cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cyclic motility in canine colon: responses to feeding and perfusion.

To further characterize colonic motility in the dog and to examine the effects of intraluminal contents, motor activity in conscious animals was recorded by perfused intraluminal catheters. Animals were studied first with the bowel intact and, later, the colon was fashioned into an isolated loop. In the fasting state, cycles of motility recurred approximately each 30 min. These consisted of sequences of phasic contractions (bursts) that migrated variable distances in either direction; stationary bursts were also recorded. The fasting patterns recorded from intact bowel and isolated loops were not different. Feeding increased colonic motility, and the mean periodicity of cyclic bursts was reduced significantly to approximately 20 min. Moreover, differences were observed between intact bowel and isolated loops in the postprandial period. Diversion of chyme from the colon significantly reduced the motor response to food, but only in the late (2– 4 hr) postprandial period, when the less frequent, fasting cycle returned to the loops. Perfusion of isolated loops with chyme or saline reestablished the postprandial pattern seen in intact bowel. The results suggest that the volume, but not the composition, of luminal contents modify postprandial motility in the canine colon. Additional experiments confirmed that, in particular, volatile fatty acids were probably not important determinants of colonic motility in the dog.
Behavioral studies of binocular competition in cats.

Abstract Cats were raised with one eye sutured and the other removed. We wished to determine whether: (1) the deprived eye would develop a visual field of normal extent (135°) as might be expected on the basis of the competitive advantage that this eye enjoys within the geniculo-cortical pathways, (2) the deprived eye, in the absence of pattern vision, would develop only 90° of vision, as happens in binocularly deprived cats. In these experiments the deprived eye developed only 90° of vision. This may represent a failure of normal geniculo-cortical development, a failure probably due to lack of a spatially patterned visual environment.
Hyponatremia associated with Ipilimumab-induced hypophysitis

A 75-year-old woman with a history of stage IV metastatic melanoma underwent treatment with the CTLA-4 blocking agent Ipilimumab. She presented 2 months after initiating treatment with a severe headache. Laboratories were consistent with severe hyponatremia. MRI of the brain revealed enlargement of the pituitary gland, enhancement of the infundibulum, and an enhancing, centrally necrotic foci in the anterior pituitary. Based on the clinical and radiographic findings, she was diagnosed with treatment-related syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Effective treatment consisted of fluid restriction, hyperosmolar therapy, and steroids.
Spin relaxation in isotopically purified silicon quantum dots

Abstract We investigate spin-flip processes of Si quantum dots due to spin–orbit coupling. We utilize the spin–orbit coupling constants related to bulk and structure inversion asymmetry obtained numerically for two-dimensional heterostructures. We find that the spin-flip rate is very sensitive to these coupling constants. We investigate the nuclei-mediated spin-flip process and find the level of Si 29 concentration for which this mechanism becomes dominant.
Strain in CVD diamond films: effects of deposition variables

Abstract The strain in diamond films deposited on tungsten by the hot filament assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process has been investigated as a function of substrate temperature, methane content, system pressure and gas flow rate by the X-ray diffraction technique. In the thickness range of 4–10 μm, the total macrostrain increases linearly with thickness. The thermal strain is compressive and varies mildly with the temperature. The intrinsicstrain is tensile in nature and increases with increase in deposition temperature (1173–1323 K), system pressure (10–50 Torr), and gas flow rate (40–600 sccm), while it decreases with an increase in the methane content of the input gas mixture (0.1–1.5 vol.%). The microcrystalline strain increases with increasing substrate temperature and gas flow rate but decreases with increasing methane content. It does not correlate with system pressure. Polycrystalline films exhibit preferred orientation. The film texture correlates with deposition temperature, methane content and pressure but not with gas flow rate.
Remote sensing of within-class change in urban neighborhood structures

Two conceptual models for urban neighborhood change and urban landscape ecology are used to devise an integrative methodology for measuring temporal changes in the urban morphology of Los Angeles, California, based on the techniques of multiple endmember spectral mixture analysis (MESMA), landscape metrics, and fuzzy logic. To illustrate an application of the methodology, the research utilizes two Landsat Thematic Mapper images acquired in 1990 and 2000. Through a wall-to-wall exercise, the paper discusses: (1) how the spatially continuous character of the urban morphology in Los Angeles is analyzed through the use of MESMA technique to capture and quantify within-class changes in land cover at the sub-pixel level; (2) how the magnitude of land cover changes is assessed through fuzzy logic; and (3) how landscape metrics are applied to quantify patterns of change in land cover at the census tract level. The results of the case study indicate that the integration of MESMA, fuzzy logic and landscape metrics can provide a systematic way to derive comparable measures of change in urban neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Further research is however needed to develop more rigorous methods for assessing the accuracy of land cover fractions generated by MESMA. The paper concludes with a discussion of how the proposed methodology may present a step towards a closer integration of remote sensing technology into the reformation of planning policies concerning urban sustainable development.
Modification of norepinephrine tachyphylaxis by guanethidine.

