cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intramuscular Transplantation of Muscle-Derived Stem Cells Accelerates Skeletal Muscle Healing After Contusion Injury via Enhancement of Angiogenesis

Background: Muscle contusions are common muscle injuries. Although these injuries are capable of healing, incomplete functional recovery often occurs. Muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) are likely derived from blood vessel cells and have a multilineage differentiation potential.Purpose: The aims of this study are (1) to find optimal timing of MDSC transplantation to enhance muscle healing by stimulating muscle regeneration and preventing scar tissue (fibrosis) formation after skeletal muscle contusion injury, and (2) to investigate the role of angiogenesis in the muscle-healing process after MDSC transplantation.Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.Methods: Muscle-derived stem cells were injected directly into injured tibialis anterior muscles of mice at various time points (1, 4, and 7 days) after the muscle contusion injury. Muscle regeneration, angiogenesis, and fibrosis formation were evaluated by histology and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, and functional recovery was measured by p...
Understanding proneurotrophin actions: Recent advances and challenges.

Neurotrophins are initially synthesized as larger precursors (proneurotrophins), which undergo proteolytic cleavage to yield mature forms. Although the functions of the mature neurotrophins have been well established during neural development and in the adult nervous system, roles for the proneurotrophins in developmental and injury-induced cell death, as well as in synaptic plasticity, have only recently been appreciated. Interestingly, both mature neurotrophins and proneurotrophins utilize dual-receptor complexes to mediate their actions. The mature neurotrophin coreceptors consist of the Trk receptor tyrosine kinases and p75NTR, wherein Trk transduces survival and differentiative signaling, and p75NTR modulates the affinity and selectivity of Trk activation. On the other hand, proneurotrophins engage p75NTR and the structurally distinct coreceptor sortilin, to initiate p75NTR-dependent signal transduction cascade. Although the specificity of mature neurotrophins vs. proneurotrophins actions is due in part to the formation of distinct coreceptor complexes, a number of recent studies highlight how different p75NTR-mediated cellular actions are modulated. Here, we review emerging evidence for a novel transmembrane mechanism for ligand-specific p75NTR activation and several mechanisms by which p75NTR-dependent apoptotic and nonapoptotic responses can be selective activated. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2010
Some Radiological Aspects of Coal Combustion

Data on the radionuclide content of coal, bottom ash and fly ash are reviewed. Estimates are made of the quantities of various radionuclides released to the environment from coal combustion and the probable resultant radiation doses to the population. Factors that influence these dose estimates, such as particle size, solubility and radon emanating power are discussed.
Reason maintenance in product modeling

An approach to product modeling by using a reason maintenance system to reduce the amount of search required for the identification of feasible designs is described. An assumption-based truth maintenance system and multiple worlds are used to discover and store information about feasible designs and to avoid further consideration of infeasible design alternatives. An object-oriented computer program for product modeling is presented
Unilateral Visual Loss in a Previously Healthy 15-Year-Old Girl: Monosymptomatic Neuromyelitis Optica?

We report a previously healthy 15 year old girl with acute onset of unilateral visual loss consistent with a diagnosis of monosymptomatic optic neuritis. Her symptoms responded well to the use of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone. With very brief follow-up (2 months) she has had no subsequent difficulties. However, testing was positive for the presence of anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid, which have been associated with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). While NMO antibodies lack complete sensitivity, there is high degree of specificity. Our patient does not meet currently accepted diagnostic criteria for NMO, but is likely at high-risk to develop myelitis or recurrent optic neuritis. There are no evidence-based guidelines for whether this patient should undergo disease-modifying treatment. Based upon the high-risk for clinical relapse, we have recommended immunosuppressive therapy with rituximab (anti-B cell monoclonal antibodies). While randomized trials for patients with this clinical scenario are unlikely, observational studies of a cohort of such patients would provide better guidance on the natural history and merits of disease-modifying therapy.
College Attrition and the Financial Support Systems of Students.

Five groups of undergraduate students, dropouts (academic dismissals), low (GPA) stopouts, high (GPA) stopouts, low (GPA) persisters, and high (GPA) persisters were compared in terms of their responses to a checklist of financial sources of support. Clear sex differences were observed in the reliance on financial sources, either singly or in terms of total sources utilized. Differences related to year in school were also observed. The most significant finding related to attrition was that persisters relied on more sources of support than did withdrawers. This outcome was interpreted in terms of differences between persisters and withdrawers in motivational and personality characteristics that promote the seeking and securing of sources of support.
Zinc Oxide as a Model Transparent Conducting Oxide: A Theoretical and Experimental Study of the Impact of Hydroxylation, Vacancies, Interstitials, and Extrinsic Doping on the Electronic Properties of the Polar ZnO (0002) Surface

