cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrical resistivity and thermoelectric power of polycrystalline uranium at elevated temperatures

The electrical resistivity, ϱ(T), of high purity uranium [ϱ(3.67 °K) = 0.955 μΩcm] has been studied as a function of temperature, T, between 295 and 1370 °K. Measurements also have been made on the absolute thermoelectric power, Su(T), between 380 and 1000 °K. The uranium used in this study is the same as that previously studied between 2 and 300 °K. The crystal structure changes taking place at elevated temperatures cause anomalies in the ϱ(T) vs. T and Su(T) vs. T curves. The agreement between the ϱ(T) data of different investigators is better for the α phase than for the β and γ phases. Large disagreements in Su(T) among different investigations exist at elevated temperatures. The Su(T) vs. T curve of the present study joins smoothly the curve between 20 and 300 °K due to Meaden and Lee. The abovementioned electrical transport properties are briefly discussed from the viewpoint of the electronic structure of uranium and the multiband conduction theory.
PTSD as Meaning Violation: Testing a Cognitive Worldview Perspective.

The cognitive perspective on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been successful in explaining many PTSD-related phenomena and in developing effective treatments, yet some of its basic assumptions remain surprisingly under-examined. The present study tested two of these assumptions: (1) situational appraisals of the event as violating global meaning (i.e., beliefs and goals) is related to PTSD symptomatology, and (2) the effect of situational appraisals of violation on PTSD symptomatology is mediated by global meaning (i.e., views of self and world). We tested these assumptions in a cross-sectional study of 130 college students who had experienced a DSM-IV level trauma. Structural equation modeling showed that appraisals of the extent to which the trauma violated one’s beliefs and goals related fairly strongly to PTSD. In addition, the effects of appraisals of belief and goal violations on PTSD symptoms were fully mediated through negative global beliefs about both the self and the world. These findings support the cognitive worldview perspective, highlighting the importance of the meaning individuals assign to traumatic events, particularly the role of meaning violation.
Mating behavior in male rats during cross-transfusion of blood

Abstract Following an initial ejaculation, rats need fewer intromissions and a shorter latency to achieve a second ejaculation. A technique by which two free-moving rats can share a common blood supply was used to investigate the possibility that blood-borne substances mediate these facilitatory effects. Results obtained did not support this hypothesis.
Amygdala hyperactivity and tonotopic shift after salicylate exposure

The amygdala, important in forming and storing memories of aversive events, is believed to play a major role in debilitating tinnitus and hyperacusis. To explore this hypothesis, we recorded from the lateral amygdala (LA) and auditory cortex (AC) before and after treating rats with a dose of salicylate that induces tinnitus and hyperacusis-like behavior. Salicylate unexpectedly increased the amplitude of the local field potential (LFP) in the LA making it hyperactive to sounds≥60 dB SPL. Frequency receptive fields (FRFs) of multiunit (MU) clusters in the LA were also dramatically altered by salicylate. Neuronal activity at frequencies below 10 kHz and above 20 kHz was depressed at low intensities, but was greatly enhanced for stimuli between 10 and 20 kHz (frequencies near the pitch of the salicylate-induced tinnitus in the rat). These frequency-dependent changes caused the FRF of many LA neurons to migrate towards 10-20 kHz thereby amplifying activity from this region. To determine if salicylate-induced changes restricted to the LA would remotely affect neural activity in the AC, we used a micropipette to infuse salicylate (20 μl, 2.8 mM) into the amygdala. Local delivery of salicylate to the amygdala significantly increased the amplitude of the LFP recorded in the AC and selectively enhanced the neuronal activity of AC neurons at the mid-frequencies (10-20 kHz), frequencies associated with the tinnitus pitch. Taken together, these results indicate that systemic salicylate treatment can induce hyperactivity and tonotopic shift in the amygdala and infusion of salicylate into the amygdala can profoundly enhance sound-evoked activity in AC, changes likely to increase the perception and emotional salience of tinnitus and loud sounds. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Tinnitus Neuroscience.
Heat Treatments of Wood Fibers for Self-Bonding and Stabilized Fiberboards

Heat treatment of wood fibers in a closed press for 4 and 8 minutes and pressed into fiberboards greatly reduces moisture regain and increases dimensional stability of the boards. Part of the hemicellulose sugars are lost during the steam treatment and furan intermediates were detected. Mannose, galactose, xylose, arabinose and rhamnose were partially lost during the steaming process. The steam treated boards have lower strength as compared to adhesive added boards but they do not fall apart when placed in water.
Review of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy in modern practice

Partial nephrectomy (PN) is currently the standard treatment for T1 renal tumors. Minimally invasive PN offers decreased blood loss, shorter length of stay, rapid convalescence, and improved cosmesis. Due to the challenges inherent in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, its dissemination has been stifled. Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) offers an intuitive platform to perform minimally invasive PN. It is one of the fastest growing robotic procedures among all surgical subspecialties. RAPN continues to improve upon the oncological and functional outcomes of renal tumor extirpative therapy. Herein, we describe the surgical technique, outcomes, and complications of RAPN.
Pegaptanib in diabetic macular edema (dme): vision related quality of life (qol) results from a phase 2/3, 2-year, double-masked trial

