cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cell lineage in the dorsal mesothoracic disc of Drosophila.

Problems of cell lineage within the dorsal mesothorax of Drosophila are treated in a comprehensive way. The study utilizes both gynandromorphs and induced mosaics which have chaetae genetically “marked” at various developmental stages. It includes regions not previously studied due to lack of chaetae by inducing mosaics on a hairy background. It analyzes the distributions of spots by a combination of statistical techniques. Lineage relationships among the 11 mesonotal macrochaetae are traced by comparing correlation data from different samples. In general, the distances between pairs of macrochaetae are inversely proportional to phi correlation values. Related cells remain together and cell lineage pathways become gradually restricted during development. The dorsal suface of the mesonotum is divided into 63 different sections. Analysis of their interrelationships confirms results obtained by the study of macrochaetae, since distance between macrochaetae or sections does play a role in their lineage relationship and each section studied is significantly correlated with its surrounding and neighboring sections. Overall lineage relationships are defined by dividing the dorsal mesothorax into clusters of related sections by means of principal-component analysis. In some sections which are intimately related by cell lineage, the role of distance is secondary because of differential growth patterns. In addition, there are regionally variable sensitivities of developing cells for the induction of somatic crossing over, which may imply differential mitotic rates. Cell lineage of the mesonotum is nonrandom, in that the spacial relationship among cells developing from the same line is preserved throughout ontogeny, with modifications by differential growth rates.
Advances in Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy

Over the past 40 years, surgical reconstruction of the breast following mastectomy has become an important aspect of the cancer patient's rehabilitation process. While the surgical emphasis remains on a cure for the cancer, experience with breast reconstruction has not demonstrated any increased rate of cancer recurrence, even when reconstruction is performed immediately following tumor resection. Advances in surgical technique and biotechnology have made post-mastectomy reconstruction possible. The development of silicone gel and saline-filled implants as well as tissue expanders has revolutionized breast reconstruction. The elucidation of musculocutaneous flaps now provides the surgeon with the ability to transfer adequate quantities of vascularized tissue to reconstruct the surgical defects. The advent of microsurgical techniques has provided an additional reconstructive option, with free tissue transfer allowing the plastic surgeon to move musculocutaneous flaps from remote or distant sites to reconstruct the defect. The option of having the reconstruction immediately following the mastectomy procedure is now available to the patient. When reviewing the anatomy of the breast region, the surgeon must consider the mammary gland, its vascular supply, and its lymphatic system. The surgical techniques involved in reconstruction after mastectomy include the use of breast implants and tissue expansion, as well as reconstruction with autogenous tissues. Reconstruction with autogenous tissues includes the use of latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap, transverse rectus abdominus musculocutaneous flap, free flap transfer, as well as nipple-areola reconstruction. Breast reconstruction after mastectomy should be undertaken by a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with considerable training and experience with these diversified procedures.
Discipline in the Classroom: Perceptions of Middle Grade Teachers.

(1983). Discipline in the Classroom: Perceptions of Middle Grade Teachers. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 57, No. 3, pp. 139-142.
Preference structures I: Distances between transitive preference relations†

This paper generalizes the Kemeny‐Snell distance function for distances between weak orderings to a distance function for the collection of all partial orderings of a set. This generalization explains some of the seemingly strange properties of the Kemeny‐Snell distance, and extends it to such important classes of orderings as semiorders and interval orders. In section four I consider possible applications of the distance function and describe a number of problems that arise in attempts to apply the distance function. In section 3 I discuss the concept of a distance function in more general terms and introduce a new distance function defined by a set of axioms different from those given in Section 2.
M5 brane and four dimensional \mathcal{N} = 1 theories I

Four dimensional $ \mathcal{N} $ = 1 theories are engineered by compactifying six dimensional (2, 0) theory on a Riemann surface with regular punctures. A generalized Hitchin’s equation involving two Higgs fields is proposed as the BPS equation for $ \mathcal{N} $ = 1 compactification. The puncture is interpreted as the singular boundary condition of this equation, and regular puncture is shown to be labeled by a nilpotent commuting pair. In this paper, we focus on a subset of regular puncture which is described by rotating branes representing $ \mathcal{N} $ =2 puncture. As an application, we show that Seiberg duality of SU(N) SQCD with N f = 2N and certain superpotential term is realized as different degeneration limits of the same punctured Riemann surface, and find four more dual theories.
Learning to Segment and Track in RGBD

