cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence de la géométrie du matériau utilisé pour stent endovasculaire sur la réponse de la cellule musculaire lisse

Il etait suggere que les modifications phenotypiques des cellules musculaires lisses (CMLs) d’un phenotype contractile a un phenotype synthetique apres stenting endovasculaire constituaient l’origine principale des restenoses. Bien qu’il etait montre que la geometrie modifiait la reponse des CMLs a differents polymeres, l’effet de la geometrie sur le phenotype des CMLs n’etait pas bien etudie pour les materiaux utilises dans les stents endovasculaires. C’est pourquoi l’objectif de l’etude actuelle etait d’evaluer le phenotype des CMLs, leur morphologie, leur proliferation, et l’expression du marqueur contractile qu’est l’α-actine musculaire lisse, en fonction de la geometrie de l’acier 316L. Les resultats de notre etude montraient que les cellules qui croissaient sur surface micro-rainuree (profondeur de rainure: 13 μm) etaient significativement plus allongees que celles evoluant sur une surface electropolie. Apres verification par plusieurs etudes de proliferation, il apparaissait que la croissance cellulaire sur surface micro-rainuree demontrait un taux de proliferation significativement inferieur a une surface electropolie. Une meilleure expression de l’α-actine musculaire lisse etait egalement retrouvee sur surface micro-rainuree proche de la confluence. De plus, les cellules evoluant sur surface electropolie demontraient une perte substantielle de l’α-actine musculaire lisse entre les 1er et 4eme jours. Donc, etant donne la reponse favorable des CMLs rapportee dans cette etude, nos resultats suggerent qu’une geometrie micro-rainuree des stents endovasculaires pourrait avoir des effets benefiques lors de leur utilisation.
Carrier Selective, Passivated Contacts for High Efficiency Silicon Solar Cells based on Transparent Conducting Oxides

We describe the design, fabrication and results of passivated contacts to n-type silicon utilizing thin SiO2 and transparent conducting oxide layers. High temperature silicon dioxide is grown on both surfaces of an n-type wafer to a thickness <50 A, followed by deposition of tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) and a patterned metal contacting layer. As deposited, the thin-film stack has a very high J0,contact, and a non-ohmic, high contact resistance. However, after a forming gas anneal, the passivation quality and the contact resistivity improve significantly. The contacts are characterized by measuring the recombination parameter of the contact (J0,contact) and the specific contact resistivity (ρcontact) using a TLM pattern. The best ITO/SiO2 passivated contact in this study has J0,contact = 92.5 fA/cm2 and ρcontact = 11.5 mOhm-cm2. These values are placed in context with other passivating contacts using an analysis that determines the ultimate efficiency and the optimal area fraction for contacts for a given set of (J0,contact, ρcontact) values. The ITO/SiO2 contacts are found to have a higher J0,contact, but a similar ρcontact compared to the best reported passivated contacts.
Acute effects of selected hepatotoxic agents on polyribosomes and protein synthesis in the livers of rats fed purified diets containing hepatocarcinogens.

Abstract This investigation was concerned with the effects of certain hepatocarcinogens ingested for long- or short-term intervals upon selected responses of rat liver to specific hepatotoxic stimuli. Rats fed ad libitum for long (3 to 45 weeks) periods or force-fed for short (3 days) periods purified diets containing a single hepatocarcinogen, ethionine, N-2-fluorenylacetamide, 3′-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene, or thioacetamide, were subjected to the acute administration of a single hepatotoxic agent, such as puromycin, actinomycin D, sparsomycin, hypertonic NaCl or CCl4, and hepatic protein synthesis (in vitro) and polyribosomal aggregation were evaluated. Relating to in vitro protein synthesis, in long-term experiments, puromycin induced less inhibition in the experimental groups than in the control (basal diet) group; and actinomycin D inhibited all groups similarly; while in the short-term experiments, puromycin induced less inhibition in the experimental groups than in the control group; actinomycin D inhibited he basal and ethionine groups more than the other groups; sparsomycin induced variable degrees of inhibition, with the ethionine group showing the most and the N-2-fluorenylacetamide and thioacetamide groups showing the least; hypertonic NaCl markedly inhibited all groups similarly; and CCl4 induced somewhat variable degrees of inhibition, with the thioacetamide group showing less than the other groups. In a few long-term experiments where hepatomas were evaluated in relation to surrounding liver tissue, puromycin administration induced less inhibition in the hepatomas than in the surrounding liver while actinomycin D administration induced similar inhibition in both groups. In general, in all experiments the degree of polyribosomal disagregation was parallel to that of inhibition of protein synthesis (in vitro). The results reveal that the livers of rats fed purified diets containing selected hepatocarcinogens responded in a variable manner in regard to protein synthesis (in vitro) and status of polyribosomal aggregation to the acute administration of selected hepatotoxic agents.
Temporally dynamic frequency tuning of population responses in monkey primary auditory cortex

