cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cross-bridge scheme and force per cross-bridge state in skinned rabbit psoas muscle fibers.

The rate and association constants (kinetic constants) which comprise a seven state cross-bridge scheme were deduced by sinusoidal analysis in chemically skinned rabbit psoas muscle fibers at 20 degrees C, 200 mM ionic strength, and during maximal Ca2+ activation (pCa 4.54–4.82). The kinetic constants were then used to calculate the steady state probability of cross-bridges in each state as the function of MgATP, MgADP, and phosphate (Pi) concentrations. This calculation showed that 72% of available cross-bridges were (strongly) attached during our control activation (5 mM MgATP, 8 mM Pi), which agreed approximately with the stiffness ratio (active:rigor, 69 +/- 3%); active stiffness was measured during the control activation, and rigor stiffness after an induction of the rigor state. By assuming that isometric tension is a linear combination of probabilities of cross-bridges in each state, and by measuring tension as the function of MgATP, MgADP, and Pi concentrations, we deduced the force associated with each cross-bridge state. Data from the osmotic compression of muscle fibers by dextran T500 were used to deduce the force associated with one of the cross-bridge states. Our results show that force is highest in the AM*ADP.Pi state (A = actin, M=myosin). Since the state which leads into the AM*ADP.Pi state is the weakly attached AM.ADP.Pi state, we confirm that the force development occurs on Pi isomerization (AM.ADP.Pi --> AM*ADP.Pi). Our results also show that a minimal force change occurs with the release of Pi or MgADP, and that force declines gradually with ADP isomerization (AM*ADP -->AM.ADP), ATP isomerization (AM+ATP-->AM*ATP), and with cross-bridge detachment. Force of the AM state agreed well with force measured after induction of the rigor state, indicating that the AM state is a close approximation of the rigor state. The stiffness results obtained as functions of MgATP, MgADP, and Pi concentrations were generally consistent with the cross-bridge scheme.
Abstract 4667: Circulating microRNA profile predicts disease progression in patients receiving second-line treatment of lapatinib and capecitabine for metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Background: Serum microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported as potential prognostic and/or predictive markers. We described an association between circulating miRNAs targeting the EGFR pathway and clinical outcomes in a phase II open-label, single arm study to evaluate the combination of lapatinib, a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor of EGFR1 and HER-2, and capecitabine in treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer. Methods: Seventeen patients with metastatic, gemcitabine-refractory pancreatic cancer received treatment of lapatinib 1,250 mg PO daily, and capecitabine 1,000 mg/m2 PO twice daily on days 1-14 of each 21-day cycle. The primary endpoint was median overall survival (OS). Serum samples were collected at baseline (before treatment) and every 3 weeks while on study. The expression profile of a panel of miRNAs that are focused on EGFR1 and HER-2 pathways (miR-16, miR-21, miR-210, miR-221, and miR-7) was analyzed for fold change in expression (compared to baseline). Results: Six of the 17 patients had disease progression after 2 cycles (nonresponders), 6 of 17 patients had stable disease and received more than 4 cycles (responders, range 4-22 cycles). The median PFS was 9 weeks (95% CI 7.1-18.9), median OS was 25 weeks (95% CI 11-34). 6-17% patients developed grade 3 adverse events including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, limb edema and fatigue. Serum samples were collected serially from 8 patients (3 nonresponders and 5 responders). The mean survival from the time of enrollment was 6.5 months (median 6.5) in nonresponders v.s. 10.4 months (median 8.3) in responders. The miRNA analysis showed significant up-regulation of circulating miRNAs (target panel) at earlier time point (3-6 weeks) only in the nonresponders but not in the responders (fold change: 5.47 ± 1.47 v.s. 0.66 ± 0.08, p Citation Format: Zheng Wu, Narayan Shivapurkar, John L. Marshall, Jimmy Hwang, Michael J. Pishvaian, Tingting Zhuang, Anton Wellstein, Louis M. Weiner, Lisa Ley, Aiwu R. He. Circulating microRNA profile predicts disease progression in patients receiving second-line treatment of lapatinib and capecitabine for metastatic pancreatic cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4667. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4667
An Observational and Numerical Study of a Cold Front Interacting with the Olympic Mountains during COAST IOP5

Abstract This paper documents the three-dimensional flow and precipitation structures associated with a weak cold front interacting with the Olympic Mountains and the subsequent development of a Puget Sound convergence zone. This study utilizes data collected during COAST IOP5 (the fifth intensive observing period of the Coastal Observation and Simulation with Topography field experiment) that took place on 11–12 December 1993. One of the most important data sources was a NOAA P-3 aircraft, which provided flight-level data, radar reflectivity, and Doppler winds as it circumnavigated the Olympics. Initially, frontal passage along the western foothills of the Olympics was accompanied by a 2°–3°C temperature drop, a rapid wind shift to northwesterlies, and an intense line of precipitation (35–45 dBZ); however, the wind shift and associated precipitation structures attenuated when the front began to ascend the windward slopes of the Olympics. Surface and P-3 observations document the deformation of the front ...
Mechanism of ritonavir changes in methadone pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics I. Evidence against CYP3A mediation of methadone clearance

