cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification and characterization of K12 (SECTM1), a novel human gene that encodes a Golgi-associated protein with transmembrane and secreted isoforms.

The investigation of a DNase-hypersensitive site upstream of the CD7 gene on chromosome 17q25 has led to the discovery of a novel human gene designated K12 (SECTM1, the HGMW assignment). This gene spans approximately 14 kb and encodes a 1.8-kb mRNA detected at the highest levels in peripheral blood leukocytes and breast cancer cell lines. The open reading frame predicts a 248-amino-acid protein with the hydropathic characteristics of a type 1a membrane protein. Western blots show that the K12 protein exists as a cluster of bands around 27 kDa, and extractions using nonionic detergents or high pH conditions demonstrate that it behaves as an integral membrane protein. Immunofluorescence localization studies reveal that K12 is not detectable on the cell surface, but instead is found in a perinuclear Golgi-like pattern and colocalizes with a well-known Golgi marker. In addition, an approximately 20-kDa soluble form of the K12 protein derived from the N-terminal domain is specifically secreted by cells into the culture medium. Immunohistochemical analysis of peripheral blood cells shows that K12 is found in leukocytes of the myeloid lineage, with the strongest staining observed in granulocytes and no detectable expression in lymphocytes. Based on its range of expression, its broad structural characteristics that resemble cytokines and growth factors, and the chromosomal location of the gene in an area already associated with myelogenous leukemias and other malignant neoplasms, this study concludes that K12 is a novel molecule with potential importance in hematopoietic and/or immune system processes.
Importance of vitamin D in hospital-based fracture care pathways

Objectives: This project was developed to identify ways to support hospital-based improvements for the identification and management of osteoporosis following treament of a fragility fracture.Design: This is a retrospective review of medical records of sets of consecutive patients who were admitted for surgical treatment of fragility fracture following introduction of several versions of admission and discharge care pathways. Effectiveness of the admission pathway was defined as % subjects with measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) during hospitalization; effectiveness of the discharge pathway was defined as % subjects with documentation of instructions for calcium and/or vitamin D supplementation.Setting: This study reviewed medical records of patients admitted to hospital for surgical treatment of a fragility fracture.Participants: Medical records were evaluated for 98 patients older than 50-years who were admitted with a fragility fracture of the hip or femur.Measurements: Medical records were reviewed for the % subjects with documentation of an in-hospital order for serum 25(OH)D and with documentation of instructions to patients upon discharge concerning calcium and vitamin D intake. Median value of serum 25(OH)D was calculated.Results: In accordance with the admission pathway, serum 25(OH)D was measured in 37% (36/98). The median 25(OH)D level was 19.5 ng/mL; 78% were vitamin D insufficient [serum 25(OH)D≤ 32 ng/mL] and 58% were vitamin D deficient [serum 25(OH)D ≤20 ng/mL]. In accordance with the discharge pathway, 74% (71/96) were discharged on calcium and/or vitamin D.Conclusion: The high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (78%) observed in this study affirms the importance of incorporating vitamin D supplementation in hospital-based fracture care pathways. The discharge pathway was more effective than the newer admission pathway, a finding attributable to effects of familiarity, retraining, and introduction of computer-prompts. These evolving pathways represent a much-needed paradigm shift in the care of fragility fracture patients.
Age structure, growth, and morphometric variations in the Atlantic surf clam, Spisula solidissima , from estuarine and inshore waters

The surf clam, Spisula solidissima (Dillwyn), population in the estuarine waters of Long Island Sound, New York, USA, was characterized in 1984 and again in 1988 by an age structure restricted to just two age-classes, and an apparent lifespan of only about 10 yr. In the inshore coastal waters off Fire Island, New York, a wide age range from 2 to 22 yr old was present. The age structure at Long Beach, New York, a third geographic region which is coastal but influenced by the Hudson River estuary, was similar to Long Island Sound. Juvenile surf clams grew at similar rates in all three geographic regions. However, adults from the Long Island Sound population grew significantly slower and reached an asymptotic maximum size which was 37% smaller than Fire Island adults. Long Beach adults had intermediate growth rates and maximum sizes. The shells of Long Island Sound clams were also 25% thinner than those from the other two regions. Density dependent effects on growth, evaluated over abundances ranging from 0.5 to 294 ind. m−2, were present but were too small to account for observed regional differences. Results suggest that adult surf clams may be physiologically stressed by the reduced salinity and more extreme temperatures found in estuarine waters.
Forest Soil Productivity of Mined Land in the Midwestern and Eastern Coalfield Regions

Our goal was to determine the effects of surface mining on forest land productivity in the eastern coalfields of the USA before the passage of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), and to determine the extent to which selected mine soil properties influenced forest productivity. The site productivity of 14 mined and eight nonmined sites in the eastern and midwestern coalfields were compared. Results show that site productivity of nonmined sites and 12 of the 14 mined sites was similar. Sites with low productivity were shallow, had high coarse fragment contents, and had lower fertility. Regression analysis identified five influential soil properties affecting site quality, which included soil profile base saturation (BS), total coarse fragments, total available water, C horizon total porosity, and soil profile electrical conductivity (EC). These five properties explained 52% of the variation in tree growth. Forests on most prelaw mined sites were just as productive as the forests on unmined adjacent sites and can he used as a benchmark to assess the impacts of current reclamation on mine soil quality and forest productivity.
Somatosensory evoked potential monitoring of lumbar pedicle screw placement for in situ posterior spinal fusion.

