cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RADIATIVE HEAT TRANSFER IN ABSORBING, EMITTING AND SCATTERING MEDIA.

Abstract : A study is made of radiative heat transfer in systems which include absorption, emission and scattering with reflecting boundaries. The method of discrete ordinates is used for the analyses of systems with plane parallel geometry, while a Monte Carlo technique is used for the study of cylindrical geometry. Systems studied analytically include systems with experimentally determined scattering function, dielectric coatings on metallic substrates, boundary layers with scattering particles and radiation from finite cylinders. An experimental study is also made of radiative equilibrium transfer through a cloud of glass spheres falling between parallel plates. Results are compared with theory. (Author)
Transfer of the rectus femoris: Effects of transfer site on moment arms about the knee and hip

Decreased range of knee motion during gait is often treated by surgically releasing the rectus femoris from the patella and transferring it to one of four sites: semitendinosus, gracilis, sartorius, or the iliotibial tract. This study was conducted to determine if there are differences between these four tendon transfer sites in terms of post-surgical moment arms about the knee and hip. A graphics-based model of the lower extremity was used to simulate the origin-to-insertion path of the rectus femoris after transfer. Anatomical studies were conducted to evaluate the accuracy of the simulated tendon transfers by comparing knee flexion moment arms calculated with the computer model to moment arms measured in two anatomical specimens. The computer simulations and anatomical studies revealed substantial differences in the knee moment arms between the four sites. We found that the rectus femoris has the largest peak knee flexion moment arm (4-5 cm) after transfer to the semitendinosus. In contrast, after transfer to the iliotibial tract the rectus femoris has a slight (0-5 mm) knee extension moment arm. None of the transfers to muscle-tendon complexes on the medial side of the knee (semitendinosus, gracilis, sartorius) substantially affect the hip rotation moment arm of the rectus femoris. Transferring to the iliotibial tract increases hip internal rotation moment arm of the rectus femoris, but only when the hip is externally rotated.
Growth phase-associated changes in the transcriptome and proteome of Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcus pyogenes is responsible for approximately 500,000 deaths each year worldwide. Many of the associated virulence factors are expressed in a growth phase-dependent manner. To identify growth phase-associated changes in expression on a genomescale, the exponential and stationary phase transcriptomes and proteomes of S. pyogenes strain NZ131 (serotype M49) were compared by using Affymetrix NimbleExpress gene chips and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. At the transcript level, the expression of 689 genes, representing approximately 40% of the chromosome, differed by twofold or more between the two growth phases. The majority of transcripts that were more abundant in the early-stationary phase encoded proteins involved in energy conversion, transport, and metabolism. At the protein level, an average of 527 and 403 protein spots were detected in the exponential and stationary phases of growth, respectively. Tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify 172 protein spots, 128 of which were growth phase regulated. Enzymes involved in glycolysis and pyruvate metabolism and several stress-responsive proteins were more abundant in the stationary phase of growth. Overall, the results identified growth phase-regulated genes in strain NZ131 and revealed significant post-transcriptional complexity associated with pathogen adaptation to the stationary phase of growth.
Liquid-Crystalline Phases of Semiflexible Diblock Copolymer Melts

Self-consistent field theory is used to study the phase behavior of melts of semiflexible diblock copolymers. Repulsion between the incompatible blocks leads to microphase separation, while anisotropic external fields and interactions between polymers induce liquid-crystalline phases. Considering symmetric diblocks with quadrupolar interactions, we obtain a nematic-isotropic transition which extends into the lamellar phase and terminates at an internal critical point. For dipolar interactions, ferroelectric nematic and lamellar phases and a novel Lifshitz point are obtained.
Comparison of transposition techniques to reduce gap associated with high ulnar nerve lesions.

Purpose To determine in a cadaveric model which of 3 anterior transposition techniques allows for maximum gap reduction for high ulnar nerve lesions. Methods Six fresh-frozen human adult upper extremity cadaveric transhumeral specimens were used. We anchored the ulnar nerve to bone 10 cm proximal and distal to the medial epicondyle along its exact course while keeping the elbow in 30° flexion as the baseline measurement. We then used a thick suture to mimic and measure the exact course of the nerve between the pins in varying elbow positions. The nerve was then transposed first subcutaneously, then intramuscularly, and then submuscularly while taking exact measurements of the distance the nerve had to travel in varying degrees of elbow flexion for each transposition method. We performed comparative analysis to analyze gap reduction with respect to transposition method and elbow position. Results Transposing the ulnar nerve reduced the repair gap required to cross the elbow regardless of transposition technique. When comparing individual techniques, however, the greatest gap reduction was achieved by intramuscular, followed by submuscular and finally subcutaneous transposition. A maximum gap reduction of 25 mm (average, 23 mm) was achieved using intramuscular transposition with the elbow in 90° flexion. Subcutaneous transposition actually increased the repair gap when the elbow was in an extended position. Conclusions An intramuscular transposition with the elbow in 90° flexion provided the best gap reduction. However, post-neurorrhaphy mobilization may compromise repair site integrity and vascularity if elbow flexion is required to achieve a primary repair, and these factors should be considered carefully when planning treatment. Clinical relevance This study provides guidance on techniques to reduce nerve gap for primary repair of the ulnar nerve at the elbow using transposition and elbow flexion.
Clinical Pulmonary Tuberculosis in an Asthmatic Patient using a Steroid Aerosol

