cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calcium activation of macrocilia in the ctenophore Beroë.

1. Macrocilia on the lips of the ctenophoreBeroe are usually quiescent, but can be activated to beat rapidly and continuously by various stimuli. 2. During feeding, macrocilia beat actively and serve to spread the lips ofBeroe over its prey. 3. Vigorous, repetitive mechanical stimulation of the lips evokes widespread activation of macrocilia via a pathway that is probably neural. 4. Extracellular electrical stimulation (DC or bipolar pulse-trains) elicits immediate activation of macrocilia on lip pieces, but not on dissociated cells. 5. Macrocilia on lip pieces are activated to beat by high KCl artificial sea water (ASW), but not by high KCl Ca-free ASW. Continuous beating for long periods is also elicited by high Ca ASW or Mg-free ASW, but not by Ca-Mg-free ASW. Addition of La, Cd, Co or Mn (10 mM) to high KCl ASW reversibly blocks activation. Verapamil, D-600, nifedipine, or BAY K 8644 (10 μM) has no effect on KCl-induced activation, but the anticalmodulin drug W-7 (10 μM) reversibly inhibits beating. 6. Mild heat treatment dissociates macrociliary cells from lip tissue. Such isolated macrociliary cells usually beat continuously in normal sea water, and swim in circular paths. Ca-free ASW, or addition of Co or Mn to ASW, inhibits beating of dissociated cells. High KCl ASW activates beating of quiescent, isolated macrociliary cells. 7. Ca-Mg-free ASW inhibits beating of dissociated macrociliary cells, and return to Mg-free ASW activates motility, allowing one to activate macrocilia on isolated cells simply by addition of Ca. 8. These results indicate that sensory stimuli associated with feeding may excite the pharyngeal nerve net, thereby depolarizing macrociliary cells and opening voltage-sensitive Ca channels which mediate a Ca influx responsible for activation of beating.
Quantifying binding of focal adhesion proteins using fluorescent spectral microscopy

A central challenge of modern biology is the need to understand how the interactions of protein machines affect cellular physiology and the pathology. Optical imaging and spectroscopy afford unprecedented opportunities in studying these dynamical processes in vivo. Time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer microscopy has been developed to study mechanotransduction processes. Specifically, we demonstrate for the quantification of dissociation constants of focal adhesion proteins in vivo. We also observed the effects of mechanical environment on modifying these interactions.
Sidestream microstream end tidal carbon dioxide measurements and blood gas correlations in neonatal intensive care unit.

Objective The study was designed to assess the use of newer sidestream microstream end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) device in predicting blood carbon dioxide (PCO2) measurements in very low birth weight (VLBW = birth weight <1,500 g) and non-VLBW NICU neonates. Study Design Sidestream microstream ETCO2 detectors were allowed time to calibrate and reach steady state prior to blood gas measurements. Blood CO2 (PCO2) and simultaneous ETCO2 were recorded. Ratio of dead space to tidal volume (VD/VT) was calculated using modified Bohr's equation. Correlation coefficient, estimates of difference, standard deviation, and 95% limits of agreement between ETCO2 and PCO2 concentrations were calculated. Results Two hundred eighty-six paired samples were collected from 48 ventilated NICU patients. Average PCO2 and ETCO2 were 58.4 and 50.6 with a correlation of 0.76. Subgroup analysis showed a correlation of 0.73 in 204 paired blood from 34 VLBW infants and 0.82 in 82 paired samples from non-VLBW infants. Estimates of difference ± standard deviation between PCO2 and ETCO2 concentrations in these three groups, respectively (ALL, VLBW, and non-VLBW) were 7.84 ± 9.96, 8.2 ± 10.16, and 6.95 ± 9.45. The correlation coefficient significantly improved in the VLBW group to 0.86 with dead space to tidal volume ratio (VD/VT) <30% (0.86 vs. 0.42; P < 0.001). Conclusion ETCO2 measurements using sidestream microstream technology in VLBW demonstrated that the correlation of ETCO2 and PCO2 was moderate, but the agreement was less than adequate (bias > 5 mmHg in all groups). The results improved with lower VD/VT, suggesting that sidestream capnography is more reliable in conditions of less severe lung disease. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:250–256. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect upon coronary blood flow of coronary ostial intubation with an angiographic catheter.

