cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The mechanics of development: models and methods for tissue morphogenesis

Embryonic development is a physical process during which groups of cells are sculpted into functional organs. The mechanical properties of tissues and the forces exerted on them serve as epigenetic regulators of morphogenesis. Understanding these mechanobiological effects in the embryo requires new experimental approaches. Here we focus on branching of the lung airways and bending of the heart tube to describe examples of mechanical and physical cues that guide cell fate decisions and organogenesis. We highlight recent technological advances to measure tissue elasticity and endogenous mechanical stresses in real time during organ development. We also discuss recent progress in manipulating forces in intact embryos.
Hemadsorption and hemadsorption inhibition tests for rubella virus.

A hemadsorption (HAd) reaction was demonstrated in rubella-infected cell cultures using erythrocytes of 1-day-old chickens, adult chickens, pigeons, geese, sheep or bovines. HAd occurred at 4°C, room temperature or 37°C, and at a pH of 6.2 or 7.4. BHK-21 cells were the most satisfactory for demonstrating HAd; the reaction could be demonstrated only in heavily-infected cultures of other cell types. Infected BHK-21 cell cultures generally had to attain infectivity titers of 10−3.5 to 10−4.0 InD50 per 0.1 ml in order for HAd to be demonstrable. The HAd reaction could be used to detect unneutralized virus in neutralizing antibody assays, and the inhibition of HAd in infected cell cultures was a very sensitive method for assay of rubella antibodies. A procedure was developed for identification of rubella virus isolates by HAd inhibition.
LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF NATURAL DISASTERS

ABSTRACT This research uses time-series analysis under a quasi-experimental pair-wise matching design to examine local economic impacts of the 1993 Midwest flood. The data support the concept of overall local economic resiliency to natural disasters. The flood's impacts on total employment were minimal. Although significant drops in personal income were observed in the year of the event, the long-run effects seemed to be negligible. This study also finds that the flood's negative impacts on agriculture were significant and long lasting to some Midwestern communities. The findings are quite stable with respect to the number of controls selected for each treated unit.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I E-Peptide Activity Is Dependent on the IGF-I Receptor

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is an essential growth factor that regulates the processes necessary for cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. The Igf1 gene encodes mature IGF-I and a carboxy-terminal extension called the E-peptide. In rodents, alternative splicing and post-translational processing produce two E-peptides (EA and EB). EB has been studied extensively and has been reported to promote cell proliferation and migration independently of IGF-I and its receptor (IGF-IR), but the mechanism by which EB causes these actions has not been identified. Further, the properties of EA have not been evaluated. Therefore, the goals of this study were to determine if EA and EB possessed similar activity and if these actions were IGF-IR independent. We utilized synthetic peptides for EA, EB, and a scrambled control to examine cellular responses. Both E-peptides increased MAPK signaling, which was blocked by pharmacologic IGF-IR inhibition. Although the E-peptides did not directly induce IGF-IR phosphorylation, the presence of either E-peptide increased IGF-IR activation by IGF-I, and this was achieved through enhanced cell surface bioavailability of the receptor. To determine if E-peptide biological actions required the IGF-IR, we took advantage of the murine C2C12 cell line as a platform to examine the key steps of skeletal muscle proliferation, migration and differentiation. EB increased myoblast proliferation and migration while EA delayed differentiation. The proliferation and migration effects were inhibited by MAPK or IGF-IR signaling blockade. Thus, in contrast to previous studies, we find that E-peptide signaling, mitogenic, and motogenic effects are dependent upon IGF-IR. We propose that the E-peptides have little independent activity, but instead affect growth via modulating IGF-I signaling, thereby increasing the complexity of IGF-I biological activity.
Comparison of extraoral and transoral approaches to the craniocervical junction: Morphometric and quantitative analysis

Background The transoral (TO) approach to the craniocervical junction provides similar access to the periclival and subaxial spine compared with the extraoral anterolateral prevascular (EAP) approach, but the additional exposure gained by the EAP approach has not been quantified. This study quantitatively compared the two surgical exposures. Methods Ten silicon-injected fixed cadaver heads were used for the TO approach and another 5 heads (10 sides) were dissected for the EAP approach. For the TO approach, mouth opening was standardized to 5.5 cm using a Spetzler-Sonntag retractor, and the soft palate was split 1.5 cm to access the periclival area. A frameless stereotactic device was used to calculate the lengths, angles, and areas of surgical exposure for different anatomic targets. Results The vertical working length on the dura progressively increased 61% (336 ± 26 mm to 539 ± 16 mm [mean ± standard deviation]; P P P 2 and 932 ± 70 mm 2 with the TO approach and 874 ± 75 mm 2 and 1644 ± 107 mm 2 with the EAP approach (mean increases 62% and 77%, respectively; both P Conclusions Both the TO and EAP approaches improved surgical exposure, but the EAP approach provides more significant and consistent gains to the anterolateral periclival and subaxial areas.
Structure in thin superfluid helium films