Purpose To compare self-reported vision functioning and vision related-QoL in patients with DME treated with intravitreous pegaptanib 0.3 mg versus sham injection. Methods This randomized (1:1), controlled, multicenter trial included subjects with DME (center point thickness on OCT ≥250 µm) and visual acuity (VA) ≤65 letters and ≥35 letters. In Year 1, pegaptanib or sham was administered every 6 weeks with focal/grid photocoagulation at investigator discretion after week 18. Subjects received injections as often as every 6 weeks per prespecified criteria in Year 2. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion gaining ≥10 letters from baseline to week 54. Change in visual functioning from baseline to Weeks 54 was assessed with the National Eye Institute – Visual Functioning Questionnaire. Results 133 pegaptanib- and 127 sham-treated subjects were in the Year 1 modified intent-to-treat population. From baseline to Week 54, gains of ≥10 letters were seen in 49 (36.8%) pegaptanib and 25 (19.7%) sham-treated subjects (odds ratio [95% CI]: 2.38 [1.32,4.30], P=0.0047). The subscales of Near Vision, Distance Vision, and Social Functioning (Week 54) demonstrated clinically meaningful (>5-point between-group difference) and statistically significant (P<0.05) benefits favoring pegaptanib. A positive numerical trend in favour of pegaptanib was observed for the Composite Score and the majority of other subscales. Conclusion The vision improvement from pegaptanib treatment compared to sham is associated with improved visual functioning as reported by the DME patient. Commercial interest
Revitalizing the capital district leveraging a regional code enforcement repository

This paper looks at a proactive and coordinated effort to use of code enforcement data to support economic development and public safety initiatives throughout the New York State Capital Region. Through a shared services model, the governments participating in this effort will create an environment of collaborative governance and ultimately work towards opening code enforcement data. Using a shared service model is not a new phenomenon but it is in the area of code enforcement. This paper will describe both the challenges and expected benefits of a regional effort to share this type of data across departments and jurisdictions.
Outcomes of stem cell transplant patients with acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation in the United States.

Outcomes of stem cell transplant patients with acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation in the United States
Water Marketing in California and the West

The western part of the United States is mostly arid, and irrigation triggered its agricultural development. However, increased urban demand, environmental awareness, and the lack of apparent new s...
The stress intensity factor for the double cantilever beam

Fourier transforms and the Wiener-Hopf technique are used in conjunction with plane elastostatics to examine the singular crack tip stress field in the Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) specimen. With terms of orderh 2/a 2 retained in the series expansion, the dimensionless stress intensity factor is found to be $$Kh^{\tfrac{1}{2}} /P = (12)^{\tfrac{1}{2}} (a/h + 0.6728 + 0.0377h^2 /a^2 )$$ , in whichP is the magnitude of the concentrated forces per unit thickness, a is the distance from the crack tip to the points of load application, andh is the height of each cantilever beam. This result is quite similar to the expression $$Kh^{\tfrac{1}{2}} /P = 3.46a/h + 2.38$$ , which Gross and Srawley obtained by fitting a line to discrete results from their boundary collocation analysis. Still another expression, $$Kh^{\tfrac{1}{2}} /P = [12\{ (a/h + 0.6)^2 + \tfrac{1}{3}\} ]^{\tfrac{1}{2}}$$ , obtained by Ripling, Mostovoy and Patrick from a strength of materials approach combined with compliance measurements, although somewhat different in form from the present results, also yields accurate values ofK for thea/h-range of practical interest (2 ⩽a/h ⩽ 10). The present result serves as both a confirmation and a refinement of the Gross and Srawley formula. For this reason, and because of its simplicity, the present result should be useful in the derivation of other simple and parametrically appropriate equations for the analysis of data from DCB specimen tests.
A Practical Application of Multiphase Transport Theory to Ground Water Contamination Problems

Hydrocarbon transport in the subsurface environment occurs in several phases, chiefly the non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL), dissolved and vapor phases. Mechanisms that influence transport include the physicochemical properties of the specific compounds present (density, vapor pressure, viscosity, hydrophobicity) and the physical and chemical properties of the subsurface environment, including geology, aquifer minerology and ground water hydrology. Hydrocarbon liquids are typically complex mixtures composed of numerous compounds, each with its own individual physicochemical and, therefore, transport properties. Examination of chemical data can provide insights into the transport mechanisms operating at a site: Ground water transport results in relative enrichment by more soluble, less hydrophobic hydrocarbon compounds as a function of distance from a spill; vapor phase transport typically results in relative enrichment in more volatile hydrocarbon compounds. Two sites at which subsurface fuel spills resulted in ground water contamination will illustrate the use of transport mechanism theory. At Site 1 a subsurface spill resulted in a NAPL plume approximately 150m (500 feet) and a dissolved hydrocarbon plume resulting from ground water transport of dissolved hydrocarbon approximately 350m (1150 feet) hydraulically downgradient of the source. At Site 2 there was a sudden subsurface fuel spill; ground water pumping with hydrocarbon recovery was begun within a week of spillage. Vapor phase transport resulted in contaminated ground water hydraulically upgradient of the source. In addition, there was cross-contamination at Site 2, probably as the result of contaminated water level gauging equipment, but the chemical characteristics of this contamination were sufficiently obvious to permit its identification. An understanding of transport mechanisms is instrumental in contamination assessment source identification, contaminant fate prediction and design of an appropriate remedial program.
The design of orthotropic materials for stress optimization

