cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of action of guinea pig liver transglutaminase. 8. Active site studies with "reporter" group-labeled halomethyl ketones

Abstract The reaction of α-bromo-4-hydroxy-3-nitroacetophenone (BHNA) with transglutaminase in the presence of CaCl2 (25 mm) produces a catalytically inactive labeled protein in which the phenacyl group is covalently attached to the active site —SH. The spectral properties of this group attached to the enzyme are consistent with that of the group in a hydrophobic region of the molecule. Addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetate results in a shift of the spectrum toward shorter wave lengths, indicative of a more polar environment for this —SH in the absence of Ca++. Attachment of the phenacyl group to positions in the enzyme other than the active —SH by reaction with BHNA in the absence of Ca++ results in losses in transferase activity, but essentially no loss in esterase activity. The spectrum of the groups bound to enzyme in the absence of Ca++ is identical with that of the phenacyl group in water. This spectrum is unchanged by subsequent addition of Ca++. In the catalytically inactive forms of transglutaminase, produced by the reaction of d and l forms of methyl N-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenylacetyl)-2-amino-4-oxo-5-chloropentanoate (PACK) and 1-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenylacetyl)amidobutan-2-one (PBCK) with enzyme in the presence of Ca++, the phenolic reporter group is attached covalently to the enzyme's active —SH. The rapid rate of inactivation by l-PACK compared to d-PACK and PBCK implies that l-PACK, by virtue of its structural similarity to transglutaminase substrates, is properly oriented at the substrate-binding site of enzyme prior to the covalent reaction. The pKa of the phenolic group in the acyl protion of each of these inactivators is shifted towards that of a weaker acid in the reporter-labeled enzyme proteins. The identical changes in pKa with each inactivator suggest that the phenylacetyl side chain in each case is positioned in the same manner within the matrix of the calcium-activated enzyme derivative. Addition of EDTA results in a shift in pKa of the phenolic group in each enzyme derivative back to that of the parent inactivator. This, together with the findings with BHNA, forms the basis for a suggestion that the active —SH is located at or near the surface in the unactivated enzyme, i.e., in the absence of Ca++. Active site titration procedures for transglutaminase are described. A rate assay procedure utilizing either BHNA or l-PACK was found to give results in excellent agreement with those of a direct spectrophotometric method carried out with the use of BHNA. The latter titration is based on the differences in the absorption spectrum of the phenacyl group bound to the enzyme's active —SH and that of this group attached to other positions on the enzyme molecule.
Sympathetic Reinnervation Is Required for Mammalian Cardiac Regeneration

Rationale:Although mammalian cardiac regeneration can occur in the neonatal period, the factors involved in this process remain to be established. Because tissue and limb regeneration require concurrent reinnervation by the peripheral nervous system, we hypothesized that cardiac regeneration also requires reinnervation. Objective:To test the hypothesis that reinnervation is required for innate neonatal cardiac regeneration. Methods and Results:We crossed a Wnt1-Cre transgenic mouse with a double-tandem Tomato reporter strain to identify neural crest-derived cell lineages including the peripheral autonomic nerves in the heart. This approach facilitated the precise visualization of subepicardial autonomic nerves in the ventricles using whole mount epifluorescence microscopy. After resection of the left ventricular apex in 2-day-old neonatal mice, sympathetic nerve structures, which envelop the heart under normal conditions, exhibited robust regrowth into the regenerating myocardium. Chemical sympathectomy i...
Deep-level defects and numerical simulation of radiation damage in GaAs solar cells

Abstract A review of the deep-level defects observed in both electron- and proton-irradiated GaAs solar cells is presented. Studies of the effects of periodic and continuouss thermal annealing on the radiation-induced electron and hole traps and the recombination parameters in GaAs solar cells were made for a wide range of electron and proton energies, fluence, annealing temperature and annealing time. A refined model for numerical simulations of the displacement damage was developed for computing the defect density and the cell parameters in the electron- and proton-irradiated GaAs solar cells. excellent agreement was obtained between the calculated values and the experimental data for the proton-irradiated GaAs solar cells.
Mechanical alloying — A perspective

Mechanical alloying is a dry, high energy ball milling process for producing composite metal powder with a fine controlled microstructure. It was originally developed to make high temperature alloys combining oxide dispersion and intermetallic compound strengthening. The mechanism of the process is described using nickel-based superalloys as the vehicle. Early experiments leading to the invention of mechanical alloying are covered along with some peripheral problems that had to be solved in order for the process to be successfully applied. Use of the process with diverse systems including aluminum-based alloys, intermetallic compounds and amorphous materials is discussed.
Effects of Reserpine and Chlorpromazine on the Milk Ejection Reflex In Lactating Rats.

