cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel coupling is painless.

The first report that several neurotransmitters, including γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), decreased neuronal action potential duration in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons appeared more than 35 years ago (Dunlap and Fischbach, 1978). Dunlap and Fischbach (1978) realized that the effects of GABA could not occur via the ionotropic GABA receptor—at that time the only known GABA receptor—and that the target ion channel was most likely a voltage-gated calcium (CaV) channel, rather than a NaV or KV channel. They correctly concluded that another type of GABA receptor must exist, which we now know is the G protein–coupled GABA type B (GABAB) receptor. The modulated channel was later identified as the chick homologue of the N-type Ca2+ channel CaV2.2 (α1B) (Cox and Dunlap, 1992), one of three members of the CaV2 family. GABAB receptors in human and rodent sensory neurons and in various expression systems were shown subsequently to inhibit native N-current and recombinant CaV2.2 current, respectively (Raingo et al., 2007; Callaghan et al., 2008; Adams and Berecki, 2013). Inhibition primarily occurs by a voltage-dependent mechanism common to various neurotransmitters whereby Gβγ binds to CaV2.2 slowing channel opening, whereas positive voltage steps relieve this inhibition (Marchetti et al., 1986). The closely related P/Q-type (α1A) channel, CaV2.1, exhibits similar modulation by GABA (Mintz and Bean, 1993). The third member of the CaV2 family, CaV2.3 (α1E), is less susceptible to direct Gβγ modulation than the other two family members (Shekter et al., 1997). The revelation that mice with a deletion in either CaV2.2 or in CaV2.3 exhibited reduced neuropathic pain–like behavior, indicating that these channels participate in pain sensation signaling (Saegusa et al., 2000, 2001), sparked great interest in the regulation of CaV2 inhibition by GABAB receptors in DRG neurons. Astonishingly, however, the precise mechanism of GABAB receptor modulation of CaV2.3 channels has remained ill defined.
A psychological model that integrates ethics in engineering education.

Ethics has become an increasingly important issue within engineering as the profession has become progressively more complex. The need to integrate ethics into an engineering curriculum is well documented, as education does not often sufficiently prepare engineers for the ethical conflicts they experience. Recent research indicates that there is great diversity in the way institutions approach the problem of teaching ethics to undergraduate engineering students; some schools require students to take general ethics courses from philosophical or religious perspectives, while others integrate ethics in existing engineering courses. The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to implement the integration of ethics in engineering education that is pedagogically based on Kohlberg’s stage theory of moral development.
Psychometric evaluation of disease specific quality of life instruments in voice disorders

The objective of this study was to compare the psychometric properties of voice disordered quality of life (VQOL) instruments. Nine VQOL instruments were identified through a comprehensive literature search. Based on specific criteria, four were selected for comprehensive review: Voice Handicap Index (VHI), Voice Activity and Participation Profile (VAPP), Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) and Voice Outcome Survey (VOS). Selected instruments were evaluated based on 11 measurement standards related to item information, versatility, practicality, breadth and depth of health measure, reliability, validity, and responsiveness. VHI and V-RQOL each met 7 of 11 criteria, with VHI showing additional preferable item information, practicality, and reliability over V-RQOL and V-RQOL showing preferable responsiveness properties over VHI. These study results do not support the Social Security Administration's recent conclusion that the VHI meets reliability and validity standards for individual decision making. Nevertheless, the present results do support the use of VHI total scores for clinical use with individual patients, and the use of V-RQOL total scores or individual dimension scores for use with groups of patients.
Stress, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and cortisol patterns in working parents

Whether stress or psychological distress is associated with alterations in diurnal cortisol secretion patterns in healthy adults is still uncertain. In this study, the authors tested for associations between stress or symptoms of depression or anxiety and changes in diurnal cortisol patterns in 91 working parents (57 women and 34 men) across the United States. Saliva samples were collected for cortisol analysis at six timepoints over 2 days. The diurnal cortisol slope and time-weighted average cortisol levels were analysed in relation to (1) two survey measures of stress, (2) diary reports of stress during cortisol sampling, and (3) self-reported depression and anxiety. Cortisol slopes and average cortisol levels varied widely across individuals and within individuals across days. Only two of the 24 associations between stress or psychological symptoms and cortisol were significant at the p < 0.05 level; men with more severe symptoms of anxiety had significantly higher average cortisol levels and women who reported that work was more frequently stressful had significantly lower average cortisol levels. These results highlight the variability of diurnal cortisol secretion patterns in healthy adults and suggest that neither stress nor psychological symptomatology is a strong determinant of differences in diurnal cortisol patterns in healthy individuals. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enterprise computing asset management: a case study

