cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic analysis of high amylose content in maize (Zea mays L.) using a triploid endosperm model

Traditionally, high amylose starch (HAS) from maize (Zeamays L.) has been mainly used as an ingredient in gum candies and as an adhesive for corrugated cardboard. Two recent advances have increased interest in the use of HAS. The first one has been the development of starch-based biodegradable thermo plastics. Second, high amylose maize is a source of resistant starch (RS), a type of starch that resists digestion. As a food additive, consumers can benefit from added RS since it will lower the glycemic index and the risk of colon cancer in accordance with recent research in food science. Normal maize has about 25% amylose starch. A maize inbred line, GEMS-0067 (Reg. no GP-550, PI 643420) possesses high amylose modifier gene(s) that, together with the recessive amylose extender (ae) gene, raises the starch amylose percentage to at least 70%. The objective of this study was to determine the gene effects, non-allelic interactions and heritability of high amylose content in maize using Bogyo’s triploid model. Nine populations were derived from a cross between H99ae, a maize inbred line with 55% amylose starch, and GEMS-0067. Data were collected from two locations in Missouri (MO) and South Dakota (SD) over 2 years (2005 and 2006). Incomplete dominance explained some of the inheritance of HAS. Maternal effects were also detected. The triploid models for MO and SD were separately established based on the corresponding data in 2005 and 2006. The additive and type 1 dominance effects in MO, and the additive, type 1 dominance, type 2 dominance, and additive × additive in SD were significantly different from zero meaning that those effects played an important role in amylose synthesis. Both broad-sense and narrow-sense heritabilities were high indicating that high amylose content could be effectively selected for in a segregating population.
An atom probe field ion microscope investigation of the role of boron in precipitates and at grain boundaries in NiAl

The high resolution analytical technique of Atom Probe Field Ion Microscopy (APFTM) haseen used to characterize grain boundaries and the matrix of a stoichiometric NiAl alloy doped with 0.04 (100 wppm) and 0.12 at. % (300 wppm) boron. Field ion images revealed boron segregation to the grain boundaries. Atom probe elemental analysis of the grain boundaries measured a boron coverage of up to 30% of a monolayer. Extensive atom probe analyses also revealed a fine dispersion of nanoscale boride precipitates in the matrix. The boron segregation to the grain boundaries was found to correlate with the observed suppression of intergranular fracture. However, the decrease in ductility of boron-doped NiAl is attributed in part to the precipitation hardening effect of the boride phases.
CA9 Gene: Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Predicts Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Prognosis

Purpose: We assessed CA9 single nucleotide polymorphisms and mutations, and their association with CAIX protein expression, overall survival and response to interleukin-2 in white patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma.Materials Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from frozen tumor samples of 54 metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinomas. The CA9 gene exons and flanking regions were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. The monoclonal antibody M75 was used to evaluate CAIX protein expression in the primary tumor by immunohistochemistry.Results: CA9 reference single nucleotide polymorphisms rs2071676, rs12553173, rs3829078 and rs1048638 were found in 59%, 15%, 11% and 33% of patients, respectively. The deletion c.376del393 was observed in 2 patients. CAIX expression was greater than 85% in 65% of patients. No single nucleotide polymorphisms were significantly associated with CAIX expression. Patients with the C allele variant of rs12553173 had improved median survival (27....
Practical implementation of broadband diffractive optical elements

Diffractive optical elements (DOEs), with their thin profile and unique dispersion properties, have been studied and utilized in a number of optical systems, often yielding smaller and lighter systems. Despite the interest in and study of DOEs, the application of DOEs has been limited to narrow spectral bands. This is due to DOEs depths, which are optimized for optical path differences of only a single wavelength, consequently leading to rapid decline in efficiency as the working wavelength shifts away from the design wavelength. Various broadband DOE design methodologies have recently been developed that improve spectral diffraction efficiency and expand the working bandwidth of diffractive elements. Two such extended bandwidth diffractive designs have been modeled and fabricated. The diffraction efficiency test result for one broadband DOE design is presented.
Recent developments in high order K-exact reconstruction on unstructured meshes

This paper presents recent improvements in high-order K-exact reconstruction on unstructured meshes. The new reconstruction procedures are incorporated into a basic upwind finite-volume scheme suitable for solving scalar advection-diffusion equations as well as the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations. Numerical calculations are performed comparing the present method with lower order accurate reconstruction procedures (piecewise constant and piecewise linear) and various competing technologies such as the fluctuation splitting method of Roe (1987) and Deconinck et al. (1992) and a system-variant of the streamline diffusion Petrov-Galerkin method developed by Hansbo (1991) and Hansbo and Johnson (1991). Five test problems are used in the numerical comparisons: scalar circular advection, transonic and supersonic Euler flow, laminar boundary-layer flow, and general compressible Navier-Stokes flow.
How Can Internet Service Providers Tap into the Potentially-Lucrative Small Business Market?

