cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial organization of the cytochrome b6-f complex within chloroplast thylakoid membranes.

Abstract The spatial distribution of the chloroplast thylakoid protein complex comprised of cytochromes f and b -563, and the Rieske iron-sulfur protein (Cyt b 6 - f ) has been controversial because of conflicting results obtained by different techniques. We have combined the following biochemical and immunochemical techniques to approach this question: (1) French press disruption of thylakoids, followed by repeated two-phase aqueous polymer partitioning to separate inside-out grana from right-side-out stroma membrane fragments; (2) electrophoretic analysis followed by the 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine stain for cytochrome hemes; (3) electroblot analysis with anti-Cyt b 6 - f antibodies; (4) agglutination of membrane fragments with anti-Cyt b 6 - f antibodies; and (5) post-embedment thin-section immunolabeling of chemically fixed or ultrarapidly frozen chloroplasts with anti-Cyt b 6 - f antibodies. Our results indicate that the complex is present in both of the isolated membrane fragment populations in similar amounts, with the bulk of the immunoreactive sites exposed to the thylakoidal lumen. Direct immunolabeling of thin-sectioned chloroplasts resulted in localization of the complex throughout the thylakoids, without specialized compartmentation. These results provide both the temporal and spatial resolution necessary for accurate localization of the complex. We concur with models proposing distribution of Cyt b 6 - f throughout all thylakoid membranes.
A 'building block' approach to functionalized calix[4]pyrroles

Abstract Iodocalix[4]pyrrole 2 and trimethylsilylethynylcalix[4]pyrrole 3 are key intermediates en route to the preparation of the alkynyl-substituted calix[4]pyrrole system 4 . This latter species, in turn, provides a versatile precursor that can be used to prepare a range of arylalkynyl-functionalized calix[4]pyrroles (viz . , 5 – 9 ) by reacting with an appropriate aryl iodide under Sonogashira conditions (i.e., in the presence of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0)). Significant red-shifts in the λ max values and broadenings of the absorption peaks are seen in the UV–vis spectra of systems 6 and 7 upon addition of anions ( e.g ., F − , Cl − , H 2 PO 4 − ) in CH 2 Cl 2 , a finding that leads to the suggestion that these or other analogous systems could find application as anion sensors.
Importance of alteration of volcanic material in the sediments of deep sea drilling site 323: chemistry, 18O16O and 87Sr86Sr☆

A downhole decrease in 18O, Mg2+ and K+, an increase in Ca2+ and a low 87Sr86Sr ratio of 0.7067 in the pore fluids of DSDP site 323 were caused principally by the alteration of volcanic material. These chemical and isotopic patterns were produced by the alteration, in order of decreasing importance of: a 60-m thick basal layer of volcanic ash; the underlying basalts; and igneous components in the 640-m thick upper sequence composed largely of terrigenous material. A significant portion of the alteration of the ash in the basal sequence must have occurred before the deposition of the upper sediments, perhaps under the influence of advecting solutions. The rest of the alteration occurred during the deposition of the thick upper sediments. Mass balance considerations and the low δ18O values of most of the alteration products suggest that much of the later alteration occurred progressively over the last 13 Myr. The principal alteration products were smectite, potassium feldspar, clinoptilolite and calcite.
Concentrated dyes as a source of two‐dimensional fluorescent field for characterization of a confocal microscope

Summary The axial spread function is a useful tool for evaluation of a confocal microscope. It can be obtained experimentally by scanning a uniform fluorescent layer whose thickness is significantly below the resolution limit. Previous researchers have created thin fluorescent films by chemical synthesis. We show here that concentrated fluorescent dyes with a strong absorption at the excitation wavelength can serve as a good approximation of thin fluorescent films. The vertical intensity profiles of such dyes are symmetrical and represent the true axial resolution of a microscope. Solutions of dyes sufficiently opaque to test confocal microscopes with high-NA objectives can be prepared from sodium fluorescein, acid fuchsin and acid blue 9 for excitation at 488 nm, 543 nm and 633 nm, respectively.
Rachel A. Woldoff 2011: White Flight/Black Flight: The Dynamics of Racial Change in an American Neighborhood. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

A review of the book "White Flight/Black Flight: The Dynamics of Racial Change in an American Neighborhood," by Rachel A. Woldoff, is presented.
Cloning, sequencing, and homology analysis of nonhuman primate Fas/Fas-ligand and co-stimulatory molecules