Precision measurements of third sound in atomically thin4He films on Ne, Ar, and CO2 substrates reveal a periodic structure not corresponding to whole layers. Treating the He film as an incompressible, continuous fluid, the data indicate that the chemical potential has a contribution proportional to l−6, where l is the He coverage in layers, which is modulated at intervals of 0.62±0.04 layers and which weakens the van der Waals potential. Alternatively the data indicates the existence in the film of a damped smectic density wave with a 0.54±0.40 layer periodicity.
MUTUAL EXCLUSION ON OPTICAL BUSES

This paper presents two algorithms for mutual exclusion on optical bus architectures including the folded one-dimensional bus, the one-dimensional array with pipelined buses (1D APPB), and the two-dimensional array with pipelined buses (2D APPB). The first algorithm guarantees mutual exclusion, while the second guarantees both mutual exclusion and fairness. Both algorithms exploit the predictability of propagation delays in optical buses.
Intramuscular adipose is derived from a non-Pax3 lineage and required for efficient regeneration of skeletal muscles

Ectopic accumulation of adipose in the skeletal muscle is associated with muscle wasting, insulin resistance and diabetes. However, the developmental origin of postnatal intramuscular adipose and its interaction with muscle tissue are unclear. We report here that compared to the fast EDL muscles, slow SOL muscles are more enriched with adipogenic progenitors and have higher propensity to form adipose. Using Cre/LoxP mediated lineage tracing in mice, we show that intramuscular adipose in both EDL and SOL muscles is exclusively derived from a Pax3− non-myogenic lineage. In contrast, inter-scapular brown adipose is derived from the Pax3+ lineage. To dissect the interaction between adipose and skeletal muscle tissues, we used Myf5-Cre and aP2-Cre mice in combination with ROSA26-iDTR mice to genetically ablate myogenic and adipogenic cell lineages, respectively. Whereas ablation of the myogenic cell lineage facilitated adipogenic differentiation, ablation of the adipogenic cell lineage surprisingly impaired the regeneration of acutely injured skeletal muscles. These results reveal striking heterogeneity of tissue-specific adipose and a previously unappreciated role of intramuscular adipose in skeletal muscle regeneration.
The Dynamic Response of Spindle Forces Produced by a Tire Impacting Large Obstacles in a Plane

Abstract Prediction of service loads for durability studies is an important application of vehicle dynamics simulation in the automotive industry. Such studies require accurate predictions of the loads tires transmit to the spindle rather than accurate predictions of the tire deformation and stress fields. This paper describes a simple and efficient two dimensional tire model that accurately predicts spindle loads during dynamic impact of the tire with large obstacles. An inextensible, circular membrane is used to approximate the sidewall behavior while a geometrically non-linear beam element is used to model the tread. Comparisons between numerical and experimental results demonstrate the accuracy of the tire finite element. The model accurately reproduces the static and dynamic spindle force response, and it is also capable of predicting the modes of vibration of a tire. The significance that the first two modes of vibration and damping play in the force response is also addressed.
Ionic conduction in KBr-KI mixed crystals

Abstract Ionic conductivity of KBr 1− x I x (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.5) mixed crystals has been studied as a function of temperature in the range of 2 ionic conductivity and lowers the activation energy appreciably which is consistent with our earlier results on AgBr-AgI mixed crystals, and proposal that the purely elastic displacements (lattice strain) caused by the very “wrong size” of the substituent ions is primarily responsible for the behavior. The strain thus produced is expected to cause “lattice loosening” and hence lowering of the melting points ( T m ) or the enthalpy of formation of the Schottky defects ( H s ). A semiquantitative calculation shows this to be the case.
Restoration of visual acuity after optic nerve section and regeneration, in Astronotus ocellatus

The visual acuity of a cichlid fish, Astronotus ocellatus Agassiz, was measured by means of a conditioned visual discrimination response. The average minimum separable visual angle was 5.3’, as measured in 16 fish with at least one normal eye; this corresponded closely to the fineness of grain of the retinal receptor mosaic. In 12 fish, acuity of one experimental eye was measured after the optic nerve had been transected and allowed to regenerate. The value for postregenerative acuity was then compared with a previous value for acuity of one normal eye in one and the same fish, in each case. Restoration of acuity by regenerative processes averaged 78.4%. This high figure shows that formation of functional, specific synaptic contacts probably does not occur on a chance basis.
Estimation of age-specific per capita home-produced food intake among populations that garden, farm, or raise animals.

