cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Novel Role for the Centrosomal Protein, Pericentrin, in Regulation of Insulin Secretory Vesicle Docking in Mouse Pancreatic β-cells

The centrosome is important for microtubule organization and cell cycle progression in animal cells. Recently, mutations in the centrosomal protein, pericentrin, have been linked to human microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism (MOPD II), a rare genetic disease characterized by severe growth retardation and early onset of type 2 diabetes among other clinical manifestations. While the link between centrosomal and cell cycle defects may account for growth deficiencies, the mechanism linking pericentrin mutations with dysregulated glucose homeostasis and pre-pubertal onset of diabetes is unknown. In this report we observed abundant expression of pericentrin in quiescent pancreatic β-cells of normal animals which led us to hypothesize that pericentrin may have a critical function in β-cells distinct from its known role in regulating cell cycle progression. In addition to the typical centrosome localization, pericentrin was also enriched with secretory vesicles in the cytoplasm. Pericentrin overexpression in β-cells resulted in aggregation of insulin-containing secretory vesicles with cytoplasmic, but not centrosomal, pericentriolar material and an increase in total levels of intracellular insulin. RNAi- mediated silencing of pericentrin in secretory β-cells caused dysregulated secretory vesicle hypersecretion of insulin into the media. Together, these data suggest that pericentrin may regulate the intracellular distribution and secretion of insulin. Mice transplanted with pericentrin-depleted islets exhibited abnormal fasting hypoglycemia and inability to regulate blood glucose normally during a glucose challenge, which is consistent with our in vitro data. This previously unrecognized function for a centrosomal protein to mediate vesicle docking in secretory endocrine cells emphasizes the adaptability of these scaffolding proteins to regulate diverse cellular processes and identifies a novel target for modulating regulated protein secretion in disorders such as diabetes.
Optical Probes and Electrical Resistivity Measurements of Conductive Die Attach Adhesives

An important phenomenon in silver (Ag) particle-filled adhesives is the development of electrical conductivity as the polymer composite is cured. We report the results of optical and electrical measurements performed on a commercially available Ag particle/polymer composite as a function of sample temperature. Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) was used to probe the chemical nature of the Ag interface while a four-point contact probe monitored the onset of DC electrical conductivity. Complementary to the die attach adhesives studies, SERS experiments were also performed on commercially available neat Ag flake with controlled adsorbate coverages. For both the neat flake and filled adhesive, a carboxylate layer was attached to an oxygen-covered Ag flake surface via the carboxylic acid end of the molecule. The SERS results observed a partial decomposition of the carboxylate species into an amorphous carbon layer upon an increase in the temperature of both the flake and filled adhesive samples. However, the temperature threshold for the chemical conversion was lower for the Ag-filled adhesive relative to the neat flake. In the composite samples, the formation of the amorphous carbon layer occurred well below the curing temperature and coincided with a corresponding decrease in the electrical resistivity of the adhesive. Thus, an initial step in developing electrical conductivity appears to be the partial conversion of the lubricant adsorbate to an amorphous carbon layer.
Time-resolved measurements with single droplet introduction to investigate space-charge effects in plasma mass spectrometry

An investigation of the space-charge induced effects of high concentrations of Pb+ matrix ions on Li+ analyte ions in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is presented using a vertically oriented mass spectrometer with single droplet introduction. Greater reproducibility and stability in droplet-to-droplet sample introduction using the monodisperse microparticulate injector (MDMI) was achieved with the vertical orientation. Typical variation (%RSD) in the droplet-to-droplet arrival times, and mass spectrometry peak analytical areas are better than 5%. With this precision, a more quantitative description of the space-charge effect on a single cloud of ions is obtained. Both radial and axial space-charge effects were found to occur in the ion beam. Radial effects result in a loss in intensity because of poor transmission or collisions at surfaces within the mass spectrometer. Axial effects modify the kinetic energy distribution of background ion beam components (e.g., 16O+ and 40Ar+) and sampled ion cloud constituents (e.g., 7Li+). However, axial effects do not appear to generate significant broadening of sampled ion clouds within the mass spectrometer. At the point of charge separation and high ion-beam charge density, the ion cloud maxima for Li and Pb are not coincident. This is because of mass dependent diffusion in the ICP as the ion clouds approach the sampling orifice. Space-charge induced ion loss occurs predominantly at a localized region after the Li+ sampled cloud peak maximum. When the Pb concentration in the sample is sufficiently high the 7Li+ sampled signal has a bimodal peak shape. The existence of the dip and its relative location in the bimodal 7Li+ sampled signal suggests that space-charge effects are localized to the region of high charge density occurring just after charge separation.
Got zinc? An exfoliative rash in a parenteral nutrition-dependent patient.