SummaryPressor responses to repeated injections of norepinephrine were recorded in a control group of dogs and in dogs pre-treated with guanethidine. The results indicate that guanethidine maintains the pressor response of norepinephrine, i.e., delays tachyphylaxis to norepinephrine.
Outcome of adult umbilical cord blood transplant patients admitted to a medical intensive care unit

Umbilical cord blood transplant (UCBT) has emerged as an alternate source of stem cells for transplantation in patients with hematologic malignancies. However, outcomes of adult UCBT patients requiring ICU admission remain unknown. In order to identify predictors of ICU transfer and mortality in UCBT patients, the course and outcome of all adult (> or = 16 years old) patients who underwent UCBT between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2003 at University Hospitals of Cleveland were analyzed. Forty-four patients underwent UCBT during the study period and 25 (57%) required ICU transfer. Use of a myeloablative preparative regimen was a significant predictor of ICU transfer (P = 0.03). An infusion of higher numbers of nucleated cells was protective from ICU transfer (P = 0.05). For those patients transferred to the ICU, mortality was 72%. The univariate predictors of mortality, at the time of ICU admission were a high APACHE III score (P = 0.0004), use of vasopressors (P = 0.03), and a low platelet count (P = 0.03). We conclude that transfer of UCBT patients to an ICU may be predicted by their preparative regimen, while ICU mortality may be predicted by physiologic parameters upon admission.
Thermally Driven Assembly of Nanoparticles in Polymer Matrices

Thermally responsive bulk polymer films utilizing reversible Diels−Alder chemistry have been developed. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were passivated with thiol-terminated poly(styrene)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) (PS-b-PEG) copolymer ligand, where the PS and PEG blocks are joined via a Diels−Alder (DA) linkage. The ligand-functionalized nanoparticles were dispersed within a microphase-separated PS-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) block copolymer. Nanoparticle location was dictated by the compatibility of the external shell with the block copolymer matrix. As cast, the PEG shell compatibilized the nanoparticles with the PMMA domains. Subsequent thermal treatment caused the Diels−Alder linkages between the polymer blocks to dissociate, leaving the AuNPs functionalized by PS ligands. Immiscibility within the PMMA matrix caused AuNP migration to the PS domains. Migration of the Au nanoparticles was determined using morphological characterization via small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and cross-sectional tra...
A C. elegans homolog of Huntingtin-Associated Protein 1 is Expressed in Chemosensory Neurons and in a Number of Other Somatic Cell Types

Huntingtin-associated protein 1 (HAP1) is a binding partner for huntingtin, the protein responsible for Huntington's disease. In mammals, HAP1 is mostly found in brain where it is expressed in neurons. Although several functions have been proposed for HAP1, its role has not yet been clearly established. In this paper, we report on the identification of a HAP1 Caenorhabditis elegans homolog called T27A3.1. T27A3.1 shows conservation with rat and human HAP1, as well as with Milton, a Drosophila HAP1 homolog. To determine the cellular expression of T27A3.1 (multiple isoforms; a-e), we generated several transgenic worm lines expressing a fluorescent reporter protein [green fluorescent protein (GFP) and DsRed2] under the control of the promoter for T27A3.1. We have found that T27A3.1 is expressed in many cell types including a subset of chemosensory neurons in the head and tail. These include the amphid chemosensory neurons ASKL and R, ASIL and R, ADFL and ASEL, the phasmid neurons PHBL and R, and the CAN neurons that are required for worm survival.
Fracture analysis of nonhomogeneous materials via a moduli-perturbation approach

Abstract This paper presents a first-order moduli-perturbation algorithm for fracture analysis of nonhomogeneous materials. The formulation is based on the Bueckner-Rice weight function theory. In the perturbation procedure a homogeneous body is chosen as the reference so that non-homogeneous quantities are treated as being perturbed from the reference solutions. It is shown that the perturbation formulae can be derived from the potential energy bounds for nonhomogeneous materials, but they generally do not give bounds for estimating stress intensity factors. The perturbation algorithm is applied to calculate the stress intensity factors for several crack problems involving spatially varying material moduli. Comparisons with a few exact solutions indicate that the perturbation results give reasonable predictions over a substantial range of moduli variation. The solution for a cracked body with sinusoidally-varying shear modulus is obtained from perturbation analysis and then used to construct general solutions for arbitrarily-varying modulus via Fourier analysis.
Redirecting blaming in marital psychotherapy

This paper will address the methods utilized in encouraging the redirection of blaming in marital therapy. In this author's view, significant and lasting changes in marital interaction require that each spouse address his or her individual contributions to the conflictual relationship. Case material will be presented which illustrates the couple's shift from nonproductive blaming to greater self-understanding as the therapist orchestrates the shift from externalization to self-exploration.
Systemic lupus erythematosus in three ethnic groups. VIII. Predictors of early mortality in the LUMINA cohort

