cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spectroscopy of the Apogon luminescent system and of its cross reaction with the Cypridina system

Abstract Methanol solutions of highly purified preparations of Apogon , (fish) luciferin, have absorption maxima at 260 and 430 mμ, and a shoulder at 320 mμ probably corresponding to those which have been reported for crystallized luciferin of the crustacean, Cypridina . On autoxidation, a new maximum appears at 350 mμ, while the maximum at 430 mμ disappears. Apogon luciferin has fluorescence excitation peaks which correspond to the absorption at 320 and 425 mμ, either of which gives a fluorescence emission maximum at 525 mμ. The emission spectra of the bioluminescent reactions of either Apogon or Cypridina luciferin with the enzyme, luciferase, from either organism, extend from about 400 mμ to over 600 mμ, with a maximum at 460 mμ. The changes in fluorescence excitation and emission of luciferin with enzymic or alkali destruction are identical and correspond exactly to the absorption spectra of the purified compound. The presence of a weak fluorescence emission at 348 mμ corresponding to an excitation peak at 295 mμ is believed to represent an impurity.
The chemokine CXCL14 (BRAK) stimulates activated NK cell migration: implications for the downregulation of CXCL14 in malignancy.

Objective The primary function of chemokines is the regulation of leukocyte trafficking by stimulating directional chemotaxis. The chemokine CXCL14 (BRAK) is highly expressed in all normal tissues, but is not expressed in most malignant tissues. The chemotactic activity of CXCL14 has been difficult to characterize. Recently it was reported that CXCL14 is a chemoattractant for activated monocytes and immature dendritic cells. Given that CXCL14 is downregulated upon transition to malignancy, we sought to characterize whether CXCL14 might play a role in NK cell chemotaxis. Methods Human natural killer (NK) cells were isolated from buffy coats obtained from normal volunteers and were activated with lymphocyte conditioned media, IL-2, and ionomycin. Standard transwell chemotaxis assays, proliferation assays, and chromium release cell cytotoxicity assays were performed. Results CXCL14 was found to stimulate migration of activated human NK cells in transwell chemotaxis assays by 1.4-fold. Similarly, it increased migration of an IL-2-dependent natural killer leukemia (NKL) cell line by 1.9-fold. Antisera against CXCL14 or pertussis toxin blocked this chemotactic effect. However, CXCL14 did not affect the proliferation or cytotoxic activity of normal human NK cells. CXCL14 also stimulated the chemotaxis of immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Conclusions CXCL14 may play a role in the trafficking of NK cells to sites of inflammation or malignancy. In addition, the downregulation of the expression of CXCL14 might be an important step in successful oncogenesis to prevent NK immune surveillance of the malignancy.
A Sensitive Membrane-Targeted Biosensor for Monitoring Changes in Intracellular Chloride in Neuronal Processes

Background: Regulation of chloride gradients is a major mechanism by which excitability is regulated in neurons. Disruption of these gradients is implicated in various diseases, including cystic fibrosis, neuropathic pain and epilepsy. Relatively few studies have addressed chloride regulation in neuronal processes because probes capable of detecting changes in small compartments over a physiological range are limited. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study, a palmitoylation sequence was added to a variant of the yellow fluorescent protein previously described as a sensitive chloride indicator (YFPQS) to target the protein to the plasma membrane (mbYFPQS) of cultured midbrain neurons. The reporter partitions to the cytoplasmic face of the cellular membranes, including the plasma membrane throughout the neurons and fluorescence is stable over 30-40 min of repeated excitation showing less than 10% decrease in mbYFPQS fluorescence compared to baseline. The mbYFPQS has similar chloride sensitivity (k 50 = 41 mM) but has a shifted pKa compared to the unpalmitoylated YFPQS variant (cytYFPQS) that remains in the cytoplasm when expressed in midbrain neurons. Changes in mbYFPQS fluorescence were induced by the GABA A agonist muscimol and were similar in the soma and processes of the midbrain neurons. Amphetamine also increased mbYFPQS fluorescence in a subpopulation of cultured midbrain neurons that was reversed by the selective dopamine transporter (DAT) inhibitor, GBR12909, indicating that mbYFPQS is sensitive enough to detect endogenous DAT activity in midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons. Conclusions/Significance: The mbYFPQS biosensor is a sensitive tool to study modulation of intracellular chloride levels in neuronal processes and is particularly advantageous for simultaneous whole-cell patch clamp and live-cell imaging experiments. © 2012 Watts et al.
Limits on minimum speed V/STOL wind-tunnel tests.

