cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prediction of the pH dependence of the separation of weak electrolytes by ion-exchange: amino acid chromatography with competitive buffer ion eluents.

Abstract In cation exchange when the sample cations are weak electrolytes, several benefits arise from choosing the eluent cation to be a weak electrolyte with a similar p K . The entire pH buffering range of the eluent can then be practically utilized to effect a modulation of the sample elution volumes. For elution of aliphatic amino acids from sulfonated polystyrene resin using a pyrazolium chloride eluent (pH 4.0 to 1.5) we obtained selectivity coefficients that are independent of pH and ionic strength as well as only weakly dependent on temperature and sample concentration. As a result the sample elution behavior is accurately predictable. The analytical-scale data were used to develop a preparative procedure capable of resolving a sample to resin load 10 times larger than previously reported for amino acid chromatography on laboratory-scale systems.
Application of the "rule of 72" in medical physics and dosimetry.

Abstract The “rule of 72,” commonly applied to financial questions, is discussed as to its applicability in medical physics and dosimetry.
Number theoretic properties of generating functions related to Dyson's rank for partitions into distinct parts

Let Q(n) denote the number of partitions of n into distinct parts. We show that Dyson's rank provides a combinatorial interpretation of the well-known fact that Q(n) is almost always divisible by 4. This interpretation gives rise to a new false theta function identity that reveals surprising analytic properties of one of Ramanujan's mock theta functions, which in turn gives generating functions for values of certain Dirichlet L-functions at nonpositive integers.
Pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass

1. Jaggers J, Shearer IR, Ungerleider RM. Cardiopulmonary bypass in infants and children. In: Gravlee G, ed. Cardiopulmonary bypass: principals and practice. New York: Lippencott, Williams and Wilkins, 2000. 2. Gaynor JW, Kern FH, Greeley WJ, et al. Management of cardiopulmonary bypass in infants and children. In: Baue AE, Geha AS, Laks H, et al, eds. Glenn’s thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange, 1996. 3. McGiffen DC, Kirklin JK. Cardiopulmonary bypass, deep hypothermia, and total circulatory arrest. In: Mavroudis C, Backer CL, eds. Pediatric cardiac surgery. St Louis, MO: CV Mosby, 1994.
Possible Selves in Adult Education.

What does the possible selves construct add to our understanding of adult learning and our capacity to foster it? Implications in relation to transformative learning are discussed.
Improved culture of individual muscle fibres with and without spinal cord explants in a collagen gel

Abstract Suspension culture of single adult rat flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscle fibres in Vitrogen, a purified collagen, on tissue culture plastic or glass with mesh ring supports is superior to culture upon other substrates including collagen-, laminin-, or Vitrogen-coated tissue culture plastic. The Vitrogen gel-fibre mixture which attaches to glass or plastic provides at least 10 times more fibres per dish than does plating fibres on other substrates. Use of Vitrogen gel permits variable plating densities and the production of adequate numbers of cultures for long-term experimental comparisons of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and rhodamine-α-bungarotoxin (RBTX) distribution on muscle fibres. Use of 40 μ/ml ovotransferrin (OT) instead of chick embryo extract in the culture medium significantly improves long-term survival. Cultured fibres, with or without the addition of ventral spinal cord explants, may also be examined with electrophysiological techniques.
A new structural insight into XPA–DNA interactions

XPA (xeroderma pigmentosum group A) protein is an essential factor for NER (nucleotide excision repair) which is believed to be involved in DNA damage recognition/verification, NER factor recruiting and stabilization of repair intermediates. Past studies on the structure of XPA have focused primarily on XPA interaction with damaged DNA. However, how XPA interacts with other DNA structures remains unknown though recent evidence suggest that these structures could be important for its roles in both NER and non-NER activities. Previously, we reported that XPA recognizes undamaged DNA ds/ssDNA (double-strand/single-strandDNA) junctions with a binding affinity much higher than its ability to bind bulky DNA damage. To understand how this interaction occurs biochemically we implemented a structural determination of the interaction using a MS-based protein footprinting method and limited proteolysis. By monitoring surface accessibility of XPA lysines to NHS-biotin modification in the free protein and the DNA junction-bound complex we show that XPA physically interacts with the DNA junctions via two lysines, K168 and K179, located in the previously known XPA(98–219) DBD (DNA-binding domain). Importantly, we also uncovered new lysine residues, outside of the known DBD, involved in the binding. We found that residues K221, K222, K224 and K236 in the C-terminal domain are involved in DNA binding. Limited proteolysis analysis of XPA–DNA interactions further confirmed this observation. Structural modelling with these data suggests a clamp-like DBD for the XPA binding to ds/ssDNA junctions. Our results provide a novel structure-function view of XPA–DNA junction interactions.
Target detection in hyperspectral imagery using one-dimensional fringe-adjusted joint transform correlation