Ritonavir diminishes methadone plasma concentrations, an effect attributed to CYP3A induction, but the actual mechanisms are unknown. We determined ritonavir effects on stereoselective methadone pharmacokinetics and clinical effects (pupillary miosis) in healthy human immunodeficiency virus-negative volunteers. Subjects received intravenous plus oral (deuterium-labeled) racemic methadone after no ritonavir, short-term (3-day) ritonavir, and steady-state ritonavir. Acute and steady-state ritonavir, respectively, caused 1.5- and 2-fold induction of systemic and apparent oral R- and S-methadone clearances. Ritonavir increased renal clearance 40-50%, and stereoselectively (S > R) increased hepatic methadone N-demethylation 50-80%, extraction twofold, and clearance twofold. Bioavailability was unchanged despite significant inhibition of intestinal P-glycoprotein. Intestinal and hepatic CYP3A was inhibited > 70%. Ritonavir shifted methadone plasma concentration-miosis curves leftward and upward. Rapid ritonavir induction of methadone clearance results from increased renal clearance and induced hepatic metabolism. Induction of methadone metabolism occurred despite profound CYP3A inhibition, suggesting no role for CYP3A in clinical methadone metabolism and clearance. Ritonavir may alter methadone pharmacodynamics.
Transient Control of an Expander Driven Generator in an FCCU Application

Successfully modeling an expander driven generator for a power recovery process is absolutely essential to satisfy the high reliability requirement of three years continuous operation demanded by users. The model, simulation and resultant control system design discussed considers the pressure control requirements of upstream separators, process piping configurations, performance characteristics of the rotating equipment, process valve design and finally process controller algorithms. Several examples of process simulation studies performed will be presented.Copyright © 1990 by ASME
Essential self-adjointness of powers of generators of hyperbolic mixed problems

Abstract The theory of hyperbolic mixed initial-boundary value problems is used to prove the essential self-adjointness of certain differential operators associated with formally symmetric boundary value problems.
Copper outdiffusion from CdZnTe substrates and its effect on the properties of metalorganic chemical vapor deposition-grown HgCdTe

We report that HgCdTe (MCT) epilayers grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition can be doped by copper outdiffusing from CdZnTe substrates. The copper content in the substrates was determined by the choice of the purity of the starting raw materials. Copper diffusion could be controlled by adjusting the tellurium precipitate density in the substrates. Growing on substrates with a high concentration of tellurium precipitates resulted in low doped MCT epilayers whereas a high copper concentration was found in MCT grown on substrates with a lower concentration of tellurium precipitates. A mechanism whereby tellurium precipitates getter copper during the post-growth cooldown of CdZnTe boules and trap copper in the substrates is proposed.
Microwave measurements of the rotational spectrum for cyclopentadienyl—cobalt dicarbonyl

Abstract Rotational transitions in the 6–18 GHz range were measured for cyclopentadienyl—cobalt dicarbonyl (CpCo(CO) 2 ) using a Flygare-Balle type pulsed beam spectrometer. Splitting and additional transitions due to hindered internal rotation and cobalt quadrupole coupling were observed in the spectrum. Analysis of the spectrum provided the rotational constants A =1625(20), B =1257(2) and C =876(2) MHz. This molecule appears to have a tenfold barrier to rotation of the —Co(CO) 2 fragment about the C 5 axis of the Cp group. The potential energy barrier to internal rotation is V 10 =0.82(20) THz (0.3 kJ/mol). The value of the OCCoCO angle was found to be θ=98(5)°. This and other structure parameters will be compared with electron diffraction results. The 59 Co quadrupole coupling components are eQq aa =12(4) MHz and eQq bb =132(4) MHz.
New potential high-energy materials: Oxadiaziridine, N2H2O. High-level calculations

Abstract A recent suggestion that oxadiaziridine, N 2 H 2 O, might act as a potential high-energy density material prompts us to determine the enthalpies of formation and combustion of the two conformational isomers of this compound. As a fundamental measure of the reactivity of N 2 H 2 O, the proton affinity of both isomers was also determined. Gaussian-2, Gaussian-3, and two complete basis set methods were used.
Balancing act? Testing a theory of split-party U.S. Senate delegations *

Why do some states elect split-party U.S. Senate delegations? Fiorina (1992) suggests that his own “balancing” theory might account for the emergence of such opposite–party pairs of Senators. Due primarily to data limitations, previous empirical assessments of whether balancing can appropriately explain the emergence of mixed delegations in the Senate have been limited to aggregate-level analysis. This paper builds on previous scholarship by offering the first individual-level examination of whether balancing theory can appropriately explain divided Senate delegations. We find that individual-level balancing is limited and that when controlling for individual and contextual factors thought to influence vote choice, there is no discernible evidence that voters are considering the makeup of their state's overall Senate delegation when choosing between Senate candidates on offer. Ultimately, our results suggest that candidate-centered campaigns, heterogeneous electorates, and idiosyncratic electoral forces are better explanations for split-party Senate delegations than is any type of strategic, non-proximate voting on the part of citizens.
Increased toxicity of anthracycline antibiotics induced by calcium entry blockers in cultured cardiomyocytes.

