cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Volume-Activated Chloride Currents in Regulatory Volume Decrease of Human Cholangiocyte

Volume-activated chloride channel (VACC) plays vital roles in many physiological functions. In bile duct epithelium, VACC actively participates in biliary secretion and cell volume regulation, and it mediates regulatory volume decrease (RVD). Recently, we have shown that mouse cholangiocytes have an intact RVD via VACC and K(+) conductance. However, such cell volume regulation was not studied in the normal human cholangiocyte. Volume measurement by Coulter counter and whole-cell patch clamp technique were used to characterize the RVD and VACC in human cholangiocyte cell line (HBDC). When exposed to hypotonic solution, HBDC exhibited an intact RVD, which was inhibited by 1,2-Bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetrakis(acetoxymethyl ester) (BAPTA-AM), NPPB (5-nitro-2'- (3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate), DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2-disulfonic acid), and tamoxifen, but was not affected by the removal of extracellular calcium. During RVD, HBDC exhibited large, outwardly rectifying currents and time-dependent inactivation at positive potential. The amplitude of the outward current was approximately 3 times of that of the inward current, and this volume-activated current returned to the baseline when switched to isotonic solution. The amplitude and reversal potential of the volume-activated current was dependent on Cl(-) concentration, and the VACC was significantly inhibited by replacing chloride with gluconate, glutamate, sucrose, and acetate in the hypotonic solution. In addition, classical VACC inhibitors, such as NPPB or tamoxifen, inhibited the VACC. These inhibitory effects were reversible with washing out the inhibitors from the bath solution. The present study is the first to characterize and show that HBDC has an intact RVD, mediated by VACC, which has similar electrophysiological characteristics as that in mouse cholangiocytes.
A critical look at the use of filters in large eddy simulation

Abstract We present a critical analysis of the question of consistency in sub-grid stress modelling used in large eddy simulation. The analysis is based on classifying filters in the wavenumber space.
Sensitivity to Vaginal Jellies: A Note on the Therapeutic Index of Spermicides*

A study demonstrating the importance of the rabbit-irritation test in evaluating the therapeutic indices of spermicidal jellies for contraceptive use is presented. 8 spermicides discovered by a modified Brown and Gamble method were tested for irritating properties. The therapeutic index of a spermicide was indicated by the ratio of the maximum nonirritating concentration in the rabbit-irritation test to the minimal spermicidal concentration. It is demonstrated that bis-iodonium chloride is 5 times as effective a spermicide as tridecoxypoly ethanol but the therapeutic index of the former is considerably lower than that of the latter (1:16).
Slow water dynamics at the surface of macromolecular assemblies of different morphologies

In this contribution we, for the first time, explore the slow dynamical states of confined water molecules in lamellar structures of AOT with various degrees of hydration using a picosecond resolved fluorescence spectroscopic technique using coumarin-500 as the fluorophore. A comparison of slow dynamics between AOT lamellar structures and AOT RMs have been made by preparing RMs that have a diameter the same as the interplanar water layer thickness of lamellar structures and the same number of water molecules in lamellar structures in order to understand the effect of morphology and hydration on the relaxation dynamics of water molecules in these nanoconfining systems. The relaxation time scales obtained in the lamellar systems differ to those of the RM systems and the difference of the timescales has been explained as a interplay between two opposing factors arising out of the morphology and interlayer distance, respectively. The geometrical restriction of the probe at the lamellar interface is determined by measuring time-resolved rotational anisotropy. The hydrogen bond energy of the water molecules residing at the lamellar interface is measured applying the Arrhenius type barrier crossing model.
Clinical guidelines: Unraveling the tautology of polymyalgia rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica is widely acknowledged as the most common form of inflammatory rheumatic disease in the elderly. Two recent studies by Hernandez-Rodriguez et al. and Dasgupta et al. attempt to synthesize and pragmatize recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of this disorder.
Crystal forms of lamprey hemoglobin and crystalline transitions between ligand states.

Abstract Hemoglobin from the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus , has been crystallized in nine basic forms having polymeric asymmetric units containing 1, 6, 8, 10, 12 or 16 monomers. This polymorphism and further variations within some of the forms are particularly dependent on temperature, salt of crystallization and ligand state of the heme iron. Additional variations in a form result when the ligand state is changed within the crystal. All the crystal types so far acquired, whether by growth or by intracrystalline transition, have been catalogued. Crystalline transitions between ligand states tend to fall into two classes. In the first case, both the crystal lattice and the intensity distribution change only a little. The transition product is essentially isomorphous with its parent. In the second case, the lattice parameters change by as much as 10% and the diffracted intensity is distributed quite differently. Changes of the ligand state in the monomeric form of lamprey hemoglobin are always accomplished isomorphously; only the polymeric forms can undergo non-isomorphous transitions. Changes of ligand state are thought to effect in some subtle way the modification of potential polymerization sites on the monomer without appreciable alteration of the protein conformation. In crystals with monomeric asymmetric units such changes would have little effect on the diffraction pattern. However, if the affected sites were actual points of contact between the subunits of polymeric crystals then, within the constraints imposed by lattice forces, a re-arrangement of the subunits with attendant changes in the diffraction pattern could ensue.
Relationship between glycogen accumulation and the laforin dual specificity phosphatase.