Small businesses need Internet service to be competitive, and their spending on IT activities continues to grow. How can Internet Service Providers tap into this potentially lucrative market? This study attempts to identify Internet service features that are important to small businesses. Specifically, it used a survey method to explore the relationships between the importance of various features and organizational characteristics of small businesses, for example, size and type of business. The results show that the size of business affects the perceived importance placed on certain features, while the type of business does not. Implication of this finding for packaging Internet service is discussed.
Techniques for Computing Fitness of Use (FoU) for Time Series Datasets with Applications in the Geospatial Domain

Time series data are widely used in many applications including critical decision support systems. The goodness of the dataset, called the Fitness of Use (FoU), used in the analysis has direct bearing on the quality of the information and knowledge generated and hence on the quality of the decisions based on them. Unlike traditional quality of data which is independent of the application in which it is used, FoU is a function of the application. As the use of geospatial time series datasets increase in many critical applications, it is important to develop formal methodologies to compute their FoU and propagate it to the derived information, knowledge and decisions. In this paper we propose a formal framework to compute the FoU of time series datasets. We present three different techniques using the Dempster---Shafer belief theory framework as the foundation. These three approaches investigate the FoU by focusing on three aspects of data: data attributes, data stability, and impact of gap periods, respectively. The effectiveness of each approach is shown using an application in hydrological datasets that measure streamflow. While we use hydrological information analysis as our application domain in this research, the techniques can be used in many other domains as well.
Scanning Tunneling Microscope Study on Amorphous and Crystallized CoSi2 Films

CoSi2 films were investigated using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) to understand the film surface topology. The STM images showed that the as-deposited amorphous film had a nano-meter scale roughness which agrees with cross-sectional transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations and also had a uniform granular structure. Images of the crystallized film clearly show the crystal grain structure at the surface and the surface topography change associated with crystallization. In-situ crystallization was accomplished by operating the STM with a high bias; dome shape crystallites were produced at the surface of the amorphous films. kbl]References
The Posterior Sagittal Approach for Recurrent Genitourinary Pathology

Purpose: The posterior sagittal transanorectal approach offers the surgeon excellent exposure to the lower genitourinary system. The approach has been successfully used for revisional surgery involving the urinary tract and rectum. We have used this approach to treat mullerian remnants, acquired or congenital fistulas and acquired urethral strictures. In the setting of revisional surgery abdominal or perineal approaches may not provide the same level of exposure to the lower urinary tract.Materials and Methods: Of 911 males who underwent a posterior sagittal approach 12 were identified in whom this approach was used to manage lower urinary tract problems without associated anorectal malformation (group 1). An additional 58 patients with associated anorectal malformations were included in analysis (group 2).Results: All cases were approached with a posterior sagittal incision to facilitate exposure after failed prior surgical attempts to treat traumatic strictures of the proximal urethra in 4 and mullerian...
Site-directed Mutagenesis of P2U Purinoceptors: POSITIVELY CHARGED AMINO ACIDS IN TRANSMEMBRANE HELICES 6 AND 7 AFFECT AGONIST POTENCY AND SPECIFICITY

Two subtypes of G protein-coupled receptors for nucleotides (P2U and P2Y purinoreceptors) contain several conserved positively charged amino acids in the third, sixth, and seventh putative transmembrane helices (TMHs). Since the fully ionized form of nucleotides has been shown to be an activating ligand for both P2U and P2Y purinoceptors (P2UR and P2YR), we postulated that some of these positively charged amino acids are involved in binding of the negatively charged phosphate groups of nucleotides. To investigate the role of the conserved positively charged amino acids in purinoceptor function, a series of mutant P2UR cDNAs were constructed so that lysine 107 and arginine 110 in TMH 3, histidine 262 and arginine 265 in TMH 6, and arginine 292 in TMH 7 were changed to the neutral amino acid leucine or isoleucine. The mutated P2UR cDNAs were stably expressed in 1321N1 astrocytoma cells and receptor activity was monitored by quantitating changes in the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ upon stimulation with full (ATP, UTP) or partial (ADP, UDP) P2UR agonists. Neutralization of His262, Arg265, or Arg292 caused a 100-850-fold decrease in the potency of ATP and UTP relative to the unmutated P2UR and rendered ADP and UDP ineffective. In contrast, neutralization of Lys107 or Arg110 did not alter the agonist potency or specificity of the P2UR. Neutralization of Lys289 in the P2UR, which is expressed as a glutamine residue in the P2Y subtype, did not alter receptor activity; however, a conservative change from lysine to arginine at this position altered the rank order of agonist potency so that ADP and UDP were approximately 100-fold more potent than ATP and UTP. A three-dimensional model of the P2UR indicates the feasibility of His262, Arg265, and Arg292 interactions with the phosphate groups of nucleotides.
EFFECTS OF pH, ENZYMES, AND STORAGE TIME ON THE RHEOLOGY OF SWEET POTATO PUREE