Frequency tuning of auditory cortical neurons is typically determined by integrating spikes over the entire duration of a tone stimulus. However, this approach may mask functionally significant variations in tuning over the time course of the response. To explore this possibility, frequency response functions (FRFs) based on population multiunit activity evoked by pure tones of 175 or 200 ms duration were examined within four time windows relative to stimulus onset corresponding to "on" (10-30 ms), "early sustained" (30-100 ms), "late sustained" (100-175 ms), and "off" (185-235 or 210-260 ms) portions of responses in primary auditory cortex (A1) of 5 awake macaques. FRFs of "on" and "early sustained" responses displayed a good concordance, with best frequencies (BFs) differing, on average, by less than 0.25 octaves. In contrast, FRFs of "on" and "late sustained" responses differed considerably, with a mean difference in BF of 0.68 octaves. At many sites, tuning of "off" responses was inversely related to that of "on" responses, with "off" FRFs displaying a trough at the BF of "on" responses. Inversely correlated "on" and "off" FRFs were more common at sites with a higher "on" BF, thus suggesting functional differences between sites with low and high "on" BF. These results indicate that frequency tuning of population responses in A1 may vary considerably over the course of the response to a tone, thus revealing a temporal dimension to the representation of sound spectrum in A1.
Fine structure of excitons in II-VI quantum wells and dots

Applying a magnetic field along principal axes, the fine structure of the groundstate exciton caused by the electron-hole exchange interaction is studied for (Zn,Cd)Se/ZnSe quantum wells and CdSe quantum dots on ZnSe. In quantum wells, the zero-field splitting between optically allowed and forbidden (dark) states is increased by a factor of about two with respect to the bulk ZnSe value (0.25 meV). The localization of excitons gives rise to a finite, but minor contribution from the non-analytical part. For quantum dots, as a result of the three-dimensional confinement, the splitting is further enhanced and reaches values ranging between 1.5 and 2.0 meV. Its weak size dependence is a consequence of the finite barrier height at the CdSe/ZnSe hetero-interface. Our findings signify that dark excitons do not profoundly affect the laser action of these quantum structures.
Signatures of braking surface targets in spotlight synthetic aperture radar

This paper examines the signature characteristics in spotlight synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image data for surface targets that are executing braking maneuvers during the SAR collection. This analysis considers the special case in which the radar sensor is assumed to move with constant speed and heading on a level flight path with broadside imaging geometry. The analysis concentrates on the target migration effects in which the moving target smear exhibits some defocus in the range direction, although much smaller in magnitude than the smearing in the radar crossrange direction. This paper focuses on the case of a target that executes a rapid speed transition by decreasing its speed within the synthetic aperture. The SAR simulations are shown to give signatures that are in agreement with the predicted shapes.
Collective Judgement: A Judgemental Process for Planning and Analysis

This article describes a judgemental process used for planning and analysis. This process, called “collective judgement”, involves extensive search of diverse sources and points of view, followed by a synthesis of such information for learning. The discussion which follows provides examples of such judgements, contrasts collective judgement with common task or group dimensions outside its domain and, finally, identifies elements in the process.
Elite-led democratisation in aid-dependent states: the case of Mauritania

Why did Mauritania, an Arab League member, undergo a short-lived democratic transition after a successful coup in 2005? Mauritania's democratisation is puzzling because it occurred despite the presence of two conditions that are thought to hinder the prospects of democracy: poverty and strategic importance to the West. We trace the democratisation process undertaken by Mauritania's successful coup leaders in 2005 by focusing on the regime's foreign aid sources. We find that because coup leaders overthrew a Western ally, they feared aid flows would decline. The coup leaders therefore calculated that democratisation would shore up ties by signalling that the new regime was committed to maintaining a strong relationship with Western donors. Our findings have important implications for top-down democratisation in North Africa and the Middle East. Strategic importance appears to be a matter of degree, and states with modest importance to donors, such as Mauritania, may use democratisation as a means to posture...
Parenting and Women Arrested for Intimate Partner Violence

Exploring the relationship between parenting and women's use of violence the current study surveyed 106 mothers arrested for intimate partner violence (IPV) related crimes on parenting styles and attitudes toward when using violence against their partner is justified. Findings indicate parenting styles indicative of low belief in using physical discipline with their child/ children and an internal parental locus of control. However, a moderate to weak relationship between parenting styles and justification for using violence against a partner was also found. Although some support for the spillover theory is noted, results are far from conclusive.
Use of Blue Agar CAS Assay for Siderophore Detection.

Schwyn and Neiland developed a universal siderophore assay using chrome azurol S(CAS) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA) as indicators. In Schwyn and Neiland’s original paper, the procedure given for making CAS agar is written in general terms and can be difficult to follow, especially for an individual who has limited experience making more complex media. Here, we give a step-by-step protocol for making the CAS agar plates, and we discuss how this media can be incorporated in a comprehensive project in a microbiology lab course for biology majors.
O-GlcNAcylation of αB-crystallin regulates its stress-induced translocation and cytoprotection