We consider the problem of segmenting and tracking deformable objects in color video with depth (RGBD) data available from commodity sensors such as the Asus Xtion Pro Live or Microsoft Kinect. We frame this problem with very few assumptions-no prior object model, no stationary sensor, and no prior 3-D map-thus making a solution potentially useful for a large number of applications, including semi-supervised learning, 3-D model capture, and object recognition. Our approach makes use of a rich feature set, including local image appearance, depth discontinuities, optical flow, and surface normals to inform the segmentation decision in a conditional random field model. In contrast to previous work in this field, the proposed method learns how to best make use of these features from ground-truth segmented sequences. We provide qualitative and quantitative analyses which demonstrate substantial improvement over the state of the art. This paper is an extended version of our previous work. Building on our previous work, we show that it is possible to achieve an order of magnitude speedup and thus real-time performance ( ~ 20 FPS) on a laptop computer by applying simple algorithmic optimizations to the original work. This speedup comes at only a minor cost in overall accuracy and thus makes this approach applicable to a broader range of tasks. We demonstrate one such task: real-time, online, interactive segmentation to efficiently collect training data for an off-the-shelf object detector.
WE-C-116-09: A Novel Flow Quantification Quality Assurance Method Using Power Injector

Purpose: To develop a practical flow quantification quality assurance method based on a simple and compact flow phantom driven by a power injector. Methods: A flow phantom was made using acrylic with U‐shaped tubes built inside the chamber and immersed in stationary saline. A MR power injector equipped with the MR scanner was used to inject up to 110 mL of saline through the tube with 4.76 mm inner diameter at a precise rate of 2.00+/−0.01 mL/s. 2D phase contrast flow quantification was performed with a single imaging slice of 10mm perpendicular to the straight sections of the U‐shape tube on two different models of 1.5T MR scanners (Siemens Espree and Aera). Flow rates in two opposite directions were measured from phase contrast images using Siemens ARGUS software. Eight repeat measurements were performed for each scanner. Results: The flow rates measured on the Espree scanner were +2.15+/−0.06 mL/s with 7.45% difference from the 2mL/s flow rate provided by the power injector and −2.17+/−0.03mL/s with 8.7% difference. On the Aera scanner, the flow rates were +1.90+/−0.03mL/s with 4.8% difference from the 2mL/s produced by the power injector and −1.99+/−0.02mL/s with 0.6% difference. The measured flow rates were different from the true flow rate for both scanners and the error were different between scanners. Conclusion: Our proposed method of quality assurance using a simple flow phantom driven by a power injector was able to detect the errors in flow quantification for both scanner as well as the difference between two scanners. Such method can be implemented on many clinical MR scanners already equipped with a power injector.
In vitro activity of SCH 27899 (Ziracin) against Legionella species

Abstract The activities of Sch 27899 (Ziracin), erythromycin, and ofloxacin against 102 Legionella spp. isolates were measured by a microbroth dilution method. The MICs that inhibited 90% of strains tested were 0.25, 0.5, and 0.06 μg/mL for Sch 27899, erythromycin, and ofloxacin, respectively. The activity of Sch 27899 against intracellular Legionella pneumophila could not be determined because of complete inactivation of the drug by tissue culture medium components.
Poly(ethylene-propylene glycol)-modified fused-silica columns for capillary electrophoresis using epoxy resin as intermediate coating

Abstract An epoxy resin was used for fused-silica capillary column pretreatment before coating with a hydrophilic polymer for capillary electrophoresis. The unique properties of the epoxy resins allow the deposition of a dense polymer layer on the column surface using the dynamic coating method. By using a free-radical cross-linking initiator, a hydrophilic polymer coating can be subsequently immobilized over the resin covered surface. The coating is of sufficient thickness and hydrophilicity to reduce protein adsorption and minimize electro-osmotic flow. Basic protein separations were achieved with high efficiency and reproducibility; one thousand consecutive runs on a single column gave an R.S.D. value of less than 2% in migration time. The coating was stable throughout the pH range 4–11. The coating provides a simple, stable, and reproducible means for deactivation of fused-silica columns for capillary elettrophoresis.
Treatment of aplastic anemia with a monoclonal antibody directed against the interleukin-2 receptor

Severe aplastic anemia (SAA) has been related in most cases to underlying autoimmune conditions. Various immunosuppressive regimens have been recommended in the absence of an HLA-identical bone marrow donor. Prednisolone, antithymocyte globulin, and cyclosporin A have been shown to be effective. This report describes the successful treatment of a 23-year-old woman suffering from severe aplastic anemia who had become multiresistant against previously administered immunosuppressive agents, using a monoclonal IL-2-receptor blocking antibody. The patient responded within 4 weeks. The time to the next relapse was 8 months; however, another remission with a second course of horse-antithymocyte globulin was achieved and has been maintained for 27 months to date with low doses of cyclosporin A. Although this is an anecdotical report, IL-2-receptor blockade using a monoclonal antibody might be considered as a further alternative in multiresistant SAA, perhaps increasing the susceptibility to further immunosuppressive trials.
Reversible isopentane‐induced depression of carbon dioxide permeation through polycarbonate