A 77-year-old woman with dysphagia presented with a two-week history of rash characterized by brown plaques with erythematous borders and overlying thick scales involving the face and a prior percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube site (Fig. 1a, c). No oral or conjunctival involvement was present. She had been receiving parenteral nutrition for two months following removal of the PEG tube due to infection. Figure 1. a, b: Facial rash before and after zinc repletion. c, d: Rash at former PEG tube site before and after zinc repletion. Although the differential diagnosis included drug hypersensitivity, autoimmune disorders and nutritional deficiency, the rash appearance was most consistent with acrodermatitis enteropathica-like eruption secondary to zinc deficiency. Her serum zinc level was 12 mcg/dL (normal, 55–150 mcg/dL), and the rash resolved within one week of parenteral zinc supplementation (Fig. 1b, d). Zinc is essential for protein synthesis and wound healing. Acrodermatitis enteropathica presents in infancy as a periorificial desquamative dermatitis, resulting from an autosomal recessive mutation that impairs zinc absorption.1,2 A similar syndrome may occur due to nutritional zinc deficiency,1,2 and has been reported in the setting of parenteral nutrition that fails to include zinc supplementation;3 a prompt response to supplementation helps to confirm the diagnosis. A recent national shortage of parenteral zinc in the United States likely contributed to this patient’s presentation.4
Stroke in women

Aims The aim of this article is to provide an overview of stroke in women and describe modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for stroke.
GI Drug Absorption in Rats Exposed to Cobalt-60 γ-Radiation I: Extent of Absorption

The extent of absorption of sulfanilamide, bretylium tos- ylate, sulfisoxazole acetyl, and riboflavin was determined in rats exposed to 850 rad of cobalt-60 γ-radiation or sham irradiated. The drugs were administered orally at 1 or 5 days postirradiation, and the amount of drug excreted in the urine was used as the measure of absorption. Following intravenous drug administration, there was no difference between irradiated and control animals in the amount of drug excreted in the urine. At 1 day postirradiation, the absorption of sulfanilamide and bretylium was not affected by radiation; the absorption of sulfisoxazole acetyl and riboflavin was increased. The fraction of sulfanilamide excreted in the urine as N4-conjugate was increased at 1 day postirradiation. At 5 days postirradiation, there was no detectable difference between irradiated and control animals in the extent of drug absorption. The effects of radiation on the extent of absorption of orally administered drugs were most pronounced immediately following irradiation. Irradiation apparently does not affect the absorption of drugs that are normally well absorbed or poorly absorbed due to slow transport across the GI mucosa. Following irradiation, there may be an increase in the extent of absorption of drugs that are poorly absorbed due to low aqueous solubility or that are absorbed by a saturable transport mechanism.
RNA splicing and debranching viewed through analysis of RNA lariats.

Intron lariat RNAs, created by pre-mRNA splicing, are sources of information on gene expression and structure. Although produced equivalently to their corresponding mRNAs, the vast majority of intron lariat RNAs are rapidly degraded. However, their levels are enhanced in cells deficient for RNA debranching enzyme, which catalyzes linearization of these RNAs, the rate-limiting step in their degradation. Furthermore, RNA lariats are resistant to degradation by the 3′ exonuclease polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase), providing a means to enrich for lariat RNAs. Working with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism, our goal was to develop novel combinations of methods to enhance the use of intron lariat RNAs as objects of study. Using RT-PCR assays developed for detecting and quantifying specific lariat RNAs, we demonstrate the resistance of RNA lariats to degradation by PNPase and their sensitivity to cleavage by RNA debranching enzyme. We also employ sequential treatments with these two enzymes to produce characteristic effects on linear and lariat RNAs. We establish the utility of the methods for analyzing RNA debranching enzyme variants and in vitro debranching reactions and discuss several possible applications, including measuring relative rates of transcription and combining these methods with non-gene-specific RNA sequencing as a novel approach for genome annotation. In summary, enzymatic treatments that produce characteristic effects on linear and lariat RNAs, combined with RT-PCR or RNA sequencing, can be powerful tools to advance studies on gene expression, alternative splicing, and any process that depends on the RNA debranching enzyme.
Nonequilibrium and equilibrium sorption with a linear sorption isotherm during mass transport through an infinite porous medium: Some analytical solutions

Analytical solutions have been developed for the problem of solute transport in a steady, three dimensional field of groundwater flow with non-equilibrium mass transfer of a radioactive species between fluid and solid phases and with anisotropic hydrodynamic dispersion. Interphase mass transport is described by a linear rate expression. Solutions are presented also for the case of equilibrium distribution of solute between fluid and solid phases. Three types of release from a point source were considered: instantaneous release of a finite mass of solute, continuous release at an exponentially decaying rate, and release for a finite period of time. Graphical displays of computational results for point-source solutions show the expected variation of sorptive retardation effects progressing from the case of no sorption, through several cases of non-equilibrium sorption, to the case of equilibrium sorption. The point-source solutions can be integrated over finite regions of a space to provide analytical solutions for regions of solute release having finite spatial extents and various geometrical shapes, thus considerably extending the utility of the point-source solutions.
Development and current status of a new intracorporeal membrane oxygenator (IVOX).