Calcium channel blocking drugs have been reported to reduce survival rate of laboratory animals treated with cardiotoxic antitumor anthracyclines. In order to elucidate the mechanisms of this drug interaction, cell toxicity of the anthracyclines, doxorubicin and daunorubicin, was evaluated in primary cultures of cardiac myocytes isolated from neonatal rats. Low concentrations of extracellular calcium ([Ca2+]0) and addition of calcium entry blockers (nifedipine or flunarizine) potentiated myocardial toxicity of anthracyclines as assessed by the release of lactate dehydrogenase from the cells. Accumulation of anthracyclines in the cardiomyocytes was increased by calcium entry blockers (nifedipine, flunarizine, and verapamil) and by low [Ca2+]0; efflux of [3H]daunorubicin from myocardial cells was inhibited by nifedipine. At a dose that exerts only modest calcium channel activity, R-verapamil failed to affect doxorubicin accumulation in cardiomyocytes, whereas the calcium channel activator, (±)-Bay K-8644, reduced the retention of anthracyclines; the calcium channel activity is thus required in order to increase the accumulation of anthracyclines in myocardial cells. Calcium channel blockers are also known to increase intracellular retention and toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs in multidrug resistant tumor cells by inhibiting the efflux of cytotoxic agents from cells; however, the ability of the interacting drugs to inhibit the efflux of chemotherapeutic agents from tumor cells is not dependent on the calcium channel blocking activity. Therefore, the mechanism(s) by which calcium channel blocking drugs increase the accumulation of anthracyclines in resistant tumor cells and myocardial cells may be different. In accordance with previous investigations, the present in vitro study confirmed that anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity may be potentiated by calcium channel blocking drugs. This indicates that, in the association of antineoplastic drugs with agents that reverse multidrug resistance, the potential exists for enhanced damage of normal cells and tissues; further studies are needed to evaluate the relevance of this adverse interaction.
Preantral follicles stimulate luteinizing hormone independent differentiation of ovarian theca-interstitial cells by an intrafollicular paracrine mechanism.

Ovarian thecal cells are thought to differentiate from fibroblast-like precursor cells in the stroma adjacent to developing follicles. Since the precursor cells do not contain LH receptors, a regulator other than LH must initiate thecal differentiation. These studies were designed to test the hypothesis that preantral follicles secrete substances that can stimulate thecal differentiation. Preantral follicles devoid of theca were obtained by limited enzymatic dispersal of 26-day old rat ovaries. Follicles were cultured (5 follicles/well) in 96-well plates containing serum-free medium to generate follicle-conditioned medium (FCM). Isolated theca-interstitial cells (TIC) were cultured (2 days) in 50% FCM, to bioassay for androgen-stimulating activity. Androsterone production was measured by RIA. FCM from follicles of increasing size with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 layers of granulosa cells (GC) stimulated increasing amounts of androsterone suggesting that secretion of androgen-stimulating activity is developmentally regulated in preantral follicles. The androgen-stimulating activity of 7.5-fold concentrated FCM was markedly increased above control levels or the levels stimulated by insulin-like growth factor-I (100 ng/ ml), transforming growth factor-α (100 ng/ml), transforming growth-factor-β1 (10 ng/ml), inhibin A (300 ng/ml), activin A (100 ng/ml), or Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS; 300 ng/ml) suggesting that the bioactive substances were distinct from these intrafollicular growth factors. rFSH stimulated a > 10-fold increase in androgenstimulating activity demonstrating that the bioactivity is hormonally regulated. The bioactivity was sensitive to trypsin digestion but was not inhibited by indomethacin (10 μm) suggesting that it is peptide not prostaglandin in nature. Gel filtration chromatography indicated that the M of the bioactive peptides in FCM ranged from 19 500 to 23 600. Taken together our results demonstrate that preantral follicles secrete thecal differentiating factors (TDFs) that are developmentally and hormonally regulated by FSH. The properties of the TDFs are markedly different from known intrafollicular growth factors and may represent a new paracrine regulator in the ovary that can stimulate LH-independent thecal differentiation.
Finite Alternating-Move Arbitration Schemes and the Equal Area Solution