body of revolution, far from the axis," Proc. Roy. Soc. (London) A201, 89-109 (March 1950). 8 Hubbard, H. H., Maglieri, D. J., Huckel, V., and Hilton, D. A. (with appendix by H. W. Carlson), "Ground measurements of sonic-boom pressures for the altitude range of 10,000 to 75,000 feet," NASA TR R-198 (1964). (Supersedes NASA TM X-633.) 9 Walkden, F., "The shock pattern of a wing-body combination, far from the flight path," Aeronaut. Quart. IX, Pt. 2, 164194 (May 1958). 10 Whitham, G. B.; "The flow pattern of a supersonic projectile," Commun. Pure Appl. Math. V, 301-348 (August 1952). 11 Middle ton, W. D. and Carlson, H. W., "A numerical method for calculating near-field sonic-boom pressure signatures," NASA TND-3082(1965). 12 Carlson, H. W., Mack, R, J., and Morris, O. A., "Sonicboom pressure-field estimation techniques," J. Acoust. Soc. Am. (submitted for publication). 13 McLean, F. E. and Shrout, B. L., "Design methods for minimization of sonic-boom pressure-field disturbances," J. Acoust. Soc. Am. (submitted for publication).
Exploring the impact of a community hospital closure on older adults: A focus group study

The closing of hospitals has exacerbated challenges for older adults in accessing healthcare, especially those living in economically underserved settings. Through focus groups and a community-engaged approach, our study examined and documented the emergent health needs of older adults following the closing of a local hospital in an economically disadvantaged community. Focus groups were reconvened to assess progress and health needs over time. Analyses of the focus groups (n=37, mean age 77, 84% female) illustrated the impact of the closure and the emergence of the following dominant themes: perceptions of the hospital system, including feelings of abandonment and social isolation; transportation challenges in accessing health care resources; and lack of knowledge and literacy regarding available health care and obtaining health services. Discussion sessions with hospital administrators and participants afforded an opportunity for sharing data and additional assessment. The data and relationships developed with community participants and health system representatives resulted in the production of an information resource about access to health services, tailored for older adults.
Determination of the high temperature zeta potential and pH of zero charge of some transition metal oxides

Abstract The zeta potential of a particle (i.e. the potential difference between the outer Helmholtz plane of the electrical double layer formed at the particle/fluid interface and the bulk fluid) is a measure of its surface charge. Typically, measurements of the zeta potential have been made at ambient temperature. This paper provides a brief description of new equipment used to measure streaming potentials of oxides at elevated (235°C) temperature from which zeta potentials were calculated. Measurements are reported of the zeta potential of simulated colloids (i.e. corrosion products such as magnetite and hematite) typically generated in the operation of nuclear and fossil-fired power plants. Because zeta potentials provide a framework for interpreting the transport and deposition of colloids, measurements also are reported of oxides that could possibly serve as coatings to prevent deposition of corrosion products on selected surfaces in power plants.
Synthetic peptides derived from the nonmuscle myosin light chains are highly specific substrates for protein kinase C

Abstract The phosphorylation of synthetic peptides derived from the NH 2 -terminal sequence of smooth-muscle myosin was studied with purified protein kinase C. The protein kinase C phosphorylation domain included both serine residues and threonine residues in the sequence SSKRAKAKTTKKR(G), denoted myosin light chain (1–13) (MLC(1–13)). Kinetic analysis of MLC(1–13) and truncated peptides derived from the parent peptide established that removal of the serine residues had little effect on protein kinase C reactivity. MLC(1–13) had a V/K of 2.4 min −1 ·mg −1 , whereas the V/K of MLC(3–13) was 3.0 min −1 ·mg −1 . Removal of Lys-3 resulted in a 50% decrease in V/K which was attributable to a 50% decrease in apparent V max . Arg-4 was established as a significant protein kinase C specificity determinant, since the apparent K m increased 7-fold and the V max decreased 3-fold when the parent peptide was truncated at that residue. All peptides studied required calcium and lipid effectors for full activity with protein kinase C, indicating that they are Class C substrates as defined by Bazzi and Nelsestuen (Biochemistry 26 (1987) 5002) for protein kinase C. Other protein kinases, including cyclic AMP- and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase, S6/H4 kinase, myosin light-chain kinase and calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II, had little or no activity with these peptides. In studies on the purification of lymphosarcoma protein kinase C by several chromatographic procedures, the results showed that the myosin light-chain can provide convenient and well-characterized substrates for purification and mechanistic studies of protein kinase C biochemistry.
Satellite magnetic anomalies and the Middle America Trench

Abstract Quantitative modeling of the Middle America Trench satellite-elevation crustal magnetic anomaly, using seismic epicenter data to constrain the slab geometry and a magnetization (representing induced and viscous contributions) similar to that found for the Aleutian Arc slab, agrees well with reduced-to-pole MAGSAT data. Incorporating minor contributions from crustal sources in Mexico and Central America produces only minor improvement in the agreement between the modeled and observed anomaly, supporting the idea that it is the slab which is the major source body for the Middle America Trench anomaly.
Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Qualification: A National Need