The technology-relevant zinc-terminated zinc oxide (0002) polar surface has been studied at the density-functional theory level using both Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) and hybrid Heyd–Scuseria–Ernzerhof (HSE06) functionals. We have considered a number of surface conditions to better understand the impact of surface hydroxylation and intrinsic and extrinsic surface defects, including zinc vacancies, oxygen vacancies, zinc interstitials, and aluminum dopants on the surface electronic properties. Our calculations point to large variations in surface work function and energy band gap as a function of the surface model; these variations can be attributed to changes in surface charge carrier density and to additional surface states induced by the defects. The calculated shifts in O(1s) core-level binding energy of the surface oxygens in different bonding configurations are in good agreement with experimental X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data and point to the presence of two distinct OH-species on the ZnO su...
Measurement of ocean waves

Laboratory and field investigations demonstrate that theoretical pressure ratios for pressure wave recorders are correct to within ten to 20 per cent. The theoretically corrected measured wave heights in shallow water are low. The University of California Mark III and Mark V wave recorders are described and typical records from the latter are reproduced. The limitations of the available information on spar buoy damping disc systems for deep water wave measurements are summarized.
Statistical Analysis of CFD Results for Missile Surface Pressures

Abstract : An international computational aerodynamics study under the auspices of The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) Weapons Technology Panel 2 (APN-TP-2) involving participants from defense research laboratories of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia was recently completed. The purpose of this study was to examine computational predictive technologies for finned missile shapes by comparing Navier-Stokes predictions to experimental data. Experimental data consisting of surface pressures on the body and fins, flow field pitot pressures, and force measurements were available for comparison to the computational results. The computational results for this study established an extensive database for evaluation and comparison. The fall database consists of results from six Navier-Stokes codes obtained by seven multi-block patched and unstructured grids for five distinct test cases. The statistical analysis techniques developed to help provide an evaluation of the predictive techniques are described. Quantitative results of the analysis of the differences between computational and experimental results are presented graphically and quantitatively in terms of medians, standard deviation, and a figure of merit to assist in the overall evaluation of the study results. The good performance achieved using the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model and multi-block patched and unstructured grid techniques are noted in the findings.
Induced Currents and Charges on Thin Cylinders in a Time-Varying Electromagnetic

The distributions of current and charge induced on the surface of electrically thin metal cylinders by an external electromagnetic field are described by means of theoretically and experimentally determined graphs. Various possible standing-wave patterns are shown including some with unexpected properties such as the coincidence of current and charge minima. A knowledge of these distributions is essential to the determination of the shielding properties of imperfectly conducting cylinders and cylinders with small aperttires. It is also a prerequisite o an understanding of currents and charges on crossed metal cylinders including aircraft exposed to an electromagnetic pulse. The significance of the location of the junction in the standing-wave patterns is pointed out.
Side-to-side Asymmetry in Trigeminal Neuralgia

Abstract The right side was affected in 61% of reported cases and the left side was affected in 39% of approximately 30,000 patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) affected on only one side. Side-to-side asymmetry of neurovascular compression in healthy persons cannot account for sideto-side asymmetry in TN. Size asymmetry and shape asymmetry of the rotundum and ovale foramens may account for the higher incidence of TN on the right side. This paper proposes a multiple factors theory: the summation of multiple factors reaches a critical level at which TN occurs. It is rational that entrapment of the maxillary and mandibular nerves when they cross the ovale and rotundum foramens is one of the factors which cause TN. The multiple factors theory can account for a TN patient without neurovascular compression and a healthy person with neurovascular compression.
Evaluation of Cystatin C as an Endogenous Marker of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Dogs

Cystatin C is a cysteine protease inhibitor produced by all nucleated cells. It is freely filtered by the glomerulus and is unaffected by nonrenal factors such as inflammation and gender. Because of greater sensitivity and specificity, cystatin C has been proposed to replace creatinine as a marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in humans. The aims of this study were to validate an automated assay in canine plasma and to evaluate the usefulness of cystatin C as a marker of GFR in dogs. Western blotting was used to demonstrate cross-reactivity of an anti-human cystatin C antibody. An immunoturbidimetric assay was used to detect cystatin C in 25 clinically healthy dogs and 25 dogs with renal failure. Mean cystatin C concentration in the healthy dogs and the dogs with renal failure was 1.08 +/- 0.16 mg/L and 4.37 +/- 1.79 mg/L respectively. Intra- and interassay variability was <5%. The assay was linear (r = .974) between 0.14 and 7.53 mg/L. Both cystatin C and creatinine concentrations were measured in banked, frozen serum from 20 remnant kidney model dogs and 10 volume-depleted dogs for which GFR measurements by exogenous creatinine clearance had been determined previously. In the remnant kidney model, cystatin C was better correlated with GFR than creatinine (r = .79 versus .54) but was less well correlated with GFR in volume-depleted dogs (r = .54 versus .95). GFR measurements were repeated in the remnant kidney model dogs 60 days after initial GFR measurements. At this time, cystatin C and creatinine concentrations correlated equally well with GFR (r = .891 versus .894, respectively). Cystatin C concentration is a reasonable alternative to creatinine for screening dogs with decreased GFR due to chronic renal failure.
How should robustness be defined for water systems planning under change