A patient who was receiving a steroid aerosol for treatment of asthma developed clinical pulmonary tuberculosis. Continued administration of the steroid aerosol along with antituberculosis chemotherapy did not adversely influence healing of the pulmonary lesion.
UV–ozone induced growth of a SiOx surface layer on a cross-linked polysiloxane film: characterization and gas separation properties

Abstract A thin SiO x surface layer was formed on porous Nylon ® membranes coated with a cross-linked polysiloxane by exposure to ultraviolet light at room temperature in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. The transformation of the cross-linked polysiloxane to SiO x was monitored by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR), contact angle analysis and atomic force microscopy (AFM). A continuous surface layer of SiO x formed after about 1 h of UV exposure. AFM analysis revealed that a nodular structure with a characteristic size less than 0.5 nm formed after extended UV exposure. Gas permeation measurements on the composite membranes documented interesting gas separation properties: the CO 2 permeance of the cross-linked polysiloxane/Nylon ® composite membrane before irradiation was 8.9×10 −8 mol m −2 s −1 Pa −1 , and the CO 2 /N 2 selectivity was 22; after UV–ozone induced formation of the SiO x surface layer, the permeance decreased to 5.1×10 −8 mol m −2 s −1 Pa −1 while the selectivity for CO 2 /N 2 increased to 48.
Anterior vaginal wall prolapse and voiding dysfunction in urogynecology patients.

We investigated whether women with and without anterior vaginal wall prolapse have voiding differences. Women (n = 109) who presented to a urogynecology practice were categorized into two groups based on anterior vaginal wall prolapse: stages 0 and 1 and stages 2, 3, and 4. Women with prolapse were older than the women without prolapse but the groups were otherwise similar demographically. There was a higher rate of activity-related urine loss and use of wetness protection amongst women without prolapse. There was no significant difference for urgency symptoms or urge incontinence. Urodynamic testing found no significant differences for maximal flow rate or maximal urethral closing pressures. Postvoid residual volume and detrusor overactivity were not different but approached significance. Anterior vaginal wall prolapse of stage 2 or greater was not associated with urge incontinence or voiding function in this population. Women without prolapse were more likely to report stress incontinence.
Focusing on Content: Discourse in L2 Peer Review Groups.

Recent studies on peer review groups in second language classes have focused on various topics, including collaboration (Carr, 2008) and the effect of peer review versus teacher feedback on students' writing (Zhang, 1995). One area that has received little attention is the content of students' speech during peer review. This longitudinal case study examined English as a second language (ESL) students' oral discourse during peer feedback sessions to explore the types of comments ESL students choose to make during peer review sessions. The study was conducted between fall 2009 and summer 2010 at a large urban university in the southeastern United States. Data collection included audio-recorded peer review sessions, interviews with the teacher, and the researchers' observation notes. The researchers thoroughly analyzed the content of the students' discourse during actual peer review sessions. The findings of the study shed light on various aspects of writing ESL that students choose to comment on during peer feedback sessions. The findings may serve as the basis for further research on students' discourse during peer review, teachers' feedback or facilitation of peer review sessions, and issues of collaboration in peer review sessions in ESL classes.
Glutamate induces de novo growth of functional spines in developing cortex

Mature cortical pyramidal neurons receive excitatory inputs onto small protrusions emanating from their dendrites called spines. Spines undergo activity-dependent remodelling, stabilization and pruning during development, and similar structural changes can be triggered by learning and changes in sensory experiences. However, the biochemical triggers and mechanisms of de novo spine formation in the developing brain and the functional significance of new spines to neuronal connectivity are largely unknown. Here we develop an approach to induce and monitor de novo spine formation in real time using combined two-photon laser-scanning microscopy and two-photon laser uncaging of glutamate. Our data demonstrate that, in mouse cortical layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons, glutamate is sufficient to trigger de novo spine growth from the dendrite shaft in a location-specific manner. We find that glutamate-induced spinogenesis requires opening of NMDARs (N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptors) and activation of protein kinase A (PKA) but is independent of calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) and tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) receptors. Furthermore, newly formed spines express glutamate receptors and are rapidly functional such that they transduce presynaptic activity into postsynaptic signals. Together, our data demonstrate that early neural connectivity is shaped by activity in a spatially precise manner and that nascent dendrite spines are rapidly functionally incorporated into cortical circuits.
Release of full-length 55-kDa TNF receptor 1 in exosome-like vesicles: A mechanism for generation of soluble cytokine receptors

Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRs) are important modulators of TNF bioactivity. Proteolytic cleavage of the 28-kDa ectodomain of TNFR1 has been recognized as the mechanism by which soluble TNFR is shed. We now describe the release of exosome-like vesicles as a mechanism for the generation of soluble, full-length 55-kDa TNFR1. We found unexpectedly that the predominant form of soluble TNFR1 in human serum and lung epithelial lining fluid is a full-length 55-kDa protein. Furthermore, supernatants from human vascular endothelial cells contain only full-length 55-kDa TNFR1 that can be sedimented by high-speed centrifugation, floated on sucrose gradients at a density of 1.1 g/ml, and associated with vesicles that range in diameter from 20 nm to 50 nm. We conclude that the release of TNFR1 exosome-like vesicles represents a previously unrecognized mechanism by which constitutive production of soluble cytokine receptors may be regulated, independent of ectodomain cleavage by receptor sheddases.
Depressive rumination and the C957T polymorphism of the DRD2 gene

Depressed individuals who ruminate have difficulties learning from punishment and suppressing task-irrelevant information. The C957T polymorphism of the DRD2 gene, which affects functioning of D2 dopamine receptors (DRD2) that are expressed predominantly in the indirect pathway of the basal ganglia, has been found to influence suppression and punishment learning. Given these associations, we examined in the present study whether depressive rumination is related to the C957T polymorphism in 317 clinically depressed individuals and 317 never-depressed control individuals. A 2 × 2 (diagnostic group ×C957T polymorphism) analysis of variance conducted on depressive rumination scores yielded a significant interaction of group and C957T: Individuals with two 957C alleles reported higher levels of depressive rumination than did individuals with one or two 957T alleles if they were depressed, but not if they were healthy. The present findings suggest that the dopaminergic system and DRD2 are related to the frequency of maladaptive rumination in depressed individuals. Thus, DRD2 may be an important target for the pharmacological treatment of depressive rumination.
Immunocytochemical localization of aspartate aminotransferase and glutaminase immunoreactivities in the cerebellum.

Abstract The distributions of glutaminase and aspartate aminotransferase were studied immunocytochemically in the cerebellum of the guinea pig and the rat. In the granule cell layer, botantibodies gave a similar staining pattern. Granule cell bodies were labeled, but staining was also found to lie outside the cell body, associated witwhat appear to be synaptic processes. In the molecular and Purkinje cell layers, aspartate aminotransperase was constrated in stellate and basket cell bodies and in terminal baskets Purkinje cells. Glutaminase, however, was not concentrated in these structures.
Which infants should live? On the usefulness and limitations of Robert Weir's selective nontreatment of handicapped newborns

The moral dilemmas of selective nontreatment of handicapped newborns have been widely discussed in the United States since the early 1970s. Weir's book is the first systematic ethical analysis of the pertinent legal and medical factors. His book is reviewed in light of the current government regulations and the formation of Infant Care Review Committees in U.S. hospitals. Weir develops ethical criteria for decision-making about malformed infants and suggests decisions about treatment be made on the basis of disease categories. The implications of Weir's recommendations for a number of critical cases are discussed.
Biomass development for intensively managed loblolly pine plantations growing on Spodosols in the southeastern USA

Abstract Few published studies exist for intensively managed loblolly pine stands that document both above- and below-ground biomass accumulation over time. Site-specific biomass estimation equations (i.e., above-ground, above-ground+taproot, total tree including taproot, coarse roots and fine roots) for plantation-grown loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) were developed from 13 intensively managed stands (1–4 yr) established on a common soil type (Spodosols) on the lower Coastal Plain of southern Georgia, USA. Extensive areas of pine plantations have been established on seasonally wet Spodosols, a dominant soil type in this region. Covariance analyses indicated that a single regression equation could be used to predict either above-ground or total tree biomass for 1- and 2-yr-old or 3- and 4-yr-old stands across all locations. Variations in the allometric relationships among sites were perhaps reduced because of the intensive understory competition control and fertilizer treatments that were applied to enhance growth. Leaf area accretion rates for these developing stands were rapid and largely sigmoidal, reaching a high of approximately 10.5 (all-sided) after three growing seasons. Total biomass increment ranged from about 2.0 Mg ha−1 yr−1 at age 1 yr to 10 Mg ha−1 yr−1 at ages 2 and 3 yr (total standing crop biomass at age 3 yr =22.8 Mg ha −1 ). The largest increase in total biomass increment, approaching 25 Mg ha−1 yr−1, occurred during the fourth growing season (total standing crop biomass =48.1 Mg ha −1 ). Roots (tap, coarse and fine) accounted for 32% of total biomass production at age 4 yr. Estimates of net annual biomass production documented in this study approach the upper limits of biological potential previously reported for this species within its native range. With the advent of advanced silvicultural systems that have combined genotype deployment, density control, and increased nutrient availability, differences between actual production and biological potential have become much narrower for loblolly pine over the last two decades.
A Phylogenomic Inventory of Meiotic Genes: Evidence for Sex in Giardia and an Early Eukaryotic Origin of Meiosis