Abstract BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) are commonly used to monitor the spinal cord and nerve roots during operative procedures that put those structures at risk. The utility of SSEPs to evaluate cauda equina and nerve root function during posterior spinal arthrodesis with pedicular fixation for degenerative lumbar disease has been reported anecdotally and remains controversial. PURPOSE: An institution-wide review of the ability of SSEP readings to monitor nerve function during posterior lumbar spinal arthrodeses with transpedicular fixation for degenerative lumbar spinal disorders was undertaken. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: A retrospective review was undertaken. Patient history, preoperative physical examination, intraoperative anesthesia, SSEP records and the postoperative course were reviewed. METHODS: A total of 186 consecutive arthrodeses as described above were reviewed. Patients who had anterior procedures, spondyloreduction or scoliosis correction were excluded from the study. There were 76 male and 110 female patients. Five fellowship-trained spine surgeons placed a total of 888 pedicle screws. Sixty-five percent of the patients had a principal preoperative diagnosis of spinal stenosis with degenerative spondylolisthesis. Other common diagnoses were isthmic spondylolisthesis and degenerative scoliosis. Ninety-three percent of the cases involved decompressive laminectomy. Eight percent had posterior interbody fusions. All pedicle screws were placed without the assistance of fluoroscopy or stereotactic computer-assisted guidance. Screw position was evaluated intraoperatively with standard posteroanterior and lateral radiographs. Anesthetic agents compatible with SSEP monitoring were used in all patients. SSEP baseline readings were obtained in all patients in the operating room soon after induction of general anesthesia. An acute and sustained loss of 50% of the SSEP amplitude and/or increase by 10% of latency from baseline was considered to be pathologic. RESULTS: None of the 186 patients had significant SSEP changes. There were, however, 5 patients with postoperative radiculopathies distinct from their preoperative presentations. Early postoperative plain radiographs and computed assisted tomography (CAT) scans revealed malpositioned pedicle screws. Consequently, eight pedicle screws were either revised or removed. All patients had partial or full recovery of their new deficits after revision surgery. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the use of SSEPs in evaluating pedicle screw placement during lumbar arthrodesis is limited. In this setting, if monitoring is required, alternative methods with greater sensitivity and efficacy should be explored.
MO-D-BRC-03: Concomitant RapidArc® and Acquisition of KV-CBCT with Minimal MV Scatter

Purpose: To develop a novel method to simultaneously deliver RapidArc® and acquire kV CBCT with minimal MV scatter using the TrueBeam®. Methods and Materials: A standard RapidArc® plan consists of hundreds of control points (CP) for dose delivery with designed MLC aperture, dose rate, and gantry rotation. In our design concept each original CP is converted into two: one for MV dose delivery, and the other for kV imaging. Gantry intervals of each CP and gantry speed are chosen to acquire sufficient CBCT projections in the imaging CP, while minimizing the process time. kV projections with minimal‐MV scatter are selected, based on the recorded gantry angle, and sCBCT (s: without MV‐scatter) is reconstructed. For comparison, a reference rCBCT image is acquired without MV dose delivery, and a cCBCT (c: with MV‐Scatter) acquired by running the same RapidArc®/CBCT plan but without the imaging CP. CBCT are acquired in both full‐fan and half‐fan modes. Results: The image quality of sCBCT and rCBCT are comparable, whereas MV scatter significantly degrades the cCBCT image and contributes artifacts. Image analysis results show that the contrast‐to‐noise ratio of the sCBCT and rCBCT are comparable, and is twice that of the cCBCT. Likewise, the image homogeneity (defined as the normalized standard deviation) of the sCBCT and rCBCT are also superior to cCBCT. Visually, an object of ∼2% density difference from the background can be discerned in the sCBCT and rCBCT image, but not in the cCBCT image. In this proof‐of‐principle study, a 350 MU RapidArc®/CBCT plan was delivered in 2.2 minutes. With further optimization, it should be possible to shorten this to ∼1.5 minutes. Conclusion: Our method truly integrates imaging and dose delivery. kV‐CBCT with minimal MV scatter can be acquired concomitantly with the RapidArc® with little overhead. Engineering development is needed to further improve the process. Research agreement with Varian Medical Systems.
Quantitative evaluation of the Gibbs—DiMarzio theory of the glass transition☆