We start by considering the Alternate Strike (AS) scheme, a real-life arbitration scheme where two parties select an arbitrator by alternately crossing off at each round one name from a given panel of arbitrators. We find out that the AS scheme is not invariant to “bad” alternatives. We then consider another alternating-move scheme, the Voting by Alternating Offers and Vetoes (VAOV) scheme, which is invariant to bad alternatives. We fully characterize the subgame perfect equilibrium outcome sets of these above two schemes in terms of the rankings of the parties over the alternatives only. We also identify some of the typical equilibria of these above two schemes. We then analyze two additional alternating-move schemes in which players’ current proposals have to either honor or enhance their previous proposals. We show that the first scheme’s equilibrium outcome set coincides with that of the AS scheme, and the equilibrium outcome set of the second scheme coincides with that of the VAOV scheme. Finally, it turns out that all schemes’ equilibrium outcome sets converge to the Equal Area solution’s outcome of cooperative bargaining problem, if the alternatives are distributed uniformly over the comprehensive utility possibility set and as the number of alternatives tends to infinity. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Number: C72.
Efficient pumping of minority species stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) by majority species SRS in a microdroplet of a binary mixture

Abstract We have observed that in a binary mixture microdroplet, stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) from the highest-gain mode of the majority species pumps the SRS from the minority species and a weaker-gain mode of the majority species more efficiently than does the input laser. The spatial overlap between the pumping field and the SRS field is an important factor in determining the pumping efficiency. We have numerically studied the effect of spatial overlap. Qualitative discussions are made of the effects of some other factors, such as concentration and Raman gain of the majority species.
Modeling carbon dioxide emissions with a system of differential equations

The objective of the present study is to model carbon dioxide emission data with a system of differential equations. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are one of the key attributable variables in GLOBAL WARMING along with atmospheric temperature. We develop a differential equation for each of six attributable variables that constitute CO2 emissions and a differential system of the sum of the variables. We are using real historical data on the subject phenomenon to develop the analytical form of the equations. We evaluate the quality of the developed model by utilizing a retrofitting process. Having such an analytical system we can obtain good estimates of the rate of change of CO2 emissions, individually and cumulatively as a function of time for near and far target times. Such information is quite useful in strategic planning of the subject matter.
New Onset of Venous Thromboembolism Among Hospitalized Patients at Brigham and Women’s Hospital Is Caused More Often by Prophylaxis Failure Than by Withholding Treatment

Context: Guidelines to prevent venous thromboembolism(VTE) have been widely distributed and generally have been assumed tobe effective. Therefore, among hospitalized patients, the developmentof VTE is thought to occur in the context of omitted prophylaxis. Objectives: To describe hospitalized patients who develop, VTE and to determine whether they received antecedent prophylaxis. Design: Case series. Setting: Brigham and, Women’s Hospital. Patients: Three hundred eighty-fourpatients who developed in-hospital deep venous thrombosis or pulmonaryembolism or who developed VTE within 30 days of prior hospitaldischarge. Main outcome measures: The relationship ofdeveloping new-onset VTE to the use or omission of antecedentin-hospital prophylaxis. Results: Of the 384identified patients, 272 had deep venous thrombosis alone, 62 hadpulmonary embolism alone, and 50 had deep venous thrombosis andpulmonary embolism. Most were medical service patients; fewer than onefourth were general or orthopedic surgery patients. Overall, 52% hadreceived antecedent VTE prophylaxis. Thirteen deaths (3.4%) wereascribed to pulmonary embolism, and prophylaxis was omitted in only 1of those 13 patients. Conclusions: Most deaths frompulmonary embolism among patients hospitalized for other conditionsoccurred in the setting of failed prophylaxis rather than omittedprophylaxis. High-risk patients, especially medical service patients, warrant intensive VTE prophylaxis and close follow-up to ensuresuccessful outcomes.
A Comparison of Dissolution from Commercial Tablets and from Capsules Containing a Powdered Tablet

AbstractIn clinical trials it may be necessary to convert a commercial tablet to a capsule so that the identity of each drug being tested remains unknown until the trial is completed. This study shows that for six commercial tablets, after pulverization and encapsulation of the powder, the in vitro dissolution was faster for one product, slower for two products and essentially unchanged for three products.
Voltammetric behavior of the iron(II)-(III) and cerium(III)-(IV) couples in potentiometric titrations at constant current and amperometric titrations with two indicator electrodes

Abstract The voltammetric behavior at the rotated platinum electrode of the iron(II)-(lII) and cerium (III)-(IV) couples in sulfuric and hydrochloric acids has been investigated The iron and cerium couples are not reversible at a platinum electrode when current flows in the system, and the current-potential curves deviate considerably from those predicted on the basis of reversibility Titration curves for potentiometric titrations at constant current using one and two indicator electrodes are predicted from the current-potential curves and compared with the experimental curves. The degree of reversibility of the iron couple depends greatly on the pretreatment of the electrode The current-potential curves of the iron couple at a platinum electrode coated with a monomolecular film of platinum oxide approach reversibility while those at a clean electrode are highly irreversible Experimental and calculated titration lines for amperometric titrations using two indicator electrodes are compared, and the effects of medium and applied e.m.f. upon the characteristics of the titration curves are considered.
Photobacterium sp. JT-ISH-224 Produces Two Sialyltransferases, α-/β-Galactoside α2,3-Sialyltransferase and β-Galactoside α2,6-Sialyltransferase

