cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proteomic Characterization of Human Milk Fat Globule Membrane Proteins during a 12 Month Lactation Period

The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) contains proteins which have been implicated in a variety of health benefits. Milk fat globule membrane proteins were isolated from human milk during a 12 month lactation period and subjected to in-solution digestion and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Data were pooled, and our results showed that 191 proteins were identified. Relative quantification of the identified MFGM proteins during the course of lactation was performed by label free spectral counting and differentiation expression analysis, which showed some proteins decreasing during the course of lactation whereas some increased or remained at a relatively constant level. The human MFGM proteins are distributed between intracellular, extracellular, and membrane-associated proteins, and they are mainly involved in cell communication and signal transduction, immune function, metabolism and energy production. This study provides more insights into the dynamic composition of human MFGM proteins, which in turn will enhance our understanding of the physiological significance of MFGM proteins.
Accuracy versus choice response time in sound localization

Abstract An experiment was conducted to further explore sound localization for frontal sound incidence. The question of interest was whether two response measures, accuracy in loudspeaker identification and choice response time would be differentially affected by variation in three parameters. These were the number of loudspeakers (three, five and seven), the separation between speakers (15 ° versus 30 °), and stimulus frequency (500 versus 4000 Hz). Twelve normal-hearing subjects were tested in a semi-reverberant room that modelled real-world listening. Each was presented 12 blocks of listening trials, across which the 12 conditions were presented in random order. A block comprised 20 random presentations of a 300-ms one-third octave noise band from each speaker. Subjects responded using a set of microswitches in the same configuration as the loudspeaker array. Accuracy decreased as the number of speakers increased and their separation decreased. Response time increased with number but was unaffected by separation. The effect of frequency was relatively small. A two-stage conceptual model, consisting of sensory encoding and non-sensory decision-making, provided a reasonable framework for the results.
A banker's use of simulation and artificial intelligence for assessing the economics of electronic money networks

Abstract This research paper demonstrates how discrete event simulation and artificial intelligence lend insight and decision support to American bankers who are operating or planning to operate local EFT (electronic fund transfer) networks. The key to making good EFT decisions is understanding the trade-offs between the costs and performance of different network possibilities. Being able to explore the suitability and effectiveness of choices prior to the actual commitment of resources is essential in assessing the economics of a particular EFT network. The simulation process described here illustrates a computer model that approximates the performance and economics of alternative local EFT designs. An aspect of Artificial Intelligence technology is incorporated to allow bankers the convenience of interacting with the model in a natural language format.
A PROGRESSIVE REACTION OCCURRING WITH A RADIOACTIVE HEMOLYSIN, SODIUM OLEATE-I131

Sodium oleate reacts progressively with human red cells at pH 7. By progressive is meant a reaction which is not adequately described as reversible or irreversible; such reactions cannot be stopped once they are under way, and are probably associated with a more or less stable "internal" lysin phase at the cell surfaces. The uptake of the lysin and the effect of dilution on the uptake can be studied by converting sodium oleate into the radioactive form, sodium oleate-I131. The uptake is a parabolic function of the lysin initially present in the system, and the effect of a tenfold dilution of systems in which red cells have remained in contact with the lysin for 2 minutes is to reduce the lysin taken up at the cell surfaces twofold. The lysin rapidly forms a relatively stable layer at the cell interfaces, and this layer is little affected by the dilution of the system as a whole.
Structural and Textural Characteristics of Cirrus Clouds Observed Using High Spatial Resolution LANDSAT Imagery.

Abstract Twelve cirrus scenes are analyzed to determine textural and structural features using LANDSAT imagery. The main structural characteristics are: 1) cirrus cloud size distributions obey a power law, with larger cloud cells (D ⩾ 1.5 km) having smaller slopes than smaller cloud elements; 2) convective-type cirrus are fractal in nature with fractal dimensions of ≈ 1.4, while stratiform cirrus clouds show bifractal behavior, with larger clouds having smaller fractal dimensions (≈1.3); 3) stratiform cirrus cloud cells have significantly larger horizontal aspect ratio than do smaller cells; and 4) structural results are not sensitive to threshold selection. The main textural characteristics are: 1) convective cirrus clouds have high contrast measures and a rapid decrease of correlation at short distances, while stratiform cirrus clouds have low contrast measures and more gradual slopes; 2) asymptotic values are good descriptors of general characteristics (macrotexture) of cloud fields, while the slopes o...
High performance bio-image database retrieval using MPI

Fast and accurate 3D object reconstruction and partial 3D component retrieval from 2D image slices represent a difficult and challenging problem. To group related objects on different layers in an image stack, image segmentation and sequential matching of adjacent 2D objects have to be preformed. Object matching involves heavy computing and is time consuming. In this paper, we propose a new approach for parallel implementation of object contour matching and partial 3D component retrieval based on image contour structure. The method has been implemented in MPI on a SGI Origin 2000 machine. The experimental results show a good speedup for sequential object matching and partial 3D component retrieval.
Determinants of Breast, Cervical and Colorectal Cancer Screening Adherence in Mexican–American Women