Fifty-two patients undergoing cardiac catheterization were studied to determine whether intubation of the coronary ostium in the course of coronary angiographic studies interferes with coronary blood flow. Pressure at the tip of the catheter and coronary sinus blood flow were measured continuously during insertion of a No. 7.2 French Judkins’ catheter into the left coronary ostium and during withdrawal of the catheter from it In 48 of the 52 patients, there was no change in blood flow related to manipulation of the catheter. In four patients, either a drop in flow following insertion of the catheter or a rise following withdrawal or both were recorded. Two of these four patients had high-grade obstruction of the main left coronary artery, and in the other two the catheter inadvertently advanced and became wedged. In all four cases, reduction in coronary flow was indicated by a drop in or “ventricularization” of the catheter-tip pressure. It is concluded that in the large majority of instances, intubation of the coronary ostium during coronary angiographic studies causes no interference with resting coronary blood flow, but that monitoring of catheter-tip pressure is an important, as well as a valid, procedure for detecting such an interference if it should occur.
Sensitivity of Fit Indices to Model Misspecification and Model Types

The search for cut-off criteria of fit indices for model fit evaluation (e.g., Hu & Bentler, 1999) assumes that these fit indices are sensitive to model misspecification, but not to different types of models. If fit indices were sensitive to different types of models that are misspecified to the same degree, it would be very difficult to establish cut-off criteria that would be generally useful. The issue about SEM fit indices being sensitive to different types of models has not received sufficient attention, although there is some research suggesting that this might be the case (e.g., Kenny & McCoach, 2003). This study examines if fit indices are sensitive to different types of models while controlling for the severity of model misspecification. The findings show that most fit indices, including some very popular ones (e.g., RMSEA), may be sensitive to different types of models that have the same degree of specification error. The findings suggest that, for most fit indices, it would be difficult to esta...
⁎3463 Initial experience with a steerable, phased vector array ultrasound catheter in the gastrointestinal tract.

Endoscopic ultrasound requires significant capital outlay, including dedicated echo endoscopes and processors for both linear and radial scanning. The ability to perform high resolution linear scanning and Doppler interrogation using a catheter that interfaces with a standard ultrasound console could increase the accessibility of EUS to many centers. A 10F steerable catheter with a phased Vector array transducer and Doppler capability has recently been developed for intracardiac use. To date, this technology has not been applied to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Aims: To determine the feasibility and imaging characteristics of a new linear-scanning, steerable ultrasound catheter in the GI tract. Methods: Swine under general anesthesia were used. This study utilized a 100cm, 10F, torquable catheter with 4-way tip deflection in excess of 90°. The catheter tip houses a 64-element, linear scanning, transducer with variable frequency (5.5-10MHz) and variable focal distance. It has pulsed/color Doppler capability as well as power- Doppler. The probe was passed through a sigmoidoscope. Scanning was performed from the esophagus and stomach. Acoustic coupling was via a condom filled with water or by gastric water infusion. Needle visualization experiments utilized a second endoscope with a standard EUS-FNA needle. Results: Acoustic coupling was easily achieved. Resolution of the GI wall into characteristic layers (esophagus 5; stomach 7) was demonstrated. At 5.5MHz, tissue resolution was excellent to >10cm from the transducer. An EUS-FNA needle was easily visualized at depth >4cm. Flow in gastric, hepatic and pancreatic parenchymal vessels ~1mm diameter were visualized using power & color Doppler. Measurements of waveform and hemodynamic capabilities were assessed at lower flow rates and greater depth than possible with current EUS instruments. Conclusions: A 10 French, 5.5-10MHz, agile, phased sector array ultrasound catheter with 4 way tip deflection is capable of high resolution 2D imaging of the gut wall as well as high quality Doppler imaging using pulsed and continuous wave, color flow, power, and tissue Doppler. The probe interfaces with a standard cardiac ultrasound console. Needle visualization may allow EUS-FNA procedures without the need for dedicated echoendoscopes. The enhanced Doppler capabilities of this equipment may have new unexplored GI applications eg: blood flow assessment in portal hypertension, malignant and benign processes and peptic ulcer disease.
Particle-mediated delivery of cytokines for immunotherapy

The ability of cytokines to direct the immune response to vaccination, infection and tumors has motivated their use in therapy to augment or shape immunity. To avoid toxic side effects associated with systemic cytokine administration, several approaches have been developed using particle-encapsulated cytokines to deliver this cargo to specific cell types and tissues. Initial work used cytokine-loaded particles to deliver proinflammatory cytokines to phagocytes to enhance antimicrobial and antitumor responses. These particles have also been used to create a cytokine depot at a local site to supplement prophylactic or antitumor vaccines or injected directly into solid tumors to activate immune cells to eliminate established tumors. Finally, recent advances have revealed that paracrine delivery of cytokines directly to T cells has the potential to enhance T-cell mediated therapies. The studies reviewed here highlight the progress in the last 30 years that has established the potential of particle-mediated cytokine immunotherapy.
Correlation of ABH antigenicity and urine cytology results in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder

Loss of ABH antigens from the cell surface of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder has been proposed as an indicator of increased cellular dedifferentiation and the tendency toward invasive recurrence. An attempt was made to correlate the urinary cytology and the ABH antigen status of 57 patients with histologically confirmed bladder tumors and 28 with only dysplasia on biopsy. A review of the results of surface antigenicity studies and the preoperative urine cytologies showed no significant difference in the diagnostic sensitivity of cytology between comparable antigen negative and positive groups.
Autoreactive sites of human lambda light chain mapped by comprehensive peptide synthesis.

