may require a degree of material inequality, higher levels of inequality have been linked to negative social consequences ranging from poorer health to lessened democracy...
PLASMA CRYOPRECIPITATION STUDIES: MAJOR INCREASE IN FIBRINOGEN YIELD BY ALBUMIN ENRICHMENT OF PLASMA

Abstract The present studies compared fibrinogen yields of cryoprecipitate (Cr) obtained under differing conditions, and focused on yields from albumin enriched plasma. Addition of human albumin to fresh plasma collected into CPDA-1, citrate, or heparin (4 U/ml) resulted in an average of 2.8 fold (± 0.34 SD, n=17) increase in yields of Cr fibrinogen. This albumin effect was shown with undefatted and defatted albumin, fibrinogen yields increasing in the range of 2–6 g of albumin added/dl of plasma and plateauing thereafter. Similarly increased were yields of fibronectin, plasminogen and factor XIII, but not of factor VIII or of von Willebrand factor. By electrophoretic analyses, Cr fibrinogen from albumin enriched and that from untreated plasma did not differ. Fibrin related measurements disclosed that the albumin enhancement of fibrinogen yield did not result from increased fibrin formation in Cr. This enhancement was shown in plasma that had been enriched with soluble fibrin to increase its yield and in that which had been subjected to hirudin, to high ionic strength, or to dilution to decrease its Cr fibrinogen yield. The results suggest a water exclusion effect, inducing cryoprecipitation of otherwise soluble fibrin/fibrinogen complexes.
Systematic Methods for Analyzing 2 n 3 m Factorial Experiments with Applications

Two systematic procedures to facilitate the analysis of a complete 2 n 3 m factorial experiment are discussed. The methods are applicable when all the quantitative three-level factors are equally spaced and when the contrasts involving qualitative three-level factors appear as if the three-level factors were in fact quantitative and equally spaced. Algorithm I systematizes the calculation of the factor effects for the 2 n 3 m series of designs. Algorithm II yields the set of fitted values, and hence the residuals, based on those factor effects which have been judged to be non-negligible. The two algorithms have additional and possibly more important uses in studying fractionated 2 n 3 m factorial experiments. Algorithm I can be used to facilitate the writing down of the cross-product matrix for any desired set of factor effects for a specified set of treatment combinations. For the special case of the standard fractionated 2 n–p series of designs the two algorithms can be used to find the set of defining ...
Situation assessment and impact assessment activities in information fusion

This paper will provide a description of multiple research efforts in the area of information fusion being conducted at the Fusion Technology Branch, Air Force Research Laboratory. It will describe a series of innovative approaches of traditional fusion algorithms that heuristic reasoning techniques to improve situational assessment and threat prediction. Major features of the presentation will cover Bayesian techniques, Knowledge Based approaches, Artificial Neural Systems (Neural Networks), Fuzzy Logic, and Genetic Algorithms.
Dosimetric impact of the AeroForm tissue expander in postmastectomy radiation therapy: An ex vivo analysis

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effect of the AeroForm (AirXpanders Inc, Palo Alto, CA) tissue expander on the dose distribution in a phantom from a simulated postmastectomy radiation treatment for breast cancer. Methods and materials Experiments were conducted to determine the effect on the dose distribution with the metallic reservoir irradiated independently and with the entire AeroForm tissue expander placed on a RANDO phantom (The Phantom Laboratory, Salem, NY). The metallic reservoir was irradiated on a block of solid water with film at various depths ranging from 0 to 8.2 cm from the surface. The intact 400 cc AeroForm was inflated to full capacity and irradiated while positioned on a RANDO phantom, with 12 optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs) placed at clinically relevant expander-tissue interface points. Results Film dosimetry with the reservoir perpendicular to film reveals 40% transmission at a depth of 0.7 cm, which increases to 60% at a depth of 8.2 cm. In the parallel position, the results vary depending on which area under the reservoir is examined, indicating that the reservoir is not a uniformly dense object. Testing of the intact expander on the phantom revealed that the average percent difference (measured vs expected dose) was 2.7%, σ = 6.2% with heterogeneity correction and 3.7%, σ = 2.4% without heterogeneity correction. The only position where the OSLD readings were consistently higher than the calculated dose by >5% was at position 1, just deep to the canister at the expander-phantom interface. At this position, the readings varied from 5.2% to 14.5%, regardless of heterogeneity correction. Conclusions Film dosimetry demonstrated beam attenuation in the shadow of the metallic reservoir in the expander. This decrease in dose was not reproduced on the intact expander on the phantom designed to replicate a clinical setup.
Microscopic and energy dispersive x-ray analysis of surface adaptation of dental cements to dental ceramic surfaces☆☆☆★★★♢♢♢

