cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surfactant Adsorption at Solid−Aqueous Interfaces Containing Fixed Charges: Experiments Revealing the Role of Surface Charge Density and Surface Charge Regulation

The charge on the solid−liquid interface affects both the amount of ionic surfactant and the organization of the surfactant adsorbed at the solid−liquid interface. For most solids, the surface charge is not fixed; it is regulated by the adsorption or desorption of ions. The aim of this work is to study surfactant adsorption to surfaces that have a controlled and fixed density of covalently bound surface charges. The desired surface charge density is achieved by the use of gold−thiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of different ω-groups (−OH and −N+(CH3)3). The mole fraction of −N+(CH3)3 on the mixed SAM dictates the density of covalently bound charges. The charge on −N+(CH3)3 is fixed and does not self-regulate, but the total surface charge can be changed through adsorption of other ions. We have studied the adsorption of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to the interface between these model surfaces and aqueous solutions of SDS. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) of the adsorbed surfactant reveals no surface mice...
Analysis of the objective space in multiple objective linear programming

Abstract A multiple objective linear program is defined by a matrix C consisting of the coefficients of the linear objectives and a convex polytope X defined by the linear constraints. An analysis of the objective space Y = C [ X ] for this problem is presented. A characterization between a face of Y and the corresponding faces of X is obtained. This result gives a necessary and sufficient condition for a face to be efficient. The theory and examples demonstrate the collapsing (simplification) that occurs in mapping X to Y . These results form a basis for a new approach to analyzing multiple objective linear programs.
Target detection performance using 3-D laser radar images

Target detection theory is developed for 3-D pulsed imager operation of a coherent laser radar in a downlooking scenario. Generalized likelihood-ratio tests (GLRTs) and receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) are presented for range-only and joint-range-intensity processors. This work extends previous studies in three ways: (1) fine-range information is included; (2) maximum-likelihood estimation of an unknown range plane is performed; and (3) connections to Markov random field preprocessing are established.
Transcriptional activation of human leukosialin (CD43) gene by Sp1 through binding to a GGGTGG motif

Human leukosialin (CD43) is expressed on the surface of hematopoietic cells in cell-type specific and differentiation-stage-specific manners. Previously we found that the sequence from –53 to –40 was critically involved in the promoter function [Kudo, S. & Fukuda, M. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 8483–8489]. A transient-expression assay using a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene revealed that the promoter could confer a high basal transcriptional activity in both leukosialin-producing and non-producing cells. The transcription factor interacting with the promoter sequence was determined by DNase I footprinting and gel-mobility-shift assays. The nuclear extracts from both leukosialin-producing Jurkat cells and non-producing Hela cells showed a footprint on the 5′ flanking region from −58 to −34. Gel-mobility-shift assays revealed that DNA-protein complexes were formed with both nuclear extracts, and these complex formations were inhibited by an oligonucleotide containing the Sp1-binding consensus sequence. Prior incubation of anti-Sp1 antibody with nuclear extracts in this assay resulted in the supershift of the band for the DNA-protein complex. In addition, the footprint produced by the purified Sp1 transcription factor was identical to those produced by nuclear extracts of Jurkat and Hela cells. The mutational analyses revealed that the binding affinities of Sp1 to mutated promoter sequences were parallel to the transcriptional activity of these promoter sequences. Transient expression analyses in Drosophila Schneider cells demonstrated that cotransfection with Sp1 expression plasmid increased the transcriptional activity. These results establish that Sp1 can bind to the promoter and positively regulates the expression of the leukosialin gene. Even the stable expression of CAT constructs in non-producing Hela cells showed high transcriptional activity. The leukosialin expression thus appears to be regulated by the unique mechanism, that is the repression of high basal transcriptional activity rather than the activation of the basal transcriptional level. Tissue-specific expression is probably achieved by suppression of the basal transcriptional activity in non-producing cells.
Lipoma of the cerebellopontine angle

Lipomas of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) are unusual tumors that typically present with hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, and occasionally facial neuropathies. We describe the case of a healthy 42-year-old woman who presented with left-sided hearing loss and facial synkinesis. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed an enhancing lesion of the left CPA with no signal on fat suppression sequences. Despite conservative therapy, the patient developed progressive hemifacial spasm, and a suboccipital craniotomy approach was used to debulk the tumor, which encased cranial nerves V, VII, VIII, IX, X, and XI. Surgical histopathology demonstrated mature adipocytes, consistent with lipoma. Two years after surgery, the patient remains free of facial nerve symptoms. Cerebellopontine angle lipomas are rare lesions of the skull base and are reliably diagnosed with T1-weighted and fat suppression magnetic resonance sequences, which we recommend in the routine radiologic workup of CPA tumors. Accurate preoperative diagnosis is crucial because most CPA lipomas should be managed conservatively. Partial surgical resection is indicated only to alleviate intractable cranial neuropathies or relieve brainstem compression.
Nonvolatile Memories with Dual-Layer Nanocrystalline ZnO Embedded Zr-Doped HfO2 High-k Dielectric

