cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Texture analysis of protein distribution images to find differences due to aging and superfusion.

Many pathologies are age-related, e.g., cardiovascular disease generally occurs in midlife and cancer later in life. This suggests that aging predisposes the body to pathology. Plasma protein spatial distribution images of rat mesentery extracellular matrix (ECM) show texture due to the ECM structures, and there is an age-related decrease in tissue protein that may be related to matrix structure changes. The objective of this study was to compare changes in protein image texture under two conditions: superfusion with normal saline solution and aging. The decrease in soluble protein concentration during superfusion is a washout process, while the mechanism for the age-related decrease in tissue protein is unknown. Therefore, effects of aging and superfusion on tissue protein image texture were compared. Spatial co-occurrence matrix and Fourier analysis techniques have been used for texture evaluation. Superfused images showed a more uniform protein texture. There were gradual age-related changes in image texture parameters. Entropy increased with age from 140 to 630 days, indicating that protein distribution became more disorganized. The results suggest that changes in protein image texture are due to age-related alterations in matrix structure because removing only protein by superfusion had opposite effects on texture parameters.
Calixarene complexes of the molybdenum-molybdenum quadruple bond☆

Abstract We report here the first examples of metal-metal quadruple bonds supported by calixarene ligands in the complexes [Mo 2 (OAc) 2 (H 2 -calix[4]arene)] ( 1 ) and [Mo 2 (OAc) 2 (H 2 - p -tert-butylcalix[4]arene] ( 2 ). Complexes 1 and 2 were prepared by first deprotonating calix[4]arene and p -tert-butyl-calix[4]arene, respectively, with two equivalents of KH, followed by the addition of [Mo 2 (OAc) 2 (NCMe) 6 ][BF 4 ] 2 . X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed the solid state structure of 2 (THF)·C 6 H 6 . A molybdenum-molybdenum quadruple bond (2.1263(6) A) is spanned by two bridging acetate ligands and a tetradentate, doublydeprotonated calixarene macrocycle. Each MoMo unit is weakly coordinated by an axial THF solvent molecule which is included in the calixarene basket of the neighboring complex.
Stochastic theory of singly occupied ion channels. II. Effects of access resistance and potential gradients extending into the bath.

In a previous paper (Jakobsson, E., and S. W. Chiu. 1987. Biophys. J. 52:33–46), we presented the stochastic theory of the singly occupied ion channel as applied to sodium permeation of gramicidin channels, with the assumption of perfect equilibration between the bathing solutions and the ends of the ion channel. In the present paper we couple the previous theory to electrodiffusion of ions from the bulk of the bathing solution to the channel mouth. Our electrodiffusion calculations incorporate estimates of the potential gradients near the channel mouth due to image forces and due to the fraction of the applied potential that falls beyond the ends of the channel. To keep the diffusion calculation one-dimensional, we make the assumption that the electrical potentials in the bath exhibit hemispherical symmetry. As in the previous paper, the flux equations are fit to data on sodium permeation of normal gramicidin A, and gramicidins modified by the fluorination of the valine at the No. 1 position (Barrett Russell, E. W., L. B. Weiss, F. I. Navetta, R. E. Koeppe II, and O. S. Anderson. 1986. Biophys. J. 49:673–686). The conclusions of our previous paper with respect to the effect of fluorination on the mobility, surface potential well depth, and central barrier, are confirmed. However the absolute values of these quantities are somewhat changed when diffusive resistance to the mouth is taken into account, as in the present paper. Future possibilities for more accurate calculations by other methods are outlined.
Wide angle infrared cloud imaging for measuring cloud statistics in support of earth space optical communication

ABSTRACT Previous research at Montana State University led to the de velopment of the Infrared Cloud Imager (ICI) for measuring downwelling cloud and sky thermal emission for producing cloud coverage statistics using radiometrically calibrated images of the sky. This technique, that was developed primarily for detection of clouds for studies of arctic climate, provides benefits over commonly used systems by producing localized high resolution data in comparison to satellites images, and, in contrast to visible systems, provides continuous day and night operation. As a continuation of the first effort, in collaboration with the Optical Communications Group at the NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), here we present a new generation of the ICI that can be used to monitor the cloud coverage of a site that can house a ground telescope dedicated to Earth-space optical communication paths. This new instrument, based around the FLIR Photon camera, expands the field of view (FOV) from 20° to 50° (up to 100° in the latest version), reduces instrument size, reduces instrument cost, and extends the time between calibrations to hours instead of minutes. This has been accomplished by characterizing the changes in the output data for changes in the cameras internal temperature while viewing a constant source. Deployment of this instrument has taken place at JPLs Table Mountain facility, CA, and Bozeman, MT. Keywords: Optical Communication, Thermal Imaging, Cloud Cover Statistics, Infrared Cloud Imaging
Dietitians' practices and attitudes regarding the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics

Abstract Three hundred forty-one dietetics practitioners responded (a 34% response rate) to a 103-item questionnaire that included four subscales. This article focuses on one subscale: assessment of the extent to which dietitians reportedly adhere to the profession's code of ethics as it applies to their own practices. The validity of the survey instrument was confirmed by a panel of experts, and the overall internal consistency reliability for the instrument was .82 using Cronbachs' α. The internal consistency reliability for the code of ethics subscale was .84 (items 1 through 16) and .88 (items 17 through 20). Respondents to the questionnaire were typically college-educated, married, white women over 40 years of age who practiced as consultant or clinical dietitians. Almost one fourth of the respondents fell into the 60 years and older age group. More than 75% of the respondents reported that they either "always" practiced specific components from the code of ethics or "strongly agreed" with code statements. No statistically significant differences were found among selected personal and professional characteristics and responses to the subscale items. These findings indicate that the dietitians in the sample reportedly adhere to and agree with the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics.
Designing visual information for a global audience

This paper explores the design process in visualizing information that communicates to a global audience. The target audience is for educators and new media specialists who conceptualize, design and develop interactive multimedia applications and graphics for Web-based content. This paper reports on facilitating cross-cultural communication in interactive design being taught at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).The Web has evolved into a virtual global community. Global companies are spending an exorbitant amount of money and time in the localization of content. In an effort to reduce cost but still maintain cross-cultural communication, companies are focusing their attention on computer graphics designers. Can these designers push the visualization of information to communicate effectively with a global audience? The answer is right in front of us. We live in a visual world. The world's population may not share a common language, but we are all exposed visually to what is around us. Designers can reproduce what we see into visual roadmaps of information. Visual signposts act as navigational devices that require little translation yet remain instinctively comprehensible on a global level.
A new layered vanadyl (IV) phosphate with an expanded interlayer

Abstract At high H 3 PO 4 : V 2 O 5 ratios (>4:1), the reaction of V 2 O 5 with H 3 PO 4 : EtOH at reflux for extended times gives rise to a material of formulation (VOHPO 4 ) 2 ·2.5H 2 O·EtOH. This material is thermally stable, and has a Stage I layered structure with a distance of 13.58 A between the vanadyl(IV)-phosphate containing planes. Spectroscopic evidence suggests that the EtOH molecule acts as a pillar holding these layers apart and that the stability is due to coordination of the ethanol to in-layer V(IV) atoms. Thermal decomposition of the material gives materials different than those given by the hemihydrate analogue VO(HPO 4 ) 2 0.5H 2 O. Such decomposition products may - in part at least - be responsible for many of the irreproducible results found during the preparation of precursors for the V-P-O catalysts adopted in the butane maleic anhydride conversion.
Body size and extinction risk in terrestrial mammals above the species level.

AbstractMammalian body mass strongly correlates with life history and population properties at the scale of mouse to elephant. Large body size is thus often associated with elevated extinction risk. I examined the North American fossil record (28–1 million years ago) of 276 terrestrial genera to uncover the relationship between body size and extinction probability above the species level. Phylogenetic comparative analysis revealed no correlation between sampling-adjusted durations and body masses ranging 7 orders of magnitude, an observation that was corroborated by survival analysis. Most of the ecological and temporal groups within the data set showed the same lack of relationship. Size-biased generic extinctions do not constitute a general feature of the Holarctic mammalian faunas in the Neogene. Rather, accelerated loss of large mammals occurred during intervals that experienced combinations of regional aridification and increased biomic heterogeneity within continents. The latter phenomenon is consis...
Large modulation of mid-infrared light using graphene-metal plasmonic antennas

We show theoretically that large modulation of the amplitude and phase of mid-infrared light can be achieved by dynamically shifting the resonance of graphene-metal plasmonic antennas via electrical tuning of the optical conductivity of graphene.
The Chemokine Fractalkine Can Activate Integrins without CX3CR1 through Direct Binding to a Ligand-Binding Site Distinct from the Classical RGD-Binding Site

The chemokine domain of fractalkine (FKN-CD) binds to the classical RGD-binding site of αvβ3 and that the resulting ternary complex formation (integrin-FKN-CX3CR1) is critical for CX3CR1 signaling and FKN-induced integrin activation. However, only certain cell types express CX3CR1. Here we studied if FKN-CD can activate integrins in the absence of CX3CR1. We describe that WT FKN-CD activated recombinant soluble αvβ3 in cell-free conditions, but the integrin-binding defective mutant of FKN-CD (K36E/R37E) did not. This suggests that FKN-CD can activate αvβ3 in the absence of CX3CR1 through the direct binding of FKN-CD to αvβ3. WT FKN-CD activated αvβ3 on CX3CR1-negative cells (K562 and CHO) but K36E/R37E did not, suggesting that FKN-CD can activate integrin at the cellular levels in a manner similar to that in cell-free conditions. We hypothesized that FKN-CD enhances ligand binding to the classical RGD-binding site (site 1) through binding to a second binding site (site 2) that is distinct from site 1 in αvβ3. To identify the possible second FKN-CD binding site we performed docking simulation of αvβ3-FKN-CD interaction using αvβ3 with a closed inactive conformation as a target. The simulation predicted a potential FKN-CD-binding site in inactive αvβ3 (site 2), which is located at a crevice between αv and β3 on the opposite side of site 1 in the αvβ3 headpiece. We studied if FKN-CD really binds to site 2 using a peptide that is predicted to interact with FKN-CD in site 2. Notably the peptide specifically bound to FKN-CD and effectively suppressed integrin activation by FKN-CD. This suggests that FKN-CD actually binds to site 2, and this leads to integrin activation. We obtained very similar results in α4β1 and α5β1. The FKN binding to site 2 and resulting integrin activation may be a novel mechanism of integrin activation and of FKN signaling.
Cognitive theories of vulnerability to depression: reconciling negative evidence