Laforin, encoded by the EPM2A gene, is a dual specificity protein phosphatase that has a functional glycogen-binding domain. Mutations in the EPM2A gene account for around half of the cases of Lafora disease, an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by progressive myoclonus epilepsy. The hallmark of the disease is the presence of Lafora bodies, which contain polyglucosan, a poorly branched form of glycogen, in neurons and other tissues. We examined the level of laforin protein in several mouse models in which muscle glycogen accumulation has been altered genetically. Mice with elevated muscle glycogen have increased laforin as judged by Western analysis. Mice completely lacking muscle glycogen or with 10% normal muscle glycogen had reduced laforin. Mice defective in the GAA gene encoding lysosomal α-glucosidase (acid maltase) overaccumulate glycogen in the lysosome but did not have elevated laforin. We propose, therefore, that laforin senses cytosolic glycogen accumulation which in turn determines the level of laforin protein.
The Influence of Silicon on the Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of 18Cr-8Ni-Base Stainless Steels

Abstract As part of a program to develop a stainless steel (SS) resistant to pitting, intergranular corrosion (IGC), and general corrosion while improving the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance, the influence of silicon additions to an 18Cr-8Ni stainless alloy was investigated. Preliminary corrosion data indicated that an 18Cr-8Ni-5Si composition had not only exceptional resistance to IGC following sensitizing heat treatment but also improved general and pitting corrosion resistance. This paper describes the results of further studies aimed at comparing the SCC resistance of the silicon duplex alloys with that of AISI 304 SSs. In addition, preliminary data were obtained on the weldability and formability of silicon-containing duplex stainless alloys. An experimental alloy (18Cr-8Ni-5Si) was found to be immune to SCC in boiling magnesium chloride solution in the annealed condition. The experimental alloy was also markedly superior to AISI 304 SS when tested in the cold-worked condition. The mechani...
Hypercholesterolemia Enhances Oxidant Production in Mesenteric Venules Exposed to Ischemia/Reperfusion

It has been shown that hypercholesterolemia (HCh) exaggerates the microvascular dysfunction that is elicited by ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). The objective of this study was to determine whether oxidants contribute to the exaggerated inflammatory responses and enhanced albumin leakage observed in HCh rat mesenteric venules exposed to I/R (10 minutes of ischemia and 30 minutes of reperfusion). Intravital videomicroscopy was used to quantify the number of adherent and emigrated leukocytes, albumin extravasation, platelet-leukocyte aggregation in postcapillary venules, and the degranulation of adjacent mast cells. Oxidation of the fluorochrome dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR) was used to monitor oxidant production by venular endothelium. I/R was shown to elicit an increased DHR oxidation in venules of both control and HCh rats, with the latter group exhibiting a significantly larger response. Treatment with either oxypurinol or superoxide dismutase largely prevented the leukocyte recruitment, platelet-leukocyte aggregation, mast cell degranulation, and enhanced DHR oxidation elicited by I/R in HCh rats. The enhanced albumin leakage was reduced by superoxide dismutase but not by oxypurinol. These results indicate that HCh amplifies the oxidant stress elicited by I/R and that interventions that blunt the oxidant stress effectively attenuate the leukocyte, platelet, and mast cell activation that result from I/R.
Excimer laser cleaning, annealing, and ablation of β–SiC

The effects of ArF excimer laser irradiation on β–SiC in UHV were examined for a variety of laser intensities and pulse densities. The samples were analyzed in situ with Auger and electron loss spectroscopies, and ex situ with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. With progressively higher laser intensities, the SiC surface was initially cleaned of carbon and oxygen surface contaminants, and the Si–LVV Auger lineshape changed from the oxide to the carbide. Still higher laser intensities then partially reordered the surface. A carbon surface layer developed, and the C-KLL lineshape transformed from carbidic to graphitic. Finally, the surface segregated into an almost pure Si layer and an underlying carbon-rich layer, followed by ablation and pitting. Bulk heating during laser exposure may enhance reordering of sputtered or implanted material.
Effect of reversible androgen deprivation on hemoglobin and serum immunoreactive erythropoietin in men

