cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel method to administer radiolabeled lipid to juvenile oysters

Particles prepared from egg yolk were shown to encapsulate protein and to be in a size range that would be filtered by the oyster. A radiotracer study involving the addition of radiolabeled phosphatidylcholine to egg yolk demonstrated that the egg yolk particles were taken up and metabolized by juvenile oysters (Crassostrea gigas). Catabolism of the radiolabeled lipid and subsequent resynthesis into non-lipid components occurred to a slight extent. The main factor responsible for the distribution of radioactivity amongst the lipids in the stomach tissue was believed to be transacylation.
Fracture in Equiaxed Two Phase Alloys: Part I. Fracture in Alloys with Isolated Elastic Particles

Fracture in equiaxed two phase alloys containing isolated elastic particles has been analyzed from the viewpoint of a recently proposed model for fracture initiation and propagation in such materials. This model predicts fracture toughness parameters in terms of the microstructural geometry, relative phase volume fractions, and tensile properties of the materials. Predictions of the model are tested experimentally for two phase Co-CoAl alloys over a wide range of compositions, and the results indicate good agreement between predicted and observed fracture toughnesses.
PAC perturbation factor for spin 5/2 nuclei subject to a rapidly fluctuating EFG1

We report numerical computations of the PAC perturbation factor G2(1) for spin 5/2 nuclei subject to a static EFG symmetric about the z-axis and an additional axially-symmetric EFG whose symmetry axis fluctuates randomly among the x, y, z directions. For sufficiently large fluctuation rates, the numerical results are described by the expression for the static interaction alone with the addition of relaxation terms. Results of applying this model to111Cd TDPAC measurements on tetragonal ZrO2 are described briefly. The model allows one to evaluate the probability that oxygen vacancies are trapped. the energy of association of vacancy-metal pairs, and the vacancy activation energy of motion.
Some Hindu Insights on a Global Ethic in the Context of Diseases and Epidemics

As we develop a global ethic in the context of diseases, we need to reconsider the wisdom of the religious traditions, for there is more to ailments than their material causes. In the Hindu framework, aside from the Ayurvedic system, which is based on herbal medicines and a philosophical framework, there is the insight that much of what we experience is a direct consequence of our karma (consequential actions). Therefore, here one emphasizes self-restraint and sel -discipline in contexts that are conducive to self-hurting behavior.
Alignment of acentric MoO3F33− anions in a polar material: (Ag3MoO3F3)(Ag3MoO4)Cl

(Ag 3 MoO 3 F 3 )(Ag 3 MoO 4 )Cl was synthesized by hydra(solvato)thermal methods and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (P3m1. No. 156, Z = 1, a = 7.4488(6) A, c = 5.9190(7) A). The transparent colorless crystals are comprised of chains of distorted fac-MoO 3 F 3- 3 octahedra and MoO 2- 4 tetrahedra anions, as suggested by the formulas Ag 3 MoO 3 F 3 and Ag 3 MoO + 4 , and are connected through Ag + cations in a polar alignment along the c-axis. One Cl anion per formula unit serves as a charge balance and connects the two types of chains in a staggered fashion, offset by ∼1/2 x c. In MoO 2- 4 the Mo atom displaces towards a single oxide vertex, and in MoO 3 F 3- 3 , the Mo displaces towards the three oxide ligands. The ordered oxide-fluoride ligands on the MoO 3 F 3- 3 anion is important to prevent local inversion centers, while the polar organization is directed by the Cl - anion and interchain dipole-dipole interactions. The dipole moments of MoO 3 F 3- 3 and MoO 2- 4 align in the negative c-axis direction, to give a polar structure with no cancellation of the individual moments. The direction and magnitude of the dipole moments for MoO 3 F 3- 3 and MoO 2- 4 were calculated from bond valence analyses and are 6.1 and 1.9 debye (10 -18 esu cm) respectively, compared to 4.4 debye for polar NbO 6 octahedra in LiNbO 3 , and 4.5 debye for polar TiO 6 octahedra in KTiOPO 4 (KTP).
Proliferation of epithelia of noninvolved mucosa in patients with head and neck cancer.

