cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Postsacral Vertebral Morphology in Relation to Tail Length Among Primates and Other Mammals

Tail reduction/loss independently evolved in a number of mammalian lineages, including hominoid primates. One prerequisite to appropriately contextualizing its occurrence and understanding its significance is the ability to track evolutionary changes in tail length throughout the fossil record. However, to date, the bony correlates of tail length variation among living taxa have not been comprehensively examined. This study quantifies postsacral vertebral morphology among living primates and other mammals known to differ in relative tail length (RTL). Linear and angular measurements with known biomechanical significance were collected on the first, mid-, and transition proximal postsacral vertebrae, and their relationship with RTL was assessed using phylogenetic generalized leastsquares regression methods. Compared to shorter-tailed primates, longertailed primates possess a greater number of postsacral vertebral features associated with increased proximal tail flexibility (e.g., craniocaudally longer vertebral bodies), increased intervertebral body joint range of motion (e.g., more circularly shaped cranial articular surfaces), and increased leverage of tail musculature (e.g., longer spinous processes). These observations are corroborated by the comparative mammalian sample, which shows that distantly related short-tailed (e.g., Phascolarctos, Lynx )a nd long-tailed (e.g., Dendrolagus, Acinonyx) nonprimate mammals morphologically converge with short-tailed (e.g., Macaca tonkeana) and long-tailed (e.g., Macaca fascicularis) primates, respectively. Multivariate models demonstrate that the variables examined account for 70% (all mammals) to 94% (only primates) of the variance in RTL. Results of this study may be used to infer the tail lengths of extinct primates and other mammals, thereby improving our understanding about the evolution of tail reduction/ loss. Anat Rec, 00:000–000, 2014. V C 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pupil aberrations in tilted component systems that are plane symmetric

This paper presents some interesting relations between the image and pupil aberrations of a tilted component system that is plane symmetric. The third group of image aberrations shows equality with the corresponding pupil's aberrations.
Correlation inequality for surface-scattering operators

The principle of detailed balance leads to a correlation inequality for surface-scattering operators. The equilibrium energy accomodation coefficient ..cap alpha.. is expressed in terms of the correlation coefficient of the scattering probability and has an upper bound considerably less than 2.
Z 4 to U(1) crossover of the order-parameter symmetry in a two-dimensional valence-bond solid

We discuss ground-state projector simulations of a modified two-dimensional $S=1/2$ Heisenberg model in the valence bonds basis. Tuning matrix elements corresponding to the diagonal and off-diagonal terms in the quantum dimer model, we show that there is a quantum phase transition from the antiferromagnet into a columnar valence-bond solid (VBS). There are no signs of discontinuities, suggesting a continuous or very weak first-order transition. The ${\text{Z}}_{4}$-symmetric VBS order parameter exhibits an emergent U(1) symmetry as the phase transition is approached. We extract the associated length-scale governing the $\text{U}(1)\ensuremath{-}{\text{Z}}_{4}$ cross-over inside the VBS phase.
Changes in Transfusion Practice Over Time in Adult Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate changes in transfusion practice over time in liver transplantation surgery and to evaluate potential causes for changes in practice and report associated perioperative morbidity and mortality. Design A retrospective cohort study. Setting A single tertiary referral academic hospital. Participants Two cohorts of 100 sequential adult primary liver transplant recipients: Early practice (1990-1991) and recent practice (2005-2006). Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results Perioperative transfusion and hemoglobin data were recorded. Mortality and postoperative complications were identified up to 30 days postoperatively. Appropriate intergroup statistical comparisons were made; p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Compared with the early group, the recent group had significantly fewer perioperative allogeneic red blood cell transfusions, intraoperative autotransfusions, and transfusions of other blood products. No change in perioperative transfusion triggers was identified. There were no significant alterations in perioperative morbidity or mortality. Conclusions When compared with patients in the early group, recent cohort patients received significantly fewer blood transfusions. The authors attribute this observation to changes in surgical technique rather than a significant alteration in transfusion triggers over the studied time period.
Reflections on the continuing evolution of rational-emotive therapy

Three basic contentions of RET are briefly discussed, with particular emphasis on their implications for psychotherapy. Personal responsibility is seen as a prime directive and the cornerstone of the other two contentions, which involve emphases on the present and on action. The philosophical and dialectical emphases of rational emotive behavior therapy are acknowledged as important aspects of its continuing evolution.
Engineering Escherichia coli for renewable production of the 5-carbon polyamide building-blocks 5-aminovalerate and glutarate

