cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Positively Charged Residues in CXCR4 Recognition Probed with Synthetic Peptides

Abstract A high positive charge is the common characteristic shared by the β-sheet region of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and CXCR4 antagonists such as ALX40-4C consisting of nine D-arginines. This raises the question that the positively charged residues may play a role in recognition of CXCR4. To test this hypothesis, two studies were carried out using synthetic peptides. In the first study, peptide analogs possessing amino acid sequences from both the N-terminus and the β-sheet region of SDF-1 were used as models to study the functional role of the β-sheet region of SDF-1. The attachment of positively charged residues to the N-terminal peptide sequence of SDF-1 was found to enhance the ability of the peptides in CXCR4 binding and inhibiting CXCR4-mediated T-tropic HIV-1 entry. In the second study, two peptides containing nine arginines and the N-terminal signal sequence of SDF-1 were used as models to study the receptor binding mechanism of CXCR4 antagonists of high positive charges such as ALX40-4C. One peptide did not show signaling activity as indicated by the lack of calcium influx while another peptide induced unusual calcium influx distinct from that induced by the SDF-1 N-terminal peptide. In addition, the signal induced by the SDF-1 N-terminal peptide was inhibited by ALX40-4C. Therefore, the first study provides experimental support for the role of the highly positive β-sheet region of SDF-1 in CXCR4 binding. The second study suggests that the binding site of ALX40-4C in CXCR4 may partially overlap with that of the SDF-1 N-terminal peptide. Both findings should be valuable for the design of SDF-1 agonists and antagonists.
Effect of isoflavones on lipids and bone turnover markers in menopausal women.

Abstract Objectives : The purpose of this analysis was to compare the effects of two dietary supplements derived from red clover to placebo on lipids and bone turnover markers in symptomatic menopausal women. Methods : The study was a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Two hundred and fifty-two menopausal women ages 45–60 years experiencing ≥35 hot flashes per week were randomly assigned to Promensil ® (82 mg total isoflavones), Rimostil ® (57.2 mg total isoflavones), or placebo. Primary outcome measures were mean absolute changes for HDL-cholesterol, serum osteocalcin, and urinary N-telopeptide. Secondary outcome measures were mean changes of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, the ratio of HDL- to LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides. Results : Ninety-eight percent of participants completed the 12-week protocol. Women taking Rimostil ® or Promensil ® compared to those taking placebo had greater mean increases in HDL-cholesterol; however, this change was small in magnitude ( ® (14.4 mg/dl, P =0.02) or Promensil ® (10.9 mg/dl, P =0.05) compared to those taking placebo. The decrease was primarily among women with elevated baseline triglyceride levels ( P for interaction=0.009). There were no differences in mean changes of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, or the ratio of HDL- to LDL-cholesterol among treatment groups. There were no statistically significant differences among treatment groups for bone turnover markers. Conclusions : Compared with placebo, both of the supplements containing isoflavones decrease levels of triglycerides in symptomatic menopausal women; however, this effect is small in magnitude.
Precise control of the vortex chirality in magnetic nano-rings with deliberately introduced asymmetry

Recent studies on Co and permalloy rings have shown that a totally flux-closed magnetic vortex state could be stable at remanence. The two chiralities of the vortex, clockwise and counterclockwise, have been proposed as the carriers for the stored information in MRAM devices. Our micromagnetic simulations demonstrated that asymmetry in the shape of the ring was responsible for the vortex formation and chirality.
Effect of Testosterone on the Female Hamster Harderian Gland Pigmentation and Ultrastructure

Distinct differences occur in the pigmentation and ultrastructural features of the Harderian glands in male and female hamsters. The results of a study on the effect of testosterone on the fine structure of the female Harderian glands are presented here. Glands from three groups of hamsters were examined at intervals up to 49 days: (1) testosterone injected, receiving 2 mg testosterone propionate in 0.1 ml sesame oil per day; (2) sham-injected, receiving 0.1 ml sesame oil per day; (3) untreated controls. Testosterone injections caused a reduction in the number of dark-brown pigment granules in the acinar cells starting on the 6th day, whereas clusters of tubules, typical of adult male glands, appeared on the 4th day and increased in number thereafter. Lamellar structures, normally present in the female gland, decreased in testosterone treated specimens. These changes reversed after cessation of testosterone treatment. It is concluded that exogenous testosterone administered to female hamsters modifies the pigmentation and ultrastructure of their Harderian glands towards the male type and that this is a reversable phenomenon. There also appears to be an inverse relationship between the presence of tubular clusters in the acinar cells, and the degree of pigmentation.
Stress, coping, and differentiation of self: A test of bowen theory

