cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vitro bursting pressures of jejunal enterotomy closures in llamas.

Objective— To evaluate closure strength (in vitro bursting pressure) of jejunal enterotomies in llamas. Study Design— In vitro experimental study. Sample Population— Jejunal specimens (n=72) from 6 llamas. Methods— Differences in bursting pressures and luminal diameters were compared between 2 layer enterotomy closures with an initial full thickness simple continuous pattern oversewn with either a continuous Lembert or Cushing suture pattern using 3 sizes (2-0, 3-0, 4-0) of polyglactin 910 and polydioxanone. Results— Bursting pressures were significantly higher for enterotomies closed with polydioxanone than polyglactin 910, independent of suture size, but there was no difference between Lembert and Cushing oversew patterns. Use of a Lembert pattern reduced intestinal diameter more than a Cushing pattern regardless of suture material or size. Conclusions— Although polydioxanone resisted higher bursting pressures than polyglactin 910, both suture materials should be considered satisfactory for jejunal enterotomy closure in llamas based on typical intraluminal pressures expected in clinical patients. The optimal oversew pattern may be continuous Cushing to maximize the luminal diameter in small intestinal enterotomy closures. Clinical Relevance— In vitro bursting pressures may help to predict which enterotomy sites would leak post-operatively, although further studies are necessary to determine the outcome in clinical patients.
Long range transport of biomass aerosol to Greenland: Multi-spectroscopic investigation of particles deposited in the snow

Results are given from the NIST component of a pilot (“winter-over”) study of seasonal patterns of natural and anthropogenic species in air and snow transported to Summit, Greenland. Central to this research is the quantitative apportionment of fossil and biomass particulate carbon, based on advanced (micromolar) 14C accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) applied to remote snow samples containing as little as 9 µg C/kg. The measurements were made practicable through stringent attention to the nature and sources of the isotopic-chemical blank, resulting in a blank reduction from »5 µg C to <0.5 µg C. An important result of this work is the first evidence of a seasonal pattern in biomass-C particles in Greenland snow. Although 14C AMS data serve to resolve fossil and biomass carbon quantitatively, a deeper understanding of the aerosol sources and character demands a multidisciplinary approach. This is illustrated with “multi-spectrometric” macro- and micro-analytical data for two cases involving substantial incursions of biomass aerosol to the Summit, Greenland snow.
Quasi-periodic route to chaos in a near-integrable PDE: Homoclinic crossings

Abstract A new numerical experiment is discussed which shows a quasi-periodic route to intermittent chaos - typical for near-conservative, dispersive waves of small amplitude (nonlinear Schrodinger regime) in one spatial dimension. This route has: temporally one frequency, then two, then chaos; associated spatial symmetry changes; a low dimensional intermittent strange attractor. A nonlinear spectral transform has been used to show: a small number of nonlinear modes in the chaotic state; interaction of coherent modes with radiation modes: and, most importantly, that (unperturbed) homoclinic states are crossed repeatedly in these regimes. These homoclinic states: (a) separate spatially localized modes from radiation modes, and (b) act as sources of extreme sensitivity which can produce temporal chaos: for the first time homoclinic states have been simultaneously associated with both spatial patterns and temporal chaos.
High-performance liquid chromatography separation of deuterated photosynthetic pigments from their protio analogues

Abstract A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with a visible method of detection is described for the facile baseline separation of deuterated chlorophylls from their protio analogues. A quaternary solvent system comprising of water-organic phase and an octadecyl-silica (C18) column were used. In every instance the deuterio compound eluted ahead of its protio analogue indicating that Van der Waals forces are operational during the separation process. Specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility make these methods particularly suitable in plant chemistry for semipreparative purification processes and methodologies.
Engineered fibrillar extracellular matrices for the study of directed cell migration

The biology of cell adhesion and migration has traditionally been studied on 2D glass or plastic surfaces. While such studies have shed light on the molecular mechanisms governing these processes [1], current knowledge is limited by the dissimilarity between the flat surfaces conventionally employed and the topographically complex extracellular matrix (ECM) cells routinely navigate within the body. On ECM-coated flat surfaces, cells are presented with an unlimited expanse of adhesive ligand and can spread and migrate freely. Conversely, the availability of ligand in vivo is generally restricted to ECM structures, forcing cells to form adhesions in prescribed locations distributed through 3D space depending on the geometry and organization of the surrounding matrix [2]. These physical constraints on cell adhesion likely have profound consequences on intracellular signaling and resulting migration, and calls into question whether the mechanisms and modes of cell motility observed on flat substrates are truly reflective of the in vivo scenario [3]. The topographies of ECMs found in vivo are varied but largely fibrillar, ranging from the tightly crosslinked fibers that form the sheet-like basement membrane, to the structure of fibrin-rich clots and collagenous connective tissues. Collagen comprises approximately 25% of the human body by mass, and as such, purified collagen has served as a popular setting for the study of cell migration within a fibrillar context for many decades [4]. However, a major limitation to the use of these gels is the inability to orthogonally dictate key structural features that impact cell behavior. For example, in contrast to the large range of fiber diameters found in vivo within connective tissue resulting from hierarchical collagen assembly and multiple types of collagens [3], collagen gels are limited to fibril diameters of ∼500nm. Furthermore, recreating the structural anisotropy common to connective tissues in collagen gels is technically challenging [5]. Thus, there remains a significant need for engineered fibrillar materials that afford precise and independent control of architectural and mechanical features for application in cell biology. In this work, we develop two approaches to fabricating fibrillar ECMs in order to study cell adhesion and migration in vitro.© 2012 ASME
Design Theory for Depletion Layer Transistors

