cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigating early developmental impairment: what's the cost?

Considerable resources are spent on determining the cause of early developmental impairment (EDI) in children, yet the most appropriate investigations are unknown. Significant differences in opinion exist between UK clinicians on whether children with EDI are investigated appropriately and on the value of specific investigations.1 Algorithms on how to investigate EDI have been proposed over the last 20 years, and the number of recommended first-line laboratory investigations has increased,2–4 without good evidence on their usefulness or cost efficiency. We obtained guidelines for investigating EDI from 23 centres as part of a survey of UK clinicians1 and found variation in recommended investigations, with only karyotype/microarray being consistent across all guidelines (figure 1). Figure 1 Investigations recommended in 23 guidelines obtained from UK clinicians. Columns represent individual guidelines, and rows individual investigations. Grey boxes represent a first-line investigation to be performed in all children with early developmental …
Draft Genome Sequence of Anoxybacillus sp. Strain UARK-01, a New Thermophilic Lignin-Utilizing Bacterium Isolated from Soil in Arkansas, USA

ABSTRACT The draft genome of Anoxybacillus sp. strain UARK-01, a novel lignin-utilizing thermophilic soil bacterium, represents the first sequence of an Anoxybacillus isolate from the United States. The genome was sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform, de novo assembled using SeqMan NGen, and annotated at NCBI. The genome sequence revealed genes for laccase and lignocellulose degradation enzymes.
Cellular Addresses: Step One in Creating a Glycocode

In this issue of Chemistry & Biology, a library screening approach reveals at least four types of enzymes that attach galactosamine to build cell surface mucin-type glycoproteins [1]. A better molecular understanding of how these information-carrying oligosaccharides are created sets the stage for designing more selective inhibitors and potential therapeutics.
Acculturation, social connectedness, and subjective well-being among Chinese international students: A test of Berry's acculturation framework

Based on Berry’s (1997) acculturation framework on acculturation and adjustment, this study examined the link from acculturation experience (i.e., acculturation and enculturation) through coping strategies (i.e., social connectedness) to long-term outcomes (i.e., future subjective well-being SWB). Two hypotheses were proposed. First, it was expected that social connectedness in mainstream society (i.e., Mainstream SC) would mediate the association between acculturation and future SWB (i.e., life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect). Second, it was expected that social connectedness in the ethnic community (i.e., Ethnic SC) would mediate the association between enculturation and future SWB. Using a longitudinal design, a total of 203 Chinese international students completed an online survey at two time points. General social connectedness at Time 1 and SWB (i.e., life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect) at Time 1 were controlled for in this study. The results partially supported the above two mediation hypotheses. First, Mainstream SC at Time 2 partially mediated the association between acculturation at Time 1 and life satisfaction and positive affect at Time 2 (but not for negative affect at Time 2). Second, Ethnic SC at Time 2 partially mediated the association between enculturation at Time 1 and negative affect at Time 2 (but not for life satisfaction and positive affect at Time 2). Furthermore, unexpectedly, Mainstream SC at Time 2 partially mediated the association between enculturation at Time 1 and life satisfaction and positive affect at Time 2 (but not negative affect at Time 1). Limitations, future research directions and implications were also discussed.
Interaction between Glutamate Dehydrogenase and Transaminase

In the interaction between glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamate oxalacetate transaminase a complex is formed between the two enzymes and glutamate dehydrogenase reacts with transaminase bound pyridoxal or pyridoxamine phosphate. This enzyme-enzyme complex facilitates dehydrogenation of amino acids such as aspartate and tyrosine. Tranquilizers which are potent inhibitors of glutamate dehydrogenase do not inhibit reactions catalyzed by the enzyme-enzyme complex.
Serial Passage of Choriocarcinoma of Women in the Hamster Cheek-Pouch

Greene (1952) initially described the survival and growth of human malignant tissue in the anterior chamber of the guinea pig’s eye. These pioneer studies provided the basic experimental background for the observations to be reported here.
Blind Estimation of the Speech Transmission Index for Speech Quality Prediction

The speech transmission index (STI) of a listening position within a given room indicates the quality and intelligibility of speech uttered in that room. The measure is very reliable for predicting speech intelligibility in many room conditions but requires an STI measurement of the impulse response for the room. We present a method for blindly estimating the STI without measuring or modeling the impulse response of the room using deep convolutional neural networks. Our model is trained entirely using simulated room impulse responses combined with clean speech examples from the DAPS dataset [1] and works directly on PCM audio. Our experiments show that our method predicts true STI with a high degree of accuracy – an average error of under 4%. It can also distinguish between different STI conditions to a level of granularity that is comparable to humans.
Lymph node involvement: Positive about the role of the recurrence score in estrogen-driven breast cancer?