The finding that a single administration of select recombinant human cytokines to nonhuman primates leads to potent cytokine-neutralizing antibody responses in the heterologous host despite >95% homology at the nucleotide and protein level prompted our laboratory to clone, sequence, and prepare recombinant nonhuman primate cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and other immunoregulatory molecules. In the present report, we present findings on the gene sequences encoding the nonhuman primate homologues of human CD80, CD86, their ligands CD28 and CD152, CD154, CD95, and CD95-L from rhesus macaques and for phylogenetic analysis from pig-tailed macaques, African sooty mangabey monkeys, baboons, and vervets as well as select molecules from the New World aotus and marmoset monkeys. With the exception of CD95, the homology between nonhuman primate and human co-stimulatory molecules was above 95%. In contrast, CD95 was only 89.2% homologous to human CD95, but the differences were essentially found in the transmembrane and intracellular (death) domains. The extracellular portion of CD95 was more homologous which was in accordance with approximately 98% homology between Old World monkey and human CD95-L. In general, sequences from the New World monkey species appeared equidistant to sequences from Old World species and humans in terms of homology suggesting distinct evolutionary patterns. Of interest was the isolation of various splice variants of monkey CD86, CD152 (CTLA-4), CD154, and CD95 transcripts. This is also the first report documenting the occurrence of natural CD86 variants with deleted transmembrane domains, found both in sooty mangabeys and baboon RNA samples. Monkey CD95 showed various deletions and addition of residues in the transmembrane and intracytoplasmic domains compared with human CD95 and between Old and New World species. Subcloning of rhesus CD154 into an expression vector demonstrated expression of a functional protein in cell culture. The other genes are being cloned into expression vectors for the preparation and biological characterization of the nonhuman primate molecules. These investigations will provide novel reagents for in vivo use as immunomodulatory reagents in nonhuman primates in studies which may provide a rationale for their use in humans.
Serum vitamin A concentration and the risk of hip fracture among women 50 to 74 years old in the United States: A prospective analysis of the NHANES I follow-up study

Abstract Background Recent studies on the association between vitamin A and fracture risk have focused on samples with high vitamin A intake. We analyzed a cohort that was more representative of the overall U.S. population to test the hypothesis that both high and low serum vitamin A concentrations increase the risk of hip fracture. Methods We utilized data on 2799 women who were 50 to 74 years of age from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. There were 172 incident hip fractures during the 22-year follow-up period. Using Cox regression analysis, we analyzed the relation between baseline serum vitamin A (retinol and retinyl esters) concentration, as a continuous variable and by quintiles, and hip fracture risk. Results While there was no linear relation between serum vitamin A concentration and the risk of hip fracture in the multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] per SD increase=1.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9 to 1.2), analysis by quintiles revealed a U-shaped relation between serum vitamin A concentration and hip fracture. Fracture risk was significantly higher among subjects in the lowest (HR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1 to 3.3) and highest (HR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.2 to 3.6) quintiles compared with those in the middle quintiles. Conclusion Both low and high serum vitamin A concentrations may be associated with an increased risk of hip fracture.
Effects of transient noise reduction algorithms on speech intelligibility and ratings of hearing aid users.

Purpose The goal of this study was to assess the functional utility of transient noise reduction (TNR) algorithms available in hearing aids via speech intelligibility and user preferences. Method T...
Catalytic additives for the reversible reduction of sodium in chloroaluminate ionic liquids

Abstract The ability of five different compounds to facilitate reduction of sodium from a chloroaluminate IL was investigated. PCl 6 − and 18-Crown-6 act to disrupt the Na + and AlCl 4 − ion pairs producing reducible sodium ions. The addition of the small chlorinated compounds, CH 2 Cl 2 , CDCl 3 or CCl 4 , resulted in the efficient reduction and reoxidation of sodium. It is believed that the electronegative chlorine atoms are oriented near the positive sodium cation, weakening its attraction to AlCl 4 − . For the five compounds tested, the highest coulombic efficiencies were measured after the addition of CDCl 3 (90.5%) and CCl 4 (88.2%). The addition of CDCl 3 was found to substantially increase the conductivity of the IL.
Software platform for flexible automated reconstruction of CMR data in a clinically feasible workflow.

Background Integration of novel image reconstruction and processing methods into clinical workflow has been hampered by difficulties in implementing these techniques into the vendors’ softwares. While all vendors allow modification of imaging sequences, implementation of novel reconstruction techniques is not available in any of them. Currently, the workflow includes manually exporting the data, performing the custom reconstruction using standalone Matlab or C++ implementation, and then visualizing the results on a different workstation. This process usually requires an expert user and is not feasible in common clinical workflow. In this work, we developed a simple software tool that enables researchers to rapidly integrate post-processing and reconstruction methods developed in any programming language on any type of workstation via internet connection and directly visualize the data on the scanner console and store the data via clinical PACS system. Methods
Antiproteins in horse sera. VII. Fractionation by alcohol of antibodies to the globulin of rabbit serum.

Summary Fractionation of a horse serum to the globulins of rabbit serum by means of alcohol at low temperatures and low ionic strengths leads to separation of the antibody in a single fraction. Changes in the characteristics of the antibody are noted and discussed on the basis of the previous study of fractionation with salt and precipitation by water, and in the light of other studies on the effect of the removal of lipides.
Coagulation modifications after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy in a swine model.

Background: The stress response to surgical trauma precipitates a state of transient hypercoagulation. Studies have demonstrated that laparoscopic surgery results in a diminished stress response compared to open surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of postoperative hypercoagulability following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) compared to open cholecystectomy (OC).
Hippocampal gene expression changes during age-related cognitive decline.