Despite the effectiveness of cancer screening procedures, its utilization among Latinas remains low. Guided, in part, by the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations, this study examined the associations between predisposing, enabling, and need factors with self-reported breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening adherence. Participants were 319 Mexican–American women, from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds, living near the United States-Mexico border. Women were adherent with breast cancer (BC) screening (≥42 years) if they had received at least one mammogram within the last 2 years, with cervical cancer (CC) screening (≥40 years) if they had received at least one Pap exam in the last 3 years, and with colorectal cancer (CRC) screening (≥52 years) if they had undergone one or more of the following: Fecal Occult Blood Test within the last year, or sigmoidoscopy in the last 5 years, or colonoscopy within the last 10 years. BC and CC screenings were higher in the current sample compared to national and state figures: 82% with mammography and 86% adherent with Pap exam screening. However, only 43% were adherent with CRC screening recommendations. Characteristics associated with mammography adherence included CC adherence and usual source of care. BC adherence was associated to CC adherence. Characteristics associated with CRC adherence included BC adherence, being premenopausal, and insurance coverage. A key correlate of cancer screening adherence was adherence to other preventive services. Results underscore the need for continued efforts to ensure that Latinas of all SES levels obtain regular and timely cancer screenings.
Microstructure and properties of high temperature superconducting materials

Abstract The properties of high T c superconducting oxides are correlated with the microstructural features such as point defects, dislocations, and grain boundaries. The magnetic properties of the high T c superconductors, especially the field vs. temperature, are shown to exhibit different behavior from that of conventional superconductors. The irreversibility line and its significance in flux lattice melting are discussed to highlight the important limitations of the current-carrying capacity of the high T c superconductors in an applied magnetic field. The mechanisms of flux pinning by oxygen vacancies, dislocations and grain boundaries are described quantitatively. The pinning energies associated with these defects are shown to be small enough that the critical current density cannot be increased considerably at higher temperatures where flux melting takes place. Grain boundaries are shown to be important weak links in the high T c superconductors. The small coherence length relative to the dimensions of the width of the grain boundary is shown to be responsible for the large reduction in the critical current density associated with the boundaries. The atomic structure of different types of boundary is described in the light of the earlier theories of grain boundaries, and the structural features are shown to be similar. The four important factors contributing to the weak link behavior of the grain boundaries are analyzed and the critical current density associated with the boundaries is derived. The experimental results of the dependence of the critical current density on the misorientation angle, temperature and the magnetic field have been explained based on the grain boundary modelling. More importantly, the spatial dependence of the critical current density around the grain boundary is derived and shown to explain the experimentally observed features.
Supersonic fan engines for military aircraft

Engine performance and mission studies were performed for turbofan engines with supersonic through-flow fans. A Mach 2.4 CTOL aircraft was used in the study. Two missions were considered: a long range penetrator mission and a long range intercept mission. The supersonic fan engine is compared with an augmented mixed flow turbofan in terms of mission radius for a fixed takeoff gross weight of 75,000 lbm. The mission radius of aircraft powered by supersonic fan engines could be 15 percent longer than aircraft powered with conventional turbofan engines at moderate thrust to gross weight ratios. The climb and acceleration performance of the supersonic fan engines is better than that of the conventional turbofan engines.
Community Ecology: Top-Down Turned Upside-Down

Within African savannas, elephants often damage individual trees to the extent that they influence tree density. New research shows that mutualistic ants inhabiting certain species of Acacia protect trees from catastrophic herbivory by elephants. Protection by the ants stabilizes tree cover across savannas in what is otherwise a highly dynamic biome.
The contribution of foreign capital to U.S. productivity growth

Abstract U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics productivity data show annual output growth per hour since 1995 roughly doubling the rate achieved over the preceding two decades. A rapid inflow of foreign investment paralleled the brisk productivity growth, suggesting a positive link between the growth of productivity and foreign capital. The goal of this study is to investigative this relationship and determine the extent to which foreign capital contributed to U.S. productivity growth during this period of vigorous productivity growth. Applying a Cobb–Douglas production function to data from 1988 to 1999, it is found that foreign capital accounted for almost 16% of overall U.S. productivity growth. Moreover, foreign capital was responsible for more than one-third of the manufacturing sector's productivity growth between 1988 and 1994. More importantly, foreign capital contributed almost 16% of productivity growth between 1995 and 1999, significantly more than domestic capital's contribution.
Level number sequences of trees and the lambda algebra

We enumerate ordered partitions of positive integers, restricted by the condition that the ( j + 1)th entry is not greater than d times the j th entry for all j . We also consider restrictions on the first and/or last entries, and on congruence classes modulo 2 d - 2 of all the entries. Such sequences arise as level number sequences of d -ary trees, but we are motivated by constructions arising in algebraic topology.
Dynamic spatial filtering of deformable mirror commands for mitigation of the waffle mode