AbstractWater systems planners have long recognized the need for robust solutions capable of withstanding deviations from the conditions for which they were designed. Robustness analyses have shifted from expected utility to exploratory bottom-up approaches which identify vulnerable scenarios prior to assigning likelihoods. Examples include Robust Decision Making (RDM), Decision Scaling, Info-Gap, and Many-Objective Robust Decision Making (MORDM). We propose a taxonomy of robustness frameworks to compare and contrast these approaches based on their methods of (1) alternative generation, (2) sampling of states of the world, (3) quantification of robustness measures, and (4) sensitivity analysis to identify important uncertainties. Building from the proposed taxonomy, we use a regional urban water supply case study in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina to illustrate the decision-relevant consequences that emerge from each of these choices. Results indicate that the methodological choices in the ...
Introduction: the science and the surgery of congenital upper-limb malformations.

The 2008 Shriners Hospitals for Children (SHC) Symposium, “The Science and the Surgery of Congenital Upper-Limb Malformations,” was the sixth triennial symposium in this series. The concept of a series of symposia on pediatric orthopaedic topics originated with Newton C. McCollough III, MD. As president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) in 1989, Dr. McCollough worked together with Mr. Gene Bracewell, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of SHC, to arrange for the SHC board to grant $50,000 every three years to fund a workshop that would result in a publication on prevention, treatment, and future directions for an important pediatric orthopaedic condition. The first four symposia were jointly sponsored by SHC and the AAOS. The fifth symposium, the topic of which was the immature spine, was a joint venture of SHC, the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), and the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA); this symposium …
Dynamic Decision-Making: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of U.S. and Peruvian Export Managers

Export managers from the U.S. and Peru completed a survey designed to measure cooperative decisions during a sequence of three simulated interactions with business partners. During the initial stage of the relationship the decisions of Peruvian export managers reflect less trust than do those of their U.S. counterparts. During the second stage Peruvian exporters respond differently to weak cheating. Results generally are consistent with cultural differences in attitudes toward in-group v. out-group members. However, the influence of cultural differences gradually erodes in favor of personal characteristics and relationship-specific history, suggesting that cultural differences between business partners decline in importance as they get to know each other.
Screw extrusion‐flow patterns and recent theoretical developments

The melt-filled portion of an extruder screw has been examined in a quantitative analytical fashion by numerous workers during recent years. The progress which has been made in defining flow patterns in this portion of the screw is reviewed, with special attention devoted to edge effects of the screw flights and the contribution of the circulatory cross-channel component of flow. More recent work on the complex problem introduced by the existence of curvature in the screw channel is presented, along with consideration of distortion of the streamlines caused by non-isothermal conditions and non-Newtonian fluid properties of the molten polymer.
New features in the pressure dependence of photoluminescence spectra of C60 at room temperature

Abstract We present new results on the pressure dependence of the electronic band gap of molecular C 60 measured by photoluminescence spectroscopy up to 10 GPa at room temperature. In agreement with previous results, the energy gap decreases with increasing pressure up to about 6 GPa. For higher pressures, however, we observe an energy gap that is wider than that at 6 GPa.
Identification of pistil-specific proteins associated with three self-incompatibility alleles in Solanum chacoense

Pistil proteins associated with three different S-alleles of the self-incompatibility locus (S locus) in Solanum chacoense have been identified which cosegregated with their respective S alleles in a series of genetic crosses involving six S. chacoense plants, their F1 progeny, and backcrosses. The molecular weights of these three S-allele-associated proteins, designated S1 S2, and S3, were 29 kDa, 30 kDa, and 31 kDa, respectively. They were all basic proteins with a similar pI of approximately 8.6. They have been found only in the stigma and style of the pistil where their maximum synthesis was reached at one day before anthesis. Their rate of synthesis in both self- and cross-pollinated pistils was the same as that in the unpollinated pistil until 2 days after pollination.
Carbon as a support for catalysts: I. Effect of surface heterogeneity of carbon on dispersion of platinum

Differences in the degree of dispersion of platinum supported on a graphitized carbon black, subjected to varying levels of carbon burn-off in air, have been found. Dispersion increases with the extent of prior gasification of the carbon support. This increase cannot be explained in terms of total surface area increase of the carbon support as a result of gasification. Rather gasification increases the surface heterogeneity of the carbon support, which in turn increases the potential energy barrier for the diffusion of platinum species across the carbon surface during sample preparation which uses temperatures up to 500 °C.
The key role of aminoglycosides in antibacterial therapy and prophylaxis