The thesis of this paper is that a national fuel qualification could result in motor fuels that, when used in cars and trucks, would be environmentally acceptable. A speculated series of tests to qualify the fuel, one unleaded grade of gasoline, one type 2-D fuel for on-highway diesel trucks and buses, and one type 1-D fuel for city bases, is described. Once qualified, the refiner would certify that the fuel dispensed is in all material respects identical to the prototype fuel qualified. The industry qualification would be good for, say, five years or until the fuel was reformulated. Such a procedure would be industry regulated through periodic audit as well as self-audit provisions to assure fuel quality is maintained at the dispensing pump. Most of the needed procedures are available for such qualification. It remains for the manufacturers and refiners to agree on the need to reformulate gasoline and diesel fuel, develop pass/fail limits for acceptance, and establish a qualification approval protocol. An approach to demonstrate improved performance and emissions its suggested
Production of an Antibiotic by an Organism from Human Feces

An antibiotic-producing, gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from an individual who often lacked coliforms and fungi in fecal samples. The cell-free antibiotic is 1,200 daltons and Pronase sensitive and was shown to have activity against some coliforms and yeast.
Estimated infant exposure to enantiomer-specific methadone levels in breastmilk.

Abstract Background and Objectives: Breastfeeding, a public health priority, improves outcomes for infants. Methadone is dispensed as a racemic mixture; R-methadone is the active enantiomer. Pharmacologic data for R-methadone in breastmilk could improve risk–benefit decision-making for treatment of lactating women. This study estimated infant exposure to R- and S-methadone via breastmilk by theoretic infant dose (TID) and relative infant dose (RID) and reported the milk-to-maternal plasma (M/P) ratio. Methods: Women treated with methadone doses of 40–200 mg/day (mean, 102 mg/day) provided concomitantly collected plasma and breastmilk samples 1–6 days after delivery. Most (16 of 20) samples were taken at the time of peak maternal plasma levels; thus infant exposure estimates are for maximum possible exposure. Concentrations of R- and S-methadone were measured in maternal plasma and breastmilk; M/P ratio, TID, and RID were calculated for each enantiomer and total methadone. Results: The 20 participants were...
Fungal Infections in Children

Fungal disorders are some of the most common cutaneous infections of childhood and adolescence. Despite their frequency and the ease with which an infectious agent can be correctly identified, fungal lesions are readily mistaken for other diseases or misdiagnosed in patients with entirely different skin conditions. One of the chief reasons for inaccurate diagnosis is a preconceived notion on the part of the physician as to how the lesions should look clinically. In fact, cutaneous fungal infections are extremely pleomorphic in appearance and can be macular and scaly, papular, pustular, vesiculobullous, or nodular. Their morphology may also be altered by self-medication, by treatment prescribed by another physician, or by an immunologic deficit in the host. Even the most experienced physician will be baffled by these lesions some of the time. Studies assessing clinical acumen by verification with culture data demonstrate a significant degree of error in diagnosis, particularly in nondermatologic settings. Fortunately, most of these mistakes are preventable if three simple procedures are carried out. A Wood9s lamp examination and a KOH preparation can be performed rapidly in the office and may provide all of the confirmatory evidence necessary for certain diagnosis. A positive culture of a properly obtained specimen is additional unqualified evidence of a fungous infection.
Protein extraction from methanol fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks: A new possibility using cell blocks

Background: Methanol fixed and paraffin embedded (MFPE) cellblocks are an essential cytology preparation. However, MFPE cellblocks often contain limited material and their relatively small size has caused them to be overlooked in biomarker discovery. Advances in the field of molecular biotechnology have made it possible to extract proteins from formalin fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks. In contrast, there are no established methods for extracting proteins from MFPE cellblocks. We investigated commonly available CHAPS (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate) buffer, as well as two commercially available Qiagen ® kits and compared their effectiveness on MFPE tissue for protein yields. Materials and Methods: MFPE blocks were made by Cellient ™ automated system using human tissue specimens from normal and malignant specimens collected in ThinPrep ™ Vials. Protein was extracted from Cellient-methanol fixed and paraffin embedded blocks with CHAPS buffer method as well as FFPE and Mammalian Qiagen ® kits. Results: Comparison of protein yields demonstrated the effectiveness of various protein extraction methods on MFPE cellblocks. Conclusion: In the current era of minimally invasive techniques to obtain minimal amount of tissue for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, the use of commercial and lab made buffer on low weight MFPE scrapings obtained by Cellient ® processor opens new possibilities for protein biomarker research.
Mandatory Arrest: Loosely Coupled Organisations, Situational Variables, and the Arrest Decision

Police officer decision-making is thought to be a function of organisation size and situational variables. Large organisations are assumed to have gaps between administrators and street-level workers, allowing officers in large agencies to exercise discretion in their decision-making, whereas officers in small agencies are closely connected to, and more easily monitored by, administrators. Situational variables are the legal and extralegal aspects of an incident that might influence decision-making. Loose-coupling theory provides a framework to examine the impact of organisation size on officer decision-making. This study examined the arrest decisions of officers when handling domestic violence incidents. A factorial research design integrated four situational variables into vignettes describing a domestic violence incident. Police officers in four departments, one large and three small, indicated the likelihood of making an arrest based on cases described in the vignettes. 917 vignettes were analysed, wi...
Predicting the child-rearing practices of mothers sexually abused in childhood.