The conventional adaptive-optics (AO) system configuration consisting of a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor using the Fried geometry is prone to an unsensed waffle mode because of an inability to have discrete point reconstruction of the phase at the actuator positions. Techniques that involve filtering and/or projecting out the waffle mode in the reconstructor have been shown to be effective at not allowing the unwanted mode to occur, but come at the cost of also omitting relevant high frequency content from the measured phase. This paper analyzes a technique of sensing the waffle mode in the deformable mirror commands and applying a spatial filter to those commands in order to mitigate for the waffle mode. Directly spatially filtering the deformable mirror commands gives the benefit of maintaining the reconstruction of high frequency phase of interest while having the ability to alleviate for the waffle pattern when it arises.
Intertopical ordering effects: The case of managerial accounting

Abstract This article investigates the effect of toplcal versus random question sequencing on student examination performance. Two hundred eighty-two introductory managerial accounting students were administered versions of examinations during a semester that differed with respect to question order. Approximately one-fourth received all ordered examinations, one-fourth received all random examinations, one-fourth received first ordered, then random, and finally ordered examinations, and the final one-fourth received first random, then ordered, and finally random examinations. GPA was a covariate factor. No evidence was found to support the hypotheses that (1) question order within examinations or (2) changes in exam format over time has any effect on student performance.
Integration of Education and Research in Mechatronics Engineering Programs

Based on extensive experience of establishing and teaching new mechatronic systems engineering courses and M.Sc.-degree program since 2006 at Lawrence Technological University, this paper concentrates on the integration of education and engineering research processes.The paper analyzes challenges such as the content of each academic course and cross-lists all the courses to provide the continuity of education/research process in the mechatronic systems engineering program, selection of modeling and design techniques, usage of software products in the courses and research projects, different educational degrees (including students with PhD degrees) and professional backgrounds of mechatronics students, domestic/international student ratio, and part time/full time student ratio.Based on the analysis of the challenges, a key plan for the education-research integration was developed and implemented. Details are in the paper.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Preferential shunting of venous return from normally connected left pulmonary veins in secundum atrial septal defect.

Abstract Preferential shunting of left pulmonary venous blood across a secundum atrial septal defect, a paradoxical hemodynamic finding, was documented in six patients by indicator-dilution techniques. Subsequent surgical findings excluded anomalous connection of the left pulmonary veins, which can result in similar or identical dye curve patterns. An adequate anatomic explanation for this physiologic paradox was apparent In only one patient.
Three-dimensional modeling of dual ion-thruster plumes for spacecraft contamination

The plume structure and the backflow of both propellant and sputtered grid material from two 8-cm xenon ion thrusters operating simultaneously were investigated with a three-dimensional model of an ion-thruster plume based on the plasma particle-in-cell technique. Thruster center to center separation distances of 10 and 17 cm were examined. The separation distance was found to play a strong role in determining the potential structure that affects propellant charge-exchange ion transport. Because of the combined potential structure of the two beams, the propellant charge-exchange ion backflow was found to be enhanced along an axis perpendicular to a line joining the thruster centers, whereas this was not the case for the more energetic sputtered molybdenum grid material. The implications of such asymmetry in the structure of the backstreaming flowfield from twin thrusters are important for thruster-spacecraft integration. Nomenclature Ag = sputtered grid area, m2 An = grid neutral flow through area, m2 C = neutral average value speed, m/s e = electron charge, C //, = thruster beam ion current, A jbj = beam ion current density, A/m2 k = Boltzmann's constant, mks M = mass of grid lost due to sputtering over a period of time, kg M = molecular weight, kg/mole m, = ion mass, kg mT = thruster total mass flow rate, kg/s Nccx = charge-exchange (CEX) ion production rate, number/m3/s A/A = Avogadro's number ribi = beam ion density, m~3 m^n = total ion, electron, neutral density, m~3 (a further subscript 0 denotes reference) rh T = beam, thruster radius, m Te = electron temperature, K Tw = thermal wall temperature of neutrals, K VM = beam ion velocity, m/s a = beam divergence angle, rad Fy = sputtered grid material flux, number/m2/s T]P = propellant utilization efficiency acex = CEX cross section, m2 t = period over which grid mass is lost, s 4>/, = beam acceleration voltage, V (/) = electric potential, V
α2-Macroglobulin Bait Region Variants. A ROLE FOR THE BAIT REGION IN TETRAMER FORMATION