The IVOX (intravascular oxygenator) is an intracorporeal, hollow-fibre membrane oxygenator and carbon dioxide (CO2) removal device. The IVOX is surgically placed into the vena cava via a femoral or jugular venotomy. Oxygen (O2) is pulled through the hollow fibres by a vacuum pump controlled by a flow meter. There is no extracorporeal circulation of blood. Gas exchange occurs as the patient's blood flows over several hundred hollow fibres. Inlet and outlet gas conduits exit a small skin incision for inflow of O2 and outflow of CO2. Studies in sheep show that the IVOX can support approximately 30% of gas exchange requirements. The position of the IVOX in the vena cava does not affect haemodynamics or cause thromboembolic complications. It can remain in place for up to 22 days without affecting haematologic or blood chemistry parameters. The IVOX is currently undergoing clinical trials at selected medical centres in patients with acute respiratory failure.
Juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula and biliopancreatic disease

The purpose of this retrospective case-control analysis was to evaluate the association between juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula (JPDD) and disorders of the biliopancreatic system employing univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. The study consisted of 2925 patients who underwent 5497 ERCP procedures between January, 1991 and March, 1996. Each patient in the database received a serial identification number. For each identified case with JPDD, a control patient was selected from the non-JPDD group based on corresponding parameters for age, gender, and indication for ERCP. If more than one control patient matched a case patient, the control patient with the lowest identification number was selected. No patients appear to have been excluded. The study found 350 patients (12%) with JPDD, 86% of whom had a single diverticulum. The median age of patients with JPDD was 71 yr (range = 23–98), versus 62 yr (range = 11–100) (p < 0.0019) for control subjects. Fourteen variables were analyzed: age; sex; difficult ERCP procedure, defined as impeded access to the papilla and/or 15 min or more needed to cannulate the papilla; significant postsphincterotomy bleeding, defined as requiring injection therapy or blood transfusion; retroperitoneal perforation; prior cholecystectomy; gallbladder stones; bile duct stones; intrahepatic duct stones; recurrent bile duct stones; purulent cholangitis; pancreas divisum; acute pancreatitis; and chronic pancreatitis. Univariate analysis demonstrated that patients with JPDD more frequently underwent difficult ERCP procedures (12.5% vs 5.1%, p < 0.001), experienced significant postsphincterotomy bleeding (8.8% vs 4.8%, p = 0.039), and had more gallbladder stones (29.4% vs 22.6%, p = 0.039), bile duct stones (46.0% vs 33.1%, p < 0.001), and recurrent bile duct stones (6.6% vs 1.4%, p = 0.002). After multivariate analysis, only a difficult ERCP procedure (p = 0.006), significant postsphincterotomy bleeding (p = 0.006), and bile duct stones (p = 0.012) remained significant. On univariate analysis, there was a difference noted in the incidence of purulent cholangitis (5.4% vs 2.6%, p = 0.059), which came close to but did not reach significance. Acute (11.4% vs 8.9%, p = 0.261) or chronic pancreatitis (4.6% vs 6.9%, p = 0.196) and pancreas divisum (4.0% vs 3.4%, p = 0.69) were not encountered significantly more frequently in patients with JPDD. The authors concluded that JPDD is associated with advanced age, a technically more difficult ERCP, a higher bleeding rate after endoscopic sphincterotomy, and a higher frequency of bile duct stones, recurrent common duct stones, and gallbladder stones. JPDD was not noted to significantly increase the risk for developing acute or chronic pancreatitis.
On the maximum modulus principle for polynomials in a quasidisk

LetG⊂C be a quasidisk,K ⊂ G be a compact set, andp n be a non-constant complex polynomial of degree at mostn. We establish the inequality $$\mathop {\max }\limits_{z \in K} |p_n (z)| \leqslant (1 - \alpha )\mathop {\max }\limits_{z \in \partial G} |p_n (z)|,$$ whereα n < 0 depends onn, K, $$_{z \in \bar G} \left| {pn(z)} \right|$$ and the geometrical structure of ϖG.
Steady-State and Transient Analysis of a Steam-Reformer Based Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System

In this paper we perform a model-based analysis of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system with an integrated steam reformer and with methane as a fuel. The objective of this study is to analyze the steady-state and transient characteristics of this system. For the analysis, we develop a detailed control-oriented model of the system that captures the heat and mass transfer, chemical kinetics, and electrochemical phenomena. We express the dynamics of the reformer and the fuel cell in state-space form. By applying coordinate transformations to the state-space model, we derive analytical expressions of steady-state conditions and transient behaviors of two critical performance variables, namely, fuel utilization and steam-to-carbon balance. Using these results, we solve a constrained steady-state fuel optimization problem using linear programming. Our analysis is supported by simulations. The results presented in this paper can be applied in predicting steady-state conditions and certain transient behaviors and will be useful in control development for SOFC systems.
CyberBridges A Model Collaboration Infrastructure for e-Science

The "CyberBridges" pilot project is an innovative model for creating a new generation of scientists and engineers who are capable of fully integrating cyberinfrastructure into the whole educational, professional, and creative process of their respective disciplines. CyberBridges augments graduate student education to include a foundation of understanding in advanced networking and grid infrastructure for high performance computing, and bridges the divide between the information technology community and diverse science and engineering disciplines. We demonstrate the effectiveness of CyberBridges by providing four case studies. Groundwork has begun to extend the outreach of CyberBridges for international research and education collaborations.
Synthesis of Reactive Poly(vinyl oxazolones) via Nitroxide-Mediated “Living” Free Radical Polymerization