The discovery that aminosugars found in nature kill common bacteria initiated use of a new class of antibiotics that have played a key role in the management of several major medical problems over the past 40 years. The rapid bactericidal effect of the aminoglycosides on aerobic Gram-negative bacilli has expanded their use to approximately 6% of all our general hospital patients. These agents have many desirable properties, but also have the potential for producing ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity that imposes pharmacological limitations on their optimum use. The experience of earlier investigations demonstrated the need for quantitative measurements and individual patient dosing which has reduced the risk of toxicity many fold. Using sensitive measurements, toxic manifestations can be classified as detectable by laboratory means only, some that have clinical expression and rarely a lasting handicap. Semisynthetic modification of kanamycin (amikacin) and sissomicin (netilmicin) protects these compounds against inactivation by most bacterial enzymes and preserves their effectiveness. Netilmicin seems to have less potential for causing toxicity, especially ototoxicity that is irreversible, and offers the possibility of further gains through pharmacological flexibility without crippling toxicity.
Molecular Dynamics Study of the Influence of Surfactant Structure on Surfactant-Facilitated Spreading of Droplets on Solid Surfaces

The spreading of a partially wetting aqueous drop in air on a hydrophobic surface can be facilitated by the adsorption of surfactants from the drop phase onto the air/aqueous and aqueous/hydrophobic solid interfaces of the drop. At the contact line at which these interfaces meet, conventional surfactants with a linear alkyl hydrophobic chain attached to a polar group adsorb onto the surfaces, forming monolayers which remain distinct as they merge at the contact juncture. The adsorption causes a decrease in the interfacial tensions and reduction in the contact angle but the angle remains above zero so the drop is still nonwetting. Trisiloxane surfactants with a T-shaped geometry in which the hydrophobic group is composed of a trisiloxane oligomer with a polar group attached at the center of the chain can give rise to a zero contact angle at the contact line and complete wetting (superspreading). Experimental evidence suggests the adsorption of the T-shaped molecule, in addition to significantly decreasing the tensions of the interfaces (relative to the conventional surfactants), promotes the formation of a precursor film consisting of a surfactant bilayer at the contact line which facilitates the spreading. The aim of this study is to use molecular dynamics to examine if the T-shaped structure can promote spreading by the formation of a bilayer and to contrast this case with that of the linear chain surfactant where complex assembly does not occur. The simulation models the solvent as a monatomic liquid, the substrate as a particle lattice, and the surfactants as united atom structures, with all interactions given by Lennard-Jones potentials. We start with a base case in which the solvent partially wets a substrate comprised of a lattice of particles. We demonstrate that adsorbed T-shaped surfactant monolayers can, when the interaction between the solvent and the hydrophile particles is strong enough, assemble into a bilayer, allowing the drop to extend to a thin planar film. In the case of the flexible linear chain surfactant, there is no interaction between the monolayers on the two interfaces in the case of a strong hydrophile-solvent interaction and less coordination for a weaker interaction. In either case, the monolayers remain distinct, as the surfactant only marginally improves wetting.
Shell model for the interaction of the Δ33 with the nucleus

Abstract We propose that the interaction of a Δ33 baryon resonance with a nucleus can be described by an effective shell-model potential. This hypothesis is tested by computing in a simple manner the pion-nucleus scattering in the Δ33 resonance region. A value of 150 MeV is found for the depth of the Δ33 potential well.
Concise, clinically pertinent mammography requests and reports as an aid to increasing the utilization of screening and diagnostic mammography.

T rhe quality of the physician-to-physician communication is critical to the utilization and usefulness of screening and diagnostic mammography for the detection of breast cancer in women. Current standards of practice require that the documented communication between the referring physician and the mammographer be pertinent, lucid, and definite. Both are responsible for precise verbal and written communication. The physician who refers a patient for mammography, both screening and diagnostic, is asking for a medical consultation. It should be requested with appropriate information and reported in a clinically useful manner. When there is a question of malignancy by either physician, the formal written request and report should be supplemented by a direct physician-tophysician phone call. Both physicians should unders tand the other's needs and limitations. The referring physician needs to know from the mammographer:
Libraries and the chief information officer: implications and trends

Recent emergence of the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO) in higher education has been the source of much debate and speculation. This article describes the results of a recent study on the roles of CIOs in research universities and discusses implications and future trends in the management of information technologies, particularly from the point of view of libraries.
Elucidating Gene Regulatory Mechanisms for Sperm Function Through the Integration of Classical and Systems Approaches in C. elegans

From worms to mammals, successful spermatogenesis depends on a gene expression profile that balances activating and repressive mechanisms. Besides developmental control of specific spermatogenic genes, male fertility requires temporal shifts in global gene expression and dramatic changes in chromatin structure and condensation. Recent studies are beginning to elucidate the molecular processes that both drive these temporal changes in gene expression and underlie fertility. In this review, we provide an overview of relevant C. elegans studies that have laid the groundwork for modern approaches. Next, we highlight recent studies that investigate how gene expression in C. elegans is modulated during spermatogenesis. These studies use large-scale genomic profiling in combination with bioinformatics, genetics, biochemistry, and in vitro methods to target specific stages or processes during sperm formation. Such studies are beginning to elucidate the multiple layers of gene regulation required during spermatoge...
Coupled Flight-Dynamic and Low-Order Aeroelastic Model for a Slender Launch Vehicle