Information technology (IT) is an essential supportive tool as well as a competitive weapon. Unfortunately, the cost of deploying, using and maintaining computers has also increased dramatically. Over time, the computing architecture has moved from being mainframe‐centered towards client/server computing interconnected with mainframes. Consequently, desktop asset management becomes the top priority to such an evolving system of managerial goals, strategies, and implementation tactics. Based on a study of Boeing Company’s infrastructure, this paper first discusses issues of computing asset management as well as the technologies used to manage these assets. In addition to presenting the recommendations given to Boeing, an enterprise computing asset management framework is proposed to encompass important factors in this paper.
Influence of polyethylene glycol density and surface lipid on pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of lipid-calcium-phosphate nanoparticles

The pharmacokinetics (PK) and biodistribution of nanoparticles (NPs) are controlled by a complex array of interrelated, physicochemical and biological factors of NPs. The lipid-bilayer core structure of the Lipid-Calcium-Phosphate (LCP) NPs allows us to examine the effects of the density of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the incorporation of various lipids onto the surface on their fate in vivo. Fluorescence quantification estimated that up to 20% (molar percent of outer leaflet lipids) could be grafted on the surface of LCP NPs. Contrary to the common belief that high level of PEGylation could prevent the uptake of NPs by the reticuloendothelial system (RES) organs such as liver and spleen, a significant amount of the injected dose was observed in the liver. Confocal microscopy revealed that LCP NPs were largely localized in hepatocytes not Kupffer cells. It was further demonstrated that the delivery to hepatocytes was dependent on both the concentration of PEG and the surface lipids. LCP NPs could be directed from hepatocytes to Kupffer cells by decreasing PEG concentration on the particle surface. In addition, LCP NPs with 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) exhibited higher accumulation in the hepatocytes than LCP NPs with dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC). Analysis of the proteins bound to NPs suggested that apolipoprotein E (apoE) might serve as an endogenous targeting ligand for LCP-DOTAP NPs, but not LCP-DOPC NPs. The significant uptake of NPs by the hepatocytes is of great interest to formulation design for oncologic and hepatic drug deliveries.
Trineutron problem clarified

The longstanding disagreement between the predictions of Faddeev and variational calculations on the existence of the trineutron is shown to arise from the potentials used and is not attributable to the difference in approach.
Density Functional Theory Studies of the Interaction of H, S, Ni−H, and Ni−S Complexes with the MoS2 Basal Plane

First principles calculations based on spin-polarized density functional theory and the generalized gradient approximation have been used to study the interaction of atomic and molecular hydrogen and sulfur species with bare and Ni modified MoS2(0001). The calculations employ slab geometries and periodic boundary conditions. Our calculations indicate that H2 can be adsorbed on this surface only when sulfur defect sites are present. In this case a dissociative chemisorption process with an activation barrier of about 22 kcal/mol has been identified. Adsorption of atomic hydrogen is possible on the nondefective surface with binding energies in the range 8−16 kcal/mol. On the sulfur defective surface, the binding energy of atomic hydrogen increases to 62.2 kcal/mol. Similarly, S atoms can adsorb on the bare surface with adsorption energies in the range 33−42 kcal/mol depending on the surface coverage. For the surface with preadsorbed Ni atoms, these atoms can serve as adsorption centers for both Hx and Sx (x...
Self-report of heart activity during stress, actual heart activity, and subsequent ability to control heart rate during feedback

In Experiment 1, subjects viewed a stressful film portraying three industrial accidents and rated how much change in heart rate they thought occurred during the accidents. All subjects returned 1 week later and received the identical treatment. Test-retest reliabilities for changes in heart rate associated with the accidents and for subjects’ self-report ratings of changes in heart rate were significant and were high enough so that measures of each of these two dimensions could be considered stable over 1 week. In Experiment 2, subjects received the same treatment as in Experiment 1 during an initial session and then returned for a second session on the next day. During the second session, all subjects received four 2-min heart-rate increase trials and four 2-min decrease trials with digital feedback. Subjects who were more accurate in self-report of heart activity during stress produced greater heart-rate increase during feedback than subjects who were less accurate in self-report of heart activity. Self-report of heart activity during stress was not related to ability to decrease heart rate when provided with feedback.
On the selection of software defect estimation techniques

Estimating the number of defects in a software product is an important and challenging problem. A multitude of estimation techniques have been proposed for defect prediction. However, not all techniques are applicable in all cases. The selection of the proper approach to use depends on multiple factors: the features of the approach; the availability of resources; and the goals for using the estimated defect data. In this paper a survey of existing estimation techniques and a decision support approach for selecting the most suitable defect estimation technique for a project, with specific goals, is proposed. The results of the ranking are a clear indication that no estimation technique provides a single, comprehensive solution; the selection must be done according to a given scenario. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Location of the “variable end” of Mu DNA within the bacteriophage particle

Abstract When bacteriophage Mu is subjected to mild formaldehyde cross-linking conditions and spread for electron microscopy, the phage heads lyse and one end of the released DNA is found attached to the proximal end of the phage tail. If spreading is performed at pH 11.0–11.2 the DNA exhibits regions of partial denaturation in characteristic locations along the DNA molecule. Examination of the partial denaturation patterns of Mu DNA-tail complexes for wild-type Mu and for the insertion mutant MuX reveals that the tail is attached to a unique end of the DNA. Comparison of denaturation maps of DNA-tail complexes with those of Mu DNA heteroduplexes containing G bubbles and split ends indicates that the tail is attached to the variable end of Mu DNA. Similar analysis of denaturation maps of Mu DNA partially ejected through the tail demonstrates that the variable end is also the first end to be ejected from the phage particle. These results support the hypothesis that the variable end is the last section of Mu DNA to be packaged and the first to be released upon injection.
Effects of information source, pedigree, and reliability on operator interaction with decision support systems.