A new class of high-frequency transistors, the Depletion Layer Transistors (DLT), utilizes maximum attainable carrier velocities in solids by injecting electrons or holes into the high electric fields that prevail in properly designed depletion layers of reverse-biased p-n junctions. The resulting short transit times should insure operation up to microwave frequencies. The design theory is presented for a particular example of a depletion layer transistor, discussing its low- and high-frequency, small-signal behavior, power gain, and stability. Other conceivable structures and modes of operation for DLT's are described and the potential importance of the depletion layer principle for solid-state microwave amplification is emphasized.
Direct transmission of pictorial information in multimode optical fibers

The problem of coherent image transmission through a single multimode optical fiber is discussed. A scheme is presented for recovering the transmitted image after distortions brought about by the fiber modes dispersion. Realization of this scheme by holographic techniques and with lens systems is proposed, and its limitations pointed out. The application of this scheme in canceling out temporal signal dispersion in a multimode fiber transmission line is also discussed briefly.
Selective in vitro and in vivo binding of (125I)ADAM to serotonin transporters in rat brain

An improved iodinated tracer, ADAM (2-((2-((dimethylamino)methyl)- phenyl)thio)-5-iodophenylamine) for imaging serotonin transporters (SERT) with single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT), was prepared and characterized. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding of [(125)I]ADAM to rat frontal cortical membrane homogenates gave a K(d) value of 0.15 +/- 0.03 nM and a B(max) value of 194 +/- 65 fmol/mg protein. Biodistribution of [(125)I]ADAM in rat brain after an iv injection showed a high specific binding in the regions of hypothalamus, cortex, striatum, and hippocampus, where SERT are concentrated and the specific binding peaked at 120-240 min postinjection [(hypothalamus-cerebellum)/cerebellum = 4.3 at 120 min post-iv injection]. Moreover, the specific hypothalamic uptake was blocked by pretreatment with SERT selective competing drugs, such as paroxetine and (+)McN5652, while other noncompeting drugs, such as ketanserin, raclopride, and methylphenidate, showed no effect. The radioactive material recovered from rat brain homogenates at 120 min after [(125)I]ADAM injection showed primarily the original compound (>90%), a good indication of in vivo stability in the brain tissues. Both male and female rats showed similar and comparable organ distribution pattern and regional brain uptakes. Ex vivo autoradiograms of rat brain sections (120 min after iv injection of [(125)I]ADAM) showed intense labeling in several regions (olfactory tubercle, lateral septal nucleus, hypothalamic and thalamic nuclei, globus pallidus, central gray, superior colliculus, substantia nigra, interpeduncular nucleus, dorsal and median raphes, and locus coerulus), which parallel known SERT density. These results strongly suggest that the novel tracer ADAM is superior to the congers (i.e., IDAM) reported previously. When labeled with I-123, ADAM will be an improved and useful SPECT imaging agent for SERT in the brain.
Structure and chromosomal localization of the mouse SNAP-23 gene

Abstract SNAP-23 plays an important role in the regulation of vesicle trafficking in mammalian cells. In this report, we have determined the exon/intron organization of the mouse SNAP-23 gene. The SNAP-23 gene spans 31 kb of the mouse genome and consists of eight exons interrupted by seven introns. The exon organization of the mouse SNAP-23 gene is identical to that of the related SNAP-25 gene in both chicken and Drosophila , suggesting that SNAP-23 arose by duplication of the SNAP-25 gene. Primer extension analysis revealed a major transcription start site approximately 112 bp upstream of the translation start site. Like many ubiquitously expressed housekeeping genes, the proximal promoter region for the mouse SNAP-23 gene lacks consensus TATA and CAAT boxes. The SNAP-23 gene was localized to mouse chromosome 2 at band 2E5 using both fluorescence in-situ hybridization and radiation hybrid panel mapping studies. The identification of the structure of the mouse SNAP-23 gene reveals that the overall exon organization of SNAP-25 family members is conserved throughout evolution.
Campestanol (24-methyl-5α-cholestan-3β-ol) absorption and distribution in New Zealand white rabbits: Effect of dietary sitostanol