Through metabolic pathway engineering, novel microbial biocatalysts can be engineered to convert renewable resources into useful chemicals, including monomer building-blocks for bioplastics production. Here we describe the systematic engineering of Escherichia coli to produce, as individual products, two 5-carbon polyamide building blocks, namely 5-aminovalerate (AMV) and glutarate. The modular pathways were derived using “parts” from the natural lysine degradation pathway of Pseudomonas putida KT2440. Endogenous over-production of the required precursor, lysine, was first achieved through metabolic deregulation of its biosynthesis pathway by introducing feedback resistant mutants of aspartate kinase III and dihydrodipicolinate synthase. Further disruption of native lysine decarboxylase activity (by deleting cadA and ldcC) limited cadaverine by-product formation, enabling lysine production to 2.25 g/L at a glucose yield of 138 mmol/mol (18% of theoretical). Co-expression of lysine monooxygenase and 5-aminovaleramide amidohydrolase (encoded by davBA) then resulted in the production of 0.86 g/L AMV in 48 h. Finally, the additional co-expression of glutaric semialdehyde dehydrogenase and 5-aminovalerate aminotransferase (encoded by davDT) led to the production of 0.82 g/L glutarate under the same conditions. At this output, yields on glucose were 71 and 68 mmol/mol for AMV and glutarate (9.5 and 9.1% of theoretical), respectively. These findings further expand the number and diversity of polyamide monomers that can be derived directly from renewable resources. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1726–1734. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Isolation, sequencing, and characterization of crp-5, a gene encoding a Neurospora ribosomal protein

A Neurospora crassa cytoplasmic ribosomal protein gene, crp-5, has been isolated and characterized. The cDNA was isolated by a differential screening of a cDNA library for glucose-inducible genes. The cDNA was subsequently used to identify and isolate crp-5 genomic sequences. Computer analysis of the DNA sequences showed that they contain an open reading frame which encodes a protein homologous to the rat ribosomal protein S26. The crp-5 mRNA levels are regulated in a carbon-source-dependent manner. The organization of the gene and the region upstream of the coding sequences are discussed.
Sciatic nerve injury induces functional pro-nociceptive chemokine receptors in bladder-associated primary afferent neurons in the rat.

Visceral sensory afferents during disease or following injury often produce vague, diffuse body sensations, and pain referred to somatic targets. Alternatively, injury due to trauma or disease of somatic nerve targets can also lead to referred pain in visceral targets via a somatovisceral reflex. Both phenomenons are thought to be due to convergence of visceral and somatic afferents within the spinal cord. To investigate a potential peripheral influence for referred pain in visceral targets following somatic nerve injury, we examined whether a sciatic nerve injury known to produce hindpaw tactile hyperalgesia alters the frequency of micturition and the sensitivity of bladder-associated sensory neurons to pro-nociceptive chemokines. Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats received injections of cholera toxin B subunit conjugated to 555 into urinary bladder wall to retrogradely label visceral primary afferent neurons. After 7 days, the right sciatic nerve of these animals was subjected to a lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)-induced focal demyelination injury. Pre- and post-injury tactile sensitivity in the hind paw and micturition frequency were assayed. Animals were allowed to survive for 14-28 days. Lumbosacral and lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG) ipsilateral to the nerve injury were acutely dissociated from sham and nerve injured animals. Bladder wall-associated sensory neurons identified via the retrograde marker were assayed for fluxes in intracellular calcium following administration of pro-nociceptive chemokines. The assayed chemokines included monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1/CCL2) and stromal cell derived factor-1 alpha (SDF1/CXCL12). LPC nerve injured animals exhibited tactile hyperalgesia and increased micturition frequency for at least 28 days. Focal demyelination of the sciatic nerve also increased the number of injured L₄L₅ and non-injured L₆-S₂ bladder-associated sensory neurons that responded to MCP1 and SDF1 when compared with sensory neurons derived from uninjured naive and sham-injured control animals. Taken together, these data suggest that some visceral hypersensitivity states may have a somatic origin. More importantly, nociceptive somatovisceral sensation may be mediated by upregulation of chemokine signaling in visceral sensory neurons.
Information privacy concerns and e‐government: a research agenda

Purpose – The purpose of this viewpoint is to identify the potential for future research on information privacy and e‐government.Design/methodology/approach – Using a concise review of major privacy studies, the paper presents an overview of information privacy research in e‐government. Using privacy calculus, it proposes seven factors that have an impact on one's concern for information privacy (CFIP) when disclosing information to or completing a transaction with the government.Findings – The model posits that seven factors – perceived internet privacy risk, collection, error, secondary use, improper access, reputation, and third party certificate – have a significant impact on CFIP.Originality/value – This viewpoint provides a timely discussion on information privacy and e‐government. It also provides several suggestions for future research in this area. This viewpoint is a call for research on information privacy and e‐government.
The Cambridge Introduction to Travel Writing

What is travel writing? Although travel writing has existed for millennia, its parameters can be as hard to pin down as its protagonists. Early in TheCambridge Introduction to Travel Writing, Tim Y...
Implications of the τ and b spins for theories of quarks and leptons