Low-polydispersity poly(vinyl oxazolone) has been prepared using nitroxide-mediated living free radical polymerization. Bulk homopolymerization of 2-vinyl-4,4-dimethyl-5-oxazolone (VDMO) in the presence of the α-hydrido alkoxyamine initiator 2 and the corresponding nitroxide 1 proceeds to high conversion with polydispersities of less than 1.10. Accurate molecular weight control and low polydispersities (∼1.04−1.10) were obtained on statistical copolymerization with styrene. Well-defined reactive statistical copolymers with polydispersities ranging from 1.05 to 1.30 were also prepared by copolymerization of oxazolone-functional monomers with acrylates, acrylamides, and N-vinylamides. Reactive block copolymers were prepared by polymerization of VDMO from poly(n-butyl acrylate) starting blocks as well as by polymerization of styrene from poly(VDMO) starting blocks. New polymers were prepared from VDMO-containing polymers and copolymers by nucleophilic ring-opening of the pendant oxazolone rings with amines.
Four reference architectures for distributed database management systems

Abstract Five requirements for a centralized database management system and five additional requirements for a distributed database management system suggest definitions of software processors and schemas. These software processors and schemas can be organized into four reference architectures for distributed database management systems which permit comparisons of their advantages and disadvantages.
Computational Studies of Liquid Water and Diluted Water in Carbon Tetrachloride

Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to study solvent effects on the energetic and dynamical properties of water molecules in liquid water and in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). In these studies, the free-energy profiles or potentials of mean force (PMF) for water dimers in both solvents were computed. The computed PMF results showed a stable minimum near 3 A for the O-O separation, with a minimum free energy of about -2.8 kcal/mol in CCl4, as compared to a value of -0.5 kcal/mol in liquid water. The difference in free energy in water as compared to that in CCl4 was expected and is the result of competition from surrounding water molecules that are capable of forming hydrogen bonds in the liquid water. This capability is absent in the diluted water found in CCl4. We found that the rotational motions of H2O/D2O were nonisotropic, with the out-of-plane vector correlation times in H2O/D2O varying from 5.6/5.8 ps at 250 K to 0.57/0.56 ps at 350 K and the corresponding OH/OD bond vectors varying from 6.5/7.7 ps to 0.75/0.75 ps. The results compare reasonably well to the available NMR experimental and computer simulation data on the same system (Farrar; Skinner; et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 8047). For diluted water in CCl4, we found the computed rotational correlation times also were nonisotropic and much longer than the corresponding NMR experimental values at the same concentration (Farrar; et al. J. Phys. Chem. A 2007, 111, 6146). Upon analyzing the water hydrogen-bonding patterns as a function of water concentration, we conclude that the differences in the rotational correlation times mainly result from the formation of water hydrogen-bonding networks as the water concentration is increased in liquid CCl4. In addition, we found the rotational correlation times to be substantially faster in liquid CCl4 than in liquid water.
Semiautomatic evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function with cine magnetic resonance imaging

Rationale and Objectives. Cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a relatively new technique that can be used to study cardiac function with high spatial and temporal resolution. However, detailed functional analysis of the entire cardiac cycle with cine MR imaging is time consuming and labor intensive. We analyzed diastolic function using a semiautomatic routine that reduces the time necessary for analysis. Methods. Twenty subjects (10 normal control subjects and 10 patients with isolated diastolic dysfunction) were examined. Short-axis cine MR images were obtained at 32 phases of the cardiac cycle. A semiautomatic boundary-finding routine was used to determine left ventricular (LV) volumes at each phase. Volume-versus-time and first-derivative curves were created from these data. Several parameters derived from the MR imaging curves were used to characterize diastole. Results. Two parameters—the ratio of early peak filling rate to late peak filling rate and the percentage of filling during early diastole—perfectly distinguished subjects with LV diastolic dysfunction from the normal control subjects. The semiautomatic analysis method substantially reduced the time necessary for analyzing the MR imaging data, compared with manual analysis. Conclusion. Cine MR imaging, especially with time-saving techniques such as our service automatic analysis method, has promise as a research and clinical tool in evaluating LV diastolic function.
Comparison of NART and Barona demographic equation premorbid IQ estimates in Alzheimer's disease

Two methods of estimating premorbid WAIS-R intelligence were compared in matched samples of normal and AD persons. The NART and Barona 1984 demographic equations accurately predicted the IQs of the normal group and overestimated the IQs of the AD subjects. When the AD group was divided into mild and moderately impaired subgroups, the more severely demented subjects displayed lower WAIS-R IQs and NART estimated IQs, revealing that NART performance is sensitive to dementia severity. However, the NART estimated IQs for the mild and moderately impaired AD subgroups were larger than the WAIS-R IQs, suggesting that while the NART is sensitive to dementia severity, it may still provide relevant clinical information. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 53: 713–722, 1997.
Current management of Behçet's syndrome