Abstract The applicability of the Gibbs—DiMarzio (G—DM) theory of the glass transition (Tg) is quantitatively evaluated for PS, PVC, PαMS and PMMA. The analysis was conducted under the assumption that both the inter-/intramolecular energy ratio (r) and the effective chain segment density (n) remain constant while the fractional free volume at Tg(V0) varies as a function of the reciprocal degree of polymerization ( 10 3 P ). Based upon reduced parametric plots of T g T g∞ versus 10 3 P , the results showed that the G-DM equations were satisfactory for PS and PVC but unsuccessful in the cases of PαMS and PMMA. For the former cases the analysis indicated that when 0.015 ⩽ V0 ⩽ 0.045 optimum agreement occurred at n=1.80, r=10.5 and n=1.36, r=0.95, respectively. Although potential n, r values were obtained for PαMS when the allowable V0 range was expanded to 0.010–0.050, none of these combinations satisfied all of the analytical requirements. No agreement for the PMMA data sets could be obtained even when this less stringent V0 criterion was adopted. Attempts to improve this situation by incorporating ‘beads’ and ‘flexes’ into the statistical mechanical equations are also considered.
The Movement for Rule of Law in China

Though not much noticed in the West, a great debate is raging across China today, from the law faculties of its major universities to the Central Party School to the dissident community, over “constitutionalism” and the establishment of rule of law. In the wake of major corruption scandals, there are great expectations that the new leadership under Xi Jinping will respond to social pressure and pursue political reforms that have stalled over the last decade. A leading China scholar, Cheng Li, and the now famous blind civil rights advocate Chen Guangcheng, who dramatically escaped house arrest and fled to the US Embassy in Beijing last year, comment on where this debate is headed and what it might—or might not—produce.
PROBLEMS WITH MANAGED MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR MULTICULTURAL POPULATIONS

Managed mental health care has developed a system of care-giving that does not recognize that acceptable and effective services must acknowledge individual differences and cultural or racial identities. This approach is unacceptable in an era when a psychology of differences is necessary to provide services for nearly one-third of the population. This paper suggests that the adequacy of contemporary psychopharmacological and psychological interventions for multicultural populations is either unknown or unsatisfactory. Historically, interventions in the United States were designed primarily for Euro-Americans and thus were culture-specific in derivation. Managed care has reduced the availability and quality of these interventions for all patients and further limited the range of possible options. Culturally competent mental health services are described and related to quality of care. A societal agenda for implementing cultural competence is, suggested.
Detection of sentinel lymph nodes in patients with endometrial cancer undergoing robotic-assisted staging: A comparison of colorimetric and fluorescence imaging

Abstract Objective To retrospectively compare results from lymphatic mapping of pelvic sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) using fluorescence near-infrared (NIR) imaging of indocyanine green (ICG) and colorimetric imaging of isosulfan blue (ISB) dyes in women with endometrial cancer (EC) undergoing robotic-assisted lymphadenectomy (RAL). A secondary aim was to investigate the ability of SLN biopsies to increase the detection of metastatic disease. Methods Thirty-five patients underwent RAL with hysterectomy. One mL ISB was injected submucosally in four quadrants of the cervix, followed by 0.5mL ICG [1.25mg/mL] immediately prior to placement of a uterine manipulator. Retroperitoneal spaces were dissected for colorimetric detection of lymphatic pathways. The da Vinci ® camera was switched to fluorescence imaging and results recorded. SLN were removed for permanent analysis with ultra-sectioning, H&E, and IHC staining. Hysterectomy with RAL was completed. Results Twenty-seven (77%) and 34 (97%) of patients had bilateral pelvic or aortic SLN detected by colorimetric and fluorescence, respectively (p=0.03). Considering each hemi-pelvis separately, 15/70 (21.4%) had "weak" uptake of ISB in SLN confirmed positive with fluorescence imaging. Using both methods, bilateral detection was 100%. Ten (28.6%) patients had lymph node (LN) metastasis, and 9 of these had SLN metastasis (90% sensitivity, one false negative SLN biopsy). Seven of nine (78%) SLN metastases were ISB positive and 100% were ICG positive. Twenty-five had normal LN, all with negative SLN biopsies (100% specificity). Four (40%) with LN metastasis were detected only by IHC and ultra-sectioning of SLN. Conclusions Fluorescence imaging with ICG detected bilateral SLN and SLN metastasis more often than ISB, and the combination resulted in 100% bilateral detection of SLN. Ultra-sectioning/IHC of SLN increased the detection of lymph node metastasis.
Initialization and data assimilation experiments with a primitive equation model