SummaryThe effects of reserpine (RSP) and chlorpromazine (CPZ) on the milk ejection response in lactating rats were studied. Neither RSP nor CPZ blocked the milk ejection response. Pups suckling RSP- and CPZ-treated mothers could obtain as much milk as those in the intact control group. RSP injected each morning blocked the appearance of estrous smears completely for 5 days after weaning. The blockade by CPZ was not complete, but 3 out of 5 rats treated with high dosage of CPZ did not show estrous smears. Mammary glands of RSP- and CPZ-treated groups consisted of well maintained lobulo-alveolar system at 5 days after weaning, while in the injected and the intact control groups complete involution of the gland was observed. The results imply that RSP and CPZ blocked ovulation and activated or maintained prolactin secretion without blocking the milk ejection response.
Hevains: Serine-centred proteases from the latex of Hevea brasiliensis

Abstract Hevains b and l , isolated respectively from the serum and lutoids of freeze-dried latex from Hevea brasiliensis , were purified to homogeneity and compared with hevain a from commercial, ammonia-treated latex. The M r s of hevains a and b are 69 000 and 58 000, respectively, and both exist in several charged forms. The amino acid compositions of the two enzymes differ significantly, but the reactivities to a variety of ester and protein substrates are similar, as are the pH optima. Hevain l is a distinct protease of M r 80 000 and unique amino acid composition. It displays esterolytic activity and will digest insulin B chain, but is not proteolytic to azocollagen, azocasein, bovine serum albumen or haemoglobin. The activities of all three enzymes are dependent on the presence of serine and histidine residues.
Photodetectors for nuclear medical imaging

Abstract There have been a number of recent advances in photodetector technology, notably in photomultiplier tubes with high quantum efficiency (up to ∼50%), hybrid photodetectors, and silicon-based Geiger-mode photodetectors. This paper looks at the potential benefits that these technologies can bring to nuclear medicine, notably single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). We find that while the potential benefits to SPECT are relatively small, they can bring performance improvements in many areas for PET.
Brownian motion and long-term clinical trial recruitment

Accurate prediction of recruitment in a clinical trial may help investigator to better allocate resources and to quickly make decision to intervene in the case of slow recruitment. In this paper, the theory of Brownian motion was used to model recruitment in a long-term clinical trial. The proposed model is illustrated using the recruitment experience of the Cholesterol and Recurrent Event (CARE) Trial.
Estimation of blood content in the mouse brain by measurement of iron

Abstract A method using the iron content of the blood to estimate the blood volume in the brain of mice is described. A sample of blood from the caudal vein is used to establish the iron content of the blood. The mouse is sacrificed in a special microwave radiation (MWR) instrument which coagulates the blood within 250 msec in situ. The brain is removed, digested, and the iron content analyzed by electrothermal atomization with atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean iron content ± SE of mouse blood is 551 ± 11 μg ml , the iron content of the brain is 27.9 ± 0.6 μg g and the mean brain blood volume is 51 ± μl g . Inhalation of a mixture of 5% CO2 and 95% O2 caused a significant increase in the blood content of the pineal gland of mice.
Real-time HF ray tracing through a tilted ionosphere

[1] High-frequency (HF) direction-finding (DF) systems measure the angles of arrival of signals at selected frequencies. With this information, ray tracing can accurately determine the location of the HF transmitters if the three-dimensional (3-D) electron density (Ne) distribution between the DF site and the transmitters is known. The usual approach is to use an ionospheric model like the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) as a proxy for the density distribution. We describe a more realistic approach developed in cooperation with Codem Systems in Merrimack, New Hampshire. A collocated digisonde at the DF site measures the vertical electron density profile and the local ionospheric tilt, providing, in real time, the inputs for the construction of the 3-D Ne distribution. The vertical profile is automatically obtained from the Automated Real Time Ionogram Scaler with True Height (ARTIST)-scaled ionogram and the local tilt from the sky maps recorded after each ionogram. The characteristics of each layer, for example, critical frequencies and peak heights, are expressed as a function of latitude λ and longitude Ψ. In the neighborhood of the DF site each characteristic, for example, foF2, is given as foF2(λ, Ψ) = foF2m (1 + C7Δλ + C8ΔΨ) (1 + CλΔλ + CΨΔΨ). The coefficients C7 and C8 for any given azimuth direction are determined with the use of the Union Radio Scientifique Internationale/CCIR coefficients (which are also used in IRI), and the calculation of Cλ and CΨ makes use of the measured ionospheric tilt data; foF2m is the local, measured foF2 value. When the measured density profile and tilt data are available, the derived 3-D density distribution represents the instantaneous ionosphere structure near the site. The numerical ray tracing includes the effects of the magnetic field and properly treats the spitze effect, making the ray-tracing program especially useful for small distances. Ray tracing through simulated tilts shows that the differences in ground distances for one-hop high-frequency (HF) propagation vary from about 1 to 100 km depending on the assumed tilts and distances. Operational tests for distances up to approximately 100 km have demonstrated good results in determining the transmitter location in real time and have illustrated the importance of using the actual ionospheric profiles and tilts in the ray tracing.
Lymphocyte adhesion to CCR5 ligands is reduced by anti-CCR5 gene delivery.