Under normal conditions, the ubiquitously expressed αB-crystallin functions as a chaperone. αB-crystallin has been implicated in a variety of pathologies, consistent with a build-up of protein aggregates, such as neuromuscular disorders, myofibrillar myopathies, and cardiomyopathies. αB-crystallins’ cardioprotection is partially attributed to its translocation and binding to cytoskeletal elements in response to stress. The triggers for this translocation are not clearly understood. In the heart, αB-crystallin undergoes at least three significant post-translational modifications: phosphorylation at ser-45 and 59 and O-GlcNAcylation (O-linked attachment of the monosaccharide β-N-acetyl-glucosamine) at thr-170. Whether phosphorylation status drives translocation remains controversial. Therefore, we evaluated the role of αB-crystallins’ O-GlcNAcylation in its stress-induced translocation and cytoprotection in cardiomyocytes under stress. Immunoblotting and precipitation experiments with anti-O-GlcNAc antibody (CTD110.6) and glycoprotein staining (Pro-Q Emerald) both demonstrate robust stress-induced O-GlcNAcylation of αB-crystallin. A non-O-GlcNAcylatable αB-crystallin mutant (αB-T170A) showed diminished translocation in response to heat shock and robust phosphorylation at both ser-45 and ser-59. Cell survival assays show a loss of overexpression-associated cytoprotection with the non-glycosylatable mutant to multiple stresses. While ectopic expression of wild-type αB-crystallin strongly stabilized ZsProSensor, a fusion protein rapidly degraded by the proteasome, the non-O-GlcNAcylatable version did not. Therefore, we believe the O-GlcNAcylation of αB-crystallin is a dynamic and important regulator of both its localization and function.
Interactive Writing as Informed Assessment with Highly Capable Young Children

Assessment of young children's literate knowledge and understandings is one of the most controversial issues in early childhood education. Parents, teachers, administrators, researchers, and policy makers often engage in impassioned debates about the purposes, forms, and interpretations involved in assessment practices (Salinger, 2001). I do not wish to add to those debates. Recommended guidelines for the assessment of highly capable young children call for the use of multiple measures (National Association of Gifted Children, 2006), and so my intention here is to explicate an approach to early literacy assessment that allows teachers to document the literate knowledge, behaviors, and performances of highly capable young children within the context of an authentic reading and writing event. I describe the approach as a type of informed assessment (Johnston & Rogers, 2001), because through their participation, children reveal a great deal about their literate understandings, thus informing their teacher as...
Neutral phosphate and phosphate butylesters as ligands

Abstract Interaction of tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP), tri-iso-bu-tyl phosphate (TIBP) of di-n-butyl n-butylphosphate DBBP) with hydratd #d metal perchlorates in triethyl orthoformate leads to the formation of crystalline complexes of the general type ML 4 (CiO 4 ) 2 .xH 2 O (x = 1,2). Characterization of these xomplexes by means of spectral, magnetic and conductance studies led to the following tentative formulations: [M(TBP) 4 (OH 2 )(OClO 3 )](ClO 4 ); [M(TIBP) 4 (OH 2 )](ClO 4 ) 2 ; [M (DBBP) 4 (OH 2 ) 2 (ClO 4 ) 2 (M Mn,CoNi);[Cu(DBBP) 4 (OH 2 ) 2 (ClO 4 ) 2 . According to these assignments, the TIBP complexes and that of Cu 11 withDBBP involved pentacoordinated complex cations, while in the other DBBp complexes the cation is hexacoordinated. The cationic TBP complexes are hexacoordinated, probably involving one coordinated monodentate per chlorato group. The factors influencing the stabilization of mono or di-aquo adducts rather than the [Ml 4 ] (ClO 4 ) 2 solvates are discussed.
A theory of memory models

A memory model for a concurrent imperative programming language specifies which writes to shared variables may be seen by reads performed by other threads. We present a simple mathematical framework for relaxed memory models for programming languages. To instantiate this framework for a specific language, the designer must choose the notion of atomic steps supported by the language (e.g. 32-bit reads and writes) and specify how a composite step may be broken into a sequence of atomic steps (the decomposition rule). This rule determines which sequence of intermediate writes (if any) are visible to concurrent reads by other threads. Different choices of the rule lead to models which permit a read to return any value if there is a concurrent write (race), or models which satisfy a "No Thin Air Read"property. The former is suitable for languages such as C++(programs with races have undefined behavior), and the latter for Java. Other intermediate models are possible, useful and interesting.We establish that all models in the framework satisfy the Fundamental Property of relaxed memory models: programs whose sequentially consistent (SC) executions have no races must have have only SC executions. We show how to define synchronization constructs (such as volatiles of various kinds) in the framework, and discuss the causality test cases from the Java Memory Model.
Investigation of abnormal first-trimester gestations by color Doppler imaging.