Abstract As humans age, cognitive performance decreases differentially across individuals. This age-related decline in otherwise healthy individuals is likely due to the interaction of multiple factors including genetics and environment. We hypothesized that altered spatial memory performance in genetically similar mice could be in part due to differential gene expression patterns in the hippocampus. To investigate this we utilized Morris water maze (MWM) testing in a group of young (3 months) and aged (24 months) C57BL/J male mice. Two sub-groups were identified in the aged animals; one in which MWM performance was not significantly different when compared to the young animals (aged-unimpaired; “AU”) and one in which performance was significantly different by 1.5 standard deviations from the mean (aged-impaired; “AI”). One week after testing was completed the entire hippocampus was collected from six each of AU, AI and young mice and their gene expression profiles were compared using Affymetrix microarrays. Benjamini and Hochberg FDR correction at p
Photoacoustic microscopy for quantitative evaluation of angiogenesis inhibitor

We present the photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) for evaluation of angiogenesis inhibitors on a chick embryo model. Microvasculature in the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of the chick embryos was imaged by PAM, and the optical microscopy (OM) images of the same set of CAMs were also acquired for comparisons, serving for validation of the results from PAM. The angiogenesis inhibitors, Sunitinib, with different concentrations applied to the CAM result in the change in microvascular density, which was quantified by both PAM and OM imaging. Similar change in microvascular density from PAM and OM imaging in response to angiogenesis inhibitor at different doses was observed, demonstrating that PAM has potential to provide objective evaluation of anti-angiogenesis medication. Besides, PAM is advantageous in three-dimensional and functional imaging compared with OM so that the emerging PAM technique may offer unique information on the efficacy of angiogenesis inhibitors and could benefit applications related to antiangiogenesis treatments.
Healthy lifestyle behaviours and risk of mortality among adults with and without diabetes in the U.s.

| 191 began at ISSSTE, a social security provider with an affiliation of almost 11 million people with national coverage in Mexico. Multidisciplinary teams were established at each clinic, including general practitioners, nurses, dietitians, psychologists and social workers. Healthcare delivery was improved to reduce waiting times, rotation of staff, and to increase the time for baseline and follow-up visits. Resources were devoted to provide all the clinics with A1c measurements and medications, online continuing education is delivered every month, and an electronic file was created to receive information in real time. results: At the first quarter of 2009, 89 diabetes clinics have been established in every state of the country, in which 7,902 patients are currently treated. Acceptance of the program has been universal, and has led to introduction of additional programs for chronic disease care. Improvements in glycemic control have been documented, with 59.2 percent of the patients achieving A1c levels below 7%. conclusions: Less than two years after its creation, the National Diabetes Program at ISSSTE is the largest in Mexico. Milestones include: 1) real, effective national coverage; 2) multidisciplinary approach; 3) a patient centered approach, active participation of patients and their families; 4) the first national program in Mexico to use A1c measurement as marker of glycemic control; 5) the first electronic chart of diabetes in the country; 6) introduction of self-care diabetes education as an essential component of the program. According to UKPDS estimations, the levels of glycemic control achieved in patients treated at ISSSTE are in concordance with the main objective of the program, i.e. a 20 percent reduction in mortality by 2011. National and local plans and initiatives No conflict of interest
Designing and theorizing the adoption of mobile technology‐mediated ethical consumption tools

Purpose – The ethical consumption movement is increasingly being supported by mobile web applications that enable consumers to reward ethical companies (and punish unethical ones) with their purchasing decisions. By providing company ethics information to consumers at the point of purchase with the swipe of a barcode, these applications hold the promise of an additional market mechanism for motivating companies to serve the public good. However, the degree that this potential is realized will depend on how widely such applications are adopted and diffused. This paper aims to identify design factors for such applications that theory suggests will enhance their diffusion by increasing the likelihood that the user will adopt the information these applications deliver.Design/methodology/approach – The multi‐level model incorporates dual‐process cognitive theory, social capital theory, and technical design features of the mobile technology‐enabled ethical consumption (MTEC) tool to understand factors that cont...
Neurotransmitter enzymes in telencephalon, brain stem and cerebellum during the entire life span of the mouse

Abstract Neurochemical analysis of neuronal function was undertaken by measuring the activities of cholinacetyltransferase (CAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), in the telencephalon, brain stem and cerebellum of the mouse. Cholinergic activity was first expressed in the 10-day embryonic brain stem, which showed a relatively high CAT activity at birth. Postnatal brain stem development was characterized by a rapid and parallel increase in CAT and AChE. Although AChE peaked at 1 month, CAT activity was not achieved until 1 year. Acetylcholine synthesis was initiated in the 12-day embryonic telencephalon and a steady age-related increase in CAT was maintained until birth. A lag in both CAT and AChE activities was recorded during the first week of postnatal telencephalon development. Cerebellar CAT was low at birth, and increased irregularly to reach a maximum by 1 month. In contrast, postnatal cerebellar AChE activity increased steadily over the same time period. The GABA-ergic neuronal system matured rapidly in each brain region, and was unaffected by aging. Although the brain stem precociously expressed cholinergic activity, it was the region most susceptible to deterioration during aging. Telencephalon CAT activity was unaffected by aging and in the cerebellum, a significantly reduced level of CAT was only found in truly senescent animals. The decreased cholinergic function during senescence was not due to either increased proteolysis or to alteration in the molecular form of the cholinergic enzymes.
Three-Dimensional Cellular Deformation Analysis with a Two-Photon Magnetic Manipulator Workstation