Sweet potato purees were pH adjusted (some also heat treated) and stored up to 9 months in sealed containers at room temperature. Some purees were treated with amylolytic enzymes before or after storage. Rheology and carbohydrates were evaluated after 0, 3, 7, and 9 months. Nonenzyme treated purees at 4.2 pH were semi-solids after 3 months storage, but those at 1.5 and 11.5 pH had lower viscosities. Amylolytic enzyme treatments lowered molecular weights and viscosities. Pre-storage treatments were more effective than post storage in molecular weight reduction. Post storage treatments were more effective in viscosity reduction.
Structural and Functional Significance of Inhomogeneous Line Broadening of Band III in Hemoglobin and Fe-Mn Hybrid Hemoglobins

Near-infrared spectra of hemoglobin and Fe-Mn hybrid hemoglobins have been obtained at cryogenic temperatures. The charge-transfer (a2u(pi)----dzy) transition at approximately 760 nm (band III) has been found to be a conformationally sensitive indicator of the heme-pocket geometry in these species. Temperature, protein tertiary and quaternary structure, chain heterogeneity, and ligand rebinding subsequent to CO photolysis all affect the line width and position of this transition. We conclude that the overall line shape of band III is derived from both subunit heterogeneity and conformational disorder within each subunit. A model is suggested that relates the observed pH dependence of the kinetic hole burning due to ligand rebinding to specific structural parameters of the proximal heme pocket that influence both the peak position and the inhomogeneous line shape of band III.
Identification of Effective Problem-Solving Tools to Support Continuous Process Improvement Teams

AbstractContinuous process improvement (CPI) teams function differently than other project teams. Therefore, engineers who are called on to support CPI teams may need to utilize different tool sets if they are to be effective in improving manufacturing operations. This article explores the differences between CPI teams and traditional project teams. It also reports on the initial identification of problem-solving tools that meet the needs of CPI teams, and reports preliminary findings on their usefulness and applicability. Data from our 2-year study of 16 CPI teams working in light manufacturing, logistics, and automotive assembly show that tool selection is influenced by team life span, data availability, and team member skill level. This study also found that the primary factors influencing tool effectiveness are team member training and the time required for data analysis.
Beyond Tg: Optical luminescence measurements of molecular mobility in amorphous solid foods

Abstract Current research recognizes the importance of the glassy state for stabilizing amorphous solid foods and the importance of the glass transition (Tg) as an index temperature for food stability. This reflects a realization that molecular mobility modulates both physical properties such as texture and physical and chemical processes such as reaction rate, crystallization rate, solute diffusion, and collapse; the Tg is the onset temperature for cooperative translational motion in amorphous solids. The existence of complex structural features in foods with lengths ranging from nanometers to centimeters and the recognition that complex vibrational motions are activated in the glassy state, brings about the need to go beyond macroscopic measurements of product Tgs. It is now important to determine how molecular structure and mobility as well as microscopic organization modulate the macroscopic physical properties of foods. Luminescence spectroscopy provides a powerful arsenal of biophysical tools to investigate the structure and molecular mobility of amorphous solids; measurements of emission intensity, energy (wavelength), and polarization can provide direct information about molecular structure and mobility. Luminescence measurements of the effect of hydration and temperature on amorphous solid proteins and sugars reviewed here indicate that the molecular mobility due to local vibrational and rotational motions (as opposed to global translational mobility) in glassy foods is actually quite extensive with motions occurring on time scales ranging from nanoseconds to seconds. There is thus a need to identify how the rates of specific chemical and physical processes involved in food degradation are influenced by specific modes of molecular mobility in amorphous solid foods.
Prion Diseases of Humans and Animals

Abstract Prions cause infectious and genetic neurodegenerative diseases. Transmissible prion particles are composed largely, if not entirely, of an abnormal isoform of the prion protein (PrPSc), which is encoded by a chromosomal gene. A post-translational process involving a profound conformational change converts the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into PrPSc. PrPChas a high α-helix content and is devoid of β-sheet; whereas, PrPSchas a lower α-helix content but is high in β-sheet. Transgenetic studies argue that a factor(s) designated protein X functions in the formation of PrPSc, perhaps as a molecular chaperone. Mutations in the PrP gene are genetically linked to development of neurodegeneration in humans. These mutations may cause disease by destabilizing one or more of the α-helices of PrPC. Investigations of prion diseases may give insights into the more common neurodegenerative diseases.
Effects of dietary fish oil and butterfat on serum lipids and monocyte and platelet interactions with aortic endothelial cells

We studied effects of dietary lipids on some of the initial events in atherogenesis. Adult swine were fed low fat/low cholesterol diets, then challenged with a high cholesterol (1%, w/w) diet supplemented with 11.5% (w/w) butterfat (BF) or MaxEPATM fish oil (FO). Serum lipids and monocyte and platelet adhesion to porcine aortic endothelial cells in vitro were measured during feeding of the low fat diet and at 1, 2, and 5 weeks after the dietary challenge. Total cholesterol increased significantly in animals fed the BF and FO diets, but there was no difference between the groups. Animals fed FO had total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol values twice those fed BF (P $0.01). After 2 weeks on the hypercholesterolemic diet, monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells increased in swine fed FO by 123% above those fed a low fat diet, and adhesion values remained elevated (56% above baseline value) after 5 weeks. Monocytes from swine fed BF showed increased adhesion by 87, 53, and 14% above those fed the low fat diet at 1, 2, and 5 weeks respectively. Platelet adhesion to endothelial cells decreased (P < 0.05) after diet change and remained low. Adhesion of platelets from swine fed FO was significantly lower than those fed BF at 1 and 2 weeks but higher at 5 weeks. The FO diet, compared to the BF diet, produced a more atherogenic cholesterol profile and greater monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells, conditions which in vivo may promote lesion initiation.
Towards granular hydrodynamics in two dimensions