Behcet's syndrome (BS), or Behcet's disease (BD), is a multisystem inflammatory disorder that mainly affects population clusters along the Old Silk Road; however, it has been reported worldwide. The disease is currently classified as a vasculitis, characterized by sporadic outbreaks. The hallmarks of BS are recurrent, painful oral ulcers. Skin, eyes, central nervous system (CNS), gastrointestinal tract (GI) tract, and other organs may also be involved. CNS, GI, and major vascular involvement can be life-threatening, and uveitis may lead to blindness. Immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory treatment is the mainstay of therapy for this inflammatory disease. Whereas the most frequently used agents for the treatment of BS have been corticosteroids, colchicine, and azathioprine, the introduction of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents and interferon-α (IFN-α) has begun to revolutionize the treatment of Behcet's eye disease and the management of other major organ manifestations. Data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showing beneficial effects for some of its disease manifestations are available for azathioprine, colchicine, cyclosporine, etanercept, IFN-α depot-methylprednisolone, and others. Currently, an evidence-based approach to the management of BS is possible only for eye, mucocutaneous, and joint involvement, whereas recommendations for the treatment of gastrointestinal, neurological, and vascular disease remain based on expert opinion. Drug Dev Res 72:647–656, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Demographic effects on the Trail Making Test in narcotic/other opiate abusers.

Demographic effects on the Trail Making Test (TMT), a test often used to screen for cognitive impairments, were examined in a sample of narcotic/other opiate abusers in drug abuse treatment programs. A sample was drawn from the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Study (DATOS). The DATOS was a naturalistic, prospective cohort study that collected data from 1991 through 1993 in 96 programs within 11 cities in the United States. The number of narcotic/other opiate abusers' scores available for analysis was 191. Data were analyzed to determine the effects of sex, ethnicity, age, and education on the two parts of the TMT in this sample of narcotic/other opiate abusers. The variables of age and education level were statistically significantly related to TMT parts A and B, and ethnicity was statistically significant for part B of the TMT. R-square values for overall models were moderate (A =. 34, B =. 24), suggesting that demographic effects on the TMT are moderate.
Adsorption and dissociation of O2 on Cu(111): thermochemistry, reaction barrier and the effect of strain

Abstract The adsorption and dissociation of dioxygen on the Cu(1 1 1) surface have been studied using periodic self-consistent density functional calculations. Two types of di-σ-type chemisorbed molecular precursors are identified: a non-magnetic type located over threefold hollows and a paramagnetic type over bridge sites, both with a binding energy of ca. −0.50 eV with respect to a gas-phase O 2 molecule. Atomic oxygen is found to prefer threefold hollows, with a binding energy of ca. −4.3 eV with respect to a gas-phase O atom. Possible pathways for the dissociation of O 2 are explored, and the lowest activation energy is calculated to be ca. 0.20 eV. Expansive strain parallel to the surface plane is shown to enhance the binding of atomic and molecular oxygen on the surface as well as to decrease the transition state energy of O 2 dissociation.
Optical and electrochemical evaluation of colloidal Au nanoparticle-ITO hybrid optically transparent electrodes and their application to attenuated total reflectance spectroelectrochemistry

Abstract Colloidal Au nanoparticle monolayers covalently deposited on conductive layers of indium tin oxide (ITO) were fabricated and evaluated as optically transparent electrodes (OTEs) for spectroelectrochemical applications. Specifically, the electrodes were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry; comparisons are made with other types of hybrid ITO optically transparent electrodes. The optical modulation of surface-bound colloidal Au in response to potential cycling over a wide potential window (0.6 to −1.0 V) was acquired in an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) spectroelectrochemical cell. Finally, uptake of a model analyte, tris -(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) chloride, into a Nafion charge selective film spin coated onto the colloidal Au-ITO hybrid electrode was examined using ATR absorbance spectroelectrochemistry. Dependence of uptake on film thickness is addressed, and non-optimized detection limits of 10 nM are reported.
Finding composition factors of permutation groups of degree n≤106

Given a subgroup G= of S"n specified in terms of a generating set @C, when n@?10^6 we present algorithms to test the simplicity of G, to find all of its composition factors, and to find a composition series. While there are already existing algorithms for these purposes (due to Luks or Neumann) valid for all n, the ones in the present note are designed to replace many group theoretic computations by arithmetic calculations using properties of n and |G|.
Regeneration of the optic tracts and circadian pacemaker activity in the cockroach Leucophaea maderae

Recovery of the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity after bilateral section of the optic tracts (OT) of the cockroachLeucophaea maderae was investigated. After OT section rhythmicity consistently reappeared in 3–5 weeks (29±6.2 days,n=22) (Fig. 1), while removal of the optic lobes caused permanent (> 100 days) arrythmicity (n= 13) (Fig. 2A). Recovery of rhythmicity after OT section was likely due to regeneration since:(1) Histological examination showed structural regeneration had occurred (Fig. 3A). (2) Insertion of a glass barrier between the OL and midbrain prevented (> 75 days,n=6) or slowed (46±14.9 days,n=3) rhythm recovery (Fig. 2B). (3) Extracellular recording after optic tract section showed recovery of light evoked activity in the cervical connectives (Fig. 4) whose time course paralleled the recovery of behavioral rhythmicity (Fig. 5).
Combination thrombolytic therapy: A comparison of simultaneous and sequential regimens of tissue plasminogen activator and urokinase