The ability to apply quantifiable mechanical stresses at the microscopic scale is critical for studying cellular responses to mechanical forces. This necessitates the use of force transducers that can apply precisely controlled forces to cells while monitoring the responses noninvasively. This paper describes the development of a micromanipulation worksta- tion integrating two-photon, three-dimensional imaging with a high-force, uniform-gradient magnetic manipulator. The uniform-gradient magnetic field applies nearly uniform forces to a large cell population, permitting statistical quantification of select molecular responses to mechanical stresses. The magnetic transducer design is capable of exerting over 200 pN of force on 4.5-m-diameter paramagnetic particles and over 800 pN on 5.0-m ferromagnetic particles. These forces vary within 10% over an area 500 500 m 2 . The compatibility with the use of high numerical aperture (1.0) objectives is an integral part of the workstation design allowing submicron-resolution, three-dimensional, two-photon imaging. Three- dimensional analyses of cellular deformation under localized mechanical strain are reported. These measurements indicate that the response of cells to large focal stresses may contain three-dimensional global deformations and show the suitability of this workstation to further studying cellular response to mechanical stresses.
An efficient platform for genetic selection and screening of gene switches in Escherichia coli

Engineered gene switches and circuits that can sense various biochemical and physical signals, perform computation, and produce predictable outputs are expected to greatly advance our ability to program complex cellular behaviors. However, rational design of gene switches and circuits that function in living cells is challenging due to the complex intracellular milieu. Consequently, most successful designs of gene switches and circuits have relied, to some extent, on high-throughput screening and/or selection from combinatorial libraries of gene switch and circuit variants. In this study, we describe a generic and efficient platform for selection and screening of gene switches and circuits in Escherichia coli from large libraries. The single-gene dual selection marker tetA was translationally fused to green fluorescent protein (gfpuv) via a flexible peptide linker and used as a dual selection and screening marker for laboratory evolution of gene switches. Single-cycle (sequential positive and negative selections) enrichment efficiencies of >7000 were observed in mock selections of model libraries containing functional riboswitches in liquid culture. The technique was applied to optimize various parameters affecting the selection outcome, and to isolate novel thiamine pyrophosphate riboswitches from a complex library. Artificial riboswitches with excellent characteristics were isolated that exhibit up to 58-fold activation as measured by fluorescent reporter gene assay.
Trajectory-grid: An accurate sign-preserving advection-diffusion approach for air quality modeling

Abstract We propose a new method, called the trajectory-grid (T-G) approach, which contains a fully Lagrangian advection scheme coupled with an Eulerian diffusion scheme, to remove the numerical problems associated with the advection equation in air quality modeling. This method is sign preserving, mass conserving, and very accurate. The method assigns the spatial locations of points on a given concentration profile to a set of concentration pulses; then tracks the pulse positions as they move downwind undergoing diffusion and reactions. Multigrid nesting can be conveniently accounted for by increasing the number density of concentration pulses in given areas in the modeling domain. The method can also serve as a tool to test the validity of the observation-based models. While the execution time may be comparable to that of the Accurate Space Derivative scheme, the advection step of the method is highly amenable to multiply-parallel processing.
Personal Growth Groups: Measuring Outcome and Evaluating Impact

Although researchers speculate counselor-trainees who participate in personal growth groups as part of their course curriculum experience essential group processes and personal growth, there is a lack of empirical evidence supporting this claim. This quantitative study investigates counselor-trainee's perceptions of the therapeutic, developmental, and wellness factors that occur within their personal growth groups. Forty-three personal growth group participants attending personal growth groups as part of their masters' level counselor education curriculum participated in this study. The results of this study provide preliminary empirical evidence that counselor-trainees are obtaining first-hand knowledge of essential group processes (i.e., group development, therapeutic factors, and personal growth) through their participation in the 10-hr personal growth groups.
New empirical model for the structural properties of silicon

An empirical interatomic potential for covalent systems is proposed, incorporating bond order in an intuitive way. The potential has the form of a Morse pair potential, but with the bond-strength parameter depending upon local environment. A model for Si accurately describes bonding and geometry for may structures, including highly rebonded surfaces.
Pulmonary hyperinflation and emphysema in infants with the Marfan syndrome.

The Marfan syndrome is a dominantly inherited disorder of type I collagen with well recognized skeletal, cardiac and opthalmological manifestations. Less recognized are the pulmonary manifestations of the disease. Although chronic pulmonary emphysema, interstitial lung disease with honey combing and spontaneous pneumothorax have been sporadically reported, there is no documentation of these abnormalities in the radiological literature. We describe the clinical and radiographic findings in the lungs of four infants with Marfan's syndrome and provide pathologic correlation from autopsy specimens of two of these patients. In addition, we have updated the literature describing the pulmonary abnormalities of this still obscure disorder.
Econophysics: Two-phase behaviour of financial markets.