We study steady-state properties of inelastic gases in two-dimensions in the presence of an energy source. We generalize previous hydrodynamic treatments to situations where high and low density regions coexist. The theoretical predictions compare well with numerical simulations in the nearly elastic limit. It is also seen that the system can achieve a nonequilibrium steady-state with asymmetric velocity distributions, and we discuss the conditions under which such situations occur.
1013-113 Is Diabetic “Hyperadrenergic Orthostatic Hypotension” due to End Organ Resistance to Catecholamines?

It has been previously reported that orthostatic hypotension occurs in some diabetics despite markedly increased standing plasma norepinephrine. The mechanism for this response remains unclear. We hypothesized that this “hyperadrenergic response” is triggered by accentuated postural venous translocation of blood volume (venous pooling). We assessed the hemodynamic (99m Tc-RBC) and catecholamine responses to upright posture in 54 diabetic patients (30 M: 24 F, age 57.5 ± 13 yrs). Venous translocation was defined by the ratio of cardiopulmonary volume (CPV) to total blood volume (TBV, RISA method). Total peripheral resistance was calculated from cardiac output and blood pressure. Based on upright plasma norepinephrine (UPNE). patients were classified as: hyperadrenergic if UPNE is g558 pg/ml, hypoadrenergic if UPNE l495 and normal adrenergic response if 494 gUPNE l558. Within each group, orthostatic hypotension OH + was defined as a decrease in systolic blood pressure of g20 mmHg during tilt. Results HyperAdr HypoAdr Norm Adr OH+ OH- OH+ OH- OH+ OH– n 12 6 15 10 4 7 ΔSBP mmHg -55 ± 25 -12 ± 6 * -53 ± 23 -8 ± 8 * -62 ± 11 2 ± 24 * ΔHR BPM 6 ± 9 7 ± 7 13 ± 18 4 ± 6 13 ± 18 11 ± 8 ΔTPR U.M2 0.8 ± 7 12 ± 1.4 0.4 ± 7 4 ± 8 4 ± 4 11 ± 8 ΔCPV/TBV% -2 ± 1 -2.5 ± 3 -1 ± 3 -1 ± 2 -2 ± 1 -2 ± 3 ΔPNE Pg/ml 456 ± 512 369 ± 198 49 ± 80 † 98 ± 65 † 284 ± 33 238 ± 114 x ¯ ± SD * p l 0.0001 YS OH+ (HyperA, HypoA a Norm A) † P l 0.01 YS OH+ (HyperA). TPR = total peripheral resistance Conclusions Contrary to our hypothesis, orthostatic venous pooling was not accentuated in diabetics with hyperadrenergic OH+. Their disease is probably due to end organ resistance to plasma norepinephrine.
Protease activities in normal and schizophrenic human prefrontal cortex and white matter

Endo- and exopeptidase activities have been measured in normal post-mortem human prefrontal cortex and subjacent white matter to estimate their relative capabilities for protein and peptide degradation. Cathepsin D and three dipeptidases versus leucyl-glycine, glycyl-l-leucine and glycyl-glycine) were assayed in serial, microtome prepared frozen sections (± 125 μg fresh weight) and related to histological composition (Nissl stain), dry weight, total protein, and DNA content. RNA concentrations were similarly determined, serving as approximate indices of protein synthetic potential. Cathepsin D activity and RNA concentration were, respectively, threefold and twofold greater in cortical gray than in subcortical white matter. Each dipeptidase showed somewhat higher activity in white matter than in cortex. In both tissues the order of activities were: glycyl-leucine> glycyl-glycine>leucyl-glycine dipeptidase. The results are consistent with preferential localizations of cathepsin D in cortical neurons and dipeptidases in neuroglia. None of the four enzymes showed differences in activity in comparable cortex from six patients with chronic schizophrenia.
Comparison between three-dimensional and triplanar computed tomography imaging of the frontal recess.