Color Doppler imaging was employed to assess the uteroplacental circulation in abnormal first-trimester gestations. Included in the study were 40 blighted ova, 35 missed abortions, 10 trophoblastic diseases, and 3 ectopic gestations. Normal gestations served as a control group. Flow was detected more frequently in the blighted ova than in the missed abortions. Flow was detected in all cases of trophoblastic disease and ectopic gestations. Resistance to flow was significantly lower in the trophoblastic group as compared to the other groups. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Quasi-static Poroelastic Parameters in Rock and Their Geophysical Applications

The constitutive equations of poroelasticity contain four static moduli. Different sets of moduli are reviewed in the context of their laboratory measurement and their geophysical applications. One complete set consists of the drained bulk modulus and Poisson’s ratio, and their undrained counterparts. Skempton’s coefficient (ratio of pore pressure increment to mean stress increment under undrained conditions) and the Biot-Willis parameter serve equally well for the undrained bulk modulus and Poisson’s ratio, because they permit the drained and undrained moduli to be related to each other. Time dependence is introduced into poroelastic behavior through Darcy’s law. Geophysical applications that can be approximated by undrained conditions (fast loading) include seismicity, tidal and barometric loading, and tectonic compression. Several of these problems are most directly formulated in terms of Skempton’s coefficient, undrained Poisson’s ratio, and hydraulic diffusivity.
An electrodynamic approach to the electron-muon mass ratio

By a mechanism well known from the theory of superconductivity the particles of an electrically charged massless fermion field may obtain a nonvanishing rest mass. If the mass renormalization in ordinary quantum electrodynamics is infinite, then it seems likely that a proper reformulation of the basic equations of quantum electrodynamics which eliminates the infinite constant δm will be a dilatationally-invariant theory corresponding to the model above. The dilatation invariance of the basic theory is not objectionable and opens on the contrary a natural possibility to understand how two leptons can have almost identical interactions but vastly different masses. The mass of a lepton is then determined by the nondilatationally-invariant perturbation caused by the other charged fields present in nature.
Amplitude-dependent internal friction calculations for dislocations in alloys

Abstract The amplitude-dependent internal friction produced by the dissipative motion of dislocations in alloys has been calculated. The dislocations were modeled in terms of a known string analogy and the alloy was represented by a random planar distribution of weak obstacles of finite interaction range. The equation of motion describing the dislocation behavior (including inertial and viscous forces) was integrated using a numerical method recently developed by Labusch and Schwarz. The results show that the flow stress and other important alloy properties can be derived from the general shape and asymptotic behavior of the decrement vs stress-amplitude curves, without the need to subject them to detailed analytical study. The present calculations were found to be in good agreement with measurements in freshly deformed crystals in which solute atoms had not been able to segregate to dislocations. On the other hand, when these crystals were annealed, the measurements were better described by the Granato-Lucke theory (based on a linear distribution of obstacles). The calculations also showed good agreement with previous measurements in superconducting materials, in which the viscous drag is low and the dislocations exhibit inertial effects.
A note on alterations of personal orientation in Parkinsonism

Abstract As an extension of previous findings that Parkinson patients have alterations on tasks relating to body orientation, 54 patients were compared with 36 age-matched controls on the non-verbal portion of the Weinstein [1] body scheme task. Patients with predominantly right-sided symptoms and those with non-lateralized symptoms made significantly more total errors than the controls. Analysis of the error distributions indicated that patients with inferred right hemisphere damage and those with inferred bilateral damage tended to make significantly more bilateral errors than the normals; those patients with inferred left hemisphere damage differed from the controls only when required to point to contralateral body parts with the stimulus figure in the opposite orientation.
Cytokine Profile After Lung Transplantation: Correlation With Allograft Injury

Background Post–lung transplant reperfusion edema (PLTRE) and its more severe form, primary graft failure (PGF), occur in 10% to 60% of lung transplant recipients. We hypothesized that PLTRE and PGF would be associated with an elevated proinflammatory cascade and that the allograft would be the source of cytokine appearance in the circulation. Methods Pulmonary arterial and systemic arterial samples were obtained at baseline and at 4, 8, and 24 hours after reperfusion. Post–lung transplant reperfusion-edema and PGF were defined as PaO 2 /FiO 2 less than 300 with a mild or moderate infiltrate, or less than 200 with a severe infiltrate and ventilator dependence after 72 hours, respectively. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 concentrations were determined by immunoassay. Results Fifteen single and 6 bilateral lung recipients were studied. Six (29%) had PLTRE and 4 (19%) had PGF; these patients had an overall elevation in plasma IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 concentrations (all p p p Conclusions Patients with PLTRE and PGF exhibited graded increases in IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 concentrations. The PGF patients had higher TNFα and IL-10 systemic arterial concentrations overall, consistent with the allograft being a source of this cytokine production.
Pulsed magnetization transfer contrast for MR imaging with application to breast

The relative populations and transverse relaxation times of the solid-like hydrogen pool (PB and T2B) and the magnetization transfer (MT) rates between the solid-like and liquid-like hydrogen pools (kappa) have been determined for three different agar gel concentrations (2%, 4%, and 8% by weight) as well as excised fibroglandular breast tissue specimens. PB was determined to be .003(.001), .01(.002), .02(.01), and .06(.01); T2B was determined to be 13.0(.2), 14.0(.1), 14.5(.1) and 15.2(1.3) microseconds; and kappa was determined to be 0.78(.01), 1.15(.02), 2.00(.02), and 3.55(1.5) sec-1 for the 2%, 4%, and 8% agar gels and the fibroglandular tissue, respectively. The image signal intensities of a pulsed MTC-prepared gradient-echo imaging technique are predicted using these MT parameters and are shown to agree well with experimental data obtained from a clinical MR imaging system. This technique is shown to suppress signal intensity of fibroglandular breast tissue by 40%-50% without exceeding SAR limits (< or = 8 W/kg) and is helpful for visualizing lesions and silicone implants.
The Influence of Polymer-Grafted Lipids on the Physical Properties of Lipid Bilayers: A Theoretical Study