Campestanol (24-methyl-5alpha-cholestan-3beta-ol) is a naturally occurring plant stanol, structurally similar to cholesterol (5-cholesten-3beta-ol) and widely distributed in vegetable oils consumed in human diets. We measured the absorption and turnover of campestanol by the plasma dual-isotope ratio method and mathematical analysis of specific activity versus time decay curves after simultaneous oral and intravenous pulse-labeling with [3alpha-3H]- and [23-14C]-labeled campestanol, respectively, in New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits: six fed chow and six fed chow with 125 mg/d campestanol and 175 mg/d sitostanol (24-ethyl-5alpha-cholestan-3beta-ol). Plasma concentrations increased insignificantly from 0.08+/-0.01 to 0.09+/-0.01 mg/dL with dietary stanols. The percent campestanol absorption measured by the plasma dual-isotope ratio method after the rabbits were fasted for 6 hours yielded the percent absorption in the absence of competing intestinal sterols and stanols and declined insignificantly from 11.6%+/-3.5% in controls to 8.1%+/-3.7% in the treated rabbit groups. In contrast, the turnover, which measured actual absorption averaged over 24 hours, increased from 0.12+/-0.05 to 0.37+/-0.05 mg/d (P < .05) with campestanol and sitostanol added to the diet. However, the actual percent absorption declined from 3% to 0.3% of dietary intake with the campestanol and sitostanol-enriched diet. Campestanol pool sizes, although remaining small, increased slightly from 1.1+/-0.4 to 2.5+/-1.5 mg. The removal constant (KA) from pool A (MA) did not change significantly with added dietary campestanol and sitostanol (KA= -0.040+/-0.005 v -0.037+/-0.007 d(-1)). The results demonstrate small campestanol plasma concentrations and body pools even when the rabbits consumed substantial amounts because (1) intestinal absorption was limited and (2) was further reduced by competing dietary sitostanol, and (3) campestanol was removed rapidly from the body. Thus, campestanol, which shares the same basic structure and intestinal absorption pathway with cholesterol, does not accumulate when fed, and may be incorporated into the diet to block cholesterol absorption.
Arthroscopic Excision of Distal Pole of Patella for Refractory Patellar Tendinitis

This article examines the results of arthroscopic tendon debridement with excision of the distal pole of the patella for refractory patellar tendinitis. Nine patients failed at least 3 months of conservative therapy and underwent arthroscopic excision of the distal patellar pole with debridement of the deep proximal patella tendon. At least 3 months postoperatively (range, 3 months-5 years), 8 patients reported no distal patellar pole tenderness (Bassett sign), and 1 patient reported only mild tenderness. Arthroscopic excision of the distal patellar pole with tendon debridement holds promise for the treatment of refractory patellar tendinitis.
“Benign” monoclonal gammopathy: A potentially malignant condition?

Abstract We describe a patient in whom classic clinical multiple myeloma did not develop until eighteen years after discovery of an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hyperglobulinemia and increased plasma cells in the bone marrow. The patient exhibited a tall, sharp peak in the serum electrophoretic pattern, no appreciable change in the amount of serum γ-globulin (which was less than 3.0 gm. per 100 ml.), and a constant slight plasmacytosis in the bone marrow for nearly eighteen years, thus fulfilling the criteria for "benign monoclonal gammopathy." This illustrates the possibility that this "chronic benign process" can erupt into a progressive and serious phase at a much later date, and extends our understanding of plasmaproliferative disease.
Traditional kava beverage consumption and liver function tests in a predominantly Tongan population in Hawaii

Purpose. To determine the effects of traditionally prepared kava beverages on the liver function tests of regular kava beverage consumers in a population of Tongan and non-Tongan residents of Hawaii (Oahu). Methods. The liver function tests of 31 healthy adult kava drinkers were compared against a control group of 31 healthy adult non-kava drinkers. Subjects were recruited from the general population, a kava bar, and Tongan kava drinking circles. The liver function profile included AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, and bilirubin (total and direct). Other tests included total protein, albumin, and screens for viral hepatitis and hemochromatosis when indicated. Results. Chronic kava beverage consumption was associated with elevation of GGT in 65% of the kava drinkers versus 26% in the controls (P = .005). ALP was elevated in 23% of kava drinkers versus 3% in the controls (P = .053). Conclusion. Heavy kava beverage consumption was associated with significantly elevated GGT levels.
On the propagation of weak shock waves