Buying and selling in financial markets is driven by demand, which can be quantified by the imbalance in the number of shares transacted by buyers and sellers over a given time interval. Here we analyse the probability distribution of demand, conditioned on its local noise intensity Σ, and discover the surprising existence of a critical threshold, Σc. For Σ Σc, two most probable values emerge that are symmetrical around zero demand, corresponding to excess demand and excess supply1; we interpret this as an out-of-equilibrium phase in which the market behaviour is mainly buying for half of the time, and mainly selling for the other half.
Neural networks and chaos.

Abstract Brain functions that underlie perception and motor control are reviewed in the context of the contribution of chaotic dynamics to the functions of memory and recall, with the aim of finding simple, underlying rules.
Interactions of water with trisiloxane rings. I: Experimental analysis

Abstract The structure of the pore surface of stabilized silica gels is dominated by D2 trisiloxane ring. The surface structure is investigated by curve-fitting Raman spectra measured during the adsorption of water. This allowed the concentration of the trisiloxane rings, [D2], and surface silanols, [SisOH], to be calculated. For a gel sintered at 650°C with a BET surface area of 640m2/g and a pore radius ≈1.2 nm, [D2] ≈ 1 D2/nm2 and [SisOH] ≈ 1.8 SisOH/ nm2 is found. After rehydration, the water content = 0.31 g/g, [D2] ≈ 0.38 D2/nm2 and [SisOH] ≈ 3.1 SisOH/nm2. During D2 ring hydrolysis, the [H2O molecules]/[D2 rings] ratio was found to be ≈ 24 at 25°C.
Somatic hybridization in mint: identification and characterization of Mentha piperita (+) M. spicata hybrid plants

Twenty eight somatic hybrid plants were identified following protoplast fusions between peppermint (Mentha piperita L. cv Black Mitcham), producing high-quality oil, and spearmint (Mentha spicata L. cv Native Spearmint), likewise producing high-quality oil and also possessing resistance to verticillium wilt. Prior to fusion, peppermint protoplasts were subjected to iodoacetic acid to inhibit cell division. Protoplasts of peppermint and spearmint were fused using polyethylene glycol plus DMSO. Fusion products were cultured according to an efficient protoplast-to-plant-cycle protocol developed for peppermint. Using this protocol, iodoacetic acid-treated peppermint protoplasts were not able to divide, whereas untreated spearmint protoplasts had the ability to produce callus but not shoots. Therefore, selection of somatic hybrid calli was based on the presumed capability of hybrid cells to form calli and shoots. Shoots in vitro were initially identified as hybrids using RAPD profiles. Subsequently, observations on morphology, chromosome counts, and Southern-hybridization patterns confirmed their hybrid status. The results of verticillium tests revealed that 18 somatic hybrids were more susceptible than Native Spearmint, while hybrid II-14 had a level of susceptibility intermediate between that of the fusion parents. Oil-analysis of hybrid plants indicated that they all have a GC-profile typical of spearmint oil.
Applications of pixe-pige in philately

Abstract Several postage stamps dating back to the 1890's from the Republic of Taiwan were irradiated with an external 4.0 MeV proton beam to simultaneously induce X-ray and gamma ray emission. The paper and printing inks were compared between stamps made from different dies. The elemental analysis revealed that the 4 dies of stamps were printed on only 3 different types of paper. A majority of the elements observed in the stamps were due to contributions from the paper except for the red stamps which were due to cinnabar (HgS). In addition, the elemental concentrations were different in counterfeit stamps as compared to the genuine stamps. Detailed experimental setup as well as chemical reconstructions of the pigments used in the printing inks are given.
Perceptual color and spatial texture features for segmentation

We develop spatially adaptive, low-level, color and spatial texture features based on perceptual principles about the processing of texture and color information. We then propose an algorithm that combines these features to obtain image segmentations that convey semantic information that can be used for content-based retrieval. Our focus is images of natural scenes. The color texture features are based on the estimation of spatially adaptive dominant colors, which on one hand, reflect the fact that the human visual system cannot simultaneously perceive a large number of colors, and on the other, the fact that image colors are spatially varying. The spatially adaptive dominant colors are obtained using a previously developed adaptive clustering algorithm for color segmentation. The spatial texture features are based on a steerable filter decomposition, which offers an efficient and flexible approximation of early processing in the human visual system. We use the local energy of the subband coefficients as a simple but effective characterization of spatial texture. A median filter is used to distinguish the energy due to region boundaries from the energy of the textures themselves. Texture feature estimation requires a finite neighborhood that limits spatial resolution, while color segmentation provides accurate and precise edge localization. By combining texture with color information, the proposed algorithm can obtain robust segmentations that are accurate and precise. The performance of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated in the domain of photographic images, including low resolution, degraded, and compressed images.
Heparanase Expression and Function During Early Pregnancy in Mice