OBJECTIVE: Two experiments are described that examined operators' perceptions of decision aids. BACKGROUND: Research has suggested certain biases against automation that influence human interaction with automation. We differentiated preconceived biases from post hoc biases and examined their effects on advice acceptance. METHOD: In Study 1 we examined operators' trust in and perceived reliability of humans versus automation of varying pedigree (expert vs. novice), based on written descriptions of these advisers prior to operators' interacting with these advisers. In Study 2 we examined participants' post hoc trust in, perceived reliability of, and dependence on these advisers after their objective experience of advisers' reliability (90% vs. 70%) in a luggage-screening task. RESULTS: In Study 1 measures of perceived reliability indicated that automation was perceived as more reliable than humans across pedigrees. Measures of trust indicated that automated "novices" were trusted more than human "novices"; human "experts" were trusted more than automated "experts." In Study 2, perceived reliability varied as a function of pedigree, whereas subjective trust was always higher for automation than for humans. Advice acceptance from novice automation was always higher than from novice humans. However, when advisers were 70% reliable, errors generated by expert automation led to a drop in compliance/reliance on expert automation relative to expert humans. CONCLUSION: Preconceived expectations of automation influence the use of these aids in actual tasks. APPLICATION: The results provide a reference point for deriving indices of "optimal" user interaction with decision aids and for developing frameworks of trust in decision support systems. Language: en
Sportfish Harvest Predicted by Summer Chlorophyll‐α Concentration in Midwestern Lakes and Reservoirs

Abstract An index based on the relationship between angler harvest and mean summer phytoplankton standing crop (chlorophyll α) is a basis for estimating the annual yield of sportfishes in midwestern lakes and reservoirs. The relationship is stronger than that between fish yield and total phosphorus, alkalinity, or the morphoedaphic index.
Spacetime visualization of relativistic effects

We have developed an innovative ray-tracing algorithm to describe Relativistic Effects in SpaceTime (“REST”). Our algorithm, called REST-frame, models light rays that have assumed infinite speed in conventional ray-tracing to have a finite speed c in spacetime, and uses general Lorentz Transformation, which connects the spacetime description of a single event in two inertial coordinate systems (frames) that differ by a constant velocity, to perform the relativistic translation and aberration of light rays.In this paper, we report the extension of our previous work for visualizing relativistic motion in spacetime to include relativistic Doppler color shift and the simulation of complex kinematic systems in which objects of different relativistic velocities coexist. Our simulations have produced non-intuitive images showing anisotropic deformation (warping) of space and intensity concentration/spreading of light sources in spacetime. Images of objects undergoing relativistic Doppler shift are also generated.By applying state-of-the-art computation technology and simulation techniques to the earlier quests in Physics that were conducted mainly by thought experiment, we demonstrate, through our new revelations, that REST-frame offers a powerful experimentation tool to study and explore some of the most exciting aspects of the natural world; particularly, the rich physical properties associated with the finite speed of light.
Enantioselective route to key intermediates in the synthesis of carbocyclic phosphoribosyltransferase transition state analogues

Abstract The enantioselective preparation of key intermediates in the synthesis of transition state analogues of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase, (1S,2S,3R,4R)-4-acetoxymethyl-1-bromomethyl-2,3-isopropylidenedioxy-1-toluenesulfonamidocyclopentane (3a) and the 4-nitrobenzenesulfonamido analogue (3b), are described.
Isoforms of yeast cytochrome c oxidase subunit V affect the binuclear reaction center and alter the kinetics of interaction with the isoforms of yeast cytochrome c.

