cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recent advances in the modulation transfer function testing of detector arrays

The increased complexity of imaging sensors and total number of discrete detector sites has challenged traditional testing methods. The importance of reliable modulation transfer function testing of imaging sensors with high uncertainty has consequently grown more difficult. In this paper we demonstrate the design of an aperture for the generation of laser speckle with a flat power spectrum covering a wide-band of the measurement spatial frequency range. This aperture allows for the measurement of modulation transfer function (MTF) from zero to twice the Nyquist frequency of a twodimensional detector array. This design mitigates many of the measurement issues inherent in other aperture designs. The MTF measurement of a charge-coupled device (CCD) detector array is used to demonstrate the measurement technique and illustrate the advantages of the new aperture design.
IRIS and Fungal Infections: What Have We Learned?

Restoration of pathogen-specific immunity as a result of highly active antiretroviral therapy or reduction of immunosuppression in solid-organ transplant recipients can result in a destructive inflammatory response known as the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). Though immune reconstitution disorders can occur in the context of a number of infectious and neoplastic processes, IRIS associated with invasive mycoses, in particular cryptococcosis, is a highly prevalent and morbid entity worldwide. Recent consensus definitions and prospective analyses of cryptococcal IRIS, with particular attention to baseline clinical features, serum and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, and the evolution of these over time in individual patients have provided critical insights into pathogenesis. This review focuses on the current understanding of IRIS in the context of opportunistic mycoses, with particular attention to Cryptococcus infection, and discusses the basis for this understanding, including biomarkers as clues to pathogenesis and aids in diagnosis and novel approaches to prevention and management.
Intradermal capsaicin causes dose-dependent pain, allodynia, and hyperalgesia in humans.

Background Intradermal capsaicin is a human pain model that produces reliable pain and sensitization. This model facilitates controlled testing of analgesic efficacy via a crossover design while minimizing confounding variables in clinical pain states and retaining sufficient power with small samples. Methods To determine the lowest dose of capsaicin that produces consistent neurosensory measures, we administered 0.1, 1, 10, or 100 μg to healthy volunteers in a blinded manner (N = 19). Pain scores were recorded at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 60 minutes on a visual analog scale from 0 to 100. Areas and intensities of mechanical allodynia (foam brush stimulus) and pinprick hyperalgesia (von Frey test) were quantified at 15 and 60 minutes, as were flare areas. Results Capsaicin produced dose-dependent increases in spontaneous pain (p = .013), the area and intensity of mechanical allodynia (p = .006 and p Conclusion The 10 and 100 μg capsaicin doses produced robust pain measures across a range of modalities, and lower doses produced minimal effects. Whereas most studies use 100 μg, using a lower dose is reasonable and may facilitate detection of subtle analgesic effects—particularly with nonopioid analgesics—and drugs can be tested in lower doses, minimizing adverse side effects.
Monolithic interferometer for high precision radial velocity measurements

In high precision radial velocity (RV) measurements for extrasolar planets searching and studies, a stable wide field Michelson interferometer is very critical in Exoplanet Tracker (ET) instruments. Adopting a new design, monolithic interferometers are homogenous and continuous in thermal expansion, and field compensation and thermal compensation are both satisfied. Interferometer design and fabrication are decrypted in details. In performance evaluations, field angle is typically 22° and thermal sensitivity is typically -1.7 x 10 -6 /°C, which corresponds to ~500 m/s /°C in RV scale. In interferometer stability monitoring using a wavelength stabilized laser source, phase shift data was continuously recorded for nearly seven days. Appling a frequent calibration every 30 minutes as in typical star observations, the interferometer instability contributes less than 1.4 m/s in RV error, in a conservative estimation.
Viscosity studies on calamine lotion U.S. P. XIV.

Certain inherent difficulties have been encountered in the large-scale manufacture of calamine lotion, U. S. P. XIV and in the preparation of phenolated calamine lotion N. F. IX. This report indicates that variations in the rate of settling of calamine and zinc oxide are due to variations in polyethylene glycol 400 monostearate from different sources and from different batches. A viscosity standard for the ester to correct this difficulty is suggested. The incororation of excessive air in the course of preparation and the resulting shrinkage ager packaging may be avoided by complete submersion of the stirrer and stirring at a slow speed. Increasing the polyethylene glycol 400 monostearate from 2 per cent to 4 per cent when phenol is to be added prevents loss of suspending power of the gel and the resulting separation that has frequently been experienced.
Particle-hole induced intruder bands in 117 Sb and 119 Sb

Collective structures have been investigated via $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray studies in ${}^{117,119}$Sb. Previously observed strongly coupled $(\ensuremath{\pi}{g}_{9/2})$${}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ bands in both nuclei involving 1p-1h proton excitations across the $Z=50$ gap have been extended, and an alignment of ${h}_{11/2}$ neutrons identified. New negative-parity strongly coupled bands based on this proton configuration have also been observed in both nuclei. Decoupled bands involving 2p-2h excitations across the gap have been observed in ${}^{119}$Sb, similar to those presented earlier for ${}^{117}$Sb. These bands are interpreted as due to the coupling of a low-$K$ valence proton to the $(\ensuremath{\pi}{g}_{7/2}{d}_{5/2}{)}^{2}\ensuremath{\bigotimes}(\ensuremath{\pi}{g}_{9/2}{)}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ deformed state of the respective ${}_{50}$Sn core nuclei. Anomalies in the expected ${h}_{11/2}$ neutron crossing of these bands are discussed.
Preference assessment of prenatal diagnosis for Down syndrome: is 35 years a rational cutoff?