Sexual reproduction in eukaryotes is accomplished by meiosis, a complex and specialized process of cell division that results in haploid cells (e.g., gametes). The stereotypical reductive division in meiosis is a major evolutionary innovation in eukaryotic cells, and delineating its history is key to understanding the evolution of sex. Meiosis arose early in eukaryotic evolution, but when and how meiosis arose and whether all eukaryotes have meiosis remain open questions. The known phylogenetic distribution of meiosis comprises plants, animals, fungi, and numerous protists. Diplomonads including Giardia intestinalis (syn. G. lamblia) are not known to have a sexual cycle; these protists may be an early-diverging lineage and could represent a premeiotic stage in eukaryotic evolution. We surveyed the ongoing G. intestinalis genome project data and have identified, verified, and analyzed a core set of putative meiotic genes-including five meiosis-specific genes-that are widely present among sexual eukaryotes. The presence of these genes indicates that: (1) Giardia is capable of meiosis and, thus, sexual reproduction, (2) the evolution of meiosis occurred early in eukaryotic evolution, and (3) the conserved meiotic machinery comprises a large set of genes that encode a variety of component proteins, including those involved in meiotic recombination.
A Comparison of Computer Input Devices: Linus Pen, Mouse, Cursor Keys and Keyboard

Four input devices were compared in a data entry task by speed and accuracy scores. The input devices were: Linus pen (a handwriting recognition system), optical mouse, cursor keys, and alphabetic ...
Transfer of copper from a chelated 67Cu-antibody conjugate to ceruloplasmin in lymphoma patients

Abstract The Lym-1 monoclonal antibody was conjugated with the bifunctional chelating agent 6-[ p -(bromoacetamido)benzyl]-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane- N,N′,N″,N‴ -tetraacetic acid (BAT), using 2IT as a linker, and radiolabeled with 67 Cu to make the radiopharmaceutical, 67 Cu-2IT-BAT-Lym-1. Ten patients received a total of 18 doses of 67 Cu-2IT-BAT-Lym-1 as targeted, systemic radiotherapy. The beta phase of blood clearance, when corrected for 67 Cu decay, was positive or flat, a phenomenon not observed in similar patients treated with 131 I-Lym-1. The flat beta phase of blood clearance suggested recycling of 67 Cu from 67 Cu-2IT-BAT-Lym-1 to another plasma protein. Therefore, the amount of 67 Cu transferred from the radiopharmaceutical to CP, Alb, and TF was measured using affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies. The fraction of plasma 67 Cu precipitated by anti-human CP increased daily; most blood radioactivity was 67 Cu-CP after a median of 4 days (range 2–7 days). The transfer of 67 Cu to CP was observed in all patients and was consistent from dose to dose within the same patient. An average of 2.8 ± 1.5% (range 0.8–7.8%) of the 67 Cu dose (%ID) was transferred to CP. The release rate of 67 Cu-CP from the liver into the blood was 0.9 ± 0.4 %ID/day for the first 3 days. The 67 Cu-CP effective clearance half-life was 3.7 ± 0.7 days. Subtraction of the 67 Cu-CP activity from the total blood radioactivity yielded a biphasic blood clearance similar to that obtained for patients given 131 I-Lym-1. Cu-67-CP increased the AUC for whole blood by 24 ± 10%. The %ID of 67 Cu recycled correlated with GGT, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase levels; r = 0.958 ( p p p r = −0.745, p 67 Cu-2IT-BAT-Lym-1 and recycles a small fraction of the 67 Cu, transferring it to CP.
Impaired Replication of Hepatitis C Virus Containing Mutations in a Conserved NS5B Retinoblastoma Protein-Binding Motif

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) downregulates the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (Rb), a central cell cycle regulator which is also targeted by oncoproteins expressed by DNA tumor viruses. HCV genome replication is also enhanced in proliferating cells. Thus, it is possible that HCV interactions with host cell cycle regulators, such as Rb, have evolved to modify the intracellular environment to promote viral replication. To test this hypothesis and to determine the impact of viral regulation of Rb on HCV replication, we constructed infectious viral genomes containing mutations in the Rb-binding motif of NS5B which ablate the ability of HCV to regulate Rb. These genomes underwent replication in transfected cells but produced variably reduced virus yields. One mutant, L314A, was severely compromised for replication and rapidly mutated to L314V, thereby restoring both Rb regulation and replication competence. Another mutant, C316A, also failed to downregulate Rb abundance and produced virus yields that were about one-third that of virus with the wild-type (wt) NS5B sequence. Despite this loss of replication competence, purified NS5B-C316A protein was two- to threefold more active than wt NS5B in cell-free polymerase and replicase assays. Although small interfering RNA knockdown of Rb did not rescue the replication fitness of these mutants, we conclude that the defect in replication fitness is not due to defective polymerase or replicase function and is more likely to result from the inability of the mutated NS5B to optimally regulate Rb abundance and thereby modulate host gene expression.
Differences in social difference: examining third party effects on relational stability