Abstract Embryo implantation is a complex process that involves interactions between cell-surface and extracellular components of the blastocyst and the uterus, including blastocyst adhesion to the uterine luminal epithelium, epithelial basement membrane penetration and stromal extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis, and decidualization. These processes all involve interactions with heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans, which harbor various growth factors and cytokines and support cell adhesion. Heparanase (HPSE) is an endo-beta-glucuronidase that cleaves HS at specific sites. HPSE also can act as an adhesion molecule independent of its catalytic activity. Thus, HPSE is a multifunctional molecule contributing to and modulating HS-dependent processes. Exogenously added HPSE improves embryo implantation in mice; however, no information is available regarding the normal pattern of HPSE expression and activity during the implantation process in any system. Using several approaches, including real-time RT...
Adoption of sensory enabling technology for online apparel shopping

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate online shoppers' adoption of visual sensory enabling technologies, showing that these sensory experience enablers provide a dual role in enhancing online apparel shopping by reducing perceived product risk, and increasing the entertainment value of the online shopping process.Design/methodology/approach – The researchers conducted a focus group interview and pre‐test with a college student sample and a main test with a US national sample of online shoppers. The data were analyzed using single‐ and multiple‐group structural equation modeling.Findings – The findings provide empirical support for perceived usefulness and perceived entertainment value as strong predictors of consumers' attitudes towards using all three of the sensory enabling technologies (SETs) – 2D larger view and alternative views, 3D rotation views, and virtual try‐on. The impact of perceived ease‐of‐use was significant only for 3D rotation views, suggesting that the impact of perceive...
The effect of substitution of Mn or Al on the hydrogen sorption characteristics of CeNi5

Abstract The hydrides of the ternary alloys of CeNi5−xMx (M = Mn or Al and x = 0.5 and 0.75) have been prepared and investigated. The absorption plateau pressure of the system CeNi5—H is reduced 8- to 75-fold, by the replacement of Ni by Mn (or Al), without significantly impairing its hydrogen capacity. This substitution has great influence in reducing the hysteresis effect associated with the hydrogen absorption and desorption. The hysteresis and plateau-sloping factors are very low compared with that in Mischmetal-Ni5 hydride. The enthalpies and entropies of hydrogenation and dehydrogenation for CeNi5−xMx are computed and found to be in the range 20–25 kJ(mole H2)−1) and ∼90–100 J(K mole H2)−1, respectively. The high effective entropies of the hydride (high configurational entropy of H in the lattice) are attributed to extensive hydrogen disorder in the interstitial sites of the CeNi5−xMx lattice. Desorption of the hydrogen in the two-phase region (α + β) for CeNi4.25Mn0.75-H follows first-order kinetics with an activation energy of ∼33 ± 1 kJ(mole)−1. The favorable physiochemical properties of CeNi5−xMnx-H system make it very attractive for applications.
Impact of Pubertal Development on Endothelial Function and Arterial Elasticity

Objectives Little is known about the relation of pubertal development on endothelial function and arterial elasticity in children and adolescents; therefore, we compared brachial artery flow-mediated dilation and carotid artery elasticity across Tanner (pubertal) stages in children and adolescents. Study design Blood pressure, fasting lipids, glucose and insulin, body fat, insulin sensitivity adjusted for lean body mass, brachial flow-mediated dilation (percent dilation and area under the curve), endothelium-independent dilation (peak dilation and area under the curve), and carotid artery elasticity were evaluated across pubertal stages (Tanner I vs Tanner II-IV vs Tanner V) in 344 children and adolescents (184 males, 160 females; ages 6 to 21 years). Results One hundred twenty-four subjects (mean age 8.23 ± 0.15 years; 52 females) were Tanner stage I; 105 subjects (mean age 13.19 ± 0.17 years; 47 females) were Tanner stages II-IV; and 115 subjects (mean age 17.19 ± 0.16 years; 61 females) were Tanner stage V. There were no significant differences for any of the measures of vascular structure and function across pubertal stages. Conclusion Results of the current study indicate that smooth-muscle and endothelial function, as well as carotid artery elasticity, do not differ throughout pubertal development and that accounting for pubertal stage when reporting vascular data in children and adolescents may be unnecessary.
Additional notes on the Simaroubaceae

In my pape r on the genus Castela (Jour . Arnold Arb. 25: 122-128. 1944) I mainta ined C. erecta Turp. , C. galapageia Hook. f., and C. tortuosa Liebm. [= C. texana (T. & G.) Rose] as very closely related species, with the note that "accumulat ion of more mater ia l may force their combination into one species." A p r i m e fac tor in the re tent ion of specific s tatus for these entities was their appar ently very distinct geographic ranges of St. Croix to Venezuela and Colombia, the Galapagos Islands, and Texas to Oaxaca, Mexico, respectively. I t was noted, however, that some specimens f rom Venezuela approached C. tortuosa. A specimen at hand f rom Magdalena, Colombia, in the supposed range of C. erecta, seems quite representat ive of C. tortuosa, extending the range of the la t ter some 1500 miles f rom Oaxaca, Mexico (Haught 3884, NY). Wi th C. tortuosa now known f rom Colombia, it seems probable tha t some specimens f rom adjacent Venezuela fo rmer ly regarded as C. erecta, approaching C. tortuosa, may more proper ly be considered as C. tortuosa, or as intergrades between it and C. erecta. I t is no longer desirable, then, to consider the two as distinct species. While no such definite evidence is yet available to connect either of these with C. galapageia, the la t ter is so clearly a pa r t of the same complex, and so well separated f rom other groups in the genus, that it seems entirely proper to include it with C. erecta and C. tortuosa in a single species. The morphologic characters for the three intraspeeific units are not at all strong, as will be seen below, but do indicate the existence of regional entities.
Donor-Acceptor Interactions at Interfaces