Abstract Statement of problem. Clinical failure rates reported for acid etched/resin-bonded ceramic restorations are significantly lower than those reported for restorations luted with traditional cements. This improved clinical performance may be associated with greater adaptation of the resin cements to the ceramic surfaces. Purpose. The objective of this study was to determine whether the use of resin cements accompanied by acid etching results in improved adaptation when compared with the use of zinc phosphate or glass ionomer cements. Results. The results of this experiment indicate that superior adaptation of cement to ceramic is produced by acid etching and luting with resin cement. In addition, the results lead to the hypothesis that the high clinical failure rates reported for zinc phosphate or glass ionomer luted restorations are due either to incomplete adaptation or to failure within the cement. Conclusion. The findings indicate that the use of resin cements accompanied by acid etching of the ceramic surface is the preferred technique for clinical placement of all-ceramic restorations. (J Prosthet Dent 1998;79:378-83.)
Structure, recognition and discrimination in RNA aptamer complexes with cofactors, amino acids, drugs and aminoglycoside antibiotics

Through the use of in vitro selection techniques, a number of RNA aptamers have been selected for their ability to bind ligands with high affinity and specificity. The three-dimensional solution structures of a number of these complexes have been solved within the last 4 years. This review focuses on the structural characterization of the RNA aptamers bound to the cofactors FMN and AMP, the amino acids arginine and citrulline, the drug theophylline and the aminoglycoside antibiotic tobramycin in solution. Analysis of the structural features of these complexes allows the identification of molecular themes in RNA aptamer structure, recognition and discrimination.
OUTPUT CONDITIONS AND RETROACTIVE INHIBITION IN CATEGORIZED FREE RECALL

Summary.--Cueing on both study and recall trials has previously been found to reduce retroactive inhibition in free recall when words from nonrepeated categories appear on the two lists. Strong cues presented only at output were expected to be sufficient to reduce retroactive inhibition. Cueing was expected to reduce the difference between separate and simultaneous recall of two lists by facilitating list differentiation during separate recall. 84 undergraduates were given either a cued or uncued recall trial after learning two lists containing both repeated and nonrepeated categories without cues. List 1 was recalled simultaneously with List 2 or separately. Cued recall was greater than uncued, more nonrepeated category words than repeated were recalled, and cueing was more effective with nonrepeated category words than repeated. No differences as a function of recall test were obtained. The findings add to the mixed results obtained in comparisons of simultaneous and separate recall. The amount of retroactive inhibition in free recall is affected by the type of material learned (e.g., Shuell, 1968) and other conditions during learning (e.g., Strand, 1970). It is also influenced by the conditions under which recall rakes place. Strand ( 1971 ) investigated the effectiveness of category labels as recall cues. When List 1 and List 2 contained words from different (nonrepeated) categories cued subjects recalled more List 1 words than did uncued subjects. However, when the lists contained words from the same (repeated) categories uncued recall was slightly greater than cued recall. The interaction of the cueing and category variables was not significant, although comparisons with a single-list control condition yielded significant retroactive inhibition for all groups except the nonrepeated categories group given cues. The type of recall test, separate or simultaneous, is another output variable which can affect retroactive inhibition. List 1 is either recalled separately from List 2 or both lists are recalled simultaneously without specification of list membership. Simultaneous recall has resulted in less retroactive inhibition than separate (Shuell, 1968; Decker, 1972). However, Andre, Anderson, and Watts (1974) found a difference in favor of separate recall in one experiment and no difference in another when subjects were instructed to alphabetize or cluster in recall. Shuell (1968) and Decker (1972) did not give list organization instructions. ' The cueing and recall test variables are likely to interact rather than yield additive effects. Cueing seems to facilitate recall by providing forgotten stimuli for the words to be recalled. Apparently, cueing nonrepeated categories was effective (Strand, 1971 ) because it provided forgotten category labels; whereas,
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES

Radioactive wastes may be disposed of by dilution to acceptable environmental levels, by storage for decay (maybe hundreds of years), or by reclamation to useful products. Storage for decay is the principal method of disposal. Economical storage usually requires pre-treatment to reduce the volume or to change the phase, or both. Throughout the handling, treatment, and storage, engineering safeguards must be applied to prevent health hazards—hazards that range from only possible genetic changes in future generations to the rapidly fatal supralethal dose of criticality accidents. Precautions must be taken to prevent leakage of stored liquids, leaching of stored solids, and concentration of diluted environmental wastes.
Motor deactivation in the human cortex and basal ganglia

We used a functional magnetic resonance imaging motor activation paradigm for both hands and functional connectivity analyses to investigate motor deactivation. These analyses revealed ipsilateral (to the task) postcentral gyrus connectivity with the ipsilateral primary motor cortex as well as contralateral cerebellum for both hands. Analyses using default-mode network nodes as seed regions revealed connectivity patterns similar to previous studies of the default network and therefore provide evidence that this network is demonstrable using a synchronized motor activation paradigm. We did not find evidence suggesting that motor deactivation represents modulation of the default mode network. Therefore, motor deactivation is likely a motor-specific process. Finally, we found no evidence of basal ganglia circuit deactivation, which suggests that the two-pathway hypothesis of frontal–subcortical circuit function may be incomplete.
Direct Matrix Metalloproteinase Enhancement of Transscleral Permeability

PURPOSE. Previous studies have shown that increased transscleral permeability after exposure to certain prostaglandins is associated with increased intrascleral matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The present study was undertaken to determine whether these MMPs could directly alter transscleral permeability. METHODS. Freshly enucleated mouse eyes were incubated with human MMP-1, -2, and -14 for 4 hours at 37°C. The eyes then were incubated with 10 or 70 kDa dextran-tetramethylrhodamine-lysine for 16 to 32 minutes at 37°C. Two methods of analysis were used. In the first, quickly isolated retinas were homogenized and centrifuged. Fluorescence in the supernatants was determined by microspectrofluorimetry. In the second, the eyes were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, and frozen sections were prepared. After the identity of the sections was masked, the intensity of fluorescence in anterior, middle, and posterior regions of the outer retina and inner retina was scored with a 7-point grading scheme. RESULTS. The concentration of 10-kDa fluorescent dextran was 5.14 1.61 g/mL (mean SD, n 33) in the control retinal supernatants, and 6.37 2.67 g/mL (n 40) in the retinal supernatants from the MMP-treated eyes. This increase was statistically significant (P 0.02, t-test). The structural organization of the retina and other ocular tissues was maintained in all experimental conditions. Histologic scoring of fluorescence found significantly increased dextran in the outer retina of eyes treated with MMPs for 32 minutes (the score of control eyes was 2.5 0.4 and of MMP-treated eyes was 3.5 0.1, mean SD; P 0.02, n 3). Analysis by region found greater scores in the third of the retina nearest to the optic nerve head. CONCLUSIONS. These results show that MMP-1, -2, and -14 can directly increase transscleral permeability and support the view that the increased MMP-1 and -2 observed after topical PG treatment could contribute to increased uveoscleral outflow. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48:752–755) DOI:10.1167/ iovs.06-0334
Switch-Level Logic Simulation of Digital Bipolar Circuits