Autoantibodies reactive against immunoglobulins are associated with autoimmune disorders as well as with immunization and infection. Moreover, recent interest is focused on auto-antidiotypes because of their possible role in immunoregulation. In this study, we used a set of overlapping synthetic peptides duplicating the structure of the monoclonal human λ light chain Mcg to map autoreactive dterminants recognized by natura lantibodies present in normal polycolonal human IgG. We found that autoantibodies in human IgG react strongly with two distinct Vλ determinants corresponding to the first complementarity determining region (CDR1) and the third framework (Fr3). Antibodies showing weak reactivities against three regions of the constant domain also occur in the preparations. The antibodies directed against light chain peptides comprise less than 0.1% of the IgG pool. Analysis by direct binding and by competitive ELISA inhibition established that affinity purified antibodies specific for CDR1 and Fr3 peptide determinants react with the intact light chain Mcg as well as with the corresponding peptide. Competitive inhibition studies comparing total IgG and affinity-purified antibodies indicate that natural antibodies showing a wide range of affinities are present. The polyclonal nature of the natural antibodies is further shown by the presence of both κ and λ light chains in the purified antibodies. Although the role of such natural antibodies remains to be determined, the cross-reactivity between Vλ peptides and the intact chain suggest that they can function in regulation of antibody formation.
Protein and nitrogen composition of equine (Equus caballus) milk during early lactation

Abstract Separation of whey protein from casein in equine milk was achieved by adjustment of pH to 4.3 without addition of calcium, and by ultracentrifugation at 189,000 g for 1 hr. True protein, whey protein, and casein decreased significantly during the first 28 days of lactation with the magnitude of decrease being greatest for whey protein. The proportion of nitrogen in whey protein: casein decreased from 85:15 to 54:46 during the 28 day time period. The concentration of non-protein nitrogen remained relatively constant at 500 mg nitrogen/I but increased in proportion from 2 to 13% of the total nitrogen during the first 28 days of lactation. These results illustrate the unique nitrogen composition of equine milk, which is intermediate between human and ruminant milk, and how it changes during early lactation.
Racial disparities in preferences and perceptions regarding organ donation.

OBJECTIVES: To identify reasons for lower organ donation rates by African Americans, we examined knowledge and attitudes about brain death, donation, and transplantation and trust in the health care system.
Novel Dexamethasone-Loaded Nanomicelles for the Intermediate and Posterior Segment Uveitis

Development and characterization of dexamethasone (DEX)-encapsulated polymeric nanomicelles have been reported. A low molecular weight di-block copolymer was synthesized and characterized for its structure, molecular weights, critical micelle concentration (CMC), and cytotoxicity in ocular cells. In order to delineate the effects of drug–polymer interactions on drug solubilization in micelle core, a response surface methodology was generated with the help of SAS 9.02 (exploratory model). The method for preparing micelle was modified based on the results obtained from exploratory model. The formulation was optimized by response surface methodology (optimization model) to achieve DEX solubility of above 1 mg/mL. The optimized formulation was characterized for DEX solubility, nanomicelle size, polydispersity index, surface morphology, in vitro transport across conjunctival cell line, and ex vivo transport across excised rabbit sclera. Nanomicelles exhibited average sizes in range of 25–30 nm with unimodel size distribution and low polydispersity of 0.125. Nanomicelles increased DEX permeability by 2 times across conjunctival cell line and by 2.5 times across the excised rabbit sclera as compared to DEX suspension. A design of experiment (DOE) strategy was successfully applied to understand the effects of drug–polymer interaction on drug solubility. DOE was also employed to achieve optimal formulation with high DEX solubility. Nanomicellar formulation significantly enhanced DEX permeability across the excised rabbit sclera. Therefore, nanomicellar formulation may provide therapeutic levels in the back of the eye following topical administration.
Software model checking using languages of nested trees

While model checking of pushdown systems is by now an established technique in software verification, temporal logics and automata traditionally used in this area are unattractive on two counts. First, logics and automata traditionally used in model checking cannot express requirements such as pre/post-conditions that are basic to analysis of software. Second, unlike in the finite-state world, where the μ-calculus has a symbolic model-checking algorithm and serves as an “assembly language” to which temporal logics can be compiled, there is no common formalism—either fixpoint-based or automata-theoretic—to model-check requirements on pushdown models. In this article, we introduce a new theory of temporal logics and automata that addresses the above issues, and provides a unified foundation for the verification of pushdown systems.The key idea here is to view a program as a generator of structures known as nested trees as opposed to trees. A fixpoint logic (called NT-μ) and a class of automata (called nested tree automata) interpreted on languages of these structures are now defined, and branching-time model-checking is phrased as language inclusion and membership problems for these languages. We show that NT-μ and nested tree automata allow the specification of a new frontier of requirements usable in software verification. At the same time, their model checking problem has the same worst-case complexity as their traditional analogs, and can be solved symbolically using a fixpoint computation that generalizes, and includes as a special case, “summary”-based computations traditionally used in interprocedural program analysis. We also show that our logics and automata define a robust class of languages—in particular, just as the μ-calculus is equivalent to alternating parity automata on trees, NT-μ is equivalent to alternating parity automata on nested trees.
Neural Network and Harmonic Analysis for Recovering Missing Extreme Water-Level Data during Hurricanes in Florida