Experimental studies of bilayers containing polymer-grafted lipids have been underway for some time now (1-3). Modeling the physical properties of these bilayers, however, is not trivial because of the complexities in the self-assembling polymer-lipid/lipid bilayer system and the mutual influence of its two components: the lipid bilayer and the grafted polymer. In the paper we study the influence of the grafted polymer on the structural and interactive properties of the lipid bilayer. The modeling is done in terms of some existing polymer theories (de Gennes' scaling theory, Flory's and Milner's mean-field theories). We propose a simple lateral pressure model to calculate the critical concentration of polymer-lipid that can be incorporated into the bilayer. We study the influence of the polymer chains on the tensile strength of the bilayer and model the dependence of the elastic coefficients KA , kc, and kc on the concentration and molecular weight of the grafted polymer. For two bilayers in close proximity the interbilayer steric interactive forces are modeled for different polymer-lipid concentrations.
Review of the advanced technology program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology

This paper is an overview of the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) and describes the essential features, competitions, and industry input of the ATP; the existing focused programs; and how you can make your voice heard in the ATP process. The ATP provides partial funding for high-risk technologies for for-profit companies. Focused programs concentrate development of these high-risk technologies in specific areas. Since industry is a source of abundant ideas for programs to be funded, the process for submitting program ideas to the ATP is straightforward.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The destruction and removal efficiency of toluene in combustion and related processes

Abstract Reported rate expressions for reactions relevant to the thermal and oxidative destruction of toluene have been reviewed. Consequently, a wide range of values exist for use in calculation of DRE (destruction and removal efficiency) through the product kt. This approach is judged to be limited value when small quantitative differences between DRE's (large values of the product kt) are important.
838 SERUM 1,25-(0H)2-VITAMIN O3 LEVELS IN CHILDREN AND ALTERATION WITH DISORDERS OF VITAMIN D METABOLISM

Using the Eisman competitive binding assay, the endogenous serum concentrations of the most active vitamin D metabolite, 1, 25-(OH)2D3 was measured in healthy children and in patients with 3 conditions known to impair vitamin D metabolism. The mean value in 56 children aged 2 to 15 years was 43.6 ± 3 (S.E.) pgm/ml; the level in 30 boys was 42.9 ± 6.3 and in 26 girls 44.3 ± 4.2 pgm/ml. These values are higher than the values reported in term newborns by Steichen et al. (J.Pediatr., in press) of 21 ± 2 pgm/ml. (n=28) and in adults aged 50-80 years reported by Eiseman (29 ± 2 pgm/ml) (p<.01). The concentration in children with uremic osteodystrophy while on D2 therapy was 15 ± 6 pgm/ml and rose to 53 ± 13 (p<.05) after treatment with 1,25 ≥ at 14-36 pgm/kg/day. Simultaneous serum calcium values rose from 7.5 ± 1.6 (S.D.) mg/dl pretherapy to 9.9 ± 0.4 mg/dl. Values in 2 patients with the Fanconi syndrome were 0 and 2 pgm/ml and rose to 34 ± 5 (S.E.) with improvement in rickets. 2 patients with hypoparathyroidism had values of 16 and 18 pgm/ml which rose to 76 ± 10 pgm/ml after 1 ugm 1,25 (OH)2D3 daily. These results support the notion that an age related increase in 1,25-(OH)2D3 is present and that these levels reach a peak during childhood. In addition, in 3 conditions associated with impaired vitamin D metabolism circulating levels are reduced, but rise with provision of oral 1,25 (OH)2D3 therapy.
Association between genetic variants in adhesion molecules and outcomes after hematopoietic cell transplants.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Adhesion molecules play an important role in endothelial activation and initiation of inflammatory response. We hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the endothelial molecules may contribute to heterogeneity in HCT outcomes. We evaluated the association of 4 SNPs in ICAM1 (rs5498), PECAM1 (rs668 and rs1131012) and SELL (rs2229569) genes with acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and those experiencing transplant-related mortality (TRM) within 1 year among 425 allogeneic HCT recipient-donor pairs. Using a Fine and Gray proportional hazards model to evaluate the association between genetic variants and clinical outcomes, after adjustment for recipient age, race, diagnosis, disease status, gender mismatch, cytomegalovirus serostatus, gender, donor type, conditioning regimen and year of transplant, only rs5498 in the ICAM1 gene among both recipients and donors was associated with a decreased risk of TRM (P ≤ 0.02). None of the SNPs were associated with acute or chronic GvHD risk. These findings suggest that genetic variants in the vascular adhesion molecules may be used to identify patients at high risk for TRM.
Masking of Soy Protein Flavor by Tomato Sauce

Flavor interaction in a model system consisting of 5% (w/w) soy protein in a series of tomato sauces containing 55–100% commercial tomato paste was evaluated by six trained panelists. Intensities of the tomato flavors were found to increase with tomato concentration. The combination of the soy and tomato components resulted in the repression of the bitter, harsh and astringent tomato flavors, and significantly reduced the overall flavor and acidic intensities of the tomato component. Individual odors and flavors of the soy protein became indistinguishable in soy/tomato mixtures. There was a substantial reduction in the overall soy odor, flavor and aftertaste with the increase in tomato concentration.
Geomorphic Controls of Spatial Pattern and Process at Alpine Treeline