Abstract Objective: Although empirical investigations have established a relationship between childhood sexual abuse and numerous long-term consequences, surprisingly little research has addressed the possible effects of childhood victimization on the later child-rearing practices of adult survivors. The present study examined hypothesized predictors of three parenting styles among adult survivors of sexual abuse as compared with adult children of alcoholic parents. Method: Forty-five clinical outpatients completed a questionnaire battery assessing experiences of childhood abuse, current economic and social resources, and parenting attitudes and practices. The child-rearing practices of participants were compared with those reported by a community sample of 717 mothers. Additional analyses examined the extent to which sexual abuse and its adult sequelae predicted the parenting behaviors reported by the present sample. Results: Both sexual abuse survivors and children of alcoholics reported significantly higher rates of permissive parenting practices than mothers in the community sample. Multiple regression analyses further revealed unique relationships between sexual abuse and parenting, over and above the variance explained by physical abuse, current socioeconomic status, and the experience of growing up in an alcoholic home. Mothers’ sexual abuse severity, social support satisfaction, and dysfunctional parenting attitudes moderated several of these relationships. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that sexual abuse and its adult sequelae may have negative consequences for the parenting practices of survivors, particularly for survivors’ ability to providetheir children with appropriate structure, consistent discipline, and clear behavioral expectations. Implications for the psychosocial development of survivors’ children are discussed.
Prostaglandin E2 Adds Bone to a Cancellous Bone Site with a Closed Growth Plate and Low Bone Turnover in Ovariectomized Rats

The objects of this study were to determine the responses of a cancellous bone site with a closed growth plate (the distal tibial metaphysis, DTM) to ovariectomy (OVX) and OVX plus a prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) treatment, and compare the site's response to previous findings reported for another site (the proximal tibial metaphysis, PTM). Thirty-five 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: basal, sham-OVX, and OVX + 0, +1, or +6 mg PGE2/kg/d injected subcutaneously for 3 months and given double fluorescent labels before sacrifice. Cancellous bone histomorphometric analyses were performed on 20-microns-thick undecalcified DTM sections. Similar to the PTM, the DTM showed age-related decreases in bone formation and increases in bone resorption, but it differed in that at 3 months post-OVX, there was neither bone loss nor changes in formation endpoints. Giving 1 mg PGE2/kg/d to OVX rats prevented most age-related changes and maintained the bone formation histomorphometry near basal levels. Treating OVX rats with 6 mg PGE2/kg/d prevented age-related bone changes, added extra bone, and improved microanatomical structure by stimulating bone formation without altering bone resorption. Furthermore, after PGE2 administration, the DTM, a cancellous bone site with a closed growth plate, increased bone formation more than did the cancellous bone in the PTM.
Tolerogenic role of Kupffer cells in allergic reactions.

Drug-induced allergic reactions (DIARs), including allergic hepatitis, cutaneous reactions, and blood dyscrasias, are unpredictable and can be life threatening. Although current studies suggest that DIARs are caused by immunogenic drug−protein adducts, it remains unclear what factors determine the susceptibility to DIARs. We hypothesized that most individuals may be resistant to DIARs in part because they become immunologically tolerant to drug−protein adducts in the liver, an organ with tolerogenic properties. Because animal models of DIARs are elusive, we tested this hypothesis using a murine model of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced delayed type hypersensitivity reaction that is mediated by immunogenic 2,4-dinitrophenylated (DNP)−protein adducts. Intravenous pretreatment of mice with DNP−BSA led to its accumulation in hepatic Kupffer cells (KC) and induced immunological tolerance to subsequent DNCB sensitization. Tolerance could be abrogated by prior depletion of KC or induced in naive mice by t...
Performance ofBetta splendens in a radial arm maze

Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) were tested in aquatic versions of radial arm mazes. In the first experiment, the fish were trained to find tubifex worms in an eight-arm maze in which the optimal strategy was to choose each arm once without repetition. After initial training, the fish entered approximately 6.63 different arms in eight choices, showing a strong tendency to choose sequences of adjacent arms, moving about the maze in a Stereotypic direction. This algorithmic response pattern was not, however, sufficient to predict the high performance level of the fish. In the second experiment, a delay of .5 or 5 min was interposed between the fourth and fifth choices. Similar Stereotypic patterns continued in Experiment 2, but choice accuracy following the longer delay declined to a level not significantly above chance. In the third experiment, different fish were tested in a three-arm maze, reinforced either for returning from the second arm to the arm in which they had most recently been fed (win-stay) or for visiting a third arm (win-shift). The fish were significantly faster at acquiring the win-shift contingency than the win-stay contingency. These results demonstrate that solution of spatial tasks depends on the interaction of appropriate behavioral strategies and cognitive capacities that may have little generality across species.
Designing a secure storage repository for sharing scientific datasets using public clouds