Objective To determine the features associated with mortality in a multiethnic US cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) within 5 years of study onset. Methods Socioeconomic and demographic features (age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education, occupation, poverty, and health-related behaviors [drinking, smoking, exercising]), clinical and immunologic features (disease duration, disease onset type, disease activity according to the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure [SLAM], disease damage according to the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics [SLICC] Damage Index [SDI], number of American College of Rheumatology criteria at diagnosis, organ system manifestations, fatigue and pain ratings, and medication usage and autoantibodies), immunogenetic features (HLA class II genotypes), and behavioral and psychosocial features (social support, illness-related behaviors, and helplessness), as obtained at enrollment into the study, were compared between survivors and deceased patients. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine significant independent risk factors for mortality. Results Within 5 years of study onset, 34 of 288 patients have died. Fourteen deaths could be directly attributed to SLE and 11 to infections. In 1 patient the cause of death could not be determined. In the remaining 8 patients the cause of death was neither infectious nor disease-related. There were 10 deaths among Hispanics, 18 among African Americans, and 6 among Caucasians (P< 0.05). Variables associated with mortality in the univariable analyses included poverty, less than full-time employment, difficulty in accessing health care, shorter disease duration, cardiovascular and renal involvement, higher serum creatinine levels and lower hematocrit values, higher SLAM and SDI scores, lower use of antimalarial drugs, and higher use of (some) immunosuppressants. Specific autoantibodies and class II HLA genotypes were not associated with mortality. Poverty and higher baseline SLAM and SDI scores were independently associated with mortality in the multivariable analyses. Conclusions Disease activity, disease damage, and poverty appear to be the most important determinants of mortality in this multiethnic US cohort of SLE patients. These results have applicability to the management of patients with SLE, a disease that more severely affects disadvantaged minority population groups.
Physical activity elicits sustained activation of the cyclic AMP response element-binding protein and mitogen-activated protein kinase in the rat hippocampus

Abstract To elucidate molecular mechanisms involved in physical activity-induced beneficial effects on brain function, we studied in rats the influence of voluntary running on the activation in the hippocampus of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK). These are signaling molecules that play critical roles in synaptic plasticity, including learning and memory. Exercise resulted in an increase in the level of the activated transcription factor, CREB phosphorylated at Ser-133. The amount of the activated transcription factor about doubled already after 1 night of running and remained elevated for at least a week, although control levels were restored after 1 month of exercise. In addition, binding activity in nuclear extracts to cyclic AMP response element (CRE) motif containing oligonucleotides increased significantly in the hippocampus after 3 nights of exercise, although the total amount of the immunochemically identified CREB remained unaltered. Electrophoretic mobility supershift assays indicated that the increased binding was due to the recruitment of members of this transcription factor family, in addition to the CREB proper. Voluntary running also resulted in an increase in the level of phosphorylated MAPK (both p42 and p44). The time-courses of the increases in the level of the phosphorylated protein kinase and the activated transcription factor were different. In comparison with the activated CREB, the increase in the phosphorylated MAPK was delayed, but lasted longer, being detectable even after 1 month of exercise. These observations are consistent with the view that the relatively long-lasting activation of these signaling molecules participates in the regulation of genes, such as the neurotrophin genes, and contributes to the beneficial effects of physical exercise on brain function.
REVERSE MATHEMATICS OF FIRST-ORDER THEORIES WITH FINITELY MANY MODELS

We examine the reverse-mathematical strength of several theorems in classical and effective model theory concerning first-order theories and their number of models. We prove that, among these, most are equivalent to one of the familiar systems RCA 0 , WKL 0 , or ACA 0 . We are led to a purely model-theoretic statement that implies WKL 0 but refutes ACA 0 over RCA 0 .
REFRAMING THE ORGANIZATION: WHY IMPLEMENTING TOTAL QUALITY IS EASIER SAID THAN DONE

This article presents a cognitive theory of why planned organizational change efforts, such as total quality initiatives, often fail. The theory suggests that employees resist total quality because their beliefs about the organization's identity constrain understanding and create cognitive opposition to radical change. We propose a dynamic model in which successful implementation of fundamental organizational transformation is partly dependent on management's ability to re-frame the change over time. Implementation may best be accomplished through a series of middle-range changes that are large enough to overcome cognitive inertia and relieve organizational stress, but not so large that members believe the proposed change is unobtainable or undesirable.
Molecular cloning of the olfactory neuronal transcription factor Olf-1 by genetic selection in yeast.