Cognitive theories of depression propose that stable beliefs predispose vulnerable individuals to depression. Empirical evidence appears to contradict the stability hypothesis; the cognitions described by the theories appear to covary with depressive symptoms. As a result of these findings, many investigators have concluded that the etiological portions of the cognitive theories are incorrect. We propose an alternative account of the empirical evidence that is consistent with the theories. We propose that the beliefs that are vulnerability factors for depression are stable, but they are accessible only during negative mood states; we call this the mood-state hypothesis. This article describes the mood-state hypothesis, reviews evidence supporting it, and outlines its implications for the cognitive theories of depression. We also describe implications of the mood-state hypothesis for other theories of depression, including biological theories, for studies of psychotherapy process, for studies of other psychopathologies, for epidemiological studies of depression, for the prevention and treatment of depression, and for theories of cognition.
The Volatile Components of Irradiated Beef and Pork Fats

SUMMARY Samples of beef and pork fats were irradiated under vacuum at seven doses ranging from 0.5 to 6.0 megarads. Of the components produced by irradiation, 41 were identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. These include a series of n-alkanes, 1-alkenes, internally unsaturated alkenes and alkadienes. The latter two groups of compounds have not been reported previously in meats or meat fats. In addition, hexadecanal, octadecanal and octadecenal were found to be produced in relatively large quantities by irradiation. Quantitative data showed that a definite relationship exists between the volatile pattern and ther fatty acid composition of the irradiated material. Flavor thershold values of the unsaturated classes of hydrocarbons vary widely among themselves but are much lower than those of the n-alkanes.
Mass spectra of some phenylazopyridines and quinolines

All of the isomeric phenylazoquinolines and phenylazopyridines have been prepared and subjected to electron impact in the mass spectrometer. Fragmentation patterns of these compounds are discussed along with some of their para-bromo derivatives.
Maternal and infant outcomes after injury during pregnancy in Washington State from 1989 to 1997.

Background: Few population-based studies have assessed maternal and infant outcomes after nonfatal injuries occurring during pregnancy. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study to assess outcomes of pregnant women hospitalized for injury in Washington State from 1989 to 1997. We used the Injury Severity Score (ISS) to classify 266 nonseverely injured (ISS of 1-8) and 28 severely injured (ISS > 9) pregnant women who delivered at their injury hospitalization. We compared these women to 12,578 pregnant women randomly selected from Washington State birth and fetal death certificates who had no injury hospitalization during pregnancy. Results: Nonseverely injured pregnant women were at increased risk of placental abruption and their infants were at increased risk of hypoxia and fetal death. Severely injured pregnant women were at a 17-fold (95% confidence interval, 6.2-46.8) increased risk of placental abruption and their infants were at increased risk of prematurity, low birth weight, and fetal distress, and a 30-fold (95% confidence interval, 9.4-97.1) increased risk of fetal death. Conclusion: Nonsevere as well as severe injuries resulting in hospitalization during pregnancy can result in adverse maternal and infant outcomes.
Understanding the effects of stress and alcohol cues on motivation for alcohol via behavioral economics.

Background Psychological stress and alcohol cues are common antecedents of both ongoing drinking and relapse. One candidate mechanism of risk from these factors is acute increases in craving, but experimental support for this hypothesis is mixed. Furthermore, the combination of stress and cues has been largely unstudied. The current study employed a behavioral economic approach to investigate the combined roles of psychosocial stress and alcohol cues on motivation for alcohol. Methods In a sample of 84 adult heavy drinkers, we examined the effects of an acute laboratory stress induction and an alcohol cue exposure on subjective craving and stress, arousal, and behavioral economic decision making. Primary dependent measures included an intertemporal cross-commodity multiple-choice procedure (ICCMCP), incorporating both price and delay elements, an alcohol purchase task (APT), measuring alcohol demand, and a monetary delay discounting task, measuring intertemporal choice. Results The stress induction significantly increased stress, craving, and the incentive value of alcohol on the ICCMCP and APT. Stress-related increases in value on the ICCMCP were mediated by increased alcohol demand. Exposure to alcohol cues only significantly affected craving, APT breakpoint, and arousal. Delay discounting was not affected by either stress or cues. Conclusions These results reveal unique behavioral economic dimensions of motivation for alcohol following acute stress and an alcohol cue exposure. More broadly, as the first application of this approach to understanding the role of stress in drug motivation, these findings support its utility and potential in future applications.
Coordinated Switching of Bacterial Flagellar Motors: Evidence for Direct Motor-Motor Coupling?