Abstract Immune-mediated damage to the central nervous system (CNS) is an important contributor to many CNS diseases, including epilepsy. Chemokines play a role in leukocyte recruitment to, and migration across, the blood–brain barrier (BBB) during many such processes. We previously investigated the role of the chemokine receptor CCR5 in a rat model of epilepsy based on intraperitoneal kainic acid (KA) administration. Before KA injection, rats were given intramarrow inoculations of SV(RNAiR5-RevM10.AU1), which carries an interfering RNA (RNAi) that targets CCR5. Decreased CCR5 expression in blood cells after vector administration reduced expression of CCR5 ligands MIP-1α and RANTES in the microvasculature, and strongly protected from BBB leakage, CNS loss and inflammation and facilitated CNS repair. We show here that rSV40-mediated downregulation of CCR5 in lymphocytes decreased cellular adhesion to surfaces carrying CCR5 ligands. These data suggest that reducing CCR5 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) might alter their adhesion to the microvasculature and their participation in inflammatory processes.
Retrograde cardiovascular angiography in infants, using a 3.6 French catheter

Diagnostic retrograde arterial catheterization in infants and small children has been constrained by the risk of arterial thrombosis and the low flow rate of catheters less than #5 French. We performed retrograde arterial catheterization (percutaneous technique in 21 of 24 patients) on 24 infants and small children (median age 3 months, median weight 4.1 kg), using a 3.6 French preformed polyethylene catheter. Systemic heparinization was used. Among the group, we performed 23 aortograms, and 4 selective injections into a bronchial artery; all angiograms were of diagnostic quality. Injection rates ranged from 3 cc/sec to 10 cc/sec (median 5 cc/sec) with a peak developed pressure of 300 PSI to 900 PSI (median 700 PSI). No catheter-related complications were encountered during the study. Four of 24 patients developed a decreased pulse, noted immediately following the catheterization; however, pulses returned to normal within 24 hours, and late blood pressure assessment revealed no abnormalities in the catheterized leg. We now recommend this catheter for infants less than 10 kg when the following angiograms are required: 1. retrograde aortography (truncus arteriosus, pulmonary atresia, aortic stenosis, coarctation, coronary anomalies) 2. selective injections of bronchial arteries 3. retrograde catheterization of surgical shunts
Strictly proper projective controllers for disturbance attenuation

A design methodology is presented which applies projective controls to the disturbance attenuation problem for large flexible structures. Through this method, low-order strictly proper controllers are designed which improve the disturbance attenuation properties of the system. A new parameterization of the closed-loop system in terms of free parameters in the projective controller leads to an auxiliary minimization problem which determines the parameters of the controller. A flexible structure example demonstrates the use of this methodology.
Water in Carbon Dioxide Microemulsions with Fluorinated Analogues of AOT

A series of fluorinated analogues of AOT, the sodium salt of bis(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,5,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)-2-sulfosuccinate (CF3(CF2)5CH2CH2OOCCH2CH(SO3Na)COOCH2CH2(CF2)5CF3, di-HCF7), the sodium salt of bis(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoro-1-pentyl)-2-sulfosuccinate (H(CF2)4CH2OOCCH2CH(SO3Na)COOCH2(CF2)4H, di-HCF4), and the sodium salt of bis(2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl)-2-sulfosuccinate (CF3CHFCF2CH2OOCCH2CH(SO3Na)COOCH2CF2CHFCF3, di-HCF3), were synthesized and characterized by 1HNMR. The pressure−temperature phase diagrams for W/CO2 microemulsions stabilized by the three surfactants were determined. At a fixed temperature, cloud point pressures increased with increasing water-to-surfactant ratio. The water solubilization capacity increased in the order di-HCF4 > di-HCF3 > di-HCF7.
Abstract 5435: Tolcapone inhibits catechol-O-methyl transferase-mediated methylation of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallatein vivo

Green tea polyphenols (GTP) have been shown to exert anti-cancer effects in vitro and in vivo. Studies suggest that (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is largely responsible for these anti-cancer effects. EGCG reduces lung cancer cell viability in vitro and reduces tumor incidence, multiplicity, and size in vivo. EGCG, however, is rapidly methylated by catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT), a transformation that may limit its effectiveness in lung cancer prevention. The nitrocatechol drug tolcapone is a potent inhibitor of COMT and is used to mitigate the symptoms of Parkinson9s disease. In this study, we examined the effect of tolcapone on the bioavailability of EGCG in male CF-1 mice. Plasma and tissue levels of EGCG and its major methyl metabolites in mice (n = 6) were determined by LC-MS following oral administration of EGCG (100 mg/kg b.w.), tolcapone (30 mg/kg b.w.), or the combination (100 mg/kg b.w. + 30 mg/kg b.w., respectively). In mice treated with EGCG for 720 min, plasma EGCG accounted for 34.6 % of the total (EGCG + methylated metabolites), whereas in mice treated with EGCG plus tolcapone this increased to 65.7 %. In urine, EGCG accounted for 9.4 % of the total, whereas in mice treated with EGCG plus tolcapone this increased to 100 % (metabolites not detected). Similar effects were observed in the organ samples. For example, tolcapone extensively inhibited COMT- mediated methylation of EGCG in the lungs of mice. In conclusion, tolcapone effectively increased the bioavailability of unmethylated EGCG in vivo. The combination, may therefore increase the cancer preventive effects of EGCG. Future work will test the effect of tolcapone on the bioavailability of other GTP, and also determine the effect of tolcapone/GTP combination in animal models of cancer. Funded by NIH grant AT004678. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5435. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5435
Lingual thyroid: iodine 131: a viable treatment modality revisited.