Metal-oxide-semiconductor memory capacitors composed of dual-layer nanocrystalline ZnO embedded zirconium-doped hafnium oxide high-k film were fabricated, characterized, and compared with those with the single-layer nanocrystalline ZnO embedded sample. Distinct layers of discretely dispersed nanocrystalline dots embedded in the amorphous high-k matrix were observed. The nanocrystalline ZnO dots trap many electrons. The dual-layer sample not only drastically increases the charge storage density but also improves the charge trapping speed due to the coulomb blockade effect. This is a potentially important gate dielectric structure for high density, high speed nonvolatile memories.
Bounding Sample Size Projections for the Area Under a ROC Curve.

Abstract Studies of diagnostic tests are often designed with the goal of estimating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) because the AUC is a natural summary of a test's overall diagnostic ability. However, sample size projections dealing with AUCs are very sensitive to assumptions about the variance of the empirical AUC estimator, which depends on two correlation parameters. While these correlation parameters can be estimated from the available data, in practice it is hard to find reliable estimates before the study is conducted. Here we derive achievable bounds on the projected sample size that are free of these two correlation parameters. The lower bound is the smallest sample size that would yield the desired level of precision for some model , while the upper bound is the smallest sample size that would yield the desired level of precision for all models . These bounds are important reference points when designing a single or multi-arm study; they are the absolute minimum and maximum sample size that would ever be required. When the study design includes multiple readers or interpreters of the test, we derive bounds pertaining to the average reader AUC and the ‘pooled’ or overall AUC for the population of readers. These upper bounds for multireader studies are not too conservative when several readers are involved.
Effect of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation: a randomized clinical trial.

Importance Among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), visceral adiposity is associated with metabolic dysregulation and ectopic fat accumulation. Tesamorelin, a growth hormone–releasing hormone analog, specifically targets visceral fat reduction but its effects on liver fat are unknown. Objective To investigate the effect of tesamorelin on visceral and liver fat. Design, Setting, and Patients Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted among 50 antiretroviral-treated HIV-infected men and women with abdominal fat accumulation at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The first patient was enrolled on January 10, 2011; for the final patient, the 6-month study visit was completed on September 6, 2013. Interventions Participants were randomized to receive tesamorelin, 2 mg (n=28), or placebo (n=22), subcutaneously daily for 6 months. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary end points were changes in visceral adipose tissue and liver fat. Secondary end points included glucose levels and other metabolic end points. Results Forty-eight patients received treatment with study drug. Tesamorelin significantly reduced visceral adipose tissue (mean change, –34 cm 2 [95% CI, –53 to –15 cm 2 ] with tesamorelin vs 8 cm 2 [95% CI, –14 to 30 cm 2 ] with placebo; treatment effect, –42 cm 2 [95% CI, –71 to –14 cm 2 ]; P = .005) and liver fat (median change in lipid to water percentage, –2.0% [interquartile range {IQR}, –6.4% to 0.1%] with tesamorelin vs 0.9% [IQR, –0.6% to 3.7%] with placebo; P = .003) over 6 months, for a net treatment effect of –2.9% in lipid to water percentage. Fasting glucose increased in the tesamorelin group at 2 weeks (mean change, 9 mg/dL [95% CI, 5-13 mg/dL] vs 2 mg/dL [95% CI, –3 to 8 mg/dL] in the placebo group; treatment effect, 7 mg/dL [95% CI, 1-14 mg/dL]; P = .03), but changes at 6 months in fasting glucose (mean change, 4 mg/dL [95% CI, –2 to 10 mg/dL] with tesamorelin vs 2 mg/dL [95% CI, –4 to 7 mg/dL] with placebo; treatment effect, 2 mg/dL [95% CI, –6 to 10 mg/dL]; P = .72 overall across time points) and 2-hour glucose (mean change, –1 mg/dL [95% CI, –18 to 15 mg/dL] vs –8 mg/dL [95% CI, –24 to 8 mg/dL], respectively; treatment effect, 7 mg/dL [95% CI, –16 to 29 mg/dL]; P = .53 overall across time points) were not significant. Conclusions and Relevance In this preliminary study of HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation, tesamorelin administered for 6 months was associated with reductions in visceral fat and additionally with modest reductions in liver fat. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical importance and long-term consequences of these findings. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01263717
Antibodies against the 53 kDa glycoprotein inhibit the rotational dynamics of both the 53 kDa glycoprotein and the Ca2+-ATPase in the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane

Abstract The purpose of this study is to better define the relationship of the 53 kDa glycoprotein (GP-53) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) to other SR proteins. Towards that end the effects of antibodies against GP-53 on the rotational dynamics of maleimide spin-labeled proteins of SR of rabbit skeletal muscle were investigated. The labeling protocol used in this study provided 1.6±0.3 moles spin label incorporated per 105 g SR protein. Labeling specificity studies indicated that nearly 70% of the label bound specifically to the Ca2+-ATPase, with the remainder bound to GP-53. Using saturation-transfer electron paramagnetic resonance (ST-EPR), it was determined that the rotational mobility (i.e., the rate of rotation) of the spin-labeled SR proteins decreased greater than 5-fold upon preincubation of MSL-SR with an antiserum against the GP-53, while preincubation of MSL-SR with preimmune serum had no effect. Preincubation of MSL-SR with a monoclonal antibody against the GP-53 produced a 4-fold decrease in the rotational mobility of the MSL-SR proteins compared to control measurements. Further, these effects showed a marked calcium dependence: the decrease in the rotational mobility of the MSL-SR proteins preincubated with anti-GP-53 antibodies in 500 μM Ca2+ was 3–6-fold greater than that of MSL-SR preincubated with antibodies in 5 mM EGTA. While MSL was bound to both Ca2+-ATPase and GP-53, model calculations indicated that the decreases observed in the rotational mobility of the MSL-SR proteins caused by the anti-GP-53 monoclonal antibodies were too large to be accounted for by effects on GP-53 alone. The calculation suggest that the rotational rate of Ca2+-ATPase was also diminished by anti-GP-53 monoclonal antibodies, indicating an interaction between GP-53 and Ca2+-ATPase in the SR membrane.
Remarks on the makespan minimization problem

Abstract In this brief article we consider the worst-case performance of a heuristic proposed for the problem of minimizing the overall completion time in scheduling a collection of independent tasks to a system of identical processors. It has been suggested that this heuristic, based on the familiar LPTrule, possesses a vastly improved worst-case behavior. We demonstrate that it instead shares LPT's asymptotic worst-case performance bound of 4/3.
A kinetic study of the CF3CFHO2 + NO reaction and the dissociation of the CF3CFHO radical

Abstract The kinetics of the reaction of CF 3 CFHO 2 radicals with NO was studied by flash photolysis—time-resolved mass spectrometry. From the kinetic growth rate of NO + 2 molecular ions the rate coefficient of the reaction CF 3 CFHO 2 + NO → CF 3 CFHO + NO 2 was determined to be k = (1.31 ± 0.30) × 10 −11 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 in the pressure range 12–25 Torr at 324 ± 1 K. Measurements of the total NO 2 yield indicated that the CF 3 CFHO radicals were completely dissociated by CC bond scission on the 50 ms time scale of the experiments. The results are discussed in the context of atmospheric chemistry of HFC-134a.
Victim Blame in a Hate Crime Motivated by Sexual Orientation

A jury simulation paradigm was employed for two studies exploring levels of victim blame in a case of bias-motivated assault based on sexual orientation. In the first study, participants were grouped according to their score on the Index of Homophobia (IHP) scale as either reporting high or low support for gay and lesbian community members. The label of the crime (i.e., bias-motivated assault versus first-degree assault) as well as the gender of the victim were systematically varied. Results indicated that attributions of blame against the victim varied as a function of participants' attitudes toward minority sexual orientation. As extra-legal factors likely contribute to victim blame in these cases, the second study explored such factors as location and “provocation.” Jurors in the second study read a transcript depicting an attack on a gay man by a man in either a local bar (i.e., not a gay bar) or a gay bar. Within location conditions, jurors were presented with either “provocation” by the victim (i.e....
Labor Republicanism and the Transformation of Work

In the nineteenth century a group of “labor republicans” argued that the system of wage-labor should be replaced by a system of cooperative production. This system of cooperative production would r...
Associations of objectively measured sedentary behavior, light activity, and markers of cardiometabolic health in young women

To investigate the associations among objectively measured sedentary behavior, light physical activity, and markers of cardiometabolic health in young women. Cardiovascular disease risk factors, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipid accumulation product, and inflammatory markers were measured in 50 young, adult women. Accelerometers were worn over 7 days to assess sedentary time ( 0.05). Sedentary behavior and light physical activity were independently associated with markers of cardiometabolic health in young, adult women. Our data suggest that VO2peak and body composition may be important mediators of these associations. Decreasing sedentary behavior and increasing light physical activity may be important for maintaining cardiometabolic health in young, adult women.
Survival of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) Exposed to Cold

The cold hardiness of Ixodes scapularis Say unengorged larvae, engorged larvae, unengorged nymphs, engorged nymphs, and unengorged adults was evaluated. Ticks were exposed to cold for 2 or 8 h at a range of temperatures. Likelihood ratio tests and LT50 estimates were used to evaluate cold hardiness. Likelihood ratio tests indicated that stage and engorgement effects were significant with the exception of the stage effect between engorged larvae and engorged nymphs. LT50 estimates indicated that unengorged nymphs were the most cold-hardy, followed by engorged nymphs, unengorged adults, and both unengorged and engorged larvae. Sex of adult ticks had no statistically significant effect on cold hardiness. Unengorged larvae and unengorged nymphs were tested for evidence of a cold-hardening response. No larvae or nymphs exposed to a cold pretreatment and subsequent cold treatment displayed rapid cold-hardening.
Nasal Polyps: Epidemiology, Pathology, Immunology, and Treatment:

Nasal polyps frequently are associated with aspirin intolerance, intrinsic asthma. Young's syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and Kartagener's syndrome. Children 16 years or younger with nasal polyps shoul...
Screening Capsicum Accessions for Capsaicinoids Content

Ninety Capsicum accessions selected from the USDA Capsicum germplasm collection were screened for their capsaicinoids content using gas hromatography with nitrogen phosphorus detection (GC/NPD). Fresh fruits of Capsicum chinense, C. frutescens, C. baccatum, C. annuum, and C. pubescens were extracted with methanol and analyzed for capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and nordihydrocapsaicin. Mass spectrometry of the fruit crude extracts indicated that the molecular ions at m/z 305, 307, and 293, which correspond to capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and nordihydrocapsaicin, respectively, have a common benzyl cation fragment at m/z 137 that can be used for monitoring capsaicinoids in pepper fruit extracts. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin were the dominant capsaicinoids detected. Capsaicin concentrations were typically greater than dihydrocapsaicin. Concentrations of total capsaicinoids varied from not detectable to 11.2 mg fruit−1. Statistical analysis revealed that accession PI-441624 (C. chinense) had the highest capsai...
Evolutionary Multi-Agent Systems: An Adaptive and Dynamic Approach to Optimization

This paper explores the ability of a virtual team of specialized strategic software agents to cooperate and evolve to adaptively search an optimization design space. Our goal is to demonstrate and understand how such dynamically evolving teams may search more effectively than any single agent or a priori set strategy. We present a core framework and methodology that has potential applications in layout, scheduling, manufacturing, and other engineering design areas. The communal agent team organizational structure employed allows cooperation of agents through the products of their work and creates an ever changing set of individual solutions for the agents to work on. In addition, the organizational structure allows the framework to be adaptive to changes in the design space that may occur during the optimization process. An evolutionary approach is used, but evolution occurs at the strategic rather than the solution level, where the strategies of agents in the team are the decisions for when and how to choose and alter a solution, and the agents evolve over time. As an application of this approach in a static domain, individual solutions are tours in the familiar combinatorial optimization problem of the traveling salesman. With a constantly changing set of these tours, the team, with each agent employing a different solution strategy, must evolve to apply the solution strategies, which are most useful given the solution set at any point in the process. We discuss the extensions to our preliminary work that will make our framework useful to the design and optimization community.
Neurocognitive effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in severe major depression

Objective: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is being investigated as a potential treatment for depression. Few studies have addressed the neurocognitive effects of a course of rTMS in severely depressed patients. We evaluated neurocognitive effects of a 1 – 4 week course (mean 3 weeks) of rTMS using an aggressive set of parameters, in 15 severely depressed subjects. Methods: A battery of neurocognitive tests relevant to attention, working memory-executive function, objective memory and motor speed were administered to 15 subjects with treatment-resistant major depression (unipolar and bipolar), before and after a course of rTMS. Mean z scores were computed for each of 4 cognitive domains and analyzed using repeated measures multivariate analysis of covariance. Significant interactions were further clarified using univariate analysis of variance. Results: There was no worsening of performance on any of the cognitive domains over the baseline-post rTMS period. On the contrary, evidence of modest but statistically significant improvement in performance was noted in working memory-executive function, objective memory and fine motor speed domains over the rTMS treatment period. Conclusions: There was no evidence of adverse neurocognitive changes over the baseline-post rTMS period in 15 treatment-resistant depressed subjects undergoing a 3 week (mean) trial of rTMS. Significant improvements in several domains observed over the rTMS treatment period could not be explained by improved mood. Practice effects as well as other factors potentially contributing to these findings are discussed. Significance: rTMS is being increasingly studied as a neurophysiological probe as well as for its potential antidepressive effects. The effects on neuronal function raise appropriate questions of safety of its use at varying stimulus parameters and durations. This study contributes to the small body of evidence of the cognitive effects of rTMS in severely depressed patients. q 2003 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Protein Kinase Cα Is an Effector of Hexamethylene Bisacetamide-Induced Differentiation of Friend Erythroleukemia Cells