A method is presented for treating problems of the propagation and ultimate decay of the shocks produced by explosions and by bodies in supersonic flight. The theory is restricted to weak shocks, but is of quite general application within that limitation. In the author's earlier work on this subject (Whitham 1952), only problems having directional symmetry were considered; thus, steady supersonic flow past an axisymmetrical body was a typical example. The present paper extends the method to problems lacking such symmetry. The main step required in the extension is described in the introduction and the general theory is completed in §2; the remainder of the paper is devoted to applications of the theory in specific cases.First, in §3, the problem of the outward propagation of spherical shocks is reconsidered since it provides the simplest illustration of the ideas developed in §2. Then, in §4, the theory is applied to a model of an unsymmetrical explosion. In §5, a brief outline is given of the theory developed by Rao (1956) for the application to a supersonic projectile moving with varying speed and direction. Examples of steady supersonic flow past unsymmetrical bodies are discussed in §6 and 7. The first is the flow past a flat plate delta wing at small incidence to the stream, with leading edges swept inside the Mach cone; the results agree with those previously found by Lighthill (1949) in his work on shocks in cone field problems, and this provides a valuable check on the theory. The second application in steady supersonic flow is to the problem of a thin wing having a finite curved leading edge. It is found that in any given direction the shock from the leading edge ultimately decays exactly as for the bow shock on a body of revolution; the equivalent body of revolution for any direction is determined in terms of the thickness distribution of the wing and varies with the direction chosen. Finally in §8, the wave drag on the wing is calculated from the rate of dissipation of energy by the shocks. The drag is found to be the mean of the drags on the equivalent bodies of revolution for the different directions.
Allergenicity of various peanut products as determined by RAST inhibition

Extracts of 19 different peanut products and peanut oil were tested for their allergenicity by the radioallergosorbent test inhibition assay using a crude peanut extract from raw peanuts as the standard for comparison. Seventeen of the extracts were able to competitively inhibit the binding of serum IgE from peanut-sensitive patients with the solid-phase raw peanut extract. Peanut oil and the extract from hydrolyzed peanut protein did not inhibit binding, which suggests that these products are not allergenic. The peanut hull flour extract showed a slight ability to inhibit binding, suggesting that this product contains minor amounts of the peanut allergen.
Uncovering divergent evolution of α/β-hydrolases: a surprising residue substitution needed to convert Hevea brasiliensis hydroxynitrile lyase into an esterase

Hevea brasiliensis hydroxynitrile lyase (HbHNL) and salicylic acid binding protein 2 (SABP2, an esterase) share 45% amino acid sequence identity, the same protein fold, and even the same catalytic triad of Ser-His-Asp. However, they catalyze different reactions: cleavage of hydroxynitriles and hydrolysis of esters, respectively. To understand how other active site differences in the two enzymes enable the same catalytic triad to catalyze different reactions, we substituted amino acid residues in HbHNL with the corresponding residues from SABP2, expecting hydroxynitrile lyase activity to decrease and esterase activity to increase. Previous mechanistic studies and x-ray crystallography suggested that esterase activity requires removal of an active site lysine and threonine from the hydroxynitrile lyase. The Thr11Gly Lys236Gly substitutions in HbHNL reduced hydroxynitrile lyase activity for cleavage of mandelonitrile 100-fold, but increased esterase activity only threefold to kcat ~ 0.1 min-1 for hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate. Adding a third substitution - Glu79His - increased esterase activity more than tenfold to kcat ~ 1.6 min-1. The specificity constant (kcat/KM) for this triple substitution variant versus wild type HbHNL shifted more than one million-fold from hydroxynitrile lyase activity (acetone cyanohydrin substrate) to esterase activity (p-nitrophenyl acetate substrate). The contribution of Glu79His to esterase activity was surprising since esterases and lipases contain many different amino acids at this position, including glutamate. Saturation mutagenesis at position 79 showed that 13 of 19 possible amino acid substitutions increased esterase activity, suggesting that removal of glutamate, not addition of histidine, increased esterase activity. Molecular modeling indicates that Glu79 disrupts esterase activity in HbHNL when its negatively charged side chain distorts the orientation of the catalytic histidine. Naturally occurring glutamate at the corresponding location of Candida lipases is uncharged due to other active site differences and does not cause the same distortion. This example of the fine tuning of the same catalytic triad for different types of catalysis by subtle interactions with other active site residues shows how difficult it is to design new catalytic reactions of enzymes.
A peptide segment critical for sodium channel inactivation functions as an inactivation gate in a potassium channel

The short cytoplasmic peptide segment connecting domains III and IV of voltage-gated sodium channels (III-IV linker) is essential for fast inactivation. To test the functional similarity between the III-IV linker and the potassium channel inactivation particle, we attached the III-IV linker to the amino terminus of a noninactivating potassium channel. This chimeric channel inactivated rapidly and displayed biophysical properties similar to Shaker A-type potassium channels. Recovery from inactivation in the chimeric channels was accelerated by high external potassium, consistent with the idea that potassium ions passing through the channel displaced the III-IV linker inactivation particle. A mutation that completely abolishes fast inactivation in rat brain sodium channels also completely abolished inactivation in the chimera. These results demonstrate that the sodium channel III-IV linker can function as a fast inactivation gate and suggest a functional relationship between the fast inactivation processes of sodium and potassium channels.
Adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus General concepts and potential implications