Background Morphologically noninvolved mucosa in patients with head and neck cancer is altered by carcinogens. These alterations may include chromosome alterations, gene mutations, and other molecular abnormalities which may explain very high incidence of second tumors in this group of patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vivo proliferative characteristics in epithelial tissues adjacent to the tumor in a series of patients with head and neck cancer. Methods Twenty-one patients with head and neck tumors received IV infusions of iododeoxyuridine (IdUrd) and/or bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd). Surgical specimens containing normal-appearing epithelium adjacent to the tumor were selected and stained with the respective monoclonal antibody. The percentage of S-phase cells (labeling index, LI) was counted in the basal and suprabasal layers of the epithelium. Results In 27 samples of oral epithelium obtained from 14 previously untreated patients, labeled (S-phase) cells were predominantly located in suprabasal layers with LI 31.6 ± 3.1% (range 13.5–73.2%). In contrast, the LI of the basal layer was very low: 1.6 ± 0.2% (range 0.5%–8.8%). There was no statistically significant difference between normal appearing and dysplastic samples (p > 0.05). In 10 samples obtained from 7 patients whose biopsies were studied 2 days to 2 month after concomitant radiation and chemotherapy, the LI of the oral mucosa basal layer was significantly higher (21.0 ± 4.1%, range 6.3–39.2%). The LI of the suprabasal layer in treated patients was 14.3 ± 2.4% (range 5.9–31.1%). The LI of nasal pseudostratified epithelium (4 samples) was 11.2%. The average LI of “basal” cells was 8.3% (range 5.9–11.9%) and that of “suprabasal” cells was 13.8% range (3.2–29.5%). The basal layer of the skin (5 samples) contained 9.3% labeled cells (range 3.3–16.3%); the LI of suprabasal layers of skin was 21.3% (range 7.8–33.2%). Conclusion Both the frequency and the spatial distribution of S-phase cells are disordered in noninvolved epithelia in patients with head and neck tumors. These observations suggest that disordered proliferation may be an early consequence of field cancerization, a consequence that occurs prior to appearance of morphologically apparent hyperplasia or dysplasia. HEAD & NECK 1996;18:522–528 © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Isovaleryl-CoA Dehydrogenase Activity in Isovaleric Acidemia Fibroblasts Using an Improved Tritium Release Assay

ABSTRACT. Isovaleric acidemia is a disorder of leucine metabolism caused by a deficiency of isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase. At least two clinical subgroups of patients exist: a severe form, in which symptoms occur within the 1st wk of life, and a milder variant in which manifestations develop later in life. We developed a modified version of the tritium release assay to accurately measure residual isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase activity in fibroblasts from patients with both forms of isovaleric acidemia. In the modified assay, specific isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenasecatalyzed tritium release from [2,3-3H]isovaleryl-CoA was determined by including an inhibitor of isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase, (methylenecyclopropyl)acetyl-CoA, in one of the tubes in paired assays, to determine the nonspecifically released 3H2O. Residual activities of the nine isovaleric acidemia lines tested ranged from 0 to 0.67 pmol 3H2O/min/mg protein (controls 19.4 ± 8.0). The three lines from mildly affected individuals all had no detectable activity, whereas the severe cases had a mean of 0.41 pmol 3H2O/min/mg protein. Normal human fibroblast isovaleryl- CoA dehydrogenase had a Km for isovaleryl-CoA of 22 µM, with a Vmax of 51 pmol 3H2O/min/mg protein. The Ki of isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase by (methylenecyclopropyl) acetyl-CoA was approximately 2 µM.
Home is Where the Equity Is: Mortgage Refinancing and Household Consumption

Applying a permanent income model with exogenous liquidity constraints and mortgage behavior, household refinancing when mortgage interest rates are historically high and rising, a persistent empirical puzzle, is explained. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, households experiencing an unemployment shock and having limited initial liquid assets to draw upon are shown to have been 25% more likely to refinance, 1991-94. On average, such liquidity-constrained households converted over two-thirds of every dollar of equity they removed into current consumption as mortgage rates plummeted, 1991-94, producing an estimated expenditure stimulus of at least $28 billion.
Refining a personalized mHealth intervention to promote medication adherence among HIV+ methamphetamine users

Mobile health (mHealth) interventions to promote antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence have shown promise; however, among persons living with HIV who abuse methamphetamine (MA), effective tailoring of content to match the expressed needs of this patient population may be necessary. This study aimed (1) to understand patient perspectives of barriers and facilitators of ART adherence among people with HIV who use MA, and (2) to obtain feedback on the thematic content of an mHealth intervention in order to tailor the intervention to this subgroup. Two separate focus groups, each with 10 HIV+/MA+ individuals, were conducted. Transcribed audio recordings were qualitatively analyzed to identify emergent themes. Inter-rater reliability of themes was high (mean Kappa = .97). Adherence barriers included MA use, misguided beliefs about ART adherence, memory and planning difficulties, social barriers and perceived stigma, and mental heath issues. Facilitators of effective ART adherence were cognitive compensatory strategies, promotion of well-being, health-care supports, adherence education, and social support. Additionally, the focus groups generated content for reminder text messages to be used in the medication adherence intervention. This qualitative study demonstrates the feasibility of using focus groups to derive patient-centered intervention content to address the health challenge at hand in targeted populations.
Cyclosporine decreases vascular progenitor cell numbers after cardiac transplantation and attenuates progenitor cell growth in vitro.