Subunit V, one of the nuclear-coded subunits of yeast cytochrome c oxidase, has two isoforms, Va and Vb. These alter the in vivo intramolecular rates of electron transfer within the holoenzyme (Waterland, R. A., Basu, A., Chance, B., and Poyton, R. O.(1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 4180-4186). The isozyme with Vb has a higher turnover rate and a higher intramolecular transfer rate than the isozyme with Va. To determine how these isoforms affect catalysis, we have examined their effects on the binuclear reaction center and on the interaction between cytochrome c oxidase and the two isoforms, iso-1 and iso-2, of yeast cytochrome c. Infrared spectroscopy of carbon monoxide liganded to heme a3 has revealed a single conformer for the binuclear reaction center in the isozyme with Vb but two discrete conformers in the isozyme with Va. The kinetics of interaction for all four pairwise combinations of isozymes with each subunit V isoform and the two cytochrome c isoforms are biphasic, with high and low affinity electron transfer reactions. In general, the isoforms of cytochrome c and subunit V do not alter the Km but do affect the TNmax. The TNmax for isozymes carrying Vb are higher at both high and low affinity sites for each cytochrome c isoform. Iso-1-cytochrome c supports a higher TNmax than Iso-2-cytochrome c. Surprisingly, the combinatorial effect of both sets of isoforms on TNmax is minimized with the pairs of isoforms (iso-1-cytochrome c and subunit Va or iso-2 and subunit Vb) that are co-expressed in cells. Together, these findings support the conclusion that the subunit V isoforms modulate catalysis and suggest that they do so by affecting the environment or structure of the binuclear reaction center. They also suggest that the co-expression of the two cytochrome c isoforms with two subunit V isoforms serves to minimize differences in electron transfer rates brought about by the subunit V isoforms.
Epidemiology of norovirus infections among diarrhea outpatients in a diarrhea surveillance system in Shanghai, China: a cross-sectional study

Norovirus is an important cause of gastroenteritis both in children and adults. In China, few studies have been conducted on adult populations. This study aimed to determine the contribution of norovirus to gastroenteritis, characterize the features of norovirus infections, compare them with other pathogens, and test the effectiveness of the surveillance system. A citywide surveillance network on diarrhea patients was established. Samples were collected with intervals from both children and adults among diarrhea outpatients in hospitals and tested for viruses using rRT-PCR and for bacteria in CDCs. Patient information was acquired through interviews and recorded into a dedicated online system. The Pearsonχ2 test, multivariate logistic regression models and discriminant models were fitted into its comparisons with the non-norovirus group and other pathogens. Norovirus was detected in 22.91% of sampled diarrhea patients. The seasonal distribution of norovirus infections was different from non-norovirus patients (p < 0.001), with a half-year peak. Higher proportions of males (p = 0.001, OR = 1.303, 95% CI = 1.110-1.529), local citizens (p < 0.001) and officials/clerks (p = 0.001, OR = 1.348, 95% CI = 1.124-1.618) were affected with norovirus when compared with non-norovirus patients. Diarrhea patients affected with norovirus featured nausea (p < 0.001, OR = 1.418, 95% CI = 1.176-1.709) and vomiting (p < 0.001, OR = 1.969, 95% CI = 1.618-2.398), while fewer manifested fever (p = 0.046, OR = 0.758, 95% CI = 0.577-0.996) and abdominal pain (p = 0.018, OR = 0.815, 95% CI = 0.689-0.965). Children were more vulnerable to rotavirus (p = 0.008, OR = 1.637, 95% CI = 1.136-2.358) and bacteria (p = 0.027, OR = 1.511, 95% CI = 1.053-2.169) than norovirus. There was a seasonal difference between the GI and GII genotypes (p < 0.001). Officials or clerks were more easily affected with GI than GII (p = 0.006, OR = 1.888, 95% CI = 1.205-2.958). This study was based on a citywide hospital-sentinel surveillance system with multiple enteric pathogens included. Norovirus was recognized as the most prevalent enteric pathogen in Shanghai. The seasonal peak was from October to April. Males had a higher prevalence than females. Local citizens and officials/clerks were more vulnerable to norovirus than other pathogens. Compared with rotavirus and bacteria, children were less frequently affected by norovirus. Nausea and vomiting were typical of norovirus, whereas fever and abdominal pain were uncommon symptoms of this pathogen. GI and GII infections were centered in different seasons. Officials and clerks were more easily affected by GI than GII.
A selective decrease in the beta cell mass of human islets transplanted into diabetic nude mice

Streptozocin-induced diabetic nude mice (blood glucose 493 +/- 14 mg/dl) received aliquots of 2000 human islet equivalents (IE) under the kidney capsule and were then followed for up to 30 days with measurement of blood glucose concentration and body weight. Characterization of islet aliquots before the implantation included the assessment of the endocrine beta cell and nonbeta cell mass, estimated by point counting morphometry of immunostained sections. Islet transplantation was followed by a rapid decrease in blood glucose levels and by a progressive increase in body weight; 15 days after transplantation mean glycemic levels were 102 +/- 11 mg/dl and further decreased to 70 +/- 3 mg/dl at 30 days. Despite the progressive improvement in the glucose levels, the beta cell mass of the islet grafts significantly decreased over time from 2.63 +/- 0.2 mg, at the time of transplantation, to 1.16 +/- 0.1 and 0.86 +/- 0.1 mg 15 and 30 days, respectively, after transplantation. In contrast, the endocrine nonbeta cell mass remained stable from before the implantation to 30 days after. Therefore, the endocrine nonbeta cell/beta cell ratio increased from 14% at the time of transplantation, to 35% and 37%, 15 and 30 days, respectively, after transplantation. The rate of replication of the transplanted beta cells was similar in the grafts harvested at 15 and 30 days, with the percentage of beta cells positive for bromo-2' deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation being in the range of approximately 0.1% 6 hr after the BrdU injection. These data demonstrate that an important decrease in beta cell mass takes place immediately after islet transplantation--the most dramatic decrease occurring in the first 15 days and persisting even after revascularization has occurred. However, endocrine nonbeta cell mass remained stable indicating that engrafted nonbeta cells are less likely to die than beta cells. The finding that the nonbeta/beta cell ratio of a human islet graft can increase over time, raises questions about whether such a change in islet structure could have an influence upon function.
Translational activation in coliphage Qbeta: on a polycistronic messenger RNA, repression of one gene can activate translation of another.