A novel one-dimensional (1D) fringe-adjusted joint transform (FJTC) correlation based technique is proposed for detecting very small targets involving only a few pixels in hyperspectral imagery. In this technique, spectral signatures from the unknown hyperspectral imagery are correlated with the reference signature using the 1D-FJTC technique. This technique can detect both single and/or multiple targets in constant time while accommodating the in-plane and out-of-plane distortion. Test results using real life hyperspectral image cube are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
CD86 and β2-Adrenergic receptor signaling pathways, respectively, increase Oct-2 and OCA-B expression and binding to the 3'-IgH enhancer in B cells

Stimulation of CD86 (formerly known as B7-2) and/or the β2-adrenergic receptor on a CD40 ligand/interleukin-4-activated B cell increased the rate of mature IgG1 transcription. To identify the mechanism responsible for this effect, we determined whether CD86 and/or β2-adrenergic receptor stimulation regulated transcription factor expression and binding to the 3′-IgH enhancer in vitro and in vivo. We showed that CD86 stimulation increased the nuclear localization of NF-κB1 (p50) and phosphorylated RelA (p65) and increased Oct-2 expression and binding to the 3′-IgH enhancer, in a protein kinase C-dependent manner. These effects were lost when CD86-deficient or NF-κB1-deficient B cells were used. CD86 stimulation also increased the level of IκB-α phosphorylation but in a protein kinase C-independent manner. β2-Adrenergic receptor stimulation increased CREB phosphorylation, OCA-B expression, and OCA-B binding to the 3′-IgH enhancer in a protein kinase A-dependent manner, an effect lost when β2-adrenergic receptor-deficient B cells were used. Also, the β2-adrenergic receptor-induced increase in the level of mature IgG1 transcript was lost when OCA-B-deficient B cells were used. These data are the first to show that CD86 stimulation up-regulates the expression of the transcription factor Oct-2 in a protein kinase C- and NF-κB1-dependent manner, and that β2-adrenergic receptor stimulation up-regulates the expression of the coactivator OCA-B in a protein kinase A-dependent manner to cooperate with Oct-2 binding to the 3′-IgH enhancer.
Adaptive routing considering delays due to signal operations

This work addresses the problem of determining optimal routing decisions in signalized traffic networks, where arc travel times vary over time and are known only probabilistically (i.e. in stochastic, time-varying (STV) networks) and additional delay due to signal operations is explicitly considered. While prior works in the literature address problems of routing in STV networks, none explicitly considers the additional delay that would be incurred due to signal operations at the intersections of the roadway network. In this paper, we consider an adaptive routing problem, where paths are adapted en route based on revealed information concerning the arc travel times and actual signal timings. We first discuss how concepts from existing procedures can be combined to solve the adaptive routing problem in signalized STV networks, where the signal timing plan and actual timings are known a priori. When actual timings or delays due to signal control are known only probabilistically, such techniques will be inefficient. Thus, we propose a more efficient algorithm for solving this latter problem. Results of numerical experiments conducted on a real-world-based signalized street network are presented. These results show that the solutions obtained by explicitly considering delays due to signal operations will likely be significantly different from those solutions generated by techniques that ignore such delays.
Documentation of Fatty Acid Profiles in Lamb Meat and Lamb-Based Infant Foods

: Lamb meat, when used in the weaning diet of children, is presumed to have a lower allergenicity than other forms of red meat. In children with atopic dermatitis and multiple food hypersensitivities, consumption of lamb meat has also resulted in significant clinical improvements in the severity of the eczematous lesions. Lamb meat is also of special interest in infant nutrition because it provides a somewhat unique fatty acid (FA) profile that mirrors what is thought to be optimal for neonatal growth and development. However, very little is known about how the processing of fresh meat (FM) into prepared infant foods influences its FA composition. In this study, we compared the FA profile of FM from suckling lambs with those of homogenized (HO) and lyophilized (LIO) baby foods prepared primarily with lamb meat. The results show that the content of total omega-3 polyunsaturated FAs was the highest in FM (more than 3-fold) compared to commercial baby food, due to largely higher contents of α-linolenic acid (1.5-fold higher), eicosapentaenoic acid (6-fold higher), and docosahexaenoic acid (10-fold higher). Furthermore, arachidonic acid was more than 6-fold higher in FM compared to LIO and HO. Results from this study suggest the possibility of enhancing the FA profile of commercial baby food based on meat by using lamb meat, but care should be taken during processing so that important FAs are not lost. Practical Application: In this article, we have documented that meat from the suckling lamb is an interesting and potentially important source of omega-3-FAs, especially some of the long-chain polyunsaturated FAs (LC-PUFAs) that are essential for optimal neonatal growth and development. These results may have special implications to the infant food industry, in that products made using meat from suckling lambs may provide not only exceptional amounts of these FAs, but also other limiting essential nutrients such as iron. This may be especially important in regions of the world, such as Italy, where use of lamb meat as a weaning food is common during infancy.
Lecithin-enhanced biotransformation of cholesterol to androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione and androsta-4-ene-3,17-dione