Abstract In this paper, I examine the effect that the difference in racial heritage between two actors has on the stability of their social tie. I assume that there is a negative association between cross-race relations and relational stability. I examine the extent to which this negative association is rooted in the interpersonal dynamics within the relation itself or in the pressures derived from third party actors associated with the focal actors. I find that race matters. Cross-race relations are more fragile than comparable same-race relations. However, I find that race matters most when a focal alter is a racial isolate in an individual's social network. I conclude that the negative association between cross-race relations and relational stability is rooted in dynamics around the relation with the racial isolate and not within the relation itself.
Factors influencing the accuracy of early pregnancy detection in cattle by real-time ultrasound scanning of the uterus

Abstract Transrectal real-time ultrasound scanning (5MHz linear array probe) examinations of the uterus were conducted to determine the accuracy of detecting pregnancy and nonpregnancy in 200 Holstein cows and heifers at 16 to 31 d following artificial insemination under field conditions. Two operators separately conducted the examinations. Overall diagnostic accuracy was 62.5%, with a sensitivity of 55.6%, specificity of 70.2%, and a positive predictive value of 67.8%. Diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity were lower (P 0.05) Determination of pregnancy and nonpregnancy, using ultrasound scanning examinations between Days 16 and 31 days postinsemination proved to be significantly less accurate than using palpation per rectum after Day 35 postinsemination. Palpation proved to be 99% accurate in diagnosing pregnancy when compared with breeding and calving records.
Use of microelectrodes in the detection of imipramine in biological fluids

Abstract Enhancement and improvement of many types of electrochemical analysis are realized when very small electrodes (ultramicroelectrodes) are employed. The use of these measurements in the bioanalytical application of sensing and detecting nanogram quantities of imipramine in urine and serum is investigated. The electrodes are shown to be useful for analytical detection of concentrations of imipramine over 3 orders of magnitude, with a lowest concentration of 1 × 10−7M detected.
Predicting potentially plant-available lead in contaminated residential sites

Lead (Pb)-based paints pose a serious health problem to people living in residential settings constructed prior to 1978. Children are at a greater risk to Pb exposure resulting from hand-to-mouth activity in Pb-contaminated residential soils. For soil Pb, the most environmentally friendly, potentially cheap, and visually unobtrusive in situ technology is phytoremediation. However, the limiting factor in a successful phytoremediation strategy is the availability of Pb for plant uptake. The purpose of this study was to establish a relationship between soil properties and the plant-available/exchangeable Pb fraction in the selected Pb-based paint-contaminated residential sites. We selected 20 such sites from two different locations (San Antonio, Texas and Baltimore, Maryland) with varying soil properties and total soil Pb concentrations ranging between 256 and 4,182 mg kg(-1). Despite higher Pb levels in these soils that exceeds US EPA permissible limit of 400 mg kg(-1), it is known that the plant-available Pb pools are significantly lower because of their sorption to soil components such as organic matter, Fe-Mn oxides, and clays, and their precipitation in the form of carbonates, hydroxides, and phosphates. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering showed that the potentially plant-available Pb fraction is controlled by soil pH in the case of acidic Baltimore soils, while soil organic matter plays a major role in alkaline San Antonio soils. Statistical models developed suggest that Pb is likely to be more available for plant uptake in Baltimore soils and a chelant-assisted phytoextraction strategy will be potentially necessary for San Antonio soils in mobilizing Pb from complexed pool to the plant-available pool. A thorough knowledge of site-specific factors is therefore essential in developing a suitable and successful phytoremediation model.
Alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment of spontaneously diabetic nonobese diabetic mice receiving islet allografts.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a serine protease inhibitor able to prevent diabetes onset in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice and to prolong islet allograft survival in a nonautoimmune murine model. In this study, we explored the effect of chronic administration of human AAT (hAAT) on allogeneic (C57BL/6) islet graft survival in spontaneously diabetic female NOD mice. Mice received intraperitoneal treatment with saline, Prolastin (1 or 2 mg/mouse) or Aralast (2 mg/mouse) on days -1, 0, 3, 6, and 9. Saline-treated mice rejected the grafts 10.0 +/- 2.5 days after transplantation (n = 9). Prolastin 1 mg (n = 9) and 2 mg (n = 3) resulted in rejection on 8.7 +/- 1.4 (not significant) and 13.0 +/- 4.3 days (P 100 days).
Real-time imaging of surface evolution driven by variable-energy ion irradiation