Coronary angioplasty following unsuccessful tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) therapy for acute myocardial infarction has been associated with a high incidence of subsequent reocclusion of the infarct-related artery, and a relatively high in-hospital mortality. In contrast, the combination of t-PA and urokinase, when given intravenously prior to coronary angiography, appears to be associated with a low incidence of post-rescue angioplasty reocclusion. In order to determine whether intraprocedural urokinase, given at the time of rescue coronary angioplasty for failed t-PA therapy, improves long-term patency of the infarct vessel to the same extent as preangiographic, combination t-PA/urokinase therapy, three thrombolytic treatment strategies were retrospectively compared. The first group included 86 patients undergoing rescue angioplasty after t-PA monotherapy (t-PA alone). The clinical and angiographic outcomes of these patients were compared with those of 24 patients who received intravenous or intracoronary urokinase during rescue angioplasty following unsuccessful t-PA therapy (sequential t-PA/urokinase therapy), and with those of 34 patients undergoing rescue coronary angioplasty following unsuccessful therapy with the combination of intravenous t-PA and urokinase (simultaneous therapy). There was no difference in postangioplasty patency rate of the infarct-related artery between the three groups. However, the sequential t-PA/urokinase regimen was associated with a subsequent reocclusion rate that was lower than the rate that occurred in the t-PA monotherapy group but higher than the rate in the simultaneous t-PA/urokinase group (13 versus 29 versus 2%, respectively; p = 0.003).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Interrater reliability of cardiac output measurements by transcutaneous Doppler ultrasound: implications for noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring in the ED.

Abstract Introduction Hemodynamic monitoring is an important aspect of caring for the critically ill patients boarding in the emergency department (ED). The purpose of this study is to investigate the interrater agreement of noninvasive cardiac output measurements using transcutaneous Doppler ultrasound technique. Methods This is a prospective observational cohort study performed in a 32-bed adult ED of an academic tertiary center with approximately 65000 annual patient visits. Patients were enrolled after verbal consent over a 7-month period. The raters were ED personnel involved in patient care. Paired measurements of cardiac index (CI) and stroke volume index (SVI) were obtained from a transcutaneous Doppler ultrasound cardiac output monitor. Results A convenience sample of 107 (50 women and 57 men) patients with a median age of 49 (32, 62) years was enrolled. One hundred two paired measurements were performed in 91 patients in whom adequate Doppler ultrasound signals were obtainable. The raters included 35 emergency medicine attending physicians, 31 emergency medicine residents, 80 medical students, 47 nurses, and 11 emergency medical technicians. Cardiac index range was 0.6 to 5.3 L/min per square meter, and SVI range was 7.7 to 63.0 mL/m 2 . The correlation of CI measurements between 2 raters was good ( r 2 = 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-1.00; P r 2 = 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.81-0.96; P κ = 0.83 with 92.2% agreement) and SVI measurements ( κ = 0.72 with 88.2% agreement). Most patients had an interrater difference below 10% in CI and SVI measurements. Conclusions Emergency department personnel, regardless of their role in patient care, are able to obtain reliable cardiac output measurements in ED patients over a wide range of CI and SVI. Transcutaneous Doppler ultrasound technique may be an alternative to traditional invasive hemodynamic monitoring of critically ill patients presenting to the ED.
Nanoscience to nanotechnology to manufacturing transition

The primary focus of this review is on the transition of nanoscience to nanotechnology to manufacturing, specifically related to nanostructuring of materials for next–generation systems having superior performance. We start with the discussion of intrinsic advantages of nanoscale materials and systematic approach for transition into systems. As the feature (grain) size of solid–state materials decreases, the defect content reduces and below a critical size material can be defect–free. Since these critical sizes for most materials lie in 5–100 nm, there is a fundamental advantage and an unprecedented opportunity to realise the property of a perfect material. Along with this opportunity, there is a major challenge with respect to the large fraction of atoms at the interfaces, which must be engineered to realise the advantages of nanotechnology–based systems. We specifically address nanosystems based upon nanodots and nanolayered materials synthesised by thin film deposition techniques, where recurring themes include nanostructuring of materials to improve performance; thin film epitaxy across the misfit scale for orientation controls; control of defects, interfaces and strains; and integration of nanoscale devices with (100) silicon based microelectronics and nanoelectronics. The systems of interest are based upon strong novel structural materials, nanomagnetics for information storage, nanostructured or Nano Pocket LEDs, variety of smart structures based upon vanadium oxide and novel perovskites integrated with Si(100), and nanotechnology based solutions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce environmental pollution.
Topology dependent space filling curves for sensor networks and applications