A novel genetic selection in yeast has been used to isolate a complementary DNA for the transcriptional activator, Olf-1, which binds to the regulatory sequences of several olfactory-specific genes. The Olf-1 protein, expressed exclusively in the olfactory receptor neurons and their precursors, contains a new helix–loop–helix motif and functions as an apparent homodimer. Olf-1 may be the first member of a family of related proteins that may direct cellular differentiation in a variety of neuronal tissues.
An empirical investigation of concerns of everyday tracking and recording technologies

This paper presents an exploration and analysis of attitudes towards everyday tracking and recording technologies (e. g., credit cards, store loyalty cards, store video cameras). Interview participants reported being highly concerned with information privacy. At the same time, however, they also reported being significantly less concerned regarding the use of everyday technologies that have the capabilities to collect, process, and disseminate personal information. We present results from this study that both identify and begin to explain this discrepancy.
PHOTOSYNTHETIC PATHWAYS OF HESPERALOE FUNIFERA AND H. NOCTURNA (AGAYACEAE): NOVEL SOURCES OF SPECIALTY FIBERS.

Hesperaloe funifera and H. nocturna are currently being studied as potential new sources of fibers for specialty papers. This study investigated canopy architecture and light interception in H. funifera, and gas exchange in both species. H. funifera is an acaulescent rosette species with stiff, upright leaves. Mean leaf angle for 3-year-old plants was 70° from horizontal, and more than 90% of the leaf surface was at angles greater than 50°. Vertical orientation of leaves reduced seasonal variation in light interception and midday light interception during summer months. High leaf angles are interpreted as an adaptation to arid habitats that could reduce this species' suitability for cultivation in more humid areas. Both H. funifera and H. nocturna had leaf-tissue water contents and mesophyll-succulence values intermediate between previously investigated Agavaceae known to be either C3 or Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants. Both species proved to have CAM, however. Gas exchange characteristics varied with leaf age, with older leaves having higher assimilation rates, greater water-use efficiency, and a higher proportion of nighttime CO2 uptake. Interestingly, these older leaves had mesophyll succulence values closer to those of typical C3 species. These Hesperaloe species can thus be characterized as nonsucculent CAM plants. Both species showed CO2 uptake rates of 5-8 μmol m-2 sec-1 expressed on a total-surface-area basis and 10-18 μmol m-2 sec-1 expressed on a projected-leaf-area basis. Expanded cultivation of species possessing CAM in marginal areas has been recommended recently; the physiological studies reported here along with previous studies of their economic botany identify these Hesperaloe species as good crop candidates for dry regions.
The effects of temperature and aging of Drosophila males on the frequencies of XXY and XO progeny.

Abstract Drosophila males of the constitution y/y+Y were aged for 10 days at 25° and 10° and then mated daily for 13 days at 25° to virgin yw (XX) females. The total frequencies of exceptional XXY and XO offspring to which the father contributed either (a) both an X and a Y chromosome, or (b) neither of them, were highly significantly more numbers in the 7th- and 8th-day broods of the 10° than the 25° pre-aged series. In all experiments the frequency of paternal XO exceptions was greatly in excess of that of XXY exceptions. The data on brood patterns suggest that the stages most sensitive to the production of paternal exceptions by pre-aging at 10° are those of the primary spermatocytes. The same stages are also sensitive to low temperature induction of temporarily low fertility.
Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities: A Multiattribute Examination of Desirability Factors

This study investigated the factors important in older individuals' attraction to and satisfaction with apartment complexes that become naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs). Quantitative measures examining the relative importance of various apartment complex attributes in attracting older and younger people to apartments that have and have not become NORCs were obtained by using a multiattribute scaling procedure. Results are presented from two main perspectives: a comparison of the factors attracting older residents to NORCs and non-NORCs; and a comparison of the factors attracting older and younger residents to NORCs.
Peasant Survival Strategies in Late Imperial Russia: The Social Uses of the Mental Hospital

This paper examines the social functions of the asylum in late imperial Russia based upon analysis of asylum annual reports and related documents. Seasonal variations in patient admissions and discharges suggest that the use of asylums fluctuated according to the requirements of the peasant economy. My evidence also indicates that the asylum fulfilled essentially the same functions for workers and patients, and that to a certain extent the two statuses were interchangeable. While the asylum remained a powerful and coercive means of social control, the beleagured peasant population managed to incorporate the institution into its increasingly desperate strategies for survival.
Sequencing with Earliness and Tardiness Penalties: A Review

We consider the problem of scheduling n jobs to minimize the total earliness and tardiness penalty. We review the literature on this topic, providing a framework to show how results have been generalized starting with a basic model that contains symmetric penalties, one machine and a common due date. To this base we add such features as parallel machines, complex penalty functions and distinct due dates. We also consolidate many of the existing results by proving general forms of two key properties of earliness/tardiness models.
Can nitrogen budgets explain differences in soil nitrogen mineralization rates of forest stands along an elevation gradient