Abstract Predictions of extreme coastal water levels are important to coastal engineering design and hazard mitigations in Florida. Annual maximum water levels are often used in frequency analysis of 1% annual chance flood in coastal flood hazard mapping. However, because of the damage to measurement instruments during hurricanes, some annual maximum water levels may be missed, which makes coastal flood hazard analysis difficult. In this study, a technique was developed to use artificial neural network and harmonic analysis for recovering extreme coastal water levels during hurricanes. The total water levels are decomposed into tidal components and storm surge. Tidal components can be derived by harmonic analysis, whereas storm surge can be predicted by neural network modeling on the basis of the observations of local wind speeds and atmospheric pressure. The neural network model uses three-layer feed-forward back-propagation structure with advanced scaled conjugate training algorithm. The method presente...
The carbonyl epoxide rearrangement. Epoxy imines in the formation of heterotropane derivatives.

Abstract The carbonyl epoxide rearrangement can be extended to δ, e-epoxy imines. The reaction takes place by intramolecular nucleophilic displacement involving attack of the imino nitrogen on the epoxide ring. A high degree of stereospecificity is observed in this process which provides a facile route to 6-oxa-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1] octanes.
Concomitant occurrence of Gitelman and Bartter syndromes in the same family

The molecular defects responsible for the two most-common forms of inherited normotensive hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis have recently been defined. Most patients with Bartter syndrome have defects in transporters in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, such as the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter, NKCC2, or the ATP-sensitive potassium channel, ROMK. Patients with Gitelman syndrome usually have mutations in the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter in the distal convoluted tubule. The location of the affected transporters correlates well with the typical presentation of these syndromes. Patients with Bartter syndrome typically present with normal or increased calcium excretion. Hypomagnesemia is present in only one-third of affected individuals. In contrast, hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria are considered hallmarks of Gitelman syndrome. This report describes siblings presenting as young adults with mild symptoms associated with normotensive hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis. One sibling has hypocalciuria and hypomagnesemia, consistent with Gitelman syndrome. Surprisingly, the other sibling has normal serum magnesium and urinary calcium excretion. These siblings demonstrate the biochemical heterogeneity that can exist in patients with normotensive hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis. This report indicates that hypocalciuria does not always distinguish Gitelman and Bartter syndromes.
A lattice approach to spinorial quantum gravity

A new lattice regularization of quantum general relativity based on Ashtekar's reformulation of Hamiltonian general relativity is presented. In this form, quantum states of the gravitational field are represented within the physical Hilbert space of a Kogut-Susskind lattice gauge theory. The gauge field of the theory is a complexified SU(2) connection which is the gravitational connection for left-handed spinor fields. The physical states of the gravitational field are those which are annihilated by additional constraints which correspond to the four constraints of general relativity. Lattice versions of these constraints are constructed. Those corresponding to the three-dimensional diffeomorphism generators move states associated with Wilson loops around on the lattice. The lattice Hamiltonian constraint has a simple form, and a correspondingly simple interpretation: it is an operator which cuts and joins Wilson loops at points of intersection.
Canonical correlation analysis based on information theory

In this article, we propose a new canonical correlation method based on information theory. This method examines potential nonlinear relationships between p × 1 vector Y-set and q × 1 vector X-set. It finds canonical coefficient vectors a and b by maximizing a more general measure, the mutual information, between aTX and bTY. We use a permutation test to determine the pairs of the new canonical correlation variates, which requires no specific distributions for X and Y as long as one can estimate the densities of aTX and bTY nonparametrically. Examples illustrating the new method are presented.
Ligand dissociation and core fission from diphosphine-protected gold clusters

Highly monodisperse samples of diphosphine ligand (1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane- or 1,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane)-protected gold nanoparticles form rapidly in a mixed methanol/chloroform solvent environment. Methanol soluble octagold, decagold, and undecagold monolayer protected clusters yield very stable ion currents when introduced into a mass spectrometer via electrospray ionization. In addition to neutral ligand loss pathways, collision-induced dissociation generates [AuL]+ and [Au3L]+ (L = diphosphine ligand) as particularly stable product ions from all clusters considered. Furthermore, deca- and undecagold clusters are found to be more resistant to collision induced dissociation, and more susceptible to partial ligand losses than octagold clusters. This suggests that for the deca- and undecagold species, Au−P and P−Ph (Ph = phenyl) bonds within the ligand-protected clusters are of comparable strength.
Antiplatelet and antithrombotic efficacy of DMP 728, a novel platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonist.