Abstract The program of biochemical and molecular events necessary for commitment to erythroid cell differentiation is particularly well characterized in murine Friend erythroleukemia cell lines. Commitment to hemoglobin synthesis in response to a variety of chemical inducers, including hexamethylene bisacetamide and dimethyl sulfoxide is completed by 24 h and proceeds to terminal differentiation by 96 h. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a classical tumor promoter phorbol ester that binds to protein kinase C, blocks differentiation in a reversible manner, suggesting an important role for protein kinase C signaling pathways. The classical protein kinase C isoforms α, βI, and βII, play distinct roles in the transduction of proliferative and differentiative signals in human, as well as in murine, erythroleukemia cells. Protein kinase Cα has been implicated in differentiation of human erythroleukemia cells although its translocation to the nucleus has not been observed. Taking advantage of the ability of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate to block differentiation in Friend erythroleukemia cells, we determined the localization of the predominant protein kinase C isoforms α and βI during differentiation and in response to their blockade. The ability of phorbol myristate acetate to preferentially diminish protein kinase Cα-protein localization to the nucleus by 24 h and thereby block differentiation induced by hexamethylene bisacetamide was paralleled by the ability of protein kinase Cα antisense transfection to block differentiation. In addition, β-globin transcription, assessed by polymerase chain reaction, was significantly decreased in protein kinase Cα antisense-transfected cells compared to that seen in vector transfected ones. Taken together, these data suggest an important temporal role for nuclear protein kinase Cα localization in Friend erythroleukemia cell differentiation.
Morphological and haemodynamic abnormalities in the jugular veins of patients with multiple sclerosis

ObjectivesMultiple areas of stenosis and different levels of obstruction of internal jugular and azygous veins (a condition known as cronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency) recently emerged as an additional theory to the well-known autoimmune concept, explaining etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of our study was to evaluate internal jugular vein (IJV) morphology and haemodynamic characteristics in patients with MS and compare it with well-matched healthy individuals and to evaluate the prevalence of venous flow abnormalities in both groups.MethodsSixty-four patients with clinically proven MS and 37 healthy individuals were included in our study. In all patients, IJV morphology and haemodynamic characteristics were evaluated by colour Doppler sonography as well as venous flow disorder. The patients were classified into four groups according to MS clinical form presentation. The prevalence of morphological and haemodynamic abnormalities in the IJV were assessed.ResultsThe presence of stenosing...
Vibrational and rotational CARS measurements of nitrogen in afterglow of streamer discharge in atmospheric pressure fuel/air mixtures

The use of nonequilibrium plasma generated by nanosecond discharges to ignite fuel/air mixtures, known as transient plasma ignition (TPI), has been shown to effectively reduce ignition delay and improve engine performance relative to spark ignition for combustion engines. While this method is potentially useful for many engine applications, at present the underlying physics are poorly understood. This work uses coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) to measure the rotational and vibrational excitation of nitrogen molecules in the discharge afterglow in a variety of fuel/air mixtures outside the limits of combustion in order to elucidate the thermal behaviour of TPI. The time evolution of relative populations of vibrationally excited states of nitrogen in the electronic ground state are reported for each gas mixture; it is shown that generation of these vibrationally excited states is inefficient during the discharge in air but that generation occurs at a high rate roughly 5??s following the discharge; with the addition of fuels vibrationally excited states are observed during the discharge but an increase in population is still seen at 5??s. Possible mechanisms for this behaviour are discussed. In addition, rotational temperature increases of at least 500?K are reported for all gas mixtures. The effect of this temperature increase on ignition, reaction rates, and thermal energy pathways are discussed.
Position estimation of fluorescent probes in a confocal microscope

Measurements of fluorescence intensity from an isolated fluorescing probe in a confocal microscope can be viewed as range-only measurements of the position of that probe. We present an analytical algorithm for determining its position from a collection of measurements taken at different locations in the plane. This algorithm, fluoroBancroft, is inspired by the Bancroft algorithm in GPS. We investigate the performance of the algorithm through simulation and compare it to the standard technique of fitting the data to a Gaussian profile. Our results indicate that the fluoroBancroft algorithm is more accurate than the fitting procedure when only a few measurements are used. Moreover the technique is typically two orders of magnitude faster in terms of computation time. These preliminary results indicate the fluoroBancroft algorithm holds promise for use in a real-time closed-loop controller to track the motion of single fluorescent probes.
Starvation mitigation through multi-channel coordination in CSMA multi-hop wireless networks

Existing multi-channel protocols have been demonstrated to significantly increase aggregate throughput compared to single-channel protocols. However, we show that despite such improvements in aggregate throughput, existing protocols can lead to flow starvation in a multi-hop network, a phenomenon that also occurs with single-channel protocols. In this paper, we devise Asynchronous Multi-channel Coordination Protocol (AMCP), a distributed medium access protocol that not only increases aggregate throughput, but more importantly, addresses the fundamental coordination problems that lead to starvation. Based on AMCP's counter-starvation mechanisms, we analytically derive and experimentally validate an ap-proximate lower bound on the throughput of any flow in an arbitrary topology. We also demonstrate that AMCP can deliver significantly higher per-flow throughput than both IEEE 802.11 and existing multi-channel solutions. In addition to its performance properties, AMCP is both simple in that it operates using the primitives of IEEE 802.11 DCF, and cost-effective in that it requires only a single half-duplex transceiver and no infrastructure support.
Bulk metamaterial with hyperbolic dispersion