The swimming of Escherichia coli is powered by its multiple flagellar motors. Each motor spins either clockwise or counterclockwise, under the control of an intracellular regulator, CheY-P. There can be two mechanisms (extrinsic and intrinsic) to coordinate the switching of bacterial motors. The extrinsic one arises from the fact that different motors in the same cell sense a common input (CheY-P) which fluctuates near the motors' response threshold. An alternative, intrinsic mechanism is direct motor-motor coupling which makes synchronized switching energetically favorable. Here, we develop simple models for both mechanisms and uncover their different hallmarks. A quantitative comparison to the recent experiments suggests that the direct coupling mechanism may be accountable for the observed sharp correlation between motors in a single Escherichia coli. Possible origins of this coupling (e.g., hydrodynamic interaction) are discussed.
Active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer: knowledge, acceptance and practice among urologists.

This study aimed to survey urologists regarding their knowledge, acceptance and practice of active surveillance (AS) for low-risk prostate cancer. An email-based survey was distributed to 4987 urologists. Respondents were surveyed regarding their knowledge and acceptance of AS. Those who felt AS was a reasonable strategy were asked their opinions on the criteria for AS enrollment and the details of their practice of AS. Respondents who felt AS was not a reasonable alternative were queried as to the reasons why. A total of 425 (9%) urologists successfully completed the survey and 387 (91%) were both familiar with AS and aware that AS differed from watchful waiting. Of this latter group, 370 (96%) respondents felt AS was a reasonable management strategy, 95% of whom manage patients with this approach. A minority of respondents (6%) felt that patients with a PSA>10 ng ml−1 were eligible for AS. Further, most participants (74%) felt that patients required a Gleason score ⩽6. There was little agreement on the timing of follow-up biopsies. Respondents who objected to AS were most commonly concerned with missing an opportunity for curative treatment (76%) and the risk of tumor undergrading (65%). The majority of participants were knowledgeable and accepting of AS. Respondents were in relative agreement regarding the PSA and Gleason score criteria for AS enrollment. In contrast, there was a lack of agreement on the timing of follow-up biopsies. In the future, comparative studies are required to determine the optimal enrollment criteria and follow-up protocol for patients managed with AS.
Expression of the peptide transporters PepT1, PepT2, and PHT1 in the embryonic and posthatch chick

Abstract Peptide transporters 1 and 2 (PepT1 and PepT2) and peptide/histidine transporter 1 (PHT1) are all members of the proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter family, which are important for the transport of amino acids in peptide form. The PepT1 acts as a low-affinity/high-capacity transporter and PepT2 as a high-affinity/low-capacity transporter for di- and tri-peptides. The PHT1 transports di- and tri-peptides as well as histidine. The objective of this study was to profile PepT1, PepT2, and PHT1 mRNA expression in the proventriculus, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, ceca, large intestine, brain, heart, bursa of Fabricius, lung, kidney, and liver in layer chicks on embryonic d 18 and 20 and d 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 posthatch. Absolute quantification real-time PCR was used to measure gene expression. Expression of PepT1 was greatest in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Expression of PepT1 increased in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum from late embryonic stages to posthatch and in the large intestine from late embryonic stages to d 10 posthatch. In the ceca, PepT1 expression increased from embryonic d 20 to d 1 posthatch and then decreased. Expression of PepT2 was greatest in the brain and kidney. Expression of PepT2 increased from d 10 to 14 in the bursa of Fabricius and decreased in the proventriculus, duodenum, jejunum, and liver from late embryonic stages to posthatch. In the small intestine and liver, PepT2 may function to transport di- and tri-peptides during embryogenesis. The PHT1 was expressed in all tissues analyzed. Expression of PHT1 increased in the jejunum, large intestine, brain, and liver posthatch and decreased in the proventriculus from embryonic stages to posthatch. A tissue × age interaction was observed for all genes. The uptake of peptides in the developing chick is regulated by peptide transporters that are expressed in a tissue- and development-specific manner.
Nucleon-nucleon interactions and observables

A class of nucleon-nucleon interactions which are exactly phase equivalent to a given realistic nucleon-nucleon interaction is exhibited. These interactions have the property that the rms radius of the deuteron can be made arbitrarily large without changing the deuteron binding energy or any of the nucleon-nucleon scattering matrix elements. With this construction it is possible to find realistic interactions that do not obey the linear relation between the rms radius and the triplet scattering length observed by Klarsfeld {ital et al.}. The interpretation of this result is discussed. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Validation and comparison of three adenosine triphosphate luminometers for monitoring hospital surface sanitization: A Rosetta Stone for adenosine triphosphate testing