Permeability data are reported for carbon dioxide in Lexan polycarbonate at 35°C. Measurements were made for both pure carbon dioxide and for a mixed feed consisting of carbon dioxide with a 117.8-torr (0.155-atm) Partial pressure of isopentane. The effects of varying upstream CO2 driving pressure from 1 up to 20 atm were studied. The permeability to CO2 is reduced significantly in the presence of isopentane; however, the fractional depression of the CO2 permeability due to the isopentane at low driving pressures is much more significant than at high CO2 driving pressures. The well-known pressure dependence of carbon dioxide permeabilities in glassy polymers, therefore, is largely diminished by introducing isopentane to the pure carbon dioxide feed. These observations are consistent with a model for transport in glassy polymers which explains the observed trends in terms of competition between the two penetrants for microvoid sorption sites existing in the non-equilibrium glassy polymer. Exclusion of carbon dioxide from microvoid sorption sites by the more condensable isopentane preempts transport through the microvoid regions, resulting in the observed depression of the CO2 permeability.
Flexible PDMS microtubes for examining local hydrophobicity

In this work, utilizing commercial glass micropipettes as molds, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microtubes have been successfully fabricated. Such a microtube can be as long as 3 cm, its sidewall has a thickness in the range of 4---10 μm, and the outer and inner diameters of its tip can be as small as 26 and 17 μm, respectively. Compared with the rigid glass micropipette, the PDMS microtube is soft, making it flexible. The flexibility enables the PDMS microtube: (1) to be bendable for easily delivering liquid drops to confined locations, and (2) to have less damage to the contacted substrate. Its small tip makes it have access to narrow gaps, such as microgrooves. Three types of tests have been done to explore water-delivery properties of PDMS microtubes. Based on the understanding gained from these tests, a PDMS microtube is directly applied to examine local wetting properties of lotus and SU-8 micropillars.
Ability of a chimeric cAMP-responsive promoter to confer pharmacologic control of CFTR cDNA expression and cAMP-mediated Cl- secretion.

Ability of a chimeric cAMP-responsive promoter to confer pharmacologic control of CFTR cDNA expression and cAMP-mediated Cl − secretion
Experience with the development of a microkernel-based, multiserver operating system

During the first half of the 1990s, IBM developed a set of operating system products called Workplace OS that was based on the Mach 3.0 microkernel and Taligent's object-oriented TalOS. These products were intended to be scalable, portable and capable of concurrently running multiple operating system personalities while sharing as much code as possible. The operating system personalities were constructed out of a set of user-level personality and personality-neutral servers and libraries. While we made a number of important changes to Mach 3.0, we maintained its fundamentals and the multi-server design throughout our project. In evaluating the resulting system, a number of problems are apparent. There is no good way to factor multiple existing systems into a set of functional servers without making them excessively large and complex. In addition, the message-passing nature of the microkernel turns out to be a poor match for the characteristics of modern processors, causing performance problems. Finally, the use of fine-grained objects complicated the design and further reduced the performance of the system. Based on this experience, I believe that more modest, more targeted operating systems consume fewer resources, offer better performance and can provide the desired semantics with fewer compromises.
Computer-based test interpretation in psychoeducational assessment: An initial appraisal

Abstract The development of computer-based interpretive systems has generated much enthusiasm and a fair amount of concern. The focus herein is on the use of computer-based test interpretation (CBTI) in psychoeducational assessment. Development influences affecting the use of CBTI in psychoeducational assessment are reviewed, the current status of CBTI systems is explored, and strategies for the evaluation of CBTI products by consumers and professionals are advanced.
Diversionary Incentives and the Bargaining Approach to War

I use a game theoretic model of diversionary war incentives to help explain the lack of a consistent empirical relationship between domestic conditions and the use of force abroad. I argue that when diversionary behavior is about demonstrating competence rather than creating a short-term “rally round the flag” effect, a leader has incentives to use force against a challenging target, and this may dissuade many would-be diversionary uses of force. I then combine the diversionary model with the bargaining approach to war and show that when war is costly and bargaining is allowed, the diversionary leader can be peacefully appeased short of war as long as the benefit of holding office is not too large compared with the cost of war and other factors. However, when the office holding benefit is sufficiently large, the diversionary incentive emerges as a new domestic politics based “rationalist explanation for war.”
Ammunition upload and deployment V2.0: a simulation analysis

A simulation model capable of analyzing the deployment strategies of combat, combat support, and service support units is developed. Currently the model is programmed for a field artillery battalion uploading ammunition from an ammunition supply point. The model can be adapted to represent a brigade element or other units as directed. The program is user formulated, with 100 variables defined prior to execution of the simulation. The algorithm simulates the model with ten replications, each replication initiated with a random number seed. The data are stored after each replication, the results being averaged after the tenth simulation. A stochastic interface representing traffic and weather conditions is also modeled. Optimization is accomplished through sensitivity analysis by selecting change options for the input variables and running the simulation with the database. >
Pectus excavatum in a 112-year autopsy series: anatomic findings and the effect on survival.