Abstract We argue that the present evidence that the spin of the τ is 1 2 is circumstantial, and that a spin of 3 2 is not excluded. If the τ spin were 3 2 , it would have important implications for the idea that leptons and quarks were composite states, perhaps allowing an explanation of the existence of three generations. Supergravity ideas could also be affected. Similar ideas suggest the b-quark could have spin- 3 2 ; we give several ways to test this.
Ethical Issues in Accounting and Economics Experimental Research: Inducing Strategic Misrepresentation

Numerous accounting and economics research studies employ an experimental research method requiring student participants to make representations about an individual characteristic (e.g., ability, cost) that provides a basis for payment of cash rewards. In response, many participants intentionally misrepresent the nature of that characteristic to receive a greater reward. Typically, such studies are deemed to be either exempt from review by institutional review boards (IRBs) or subject only to an expedited review. Moreover, investigators seldom debrief participants, purportedly to avoid contamination of the participant pool. The authors question the ethics of inducing strategic misrepresentation and rewarding fraudulent behavior without appropriate debriefing. A theoretical framework of cognitive ethical development indicates that such research methods can be harmful to student participants. Furthermore, principles of operant conditioning suggest that the rewards reinforce fraudulent behavior. It is recomm...
Writing (online) spaces: composing Webware in Perl

Abstract In this article, we point to scholarship that helped us think about the ideologies behind Writing Spaces , a Web-based site for computer-mediated communication (CMC) that we constructed using Perl scripts. Our reasons for designing the site, rather than relying upon existing software to facilitate computer-mediated communication in our classrooms, are threefold: (a) we want to create online spaces that reflect our theories about language and learning; (b) we agree with researchers who encourage instructors in computers and composition to become more involved in shaping technology; and (c) we wish to situate ourselves as technology critics by examining the ideologies behind technologies as we construct them. In this article, we give an account of our processes in learning Perl and constructing the site—processes that reflect theories about learning that are rooted in social construction. We argue that writing teachers can and should shape online spaces to facilitate their individual pedagogies rather than allowing commercial software to limit their pedagogical choices.
The reaction of lithium vapor with benzene and halobenzenes

Abstract The reaction of lithium vapor with benzene has been studied thoroughly over a wide range of temperatures and reaction conditions. While the primary porducts are polylithium compounds derived from fragmentation of benzenes and substituted benzenes, there are measurable quantities of multi lithium substituted benzenes produced. Experiments under extreme reaction conditions give evidence for the production of small quantities of lithium substituted species with cyclohexene and cyclohexane structures.
Protein Synthesis in the Absence of Cell Division during the Development of Artemia salina Embryos

DURING pre-emergence development of encysted embryos of Artemia salina, differentiation and morphogenesis occur in the absence of cell division1, without an increase in protein and total nitrogen2 and without appreciable changes in the total amounts of DNA and RNA3. The present report demonstrates the occurrence of protein synthesis during this period of their development.
Mastery Teaching with and without Positive Incentives.

PA and PASS systems of quiz management are essentially equal in effectiveness: Non-academic measures need consideration.
Extraction of DNA, RNA, and glycogen from oysters

Abstract The macromolecules DNA, RNA, and glycogen (CHO) N were extracted with phenol from eggs, sperm, and the combined gill, mantle, and digestive gland tissues of oysters, using methods effective for the HeLa cells. From the eggs, most of the (CHO) N and RNA coprecipitated in 20% ethanol whereas the DNA precipitated from 50% ethanol solutions. From the combined tissues all three macromolecules precipitated in 20% ethanol whereas from sperm they precipitated from 50% ethanol solutions. The DNA preparation from sperm was viscous and white but contained mostly (CHO) N and some RNA. However, the DNA-(CHO) N -RNA preparation was rendered insoluble in saline by CaPO 4 treatment and was not toxic for mammalian kidney cells in tissue culture. Thus, the methods do not yield pure nucleic acids but appear suitable for attempts to extract infectious DNA from oysters.
In-situ damage monitoring of composite structures