Intake of home-produced foods may be a concern in areas where chemical contamination exists. Estimating exposure to contaminants in home-produced foods requires knowledge of the amount of these foods consumed. The US Environmental Protection Agency's (US EPA's) Exposure Factors Handbook provides data on consumption of home-produced foods based on the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) 1987–1988 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey (NFCS), the most recent national food survey that contains the information necessary to estimate home-produced consumption. These data represent “consumer-only” intake rate distributions for various age and demographic categories. “Consumers-only” information is also provided for households who garden, farm, and raise animals for all age groups combined. However, these “consumer-only” values may not always be appropriate when assessing chronic exposures. Furthermore, data for all ages combined may not be useful for estimating exposure among age groups that may be of particular concern. This paper provides age-specific “per capita” intake rate distributions of home-produced foods specifically for the populations that garden, farm, and raise animals, using data from EPA's Exposure Factors Handbook.
An ordered probit analysis of public values for use in multiple objective decision-making

National forest managers and planners need a means to solicit and analyze public preferences and values. A conjoint ranking survey was used to solicit public preferences for various levels of timber harvesting, wildlife habitats, hiking trails, snowmobile use, and off-road-vehicle access on the Green Mountain National Forest. The survey was completed by 76 respondents during public involvement meetings. Ordered probit and discrete choice logit techniques were used to estimate linear and quadratic main effect components. Respondents preferred moderate levels of timber harvesting and snowmobile access, and lower levels of off-road-vehicle access. They favored a mixture of mature closed canopy and younger more open forests over either extreme, and were indifferent towards extending the network of hiking trails.
Research drilling at Inyo Domes, California: 1984 Results

During the 1984 field season, two research holes were cored into the Inyo chain of young rhyolite domes, which cuts across the northwest margin of Long Valley Caldera, Calif. (Figure 1). One hole slanted under the vent of Obsidian Dome and completely penetrated the conduit of the volcano. It was spudded on August 16 and reached its final depth on September 9. The second hole was sited along Glass Creek between Obsidian Dome and the next dome to the south; it intersected the rhyolite dike which underlies the chain. It was spudded on September 18 and reached final depth on October 28.
Panels at MoDELS 2006

MoDELS 2006 contained the following two panels that provided an interactive forum to conduct lively discussions on subjects that are highly germane to conference attendees:Panel 1. Is Standardization of Model-Driven Technologies Harming or Helping the Field?The best standards seem to be those that arise from codifying technologies that have been vetted after extensive experience by researchers and practitioners over many years. Good examples of such standards include POSIX, the Internet protocols, Ada, C, C++, and Java. Although model-driven technologies have long been studied by researchers in-the-small, there is little practical experience yet applying model-driven tools in-the-large. Moreover, many of the specifications proposed by various standards groups have not un dergone the same degree of scrutiny and vetting as earlier language and platform tech nologies. As a result, model-driven technology standards are being proposed and adopted with neither a firm formal foundation nor significant practical experience. This panel will explore the extent to which this phenomenon is helping accelerate the adoption of model-driven technologies or hurting the field due to lack of credibility.
A Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopic Study of the Adsorption and Reactions of C6 Hydrocarbons at High Pressures on Pt(100)

Sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy was used to investigate the adsorption geometries and surface reactions of various C 6 hydrocarbons (n-hexane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, and 1-hexene) on Pt(100). At 300 K and in the presence of excess hydrogen, n-hexane, 3-methylpentane, and 2-methylpentane adsorb molecularly on Pt(100) mostly in "flat-lying" conformations. Upon heating the metal surface to 450 K, the molecules underwent dehydrogenation to form new surface species in "standing-up" conformations, such as hexylidyne and metallacyclic species. 1-Hexene, however, dehydrogenated to form metallocycle Pt 3 ≡ C-(CH 2 ) 5 -Pt at 300 K in the presence of excess hydrogen and remained unreacted on the surface upon heating the metal surface to 450 K. Dehydrogenation was enhanced in the absence of excess hydrogen in the cases of n-hexane, 2-methylpentane, and 3-methylpentane to form metallocycle Pt 3 ≡C-(CH 2 ) 5 -Pt; 2-methyl-1-pentene and 4-methyl-1-pentene; and metallacyclohexane, respectively, at 300 K. These surface species remained unreacted after increasing the surface temperature to 450 K. The mechanisms for catalytic isomerization and dehydrocyclization of n-hexane were discussed on the basis of these results.
The use of thin glass reflectors for solar concentrators

Abstract Elastically deforming thin glass ( thickness =0.13–0.80 mm ) provides an alternate method of forming a curved glass reflector which can eliminate some of the disadvantages of thicker glass. This paper describes a concept where silvered thin glass is bonded to a steel backing to form a laminate with a reflectance greater than 93%. Subsequent bending of the flat reflector laminate to a concentrating profile produces compressive stresses throughout the glass if the laminate is properly designed. These compressive stresses enhance fracture resistance and the lamination provides protection for the silver. The design of the laminate is outlined for 0.25 and 0.51 mm thickness glass and fabrication procedures are discussed. Thermal/humidity cycling, hail impact, bond strength measurements and reflectance results are presented which demonstrate the performance capabilities of this reflector laminate concept.
Teaching Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Polymeric Biomaterials

A model for incorporating an entrepreneurship module has been developed in an upper-division and graduate-level engineering elective on Polymeric Biomaterials (27-311/42-311/27-711/42-711) at Carnegie Mellon University. A combination of lectures, assignments, and a team-based project were used to provide students with a framework for applying their technical skills in the development of new technologies and a basic understanding of the issues related to translational research and technology commercialization. The specific approach to the project established in the course, which represented 20% of the students' grades, and the grading rubric for each of the milestones are described along with suggestions for generalizing this approach to different applications of biomaterials or other engineering electives. Incorporating this model of entrepreneurship into electives teaches students course content within the framework of technological innovation and many of the concepts and tools need to practice it. For students with situational or individual interest in the project, it would also serve to deepen their understanding of the traditional course components as well as provide a foundation for integrating technological innovation and lifelong learning.
Assimilation of Problematic Experiences: The Case of John Jones