In this paper we propose an algorithm to construct a “space filling” curve for a sensor network with holes. Mathematically, for a given multi-hole domain R, we generate a path P that is provably aperiodic (i.e., any point is covered at most a constant number of times) and dense (i.e., any point of R is arbitrarily close to P). In a discrete setting as in a sensor network, the path visits the nodes with progressive density, which can adapt to the budget of the path length. Given a higher budget, the path covers the network with higher density. With a lower budget the path becomes proportional sparser. We show how this density-adaptive space filling curve can be useful for applications such as serial data fusion, motion planning for data mules, sensor node indexing, and double ruling type in-network data storage and retrieval. We show by simulation results the superior performance of using our algorithm vs standard space filling curves and random walks.
The use of additives, temperature, and plant position to increase efficacy of dinoseb for potato (Solanum tuberosum) vine desiccation

Chemical vine desiccation is an important management practice for late season potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Michigan. A number of desiccants are registered; however, most Michigan growers apply dinoseb (2-sec- butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol). Greenhouse experiments were initiated to evaluate the potential of ammonium salts and ethephon (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid) to increase the efficacy of the chemical harvest aids dinoseb and endothall (7-oxabicyclo[2,2,1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid) on potato vines. Temperature and potato vine position were evaluated to determine their influence on vine desiccation. All treatments with endothall applied at 0.6 kg/ha resulted in unsatisfactory potato vine desiccation. Ethephon and ammonium sulfate increased efficacy of dinoseb. High temperature both before and after treatment contributed to greater dinoseb efficacy. The horizontal placing of potato vines resulted in the desired desiccation rating of 9.0 or greater using the combination of dinoseb at 2.8 kg/ha, plus ammonium sulfate at 9 kg/ha plus 2.4 L/ha X-77 surfactant.3
People believe they have more free will than others

Four experiments identify a tendency for people to believe that their own lives are more guided by the tenets of free will than are the lives of their peers. These tenets involve the a priori unpredictability of personal action, the presence of multiple possible paths in a person's future, and the causal power of one's personal desires and intentions in guiding one's actions. In experiment 1, participants viewed their own pasts and futures as less predictable a priori than those of their peers. In experiments 2 and 3, participants thought there were more possible paths (whether good or bad) in their own futures than their peers’ futures. In experiment 4, participants viewed their own future behavior, compared with that of their peers, as uniquely driven by intentions and desires (rather than personality, random features of the situation, or history). Implications for the classic actor–observer bias, for debates about free will, and for perceptions of personal responsibility are discussed.
Fatigue crack initiation and early propagation in Al 2219-T851

Fatigue crack initiation in Al 2219-T851 for fully reversed loading(R = σ/σmax =−1) parallel to the material rolling direction is found to occur at intermetallic inclusions at the specimen surface. The inclusions are not involved in crack initiation for fatigue perpendicular to the rolling direction, and for this orientation crack initiation is at grain boundaries and specimens have an increased fatigue life. Except for fatigue at low peak stress, multiple numbers of microcracks are formed and for selected failed specimens the number of cracks has been determined as a function of crack length. Such crack length distribution measurements show that there is significant retardation of microcracks by interaction with grain boundaries. Furthermore it is found that the coalescence of microcracks provides a mechanism for cracking to “jump“ grain boundaries and reduce fatigue lifetime. The effect of relative humidity on this process is to increase the observed mean crack length, and decrease the number of crack initiations apparently due to weakening of the matrix-intermetallic interface at potential initiation sites. The overall result is that no significant dependence of fatigue life on relative humidity is found.
Regulation of protein synthesis by cholecystokinin in rat pancreatic acini involves PHAS-I and the p70 S6 kinase pathway

Abstract Background & Aims: Cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulates protein synthesis in pancreatic acini at the translational level, although the signaling mechanisms involved remain uncharacterized. Two intermediates controlling translation are p70 S6 kinase and PHAS-I. We previously showed that CCK activates p70 S6K in pancreatic acini through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3K). In the present study we investigated the role of PI 3K, p70 S6K, and PHAS-I in mediating CCK-stimulated protein synthesis. Methods: Protein synthesis was measured by [ 35 S]methionine incorporation into pancreatic protein using acini from rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. p70 S6 K activity was measured. PHAS-I was identified by Western analysis. PHAS-I/eIF-4E association was measured as the amount of PHAS-I recovered after purification of translation factor eIF-4E by 7-methyl guanosine triphosphate–Sepharose. Results: Rapamycin and PI 3K inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, blocked CCK-stimulated p70 S6K activity. Rapamycin inhibited basal protein synthesis and blocked the increase to all CCK concentrations. Wortmannin and LY294002 dose-dependently inhibited basal and CCK-stimulated protein synthesis and also blocked insulin-stimulated protein synthesis. CCK dose-dependently increased PHAS-I phosphorylation via a rapamycin- and LY294002-sensitive pathway and decreased the amount of PHAS-I associated with eIF-4E. Rapamycin and LY294002 eliminated this effect of CCK. Conclusions: CCK stimulation of protein synthesis in pancreatic acini is sensitive to rapamycin and PI 3K inhibitors and involves PHAS-I phosphorylation and its association with eIF-4E. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1998;115:733-742
Priming of peripheral lymph node B cells with TNP-Ficoll: role of lymphokines in B cell differentiation.