Objective Recent experimental evidence suggests that the neointimal proliferation seen in cardiac allograft vasculopathy may in part derive from recipient progenitor cells. The effect of cyclosporine on these circulating progenitors in the setting of cardiac transplantation is currently unknown. Methods Three surgical series were performed: sham operation alone, sham operation with immunosuppression, and heterotopic porcine cardiac transplantation with immunosuppression. The sham operation involved laparotomy and consecutive clamping of the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava. Post-operative immunosuppression consisted of cyclosporine at therapeutic levels (100–300 ng/ml) and 0.5 mg/kg methylprednisolone. Endothelial outgrowth colony numbers (EOCCFU) and smooth muscle outgrowth colony numbers (SOCCFU) were quantified weekly for 4 weeks post-operatively. A series of in vitro experiments were performed to determine the effect of cyclosporine on the differentiation, migration, and proliferation of EOCs and SOCs. Results In the sham alone series there were no changes to either EOCCFU or SOCCFU. In the sham with immunosuppression and the transplant series, both EOCCFU and SOCCFU fell in the first 2 weeks (p Conclusion Immunosuppression in the setting of cardiac transplantation causes a profound reduction in circulating progenitor cells capable of differentiating into endothelial and smooth muscle cells. This effect can in part be explained by the inhibitory effects of cyclosporine on progenitor growth and differentiation seen in this study.
Effects of oral administration of manganese on the kidneys and urinary bladder of Sprague-Dawley rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of oral administration of manganese acetate on the kidneys and urinary bladder of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Male and female SD rats (150 to 1...
Use of formalin-fixed tissues for ex vivo imaging with optical coherence tomography (OCT)

Structural and compositional analysis of normal and pathological tissues by OCT often is performed ex vivo and subsequently compared to the histology. Many of the tissues of interest require immediate fixation to prevent degradation of the sample. Frequently, samples are obtained up to a week prior to procuring images by OCT. We investigated whether fixation affects OCT image analysis by acquiring images of freshly isolated bovine ligament samples and repeating OCT imaging of the same area after fixation at 24 hours and at one week. Samples were divided into two groups: group one was fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for 24 hours and placed in normal saline while group two remained in formalin for one week. Tissue samples were processed for paraffin embedment and stained with Masson's trichrome or with picrosirius red. The banding pattern contrast ratio of the OCT images before and after fixation for both groups was measured and compared for possible differences. Histology was evaluated for tissue integrity and compared to the OCT images. The mean contrast ratio at time 0 was 5.41 ± 1.1 and 5.31 ± 0.6 for groups 1 and 2, respectively. Results at 1 week were slightly lower with 5.11 ± 0.3 and 5.20 ± 0.7, respectively. Statistical analysis of the data by ANOVA showed no difference in the contrast ratios with time or with treatment. This data indicates that 24 hours in formalin is sufficient to fix these small ligament samples with little effect on imaging up to one week after fixation.
Measurement of oxygen and nitrogen profiles in steel

Abstract A combined technique utilizing both Rutherford backscattering (RBS) and (d, p) reactions has been used to measure concentrations and depth profiles of oxygen and nitrogen in steel surfaces. The samples were exposed to erosive flows of burning propellant gases with widely varying flame temperatures. A deuterons beam of 0.665 MeV energy was used to perform the experiments. A high-resolution silicon surface barrier detector at 160° was used to detect both protons from the (d, p) reactions on oxygen and nitrogen and deuterons elastically scattered from the iron. Pulse pileup rejection with about 75 ns resolving time was needed to separate the 16O(d, p1) peak from the leading edge of the deuteron yield curve. The use of deuteron backscattering in determining total concentrations and depth profiles of surface contaminants is described. Surface roughness effects on the RBS distributions have been considered and have been shown to be negligible. Oxygen and nitrogen concentrations and depth profiles in steel surfaces exposed to propellant burns have contributed to the understanding of hot gas steel erosion processes.
Structure-based and random mutagenesis approaches increase the organophosphate-degrading activity of a phosphotriesterase homologue from Deinococcus radiodurans.

An enzyme from the amidohydrolase family from Deinococcus radiodurans (Dr-OPH) with homology to phosphotriesterase has been shown to exhibit activity against both organophosphate (OP) and lactone compounds. We have characterized the physical properties of Dr-OPH and have found it to be a highly thermostable enzyme, remaining active after 3 h of incubation at 60 °C and withstanding incubation at temperatures up to 70 °C. In addition, it can withstand concentrations of at least 200 mg/mL. These properties make Dr-OPH a promising candidate for development in commercial applications. However, compared to the most widely studied OP-degrading enzyme, that from Pseudomonas diminuta, Dr-OPH has low hydrolytic activity against certain OP substrates. Therefore, we sought to improve the OP-degrading activity of Dr-OPH, specifically toward the pesticides ethyl and methyl paraoxon, using structure-based and random approaches. Site-directed mutagenesis, random mutagenesis, and site-saturation mutagenesis were utilized to increase the OP-degrading activity of Dr-OPH. Out of a screen of more than 30,000 potential mutants, a total of 26 mutant enzymes were purified and characterized kinetically. Crystal structures of w.t. Dr-OPH, of Dr-OPH in complex with a product analog, and of 7 mutant enzymes were determined to resolutions between 1.7 and 2.4 A. Information from these structures directed the design and production of 4 additional mutants for analysis. In total, our mutagenesis efforts improved the catalytic activity of Dr-OPH toward ethyl and methyl paraoxon by 126- and 322-fold and raised the specificity for these two substrates by 557- and 183-fold, respectively. Our work highlights the importance of an iterative approach to mutagenesis, proving that large rate enhancements are achieved when mutations are made in already active mutants. In addition, the relationship between the kinetic parameters and the introduced mutations has allowed us to hypothesize on those factors most important for maintaining the structure and function of the enzyme.
Synthesis in vitro of an exceptionally long RNA transcript promoted by an AluI sequence.