Abstract The availability of materials such as fibrous composites now makes it feasible to approach problems of the theory of elasticity from a different perspective. Rather than determining the stresses within a homogeneous body subjected to known loads, it may be possible to design a nonhomogeneous material to yield an optimum internal stress field. The approach is demonstrated for two dimensional problems in polar coordinates, with detailed results given for the problems of the pressurized, thick-walled cylinder and the rotating disk subjected to centrifugal body forces.
Introduction to a new approach to experiential learning

A process model is described that links the needs of adult learners and conceptual issues in experiential learning with methods for engaging learners in experiential learning activities and authentic assessment practices.
Mastermind Mutations Generate a Unique Constellation of Midline Cells within the Drosophila CNS

Background The Notch pathway functions repeatedly during the development of the central nervous system in metazoan organisms to control cell fate and regulate cell proliferation and asymmetric cell divisions. Within the Drosophila midline cell lineage, which bisects the two symmetrical halves of the central nervous system, Notch is required for initial cell specification and subsequent differentiation of many midline lineages. Methodology/principal findings Here, we provide the first description of the role of the Notch co-factor, mastermind, in the central nervous system midline of Drosophila. Overall, zygotic mastermind mutations cause an increase in midline cell number and decrease in midline cell diversity. Compared to mutations in other components of the Notch signaling pathway, such as Notch itself and Delta, zygotic mutations in mastermind cause the production of a unique constellation of midline cell types. The major difference is that midline glia form normally in zygotic mastermind mutants, but not in Notch and Delta mutants. Moreover, during late embryogenesis, extra anterior midline glia survive in zygotic mastermind mutants compared to wild type embryos. Conclusions/significance This is an example of a mutation in a signaling pathway cofactor producing a distinct central nervous system phenotype compared to mutations in major components of the pathway.
A Distinct Nuclear Import Pathway Used by Ribosomal Proteins

Protein transport into the nucleus is governed by the interaction of soluble transport factors with their import substrates and nuclear pore complexes. Here, we identify a major distinct nuclear import pathway, mediated by a previously uncharacterized yeast beta karyopherin Kap123p. The predominant substrates for this pathway are ribosomal proteins, which must be imported into the nucleus prior to assembly into pre-ribosomes. Kap123p binds directly to its transport substrates, repeat motif-containing nucleoporins, and Ran-GTP. We show that the related protein Pse1p is also a karyopherin and can functionally substitute for Kap123p; both are capable of specifically directing a ribosomal nuclear localization signal reporter to the nucleus in vivo.
Nalidixic Acid Susceptibility Testing of Clinical Isolates of Serratia marcescens

Nalidixic acid (nal) susceptibility of clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens from urinary tract infections, wounds, and blood was determined by the standard disk method, and results were compared with results obtained by a standardized tube dilution procedure using five different broth media. An attempt was made to approximate in vivo conditions by using urine as a test medium and correlating the activity of nal in urine with its activity in nutrient, Trypticase soy, brain-heart infusion, and Mueller-Hinton broths. The isolates were consistently susceptible to lower concentrations of nal in nutrient broth than in the other media. The results showed that Mueller-Hinton broth most closely reflected nal activity in urine. A standardized procedure for nal susceptibility testing of urinary tract isolates of S. marcescens is proposed.
The waveform of synaptic transmission at hippocampal synapses is not determined by AMPA receptor desensitization

Abstract Relationships between the kinetic properties of AMPA receptors and the decay phase of fast excitatory transmission were investigated using modulatory drugs. The benzothiadiazide compound cyclothiazide blocked receptor desensitization in patches excised from hippocampus but had only a weak influence on receptor deactivation, i.e., on the decay of responses produced by a 1-ms pulse of glutamate. The ampakine drug CX516 (BDP-12) produced an opposite pattern of effects: a fourfold slowing of deactivation with little change in desensitization. A structurally related drug (CX554 or BDP-20) had prominent effects on both desensitization and deactivation. The halfwidth of field EPSPs measured in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices increased 50–100% in the presence of CX516 or CX554 but by less than 15% at concentrations of cyclothiazide that fully blocked desensitization in patch experiments. These results indicate that receptor deactivation plays a substantially greater role than receptor desensitization in determining the duration of synaptic responses.
Advances in Cardiac Processing Software