This paper presents a method to develop a low-order aeroelastic model that qualitatively captures some of the phenomena experienced by launch vehicles, suitable for use in preliminary controller design. Equations of motion for the two-dimensional dynamics are derived by treating the vehicle as a beam with a gimbaled nozzle attached at the aft end. The flexible-body dynamics are kinematically described using a modal representation. An aerodynamic model focuses on flow separations at diameter transitions in the transonic regime that can lead to lengthwise variations in the applied aerodynamic force. Additionally, convective effects are modeled that lead to time lag in the aerodynamic forces. The equations of motion are tenth order when neglecting convective effects and twelfth order when including convective effects. The model demonstrates some of the possible coupling that occurs between rigid-body, flexible-body, and aerodynamic states. For representative parameter values, the aeroelastic coupling can destabilize the flexible-body motion. The resulting linearized model is not fully controllable, however, is stabilizable.
Preparation of homogeneous pig liver thioltransferase by a thiol:disulfide mediated pI shift

An enzyme catalyzing thiol-disulfide exchange, thioltransferase, was purified to homogeneity from pig liver. By taking advantage of the relatively large pI shift of the enzyme between its reduced and disulfide forms, the purification procedure, which included a heat step, ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-75 and G-50 gel chromatography, and two CM-Sepharose chromatography separations, resulted in a 32% overall yield. The purified enzyme was demonstrated to be homogeneous by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The protein had a Mr of approximately 11,000 and, in the reduced form, a pI of 6.4. The amino acid composition of the enzyme was similar to that of rat liver thioltransferase and calf thymus glutaredoxin and the N-terminus of the protein was blocked. The optimal pH for the enzyme activity was 9.0. The plots of thioltransferase activity as a function of S-sulfocysteine, 2-hydroxyethyl disulfide, and reduced glutathione concentrations did not display Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The enzyme was very sensitive to a sulfhydryl alkylating reagent. Preincubation of the enzyme with its disulfide substrates prevented the inactivation of the enzyme by iodoacetic acid while the other substrate, GSH, did not provide such protection. The results suggest that the active center of thioltransferase is cysteine dependent.
Characteristics of choking behavior in circulating fluidized beds for Group B particles

The electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) based on the neural network multi-criteria optimization image reconstruction technique (NNMOIRT) developed by this research group is used to study the choking phenomenon for Geldart Group B particles in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB). The Group B particles employed are sand particles with a mean diameter of 240 μm and a particle density of 2200 kg/m 2 . The ECT examines the real-time, quasi-3D cross-sectional flow structure of a gas-solid circulating fluidized bed. The ECT with NNMOIRT reveals a double solids-ring flow structure at a low solids circulation rate and the presence of solids blobs at the center of the bed at a high solids circulation rate before choking in a CFB. This flow structure undergoes a distinct variation during the choking transition forming wall slugs/gas intervals when the gas velocity is below the transport velocity, U tr , or forming open slugs with blobs/ particles at the center when the gas velocity is above U tr . The standard deviation of the solids concentration fluctuation and the cross-sectional time-averaged solids concentration variation with increasing solids circulation rates exhibit a sharp change during the choking transition for a low gas velocity (<U tr ), but this is not the case when the gas velocity is above U tr . The choking transition initiates at the bottom of the bed; as the solids circulation rate increases, choking occurs at the surface of the dense bed leading to an increase in the bed height, eventually reaching the top of the column.
Intraduodenal phosphatidylcholine infusion restores the lymphatic absorption of vitamin A and oleic acid in zinc-deficient rats