BACKGROUNDCurrently used antiplatelet drugs, including aspirin, ticlopidine, and others, are effective against certain but not all of the many endogenous platelet activators. Because of their limited efficacy, a significant number of serious thromboembolic complications still occur, highlighting the need for a more effective therapy. Thus, we have identified a systemically active peptide analogue (DMP 728) of the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) recognition sequence that mediates the binding of ligands such as fibrinogen to the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptors. The goals of the present study were to determine the antiplatelet and antithrombotic efficacies of DMP 728 in various arterial thrombosis models.METHODS AND RESULTSDMP 728 demonstrated antiplatelet efficacy in vitro in inhibiting ADP-induced human platelet aggregation (IC50, 46 +/- 2 nmol/L) and fibrinogen binding to human platelets (IC50, 2.3 +/- 0.8 nmol/L) or purified human GPIIb/IIIa receptors (IC50, 0.6 +/- 0.1 nmol/L). DMP 72...
Deconstructing ribosome construction

The ribosome is an essential ribonucleoprotein enzyme, and its biogenesis is a fundamental process in all living cells. Recent X-ray crystal structures of the bacterial ribosome and new technologies have allowed a greater interrogation of in vitro ribosome assembly; however, substantially less is known about ribosome biogenesis in vivo. Ongoing investigations are focused on elucidating the cellular processes that facilitate biogenesis of the ribosomal subunits, and many extraribosomal factors, including modification enzymes, remodeling enzymes and GTPases, are being uncovered. Moreover, specific roles for ribosome biogenesis factors in subunit maturation are now being elaborated. Ultimately, such studies will reveal a more complete understanding of processes at work in in vivo ribosome biogenesis.
Structural and electronic properties of Au on TiO 2 ( 110 )

The structure and electronic properties of 1-ML Au supported on ${\mathrm{TiO}}_{2}(110)$ have been theoretically investigated using the full potential linearized augmented plane-wave method. Based on total-energy and atomic-force calculations, the preferential adsorption site for the Au adatom is predicted to be the atop site above the fivefold surface Ti atom, with a bond length of ${d}_{\mathrm{A}\mathrm{u}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{T}\mathrm{i}}=2.66\AA{}$ and an adsorption energy of -1.49 eV per adatom. The adsorption of Au enhances the binding energies of the valence bands and core levels of the surface Ti and O atoms, the Au d bands are destabilized with metallic gap states appearing near the Fermi level. This Au-substrate interaction leads to a more active Au site for the ${\mathrm{A}\mathrm{u}/\mathrm{T}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{O}}_{2}(110)$ system compared to the Au(001) surface, in agreement with recent experimental observations.
The Relationship Between Rationalized Schedules and Reduced Arrival Variability

The objective of this paper is to determine the relationship between rationalized schedules and reduced arrival variability and their relative impact on reducing arrival delays. Many NextGen technologies and procedures aim to reduce arrival variability, while policies like congestion pricing and slot auctions seek to rationalize the schedule. Using a simple queueing model, we explore the relative impact of these reductions.
Cancer Stem Cells Implications for Development of More Effective Therapies

Despite advances in the development of cytotoxic chemotherapies, the fact remains that for most common malignancies, metastatic disease remains incurable. Recent work has suggested that most, if not all, malignancies are driven by a small subpopulation of cells that have stem cell characteristics. These “tumor stem cells” are thought to arise either from normal tissue stem cells or from early progenitor cells through dysregulation of self-renewal pathways. The partial differentiation of cancer stem cells may result in tumor heterogeneity. One of the characteristics of this heterogeneity may be reflected in the resistance of cancer stem cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Evidence is presented that current chemotherapeutic regimens selectively target more differentiated cells in tumors, while sparing the tumor stem cell component. This may account for relapse following tumor regression. The mechanisms contributing to the resistance of tumor stem cells to cytotoxic agents may involve increased efficiency of DNA replication and repair mechanisms in stem cells, changes in cell cycle parameters, and the overexpression of antiapoptotic and transporter proteins in these cell populations.
Retention of membrane charge attributes by cryopreserved-thawed sperm and zeta selection

Purpose Mature sperm can be selected based on their negative zeta electrokinetic potential. The zeta selection of cryopreserved sperm is unknown. The objective was to study the effect of zeta processing on the morphology and kinematic parameters of cryopreserved-thawed sperm.
Conformational Prerequisites for α-Lactalbumin Fibrillation†