It remains unclear whether there is clinical utility for withholding chemotherapy in HR+/HER2-, node-positive breast cancer based upon the 21-gene Recurrence Score. While we await the results from randomized, phase III trials, this editorial addresses additional observational data that suggest there may be a role for this genomic assay in this patient population.
Resilient and Robust Synchronization of Multiagent Systems Under Attacks on Sensors and Actuators

Resilient and robust distributed control protocols for multiagent systems under attacks on sensors and actuators are designed. A distributed ${H}_{{\infty }}$ control protocol is designed to attenuate the disturbance or attack effects. However, the ${H}_{{\infty }}$ controller is too conservative in the presence of attacks. Therefore, it is augmented with a distributed adaptive compensator to mitigate the adverse effects of attacks. The proposed controller can make the synchronization error arbitrarily small in the presence of faulty attacks, and satisfy global ${L}_{{2}}$ -gain performance in the presence of malicious attacks or disturbances. A significant advantage of the proposed method is that it requires no restriction on the number of agents or agents’ neighbors under attacks on sensors and/or actuators, and it recovers even compromised agents under attacks on actuators. Simulation examples verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The intrinsic behavior of lithium fluoride in solid electrolyte interphases on lithium

Lithium is the most attractive anode material for high-energy density rechargeable batteries, but its cycling is plagued by morphological irreversibility and dendrite growth that arise in part from its heterogeneous “native” solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Enriching the SEI with lithium fluoride (LiF) has recently gained popularity to improve Li cyclability. However, the intrinsic function of LiF—whether chemical, mechanical, or kinetic in nature—remains unknown. Herein, we investigated the stability of LiF in model LiF-enriched SEIs that are either artificially preformed or derived from fluorinated electrolytes, and thus, the effect of the LiF source on Li electrode behavior. We discovered that the mechanical integrity of LiF is easily compromised during plating, making it intrinsically unable to protect Li. The ensuing in situ repair of the interface by electrolyte, either regenerating LiF or forming an extra elastomeric “outer layer,” is identified as the more critical determinant of Li electrode performance. Our findings present an updated and dynamic picture of the LiF-enriched SEI and demonstrate the need to carefully consider the combined role of ionic and electrolyte-derived layers in future design strategies.
Sequential Parallel Switching for Drain-Source Synchronous Rectification Efficiency Boost in Parallel Switch Rectifiers

Drain-source voltage-sensed synchronous rectification (SR) is a technique that can be used to reduce the secondary-side diode conduction loss of an LLC converter. In drain-source SR, an early SR-switch turn off issue is observed due to parasitics present in the path of the SR drain-source sensing loop. In rectifiers with parallel switches which is common in higher current applications, a new sequential turn-off method named “sequential parallel switching” (SPS) is proposed to extend the SR conduction period. By increasing the drain-source voltage signal near the turn-off moment, the effect of the parasitic inductance on the SR signal can be minimized, extending the total SR conduction time. This results in a net increase in total converter efficiency, despite a small increase in the SR switch channel conduction. A SPS-based rectifier is built with an FPGA based on a commercial SR controller and tested on a 300- $\text{V}_{\mathrm{ in}}$ , 1-kW LLC converter.
Greater than the sum of racism and heterosexism: Intersectional microaggressions toward racial/ethnic and sexual minority group members.

OBJECTIVES Discrimination, once unmistakable, has taken on subtler forms as exemplified by microaggressions-daily, seemingly harmless indignities that send negative messages to minority group members (Sue, Capodilupo, et al., 2007). Furthermore, unique microaggressions exist for individuals who possess more than one stigmatized identity. For example, racial/ethnic minorities who are also lesbian, gay, or bisexual face discrimination that is unlike racism or heterosexism alone or in combination. Thus, to meaningfully investigate how dually marginalized individuals experience various forms of contemporary, covert discrimination, scholars need access to paradigms that better capture their existential realities. Specifically, greater attention must be paid to how interlocking social categories shape experiences of subtle discrimination. To this end, we demonstrate how to conceptualize quantitative research that is mindful of intersectionality-or the interconnection of social identities in creating overlapping and interdependent systems of oppression. METHOD We conducted a 2-phase study to examine whether an intersectional methodology better predicted adverse health outcomes for 801 lesbian, gay, and bisexual people of color as compared to an additive/multiplicative approach (i.e., combining scores from two different measures of experiences with racism and heterosexism). RESULTS Results indicated that intersectionality (vs. additive/multiplicative approach) better measured symptomology for racially diverse sexual minority group members who experienced microaggressions. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide quantitative evidence in support of intersectionality, an achievable methodological approach that captures subtle encounters with discrimination for individuals with interlocking marginalized identities-encounters that would otherwise remain on the fringe of research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
A Case of CD5 Positive Hairy Cell Leukemia withBRAF V600EMutation and Lymph Node Involvement; Unique Case Report and Review of the Literature:

Objective: Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is distinct indolent neoplasm of small mature B cells accounting for 2% of the lymphoid leukemias. The classic immunophenotypic profile of HCL includes bright expression of B cell surface antigen and immunoglobulins and lack of both CD5 and CD10. The tumor cells are predominantly present in the spleen, peripheral blood and bone marrow. Aberrant expression of CD5 and lymph node involvement are very rare. A case of CD5(+) HCL with a documentedBRAF V600Emutation has not been previously reported. This case is also unique due to lymph node involvement by HCL. To our knowledge, this is the only case report of a documentedBRAF V600Emutated CD5(+) HCL along with lymph node involvement in the literature. Method: We are presenting a 45 years old man with multiple prior medical conditions including diabetes, COPD and interstitial pneomonitis with new onset of B-symptoms and neutropenia/monocytopenia. Peripheral blood flow cytometry revealed 21% CD5(+) CD10(-) monoclonal B cell population. Further workup revealed the neoplastic cells are positive for CD11c, CD103 and CD25. Bone marrow study revealed an extensive involvement of the marrow.By immunohistochemistry, the cells are also positive for CD5, CD20, BRAF and cyclin D1. Cytogenetic studies show that the cells are negative t(11;14) and molecular studies revealedBRAF V600Emutation. Reexamination of the prior wedge lung resection revealed intrathoracic lymph node involvement. Results and conclusion: The most common differential diagnoses of a CD5(+) B cell lymphoma involving the bone marrow is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma. The key into the diagnosis of this case was marked monocytopenia that lead to addition of HCL antibody tubes despite the CD5 positivity and detection of CD25, CD103 and CD11c antigens in the leukemic cells. Bone marrow biopsy show extensive involvement by a CD5(+) cyclin D1(+) B cell lymphoma. The most important differential diagnosis in this case was mantle cell lymphoma. The diagnosis of HCL was confirmed by detection ofBRAF V600Emutation and absence of t (11;14). Retrospective examination of the intrathoracic lymph nodes show one lymph node involvement by hairy cell leukemia cells. The patient was treated with Vemurafenib and his follow up flow cytometry revealed only 0.60% leukemic involvement. Incorporation of clinical data at the time of flow cytometric examination is essential to aid the hematopathologist in having a broader differential diagnoses and addition of appropriate tests that lead to the more accurate diagnosis and treatment. Download : Download high-res image (883KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Nonlinear Systems and Nonlinear Estimation Theory

This research was supported in part by the Army Research Office under Grant DAAG29-76-C-0139, the U.S. Office of Naval Research under the Joint Services Electronics Program Contract N00014–75-C-0648 and the National Science Foundation under Grant ENG-79–09459. The final manuscript was prepared while the author was visiting the Mathematical Center in Amsterdam using a set of lecture notes compiled and reworked by J. van Gelderen, A. van der Schaft, and A. van Swieten. The hospitality of the Mathematical Center in Amsterdam, and, in particular, that of Jan van Schuppen is greatfully acknowledged.
Genetic programming applied to compiler heuristic optimization

Genetic programming (GP) has a natural niche in the optimization of small but high payoff software heuristics. We use GP to optimize the priority functions associated with two well known compiler heuristics: predicated hyperblock formation, and register allocation. Our system achieves impressive speedups over a standard baseline for both problems. For hyperblock selection, application-specific heuristics obtain an average speedup of 23% (up to 73%) for the applications in our suite. By evolving the compiler's heuristic over several benchmarks, the best general-purpose heuristic our system found improves the predication algorithm by an average of 25% on our training set, and 9% on a completely unrelated test set. We also improve a well-studied register allocation heuristic. On average, our system obtains a 6% speedup when it specializes the register allocation algorithm for individual applications. The general-purpose heuristic for register allocation achieves a 3% improvement.
Feedback, Retention, Discrimination Error, and Feedback Study Time

AbstractIn this study, 153 students enrolled in an undergraduate biology class for nonmajors were randomly assigned to one of four immediate corrective feedback conditions commonly used in computer-based instructional situations. In addition, the types of errors made by learners during instruction were analyzed and compared across groups. Dependent variables were achievement on a retention test, feedback study time, on-task achievement, and feedback efficiency. Results indicated that the group receiving simple knowledge-of-correct-results feedback used significantly less feedback study time and was more efficient than in any other condition. Consistent with prior studies, an adaptive design strategy overcame differences in retention that may have been observed with an instructional strategy using a fixed number of interrogatory instances. Learners who made fewer fine discrimination errors during instruction scored higher on a retention test. As expected, a significantly higher number of fine discriminatio...
Neonatal Chest Imaging

Throughout the world, the chest radiograph is the most common imaging study done in the neonate. The neonatal chest radiograph is not particularly difficult to interpret as most images fall into predictable patterns of diseases. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a systematic approach to the infant chest, update knowledge concerning neonatal chest diseases and discuss current treatment options. Broadly, the infant chest abnormalities can be divided into medical or surgical diseases of the chest. In previous years, significant attention was given to the imaging findings of the surgical diseases of the neonatal chest; however with the increasing use of fetal imaging with magnetic resonance and/or fetal sonography, these lesions are frequently recognized antenatally. Characteristically, many of the radiographs in newborns with surgical diseases have masses with striking asymmetry of density, shift of the mediastinum, focal opacification, and/or cystic or hyperlucent lung segments.
Oat Based Diets for Market Pigs in Deep-bedded Hoop Barns