Abstract To test the hypothesis that a large portion of the bait region of human α2-macroglobulin (α2M) can be removed without adversely affecting the protein's structural and functional properties, we expressed two human α2M variants with truncated bait regions and examined whether these variants folded normally and functioned as proteinase inhibitors. Each variant contains sites that are normal bait region cleavage sites in wild-type α2M, including the primary trypsin cleavage site. The truncated bait regions are shorter by 23 and 27 residues, respectively, and lack the C-terminal portion as well as different parts of the N-terminal section of the bait region. We found that such bait region truncation permitted normal folding of the monomers as well as formation of the thiol ester and dimerization by disulfide cross-linking, although the resulting species bound 6-(p-toluidino)-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid in a manner more like thiol ester-cleaved α2M than native α2M. The variants' thiol esters reacted with nucleophiles at rates identical to wild-type α2M. Surprisingly, however, the truncations prevented the noncovalent association of the covalent 360-kDa dimers that normally gives tetrameric α2M, decoupled bait region cleavage from thiol ester activation, and resulted in the inability of the two variants to “trap” proteinase. This was despite apparent cleavage of the bait region by proteinase, albeit at very much reduced rates relative to wild-type tetrameric α2M. The kinetics of thiol ester cleavage-dependent protein conformational changes also changed from sigmoidal to exponential. These findings indicate that residues in the bait region appear to be necessary for noncovalent association of 360-kDa disulfide-linked dimers to give tetrameric α2M and suggest a role for the bait region in normal α2M in coupling bait region cleavage to the sequence of conformational changes that result in thiol ester activation and ultimately proteinase trapping.
Bayesian networks for lossless dataset compression

The recent explosion in research on probabilistic data mining algorithms such as Bayesian networks has been focussed primarily on their use in diagnostics, prediction and e cient inference. In this paper, we examine the use of Bayesian networks for a di erent purpose: lossless compression of large datasets. We present algorithms for automatically learning Bayesian networks and new structures called \Hu man networks" that model statistical relationships in the datasets, and algorithms for using these models to then compress the datasets. These algorithms often achieve signi cantly better compression ratios than achieved with common dictionary-based algorithms such those used by programs like ZIP.
The effect of grain refinement on the low cycle fatigue behavior of an AluminumZincMagnesium(Zirconium) alloy

Abstract The microstructure and low cycle fatigue (LCF) behavior of Al 3 Zr grain-refined AlZnMg alloy were investigated and compared with those of a large-grained AlZnMg alloy. Improvements in LCF resistance were obtained in the AlZnMgZr by an improved homogeneity of deformation which delayed crack initiation and failure. An overaged microstructure of large η′ and η particles, obtained by aging for 24 h at 150 °C, exhibited the best LCF resistance observed in this study. The improved LCF life of this aging treatment was attributed to the increased homogeneity of slip resulting from the occurrence of dislocation looping as the primary deformation mechanism. The Coffin-Manson parameters vary with the microstructure and deformation behavior of the alloys. Failure of the empirical Coffin-Manson relationship for samples aged for 24 h at 150 °C was related to a change in the capacity of the microstructure to absorb energy prior to crack initiation at high- and low plastic strain amplitudes.
Synthesis of 4(3H)‐quinazolinones from derivatives of methyl 2‐isothiocyanatobenzoate

Ethyl N-(2-methoxycarbonylphenyl)thiocarbamate (2), N-(2-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-4-methoxythiobenz-amide (3b), and 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4H-3,1-benzothiazin-4-one (4a), react with nucleophilic reagents containing at least one primary amino group to yield a variety of 2-substituted and 2,4-disubstituted 4(3H)quinazolinones, as well as some tricyclic and tetracyclic products.
Optimal management of the pancreatic remnant after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Objective The authors evaluated methods of operative management of the pancreatic remnant after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Summary Background Data Despite reductions in mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy, leakage from the pancreatic remnant still may cause significant morbidity. Patients with small, unobstructed pancreatic ducts or soft, friable pancreata are at particularly high risk. Although numerous surgical techniques have been described to avoid such complications, no single method is suitable for all patients. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 114 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Sixty-nine patients were men (61%) and 45 were women (39%), with median age 66 years. Underlying disease was malignant in 87 (76%) and benign in 27 (24%). Patients were divided into groups based on risk for postoperative pancreatic fistula and on the operative management of the pancreatic remnant. Sixty-eight patients underwent end-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy, 13 of whom were high risk (group 1A) and 55 of whom were low risk (group 1B). Thirty-seven patients, all high risk, had either pancreatic duct closure by oversewing (N = 19, group 2) or end-to-end pancreaticojejunal invagination (N = 18, group 3). Nine patients underwent total pancreatectomy (group 4). Morbidity related to prolonged pancreatic drainage (PPD) of greater than 20 days was determined. Results Overall incidence of PPD was 17% and caused the only death. Patients considered high risk for postoperative pancreatic fistula had a 36% incidence of PPD compared with 2% in patients considered low risk (p < 0.0001). Prolonged pancreatic drainage frequency related to the method of pancreatic remnant management was as follows : group 1A, 15% ; group 1B, 2% ; group 2, 79% ; and group 3, 6% (p < 0.001 for group 2 vs. other groups). No serious sequelae followed PPD in 15 patients (79%) ; however, 4 patients required reoperation for pseudocyst or abscess drainage ; one in group 1A (who died) and three in group 2. Multivariate analysis revealed that operative technique (oversewing of the pancreatic duct) and male sex were significant factors predisposing a patient to the development of PPD. Conclusions After pancreaticoduodenectomy, pancreatic remnant management by end-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy appeared safe in low-risk patients. In high-risk patients, end-to-end pancreaticojejunal invagination was the safest option. Morbidity was greatest after pancreatic duct closure without anastomosis.
Bifurcation Dynamics in Control Systems