Bovine α-lactalbumin, a small acidic Ca2+-binding milk protein, formed amyloid fibrils at low pH, where it adopted the classical molten globule-like conformation. Fibrillation was accompanied by a dramatic increase in the β-structure content and a characteristic increase in the thioflavin T fluorescence intensity. S-(Carboxymethyl)-α-lactalbumin, a disordered form of the protein with three out of four disulfide bridges reduced, was even more susceptible to fibrillation. Other partially folded conformations induced in the intact protein at neutral pH, either by the removal of Ca2+ or by the binding of Zn2+ to the Ca2+−protein complex, did not fibrillate, although Zn2+-loaded α-lactalbumin precipitated out of solution as amorphous aggregates. Our data suggest that the transformation of a protein into an essentially unfolded (thus, highly flexible) conformation is required for successful fibril formation, whereas more rigid (but still flexible) species may form amorphous aggregates.
Pre-resection gastric bypass reduces post-resection body mass index but not liver disease in short bowel syndrome

Background Obese patients developing short bowel syndrome (SBS) maintain a higher body mass index (BMI) and have increased risk of hepatobiliary complications. Our aim was to determine the effect of pre-resection gastric bypass (GBP) on SBS outcome. Methods We reviewed 136 adults with SBS: 69 patients with initial BMI 35 were the obese group; and 24 patients had undergone GBP before SBS. Results BMI at 1, 2, and 5 years was similar in control and GBP groups, whereas obese patients had a persistently increased BMI. Eight (33%) of the GBP patients had a pre-resection BMI > 35, but post-SBS BMI was similar to those <35. Obese patients were more likely to wean off PN (47% vs 20% control and 12% GBP, P < .05). Radiographic fatty liver tended to be higher in the GBP group (54% vs 19% control and 35% obese). End-stage liver disease occurred more frequently in obese and GBP patients (30% and 33% vs 13%, P < .05). Conclusions Pre-resection GBP prevents the nutritional benefits of obesity but does not eliminate the increased risk of hepatobiliary disease in obese SBS patients. This occurs independent of pre-SBS BMI suggesting the importance of GBP itself or history of obesity rather than weight loss.
Mantle Anchor Structure: An argument for bottom up tectonics

article i nfo Article history: Close examination of the long wavelength shear velocity signal in the lowermost mantle in the wavenumber domain ties several geophysical observations together and leads to fundamental inferences. When mantle shear velocity model S362ANI at a depth of 2800 km is expanded in spherical harmonics up to degree 18, more than one half of the seismic model's total power is contained in a single spherical harmonic coefficient: the "recumbent" Y20 spherical harmonic; a Y20 with its axis of symmetry rotated to the equatorial plane. This degree 2 signal, which continues with decreasing amplitude for more than 1000 km above the core-mantle boundary (CMB), is characterized by two antipodal regions of low velocities, separated by a circum-polar torus of higher than average velocities. If the slow regions are associated with net excess mass, then any axis of rotation located in the plane of the circum-polar torus will be close to the maximum moment of inertia axis; this includes, of course, the current axis of rotation. We suggest that the recumbent Y20 is a very stable feature: once established, it is difficult to erase, and only relatively small departures from this equilibrium configuration are possible. This anomaly correlates strongly with the degree 2 terms of the residual geoid expansion, distribution of the hot spots above the slow regions, high attenuation in the transition zone, and position of subduction zones above the fast band during the last 200 Ma. Also, the preferred paths of the virtual geomagnetic pole and true polar wander locations for the last 200 Ma lie within the fast band. Since the non-hydrostatic perturbation of the moment of inertia tensor depends only on degree-2 anomalies in the density distribution and deformation of discontinuities, it is natural to infer that rotational dynamics of the Earth have influenced the distribution of heterogeneities in the Earth's deep interior. We propose that the large-scale heterogeneity at the base of the mantle, which we name Mantle Anchor Structure (MAS) may have formed early in the history of the convecting mantle, remained locked in place with respect to the Earth's rotation axis ever since, and is currently imposing the planform of flow in the mantle and of plate tectonics at the surface.
Studies Done in Single Rats, Simultaneously Comparing Disappearance Rates of Compounds from Different Regions of the Small Intestine

AbstractPresented here are a) a simple procedure for measuring regional permeability differences of compounds in the small intestine of a single rat, and b) preliminary study to test the procedure utilizing seven different benzoic acids, e.g. benzoic acid, o-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, m-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid. Rates of disappearance (absorption) of these compounds were measured simultaneously in upper and lower segments of the small intestine using this variation of the in situ rat gut absorption study technique. Under the experimental conditions used, disappearance rate of a given compound was no different from upper or lower segment for any of the compounds except for p-hydroxybenzoic acid. The latter disappeared about three times faster from the upper than lower segment. Not only is this experimental procedure of utility in differentiating regional permeability within the intestine. It offers the option ...
Demographic Response of a Grassland Rodent to Environmental Variability