New software methods that incorporate iterative reconstruction, resolution recovery, and noise compensation now provide the ability to maintain or improve myocardial perfusion SPECT image quality with conventional sodium iodide cameras. Despite lower image counting statistics associated with significantly decreased injected radiopharmaceutical doses or shortened acquisition times or both, image quality is preserved or even improved compared with conventional processing methods. The ability to prescribe a desired myocardial count density by preselecting a SPECT acquisition time now avoids additional patient radiation exposure associated with "weight-based" dosing. More recent advancements, including temporal correlation among the gated perfusion frames and higher resolution SPECT acquisitions, hold promise to further improve image quality and diagnostic accuracy. Phase analysis of gated perfusion SPECT provides the ability to assess cardiac dyssynchrony and to select those patients who will most benefit from resynchronization therapy. In combination with the higher counting statistics afforded by the new solid-state dedicated cardiac cameras, these software advancements allow for even further decreased patient radiation doses or acquisition times or both. List-mode software allows for refinement of myocardial perfusion SPECT by interrogating particular data from selected cardiac cycles. Rejection of frames degraded by arrhythmic cardiac cycles or excessive extracardiac uptake can be excluded for reconstruction. Respiratory gating, which diminishes cardiac motion and potentially decreases diaphragmatic attenuation, has been demonstrated to improve diagnostic specificity. With high-count first-pass list-mode acquisitions at rest and during pharmacologic vasodilatation, it may be possible to measure global and regional myocardial perfusion reserve to more accurately diagnose coronary artery disease and avoid false-negative studies owing to balanced ischemia.
Energy-Constrained Distributed Estimation in Wireless Sensor Networks

We consider distributed parameter estimation in energy-constrained wireless sensor networks, where limited energy is allowed to be used by all sensors at each task period. Thus there exists a tradeoff between the number of active sensors and the energy used by each active sensor to minimize the estimation MSE. To determine the optimal energy scheduling of each sensor, a concept of the equivalent unit-energy MSE function is introduced. Based on this concept, an optimal distributed estimation algorithm for homogeneous sensor networks and a quasi-optimal distributed estimation algorithm for heterogeneous sensor networks are proposed. Moreover, a theoretical non-achievable lower bound of the estimation MSE under the total energy constraint is proved and it is shown that our proposed algorithm is quasi-optimal and within a factor 2 of the theoretical lower bound. Simulation results also show that a significant reduction in the estimation MSE is achieved by the proposed method when compared with other uniform schemes.
Low-Sidelobe Integrated Acoustooptic Tunable Filter Using Focused Surface Acoustic Waves

Integrated acoustooptic tunable filters (AOTFs) have been shown to have potential applications in optical wavelength-division-multiplexed systems.1 The single-stage integrated AOTFs reported previously2 all use uniform coupling between the surface acoustic waves (SAWs) and guided-optical waves throughout the interaction length, resulting in best filter sidelobe levels of up to-9dB. It was recently suggested3 that the replacement of uniform-coupling with weighted-coupling would result in significant reduction of the sidelobe levels of the filter. In the weighted-coupling schemes, the coupling constant, κ, of the collinear AO interaction for mode conversion varies along the interaction length. Higher values of κ in the middle region of the interaction length with appropriate tapering of κ values in its end regions would result in significantly lower sidelobe levels.
The thermoelectric performance of silicon carbide semiconductor made from rice hull

Thermoelectric properties (Thermoelectromotive force and electrical conductivity) of porous silicon carbide ceramics are evaluated. Porous silicon carbide ceramics are made from rice hull by reacting silica and carbon, both of which are included in rice hull, using hotpressing method. When nitrogen gas is used as environmental gas for hotpressing, this material becomes n-type semiconductor. It shows comparably high thermoelectromotive force. Thermoelectric properties of this material change with the processing conditions. The relationship between thermoelectric properties and microstructure is also evaluated.
The Soldier and the Scholar: Emerson's Warring Heroes

He is tempted to cease battling; his blood begins to chill; he hears the frost-king's lullaby. But as he is about to yield to sleep, he is startled back into militance by the cry of a titmouse, a small “scrap of valor” that “just for play/Fronts the north-wind.” The courage of the bird returns to him his own and he adopts its Emersonian doctrine that “the soul, if stout within/Can arm impregnably the skin.”The freshness that Emerson's contemporaries found in his writings derived largely from this brisk militant quality. In an age that Emerson thought lacking in a “literature of Heroism,” his own writings were a constant call to bravery (CWE, 2, 247–48). And his most consistent image for that bravery was the soldier. Men, he said, “should calmly front the morrow” as if it were a battle-formation; they should not be “cowards fleeing before a revolution,” but instead should be “advancing on Chaos and the dark” (CWE, 2, 47, 297). One's life should be “a battle, a conquest”; one should state his convictions as boldly as if he wereopening hostilities: “Every principle is a war-note” (CWE, 9, 353). Even those in sedentary occupations should display the bravery of warriors.
Complexity modeling for context-based adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) in H.264/AVC decoder