Differentiation of self from the family of origin is thought to be a significant factor in psychological functioning. Bowen contended that the effects of stress are moderated by differentiation of self, such that high levels of stress would have more impact on individuals lower in differentiation as compared to individuals higher in differentiation in predicting dysfunction. We tested this hypothesis and also assessed the relations among stress, coping, differentiation of self, and dysfunction. Results provided support for Bowen's prediction; differentiation indeed moderated the effects of perceived stress in predicting psychological functioning in expected ways. The interaction of differentiation of self and stress predicted variance in functioning beyond what was accounted for by coping styles, suggesting that although coping and differentiation of self are related, they are not synonymous.
CBS-4 ab initio results on the formation and stability of N-aminoazetidine radical cation and derivatives

Abstract Experimental evidence has recently indicated the role of substituted azetidine radical cations in the electron ionization (EI) mass spectrometric fragmentation of N , N -dimethylhydrazone derivatives of 5- and 6-unsaturated straight-chain aldehydes. Although the 2+2 cycloaddition of ethylene and methyleneamine to form neutral azetidine has a very high energy barrier and is only mildly exothermic, CBS-4 ab initio calculations show that formation of the proposed radical-cation intermediate is strongly exothermic with a low barrier. Further calculations show that the general energetics remain essentially unchanged even when substituents of the type present in the mass spectrometric studies are included. These calculations demonstrate that the proposed new mass spectral fragmentation mechanism is both thermodynamically and kinetically feasible.
Effect of alcohols and selected solvents on serum osmolality measurements

The method by which serum osmolality is measured can significantly affect the result if certain volatiles or solvents are present in the specimen. Commonly available solvents and alcohols were added to aliquots of pooled human serum to produce toxicologically relevant concentrations. Increasing concentrations of carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, mono-n-butyl ether (butyl cellosolve), 1, 1,1 trichloroethylene, toluene, and xylene did not change vapor pressure (VP) or freezing point depression (FPD) osmolality. Acetone, ethanol, isopropanol, and methanol in increasing concentrations produced a linear increase in FPD osmolality, but no change in VP osmolality. Only ethylene glycol produced a linear increase in VP and FPD osmolality across the range of concentrations studied. Despite the excellent correlation between osmolality and ethanol concentration in prepared serum samples, this relationship could not accurately predict patient ethanol concentrations from FPD osmolality. The osmolal gap, "delta" osmolality, (measured FPD minus calculated osmolality) did not correlate with the difference between measured FPD and VP osmolalities. Patient ethanol levels could not be predicted with accuracy using an equation based on the osmolal gap or "delta" osmolality.
A refinement of the potassium tracer method for residential wood smoke

Abstract Potassium has been used as a tracer for the mass of fine particles emitted to the air from residential wood burning stoves and fireplaces. The technique involves measurement by x-ray fluorescence of the total K collected on fine particle filters. Since wind blown soil particles also contain K, a correction for this contribution is made based upon soil analysis or an assumed K Fe ratio in local soil. K in excess of this ratio is considered to be from wood smoke. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate an alternative method for determining wood smoke K. The underlying assumption is that wood smoke K is water soluble but that K in crustal particles is in a mineralized form and only slightly water soluble. Results from analyses of particle samples indicate the two methods yield essentially the same amount of wood smoke K.
Experiments in cooperative manipulation from a flexibly-mounted platform

Abstract Conventional robotic control systems assume the robot to be rigidly mounted to an inertially fixed platform. To expand the application of robots, both on earth and in space, the robots must be made fully usable even if mounted on a moving platform. We present an extended computed-torque controller for single manipulators situated on a moving platform and implement the controllers on an experimental testbed. In this paper we consider a system with two-way dynamic coupling. The platform motion and manipulator motions are each affected by the other: they are totally coupled dynamically. We also present experimental results of multi-manipulator cooperative control from a moving platform. This has been achieved, for the first time, by combining the extended computed-torque controllers with a high-level object-impedance controller.
Nucleus-level clustering for word-independent syllable stress classification

This paper presents a word-independent technique for classifying the syllable stress of spoken English words. The proposed technique improves upon the existing word-independent techniques by utilizing the acoustic differences of various syllable nuclei. Syllables with acoustically similar nuclei are grouped together and a separate stress classifier is trained for each such group. The performance of the proposed group-specific classifiers is analyzed as the number of groups is increased and is also compared with an alternative data-driven clustering based approach. The proposed technique improves the syllable-level accuracy by 5.2% and the word-level accuracy by 1.1%. The corresponding improvements using the data-driven clustering based approach are 0.12% and 0.02%, respectively.
Optimization of a Star Pattern Recognition Algorithm for Attitude Determination Using a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm

Attitude determination for unmanned spacecrafts usually employs star trackers. The specifications for these devices dictate fast, reliable, robust, and autonomous algorithms to satisfy various mission constraints. This results into simple algorithms for reduced power consumption and reduced overall weight. Optimizing a Star Pattern Recognition Algorithm (SPRA), using an imbedded star map, requires the optimization of the genetic operators that constitute the SPRA and the control parameters within the SPRA. Simultaneous optimization of the control parameters of the SPRA results into a multi-objective and multi-parameter constrained optimization problem. The optimizing of genetic algorithms is often time consuming and rather tedious by nature. In this work, a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) acting as a meta-level GA is applied together with a double objective transition selection scheme to achieve the optimization. This approach results in significantly expediting the cost assignment process. By evolving a pareto set, an optimization population element rule is determined to exist between the control parameters of the SPRA. The existence of this rule ensures effective balance between population exploitation and exploration in the algorithm estimation process. This leads to effective solutions for finding the optimum with multiple concurrent objectives while taking the constraints into consideration. Simulation results using the optimized parameters for the SPRA indicate an improvement of the recognition accuracy from less than 60% to 100% as well as a reduction of the processing time of over 2000 generations to under 250 generations at 99% precision.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Assessing the spastic condition of individuals with upper motoneuron involvement: validity of the myotonometer.