Abstract The process of combining models of the ocean circulation with large data sets is known in meteorology as model initialization and data assimilation. This process is new to oceanographers, who only now are on the verge of having available world-wide synoptic maps of dynamic variables. In this paper we carry out a series of idealized initialization/assimilation experiments with a primitive equation (PE) model, which constitute a first step in developing a realistic process model and data assimilation techniques for the Gulf Stream system. The PE model is used in a spin-down mode and initialized with an analytic jet profile with geostrophically balanced fields. Two major questions are addressed in the present study. The first concerns the initialization process of a PE model during which internal/inertial gravity wave noise is produced. We ask: are the initialization shocks equally crucial for ocean models as they have been for their atmospheric counterparts? The results of an extensive series of balanced versus unbalanced initializations indicate that, for a PE model with a rigid lid, a brutally unbalanced initialization is required to produce strong internal gravity wave shocks. A geostrophically balanced initialization is sufficient to ensure smooth jet evolutions, with no apparent gravity waves, over long time durations in the spin-down mode. No sophisticated initialization procedures seem, therefore, to be required. The second question addressed is: which component of the flow is the most important in data assimilation to drive the model response towards a baseline reference ocean? We specifically compare the knowledge of the depth-integrated flow only, corresponding to measurements of the total transport, with the knowledge of the density field only, or equivalently the velocity shear. The knowledge of the interior density field is much more effective in decreasing the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) errors relative to the reference ocean. If the baroclinic structure is known, coarse horizontal resolutions of data insertion can be reached before significantly worsening the model estimates. If only the depth-averaged flow is known, a decrease in the horizontal resolution of data assimilation has an immediate effect: the r.m.s. errors sharply increase and the assimilation run diverges from the reference ocean. In the assimilation of the barotropic flow alone, even with dense resolution, the errors in the deep layers always show an increasing trend. The relative effectiveness of baroclinic versus barotropic data insertion can be rationalized in the context of geostrophic adjustment theory.
Delayed Diagnosis of Nasal Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma

Midline destructive lesions of the face have multiple possible etiologies. The majority of these cases are found to be due to an extranodal lymphoma of natural killer/T-cell-type non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NKTL). Unfortunately, diagnosis is often delayed. With variable presenting complaints, including nonspecific issues like chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal congestion, initial treatments are aimed at these presumed diagnoses. Only as the lesion progresses do overt signs of destruction occur. As with our patient, who was initially treated for presumed infection and abscess, final diagnosis often does not occur until several months, and several antibiotic courses, from initial presentation. As such, it is important for this rare entity to remain in the clinician’s differential diagnosis for nasal lesion.
Development, Flexibility, and R&D Performance in the Taiwanese IT Industry - Capability Creation and the Effects of State-Industry Co-Evolution

Of the East Asian Newly Industrialized Countries (NICs), Taiwan has one of the most inspiring stories. In almost all accounts of Taiwan, the state has been described as the major impetus of economic development and technological upgrading. Consequently, Taiwan has become the "poster child" of the neo-developmental state theories. This paper takes a critical view of these accounts, exploring the capabilities and limits of the Taiwanese state in achieving sustained industrial growth in two key sectors of the IT industry, software and IC design. This is done through mapping the evolution of the two subsectors and the changing roles of the state in it. Specifically looking at capabilities, innovations, and business models employed by private firms. The main arguments are, first, that the division of labor between state and private industry that successfully developed an industrial system utilizing OEM and ODM business strategies may now limit RD and, (2) when the public research institute has seen private IT firms as their final customers. However, the same policy approach has hampered the growth of the industry when the institutions competed directly with the industry for its own customers.
Relation of nuclear volume and radiosensitivity to ploidy level (haploid to 22-ploid) in higher plants and a yeast

Abstract The relation between ploidy level and radiosensitivity for lethality among plants was examined to see if any major determinant could be found for the relation observed, and if any generalization could be derived. Data are presented on nuclear volume (NV), interphase chromosome volume (ICV) and acute lethal dose for x% killing (LDx%) for polyploid series of species within 11 genera, 117 species of varieties of herbaceous higher plants and one species of the yeast Saccharomyces. All were irradiated while in active, vegetative growth. The series embrace a 44-fold range of ploidy from haploid to 22-ploid. Radiosensitivity data were obtained for 6 genera, 66 species' or varieties. In general, within any one genus, NV increases proportional to ploidy level. The relative increase of NV with ploidy is about the same for all 12 genera; it is less rapid than linear in the range 2x to 4x but almost linear from 4x to the higher ploidy levels. On the average, relative acute lethal dose (LDx%) of haploids is half that of diploids, is about constant from diploid to 10-plploid, and then decreases with increasing ploidy. When we compare the dose absorved per average chromosome for x% killing ( “chromosome dose x%” , CDx%), greater consistency is found both within and between genera, (CDx% is derived by multiplying the lethal dose required for x% killing by the volume of the average chromosome, its ICV). In general, the average haploid chromosome, and cell, is twice as sensitive as the diploid. In the range 2- to 10-ploid, chromosome sensitivity remains about constant and equal to the diploid. From 10- to 20-diploid, chromosome sensitivity increases rather smoothly up to about three to four times the diploid value. This is true for all six general of herbaceous plants. Sensitivity of yeast chromosomes increases with ploidy at a faster rate, and to a much greater extent (by 26 times from diploid to 6-ploid). In the range 2- to 10-ploid, it appears that the sensitizing effect of increased target (genome) size is about compensated for by the protective effect of the equivalent increase in genetic redundancy, leading to the net constancy in sensitivity. At the higher ploidy levels, genomic and chromosomal size do not account for the radiosensitivity increase. It may be that these later evolving, high ploidy species are less well adapted to their ploidy state than the lower levels.
Isozymes of human α-l-fucosidase detectable by starch gel electrophoresis