The dentate gyrus (DG) is a critical component of the hippocampal circuit involved in episodic and spatial memory. The DG contains granule cells (DGCs) that receive excitatory input from the entorhinal cortex (EC) via the perforant pathway and send excitatory mossy fiber projections to the CA3 region. Because of its unique electrophysiologic characteristics and connectivity, the DG may play a major role in the mechanisms of pattern separation that enable the processing of similar experiences as distinct memories. The subgranular zone (SGZ) of the DG is one of the 2 areas that undergo neurogenesis in the adult CNS. Experimental evidence indicates that newly formed DGCs generated during adult neurogenesis, due to their unique properties, have an important role in DG function, including pattern separation. Neurogenesis in the DG is an activity-dependent plastic process that is regulated by multiple chemical signals and environmental factors including stress and physical activity. Neurogenesis in the DG is affected by aging and in several neurologic and psychiatric disorders, including mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), Alzheimer disease (AD), depression, and schizophrenia, and may be the target for both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic intervention. These subjects have been extensively reviewed.1–14
Reactivities and biological functions of iron-sulfur clusters

Iron-sulfur clusters are prevalent in biological systems. Through studies of iron-sulfur proteins and synthetic model clusters, it was realized early on that these clusters functioned as facile electron transfer agents. Until recently it was widely thought that they served exclusively in that capacity. However, in the last decade, it has become clear that their reactivities and biological functions are much more diverse. It is now apparent that these clusters can serve as the active sites of enzymes, as well as in the regulation of enzymatic activity. Synthetic clusters, which have been shown to undergo a variety of core rearrangements or structural changes, have provided insight into possible mechanisms of cluster formation or activity regulation in enzymes. Rigid tripodal ligands have been constructed which capture synthetic iron-sulfur clusters in a cavity which permits controlled reactivity studies. In this article, we review these recent developments and suggest some future directions the field may take.
DYSON-SCHWINGER EQUATIONS IN TERMS OF RANDOM WALKS: FOUR-FERMION INTERACTIONS

Quantum field theories of interacting fermions have been recently formulated in terms of directed random walks. Using this formulation, we derive a hierarchy of equations for the correlation functions of scalar N-component four-fermion theories. These follow from an analysis of the underlying random process, and from geometric considerations. Our equations are, as we show, equivalent to the standard Dyson-Schwinger equations of motion, and are a convenient starting point for nonperturbative investigations of four-fermion theories. In particular, we discuss the physical interpretation of the gap equation in the language of random walks, and show that, in both the N→0 and N→∞ limits, an interacting theory can be obtained only for a finely tuned negative bare coupling constant.
On almost sure noncentral limit theorems

LetX(t) be a fractional Brownian motion or Hermite process of indexH. SetXm(t)=m−HX(mt), which we view as an element ofC[0, 1]. Let δ{x} denote a point mass at x. Then
Cost vs. Effectiveness Roles for Microcomputers In the 1980s

We must think clearly about how computers can help educate our young people, says this writer, who presents an overview of the role of microcomputers in education.
An on-the-ground simulator of autonomous docking and spacecraft servicing for research and education

On-orbit spacecraft servicing has become a realistic and promising space mission. The Autonomous Docking and Spacecraft Servicing Simulator (AUDASS), introduced in this paper, is a research facility for on-the-ground testing of proximity navigation, docking and satellite servicing technologies and for the experimental verification of dynamics models and control laws. Moreover, the test-bed constitutes a valuable educational tool for the university students directly involved in its design and exploitation. This paper presents the current status of the on-going development of the AUDASS simulator and reports the results of some preliminary tests. The AUDASS system consists of two independent robotic vehicles, a chaser and a target. The vehicles float, via air pads, on a polished granite table providing a frictionless support for the simulation in 2-D of the micro-gravity dynamics. The introduction of the paper provides a wide overview of the on-going research efforts to make autonomous docking and servicing of spacecraft a reality.
MT-scribe: a tool for recording and inferring model transformations

The traditional model transformation approach is to write transformation programs in a specialized language. Although such languages provide powerful capabilities to automate model refinements, they still present challenges to those who are unfamiliar with specialized model transformation languages or metamodels. MT-Scribe is a tool to simplify the creation of model transformations by recording and analyzing user-specified model transformations so that they can be modularized and applied to other models. This approach does not require users to have knowledge of any model transformation language or familiarity with a metamodel definition. Through this demonstration, the audience will observe an innovative approach to implement model transformations and understand how to apply this approach to simplify endogenous model transformations tasks to support model evolution.
Variation in the cross-linking pattern of porcine myofibrillar protein exposed to three oxidative environments.