This paper describes a new approach for logic simulation of bipolar digital circuits. The approach is based on the development of a switch-level model of the transistor and on representing the circuit by a switch-graph. The method automatically partitions the circuit into subcircuits, and symbolic logic expressions are then generated which represent the logic states of the nodes in terms of subcircuit inputs and initial conditions. The method thus extracts a gate-level functional description of the circuit from transistor netlist or layout. Logic and fault simulation can then be performed using either extracted logic expressions or the switch-graph model. The approach has been implemented in a computer program for logic simulation of common-mode logic (CML) bipolar circuit designs.
Software metrics: a re-evaluation and new applications

Software metrics' research has produced as many failures as successes. Theoretical results supported by application experiences help us understand many of the pitfalls. We will discuss how some of these pitfalls can be avoided and how metrics' research can be made more robust so that we can improve the measurements.
Breast cancers not detected at MRI: review of false-negative lesions.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to determine the sensitivity of cancer detection at breast MRI using current imaging techniques and to evaluate the characteristics of lesions with false-negative examinations.MATERIALS AND METHODS. Two hundred seventeen patients with 222 newly diagnosed breast cancers or highly suspicious breast lesions that were subsequently shown to be malignant underwent breast MRI examinations for staging. Two breast imaging radiologists performed a consensus review of the breast MRI examinations. The absence of perceptible contrast enhancement at the expected site was considered to be a false-negative MRI. Histology of all lesions was reviewed by an experienced breast pathologist.RESULTS. Enhancement was observed in 213 (95.9%) of the 222 cancer lesions. Of the nine lesions without visible enhancement, two lesions were excluded because the entire tumor had been excised at percutaneous biopsy performed before the MRI examination and no residual tumor was noted on the final hi...
Effect of phosphate supplementation during immobilization of normal men

Abstract The effect of oral inorganic phosphate supplements (1 to 2 Gm. phosphatephosphorus daily) on calcium metabolism during immobilization was assessed in six healthy volunteer subjects who were placed in plaster spica body casts for 40 days. Compared to values during the control phase, those subjects who did not receive phosphate supplements showed an increased urinary excretion of calcium, negative calcium balance (averaging −152 mg./day/subject), and calcium oxalate crystalluria. In contrast, subjects who received the phosphate supplement showed a decreased urinary excretion of calcium, a lesser degree of negative calcium balance (mean −78 mg./day/subject, and no crystalluria. In addition, the hypercalciuria and crystalluria which occurred in subjects who initially did not receive a phosphate supplement were reversed when the supplement was begun. The data suggest that phosphate supplements can prevent or ameliorate the hypercalciuria, crystalluria, and negative calcium balance associated with immobilization.
Trunk extensor fatigue influences trunk muscle activities during walking gait

Prolonged physical activities may introduce risks for low back injury due to the adapted neuromuscular response of the system once neuromuscular fatigue is present. Trunk extensor muscles were fatigued in fourteen healthy women to observe myoelectric changes in the trunk musculature during walking trials performed before and after fatigue conditions. Sub-maximal efforts at 50% and 70% maximal trunk extension effort were performed until the pre-determined levels could not be sustained. Surface electromyography (EMG) from lumbar paraspinal (LP), rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO) muscles were recorded during fatigue conditions and pre and post fatigue walking trials. Infrared sensors were used to time participants as they walked. Footswitches attached to the right heel were used to record heel contacts, and were time synchronized with the EMG signals. LP and RA activity burst peaks shifted in time at contralateral heel contacts (p<0.05) in the 70% condition, while RA amplitude increased (p<0.05) and EO burst peak temporal shifts (p<0.05) were present in the 50% condition. Reduced ability of the paraspinal muscles to support the trunk after fatigue onset may be a contributing factor, lending to diminished spine stiffness in attenuating ground reaction forces.
Fluorescence mapping of transmembrane potentials during cardiac stimulation

An important effect of electrical stimulation on myocardial tissue is the change in the transmembrane voltage induced during the stimulation pulse. This initial effect then activates transmembrane voltage-dependent ion channels and can produce a propagated action potential after the pulse. Fluorescence mapping with transmembrane voltage-sensitive dye has been used to measure the direction of the initial change in transmembrane voltage-sensitive during a stimulation pulse and the magnitude of the change relative to the action potential amplitude.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.