Abstract Background/Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of pectus excavatum and associated conditions in a large autopsy series. It also sought to determine whether there were different survival patterns for pectus excavatum patients than for patients without pectus excavatum. Methods A computer-assisted search of autopsy files maintained by Johns Hopkins University was conducted, dating from 1889 to 2001. Each patient's Autopsy Pathology Information System report was reviewed for diagnosis and comorbid conditions. To determine whether there were differences in survival patterns, we tested whether pectus excavatum patients survived longer than controls, using a standard epidemiological method. Each patient in the autopsy series was compared with the 2 patients entered in the autopsy database chronologically immediately before and the 2 patients immediately after the case. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted. Results Pectus excavatum was identified at autopsy in 62 of 50,496 cases. Of these 62 patients, 17 were 65 years or older and appeared to have died of causes unrelated to pectus excavatum, the oldest being 91 years. Twenty-one were between the ages of 14 and 65 years and were found to have coexisting conditions or syndromes. Six were between the ages of 1 and 4 years. One of the 6 died in 1947 because of complications from pectus repair. No autopsied patient with pectus excavatum died between the ages of 5 and 14 years. Eighteen were infants younger than 1 year, and all 18 died because of conditions unrelated to pectus excavatum. There were no reported cases of pectus excavatum before 1947, and the severity of deformity could not be determined from the autopsy data. Survival analysis indicated that pectus excavatum patients had a different survival than the controls. Pectus excavatum patients tended to die earlier ( P = .0001). However, pectus excavatum patients who survived past the age of 56 years tended to survive longer than their matched controls ( P = .0001). Conclusion Although there were no histological abnormalities noted in the cartilage of the pectus excavatum patient's conditions, pectus excavatum was associated with several connective tissue abnormalities. Analysis is consistent with the theory that this condition can impact survival.
The relation of diabetic control to in vivo pH of soft tissue abscesses

Abstract It has been shown that induced soft tissue abscesses have a lower intra-abscess pH in the uncontrolled diabetic host than in the nondiabetic control. These differences were felt to be secondary to alterations in white cell metabolism. The current study compares the intra-abscess pH in three groups of mice: (I) nondiabetic, (II) untreated diabetic, and (III) insulin-treated diabetic. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin in male white mice. The bacteria used to induce the abscesses were a combination of B. fragilis and Enterococcus . The blood glucose values of groups I, II, and III were 189 mg% (±20.3), 256 mg% (±121.9), and 712.8 mg% (±169.7), respectively. None of the animals were ketotic, and peritoneal pH (reflecting systemic pH) showed no significant differences between groups. There were no significant differences in colony counts between any groups. The intra-abscess pH values of groups I, II, and III were 6.97 (±0.26), 6.85 (±0.41), and 6.08 (±0.70). The differences in intra-abscess pH and blood glucose levels were all significantly different from each other when all three groups were compared. The insulin-treated mice tended to return to normality but had the widest spread of values. Since a decrease in intra-abscess pH has been felt to be a reflection of white cell activity, our studies may be the first to demonstrate an in vivo effect of insulin on white cell activity.
Time-dependent Hartree-Fock studies of atomic collisions

Abstract The time-dependent Hartree-Fock method for atomic collisions is described, together with associated numerical techniques. Some applications, chiefly to ion-atom collisions, are presented.
Hyperfine spectroscopy of 6Li.

We have used the Doppler-tuned ion-beam laser-spectroscopy method to measure directly the hyperfine intervals in the 23S and 23P° states of the 6Li+ ion. Our high resolution allowed us to obtain the first reported optically resolved hyperfine transitions. We obtain excellent agreement with theory.
Numerical Convergence Study of Nearly Incompressible, Inviscid Taylor-Green Vortex Flow

A spectral method and a fifth-order weighted essentially non-oscillatory method were used to examine the consequences of filtering in the numerical simulation of the three-dimensional evolution of nearly-incompressible, inviscid Taylor--Green vortex flow. It was found that numerical filtering using the high-order exponential filter and low-pass filter with sharp high mode cutoff applied in the spectral simulations significantly affects the convergence of the numerical solution. While the conservation property of the spectral method is highly desirable for fluid flows described by a system of hyperbolic conservation laws, spectral methods can yield erroneous results and conclusions at late evolution times when the flow eventually becomes under-resolved. In particular, it is demonstrated that the enstrophy and kinetic energy, which are two integral quantities often used to evaluate the quality of numerical schemes, can be misleading and should not be used unless one can assure that the solution is sufficiently well-resolved. In addition, it is shown that for the Taylor--Green vortex (for example) it is useful to compare the predictions of at least two numerical methods with different algorithmic foundations (such as a spectral and finite-difference method) in order to corroborate the conclusions from the numerical solutions when the analytical solution is not known.
Blue laws: Impact on regional retail activity