This paper is to report the observation that when the popular time-delayed feedback strategy is used for control purpose, it may actually create unwanted bifurcations. Hopf bifurcation created by delayed feedback control is the main concern of this article, but some other types of bifurcations are also observed to exist in such delayed-feedback control systems. The observations are illustrated by computer simulations.
Dynamic scheduling to optimize utility functions of sojourn time moments in queueing systems

It is well known that scheduling the service of customers according to the shortest remaining processing time (SRPT) policy is optimal with respect to minimizing the mean sojourn time of customers. Recent studies have further argued that SRPT does not unfairly penalize large customers in order to benefit small customers, and therefore these studies propose the use of SRPT to improve performance in various applications. However, as Schrage and Miller point out [10], the SRPT policy can raise several difficulties for a number of important reasons. Such difficulties can arise from the inability to accurately predict service times, or the complicated nature of implementing the preemptive aspect of the SRPT policy which requires keeping track of the remaining service times of all waiting customers as well as of the customer in service. Normally, preemption also incurs additional costs. and thus one might want to avoid the preemption of customers in service whose remaining service time is not much larger than that of a new arrival.
Parallel computation structures for a class of cyclic spectral analysis algorithms

A digital frequency smoothing algorithm for cyclic spectral analysis is described. Partitioning schemes are presented that have properties amenable to parallel implementation. Parallel computation structures, based on the partitioning schemes, are described and system architectures proposed.
Entropic drive in the sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase interaction with Mg2+ and Pi

Thermodynamic quantities for the binding of Mg2+ (in the presence of Ca2+) and Pi (in the presence of Mg2+ and absence of Ca2+) to sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase were determined from isothermal titration calorimetry measurements at 25 degrees C. Mg2+ and Pi are involved in reversal of the ATPase hydrolytic reaction, and their interactions with the ATPase are conveniently studied under equilibrium conditions. We found that the Mg2+ binding reaction is endothermic with a binding constant (Kb) = 142 +/- 4 M(-1), a binding enthalpy of 180 +/- 3 kJ mol(-1), and an entropy contribution (TdeltaSb) = 192 +/- 3 kJ mol(-1). Similarly, Pi binding is also an endothermic reaction with Kb = 167 +/- 17 M(-1), deltaHb = 65.3 +/- 5.4 kJ mol(-1), and TdeltaSb = 77.9 +/- 5.4 kJ mol(-1). Our measurements demonstrate that the ATPase can absorb heat from the environment upon ligand binding, and emphasize the important role of entropic mechanisms in energy transduction by this enzyme.
Salting-out chromatography; empirical equations relating Rf values to atomic refraction constants.

Abstract Peptides, α-amino acids and miscellaneous organic compounds were chromatographed on filter paper using saturated ammonium sulfate solution as the developing solvent. Equations relating R F values to molecular refraction constants were derived empirically. Applications of such equations in predicting R F values and obtaining information concerning molecular structure are discussed briefly.
Kainic acid lesions enhance locomotor responses to novelty, saline, amphetamine, and MK-801

Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of kainic acid (KA) to rats produces neuronal loss in the hippocampus and other areas of the limbic system. The present study demonstrates that i.c.v. KA enhances the locomotor response to novelty and saline injection, as well as to amphetamine and MK-801. Sixteen to 18 days after i.c.v. administration of KA or vehicle, lesioned and control rats were placed in a novel cage, and locomotor activity and grooming were recorded for 30 min prior to and 60 min following a subcutaneous injection of saline, D-amphetamine, or MK-801. In response to the novel cage and after each injection, KA rats exhibited increased locomotor activity relative to controls. Grooming behavior was found to be elevated in the KA rats when compared to controls, but only in response to the novel cage and saline injection. The possibility that damage to the limbic system disrupts dopaminergic regulation of locomotor behavior is discussed, as well as implications for neuropathology in schizophrenia.
A Touch of Antibody Class

When B cells, the antibody producing cells of the body, encounter antigen they switch from producing immunoglobulin (Ig) M to producing other classes of antibody (IgG, IgA or IgE), the class selected depending on the type of immune response needed. But the way in which B cells skillfully switch from one antibody class to another is still not clear although it is known to involve recombination between genes. In a Perspective, [Stavnezer][1] explains how formation of hybrids between RNA transcripts (transcribed from the heavy chain gene to which the cell will switch) and the DNA template at crucial switch sequences in the genome regulates class switching ([ Tracy et al .][2]). It is possible that an as yet unidentified endonuclease digests the hybrid thereby creating the DNA ends that will be joined together. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/288/5468/984 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/288/5468/1058
Self-report and physiologic responding during in vivo flooding

Abstract Self-report and physiologic measures of arousal were obtained during in vivo flooding sessions. Minimal correspondence was found between these two assessment modalities. The significance of these findings for treatment is discussed.
Sensitive enantiomer-specific high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of methamphetamine and amphetamine from serum using precolumn fluorescent derivatization.