Previously, the lymphatic absorption of retinol was shown to be lowered markedly in zinc-deficient (ZD) rats, in parallel with a decrease in phospholipid (PL) output. The present study investigated whether an intraduodenal infusion of PL would restore the intestinal absorption of vitamin A in ZD rats fed 3 mg of Zn/kg of diet, as compared with a zinc adequate pair fed (PF) rats fed 31 mg of Zn/kg. Both ZD and PF rats were trained for meal feeding and fed equal amounts of the respective diets twice daily for 5 weeks. Each rat with lymph cannula was infused at 3 mL/hr via a duodenal catheter with a triolein emulsion containing 5.4 μCi 3H-retinol (3H-ROH) and 70 nmol retinol with or without 40 μmol phosphatidylcholine (PC). The absorption of 3H-ROH was measured by collecting lymph hourly for 8 hr during lipid infusion. When infused with no PC, the absorption of 3H-ROH was significantly lower in ZD rats beginning at 2 hr. Until it plateaued at 5 hr, the retinol absorption in ZD rats occurred at 0.42 nmol/hr, which was about 50% of the rate observed in PF rats. The cumulative absorption of 3H-ROH for 8 hr was 19.0 ± 1.4% in ZD and 29.7 ± 1.6% dose in PF rats. The cumulative PL secretion was 7.5 ± 1.1 μmol in ZD and 14.2 ± 1.1 μmol in PF rats. Also, the output of PL remained significantly lower at each hourly interval in ZD than in PF rats. The hourly PL output was correlated closely with the hourly 3H-ROH absorption (r = 0.80, P < 0.05). When PC was infused, the rate of 3H-ROH absorption and total absorption for 8 hr in ZD rats were restored completely to the PF level, with a simultaneous increase in lymphatic PL output. In both ZD and PF rats, the 3H-ROH absorption increased at 0.97 nmol/hr prior to 5 hr and reached a maximum at 3.9 nmol/hr at 5 hr. The PL outputs for 8 hr in ZD and PF rats were 14.6 and 21.6 μmol, respectively. The lymphatic output of oleic acid was correlated highly with 3H-ROH absorption (r = 0.80, P < 0.05). These findings provide the first evidence that a limited supply of PL to the enterocyte is a primary cause of the impaired absorption of retinol and oleic acid in ZD rats. This may be due to a defect in the biliary secretion of PL into the intestinal lumen. It is postulated that, because of the lack of PL, the enterocyte of ZD rats fails to form chylomicrons, principal carriers of dietary lipids and lipid-soluble nutrients.
Study of the mass transfer kinetics in a monolithic column.

The purpose of this work is to investigate the mass transfer kinetics of butylbenzoate on a monolithic RPLC column, with methanol-water (65:35, v/v) as the mobile phase. We used the perturbation method, measuring the height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP) of the peaks obtained as the response to small pulses of solute injected on a concentration plateau. The equilibrium isotherm of butylbenzoate was previously determined by frontal analysis. It is well accounted for by a liquid-solid extended multilayer BET isotherm model. The equilibrium data derived from the pulse method are in excellent agreement with those of frontal analysis in the accessible concentration range of 0 to 8 g/dm3. Plots of the HETP of small pulses. injected on eight different plateau concentrations, were acquired in a wide range of mobile phase flow velocities. The axial dispersion and the mass transfer kinetic coefficients were derived from these data. The validity of these measurements is discussed. The mass kinetics of butylbenzoate depends strongly on the plateau concentration. Processes involving adsorptive interactions between the solute and the stationary phase, e.g. surface diffusion and adsorption-desorption kinetics, combine in series to the external mass transfer kinetics and to effective pore diffusivity.
Two-photon absorption standards in the 550–1600 nm excitation wavelength range

We present absolute two-photon absorption (2PA) spectra of 15 commercial organic dyes covering an extended range of excitation wavelengths, 550–1600 nm. The 2PA is measured with an estimated accuracy ±10% using a femtosecond fluorescence excitation method. The data are corrected for the variations of the pulse duration and the beam profile with the excitation wavelength, and are applicable as reference standards for 2PA measurements.
Assessing the accuracy of the vibrational sudden approximation in collinear atom + triatomic molecule collisions

Abstract Exact and vibrational sudden approximation (VSA) transition probabilities for He + HI 2 BeI 2 , BeBr 2 and CO 2 at 0.5 to 3.0 eV are calculated and compared. The agreement between the VSA and the exact results for the excitation of the symmetric stretch is excellent for HI 2 (even for large charges in the vibrational quantum number), degrades slightly on going to BeI 2 , and again to BeBr 2 and becomes unacceptable for the CO 2 case. These trends are in accord with previous validity criteria. The agreement for the excitation of the asymmetric stretch is only qualitatively correct.
Nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-3 levels in human amniotic fluid.

Abstract Objective: Neurotrophins are proteins that promote neuronal growth and differentiation. In this pilot study we determined whether the neurotrophins nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-3 were present in amniotic fluid specimens to begin to elucidate their developmental regulation. We also explored associations between neurotrophin levels and central nervous system abnormalities and exposure to infection. Study Design: One hundred thirty-four amniotic fluid specimens were obtained from women undergoing amniocentesis at University of North Carolina Hospitals. Each specimen was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin 3. Associations of maternal age, gestational age, and maternal ethnicity with neurotrophin levels were explored. Neurotrophin levels in pregnancies in which there was enlargement of the fetal cerebral lateral ventricles or exposure to infection were compared with those in control pregnancies. Spearman correlational analyses and analyses of covariance were performed, with adjustment for gestational age. Results: Nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin 3 were detected in all amniotic fluid specimens. Nerve growth factor increased with gestational age ( P = .045). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor decreased with gestational age ( P = .035). Patients with ventriculomegaly (with or without other central nervous system abnormalities) on ultrasonographic examination (n = 6) had significantly lower nerve growth factor levels than control subjects ( P = .0046); patients with evidence of infection (n = 5) during pregnancy had significantly lower nerve growth factor ( P = .0037) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor ( P = .0362) levels. Conclusions: Nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin 3 are detectable in amniotic fluid and vary with gestational age. Decreased nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in amniotic fluid may be a marker for the presence of central nervous system abnormalities, infectious insults in utero, or both. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:1125-30.)
How does bone sialoprotein promote the nucleation of hydroxyapatite? A molecular dynamics study using model peptides of different conformations.