Diametrically opposite conclusions about the impact of blue laws on regional retail activity can be found in both the popular press and the economics literature. Most of these conclusions are based either on anecdotal evidence or on data from particular types of retail stores in a very limited geographical area.
Thermally stimulated discharge current studies on low-temperature relaxation in epoxy resin

Thermally stimulated discharge current (TSDC) analysis has been used to characterize the low-temperature (100–300 K) molecular relaxation processes (β relaxation) of an epoxy resin. Experiments were performed on a resin system composed chiefly of tetraglycidyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl-methane and diaminodiphenyl sulfone (TGDDM/DDS). Polarization of the epoxy of the resin appears to be due to preferential orientations of dipoles in the temperature range studied. The broad β-dispersion peak exhibits considerable “structure,” and it promises to prove rich in information related to polarization and relaxation processes in the epoxy resins. It is seen that TSDC can reveal clearly the difference between the degree of curing for epoxy resins. Temperature dependence of a mean activation energy calculated from the discharging processes reveals several temperature ranges over which common molecular relaxation events are probably occurring.
Endoscopic device for functional imaging of the retina

Non-invasive imaging of retinal function based on the recording of spatially distributed reflectance changes evoked by visual stimuli has to-date been performed primarily using modified commercial fundus cameras. We have constructed a prototype retinal functional imager, using a commercial endoscope (Storz) for the frontend optics, and a low-cost back-end that includes the needed dichroic beam splitter to separate the stimulus path from the imaging path. This device has been tested to demonstrate its performance for the delivery of adequate near infrared (NIR) illumination, intensity of the visual stimulus and reflectance return in the imaging path. The current device was found to be capable of imaging reflectance changes of 0.1%, similar to that observable using the modified commercial fundus camera approach. The visual stimulus (a 505nm spot of 0.5secs) was used with an interrogation illumination of 780nm, and a sequence of imaged captured. At each pixel, the imaged signal was subtracted and normalized by the baseline reflectance, so that the measurement was ΔR/R. The typical retinal activity signal observed had a ΔR/R of 0.3-1.0%. The noise levels were measured when no stimulus was applied and found to vary between ± 0.05%. Functional imaging has been suggested as a means to provide objective information on retina function that may be a preclinical indicator of ocular diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. The endoscopic approach promises to yield a significantly more economical retinal functional imaging device that would be clinically important.
Flow nets for zoned anisotropic media by the boundary element method

Abstract The governing differential equations and the necessary boundary conditions for potential and stream function boundary value problems in steady seepage of an incompressible fluid through a zoned anisotropic medium are derived. Use of an available boundary element computer program for potential boundary value problems to solve stream function boundary value problems is discussed. Both confined and unconfined flows in two-dimensional domains are considered. An algorithm is presented to interpolate amongst the results of seepage analyses for the equipotential and streamline data to enable construction of a flow net. Sample problems are included to compare the accuracy of the results obtained with known solutions.
A Life History of an Intense Mesoscale Convective Storm in Oklahoma

Abstract A simple automated objective analysis scheme is developed to analyze upper air sounding data from the National Severe Storm Laboratory mesonetwork. This scheme uses a combination of Cressman' successive correction technique and cubic spline curve fitting. This scheme is applied to a squall line case that occurred on 8 June 1966 along the confluent line where and air from the desert southwest was brought into juxtaposition with moist air from the Gulf of Mexico. The first radar echoes were detected at about 1600 CST and a nearly continuous band was formed by 1830. At 2000 the intense squall line became disorganized and it dissipated by 2300. Serial sounding were started at 1400 and continued until 2300. The analysis results indicate that a well–defined narrow band of convergence (and consequently upward motion) with a width of about 100 km was present at low levels prior to the appearance of first radar echoes. The location and orientation of the line of maximum upward motion and of the subsequent...
Dangerous liaisons: Reflections on a pilot project for state-mandated outcomes assessment of written communication

Abstract This study details the development and results of a campus-based writing assessment plan that was mandated by a state-wide university system in order to explore the “value-added” from a writing program curriculum to undergraduate students’ competence with written expression. Four writing samples (two timed essays and two conventional essays) that are produced before, during and at the close of enrollment in the writing program are scored for critical thinking, genre knowledge, rhetorical skills, and mechanics. The results indicate that local campus student achievement related to writing is comparable with performance captured by nationally normed technologies and larger assessment projects at similar state universities. The data also suggest significant performance difference related to the institutional position of students’ instructors as well as students’ own enrollment status. The article concludes that while the data produced by this research project are compelling, the policy and political implications of the undertaking suggest greater sensitivity to the institution's culture and program direction as well as its impact on instructor morale, student learning environment and the place of composition studies in the university.
Treatment of acute benadryl (diphenhydramine hydrochloride) intoxication with severe central nervous system changes and recovery.