The assimilation model proposes a systematic sequence of changes in the representation of a problematic experience during psychotherapy. To examine the process of assimilation, we traced changes across 20 sessions in the published transcripts of one client's psychotherapy. After preparing a catalogue of topics discussed in this treatment, we identified three insights, in sessions 6, 10, and 14, that we judged the client to have. Using our topic catalogue, we then searched backward and forward through the transcripts and selected passages concerning topics related to the three insights. These passages were assessed qualitatively for the degree of assimilation exhibited. By assessing change in specific ideas, this new approach circumvents conceptual and methodological problems of assessing clients' global long-term change.
Phenomenological Ethnography in Sociology and Anthropology

In this issue we present a variety of examples of recent and ongoing ethnographic research in which investigators are working self-consciously in dialogue with one or more traditions within the phenomenological movement in philosophy. Each article makes a contribution to a given substantive field. As a set they pose a range of issues: the variety and distinctiveness of phenomenologically influenced ethnography, the relationship between philosophy and empirical inquiry, the evolution of phenomenological influences in social research, and issues about convergence and segregation in the disciplines of anthropology and sociology. We comment briefly on the last. One historically emergent difference is the contrasting moral postures that author and reader take toward the subjects of study. Anthropological writings characteristically have illuminated native groundings for subjects’ perspectives, enhancing respect for local cultures by uncovering reasons that outsiders had not appreciated. Sociological ethnography began in a similar posture, but for over 40 years now, and especially in phenomenologically influenced works, ethnographies produced out of academic sociology departments have frequently been critical or at least agnostic about claims made by their subjects, and the suspension of belief has ranged from the political to the ontological. The anthropological articles in this issue restore credibility to native graphy
Extracting the Schottky barrier height from axial contacts to semiconductor nanowires

Abstract Geometrical and surface effects can significantly alter conduction through metal/semiconductor nanowire (NW) contacts. In this study, we use three dimensional device simulations to examine these effects in detail. Based on the results of these simulations, a methodology is proposed for the extraction of Schottky barrier heights of contacts to semiconductor nanowires. The Schottky barrier height extracted from the current–voltage (I–V) characteristics can differ from the true barrier height due to tunneling contributions localized at the metal/nanowire interface along the nanowire periphery. The outlined method is used to analyze experimental I–V characteristics of a surround-gate axially-aligned θ - Ni 2 Si / n - Si nanowire Schottky barrier contact.
Early oligocene palynosequences in the eastern Gulf Coast, U.S.A.

Abstract Palynomorph data from two localities in southwestern Alabama and southeastern Mississippi have been used to interpret the palynofloral succession of six of the seven lithostratigraphic units of the Vicksburg Group, to test the current sequence stratigraphic framework for the area, and to infer paleoclimatic conditions during the Early Oligocene. The samples group statistically by multivariate methods according to sporomorph types and relative frequencies, and two broad groups of high and low diversity assemblages have been identified. Quercoidites, Carya, Momipites, Siltaria sp. cf. S. scabriextima, Cupressacites hiatipites and Cupuliferoipollenites dominate the high diversity assemblage in the Bumpnose Limestone, Red Bluff Clay, Forest Hill Sand and Bucatunna Clay. These lithostratigraphic units have previously been interpreted as deposits of a highstand systems tract. The main difference between the Bucatunna sporomorph assemblage and that of the other units is the absence of the two taxodiaceo...
A note on a Bäcklund transformation for the continuous Heisenberg model

Abstract A formula for the Backlund transformation for the continuous Heisenberg model is given and immersed singular knots in three-space are constructed.
Enkephalin Convertase in the Heart: Similar Disposition to Atrial Natriuretic Factor*

Enkephalin convertase (EC; carboxypeptidase-E or -H) is a carboxypeptidase-B-like enzyme proposed to be involved in the synthesis of enkephalins and other neuropeptides. In this study we have characterized and localized EC in the rat heart and examined its correspondence with atrial natriuretic factor. Heart homogenates bind [3H]guanidinoethylmercaptosuccinic acid ([3H]GEMSA), a selective ligand for enkephalin convertase, with specificity and high affinity (Kd = 5–10 nM). The pharmacology of these sites matches that of convertase catalytic activity and of [3H]GEMSA binding in other tissues. The binding sites in the heart can be purified 4000-fold using paminobenzoylarginine affinity chromatography, and the purified sites have Co2+ stimulated carboxypeptidase activity identical to EC. By subcellular fractionation studies [3H]GEMSA-binding sites are localized to the granule fraction with ANF immunoreactivity. [3H]GEMSA autoradiography localizes EC in the heart to the left and right atria, with very low leve...
SmartCap: Flattening peak electricity demand in smart homes