BACKGROUND Despite advances in endoscopic surgical techniques, management of frontal sinus disease remains challenging. Much of this is related to the complex nature of frontal recess anatomy. A thorough understanding of frontal recess anatomy is paramount for the safety and success of frontal sinus surgery. Three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) may allow surgeons to obtain a more complete preoperative assessment of frontal recess anatomy. The purpose of this study was to determine if reconstructed 3D CT images as an adjunct to conventional triplanar imaging provide additional information regarding the frontal recess anatomy. METHODS A prospective study was performed. Two otolaryngologists reviewed the CT scans of 25 patients referred for routine paranasal sinus disease. The findings from review of the triplanar CT images were compared with the findings from review of the 3D reconstructions. Each study was assessed for (1) frontoethmoidal cells, (2) agger nasi cell, (3) subrabullar and frontal bullar cells, (4) intersinus septal cell, (5) superior uncinate process attachment site, and (6) and frontal sinus outflow tract. The examiners rated the usefulness of each study to identify each of the aforementioned anatomic subsites using a modified 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS Intersinus septal cells, supraorbital ethmoid cells, and the anterior-posterior dimension of the frontal sinus outflow tract were better defined on the reconstructed 3D CT images. CONCLUSION Three-dimensional CT is a useful adjunct to the conventional triplanar studies for the evaluation of frontal sinus and recess anatomy. This technique can define certain anatomic variants more effectively than 2D multiplanar reconstructed images.
Occurrence of Norwalk Virus Infections among Adults in Mexico

Norwalk virus infection was sought in 48 US, 49 Puerto Rican, and 27 Mexican adults attending medical school in Guadalajara (Mexico) who were enrolled in a 2-year longitudinal study. Serum specimens were collected quarterly and as acute- and convalescent-phase samples around episodes of gastroenteritis. The reciprocal Norwalk virus geometric mean titer (GMT) for Puerto Rican students (567) was significantly higher than that of the US students overall (294; P less than .001) and for four of nine quarterly periods. The reciprocal Norwalk GMT for Mexican students (748) was also significantly higher than that of the US students overall (P less than .001) and for seven of nine quarterly periods. The average percentage of students per year with seroconversions was 30%. The rate of Norwalk virus infection averaged 0.36 episodes per student-year. Symptoms of gastroenteritis associated with seroconversion occurred in 45% of students. Preexisting serum antibody did not protect against subsequent Norwalk virus infection in these subjects. All student groups had similar rates of infection and symptomatic gastroenteritis.
13C‐[2,4]‐b‐hydroxybutyrate metabolism in human brain

Although ketone metabolism is generally believed to be qualitatively similar to glucose consumption in the human brain, this has never been explicitly determined. We used 13C-MR spectroscopy with infusions of 13C-[2,4]-b-hydroxybutyrate (BHB, 200 mm, 100% enrichment) in overnight fasted adult subjects (n = 4) to examine the fate of this ketone. This was performed on a 2.1T Bruker spectrometer, volume size 6 × 4 × 6 cc3, previously determined to contain ∼ 56% gray, 39% white matter in normal adults. Results: The 2 h infusion increased plasma ketone levels from near negligible (baseline) to 2.25 ± 0.24 mm at steady state. Steady state 13C BHB levels were measured at 0.18 ± 0.04 mm. Similar to glucose, the 13C label appeared rapidly in the amino acid pools. The steady state fractional enrichment reached were: 13C-4-glutamate (4-Glu), 6.78 ± 1.71%, 13C-4-glutamine (4-Gln), 5.68 ± 1.84 and 13C-3-aspartate at 3.99 ± 0.57%. Discussion: The relatively low [BHB] of 0.18 ± 0.04 mm is an upper bound for tissue BHB, and is in agreement with the view that ketone consumption is largely regulated at the blood brain barrier in these nonfasted acutely hyperketonemic subjects. The general pattern of labeling of ketones is similar to that which has been previously seen with glucose. Steady state analysis of the ratio of 4-Gln/4-Glu suggests that ketones are predominantly used by neurons, and are consumed at a rate of 0.032 ± 0.009 mm/kg/min. This rate includes gray and white matter consumption. Dynamic modelling of the time courses of the brain 4-Glu and 13C-BHB, where gray matter ketone consumption is taken as three times greater than white matter (similar to that seen with glucose) gives an estimated upper bound for the flux of ketone oxidation in pure gray matter to be 0.041 ± 0.007 mm/kg/min.
Fitting helices to data by total least squares

Abstract Total least squares and the singular value decomposition provide a method to fit cylindrical helices to data, with applications in—but not restricted to—engineering and nuclear physics.
The Sag Flowout: A Newly Described Volcanic Structure

Structures in the Columbia River Basalt around Odessa, Washington, are interpreted as forming by downward sag and foundering of the crust of a partly solidified flow, and upward escape of lava from the fluid interior along outward-dipping concentric dikes. The resulting structure, herein termed a sag flowout structure, is described in the belief that similar structures will be found elsewhere in flood basalts.
Ultra-deep plasma-assisted drilling of solids by high-power nanosecond lasers: experimental studies

ABSTRACT A new mechanism of ultra-deep (up to tens of microns per pulse, sub-mm total hole depths) plasma-assisted ablative drilling of optically opaque and transparent materials by high-power nanosecond lasers proposed by Kudryashov et al. has been studied experimentally using average drilling rate and photoacoustic measurements. In the drilling experiments, average multi-micron crater depth per laser shot and instantaneous recoil pressure of ablated products have been measured as a function of laser energy at constant focusing conditions using optical transmission and contact photo acoustic techniques, respectively. Experimental results of this work support the theoretical explanation of the ultra-deep drilling mechanism as a number of stages including ultra-deep non-thermal energy delivery by a short-wavelength radiation of the surface high-temperature ablative plasma, bulk heating and melting of these materials, accompanied by the following subsurface boiling in the melt pool and resulting melt expulsion off of the target. Keywords: high-power nanosecond lasers, silicon, dielectric materials, multi-micron deep drilling, short-wavelength plasma radiation, photoacoustic and op tical monitoring and characterization
Inducible and repressible acetylornithine δ-transaminase in Escherichia coli: Different proteins