Abstract Leonard CT, Stephens JU, Stroppel SL. Assessing the spastic condition of individuals with upper motoneuron involvement: validity of the myotonometer. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2001;82:1416-20. Objectives: To examine the validity of a newly developed tissue compliance device to measure muscle tone and to quantify the level of severity of the spastic condition. Design: Validity study. Setting: Research laboratory. Participants: Twenty subjects, 10 with upper motoneuron (UMN) disorders (spastic-type cerebral palsy or adult-onset cerebrovascular accident) who comprised the experimental group; and 10 nondisabled, age-equivalent subjects, who served as controls. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Muscle tone of the biceps brachii muscle was assessed with the Myotonometer and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). The Myotonometer was used to quantify the muscle's resistance to stretch in a relaxed state and during maximal voluntary isometric contractions. Analyses of variance determined differences among subjects. Correlations between Myotonometer measurements and MAS scores were calculated. Results: Significant differences ( p Conclusion: The Myotonometer effectively identified differences in the spastic condition of the biceps brachii muscle in subjects with UMN involvement. Correlations with the MAS were moderate to high. © 2001 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Amercian Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Facilities for fundamental physics research at the NIST cold neutron facility

Abstract A brief description of the new NIST cold neutron research facility is presented. The features of two fundamental physics research stations at this new facility are described in some detail. A list of proposed initial experimental programs for these two stations is also given.
Subduction zone infancy: Examples from the Eocene Izu-Bonin-Mariana and Jurassic California arcs

A new model for the earliest stages in the evolution of subduction zones is developed from recent geologic studies of the Izu-Bonin-Mariana (IBM) arc system and then applied to Late Jurassic ophiolites of Cailfornia. The model accounts for several key observations about the earliest stages in the evolution of the IBM system: (1) subduction nucleated along an active transform boundary, which separated younger, less-dense lithosphere in the west from older, more-dense lithosphere to the east; (2) initial arc magmatic activity occupied a much broader zone than existed later; (3) initial magmatism extended up to the modern trench, over a region now characterized by subnormal heat flow; (4) early are magmatism was characterized by depleted (tholeiitic) and ultra-depleted (boninitic) magmas, indicating that melting was more extensive and involved more depleted mantle than is found anywhere else on earth; (5) early arc magmatism was strongly extensional, with crust forming in a manner similar to slow-spreading ridges; and (6) crust production rates were 120 to 180 km 3 /km-Ma, several times greater than for mature arc systems. These observations require that the earliest stages of subduction involve rapid retreat of the trench; we infer that this resulted from continuous subsidence of denser lithosphere along the transform fault. This resulted in strong extension and thinning of younger, more buoyant lithosphere to the west. This extension was accompanied by the flow of water from the sinking oceanic lithosphere to the base of the extending lithosphere and the underlying asthenosphere. Addition of water and asthenospheric upwelling led to catastrophic melting, which continued until lithosphere subsidence was replaced by lithospheric subduction . Application of the subduction-zone infancy model to the Late Jurassic ophiolites of California provides a framework in which to understand the rapid formation of oceanic crust with strong arc affinities between the younger Sierran magmatic arc and the Franciscan subduction complex, provides a mechanism for the formation and subsidence of the Great Valley forearc basin, and explains the limited duration of high-T, high-P metamorphism experienced by Franciscan melanges.
Early conception factor lateral flow assays for pregnancy in the mare.

Abstract The ECF™ lateral flow assay test is marketed to detect non-pregnancy in mares. The objectives of the present study were to determine the accuracy of the ECF test, the accuracy of the electronic reader accompanying the ECF test, and agreement between two human readers and the electronic reader. Serum samples were collected from anestrus, cycling but not inseminated, and inseminated mares, and were evaluated with the ECF™ test (EDP Biotech Company, Knoxville, TN, USA) at The Ohio State University and at the EDP Biotech Laboratory. Specificity ranged from 0.07 to 0.16, the negative predictive value ranged from 0.15 to 0.33, and accuracy ranged from 0.43 to 0.52. The electronic reader did not add improve the accuracy or predictive values of the test. Based on the electronic reader, 80.0% of the serum samples collected from the anestrus mares were false positives; Readers 1 and 2 had 60.0 and 33.3% false positives, respectively. For samples collected during the estrous cycle, 83.9% were false positives by the electronic reader, whereas Readers 1 and 2 had 43.7 and 26.4% false positives. We concluded that, regardless of whether the test strips were evaluated by a human or electronic reader, this assay was not accurate for determination of the non-pregnant mare.
Web 2.0 in blackboard learn: mind the template