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of oats in diets on the performance of finishing pigs in deepbedded hoop barns. Oats may be used in limited quantities in swine diets. High-quality oats are typically valued at 80 to 85% the feed value of corn when fed to finishing pigs. Finishing barrows (240 head) were used to evaluate the dietary effects of oat-based diets in hoop barns. Six pens of 10 barrows each were fed three diets for four replications for two seasons, winter and summer. The summer season consisted of May through September. The winter season consisted of November through March. Two years were used to minimize seasonal variation. The oats used in the study had a test weight of no less than 36 pounds per bushel. The diets were isolysinic, on a calculated analysis. Pigs fed both the 20 and 40% oat diet performed similarly to those fed a control corn–soybean meal diet. Addition of oats up to 40% of the diet for finishing barrows greater than 150 pounds to market weight (270 pounds) in deep-bedded hoop barns, had no effect on average daily gain, average daily feed intake, feed efficiency, backfat, loin eye area, or lean percentage. There may be several factors that led to these results. The use of barrows, the use of heavy finishing pigs, the type of environment, and the heavy test weight of the oats used in the study may be possible explanations for the results. The performance of the pigs fed the 40% oat-based diets, was difficult to explain. More research may be needed. Based on these results, heavy test weight oats are a viable and useful feedstuff for pigs fed in deep-bedded hoop barns and can be used up to 40% of the diet for barrows over 150 pounds to market. Oats can be substituted for corn and some soybean meal in pig diets. The use of oats in pig diets in hoop barns should be based on economical consideration and not on anticipated changes in pig performance or carcass traits.
Surfactants and Microcapsule Formation

Encapsulation procedures based upon complex coacervation and polymer/polymer incompatibility involve three-phase systems. The interfacial free energies (γIT) that exist in such systems determine whether or not encapsulation is successful. Since surfactants affect γ IT values, they can have a major effect on the success of these types of encapsulation procedures. An analysis of published γ IT data for a variety of three-phase systems indicates that the γIT values necessary for successful encapsulation are predictable. However, pronounced interfacial aging phenomena encountered in actual encapsulation systems complicates interpretation of the γ IT data. Examination of published studies of the behavior of three-phase systems suggests that surfactants can have both favorable and unfavorable effects on microcapsule quality, when quality is defined as the ability of a capsule to retain its encapsulated material.
Tissue-specific epigenetics in gene neighborhoods: Myogenic transcription factor genes

Myogenic regulatory factor (MRF) genes, MYOD1, MYOG, MYF6 and MYF5, are critical for the skeletal muscle lineage. Here, we used various epigenome profiles from human myoblasts (Mb), myotubes (Mt), muscle and diverse non-muscle samples to elucidate the involvement of multigene neighborhoods in the regulation of MRF genes. We found more far-distal enhancer chromatin associated with MRF genes in Mb and Mt than previously reported from studies in mice. For the MYF5/MYF6 gene-pair, regions of Mb-associated enhancer chromatin were located throughout the adjacent 236-kb PTPRQ gene even though Mb expressed negligible amounts of PTPRQ mRNA. Some enhancer chromatin regions inside PTPRQ in Mb were also seen in PTPRQ mRNA-expressing non-myogenic cells. This suggests dual-purpose PTPRQ enhancers that upregulate expression of PTPRQ in non-myogenic cells and MYF5/MYF6 in myogenic cells. In contrast, the myogenic enhancer chromatin regions distal to MYOD1 were intergenic and up to 19 kb long. Two of them contain small, known MYOD1 enhancers, and one displayed an unusually high level of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in a quantitative DNA hydroxymethylation assay. Unexpectedly, three regions of MYOD1-distal enhancer chromatin in Mb and Mt overlapped enhancer chromatin in umbilical vein endothelial cells, which might upregulate a distant gene (PIK3C2A). Lastly, genes surrounding MYOG were preferentially transcribed in Mt, like MYOG itself, and exhibited nearby myogenic enhancer chromatin. These neighboring chromatin regions may be enhancers acting in concert to regulate myogenic expression of multiple adjacent genes. Our findings reveal the very different and complex organization of gene neighborhoods containing closely related transcription factor genes.
Neuronal discharge of preoptic/anterior hypothalamic thermosensitive neurons: relation to NREM sleep

Thermosensitive neurons of the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area (POAH) have been implicated in the regulation of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. We attempted to identify those medial POAH thermosensitive neurons that may be involved in NREM sleep regulation. The thermosensitivity of medial POAH neurons was studied in five freely moving adult cats by local cooling or warming of the medial POAH with a water-perfused thermode. Of 308 neurons, 65 (21%) were classified as thermosensitive, including 31 (10%) warm-sensitive and 34 (11%) cold-sensitive neurons. The spontaneous discharge rates of 28 warm-sensitive, 34 cold-sensitive, and 115 randomly selected thermoinsensitive neurons were recorded through one to three sleep-waking cycles. Patterns of spontaneous activity for warm- and cold-sensitive neurons were different. Of 28 warm-sensitive neurons, 18 (64%) exhibited increased discharge rate during NREM sleep compared with waking (NREM/wake, > or = 1.2). This subpopulation of warm-sensitive neurons also exhibited significantly increased thermosensitivity when tested during NREM sleep. Of 34 cold-sensitive neurons, 25 (74%) discharged more slowly during NREM sleep compared with waking (NREM/wake, < or = 0.8). This subpopulation of cold-sensitive neurons exhibited decreased thermosensitivity during NREM sleep. These results are consistent with a hypothesis that the activation of sleep-related warm-sensitive neurons and the deactivation of wake-related cold-sensitive neurons may play a key role in the onset and regulation of NREM sleep.
Haemolymph ecdysteroid titers of diapause- and nondiapause-bound fifth instars and pupae of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner)