Summary A case of Benadryl (diphenhydramine hydrochloride) intoxication is presented which manifested signs and symptoms of hyperthermia, severe convulsions, cortical blindness, and marked regression of the developmental pattern, followed by complete recovery. Gastric lavage, reduction of hyperthermia, control of convulsions with barbiturates, and support of respiration by endotracheal tube with artificial respiration were very likely responsible for the survival of the child.
The Role of SnoN in Transforming Growth Factor β1-induced Expression of Metalloprotease-Disintegrin ADAM12

Increased expression of metalloprotease-disintegrin ADAM12 is a hallmark of several pathological conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and certain inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system or the muscoskeletal system. We show that transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) is a potent inducer of ADAM12 mRNA and protein in mouse fibroblasts and in mouse and human mammary epithelial cells. Induction of ADAM12 is detected within 2 h of treatment with TGFβ1, is Smad2/Smad3-dependent, and is a result of derepression of the Adam12 gene. SnoN, a negative regulator of the TGFβ signaling pathway, is a master regulator of ADAM12 expression in response to TGFβ1 stimulation. Overexpression of SnoN in NIH3T3 cells reduces the magnitude of ADAM12 induction by TGFβ1 treatment. Down-regulation of SnoN expression by short hairpin RNA enhances TGFβ1-induced expression of ADAM12. In a panel of TGFβ1-responsive cancer cell lines with high expression of SnoN, induction of ADAM12 by TGFβ1 is significantly impaired, suggesting that the endogenous SnoN plays a role in regulating ADAM12 expression in response to TGFβ1. Identification of SnoN as a repressor of the ADAM12 gene should contribute to advances in the studies on the role of ADAM12 in tumor progression and in the development of other pathologies.
Cost comparison of energy projects: Discounted cash flow and revenue requirement methods

Abstract Both the discounted cash flow (DCF) and revenue requirement (RR) methods are frequently used in the cost analysis of energy projects. Each is especially well suited in special circumstances. For most forward looking ventures, the RR method appears to be more useful. This paper provides simple formulations for the two methods and some special cases of interest for costing practices. Both formulations are applicable to either free or regulated enterprises and also under constant-dollars or inflationary conditions. The interpretation of cost results depends on the selection of cash-flow streams and/or the intent of revenue requirements. Several numerical examples are given.
Freeze-fracture ultrastructure of rat C.N.S. and P.N.S. nonmyelinated axolemma.

The axolemma of nonmyelinated fibres from the corpus callosum and cerebellar cortex (C.N.S.) and the vagus nerve (P.N.S.) was investigated with freeze-fracture electron microscopy. The major observations of this study are as follows: (1) there is a highly asymmetrical distribution of intramembranous particles between the E- and P-fracture faces in both C.N.S. and P.N.S. fibres; (2) the total number of particles on the P-faces of all axonal types studied is considerably greater than that on the E-face; (3) the number of particles on the E-faces of C.N.S. axons is greater than that on the E-faces of P.N.S. axons; and (4) the percentage of large (>9.6 nm) particles is greater on the E-face than on the P-face regardless of the axon studied. The results are compared with previous freeze-fracture investigations on the nodal and internodal membranes of myelinated fibres.
Adaptive and neural control of a wing section using leading- and trailing-edge surfaces☆

This paper treats the question of control of nonlinear aeroelastic responses of a prototypical wing section with structural nonlinearity using leading- and trailing-edge control surfaces. It is assumed that all the aerodynamic, structural and inertia parameters are unknown to the designer. As such the limitation of a recent control design reported in the literature, which requires complete knowledge of aerodynamic derivatives and inertia parameters, is removed. An adaptive controller and a neural control system are designed for the trajectory control of the plunge displacement and pitch angle. For the derivation of the adaptive control law, a linearly parameterized model is used but the neural controller is designed by treating the stiffening-type structural nonlinearity as an unstructured function (not parameterizable). It is shown that the adaptive and neural controllers accomplish trajectory control in the closed-loop system. Simulation results are presented which show that these controllers are effective in regulating the nonlinear responses to the origin in the state space in spite of large model uncertainties. Moreover unlike the model with a single trailing-edge surface, two control surfaces provide flexibility in shaping both the plunge and pitch responses.
Direct Spectroscopic Detection of a Zwitterionic Excited State

Two electrons in two weakly coupled orbitals give rise to two states (diradical) with electrons residing in separate orbitals and two states (zwitterionic) with both electrons paired in one orbital or the other. This two-electron, two-orbital state manifold has eluded experimental confirmation because the zwitterionic states have been difficult to locate. Two-photon excitation of fluorescence from Mo(2)CI(4)(PMe(3))(4) (D2d) has been measured with linearly and circularly polarized light. From the polarization ratio and the energy of the observed transition, the 2(1)A(1) (delta*delta*) excited state has been located and characterized. In conjunction with the one-photon allowed (1)B(2) (deltadelta*) excited state, the zwitterionic state manifold for the quadruply bonded metal-metal class of compounds is thus established.
Quantitative methods for spatially resolved adsorption/desorption measurements in real time by surface plasmon resonance microscopy.