Myofibrillar protein (MP, 26 mg protein/mL in 0.6 M NaCl, pH 6.0) prepared from pork serratus ventralis muscle was incubated at 4 °C for 24 h with three oxidizing systems: (1) an iron-catalyzed oxi...
The impact of social technologies on student performance in a collaborative learning environment

Research has shown that effective learning is attributed to the interaction of people with different experiences, knowledge and skills. Learning can also be maximised within a social setting that facilitates formal and informal interactions. However, this learning environment calls for incentives, a structured format for collaboration, and the support of an integrated set of interactive learning tools and resources. This research presents the design structure of an integrated IT senior capstone course that engages students in web-blended learning activities. Results support significant improvement in academic performance and advancement in the collective and intuitive knowledge of students at both the social and technical levels.
Pathogenesis of normal-pressure hydrocephalus preliminary observations

Eight cases with well-documented normal-pressure hydrocephalus were studied prospectively for 6 months by history, neurological examinations, Mini-Mental Status tests, xenon-contrast computed tomography measurements of local cerebral blood flow, and cerebral xenon solubility expressed as partition coefficients. Local cerebral blood flow and local partition coefficients were reduced throughout frontal and temporal lobes, basal ganglia, and thalamus. Cerebrospinal fluid shunting procedures were carried out in seven cases. As a result, local cerebral blood flow and local partition coefficients increased toward normal, particularly in frontal white matter, frontotemporal cortex, and basal ganglia. Ventricular size became reduced and mental status improved. Local partition coefficient values were reduced by increased tissue water because low values confirmed cerebrospinal fluid diffusion into white matter, which resolved after shunting. Patients likely to benefit from shunting, including shunt failures requiring revision, were detected.
VASCULAR RESPONSES IN THE PITUITARY STALK

The superior hypophyseal arteries, primary capillaries, and portal trunks of the hypophyseal portal system were studied in more than 150 living albino mice following a standardized operative procedure. Direction of blood flow, vasomotor activity, and changes in linear velocity of blood flow in portal trunks were studied following the administration ofseveral different drugs, the application of several different physical stimuli, and the manipulation of the arterial blood supply and venous return from the brain case. Evidence is presented for the validity of linear velocity in the portal trunksas a rough indicator of total blood flow into the anterior pituitary. The probability that vasomotor activity and variations in portal blood flow affect anteriorpituitary function is discussed. The effects on the superior hypophyseal arteries of adrenergic and cholinergic drugs are described, and the relationships of vascular phenomena to the susceptibility of the anterior pituitary to infarction are considered.
In situ osteoblast mineralization mediates post-injection mechanical properties of osteoconductive material.

Abstract The objective of this study was to understand the temporal relationship between in situ generated calcium content (mineralization) and the mechanical properties of an injectable orthobiologic bone-filler material. Murine derived osteoblast progenitor cells were differentiated using osteogenic factors and encapsulated within an injectable polycaprolactone nanofiber-collagen composite scaffold (PN-COL +osteo ) to evaluate the effect of mineralization on the mechanical properties of the PN-COL scaffold. A comprehensive study was conducted using both an experimental and a predictive analytical mechanical analysis for mechanical property assessment as well as an extensive in vitro biological analysis for in situ mineralization. Cell proliferation was evaluated using a PicoGreen dsDNA quantification assay and in situ mineralization was analyzed using both an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay and an Alizarin Red stain-based assay. Mineralized matrix formation was further evaluated using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and visualized using SEM and histological analyses. Compressive mechanical properties of the PN-COL scaffolds were determined using a confined compression stress-relaxation protocol and the obtained data was fit to the standard linear solid viscoelastic material mathematical model to demonstrate a relationship between increased in situ mineralization and the mechanical properties of the PN-COL scaffold. Cell proliferation was constant over the 21 day period. ALP activity and calcium concentration significantly increased at day 14 and 21 as compared to PN-COL −osteo with undifferentiated osteoblast progenitor cells. Furthermore, at day 21 EDS, SEM and von Kossa histological staining confirmed mineralized matrix formation within the PN-COL scaffolds. After 21 days, compressive modulus, peak stress, and equilibrium stress demonstrate significant increases of 3.4-fold, 3.3-fold, and 4.0-fold respectively due to in situ mineralization. Viscoelastic parameters calculated through the standard linear solid mathematical model fit to the stress-relaxation data also indicate improved mechanical properties after in situ mineralization. This investigation clearly demonstrates that in situ mineralization can increase the mechanical properties of an injectable orthobiologic scaffold and can possibly guide the design of an effective osteoconductive injectable material.
DISTRIBUTION OF ESTERASES IN RAT LIVER.