Abstract Methods are described for the electrophoresis in starch-gel of human α- l -fucosidase and for the detection of the enzyme using the fluorogenic substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl-α- l -fucopyranoside. The electrophoretic pattern of the enzyme was examined in leucocytes, serum, cultured fibroblasts and long-term lymphoid cell lines. The enzyme from cultured lymphoid cell lines was found to consist of up to 6 clearly resolved electrophoretic isozymes plus a diffuse, more anodal region of lower staining intensity. The enzyme from leucocytes and cultured skin fibroblasts was less clearly resolved, but these cell types appeared to have components corresponding in mobility to the isozymes of lymphoid lines. In contrast, the enzyme from serum (or plasma) showed only a diffuse region of activity, with an anodal mobility slightly greater than that of the most anodal lymphoid line isozymes. Evidence is presented which indicates that the electrophoretic heterogeneity of α- l -fucosidase is due in part to the binding of sialic acid to the primary gene product. None of the isozymes was detectable in lymphoid cell lines, serum or cultured fibroblasts from a patient with fucosidosis, an inborn error of metabolism.
Diel cycles in microbial manganese oxidation and manganese redox speciation in coastal waters of the Bahama Islands

We observed pronounced die1 cycles in formation rates of particulate Mn in coastal waters of the Bahama Islands. Specific rates during the day were ?h Glasby 1984; Kalhorn and Emerson 1984). These transitions largely control the partitioning of Mn between dissolved and particulate (or solid) phases in natural waters and sediments and thereby regulate the scavenging of Mn from the water columns of lakes, rivers, and oceans as well as its transfer from sediments back into overlying waters. Mn redox processes are important biologically since Mn is an essential nutrient for all organisms. They also provide important controls on the geochemistry of many trace metals (Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ba, and others) that preferentially adsorb to Mn oxides (Balistrieri and Murray 1986) and on the large number of reduced substances that are oxidized by Mn oxides (numerous organics, Stone and Morgan 1984; sulfides, Stumm and Morgan 1970, 198 1; and H,Oz, Broughton and Wentworth 1947; Acknowledgments This research was supported by ONR grant N-00
Experimental studies of the dynamics of fluid phase transitions in two dimensions

Abstract Two types of experiments are described by which the dynamics of phase transitions in two-dimensional fluid systems can be studied. Phase transitions in monolayers of amphiphiles adsorbed on water can be followed by fluorescence microscopy. Light scattering and direct microscopic observation of breath figures, which are patterns formed when fluids are condensed on solid surfaces, provide information about the growth and coalescence of droplets.
A convenient synthesis of ortho–ortho disubstituted biphenyls containing an eight-membered lactam ring using radical chemistry

Compound 4 prepared from Isatin in two steps underwent an unusual radical-induced rearrangement reaction to yield 9 as the major product and 10 as the minor component. Compound 9 shows structural similarities to the antimitotic agent rhazinilam and the gamma secretase inhibitor LY411575. The scope of the reaction has been studied by changing the substitutions on the aromatic rings and the mechanism for the formation of 9 and 10 from 4 is suggested.
The retention of nouns, adjectives, and verbs of sentences

Abstract This research compared the retention of nouns, adjectives and verbs of sentences. A model of the structure underlying the retention of sentences and in which deep structure constituent propositions are hierarchically related, was used to make predictions concerning the retention of these word classes. The model was not supported by the data and it was determined that latencies to recognize the words of a previously presented sentence were the same for all classes of words. This result indicated that for recognition (but not necessarily for other memory tasks), each word of a sentence is seperately or equally accessible (as long as inter-word imagery is the same). However, a further experiment showed that, although word class is not a variable, the image-arousing capacity of a word is. Latencies and error rates were much lower for high-imagery words than for low-imagery ones. The findings on error rates in recognizing words were interesting and pointed to a different model where the meaning representations and syntatic functions of words have an active role in sentence retention.
LAMELLAR GRANULE BIOGENESIS : A ROLE FOR CERAMIDE GLUCOSYLTRANSFERASE, LYSOSOMAL ENZYME TRANSPORT, AND THE GOLGI