We describe the design of a tandem instrument combining a low-energy electron microscope (LEEM) and a negative ion accelerator. This instrument provides video rate imaging of surface microtopography and the dynamics of its evolution during irradiation by energetic ions, at temperatures up to 1700 K. The negative ion beam is incident on the sample at normal incidence with impact energies selectable in the range 0-5 keV, and with current densities up to 30 muA/cm2 ( approximately 2 x 10(14)ions/cm2 s or approximately 0.2 ML/s). The LEEM operates at a base pressure in the 10(-9)Pa range. We describe the design and operating principles of the instrument and present examples of Pt(111) and Si(001) self-ion irradiation experiments.
The prevalence of potentially modifiable functional deficits and the subsequent use of occupational and physical therapy by older adults with cancer.

Background Occupational and physical therapy (OT/PT) services seek to reduce morbidity, mortality, and improve the quality of life of individuals; however, little is known about the needs and use of OT/PT for older adults with cancer. The goal of this study was to describe the functional deficits and their associations with other factors, and to examine the use of OT/PT after a noted functional deficit.
Determinants of Migraine Emergency Department Utilization in the Georgia Medicaid Population

Objective.—This study examined factors that may predispose migraine patients to emergency department (ED) visits. Background.—Headache is noted as the sixth most common reason for ED visits. Previous studies found that migraine headache patients may repeatedly use ED services for headache care. An understanding of the profile of patients who are at high risk of using the ED is important so that interventions to reduce ED use for nonurgent care can be targeted to those that are affected the most. Methods.—Retrospective analysis of medical and prescription claims data was performed. Patients who had at least 1 migraine medical claim (ICD-9 of 346.xx) or 1 prescription claim of a triptan or ergot medication between January 2002 and December 2005, and were continuously eligible for at least 6 months before and 12 months after the date of the first migraine medical or prescription claim (index date) were included in the analysis. Results.—A total of 43,791 migraine patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 31 years (SD = 17). About 77% were females and 56% were whites. About 7% patients used a butalbital medication and 28% used a narcotic medication 6 months before index date. About 3% (n = 1211) patients had at least 1 migraine ED visit during the 12 months after index date. Female, non-white patients or patients residing in counties that had fewer general practice physicians or more hospitals were significantly more likely to use the ED for migraine. Prior butalbital use had no effect on ED use, but prior narcotic medication use significantly increased the risk of ED visit. Conclusions.—Patient demographics and health care resource availability significantly affected the likelihood of ED use of diagnosed migraine patients. Additional research is needed for the undiagnosed migraine population to inform the development of interventions to reduce ED utilization for migraines.
Corrigendum to “Acute Amiodarone Pulmonary Toxicity after Drug Holiday: A Case Report and Review of the Literature”

In the paper titled “Acute Amiodarone Pulmonary Toxicity after Drug Holiday: A Case Report and Review of the Literature” [1], the fifth author's name (Toufik Mahfood Haddad) is corrected as follows. First name is Toufik and last name is Mahfood Haddad.
Pathological Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder

We review the literature on pathological narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and describe a significant criterion problem related to four inconsistencies in phenotypic descriptions and taxonomic models across clinical theory, research, and practice; psychiatric diagnosis; and social/personality psychology. This impedes scientific synthesis, weakens narcissism's nomological net, and contributes to a discrepancy between low prevalence rates of NPD and higher rates of practitioner-diagnosed pathological narcissism, along with an enormous clinical literature on narcissistic disturbances. Criterion issues must be resolved, including clarification of the nature of normal and pathological narcissism, incorporation of the two broad phenotypic themes of narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability into revised diagnostic criteria and assessment instruments, elimination of references to overt and covert narcissism that reify these modes of expression as distinct narcissistic types, and...
Task-space tracking control of robot manipulators via quaternion feedback

In this paper, we consider the problem of task-space tracking control of robot manipulators. Based on a quaternion representation of the end-effector orientation, we design a class of task-space controllers that ensure asymptotic end-effector position and orientation tracking. To facilitate the control design, we first develop model-based and adaptive full-state feedback controllers. We then present a model-based output feedback controller that eliminates link velocity measurements via a model-based observer. The application of the proposed control strategy to redundant robots is also discussed. Simulation results based on a six-link manipulator system are presented for the output feedback controller.
An SSR genetic map of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench and its comparison to a published genetic map

Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench is an important grain and forage crop grown worldwide. We developed a simple sequence repeat (SSR) linkage map for sorghum using 352 publicly available SSR primer pairs ...
BRCA1 and p53: compensatory roles in DNA repair

The BRCA1 breast cancer susceptibility gene has been implicated in many cellular processes, yet its specific mechanism of tumor suppression remains unclear. BRCA1 plays a role in several DNA repair pathways including nucleotide excision repair (NER). Loss of the p53 tumor suppressor gene, a key regulator of NER, is an important and necessary event in the pathogenesis of BRCA1-mutated tumors. Here we discuss the role of BRCA1 and NER in breast cancer and the interactions of BRCA1 with p53 in breast tumorigenesis and suggest approaches for risk assessment and chemotherapeutic management of BRCA1-related breast cancer.
Analysis of defect tolerance in molecular electronics using information-theoretic measures