Abstract Two acetylornithine δ-transaminases which have different physical and kinetic properties have been isolated from a mutant of E. coli W. Sephadex gel filtration has shown the molecular weight of one transaminase to be approximately 119,000; the second transaminase has a molecular weight of about 61,000. The two transaminases can be separated by ammonium sulfate fractionation. The K m values of the smaller and larger molecular-weight species for N α -acetylornithine are 3.1 m m and 1.3 m m , respectively. The K m for α-ketoglutarate is 1.1 m m for both enzymes. The presence of arginine in the growth medium represses the synthesis of the 119,000 molecular-weight transaminase and induces the synthesis of the 61,000 molecular-weight species.
Rapidity of symptom onset in depression.

Abstract Clinical and research descriptions of depressive symptomatology have generally taken a cross-sectional approach. However, the few existing studies examining longitudinal patterns of onset have found rapidity of onset related to patient/family history of affective disorder, depressive stressors, and treatment response. Patients with an onset of major depressive disorder during the previous 5–56 weeks were studied, and information was obtained on which symptoms were present and in which week they began. A rapid onset of symptoms was associated with the endogenous subtype, the absence of past or current nonaffective disorders, older age of first depressive episode, less stressful events before the current episode, and shorter hospitalization. These findings suggest a relationship between rapidity of symptom onset and the concepts of endogenous and primary depression.
A theory of the Benham top based on center-surround interactions in the parvocellular pathway

A model color-opponent neuron was used to investigate the subjective colors evoked by the Benham Top (BT). Color-opponent inputs from cone-selective parvocellular (P) pathway neurons with center-surround receptive fields were subtracted with a short relative delay, yielding a small transient input in response to a white spot. This transient input was amplified by BT-like stimuli, modeled as a thin dark bar followed by full-field illumination. The narrow bar produced maximal activation of the P-pathway surrounds but only partial activation of the P-pathway centers. Due to saturation, subsequent removal of the bar had little effect on the P-pathway surrounds, whereas the transient input from the P-pathway centers was amplified via disinhibition. Responses to BT-like stimuli became weaker as surround sensitivity recovered, producing an effect analogous to the progression of perceived BT colors. Our results suggest that the BT-illusion arises because cone-selective neurons convey information about both color and luminance contrast, allowing the two signals become confounded.
Automated Behavior Computation for Software Analysis and Validation

Software systems can exhibit massive numbers of execution paths, and even comprehensive testing can exercise only a small fraction of these. It is no surprise that systems experience errors and vulnerabilities in use when many executions are untested. Computations over the functional semantics of programs may offer a potential solution. Structured programs are expressed in a finite hierarchy of control structures, each of which corresponds to a mathematical function or relation. A correctness theorem defines transformation of these structures from procedural logic into non-procedural, as-built specifications of behavior. These computed specifications enumerate behavior for all circumstances of use and cover the behavior space. Automation of these computations affords a new means for validating software functionality and security properties. This paper describes theory and implementation for loop behavior computation in particular, and illustrates use of an automated behavior computation system to validate a miniature looping program with and without embedded malware.
Analytical close-form solutions to the elastic fields of solids with dislocations and surface stress

The concept of eigenstrain is adopted to derive a general analytical framework to solve the elastic field for 3D anisotropic solids with general defects by considering the surface stress. The formulation shows the elastic constants and geometrical features of the surface play an important role in determining the elastic fields of the solid. As an application, the analytical close-form solutions to the stress fields of an infinite isotropic circular nanowire are obtained. The stress fields are compared with the classical solutions and those of complex variable method. The stress fields from this work demonstrate the impact from the surface stress when the size of the nanowire shrinks but becomes negligible in macroscopic scale. Compared with the power series solutions of complex variable method, the analytical solutions in this work provide a better platform and they are more flexible in various applications. More importantly, the proposed analytical framework profoundly improves the studies of general 3D ...
Introduction to the Special Issue: Mothers of children in foster care

Abstract This article introduces the special issue of Children and Youth Services Review devoted to single mothers with children in foster care. It delineates the policy context in which mothers are operating; examines reasons for mothers' temporary loss of custody of their children, a loss that occurs when their children are placed in foster care; presents expectations of mothers once they enter the public child welfare system; and summarizes empirical and theoretical papers included in the volume intended to advance policy and practice for this population. Taken together, these papers reflect one over-arching theme—the need to re-orient child welfare policy and practice so that the rehabilitation, health, and well-being of mothers is one of the central aims.
Oxygen isotopic composition of Central Sierra Nevada precipitation, I. Identification of ice-phase water capture regions in winter storms