Purpose: Lingual thyroid has a reported incidence between 1:10 and 1:100,000. When symptomatic, patients may present with dysphagia, choking, and/or dyspnea. Current surgical treatment options range from tumor extirpation or transposition to excision and reimplantation. Tracheotomies are often performed postoperatively for reliable airway control. Iodine 131 (131I) has not been a popular modality of treatment for lingual thyroid because of theoretical fears of increased airway obstruction from thyroiditis. We believe that these fears were not substantiated, and that symptomatic patients needed a reliable, nonsurgical treatment option. Therefore, our goal was to further investigate the use of 131I for the treatment of symptomatic lingual thyroid. Patients and Methods: A 6-year retrospective chart review was performed. From 1994 to 2000, 2 patients with symptomatic lingual thyroid presented to the Arkansas Cancer Research Center Head and Neck Oncology clinic, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR. Patients underwent pretreatment computed tomography, and iodine 123 scans. They then received 1 oral dose of 131I. Doses ranged from 30 to 85 mCi. Patients were then followed daily for signs of airway compromise. Results: Complete resolution of symptoms was seen 2 months after treatment. Patients did not complain of any increased airway compromise during treatment initiation. Patients remain symptom-free and are maintained on thyroid hormone replacement. Conclusions: Iodine 131 ablation of lingual thyroid is a safe and effective treatment in symptomatic patients and should be included in the algorithm when formulating a treatment plan. (Am J Otolaryngol 2001;22:276-281. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company)
Effects of phencyclidine on the spontaneous activity of monoaminergic neurons.

Intravenous phencyclidine (PCP) increased the firing rate of a population of slow firing dopaminergic neurons recorded in the substantia nigra of chloral hydrate anesthetized rats. PCP also significantly reduced the potency of i.v. d-amphetamine to inhibit the firing of dopaminergic neurons. The drug produced little changes in the activity of serotonergic neurons of the dorsal raphe and consistently inhibited the firing of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus.
Neutron matter on the lattice with pionless effective field theory

We study neutron matter by combining pionless effective field theory with nonperturbative lattice methods. The neutron contact interaction is determined by zero-temperature scattering data. We simulate neutron matter on the lattice at temperatures of 4 and 8 MeV and densities below one-fifth normal nuclear matter density. Our results at different lattice spacings agree with one another and match bubble-chain calculations at low densities. The equation of state of pure neutron matter obtained from our simulations agrees quantitatively with variational calculations based on realistic potentials.
Mesomechanical Modeling of Polymer/Clay Nanocomposites Using a Viscoelastic-Viscoplastic-Viscodamage Constitutive Model

In this study, damage evolution in a nanocomposite containing the polymethyl methacrylate polymer (PMMA) embedded with silicate nanoclay particles is simulated by using a nonlinear viscoelastic, viscoplastic, and viscodamage constitutive model. Mesomechanical two-dimensional representative volume elements (RVEs) of fully intercalated and fully exfoliated nanoclay polymer composites have been arbitrarily generated assuming a uniform dispersion of nanoclay particles with random length, aspect ratio, and orientation. Proper size of the RVE has been determined by studying the effect of the RVE size on the stress-strain response and toughness. Several simulations including different intercalated and exfoliated nanoclay weight fractions under different strain rates at room temperature have been conducted. It is concluded that the strength of exfoliated nanoclay composite is higher than intercalated one due to more distributed damage within many narrow localized zones for the case of exfoliated nanoclay polymer composite. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4004696]
High-contrast electrochromism from layer-by-layer polymer films

Layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly is the ideal processing technique to combine two electrochromic polymers into a single thin film composite with fine control over morphology and composition. Here we present a very-high-contrast electrochromic composite developed from the LBL assembly of two readily available cathodically coloring electrochromic polymers: poly(hexyl viologen) (PXV) and the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:SPS) colloid. Characterization of assembly reveals that film thickness increases exponentially with increasing layer-pair number, seemingly due to the globular nature of the PEDOT:SPS colloid. Elemental analysis confirmed the presence of both polymers in the final film and allowed the determination of a bulk composition profile. In detailed electrochemical and spectral investigations, the “dual electrochrome” was compared to single-electrochrome LBL films, confirming that both polymers contribute to electrochromic switching. Due to the unusual film architectur...
The clinical aspects of biclonal gammopathies: Review of 57 cases