As Cloud platforms gain increasing traction among scientific and business communities for outsourcing storage, computing and content delivery, there is also growing concern about the associated loss of control over private data hosted in the Cloud. In this paper, we present an architecture for a secure data repository service designed on top of a public Cloud infrastructure to support multi-disciplinary scientific communities dealing with personal and human subject data, motivated by the smart power grid domain. Our repository model allows users to securely store and share their data in the Cloud without revealing the plain text to unauthorized users, the Cloud storage provider or the repository itself. The system masks file names, user permissions and access patterns while providing auditing capabilities with provable data updates.
Design of an adaptive cache coherence protocol for large scale multiprocessors

A large scale, cache-based multiprocessor that is interconnected by a hierarchical network such as hierarchical buses or a multistage interconnection network (MIN) is considered. An adaptive cache coherence scheme for the system is proposed based on a hardware approach that handles multiple shared reads efficiently. The new protocol allows multiple copies of a shared data block in the hierarchical network, but minimizes the cache coherence overhead by dynamically partitioning the network into sharing and nonsharing regions based on program behavior. The new cache coherence scheme effectively utilizes the bandwidth of the hierarchical networks and exploits the locality properties of parallel algorithms. Simulation experiments have been carried out to analyze the performance of the new protocol. The simulation results show that the new protocol gives 15% to 30% performance improvement over some existing cache coherence schemes on similar systems for a wide range of workload parameters. >
Study of the photoabsorption spectrum of diamagnetic Rydberg atoms without the need of using full eigenvectors

Abstract We present a new method for efficient and accurate determination of the eigenvalues and the photoabsorption spectrum of Rydberg atoms in the presence of uniform magnetic fields. The procedure consists of the following elements: (a) Hamiltonian and basis set based on the SO(4, 2) dynamical group and its SO(2, 1) subgroup; (b) Lanczos algorithm with spectrum transformation for dealing with the “internal” energy spectrum of ultralarge sparse symmetric Hamiltonians; and (c) a new procedure for the calculation of photoabsorption spectra of Rydberg atoms without the need of determining and using the full eigenvectors of very large dimension. The method is applied to the photoabsorption spectrum of diamagnetic Rydberg hydrogen atoms in the energy regime close to the ionization threshold where the corresponding classical behavior is chaotic. Good agreement with experimental data is obtained.
The Liberals' Moment: The McGovern Insurgency and the Identity Crisis of the Democratic Party . By Bruce Miroff. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2007. 356p. $29.95 cloth, $17.95 paper.

In his book, Bruce Miroff provides a captivating account of the ill-fated 1972 presidential campaign of George McGovern. Indeed, given Miroff's access and diligence in interviewing many of the major players, this is likely to be the definitive study of that campaign for the foreseeable future. To read it is to relive the events of a crucial episode in the career of American liberalism—and also to relive the emotions of hope, anguish, frustration, and dismay that attended them. In addition to providing such a wonderful narrative and judicious assessment of this campaign, Miroff also wants to argue that these events marked the onset of and contributed in some ways to what he calls “the identity crisis of the Democratic Party.”
Igneous History of the Aubrite Parent Asteroid: Evidence from the Norton County Enstatite Achondrite

Numerous specimens of the Norton County enstatite achondrite (aubrite) were studied by optical microscopy, electron microprobe, and neutron-activation analysis. Norton County is found to be a fragmental impact breccia, consisting of a clastic matrix made mostly of crushed enstatite, into which are embedded a variety of mineral and lithic clasts of both igneous and impact melt origin. The Norton County precursor materials were igneous rocks, mostly plutonic orthopyroxenites, not grains formed by condensation from the solar nebula. The Mg-silicate-rich aubrite parent body experienced extensive melting and igneous differentiation, causing formation of diverse lithologies including dunites, plutonic orthopyroxenites, plutonic pyroxenites, and plagioclase-silica rocks. The presence of impact melt breccias (the microporphyritic clasts and the diopside-plagioclase-silica clast) of still different compositions further attests to the lithologic diversity of the aubrite parent body.
Lactate clearance and metabolic aspects of continuous high-volume hemofiltration