Bone sialoprotein (BSP) is a highly phosphorylated, acidic, noncollagenous protein in bone matrix. Although BSP has been proposed to be a nucleator of hydroxyapatite (Ca5(PO4)3OH), the major mineral component of bone, no detailed mechanism for the nucleation process has been elucidated at the atomic level to date. In the present work, using a peptide model, we apply molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the conformational effect of a proposed nucleating motif of BSP (a phosphorylated, acidic, 10 amino-acid residue sequence) on controlling the distributions of Ca2+ and inorganic phosphate (Pi) ions in solution, and specifically, we explore whether a nucleating template for orientated hydroxyapatite could be formed in different peptide conformations. Both the α-helical conformation and the random coil structure have been studied, and inorganic solutions without the peptide are simulated as reference. Ca2+ distributions around the peptide surface and interactions between Ca2+ and Pi in the presence of...
Curious Victory: Explaining Israel's Suppression of the Second Intifada

The article examines Israel's successes and failures during the Second Intifada. It argues that Israel's advances came from an effective counterterrorism campaign involving a mix of military operations, defensive measures, and in particular improved intelligence gathering. Domestic resilience also proved strong in the face of a brutal terrorism campaign. Yet long-term victory remains elusive for Israel. Deterrence, always difficult against terrorist groups, is growing harder for Israel. Hamas's control of Gaza, and the mistrust and hatred sown during the Second Intifada, have hindered a political deal between Israel and moderate Palestinians. Much of what went into successful counterterrorism, notably the security barrier and the aggressive campaign of raids and arrests, does not jibe with most visions of what peace would look like and makes a deal harder to achieve. To make a peace deal work, Israeli counterterrorism must change, with measures including relocating parts of the security barrier, bolsterin...
Economic analysis of materials processing in space

The cost benefits and the feasibility of processing turbine blades, electrophoresis, and crystals in space were studied.
A numerical transform with epsilon-quadrature

Abstract Early z -transform investigators originated tuned quadrature. Later, Smith applied tuned integration to dynamical system simulation. Herein, epsilon-quadrature extends trapezoidal quadrature to a numerical transform associated with tuned integration. Examples demonstrate instability for a digital Butterworth filter and the accuracy improvement scenario for the new numerical transform.
Structure and mechanism of bonding at a diffusion-bonded Al/SiC interface

Abstract Al/SiC interfaces were fabricated by diffusion bonding a pure Al foil between two blocks of SiC for temperatures ranging from 500 to 600°C. For samples bonded below 586°C, the interfacial strength was low and TEM speciments could not be fabricated due to separation of the Al and SiC pieces dring thinning. For samples bonded at and above 586°C, a strong bond was formed and conventional and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed the formation of a thin amorphous phase at the interface. Compositional analysis showed that the interfacial phase contained Al, Si, C and O. Formation of the amorphous phase was demonstrated to occur by a solid state reaction and is discussed on the basis of thermodynamic and kinetic considerations. Lastly, some of the advantages of having an amorphous phase at a metal/ceramic interface are discussed.
Interaction between ryanodine and neomycin binding sites on Ca2+ release channel from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Neomycin is a potent inhibitor of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium release. To elucidate the mechanism of inhibition, the effects of neomycin on the binding of [3H]ryanodine to the Ca2+ release channel and on its channel activity when reconstituted into planar lipid bilayer were examined. Equilibrium binding of [3H]ryanodine was partially inhibited by neomycin. Inhibition was incomplete at high neomycin concentrations, indicating noncompetitive inhibition rather than direct competitive inhibition. Neomycin and [3H]ryanodine can bind to the channel simultaneously and, if [3H]ryanodine is bound first, the addition of neomycin will slow the dissociation of [3H]ryanodine from the high affinity site. Neomycin also slows the association of [3H]ryanodine with the high affinity binding site. The neomycin binding site, therefore, appears to be distinct from the ryanodine binding site. Dissociation of [3H]ryanodine from trypsin-treated membranes or from a solubilized 14 S complex is also slowed by neomycin. This complex is composed of polypeptides derived from the carboxyl terminus of the Ca2+ release channel after Arg-4475 (Callaway, C., Seryshev, A., Wang, J. P., Slavik, K., Needleman, D. H., Cantu, C., Wu, Y., Jayaraman, T., Marks, A. R., and Hamilton, S. L.(1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 15876-15884). The proteolytic 14 S complex isolated with ryanodine bound produces a channel upon reconstitution into planar lipid bilayers, and its activity is inhibited by neomycin. Our data are consistent with a model in which the ryanodine binding sites, the neomycin binding sites, and the channel-forming portion of the Ca2+ release channel are located between Arg-4475 and the carboxyl terminus.
Thermal properties of iron at high pressures and temperatures