More than 300,000 copies of the ∼300 base pair (bp)-long AluI DNA sequence are dispersed throughout the human genome1–7. Several AluI sequences have been shown to contain sequences which promote transcription in vitro by the enzyme RNA polymerase III8–11. While the function(s) of transcripts synthesized from such promoters is unclear, one notion is that RNA polymerase III transcription from an AluI promoter might have an effect on expression of a nearby RNA polymerase II gene, specifically, the β-globin gene (see Fig. 1). However, we found that this AluI promoter is expressed efficiently in vitro only in conditions dramatically different from those required for the β-globin and other promoters (both RNA polymerases II and III). Surprisingly, the major transcript produced from this promoter is 2.3 kilobases (kb) long, much longer than any RNA polymerase III transcript described previously.
Core-electron binding energies for gaseous atoms and molecules

Core-electron binding energies for gaseous atoms and molecules, obtained mainly from x-ray photoelectron spectra, are tabulated.
Hormonal influences on liver catalase activity

Abstract Cortisone and hydrocortisone were found to produce a marked reduction in rat liver catalase activity, but there was no change in the activity of this enzyme in adrenalectomized rats maintained on sodium chloride. Contrary to expectations, ACTH did not alter liver catalase, even in doses of 6 mg./day. Testosterone promoted an increase of catalase activity in mature female rats but not in immature females. Castration of male rats did not alter the catalase activity to a degree that was statistically significant.
The Traffic in Men and the Fatal Attraction of Postfeminist Masculinity

This essay juxtaposes readings of three films—1975's The Stepford Wives, 1987's Fatal Attraction, and the 2004 version of The Stepford Wives—to suggest that feminist media critics' understanding of...
Observations of hamster sperm‐egg fusion in freeze‐fracture replicas including the use of filipin as a sterol marker

We have extended the observations of previous transmission electron microscopy studies of sperm-egg fusion to include those of freeze-fracture replicas showing sperm-egg interactions before, during, and following sperm head fusion with the egg membrane. Hamster eggs were incubated with hamster sperm under polyspermic conditions and were observed after a period of 5-30 minutes. After fixation, the eggs and sperm were exposed to filipin, which binds beta-OH-sterols to form visible complexes in freeze-fracture replicas. Filipin can act as a marker for egg plasma membrane wherein it is abundant, while filipin is relatively scarce in the acrosome-reacted hamster sperm membrane, found only in the plasma membrane of the equatorial segment. The earliest sperm-egg interactions are observed between the egg microvilli and the perforatorium and the equatorial segment of the sperm, and the initial fusion between egg and sperm occurs in the vicinity of the equatorial segment. At later stages of fusion involving the postacrosomal segment, a clear line of demarcation is observed between the filipin-rich egg membrane and the filipin-poor sperm postacrosomal segment, suggesting that filipin binding lipids from the egg intercalate into the sperm membrane following membrane fusion. The anterior segment of the sperm does not fuse with the egg but is instead incorporated into a cytoplasmic vesicle derived from both sperm and egg membranes. In this latter step, filipin-sterol complexes are not found in sperm-derived membranes suggesting that there may be barriers to the movement of filipin binding lipids from the egg into these sperm membranes.
Comparison of flow and shear band structures in oriented, columnar tungsten, single crystal tungsten-tantalum ands intered tungsten heavy alloy ballistic penetrators

AbstractThe penetration of long rods (L/D10) into standard RHA targets differs with rod failure and flow, which produces erosion and deceleration. Oriented, columnar grained W and [001] single crystal W-4%Ta rods exhibit dense shear/shear band flow phenomena consisting of overlapping bands ofpredominantly dynamically recrystallised (DRX) grain structures observed by optical metallography and transmission electron microscopy. This flow is contrasted withWHA (93%W, 5%Ni, 2%Fe) sintered rod penetration characterised by penetrator nose failure in blocks which move on narrow shear bands between the blocks and function like microstructural lubricants. From these comparative observations of residual, penetrated rods, strategies to promote rod penetration seem to involve the development of wide, overlapping bands or layers of equiaxed or preferentially oriented, refined microstructures, which facilitate material flow at high strain rates. Microstructural precursors, such as deformation twinning or the enhancement...
DYNAMIC MODELS FOR TESTING BASED ON TIME SERIES ANALYSIS

In this paper, we investigate a dynamic software quality model that incorporates software process and software product measures as covariates. Furthermore, the model is not based on execution time between failures. Instead, the method relies on data commonly available from simple problem tracking and source code control systems. Fault counts, testing effort, and code churn measures are collected from each build during the system test phase of a large telecommunications software system. We use this data to predict the number of faults to expect from one build to the next. The technique we use is called time series analysis and forecasting. The methodology assumes that future predictions are based on the history of past failures and related covariates. We show that the quality model incorporating testing effort as a covariate is better than the quality model derived from fault counts alone.
Sampling Variability of Performance Assessments.