A novel bacterium, Photobacterium sp. JT-ISH-224, that produces alpha-/beta-galactoside alpha2,3-sialyltransferase and beta-galactoside alpha2,6-sialyltransferase, was isolated from the gut of a Japanese barracuda. The genes that encode the enzymes were cloned from the genomic library of the bacterium using the genes encoding alpha-/beta-galactoside alpha2,3-sialyltransferase from P. phosphoreum and beta-galactoside alpha2,6-sialyltransferase from P. damselae as probes. The nucleotide sequences were determined, and open reading frames of 1,230 and 1,545 bp for encoding an alpha2,3-sialyltransferase and an alpha2,6-sialyltransferase of 409- and 514-amino acid residues, respectively, were identified. The alpha2,3-sialyltransferase had 92% amino acid sequence identity with the P. phosphoreum alpha2,3-sialyltransferase, whereas the alpha2,6-sialyltransferase had 54% amino acid sequence identity with the P. damselae alpha2,6-sialyltransferase. For both enzymes, the DNA fragments that encoded the full-length protein and its truncated form lacking the putative signal peptide sequence were amplified by a polymerase chain reaction and cloned into an expression vector. Each gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the lysate from each strain had enzymatic activity. The alpha2,3-sialyltransferase catalysed the transfer of N-acetylneuraminic acid (NeuAc) from CMP-NeuAc to lactose, alpha-methyl-galactopyranoside and beta-methyl-galactopyranoside with low apparent K(m) and the alpha2,6-sialyltransferase catalysed the transfer of NeuAc from CMP-NeuAc to lactose with low apparent K(m).
Powered ankle-foot prosthesis

The minimum level of series compliance that adequately protects the transmission from damage during foot collision fails to satisfy bandwidth requirements. As a resolution to this difficulty, parallel motor elasticity is used to lower the forces borne by the SEA, enhancing system force bandwidth. To minimize prosthesis cost of transport (COT) and motor or transmission size, we select a parallel stiffness that supplies the necessary ankle stiffness during early stance period dorsiflexion, eliminating the need for SEA during that gait phase. In future investigations, we hope to apply the ankle-foot design to robotic, orthotic, and exoskeletal applications. In the design of biomimetic ankle-foot systems, we feel both series and parallel motor elasticity are of paramount importance.
Tree population dynamics in relation to climate and forest history in the Oswegatchie Plains, northern New York

This study was conducted to describe the age structure and variation in annual radial growth in populations of Pinus strobus, Larix laricina, and Prunus serotina as a means of characterizing tree establishment in the Oswegatchie Plains, a shrub barren surrounded by forest in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York. Population age structure was determined in 10 m wide transects established perpendicular to the plain-forest border. Age of individual stems was determined by counts of internodes for pine seedlings, counts of growth rings on cut larch seedlings, and counts of growth rings in increment cores extracted from larger stems of all three species. Variation in tree annual radial growth was described by measuring the width of individual growth rings on increment cores and analyzing the data in relation to climatic and historical records of the site.
Interplanetary streams and their interaction with the earth

Plasma and magnetic field observations of interplanetary streams near 1 AU are summarized. Two types of streams have been identified corotating streams and flare-associated, and other flow patterns are present due to interactions among streams. The theory of corotating streams, which attributes them to a high temperature region near the sun, satisfactorily explains many of the effects observed at 1 AU. A correspondingly complete theory of flare-associated streams does not exist. Streams are a key link in the chain that connects solar and geomagnetic activity. The factors that most influence geomagnetic activity are probably related to streams and determined by the dynamics of streams. The evolution of streams on scales of 27 days and 11 years probably determines the corresponding variations of geomagnetic activity.
Efferent neuronal control of the nictitating membrane response in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus): a reexamination.

Abstract Four Albino rabbits acquired a classically conditioned nictitating membrane response (NMR) to light, tone, and back shock conditioned stimuli using a paraorbital shock applied to the right eye as the unconditioned stimulus. Electrocoagulation lesions were made in the ipsilateral abducens nucleus of the pons in two animals, and the pontine reticular formation in two animals. Reinstitution of conditioning following surgery (retention test) indicated that the lesions failed to eliminate conditioned or unconditioned responses. This result is surprising in light of recent evidence that efferent control of the rabbit NMR derives solely from motoneurons of the ipsilateral abducens nucleus. Alternative hypotheses are considered.
RECEPTOR-INDEPENDENT ACTIVATORS OF HETEROTRIMERIC G-PROTEIN SIGNALING PATHWAYS