The feasibility of embedding piezoelectric transducers in composite panels for the measurement of phase velocities is presented. The theoretical dispersion curves for a composite panel are generated and the experimental measurements of phase velocities compared. In this paper the method for testing and for evaluating the experimental phase velocities is developed. The experimental methodology is validated by excellent agreement to theoretical values. This measurement methodology is used to detect holes drilled in composite plates to show the usefulness of the procedure. Signal losses of between 10% and 48% can be detected with this embedded transducer method.
Cardiac sarcoidosis detected by late gadolinium enhancement and prevalence of atrial arrhythmias.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is being increasingly used to help identify patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). Whereas ventricular arrhythmias have been well studied in this population, atrial arrhythmias have not been thoroughly investigated. We sought to better characterize the arrhythmia burden of a cohort of patients diagnosed with CS by CMR imaging. Patients with biopsy-proven extracardiac sarcoidosis were referred to the University of Chicago for evaluation of the presence of CS. CMR imaging was used to categorize the patients into 2 groups; those with and those without late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) for comparison of arrhythmic events. Arrhythmic evaluation included Holter monitor, event recorder, electrophysiology testing, or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) interrogation; 192 consecutive patients were evaluated with CMR imaging, 57 of whom did not have ambulatory monitoring results and thus were excluded. LGE was present in 44 patients. Atrial arrhythmias were documented in 16 patients (36%) with myocardial LGE and in 11 patients (12%) without myocardial LGE (p = 0.002). Ventricular arrhythmias were documented in 27% of patients with myocardial LGE and 2.2% of LGE-negative patients (p = 0.00076). Of 26 LGE-positive patients with ICDs, 8 (30.8%) received therapies, 3 (11.5%) of which were inappropriate for atrial arrhythmias. In conclusion, atrial arrhythmias were documented more frequently than ventricular arrhythmias in patients with sarcoidosis with cardiac involvement and were 3 times more prevalent than in patients with sarcoidosis without cardiac involvement. Risk-benefit assessment of anticoagulation for primary prevention of stroke should be performed for patients with CS. In patients receiving implantable defibrillators, programing to minimize inappropriate ICD shocks for atrial arrhythmias must be considered.
Occurrence of fibers and their association with talin in the cleavage furrows of PtK2 cells.

PtK2 cells of exceptionally large size were microinjected with fluorescently labeled probes for actin, myosin, filamin, and talin in order to follow the assembly of the contractile proteins into the cleavage furrows. Whereas in cells of normal size, there is usually a diffuse pattern of localization of proteins in the cleavage furrow, in these large, flat cells the labeled proteins localized in fibers in the cleavage furrow. Often, the fibers were striated in a pattern comparable to that measured in the stress fibers of the same cell type. The presence of talin in discrete plaques along fibers in the cleavage furrows of the large cells suggests a further similarity between cleavage furrow and stress fiber structure. The presence of filamin in the cleavage furrows also suggests the possibility of an overlapping mechanism in addition to that of a talin mediated mechanism for the attachment of actin filaments to the cell surfaces in the cleavage furrow. A model is presented that emphasizes the interrelationships between stress fibers, myofibrils, and cleavage furrows. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Operational efficiencies in acquisitions to minimize the impact of budget cuts upon library materials budgets

Because of recent US economic decline, the impact of budget cuts has been felt in most US economic sectors, including the materials budgets in libraries. Budget cuts or reversions obviously have a negative impact upon the dollars available for purchasing library materials. However, dealing with ambiguity regarding the amount of funds the library has to spend, plus the large number of vendor sources upon which the library must depend, creates a great deal of stress upon effective use of the limited library materials dollars. These uncontrollable factors are further exacerbated by delays in obtaining information regarding available funding. During these times of crises, operational efficiencies in the acquisitions policies, procedures, and methods can all play an important role in stretching scarce dollars, with very tight deadlines, as far as possible. This article outlines some of the operational efficiencies in place in a University Acquisitions Department before the latest crisis hit and the new ones that have been put into place as a result of closer scrutiny of the existing practices.
Atmospheric Limitations on Ground Resolution from Space Photography

A moderately sophisticated system has been developed for the calculation of the ground resolution attainable with photographic systems from space vehicles. Limitations on ground resolution are imposed by the parameters of the photographic system and those of the atmosphere. In the past it has been the system limitations which have limited the operational system. Now, however, high acuity photographic systems are being designed which could be limited by the atmosphere. Extensive calculations of ground resolution, considering atmospheric degradation, indicate that ground resolutions on the order of a few feet are probably the best regularly obtainable from space and that consequently very large optical systems may be inappropriate for space use.
Macroreentry within the His-Purkinje system initiated by atrial premature complex

Abstract Macroreentry within the His-Purkinje system, known as bundle branch reentry, uses bundle branches and ventricular myocardium to initiate a ventricular echo complex. It is a common finding during ventricular programmed electrical stimulation, 1–3 and is usually a benign physiologic response; however, atrial programmed electrical stimulation has not been reported to initiate bundle branch reentry in man. This case demonstrated bundle branch reentry after an atrial premature complex (APC).
A model-based approach to junction detection using radial energy

A novel junction detector is presented that fits the neighborhood around a point to a junction model. The junction model segments the neighborhood into wedges by determining a set of radial edges. The radial edges are invariant to affine transforms, creating an affine invariant junction detector. The radial edges are evaluated based upon the pixels along the edge. The angle between the pixel gradient and the vector to the potential junction point forms the initial basis for the measurement. An initial set of radial edges is selected based upon identifying local maximums within a given arc distance. An energy function is applied to the resulting radial segmentation, and a greedy optimization routine is used to construct the minimal set of radial edges. To identify the final junctions, a second energy function is used that combines the components of the first energy function with the resulting change in standard deviation by separation into radial segments. The junctions with the most energy in their local neighborhoods are selected as potential junctions. The neighborhoods about the potential junctions are analyzed to determine if they represent a single line or multiple non-parallel lines. If the neighborhood represents multiple non-parallel lines, the point is classified as a junction point. The junction detector is tested on several images including both synthetic and real images. Highlights of radially segmented junction points are displayed for the real images.
Automatic Steering of Manually Inserted Needles