In this article, performance assessments are cast within a sampling framework. More specifically, a performance assessment is viewed as a sample of student performance drawn from a complex universe defined by a combination of all possible tasks, occasions, raters, and measurement methods. Using generalizability theory, we present evidence bearing on the generalizability and convergent validity of performance assessments sampled from a range of measurement facets and measurement methods. Results at both the individual and school level indicate that task-sampling variability is the major source ofmeasurment error. Large numbers of tasks are needed to get a reliable measure of mathematics and science achievement at the elementary level. With respect to convergent validity, results suggest that methods do not converge. Students' performance scores, then, are dependent on both the task and method sampled.
A computer vision process to detect and track space debris using ground-based optical telephoto images

Orbital debris travel at very high speeds in space. They pose a serious threat to the safety of both humans and machines in space and their number is ever increasing. Detecting and tracking orbital debris has been done primarily by radars in the past. A new approach is to detect and track orbital debris using optical telephoto images. This technique has the potential to detect debris of small sizes or of low radar reflectivities. This paper describes an approach which first extracts potential moving objects from two consecutive frames. Possible streak segments are then extracted from matching the two sets of potential moving objects in a 3-frame sequence. Lastly, consistent linear motions are extracted and reported over a longer observation period. >
Millimeter-wave CMOS miniature resonator and coupler

New millimeter-wave cavity resonator and broadside-coupled Lange coupler have been developed in a 0.25-mum CMOS process. The resonator employs a capacitively loaded cavity topology effectively implemented using the CMOS multi-metal-layer and via-hole structure. The CMOS cavity resonator, including two coupling apertures and microstrip feed-lines, occupies an area of 2 mm times 1.4 mm times 6.28 mum. It resonates at 30 GHz with a corresponding insertion loss of 2 dB and unloaded quality factor of 22.2. The broadside-coupled Lange coupler exhibits -3.3 to -3.35 dB through, - 3.3 to -3.7 dB coupling, more than 12 dB isolation and 15 dB return loss across 25-35 GHz while occupying only 217 times 185 mum of chip area.
Mitochondrial calpain 10 is degraded by Lon protease after oxidant injury

Abstract Calpain 10 is ubiquitously expressed and is one of four mitochondrial matrix proteases. We determined that over-expression or knock-down of mitochondrial calpain 10 results in cell death, demonstrating that mitochondrial calpain 10 is required for viability. Thus, we studied calpain 10 degradation in isolated mitochondrial matrix, mitochondria and in renal proximal tubular cells (RPTC) under control and toxic conditions. Using isolated renal cortical mitochondria and mitochondrial matrix, calpain 10 underwent rapid degradation at 37 °C that was blocked with Lon inhibitors but not by calpain or proteasome inhibitors. While exogenous Ca 2+ addition, Ca 2+ chelation or exogenous ATP addition had no effect on calpain 10 degradation, the oxidants tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) or H 2 O 2 increased the rate of degradation. Using RPTC, mitochondrial and cytosolic calpain 10 increased in the presence of MG132 (Lon/proteasome inhibitor) but only cytosolic calpain 10 increased in the presence of epoxomicin (proteasome inhibitor). Furthermore, TBHP and H 2 O 2 oxidized mitochondrial calpain 10, decreased mitochondrial, but not cytosolic calpain 10, and pretreatment with MG132 blocked TBHP-induced degradation of calpain 10. In summary, mitochondrial calpain 10 is selectively degraded by Lon protease under basal conditions and is enhanced under and oxidizing conditions, while cytosolic calpain 10 is degraded by the proteasome.
Airborne ground penetrating radar imaging of buried targets: A tomographic approach

In several applications, the demand for devices capable to reliably investigate the subsurface features of wide areas engenders an increasing interest in the development of airborne ground penetrating radar systems and of the relevant imaging strategies. With respect to this framework, in this communication we describe a tomographic inversion strategy to tackle the imaging problem in an airborne multimonostatic measurement configuration and give a preliminary assessment of the achievable reconstruction capabilities against synthetic data.
Complexity analysis admissible heuristic search

We analyze the asymptotic time complexity of admissible heuristic search algorithms such as A*, IDA*, and depth-first branch-and-bound. Previous analyses relied on an abstract analytical model, and characterize the heuristic function in terms of its accuracy, but do not apply to real problems. In contrast, our analysis allows us to accurately predict the performance of these algorithms on problems such as the slidingtile puzzles and Rubik's Cube. The heuristic function is characterized simply by the distribution of heuristic values in the problem space. Contrary to conventional wisdom, our analysis shows that the asymptotic heuristic branching factor is the same as the bruteforce branching factor, and that the effect of a heuristic function is to reduce the effective depth of search, rather than the effective branching factor.
Kif2a depletion generates chromosome segregation and pole coalescence defects in animal caps and inhibits gastrulation of the Xenopus embryo