Flattening household electricity demand reduces generation costs, since costs are disproportionately affected by peak demands. While the vast majority of household electrical loads are interactive and have little scheduling flexibility (TVs, microwaves, etc.), a substantial fraction of home energy use derives from background loads with some, albeit limited, flexibility. Examples of such devices include A/Cs, refrigerators, and dehumidifiers. In this paper, we study the extent to which a home is able to transparently flatten its electricity demand by scheduling only background loads with such flexibility. We propose a Least Slack First (LSF) scheduling algorithm for household loads, inspired by the well-known Earliest Deadline First algorithm. We then integrate the algorithm into Smart-Cap, a system we have built for monitoring and controlling electric loads in homes. To evaluate LSF, we collected power data at outlets, panels, and switches from a real home for 82 days. We use this data to drive simulations, as well as experiment with a real testbed implementation that uses similar background loads as our home. Our results indicate that LSF is most useful during peak usage periods that exhibit “peaky” behavior, where power deviates frequently and significantly from the average. For example, LSF decreases the average deviation from the mean power by over 20% across all 4-hour periods where the deviation is at least 400 watts.
Negative chemotaxis in Spirochaeta aurantia

A repellent-gradient tube assay for negative chemotaxis inSpirochaeta aurantia was developed and used to demonstrate that acids, alcohols, and sulfide were effective chemorepellents. The threshold concentrations (the lowest concentration of a repellent that elicited a detectable response) for benzoic acid, salicylic acid, and butyric acid were 3×10−5 M. For acetic acid, propionic acid,p-aminobenzoic acid, propanol, butanol, and sulfide, threshold concentrations were 10−3 to 10−4 M. For formic acid, glyoxylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, methanol, ethanol, ethanediol, and propanediol, threshold concentrations were 10−2 to 10−3 M. Compounds such as methylamine, ethanolamine, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, phenol, indol, nickel, and various amino acids did not elicit a repellent response. The results of competition experiments suggest that the repellents identified are recognized by three distinct receptors: a weak acid receptor, an alcohol receptor, and a sulfide receptor. The repellent responses to weak acids were maximal at pH 5.5 and decreased with increasing pH, whereas the response to propanol was unaffected by pH over a range of 5.5–8.0. The demonstration of negative chemotaxis inS. aurantia and the identification of distinct classes of repellents will allow further experimentation directed at understanding chemosensory mechanisms in spirochetes.
Mammalian neuraminidase: Intracellular distribution and changes of enzyme activity during lactation

Abstract Homogenates of rat liver in 0.25 m sucrose were fractionated by differential centrifugation and the intracellular distribution of neuraminidase was studied. The highest relative specific activity was observed in the lysosomal fraction. The supernatant fraction contained the largest percentage of the total enzymic activity present in the whole homogenate. However, when conditions that minimized the manipulation of the particles were utilized, the supernatant fraction had a very low enzyme content. The supernatant fraction from homogenates prepared in isotonic potassium chloride was found to be the most convenient starting material for the determination of total neuraminidase activity in rat organs. Changes of neuraminidase activity were detected in organs of female rats during pregnancy and lactation. Liver and mammary glands showed similar patterns with peaks of activity around 14–16 days after parturition. In brain, peaks were observed about the second week of pregnancy and the first week of lactation.
A comparison of the relative importance of the marketing, financial, and asset management implications of strategic decisions

This study investigates the relative influence of marketing, financial, and asset management strategic decisions on profit performance. The aim of the paper is to assist managers who must determine how to evaluate the strategic alternatives available to them. The basis for the comparison comes from the PIMS research and the Strategic Profit Model.
A minimally-resolved immersed boundary model for reaction-diffusion problems.

We develop an immersed boundary approach to modeling reaction-diffusion processes in dispersions of reactive spherical particles, from the diffusion-limited to the reaction-limited setting. We represent each reactive particle with a minimally-resolved “blob” using many fewer degrees of freedom per particle than standard discretization approaches. More complicated or more highly resolved particle shapes can be built out of a collection of reactive blobs. We demonstrate numerically that the blob model can provide an accurate representation at low to moderate packing densities of the reactive particles, at a cost not much larger than solving a Poisson equation in the same domain. Unlike multipole expansion methods, our method does not require analytically computed Green's functions, but rather, computes regularized discrete Green's functions on the fly by using a standard grid-based discretization of the Poisson equation. This allows for great flexibility in implementing different boundary conditions, coupling to fluid flow or thermal transport, and the inclusion of other effects such as temporal evolution and even nonlinearities. We develop multigrid-based preconditioners for solving the linear systems that arise when using implicit temporal discretizations or studying steady states. In the diffusion-limited case the resulting linear system is a saddle-point problem, the efficient solution of which remains a challenge for suspensions of many particles. We validate our method by comparing to published results on reaction-diffusion in ordered and disordered suspensions of reactive spheres.
Fractionation of κ-Casein on a Diethylaminoethyl Cellulose Column