We used stage-structured matrix population models, derived from 3 years with disparate levels of precipitation, to assess the potential effects of climate change on annual population growth (k) of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). Populations of deer mice increased during a year of normal precipitation (k ¼ 1.69 6 0.02 SE) and a wet year (k ¼ 1.03 6 0.02), but declined in a dry year (k ¼ 0.34 6 0.02). Life-table response experiment analyses indicated that reduced survival of adults in the dry year, and reduced survival of pups and juveniles in the wet year, exerted the greatest influence on variation in population growth. Stochastic models that projected populations of deer mice for a 50-year period predicted that populations would not be able to persist if mean annual precipitation was reduced � 11% by increasing the frequency of dry years. Furthermore, the stochastic population growth rate declined more quickly when the probability of a normal year was reduced, simulating increased variability in rainfall, relative to other scenarios examined. Our stochastic models indicate that a relatively small reduction in mean precipitation could result in substantial population declines of P. maniculatus in the mixed-grass prairie of central North America.
A generalization of semimodular supersolvable lattices

Abstract Stanley (Algebra Universalis 2, 1972, 197–217) introduced the notion of a supersolvable lattice, L, in part to combinatorially explain the factorization of its characteristic polynomial over the integers when L is also semimodular. He did this by showing that the roots of the polynomial count certain sets of atoms of the lattice. In the present work we define an object called an atom decision tree. The class of semimodular lattices with atom decision trees strictly contains the class of supersolvable lattices, but their characteristic polynomials still factor for combinatorial reasons. We then apply this notion to prove the factorization of polynomials associated with various hyperplane arrangements having non-supersolvable lattices.
Unsupervised Learning of Overlapped Speech Model Parameters For Multichannel Speech Activity Detection in Meetings

The study of meetings, and multi-party conversation in general, is currently the focus of much attention, calling for more robust and more accurate speech activity detection systems. We present a novel multichannel speech activity detection algorithm, which explicitly models the overlap incurred by participants taking turns at speaking. Parameters for overlapped speech states are estimated during decoding by using and combining knowledge from other observed states in the same meeting, in an unsupervised manner. We demonstrate on the NIST Rich Transcription Spring 2004 data set that the new system almost halves the number of frames missed by a competitive algorithm within regions of overlapped speech. The overall speech detection error on unseen data is reduced by 36% relative.
The Consultant Pharmacist's Role in Long-term Care Facilities

As the elderly portion of the US population continues to grow at an alarming rate, it is expected that the extent of their drug utilization will also escalate proportionately. The typical geriatric...
Optimally near-far resistant multiuser detection in differentially coherent synchronous channels

The noncoherent demodulation of differentially phase-shift keyed signals transmitted simultaneously via a synchronous code-division multiple-access (CDMA) channel is studied under the assumption of white Gaussian background noise. A class of noncoherent linear detectors is defined with the objective of obtaining the optimal one. The performance criterion considered is near-far resistance that denotes worst-case multiuser asymptotic efficiency over near-far environments. It is shown that the optimal linear detector is a noncoherent decorrelating detector. The commonality between the properties of the decorrelating detectors for coherent and noncoherent channels is established. In particular, it is shown that no other differential phase-shift keying (DPSK), multiuser detector achieves a higher near-far resistance than does the noncoherent decorrelator. >
A structural model of aggregate US job flows: another look

A recent article (Collard et al., 2002) published in this journal presented a structural model of aggregate job flows. Unrestricted estimation of the model yields parameter estimates that would imply an unemployment rate of 99%. Instead of solving this problem by fixing one of the parameters, as originally attempted by the authors, I add moments regarding the employment rate. The new results call for a re-evaluation of the model. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retention of fundamental surgical skills learned in robot-assisted surgery

Evaluation of the learning curve for robotic surgery has shown reduced errors and decreased task completion and training times compared with regular laparoscopic surgery. However, most training evaluations of robotic surgery have only addressed short-term retention after the completion of training. Our goal was to investigate the amount of surgical skills retained after 3 months of training with the da Vinci™ Surgical System. Seven medical students without any surgical experience were recruited. Participants were trained with a 4-day training program of robotic surgical skills and underwent a series of retention tests at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months post-training. Data analysis included time to task completion, speed, distance traveled, and movement curvature by the instrument tip. Performance of the participants was graded using the modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) for robotic surgery. Participants filled out a survey after each training session by answering a set of questions. Time to task completion and the movement curvature was decreased from pre- to post-training and the performance was retained at all the corresponding retention periods: 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. The modified OSATS showed improvement from pre-test to post-test and this improvement was maintained during all the retention periods. Participants increased in self-confidence and mastery in performing robotic surgical tasks after training. Our novel comprehensive training program improved robot-assisted surgical performance and learning. All trainees retained their fundamental surgical skills for 3 months after receiving the training program.
Polymorphisms in the human apolipoprotein-J/clusterin gene: ethnic variation and distribution in Alzheimer’s disease