Kif2a is a member of the kinesin-13 microtubule depolymerases, which tightly regulate microtubule dynamics for many cellular processes. We characterized Kif2a depletion in Xenopus animal caps and embryos. Kif2a depletion generates defects in blastopore closure. These defects are rescued by removing the animal cap, suggesting that Kif2a-depleted animal caps are not compliant enough to allow gastrulation movements. Gastrulation defects are not rescued by a Kif2a mutated in an Aurora kinase phosphorylation site, suggesting that the phenotypes are caused by problems in mitosis. During animal cap mitoses, Kif2a localizes to the spindle poles and centromeres. Depletion of Kif2a generated multipolar spindles in stage 12 embryos. Kif2a-depleted animal caps have anaphase lagging chromosomes in stage 9 and 10 embryos and subsequent cytokinesis failure. Later divisions have greater than two centrosomes, generating extra spindle poles. Kif2a-depleted embryos are also defective at coalescing extra spindle poles into a bipolar spindle. The gastrulation and mitotic phenotypes can be rescued by either human Kif2a or Kif2b, which suggests that the two homologues redundantly regulate mitosis in mammals. These studies demonstrate that defects in mitosis can inhibit large-scale developmental movements in vertebrate tissues.
Computing camera viewpoints in a robot work-cell

Automatically planning a camera viewpoint for tasks such as inspection in an active robot work-cell is a difficult problem. This paper discusses new methods for computing viewpoints which meet the feature detectability constraints of focus, field-of-view, visibility, and resolution. A theoretical outline of the method is presented, followed by experimental results and a discussion of future work.
The ERA trial: findings and implications for the future.

(2000). The ERA trial: findings and implications for the future. Climacteric: Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 227-232.
Successful Resection of Giant Mediastinal Lipofibroadenoma of the Thymus by Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

We report the case of a 20-year-old man who presented with a large heterogeneous mass incidentally found on a chest roentgenogram performed in the context of acute onset of fever and cough. A chest computed tomography scan showed a large heterogenous mass in the anterior mediastinum. The patient underwent surgical resection by a right video-assisted thoracoscopic approach. The resected mass was completely encapsulated and was histologically determined to be a lipofibroadenoma. Complete resection is curative. This is the sixth reported case of lipofibroadenoma of the thymus in the English literature and the first reported case of video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of a lipofibroadenoma.
Performance evaluation of decision feedback equalization for the Lorentzian channel

Recently, equalization and detection techniques have been applied to the magnetic recording channel. For medium to high normalized recording densities (S/spl ges/2), decision feedback equalization (DFE) represents the only performant equalization method. Despite many proposed schemes, no specific analytical performance has been evaluated yet when applying DFE to the recording channel. In this paper, we derive both the zero forcing (ZF) and the mean square error (MSE) performance measures for DFE to the Lorentzian channel. Simple expressions have been found and allow us to determine from which recording density the MMSE-DFE significantly outperforms the ZF-DFE. These expressions have also revealed to be useful to evaluate the loss induced when combining coding and DFE for the Lorentzian channel.
A Framework for Improving Enterprise Services by Mining Customer Edge Data

The dynamic business nature of many organizations makes it necessary to sense and interpret the impact of external customer data on the business environment and the functioning of the enterprise. We present a framework for 1) capturing structure, patterns and trends and analyzing the latent 'voice of the customer' from unstructured data and 2) intra-enterprise decisions that increase the value to the customer. Thus we demonstrate how an analysis of enterprise edge data using the proposed framework, helps discover and enhance customer value and respond accordingly. A proof of concept implementation using the developed - ‘Opinion Mining Tool’, is used to demonstrate how application of the framework helps improve certain business processes, and achieve the goals listed above, in a news organization.
Applying Benefit-Cost Analysis to Substance Use Prevention Programs

Benefits and costs are discussed when substance use prevention programs are proposed and evaluated, but systematic benefit-cost analysis has rarely been applied to such programs. This article argues that benefit-cost analysis can and should be used to structure evaluations of substance use prevention programs, and, in general, any program aimed at preventing dysfunctional behavior. It presents the basic ideas of benefit-cost analysis and its closely related tool, cost-effectiveness analysis. It then sketches a "blueprint" for a benefit-cost analysis of an experimental drug use prevention program intended to prevent relapse into drug use by parents receiving methadone maintenance and to lower the risk that the children of these parents will become substance users. The blueprint can help structure evaluations of other prevention programs.
1H NMR detection of small molecules in human urine with a deep cavitand synthetic receptor

A water-soluble deep cavitand recognized alkylammonium salts, including the drug amantadine hydrochloride, in spiked samples of human urine. The signals of the guests are detected by 1H NMR upfield of 0 ppm and so occur in a spectroscopic window that is outside of the normal region and distinct from the signals of the biofluid components.
Primary Care Providers’ Experiences Notifying Parents of Cystic Fibrosis Newborn Screening Results

This study examines primary care provider (PCP) experiences with the initial parental disclosure of cystic fibrosis (CF) newborn screening (NBS) results in order to identify methods to improve parent-provider communication during the CF NBS process. PCPs of infants who received positive CF NBS results participated in semistructured phone interviews. Interviews were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis. PCPs acknowledged the difficulty of "breaking bad news" to parents, and emphasized minimizing parental anxiety and maximizing parental understanding. PCPs used a variety of methods to notify parents, and shared varying information about the significance of the results. Variation in the method of parental notification, information discussed, and attention to parents' emotional needs may limit successful follow-up of children with positive CF NBS results. A multifaceted intervention to improve PCP knowledge, management, and communication could improve provider confidence, optimize information transfer, and minimize parental distress during the initial disclosure of CF NBS results.
EFFECT OF POST-MORTEM AGING ON ISOLATION OF INTRAMUSCULAR CONNECTIVE TISSUE