Between 1966 and 1979, biclonal gammopathy was recognized in 57 patients. Clinical and laboratory features differentiated three groups: biclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, 37 cases (65 percent); multiple myeloma, nine cases (16 percent); and lymphoproliferative disease--including lymphoma, macroglobulinemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and unclassified lymphoproliferative disorders--11 cases (19 percent). With biclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, symptomatic multiple myeloma developed after two years in one patient; the others remained stable. One patient with multiple myeloma had osteosclerotic myeloma and a severe sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy, and another presented with plasma cell leukemia. In the remainder response to therapy and survival were much the same as in patients with multiple myeloma with a monoclonal protein. Patients with lymphoproliferative disease responded to chemotherapy like that for monoclonal gammopathy. Of the 57 patients, 30 (53 percent) had IgG and IgA components, 15 (26 percent) had IgG and IgM, six had two IgG components, three had IgA and IgM, one had IgA proteins, one had IgA and IgE and 1 had triclonal gammopathy. Of the 115 light chains, 70 percent were kappa; the chains were both kappa and lambda in 63 percent of biclonal pairs. In many cases, serum electrophoresis produced only a single band on the acetate strip, and the biclonal gammopathy was not recognized until immunoelectrophoresis was done. Although the clinical features of biclonal gammopathy and its response to therapy are similar to those of monoclonal gammopathy, this subject is of importance because of the lack of clinical data in the literature.
Towards modelling of assemblies for product design

Abstract Current cad systems provide exhaustive capabilities for specifying detailed component geometry in support of the product-design process. However, before detailed geometric designs are finally produced, the designer must first map the product requirements into functional specifications, and realize the functional specifications in the form of conceptual designs. While it may not be possible to automate these more creative steps fully in the design process, cad systems can support the design process better, by consistently representing and maintaining the functional intent of the designer. To provide such support, the cad systems must address the assembly level, since only at this level is it possible to model the functionality of the design in terms of the functionally significant geometry and assembly relations. The literature survey first establishes basic information requirements for a cad framework in support of the broader design process. The literature is reviewed in the context of this framework. The following areas are reviewed: the choice of modelling primitives for the specification of assembly information, the choice of various model structures for the aggregation of the assembly information and the use of this information for design analysis, and the choice of strategies for relative part positioning for the computation of the final assembly configuration. Even though research is well developed in individual aspects of assembly modelling, there are major gaps that must be addressed before cad systems can make use of assembly modelling as an integrated framework for product design.
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome after Bone Marrow Transplantation: Clinical Characteristics and Outcome in Children

Abstract Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We retrospectively studied the medical records of 293 children who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital between 1992 and 1999 to describe the clinical course of and to identify risk factors for transplant-associated HUS. Conditioning regimens included cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, and total body irradiation for patients with hematologic malignancies (n = 244); patients with nonmalignant diseases (n = 49) received disease-specific regimens. Grafts from unrelated or mismatched related donors were depleted of T lymphocytes, whereas matched sibling grafts were unmanipulated. All patients received cyclosporine as prophylaxis for graft-versus-host disease. Recipients of grafts from matched siblings also received pentoxifylline or short-course methotrexate. HUS developed in 28 (9.6%) patients at a median of 171 days after transplantation. We identified older donor age (P = .029), use of antithymocyte globulin in the conditioning regimen (P = .008), and recipient CMV seronegativity (P = .011) as being associated with an increased risk of HUS. With a multiple regression analysis, the use of antithymocyte globulin (β = .86; P = .04) and recipient cytomegalovirus seronegativity (β = .93; P = .035) remained significant risk factors for the development of HUS.
Reorientation of M Centers in KCl

The dependence of the $M$-center reorientation efficiency on ${M}^{+}$ concentration indicates that at low temperatures, $M$ centers reorient indirectly by absorbing light, forming ${M}^{+}$ centers which then absorb and rotate. Reoriented $M$ centers are produced only after reoriented ${M}^{+}$ centers capture electrons. We further show that ${M}^{+}$ centers reorient with high efficiency during the radiationless transition, $2p{\ensuremath{\pi}}_{u}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2p{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{u}$.
Computer applications in audiology and rehabilitation of the hearing impaired

Computers are playing an ever-increasing role in audiology. The potential applications of computers in audiology, speech pathology, and aural rehabilitation are described. These include the use of computers in adaptive testing, speech analysis and synthesis, automatic extraction of speech features, supplemental speechreading aids, analysis and synthesis of speechreading cues, language analysis, and computer simulation of the effect of specific speech training strategies.
A Full-Brain, Bootstrapped Analysis of Diffusion Tensor Imaging Robustly Differentiates Parkinson Disease from Healthy Controls