Background The application of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) luminometry for monitoring sanitized hospital surfaces is an evolving infection control practice. The goal of this study is to validate and compare 3 commercially available ATP luminometry, swab, rapid-test systems for use in hospital surface sanitization testing. Regulatory agencies may consider this a point-of-care laboratory test; it is therefore imperative that validation criteria are established. Methods The ability of instruments to measure long-term stability of ATP dried on surfaces was determined. Dilutions of 3 species of microorganisms and a blood sample were dried onto a surface and tested. The performance characteristics of instruments were compared side-by-side for their ability to recover microorganism-derived ATP from surfaces. Results Timed studies showed that surface biologic-ATP remained detectable for 10 days. Instrument clinical sensitivity, precision, detection range, limit of detection, and linearity were determined. Swab recovery of microorganisms from surfaces varied by instrument and organism. All 3 systems detected microorganisms in the presence of disinfectants. Conclusion All instruments were validated, but only 1 was verified, because of variations in performance for each system. These studies indicate that careful consideration of the technologic application and instrument performance are important criteria for the selection of an ATP monitoring system.
Zero modes, boundary conditions and anomalies on the lattice and in the continuum

Abstract We examine the connection, and occasional lack of it, between zero modes and anomalies in lattice and continuum models. In particular we discuss the index theorem for the polyacetylene problem and for two-dimensional Kogut-Susskind/Kahler-Dirac fermions, paying special attention to boundary effects which may be important in simulations on small lattices.
Further studies on the use of mouse epidermal cells for the in vitro induction and detection of cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Abstract Mouse epidermal cells (EC) and lymphoid cells (LC) were compared as targets of cellmediated cytotoxicity (CMC) in short-term chromium release assays where attacker cells were generated in primary mixed cultures using irradiated allogeneic EC or LC as stimulators. Three patterns of relative susceptibility to lysis of the two types of target cells were observed: (i) significantly greater lysis of LC than of EC targets; (ii) significantly greater lysis of EC than LC targets; and (iii) approximately equal susceptibility to lysis of the two targets. The first pattern was primarily associated with LC stimulators, whereas the second and third patterns were almost invariably associated with EC stimulators. Factors possibly contributing to the differences in in vitro immunogenicity and susceptibility to CMC of EC and LC were investigated, including the alteration of EC surface antigens during the trypsinization required to prepare EC suspensions, the differential expression of shared alloantigens, or the restricted expression of tissue-specific alloantigens on the two types of cells. Tests with intact and trypsinized LC on the one hand and fresh and short-term cultured EC on the other indicated that trypsinization is not responsible for the basic differences between EC and LC detected in the in vitro assays. Antibody absorption tests demonstrated that although EC and LC express approximately equal quantities of the cell surface antigens determined by the H-2D region of the H-2 complex, LC express significantly greater quantities of the antigens determined by the H-2K and I regions. In addition, the results of cold target inhibition tests suggest that tissue-specific antigens on both EC and LC also influence their relative immunogenicity and susceptibility to lysis.
Pharmacological evidence that the sympathetic nervous system mediates the increase in secretion of renin produced by p-chloroamphetamine.

Abstract The increase in plasma renin activity produced by p-chloroamphetamine in unanesthetized rats is blocked by p-chlorophenylalanine and by lesions of the dorsal raphe nucleus and the mediobasal hypothalamus. To determine whether the pathway from these areas of the brain to the kidneys that mediates the renin response is sympathetic, the effect of β-adrenergic blockade and ganglionic blockade on the renin response to p-chloroamphetamine was studied. The increase in plasma renin activity 60 min after the administration of p-chloroamphetamine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was prevented by the β-adrenergic antagonist (−)-propranolol (1 mg/kg, i.p.), but not by (+)-propranolol (1 mg/kg, i.p.), given 30 min before p-chloroamphetamine. Sotalol (30 mg/kg, i.p.) injected 30 min before p-chloroamphetamine also blocked the renin response. The ganglionic-blocking drug chlorisondamine lowered blood pressure and increased plasma renin activity by itself. However, p-chloroamphetamine administered 30 min after chlorisondamine produced no further increase in plasma renin activity. Chlorisondamine, by itself, did not produce maximal secretion of renin, since isoproterenol, 30 min after chlorisondamine, produced a large increase in plasma renin activity. The data indicate that the increase in plasma renin activity produced by p-chloroamphetamine is mediated via the sympathetic nervous system.
Long-term contracts, expectations and wage inertia

Abstract This paper develops a macro model of contractual wage setting that is used to test the importance that increased contract length has in generating wage inertia. Using an errors-in-variables format to isolate the effect of price and productivity shocks, it is shown that the sensitivity of union wages to unanticipated disturbances would increase by only a small amount in the absence of long-term, three-year, labor contracts. Our results suggest that formal contracts are not a major source of nominal wage rigidity and the price surprises play a relatively small role in generating business cycles.
Comparison of Responses of 13C NMR and NIR Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopies to Changes in Particle Size and Order in Cellulose