A biotransformation process using Mycobacterium sp was studied for androsta-1, 4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD) and androsta-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD) production from cholesterol. Cholesterol has a poor solubility in water (∼1.8 mg dm−3 at 25 °C), which makes it difficult to use as the substrate for biotransformation. Lecithin is a mixture of phospholipids of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), which behave like surfactants and can form planar bi-layer structures in an aqueous medium. Therefore, a small amount of lecithin (<1 g dm−3) can be used to form stable colloids with cholesterol at a relatively high concentration (20 g dm−3) in water. In this work, an energy density of 1000 J cm−3 from sonication was provided to overcome the self-association of cholesterol and to generate a stable lecithin–cholesterol suspension that could be used for enhanced biotransformation. The lecithin–cholesterol suspension was stable and could withstand typical autoclaving conditions (121 °C, 15 psig, 20 min). In contrast to conventional surfactants, such as Tween 80, that are commonly used to help solubilize cholesterol, lecithin did not change the surface tension of the aqueous solution nor cause any significant foaming problem. Lecithin was also biocompatible and showed no adverse effect on cell growth. Compared with the medium with Tween 80 as the cholesterol-solubilizing agent, lecithin greatly improved the biotransformation process in regard to its final product yield (∼59% w/w), productivity (0.127–0.346 g dm−3 day−1), ADD/AD ratio (6.7–8), as well as the long-term process stability. Cells can be reused in repeated batch fermentations for up to seven consecutive batches, but then lose their bioactivity due to aging problems, possibly caused by product inhibition and nutrient depletion. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Sensitization by annular surrounds: sensitization and the contrast-flash effect.

In spatial sensitization, the onset of a sensitizing annulus lowers the threshold for a test probe presented concentric with a continuously-illuminated disk which fills the center of the annulus. In the contrast-flash effect, the onset of an annulus elevates the threshold for a test stimulus which fills the center of the annulus. In the present study, stimulus parameters which differ between the two paradigms were systematically altered in order to converge on a stimulus configuration in which the annulus would either elevate or lower the threshold for a test stimulus with a change in only one or two of the stimulus values. It was found that the variables critical in determining the effect of an annulus on the threshold are the presence or absence of a steady disk at the center of the annulus, and for one subject the size of the test stimulus. These results are discussed in terms of models of sensitization and of the contrast-flash effect.
A comparison of six smoothers when there are multiple predictors

Abstract The paper compares six smoothers, in terms of mean squared error and bias, when there are multiple predictors and the sample size is relatively small. The focus is on methods that use robust measures of location (primarily a 20% trimmed mean) and where there are four predictors. To add perspective, some methods designed for means are included. The smoothers include the locally weighted (loess) method derived by Cleveland and Devlin [W.S. Cleveland, S.J. Devlin, Locally-weighted regression: an approach to regression analysis by local fitting, Journal of the American Statistical Association 83 (1988) 596–610], a variation of a so-called running interval smoother where distances from a point are measured via a particular group of projections of the data, a running interval smoother where distances are measured based in part using the minimum volume ellipsoid estimator, a generalized additive model based on the running interval smoother, a generalized additive model based on the robust version of the smooth derived by Cleveland [W.S. Cleveland, Robust locally weighted regression and smoothing scatterplots, Journal of the American Statistical Association 74 (1979) 829–836], and a kernel regression method stemming from [J. Fan, Local linear smoothers and their minimax efficiencies, The Annals of Statistics 21 (1993) 196–216]. When the regression surface is a plane, the method stemming from [J. Fan, Local linear smoothers and their minimax efficiencies, The Annals of Statistics 21 (1993) 196–216] was found to dominate, and indeed offers a substantial advantage in various situations, even when the error term has a heavy-tailed distribution. However, if there is curvature, this method can perform poorly compared to the other smooths considered. Now the projection-type smoother used in conjunction with a 20% trimmed mean is recommended with the minimum volume ellipsoid method a close second.
Thermal Interface Materials: Historical Perspective, Status, and Future Directions

With the continual increase in cooling demand for microprocessors, there has been an increased focus within the microelectronics industry on developing thermal solutions. Thermal interface materials (TIMs) play a key role in thermally connecting various components of the thermal solution. Review of the progress made in the area of TIMs in the past five years is presented. The focus is on the rheology-based modeling and design of polymeric TIMs due to their widespread use. Review of limited literature on the thermal performance of solders is also provided. Merits and demerits of using nanoparticles and nanotubes for TIM applications are also discussed. I conclude the paper with some directions for the future that I feel are relatively untouched and potentially very beneficial
Protein and energy consumption, plasma amino acid ratios, and brain neurotransmitter concentrations.