Abstract We present evidence for translational activation of the Qβ coliphage maturation cistron, mediated by the presence of Qβ replicase. This activation does not require RNA replication, translation of a second gene, or any direct protein-RNA binding at the maturation gene initiation site. Our data support a model in which the Qβ maturation gene remains translationally “off” by two means: (1) the thermodynamic stability of an RNA structure that greatly discourages, but does not eliminate, ribosome access at the maturation start site; and (2) the presence of the stronger, proximal coat gene ribosome binding site. Moreover, maturation gene expression is switched “on” when ribosome entry at the coat initiation site, present on the same polycistronic RNA molecule, is repressed by Qβ replicase, thereby allowing ribosomes to compete for the weaker, upstream maturation start site.
Variable factorization model based on numerical optimization for hyperspectral anomaly detection

The objective of this article is to develop an anomaly detector as an analytical expression for detecting anomalous objects in remote sensing using hyperspectral imaging. Conventional anomaly detectors based on the subspace model have a parameter which is the dimension of the clutter subspace. The range of possible values for this parameter is typically large, resulting in a large number of images of detector output to be analyzed. An anomaly detector with a different parameter is proposed. The pixel of known random variables from a data cube is modeled as a linear transformation of a set of unknown random variables from the clutter subspace plus an error of unknown random variables in which the transformation matrix of constants is also unknown. The dimension of the clutter subspace for each spectral component of the pixel can vary, hence some elements in the transformation matrix are constrained to be zeros. The anomaly detector is the Mahalanobis distance of the resulting residual. The experimental results which are obtained by implementing the anomaly detector as a global anomaly detector in unsupervised mode with background statistics computed from hyperspectral data cubes with wavelengths in the visible and near-infrared range show that the parameter in the anomaly detector has a significantly reduced number of possible values in comparison with conventional anomaly detectors.
Benzo[a]pyrene uptake into rat liver microsomes: effects of adsorption of benzo[a]pyrene to asbestos and non-fibrous mineral particulates.

Abstract The fluorescence yield of benzo[a]pyrene (BP) increases dramatically upon its transfer from the surface of particulates to rat liver microsomes. Adsorption of BP to Canadian chrysotile, anthophyllite, hematite and silica results in greatly enhanced uptake rates into microsomes when compared to uptake from a microcrystalline dispersion of BP. The fibrous minerals chrysotile and anthophyllite were more effective than silica and hematite in enhancing BP uptake. Simple mixtures of BP microcrystals and particles did not display enhanced transport, indicating that adsorption of BP to the particulate surface is necessary for enhanced microsomal uptake. BP was not released into microsomes from carbon black. We suggest that particulate-enhanced availability of BP may be of significance in the co-carcinogenesis between particulates and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. However, other mechanisms are also possible, and are not excluded by our experiments. The fluorescence methodology described in this paper provides a novel and convenient means to quantify microsomal uptake of BP and thereby investigate further the mechanisms of cocarcinogenesis.
A Web-Based Medical Video Indexing Environment

Video indexing is an important process in video content management systems. In this paper, we extend our previous work by presenting a new web-based indexing environment for medical videos. The proposed system provides two ways to describe a video structure: Element Generation and Description Display for Browsing. After shot boundaries are detected, HTML documents combined with SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) elements are generated. SMIL timing and media synchronization elements and attributes manage the location of shot boundaries and allow the users to browse and preview each shot within the video. The system enables browsing the entire content of the video displaying video descriptions for each segmented shot using an embedded media player and Timed Text XML. Through the use of the Timed Text XML file, textual information of the content in every shot is displayed on the media player.
Eye movement during laser in situ keratomileusis

Abstract Purpose To measure eye motion in patients having laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) using a video technique and determine centration and variance of the eye position during surgery. Setting Laser refractive surgery center. Methods The procedure was videotaped in 5 consecutive eyes having LASIK performed by a single surgeon with the VISX Star S2 excimer laser. Following surgery, video images of the eyes were digitized and stored in a computer for processing. Digitized images were obtained at a rate of 25 images per second during the laser procedure. The pupil margin and a visual landmark, such as a scleral blood vessel, were identified in the initial image of each eye. Custom software was used to track the location of the landmark and the pupil center in subsequent images. Results Three of the 5 eyes were well centered on average. The remaining 2 eyes were decentered inferiorly by approximately 0.25 mm. The standard deviation in all eyes was approximately 0.10 mm. Conclusions With these techniques, the position of the entrance pupil center relative to the excimer laser axis could be determined. Although the system is not fast enough to be used during surgery, it does allow quantification of centration and intraoperative motion after surgery.
Semi-automated scoring of triple-probe FISH in human sperm: methods and further validation.