High-resolution solid-state 13C NMR and NIR diffuse reflectance spectra were obtained on microcrystalline and “noncrystalline” celluloses. Particle sizes and relative crystallinity were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and MIR transmission spectroscopy, respectively. The results showed that NMR is more sensitive to order changes and less sensitive to particle size. NIR reflectance, on the other hand, is very sensitive to particle size changes and essentially insensitive to differences in order.
Corrosion of chromium containing alloys in non-steady state environments containing oxygen, carbon, and chlorine

Internal attack of chromium containing alloys in mixed oxygen-chlorine environments occurs by the formation of pores which penetrate down grain boundaries of the alloys. No internal attack was detected in a binary Fe-20%Cr alloy at 1200 K in environments containing 2500 ppm Cl 2 . The rate of internal attack of alloy 800H in such environments was increased by replacing the O 2 in the gas by CO 2 . In mixed oxygen-carbon-chlorine environments, the internal attack occurs by selective chlorination of chromium carbides which precipitate along the grain boundaries
Inhibition of muscle-specific gene expression by Id3: requirement of the C-terminal region of the protein for stable expression and function

We have examined the role of an Id-like protein, Id3 (also known as HLH462), in the regulation of muscle-specific gene expression. Id proteins are believed to block expression of muscle-specific genes by preventing the dimerization between ubiquitous bHLH proteins (E proteins) and myogenic bHLH proteins such as MyoD. Consistent with its putative role as an inhibitor of differentiation, Id3 mRNA was detected in proliferating skeletal muscle cells, was further induced by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and was down-regulated in differentiated muscle cultures. Overexpression of Id3 efficiently inhibited the MyoD-mediated activation of the muscle-specific creatine kinase (MCK) reporter gene. Deletion analysis indicated that the C-terminal 15 amino acids of Id3 are critical for the full inhibitory activity while deleting up to 42 residues from the C-terminus of the related protein, Id2, did not affect its ability to inhibit the MCK reporter gene. Chimeric protein containing the N-terminal region of Id3 and the C-terminus of Id2 was also non-functional in transfected cells. In contrast, wild-type Id3, the C-terminal mutants, and the Id3/Id2 chimera could all interact with the E-protein E47in vitro. Additional studies indicated that truncation of the Id3 C-terminus might have adversely affected the expression level of the mutant proteins but the Id3/Id2 chimera was stably expressed. Taken together, our results revealed a more complex requirement for the expression and proper function of the Id family proteins than was hitherto expected.
Perinatal testicular torsion: preoperative radiological findings and the argument for urgent surgical exploration

Perinatal testicular torsion is an infrequent event, the management of which has been controversial. Occurrence is rare, estimated at 1 in 7500 newborns (Kaplan, G. W., Silber, I.: Neonatal torsion--to pex or not? In: Urologic surgery in neonates and young infants. Edited by King, L.R. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co., 1988; Chapter 20, pp. 386-395). The frequency of bilateral perinatal torsion is up to 22% (J Urol. 2005;174:1579). Here, we describe two cases of bilateral asynchronous perinatal torsion, in which the only presenting abnormality on exam after birth was a unilateral scrotal mass. These cases illustrate that contralateral perinatal torsion may be present even when physical exam findings suggest unilateral involvement.
Utility of Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Diagnosis of Valvular Perforations

Three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) imaging is a relatively new imaging modality that is increasingly being used to characterize a variety of cardiac pathologic features. In the present study, we reviewed the 2-dimensional (2D) and 3D TEE images from our echocardiographic database to identify patients with valve perforations. A review of the 2D TEE images resulted in the identification of 11 valvular perforations (6 aortic valves, 4 mitral valves, and 1 tricuspid valve). A review of the 3D TEE images allowed for the identification of 15 valve perforations (7 aortic valves, 7 mitral valves, and 1 tricuspid valve), including 4 perforations that could not be diagnosed using 2D imaging alone. In conclusion, 3D TEE imaging provided added benefit to traditional 2D TEE imaging because of its ability to provide en face visualization of the cardiac valves, allowing improved identification and precise anatomic localization of the perforation.
How the Internet transformed the software industry

The growth of the Internet has had a huge impact on the software industry, from the ease of creating new businesses to the processes that companies use to develop, distribute, and support their products. Software architectures and platforms for web applications differ significantly from traditional desktop and client-server applications, and require a new generation of programming languages and development tools. Developers make extensive use of open source software, particularly at the infrastructure level of their applications. Development teams can easily use Internet-based tools for collaboration, thus facilitating distributed organizations. Product marketing now emphasizes attracting prospective customers to the company’s website. Companies can release products over the Internet, or provide a hosted web application, both of which are more efficient and less expensive ways to sell their products. Companies can also support their products over the Internet through online discussion forums, often with users helping one another. Ongoing advances in mobile and cloud computing, styles of user interaction, and software business models are certain to have a large effect, leading to innovative new products from both new and established companies.
Effects of cochlea removal on GABAergic terminals in nucleus magnocellularis of the chicken