Molecular electronics such as silicon nanowires (NW) and carbon nanotubes (NT) are considered to be the fabric of next generation nanocomputing. However, the excessive defects caused by bottom-up self-assembly fabrication have become a fundamental obstacle for achieving reliable computation in molecular systems. In this paper, we present an information-theoretic approach to investigate the intrinsic relationship between defect tolerance and inherence redundancy in molecular crossbar systems. By modeling molecular crossbar systems as an information processing medium, we determine the information transfer capacity, which can be interpreted as the upper bound on reliability that a molecular crossbar can achieve. The proposed method allows us to evaluate the effectiveness of redundancy-based defect tolerance in a quantitative manner.
Model predictive control of vehicle maneuvers with guaranteed completion time and robust feasibility

A formulation for model predictive control is presented for application to vehicle maneuvering problems in which the target regions need not contain equilibrium points. Examples include a spacecraft rendezvous approach to a radial separation form the target and a UAV required to fly through several waypoints. Previous forms of MPC are not applicable to this class of problems because they are tailored to the control of plants about steady-state conditions. Mixed-integer linear programming is used to solve the trajectory optimizations, allowing the inclusion of non-convex avoidance constraints. Analytical proofs are given to show that the problem will always be completed in finite time and that, subject to initial feasibility, the optimization solved at each step will always be feasible in the presence of a bounded disturbance. The formulation is demonstrated in several simulations, including both aircraft and spacecraft, with extension to multiple vehicle programs.
High resolution fabrication of Josephson microbridges

Recent advances in fabrication techniques and performance of 100-nm-scale superconducting Josephson microbridges are reviewed. Fabrication requirements imposed by the desired electrical performance are discussed; these lead to very small device dimensions and a three-dimensional structure to ensure good cooling of the active region. Fabrication approaches based on electron-beam lithography and on edge-defined patterning with substrate steps both achieve the desired dimensions and geometries. The self-aligning step-edge approach is simpler and more versatile for dimensions c refractory superconductors. Device performance for recent ultrasmall microbridge devices is summarized and assessed in terms of future limits.
Adenylyl Cyclase 5: A New Clue in the Search for the "Fountain of Youth"?

The adenylyl cyclase (AC)-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway is involved in a number of important physiological functions in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. A report now indicates that genetic disruption of AC5 increases mouse life span and confers resistance to aging-related conditions, including bone loss and cardiomyopathies. It is proposed that these beneficial effects may be the result of the increased activity of second messenger signaling proteins such as mitogen-activated or extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK, also known as MEK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), or of enzymes such as manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) that promote cell survival through protection against oxidative stress and apoptosis. These intriguing findings should stimulate additional research aimed at dissecting the complex cellular mechanisms regulated by AC isoforms and may lead to novel genetic and pharmacological approaches to delay aging-related conditions and to extend life span.
To Be or Not to Be? Citizens United and the Corporate Form

In Citizens United vs. FEC, the Supreme Court struck down a Federal ban on direct corporate expenditures on political campaigns. The decision has been widely criticized and praised as a matter of First Amendment law. But it is also interesting as another step in the evolution of our legal views of the corporation. The thesis of this Article is that by viewing Citizens United through the prism of theories about the corporate form, it is possible to understand why both the majority and the dissent departed from previous Supreme Court cases on the First Amendment rights of corporations, and to predict what arguments can be expected next.
Shedding of the endothelial glycocalyx in arterioles, capillaries, and venules and its effect on capillary hemodynamics during inflammation

The endothelial glycocalyx has been identified as a barrier to transvascular exchange of fluid, macromolecules, and leukocyte-endothelium [endothelial cell (EC)] adhesion during the inflammatory process. Shedding of glycans and structural changes of the glycocalyx have been shown to occur in response to several agonists. To elucidate the effects of glycan shedding on microvascular hemodynamics and capillary resistance to flow, glycan shedding in microvessels in mesentery (rat) was induced by superfusion with 10(-7) M fMLP. Shedding was quantified by reductions of fluorescently labeled lectin (BS-1) bound to the EC and reductions in thickness of the barrier to infiltration of 70-kDa dextran on the EC surface. Red cell velocities (two-slit technique), pressure drops (dual servo-null method), and capillary hematocrit (direct cell counting) were measured in parallel experiments. The results indicate that fMLP caused shedding of glycans in all microvessels with reductions in thickness of the barrier to 70-kDa dextran of 110, 80, and 123 nm, in arterioles, capillaries, and venules, respectively. Intravascular volumetric flows fell proportionately in all three divisions in response to rapid obstruction of venules by white blood cell (WBC)-EC adhesion, and capillary resistance to flow rose 18% due to diminished deformability of activated WBCs. Capillary resistance fell significantly 26% over a 30-min period, as glycans were shed from the EC surface to increase effective capillary diameter, whereas capillary hematocrit and anatomic diameter remained invariant. This decrease in capillary resistance mitigates the increase in resistance due to diminished WBC deformability, and hence these concurrent rheological events may be of equal importance in affecting capillary flow during the inflammatory process.
Uncoupling Substrate Transport from ATP Hydrolysis in the Escherichia coli Maltose Transporter