Although the frequency and consequence of sperm chromosomal abnormalities are considerable, few epidemiologic studies in large samples have been conducted to investigate etiologic risk factors. This is, in part, attributable to the labor intensive demands of manual sperm FISH scoring. As part of an epidemiologic study investigating environmental risk factors for aneuploidy among men attending a hospital-based fertility clinic, a semi-automated method of slide scoring was further validated and used to estimate sex chromosome sperm disomy frequency in a large number of samples. Multiprobe fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for chromosomes X, Y, and 18 was used to determine sex chromosome disomy in sperm nuclei. Semi-automated scoring methods were used to quantify X disomy (sperm FISH genotype XX18), Y disomy (YY18), and XY disomy (XY18). The semi-automated results were compared to the results from manual scoring in ten slides. The semi-automated method was then used to estimate sex chromosome disomy frequency in 60 men. Of 10 slides scored, significant differences between the manual and semi-automated results were seen primarily in one slide that was of poor quality because of over swollen nuclei. Among 60 men analyzed using the semi-automated method, median total sex chromosome disomy frequency was 1.65%, which is higher than seen among normal men but within range with reports from fertility clinic populations. These results further validate that semi-automated methods can be used to score sperm disomy with results comparable to manual methods. This is the largest study to date to provide estimates of sex chromosome disomy among men attending fertility clinics. These methods should be replicated in larger clinic populations to arrive at stable estimates of aneuploidy frequency in men who are members of subfertile couples.
Measurement issues with elite athletes

Sport science measurement presents some common and some unique challenges. Common challenges include those of funding, instrumentation availability, size and mass. Unique challenges involve working with celebrity athletes who are often reticent to serve as subjects, coaches who often will not give up training time for measurement, extraordinary demands on ease and speed of measurement and data return, and a different perspective of ‘success’ in conducting research. While the academic scientist's success is usually measured in terms of publications on group data investigations, the sport scientist must improve the specific athlete(s) with whom he/she is working. For example, if an investigation of 20 athletes shows that 15 improved with the intervention, two stayed about the same and three showed worse performance results—statistical significance and/or confidence intervals would likely be achieved and the study would likely meet modern peer review standards. However, if the three athletes who got worse we...
Synthesis of Nanostructured Catalysts & Catalytic Supports

Nanostructured materials processing offers novel engineering of catalytic properties on the nanometer-scale. The ultrafine-grained structures, unique porosity, surface reactivity, and defect chemistry associated with the gas-phase condensation method, sol-gel processing, and pillaring of layered structures are described. The nanostructured catalytic systems not only provide structural tailoring capabilities, but also facilitate understanding of reaction mechanisms through insights to the molecular and electronic interactions.
Material removal model for vibratory finishing

During the past decade, increasing attention has been given to secondary finishing processes as manufacturers seek to improve process efficiency while meeting increasingly stringent cost and product requirements. Although vibratory finishing is widely used, relatively little information is available about material removal and current design practices tend to be empirical. The present paper summarizes the results of a study conducted to investigate material removal in vibratory finishing and to develop a model to describe mass removal rate in terms of key process parameters. The model indicates that the material removal rate remains constant over time and is governed by bowl acceleration, workpiece mass, material properties and workpiece velocity. Results from controlled experimental testing using an instrumented vibratory bowl indicate that the model provides a reasonable representation of the governing process variables.
Injecting drug users, HIV risk behaviour and shooting galleries in Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

The purpose of this study was to investigate HIV risk behaviours of IDUs and the drug scene in Bangladesh. The setting for the study was the city of Rajshahi, in the northwestern area of Bangladesh, which shares a border with India. Sixty-four clients of a drug treatment agency were surveyed about their drug use, drug injecting, sexual behaviour and knowledge about HIV and AIDS. All participants were males with a mean age of 32 years. Most participants had no or little formal education. All participants had injected drugs, primarily buprenorphine. The majority of participants were long-term drug users who had begun injecting drugs recently-70% had commenced injecting in the last 3 years. Sexual contact with sex workers (50%) and with casual partners (85%) was common among participants. Although most participants had heard of AIDS, few knew how HIV is transmitted. Most participants (81%) injected in groups at shooting galleries where they paid another to inject them. The shooting galleries operated without concern for hygiene or user safety. The potential for HIV to spread among IDUs and onto their non-injecting sexual partners in Bangladesh is cause for concern. A rapid assessment of HIV prevalence among IDUs in Bangladesh is urgently required.
Supraceliac aortomesenteric bypass for intestinal ischemia