Abstract We have previously shown that peripheral lymph node (PLN) B lymphocytes of adult DBA/ 2J mice failed to make an antibody response to type 2 antigen TNP-Ficoll, but exhibited a good antibody response to type 1 antigen TNP- brucella abortus . In the present study we wanted to find out whether the unresponsiveness of PLN B cells to TNP-Ficoll is due to defects in the early activation and proliferation stage or in the final differentiation stage of B cells. Therefore, we have used a two-step protocol of in vivo immunization of mice with TNP-Ficoll and the subsequent in vitro challenge with TNP- Brucella abortus and studied the anti-TNP plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses. The results indicate a three- to sixfold increase of PFC responses in PLN cell cultures derived from TNP-Ficoll-primed animals compared to saline control mice. This increased antibody response was TNP-specific as 93% of the PFC's were inhibited by TNP-lysine. Limiting dilution experiments confirm that the increase in anti-TNP PFC response from the TNP-Ficoll-primed animals was indeed due to an increase in TNP-specific precursor B cells. Further, the addition of rIL-5 or rIL-6 induced anti-TNP PFC in the TNP-Ficoll-primed and in control PLN cell cultures in the presence of antigen. However, in primed PLN cells lymphokines alone were sufficient to restore anti-TNP PFC response. In conclusion, our results show that in PLN, the TNP-Ficoll can induce proliferation of hapten-specific B cells but not final differentiation. These primed PLN B cells mature into antibody-secreting cells upon stimulation with TNP-BA or lymphokines.
Rate coefficients for the O(3P) + Cl2O gas-phase reaction between 230 and 357 K

Rate coefficients, k, for the gas-phase reaction of O(3P) atoms with Cl2O (dichlorine monoxide) over a range of temperatures (230–357 K) at pressures between 12 and 32 Torr (N2) are reported. Rate coefficients were measured under pseudo-first-order conditions in O(3P) using pulsed laser photolysis to produce O(3P) atoms and atomic resonance fluorescence to detect its temporal profile. The rate coefficient temperature dependence is given by the Arrhenius expression k(T) = (1.51 ± 0.20) × 10−11 exp[−(477 ± 30)/T] cm3 molecule−1 s−1, and k(296 K) was measured to be (2.93 ± 0.30) × 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. The quoted uncertainty limits are at the 2σ (95% confidence) level and include estimated systematic errors. The rate coefficients determined in the present study, under conditions that minimized secondary losses of O(3P), are compared with previous results from other laboratories and the discrepancies are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Peiodicals, Inc.* Int J Chem Kinet 43: 312–321, 2011
Cabinet Ministers and Coup Groups: The Case of Thailand

In many countries almost all cabinet ministers are military and civil officials. We can explain this phenomenon if we first consider the relative power (or weakness) of extra- bureaucratic institutions, such as political parties and elected assemblies, and the position of the head of government. When such structures are very weak—as they are in many Third World countries—or even nonexistent—power devolves in large measure upon the state bureaucracy (military as well as civil). It appears to be almost unavoidable that, under such conditions, a small conspiratorial group of men, mainly military officers, should succeed in grasping power by means of a coup d'etat. The will, then, also name to cabinet positions some of their associates in the public services, including both civil and military officials, and nonpromoters of the coup d'etat as well as some of its pro moters. This type of recruitment dynamics is exemplified in a case study based on con temporary Thai history.
Reining in the outliers in map-reduce clusters using Mantri

Experience froman operational Map-Reduce cluster reveals that outliers significantly prolong job completion. The causes for outliers include run-time contention for processor, memory and other resources, disk failures, varying bandwidth and congestion along network paths and, imbalance in task workload. We present Mantri, a system that monitors tasks and culls outliers using cause- and resource-aware techniques. Mantri's strategies include restarting outliers, network-aware placement of tasks and protecting outputs of valuable tasks. Using real-time progress reports, Mantri detects and acts on outliers early in their lifetime. Early action frees up resources that can be used by subsequent tasks and expedites the job overall. Acting based on the causes and the resource and opportunity cost of actions lets Mantri improve over prior work that only duplicates the laggards. Deployment in Bing's production clusters and trace-driven simulations show that Mantri improves job completion times by 32%.
Triple Risk: Do Difficult Temperament and Family Conflict Increase the Likelihood of Behavioral Maladjustment in Children Born Low Birth Weight and Preterm?

Objective This study examined the impact of family conflict on internalizing and externalizing behavior at age 8 for children born low birth weight (LBW) and preterm (PT), with specific attention to the moderating role of early temperament. Methods The sample included 728 families enrolled in the longitudinal study of the Infant Health and Development Program. The study relied on maternal reports of child temperament at age 1, family conflict at age 6½ years and 8 years, and child behavior at age 8 years. Results Children exposed to high levels of family conflict had more internalizing problems. Child temperament assessed in infancy moderated the impact of family conflict on externalizing but not internalizing problem behavior. Discussion LBW/PT children with a difficult temperament are more at risk for poor developmental outcomes, such as externalizing behavior problems, when exposed to family conflict than children with a less difficult temperament.