Abstract Heterotrimeric G-protein signaling systems are activated via cell surface receptors possessing the seven-membrane span motif. Several observations suggest the existence of other modes of stimulus input to heterotrimeric G-proteins. As part of an overall effort to identify such proteins we developed a functional screen based upon the pheromone response pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We identified two mammalian proteins, AGS2 and AGS3 (activators of G-proteinsignaling), that activated the pheromone response pathway at the level of heterotrimeric G-proteins in the absence of a typical receptor. β-galactosidase reporter assays in yeast strains expressing different Gα subunits (Gpa1, Gsα, Giα2 (Gpa1(1–41)), Giα3(Gpa1(1–41)), Gα16(Gpa1(1–41))) indicated that AGS proteins selectively activated G-protein heterotrimers. AGS3 was only active in the Giα2 and Giα3genetic backgrounds, whereas AGS2 was active in each of the genetic backgrounds except Gpa1. In protein interaction studies, AGS2 selectively associated with Gβγ, whereas AGS3 bound Gα and exhibited a preference for GαGDP versus GαGTPγS. Subsequent studies indicated that the mechanisms of G-protein activation by AGS2 and AGS3 were distinct from that of a typical G-protein-coupled receptor. AGS proteins provide unexpected mechanisms for input to heterotrimeric G-protein signaling pathways. AGS2 and AGS3 may also serve as novel binding partners for Gα and Gβγ that allow the subunits to subserve functions that do not require initial heterotrimer formation.
Manufacturability estimates for optical aspheres.

Some simple measures of the difficulty of a variety of steps in asphere fabrication are defined by reference to fundamental geometric considerations. It is shown that effective approximations can then be exploited when an asphere’s shape is characterized by using a particular orthogonal basis. The efficiency of the results allows them to be used not only as quick manufacturability estimates at the production end, but more importantly as part of an efficient design process that can boost the resulting optical systems’ cost-effectiveness.
Spatial sparsity based indoor localization in wireless sensor network for assistive healthcare

Indoor localization is one of the key topics in the area of wireless networks with increasing applications in assistive healthcare, where tracking the position and actions of the patient or elderly are required for medical observation or accident prevention. Most of the common indoor localization methods are based on estimating one or more location-dependent signal parameters like TOA, AOA or RSS. However, some difficulties and challenges caused by the complex scenarios within a closed space significantly limit the applicability of those existing approaches in an indoor assistive environment, such as the well-known multipath effect. In this paper, we develop a new one-stage localization method based on spatial sparsity of the x-y plane. In this method, we directly estimate the location of the emitter without going through the intermediate stage of TOA or signal strength estimation. We evaluate the performance of the proposed method using Monte Carlo simulation. The results show that the proposed method is (i) very accurate even with a small number of sensors and (ii) very effective in addressing the multi-path issues.
Learning numerical progressions.

Learning of simple numerical progressions and compound progressions formed by combining two or three simple progressions is investigated. In two experiments, time to solution was greater for compound vs simple progressions; greater the higher the progression’s solution level; and greater if the progression consisted of large vs small numbers. A set of strategies is proposed to account for progression learning based on the assumption S computes differences between integers, differences between differences, etc., in a hierarchical fashion. Two measures of progression difficulty, each a summary of the strategies, are proposed; C1 is a count of the number of differences needed to solve a progression; C2 is the same count with higher level differences given more weight. The measures accurately predict in both experiments the mean time to solve 16 different progressions with C2 being somewhat superior. The measures also predict the learning difficulty of 10 other progressions reported by Bjork (1968).
Pharmacokinetics of sulfisoxazole in rabbits with experimental renal failure after single and multiple dosing

Abstract In rabbits injected intravenously with 0.75 mg/kg uranyl nitrate to precipitate acute renal failure, the renal elimination of sulfisoxazole was essentially non-existent 3 days after the injection. In addition a significant (40%) reduction in the metabolic elimination (unbound clearance) was observed in the renal failure animals. Whether the decrease in metabolic clearance is due to a decrease in renal or non-renal metabolism is not clear from the available data. The protein binding dramatically decreased in renal failure animals, with the lowest binding occurring during the multiple dosing therapy. The half-life is greater (2–3 times) and the apparent volume of distribution (unbound) is significantly decreased due to decreased binding in plasma and tissues.
Women's beliefs regarding persistent fatigue.

Investigation of women's perceptions of possible etiologies for and solutions to, persistent fatigue was the purpose of this study. Although factors associated with fatigue have been explored in specific patient populations, little study has addressed the presence of fatigue among women generally thought to be well. A convenience sample of 76 community women participated in audiotaped interviews regarding their perceptions of personal fatigue. Transcribed interview data were content-analyzed for recurrent themes. Results suggest that long-term fatigue is ubiquitous in the lives of many women and that many perceive role burden and stress to be important contributing factors, Many women apply self-care measures to prevent and decrease fatigue, but others are unable to employ helpful strategies. Some respondents were able to identify specific ways in which family and important others could help them to decrease or prevent their fatigue. However, many expressed the belief that significant others were unconcer...
The Nuts and Bolts of Sternal Dehiscence

An eight-year experience (11 patients) with the Knodt rod compression system for sternal reclosure is presented. The system provides a simple, rapid, and safe method for sternal fixation after dehiscence.
Thinking about Cases