This study examines the role of surface geomorphic features in tree establishment at the alpine treeline in Glacier National Park, Montana, through the presentation of a multiscale, conceptual model of biogeomorphic relationships at alpine treeline. Empirical observations gathered through a multiscale field methodology over three summers serve as a base for the model. The model highlights the importance of surface geomorphic features, specifically boulders and terrace risers, in creating favorable local site conditions, largely by protecting seedlings from wind. The sheltering effect of surface features enables initial seedling establishment, and in some cases survival, above current treeline locations, thereby initiating a positive feedback effect that encourages subsequent tree establishment. Geomorphic features are therefore important in linking scales of pattern and process at the alpine treeline ecotone.
Structure of the Yeast DEAD box protein Mss116p reveals two wedges that crimp RNA

Summary The yeast DEAD box protein Mss116p is a general RNA chaperone that functions in mitochondrial group I and II intron splicing, translational activation, and RNA end processing. Here we determined high-resolution X-ray crystal structures of Mss116p complexed with an RNA oligonucleotide and ATP analogs AMP-PNP, ADP-BeF 3 − , or ADP-AlF 4 − . The structures show the entire helicase core acting together with a functionally important C-terminal extension. In all structures, the helicase core is in a closed conformation with a wedge α helix bending RNA 3′ of the central bound nucleotides, as in previous DEAD box protein structures. Notably, Mss116p's C-terminal extension also bends RNA 5′ of the central nucleotides, resulting in RNA crimping. Despite reported functional differences, we observe few structural changes in ternary complexes with different ATP analogs. The structures constrain models of DEAD box protein function and reveal a strand separation mechanism in which a protein uses two wedges to act as a molecular crimper.
The Clinton Factor in the Presidential Contest of 2000

This article uses Chaim Perelman's philosophy of associative and dissociative techniques to examine the Clinton Factor in the presidential contest of 2000. Three claims, all of which are based on the coverage of the campaign by The New York Times and The Washington Post (from March through December 2000), are advanced in the study. The first two arguments focused on ways George W. Bush, Richard Cheney, and the other Republicans, on one hand, and Al Gore, Joseph Lieberman, and the Democrats, on the other, sought to dissociate themselves from Clinton's character while at the same time expressing their support for his attitude toward the size of the federal government. The third claim argues that Clinton, much to his displeasure, failed to have a well-defined role in 2000, guided by a policy of association, which would enable him to contribute directly to Gore's election, and thereby strengthen the Clinton legacy.
Tubular obstruction leads to progressive proximal tubular injury and atubular glomeruli in polycystic kidney disease.

In polycystic kidney disease (PKD), renal parenchyma is destroyed by cysts, hypothesized to obstruct nephrons. A signature of unilateral ureteral obstruction, proximal tubular atrophy leads to formation of atubular glomeruli. To determine whether this process occurs in PKD, kidneys from pcy mice (moderately progressive PKD), kidneys from cpk mice (rapidly progressive PKD), and human autosomal dominant PKD were examined in early and late stages. Integrity of the glomerulotubular junction and proximal tubular mass were determined in sections stained with Lotus tetragonolobus lectin. Development of proximal tubular atrophy and atubular glomeruli was determined in serial sections of individual glomeruli. In pcy mice, most glomerulotubular junctions were normal at 20 weeks, but by 30 weeks, 56% were atrophic and 25% of glomeruli were atubular; glomerulotubular junction integrity decreased with increasing cyst area ( r = 0.83, P cpk mice, all glomerulotubular junctions were normal at 10 days, but by 19 days, 26% had become abnormal. In early-stage autosomal dominant PKD kidneys, 50% of glomeruli were atubular or attached to atrophic tubules; in advanced disease, 100% were abnormal. Thus, proximal tubular injury in cystic kidneys closely parallels that observed with ureteral obstruction. These findings support the hypothesis that, in renal cystic disorders, cyst-dependent obstruction of medullary and cortical tubules initiates a process culminating in widespread destruction of proximal convoluted tubules at the glomerulotubular junction.
A Family-Wide Model for the Role of Emotion in Family Functioning

SUMMARY A family-wide perspective is essential for comprehensive understanding of the influence of emotions on child and marital functioning. After reviewing a family systems perspective on emotions, a specific family-wide model (i.e., an emotional security hypothesis) is outlined. Exploratory analyses based on a new diary methodology are presented examining interconnections between emotions and behaviors among family members during marital conflict situations in the home. Results based on both mothers' and fathers' reports indicated that emotions and behaviors in the marital subsystem were linked to children's emotional and behavioral reactions in a manner consistent with an emotional security hypothesis. Implications for a family-wide model of emotion and directions for future research are discussed.
Computer simulation is an undervalued tool for genetic analysis: a historical view and presentation of SHIMSHON--a Web-based genetic simulation package