Abstract In order to study the stereoselective disposition of methamphetamine (MAP), a widely abused drug, we have developed a sensitive HPLC assay to separate and quantitate the enantiomers of MAP and amphetamine (AP) in rat serum. Serum samples to which was added aniline sulfate (internal standard) were alkalized with 0.02 M carbonate buffer (pH 10.6) and extracted with ethyl acetate. Following back extraction with hydrochloric acid, neutralization, and reconstitution, the sample was derivatized with (−)-fluorenylethyl chloroformate overnight at room temperature. The derivatized products were separated following injection onto a reversed-phase C 18 column. The mobile phase consisted of 0.02 M acetate buffer—acetonitrile—tetrahydrofuran (46:39:15, v/v). The fluorescent intensity of the effluent was monitored at excitation and emission wavelengths of 265 and 330 nm, respectively. The derivatized aniline, R -, S -AP, R - and S -MAP had retention times of 21.0, 22.6, 23.6, 27.7 and 29.0 min, respectively. Linear standard curves were obtained over the concentration range of 5–250 ng/ml. The inter-day and intra-day coefficients of variation for the assay of all four compounds at 12.5, 50.0 and 250 ng/ml were in the range of 2.1–18.6%. The method was applied to quantitate the concentrations of MAP and AP enantiomers in rat serum following a short term intravenous infusion of racemic MAP (15 mg/kg). There were no differences in serum concentrations of MAP enantiomers but the concentrations of S -AP were consistently greater than those of R -AP. These data suggest a stereoselective disposition for the formation and/or elimination of amphetamine.
A Sparse Signal Representation-based Approach to Image Formation and Anisotropy Determination in Wide-Angle Radar

We consider the problem of jointly forming images and determining anisotropy from wide-angle synthetic aperture radar (SAR) measurements. Conventional SAR image formation techniques assume isotropic scattering, which is not valid with wide-angle apertures. We present a method based on a sparse representation of aspect-dependent scattering with an overcomplete dictionary composed of elements with varying levels of angular persistence. Solved as an inverse problem, the result is a complex-valued, aspect-dependent response for each spatial location in a scene. Our formulation leads to an optimization problem for which we develop a tractable, graph-structured approximate algorithm. We present experimental results on realistic electromagnetic simulations demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Kinetics of soil-plant nitrate relations in potato and peppermint : a model for derivative diagnosis

Abstract Suitable plant diagnostic procedures for nitrogen (N) management in high input crops such as potato (Solanum tuberosum) and peppermint (Piper mentha) should be derivative [measuring instantaneous nitrogen (N) uptake] rather than integrative (total accumulation) and should reflect concurrent soil N availability. Analyses for dry matter or sap nitrate (NO3) in potato petioles or peppermint stems are proposed as derivative procedures, but the plant‐soil NO3 relations of these analyses are not well understood. Our objectives were to test the validity of these derivative plant diagnoses as measures of concurrent uptake against the Michaelis‐Menten model of saturation kinetics. Periodic measures of dry matter and sap NO3 in potato petioles and peppermint stems were taken from field experiments with various rates and timings of N fertilizer, and regressed against concurrent soil NO3 (0–30 cm) by nonlinear least squares fit to the model: V = (Vmax · SN)/(Ks + SN) where: V = potato petiole or peppermint s...
Modeling binocular competition through Hebbian plasticity and constrained connectivity

In the mammalian brain, inputs from the two eyes compete with each other during development for synaptic contacts with postsynaptic targets. Traditionally, binocular competition has been modeled using a Hebbian-like plasticity rule together with a fixed-sum constraint on total connectivity. Previous work has shown the certain, but not all, formulations of the constrained-connectivity model lead to binocular competition. These differences between model formulations had been analyzed using a correlation-based approach, particularly relevant for the developmental period after eye opening, when the two eyes are normally active together but at varying levels of inter-ocular correlation. More recently, experimental work has established a role for Hebbian plasticity in binocular competition also prior to eye opening. In contrast to later developmental stages, at this pre-vision stage, activity of the two eyes is largely de-correlated. The goal of the present study is twofold. First, a simplified analysis of the constrained-competition model is proposed for the case of de-correlated binocular activity as observed prior to eye opening. This analysis provides a more intuitive explanation for the sensitivity of the constrained-connectivity model to formulation details. Second, based on recent experimental findings, this work proposes a new, modified model in which binocular competition increases the total connectivity instead of operating under a fixed-sum constraint. Simulations and analysis show that this form of ''growth-promoting'' competition is less sensitive to formulation details and may therefore be biologically advantageous at early stages of visual development.
Does fabric tensor exist for a fabric