Abstract The distribution and properties of esterases and some other enzymes that may be involved in the breakdown of lipoprotein membranes were studied. In general, distribution studies showed that esterase, lipoprotein lipase, lysolecithinase, and vitamin A esterase were mainly concentrated in the microsomal fraction with smaller amounts present in the other subcellular fractions. It was possible to distinguish lysosomal and microsomal esterase on the basis of sensitivity to the microsomal inhibitor E 600 and pH optima. The lysosomal esterase was active in the intact lysosome under conditions which showed that the acid hydrolases were enclosed within the lysosomal membrane and unable to act on their substrates. It is suggested that the esterase is situated on the surface of the lysosome. The possibility that the lysosomal esterase is involved in the control of the permeability of the lysosomal membrane, rather than intralysosomal autolysis of subcellular particles, is discussed.
Up and Down or Down and Up? The Process of Change in Constructive Couple Behavior during Traditional and Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy

Observed positive and negative spouse behavior during sessions of Traditional (TBCT) and Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT) were compared for couples with successful outcomes and their unsuccessful counterparts. One hundred and thirty-four married chronically and seriously distressed couples (on average in their forties and 80% Caucasian) were randomly assigned to TBCT or IBCT. Trained observers made ratings of 1224 segments from approximately 956 sessions sampled from the course of up to 26 sessions. Multilevel modeling was used to examine change over time. TBCT treatment responders demonstrated a boost-drop pattern, increasing in constructive behaviors early (more positive behaviors and less negative behaviors) but decreasing later. IBCT responders demonstrated an opposite, drop-boost pattern, decreasing in constructive behaviors early and increasing later. Patterns were significant for positive behaviors (p < .05) and approached significance for negative behaviors (p = .05). In both treatments, nonresponders showed a significant pattern of decline in positive and increase in negative behaviors over time, although a trend (p = .05) indicates that TBCT nonresponders initially declined in negative behaviors. This study helps clarify the different process of change in two behavioral couple therapies, which may assist in treatment development and provide a guide for therapists in considering behavioral markers of change during treatment.
An Optimized Kinematic Mobility Analysis of Protein Molecules

Understanding the 3D structure and consequently the motion of protein molecules contributes to simulate their function. Modeling protein molecules as kinematic chains has been used to predict protein molecules flexible and rigid regions as well as their degrees of freedom to predict their mobility. However, high computational cost for relatively large molecules is one of the major challenges in this field.In this paper we have combined our previously developed rigidity analysis (ProtoFold) with pebble game thus improving computational cost of our simulation. Here, we have determined the required time for all steps of ProtoFold and subsequently the most time consuming step. Results have shown that finding rigid loops inside the protein structure using graph theory and Grubler-Kutzbach criterion is the slowest part of the procedure, taking an average of 75% of the time required for the rigidity analysis. Therefore we have replaced this step with pebble game. The modified method has been applied to a random group of protein molecules and its efficiency in significantly improving the simulation speed has been verified.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Stereovision for 3D measurements of fabric pilling

This paper introduces a 3D imaging system designed for objective evaluation of fabric pilling. The system was aimed at using a pair of regular digital cameras to capture two side-by-side images of a pilling fabric without special lighting, and the robust calibration and stereo-matching algorithms to reconstruct high-fidelity 3D surfaces of fabric. The depth data provides the most relevant information for pilling segmentation and measurements. The outcome of the surface reconstruction is independent of fabric structures, colors and fiber contents. 3D measurements are useful for understanding pilling mechanisms in different abrasive treatments.
Smoothened antagonists for hair inhibition

Abstract A series of aminomethylpyrazoles were prepared and evaluated using cell-based Smoothened β-lactamase reporter assay and Smoothened binding assay. Potent Smoothened antagonists 10k and 10l were found to inhibit hair growth in vivo in the C3H/HeN mouse hair growth model. The more selective compound 10l was tested negative in the 3T3 NRU assay, indicating a low risk for causing photo-irritation and was efficacious using the C3H/HeN mouse hair growth model although it was slightly less efficacious than that of the reference compound eflornithine (7).
A simple analytical throughput---delay model for clustered FiWi networks

A fiber-wireless (FiWi) network integrates a passive optical network (PON) with wireless mesh networks (WMNs) to provide high-speed backhaul via the PON while offering the flexibility and mobility of a WMN. Generally, increasing the size of a WMN leads to higher wireless interference and longer packet delays. We examine the partitioning of a large WMN into several smaller WMN clusters, whereby each cluster is served by an optical network unit (ONU) of the PON. Existing WMN throughput---delay analysis techniques considering the mean load of the nodes at a given hop distance from a gateway (ONU) are unsuitable for the heterogeneous nodal traffic loads arising from clustering. We introduce a simple analytical queuing model that considers the individual node loads to accurately characterize the throughput---delay performance of a clustered FiWi network. We verify the accuracy of the model through extensive simulations. We employ the model to examine the impact of the number of clusters on the network throughput---delay performance. We find that with sufficient PON bandwidth, clustering substantially improves the FiWi network throughput---delay performance.
Some Observations on the Off-Effect of the Mammalian Cone Electroretinogram

The off-effect of the pure-cone electroretinogram of the squirrel was studied by means of double-flash stimuli. It was found that as the stimulus intensity was increased there was often a depression of the off-effect, a phenomenon attributed by Granit to postexcitatory inhibition. When a second flash was superimposed on the normal off-effect, there was an enhancement of the a wave and a depression of the b wave of the second response. If the second flash were superimposed on a depressed high-intensity off-effect, the increase of the second a wave was much less and the depression of the second b wave greater than with a normal off-effect. These results confirm Granit’s suggestion as to the nature of postexcitatory inhibition. There is apparently a reactivation of both PII and PIII at off in the pure-cone retina. The recovery of the b wave after off follows an exponential course and may well be due to the decay of the suppression process recently postulated by Arden, Granit, and Ponte.
Selective detection of endogenous thiols using microchip-based flow analysis and mercury/gold amalgam microelectrodes.