Abstract The hypothesis that long-term protein and energy intakes are controlled, respectively, by brain concentrations of serotonin (5HT) and the catecholamines, dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) has been proposed by Anderson and associates [2,5]. This control is assumed to be mediated through the influence of diet composition on the availability of the amino acid precursors of the neurotransmitters to the brain. The hypothesis was tested in experiments in which plasma amino acid concentrations and brain neurotransmitters were measured in young rats allowed to choose between two isocaloric diets differing in protein content (15% vs 55% casein or 15% vs 55% wheat gluten) and containing additional amounts of certain amino acids. No consistent correlation was observed between protein consumption and either the plasma ratio of tryptophan to neutral amino acid (Trp/NAA) concentrations or brain 5HT concentration. Similarly, no correlation was observed between energy intake and either the plasma ratios of Tyr/Phe and Tyr/NAA concentrations or the brain concentrations of NE and DA. The most apparent association observed was a strong correlation between total protein consumption and the sum of plasma branched-chain amino acid concentrations. Under the conditions of this experiment, feeding behavior seemed to be associated positively with the needs of the animal for nutrients and negatively with ingestion of an excess of amino acids generally rather than with plasma amino acid concentration ratios and brain neurotransmitter levels.
Influenza pneumonia: a descriptive study.

Objective To describe the clinical features and complications of patients hospitalized with influenza during the 1999–2000 influenza season. Methods We reviewed all cases of patients with influenza admitted to a large metropolitan referral hospital during the 1999–2000 season. Results Thirty-five adult patients (15 men and 20 women) tested positive for influenza A by direct enzyme immunoassay. A fourfold to sevenfold increase in the number of influenza cases was observed over previous years. Most patients had serious comorbid illnesses (88%), such as diabetes and chronic respiratory and heart disease. Seventeen patients developed pneumonia; these patients tended to be older (mean ± SD, 63 ± 13 years vs 51 ± 19 years, respectively; p = 0.04) and had a higher incidence of chronic lung disease (41% vs 6%, respectively; p = 0.02) than the patients without pneumonia. Shortness of breath was the only symptom that distinguished patients with pneumonia from those with an upper respiratory tract illness alone. Antiviral treatment was begun 4 ± 3 days from initiation of symptoms in patients with pneumonia and consisted of oseltamivir (35.2%), rimantadine (5.8%), or a combination of both (17.6%). Respiratory and/or blood culture results were positive in five patients (29%), Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in five patients, and Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated in one patient. Ten of the patients with pneumonia (58.8%) were admitted to the ICU, and 5 patients (29%) died. The length of ICU stay and mechanical ventilation were 28 ± 26 days and 21.5 ± 20.5 days, respectively. Death in most pneumonia patients was attributed to respiratory failure. Conclusion The recognized number of hospital admissions for influenza increased fourfold to sevenfold over previous years, most likely due to the implementation of rapid diagnostic tests for influenza. Patients with signs and symptoms of influenza and shortness of breath should undergo chest radiography. Hospitalization of patients with influenza pneumonia occurred in both previously healthy and immunocompromised patients and had a high mortality . S aureus was the most common bacterial isolate in patients with influenza pneumonia. Empiric antibiotics with staphylococcal activity should be used pending culture results in patients with influenza pneumonia. The effectiveness of oseltamivir and rimantadine in treating patients with influenza pneumonia remains to be determined.
Stability criteria for certain high odd order delay differential equations

In this paper we study the asymptotic stability of the zero solution of odd order linear delay differential equations of the formy^(^2^m^+^1^)(t)=@?j=02ma"jy^(^j^)(t)+@?j=02mb"jy^(^j^)(t-@t),where a"j and b"j are certain constants and m>=1. Here @t>0 is a constant delay. In proving our results we make use of Pontryagin's theory for quasi-polynomials.
Can adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder be distinguished from those with comorbid bipolar disorder? Findings from a sample of clinically referred adults.

Abstract Background Despite data describing the overlap of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder (BPD) in youth, little is known about adults with these co-occurring disorders. We now evaluate the clinical characteristics of referred adults with ( n = 24) and without BPD ( n = 27). Methods Referred adults to clinical trials of ADHD were evaluated by psychiatric evaluation using DSM-IV criteria. Structured psychiatric interviews were used to systematically assess adult and childhood disorders. Results The vast majority of patients with ADHD plus BPD had bipolar II disorder (88%). Adults with ADHD plus BPD had higher rates of the combined subtype of ADHD compared to ADHD without BPD (χ 2 = 8.7, p = .003), a greater number of DSM-IV ADHD symptoms (14.8 ± 2.9 and 11.4 ± 4.0; t = −3.4, p t = −2.5, p t = 2.6, p t = −2.9, p Conclusions These results suggest that adults with ADHD plus BPD have prototypic symptoms of both disorders, suggesting that both disorders are present and are distinguishable clinically.
A Stability-Indicating HPLC Method for the Determination of Nitrosylcobalamin (NO-Cbl), a Novel Vitamin B12 Analog