There is a compelling need for early, accurate diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Various magnetic resonance imaging modalities are being explored as an adjunct to diagnosis. A significant challenge in using MR imaging for diagnosis is developing appropriate algorithms for extracting diagnostically relevant information from brain images. In previous work, we have demonstrated that individual subject variability can have a substantial effect on identifying and determining the borders of regions of analysis, and that this variability may impact on prediction accuracy. In this paper we evaluate a new statistical algorithm to determine if we can improve accuracy of prediction using a subjects left-out validation of a DTI analysis. Twenty subjects with PD and 22 healthy controls were imaged to evaluate if a full brain diffusion tensor imaging-fractional anisotropy (DTI-FA) map might be capable of segregating PD from controls. In this paper, we present a new statistical algorithm based on bootstrapping. We compare the capacity of this algorithm to classify the identity of subjects left out of the analysis with the accuracy of other statistical techniques, including standard cluster-thresholding. The bootstrapped analysis approach was able to correctly discriminate the 20 subjects with PD from the 22 healthy controls (area under the receiver operator curve or AUROC 0.90); however the sensitivity and specificity of standard cluster-thresholding techniques at various voxel-specific thresholds were less effective (AUROC 0.72–0.75). Based on these results sufficient information to generate diagnostically relevant statistical maps may already be collected by current MRI scanners. We present one statistical technique that might be used to extract diagnostically relevant information from a full brain analysis.
Wigner and Huntington: the long quest for metallic hydrogen

In 1935, Wigner and Huntington (WH) predicted that at a density D Met=0.62 mole H/cm3, ‘very low temperatures’, and a pressure greater than 25 GPa, body-centered cubic H2 would undergo an isostructural phase transition directly to H with an associated insulator-metal transition (IMT). WH also predicted an H2 structure type that might occur if the simple H2/H dissociative IMT does not exist: ‘It is possible … that a layer-like lattice … is obtainable under high pressure’. In 1991, Ashcroft predicted that the ‘geometric and dynamic nature of the (H–H) pairing’, possibly in a layered graphite-like structure, would substantially impede achieving metallic H2. In 1996, metallic fluid H was made under dynamic compression at 0.64 mole H/cm3, 140 GPa and T/T F≪1, where T F is Fermi temperature. In 2012, a layer-like lattice, called Phase IV, was discovered above ∼220 GPa static pressure. Phase IV is insulating and possibly semi-metallic up to ∼360 GPa, above which it has been predicted to become metallic. This pap...
Computer skills of initial teacher education students

Abstract A constant challenge for teacher education lies in keeping courses up to date. This article provides a view of the current skills, attitudes, and perceptions regarding computer technology in the classroom from a preservice candidate perspective. The intent of this research is to help foster discussion about how to further develop pre-service educational technology courses that best meet the needs of a continuously evolving and changing student-teacher population in terms of computer technology skills. The primary instrument was a self-assessment survey of the skills, attitudes, and perceptions about utilizing computer technology in the classroom among firsttime students enrolled in introductory education courses at a large midwestern university in the USA in the fall semester of 1999. Surveys were administered to a total of 205 students. Questionnaires were given to preservice teachers during their initial courses rather than mailed to their homes, in an attempt to increase participation rates. P...
Identification of oligodendrocytes in experimental disease models

The ability to identify oligodendrocytes in culture, in fixed tissue, and in vivo using unique markers is a requisite step to understanding their responses in any damage, recovery, or developmental process. Their nuclei are readily seen in histological preparations of healthy white and gray matter, and their cell bodies can be reliably identified with a variety of immunocytochemical markers. However, there is little consensus regarding optimal methods to assess oligodendrocyte survival or morphology under experimental injury conditions. We review common approaches for histological and immunocytochemical identification of these cells. Transgenic and viral methods for cell type-selective transfer of genes encoding fluorescent proteins offer promising new approaches for manipulating and visualizing oligodendrocytes in models of health and disease.
A Comparative Study of Ni 49.9 Ti 50.1 and Ni 50.3 Ti 29.7 Hf 20 Tube Actuators