To examine the role of testosterone in the maintenance of hemoglobin levels, we studied the effect of reversible androgen deprivation on hemoglobin, serum immunoreactive erythropoietin, and serum testosterone in seven men treated with a luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LHRH) agonist for 6 months and then followed for an additional 6 months. The mean serum testosterone level was 4.35 +/- 1.05 ng/ml initially and it decreased to castrate levels in all patients by 6 months. After stopping therapy, there was a rapid increase in serum testosterone such that by 12 months the mean concentration was normal. The pretreatment hemoglobin was 15.2 +/- 0.9 g/dl (mean +/- SD); after 6 months of androgen deprivation it had fallen to 14.1 +/- 0.4 g/dl (P less than 0.05). Six months after stopping therapy, the hemoglobin rose to pre-treatment levels. Before treatment, serum immunoreactive erythropoietin was 9.5 +/- 4.6 mu/ml (mean +/- SD) and did not change significantly during or after the 6 month period of androgen deprivation. No significant inhibition of burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) or colony-forming unit-granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM) was observed at the serum level of nafarelin acetate obtainable in vivo. These data suggest that, within the normal range of hemoglobin in men, androgens are a determinant of the red cell mass.
Compliance estimation during bilateral teleoperation of a robotic arm

A method for estimating compliance properties of objects in the workspace of remotely located robotic manipulators is presented herein. An architecture that supports decoupled remote teleoperation is briefly described, and used to control the manipulator during recovery of an object's compliance parameters. These parameters are based on the Kelvin-Voigt contact model and estimated in simulation as well as experimentally using offline and online estimation techniques. A comparison of the estimation techniques reveals that the proposed RANSAC-based technique is better suited to compliance recovery over existing methods, even in the presence of sensor noise. The recovered parameters are used to update a reconfigurable compliance object in simulation to closely match that of the real-world object, thereby enabling the use of realistic haptic feedback during remote teleoperation.
Instrumented Aircraft Observations of the Katabatic Wind Regime Near Terra Nova Bay

Abstract Two aircraft missions to sample the boundary layer dynamics associated with the intense katabatic wind regime at Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica were flown on successive days in early November 1987. Light winds averaging 5 m s−1 were monitored at the 170 m flight level over the interior of the ice sheet. Dramatic acceleration of the airflow and abrupt 5°–7°C cooling were encountered on both days near the head of Reeves Glacier just upslope from where the terrain steepens considerably. These results suggest that much of the airflow convergence which sustains the coastal katabatic winds is forced by localized topographic channeling into Reeves Glacier, and that the descending airstream is negatively buoyant. The horizontally propagating katabatic winds were followed for 250 km directly offshore and for 200 km southward parallel to the Victoria Land coast the airstream momentum gradually decreased along both flight paths. In conjunction with the descent of negatively buoyant air down Reeves Glacier and h...
Growth plate biology: new insights.

Purpose of review To discuss the most recent findings of growth plate regulation and physiology. The mechanism of endochondrial bone growth is incompletely understood and continues to be an active area of research. Recent findings In this review, new understandings of growth plate chondrocyte regulation of proliferation, differentiation and ossification are discussed. Through genetic studies potential signaling pathways are proposed and new insights into hormonal influences on growth are offered. New potential genetic pathways regulating growth are suggested and finally skeletal dysplasia and potential emerging treatment are considered. Summary The findings discussed here continue to build the understanding of the mechanisms of growth. As our knowledge increases potential treatments for growth inhibiting conditions can be developed.
Dynamic response and damage evolution in composite materials subjected to underwater explosive loading: An experimental and computational study

Abstract The effect of underwater shock loading on an E-Glass/Epoxy composite material has been studied. The work consists of experimental testing, utilizing a water filled conical shock tube and computational simulations, utilizing the commercially available LS-DYNA finite element code. Two test series have been performed and simulated: (1) a reduced energy series which allowed for the use of strain gages and (2) a series with increased energy which imparted material damage. The strain gage data and the computational results show a high level of correlation using the Russell error measure. The finite element models are also shown to be able to simulate the onset of material damage by both in-plane and delamination mechanisms.
Enlargement of internal carotid artery aneurysm presenting with severe visual sequela: A case report and anatomy review

Abstract Background The majority of intracranial aneurysms arise from the internal carotid artery (ICA) circulation. The proximity of cranial nerves II to VI to the pathway of the internal carotid artery make them susceptible to damage from an ICA aneurysm, which may cause a variety of neurologic effects. Although vision loss is a relatively uncommon sequela of an ICA aneurysm, compression of the optic nerve by an aneurysm can cause visual field loss, decreased visual acuity, or both. Case Report An 85-year-old man with sudden-onset, painless, and profound monocular vision loss from compression of the optic nerve caused by an enlarged internal carotid artery aneurysm is described. Clinical presentation, detection, and treatment of an ICA aneurysm are discussed. conclusions An intracranial aneurysm or other compromise to the cerebral circulation should be ruled out in cases of vision loss that remain unexplained after a thorough ocular health evaluation, especially in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease or head injury.
Efficiency calibration of an HPGe X-ray detector for quantitative PIXE analysis