The effects of unilateral cochlea removal on GABA-immunoreactive (GABA-I) terminals in nucleus magnocellularis (NM) of the chick were assessed by immunocytochemical (ICC) techniques. Posthatch chicks (5-8 days old) survived from 1-37 days following unilateral cochlea removal. In the ipsilateral NM, the density of GABA-I terminals appeared to increase relative to normal controls 10-37 days after cochlea removal. However, most of that increase could be attributed to a decrease in cell size, cell number, and volume of the nucleus as a result of deafferentation. In the contralateral NM, the density of GABA-I terminals decreased relative to the ipsilateral NM and to normal animals 1-21 days after cochlea removal. The number of GABA-I terminals per NM neuron also decreased in the contralateral NM while that in the ipsilateral NM was comparable to normal controls. To ascertain whether these changes represented changes in the number of terminals or in the amount of GABA contained within the terminals, we also examined these terminals using an antibody to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the biosynthetic enzyme for GABA. Following unilateral cochlea removal, there was no difference in the density of GAD-I terminals in NM between the two sides of the brain for any of the survival times. Similarly, bilateral cochlea removal had no discernible effect on the density of GABA-I terminals in NM. These data suggest that unilateral deafferentation may temporarily downregulate the biosynthesis of GABA in the contralateral NM.
Aspects of reproduction in female Bos indicus cattle: a review.

SUMMARY Differences occur between female Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle in various aspects of reproductive physiology and behaviour. These may be associated with different natural and human selection pressures, compounded by strong genotype-environment interactions. B indicus cattle are better adapted for tropical environments (despite overall poor cattle reproductive rates in these regions) which tend to be more stressful for B taurus genotypes. Conversely, B taurus cattle generally show superior reproductive and productive traits under more favoured, temperate conditions. Despite genotype-environment effects, B indicus females are generally considered to take longer to achieve puberty and to have longer gestation lengths, exhibit prolonged postpartum anoestrus, show greater seasonality of reproductive traits (tending to be long-day breeders), display a shorter, less overt oestrus as well as less tendency to allow riding behaviour by subordinate females. Some groups appear to have increased losses both during pregnancy and in the neonatal period. On the positive side, B indicus females respond well to managerial and nutritional interventions, tend to have greater reproductive longevity and they generally exhibit strong maternal traits. Culling of infertile females and selection for greater male scrotal circumference and sex-drive, in conjunction with the use of target weights, body condition scoring and weaning stratagems can improve reproductive rates in B indicus females.
Conservation of the heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone subunit family proteins and the LGR signaling system from nematodes to humans.

Glycoprotein hormones, follicle-stimulating hormones (FSHs), luteinizing hormones (LHs), thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSHs), and chorionic gonadotropin (CG) are key endocrine hormones secreted from the pituitary gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs and the placenta in primates. These hormones, consisting of a common alpha subunit and a specific beta subunit, act through the FSH receptor (FSHR), the LH receptor (LHR), and the TSH receptor (TSHR) that are highly specific for their cognate hormones. These glycoprotein hormones are structurally and functionally conserved in various vertebrates and have been identified in most lineages of actinopterygians (bony fish) and sarcopterygians (tetrapods). Of interest, recent genomic studies showed that vertebrate glycoprotein hormone receptors belong to an ancient subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) named as leucine-rich repeat-containing GPCRs (LGRs). These findings have prompted the hypothesis that there could be additional glycoprotein hormones in vertebrate genomes. Indeed, searches of vertebrate genomes have led to the identification of two novel glycoprotein hormone subunits, glycoprotein alpha 2 (GPA2) and glycoprotein beta 5 (GPB5), as well as their homologs in invertebrates. Subsequently, it was demonstrated that GPA2 and GPB5 form a heterodimeric hormone, thyrostimulin/OGH, capable of activating TSHR in vivo and the thyroid axis in transgenic mice. However, the exact role of this novel glycoprotein hormone and its homolog in invertebrates is not clear. To gain a better understanding of the physiological role of the novel glycoprotein hormone subunits and their evolution, it is imperative to carry out systematic studies of these genes in representative model species. In the present report, we summarize our findings based on studies of genomes of model organisms from sea anemones to humans. We found that GPA2 and GPB5 represent the ancient forms of glycoprotein hormone alpha and beta subunits, respectively, and that vertebrate and invertebrate glycoprotein hormone subunit proteins shared common ancestors that evolved during early metazoan evolution. It is important to note that glycoprotein hormone alpha and beta subunit proteins from invertebrates formed a heterodimer with structural functional characteristics similar to that of vertebrate glycoprotein hormones. Taken together, both glycoprotein hormone alpha and beta subunits evolved before the evolution of nematodes, arthropods, and vertebrates. Parallel expansion of the alpha and beta subunits and their receptors through gene duplication and subsequent subfunctionalization and neofunctionalization of the duplicated genes allowed the development of multiple tissue-specific endocrine systems in vertebrates.
758 THE CHANGING “LANDSCAPE” OF CLINICAL T3 PROSTATE CANCER