Summary A complex chromatogram showing seven overlapping peaks was obtained from κ -casein by gradient sodium chloride elution (0 → 0.4 m), followed by 0.25 N sodium hydroxide, from a diethylaminoethyl cellulose column. The material recovered from the two peaks eluted most quickly contained no κ -casein, but contained several components with low mobility in starch gel electrophoresis (SGE), and low sialic acid and phosphate contents. A later fraction contained a high proportion of a casein resembling α s -casein, with κ -casein and some components that moved more rapidly than α s -casein in SGE. Recoveries from the four other peaks were mainly κ -caseins that differed in their elution characteristics but not in SGE patterns, sialic acid content, or phosphate content. One was not eluted with sodium chloride but was eluted in advance of the sodium hydroxide front; another was eluted with the sodium hydroxide front. Both latter peaks may represent an aggregated form of κ -casein. Chromatography achieved only limited purification and was accompanied by a deleterious aging of the κ -casein. This aging released a sialic acid-containing compound soluble in 12% trichloracetic acid, and lowered the ability of the κ -casein to stabilize α s -casein in the presence of calcium.
Madelung’s Deformity

Madelung’s deformity was first described by Malgaigne in 1855 however carries Madelung’s name from his description in 1878 [1]. The deformity is caused by an abnormal growth arrest of the palmar-ulnar distal radius physis. In addition to the abnormal growth, there is an abnormal palmar ligament tethering the lunate to the palmar-ulnar radius epiphysis and metaphysis (Vickers’ ligament) that is thought to contribute to the deformity [11]. The deformity is characterized by a prominent dorsal subluxation of the ulnar head and palmar sag of the hand and wrist with a shortened forearm. Patients present with wrist pain as well as concerns about the aesthetic deformity.
Voice Response to Injection of Succinylcholine in the Thyroarytenoid Muscle of Normal Subjects

Botulinum toxin (Botox) is commonly used in the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia. Succinylcholine is a neuromuscular blocking agent that mimics the biological activity of Botox yet takes effect wit...
Researchers contemplate what the Curiosity rover will encounter on Mars

In anticipation of the eagerly awaited landing of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory on that planet's Gale Crater this August, planetary scientists are continuing to evaluate the various terrains the spacecraft's main payload—the car-sized Curiosity rover—might encounter as it gathers data on Mars's geology and climate while searching the landscape for signs of life. Scientists are conducting detailed investigations of Gale Crater's regional geologic context, interior dune fields, mineralogy, sediments, and surface roughness based on data from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO, launched in 2005), the Mars Odyssey satellite (launched in 2001), and other missions. Several researchers summarized their findings in the session “Roving on Mars: Current and Future Sites,” held on 21 March during the 43rd annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) in The Woodlands, Tex.
Nonlinear finite-difference time-domain method for the simulation of anisotropic, /spl chi//sup (2)/, and /spl chi//sup (3)/ optical effects

A two-dimensional (2-D) finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) code for the study of nonlinear optical phenomena, in which both the slowly varying and the rapidly varying components of the electromagnetic fields are considered, has been developed. The algorithm solves vectorial Maxwell's equations for all field components and uses the nonlinear constitutive relation in matrix form as the equations required to describe the nonlinear system. The stability of the code is discussed and its effectiveness is demonstrated through the simulations of self-phase modulation (SPM) and second-harmonic generation (SHG). The authors also show that the combination of nonlinear effects with PCs can result in a significant improvement in device size and integrability, using the example of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI).
Supercritical Fluid Extrusion of Protein Puff Made with Fruit Pomace and liquid Whey

Fruit pomace and cheese whey were incorporated in milk protein extruded products as a source of dietary fiber and nutrients. Feed formulations containing 70–90 % milk protein concentrate (MPC) with 22 % fruit pomace were processed by supercritical fluid extrusion (SCFX) at low temperatures (~90 °C). The process also incorporated concentrated whey containing 20.2 wt% total solids by directly injecting the whey into the extruder barrel at 27.5 wt% of the dry-feed flow rate, providing 5.6 % whey solids to feed formulation. The resulting MPC extrudates retained the natural fruit color following SCFX processing, indicating that little, if any, browning occurred during the processing even though a significant quantity of soluble sugars was present in both pomace and whey. The addition of 22 % fruit pomace and 5.6 % (dry wt) whey solids did not affect the piece density (0.24–0.31 g/cm3), expansion ratio (4.6–5.7), and hardness (38–78 N) of MPC extrudates, which were comparable to starch- or protein-based extrudates made by conventional steam extrusion. Utilizing fruit pomace and whey in extruded products improves the nutritional contents of extruded products and adds value to the by-products.
Effects of Anisotropy on Light Trapping Absorption Enhancement in Ultra-thin Organic Photovoltaics

We examine the effects of anisotropy in surface plasmon and gap-mode enhanced organic photovoltaics, where the dominant field component is oriented out-of-plane, thus motivating the need for an organic with a large out-of-plane absorption coefficient.
Single dot near‐field spectroscopy for photonic crystal microcavities