It is shown that the mean intercept length distribution for planar fibre networks or for materials composed of a set of plates is not in general elliptic and cannot be expressed analytically in terms of a second-order tensor. However, our numerical computations indicate that the polar plot of the mean intercept length at the angle of measurement may become nearly ellipsoidal as the microstructure (fibres or plates) become less discretely organized, but yet remain orthotropic. The equations presented in this study may be used to obtain fibre (plate) orientation density functions from the experimental data on mean intercept length distribution.
Has the changing nature of vascular surgery adversely affected scholarly activity.

Abstract Objective Because of reduced reimbursement and introduction of endovascular techniques into practice, vascular surgeons have increased clinical commitments. Therefore we hypothesized that the scholarly productivity of vascular surgeons has decreased. Study design An author-based Medline search was carried out for members of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS). The search included the period from 1985 to 1989 (era 1) for members in 1990, and from 1995 to 1999 (era 2) for members in 2000. Citations were assigned a type: basic science, clinical, case report, letter, or other; and a topic: cardiac, vascular, endovascular, transplantation, or miscellaneous. The main outcome measures were the proportion of members who published in each era and the rates of publication among authors. Results For era 1, 7069 citations were identified for 529 members, and for era 2, 6823 citations were identified for 615 members. Four hundred forty-two members were cited in era 1 (84%), compared with 443 (72%) in era 2 ( P = .01). A significantly smaller proportion of members published clinical research, case reports, and other publications, but not basic science or letters. Excluding unpublished members, there was a median of 11 total publications per author in each era. There were significant reductions in the proportion of members publishing papers related to cardiac (from 36% to 21%), transplantation (8% to 4%), and miscellaneous (43% to 31%) topics, and a significant increase in papers related to endovascular topics (from 19% to 28%) from era 1 to era 2. Moreover, there was a significant increase in median number of vascular (from 5 to 8) and endovascular (1 to 2) papers per published member. Further, the proportion of vascular and endovascular citations compared with total citations increased from 44% to 56% in era 1 and from 3% to 10% in era 2. On a yearly basis, there was a steady decrease in the number of citations throughout era 2, whereas the number of citations in era 1 was relatively constant. Conclusions Academic productivity was maintained for individual members who published across both eras, but a smaller proportion of the SVS membership published in era 2. There was also a progressive reduction in the number of publications during the 1990s.
The poetics and politics of re‐covering identities in health communication

(1996). The poetics and politics of re‐covering identities in health communication. Communication Studies: Vol. 47, No. 3, pp. 218-228.
Possible Role of Engraftment Syndrome and Autologous Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Myelodysplastic Syndrome After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantations: Retrospective Analysis and Review of the Literature

Background: We report a retrospective study of 452 patients with lymphoma from 1991 to 2006, with 274 men and 178 women, median age of 50 years (range, 16-76 years). Patients and Methods: There were 85 patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and 367 with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Eleven patients received a second autologous transplantation for progressive lymphoma, and another 4 received a second allogeneic transplantation for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Twenty-seven patients had skin biopsies, and 2 patients had gastrointestinal biopsies consistent with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and 11 patients developed severe engraftment syndrome (ES), as defined by noninfectious fever and skin rash with or without pulmonary infiltrates requiring systemic steroids. Results: The median follow-up of the patients was 6.2 years, and median overall survival was 5.3 years. Twenty-four patients (5.3%) developed MDS with median time of onset of 4.2 years (range, 8 months to 7.5 years). An additional 5 patients developed clonal karyotypic abnormalities in the bone marrow without clinical MDS. Actuarial probabilities of developing MDS at 5 and 8 years after transplantation were 5% and 15%, respectively. Conclusion: The incidences of MDS are similar in HL and NHL. Multivariate analysis revealed older age, occurrence of ES/GVHD, and longer intervals between the initial diagnoses to transplantation as independent factors. It is conceivable that perturbation to the host immunity caused by either previous chemotherapy or conditioning regimens in the elderly might play a role in the development of MDS after autologous transplantation.
Health monitoring of UCSD's I-5/Gilman advanced technology bridge