Bevel-tipped flexible needles can be robotically steered to reach clinical targets along curvilinear paths in 3D. Manual needle insertion allows the clinician to control the insertion speed, ensuring patient safety. This paper presents a control law for automatic 3D steering of manually inserted flexible needles, enabling path-following control. A look-ahead proportional controller for position and orientation is presented. The look-ahead distance is a linear function of insertion speed. Simulations in a 3D brain-like environment demonstrate the performance of the proposed controller. Experimental results also show the feasibility of this technique in 2D and 3D environments.
Deletion mapping of 6q21-26 and frequency of 1p36 deletion in childhood endodermal sinus tumors by microsatellite analysis

The most common malignant germ cell tumor of early childhood is the endodermal sinus tumor (CEST), also known as yolk sac tumor. Previous cytogenetic studies of CEST have demonstrated recurrent deletion of distal regions of chromosomes 1p and 6q. Studies utilizing comparative genomic hybridization have likewise demonstrated loss of distal 6q, however these studies show discrepant data concerning chromosome 1 abnormalities. This study analyses 18 CESTs for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of distal chromosome 6q utilizing 17 microsatellite markers and 13 tumors were analysed for LOH of distal 1p using two microsatellite markers. LOH of 6q was found in 13/18 tumors (72 %). This data confirms that loss of genetic material on 6q is one of the most common abnormalities in CESTs and narrows the region of loss, enabling candidate tumor suppressor genes to be identified and analysed. In addition, LOH of 1p36 was identified in five of 11 informative tumors, clarifying prior conflicting data and confirming that 1p deletion is a common event in CESTs.
The determination of the constitutive relationships for a human aorta.

A testing technique was developed that enabled an aortic vascular specimen to be analyzed in a quasi-physiological environment. The data that was gathered from human and bovine aortas provided the basis for the formulation of the time dependent constitutive relationships describing the viscoelastic behavior of an aorta subjected to a “normal” pressure pulse.
Treatment of spinal tumors using cyberknife fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery: pain and quality-of-life assessment after treatment in 200 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Benign and malignant tumors of the spine significantly impair the function and quality of life of many patients. Standard treatment options, including conventional radiotherapy and surgery, are often limited by anatomic constraints and prior treatment. Image-guided stereotactic radiosurgery using the CyberKnife system (Accuray, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) is a novel approach in the multidisciplinary management of spinal tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery on pain and quality-of-life outcomes of patients with spinal tumors. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 200 patients with benign or malignant spinal tumors treated at Georgetown University Hospital between March 2002 and September 2006. Patients were treated by means of multisession stereotactic radiosurgery using the CyberKnife as initial treatment, postoperative treatment, or retreatment. Pain scores were assessed by the Visual Analog Scale, quality of life was assessed by the SF-12 survey, and neurological examinations were conducted after treatment. RESULTS: Mean pain scores decreased significantly from 40.1 to 28.6 after treatment (P 0.001) and continued to decrease over the entire 4-year follow-up period (P 0.05). SF-12 Physical Component scores demonstrated no significant change throughout the follow-up period. Mental Component scores were significantly higher after treatment (P 0.01), representing a quality-of-life improvement. Early side effects of radiosurgery were mild and self-limited, and no late radiation toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION: CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery is a safe and effective modality in the treatment of patients with spinal tumors. CyberKnife offers durable pain relief and maintenance of quality of life with a very favorable side effect profile.
West Virginia Wildland Fire as Latent Social Discontent

This research explores community perceptions of wildland fire risk in two fire-prone West Virginia counties. We employed community field theory and key informant interviews to observe how the local context, including sociocultural heritage, influenced risk perceptions, and meanings of fire. In contrast with expert risk assessments, residents did not view fire as a probability of harm. Residents’ familiarity with local ecology was important in attenuating risk perceptions. In addition, informants alluded to wildfire as a latent symbol of resentment toward social effects of resource dependency. Thus, the symbolic meaning of fire revealed a cultural adaptation used to communicate inequitable power relations in these resource-dependent communities. Our approach helps explain what some experts argue as the inability of communities to “accurately” assess and mitigate risk. Implications of the research suggest risk managers and others need to integrate cultural analysis, as well as local residents, into their co...
Bringing the physician back in: communication predictors of physicians' satisfaction with managed care.