Members of the ATP-binding cassette superfamily couple the energy from ATP hydrolysis to the active transport of substrates across the membrane. The maltose transporter, a well characterized model system, consists of a periplasmic maltose-binding protein (MBP) and a multisubunit membrane transporter, MalFGK2. On the basis of the structure of the MBP-MalFGK2 complex in an outward-facing conformation (Oldham, M. L., Khare, D., Quiocho, F. A., Davidson, A. L., and Chen, J. (2007) Nature 450, 515–521), we identified two mutants in transmembrane domains MalF and MalG that generated futile cycling; although interaction with MBP stimulated the ATPase activity of the transporter, maltose was not transported. Both mutants appeared to disrupt the normal transfer of maltose from MBP to MalFGK2. In the first case, substitution of aspartate for glycine in the maltose-binding site of MalF likely generated a futile cycle by preventing maltose from binding to MalFGK2 during the catalytic cycle. In the second case, a four-residue deletion of a periplasmic loop of MalG limited its reach into the maltose-binding pocket of MBP, allowing maltose to remain associated with MBP during the catalytic cycle. Retention of maltose in the MBP binding site in the deletion mutant, as well as insertion of this loop into the binding site in the wild type, was detected by EPR as a change in mobility of a nitroxide spin label positioned near the maltose-binding pocket of MBP.
CaMKII regulation in information processing and storage

The Ca 2+ /Calmodulin(CaM)-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is activated by Ca 2+ /CaM, but becomes partially autonomous (Ca 2+ -independent) upon autophosphorylation at T286. This hallmark feature of CaMKII regulation provides a form of molecular memory and is indeed important in long-term potentiation (LTP) of excitatory synapse strength and memory formation. However, emerging evidence supports a direct role in information processing, while storage of synaptic information may instead be mediated by regulated interaction of CaMKII with the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) complex. These and other CaMKII regulation mechanisms are discussed here in the context of the kinase structure and their impact on postsynaptic functions. Recent findings also implicate CaMKII in long-term depression (LTD), as well as functional roles at inhibitory synapses, lending renewed emphasis on better understanding the spatiotemporal control of CaMKII regulation.
Influence of protein abundance on high-throughput protein-protein interaction detection.

Experimental protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks are increasingly being exploited in diverse ways for biological discovery. Accordingly, it is vital to discern their underlying natures by identifying and classifying the various types of deterministic (specific) and probabilistic (nonspecific) interactions detected. To this end, we have analyzed PPI networks determined using a range of high-throughput experimental techniques with the aim of systematically quantifying any biases that arise from the varying cellular abundances of the proteins. We confirm that PPI networks determined using affinity purification methods for yeast and Eschericia coli incorporate a correlation between protein degree, or number of interactions, and cellular abundance. The observed correlations are small but statistically significant and occur in both unprocessed (raw) and processed (high-confidence) data sets. In contrast, the yeast two-hybrid system yields networks that contain no such relationship. While previously commented based on mRNA abundance, our more extensive analysis based on protein abundance confirms a systematic difference between PPI networks determined from the two technologies. We additionally demonstrate that the centrality-lethality rule, which implies that higher-degree proteins are more likely to be essential, may be misleading, as protein abundance measurements identify essential proteins to be more prevalent than nonessential proteins. In fact, we generally find that when there is a degree/abundance correlation, the degree distributions of nonessential and essential proteins are also disparate. Conversely, when there is no degree/abundance correlation, the degree distributions of nonessential and essential proteins are not different. However, we show that essentiality manifests itself as a biological property in all of the yeast PPI networks investigated here via enrichments of interactions between essential proteins. These findings provide valuable insights into the underlying natures of the various high-throughput technologies utilized to detect PPIs and should lead to more effective strategies for the inference and analysis of high-quality PPI data sets.
The not-a-knot piecewise interpolatory cubic polynomial

In this paper, the main idea of the not-a-knot cubic spline of De Boor [8] will be extended to all the interior points (knots) of the spline interval to obtain a piecewise interpolatory cubic polynomial. Instead of the original and conventional not-a-knot cubic spline, to construct this piecewise polynomial we do not need to solve a tridiagonal system of linear equations, and this provides a shortcut which helps us save the time of doing more computations. The order of convergence of this piecewise cubic polynomial is O(h^4).