The main features of the advanced composite bridge that the University of California, San Diego is planning to build over interstate I-5 in California are presented. This bridge will utilise a number of fibre-reinforced-polymer components as structural members. The aim of the project is to demonstrate the use of these advanced materials in civil infrastructures. The main focus of this article is the health monitoring plan for the bridge. A number of advanced NDE and conventional methodologies will be used to monitor the bridge behaviour during its service life. The methods and sensors employed will include infrared thermography, ultrasonic testing, electrical resistance and fibre-optic strain gauges, accelerometers and acoustic emission testing. The results of an acoustic emission test for failure monitoring of a carbon-reinforced-polymer cable for potential use in the bridge are presented. The test allowed detection of early failure at 52%, 65%, 82% and 87% of the cable's ultimate load. This damage could not be detected by the traditional observation of stiffness changes. The results are used to compare different sets of cables currently under test, with the purpose of finalising the design of the bridge. An array of acoustic emission sensors will be employed in service for early warning of possible failure of the structure.
Electron Micrographs Of Metal Shadowed Materials: A Simple Technique For Making Negative Prints

SUMMARY Negative prints that are useful for all but the most exacting studies can be prepared simply and rapidly by using the positive print as an internegative in a contact printer. No special chemicals, papers or intermediate negatives are required.
SUBMISSION AND RETRIEVAL OF AN ALIGNED SET OF NUCLEIC ACID SEQUENCES

An important part of many studies published in the Journal of Phycology is the construction and analysis of an alignment of related nucleotide sequences. These alignments are valuable to other investigators, especially when the data provide a basis for more than one possible alignment. Publication of alignments, however, is prohibitively expensive, and the data are difficult to retrieve and use in this form. Several electronic archives for these alignments now exist, and information is provided here on the submission and retrieval of alignments at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the European Bioinformatics’ Institute (EBI), and TreeBASE. Emphasis is placed on the use of Sequin and Entrez at the NCBI, because these programs have been modified recently and they provide a fluid and integrated system to submit and retrieve sequence and alignment records and related information. Other useful features of Entrez (e.g. free Medline searches) are noted.
The 2003 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Earth Science presented to Norman Phillips and Joseph Smagorinsky

Abstract The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, awarded the 2003 Benjamin Franklin medal in Earth Science to Norman Phillips and Joseph Smagorinsky for their seminal and pioneering studies that led to the first successful predictions of the weather using numerical methods, and to an understanding of the general circulation of the atmosphere. In addition, Smagorinsky played a leading role in establishing the current global observational network for the atmosphere, and Phillips’ leadership fostered the development of effective methods for the use of observations in data assimilation systems.
Minimal rates of entropy convergence for completely ergodic systems

If (X,T) is a completely ergodic system, then there exists a positive monotone increasing sequence {a n } 1/∞ with lim n →∞a n =∞ and a positive concave functiong defined on [1, ∞) for whichg(x)/x 2 isnot integrable such that $$\mathop {\lim \inf }\limits_{n \to \infty } H\left( {\alpha _0^{n - 1} } \right)/a_n > 0 and \mathop {\lim \inf }\limits_{n \to \infty } H\left( {\alpha _0^{n - 1} } \right)/g\left( {\log _2 n} \right) > 0$$ for all nontrivial partitions α ofX into two sets.
Proximity and orientation underlie signaling by the non-receptor tyrosine kinase ZAP70.

Signaling by the antigen receptor of T lymphocytes initiates different developmental transitions, each of which require the tyrosine kinase ZAP70. Previous studies with agonist and antagonist peptides have indicated that ZAP70 might respond differently to different structures of the TCR–CD3 complex induced by bound peptides. The roles of membrane proximity and orientation in activation of ZAP70 signaling were explored using synthetic ligands and their binding proteins designed to produce different architectures of membrane‐bound complexes composed of ZAP70 fusion proteins. Transient membrane recruitment of physiological levels of ZAP70 with the membrane‐permeable synthetic ligand FK1012A leads to rapid phosphorylation of ZAP70 and activation of the ras/MAPK and Ca 2+ /calcineurin signaling pathways. ZAP70 SH2 domains are not required for signaling when the kinase is artifically recruited to the membrane, indicating that the SH2 domains function solely in recruitment and not in kinase activation. Using additional synthetic ligands and their binding proteins that recruit ZAP70 equally well but orient it at the cell membrane in different ways, we define a requirement for a specific presentation of ZAP70 to its downstream targets. These results provide a mechanism by which ZAP70, bound to the phosphorylated receptor, could discriminate between conformational changes induced by the binding of different MHC–peptide complexes to the antigen receptor and introduce an approach to exploring the role of spatial orientation of signaling complexes in living cells.
The Natural History of Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer

IGHT FROM THE STARS IN STEPHAN’S QUINTET IN THE Pegasus constellation takes 270 million years to reach Earth. By the time this light arrives and allows observers to see these galaxies, the stars are no longer there. Observing the long-term outcomes for patients with minimally treated prostate cancer evokes a similar although much less extreme dilemma. In this issue of JAMA, Albertsen and colleagues 1 report updated results from a cohort of Connecticut men who received neither surgical nor radiation therapy for prostate cancer diagnosed between 1971 and 1984. This cohort is noteworthy because it is the largest of its kind yet assembled. In addition, it is populationbased and has a mean follow-up time of more than 20 years— which is virtually Hubble telescope range given the pace of