A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator typically has to operate for a large number of thermomechanical cycles due to its application requirements. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the cyclic behavioral response of the SMA actuation material and the devices into which they are incorporated under extended cycling conditions. The present work is focused on the nature of the cyclic, evolutionary behavior of two widely used SMA actuator material systems: (1) a commercially available Ni49.9Ti50.1, and (2) a developmental high-temperature Ni50.3Ti29.7Hf20 alloy. Using a recently developed general SMA modeling framework that utilizes multiple inelastic mechanisms, differences and similarities between the two classes of materials are studied, accounting for extended number of thermal cycles under a constant applied tensile/compressive force and under constant applied torque loading. From the detailed results of the simulations, there were significant qualitative differences in the evolution of deformation responses for the two different materials. In particular, the Ni49.9Ti50.1 tube showed significant evolution of the deformation response, whereas the Ni50.3Ti29.7Hf20 tube stabilized quickly. Moreover, there were significant differences in the tension-compression-shear asymmetry properties in the two materials. More specifically, the Ni50.3Ti29.7Hf20 tube exhibited much higher asymmetry effects, especially at low stress levels, compared to the Ni49.9Ti50.1. For both SMA tubes, the evolution of the deformation response under thermal cycling typically exhibited regions of initial transients, and subsequent evolution.
Evaluating the national air toxics assessment (NATA): Comparison of predicted and measured air toxics concentrations, risks, and sources in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Abstract The National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) is an ongoing modeling effort by the Environmental Protection Agency to predict air toxics concentrations, sources, and risks at the census tract level throughout the continental United States. To evaluate NATA, archived data collected at seven sites in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania were compared to 2002 NATA predictions. The sites represent 3 different source regimes (mobile dominated, industrial point source dominated, and background). The evaluation considered 49 air toxics (37 gas-phase organics, 10 metals, coke oven emissions and diesel particulate matter); NATA’s performance was judged based on model-measurement comparisons of concentrations, health risks, and source contributions. On a concentration basis, NATA performance varied widely ranging from excellent for carbon tetrachloride to differences of more than a factor of 100 for low concentration chlorinated compounds. However, predicted concentrations were generally within a factor of 2 of measured values for air toxics that were estimated to be the primary cancer risk drivers; therefore NATA provided reasonable estimates of the additive cancer risks and risk ranking of air toxics. NATA performs better on average in Pittsburgh than nationwide. Comparison of source apportionment results indicates that NATA consistently underestimated concentrations of compounds emitted by large point sources as well as concentrations of chlorinated compounds, but overestimated the risks from mobile sources in Pittsburgh. Therefore, in Pittsburgh, NATA sufficiently prioritizes air toxics that drive potential cancer risks, but does not identify the sources of these priority air toxics.
A theory of the learnable

Humans appear to be able to learn new concepts without needing to be programmed explicitly in any conventional sense. In this paper we regard learning as the phenomenon of knowledge acquisition in the absence of explicit programming. We give a precise methodology for studying this phenomenon from a computational viewpoint. It consists of choosing an appropriate information gathering mechanism, the learning protocol, and exploring the class of concepts that can be learnt using it in a reasonable (polynomial) number of steps. We find that inherent algorithmic complexity appears to set serious limits to the range of concepts that can be so learnt. The methodology and results suggest concrete principles for designing realistic learning systems.
Nicotine Contamination in Particulate Matter Sampling

We have addressed potential contamination of PM(2.5) filter samples by nicotine from cigarette smoke. We collected two nicotine samples - one nicotine sampling filter was placed inline after the collection of PM(2.5) and the other stood alone. The overall correlation between the two nicotine filter levels was 0.99. The nicotine collected on the "stand-alone" filter was slightly greater than that on the "in-line" filter (mean difference = 1.10 mug/m(3)), but the difference was statistically significant only when PM(2.5) was low (</= 50 mug/m(3)). It is therefore important to account for personal and secondhand smoke exposure while assessing occupational and environmental PM.
The Lotto and the Lord: Religious Influences on the Adoption of a Lottery in South Carolina

On November 7, 2000, despite the ardent pleas of clergy from across the spectrum of religious traditions, South Carolina voters repealed a constitutional amendment to pave the way for a state lottery. In a state known for intense evangelical religiosity, this outcome raises several important questions about the political influence of religion and religious leaders. In this article we offer a history of the religious aspects of the lottery debate in South Carolina and an empirical look at the relationships between religious factors and support for the lottery among South Carolina voters. Specifically, we explore the extent to which involvement in evangelical Protestantism, political salience of religion, and clergy cues affected public support for a state lottery Data for the empirical analysis are drawn from an October 3, 2000 poll of 450 South Carolinians who had voted in two previous elections.
Prediction of dynamic freeway travel times based on vehicle trajectory construction

The paper develops a novel approach to construct vehicle trajectories using real-time and historical traffic data to predict dynamic travel times. The approach combines real-time and historical data within a particle filter framework to dynamically predict future traffic state maps. The predicted travel trajectory is then constructed using the velocity spatiotemporal map. Based on the nature of particle filters, the variance of each speed grid traversed during the trip can be calculated and then used to compute the travel time variance. The proposed approach is tested using simulated data along a section of I-66. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in predicting travel times.
Pulmonary Uptake of Liposomal Phosphatidylcholine

Summary: Liposomes prepared with phosphatidylcholine (PC) labeled with [1-14C]-dipalmitoyl-PC, dicetylphosphate, cholesterol (molar ratio 7:2:1) were injected into the right ear vein of 2-month-old male rabbits. At 5, 60, and 120 min after injection, organs were removed and analyzed for [14C]-PC. Lung, liver, and spleen took up the [14C]-PC by 5 min. Spleen accumulation of [14C]-PC increased steadily, liver plateaued from 1-2 hr, and lung fell rapidly. The uptake of liposomal [14C]-PC by lung and liver was dependent on the concentration of iv injected liposomal [14C]-PC. All lung subcellular fractions (lamellar bodies, mitochondria, and microsomes) took up [14C]-PC. Lamellar body [14C]-PC was highest at 5 min, and then decreased. Still, on a nmole/mg protein basis, uptake of [14C]-PC by lamellar bodies was higher than other organelle fractions. Of the radioactivity in lung, 95% was [14C]-PC even after 2 hr, whereas by 1 hr, 28% of liposomal PC absorbed by liver had been degraded.
Register allocation using lazy saves, eager restores, and greedy shuffling