The supraceliac aorta has received little attention as an inflow site of bypass graft origin for mesenteric arterial reconstruction; this article describes our experience with its use in 10 patients. Ten patients underwent bypass grafts (three vein and seven prosthetic grafts) from the supraceliac aorta incorporating the celiac axis to the superior mesenteric artery. All patients had two- or three-vessel mesenteric arterial occlusion. No operative deaths occurred. Nine patients were studied with postoperative arteriography. Nine of ten patients have had satisfactory results on follow-up from 5 to 99 months (mean 43 months), although two patients required operative revision to achieve this. The operative technique is described, including approach to the aorta in the lower mediastinum via upper abdominal exposure and pancreatic displacement to expose the superior mesenteric artery. This method permits avoidance of the infrarenal aorta, if desired because of atherosclerotic disease or previous operation. Antegrade supraceliac aortomesenteric grafts avoid turbulence and compression of conventional "retrograde" bypass beneath the mesentery. We conclude that supraceliac aortic grafts provide a useful visceral artery reconstruction technique.
THERAPY OF DESMOID TUMORS, FIBROMATOSIS, AND RELATED NEOPLASMS

Forty-seven patients with unresectable desmoid tumors and 32 patients with unresectable fibromatosis were treated with various anti-neoplastic agents including methotrexate, vinblastine, etoposide, actinomycin D, and fluorouracil. A combination of methotrexate with either vinblastine or etoposide was found to be effective in yielding long-term control to both groups of patients. Fluorouracil and actinomycin D were less effective. Other than a significant but slowly reversible peripheral neuropathy in 6 patients, therapy was well tolerated and no long-term hematologic, pulmonary, hepatic, or cardiac toxicity was noted in any patient.
Private Placement of Common Equity and Earnings Expectations

We examine earnings forecast revisions by analysts subsequent to the announcement of private equity placements. Results show that analysts make significant upward revisions to their forecasts for current-year earnings. Furthermore, these forecast revisions are significantly related to announcement-period abnormal returns, but not to the risk changes accompanying the equity placement. These findings are consistent with the information hypothesis, which suggests that private equity placements convey favorable information about future earnings.
Stereochemistry of hydrogen introduction at C-25 in ergosterol synthesized by the mevalonate-independent pathway

Feeding of [1-13C]glucose to Prototheca wickerhamii followed by 13C NMR analysis of the resulting 13C-labeled ergosterol demonstrated this yeast-like alga operates the mevalonate-independent pathway. Based on the 13C NMR signal assignment of [2,6,11,12,16,18,19, 21,23,27-13C10] ergosterol synthesized from [1-13C]glucose indicated the pro-Z methyl group of cycloartenol is derived from C-5 of IPP and that protonation at C-25 of the Δ25(27)-sterol intermediate takes place from the Si-face of Δ25 to form the isopropyl pro-R methyl group.
The effects of intragrain defects on the local photoresponse of polycrystalline silicon solar cells

Abstract Intragrain defects in Wacker cast and Monsanto zone-refined polycrystalline silicon materials were investigated using the electron-beam-induced current (EBIC) technique. The EBIC response maps were compared with etch pit, local diffusion length and local photoresponse measurements. It was determined that the Wacker polycrystalline silicon has a much lower density of defects than does the Monsanto polycrystalline silicon and that most of the defects in the Wacker material are not active recombination sites. A correlation was found between the recombination site density, as determined by EBIC, and the local diffusion length. It is shown that a large density of intragrain recombination sites greatly reduces the minority carrier diffusion length and thus can significantly reduce the photoresponse of solar cells.
Peach vibration bruising: the effect of paper and plastic films between peaches

Laboratory vibration bruising trials were conducted to determine the effectiveness of polypropylene film and paper between peaches in reducing the vibration bruising of peaches. Kinetic coefficient of friction (KCOF) values for peaches in contact with peaches and in contact with a variety of paper and plastic materials were also determined using a modification of ASTM D 1894. The data produced were combined to test the hypothesis that the amount of vibration bruising is proportional to the KCOF of peaches in contact with packaging materials. It was determined that lower KCOF values did correspond to less bruising. This result suggests that the use of paper or film to minimize vibration bruising should be investigated further. Important KCOF values determined were approximately 0.7 for peach-to-peach, 0.4 for peach-to-paper, and 0.2 for peach-to-polypropylene contact. The KCOF value for peach-to-polypropylene contact is a function of the anti-block additives in the particular film utilized. KCOF values were found to be independent of cultivar and maturity. Although KCOF values are a factor in vibration bruising of peaches, other important factors and their effects remain to be identified.
Multilevel Models for Binary Data.