A simple method for converting local reflectivity changes measured in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) microscopy to effective adlayer thicknesses and absolute surface coverages of adsorbed species is presented. For a range of high-contrast angles near the SPR resonance where the local metal surface's reflectivity changes linearly with angle, the change in reflectivity at fixed angle is proportional to the change in effective refractive index (ηeff) near the surface. This change in ηeff can be converted to absolute adsorbate coverage using methods developed for quantitative SPR spectroscopy. A measurement of the change in reflectivity due to changes in refractive index of bulk solutions, i.e., percent reflectivity change per refractive index unit (RIU), is the only calibration required. Application of this method is demonstrated for protein adsorption onto protein/DNA arrays on gold from aqueous solution using an SPR microscope operating at 633 nm. A detection limit of 0.072% change in absolute reflectivit...
Crossmodal divided attention in rats: effects of chlordiazepoxide and scopolamine

“Divided attention” is a psychological construct that hinges on assumptions about a fixed finite capacity of subjects to simultaneously process multiple sets of information. A model of a crossmodal divided attention task was developed in rats. Initially, rats were trained consecutively in operant auditory and visual conditional discrimination tasks. The final task consisted of two successive blocks of 20 trials per modality (modality certainty), followed by 60 trials comprising a semi-randomized sequence of stimuli of both modalities (auditory or visual) and qualities (flashing/pulsing or constantly turned on; modality uncertainty). In comparison to unimodal blocks of trials, performance in the mixed condition was assumed to reflect the demands on the parallel processing of two sets of stimulus-response rules. While response accuracy remained unchanged, response latencies were generally longer in the bimodal condition. Administration of scopolamine (0.03, 0.06, 0.1 mg/kg) or chlordiazepoxide (1, 3, 5, 8 mg/kg) dose-dependently increased response latencies. The scopolamine-induced increase in response latencies was greater in the mixed condition. Cost-benefit analyses demonstrated that the absolute divided attention costs (in ms) were generally higher for visual than for auditory stimuli. Both drugs produced qualitatively similar effects; however, scopolamine was more potent in increasing the absolute divided attention costs than chlordiazepoxide. These data are discussed in terms of the validity of this animal paradigm, and of hypotheses about the effects of benzodiazepine receptor agonists and muscarinic antagonists on brain information processing capacity.
Numerical Sensitivity Study and Calibration of Non-Equilibrium Wet Steam Model

Comparisons between one- and two-dimensional experiments and non-equilibrium wet steam CFD simulations are conducted paying attention not only to pressure profiles and wetness but also to the more difficult to match droplet diameter. To achieve the objective of optimizing the match of data the heat transfer model between the droplet and its surrounding vapor proposed by Young and the corrections to classical nucleation theory proposed by Moore and popularized by Gerber are adopted. It is found that the proposed models produce a better agreement with droplet diameter, without affecting the overall quality of the predictions for other quantities.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Critical assessment of coalescent simulators in modeling recombination hotspots in genomic sequences

Background Coalescent simulation is pivotal for understanding population evolutionary models and demographic histories, as well as for developing novel analytical methods for genetic association studies for DNA sequence data. A plethora of coalescent simulators are developed, but selecting the most appropriate program remains challenging.
Clinical pharmacology of slow channel blocking agents.

ATIONAL and effective pharmacotherapy requires an understanding of the patient’s disease process as well as an appreciation of both the pharmacodynamics and the pharmacokinetics of the drug(s) selected for use. Although the slow channel antagonist drugs have been widely used outside the United States for the past decade, the body of data contributing to our understanding of the clinical pharmacology of these agents is only now beginning to expand. Clinical studies that have shown the dramatic effectiveness of the slow channel blockers in control of supraventricular tachyarrhythmiasif2 and in relief of symptoms associated with vasospastic coronary artery disease3-’ have been largely empiric, and therefore, have demonstrated the potential usefulness of these new drugs largely in qualitative fashion. Further elaboration of the clinical value of the slow channel antagonist compounds will depend heavily on data from which rational dosing schedules can be derived, on which appropriate dosing intervals may be based, and with which predictable drug toxicity may be avoided. The purpose of this article is to examine the information currently available pertaining to the clinical pharmacology of the three slow channel antagonists undergoing advanced clinical evaluation in this country-verapamil, nifedipine, and diltiazem-and which have received preliminary FDA approval for marketing. Other compounds with similar effects on transmembrane calcium flux, such as perhexilene and lidoflazine, have not been studied in this country to the extent the former group has and are not so far along in the lengthy process leading to clinical availability. VERAPAMIL Actions
A CALL UNHEEDED