Abstract Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) is an analytical technique, which provides reliably and accurately quantitative results without the need of standards when the efficiency of the X-ray detection system is calibrated. The ion beam microprobe of the Ion Beam Modification and Analysis Laboratory at the University of North Texas is equipped with a 100 mm 2 high purity germanium X-ray detector (Canberra GUL0110 Ultra-LEGe). In order to calibrate the efficiency of the detector for standard less PIXE analysis we have measured the X-ray yield of a set of commercially available X-ray fluorescence standards. The set contained elements from low atomic number Z = 11 (sodium) to higher atomic numbers to cover the X-ray energy region from 1.25 keV to about 20 keV where the detector is most efficient. The effective charge was obtained from the proton backscattering yield of a calibrated particle detector.
Extrarenal Angiomyolipoma with Melanocytic and Hibernoma-like Features

Angiomyolipoma is a tumor commonly occurring in the kidney, but occasionally found in extrarenal sites. Retroperitoneal angiomyolipoma with unusual features presenting in a 39 year old woman with hypertension is reported in this paper. Tumor fat was inconspicuous, and present largely as hibernoma-like microvesicular lipid. Tumor cells also demonstrated positivity for HMB-45 and S-100 protein, and by electron microscopy showed occasional cytoplasmic striated granules indistinguishable from stage II premelanosomes. However, electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry also confirmed the presence of a substantial myogenous component in the tumor, establishing the diagnosis of angiomyolipoma. The implications of these findings, and the role of immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy in the diagnosis of this tumor are discussed.
Trapping Specific Quaternary States of the Allosteric Enzyme Aspartate Transcarbamoylase in Silica Matrix Sol−Gels

The extreme T and R quaternary structures of the allosteric enzyme aspartate transcarbamoylase have been trapped by encapsulation in a silica sol−gel matrix. Detection of the specific quaternary structure present in the sol−gel was accomplished using a pyrene-labeled version of the enzyme that exhibited monomer fluorescence in the T quaternary structure and excimer fluorescence in the R quaternary structure. Using thin films of the encapsulated enzyme, kinetics of the T and R states could be determined without interconversion of the states. Using a monolith form of the encapsulated enzyme, the transition from the T or the R structure was monitored. Within the sol−gel matrix, the rate of the transition was slowed approximately 105 over that observed in solution.
Phytohormone-like substances produced by single and mixed diazotrophic cultures of Azospirillum and Arthrobacter

The production of phytohormone-like substances byAzospirillum brasilense andArthrobacter giacomelloi were investigated in single and mixed batch cultures under diazotrophic conditions. The mixed culture showed higher productivity of gibberellins and cytokinins.
Concentration and Purification of Herpesviruses (Simplex, Cytomegalo, and EB) in a Zonal Ultracentrifuge

By using the BXIV zonal ultracentrifuge rotor, it was possible to efficiently concentrate and partially purify members of the herpesvirus group by pelleting the virus onto a double sucrose cushion.
A new gene selection procedure based on the covariance distance

Motivation: Very little attention has been given to gene selection procedures based on intergene correlation structure, which is often neglected in the context of differential gene expression analysis. We propose a statistical procedure to select genes that have different associations with others across different phenotypes. This procedure is based on a new gene association score, called the covariance distance. Results: We apply the proposed method, along with two alternative methods, to several simulated datasets and find out that our method is much more powerful than the other two. For biological data, we demonstrate that the analysis of differentially associated genes complements the analysis of differentially expressed genes. Combining both procedures provides a more comprehensive functional interpretation of the experimental results. Availability: The code is downloadable from http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/biostat/people/faculty/hu.cfm Contact: huruizg@hotmail.com Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Self-buckling of micromachined beams under resistive heating

Self-buckling behavior of micromachined beams under resistive heating is described by an electromechanical model with experimental verifications. This model consists of both electrothermal and thermoelastic analyses for beam-shape polysilicon microstructures that are fabricated by a standard surface micromachining process. When an input electrical current is applied, Joule-heating effects trigger the thermal expansion of beam structures and cause mechanical buckling. The standard testing devices are clamped-clamped bridges, 2-/spl mu/m wide, 2-/spl mu/m thick, and 100-/spl mu/m long. It is found that a minimum current of 3.5 mA is required to cause beam buckling. Under an input current of 4.8 mA, a lateral deflection of 2.9/spl plusmn/0.2 /spl mu/m at the center of the bridge is measured with a computer image processing scheme. The experimental measurements are found to be consistent with analytical predictions. A discussion of modeling considerations and process variations is presented.
Introduction: From Legal Realism to Naturalized Jurisprudence

This is a draft of the introductory essay to my forthcoming collection of papers Naturalizing Jurisprudence: Essays on American Legal Realism and Naturalism in Legal Philosophy (Oxford University Press, 2007). It gives an overview of my work on these topics over the last dozen years.
Debriefing a Health-Related Educational Game: A Case Study