This chapter discusses multilevel models for binary outcomes. Models for categorical data analysis and their multilevel extensions have been used extensively in biostatistics, psychometrics, sociology, and economics but are used somewhat less in other branches of the behavioral and social sciences. After a brief overview of models for binary data and a discussion of multilevel models, two example analyses on institutional data are presented.
A Fuzzy DNA Binding Region in MBD2 Recruits the Histone Deacetylase Core Complex of NuRD and Modifies Kinetics of DNA Binding

The MBD2 protein recruits and assembles the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) complex and thereby uniquely combines binding specificity for methylated DNA with histone deacetylation and chromatin remodeling. This complex has been implicated in methylation dependent silencing of genes during development and aberrant silencing of tumor suppressor genes during carcinogenesis. We have focused on structural and biophysical analyses of MBD2 with the long-term goal of developing methods to disrupt formation of the MBD2-NuRD complex. Along these lines, we have previously characterized and determined the structures of the coiled-coil and methylcytosine binding (MBD) domains of MBD2. More recently we have characterized an intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of ∼120 amino acids linking the MBD and coiled-coil. NMR chemical shift analyses, CD, and AUC show that this region, MBD2(IDR), does not adopt a regular structure in isolation or in the context of full-length protein. Yet the MBD2(IDR) stably binds three proteins that form the histone deacetylase core of NuRD. We show that the first two-thirds of the MBD2IDR are necessary and sufficient to bind the histone deacetylase core while mutating two consecutive within this region is sufficient to abrogate binding to the core complex and disrupt the function of MBD2 in cells. At the same time, adding the MBD2(IDR) to the MBD2(MBD) in vitro modifies DNA binding primarily by reducing the observed off rate and increasing affinity by ∼100 fold. We find that the MBD2(IDR) does not adopt a regular fold in the presence of DNA thereby functioning as a fuzzy DNA binding region. Together our studies show that the IDR of MBD2 plays a dual role both augmenting DNA binding affinity and recruiting a large portion of the NuRD complex.
Electron-phonon coupling in MgB2-like materials: its magnitude and its limits

That very strong coupling of the B-B bond-stretching E2g branch of phonons to the B 2ps bonding hole states is responsible for the remarkable superconductivity in MgB2 is well established. This entirely new manner of driving the superconducting Tc to high levels requires additional analysis. Here recent findings, such as how this strong coupling is related to possible structural instability, are discussed, and investigation into the practical limits of such coupling is initiated.
Overnight Rostral Fluid Shift and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Treatment Resistant Hypertension: Connecting the Dots Clarifies the Picture

The article by Friedman et al1 in the present issue of Hypertension represents a thoughtfully designed study. Their report connects previously established but loosely connected lines of research into a coherent and credible theme with important therapeutic and research implications. First, treatment-resistant hypertension is associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Many patients with treatment-resistant hypertension are abdominally obese and insulin resistant, which is also characteristic of most patients with clinically significant obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, body weight and neck girth do not appear to explain the strength of the association between treatment-resistant hypertension and OSA. Of note, the roles of increased abdominal girth and insulin resistance (hyperinsulinemia), which are associated with increased aldosterone and incident sleep apnea,2,3 as potential mediators of the treatment-resistant hypertension-OSA relationship, are not addressed.4,5 Nevertheless, the importance of the observation of greater overnight rostral fluid shift and severity of OSA …
Statins in patients with CKD prove beneficial in reducing cardiovascular events and mortality but show no benefit in patients on dialysis.

Commentary on: Palmer SC, Craig JC, Navaneethan SD, et al. Benefits and harms of statin therapy for persons with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med 2012;157:263–75. High-quality evidence suggests that chronic kidney disease (CKD) should now be considered a coronary heart disease (CHD) risk equivalent. Although statin therapy consistently reduces coronary events in the general population, the clinical benefits of lipid lowering in persons with CKD are less certain. Although multiple studies have shown possible benefit from statin therapy in early-stage CKD patients, there has been a recent concern that patients with more severe CKD, such as those on dialysis, do not seem to benefit. The authors identified randomised controlled trials with statins from a previously published meta-analysis,1 and supplemented it with recent trials identified in EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Renal Group's Specialised …
Process-Variation Resilient and Voltage-Scalable DCT Architecture for Robust Low-Power Computing

In this paper, we present a novel discrete cosine transform (DCT) architecture that allows aggressive voltage scaling for low-power dissipation, even under process parameter variations with minimal overhead as opposed to existing techniques. Under a scaled supply voltage and/or variations in process parameters, any possible delay errors appear only from the long paths that are designed to be less contributive to output quality. The proposed architecture allows a graceful degradation in the peak SNR (PSNR) under aggressive voltage scaling as well as extreme process variations. Results show that even under large process variations (±3σ around mean threshold voltage) and aggressive supply voltage scaling (at 0.88 V, while the nominal voltage is 1.2 V for a 90-nm technology), there is a gradual degradation of image quality with considerable power savings (71% at PSNR of 23.4 dB) for the proposed architecture, when compared to existing implementations in a 90-nm process technology.