Although lamellar granules are critical to the formation of the epidermal permeability barrier and are a known marker of late keratinocyte differentiation, very little is known about the physiologic regulators of lamellar granule assembly and extrusion. Ceramide glucosyltransferase (CGT), the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of lamellar granule glucosylceramides (GlcCer; the precursors of the stratum corneum ceramides), is localized to the Golgi apparatus in other cell types. We have found that CGT is induced during keratinocyte culture differentiation coincident with increased GlcCer content and the appearance of lamellar granules. In this study we show that the differentiation-related CGT induction is likely mediated at the transcriptional level. In addition, all-trans retinoic acid, a well-known inhibitor of keratinocyte differentiation, prevents the appearance of lamellar granules and decreases culture CGT activity and GlcCer content without affecting sphingomyelin or total lipid content, indicating a specific inhibition of this enzymatic pathway. These data show a direct relationship between CGT activity and epidermal differentiation, suggesting that regulation of CGT expression is a critical part of epidermal barrier generation. The differentiation dependence of CGT activity, the key role of this Golgi-localized enzyme in epidermal GlcCer synthesis, and our previous finding that ceramides are converted to GlcCer in the Golgi apparatus in keratinocyte cultures, strongly suggest a Golgi origin for lamellar granules. In contrast to CGT, the activity of the lysosomal enzymes acid lipase and glucocerebrosidase is less clearly related to epidermal differentiation and the appearance of lamellar granules, although both enzymes show striking colocalization and enrichment in a subcellular lamellar granule fraction derived from pig epidermis. Acid lipase activity in the lamellar granule fraction was found to contain primarily a small lysosomal form of the enzyme, whereas total acid lipase secreted by keratinocyte cultures was found to contain a mannose-6-phosphorylated large prelysosomal form as well as a small lysosomal form. That secreted acid lipase activity is derived from both prelysosomal and lysosomal compartments suggests there may be multiple pathways by which lysosomal enzymes are secreted from keratinocytes. The combined secretion of lipid and lysosomal enzymes from lamellar granules places these organelles in the category of “dual-function” specialized secretory vesicles described in certain other cell types. Electron microscopic images of lamellar granules show shapes consistent with cross-sections of tubules or buds from tubules in addition to vesicles. These images provide evidence for the involvement of trans-Golgi network tubules and/or buds in lamellar granule synthesis and secretion. Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings 3:80–86, 1998
Precise pixel patterning of small molecule organic light-emitting devices by spin casting

Abstract We demonstrate the fabrication of OLEDs with precisely patterned pixels as small as 10 μm by the spin-casting of Alq3 thin films. The solution-based patterning technique produces pixels via the segregation of organic molecules into micro-fabricated channels or wells. Segregation is controlled by a combination of weak adsorbing characteristics of aliphatic terminated self-assembled monolayers and by centrifugal force, which directs the organic solution into the channel or well. This novel patterning technique may resolve the limitations of pixel resolution of the method of thermal evaporation using shadow masks, and is applicable to the fabrication of large area displays. Furthermore, the patterning technique has the potential to produce pixel sizes to the limitation of photolithography and micromachining, thereby enabling the fabrication of high-resolution micro-displays. We discuss the patterning method and device fabrication, and characterize the morphological, optical, and electrical properties of the organic pixels.
A probabilistic principle and generalized Schrödinger perturbation

Abstract We present a probabilistic principle: for an additive functional of certain Markov processes, its smallness with time is equivalent to its smalness with space, and apply it to a perturbation problem for relativistic Schrodinger operators.
Biogeographical Patterns of Marine Benthic Macroinvertebrates Along the Atlantic Coast of the Northeastern USA

The biogeography of marine benthic macroinvertebrates of US Atlantic estuaries and inshore coastal areas from Delaware Bay north to Passamaquoddy Bay was studied to compare recent data with historical biogeographic studies, define physical–chemical factors affecting species’ distributions, and provide information for calibrating benthic indices of environmental condition. Five years (2000–2004) of data from 614 non-polluted, soft-bottom stations from the National Coastal Assessment were analyzed. Multi-dimensional scaling done on Bray-Curtis similarity matrices of species’ relative abundance (547 species) suggested seven subregions: two based on salinity (oligohaline, mesohaline) and five based on latitude. Species’ distribution patterns for stations with salinities ≥18 (n = 558) were strongly influenced by latitude; Cape Cod was a clear faunal transition zone (R = 0.92, p < 0.001). Conversely, for stations with salinities <18 (n = 56), salinity was the more important factor. An ordination of abiotic variables (temperature, salinity, sediment percent silt-clay, depth) correlated well with the ordination of species’ relative abundance data (R = 0.77, p < 0.001). The first split of a multivariate regression tree was by a summer bottom temperature of 20°C at Cape Cod. Salinity and percent silt-clay led to further splits. These results support the existence of Virginian and Transhatteran biogeographic provinces. They constitute a baseline for addressing broad-scale and long-term issues such as global climate change, species invasions, and conservation planning.
Analysis of barley nitrate reductase cDNA and genomic clones.