Lactic acidosis is associated with high morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Treatment of lactic acidosis is targeted on correcting the underlying causes and optimizing adequate oxygen delivery to the tissues. Even though evidence is lacking, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and dialysis have been advocated as treatments for lactic acidosis. We report a 28-year-old Caucasian male with a history of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis who presented with septic shock, severe lactic acidosis and multiple organ failure. Metabolic acidosis was corrected after bicarbonate therapy and CRRT with a hemofiltration rate of 7 L/h (58 mL/kg/h). Lactate clearance was calculated to be 79 mL/min. Compared with reported rates of lactate overproduction in septic shock, the rate of lactate clearance is quite small. Our case suggests that CRRT with high-volume hemofiltration is not effective for severe lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis alone should not be considered as a nonrenal indication for CRRT.
Active versus passive projector nonlinear gamma compensation method for high-quality fringe pattern generation

This paper presents our comparing study on active and passive methods for compensating the phase error induced by the projector nonlinear gamma effect. The active method modifies the fringe patterns before their projection; and the passive method, in contrast, compensates for the phase error after capturing fringe patterns. Our study finds that the active method tends to provides more consistent high-quality fringe patterns regardless the amount of projector’s defocusing; yet the effectiveness of the passive method is sensitive to the measurement conditions, albeit the passive method could provide equally good quality phase under the optimal calibration condition. Experimental results will be presented to compare these two different methods.
Redundant and Nonredundant Functions of ATM and H2AX in αβ T-Lineage Lymphocytes

The ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase and H2AX histone tumor suppressor proteins are each critical for maintenance of cellular genomic stability and suppression of lymphomas harboring clonal translocations. ATM is the predominant kinase that phosphorylates H2AX in chromatin around DNA double-strand breaks, including along lymphocyte Ag receptor loci cleaved during V(D)J recombination. However, combined germline inactivation of Atm and H2ax in mice causes early embryonic lethality associated with substantial cellular genomic instability, indicating that ATM and H2AX exhibit nonredundant functions in embryonic cells. To evaluate potential nonredundant roles of ATM and H2AX in somatic cells, we generated and analyzed Atm -deficient mice with conditional deletion of H2ax in αβ T-lineage lymphocytes. Combined Atm / H2ax inactivation starting in early-stage CD4 – /CD8 – thymocytes resulted in lower numbers of later-stage CD4 + /CD8 + thymocytes, but led to no discernible V(D)J recombination defect in G1 phase cells beyond that observed in Atm -deficient cells. H2ax deletion in Atm -deficient thymocytes also did not affect the incidence or mortality of mice from thymic lymphomas with clonal chromosome 14 (TCRα/δ) translocations. Yet, in vitro-stimulated Atm/H2ax -deficient splenic αβ T cells exhibited a higher frequency of genomic instability, including radial chromosome translocations and TCRβ translocations, compared with cells lacking Atm or H2ax . Collectively, our data demonstrate that both redundant and nonredundant functions of ATM and H2AX are required for normal recombination of TCR loci, proliferative expansion of developing thymocytes, and maintenance of genomic stability in cycling αβ T-lineage cells.
Transcript profiling and lipidomic analysis of ceramide subspecies in mouse embryonic stem cells and embryoid bodies.

Ceramides (Cers) are important in embryogenesis, but no comprehensive analysis of gene expression for Cer metabolism nor the Cer amounts and subspecies has been conducted with an often used model: mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) versus embroid bodies (EBs). Measuring the mRNA levels by quantitative RT-PCR and the amounts of the respective metabolites by LC-ESI/MS/MS, notable differences between R1 mESCs and EBs were: EBs have higher mRNAs for CerS1 and CerS3, which synthesize C18- and C≥24-carbons dihydroceramides (DH)Cer, respectively; EBs have higher CerS2 (for C24:0- and C24:1-); and EBs have lower CerS5 + CerS6 (for C16-). In agreement with these findings, EBs have (DH)Cer with higher proportions of C18-, C24- and C26- and less C16-fatty acids, and longer (DH)Cer are also seen in monohexosylCers and sphingomyelins. EBs had higher mRNAs for fatty acyl-CoA elongases that produce C18-, C24-, and C26-fatty acyl-CoAs (Elovl3 and Elovl6), and higher amounts of these cosubstrates for CerS. Thus, these studies have found generally good agreement between genomic and metabolomic data in defining that conversion of mESCs to EBs is accompanied by a large number of changes in gene expression and subspecies distributions for both sphingolipids and fatty acyl-CoAs.
EXAMINING DIFFERENT SCHOOL STRUCTURES’ EFFECT ON REDUCING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP BETWEEN AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND WHITE STUDENTS

Reini, Eric William. M.Ed. Education Department, Cedarville University, 2004. Examining Different School Structures’ effect on Reducing the Achievement Gap Between African-American and White Students. The fact that an achievement gap between White and AfricanAmerican students exists is undisputed. The reasons for this gap are many and complex. Evidence does exist, though, that this gap can be narrowed and potentially eliminated. Evidence also exists that demonstrates that when the gap in academic achievement becomes equal African-Americans are more likely to complete college and earn nearly the same income as Whites. Educators must understand the many reasons for the achievement gap and find ways to narrow the gap and further ensure the future success of all students. It is the purpose for this thesis to explore the reasons for the achievement gap and some possible solutions for narrowing the gap. Specifically, the paper will show one possible solution – the Academy structure.
Influence of gender on upper airway mechanics: upper airway resistance and Pcrit