One way to save the power consumption in the H.264 decoder is for the H.264 encoder to generate decoderfriendly bit streams. By following this idea, a decoding complexity model of context-based adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) for H.264/AVC is investigated in this research. Since different coding modes will have an impact on the number of quantized transformed coeffcients (QTCs) and motion vectors (MVs) and, consequently, the complexity of entropy decoding, the encoder with a complexity model can estimate the complexity of entropy decoding and choose the best coding mode to yield the best tradeoff between the rate, distortion and decoding complexity performance. The complexity model consists of two parts: one for source data (i.e. QTCs) and the other for header data (i.e. the macro-block (MB) type and MVs). Thus, the proposed CABAC decoding complexity model of a MB is a function of QTCs and associated MVs, which is verified experimentally. The proposed CABAC decoding complexity model can provide good estimation results for variant bit streams. Practical applications of this complexity model will also be discussed.
BamE Modulates the Escherichia coli Beta-Barrel Assembly Machine Component BamA

ABSTRACT Biogenesis of the outer membrane (OM) is an essential process in Gram-negative bacteria. One of the key steps of OM biogenesis is the assembly of integral outer membrane beta-barrel proteins (OMPs) by a protein machine called the Bam complex. In Escherichia coli, the Bam complex is composed of the essential proteins BamA and BamD and three nonessential lipoproteins, BamB, BamC, and BamE. Both BamC and BamE are important for stabilizing the interaction between BamA and BamD. We used comprehensive genetic analysis to clarify the interplay between BamA and the BamCDE subcomplex. Combining a ΔbamE allele with mutations in genes that encode other OMP assembly factors leads to severe synthetic phenotypes, suggesting a critical function for BamE. These synthetic phenotypes are not nearly as severe in a ΔbamC background, suggesting that the functions of BamC and BamE are not completely overlapping. This unique function of BamE is related to the conformational state of BamA. In wild-type cells, BamA is sensitive to externally added proteinase K. Strikingly, when ΔbamE mutant cells are treated with proteinase K, BamA is degraded beyond detection. Taken together, our findings suggest that BamE modulates the conformation of BamA, likely through its interactions with BamD.
Dr. Seuss, felicitator

This article uses the life and work of Theodor Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) to discuss certain aspects of what it means to be a ‘felicitator’, i.e. a person who brings happiness to others. The focus is particularly on his promotion of creativity and social inclusion, and his critique of materialism.
Teaching with Term Reports and Projects

Abstract Class projects such as selection for increased weight in a laboratory can be a helpful teaching tool. Students gain experience keeping records, making selections, recording their own data, and they have live organisms to observe natural variation. Limitations to this practice are the short academic term, the need to have proper experimental animals at the beginning of the term, and the usual requirement that all students work on similar projects. More choice by students can be realized from term reports. Several years of experience with term reports indicates most students pursue the task with vigor and interest when allowed to select their own topics for review of literature within animal breeding.
Problems of older adults living alone after hospitalization.

OBJECTIVE: To describe functional deficits among older adults living alone and receiving home nursing following medical hospitalization, and the association of living alone with lack of functional improvement and nursing home utilization 1 month after hospitalization.
Nonlinear first sound response of liquid helium at 1, 3 and 10 MHz

Abstract The first sound response of liquid helium at 1, 3 and 10 MHz is studied using piezoelectric ceramic transducers. Above specific threshold displacement amplitudes, subharmonic frequencies ( ƒ 0 2 , ƒ 0 3 ,…) and ultraharmonic frequencies ( 3ƒ 0 2 , 5ƒ 0 2 ,…) appear in the response spectrum. The magnitude of the threshold displacement amplitudes for the production of subharmonics suggests that vapor microbubble oscillation appears not to be the primary generation mechanism.
Purification, characterization, and subunit structure of rat core 1 β1,3-galactosyltransferase

Abstract The O-linked oligosaccharides (O-glycans) in mammalian glycoproteins are classified according to their core structures. Among the most common is the core 1 disaccharide structure consisting of Galβ1→3GalNAcα1→Ser/Thr, which is also the precursor for many extended O-glycan structures. The key enzyme for biosynthesis of core 1 O-glycan from the precursor GalNAc-α-Ser/Thr is UDP-Gal:GalNAc-α-Ser/Thr β3-galactosyltransferase (core1 β3-Gal-T). Core 1 β3-Gal-T activity, which requires Mn2+, was solubilized from rat liver membranes and purified 71,034-fold to apparent homogeneity (>90% purity) in 5.7% yield by ion exchange chromatography on SP-Sepharose, affinity chromatography on immobilized asialo-bovine submaxillary mucin, and gel filtration chromatography on Superose 12. The purified enzyme is free of contaminating glycosyltransferases. Two peaks of core 1 β3-Gal-T activity were identified in the final step on Superose 12. One peak of activity contained protein bands on non-reducing SDS-PAGE of ∼84- and ∼86-kDa disulfide-linked dimers, whereas the second peak of activity contained monomers of ∼43 kDa. Reducing SDS-PAGE of these proteins gave ∼42- and ∼43-kDa monomers. Both the 84/86-kDa dimers and the 42/43-kDa monomers have the same novel N-terminal sequence. The purified enzyme, which is remarkably stable, has an apparent K m for UDP-Gal of 630 μm and an apparent V max of 206 μmol/mg/h protein using GalNAcα1-O-phenyl as the acceptor. The reaction product was generated using asialo-bovine submaxillary mucin as an acceptor; treatment withO-glycosidase generated the expected disaccharide Galβ1→3GalNAc. These studies demonstrate that activity of the core 1 β1,3-Gal-T from rat liver is contained within a single, novel, disulfide-bonded, dimeric enzyme.
Sheet-scanned dual-axis confocal microscopy using Richardson–Lucy deconvolution