Computer simulation methods are under-used tools in genetic analysis because simulation approaches have been portrayed as inferior to analytic methods. Even when simulation is used, its advantages are not fully exploited. Here, I present SHIMSHON, our package of genetic simulation programs that have been developed, tested, used for research, and used to generated data for Genetic Analysis Workshops (GAW). These simulation programs, now web-accessible, can be used by anyone to answer questions about designing and analyzing genetic disease studies for locus identification. This work has three foci: (1) the historical context of SHIMSHON's development, suggesting why simulation has not been more widely used so far. (2) Advantages of simulation: computer simulation helps us to understand how genetic analysis methods work. It has advantages for understanding disease inheritance and methods for gene searches. Furthermore, simulation methods can be used to answer fundamental questions that either cannot be answered by analytical approaches or cannot even be defined until the problems are identified and studied, using simulation. (3) I argue that, because simulation was not accepted, there was a failure to grasp the meaning of some simulation-based studies of linkage. This may have contributed to perceived weaknesses in linkage analysis; weaknesses that did not, in fact, exist.
Interdependence of the Contractile Ring and Spindle Midzone in Cleavage Plane Maintenance

How segregation of the chromosomes is coordinated with the ensuing cell cleavage to complete the cell cycle is not well understood. A recent study of cytokinesis in fission yeast by Pardo and Nurse suggests that the contractile ring is required for assembly of the post-mitotic microtubule array (PAA). In turn, the PAA is required to maintain the contractile ring at the cleavage plane, as well as to keep the nuclei separated at the poles of the cleaving cell. These functions may be particularly important for a cell cycle checkpoint ensuring that if cytokinesis is delayed, septation will occur between the two daughter nuclei.
Side‐chain anchoring strategy for solid‐phase synthesis of peptide acids with C‐terminal cysteine

Many naturally occurring peptide acids, e.g., somatostatins, conotoxins, and defensins, contain a cysteine residue at the C-terminus. Furthermore, installation of C-terminal cysteine onto epitopic peptide sequences as a preliminary to conjugating such structures to carrier proteins is a valuable tactic for antibody preparation. Anchoring of N(alpha)-Fmoc, S-protected C-terminal cysteine as an ester onto the support for solid-phase peptide synthesis is known to sometimes occur in low yields, has attendant risks of racemization, and may also result in conversion to a C-terminal 3-(1-piperidinyl)alanine residue as the peptide chain grows by Fmoc chemistry. These problems are documented for several current strategies, but can be circumvented by the title anchoring strategy, which features the following: (a). conversion of the eventual C-terminal cysteine residue, with Fmoc for N(alpha)-amino protection and tert-butyl for C(alpha)-carboxyl protection, to a corresponding S-xanthenyl ((2)XAL(4)) preformed handle derivative; and (b). attachment of the resultant preformed handle to amino-containing supports. This approach uses key intermediates that are similar to previously reported Fmoc-XAL handles, and builds on earlier experience with Xan and related protection for cysteine. Implementation of this strategy is documented here with syntheses of three small model peptides, as well as the tetradecapeptide somatostatin. Anchoring occurs without racemization, and the absence of 3-(1-piperidinyl)alanine formation is inferred by retention of chains on the support throughout the cycles of Fmoc chemistry. Fully deprotected peptides, including free sulfhydryl peptides, are released from the support in excellent yield by using cocktails containing a high concentration (i.e., 80-90%) of TFA plus appropriate thiols or silanes as scavengers. High-yield release of partially protected peptides is achieved by treatment with cocktails containing a low concentration (i.e., 1-5%) of TFA. In peptides with two cysteine residues, the corresponding intramolecular disulfide-bridged peptide is obtained by either (a). oxidation, in solution, of the dithiol product released by acid; (b). simultaneous acidolytic cleavage and disulfide formation, achieved by addition of the mild oxidant DMSO to the cleavage cocktail; or (c). concomitant cleavage/cooxidation (involving a downstream S-Xan protected cysteine), using reagents such as iodine or thallium tris(trifluoroacetate) in acetic acid.
On localized prediction for power efficient object tracking in sensor networks

Energy is one of the most critical constraints for sensor network applications. In this paper, we exploit the localized prediction paradigm for power-efficient object tracking sensor network. Localized prediction consists of a localized network architecture and a prediction mechanism called dual prediction, which achieve power savings by allowing most of the sensor nodes stay in sleep mode and by reducing the amount of long-range transmissions. Performance evaluation, based on mathematical analysis, shows that localized prediction can significantly reduce the power consumption in object tracking sensor networks.
On pairwise error probability of space-time codes

The authors consider a space-time coded system with Q transmit antennas and P receive antennas and assume under the quasi-static Rayleigh fading assumption that the channel is fixed for a duration of M symbol transmissions. Let S be a (Q/spl times/M) space-time code. Given S /spl isin/ S is the transmitted codeword, the received signal is given by Y=/spl radic//spl rho//sub t/HS + N, where /spl rho//sub t/=/spl rho//Q, with /spl rho/ being the SNR. The components n/sub p,m,/ h/sub p,q/ of the noise matrix N and the (P/spl times/Q) channel fading-coefficient matrix H respectively, are independent, identically-distributed, zero-mean, complex Gaussian random variables.
Equivalent Circuit Analysis of High-Frequency Ventilators Including a New High-Impedance Flow-Interrupting Ventilator