ultrasound was reduced by 40.8% within 3 months compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Efficacy and safety of treatment with degarelix was confirmed in routine daily practise. The efficacy of degarelix is comparable with other androgen-deprivation-therapies. The control of ALP by degarelix in daily clinical practice is in line with previously reported results from the pivotal trial. Also the prostate volume reduction of 40.8% was comparable with that found in a recent randomized clinical trial. Especially patients with high tumour burden or those scheduled for neoadjuvant hormone therapy prior to radiotherapy could benefit from the fast volume reduction offered by degarelix.
Reorganization of sensory modalities evoked by microstimulation in region of the thalamic principal sensory nucleus in patients with pain due to nervous system injury.

Stimulation of the somatosensory system is more likely to evoke pain in patients with chronic pain after nervous system injury than in patients without somatosensory abnormalities. We now describe results of stimulation through a microelectrode at microampere thresholds (threshold microstimulation; TMIS) in the region of the human thalamic principal sensory nucleus (ventral caudal; Vc) during operations for treatment of movement disorders or of chronic pain. Patients were trained preoperatively to use a standard questionnaire to describe the location (projected field) and quality of sensations evoked by TMIS intraoperatively. The region of Vc was divided on the basis of projected fields into areas representing the part of the body where the patients experienced chronic pain (pain affected) or did not experience chronic pain (pain unaffected) and into a control area located in the thalamus of patients with movement disorders and no experience of chronic pain. The region of the Vc was also divided into a core region and a posterior-inferior region. The core was defined as the region above a standard radiologic horizontal line (anterior commissure-posterior commissure line; ACPC line) where the majority of cells responded to innocuous somatosensory stimulation. The posterior-inferior area was a cellular area posterior and inferior to the core. In both the core and the posterior-inferior regions, the proportion of sites where TMIS evoked pain was larger in pain-affected and unaffected areas than in control areas. The number of sites where thermal (warm or cold) sensations were evoked was correspondingly smaller, so that the total of pain-plus-thermal (sensation of warmth or cold) sites was the same in all areas. Therefore, sites pain where stimulation evoked pain in patients with neuropathic pain (i.e., pain following an injury to the nervous system) may correspond to sites where thermal sensations were evoked by stimulation in patients without somatosensory abnormality.
A characterization of strategy-proof voting rules for separable weak orderings

We consider the problem of choosing a subset of a finite set of indivisible objects (public projects, facilities, laws, etc.) studied by Barbera et al. (1991). Here we assume that agents’ preferences are separable weak orderings. Given such a preference, objects are partitioned into three types, “goods”, “bads”, and “nulls”. We focus on “voting rules”, which rely only on this partition rather than the full information of preferences. We characterize voting rules satisfying strategy-proofness (no one can ever be better off by lying about his preference) and null-independence (the decision on each object should not be dependent on the preference of an agent for whom the object is a null). We also show that serially dictatorial rules are the only voting rules satisfying efficiency as well as the above two axioms. We show that the “separable domain” is the unique maximal domain over which each rule in the first characterization, satisfying a certain fairness property, is strategy-proof.
Total Syntheses of Isodomoic Acids G and H: An Exercise in Tetrasubstituted Alkene Synthesis

A unified approach to the pyrrolidine triacid natural products isodomoic acids G and H has been developed. Total syntheses of both natural products were completed, and determination of the correct stereostructure of isodomoic acid G was established by comparing 5'-(R) and 5'-(S) isomers to a sample of authentic material. A nickel-catalyzed cyclization constructs the pyrrolidine ring while simultaneously establishing either the E or Z stereochemistry of an exocyclic tetrasubstituted alkene. Stereoselective assembly of both the E- and Z-alkenes of the natural products is made possible by a predictable strategy that alters the timing of substituent introduction to control alkene stereochemistry.
Bloom's taxonomy revisited: specifying assessable learning objectives in computer science

Traditionally, Bloom's Taxonomy has been used for creating exams and other student assessment instruments. In this paper, we advocate its use for specifying learning outcomes in computer science prior to assessment. We have found, over a period of three years, that this facilitates programmatic assessment and related accreditation activities; it benefits instructors selecting pedagogical tools and assignments; and it enhances communication among faculty engaged in curricular development. We describe Bloom's Taxonomy, illustrate a simple process for applying it in computer science (and other disciplines), and present a case study of how it may be applied in a CS1 course. We believe this process has considerably strengthened our department's assessment program and its ability to maintain its ABET accreditation.