This paper presents a fast and effective linear intraprocedural register allocation strategy that optimizes register usage across procedure calls. It capitalizes on our observation that while procedures that do not contain calls (syntactic leaf routines) account for under one third of all procedure activations, procedures that actually make no calls (effective leaf routines) account for over two thirds of all procedure activations. Well-suited for both caller-and calle-save registers, our strategy employs a “lazy” save mechanism that avoids saves for all effective leaf routines, an “eager” restore mechanism that reduces the effect of memory latency, and a “greedy” register shuffling algorithm that does a remarkbly good job of minimizing the need for temporaries in setting up procedure calls.
Eye-Blink Rate and Hypnosis: Preliminary Findings

This is one of a series of studies oriented toward testing the validity and reliability of certain features of the outer appearance of hypnotized individuals which have long been popularly and clinically considered good indices of “hypnosis.” The present report focuses on eye-blink rate. 19 individuals were administered a slight modification of the Stanford Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A. Samples of their blink rates were obtained prior to the induction of hypnosis and some time after the induction of hypnosis procedure had been terminated, but before the dehypnotization procedures began. The results support the popular and clinical belief that hypnotic-like behavior is accompanied by a decrement in blink rate to the extent that Ss scoring 6 or more points on the Stanford Scale showed a marked and statistically significant mean reduction in blink rate of over 60% following the induction procedure and some testing of their suggestibility. In contrast, Ss scoring 5 or less, and presumably not hypn...
Quantum nondemolition detection of optical quadrature amplitudes.

In an optical fiber, nonlinear optical interactions couple the sideband modes of two strong pump waves at different frequencies just as required for a quantum nondemolition measurement. Experimental measurements demonstrate that 37% of the rms phase fluctuations of one wave are caused by the quantum amplitude fluctuations of the other.
EFFECT OF SINE WAVE TEMPERATURE CYCLING ON THIAMIN LOSS IN FORTIFIED PASTA

The loss of thiamin in fortified pasta was studied under steady state conditions of 30°, 37° and 45°C. Using this data and the Arrhenius relationship, the reaction kinetics for each temperature were determined and then used to predict the loss of thiamin in pasta stored under a sine wave fluctuating temperature condition (25°/45°C). The predicted values were compared to actual losses found in pasta stored in the sine wave condition. Three statistical methods were utilized to specify the confidence in the predicted values. The Hicks-Schwimmer-Labuza model was found to be adequate for the prediction of the amount of loss from steady state data (20–25% error).
Isolation of the right subclavian artery in interrupted aortic arch

A 15-day-old newborn presented with cardiovascular shock. Upon clinical suspicion of congenital heart disease (CHD), medical treatment was initiated. Echocardiography showed a left-sided interrupted aortic arch Type B and a large ventricular septal defect (VSD). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was requested for preoperative exact anatomical delineation of the interrupted aortic arch and of its branches. Additionally, MR angiography depicted an isolated right subclavian …
Discriminate analysis gender public school principal servant leadership differences

Purpose – This paper seeks to apply discriminate analysis to determine principal's leadership styles differences between genders in USA Midwest public schools. A distinction is to be made between “servant” (seen as aligned with emotional intelligence) and “traditional” (or top‐down) leadership. The debate between the traditional (or, top‐down) leadership approach, versus the servant (which is seen as aligned with emotional intelligence) leadership approach is ripe for investigation.Design/methodology/approach – E‐mail based surveys from 445 responding public school principals comprised of men (n=265) and women (n=180) were quantitatively analyzed. The self‐selected sample for the study was drawn from public schools in three Midwest states in the USA. The inventory contained 40 content items prepared on a five‐point Likert scale and one demographic question. Content and construct validity were evaluated and significant difference tests were performed. The study sought to clarify which cluster of items from...
Effects of potassium and norepinephrine on calcium influx in guinea-pig vas deferens.

Abstract The effects of potassium (K + ) and adrenoceptor agonists on 45 Ca influx and contraction of isolated vas deferens from reserpine-treated guinea-pigs has been investigated. K + (18–84 mM) increased 45 Ca influx with the maximum influx occuring at 50 mM K + . The rate of influx upon exposure to K + was highest in the first 2 min and decreased thereafter. In contrast to K + , norepinephrine, methoxamine and xylazine did not increase the rate of 45 Ca influx. Norepinephrine and methoxamine, but not xylazine, inhibited 45 Ca influx induced by high K + . The inhibitory effect of norepinephrine was also present in denervated tissues. Prazosin, but not yohimbine or propranolol, blocked the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine. Potassium-induced contractions were significantly potentiated in the presence of norepinephrine, especially at low calcium concentrations. We conclude that K + contracts the guinea-pig vas deferens by increasing the influx of calcium whereas stimulation of α 1 -adrenoceptors 45 Ca influx elicited by high potassium.