SUMMARY The yield of bovine and porcine intramuscular connective tissue (IMCT) was quantitated at various time intervals post-mortem. The pH of the muscle tissue was followed through the aging period, and the heat absorbed during hydrothermal shrinkage (ΔHs) and the temperature of the transition (Ts) determined on the IMCT. The yield of bovine IMCT at 72 hr post-mortem was 50% lower than that at 0 hr, whereas 34% lower yields were found for the porcine tissue (P < 0.01). Loss in the yield of IMCT was paralleled by the drop in pH post-mortem. Recovery of IMCT reached a minimum in the pH range 5.43–5.53. No marked differences in ΔHs or Ts were observed in any of the samples studied.
Ultrasonic tissue characterization of the mouse myocardium: successful in vivo cyclic variation measurements.

Abstract Background Measurements of the systematic variation of backscattered ultrasonic energy from myocardium during the heart cycle (cyclic variation) have been successfully used to characterize a wide spectrum of cardiac pathologies in large animal models and human subjects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of extending cyclic variation measurements to the study of genetically manipulated mouse models of cardiac diseases as a method for developing further insights into the disease-altered properties of the myocardium and its characterization with ultrasound. Methods Parasternal long-axis images of the heart were obtained in 9 wild-type mice under light anesthesia using a commercial imaging system with a 15-MHz nominal center frequency linear array. Images of a tissue-mimicking phantom and the mouse hearts were obtained for a series of specific receiver gains for each of a series of specific dynamic range settings. Analyses of these data formed the basis for gray-scale image calibration. Cyclic variation measurements were obtained by determining the average gray-scale value for a region of interest placed in the midmyocardium of the posterior wall for each frame acquired during 4 cardiac cycles and converting these mean gray-scale values to backscatter values expressed in decibels using the determined calibration. Results are expressed in terms of the magnitude and time delay of cyclic variation. To evaluate repeatability of these measurements the same group of mice underwent the identical imaging protocol 2 weeks after the first study. Results The mean magnitude of cyclic variation was found to be 4.6 ± 0.2 dB with a corresponding normalized time delay of 1.02 ± 0.03 for data averaged over all dynamic range settings. There was no significant difference among results obtained with each of the dynamic range settings. A comparison of these results with those from data acquired 2 weeks after the initial study showed no significant difference. Conclusion This study represents the first reported measurement of cyclic variation in mice and demonstrates that reliable cyclic variation measurements can be obtained among individual animals and over different time points and, hence, forms the basis for subsequent investigations addressing specific cardiac pathologies and effects arising from myocardial anisotropy.
Numerical analysis of fretting contacts of dissimilar isotropic and anisotropic materials

A numerical method is presented to obtain the contact tractions when two dissimilar isotropic or anisotropic bodies are in partial slip contact. The solution to the governing coupled singular integ...
Government growth in the twenty-first century

Public choice explanations of government growth fall into three main categories: budget-maximization theories, rational-choice models, and path-dependent models like the “ratchet hypothesis”. The strengths and weaknesses of these theories as explanations for government growth are considered along with some facts about the actual growth of government to conjecture about its trajectory in the twenty-first century. Government size seems to have been constrained in the past primarily by its ability to raise revenue. Growth rates in the new century thus appear to depend on factors constraining government’s ability to continue to expand the tax base.
Optimization of Semantic Routing Table

In a semantic routed network (SRN), messages are routed based on the meaning of the message key. This means network nodes can be addressed by the meaning of the data content. Providing fast and successful semantic routing for any key is a challenging task due to conflicting performance demands. We present semantic routing table optimizing techniques to realize small world topology for fast and successful message routing. Our simulation shows that a SRN of 1000 nodes can achieve a competitive 57% routing success within 6 messaging delays, and have message delivery response of 3.3 messaging delays.
Increasing Diversity in Science and Health Professions: A 21-Year Longitudinal Study Documenting College and Career Success

Despite decades of precollege science education programs, African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans remain critically underrepresented in science and health professions. This report describes college and career outcomes among graduates of the Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP), a 5-week summer residential program for low-income high school students among whom 97% have been followed for up to 21 years. Approximately 24 students are selected annually, with participation limited to low-income students who have faced substantial personal hardships. Undergraduate and medical students provide key program leadership and training. The curriculum is based on science inquiry education and includes hospital internships, anatomy practicums, research projects, faculty lectures, college admissions/standardized test preparation, and long-term college and career guidance. A total of 476 high school students participated between 1988 and 2008, with 61% from underrepresented ethnic minority groups. Overall, 78% of African American, 81% of Latino, and 82% of Native American participants have earned a 4-year college degree (among those admitted to college, and excluding those currently attending college). In contrast, among 25–34-year old California adults, 16% of African Americans, 8% of Latinos, and 10% of Native Americans earn a 4-year college degree. Among SMYSP’s 4-year college graduates, 47% are attending or have completed medical or graduate school, and 43% are working as or training to become health professionals. SMYSP offers a model that expands inquiry-based science education beyond the classroom, and recognizes the role of universities as “high school interventionists” to help diversify health professions.
Fixture loading with sensor-based motion plans