This study sought to evaluate the utility of a Web-based game on the topic of immunity, based upon the work of Nobel Prize winner Ileya Mechnikov. This was accomplished through postgame written debriefing with an oral debriefing follow-up. A qualitative case study was conducted in a nonformal home setting. The participant learned new information, such as the capability of cells to alert the body to foreign pathogenic attack. Game dissatisfaction was described by the participant as well as suggestions for game improvement. The written debriefing response was generally briefer than the oral debriefing responses. While the participant gleaned information about immunity from the game without facilitator assistance, postgame debriefings aided the participant in reflection about the game. This was the first study to utilize a combination of postgame written and oral debriefing in the Nobel Prize Web-based game genre. It illustrates the value of postgame debriefing as an enhancement of the learning experience related to the health-related educational game.
The effect of the substrate upon the gate and drain noise parameters of MOSFETs

Abstract The effect of the substrate on the gate and drain noise parameters in MOSFETs is calculated up to first order terms in jw, under the assumption that the channel has thermal noise. It is shown that the substrate doping has little influence on the gate noise, i g 2 , and on the cross correlation between gate and drain noise i g i d ∗ . The theory cannot explain Halladay and van der Ziel's data. Therefore a non-thermal noise source must be operating in the channel.
Coolhunting for trends on the Web

This paper introduces a new way of measuring the popularity of brand names and famous people such as movie stars, politicians, and business executives. It is based upon the premise that in todaypsilas Internet economy the Web displays a mirror of the real world. Our system uses TeCFlow, a social networking tool developed for the last four years at MIT, to measure popularity and influence of brands and stars by looking at their relative position on the Web. It is based on the simple insight: ldquoYou are who links to yourdquo. It applies the Social Network Analysis( SNA) metric of ldquobetweennessc entralityrdquo to the Web, looking at the linking structure of Web sites to find how Web pages discussing brands and stars are connected. It uses high-betweenness Web sites returned to a search engine query for a brand or star name as a proxy for the significance of this brand or star.
Railroads as an Economic Force in American Development

Any attempt to discuss the way in which railroads have promoted the rise of the American economy must assume some theory of economic evolution. The following analysis is based upon Schumpeter's theory of innovations. Briefly this theory holds that economic evolution in capitalistic society is started by innovation in some production function, that is, by new combinations of the factors in the economic process. These innovations may center in new commodities or new services, new types of machinery, new forms of organization, new firms, new resources, or new areas. As Schumpeter makes clear, this is not a general theory of economic, much less of social, change. Innovation is an internal factor operating within a given economic system while the system is also affected by external factors (many of them sociological) and by growth (which means, substantially, changes in population and in the sum total of savings made by individuals and firms). These sets of factors interact in economic change. “The changes in the economic process brought about by innovation, together with all their effects, and the response to them by the economic system” constitute economic evolution for Schumpeter.
Modeling microstructural effects on Barkhausen emission in surface-modified magnetic materials

Relationships between magnetic properties and microstructure in surface hardened steel were studied through measurements and model simulations, with the objective of developing techniques for quantitative measurements of case depth of surface hardened steels. The depth profiles of the magnetic properties were found to correlate with the hardness profile. Theoretical analysis using the hysteresis model and the stochastic model of domain wall dynamics indicates that the Barkhausen model parameters are inversely proportional to the domain wall pinning coefficient k. These relationships can be interpreted in terms of the effects of pinning site density on the local pinning field and distance of domain wall jumps which determine the Barkhausen activity.
Urethrometry: Considerations of static, dynamic, and stability characteristics of the female urethra

Measurements of resting anterior/posterior urethral pressures and detrusor function are considered with respect to clinical observations made during the physical examination of patients complaining of urinary incontinence. Observations made on a large number of consecutive unselected patients show that the extent of incontinence is much larger than can be determined by the physical examination alone. Urethral profilometry shows that there are statistically significant differences in the anterior and posterior maximum urethral closure pressure between stress- and non-stress-incontinent patients regardless of age and detrusor function. The measurement of posterior resting urethral closure pressure correlates best with the physical demonstrability of stress incontinence among patients with a stable detrusor function. The age-related rate of decrease in the maximum resting urethral pressure is approximately the same for both anterior and posterior urethra in the continent patient. Demonstrably incontinent patients show a rate of posterior urethral pressure decrease with age double that of those with no evidence of incontinence on physical examination. The differences between anterior, posterior, and lateral closure pressures are discussed in terms of their correlative anatomical periurethral structures and are graphically represented in a threedimensional perspective schema. The direction of occlusive forces in the proximal healthy female urethra is critically examined at rest and also during dynamic events such as holding and coughing. The results show that compressive forces in the proximal urethra are asymmetrically distributed with respect to the anterior/posterior plane and are symmetrical in the lateral plane. Resting urethral pressure profiles show that the absolute value of the maximum urethral closure pressure is equal in the anterior/posterior and lateral aspects of the urethra. Dynamic measurement at the proximal urethra in controls shows that holding or coughing produces directional closure from posterior to anterior. The directional forces acting at the proximal urethra are observed in the region coincident with the position of the vaginal attachments to the pelvic diaphragm. Based on resting and dynamic urethral pressure measurements, evidence is presented to indicate that the microtip transducer with sensors oriented in the anterior/posterior plane provides a significant advantage in identifying urethral closure mechanisms and has contributed towards localization of anatomical structures involved in the continence mechanisms. Finally, consideration is made of urethral stability and local pressure variations detected in the absence of external periurethral influences possible interplay between the stability of the urethra on the one hand and the detrusor on the other are discussed with particular emphasis on establishing a link between them.
Discovery and biological characterization of geranylated RNA in bacteria