This paper describes the fabrication and characterization of thin-layer mercury/gold amalgam microelectrodes and their integration with microchip-based flow injection analysis. This microchip platform allows on-chip injection and lysis of erythrocytes followed by selective detection of intracellular glutathione (GSH) at low potentials. The thin-layer gold microelectrodes were amalgamated by electrodeposition of mercury. The electrodes produced a linear response for both GSH and cysteine in flow injection analysis studies utilizing both off-chip and on-chip injection. Comparative experiments using diamide and on-chip injection were performed to demonstrate the ability of the microchip device to detect changes in GSH concentration. Finally, rabbit erythrocyte samples (2% hematocrit) were injected and lysed on-chip and the amount of GSH detected corresponded to 312 amol/cell, which is in agreement with previously reported values. The selectivity, short time between injection and detection (∼5 s), and the continuous introduction of sample to the on-chip injector should enable the study of dynamically changing systems such as the glutathione redox system found in erythrocytes.
Vascular endothelial growth factor and breast cancer risk

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key factor in angiogenesis and is important to carcinogenesis. Previous studies relating circulating levels of VEGF to breast cancer have been limited by small numbers of participants and lack of adjustment for confounders. We studied the association between serum VEGF and breast cancer in an unmatched case–control study of 407 pre- and postmenopausal women (n = 203 cases, n = 204 controls). Logistic regression was used to model the breast cancer risk as a function of natural log transformed VEGF levels adjusted for age, Gail score, education, physical activity, history of breastfeeding, serum testosterone, and hormone therapy (HT) use. The majority of the population was postmenopausal (67.6%) and the average age was 56 years; age and menopausal status were similar among cases and controls. Geometric mean VEGF levels were non-significantly higher in cases (321.4 pg/ml) than controls (291.4 pg/ml; p = 0.21). In a multivariable model, the odds of breast cancer was 37% higher for women with VEGF levels ≥314.2 pg/ml compared to those with levels below 314.2 pg/ml, albeit not significantly (p = 0.16). There was no interaction between VEGF and menopausal status (p = 0.52). In this case–control study, VEGF was not significantly associated with breast cancer risk in pre- and postmenopausal women.
Molecular engineering of torsional potentials in fluorogenic dyes via electronic substituent effects.

Fluorogenic dyes such as thiazole orange (TO) and malachite green have been used in live cellular imaging due to their low quantum yield in solution but large fluorescence enhancements when bound to cellular nucleic acids or to a specific surface-expressed protein partner. Better understanding of the structure−property relationships that establish this fluorogenic behavior could benefit the design of improved dyes. In TO the fluorogenic properties are related to twisting of the dye, following electronic excitation in solution, from an emissive planar structure to a nonemissive twisted structure. Herein we develop a computational approach to identify electron acceptor/donor substitution patterns that impart desirable properties to the dye, such as inducing spectral shifts while maintaining an excited-state torsional surface that will lead to fluorogenic behavior. Additivity of substituent effects, on properties such as spectral shifts and excited-state torsional barriers, is tested and found to be sufficie...
Intelligent scissors for image composition

We present a new, interactive tool called Intelligent Scissors which we use for image segmentation and composition. Fully automated segmentation is an unsolved problem, while manual tracing is inaccurate and laboriously unacceptable. However, Intelligent Scissors allow objects within digital images to be extracted quickly and accurately using simple gesture motions with a mouse. When the gestured mouse position comes in proximity to an object edge, a live-wire boundary “snaps” to, and wraps around the object of interest. Live-wire boundary detection formulates discrete dynamic programming (DP) as a two-dimensional graph searching problem. DP provides mathematically optimal boundaries while greatly reducing sensitivity to local noise or other intervening structures. Robustness is further enhanced with on-the-fly training which causes the boundary to adhere to the specific type of edge currently being followed, rather than simply the strongest edge in the neighborhood. Boundary cooling automatically freezes unchanging segments and automates input of additional seed points. Cooling also allows the user to be much more free with the gesture path, thereby increasing the efficiency and finesse with which boundaries can be extracted. Extracted objects can be scaled, rotated, and composited using live-wire masks and spatial frequency equivalencing. Frequency equivalencing is performed by applying a Butterworth filter which matches the lowest frequency spectra to all other image components. Intelligent Scissors allow creation of convincing compositions from existing images while dramatically increasing the speed and precision with which objects can be extracted.