Nitrosylcobalamin (NO-Cbl), a novel vitamin B12 analog and anti-tumor agent, functions as a biologic 'Trojan horse', utilizing the vitamin B12 transcobalamin II transport protein and cell surface receptor to specifically target cancer cells. a stability-indicating HPLC method was developed for the detection of NO-Cbl during forced degradation studies. This method utilized an ascentis® RP-amide (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column at 35 °C with a mobile phase (1.0 mL min-1) combining a gradient of methanol and an acetate buffer at pH 6.0. Detection wavelengths of 450 and 254 nm were used to detect corrin and non-corrin-based products, respectively. NO-Cbl, synthesized from hydroxocobalamin and pure nitric oxide gas, was subjected to degradative stress conditions including oxidation, hydrolysis and thermal and radiant energy challenge. The method was validated by assessing linearity, accuracy, precision, detection and quantitation limits and robustness. The method was applied successfully for purity assessment of synthesized NO-Cbl and for the determination of NO-Cbl during kinetic studies in aqueous solution and in solid-state degradation assessments. This HPLC method is suitable for the separation of cobalamins in aqueous and methanolic solutions, for routine detection of NO-Cbl and for purity assessment of synthesized NO-Cbl. additionally, this method has potential application in identification and monitoring of diseases involving altered nitric oxide homeostasis where vitamin B12 therapy is utilized to scavenge excess nitric oxide, subsequently resulting in the in vivo production of NO-Cbl.
Potentials and isometric embeddings inL 1

lp/3 does not embed isometrically inL 1, forp>2. The question whenl r n embeds isometrically inL pis completely answered.
Structural Studies of Phosphatidylinositol-Specific Phospholipase C from S. Aureus; An Intramolecular π-Cation Latch

Staphylococcus aureus secretes a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PIPLC) that contributes to bacterial virulence. We have determined the crystal structure of this enzyme at pH 4.6 and pH 7.5. When crystallized under slightly basic conditions (pH 7.5), the S. aureus PIPLC (SaPI-PLC) structure closely follows the conformation of other PI-PLCs. However, when crystallized under acidic conditions (pH 4.6), a large section of mobile loop at the αβ-barrel rim in the vicinity of the active site shows ∼10 A shift from the position of this loop in all other published PI-PLC structures. The cause of this loop shift under acidic conditions is the result of a titratable intramolecular π-cation interaction between His258 and Phe249. A structure of the mutant protein H258Y crystallized at pH 4.6 does not exhibit this interaction, and the mobile loop remains in the open position. The π-cation latched mobile loop, when in the closed position, can restrict substrate access to the active site. The pH profile for enzyme activity exhibits a maximum at pH 6.5 with steep decreases at pH 6 and 7. Studies of the enzyme binding to vesicles indicate the Kd is lower at acidic pH values (consistent with electrostatic interactions dominating binding) and increases dramatically above pH 7. Thus, rather than affect bulk binding of the protein to target vesicles, this titratable π-histidine cation interaction must affect access of the substrate in the active site.
The establishment of two cell lines from the insect Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae).

The history and characteristics of two cell lines developed from primary explants of pupal tissue from the insect,Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), are described. One cell line, IPLB-SF-21, was developed with hemolymph-supplemented medium and has been maintained continuously on the medium. The second cell line, IPLB-SF-1254, was developed with a medium containing a combination of vertebrate sera plus hemolymph and was adapted to hemolymph-free medium at the 6th passage. The IPLB-SF-1254 line is 36 hr. The chromosomal morphology and distribution was typical of other lepidopteran cell lines. Serological studies showed that both cell lines have at least one antigen which also is common to tissue antigens from pupae ofSpodoptera frugiperda.
Crosslinking transcription factors to their recognition sequences with PtII complexes

We have prepared phosphorothioate-containing cyclic oligodeoxynucleotides that fold into 'dumbbells' containing CRE and TRE sequences, the binding sequences for the CREB and JUN proteins, respectively. Six phosphorothioate residues were introduced into each of the recognition sequences. K2PtCl4 crosslinks CRE to CREB and TRE to JUN. The extent of crosslinking is about eight times greater than that observed with standard oligodeoxynucleotides and amounts to 30-50% of the efficiency of non-covalent association as estimated by gel-shift assays. Crosslinking is reversed by incubation with NaCN. The crosslinking reaction is specific--a dumbbell oligonucleotide with six phosphorothioate groups introduced into the Sp1 recognition sequence could not be crosslinked efficiently to CREB or JUN proteins with K2PtCl4. The binding of TRE to CREB is not strong enough for effective detection by gel-shift assays, but the TRE-CREB complex is crosslinked efficiently by K2PtCl4 and can then readily be detected.
Acquiring and maintaining abstract landmark chunks for cognitive robot navigation

In this paper, we discuss an important aspect of cognitive mobile robotics stemming from a new project in which an adaptive working memory is investigated for robot control and learning. Specifically, our approach is built on the premise that qualitative spatial reasoning is an appropriate framework to pose, learn, and solve navigational tasks. As such, the robot must be able to acquire and maintain landmarks in a form that facilitates learning and subsequent travel. Much research on landmark recognition has focused on either point landmarks or on landmark objects that come from segmentation and feature extraction. Here, we combine these approaches in the following sense. Potential landmark points are acquired in the point mode, but aggregations of them are utilized to represent "interesting" objects that can then be maintained throughout the path. In this paper, we investigate whether consistent aggregations can be maintained and thus serve as candidate chunks for the working memory system. The approach was tested on a video sequence of 1200 frames. Examples from this outdoor video are shown to corroborate the approach.
Rapid vertical sampling in stably stratified turbulent shear flows