We have demonstrated bulk (51 µm thick) photonic metamaterial based on anodized alumina membranes filled with silver. The material is highly anisotropic and follows the hyperbolic dispersion law at λ≫0.84 µm.
Can experience with co-speech gesture influence the prosody of a sign language? Sign language prosodic cues in bimodal bilinguals*

In this paper the prosodic structure of American Sign Language (ASL) narratives is analyzed in deaf native signers (L1-D), hearing native signers (L1-H), and highly proficient hearing second language signers (L2-H). The results of this study show that the prosodic patterns used by these groups are associated both with their ASL language experience (L1 or L2) and with their hearing status (deaf or hearing), suggesting that experience using co-speech gesture (i.e. gesturing while speaking) may have some effect on the prosodic cues used by hearing signers, similar to the effects of the prosodic structure of an L1 on an L2.
Holoprosencephaly--topologic variations in a liveborn series: a general model based upon MRI analysis.

We present an MRI-based anatomic analysis of a series of 9 human brains, representing lobar, semilobar and alobar forms of holoprosencephaly. The analysis of these variable forms of the malformation is based upon a topologic systematics established in a prior analysis of a homogeneous set of semilobar malformations. This systematics has the dual advantage that it serves both as a uniform reference for qualitative description and as a quantitative descriptive base for mathematical correlations between parameters of topology and of growth and development. Within this systematics, the prosencephalic midline is divided from caudal to rostral into diencephalic (DD—right and left, subthalamus through suprachiasmatic junction with telencephalon), telencephalic (TT—right and left, suprachiasmatic border of telencephalon midline to hippocampal commissure) and diencephalic—telencephalic (DT—right and left—hippocampal commissure through temporal limb of choroid fissure) segments. The topologic abnormality of the initial semilobar series was expressed in an orderly rostral to caudal gradient along the TT segment. In each malformation, normal midline topology began with a small posterior corpus callosum. Although the topologic anomaly in the present series invariably also involved the TT segment, this involvement was not continuous and was variably associated with anomalies of the DD in 6 and unilaterally of the DT in 1 brain. In the present as well as with the earlier series of HPE malformations but not in “normative brains,” total telencephalic growth is strongly correlated with the length of the midline telencephalic segment. We propose that this system of analysis will be sensitive to the developmental stage and locus of expression of genetic and non-genetic determinants of the formal origin of HPE. For all of the present series, karyotype anlyses were normal. Mutations in the Shh and Zic2 genes were excluded in 2 cases.
Mechanism of Colonic Permeation of Inulin: Is Rat Colon More Permeable Than Small Intestine?

Abstract Background/Aims: Colonic epithelium is considered to be relatively tight. The colonic "pore" diameter is 6 A; therefore, colonic epithelium has generally been considered to be impermeable to hydrophilic probes with a cross-sectional diameter of >6 A. This study examined whether rat colon is permeable to inulin, a large hydrophilic macromolecule having a molecular weight of 5000 g/mol and a cross-sectional diameter of 15 A (hydration diameter, 20 A). Methods: The colonic permeation of inulin (10 μmol/L) in vivo was investigated by perfusion of rat colonic segments. Results: There was significant colonic permeation of inulin, but tissue retention of inulin was low. The net colonic flux of inulin was strongly dependent on net water flux, showing a strong solvent drag effect. Addition of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 decreased water flux with a corresponding decrease in inulin flux; this process seemed to be mediated by 5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate because both the phosphodiesterase inhibitor aminophylline and dibutyryl adenosine 5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate decreased water and inulin flux in a parallel manner. Chenodeoxycholic and taurocholic acids decreased net mucosal-to-serosal water flux but increased inulin flux. The net colonic permeation rate of inulin was higher than the small intestinal permeation rate. Conclusions: Rat colon is permeable to inulin. The higher net colonic permeability may be caused by differences in mucosal surface, permselectivity, solvent drag effect, and differences in net water fluxes of the colon and small intestine.
Clinical Experience with Three Examples of Anti‐Yta1

Summary. During a three-year period we have had the opportunity to study three patients who had anti-Yta antibodies in their serum. Two of the antibodies developed during pregnancy but did not result in hemolytic disease of the newborn. A third patient, although sensitized to Yta by transfusions, received many subsequent transfusions of Yt(a +) blood without any apparent reaction.
Rbfox3-regulated alternative splicing of Numb promotes neuronal differentiation during development