We investigate the thermoelastic properties of close-packed phases of iron at pressures up to 400 GPa and temperature to 6000 K using a tight-binding total-energy method and the cell model of the vibrational partition function. The calculated properties are in good agreement with available static and shock-wave experimental measurements. The compressional behavior of a number of thermoelastic parameters is found to resemble that of a prototypical oxide (MgO) supporting some aspects of universal behavior at high compression: the product of thermal expansivity \ensuremath{\alpha} and bulk modulus is found to be nearly independent of compression at high pressure and the logarithmic volume derivative of \ensuremath{\alpha} is found to decrease with compression. In contrast to the behavior of MgO, \ensuremath{\alpha}${\mathit{K}}_{\mathit{T}}$ and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}_{\mathit{T}}$ of iron are found to depend strongly on temperature due to contributions from the thermal excitation of electrons. Significant decrease of the elastic constants of hcp iron with temperature was found. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Factors Influencing Abstinence, Anticipation, and Delay of Sex Among Adolescent Boys in High–Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevalence Communities

Abstract Purpose Abstinence is a core pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention strategy. We explore the attitudinal, behavioral, and family contexts relating to abstinence and the decision to delay sex among adolescent boys. Methods Adolescent boys ages 14–17 years were recruited from community sites using a venue-based sampling method. All eligible boys at venues were invited to participate in an electronic survey. Question items included sexual behaviors, attitudes related to sex, relationships, masculine values, and family contextual items. Results We enrolled 667 participants, mean age 15.7 years, of diverse ethnicity. A total of 252 were abstinent (38%). Abstinent participants were younger and less likely to report non-coital behaviors, and reported lower conventional masculine values. Among abstinent participants, 62% planned to delay sex, whereas 38% anticipated sex in the next year. Participants with lower conventional masculine values and more religious or moral motivations for abstinence were more likely to plan to delay sex. Conclusions Abstinence among boys is common, even in high–STI risk communities. For these boys, abstinence appears to be a complex behavioral decision influenced by demographic, behavioral, attitudinal, and contextual factors such as age, race, non-coital sexual behaviors, and masculine values. Understanding the attitudes and contexts of abstinence, including plans to delay sex, can inform the development of public health programs for early fatherhood and STI prevention.
Quality of life and performance status in patients with pancreatic and periampullary tumors.

To determine if pretreatment quality of life is associated with performance status in patients with pancreatic and periampullary tumors. Eighty consecutive patients evaluated for surgical treatment of pancreatic or periampullary tumors completed the social functioning SF-36, a generic quality of life instrument. This instrument measures 8 domains of quality of life: physical functioning (PF), role-physical (RP), role-emotional, bodily pain, vitality, mental health, social functioning, and general health (GH). The best possible score is 100 and the worst possible score is 0. Each patient was then assigned a Karnofsky performance score (KPS), with the best possible score of 100 (normal, no complaints, no evidence of disease) and worst score of 0 (dead). Data recorded included age, gender, pathology, stage, resection, use of chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Statistical analysis was done using single and multiple linear regression analysis, correlation coefficients (r) and coefficient of determination (r 2). KPS was significantly associated with all domains of the SF-36 by single linear regression. By multiple linear regression, KPS was significantly associated with the PF domain (p < 0.001, r = 0.74), and nearly significantly associated with the RP (p = 0.07, r = 0.62) and GH (p = 0.06, r = 0.64) domains. This appears to be independent of tumor pathology and stage. The results imply that pretreatment quality of life and performance status are related concepts in patients with pancreatic and periampullary tumors. This is primarily true for the physical component of the SF-36. However, despite statistical significance, coefficients of determination (r 2 values) suggest that there are additional factors determining both quality of life and performance status in patients with pancreatic and periampullary tumors.
Experimental demonstration of a binary single-lens joint transform correlator using chirp-modulated inputs

This paper introduces the single-lens joint transform correlator (SLJTC). The SLJTC is a two-stage processor. The first stage computes the chirp-modulated joint power spectrum. The chirp-encoded joint power spectrum may be viewed as containing an amplitude-encoded lens function or Fresnel zone plate. The correlation output is in the focal plane of this zone plate. As in the chirp-modulated joint transform correlator (JTC), the output contains a single correlation peak. The SLJTC has been experimentally demonstrated with a peak-to-noise ratio (PNR) of 17.1 dB. The same chirp-encoded joint power spectrum used in the second stage of a binary chirp-modulated JTC resulted in 6.5-dB-poorer PNR performance.