Apolipoprotein-J/clusterin (APOJ/CLI) shares many biological properties with apolipoprotein-E (APOE) including, but not limited to, avid binding with β-amyloid peptide. Thus, APOJ/CLI warrants scrutiny as a candidate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) susceptibility gene. We identified seven nucleotide sequence polymorphisms in APOJ/ CLI, two of which, in exon 7, alter the predicted amino acid sequence. The JVIIB variant is an asparagine-to-histidine substitution, which deletes a glycosylation signal at amino acid 317; the JVIIC variant is an aspartate-to-asparagine substitution, which forms a new glycosylation signal at position 328. Both of these coding variants, as well as two neutral polymorphisms in exon 2, were more frequent in African-Americans than Hispanics and were rare in Caucasians. However, no individual coding or noncoding variant was consistently associated with AD. At the population level, APOJ/CLI polymorphisms are frequent among persons of African descent, but probably do not alter susceptibility to AD.
Multi-Bit Carry Chains for High-Performance Reconfigurable Fabrics

Ripple-carry architectures are the norm in today's reconfigurable fabrics. They are simple, require minimal routing, and are easily formed across arbitrary cells in a fabric. However, their computation delay grows linearly with operand width. Many different fabric carry-chains have been presented in literature offering non-linear delays, but generally require a significant investment in routing and processing area. Carry-skip chains are well-known in arithmetic logic design, and although they too possess a linear delay, their performance is 2times or more faster than simple ripple-carry schemes. They require an expanded carry chain and minimal extra logic, but offer impressive speed-ups for arithmetic. This paper presents a reconfigurable cell that supports carry-skip arithmetic using a multi-bit carry chain achieving 2 middot k middot b+ n/b performance, where b is the block size and k is an architecture constant. The cell is specialized for arithmetic and Boolean operations with reduced configuration memory. Additional resources are provided to reuse the multi-bit carry chain for 3-source operand arithmetic to explore how multi-bit chains can be reused
Independent Regulation of Growth and SMAD-mediated Transcription by Transforming Growth Factor β in Human Melanoma Cells

Increased production of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) coupled with resistance to the growth-inhibitory effects of TGF-β is characteristic of several types of neoplasia including human melanoma. In select epithelial malignancies, lack of TGF-β-induced growth inhibition is associated with disruptions of TGF-β-dependent SMAD signaling and transcription. In contrast, the results of the present study indicate intact SMAD-dependent transcription in human melanoma cells, regardless of their proliferative response to exogenous TGF-β. Furthermore, in some melanoma cell lines constitutive SMAD-dependent transcription was observed, which was due in part to endogenous TGF-β. These results establish that resistance of melanoma cells to TGF-β-induced growth inhibition occurs independently of intact TGF-β receptor/SMAD-mediated transcriptional regulation. They also suggest that melanoma-derived TGF-β may exert autocrine effects on SMAD-sensitive target genes.
Microbial dynamics and interactions in the spermosphere.

▪ Abstract The spermosphere represents a short-lived, rapidly changing, and microbiologically dynamic zone of soil surrounding a germinating seed. It is analogous to the rhizosphere, being established largely by the carbon compounds released into the soil once the seed begins to hydrate. These seed exudations drive the microbial activities that take place in the spermosphere, many of which can have long-lasting impacts on plant growth and development as well as on plant health. In this review, I discuss the nature of the spermosphere habitat and the factors that give rise to its character, with emphasis on the types of microbial activities in the spermosphere that have important implications for disease development and biological disease control. This review, which represents the first comprehensive synthesis of the literature on spermosphere biology, is meant to illustrate the unique nature of the spermosphere and how studies of interactions in this habitat may serve as useful experimental models for tes...
Interactive visualization of ocean circulation models

Visualization of computational oceanography is traditionally a post-processing step. This batch orientation is clumsy if one wants to observe the effect of a wide range of parameters on the solution. This paper describes the conversion of an ocean circulation model from this traditional design to an interactive program in which the computed solution is viewed in real-time over a wide-area network and the user is given the ability to change the model parameters and immediately observe the impact this has on the solution.
Comparing symbolic representations of cardiac activity to identify patient populations with similar risk profiles

This paper proposes electrocardiographic mismatch (ECGM) to quantify differences in the long-term ECG signals for two patients. ECGM compares the symbolic distributions of ECG signals and measures how different patients are electrocardiographically. Using ECGM, we propose a hierarchical clustering scheme that can identify patients in a population with anomalous ECG characteristics. When applied to a population of 686 patients suffering nonST-elevation ACS, our approach was able to identify patients at an increased risk of death and myocardial infarction (HR 2.8, p = 0.003) over a 90 day follow-up period.
Expressive surfaces: a designerly approach for computational objects

I propose the concept of expressive surfaces as a research theme to investigate and explore aesthetics of computational objects with its emphasis on forms and materials. In this proposal, I describe some of my preliminary studies to illustrate how the concept has been developed to my research theme. Then exploratory examples of expressive surfaces (the sound-sensitive lamp sculpture and the soft-spiky mouse) are introduced as attempts to specify the theme into a research agenda for computational objects in terms of concept development, prototyping and evaluation.