Data from a survey of physicians in a west coast city (n = 356) are used to measure physicians' extra-occupational sources of dissatisfaction. Data revealed a significant relationship between physicians' satisfaction and their managed care experience, their communication with managed care organizations, and views of managed care practice. Results suggest that managed care currently plays a large and significant role in predicting physicians' satisfaction. The importance of communication between physicians and managed care organizations is illustrated in the strength of the relationships between communication variables and managed care decisions. Furthermore, in assessing the strength of the relationship, regression analysis reveals that communication with managed care accounts for the largest percentage of variance in physicians' satisfaction. The results of this study suggest that communication with managed care organizations affects physicians' satisfaction with every facet of the organizational environ...
Synthesis of Fmoc-protected 4-carboxydifluoromethyl-L-phenylalanine: A phosphotyrosyl mimetic of potential use for signal transduction studies

Abstract 4-(Carboxymethyl)phenylalanine ( 2 ) and its α,α-difluoro homologue 4-(carboxydifluoromethyl)phenylalanine ( 3 ) have been described as phosphotyrosyl mimetics. Herein we report the synthesis of N-Fmoc 4-( O -tert-butyl carboxymethyl)phenylalanine ( 4 ) and N-Fmoc 4-( O -tert-butyl carboxydifluoromethyl)phenylalanine ( 5 ) in high enantiomeric purity. These analogues bear orthogonal protection suitable for the preparation of inhibitors directed against a variety of signal transduction pathways, including SH2 and PTP domains and protein-tyrosine phosphatases.
Early formation of mature amyloid-beta protein deposits in a mutant APP transgenic model depends on levels of Abeta(1-42).

The main objective of the present study was to develop an alternative singly-transgenic (tg) hAPP model where amyloid deposition will occur at an earlier age. For this purpose, we generated lines of tg mice expressing hAPP751 cDNA containing the London (V717I) and Swedish (K670M/N671L) mutations under the regulatory control of the murine (m)Thy-1 gene (mThy1-hAPP751). In the brains of the highest (line 41) and intermediate (lines 16 and 11) expressers, high levels of hAPP expression were found in neurons in layers 4-5 of the neocortex, hippocampal CA1 and olfactory bulb. As early as 3-4 months of age, line 41 mice developed mature plaques in the frontal cortex, whereas at 5-7 months plaque formation extended to the hippocampus, thalamus and olfactory region. Ultrastructural and double-immunolabeling analysis confirmed that most plaques were mature and contained dystrophic neurites immunoreactive with antibodies against APP, synaptophysin, neurofilament and tau. In addition, a decrease in the number of synaptophysin-immunoreactive terminals was most prominent in the frontal cortex of mice from line 41. Mice from line 11 developed diffuse amyloid deposits at 11 months of age, whereas mice from line 16 did not show evidence of amyloid deposition. Analysis of Abeta by ELISA showed that levels of Abeta(1-40) were higher in mice that did not show any amyloid deposits (line 16), whereas Abeta(1-42) was the predominant species in tg animals from the lines showing plaque formation (lines 41 and 11). Taken together this study indicates that early onset plaque formation depends on levels of Abeta(1-42).
Behavior of Ir atoms and clusters on Ir surfaces

Ce comportement est etudie par microscopie ionique a emission de champ sur les surfaces (100) et (111) d'Ir en fonction de la temperature. Determination des parametres de diffusion, l'energie de dissociation des atomes de la limite du plan, et d'autres parametres experimentaux. Analyse de l'energie de liaison des atomes a la surface. Observation d'une transformation d'une structure de 1 dimension a 2 dimensions pour les amas de 3 atomes. Cette transformation est differente sur les faces (111) et (100)
Group mating among Norway rats I. Sex differences in the pattern and neuroendocrine consequences of copulation

The copulatory pattern of groups of rats (Rattus norvegicus) was studied in the laboratory in a seminatural environment. In a given mating session, every oestrous female copulated with each male; likewise, every male copulated with each oestrous female. While individual males and females experienced similar amounts of copulation, there were dramatic sex differences in sequence and temporal pattern. Males mated in a multiple intromission pattern and had more ejaculatory series when several females were in oestrus. In contrast, females received intromissions and ejaculations in a random order, not in the sequence of a male ejaculatory series. Males copulated at shorter intervals than females did, a temporal sex difference that was determined by the pattern of female solicitations and male approaches. These sex differences are used to discuss the different units of analysis that are appropriate for male and female sexual behaviour in this species. Furthermore, the sex differences in the temporal pattern of copulation which emerged during group mating parallel the known sex differences in the temporal parameters of the neuroendocrine reflexes which mediate successful reproduction in the domestic strain.
Realization of a Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Microfabrication Education Program at Binghamton University