This article discusses the obstacles to implementing education programs for divorcing parents, the goal of which is to make parents aware of the effect divorce can have on children and provide them with skills necessary to address such problems. This article attempts to differentiate between adopter and nonadopter courts, that is, courts that have adopted mandatory education programs for divorcing parents and courts that have not. The article also provides an analysis of possible justifications of why some courts have chosen not to implement such programs.
Home installation design and performance of an exponential low-frequency horn

An 18-foot exponential low-frequency horn has been designed and built for use in a home sound system. The horn mixes stereo information below 125 Hz with satisfactory performance down to below 40 Hz. A description of design procedures and violations is given and some curves are provided showing effects of room geometry at three points in the listening area.
Controlling Chua's Circuit

The unified canonical feedback control strategy developed recently by the present authors for controlling chaotic systems is refined and applied to the well-known Chua's circuit, driving its orbits from the chaotic attractor to its unstable limit cycle. Simple sufficient conditions for the controllability of this particular circuit are established. Simulation results are included to visualize the control process. A circuit implementation of the designed feedback control is realized by adding a linear resistor and an appropriate periodic-signal generator to the original circuit.
Modeling the effect of school closures in a pandemic scenario: exploring two different contact matrices.

Background School closures may delay the epidemic peak of the next influenza pandemic, but whether school closure can delay the peak until pandemic vaccine is ready to be deployed is uncertain. Methods To study the effect of school closures on the timing of epidemic peaks, we built a deterministic susceptible-infected-recovered model of influenza transmission. We stratified the U.S. population into 4 age groups (0-4, 5-19, 20-64, and ≥ 65 years), and used contact matrices to model the average number of potentially disease transmitting, nonphysical contacts. Results For every week of school closure at day 5 of introduction and a 30% clinical attack rate scenario, epidemic peak would be delayed by approximately 5 days. For a 15% clinical attack rate scenario, 1 week closure would delay the peak by 9 days. Closing schools for less than 84 days (12 weeks) would not, however, reduce the estimated total number of cases. Conclusions Unless vaccine is available early, school closure alone may not be able to delay the peak until vaccine is ready to be deployed. Conversely, if vaccination begins quickly, school closure may be helpful in providing the time to vaccinate school-aged children before the pandemic peaks.
Computational prediction of novel components of lung transcriptional networks

Motivation: Little is known regarding the transcriptional mechanisms involved in forming and maintaining epithelial cell lineages of the mammalian respiratory tract. Results: Herein, a motif discovery approach was used to identify novel transcriptional regulators in the lung using genes previously found to be regulated by Foxa2 or Wnt signaling pathways. A human--mouse comparison of both novel and known motifs was also performed. Some of the factors and families identified here were previously shown to be involved epithelial cell differentiation (ETS family, HES-1 and MEIS-1), and ciliogenesis (RFX family), but have never been characterized in lung epithelia. Other unidentified over-represented motifs suggest the existence of novel mammalian lung transcription factors. Of the fraction of motifs examined we describe 25 transcription factor family predictions for lung. Fifteen novel factors were shown here to be expressed in mouse lung, and/or human bronchial or distal lung epithelial tissues or lung epithelial cell lineages. Availability: DME: http://rulai.cshl.edu/dme. MATCOMPARE: http://rulai.cshl.edu/MatCompare. MOTIFCLASS is available from the authors. Contact: [email protected] Supplementary information:http://www.lrri.org/Martinez2006motifsSupplement/ and Bioinformatics Online.
Effect of sunlight exposure on cognitive function among depressed and non-depressed participants: a REGARDS cross-sectional study

Background Possible physiological causes for the effect of sunlight on mood are through the suprachiasmatic nuclei and evidenced by serotonin and melatonin regulation and its associations with depression. Cognitive function involved in these same pathways may potentially be affected by sunlight exposure. We evaluated whether the amount of sunlight exposure (i.e. insolation) affects cognitive function and examined the effect of season on this relationship.
Pulse proteolysis: A simple method for quantitative determination of protein stability and ligand binding

Thermodynamic stability is fundamental to the biology of proteins. Information on protein stability is essential for studying protein structure and folding and can also be used indirectly to monitor protein-ligand or protein-protein interactions. While clearly valuable, the experimental determination of a protein's stability typically requires biophysical instrumentation and substantial quantities of purified protein, which has limited the use of this technique as a general laboratory method. We report here a simple new method for determining protein stability by using pulse proteolysis with varying concentrations of denaturant. Pulse proteolysis is designed to digest only the unfolded proteins in an equilibrium mixture of folded and unfolded proteins that relaxes on a time scale longer than the proteolytic pulse. We used this method to study the stabilities of Escherichia coli ribonuclease H and its variants, both in purified form and directly from cell lysates. The ΔGunf° values obtained by this technique were in agreement with those determined by traditional methods. We also successfully used this method to monitor the binding of maltose-binding protein to maltose, as well as to rapidly screen cognate ligands for this protein. The simplicity of pulse proteolysis suggests that it is an excellent strategy for the high-throughput determination of protein stability in protein engineering and drug discovery applications.