Barley nitrate reductase cDNA1 and genomic clones2 were isolated by homology with the barley nitrate reductase cDNA clone bNRp10 and sequenced. This is the first reported analysis of a full-length nitrate reductase gene and its corresponding cDNA in the same species. The longest cDNA clone extends to within 9 by of the ATG start codon and the sequence is similar to that reported for the higher plant NR sequences. As expected, the amino acid sequence of barley nitrate reductase is more related closely-to the rice (84% homology) than to the Arabidopsis (62%) sequence. Four different polyA addition sites were identified from sequence analysis of nine barley NR cDNA clones. A 7.3 kb region of a genomic recombinant lambda clone was sub-cloned as two contiguous BamH1 fragments into pBluescript, designated pMJ7 and pMJ8, and sequenced. These clones include the entire nitrate reductase coding region, one large intron, 2.7 kb of untranslated sequence 5′ to the translation start codon and 0.25 kb 3′ to the translation termination codon. The mRNA cap site was identified as a cytosine, 111 bases upstream of the ATG translation start codon. The putative CAAT and TATA boxes were identified at −115 and −33 bp, respectively, with the mRNA cap site designated as +1. The barley nitrate reductase gene coding region strongly favors G or C in the third codon position.
Coulomb entangler and entanglement-testing network for waveguide qubits

We present a small network for the testing of the entanglement of two ballistic electron waveguide qubits. The network produces different output conditional on the presence or absence of entanglement. The structure of the network allows for the determination of successful entanglement operations through the measurement of the output of a single qubit. We also present a simple model of a dynamic Coulomb-like interaction and use it to describe some characteristics of a proposed scheme for the entanglement of qubits in ballistic electron waveguides.
Retinoic acid mimics transforming growth factor beta in the regulation of human immunodeficiency virus expression in monocytic cells.

Abstract Retinoic acid (RA) exerts potent suppressive and upregulatory effects on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) expression in mononuclear phagocytes, strikingly similar to the effects of the cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). RA significantly inhibited phorbol ester-mediated, but not tumor necrosis factor alpha-mediated, induction of HIV transcription in the chronically infected promonocytic U1 cell line. RA and TGF-beta also completely suppressed the induction of virus production in U1 cells by interleukin 6 alone or in combination with glucocorticoids, which predominantly upregulate virus expression at the posttranscriptional level. Despite the close parallel to TGF-beta-induced effects, no evidence was obtained that RA mediated its effect by inducing secretion of active TGF-beta 1, -beta 2, or -beta 3. As with chronically infected U1 cells, similar inhibitory effects were also observed in primary monocyte-derived macrophages previously infected with HIV and then exposed to either RA or TGF-beta. In contrast, stimulation of monocyte-derived macrophages or U937 cells (the parental cell line of U1) with either RA or TGF-beta prior to in vitro infection resulted in the enhancement of virus production. Given the already successful use of retinoids in the treatment of several malignancies and the present demonstration of their capability of blocking the induction of HIV expression in infected mononuclear phagocytes, it would be of interest to pursue the potential role of this class of compounds in the development of strategies aimed at the pharmacologic regulation of HIV expression.
Simulation of Aeroelastic Limit-Cycle Oscillations of Aircraft Wings with Stores

Aircraft wings carrying stores are susceptible to nonlinear aeroelastic limit-cycle oscillations, which can lead to reduced flight and mission performance. Limit-cycle-oscillation dynamics and control simulation studies, although of great importance, are often based on simplified typical-section airfoil models. In this work, the more accurate beam–rod representation is used to capture the spanwise varying displacement of a wing with store. The spanwise variation of wing geometry and structural properties, as well as the presence of multiple stores on rigid or flexible mounts, is efficiently modeled by the primitive-modes approach. Aeroelastic limit-cycle oscillation due to structural nonlinearity is demonstrated via time-marching simulations, as well as the computationally more efficient harmonic-balance method. Some novel forms of limit-cycle-oscillation behavior are observed as the model parameters are varied, and these are explained in terms of the flutter/divergence properties of the base linear aeroe...
Fast algorithm for obtaining dense depth maps for high-speed navigation

Typical stereo algorithms produce sparse depth maps. The depth points often lie on object boundaries and thus obstacles cannot be distinguished from holes. Surface reconstruction algorithms work poorly with such sparse and irregularly spaced data points. We present an algorithm which uses intensity images and a sparse depth map to produce a depth map which can be used for navigation. Our approach is based on an intensity image segmentation algorithm followed by local surface fitting. The algorithm is fast and thus suitable for high speed navigation. Results using laboratoty images are presented.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Epigenetic alteration by DNA-demethylating treatment restores apoptotic response to glucocorticoids in dexamethasone-resistant human malignant lymphoid cells.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are often included in the therapy of lymphoid malignancies because they kill several types of malignant lymphoid cells. GCs activate the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), to regulate a complex genetic network, culminating in apoptosis. Normal lymphoblasts and many lymphoid malignancies are sensitive to GC-driven apoptosis. Resistance to GCs can be a significant clinical problem, however, and correlates with resistance to several other major chemotherapeutic agents. We analyzed the effect of treatment with the cytosine analogue 5 aza-2’ deoxycytidine (AZA) on GC resistance in two acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T or pre-T ALL) cell lines- CEM and Molt-4- and a (B-cell) myeloma cell line, RPMI 8226. Methods employed included tissue culture, flow cytometry, and assays for clonogenicity, cytosine extension, immunochemical identification of proteins, and gene transactivation. High throughput DNA sequencing was used to confirm DNA methylation status. Treatment of these cells with AZA resulted in altered DNA methylation and restored GC-evoked apoptosis in all 3 cell lines. In CEM cells the altered epigenetic state resulted in site-specific phosphorylation of the GR, increased GR potency, and GC-driven induction of the GR from promoters that lie in CpG islands. In RPMI 8226 cells, expression of relevant coregulators of GR function was altered. Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which is central to a feed-forward mechanism of site-specific GR phosphorylation and ultimately, apoptosis, occurred in all 3 cell lines. These data show that in certain malignant hematologic B- and T-cell types, epigenetically controlled GC resistance can be reversed by cell exposure to a compound that causes DNA demethylation. The results encourage studies of application to in vivo systems, looking towards eventual clinical applications.
Scheduling for IC sort and test