The Citadel has just recently switched to Blackboard 8e from WebCT and will soon upgrade to Blackboard 9.1 Learn (Bb9.1). We will pilot Bb9.1 in the fall of 2010 with a small group of faculty that are already Blackboard advocates for our campus. The Citadel would like to see every course on our campus in Blackboard but have faced reluctance to meeting this goal from naysayers that feel Blackboard is too confining. With technology producing an ever-increasing portfolio of teaching methods, we are hoping to encourage faculty to take advantage of the new features available in Blackboard 9.1 without giving up their ability to use Web 2.0 applications and freeware. As an instructor, it is easy to be pigeon-holed into a template or a platform that an institution wants to use across the board. Now Blackboard 9.1 has made it possible to meet the requirements of uniform appearance while using the technologies available to enhance and engage learners. With technology advances like this, we can improve student learning by incorporating current technology, faculty instruction by improving curriculum, and administrative functions by adhering to a single LMS for all instruction.
Mach-Zehnder interferometer fringe projector for variable-resolution video moire

ABSTRACT A Mach-Zehnder based variable resolution fringe projection system has been built for 3-D video moini machine vision.This system uses the three main advantages of the Mach-Zehnder - 1) There is no optical feedback to the laser source, 2)The interfemmeter can accept two different laser wavelengths simultaneously, and 3) The interferometer produces twoorthngonal output beams. The lack of optical feedback makes the Mach-Zehnder especially attractive for use with highpower laser diode sources which are sensitive to optical feedback. When the two input ports axe used with two differentwavelength lasers, the target can be illuminated by simultaneous projection of two different sets of colored fringes with twodifferent spatial frequencies. This can allow more reliable reconstruction of the 3-D surface over discontinuous jumps.Finally, the lack of feedback to the source coupled with the dual outputs means that the Mach-Zebnder fringe projector isvely efficient in that 100% of the laser light (minus losses in the beam splitters and mirrors) is projected onto the prime andreference targets. Setup and alignment of this interfemmeter will be discussed for both parallel and diverging light. Plots offringe visibility will be given for both outputs and both inputs. Application to a video moini based seal time 3-D errormap machine vision system will be discussed.Limitations and improvements in the current system will be discussed.Keywords: Interferometiy, Mach-Zehnder, 3-D inspection, video inspection
Sarcoidosis and primary biliary cirrhosis. Associated disorders

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disorder of unknown cause that involves many organs. The most characteristic clinical presentations of sarcoidosis include pulmonary infiltrates, lymphadenopathy, fever, infiltrative skin lesions, and uveitis. In the absence of a known cause, the diagnosis of sarcoidosis is made from demonstration of granulomatous inflammation in more than one organ in a patient in whom other causes of granulomatous disease have been excluded. The Kveim-Siltzbach skin test is positive in approximately 80 per cent of patients but is not universally available or well standardized.1 Granulomas in the liver are found in most patients with sarcoidosis, and liver . . .
Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of nucleic acid components.

Quantitative gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of nucleic acid components including purine and pyrimidine bases, nucleosides or nucleotides
A prospective evaluation of atherosclerotic risk factors and hypercoagulability in young adults with premature lower extremity atherosclerosis.

Purpose: Fifty-one consecutive patients with premature lower extremity atherosclerosis were prospectively evaluated for atherogenic risk factors and primary or acquired hypercoagulability, which might contribute to early ischemia and revascularization failure. Methods: Laboratory tests included plasma assays of (1) natural anticoagulants (NAC), lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]), and anticardiolipin antibodies, and (2) fibrinolytic activators and inhibitors at baseline and stimulated after 20 minutes of upper extremity venous occlusion. Results: Forty-six (90%) of these 51 patients had laboratory abnormalities. One or more NAC deficiencies were found in 15 (30%) patients and included antithrombin III (n=5), protein C (n=8), protein S (n=4), and heparin cofactor II (n=2). Hypofibrinolysis was identified as a deficiency of stimulated tissue plasminogen activator in 22 (45%) patients and elevated plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in 29 (59%). Elevated Lp(a) was found in 43 (86%) patients. Five (10%) patients had anticardiolipin antibodies. Ten patients had combined NAC deficiency and hypofibrinolysis. Five (10%) patients had no abnormality. NAC deficiencies, especially protein C deficiency, were associated with acute ischemia ( p p p p p p p Conclusions: These data strongly support the hypothesis that the convergence of atherogenic risk factors and hypercoagulability play an important role in early ischemia and poor results reported for lower extremity vascular procedures in young adults.
Infant Feeding Practices During the Weaning Process of Inner-City Mothers Who Chose to Formula Feed