Abstract 1. 1. Haemolymph ecdysteroid titers of nondiapause-bound European corn borers (LD 16: 8, 30°C) were low at the beginning of the fifth (last) instar, increased gradually between days 2 and 4 and peaked sharply (4400 pg/μl) just before pharate pupal formation. 2. 2. Time of day influenced prepupal ecdysteroid titers in that levels rose sharply between 14:00 and 24:00 hr AZT (arbitrary Zeitgeber time) in nondiapause-bound animals. 3. 3. Haemolymph ecdysteroid titers decreased in pharate and new pupae, peaked in 2-day pupae (26,000 pg/μl) just before pharate adult formation and then fell more gradually in 3–5-day pupae. 4. 4. In diapause-bound and diapausing 5th instars haemolymph ecdysteroid titers were relatively low, 11–25 pg/μl 5. 5. HPLC followed by RIA of 5th stage larval and pupal haemolymph revealed the presence of a polar peak, 2 small peaks following the polar peak, material that comigrated with 20-hydroxyecdysone and ecdysone, and in 2- and 3-day pupae, material that comigrated with 26-hydroxyecdysone. 6. 6. Before formation of the pharate pupa and pharate adult, ecdysone levels were relatively low as compared to 20-hydroxyecdysone levels.
Sore throat therapy

Abstract Six commonly used sore throat remedies were compared to determine their relative ability to give symptomatic relief of sore throat in upper respiratory infections. All degrees of relief (none to complete relief) were reported by some patients for each agent. However, the results of 171 therapeutic trials in 111 patients in whom data were adequate for evaluation suggest that a systemic analgesic (in this case, propoxyphene hydrochloride with aspirin, phenacetin, and caffeine) and physiologic saline gargles are somewhat more likely to provide symptomatic relief from sore throat than the other agents tested.
Mesolimbic dopamine neurons: Effects of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced destruction and receptor blockade on drug-induced rotation of rats

Bilateral injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the nucleus accumbens greatly reduced the dopamine content of this nucleus and the olfactory tubercle and blocked the ipsilateral rotation induced by amphetamine and methamphetamine in rats with unilateral 6-OHDA lesions of the caudate nucleus. In contrast, apomorphine-induced contralateral rotation was enhanced. Similar results were obtained when the destruction of forebrain noradrenergic neurons, normally produced by the nucleus accumbens 6-OHDA lesion, was prevented by desipramine (DMI) pretreatment. Microinjections of the dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol into the nucleus accumbens did not spread to the olfactory tubercle, as assessed by the distribution of 3H-haloperidol, and blocked circling induced by amphetamine and apomorphine. Amphetamine-induced circling was less effectively blocked by haloperidol injected into the olfactory tubercle. These results suggest that activity at nucleus accumbens dopamine receptors can greatly affect circling behavior, perhaps by amplifying asymmetries of nigrostriatal activity.
Plasma-Focused Cyclic Accelerators

The use of ambient plasma to neutralize the transverse forces of an intense particle beam has been known for many years. Most recently, the so-called ion-focused regime (IFR) for beam propagation has been used as a means of focusing intense electron beams in linear accelerators and suggested for injecting an electron beam across magnetic field lines into a high-current cyclic accelerator. One technique for generating the required background plasma for IFR propagation is to use a laser to ionize ambient gas in the accelerator chamber. For cyclic accelerators a technique is required for carrying the plasma channel and the beam around a bend. Multiple laser-generated channels with dipole magnetic fields to switch the beam from one channel to the next have been tested at Sandia. This paper discusses an alternative means of plasma production for IFR, viz. by using rf breakdown. For this approach the accelerator chamber acts as a waveguide. With a suitable driving frequency, a waveguide mode can be driven which has its peak field intensity on the axis with negligible fields at the chamber walls. The plasma production and hence the beam propagation is thereby isolated from the walls. This technique is not limited to toroidal accelerators.more » It may be applied to any accelerator or recirculator geometry as well as for beam steering and for injection or extraction of beams in closed accelerator configurations.« less
Submembrane Assembly and Renewal of Rod Photoreceptor cGMP-Gated Channel: Insight into the Actin-Dependent Process of Outer Segment Morphogenesis