Abstract A new method for obtaining instantaneous vertical profiles of two components of velocity and temperature in thermally stratified turbulent shear flows is presented. In this report, the design and construction of the traversing system will be discussed and results to date will be presented. The method is based on rapid vertical sampling whereby probe sensors are moved vertically at a high speed such that the measurement is approximately instantaneous. The system is designed to collect many measurements for the calculation of statistics such as vertical wave number spectra, mean square vertical gradients, and Thorpe scales. Results are presented for vertical profiles of temperature and compared to vertical profiles measured by single-point Eulerian time averages. The quality of the vertical profiles is found to be good over many profiles. Some comparisons are made between vertical measurements and standard single-point Eulerian measurements for three cases of stably stratified turbulent shear flow in which the initial microscale Reynolds number, Reλ≈30. In case 1, the mean conditions are characterized by a gradient Richardson number, Rig=0.015, for which the flow is “unstable”, meaning the spatially evolving turbulent kinetic energy (Ek) grows. In case 2, Rig=0.095, for which the evolving turbulent kinetic energy is almost constant. In case 3, the flow is highly stable, where Rig=0.25 and Ek decays with spatial evolution. The measurements indicate anisotropy in the small scales for all cases. In particular, it is found that the ratio R= ( ∂ θ/ ∂ z) 2 / ( ∂ θ/ ∂ x) 2 grows initially to a maximum and then decays with further evolution. Maximum Thorpe displacements are measured and compared to single-point measures of the vertical scales. It is found that vertical length scales derived from single-point measurements, such as the Ozmidov scale, LO=(ϵ/N3)1/2 and the overturn scale, Lt=θ′/(dT/dz), do not represent well the wide range of overturning scales which are actually present in the turbulence.
ACTIVATION OF THE MAIZE TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENT SUPPRESSOR-MUTATOR (SPM) IN TISSUE CULTURE

Previous experiments have revealed that the maize transposable element Activator (Ac) may become active during tissue culture. The objective of the present study was to determine whether a second transposable element, Suppressor-mutator (Spm), could also be activated in tissue culture and detected in regenerated maize plants. Approximately 500 R1 progeny of 143 regenerated plants (derived from 49 embryo cell lines) were crossed as males onto an Spm-responsive tester stock. Spm activity was observed in two R1 progeny of a single regenerated plant. This plant had been regenerated from Type II (friable embryogenic) callus of an A188 × B73 genetic background after 8 months in culture; the absence of Spm activity in four other plants regenerated from this same callus demonstrates that Spm activity was not present before culturing. Approximately 20 Spm-homologous DNA sequences were detected in each of the inbreds used to initiate the tissue cultures; it is presumed that one of these became active to give rise to Spm activity.
An investigation of light diffracted by wide, high-frequency ultrasonic beams

Synopsis The theory of light diffraction by a sinusoidal, progressive, ultrasonic wave presented by Raman and Nath becomes invalid for high frequency, intense and/or wide sound beams. Mertens has developed a more exact theory for predicting the light diffraction pattern under such conditions. An experimental investigation to determine the range of validity of Mertens' theory is described.
Synergistic uterotrophic effect of gibberellic acid and estradiol in the immature mouse.

Abstract The combined treatment of immature female mice with gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) and estradiol (E 2 ) resulted in a significant increase of uterine weight, appreciably more than with estradiol alone. Indoleacetic acid (IAA) apparently did not have estrogenic activity.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and outcome in dementia

The use of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for the administration of food and medications in patients with dementia has been on an increase. Many studies have failed to demonstrate the positive outcome expected of this feeding modality for the indications that required tube placement. Hence, the concept of feeding through gastrostomy tubes has become the subject of much discussion and controversy in recent times. We have reviewed the literature with regard to outcome in older patients with dementia and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with respect to nutritional parameters, quality of life, and survival. A brief discussion on ethical and legal aspects is included. Much of the data do not suggest that outcome in dementia is favorably improved after percutaneous gastrostomy.
Partitioning and location of Bay K 8644, 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel agonist, in model and biological membranes

Several lines of evidence suggest that nonspecific drug interaction with the lipid bilayer plays an important role in subsequent recognition and binding to specific receptor sites in the membrane. The interaction of Bay K 8644, a 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium channel agonist, with model and biological membranes was examined at the molecular level using small angle x-ray diffraction. Nonspecific drug partitioning into the membrane was examined by radiochemical assay. Nonspecific binding characteristics of [3H] Bay K 8644 were determined in both dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) vesicles above and below their thermal phase transition (Tm) and rabbit skeletal muscle light sarcoplasmic reticulum (LSR). In DPPC, the partition coefficient, Kp, was 14,000 above the Tm (55 degrees C) versus 160 in the gel phase (2 degrees C). The Kp determined in LSR membranes was 10,700. These values for both DPPC and LSR membranes can be compared with Kp = 290 in the traditional octanol/buffer system. Using small-angle x-ray diffraction, the equilibrium position of the electron-dense trifluoromethyl group of Bay K 8644 in DPPC (above Tm) and purified cardiac sarcolemmal (CSL) lipid bilayers was determined to be consistently located within the region of the first few methylene segments of the fatty acyl chains of these membranes. This position is similar to that observed for the DHP calcium channel antagonists nimodipine and Bay P 8857. We suggest this particular membrane location defines a region of local drug concentration and plane for lateral diffusion to a common receptor site. Below the DPPC membrane Tm, Bay K 8644 was shown to be excluded from this energetically favored position into the interbilayer water space. Heating the DPPC bilayer above the Tm (55 degrees C) showed that this exclusion was reversible and indicates that drug-membrane interaction is dependent on the bilayer physical state. The absence of any specific protein binding sites in these systems allows us to ascertain the potentially important role that the bulk lipid phase may play in the molecular mechanism of DHP binding to the specific receptor site associated with the calcium channel.
Electrochemical behavior of blood coagulation proteins—factors V and VIII