It has been proposed that the difference in sleep apnea prevalence is related to gender differences in upper airway anatomy and physiology. To explain the prevalence difference, we hypothesized tha...
RF transceiver and wireless calibration of on-chip frequency reference for a true single chip radio

An RF transceiver for operation near 24 GHz with an onchip antenna, fractional-N synthesizer and other RF and analog baseband circuits is demonstrated in 130-nm CMOS. A 5-m wireless link was demonstrated using a transceiver pair. A technique for wireless calibration of an on-chip frequency reference is also demonstrated.
Hypervascular Tumor of the Buccal Space in an Adult as a Late Recurrence of Juvenile Angiofibroma

We describe an adult patient with recurrent juvenile angiofibroma, which presented as a rapidly enlarging, hypervascular mass in the anterior part of the cheek. The case is unusual because of the extreme delay (greater than 30 years) and the anatomic location of the recurrence.
New Insights into Diuretic Use in Patients with Chronic Renal Disease

ABSTRACT. Patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) or the nephrotic syndrome frequently manifest diuretic resistance. Factors limiting diuretic responsiveness in patients with CRI may include a reduced basal level of fractional Na + reabsorption that places an upper limit on diuretic response, and enhanced NaCl reabsorption in downstream segments, combined with a reduced delivery of diuretic to the kidney. Diuretics are secreted by the recently characterized organic anion transporters (OATs), which are expressed in proximal tubule cells. Secretion may be inhibited by retained organic anions, urate, or acidosis. These limitations necessitate an increased diuretic dosage, up to a defined ceiling level, and consideration of the use of a nonrenally metabolized loop diuretic rather than furosemide. Diuretic responsiveness in patients with the nephrotic syndrome is limited by avid Na + reabsorption by the terminal nephron. Experimental studies have shown that a reduced serum albumin concentration can increase the volume of distribution of loop diuretics, reduce their tubular secretion, and enhance the inactivation of furosemide within the kidney by glucuronidization. Binding of loop diuretics can curtail their action in the loop of Henle. Recent clinical investigations have challenged the importance of some of these mechanisms that were identified in animal models. Strategies to improve loop diuretic responsiveness include increasing diuretic dosage, concurrent use of a thiazide diuretic to inhibit downstream NaCl reabsorption and attempts to maximally reduce albumin excretion. Strategies to limit albumin excretion include the use of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker and appropriate limitation of protein intake. These measures are more logical, effective, and less expensive than infusion of albumin solutions.
Design and evaluation of wafer scale clock distribution

The authors describe a computer program which is used for simulating the performance of large wafer scale integration clock distribution networks, made up of both passive transmission line elements and active buffers. The theoretical basis for the model is briefly reviewed. The authors present several example networks for 4-in wafers, comparing the AC performances as a function of power dissipation, layout area, and harvesting yield. The sensitivity of performance (as measured by propagation delays and clock skew) to random or systematic process-related fluctuations and defects is calculated using the model. A new measurement system is introduced for electrically characterizing the performance of clock distribution networks on fabricated wafers and within multichip modules. >
PaSE: locating online copy of scientific documents effectively

The need for fast and vast dissemination of research results has led a new trend such that more number of authors post their documents to personal or group Web spaces so that others can easily access and download them. Similarly, more and more researchers use online search for accessing documents of interest in Web, instead of paying a visit to libraries. Currently, to locate and download an online copy of a particular document D, one typically (1) uses Search Engines with the citation information and browses through returned web pages (e.g., author's homepage) to see if any contains D, or (2) uses searching facilities of an individual Digital Library (e.g., CiteSeer, e-Print) looking for D, and if not found, repeats the search in another Digital Library. However, the scheme (1) involves human browsing to get to the final online copy, while the scheme (2) suffers from incomplete coverage. To remedy these shortcomings, in this paper, we present a system, named as PaSE, which can effectively locate online copies (e.g., PDF or PS) of scientific documents using citation information. We consider a myriad of alternatives in crawling and parsing the Web to arrive at the right document quickly, and present a preliminary experimental study. Using some of the best alternatives that we have identified, we show that PaSE can locate online copy of documents more accurately and conveniently than human users would do at the cost of elongated search time.
Cytochrome p450-dependent lipid metabolism in preovulatory follicles.