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To determine the nutritional quality and quantity of the diets of inner-city infants at nine and twelve months of age. The period of transition from milk alone to a "regular" diet is a critical time in infant development. This study explored how and when mothers in the lowest socioeconomic classes introduced foods to their infants, and examined the nutritional quality of infants' diets at 9 and 12 months of age. Infants studied were a subset of a group enrolled and followed from birth for growth and development. Their mothers chose formula-feeding and were provided with unlimited quantities of an iron-fortified formula throughout the first year of life. Fifty-four and 46 mothers were interviewed and administered a 60-item questionnaire at the 9 and 12 month visits, respectively. Diet histories were obtained by 24-hour recall with the use of food models for increased accuracy. Food frequency information was obtained using questions adapted from NHANES. Foods were grouped and evaluated based on ADA criteria. Nutrient intakes were compared with the RDA using one-sample t-tests with an α of 0.01 to minimize the chance of Type I error. Vegetable intake decreased, but intake of breads, fruits and meats increased between 9 and 12 months. Group means for all nutrients except iron were at or above the RDA at both ages. For iron, 72.9% and 60% of infants at 9 and 12 months, respectively, fell at or below the 75th percentile of the RDA. Sodium intakes at 9 and 12 months were 5.0 and 7.7 times the estimated minimum requirements for healthy infants, respectively. These data suggest that inadequate iron and excessive sodium intakes may be problems for many lower socioeconomic status infants following the first year of life as infant formula is replaced by cow's milk.
Global Interconnectedness and Multiculturalism in Undergraduate Sociology Courses in the USA.

This study attempts to explain a process of inserting global transnational elements into an undergraduate sociology course. After a review of global themes covered in introductory sociology textbooks, the author administered two projects (Global Multiculturalism and Sociology of Wal-Mart) in an undergraduate sociology course. The current study reports the techniques used within these projects called the Multi-Phase Class Activity of Globalisation (MUPCAG) model used in General Sociology classes, student reactions related to them, and the significance of the projects in terms of teaching and learning. The MUPCAG model was to enhance students’ understanding of global multiculturalism and interconnectedness, in particular, students’ critical thinking about the issues of globalisation. It was observed that students showed more flexible and diverse approaches when exposed to concrete concepts, such as commodity chain, global city and global intersection in class discussion.
Beyond performance enhancement: polypharmacy among collegiate users of steroids.

Abstract The extremely low prevalence of steroid use among college students makes it virtually impossible to conduct analyses on any single college campus. By studying a cohort of 58,625 college students from 78 institutions that administered the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey in 1990 and 1991, a critical mass of 175 users on which it was possible to conduct statistical analyses was identified. Compared with a randomly selected group of nonusers, the steroid users reported consuming dramatically more alcohol and demonstrated higher rates of binge drinking. In addition, a significantly higher percentage of steroid users reported using tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, sedatives, hallucinogens, opiates, inhalants, and designer drugs. A higher percentage of steroid users than nonusers also reported experiencing negative consequences as a result of substance abuse, and a greater percentage of the steroid users reported family histories of abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Implications from the standpoi...
Water-Cooled Gas Turbine Technology Development: Fuels Flexibility

A continuing technology development program initiated by General Electric (GE) in the early 1960s and joined by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) in 1974 is successfully resolving potential barrier problems in the development of water cooled turbines. Early work by GE Corporate Research and Development demonstrated the feasibility of closed circuit, pressurized water-cooling of stationary nozzles (vanes), and of open circuit, unpressurized water-cooling of rotating buckets (blades). A small-scale turbine was designed, fabricated, and operated at a gas temperature of 2850 F (1565 C) at 16 atm, with surface metal temperatures less than 1000 F (540 C). Early results from the EPRI sponsored Water-Cooled Gas Turbine Development Programs were presented at the 1978 Gas Turbine Conference (Report #ASME 78-GT-72). This paper reports more recent results, obtained between mid-1977 and mid-1978. Significant progress has been made in a number of areas: (a) water-cooled nozzle and bucket design and fabrication, (b) corrosion kinetics model verification and testing, (c) partially filled internal channel bucket heat transfer testing, and (d) stationary to rotating water transfer and collection testing. Results to date are encouraging with regard to the application of water-cooled turbine components to achieve improved reliability and fuels flexibility at increased turbine firing temperatures.Copyright © 1979 by ASME
The characterization of petroleum coke

The characterization of both green, or uncalcined, and calcined petroleum coke filler is described utilizing known, standard test procedures to obtain the necessary data needed to characterize a candidate coke. Shortcomings in evaluating an uncalcined coke in the laboratory are also discussed. Procedures for both uncalcined and calcined cokes are presented which are versatile in that they may be easily modified to suit individual needs. In addition, the procedures may be modified to characterize coke fillers produced from quinoline-insoluble-free, coal-tar based materials.
Reversible modulation of the activities of both liver microsomal hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and its inactivating enzyme. Evidence for regulation by phosphorylation-dephosphorylation.