Anyone who reflects on the way we go about arguing for or against moral claims is likely to be struck by the central importance we give to thinking about cases. Intuitive reactions to cases—real or imagined—are carefully noted, and then appealed to as providing reason to accept (or reject) various claims. When trying on a general moral theory for size, for example, we typically get a feel for its overall plausibility by considering its implications in a range of cases. Similarly, when we try to refine the statement of a principle meant to cover a fairly specific part of morality, we guide ourselves by testing the various possible revisions against a carefully constructed set of cases (often differing only in rather subtle ways). And when arguing against a claim, we take ourselves to have shown something significant if we can find an intuitively compelling counterexample, and such counterexamples almost always take the form of a description of one or another case where the implications of the claim in question seem implausible. Even when we find ourselves faced with a case where we have no immediate and clear reaction, or where we have such a reaction, but others don't share it and we need to persuade them, in what is probably the most common way of trying to make progress we consider various analogies and disanalogies; that is to say, we appeal to still other cases, and by seeing what we want to say there, we discover (or confirm) what it is plausible to say in the original case. In these and other ways, then, the appeal to cases plays a central and ubiquitous role in our moral thinking.
Information sharing and collaboration practices in reverse logistics

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate how the use of information technology (IT) and supply chain management initiatives (information sharing and collaboration) impact a company's performance in reverse logistics (RL).Design/methodology/approach – A survey based on a previous exploratory research and literature review was sent out to 600 US companies having substantial activities in RL. Issues addressed in the survey, such as IT types deployed, IT operational attributes, information sharing, and collaboration, involve multiple parties in multi‐tier RL networks, extending beyond a simple buyer‐supplier dyad.Findings – The results revealed that the type of IT used per se did not have a differential impact on a company's performance in RL. However, IT operational attributes positively affected RL performance and information sharing and collaboration are critical to RL performance.Practical implications – Investment in IT alone cannot improve a company's performance; managers should take full ...
Three-dimensional simulations of instabilities in a Marangoni-driven, low Prandtl number liquid bridge with magnetic stabilization to verify linear stability theory

The Full-Zone model of a liquid bridge encountered in crystal growth is analyzed via linear stability analysis and three-dimensional spectral element simulations, neglecting gravitational forces, for Prandtl number 0.02. The base state is axisymmetric and steady state. Linear stability predicts the character of flow transitions and the value of ReFZ, the thermocapillary Reynolds number, at which instabilities occur. Previous linear stability findings show that application of a steady, axial magnetic field stabilizes the base state. Previous three-dimensional simulations with no magnetic field predict a first transition that agrees well with linear stability theory. However, these simulations also demonstrated that continued time integration at just slightly higher ReFZ leads to what appears to be periodic flow. Closer inspection and comparison with linear stability theory revealed that this apparent periodicity was actually competition between two steady modes with different axial symmetries. Here an axial magnetic field is applied in three-dimensional simulations and it is verified that the magnetic field does have the intended effect of stabilizing the flow and removing modal competition. The azimuthal flow shows excellent agreement with eigenvectors predicted by linear stability theory.
Fine structure of analogue states in 59Cu, 61Cu, 63Cu and 65Cu

Abstract Differential cross sections were measured at lab angles of 160°, 135°, 120° and 90° for proton elastic scattering on 59 Ni, 60 Ni, 62 Ni and 64 Ni at energies ranging between 1.8 and 3.3 MeV. The 64 Ni(p, n) 64 Cu total yield was measured from threshold (≈ 2.50 MeV) to 3.3 MeV. All data were taken using the TUNL 3 MV Van de Graaff accelerator and high-resolution electrostatic analyser-homogenizer system. A total resolution of 300–450 eV was realized using thin solid targets of the enriched nickel isotopes. There were nine l = 1 analogue states identified in the elastic scattering data. In almost all cases, the analogue state was fragmented into individual fine structure resonances. Spins, parities, total and partial widths were extracted from the data. Spectroscopic factors were obtained using the resonances parameters from the data and calculated single-particle widths. Coulomb energy differences were also extracted for the nine l = 1 analogue states.
Crystallography of fracture facets in a near-alpha titanium alloy

A faceted initiation site is observed in Ti-6242 alloy for both the cyclic and static-loading test conditions. In this experimental study, the crystallographic orientation of the facets has been determined using the electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) technique in conjunction with the quantitative tilt fractography in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Quantitative tilt fractography analysis has been used to determine the spatial orientation of fracture facets. The results indicate that the normal-fatigue (no-dwell) fracture facets are oriented at ∼5 deg with respect to the basal plane; the dwell-fatigue fracture facets are oriented at ∼10 to 15 deg with respect to the basal plane and the static-loading fracture facets are oriented at ∼20 deg with respect to the basal plane. These crystallographic orientation determinations of the fracture facets at the crack-initiation site can be used to obtain an idea about the type of loading that produced them.
KINETICS OF HUMAN CITRATE METABOLISM: STUDIES IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND IN PATIENTS WITH BONE DISEASE.