Abstract The electrochemical reactions of two blood coagulation proteins, factors V and VIII (AC globulin and antihemophila factor) at platinum -NaCl interface were investigated using cyclic voltammetric techniques. Voltammograms were recorded for three concentrations of each of the proteins (0·1, 1·0 and 10 times the physiologic concentration) at different scan rates. The results of this preliminary study suggest that these compounds take part in more than one electron transfer reaction at the interface. Some of these may be coupled with chemical reactions. With both the proteins, particularly at lower concentrations, their adsorption has a significant influence on the peak current functions. Prediction as to the detailed type or nature of these reactions is not feasible at the present time due to the complexity of the molecules and to the lack of structural information of the proteins.
Transcriptional Regulation of L-type Calcium Channel Expression in Cardiac Myocytes

The L-type calcium channel is a heteromultimeric protein complex, which is expressed in the cardiac sarcolemma. Although post-translational regulation of its subunits by protein kinase A (PKA) has been widely reported, little is known about molecular processes that regulate expression of calcium channel subunits (alpha(1C), alpha(2)- delta, and beta(2A)subunits). Previous studies from our group demonstrate that the steady-state mRNA level of the alpha(1C)unit is increased by treatment of myocytes with beta -adrenergic agonists. The current study is designed to determine whether the mRNA levels for all subunits of the L-type calcium channel are coordinately controlled by a beta -adrenergic agonist, and whether this occurs predominantly through control of rate of transcription. Nuclear run-on assays were used to determine the transcription initiation rate of these genes in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. In isoproterenol (10(-7)m)-treated myocytes, transcription of genes encoding the alpha(1C), alpha(2)- delta, and beta(2A)subunits was enhanced. The increases in transcription initiation rate for alpha(1C), alpha(2)- delta, and beta(2A)subunits genes were 404%, 367%, and 240% of control, respectively. Pretreatment with the beta -adrenergic antagonist propranolol (10(-5)m) or PKA inhibitor H-89 (10(-6)m) blocked the effects of isoproterenol, while either drug alone did not affect the gene transcription rate significantly. Steady state mRNA levels of the subunits increased following isoproterenol treatment. These results suggest that beta -adrenergic stimulation and the PKA signaling pathway play an important role in transcriptional regulation of the L-type calcium channel in myocyte. The expression of all the subunits of this ion channel is under coordinate transcriptional control.
Simulations of Right- and Left-Moving Storms Produced Through Storm Splitting

Abstract Using a three-dimensional numerical cloud model, self-sustaining right- and left-moving storms are simulated which arise through splitting of the original storm. The right-moving storm develops a structure which bears strong resemblance to Browning's (1964) conceptual model, while the left-moving storm has mirror image characteristics. By altering the direction of the environmental shear at low and middle levels, either the right- or the left-moving storm can be selectively enhanced. Specifically, if the wind hodograph turns clockwise with height, a single right-moving storm envolves from the splitting process. Conversely, counterclockwise turning of the hodograph favors development of the left-moving storm.
Reconstruction of undersampled dynamic spiral MR images

The temporal resolution of dynamic MRI can be increased by sampling a fraction of k-space in an interleaved fashion, which causes spatial and temporal aliasing. We describe algebraically the aliasing process caused by spiral undersampling to formulate unaliasing as a set of independent inverse problems. Since each linear system is severely ill-conditioned, zeros are assumed in the solution. Specifically the size and the location of assumed zeros necessary for obtaining a unique solution is inspected. To overcome the problems of excessive memory and computation time needed for direct inverse computation, a fast implementation of the conjugate gradient (CG) method is proposed. Simulation using dynamic spiral cardiac images demonstrates improved temporal resolution of the proposed method.
Selective removal of composite sealants with near-ultraviolet laser pulses of nanosecond duration.