By necessity, the clearance between fixtures and the parts they hold is small. When loading is performed by a robot, uncertainty in the initial position and orientation of the part and uncertainty in robot velocity as the part is moved make it a challenge to reliably and repeatedly load parts into fixtures. The "3-2-1" approach to fixture loading is well-known in industry: load the part into 3-point contact with a reference surface, slide it into 2-point contact with the fixture, then pivot to make 1-point contact, and finally apply a clamp. This method implicitly assumes force feedback (since different part surfaces are emphasized as contacts are detected) and has not been geometrically formalized. The authors propose a related method that uses simple binary sensors to detect contact. The authors describe an algorithm for generating such loading plans for functionless planar fixtures using the theory of compliant motion planning. The algorithm has 2 phases: phase 1 plans purely translational compliant motions and phase 2 plans motions assuming compliance in both rotation and translation. The authors show that a simple selective compliance mechanism (SCM) permits separate treatment of these phases. Also, the authors give an exact representation for directions in C-space that partition the continuous range of part orientations into equivalence classes. Finally, the authors describe how plans generated with their algorithm perform in 200 laboratory trials with a 5-axis robot.
Associations Between Initial Water Pipe Tobacco Smoking and Snus Use and Subsequent Cigarette Smoking Results From a Longitudinal Study of US Adolescents and Young Adults

Importance Many adolescents and young adults use alternative tobacco products, such as water pipes and snus, instead of cigarettes. Objective To assess whether prior water pipe tobacco smoking and snus use among never smokers are risk factors for subsequent cigarette smoking. Design, Setting, and Participants We conducted a 2-wave national longitudinal study in the United States among 2541 individuals aged 15 to 23 years old. At baseline (October 25, 2010, through June 11, 2011), we ascertained whether respondents had smoked cigarettes, smoked water pipe tobacco, or used snus. At the 2-year follow-up (October 27, 2012, through March 31, 2013), we determined whether baseline non–cigarette smokers had subsequently tried cigarette smoking, were current (past 30 days) cigarette smokers, or were high-intensity cigarette smokers. We fit multivariable logistic regression models among baseline non–cigarette smokers to assess whether baseline water pipe tobacco smoking and baseline snus use were associated with subsequent cigarette smoking initiation and current cigarette smoking, accounting for established sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors. We fit similarly specified multivariable ordinal logistic regression models to assess whether baseline water pipe tobacco smoking and baseline snus use were associated with high-intensity cigarette smoking at follow-up. Exposures Water pipe tobacco smoking and the use of snus at baseline. Main Outcomes and Measures Among baseline non–cigarette smokers, cigarette smoking initiation, current (past 30 days) cigarette smoking at follow-up, and the intensity of cigarette smoking at follow-up. Results Among 1596 respondents, 1048 had never smoked cigarettes at baseline, of whom 71 had smoked water pipe tobacco and 20 had used snus at baseline. At follow-up, accounting for behavioral and sociodemographic risk factors, baseline water pipe tobacco smoking and snus use were independently associated with cigarette smoking initiation (adjusted odds ratios: 2.56; 95% CI, 1.46-4.47 and 3.73; 95% CI, 1.43-9.76, respectively), current cigarette smoking (adjusted odds ratios: 2.48; 95% CI, 1.01-6.06 and 6.19; 95% CI, 1.86-20.56, respectively), and higher intensity of cigarette smoking (adjusted proportional odds ratios: 2.55; 95% CI, 1.48-4.38 and 4.45; 95% CI, 1.75-11.27, respectively). Conclusions and Relevance Water pipe tobacco smoking and the use of snus independently predicted the onset of cigarette smoking and current cigarette smoking at follow-up. Comprehensive Food and Drug Administration regulation of these tobacco products may limit their appeal to youth and curb the onset of cigarette smoking.
Evaluation of biaxial mechanical properties of soft tubes and arteries using sonometry

Arterial elasticity has become a topic of importance in the past decades, as it has shown that it can be used to predict cardiovascular diseases and mortality. Several in vivo and ex vivo techniques have been developed to characterize the mechanical properties of vessels. In vivo techniques tend to ignore the anisotropicity of the vessel wall components. While ex vivo techniques tend to be destructive and do not to account for the geometry of the arteries. In this paper we present a technique using sonometry to study the elasticity of soft tubes and excised pig carotids in different directions. The method uses piezoelectric crystals to track the strain in the circumferential and longitudinal directions while the tubes or vessels are being pressurized. We compare the Young's moduli obtained from sonometry experiments performed in two different types of tubes with the mechanical testing done in the material used to make these tubes. We also present data obtained in the excised pig carotids and show the differences in the longitudinal versus the circumferential directions. The technique we propose has a potential for the non destructive study of soft material cylindrical shapes and can be use to study the mechanical properties of vessels.