We have previously developed a line-scanned dual-axis confocal (LS-DAC) microscope with subcellular resolution suitable for high-frame-rate diagnostic imaging at shallow depths. Due to the loss of confocality along one dimension, the contrast (signal-to-background ratio) of a LS-DAC microscope is deteriorated compared to a point-scanned DAC microscope. However, by using a sCMOS camera for detection, a short oblique light-sheet is imaged at each scanned position. Therefore, by scanning the light sheet in only one dimension, a thin 3D volume is imaged. Both sequential two-dimensional deconvolution and three-dimensional deconvolution are performed on the thin image volume to improve the resolution and contrast of one en face confocal image section at the center of the volume, a technique we call sheet-scanned dual-axis confocal (SS-DAC) microscopy.
Liver transplantation after coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract In summary, 12 patients are described who had LT after CABG. Nine of them had normal hepatic function at the time of LT and cirrhosis was precipitated by hepatitis C virus in 7 of the 9 patients. Because of the present policy of testing blood for hepatitis C before transfusion and because of the small numbers of blood transfusions now given at the time of CABG, it is predicted that LT after CABG will be much less of a problem in the future. Liver transplantation can be a life-saving procedure for serious hepatic dysfunction developing late after CABG.
Acoustically driven collection of suspended particles within porous media

A method for collecting fine particles using a porous medium subjected to a standing ultrasonic wave field is described. Proof-of-concept experiments using aqueous suspensions of polystyrene spheres demonstrated the collection of particles up to two orders of magnitude smaller than the size of pores within the porous medium. Two types of porous media were studied; unconsolidated beds formed from glass spheres, and aluminum foam meshes. Removal of particles from the porous media is readily accomplished by deactivating the acoustic field and flushing the particles from the porous medium through continued liquid flow. The effects of processing conditions (suspension flow rate, acoustic power, and feed concentration) on the retention of particles were assessed. Explanations of the mechanism by which the collection occurs are postulated and an assessment of the practicality of the concept for suspension processing is presented.
Potential Clinical Applications for Blood Substitutes

In the coming decade, it is likely that oxygen-carrying alternatives to red blood cells will become available for clinical use. The driving force behind their development is the risk of transfusion of homologous blood, which includes transmission of viral disease (HIV and hepatitis) and transfusion reactions as well as the expense of collecting and storing human blood. A number of clinical applications for these products can be anticipated now, but when available, it is likely that the list will grow. How widely these products will be used depends on their safety. In addition to these clinical applications, blood substitutes will be useful in furthering our understanding of basic oxygen transport physiology.
Melt Analysis of Process Cheese Spread or Product Using a Rapid Visco Analyzer

The objective of this study was to evaluate a rapid visco analyzer (RVA) method for measuring the melting characteristics of process cheese spread or product. The melt properties of 32 commercial process cheese spread and process cheese product samples from 4 manufacturers were analyzed with the RVA, tube melt test, texture profile analysis (TPA) hardness, and dynamic stress rheometry (DSR). For the RVA melt test, a 15-g disc of cheese was packed into the RVA canister and subjected to a heating, holding, and cooling profile during continuous mixing. During the test, the apparent viscosity was continuously measured and several data points (melt time, hot viscosity, time at 5000 cP during cooling, and solidification time) were collected from the viscosity vs. time curve. There was a high correlation (R2= 0.91) between the DSR melt temperature and the tube melt test. There was also a high correlation between the RVA melt time and the DSR melt temperature or the tube melt test (R2= 0.84 and 0.74, respectively). The RVA hot viscosity had a low correlation (R2< 0.44) with the DSR melt temperature and the tube melt test but had a high correlation (R2= 0.74) with DSR G'' at 85 degrees C. The results of this study indicate that RVA melt analysis of process cheese spread/product is correlated with the results from other melt tests and is capable of measuring the melt properties quantified by other methods. The RVA melt test may also provide additional information on the melt characteristics of process cheese spread/product not measured in other tests.
Toward self-assembled surface-mounted prismatic altitudinal rotors. A test case: molecular rectangle.