Microfabrication is a critical area to many branches of science and engineering. However, to many students accustomed to seeing transistors as things that come in a lab kit, it is an obscure subtopic of their discipline. Beginning in 2009, the authors undertook a broad multidisciplinary approach to bring microfabrication into all aspects of the Binghamton University science and engineering curriculum. This program was coupled with a comprehensive assessment activity to evaluate the program's effectiveness and continuously improve it year by year. This paper reports the details of the implementation process, the techniques that were found to bring a hands-on experience to large classes, and the lessons learned from the assessments of this program to make this topic a mainstream part of engineering and science education.
On the extremal fundamental frequencies of vibrating beams

Abstract Bernoulli-Euler Beams with variable cross section are optimized with respect to their fundamental frequency of transverse oscillation. The cross section is allowed to vary in a manner such that the second area moment is linearly related to the area. Using calculus of variations, the fundamental frequency is made stationary. The closed-form solution is found for all sets of homogeneous boundary conditions. In most cases, the resulting beam is uniform, however, the frequency in some cases is a minimum, others a maximum. For cantilever and free-free beams no maximum fundamental frequency exists for this type of cross section variation.
Chiral pion dynamics for spherical nucleon bags

Abstract A chirally symmetric quark-bag model for the nucleon is obtained by introducing an explicit, classical, pion field exterior to the bag. The coupling at the bag surface is determined by the requirement of a conserved axial-vector current. The pion field satisfies equations of motion corresponding to the non-linear σ-model. We study in this paper the simplified case where the bag and the pion field are spherically symmetric. Corrections due to gluon exchange between the quarks are ignored along with other interactions which split the N- and Δ-masses. The equations of motion for the pion field are solved and we find a substantial pion pressure at the bag surface, along with an attractive contribution to the nucleon self-energy. The total energy of the system, bag plus meson cloud, turns out to be approximately M n c 2 for a wide range of bag radii, from 1.5 fm down to about 0.5 fm. Introduction of a form factor for the pion would extend the range of possible radii to even smaller values. We propose that the bag with the smallest allowed radius be identified with the “little bag” discussed before. One surprising result of the paper is that as long as one restricts to spherically symmetric bags, restoring chiral symmetry to the bag model makes the axial-vector current coupling constant g A to be always too large compared with the experimental value for any bag radius, suggesting a deviation from spherical symmetry for the intrinsic bag wave functions of the “ground-state” hadrons.
Patent Foramen Ovale Associated with Platypnea and Orthodeoxia

A case of positionally symptomatic right-to-left shunting across a patent foramen ovale with both platypnea and orthodeoxia despite normal pulmonary arterial pressures and normal right ventricular function is documented. When the patient was in a supine position, the calculated right-to-left shunt was 12.8 percent, and when seated 25 percent. Surgical closure of the patent foramen ovale relieved the symptoms and positionally induced shunting. The prevalence and associations of permanent and intermittent patency of the foramen ovale are discussed. It is recommended that those at risk of thromboembolism be screened for patency by contrast ultrasound or color flow techniques. If present, surgical closure needs to be considered to prevent paradoximal embolism and stroke.
Antifreeze Proteins at the Ice/Water Interface: Three Calculated Discriminating Properties for Orientation of Type I Proteins

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) protect many plants and organisms from freezing in low temperatures. Of the different AFPs, the most studied AFP Type I from winter flounder is used in the current computational studies to gain molecular insight into its adsorption at the ice/water interface. Employing molecular dynamics simulations, we calculate the free energy difference between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic faces of the protein interacting with ice. Furthermore, we identify three properties of Type I "antifreeze" proteins that discriminate among these two orientations of the protein at the ice/water interface. The three properties are: the "surface area" of the protein; a measure of the interaction of the protein with neighboring water molecules as determined by the number of hydrogen bond count, for example; and the side-chain orientation angles of the threonine residues. All three discriminants are consistent with our free energy results, which clearly show that the hydrophilic protein face orientations toward the ice/water interface, as hypothesized from experimental and ice/vacuum simulations, are incorrect and support the hypothesis that the hydrophobic face is oriented toward the ice/water interface. The adsorption free energy is calculated to be 2-3 kJ/mol.
Mexican American High School Students' Perceived Levels of Challenge in School

This study examines the self-reported average level of challenge of 793 students while in school and doing various school-related activities. Using multivariate regression models, the study examines whether Mexican American students report lower levels of challenge in school and during school-related activities as compared with students of other racial/ethnic groups. The findings suggest that in the general context of school, Mexican American students report the highest levels of challenge. In more specific contexts such as when in science class, Mexican American students report the lowest levels of challenge. Additional findings, implications for educators, and directions for future research are discussed.
Fatty acids and the selective alteration of in vitro proliferation in human fibroblast and guinea-pig smooth-muscle cells.