Abstract Nitrogen (N) mineralization rates in forest systems typically decrease with decreasing temperature. Temperature decreases with increasing elevation. Thus, N mineralization rates are expected to decrease with increasing elevation. However, soil N mineralization rates at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, NC, USA are higher at the highest elevation. Causes of higher mineralization rates at the higher elevation have yet to be explained. Alternative hypotheses to explain patterns of mineralization rates along this elevation gradient include (1) a mineralization promoter in decomposing herbs, leaf litter, or soil of the high elevation, (2) low pH in the low elevation soils which inhibit mineralization, (3) greater total N pools at the high elevation, (4) low moisture availability in low elevation soils, (5) differences in soil texture, and (6) differences in biological communities. Previous studies did not support our N mineralization promoter hypothesis, nor does soil pH explain mineralization rates. In this study we constructed N budgets for a high elevation northern hardwood and a low elevation oak-pine site to determine if differences in N pools and fluxes are sufficient to explain differences in N mineralization rates. Evaluating N in the upper 0–10 cm of mineral soil, forest floor, overstory biomass, annual canopy litter fall, understory herb turnover, rainfall, canopy throughfall, and in soil solution, we found that the high elevation stand has more stored N and greater N fluxes than does the low elevation stand. The high elevation stand has many characteristics of a stand in an early stage of N saturation, while the low elevation stand characterizes an N-limited forest. Causes of greater N storages and fluxes at the high elevation northern hardwood site are not obvious.
Statistical power: Concepts, procedures, and applications

This paper discusses the concept of statistical power and its application to psychological research. Power, the probability that a significance test will produce a significant result when the null hypothesis is false, often is neglected with potentially serious consequences. The concept of power should be considered as part of planning and interpreting research. This article provides explication of the concept of power and suggestions for researchers to increase the power of their investigations.
Fold Homology Detection Using Sequence Fragment Composition Profiles of Proteins

The effectiveness of sequence alignment in detecting structural homology among protein sequences decreases markedly when pairwise sequence identity is low (the so-called “twilight zone” problem of sequence alignment). Alternative sequence comparison strategies able to detect structural kinship among highly divergent sequences are necessary to address this need. Among them are alignment-free methods, which use global sequence properties (such as amino acid composition) to identify structural homology in a rapid and straightforward way. We explore the viability of using tetramer sequence fragment composition profiles in finding structural relationships that lie undetected by traditional alignment. We establish a strategy to recast any given protein sequence into a tetramer sequence fragment composition profile, using a series of amino acid clustering steps that have been optimized for mutual information. Our method has the effect of compressing the set of 160,000 unique tetramers (if using the 20-letter amino acid alphabet) into a more tractable number of reduced tetramers (around 15 to 30), so that a meaningful tetramer composition profile can be constructed. We test remote homology detection at the topology and fold superfamily levels using a comprehensive set of fold homologs, culled from the CATH database, that share low pairwise sequence similarity. Using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) measure, we demonstrate potentially significant improvement in using information-optimized reduced tetramer composition, over methods relying only on the raw amino acid composition or on traditional sequence alignment, in homology detection at or below the “twilight zone”.
Prognostic Vascular Imaging Biomarkers in High-Grade Gliomas: Tumor Permeability as an Adjunct to Blood Volume Estimates

Rationale and Objectives Despite recent advances in the treatment of high-grade gliomas, overall survival (OS) remains poor, which underlines the importance of searching for and determining prognostic imaging biomarkers. The purpose of our retrospective study was to correlate patient survival with relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and permeability surface area-product (PS) measured using perfusion computed tomography (PCT) in patients with high-grade gliomas. Methods This study was composed of 54 patients with high-grade gliomas (World Health Organization [WHO] grade III, n = 14; WHO grade IV, n = 40) who underwent pretreatment PCT. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were computed to describe OS for patients with high-versus-low PCT parameters, as well as grade III and IV gliomas. Results Differences in OS between high and low rCBV, PS, and rCBV + PS were significant (P Conclusions Blood volume and permeability estimates measured using PCT can help predict survival in patients with high-grade gliomas. Patients with high PCT parameters showed worse OS compared to the patients with low PCT. Both rCBV and rCBV + PS remained statistically significant even after adjustment for WHO grade, suggesting these may be better predictors of OS than histological grade.
Test Resource Partitioning and Reduced Pin-Count Testing Based on Test Data Compression

We present a new test resource partitioning (TRP) technique for reduced pin-count testing of system-on-a-chip (SOC). The proposed technique is based on test data compression and on-chip decompression. It makes effective use of frequency-directed run-length codes, internal scan chains, and boundary scan chains. The compression/decompression scheme decreases test data volume and the amount of data that has to be transported from the tester to the SOC We show via analysis as well as through experiments that the proposed TRP scheme reduces testing time and allows the use of a slower tester with fewer I/O channels. Finally, we show that an uncompacted test set applied to an embedded core after on-chip decompression is likely to increase defect coverage.
Killing of spores of Bacillus subtilis by peroxynitrite appears to be caused by membrane damage