A self-assembly path toward prismatic molecular rotors based on transversely reactive terminally metalated molecular rods and pyridine-terminated star connectors is outlined. The concept is tested on the assembly of the biphenyl rod [Ph2P(CH2)3PPh2Pt+-C6H4-C6H4-Pt+[Ph2P(CH2)3PPh2] and 4,4‘-bipyridyl into a molecular rectangle, fully characterized by NMR and MS, including diffusion-ordered NMR and collision-induced dissociation MS.
Interactive water quality modeling within a GIS environment

Abstract A number of water quality models have been developed to characterize the local, regional, and national extent of environmental pollution problems, and to assess the potential socio-economic impacts. These models provide an understanding of the processes involved in pollution generation from nonpoint sources and can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative land management practices. However, a major problem facing modelers has been the inability to efficiently handle, manipulate, and manage large volumes of model parameters. Recent developments in geographic information systems (GIS) provide the opportunity and tools to spatially organize and effectively manage data for modeling. This paper presents an interactive water quality modeling system developed within a GIS environment. The system combines soil erosion and pollutant export models with ARC/INFO GIS software and a graphic user interface. In addition, the system is designed to allow efficient and cost-effective use of simplified water quality models for the analysis of nonpoint source pollution problems in watersheds. Implemented on a color-graphic engineering workstation, the interactive modeling system permits visualization of the spatial distribution of model inputs and of the spatio-temporal variation of simulated model outputs. The goal of developing the interactive modeling system, in general, was to provide a spatial decision support tool for targeting critical areas of water quality problems in a watershed and for agricultural production planning and management decision-making.
P16 as a molecular biomarker of cervical adenocarcinoma

Abstract Objective Cervical adenocarcinomas are increasing in incidence each year. The aim of this study was to identify a molecular biomarker to improve early detection. Study design Fifty-five in situ and invasive cervical adenocarcinomas were compared with 5 normal endocervical controls by immunohistochemical analysis of p16, p21, p27, cyclin D1, cyclin E, p53, and Ki-67. Expression was scored from 0 to 8 by using an automated imaging system. Western blotting and polymerase chain reaction-based human papillomavirus (HPV) testing were performed on 16 of the invasive cases having fresh-frozen tissue. Results P16 exhibited a higher mean expression score for in situ (7.4; P Conclusion P16 is a putative molecular biomarker of cervical adenocarcinoma. Overexpression appears to primarily reflect HPV-induced cell cycle dysregulation.
DIATOM EPIPHYTES ON ODONTHALIA FLOCCOSA: THE IMPORTANCE OF EXTENT AND TIMING

The interaction between the epiphytic diatom Isthmia nervosa Kutz and the red alga Odonthalia floccosa (Esp.) Falkenb. was examined in terms of host physiology (photosynthesis and growth), fitness (reproduction and survival), and population dynamics. Most of these characteristics were compared among plants that varied naturally in epiphyte load. Diatom cover was also manipulated in field-deployed containers to study effects on host growth. Increasing levels of epiphytes were correlated with declines in host photosynthesis and growth, and experiments confirmed that reduced growth was directly caused by diatoms. Populations that hosted diatoms throughout the summer contained lower proportions of reproductive plants than did populations colonized in late summer or not epiphytized at all (60% vs. >80%, respectively). Odonthalia with epiphytes experienced greater biomechanical drag when submerged than did unepiphytized individuals of similar size. Despite differences in drag, epiphytized and unepiphytized hosts were equally susceptible to complete mortality (removed with holdfast) relative to partial mortality (shoots broken). In general, higher epiphytism was associated with reduced host performance, and this apparent damage was easier to detect at physiological levels than at population levels. In fact, negative effects of epiphytes were not evident at the population level, and host density and epiphyte load were positively correlated. Based on 4 years of monthly censuses of Odonthalia using marked plants and quadrats, the abundance of Isthmia varies spatially and temporally. Diatoms tend to colonize Odonthalia in late summer, after host growth has stopped and cystocarps and tetraspores have begun to develop. Subsequently, shoots break and plants persist through the winter as shorter perennating basal systems. Life spans were >4 years for some Odonthalia individuals. Many hosts may escape the effects of epiphytes by completing growth and reproduction before diatom colonization.
Effects of neonatal androgens on open-field behavior and maze learning in the prepubescent and adult rat.

Abstract In two experiments open-field behavior of female rats injected neonatally with testosterone propionate was compared to that of normal, oil-injected male and female littermates. In both Experiment 1 (n = 54) and Experiment II (n = 47), the treated females behaved like normal males at 30 days of age (prepubesence), showing significantly lower ambulation scores than the normal females. A similar but statistically nonsignificant effect was observed in the second test conducted at 70 days of age (adulthood). In Experiment 2, at both 30 and 70 days of age, normal females defecated significantly less often than either the males or the treated females. The maze performance of animals from Experiment 2 was also studied. Ninety-day old testosterone-treated females learned a Lashley III maze with significantly fewer errors and retracings than did normal females; in this respect the treated females resembled the normal males. It was concluded that neonatal androgens can affect open-field behavior and maze performance and argued that these sexually dimorphic behaviors probably do not require circulating androgens for their expression.
Arc Chamber for Spectral Excitation in Controlled Atmospheres

A chamber to permit the use of a controlled atmosphere has been developed. It is inexpensive and simple to fabricate and provides significant advantages in convenience, reproducibility and sensitivity.
Electrochemical study of biologically relevant molecules at electrodes constructed from GUITAR, a new carbon allotrope