In this paper we demonstrate how near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) can be utilized for tuning the emission energy of a single quantum dot (QD) using nanoindentation with the tapered optical fiber probe. Thus the use of NSOM in the nanoindentation regime can provide spectral matching of QD excitons and localised photons in photonic crystal cavities. We present results of NSOM study of confined photon modes in triangular lattice photonic crystal microcavities containing InAs quantum dots with emission wavelength λ ∼ 1.2 µm. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Temporary foreign exchange subsidies, anticipated devaluation, and the Mexdollar anomaly

Abstract Prior to Mexico's economic crisis of 1982, a dramatic drop in the ‘dollarization ratio’ coincided with higher expected peso depreciation. I hypothesize that the anomalous result is due to convertibility risk, and provide a formal interpretation using an optimizing model.
Titanium(II) Porphyrin Complexes: Versatile One- and Two-Electron Reducing Agents. Reduction of Organic Chlorides, Epoxides, and Sulfoxides

Treatment of the well-defined complexes (TTP)Ti(η2-EtC⋮CEt) or trans-(TTP)Ti(THF)2 with vicinal dichloroalkanes or dichloroalkenes results in the production of alkenes or alkynes and 2 equiv of (TTP)TiCl. This net two-electron redox reaction arises from two formal one-electron reduction processes mediated by chlorine atom transfer. Oxygen atom transfer occurs when the Ti(II) porphyrins are treated with several different sulfoxides or epoxides, resulting in two-electron redox products, (TTP)TiO, the sulfide or alkene, and EtC⋮CEt or THF. The electronic properties of the substituents on the sulfoxides or epoxides correlate with the yield and rate of the deoxygenation reactions.
Limiting distributions of functionals of Markov chains

Abstract Let \s{ X n , n ⩾ 0\s} and \s{ Y n , n ⩾ 0\s} be two stochastic processes such that Y n depends on X n in a stationary manner, i.e. P ( Y n ϵ A \vb X n ) does not depend on n . Sufficient conditions are derived for Y n to have a limiting distribution. If X n is a Markov chain with stationary transition probabilities and Y n = f ( X n ,..., X n+k ) then Y n depends on X n is a stationary way. Two situations are considered: (i) \s{ X n , n ⩾ 0\s} has a limiting distribution (ii) \s{ X n , n ⩾ 0\s} does not have a limiting distribution and exits every finite set with probability 1. Several examples are considered including that of a non-homogeneous Poisson process with periodic rate function where we obtain the limiting distribution of the interevent times.
Evaluating interventions to promote routine preventive screenings: a comparison of analytical outcomes.

Background Often in public health, we are interested in promoting routine preventive screenings (e.g., blood glucose monitoring, hypertension screening, or mammography). Evaluating novel interventions to encourage frequent screenings using randomized controlled trials can help inform evidence-based health promotion programs. When the desired behavior change is a recurrent event, specifying the most meaningful study outcomes may prove challenging.
REMOVAL OF NICKEL IONS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION BY BIOMASS AND SILICA-IMMOBILIZED BIOMASS OF MEDICAGO SATIVA (ALFALFA)

The characteristics of the roots and shoots from seven different populations of Medicago sativa (alfalfa) were examined for their ability to bind nickel ions from aqueous solution. Batch laboratory experiments were performed to determine the optimal pH for nickel binding to the alfalfa plant tissues which was between pH 5 and 6. From these experiments, pH profiles were performed to gain information about the chemical functional groups in the alfalfa plant tissues responsible for the nickel binding. Binding time dependency studies determined that approximately 80% of the nickel ions bound to the alfalfa plant tissues in less than 5 min. Binding capacity experiments showed that nickel binding was as much as 4.1 mg of nickel per gram of alfalfa biomass. Nickel recovery experiments showed that more than 90% of the bound nickel was removed from the alfalfa biomass. Column experiments were conducted to examine the binding of nickel to silica immobilized alfalfa plant tissues under flow conditions. Results from these experiments showed that more than 90% of the retained nickel was recovered after four bed volumes of 0.1 M HC1 solution were passed through the column. After 12 cycles on the same column, the efficiency for nickel removal and recovery from solution was stable.
Contractile structures in endothelial cells of splenic sinusoids.

The endothelial lining cells of the splenic sinusoids contain filaments about 50 A in diameter and which are assembled in distinct bundles. The filamentous bundles are attached to the plasmalemma and contain “dense bodies.” Because of their similarities to the filaments of smooth muscle, we hold these filaments to be contractile and have termed them “myofilaments.” The myofilamentous bundles form contractile units about 4 μm in length and 0.25 μm in diameter and are disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lining cell. They contain six to eight dense bodies, of which two are present at the place of attachment to the basal plasmalemma of the endothelial cell. Plasmalemma attachment occurs at the margins of the indentations of the endothelial cells where the annular components of the basement membrane are located. Running from one annular basement membrane to the next, the contractile structures form a repeating unit in the basal part of the endothelial cell. Similar but less numerous contractile units are present in parasinusoidal cells. It is proposed that these contractile units are, at least in part, responsible for the changes in sinusoidal volume observed in living transilluminated spleens.
Evaluation of Cefazolin in the Treatment of Bacterial Endocarditis and Bacteremia