The photoreceptor outer segment (OS) is comprised of two compartments: plasma membrane (PM) and disk membranes. It is unknown how the PM renewal is coordinated with that of the disk membranes. Here we visualized the localization and trafficking process of rod cyclic nucleotide-gated channel α-subunit (CNGA1), a PM component essential for phototransduction. The localization was visualized by fusing CNGA1 to a fluorescent protein Dendra2 and expressing in Xenopus laevis rod photoreceptors. Dendra2 allowed us to label CNGA1 in a spatiotemporal manner and therefore discriminate between old and newly trafficked CNGA1-Dendra2 in the OS PM. Newly synthesized CNGA1 was preferentially trafficked to the basal region of the lateral OS PM where newly formed and matured disks are also added. Unique trafficking pattern and diffusion barrier excluded CNGA1 from the PM domains, which are the proposed site of disk membrane maturation. Such distinct compartmentalization allows the confinement of cyclic nucleotide-gated channel in the PM, while preventing the disk membrane incorporation. Cytochalasin D and latrunculin A treatments, which are known to disrupt F-actin-dependent disk membrane morphogenesis, prevented the entrance of newly synthesized CNGA1 to the OS PM, but did not prevent the entrance of rhodopsin and peripherin/rds to the membrane evaginations believed to be disk membrane precursors. Uptake of rhodopsin and peripherin/rds coincided with the overgrowth of the evaginations at the base of the OS. Thus F-actin is essential for the trafficking of CNGA1 to the ciliary PM, and coordinates the formations of disk membrane rim region and OS PM.
A proper de jure objection to the epistemic rationality of religious belief

I answer Alvin Plantinga's challenge to provide a ‘proper’ de jure objection to religious belief. What I call the ‘sophisticates’ evidential objection' (SEO) concludes that sophisticated Christians lack epistemic justification for believing central Christian propositions. The SEO utilizes a theory of epistemic justification in the spirit of the evidentialism of Richard Feldman and Earl Conee. I defend philosophical interest in the SEO (and its underlying evidentialism) against objections from Reformed epistemology, by addressing Plantinga's criteria for a proper de jure objection, his anti-evidentialist arguments, and the relevance of ‘impulsional evidence’. I argue that no result from Plantinga-style Reformed epistemology precludes the reasons I offer in favour of giving the SEO its due philosophical attention.
Linkages between Depressive Symptomatology and Internet Harassment among Young Regular Internet Users

Recent reports indicate 97% of youth are connected to the Internet. As more young people have access to online communication, it is integrally important to identify youth who may be more vulnerable to negative experiences. Based upon accounts of traditional bullying, youth with depressive symptomatology may be especially likely to be the target of Internet harassment. The current investigation will examine the cross-sectional relationship between depressive symptomatology and Internet harassment, as well as underlying factors that may help explain the observed association. Youth between the ages of 10 and 17 (N = 1,501) participated in a telephone survey about their Internet behaviors and experiences. Subjects were required to have used the Internet at least six times in the previous 6 months to ensure a minimum level of exposure. The caregiver self-identified as most knowledgeable about the young person's Internet behaviors was also interviewed. The odds of reporting an Internet harassment experience in ...
Molecular biology of the visual pigments

With the identification and structural characterization of several visual pigments has come a new era of investigation. The above comparisons of amino acids sequences predict specific functional domains that may be tested to tell us how visual pigments function to absorb light and transform this "signal" to trigger a neural response. The details of how rod and cone pigments differ are now known for human pigments. The striking similarities between vertebrate and invertebrate pigments are remarkable for pigments that have been subject to divergence for over 500 million years. There are yet challenges ahead of us. The true tertiary structure of visual pigments must be obtained from a 3-dimensional crystal structure. The predictions for functional domains of interaction with the GTP binding protein must be confirmed or redefined. A rigorous definition of the chromophore environment and the properties that control the wavelength of absorption of 11-cis retinal chromophore are certainly still on the drawing boards. Specific genetic alteration through in vitro mutagenesis promises much insight, but the technology for expressing these membrane proteins in functional form has yet to be achieved. We may expect, however, these problems will be addressed and in the next few years facts should replace what are now speculations. Finally, it is a delightful observation that nature has capitalized on a general biochemical mechanism for control of second messengers in the cytoplasm of cells. Protein structural data deduced from genetic information now document the hypothesis that the structure and function of receptors for the catecholamines and that of visual pigments are similar. The receptors for serotonin, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, histamine and acetylcholine (muscarinic) are expected to belong to this same family. The lessons learned about visual pigments can be applied broadly to a general set of membrane receptors.
Laser trapping of 225Ra and 226Ra with repumping by room-temperature blackbody radiation.

We have demonstrated Zeeman slowing and capture of neutral $^{225}\mathrm{Ra}$ and $^{226}\mathrm{Ra}$ atoms in a magneto-optical trap. The intercombination transition $^{1}S_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{3}P_{1}$ is the only quasicycling transition in radium and was used for laser-cooling and trapping. Repumping along the $^{3}D_{1}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{1}P_{1}$ transition extended the lifetime of the trap from milliseconds to seconds. Room-temperature blackbody radiation was demonstrated to provide repumping from the metastable $^{3}P_{0}$ level. We measured the isotope shift and hyperfine splittings on the $^{3}D_{1}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{1}P_{1}$ transition with the laser-cooled atoms, and set a limit on the lifetime of the $^{3}D_{1}$ level based on the measured blackbody repumping rate. Laser-cooled and trapped radium is an attractive system for studying fundamental symmetries.
The isolation and structural characterization of copper(II) complexes obtained by oxidation of the 2,6-bis(dicyclohexylphosphinomethyl)pyridine and 2-(diisopropylphosphinomethyl)-1-methylimidazole ligands