A general MS-based screen for unusually hydrophobic cellular small molecule-RNA conjugates revealed geranylated RNA in Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica var. Typhimurium. The geranyl group is conjugated to the sulfur atom in two 5-methylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine nucleotides. These geranylated nucleotides occur in the first anticodon position of tRNA(Glu)(UUC), tRNA(Lys)(UUU) and tRNA(Gln)(UUG) at a frequency of up to 6.7% (~400 geranylated nucleotides per cell). RNA geranylation can be increased or abolished by mutation or deletion of the selU (ybbB) gene in E. coli, and purified SelU protein in the presence of geranyl pyrophosphate and tRNA can produce geranylated tRNA. The presence or absence of the geranyl group in tRNA(Glu)(UUC), tRNA(Lys)(UUU) and tRNA(Gln)(UUG) affects codon bias and frameshifting during translation. These RNAs represent the first reported examples of oligoisoprenylated cellular nucleic acids.
Interaction between T cells and murine acquired immunodeficiency virus superantigen: effect of second signal on T cell reactivity to the MAIDS virus superantigen

A murine acquired immunodeficiency (MAIDS) virus transformed B cell line, B6-1710, was shown to express superantigen activity and stimulate T cell hybridomas to produce IL-2. However, T cell clones and lines from which B6-1710 reactive hybridomas were established failed to proliferate upon stimulation with B6-1710, while B6-1710 cells were capable of presenting bacterial superantigen to stimulate both T cell hybridomas and clones. Proliferative response of T cells to MAIDS virus superantigen could be detected by the addition of the pharmacological agent phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Thus, B6-1710 seems to lack a stimulatory activity necessary for the proliferative response of T cells to the MAIDS viral superantigen. In the analysis of the response of naive splenic T cells to the MAIDS superantigen, T cells recovered from a culture stimulated with B6-1710 cells in the presence of PMA showed no dominant TCR V beta chain usage, while cells recovered from a culture stimulated with B6-1710 alone were dominated by T cells expressing V beta 5, 11, and 12 TCR chains. These results suggest that T cells bearing a majority of TCR V beta chains are capable of responding to B6-1710 superantigen. The avidity of interaction between T cells and viral superantigen may differ significantly among T cells and those T cells exhibiting weak interaction with MAIDS virus superantigen may require additional signals, such as PMA, for an in vitro proliferative response to B6-1710 cells.
The design of a user friendly statistical software package for the IBM personal computer and compatibles written in Turbo Pascal

Abstract The design and features of a user friendly statistical software package for the IBM personal computer and IBM PC compatibles (PC VSTAT) is described. The software package, written in Turbo Pascal, requires an IBM Personal Computer or IBM PC compatible computer with either two floppy disk drives or one fixed (hard) disk and one floppy disk drive, and a line printer to obtain hard copies of the output. The most important feature of this statistical software package is the use of data vector files as storage for the experimental observations. The use of PC VSTAT does not require any previous programming experience and uses a menu format for selection of options. A number of special programming techniques were used to facilitate user input and to make the software package user friendly. PC VSTAT permits the user to name, create, delete, and edit data vectors, list data, sort data, manipulate data mathematically, produce frequency tables and histograms, perform linear regression and correlation, perform nonlinear (quadratic and cubic) regression, produce scatter plots, generate random sampling sequences and generate random numbers, and perform a number or statistical hypothesis tests such as t-tests, F-tests, Chi-Square tests and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. Output may be displayed on the screen or directed to a line printer. PC VSTAT uses algorithms to compute the probability values for the corresponding values of the test statistics. User acceptance has been excellent with much positive feedback concerning the speed at which calculations are completed (a feature of the Turbo Pascal programming language) and the friendly interface that exists between the user and the computer via the menu format. This package is well suited for the user in an introductory statistics class and for the analysis of research data which requires basic data manipulation, descriptive statistical measures, simple hypothesis testing and goodness-of-fit testing.
Experimental investigation of dispersion during flow of multi-walled carbon nanotube/polymer suspension in fibrous porous media

We prepared three types of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT)/vinyl ester resin suspensions with different degrees of initial MWNT dispersion. Each suspension was injected into a mold cavity to saturate a stationary random glass fiber preform. High shear rates were not encountered in the non-uniform porous media. The quality of dispersion of the MWNT caused by the interaction between the MWNT with glass fiber media was characterized by examining the sections of the cured composites using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results revealed that the final MWNT/Glass fiber structure is a strong function of the initial state of the MWNT dispersion in the suspension and the porous media structure.
Analysis of Multivariate Models for Evaluating Segregation in Hot-Mix Asphalt Pavements:

Multivariate statistical techniques were used to determine the feasibility of quantifying segregation in hot-mix asphalt pavements. Data obtained by using visual ratings of segregation, nuclear density gauge readings, and laboratory tests at nine field sites as reported by the National Center for Asphalt Technology were analyzed. Data were screened, before multivariate statistical analyses were performed, to develop relationships among segregation level, change in key mixture properties (air voids, asphalt content, and percent passing various sieves), and change in mixture density. The results revealed that segregation level could not be accurately identified by visual ratings and that multivariate statistics based on actual measured properties were appropriate for evaluating segregation level. Laboratory-prepared samples were made to assess the accuracy of the model developed in the study. The verification results indicated that the model could predict segregation level of these samples with accuracy. From the analysis of the models, it was concluded that a change in mixture density could predict segregation. This allows screening of segregated pavement sections on the basis of numerical field measurements instead of reliance on subjective visual observations. Given the promising results from this work, further studies on segregation models based on density measurements are suggested.
An axiomatic approach of software functionality measure

Three axioms for functional complexity of software are proposed. The first axiom asserts that functional complexity is a function and is computable at the specification level. The second axiom argues that an empty specification has zero functional complexity. The third axiom asserts that a harder specification has no less functional complexity than an easier one. With these three axioms and various definitions of the notions of functional complexity, a number of theorems are proved. Code metrics, including statement count, M. Halstead's (1977) programming effort, and T. McCabe's cyclomatic number are reviewed, together with specification metrics including L. Hellerman's (1972) metric, D. Schutt's (1977) metric, N. Coulter's (1987) metric, and A. Albrecht's (1983) functional point. These metrics are evaluated with respect to the three axioms. Results show that code metrics do not satisfy these axioms, while Hellerman, Schutt, and Coulter metrics do. >
Fine-Grained Redundancy in Adders

We present a technique for fault tolerance in prefix-based adders, and show its application by implementing a Kogge-Stone adder. The technique is based on the fact that an n-bit Kogge-Stone adder can be split into two independent n-bit Han-Carlson (HC) adders by augmenting an additional computation stage to the adder. The presence of single faults only affects one of these HC adders, thus we use a multiplexer to select the correct output. Moreover, the adder can correct multiple faults (up to 50% faulty nodes) as long as all the faults are located on one adder. A 64-bit version of this adder is implemented, and both area and power overhead (relative to a standard KS adder) are less 20%. If faults are present, the delay is 16%. If no faults are present, the delay of the adder is 2% relative to a KS adder
A role for the spectrin superfamily member Syne-1 and kinesin II in cytokinesis

Expression of a dominant negative fragment of the spectrin family member Syne-1 causes an accumulation of binucleate cells, suggesting a role for this protein in cytokinesis. An association of this fragment with the C-terminal tail domain of the kinesin II subunit KIF3B was identified by yeast two-hybrid and co-precipitation assays, suggesting that the role of Syne-1 in cytokinesis involves an interaction with kinesin II. In support of this we found that (1) expression of KIF3B tail domain also gives rise to multinucleate cells, (2) both Syne-1 and KIF3B localize to the central spindle and midbody during cytokinesis in a detergent resistant and ATP sensitive manner and (3) Syne-1 localization is blocked by expression of KIF3B tail. Also, membrane vesicles containing syntaxin associate with the spindle midbody with identical properties. We conclude that Syne-1 and KIF3B function together in cytokinesis by facilitating the accumulation of membrane vesicles at the spindle midbody.
Avatar Gender and Ethical Choices in Fable III

This study investigates how players make ethical decisions in Fable III, a video game, with consideration to avatar gender. Thirty males, 18 to 34 years old, were recruited; 20 were assigned to pla...
Positive emotionality is associated with baseline metabolism in orbitofrontal cortex and in regions of the default network

Positive emotionality (PEM) (personality construct of well-being, achievement/motivation, social and closeness) has been associated with striatal dopamine D2 receptor availability in healthy controls. As striatal D2 receptors modulate activity in orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and cingulate (brain regions that process natural and drug rewards), we hypothesized that these regions underlie PEM. To test this, we assessed the correlation between baseline brain glucose metabolism (measured with positron emission tomography and [ 18 F]fluoro-deoxyglucose) and scores on PEM (obtained from the multidimensional personality questionnaire or MPQ) in healthy controls (n=47). Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analyses revealed that PEM was positively correlated (Pc<0.05, voxel corrected) with metabolism in various cortical regions that included orbitofrontal (Brodman area, BA 11, 47) and cingulate (BA 23, 32) and other frontal (BA 10, 9), parietal (precuneus, BA 40) and temporal (BA 20, 21) regions that overlap with the brain’s default mode network (DMN). Correlations with the other two main MPQ personality dimensions (negative emotionality and constraint) were not significant (SPM Pc<0.05). Our results corroborate an involvement of orbitofrontal and cingulate regions in PEM, which is considered a trait that protects against substance use disorders. As dysfunction of OFC and cingulate is a hallmark of addiction, these findings support a common neural basis underlying protective personality factors and brain dysfunction underlying substance use disorders. In addition, we also uncovered an association between PEM and baseline metabolism in regions from the DMN, which suggests that PEM may relate to global cortical processes that are active during resting conditions (introspection, mind wandering). Molecular Psychiatry advance online publication, 12 April 2011; doi:10.1038/mp.2011.30
THERMAL DISSOCIATION OF DIASPORE CLAY