An integer programming formulation and the Lagrangian relaxation approach are used to solve a class of scheduling problems for integrated circuit (IC) sort and test. It provides a lower bound on the cost, which can be used to measure the suboptimality of feasible schedules. A numerical example is also given to illustrate the potential of the approach. >
A progress-based online assessment system for first-year networking classes

This paper presents a progress-based online assessment system, the network assessment management system (NAMS), for first-year networking classes. The design of the system incorporates the mastery learning principles. It emphasizes personalized content delivery based on a student's learning aptitude, course comprehension measurement, and learning progress rules. Students with different learning abilities can use it to master the same course subjects, while spending different amount of time studying these subjects. Instructors can use the system for pedagogy analysis and student performance evaluation. NAMS organizes course subjects to support bottom-up approach of teaching following the OSI network model. It is possible to modify it to support top-down approach of teaching. The implementation of the system employs the learning advancement management system (LAMS) we introduced previously for supporting multiple progress-based e-learning systems with Web services. The development of the system provides insights for building progress-based online learning systems for technology education
Low-Temperature Deposition and Characterization of AlxIn1−xN Thin Films

Thin III-V nitride semiconductors fidms are commonly prepared using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). These methods often require high temperatures (800–1000°C) for the films to grow epitaxially. In the present work, we deposited Al x In 1-x N films on Si substrates by reactive magnetron sputttering method at low substrate temperature. The properties of the films have been studied by RBS, x-ray diffraction, and optical measurements. The Al x In 1-x N films deposited at room temperature were confirmed to be crystalline by x-ray diffraction. Band gap energies of our Al x In 1-x N alloys varies from 1.9 ev to 4.2 ev The bandgap energy vs. lattice constant curve was constructed and confirmed to bow downwards.
The Tradeo Between Inequality and Growth

between inequality and economic growth? The theory and the evidence are so far inconclusive. So far the theory and the evidence are inconclusive. We want to construct a political economy model of growth to demonstrate that excessive inequality can disrupt the economy by inviting political interference through rent-seeking behavior and appropriation, but that policies supporting some modest inequality to take advantage of productivity dierences can lead to the best growth rates. Thus we show that the relation between inequality and growth may be mildly hump-shaped: growth may rise modestly at first, as we move away from complete equality, and then drop again as inequality increases further. c 2003 Peking University Press
High-saturation-current InP-InGaAs photodiode with partially depleted absorber

A high-saturation-current InGaAs photodiode (PD) with a partially depleted absorber is demonstrated. Optical responsivity of 0.58 A/W and over 1.1 W of dissipated electrical power is achieved. Small signal compression current of 110 and 57 mA is measured at radio-frequency bandwidths of 1 and 10 GHz, respectively. This continuous photocurrent is believed to be the highest reported value for a p-i-n InGaAs PD at these bandwidths.
Efficient voltage conversion for SRAM low standby power modes

A monolithic switched-capacitor voltage converter to drive the virtual V SS for low standby power “drowsy” modes is presented. The voltage converter has been fabricated on a 0.13-µm digital CMOS process. Test chip measurements demonstrate current drive capability from 10 µA to 100 µA with power efficiency over 86%. The test chip measurements also demonstrate that the chip level power efficiency of the converter is at least 2x better than the conventional linear regulation approach, which is commonly used in high volume commercially available designs.
The Primary Mental Health Project: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

The article presents a panoramic view of the evolution and growth of the Primary Mental Health Project (PMHP), an innovative school-based program for early detection and prevention of school-maladjustment problems. It consists of 3 major sections: (a) a historical account of PMHP, identifying the problems it seeks to address, its rationale, its beginnings, and its growth over the years; (b) a description of how the current PMHP program works and of the program modifications that have been developed to meet practical problems; and (c) a consideration of PMHP's accomplishments and contributions, as well as implications for future steps to promote the well-being and adjustment of young (school) children.