Measurements of the stable isotopic ratios of oxygen and simultaneously observed ice crystal structure in freshly fallen snow, have been used to estimate the weighted mean altitudes of ice-phase precipitation formation in winter clouds over the Central Sierra Nevada. Observations of dominant, diffusionally grown ice-crystal habits were used to estimate relatively narrow ranges of temperatures of initial formation of the precipitation particles using the Nakaya (1954) ice-crystal classification techniques. The mean oxygen isotope ratio 18O/16O for each snow sample, together with local upper air soundings, were used to estimate ranges of temperature-altitude within the clouds where the precipitating particles had captured their ice-phase water. For this initial study, snow samples were collected each five (5) to ten (10) minutes during three snowfall periods on 27 January, 26 February and 28 February, 1983. For the 27 January case, the ice formation mechanism was predominantly vapor deposition and hence the narrow range of temperatures determined by the ice-crystal habits was directly relatable to the mean δ18O value. The 26 and 28 February cases were more complicated because the solid-phase precipitation was formed by vapor deposition and by freezing of drops and droplets (which occurs without isotopic fractionation). In these cases, the oxygen isotopic composition of the snow reaching the ground was representative of solid phase precipitation which had formed at warmer temperatures than those corresponding to the primary ice-crystal habits alone. There was no apparent relationship between δ18O values and surface temperature at the sampling site. If relationships between 18O/16O and temperature-altitude are established for this geograpic region for winter snowfall conditions, this crystal habit—isotopic composition technique can provide knowledge about the regions of the clouds in which the ice-phase precipitation is forming over the Central Sierra Nevada.
The flowering of environmental roots and the four elements in Presocratic philosophy: From Empedocles to Deleuze and Guattari

I examine the Presocratic thinker Empedocles' philosophical, poetic and religious works— Peri Phuseous ( On Nature ) and Katharmoi ( Purifications )—in terms of their orientations, attitudes and sensibilities toward the natural environment. Through the development of an ethical and material framework centered upon the four rhizomata (roots or elements) of earth, fire, air and water, Empedocles provides an early but important understanding of ideas and issues that remain ecologically relevant today, including conceptions of pollution, the treatment of nonhuman animals, descriptions of organic processes, and the speculative underpinnings of evolutionary theory. I suggest that we can reasonably view Empedocles as kind of shaman-naturalist who is keenly aware of and empathetic with the workings of the physical world even if he is not strictly an "ancient environmentalist". Finally, I point to the post-structuralist work of Deleuze and Guattari, where we can find a critical exploration of the kind of "roots" Empedocles identifies and a defense of the notion of "rhizomes" that enables us both to observe continuities with the Presocratic philosopher and to make creative or constructive links with our modern environment.
The signal-averaged P wave duration: A rapid and noninvasive marker of risk of atrial fibrillation

Abstract Objectives. This study was undertaken to determine the ability of the signal-averaged electrocardiogram (ECG) to identify evidence of delayed atrial activation in patients with a history of atrial fibrillation. Background. Atrial fibrillation is a reentrant rhythm and depends on atrial conduction delay for its development. The signal-averaging technique is useful for accurately measuring total cardiac activation times, including delayed low amplitude signals, and thus can help identify the substrate for reentrant arrhythmias. Methods. Standard 12-lead and signal-averaged ECGs were recorded from 15 patients with a documented history of prior paroxysmal or chronic atrial fibrillation and 15 age- and disease-matched control subjects without a history of atrial fibrillation. Signal averaging was performed using an orthogonal lead system with the QRS complex as a trigger and the P wave as a template for the signal-averaging process. Total P wave duration was measured before and after filtering with a least squares fit filter. The P wave complexes on the three bipolar leads were combined into a vector combination of orthogonal leads. The total P wave duration of the individual unfiltered and filtered leads and the vector combination of filtered leads were calculated and used for analysis. Results. The P wave duration by standard ECG was not significantly different in patients with a history of atrial fibrillation and control subjects. Signal-averaged P wave durations were measured from orthogonal leads before and after digital filtering. Mean unfiltered P wave duration was significantly longer in patients with a history of atrial fibrillation than in control subjects (132 ± 22 vs. 114 ± 14 ms [p Conclusions. A prolonged signal-averaged P wave duration may be a simple noninvasive marker of the risk for development of atrial fibrillation.
Work values in librarianship

Abstract Schneider's (1987a) attraction-selection-attrition framework explains that groups of workers attracted to the same occupational group may be expected to behave alike in their jobs. Specifically, it suggests that certain types of people are attracted to certain occupations, and that people who choose the same occupation tend to behave in a like manner within their occupational group. This study investigated work values in librarianship and identified the work values of library science students (i.e., a group of individuals attracted to the profession of librarianship). It also looked at the work values of business students, to investigate differences in the work values of individuals attracted to these two occupations. These results provide information about work values in librarianship which should be of interest to library managers, to practicing librarians, and to library science students.
A fluorescent probe capable of detecting H2S at submicromolar concentrations in cells