Nearly all intermolecular interactions in solution and at interfaces can be reduced to two phenomena: London dispersion forces, and electron donor-acceptor (acid-base) interactions. Hydrogen bonds are included in acid-base interactions, and dipole phenomena are usually negligibly small. Earlier popular notions that all “polar” groups can interact with each other are shown untenable; donor-donor and acceptor-acceptor interactions are negligibly small compared to donor-acceptor interactions. Supporting data include surface and interfacial tensions, contact angles, and adsorption of polymers from organic solvents onto inorganic powders.
Is Eating Locally a Moral Obligation

Advocates of eating locally offer a wide range of arguments in favor of the practice, but their ethical import is not always clear. Some locavore statements and arguments seem to imply a strong form of moral obligation; that eating locally is not merely instrumental to some other good, but has intrinsic value in its own right. This article examines standard arguments on behalf of eating locally, including arguments linked to the value of small farms and agrarianism, the environment, taste and health, trust, and relational markets. Most arguments put forward on behalf of eating locally value it instrumentally, the main exception being arguments based on relational markets. Although these arguments provide important motives for eating locally, the strength of obligation varies widely, and even the strongest arguments possess significant qualifications. While eating locally can play a role in reducing environmental impacts, this is not necessarily so, and once removed from instrumental considerations, eating locally is more likely at best an imperfect duty.
hand2 and Dlx genes specify dorsal, intermediate and ventral domains within zebrafish pharyngeal arches

The ventrally expressed secreted polypeptide endothelin1 (Edn1) patterns the skeleton derived from the first two pharyngeal arches into dorsal, intermediate and ventral domains. Edn1 activates expression of many genes, including hand2 and Dlx genes. We wanted to know how hand2/Dlx genes might generate distinct domain identities. Here, we show that differential expression of hand2 and Dlx genes delineates domain boundaries before and during cartilage morphogenesis. Knockdown of the broadly expressed genes dlx1a and dlx2a results in both dorsal and intermediate defects, whereas knockdown of three intermediate-domain restricted genes dlx3b, dlx4b and dlx5a results in intermediate-domain-specific defects. The ventrally expressed gene hand2 patterns ventral identity, in part by repressing dlx3b/4b/5a. The jaw joint is an intermediate-domain structure that expresses nkx3.2 and a more general joint marker, trps1. The jaw joint expression of trps1 and nkx3.2 requires dlx3b/4b/5a function, and expands in hand2 mutants. Both hand2 and dlx3b/4b/5a repress dorsal patterning markers. Collectively, our work indicates that the expression and function of hand2 and Dlx genes specify major patterning domains along the dorsoventral axis of zebrafish pharyngeal arches.
Photophosphorylation Associated with Photosystem II II. Effects of Electron Donors, Catalyst Oxidation, and Electron Transport Inhibitors on Photosystem II Cyclic Photophosphorylation

Incubation of KCN-Hg-NH2OH-inhibited spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts with p-phenylenediamine for 10 minutes in the dark prior to illumination produced rates of photosystem II cyclic photophosphorylation up to 2-fold greater than the rates obtained without incubation. Partial oxidation of p-phenylenediaine with ferricyanide produced a similar stimulation of ATP synthesis; addition of dithiothreitol suppressed the stimulation observed with incubation. Addition of ferricyanide in amounts sufficient to oxidize completely p-phenylenediamine failed to inhibit completely photosystem II cyclic activity. This is due at least in part to the fact that the ferrocyanide produced by oxidation of p-phenylenediamine is itself a catalyst of photosystem II cyclic photophosphorylation. N,N,N′N′-Tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine catalyzes photosystem II cyclic photophosphorylation at rates approaching those observed with p-phenylenediamine. The activities of both proton/electron and electron donor catalysts of the photosystem II cycle are inhibited by dibromothyoquinone and antimycin A. These findings are interpreted to indicate that photosystem II cyclic photophosphorylation requires the operation of endogenous membrane-bound electron carriers for optimal coupling of ATP synthesis to electron transport.
Experimental investigation of colored noise in stochastic resonance of a bistable beam