During an infection of a higher eukaryote, dormant spores of a Bacillus species have been previously shown to be present in cells that can generate the toxic agent peroxynitrite (PON). Dormant spores of Bacillus subtilis were much more resistant to killing by PON than were growing cells, and spore-coat alteration or removal greatly decreased PON resistance. Spores were not killed by PON through DNA damage and lost no dipicolinic acid (DPA) during PON treatment. However, PON-killed spores lost DPA during subsequent heat treatments that caused much less DPA release from untreated spores. Although dead, the PON-killed spores germinated and initiated metabolism but never went through outgrowth; the great majority of germinated PON-killed spores also took up propidium iodide, indicating that they had suffered significant membrane damage and were dead. Together these data suggest that spore killing by PON is through some type of damage to the spore's inner membrane.
Crystal Structure of Carnitine Acetyltransferase and Implications for the Catalytic Mechanism and Fatty Acid Transport

Summary muscle, including muscle pain and myoglobinuria (DiMauro and Melis-DiMauro, 1973). Both single-point muCarnitine acyltransferases have crucial roles in the tations and insertions/deletions in these genes have transport of fatty acids for -oxidation. Dysregulation been observed to produce the clinical phenotype. Inherof these enzymes can lead to serious diseases in hu- ited deficiency in CRAT activity can lead to serious neumans, and they are targets for therapeutic develop- rological and heart problems, and patients suffering ment against diabetes. We report the crystal struc- from Alzheimer’s disease also have reduced CRAT activtures of murine carnitine acetyltransferase (CRAT), ity (Brunner et al., 1997). alone and in complex with its substrate carnitine or Carnitine acyltransferases are promising targets for CoA. The structure contains two domains. Surpris- the development of therapeutic agents against several ingly, these two domains share the same backbone human diseases. Inhibitors of L-CPT-I, an isoform of fold, which is also similar to that of chloramphenicol CPT-I that is mostly expressed in liver, kidney, and fibroacetyltransferase and dihydrolipoyl transacetylase. blasts, are efficacious for the treatment of non-insulinThe active site is located at the interface between the dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (Anderson, 1998; two domains. Carnitine and CoA are bound in deep Giannessi et al., 2001; Ramsay et al., 2001; Wagman channels in the enzyme, on opposite sides of the cata- and Nuss, 2001), where disrupted glucose levels are lytic His343 residue. The structural information pro- caused at least in part by increased fatty acid oxidation. vides a molecular basis for understanding the catalysis A covalent inhibitor of L-CPT-I, etomoxir, can lower by carnitine acyltransferases and for designing their blood glucose levels in diabetic animals and humans, inhibitors. Specifically, our structural information sug- demonstrating the feasibility of this type of inhibitors. gests that the substrate carnitine may assist the catal- The clinical applications of such irreversible inhibitors ysis by stabilizing the oxyanion in the reaction interme- are unfortunately severely limited by their toxic side efdiate. fects. The design and development of new, reversible inhibitors of L-CPT-I has so far been a rather challenging
How to Prove Algebraic Inductive Hypotheses Without Induction

This paper proves the correctness of algebraic methods for deciding the equivalence of expressions by applying rewrite rules, and for proving inductive equational hypotheses without using induction; it also shows that the equations true in the initial algebra are just those provable by structural induction. The major results generalize, simplify and rigorize Musser's method for proving inductive hypotheses with the Knuth-Bendix algorithm; our approach uses a very general result, that (under certain conditions) an equation is true iff it is consistent. Finally, we show how these results can be extended to proving the correctness of an implementation of one data abstraction by another.
A Study of Ta 2 O 5 for use as High Temperature Piezoelectric Sensors

Acoustic sensors which can function at high temperatures have important potential uses. In this work we report on the deposition, characterization and qualitative assessment of piezoelectric behaviour of orthorhombic Ta 2 O 5 • It is shown that orthorhombic Ta 2 O 5 belongs to the class 2mm. XRD analysis of films annealed for 1 min., 10 min. and 1 hr at 800°C and 900°C reveal the formation of (0 0 1), (1 10 0) and (1 11 0) orientations at 800 °C, but the (1 10 0) increases at the expense of the other two as the annealing period is extended. At 900°C the dominant orientations are (1 10 0) and (2 9 0). The piezoelectric effect is significantly stronger after annealing and the stronger piezoelectric effect does not correlate with the presence of (1 10 0) and (2 9 0) so much as with the absence of (0 0 1) and (1 11 0).
A holographic c-theorem for higher derivative gravity

We prove a holographic c-theorem for the a central charge in AdS/CFT where the bulk is described by a gravitational action built out of an arbitrary function f(R^{ab}_{cd}) of the Riemann tensor coupled to bulk matter. This theorem holds provided a generalized null energy condition involving both matter and higher curvature gravitational interactions is satisfied. As an example, we consider the case of a curvature-squared action, and find that generically the generalized null energy condition involves not just the bulk matter, but also the sign of R" where a prime denotes a radial derivative and where R is the bulk scalar curvature.
METABOLIC SEGREGATION OF INTRACELLULAR FREE AMINO ACIDS IN PLATYMONAS (CHLOROPHYTA)1