A new internal charge transfer (ICT) fluorescent probe for highly selective and sensitive monitoring of H(2)S has been developed. The design takes advantage of the facile reduction of non-fluorescent hydroxyamine naphthalimide by H(2)S to highly fluorescent amine naphthalimide. It has been demonstrated that the probe is able to detect H(2)S at submicromolar concentrations in cells.
Patients with follicular and Hurthle cell microcarcinomas have compromised survival: A population level study of 22,738 patients

Background There is a scarcity of evidence regarding outcomes of patients with follicular thyroid microcarcinoma and Hurthle cell microcarcinoma ( Methods Patients with follicular and Hurthle cell microcarcinomas, together (mFHCC), were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1988–2009) and compared with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (mPTC). Data were analyzed with Chi-square tests, analysis of variance, the Kaplan–Meier method, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazards. Results We identified 564 cases of mFHCC (371 mFTC and 193 mHCC) and 22,174 cases of mPTC. mFHCC had >8 times the rate of distant (extracervical) metastases compared with mPTC (4.1% vs 0.5%; P P P Conclusion In comparison with mPTC, mFHCC is rare, presents more often with distant metastases, and patients have compromised survival. Additional studies are necessary in defining the extent of surgery and role of radioactive iodine for the treatment of mFHCC.
Size and structure of echo, poliomyelitis, and measles viruses determined by ionizing radiation and ultrafiltration

Abstract Sizes of the irradiation-sensitive infectivity units of poliovirus types I, II, and III, Echo viruses 1 and 7, and measles virus have been determined by means of irradiation with electrons, alpha particles, deuterons; and the whole particle size by ultrafiltration. The diameters for poliovirus and Echo 7 by all methods fell between 24 and 32 mμ. Alpha particle irradiation gave a slightly larger diameter, 36 mμ, for Echo 1, but measurements by other means were in the same range as poliovirus. The diameter of the measles infectivity sensitive unit was about 60 mμ, but ultrafiltration gave a value of 140 mμ for the over-all diameter. The sizes of the complement-fixing antigens of these viruses have been determined by electron irradiation and all fall between 7 and 13 mμ in diameter. The immunizing antigen of poliovirus was destroyed together with the infective unit, indicating that they are of similar size.
Integrating surprisal and uncertain-input models in online sentence comprehension: formal techniques and empirical results

A system making optimal use of available information in incremental language comprehension might be expected to use linguistic knowledge together with current input to revise beliefs about previous input. Under some circumstances, such an error-correction capability might induce comprehenders to adopt grammatical analyses that are inconsistent with the true input. Here we present a formal model of how such input-unfaithful garden paths may be adopted and the difficulty incurred by their subsequent disconfirmation, combining a rational noisy-channel model of syntactic comprehension under uncertain input with the surprisal theory of incremental processing difficulty. We also present a behavioral experiment confirming the key empirical predictions of the theory.
The importance of considering animal body mass in IPCC greenhouse inventories and the underappreciated role of wild herbivores

Methane is an important greenhouse gas, but characterizing production by source sector has proven difficult. Current estimates suggest herbivores produce ~20% (~76-189 Tg yr(-1) ) of methane globally, with wildlife contributions uncertain. We develop a simple and accurate method to estimate methane emissions and reevaluate production by wildlife. We find a strikingly robust relationship between body mass and methane output exceeding the scaling expected by differences in metabolic rate. Our allometric model gives a significantly better fit to empirical data than IPCC Tier 1 and 2 calculations. Our analysis suggests that (i) the allometric model provides an easier and more robust estimate of methane production than IPCC models currently in use; (ii) output from wildlife is much higher than previously considered; and (iii) because of the allometric scaling of methane output with body mass, national emissions could be reduced if countries favored more, smaller livestock, over fewer, larger ones.
Noninvasive Neuromodulation with Ultrasound? A Continuum Mechanics Hypothesis

Deep brain stimulation and vagal nerve stimulation are therapeutically effective in treating some neurological diseases and psychiatric disorders. Optogenetic-based neurostimulation approaches are capable of activating individual synapses and yield the highest spatial control over brain circuit activity. Both electrical and light-based neurostimulation methods require intrusive procedures such as surgical implantation of electrodes or photon-emitting devices. Transcranial magnetic stimulation has also shown therapeutic effectiveness and represents a recent paradigm shift towards implementing less invasive brain stimulation methods. Magnetic-based stimulation, however, has a limited focusing capacity and lacks brain penetration power. Because ultrasound can be noninvasively transmitted through the skull to targeted deep brain circuits, it may offer alternative approaches to currently employed neuromodulation techniques. Encouraging this idea, literature spanning more than half a century indicates that ultrasound can modulate neuronal activity. In order to provide a comprehensive overview of potential mechanisms underlying the actions of ultrasound on neuronal excitability, here, I propose the continuum mechanics hypothesis of ultrasonic neuromodulation in which ultrasound produces effects on viscoelastic neurons and their surrounding fluid environments to alter membrane conductance. While further studies are required to test this hypothesis, experimental data indicate ultrasound represents a promising platform for developing future therapeutic neuromodulation approaches.