Kinetic studies of citrate metabolism utilizing a constant infusion technique were carried out in 8 normal subjects and in 15 patients with bone disease. The data were analyzed with reference to a 2-compartment model and computation was made of 4 components. Analysis of the normal data yielded: 1) an initial rapidly equilibrating space or volume of citrate distribution (V) of 197 ± 13 (SE) ml/kg body weight (19.7% of body weight); 2) a primary mixing pool size (P) of 4.7 ± 0.26 mg/kg; 3) a net fractional rate loss (λo) from the equilibrating space of 0.0385 ± 0.00340/min in males and 0.0333 ± 0.00050/min in females; 4) a turnover (T) of 238 ± 8 mg/kg/24 hr. Deviations from normal in citrate kinetics, significant within the limits of the relatively small sample, were noted in female patients with osteoporosis, an increase in λ0 (0.0432±0.00297/min); in generalized Paget's disease, 3-fold increase in pool size (12.2 ± 3.0 mg/kg) and turnover (704±86 mg/kg/24 hr) but normal λ0; in adrenocortical steroid admi...
Understanding and Supporting the Resilience of a New Generation of Combat-Exposed Military Families and Their Children

Taking our nation to war has exposed a generation of military families and children to combat and its consequences. Every dollar spent on bullets, trucks, fuel, and food carried a future ‘tax’ in the form of consequences for psychological and physical health and family relationships. In this commentary, I focus on several themes that emerge from the special collection or articles. For example, I consider how best to define the ecological niche(s) occupied by military-connected children and families. Not surprisingly given significant gaps in our knowledge, evidence regarding the well-being of military-connected children is mixed. I also consider the multi-layered environments within which individuals and families function, recognizing both the challenges and opportunities they provide. The need to respond rapidly to the evolving needs of military families has highlighted the value of both prevention science and implementation science. Public health models emphasizing a full continuum of care that emphasizes not only treatment but also universal, selective, and indicated prevention also are appealing given the uneven density, uncertain locations, and unknown identities of military families in civilian communities (Beardslee 2013; Murphy and Fairbank 2013). Finally, it is important to recognize that we are at the beginning, not the end, of the post-war lifetimes for the new generation of veterans and their families.
Reverse bias measurements of the photoluminescent efficiency of semiconducting organic thin films

Photoluminescent (PL) efficiency measurements are an essential component of the characterization of high efficiency organic light emitting devices. We demonstrate that a reverse bias technique for measuring PL efficiency possesses several advantages. Using a two-tone synchronous detection scheme, it is found that nonlinearities in the reverse bias photoresponse are a probe for the presence of charge transfer states that may confuse the interpretation of PL data. Compared to alternative techniques, reverse bias measurements are also relatively unaffected by photoinduced changes in material properties.
Measuring distances in supported bilayers by fluorescence interference-contrast microscopy: polymer supports and SNARE proteins.

Fluorescence interference-contrast (FLIC) microscopy is a powerful new technique to measure vertical distances from reflective surfaces. A pattern of varying intensity is created by constructive and destructive interference of the incoming and reflected light at the surface of an oxidized silicon chip. Different levels of this pattern are probed by manufacturing silicon chips with terraces of oxide layers of different heights. Fluorescence collected from membranes that are deposited on these terraces is then used to measure the distance of the fluorescent probes from the silicon oxide surface. Here, we applied the method to measure the distance between supported lipid bilayers and the surface of oxidized silicon chips. For plain fluid phosphatidylcholine bilayers, this distance was 1.7 ± 1.0 nm. The cleft distance was increased to 3.9 ± 0.9 nm in bilayers that were supported on a 3400-Da polyethylene glycol cushion. This distance is close to the Flory distance (4.8 nm) that would be expected for a grafted random coil of this polymer. In a second application, the distance of a membrane-bound protein from the membrane surface was measured. The integral membrane protein syntaxin1A/SNAP25 (t-SNARE) was reconstituted into tethered polymer-supported bilayers. A soluble form of the green fluorescent protein/vesicle-associated membrane protein (GFP-VAMP) was bound to the reconstituted t-SNAREs. The distance of the GFP from the membrane surface was 16.5 ± 2.8 nm, indicating an upright orientation of the rod-shaped t-SNARE/v-SNARE complex from the membrane surface.
Throughput-fairness optimization in energy-limited user-relay wireless networks

Throughput and fairness are conflicting objectives in many networking scenarios. To address this issue, relays have been considered/used to improve the overall throughput without sacrificing fairness. However, we observe that in a relay-based wireless network, throughput-based fairness significantly limits the performance of the relay users when they are energy limited. To overcome this issue, we propose the notion of max---min energy efficiency throughput fairness, by which relay users with a higher energy consumption can reap a higher throughput. We further propose an efficient data rate allocation algorithm to achieve the fairness objective in a multi-hop relay wireless network. Simulation results show the advantages of the proposed fairness policy compared to other fairness objectives.