It is often necessary to replace pit and fissure sealants and composite restorations. This task is complicated by the necessity for complete removal of the remaining composite to enable suitable adhesion of new composite. Previous studies have shown that 355-nm laser pulses from a frequency-tripled Nd:YAG laser can selectively remove residual composite after orthodontic bracket removal on enamel surfaces. Our objective is to determine if such laser pulses are suitable for selective removal of composite pit and fissure sealants and restorations. Optical coherence tomography is used to acquire optical cross sections of the occlusal topography nondestructively before sealant application, after sealant application, and after sealant removal. Thermocouples are used to monitor the temperature in the pulp chamber during composite removal under clinically relevant ablation rates, i.e., 30 Hz and 30 mJ/pulse. At an irradiation intensity of 1.3 J/cm 2 , pit and fissure sealants are completely removed without visible damage to the underlying enamel. At intensities above 1.5 J/cm 2 , incident laser pulses remove the resin layer while at the same time preferentially etching the surface of the enamel. Temperature excursions in the pulp chamber of extracted teeth are limited to less than 5°C if air-cooling is used during the rapid removal (1 to 2 min) of sealants, water-cooling is not necessary. Selective removal of composite restorative materials is possible without damage to the underlying sound tooth structure.
A Whole-Chromosome Analysis of Meiotic Recombination in Drosophila melanogaster

Although traditional genetic assays have characterized the pattern of crossing over across the genome in Drosophila melanogaster, these assays could not precisely define the location of crossovers. Even less is known about the frequency and distribution of noncrossover gene conversion events. To assess the specific number and positions of both meiotic gene conversion and crossover events, we sequenced the genomes of male progeny from females heterozygous for 93,538 X chromosomal single-nucleotide and InDel polymorphisms. From the analysis of the 30 F1 hemizygous X chromosomes, we detected 15 crossover and 5 noncrossover gene conversion events. Taking into account the nonuniform distribution of polymorphism along the chromosome arm, we estimate that most oocytes experience 1 crossover event and 1.6 gene conversion events per X chromosome pair per meiosis. An extrapolation to the entire genome would predict approximately 5 crossover events and 8.6 conversion events per meiosis. Mean gene conversion tract lengths were estimated to be 476 base pairs, yielding a per nucleotide conversion rate of 0.86 × 10−5 per meiosis. Both of these values are consistent with estimates of conversion frequency and tract length obtained from studies of rosy, the only gene for which gene conversion has been studied extensively in Drosophila. Motif-enrichment analysis revealed a GTGGAAA motif that was enriched near crossovers but not near gene conversions. The low-complexity and frequent occurrence of this motif may in part explain why, in contrast to mammalian systems, no meiotic crossover hotspots have been found in Drosophila.
Flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity of spinach genotypes determined by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

BACKGROUND: Flavonoids in different spinach genotypes were separated, identified, and quantified by a high-performance liquid chromatographic method with photodiode array and mass spectrometric detection. The antioxidant capacities of the genotypes were also measured using two antioxidant assays‐oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORACFL) and photochemiluminescence (PCL)‐which measure the response to the peroxyl and superoxide anion radicals, respectively. RESULTS: Eighteen flavonoids representing glucuronides and acylated di- and triglycosides of methylated and methylene dioxide derivatives of 6-oxygenated flavonols were identified (patuletin, spinacetin, spinatoside, jaceidin). The total flavonoids ranged from 1805 to 3703mgkg −1 , indicating 2.0-fold variation among genotypes. The ORACFL and PCL values ranged from 48.7 to 84.4mmol kg −1 and from 9.0 to 14.0mmol kg −1 , respectively, representing as much as 1.7-fold variation among genotypes. CONCLUSION: The ORACFL and PCL values were highly correlated with total flavonoid content (rxy = 0.96).  2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Concurrent surgeries are a factor in predicting success of rectus transfer outcomes

Abstract Cerebral palsy (CP) patients exhibit a wide range of functional responses to specific surgical interventions. The variability associated with surgical outcomes within this patient population precipitates the need to determine the functional effects in advance of the surgery. Pilot studies have indicated that the application of statistical models towards predicting functional outcomes of surgery produces clinically meaningful results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of pre-operative kinematic parameters in conjunction with concurrent surgeries on rectus transfer (RT) outcomes. Gait analysis data were collected from 68 patients (94 legs) pre- and post-operatively within a year of surgery. Patients were divided into four groups. Group 1 (N = 14) contained only legs experiencing a rectus transfer. Group 2 (N = 30) contained legs experiencing RT and hamstring lengthening (HL). Group 3 (N = 7) contained legs experiencing RT and lower leg surgeries: either Achilles lengthening (AL), or gastrocnemius lengthening (GL). Finally, Group 4 (N = 43) contained legs which experienced all four surgeries (RT + HL + AL + GL) concurrently. Multivariate jackknifed linear regression was used to predict the change in knee range of motion, ΔROM, due to surgery on a group-by-group basis. In each case, the sole significant pre-surgical variable was the range of motion. Group 1 legs had the best correlation (R = 0.846) between pre-surgical ROM and ΔROM whereas Group 4 legs had the worst correlation (R = 0.661). Group 3 results were not significant. Group 1 ΔROM were also significantly lower as a whole, than all other groups, due to a larger percentage of patients needing the surgery to change timing of flexion in swing phase. When compared to modeling without consideration of surgery, modeling by surgical group produced results with fewer outliers and better correlation coefficients. Regardless of surgical group, patients with a lower pre-surgical ROM (