Human-foreskin fibroblast (HF) and guinea-pig aorta smooth-muscle (SM) cultures were treated with several saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Relative plating efficiencies were used to determine the proliferative response to each treatment. At low concentrations (16 to 18 μm), proliferation in HF cultures was inhibited by 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid (20:3), and stimulated by both 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (20:4) and 9-octadecenoic acid (18:1). At these levels, proliferation in SM cultures was unchanged by 20:3, inhibited by 20:4, and enhanced by 18:1. At higher concentrations (80 to 90 μm), HF cultures were inhibited by all three unsaturated fatty acids. At these same concentrations, proliferation in SM cultures was inhibited by 20:3 and 20:4, whereas 18:1 continued to stimulate proliferation. Thus proliferative response was a specific effect of the fatty acid used, its concentration, and the cell line involved. Further treatment of SM cultures by tetradecanoic acid (14:0), hexadecanoic acid (16:0), and octadecanoic acid (18:0) showed that their relative abilities to inhibit cell proliferation increased with increasing chain length. Concentrations required for the effective inhibition of proliferation in SM cultures by 14:0, 16:0 and 18:0 were 220 μm, 95μm and 18μm, respectively. The fatty acids used in these studies are all endogenous components of sera used as growth supplements in in vitro systems. Their roles as prostaglandin and hydroperoxy fatty-acid precursors (20:3 and 20:4), inhibitors of prostaglandin biosynthesis (18:1), or as calcium ionophores (14:0, 16:0, and 18:0) may allow them to function as endogenous controls of cell proliferation.
Laser pulse shaping for generating uniform three-dimensional ellipsoidal electron beams

A scheme of generating a uniform ellipsoidal laser pulse for high-brightness photoinjectors is discussed. The scheme is based on the chromatic aberration of a dispersive lens. Fourier optics simulation reveals the interplay of group velocity delay and dispersion in the scheme, as well as diffractions. Particle tracking simulation shows that the beam generated by such a laser pulse approaches the performance of that by an ideal ellipsoidal laser pulse and represents a significant improvement from the traditionally proposed cylindrical beam geometry. The scheme is tested in an 800-nm, optical proof-of-principle experiment at lower peak power with excellent agreement between the measurement and simulation.
Combined effects of flow/spray interactions and EGR on combustion variability for a stratified DISI engine

Abstract This study investigates combustion variability of a stratified-charge direct-injection spark ignited (DISI) engine, operated with near-TDC injection of E70 fuel and a spark timing that occurs during the early part of the fuel injection. Using EGR, low engine-out NOx can be achieved, but at the expense of increased combustion variability at higher engine speeds. Initial motored tests at different speeds reveal that the in-cylinder gas flow becomes sufficiently strong at 2000 rpm to cause significant cycle-to-cycle variations of the spray penetration. Hence, the fired tests focus on operation at 2000 rpm with N2 dilution ([O2] = 19% and 21%) to simulate EGR. In-cylinder flow, spray, and early-flame measurements are correlated to reveal their effect on the combustion variability. Results reveal two types of flow/spray-interactions that predict the likelihood of a partial burn. (1) Proper flow direction before injection with a more collapsed spray leads to high kinetic energy of the flow during injection, thus generating a rapid early burn, which ensures complete combustion, regardless of the EGR level. (2) Improper flow direction and less collapsed spray generate low flow energy during the early phase of combustion. For this second type of flow/spray-interaction, application of EGR results in a partial-burn frequency of 30%, whereas without EGR, early combustion is shown to be insensitive to flow variations. Flame-probability maps illustrate that the partial-burn cycles for operation with EGR have a weak flame development in that the flame does not develop uniformly and reliably from the spark plug. Without EGR, the flame development is more repeatable regardless of the type of flow/spray-interaction, at the expense of higher NOx emissions.
Inhibition of renal tubular transport of morphine by diethylaminoethanol in the chicken.

Abstract Using the model system developed for renal tubular transport and metabolism, the morphine-morphine-3-ethereal sulfate (MES) system in the Sperber preparation of the chicken, diethylaminoethanol (DEAE) and possibly Lilly 18947 (2,4-dichloro-6-phenylphenoxyethyldiethylamine) were shown to inhibit morphine transport. Because this inhibition with DEAE led to decreased access of morphine into the renal tubular cell, the excretion of morphine and MES in the urine decreased. However, the results of countercurrent distribution analyses indicated that the amount of MES relative to morphine did not decrease and, if anything, increased. Therefore, DEAE did not inhibit the metabolism of morphine to MES. Transport of 14 C-tetraethylammonium was also inhibited; transport of 14 C-MES was not altered by DEAE. Since Lilly 18947 reduced the apparent tubular excretion fraction of PAH and of administered 14 C-MES, conclusions about the site of action of Lilly 18947 were not as firmly established. DEAE and possibly Lilly 18947 appeared to block morphine transport by virtue of their highly basic property. The fact that diethylaminoethanol occurs as a chemical moiety in these as well as in other compounds gives rise to the expectation that a number of compounds containing this moiety should show the same type of blocking activity on the organic cation transport system.