Alternative premRNA splicing is a major mechanism to generate diversity of gene products. However, the biological roles of alternative splicing during development remain elusive. Here, we focus on a neuron-specific RNA-binding protein, Rbfox3, recently identified as the antigen of the widely used anti-NeuN antibody. siRNA-mediated loss-of-function studies using the developing chicken spinal cord revealed that Rbfox3 is required to promote neuronal differentiation of postmitotic neurons. Numb premRNA encoding a signaling adaptor protein was found to be a target of Rbfox3 action, and Rbfox3 repressed the inclusion of an alternative exon via binding to the conserved UGCAUG element in the upstream intron. Depleting a specific Numb splice isoform reproduced similar neuronal differentiation defects. Forced expression of the relevant Numb splice isoform was sufficient to rescue, in an isoform-specific manner, postmitotic neurons from defects in differentiation caused by Rbfox3 depletion. Thus, Rbfox3-dependent Numb alternative splicing plays an important role in the progression of neuronal differentiation during vertebrate development.
On the wavelet spectrum diagnostic for Hurst parameter estimation in the analysis of Internet traffic

The fluctuations of Internet traffic possess an intricate structure which cannot be simply explained by long-range dependence and self-similarity. In this work, we explore the use of the wavelet spectrum, whose slope is commonly used to estimate the Hurst parameter of long-range dependence. We show that much more than simple slope estimates are needed for detecting important traffic features. In particular, the multi-scale nature of the traffic does not admit simple description of the type attempted by the Hurst parameter. By using simulated examples, we demonstrate the causes of a number of interesting effects in the wavelet spectrum of the data. This analysis leads us to a better understanding of several challenging phenomena observed in real network traffic. Although the wavelet analysis is robust to many smooth trends, high-frequency oscillations and non-stationarities such as abrupt changes in the mean have an important effect. In particular, the breaks and level-shifts in the local mean of the traffic rate can lead one to overestimate the Hurst parameter of the time series. Novel statistical techniques are required to address such issues in practice.
Saphenous Vein Grafts: to Use or Not to Use?

The choice of the graft conduit is crucial to the success of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) because the patency of a coronary conduit is closely associated with an uneventful postoperative course and better long-term patient survival. From the beginning of coronary bypass surgery venous conduits particularly the great saphenous veins (GSV) have been the most frequently used coronary conduit from the beginning of the coronary bypass surgery. However, over the last decade or so, coronary bypass graft surgery with arterial revascularization of all diseased coronaries has shown to be efficient because arterial grafts have better long-term patency, especially left internal mammary artery (LIMA), compared with venous grafts. Early vein graft failure coupled with occlusion is the most important limitation of saphenous vein grafts. Nevertheless, vein grafting is still an integral part of cardiac surgical practice. This review provides a summary of the patency rates, technical features and certain characteristics of the venous conduits. It also examines the current understanding and knowledge of venous histology, vein graft pathology and the associated endothelial and smooth muscle cell physiology and pharmacology. In addition, the existing and the emerging strategies to combat and control vein graft intimal hyperplasia and accelerated atherosclerosis are reviewed in detail.
Water structure of a hydrophobic protein at atomic resolution: Pentagon rings of water molecules in crystals of crambin.

Abstract The water structure has been analyzed for a model of the protein crambin refined against 0.945-A x-ray diffraction data. Crystals contain 32% solvent by volume, and 77% of the solvent molecules have been located—i.e., 2 ethanol molecules and 64 water molecules with 10-14 alternate positions. Many water oxygen atoms found form chains between polar groups on the surface of the protein. However, a cluster of pentagonal arrays made up of 16 water molecules sits at a hydrophobic, intermolecular cleft and forms a cap around the methyl group of leucine-18. Several waters in the cluster are hydrogen-bonded directly to the protein. Additional closed circular arrays, which include both protein atoms and other water oxygen atoms, form next to the central cluster. This water array stretches in the b lattice direction between groups of three ionic side chains.
Imaging fibrillation/defibrillation in a dish.

Abstract Background Sheets of cultured cardiac cells constitute an emerging experimental model of cardiac tissue electrophysiology and arrhythmia. It has been used to study fundamental properties of reentrant (spiral) waves and electric field interactions with tissue structure and thus constitutes a valuable model for investigations of fibrillation and defibrillation. Methods Optical mapping can be used to visualize action potential propagation or calcium waves in confluent monolayers of neonatal rat ventricular cells. Spiral waves can be initiated by burst pacing and terminated by an electric field shock. Results Work from this laboratory and others is reviewed regarding the behavior of single and multiple spiral waves in this model system as they pertain to fibrillation (dynamic instabilities) and defibrillation (interaction of electric fields with reentrant waves). Conclusions Subject to limitations, the cultured cell monolayer is a controlled experimental model that will be useful for further study of basic aspects of fibrillation and defibrillations.
SnapShot: CRISPR-RNA-Guided Adaptive Immune Systems

Bacteria and archaea have evolved sophisticated adaptive immune systems that reply on CRISPR loci and a diverse cassette of Cas genes that are classified into three main types and at least eleven subtypes. All CRISPR-Cas immune systems operate through three main stages: acquisition, biogenesis, and interference. This SnapShot summarizes our current knowledge of these fascinating immune systems.
A Myopathy-linked Desmin Mutation Perturbs Striated Muscle Actin Filament Architecture