Abstract Rat liver microsomal hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase is inactivated when microsomes are incubated with both ATP and Mg++ (1). Activity is fully restored with purified liver cytosolic phosphorylase phosphatase. The microsomal (Mg)ATP-dependent reductase inactivating enzyme (designated I) may be extracted and assayed in an I-deficient microsomal system. The soluble I preparation itself is inactivated with phosphorylase phosphatase. Inactive I can be reactivated in the presence of (Mg)ATP by an apparent cAMP-independent protein kinase in the microsomal extract. These findings are consistent with a model in which both hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase and an associated protein kinase (I) are subject to reversible covalent modulation by phosphorylation-dephosphorylation.
Loss of N-linked glycosylation reduces urea transporter UT-A1 response to vasopressin

The vasopressin-regulated urea transporter (UT)-A1 is a transmembrane protein with two glycosylated forms of 97 and 117 kDa; both are derived from a single 88-kDa core protein. However, the precise molecular sites and the function for UT-A1 N-glycosylation are not known. In this study, we compared Madin-Darby canine kidney cells stably expressing wild-type (WT) UT-A1 to Madin-Darby canine kidney cell lines stably expressing mutant UT-A1 lacking one (A1m1, A1m2) or both glycosylation sites (m1m2). Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that UT-A1 has two glycosylation sites at Asn-279 and -742. Urea flux is stimulated by 10 nM vasopressin (AVP) or 10 microM forskolin (FSK) in WT cells. In contrast, m1m2 cells have a delayed and significantly reduced maximal urea flux. A 15-min treatment with AVP and FSK significantly increased UT-A1 cell surface expression in WT but not in m1m2 cells, as measured by biotinylation. We confirmed this finding using immunostaining. Membrane fractionation of the plasma membrane, Golgi, and endoplasmic reticulum revealed that AVP or FSK treatment increases UT-A1 abundance in both Golgi and plasma membrane compartments in WT but not in m1m2 cells. Pulse-chase experiments showed that UT-A1 half-life is reduced in m1m2 cells compared with WT cells. Our results suggest that mutation of the N-linked glycosylation sites reduces urea flux by reducing UT-A1 half-life and decreasing its accumulation in the apical plasma membrane. In vivo, inner medullary collecting duct cells may regulate urea uptake by altering UT-A1 glycosylation in response to AVP stimulation.
The effect of oblique femoral tunnel placement on rotational constraint of the knee reconstructed using patellar tendon autografts.

Abstract Purpose Despite the high long-term success rates of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions, 8% of patients undergoing this primary procedure have recurrent disability and graft failure. Nonanatomic tunnel positioning (primarily of the femoral tunnel) accounts for most of all technical failures. We hypothesized that reconstructions that closely recreate the oblique femoral attachment of the ACL would result in more normal knee rotational stability than more vertical reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether obliquity of the femoral tunnel in the coronal (frontal) plane has an effect on rotational constraint after ACL reconstruction, as measured by anterior tibial translation, external rotation, and internal rotation. Type of study Ex vivo biomechanical study. Methods Ten matched pairs of fresh-frozen cadaver knees were alternately assigned to a standard or an oblique tunnel position reconstruction. Each knee was tested at 30° and 90° of flexion on a materials testing machine in ACL-intact, ACL-sectioned, and ACL-reconstructed states. A 100-N load was applied at a rate of 10 N/second, and anterior tibial translation was measured. Then 6.5 Nm of torque were applied, and external tibial rotation and internal tibial rotation were measured. The effects of tunnel placement and ligament condition were analyzed with a repeated measures analysis of variance. Significance was set at P ≤ .05 (Tukey's test). Results At 30° of flexion, internal tibial rotation in oblique reconstruction was restored to intact values and was significantly less than the internal tibial rotation values in standard reconstruction. Internal tibial rotation in standard reconstruction was significantly greater than intact values. No significant differences were found between standard and oblique tunnel reconstructions and the respective intact values for the remaining internal tibial rotation and all external tibial rotation tests, regardless of flexion angle. Conclusions In our biomechanical model, ACL reconstructions using oblique femoral tunnels restored normal knee kinematics.
Regional right ventricular wall motion in tetralogy of fallot: a three dimensional analysis

We observed an abnormal contraction pattern in the right ventricle (RV) in postoperative tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) patients when measuring the regional contribution to global stroke volume (rSV) of 20 RV slices from apex to base. We compared the rSV method's performance with the centersurface method which offers greater flexibility in defining regions of interest. We reconstructed the RV in 3D from manually traced borders in 20 repaired TOF patients and nine normal subjects from cardiac magnetic resonance images. Wall motion was measured as the local orthogonal distance between the RV endocardium at end diastole and end systole. The RV was divided into septum, conus, and 10 free wall regions. For comparison with the rSV method the free wall regions were grouped into apical, mid, and basal levels. The RV was also divided into two other 3-part models for comparison. Both rSV and centersurface methods showed that TOF patients have diminished function at the base and increased function at the apex compared to normal. The other 3-part models were less informative because large region size obscured local function abnormalities. Septal and free wall motion differed between the groups. Two analysis methods agreed that patients with TOF have a pattern of relatively increased wall motion at the apex and diminished function at the base compared to normal. The centersurface analysis showed that characterization of the RV's complex pattern of regional function requires more than three RV subdivisions.
Using Means-End Analysis to Test Integrated Marketing Communications Effects