Abstract This paper describes an experimental investigation of stochastic resonance in a bistable, composite beam excited by colored noise. Experimental results for average up-crossing period, spectral power amplification (SPA), and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are compared with analytical methods for underdamped systems. These analytical methods include expressions developed from Kramers, Melnikov, and two-state theory. The effect of a modal mass on the analytical expressions is explored. Finally, an alternative approach for calculating the effect of a colored noise spectrum on the SPA and SNR of underdamped systems is proposed.
A Joule-Thomson cooling system with a Si/glass heat exchanger for 0.1–1 w heat loads

This paper reports a Joule-Thomson cooling system that provides 0.1–1 W cooling power using a micromachined Si/glass perforated plate heat exchanger. The gas expansion is performed through a micromachined valve that is piezoelectrically actuated, or alternatively through a commercial jewel orifice. The modulated J-T system using the microvalve can achieve 254.5 K at a pressure difference of 430 kPa and 5–8 K temperature modulation at a given pressure. With a jewel orifice, the temperature at the expansion orifice drops 76.1 K from the inlet temperature for an inlet pressure of 1 MPa (145 psia) when the ethane mass flow rate is 0.269 g/s. The system can reach a lower temperature at 200.3 K in a transient state. The cooling power of the system is 200 mW at 228K and 1 W at 239 K, in addition to a parasitic heat load of 300–500 mW.
Effect of Solar-Reflective Glazing on Fuel Economy, Tailpipe Emissions, and Thermal Comfort

Current air-conditioning systems can reduce the fuel economy of high fuel-economy vehicles by about 50% and reduce the fuel economy of today’s mid-sized vehicles by more than 20% while increasing NOx by nearly 80% and CO by 70%. Automotive glazing has a significant impact on the peak and steady-state cooling loads of the vehicle. Glazing that reflects the infrared portion of the solar spectrum can reduce interior temperatures by 9°C and reject more than 500 W while the vehicle is parked. Such a windshield can improve the fuel economy of a compact car by about 0.3 km/L (0.7 mpg) over the SC03 drive cycle if the airconditioning system is appropriately down-sized.
Insulin increases ceramide synthesis in skeletal muscle.

Aims. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of insulin on ceramide metabolism in skeletal muscle. Methods. Skeletal muscle cells were treated with insulin with or without palmitate for various time periods. Lipids (ceramides and TAG) were isolated and gene expression of multiple biosynthetic enzymes were quantified. Additionally, adult male mice received daily insulin injections for 14 days, followed by muscle ceramide analysis. Results. In muscle cells, insulin elicited an increase in ceramides comparable to palmitate alone. This is likely partly due to an insulin-induced increase in expression of multiple enzymes, particularly SPT2, which, when knocked down, prevented the increase in ceramides. In mice, 14 days of insulin injection resulted in increased soleus ceramides, but not TAG. However, insulin injections did significantly increase hepatic TAG compared with vehicle-injected animals. Conclusions. This study suggests that insulin elicits an anabolic effect on sphingolipid metabolism in skeletal muscle, resulting in increased ceramide accumulation. These findings reveal a potential mechanism of the deleterious consequences of the hyperinsulinemia that accompanies insulin resistance and suggest a possible novel therapeutic target to mitigate its effects.
Incapacidad de herencia y legado del último confesor: de la Novísima Recopilación al artículo 965 del Código Civil de la República de Chile

The author treats on the influence of the Canon law in the civil law, due to the factual survival of the Patronage, referred to the situation in which the canonical norm becomes an instrument of intelligibility of the respective article of the Civil Code . The cases in which this happens in the Civil Code of Chile are not scarce, and an example of it is the incapacity of inheritance and bequest of the last confessor, in which a direct bridge among the Novisima Recopilacion (1805) and the Civil Code (1855) is clearly detected.
Analysis of Single-Molecule FRET Trajectories Using Hidden Markov Modeling

The analysis of single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) trajectories has become one of significant biophysical interest. In deducing the transition rates between various states of a system for time-binned data, researchers have relied on simple, but often arbitrary methods of extracting rates from FRET trajectories. Although these methods have proven satisfactory in cases of well-separated, low-noise, two- or three-state systems, they become less reliable when applied to a system of greater complexity. We have developed an analysis scheme that casts single-molecule time-binned FRET trajectories as hidden Markov processes, allowing one to determine, based on probability alone, the most likely FRET-value distributions of states and their interconversion rates while simultaneously determining the most likely time sequence of underlying states for each trajectory. Together with a transition density plot and Bayesian information criterion we can also determine the number of different states present in a system in addition to the state-to-state transition probabilities. Here we present the algorithm and test its limitations with various simulated data and previously reported Holliday junction data. The algorithm is then applied to the analysis of the binding and dissociation of three RecA monomers on a DNA construct.
Fourier-transformation, phase-iteration, and least-square-fit image processing for Young's fringe pattern

The fast Fourier transform, phase iteration, and the least-square fit are combined into an automated processing technique for the analysis of Young's fringe patterns. A Young's fringe pattern is first fast-Fourier-transform filtered to get an initial phase, phase iteration is carried out to improve the phase if necessary, and then the phase is least-square fitted to a phase plane. The magnitude and the direction of the displacement associated with the Young's pattern are determined from the phase plane.