Desmin interacts with nebulin establishing a direct link between the intermediate filament network and sarcomeres at the Z-discs. Here, we examined a desmin mutation, E245D, that is located within the coil IB (nebulin-binding) region of desmin and that has been reported to cause human cardiomyopathy and skeletal muscle atrophy. We show that the coil IB region of desmin binds to C-terminal nebulin (modules 160-164) with high affinity, whereas binding of this desmin region containing the E245D mutation appears to enhance its interaction with nebulin in solid-phase binding assays. Expression of the desmin-E245D mutant in myocytes displaces endogenous desmin and C-terminal nebulin from the Z-discs with a concomitant increase in the formation of intracellular aggregates, reminiscent of a major histological hallmark of desmin-related myopathies. Actin filament architecture was strikingly perturbed in myocytes expressing the desmin-E245D mutant because most sarcomeres contained elongated or shorter actin filaments. Our findings reveal a novel role for desmin intermediate filaments in modulating actin filament lengths and organization. Collectively, these data suggest that the desmin E245D mutation interferes with the ability of nebulin to precisely regulate thin filament lengths, providing new insights into the potential molecular consequences of expression of certain disease-associated desmin mutations.
Optical relational-graph rule-based processor for structural-attribute knowledge bases.

An optical relational-graph or decision-net processor is advanced, and one optical system design for such a processor is provided. The general description of this processor is provided as well as two designs for a specific case study. A rule-based design of a knowledge base of facts using structural rather than functional attributes of the object is detailed. A general technique is advanced to organize a fact-based knowledge base into a rule-based knowledge base using structural rather than functional attributes. A multiclass 3-D distorted object identification and classification problem is considered as our case study. A general relational-graph design methodology is advanced, and specific designs for our case study are then presented. Multidecision and binary relational-graph designs are advanced, and impressive initial simulation results with each are noted.
A note on penalized minimum distance estimation in nonparametric regression

The authors introduce a penalized minimum distance regression estimator. They show the estimator to balance, among a sequence of nested models of increasing complexity, the L1 -approximation error of each model class and a penalty term which reflects the richness of each model and serves as a upper bound for the estimation error. Les auteurs presentent un nouvel estimateur de regression obtenu par minimisation d'une distance penalisee. Ils montrent que pour une suite de modeles emboǐtes a complexite croissante, cet estimateur offre un bon compromis entre l'erreur d'approximation L1 de chaque classe de modeles et un terme de penalisation permettant a la fois de refleter la richesse de chaque modele et de majorer l'erreur d'estimation.
Promoting Physical Activity in Black Children and Adolescents: Intervention Strategies Health Practitioners Have Put into Play

Obesity among USA’s youth is reaching epidemic proportions. Increase sedentary lifestyles, improper nutrition habits, and the lack of physical activity are contributors to this rise in obesity levels among young. This chapter reviews the physical activity intervention strategies health practitioners have used to promote healthier and active lifestyles among Black children and adolescents. It concludes that policy and multicomponent physical activity approaches that enhance family participation and take place in schools and after school programs are likely to be successful among Black youth and should be promoted.
Editors Note: JAESEs Manuscript Review Criteria

Authors submitting manuscripts to the Journal of Astronomy & Earth Sciences Education, JAESE, need to be aware that each submission that judged as potentially viable for JAESE is electronically checked for plagiarism before being reviewed by at least two peer reviewers. Each peer reviewer is instructed to provide a formative assessment of the article and a confidential summative recommendation to the Editor. The five specific criteria the Editor and Peer Reviewers use for evaluating manuscripts are the extent to which each submitted manuscript: (i) makes an important contribution to the discipline; (ii) has a clearly stated research question that is adequately motivated by the existing scholarly literature base; (iii) has study methods and participants tightly and appropriately aligned with the research question; (iv) presents evidence that clearly supports the conclusions forwarded; and (v) has an accessible writing style, grammar, syntax and voice for a wide audience of scholarly readers.
Stress Analysis of Translational Shells

A set of governing simultaneous partial differential equations describing the bending and membrane stress conditions in any translational shell are derived in this study. By employing a curvilinear coordinate system in the middle surface of the shell in the direction of the principal generators of the surface, the necessity of making the shallow shell assumptions is eliminated, thus the derived set of equations is equally valid for deep as well as shallow translational shells. However, the curvilinear coordinate system used is not, in general, orthogonal and the governing set of partial differential equations have variable coefficients. A finite difference solution is performed for the set of partial differential equations for a particular case - a fixed-edge hyperbolic paraboloid. The numerical solution was checked for discretization and round off error and found to be satisfactory. A small scale structural test program was instituted to verify the assumptions made in the derivation of the governing partial differential equations, and to further check the numerical solutions. Agreement between the test results and numerical solution was, in general, good and in many cases was within 10%.