This article describes a study testing key aspects of the Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) concept, employing means-end analytical techniques. Although the hypothesized effects were not observed, the study is timely and ground-breaking because it contributes a new empirical approach to the IMC body of literature. It may also serve as a catalyst for additional research in the field.
Parthenium hysterophorus L. control in response to pyraflufen-ethyl application

Pyraflufen-ethyl is a phenylpyrazole herbicide for control of annual and perennial broadleaf weeds. Greenhouse and field studies were conducted to determine pyraflufen-ethyl efficacy for control of Parthenium hysterophorus at the rosette and flowering stages, respectively. Both growth stages were treated with pyraflufen-ethyl at six rates ranging from 0.46 to 14.60 g a.i. ha−1. Aboveground dry weight of rosette P. hysterophorus was reduced 90% by pyraflufen-ethyl at 2.33–2.65 g a.i. ha−1 14 days after treatment (DAT). At the label use rate of 0.91–3.64 g a.i. ha−1 for control of broadleaf weeds, pyraflufen-ethyl was estimated to provide 13–58% and 5–32% control of flowering P. hysterophorus 60 and 87 cm in height, respectively at 21 DAT. These results show that pyraflufen-ethyl can control rosette P. hysterophorus within the label use rate for broadleaf weeds. However, rates higher than the label use rate are required for control of flowering P. hysterophorus, showing that pyraflufen-ethyl must be applied at the early stages of P. hysterophorus growth for effective control.
Dynamic Tire Force Control by Semiactive Suspensions

This paper presents a semiactive suspension control algorithm to reduce dynamic tireforces and it includes the development and application of observers for bilinear systems with unknown disturbances. The peak dynamic tire forces, which are greatly in excess of static tire forces, are highly dependent on the dynamic characteristics of vehicle suspensions. One way to reduce dynamic tire forces is to use advanced suspension systems such as semiactive suspensions. Semiactive control laws to reduce dynamic tire forces are investigated and a bilinear observer structure for bilinear systems with unknown disturbances is formulated such that the estimation error is independent of the unknown external disturbances and the error dynamics are stable for bounded inputs
Role of Echo for Quantitative Diagnosis of CHF

Abnormalities in intracellular calcium release and reuptake are responsible for decreased contractility in heart failure (HF). We have previously shown that cardiac ryanodine receptors (RyR2) are protein kinase A (PKA) hyperphosphorylated and depleted of the regulatory subunit calstabin2 in HF. Moreover, similar alterations in skeletal muscle RyR have been linked to increased fatigability in HF. To determine whether restoration of calstabin binding to RyR may ameliorate cardiac dysfunction in HF, we treated wildtype (WT) and calstabin2 / mice subjected to myocardial infarction with JTV519, a 1,4-benzothiazepine previously shown to increase calstabin binding to RyR. Echocardiography at 21 days post-MI demonstrated a significant increase in ejection fraction in WT mice treated with JTV519 (45.8 5.1%) compared with placebo (31.1 3.1%; P 0.05). Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed increased amounts of calstabin2 bound to the RyR2 channel in JTV519-treated WT mice. However, JTV519 did not show any of these beneficial effects in calstabin2 / mice with myocardial infarction. Additionally, JTV519 improved skeletal muscle fatigue in both WT and calstabin2 / mice with heart failure, by increasing the binding of calstabin1 to RyR1. The observation that treatment with JTV519 improved cardiac function in WT but not calstabin2 / mice indicates that calstabin2 binding to RyR2 is required for the beneficial effects in failing hearts. We conclude that JTV519 may provide a specific way to treat the cardiac and skeletal muscle myopathy in heart failure by increasing calstabin binding to RyR. SL3
The importance of detectability to acoustic surveys of semi-demersal fish

A major source of bias and imprecision in acoustic abundance estimates of semi-demersal fish is detectability, defined here as the proportion of the true abundance of a target species within the ensonified volume (surface to bottom) that is detected by an echosounder and included in integration. In autumn 1996 and 1997, acoustic surveys for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) in inshore Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, Canada, indicated mean daytime densities (e.g. 0.016 fish m −2 in 1997) an order of magnitude higher than at night (0.001 fish m −2 ). A corresponding downward shift in vertical distribution at night was also observed. At the same site in 1996,in situ video censuses of cod from a submersible showed equivalent cod abundance by day (n=3) and night (n=1). Submersible observations indicated that at night cod were located nearer to bottom, and preferred rocky and boulder-strewn substrates and not open sandy bottoms (p<0.001). Acoustic densities measured from the submersible cruising 20m above bottom, and from the surface vessel, were similar. Submersible acoustic estimates and video census indices were positively associated during daytime. The sole night-time acoustic estimate was near zero while the corresponding video index was the highest recorded. We conclude that diel change in acoustic density resulted from variations in detectability caused by cod vertical movements and habitat preferences. A broad-scale springtime inshore and offshore survey of cod in the same stock area confirmed the trend of higher acoustic density estimates during the day than at night. We advocate the inclusion of a time-dependent detectability coefficient in the scaling of acoustic backscatter to abundance for semi-demersal fish.
CHARLOTTE'S ROLE AS A FINANCIAL CENTER: LOOKING BEYOND BANK ASSETS