Abstract The reactions of [Cu(NCCH3)4]BF4 with 2,6-(dicyclohexylphosphinomethyl)pyridine and 2-(diisopropylphosphinomethyl)-1-methylimidazole afford Cu(I) species that convert slowly to the Cu(II) complexes [CuCl{Cy2P(O)CH2pyCH2P(O)Cy2}(H2O)]BF4 and [Cu{MelmCH2P(O)Pri2}2](BF4)2, respectively, when their solutions are exposed to air. The structures of the Cu(II) complexes have been established by X-ray crystallography.
In vivo detection of intrinsic optical signal changes in rat spinal cord due to formalin using a multi-wavelength CCD camera

Significant changes in light reflectance were seen on ipsilateral side of rat spinal cord when injecting formalin on hind paw plantar surface, showing the effectiveness of near-infrared imaging in detecting intrinsic optical signal changes.
Characterization of a GTP-binding protein in the ADP-ribosylation factor subfamily from Leishmania tarentolae.

Abstract We report the cloning and characterization of a gene, LtARL , which encodes a small GTP-binding protein, from the protozoan Leishmania tarentolae . Hybridization analysis of genomic DNA under high stringency conditions indicates the single-copy nature of LtARL . LtARL is transcribed and yields a ∼0.9 kb mRNA that is processed at the 5′ end by trans -splicing. When expressed in Escherichia coli , Lt Arl binds GTP with a low stoichiometry and in a phospholipid-independent manner. Based on the greatest sequence identity with Homo sapiens Arl3 and lipid-independent binding of guanine nucleotides we designate this gene LtARL and the encoded protein Lt Arl.
Separation of bovine brain mono- and diacylglycerol lipases by heparin Sepharose affinity chromatography

Abstract Mono- and diacylglycerol lipases are differentially inhibited by heparin. No other glycosaminoglycan resembles heparin in this respect. Mono- and diacylglycerol lipases can be separated by heparin Sepharose affinity chromatography. Diacylglycerol lipase was completely retained on a heparin--Sepharose column and was eluted with either 0.5 M NaCl or 2–5 mg/ml heparin, whereas monoacylglycerol lipase was recovered in the washings. Adenosine phosphates markedly affected the activity of diacylglycerol lipase in a concentration dependent manner. ATP was the most potent inhibitor followed by ADP. AMP had no effect and cAMP slightly stimulated the diacylglycerol lipase.
The interaction of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone on calcium phosphorus and magnesium homeostasis in the rat

Abstract The effects of a single injection of 100 units of purified parathyroid hormone (Aurbach) were compared in vitamin D-deficient and vitamin D-primed rats. The rats of the latter group received 500 units of vitamin D 18 hours before the injection of parathyroid hormone. Injection of parathyroid hormone produced no significant alterations of serum calcium, phosphate or magnesium concentrations in the vitamin D depleted rats and only a questionable phosphaturic effect. Vitamin D by itself raised the serum calcium concentration to normal, depressed the serum magnesium level and possibly raised the serum phosphate concentration. This latter effect occurred in one series of rats but not in another. The injection of parathyroid hormone into vitamin D-primed rats produced the characteristic effects of this hormone: elevation of serum calcium concentrations to hypercalcemic levels, decrease of serum phosphate concentrations with associated increase of urinary phosphate excretion, and increase of the concentration of serum magnesium. The concentration of serum magnesium was inversely related to the concentration of phosphate. There is an interrelation between the functions of parathyroid hormone and vitamin D so that in the absence of vitamin D there is little or no response of rats to amounts of parathyroid hormone which produce a marked effect in vitamin D-treated animals. This failure of response involves both the calcium mobilizing and phosphaturic actions of parathyroid hormone.
Immunocytochemical characteristics of cells and fibers in the nasal mucosa of young and adult macaques.

The mammalian nasal cavity is lined by an olfactory mucosa (OM) and a respiratory mucosa (RM). The principal OM cell type is the olfactory receptor neuron (ORN). However, little is known about ORNs in the life histories of primates. The RM, similar to the RM in the tracheobronchial tract (TBT), is dominated by ciliated columnar cells. Neuroendocrine cells (NECs) are essential in the TBT; little is known about nasal NECs. This study examined the immunolabeling characteristics of primate OM and RM for three important proteins—calretinin (CR), olfactory marker protein (OMP), and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP). Tissues from newborn to 15-year-old macaques were analyzed to determine the expression of these proteins during various stages of development. Standard immunocytochemistry on aldehyde-fixed tissues was applied, utilizing the avidin-biotin peroxidase (ABC) method. Immuno-electron microscopy confirmed the immunoreactive cell types. ORNs were immunoreactive for CR, OMP, and PGP at all ages studied. Immunoreactivity for PGP also was displayed in a subset of ciliated, columnar epithelial cells in the RM and in an extensive network of subepithelial fibers spread throughout both mucosae. The results suggest that macaque ORNs express three important proteins over a wide life history, and that the macaque may be a reliable model for studying primate/human olfaction during aging. The PGP-labeling results also suggest that the macaque nasal peptidergic fibers express PGP and that the respiratory epithelium contains NECs with labeling characteristics similar to those in the TBT. Anat Rec 259:215–228, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
How accounts shape lending decisions through fostering perceived trustworthiness