Seven patients with bacterial endocarditis and two patients with bacteremia were treated with cefazolin, with excellent bacteriologic and good clinical response. Dosage of cefazolin was 4-12 g daily. Large doses of cefazolin (12 g/day) were tolerated well by these patients without evidence of hematotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, or nephrotoxicity. Cefazolin is an effective antimicrobial agent for treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible gram-positive organisms. Cefazolin is a derivative of 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, which is bactericidal for Staphylococcus, group A Streptococcus, Diplococcus pneumoniae, several members of the order Enterobacteriaceae, particularly E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and certain Shigella and Salmonella species [1-4]. Cefazolin may be administered iv or im. It appears to be less painful than cephalothin when administered im, and preliminary results suggest less nephrotoxicity than that reported for cephaloridine [5-11]. The present study is a report of cefazolin therapy in seven patients with bacterial endocarditis and two with pneumococcal bacteremia.
Identification of toxigenic Clostridium botulinum type E by enzyme immunoassay

Abstract A sensitive double-sandwich enzyme immunoassay for identification of toxigenic Clostridium botulinum type E was developed with a type-E-specific antitoxin. The antitoxin was produced in a rabbit, following inoculation of minute quantities of type-E toxoid. The toxoid was prepared from a commercially available toxin by using a detoxification method. Cross-reactivity of the antitoxin with C. botulinum types A and B was avoided by absorption of the serum with alum-precipitated toxoids A and B. The immunoassay proved to be specific for C. botulinum type E because it did not react with culture filtrates of various Clostridium species, including nontoxigenenic "E-like" organisms and Clostridium sporogenes .
Light activation of phosphodiesterase activity in retinal rod outer segments

Abstract Light “activates” phosphodiesterase activity of bovine rod outer segments in the presence of 0.1 mM ATP. In contrast, no difference in phosphodiesterase activity can be observed between dark-adapted and light-bleached outer segments in the absence of ATP.
Competitive adsorption of naphthalene with 2,4-dichlorophenol and 4-chloroaniline on multiwalled carbon nanotubes.

Competitive adsorption between nonpolar organic compounds and polar ionic organic compounds (IOCs) on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is essential for application of CNTs as superior sorbents and for environmental risk assessment of both CNTs and organic contaminants. It was observed in this study that adsorption of neutral and dissociated species of polar 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) and 4-chloroaniline (PCAN) on a multiwalled CNT sample (MWCNT15) can be suppressed by nonpolar naphthalene. Naphthalene adsorption can also be suppressed by neutral DCP/PCAN, but not dissociated DCP/PCAN. Moreover, competition of naphthalene decreased the adsorption affinity of neutral DCP/PCAN, but not their adsorption capacity because of the formation of solute bilayer on MWCNT15. For dissociated DCP/PCAN, naphthalene not only decreased their adsorption affinity but also their adsorption capacity because no solute bilayer was formed. Neutral DCP/PCAN also decreased the adsorption affinity and adsorption capacity of naphthalene. These ...
A Hydrolase of Trehalose Dimycolate Induces Nutrient Influx and Stress Sensitivity to Balance Intracellular Growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Summary Chronic tuberculosis in an immunocompetent host is a consequence of the delicately balanced growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in the face of host defense mechanisms. We identify an Mtb enzyme (Tdmh Mtb ) that hydrolyzes the mycobacterial glycolipid trehalose dimycolate and plays a critical role in balancing the intracellular growth of the pathogen. Tdmh Mtb is induced under nutrient-limiting conditions and remodels the Mtb envelope to increase nutrient influx but concomitantly sensitizes Mtb to stresses encountered in the host. Consistent with this, a Δtdmh Mtb mutant is more resilient to stress and grows to levels higher than those of wild-type in immunocompetent mice. By contrast, mutant growth is retarded in MyD88 −/− mice, indicating that Tdmh Mtb provides a growth advantage to intracellular Mtb in an immunocompromised host. Thus, the effects and countereffects of Tdmh Mtb play an important role in balancing intracellular growth of Mtb in a manner that is directly responsive to host innate immunity.
Efficient image preprocessing for topological pattern recognition

As we published last year, we have developed a very efficient image pre-processing scheme for using in any image analyzing system or any pattern recognition system. This scheme will analyze an edge-detected binary image and break it down to many simple branches by the automatic line tracking method we published earlier. Each branch can then be curve-fitted with the standard Window operations and it will result in an analog output which contains the starting point xy-coordinates, the ending point xy-coordinates, the polynomial degree, the coefficients in the best-fit algebra expression, and the angle of rotation to make the polynomial fitting work. The original binary image then can be closely reconstructed using this compact analog data. The reconstructed image is seen to be highly accurate compared to the original image in all our experiments. This paper reports the description of the topological structure of the original binary image detected by this novel image pre-processing method. That is, it will tell us how many branching points, how many single-ended points will be detected, and what algebraic curves are connected among them. This "topological" description of the image is not only very specific, but also very robust because when the image is viewed in different elevations and different directions, even though the geometrical shape changes, the topological or syntactical description will NOT change. Therefore it can be used in very fast learning, and very robust, yet very accurate, real-time recognition.