14C-amino acids were supplied to Platymonas subcordiformis (Wille) Hazen and the incorporation of radioactivity into protein and other compounds was followed. Alanine was rapidly metabolized by both N-limited and N-sufficient cells. Arginine and lysine were metabolized rapidly by N-limited cells, but were sequestered from metabolism in N-sufficient cells. This suggests the existence of two functionally distinct pools; a “metabolic” pool that is rapidly metabolized and preferentially used for incorporation into protein, and a “storage” pool rich in basic amino acids that is sequestered from metabolism.
A prospective study to assess in vivo optical coherence tomography imaging for early detection of chemotherapy‐induced oral mucositis

Background and Objective Oral mucositis (OM) is a common and severe complication of many cancer therapies. Currently, prediction and early detection are not possible and objective monitoring remains problematic. Goal of this prospective study is to assess non-invasive imaging using optical coherence tomography (OCT) for early detection and evaluation of chemotherapy-induced OM in 48 patients, 12 of whom developed clinical mucositis.
Analysis of nonlinear optical switching in an erbium-doped fiber

A mathematical model of the strong, resonantly enhanced nonlinear phase shift recently reported in Er-doped fibers which relates the phase shift and signal loss to the fiber parameters and the pump and signal wavelengths, is presented. Predictions are in fair agreement with the phase shift and loss measured in an experimental Er-doped fiber switch based on this effect. A strong, nearly wavelength independent contribution to the nonlinear phase shift is observed in the switch. The model suggests that this effect is due to the same nonlinear effect arising from one or more vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) transitions in Er/sup 3+/. >
Delivering the Physical Therapy Value Proposition: A Call to Action

In 2009, the United States spent more than $2.5 trillion, or 17.6% of its gross domestic product, on health care.1 Furthermore, expenditures are projected to grow an average of 6.1% per year from 2009 to 2019.1 Long-term performance of the health care delivery system is widely viewed to be unsustainable economically.2 Concern about financial sustainability is magnified by the recognition that increased health care spending does not fully address the needs of Americans or result in higher-quality care or greater patient satisfaction with the delivery system. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) noted that rapid technological expansion and subsequent complexity resulted in safety failures and suboptimal benefits.3 This report, along with other health policy studies,4–6 indicated a high variability in health care delivery across the nation. Sociodemographic disparities and inadequate access to needed services for many individuals are compounded by the high cost and variable quality of health care.7 In 2010, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) reported that racial and ethnic minorities and individuals with lower socioeconomic status often receive poorer quality of care and have greater difficulty accessing care compared with individuals who are white or who earn higher incomes. Furthermore, 1 in 5 Americans experience delays in or denials of needed health care.8 Inadequate access is particularly troubling given the projected need for services. By 2030, individuals aged 65 years and older will account for almost 20% of the total US population. Approximately 40% of this cohort is estimated to have a disability and is in need of health care services.9 This paradox of high costs, variable quality, and inconsistent access to services in the face of overwhelming demand was central to the health care reform deliberations that resulted in passage of the Patient Protection and …
Using proglacial-threshold lakes to constrain fluctuations of the Jakobshavn Isbræ ice margin, western Greenland, during the Holocene

Abstract The future response of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GIS) and its potential contribution to sea level rise are uncertain. Rapid changes of Greenland’s outlet glaciers over the past decade have made it difficult to extrapolate ice sheet change into the future. This significant short-term variability highlights the need for longer-term, geologic (e.g., Holocene) records of ice margin fluctuations. However, a major challenge with reconstructing the GIS during the Holocene stems from it having been smaller than it is at present, thus traditional glacial geologic approaches are not suitable. We use radiocarbon-dated sediment sequences from seven proglacial-threshold lakes spanning ∼50 km of the western GIS margin near Jakobshavn Isbrae to constrain the timing of early Holocene deglaciation, the duration that this sector of the western GIS was smaller than its present configuration, and the timing of its advance during Neoglaciation. Our reconstructions suggest deglaciation ∼7300 cal yr BP, minimum ice extent ∼6000–5000 cal yr BP and smaller-than-present ice configuration until at least ∼2300 cal yr BP for the ice margin south of Jakobshavn Isbrae, and until ∼400 cal yr BP for the ice margin north of Jakobshavn Isbrae. One relatively large proglacial lake that became briefly ice-free during the middle Holocene lies in a catchment that likely extends 10s of km inland beneath the GIS, suggesting significant middle Holocene retreat of this portion of the GIS. The overall pattern of ice sheet change is inconsistent with existing ice sheet model reconstructions for this region, but is consistent with numerous paleoclimate proxy and relative sea level data. These continuous lacustrine records corroborate, but provide closer age control than, existing non-continuous records of radiocarbon-dated reworked bivalves from historical moraines in the region. Reconstructing ice margin change from proglacial-threshold lakes is one of few approaches with the potential to constrain smaller-than-present ice sheet extent.
A Mixture of Wit and Whimsy