Abstract We examine the roles of social accounts in influencing lenders’ decisions about loaning money to borrowers. Using field data and a laboratory experiment, we show that lenders will lend money depending on the accounts borrowers tell. In Study 1, field data from a peer-to-peer lending website reveal that two-account combinations (explanation–acknowledgment and explanation–denial) increase the likelihood of favorable lending decisions. A laboratory study helps explain the important role of accounts by unpacking the process of perceived borrower trustworthiness in lending decisions. A final field study assessing the performance of loans 2 years after origination shows that accounts, despite having a positive effect on the loan decision process, negatively predict loan performance. Collectively, the three studies show that accounts facilitate economic exchanges between unacquainted transaction partners because of their role in increasing perceived trustworthiness, but that ironically, accounts can negatively relate to loan performance.
Some painting techniques and materials used in Japan and the Far East

Summary The information for this article is based on the author's primary research on copy painting techniques (nihonga mosha) at Kyoto City University of Art in 1996. This paper describes the development of painting in the Far East from calligraphic brush marks to eloquent, brightly coloured pictorial art and the tools required to create it. An account of the brushes, supports and sizing used is followed by a description of the ink and colourants involved. Artist's paint making and the techniques for its application are explained, with a short outline of painting styles and artistic expression.
Study on the preferred orientations of nearly cubic PZT particles synthesized by hydrothermal methods using TiCl3 reagent

Abstract Various parameters such as gel composition, aging, organic additive, and heating method affected the preferred orientation of nearly cubic PZT particles that were prepared by hydrothermal methods using TiCl 3 as a Ti 3+ source, at relatively low temperatures of 100–140 °C. The newly found synthetic conditions could be used to develop specially orientated PZT particles, which may be useful in growing oriented films, for example, by electrophoretic deposition.
Evaluation of the spatial resolution of a dedicated breast CT system using computer simulation

Spatial resolution is one of the most crucial parameters for an imaging system. The modulation transfer function (MTF) was physically measured using wire images on a prototype breast CT scanner previously 1 . In this study, the effects on MTF from different components in the imaging chain, including the x-ray focal spot distribution, detector lag, and x-ray detector MTF were physically measured. The contributions of these three factors and gantry motion affecting CT system resolution were studied using computer simulation. The CT system MTF was computed and the role of each factor was studied independently. The simulated MTF results demonstrated that the x-ray focal spot size and detector MTF have an effect on the system resolution, while the scanner motion degrades only the azimuthal MTF, with greater degradation occurring further from isocenter where greater rotational velocities occur. The azimuthal MTF of this system has a cutoff frequency of 2.0 cycles/mm at the isocenter but degrades to 1.0 cycles/mm at the periphery. The radial MTF has a cutoff frequency of 2.0 cycles/mm, at both the isocenter and periphery. The comparison between the computer simulated and physically measured MTF values demonstrates reasonable accuracy in the simulation process. The results from computer simulation also suggest ways in which the spatial resolution can be improved by system modification.
Advance Directive Education During Pulmonary Rehabilitation

We conducted a questionnaire survey of 346 pulmonary rehabilitation programs to determine the present utilization and potential value of these sites for promoting advance directive education for patients with chronic lung diseases. Responses were analyzed for all responding programs and for programs categorized by size. Eighty-two percent of the 218 responding programs discussed with patients prognostic information. Only 33% of programs asked patients if they had advance directives and 17% kept these documents on file. Thirty-three percent of programs provided some form of advance directive education, and 42% distributed directive educational material, usually through informal and unstructured methods. Seventy-seven percent of responders considered pulmonary rehabilitation an appropriate site for directive education, and 86% indicated willingness to incorporate directive education into their programs. Larger programs were more likely to present information about patient prognosis (p=0.0003) and advance directives (p=0.021). We conclude that most of the responding pulmonary rehabilitation programs do not educate patients about advance directives but are willing to do so if supplied with appropriate teaching materials. Rehabilitation programs may be valuable sites for educating patients with chronic disorders about advance directives and promoting an improved patient-physician dialogue about these issues.
Terahertz micropolarizers using carbon microfibers

Carbon fibers are utilized in the fabrication of terahertz (THz) polarizers on polymer substrates. Commercially available fibers are aligned on a polymer substrate through a dip coating process. During the dip coating process, the fibers align in parallel to each other on the substrate. A multilayer structure is achieved using this approach. This fine alignment and multi-level stacking leads to THz polarizer having high extinction ratio. Also, the transmission loss measured is low (<; 1.5dB) including substrate losses. This proposed process allows in the fabrication of large area THz polarizers using a roll-to-roll process on low-cost substrates.