Estrogen biosynthesis and proteolysis are both important processes involved in ovarian follicular development, which may be influenced by cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent fatty acid metabolites. However, CYP-dependent lipid metabolism has not been characterized with respect to follicular maturation in vivo. Therefore, follicular fluid was collected in the hours before and after the LH surge in pigs, and concentrations of epoxy, hydroxy, and dihydroxy lipids were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Arachidonate oxidation and epoxyeicosatrienoic acid hydrolysis to dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs) were also assessed in thecal and granulosa tissue fractions, and the expression of CYP epoxygenases was evaluated by immunoblots using available antisera. To evaluate soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) expression, the porcine sEH was cloned from ovarian tissue, expressed and purified for antibody generation. The follicular fluid oxylipin concentrations ranged from 1–150 nm depending on the ...
Reading disability: an information-processing analysis

In a task designed to separate perceptual processes from memory, 12-year-old children with reading disabilities showed no perceptual deficits as compared to their peers. However, they exhibited major deficiencies in memory skills for both labelable and nonlabelable visual information. Reading-disabled children in this age group appear to suffer from a basic information-processing deficiency.
Optimizing 4D cone-beam CT acquisition protocol for external beam radiotherapy.

Purpose: Four-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (4D-CBCT) imaging is sensitive to parameters such as gantry rotation speed, number of gantry rotations, X-ray pulse rate, and tube current, as well as a patient’s breathing pattern. The aim of this study is to optimize the image acquisition on a patient-specific basis while minimizing the scan time and the radiation dose. Methods and Materials: More than 60 sets of 4D-CBCT images, each with a temporal resolution of 10 phases, were acquired using multiple-gantry rotation and slow-gantry rotation techniques. The image quality was quantified with a relative root mean-square error (RE) and correlated with various acquisition settings; specifically, varying gantry rotation speed, varying both the rotation speed and the number of rotations, and varying both the rotation speed and tube current to keep the radiation exposure constant. These experiments were repeated for three different respiratory periods. Results: With similar radiation dose, 4D-CBCT images acquired with low current and low rotation speed have better quality over images obtained with high current and high rotation speed. In general, a one-rotation low-speed scan is superior to a two-rotation double-speed scan, even though they provide the same number of projections. Furthermore, it is found that the image quality behaves monotonically with the relative speed as defined by the gantry rotation speed and the patient respiratory period. Conclusions: The RE curves established in this work can be used to predict the 4D-CBCT image quality before a scan. This allows the acquisition protocol to be optimized individually to balance the desired quality with the associated scanning time and patient radiation dose.
Effects of source-sink dynamics on harvest policy performance for yellow perch in southern Lake Michigan

We used a spatially explicit stochastic simulation model to evaluate whether source–sink population dynamics would affect performance of alternative harvest policies for yellow perch, Perca flavescens ,i n southern Lake Michigan. The model contained four management areas in southern Lake Michigan representing each U.S. state’s waters. We parameterized the model such that all recruitment was produced by only one management area, considering each of the four areas to be the sole source in turn, and contrasted results with a base scenario where all areas produced recruits. We evaluated three types of harvest policies: constant-F, where fishing mortality was constant, and two state-dependent policies, where fishing mortality was constant above either 40% or 70% of unfished spawning stock biomass (B0) and decreased to 0a t 0%B0. We used four performance statistics to evaluate polices: (1) average percentage of B0 remaining, (2) percentage of years with low spawning stock biomass, (3) average recreational harvest, and (4) percentage of years with low recreational harvest. Performance of harvest policies differed predictably depending on which management area was the source because relative productivity of stock-recruitment relationships and growth patterns differed among source areas. Thus, if management areas on the western side of Lake Michigan were the source of most of the recruits, the fishery could support higher fishing mortality rates than if areas on the eastern side of the lake were sources. State-dependent harvest policies were less sensitive to assumptions about the source of recruits than were constant fishing mortality rate policies. The 0–70 policy was most robust to source–sink dynamics across most of the performance statistics and levels of fishing mortality.
Examination of Morphological Changes that Affect Gas Permeation through Thermally Damaged Explosives

Photomicrography and software-based quantitative image analysis were used to examine microstructural morphology of samples of a plastic bonded explosive, PBX 9501, which had been thermally damaged under varied confinement conditions. Samples were damaged to an advanced state, as would be attained just prior to cook-off. We observed significant changes in morphology, when compared to pristine material, which contribute to higher gas permeability. Changes included the formation of channels and pores, as well as fracturing of the HMX crystalline component. We discuss both qualitative and quantitative observations of morphology and whether they are likely to affect sensitivity and behavior of PBX 9501.
EQL: the language and its implementation

EqL, a general-purpose language that combines the capabilities of functional and logic programming languages, is described. A program in EqL consists of a collection of conditional, pattern-directed rules, where the conditions are expressed as a conjunction of equations, and the patterns are terms built up of data-constructors and basic values. The computational paradigm in EqL is equation solving. Examples illustrating the major features of the language, nondeterminism, deferred evaluation of primitives, and logical variables are presented. The aspects of a sequential implementation for EqL, such as compile-time flattening of equations, run-time equation-delaying, and last-equation optimization, are also described. >