This section contains a potpourri of questions involving logic, probability, and the technique of drawing inferences from observations. They have one common thread—the usual one: they were designed to mislead you.
Effects of invasive European bird cherry ( Prunus padus ) on leaf litter processing by aquatic invertebrate shredder communities in urban Alaskan streams

European bird cherry (Prunus padus) (EBC) is an invasive ornamental tree that is spreading rapidly in riparian forests of urban Alaska. To determine how the spread of EBC affects leaf litter processing by aquatic invertebrate shredders, we conducted complementary leaf pack experiments in two streams located in Anchorage, Alaska. The first experiment contrasted invasive EBC with three native tree species—thin-leaf alder (Alnus tenuifolia), paper birch (Betula neoalaskana), and black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa)—in one reach of Chester Creek; finding that EBC leaf litter broke down significantly faster than birch and cottonwood, but at a similar rate to alder. The second experiment contrasted EBC with alder in four reaches of Campbell and Chester creeks; finding that while EBC leaf litter broke down significantly faster than alder in Chester Creek, EBC broke down at a similar rate to alder in Campbell Creek. Although EBC sometimes supported fewer shredders by both count and mass, shredder communities did not differ significantly between EBC and native plants. Collectively, these data suggest that invasive EBC is not currently exhibiting strong negative impacts on leaf litter processing in these streams, but could if it continues to spread and further displaces native species over time.
Modular processes in mind and brain

One approach to understanding a complex process starts with an attempt to divide it into modules·, sub-processes that are independent in some sense, and have distinct functions. In this paper, I discuss an approach to the modular decomposition of neural and mental processes. Several examples of process decomposition are presented, together with discussion of inferential requirements. Two examples are of well-established and purely behavioural realizations of the approach (signal detection theory applied to discrimination data; the method of additive factors applied to reaction-time data), and lead to the identification of mental modules. Other examples, leading to the identification of modular neural processes, use brain measures, including the fMRI signal, the latencies of electrophysiological events, and their amplitudes. Some measures are pure (reflecting just one process), while others are composite. Two of the examples reveal mental and neural modules that correspond. Attempts to associate brain regions with behaviourally defined processing modules that use a brain manipulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation, TMS) are promising but incomplete. I show why the process-decomposition approach discussed here, in which the criterion for modularity is separate modifiability, is superior for modular decomposition to the more frequently used task comparison procedure (often used in cognitive neuropsychology) and to its associated subtraction method. To demonstrate the limitations of task comparison, I describe the erroneous conclusion to which it has led about sleep deprivation, and the interpretive difficulties in a TMS study.
Antigen persistence is required throughout the expansion phase of a CD4(+) T cell response.

For CD8+ T cells, a relatively short antigen pulse seems sufficient for antigen-presenting cells to drive clonal expansion and differentiation. It is unknown whether the requirement for antigen is similarly ephemeral for CD4+ T cells. To study the dependence of a CD4+ T cell response on antigen persistence in a quantitatively and temporally controlled manner in vivo, we engineered a mouse line expressing a major histocompatibility complex class II–restricted epitope in dendritic cells under the control of a tetracycline-inducible promoter. Experiments tracking the proliferation of CD4+ T cells exposed to their cognate antigen in various amounts for different time periods revealed that the division of such cells was contingent on the presence of antigen throughout their expansion phase, even in the presence of an inflammatory stimulus. This previously unrecognized feature of a CD4+ T cell response contrasts with the proliferative behavior of CD8+ T cells that has been documented, and it implies that the two T cell subsets might require different strategies for efficient vaccination.
Anterior cervical micro-dural repair of cerebrospinal fluid fistula after surgery for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Technical note.

Abstract Background Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas may occur during anterior cervical surgery performed for the resection of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), as OPLL occasionally erodes to and through the dura. These fistulas have been variously managed with gelfoam, dural substitutes sutured in place, fibrin glue, lumbar drains, and lumboperitoneal shunts. However, more adequate dural repair is now feasible with the 1.4-mm microdural titanium stapler. Methods A 59-year-old female with OPLL and moderate to severe myelopathy (Nurick Grade IV) had a C3-C7 anterior corpectomy with fusion using Orion plates followed by a C3-T1 posterior wiring and fusion with halo application. During the anterior approach, a 5-mm CSF fistula at C4-C5 was directly repaired under the operating microscope using a 1.4-mm microdural stapler, bovine pericardial graft, and fibrin glue. Immediately postoperatively, a lumboperitoneal shunt was also placed. Results Postoperatively, her myelopathy improved to a mild to moderate level (Nurick Grade II). Her acute left deltoid plegia resolved within 3 months. Conclusions The 1.4-mm microdural stapler makes “watertight” closure of anterior cervical CSF fistulas more feasible.