Diaspora clay, under conditions of equilibrium, forms corundum and gamma alumina at 400°C. The gamma alumina gradually changes to corundum at higher temperatures, part of which combines with free silica to form mullite at about 1150°. Between 400° and 750°, there is a gradual increase in the size of the corundum unit cell as determined by X-ray crystal analysis, which, upon continued heating at higher temperatures, gradually reduces to the true dimensions of corundum.
Twenty‐Five Years After the Fall of Communism: The Cultural Peculiarities of Fighting Corruption and Building Civil Society in Romania

Even when the domestic political system has undergone reform, it sometimes seems unlikely that any outside force can introduce enough of a “carrot and stick” approach to persuade a country to maintain momentum. This article is concerned with understanding the cultural peculiarities of fighting corruption and building civil society in Romania, where despite the tough EU monitoring and domestic anti-sleaze efforts, corruption, and low trust remain significant problems. Many of the theorists in the post-communist literature argue that socioeconomic factors and the communist legacy have weakened post-communist civil society in the region. This article explores the question whether corruption has replaced the legacy of communism as a factor undermining trust in others and government in Romania and presents an examination of the association between corruption and post-communist civil society. The article argues that future research needs to switch focus from discussing Romanian social, political, and cultural behaviors from a longue duree perspective to evaluating the impact of political corruption on trust and, hence, civil society in Romania.
A Two-Stage Model for a Two-Stage Process: How Biographical Availability Matters for Social Movement Mobilization

Author(s): Beyerlein, K; Hipp, JR | Abstract: We model differential participation in protest as a two-stage mobilization process: willingness to engage in protest and conversion of willingness into participation. Treating mobilization as a two-stage process resolves an important puzzle in the literature on differential participation: the lack of constraining effects for biographical unavailability. Using a nationally representative sample of individuals in the United States, we find that while our measures of biographical unavailability have no effect on the second stage of the mobilization process (converting willingness to protest to actual behavior), they show robust negative effects on the first stage of the mobilization process, removing people from the pool of willing protest participants. We also find that gender moderates the relationship between some of our measures of biographical unavailability - particularly marital status - and protest willingness. © Mobilization: An International Journal.
Control of Self-Assembled Structure through Architecturally and Compositionally Complex Block Copolymer Surfactant Mixtures

The self-assembly of binary mixtures of architecturally and compositionally diverse surfactant-like polystyrene–poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS–PVP) block copolymers (BCPs) in solution and in thin films has been systematically studied. PS–PVP BCPs of different molecular architecture synthesized by living anionic polymerization, including linear diblocks, triblocks, and branched star-like copolymers all having different block sizes, styrene to 2-vinylpyridine ratios, and variations in numbers of arms, were employed as constituent building blocks for the construction of advanced copolymeric ensembles. While ensembles formed from monomodal PS–PVP BCPs exhibit simple spherical aggregate structures in the PS-selective solvent toluene, aggregates created by mixing PS–PVP BCPs of different architecture display structures that include spherical, worm-like and large compound micellar aggregates. This result is attributed to the complex, architecture-induced diversity of microphase segregation in the mixed systems, where...
Correlation of HIFiRE-5a Flight Data with Computed Pressure and Heat Transfer

Flight pressure and heat flux data have been compared to angle-of-attack- and yaw-dependent computational-fluid-dynamics results for pressure distribution as well as laminar and turbulent heat-tran...
Prominent Iliopsoas Muscles Producing a Gourd-Shaped Deformity of the Bladder

Hypertrophied iliopsoas musculature should be considered seriously in the evaluation of young muscular male patients presenting with gourd-shaped bladder deformities. The recognition of this nonpathologic gourd deformity during excretory urography and subsequent confirmation by computerized tomography allow an accurate efficient diagnosis, sparing the patient a needless, more extensive investigation.
Design-a-gene with genedesign

The manual design of synthetic genes is a tedious and error-prone process-even for very short genes-and it becomes completely infeasible when multiple synthetic genes are needed. GeneDesign is a set of modules that automate batch nucleotide manipulation. Here, we explain the installation, configuration, and use of GeneDesign as part of a synthetic design workflow.