Abstract Graphite has a well-known anisotropic behavior where heterogeneous electron transfer (HET) is much faster on its edge (EP) versus basal plane (BP). This is problematic in bioanalytical applications where the BP exposure is the most convenient configuration in sensors. We have reported earlier on a new carbon allotrope, GUITAR that exhibits near equal facile HET on its apparent EP and BP. In this contribution we report on three biologically significant analytes, ascorbic acid, dopamine and NADH. The BP-GUITAR surface has electrochemical overpotentials (ca. 100–200 mV) lower than other BP materials and equal to EP graphitic electrodes. All electrodes in this study (GUITAR, graphite, and glassy carbon (GC)) suffer from eventual signal losses due to irreversible adsorption from repeated electro-oxidation of either ascorbic acid, NADH or dopamine. Of these materials only GUITAR could be regenerated by pulsing the electrode surface to 2.2 V in pH 7.2 phosphate buffer. Graphite and GC suffered oxidative damage by the procedure. Furthermore, the GUITAR electrode was able to undergo four regeneration cycles with reproducible dopamine cyclic voltammetric characteristics. More cycles are possible. The ascorbate detection limit and linear range of 0.15 μM and 0.05–6250 μM respectively on GUITAR are at 2 orders of magnitude or more better in each category than other systems. Again this can be attributed to the facile HET rates on GUITAR. These features indicate that GUITAR will be advantageous for enclosed sensor applications where surface renewal can be difficult, e.g., in vivo implants, liquid chromatography and microfluidics.
Approximate solutions for multi-location inventory systems with transshipments

Abstract We consider a multiple retailer distribution system where emergency transshipments are permitted. The objective is to determine the effect of transshipments on ordering policies. For the identical cost situation a solution procedure based on the dynamic programming technique is developed to obtain approximate optimal ( s , S ) policies for the multi-location inventory systems with centralized ordering. This ( s , S ) ordering policy is then compared with a simplified policy that assumes free and instantaneous transshipments. The findings are that for a small number of stores and small transshipment costs, relative to the holding and stock-out costs, inventory policies may be obtained from a simplified model using zero transshipment costs but using transshipments as a means to solve emergency situations. If transshipment costs are equal or greater than the holding plus stock-out costs then a model without transshipments can be used. In general using transshipments seem to be a very cost effective way of reducing inventories for situations with a large number of stores where transshipment costs are small relative to the stock-out plus holding costs.
Defining the Safety of Anacetrapib, a CETP Inhibitor, in Patients at High Risk for Coronary Heart Disease: the DEFINE study.

In 2004, the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Panel Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III Guidelines were updated based on recent trials available at that time to expand the scope and intensity of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapy [1]. That report also recommended consideration of combination therapy for high-risk patients with high triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). One pharmacologic approach to such a regimen is the use of cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors, which raise HDL-C and may decrease LDL-C. The Investigation of Lipid Level Management to Understand its Impact in Atherosclerotic Events (ILLUMINATE) trial attempted to test the hypothesis that CETP inhibition with torcetrapib would decrease clinical cardiovascular events, but despite substantial increases in HDL-C, the trial was terminated early due to excess adverse events, including increased mortality in the group that received torcetrapib plus atorvastatin compared to the group that received atorvastatin alone [2]. Hypotheses for the increased mortality, both due to cardiovascular and noncardiovascular causes, included an off-target effect of the drug unrelated to CETP inhibition, or an adverse effect of CETP inhibition itself, including possibly the generation of dysfunctional or even proatherogenic HDL-C. The ILLUMINATE trial did find a known off-target effect of torcetrapib (an increase in blood pressure) but could not definitively rule in or out either of the two potential explanations. Other effects of torcetrapib included increased sodium and bicarbonate levels, decreased potassium levels, and apparent increases in aldosterone levels. Other CETP inhibitors, including anacetrapib [3], have not shown increases in blood pressure and appear to be better candidates for further study.
Assortative mating and the segregation variance.

Feldman and Cavalli-Sforza (Theoret. Pop. Biol. (1979), 15, 276–307; (1981), 19, 370–377) have emphasized the role of the segregation variance in models of assortative mating for continuous characters. This note examines its behavior in the context of a general additive model. Using known results concerning the effects of assortative mating and selection on genic variance and correlations among uniting gametes it is shown that the effects of these processes on segregation variance will be small if the effective number of loci is large. Thus models in which the segregation variance remains constant are approximate descriptions of the behavior of characters determined by many loci.
Immune response to influenza vaccination in children with renal disease

Although immunization with influenza vaccine is recommended for children with chronic renal disease and after organ transplantation, the antibody response in these children has not been well described. We studied the response to the 1993-1994 trivalent influenza vaccine in children, aged 1-21 years, with chronic renal failure (n = 15), end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis (n = 10), and post renal transplantation (n = 17). Each group's antibody response was compared with that of a control group (n = 7). No significant differences were found in seroconversion rates, percentage of patients achieving protective hemagglutination-inhibition titers post vaccination or change in geometric mean titers from pre to post vaccination between study groups and controls. These results suggest that pediatric patients with renal disease will respond and therefore will benefit from currently recommended influenza immunization.