Studies offinancial activities generally focus on the location ofassets. Charlotte is often revered as the newest and second-largest banking center in the U.S. in terms of the total assets held by the locally headquartered banks (Bank of America and First Union). Deeper evaluations of financial activity reveal that despite the magnitude of the local asset base, financial employment and wage levels are close to the national average. In terms ofthe percentage oftotal employment in the FIRE sector, Charlotte ranks below similar-sized cities such as Jacksonville, Richmond, or Columbia. Examination ofthe relationship between bank assets and financial-sector employment suggests that the Charlotte banks have a smaller local economic impact per dollar of assets than other regional banks. These results suggest that the high visibility ofthe banking industry in Charlotte may overshadow the diversity ofthe area's economy and overstate the economic contributions of the city's most prominent employers.
A fast algorithm for computing the vocal-tract impulse response from the transfer function

This paper describes a fast algorithm that computes the impulse response of the vocal tract from its transfer function. First, numerical methods for computing the transfer function of a given vocal-tract configuration are briefly outlined. These methods include techniques (1) to decompose the numerator and denominator of the transfer function and (2) to efficiently determine the resonance modes of the vocal tract. Next, is a description of how to calculate residues at the poles and how to express the vocal-tract transfer function as a partial fraction expansion series. Each term in the expansion corresponds to an elementary formant generator, and the additive terms correspond to a parallel formant architecture. A second-order digital filter is derived for each formant generator. The impulse response of the vocal tract can therefore be specified compactly by a set of such filters. Good agreement is observed between the directly calculated transfer function and the one synthesized by the proposed algorithm. The algorithm is being used in the articulatory speech synthesizer under development both at Rutgers University and at the Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden. An ambitious goal is to incorporate the method into a text-to-speech synthesizer and/or an adaptive voice mimic system.
Afferent basis of visual response properties in area MT of the macaque. II. Effects of superior colliculus removal

In a previous study (Rodman et al., 1989), we found that many neurons in the middle temporal area (MT) of the macaque monkey remain visually responsive and directionally selective after striate cortex lesions or cooling. In the present study, we examined the effects of superior colliculus (SC) lesions and combined lesions of striate cortex and the SC on the visual properties of MT neurons. Removal of the SC alone had no effect on the proportion of visually responsive cells, strength of direction selectivity and direction tuning, orientation tuning, receptive field size, or binocularity in MT. There was, however, a slight increase in response strength to both stationary and moving slit stimuli. In contrast to the minor effects of SC lesions alone, addition of an SC lesion to striate cortex damage abolished all visual responsiveness in area MT. The results indicate that pathways damaged by the SC lesion are not necessary for most of the properties of MT neurons found in the intact animal, although these pathways are capable of sustaining considerable visual responsiveness and direction selectivity when striate input is removed.
Spark ignition engine fuel-to-air ratio control: An adaptive control approach

This paper presents the control of spark ignition (SI) internal combustion (IC) engine fuel-to-air ratio (FAR) using an adaptive control method of time-delay systems. The objective is to maintain the in-cylinder FAR at a prescribed set point, determined primarily by the state of the three-way catalyst (TWC), so that the pollutants in the exhaust are removed with the highest efficiency. The FAR controller must also reject disturbances due to canister vapor purge and inaccuracies in air charge estimation and wall-wetting (WW) compensation. Two adaptive controller designs are considered. The first design is based on feedforward adaptation while the second design is based on both feedback and feedforward adaptation incorporating the recently developed adaptive posicast controller (APC). Both simulation and experimental results are presented demonstrating the performance improvement by employing the APC. Modifications and improvements to the APC structure, which were developed during the course of experimentation to solve specific implementation problems, are also presented.
Targeted Venous Occlusion Using Pulsed High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound

Targeted vascular occlusion is desirable for clinical therapies such as in the treatment of esophageal and gastric varices and varicose veins. The feasibility of ultrasound-mediated endothelial damage for vascular occlusion was studied. A segment of a rabbit auricular vein was treated in vivo with low duty cycle, high peak rarefaction pressure (9 MPa) high-intensity focused ultrasound pulses in the presence of intravenously administered circulating microbubbles, followed by fibrinogen injection, which resulted in the formation of an acute occlusive intravascular thrombus. Further investigation and refinements of treatment protocols are necessary for producing durable vascular occlusion.