The small tidal volumes (VT) delivered to the lungs by highfrequency ventilators can be very sensitive to changes in the patient's respiratory mechanics. Analysis of a Thevenin equivalent circuit, consisting of a ventilator internal oscillatory pressure source in series with a ventilator internal impedance and a patient's respiratory impedance, reveals the need of a high-internal-impedance ventilator to minimize this VT sensitivity problem. We present a general methodology to estimate the internal impedance of any type of ventilator. The internal impedance, at a given frequency and flow setting, is calculated from the slope of the relationship between the generated peak-to-peak pressure and the VT delivered into a calibrated rigid tank through a varying constriction. We tested a typical high-frequency jet (HFJ) ventilator and a new high-impedance flow-interrupting (HIFI) ventilator consisting of a flow source, a rotary valve, a high-impedance expiratory tube, and a servocontrolled mean proximal airway pressure (MPAP) regulator. We found that the VT delivered by the HIFI ventilator was independent of MPAP and decreased by 12 percent after a fivefold increase in the constriction-tank system impedance. In contrast, the VT delivered by the HFJ ventilator decreased by 80 percent after a similar change in load. We therefore conclude that the VT delivered by the HIFI ventilator should be significantly less sensitive to changes in patient's respiratory impedance than the VT delivered by an HFJ ventilator.
Ischemic cardiomyopathy in pigs with two-vessel occlusion and viable, chronically dysfunctional myocardium.

A chronic left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) stenosis leads to the development of hibernating myocardium with severe regional hypokinesis but normal global ventricular function after 3 ...
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of DNA Double Helices: Studies of Sequence Dependence and the Role of Mismatch Pairs in the DNA Helix

We present the results of molecular dynamics simulations on base paired deoxyribonucleotides dA10·dT10, d(GCGCGCGCGC)2 d(ATATATATAT)2 d(CGCGA)·d(TCACG) (AC mismatch) and d(CGAGA)·d(TCGCG) (GA mismatch). The average structural properties — helix parameters, H-bond parameters, sugar puckers, torsional angles, root mean square atomic fluctuations — are compared to those found in earlier studies on the sequence d(CGCGA)·d(TCGCG).1 The properties of the decamer helices remain B DNA like throughout the simulation, confirming our inference1 that a model which treats solvent/counterions in a simple fashion (full charge on phosphates, but use of large hydrated counterions and a distance dependent dielectric constant) is a reasonable “first order” model to simulate the properties of DNA helices over periods of at least 100 psec. There are a number of sequence dependent effects observed in the three decanucleotides studied here, among them differences in H-bond properties, sugar pucker and helix repeat/base tilts. In d(GCGCGCGCGC)2 and d(ATATATATAT)2 the H-bonds all stay near the classic Watson-Crick distance and the base tilts and twists are small (10–20°). On the other hand, in dA10·dT10 there are much larger deviations of H-bonding from classic Watson-Crick and H-bond exchange during the simulation. There are many more examples of sugar repuckering in the AT decamers, and the relative frequency of such repuckering is qualitatively consistent with what one would expect based on molecular mechanics studies. A comparison of the torsional angles, sugar puckers, helical parameters, root mean square atom amplitudes and hydrogen bond parameters of the sequence d(CGCGA)·d(TCGCG) with the two mismatched analogues demonstrates that the effect of the poorer hydrogen bonding at the central base pair is transmitted throughout the sequence, leading to significantly greater root mean square fluctuations in all dihedral angles, significantly higher % of non-“standard C2′ endo” sugar puckers, generally longer H-bond distances, with greater % of “long” H bonds during the simulation, larger RMS amplitude of atomic fluctuations and greater helix twist and tilt of the base pairs. The average helix repeat is 9.0 for the AC mismatch, and 10.1 for the GA mismatch, compared to 10.0 for the normal sequence.
Polycrystal Simulations Investigating the Effect of Additional Slip System Availability in a 6063 Aluminum Alloy at Elevated Temperature

In order to better understand and predict the intragrain heterogeneous deformation in a 6063 aluminum alloy deformed at an elevated temperature, when additional slip systems beyond the usual octahedral slip systems are active, a modeling framework for analyzing representative polycrystals under these conditions is presented. A model polycrystal that has a similar microstructure to that observed in the material under consideration is modeled with a finite element analysis. A large number of elements per grain (more than 1000) are used to capture well the intragranular heterogeneous response. The polycrystal model is analyzed with three different sets of initial orientations. A compression test is used to calibrate the material model, and a macroscale simulation of the compression test is used to define the deformation history applied to the model polycrystal. In order to reduce boundary condition effects, periodic boundary conditions are applied to the model polycrystal. To investigate the effect of additional slip systems expected to be active at elevated temperatures, the results considering only the 12 {111} slip systems are compared to the results with the additional 12 {110} and {001} slip systems available (i.e., 24 available slip systems). The resulting predicted grain structure and texture are compared to the experimentally observed grain structure and texture in the 6063 aluminum alloy compression sample as well as to the available data in the literature, and the intragranular misorientations are studied.