Objective To compare the perceptions of miscarriage and birth of a child with Down syndrome among pregnant women and to evaluate the implications of these preferences for the traditional 35-year old maternal age risk boundary. Methods An interviewer-administered survey was given to 186 pregnant women receiving antepartum care at a university hospital. Preferences, as reflected by utilities, for birth of a child with Down syndrome and pregnancy miscarriage, stratified by patient characteristics, were assessed. Results The utility for the birth of a child with Down syndrome decreased (p < 0.001) as clinical severity increased from mild (0.78) to severe (0.65). Miscarriage of a pregnancy had a mean utility of 0.76 ± 0.31. Women who desired prenatal diagnosis had a utility value for miscarriage (0.79 ± 0.28) that was significantly higher than for the birth of a child with Down syndrome of unknown severity (0.73 ± 0.27). In multivariable logistic regression, desire for prenatal diagnosis was the only factor associated with a preference of miscarriage over birth of an affected child (odds ratio 2.26, 95% confidence interval 1.03, 4.96). Conclusion Women who desire prenatal diagnosis do not perceive the birth of a child with Down syndrome and a pregnancy miscarriage to be equivalent health states. This finding calls into question the rationale of the 35-year-old maternal age criterion and suggests that actual patient preferences should be better incorporated into the decision to offer definitive prenatal diagnosis. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermoplastic microfluidic devices and their applications in protein and DNA analysis

Microfluidics is a platform technology that has been used for genomics, proteomics, chemical synthesis, environment monitoring, cellular studies, and other applications. The fabrication materials of microfluidic devices have traditionally included silicon and glass, but plastics have gained increasing attention in the past few years. We focus this review on thermoplastic microfluidic devices and their applications in protein and DNA analysis. We outline the device design and fabrication methods, followed by discussion on the strategies of surface treatment. We then concentrate on several significant advancements in applying thermoplastic microfluidic devices to protein separation, immunoassays, and DNA analysis. Comparison among numerous efforts, as well as the discussion on the challenges and innovation associated with detection, is presented.
Disadvantage, Disorder, and Urban Mistrust:

Does life in the city foster mistrust of others? This study tests four connected hypotheses about urban mistrust by comparing the City of Chicago to suburbs, small cities, towns, and rural areas. T...
Defibrillation Recovery Curves for Different Electrode Materials

We tested 16 electrode materials for their electrical characteristics and normalized all results to a 1 cm2 area. The electrode pair impedance versus frequency from 5 to 2000 Hz ranged from 20 to 58 000 ?. We passed 2 mC through them in less than 5 ms to simulate defibrillation discharge. The resulting recovery curves showed voltage offsets after 5 s of from 300 to 800 mV.
Sonic Hedgehog Influences the Balance of Osteogenesis and Adipogenesis in Mouse Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells

Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) present a great potential for tissue engineering, as they are capable of differentiating into osteogenic and adipogenic cell types, among others. In this study, we examined the role of Hedgehog signaling in the balance of osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation in mouse ASCs. Results showed that Hedgehog signaling increased during early osteogenic differentiation (Shh, Ptc1, and Gli1), but decreased during adipogenic differentiation. N-terminal Sonic Hedgehog (Shh-N) significantly increased in vitro osteogenic differentiation in mouse ASCs, by all markers examined (*p < 0.01). Concomitantly, Shh-N abrogated adipogenic differentiation, by all markers examined (*p < 0.01). Conversely, blockade of endogenous Hedgehog signaling, with the Hedgehog antagonist cyclopamine, enhanced adipogenesis at the expense of osteogenesis. We next translated these results to a mouse model of appendicular skeletal regeneration. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization, we found that skeletal injury (a monocortical 1 mm defect in the tibia) results in a localized increase in Hedgehog signaling. Moreover, grafting of ASCs treated with Shh-N resulted in significantly increased bone regeneration within the defect site. In conclusion, Hedgehog signaling enhances the osteogenic differentiation of mouse ASCs, at the expense of adipogenesis. These data suggest that Hedgehog signaling directs the lineage differentiation of mesodermal stem cells and represents a promising strategy for skeletal tissue regeneration.
Comparison of non-agitated and agitated batch, thermophilic anaerobic digestion of sugarbeet tailings

Sugar beet tailings were anaerobically digested at non-agitated and agitated conditions in identical thermophilic batch reactors. The average methane yield in the agitated digester was only 74% of that in the non-agitated digester. Ninety percent of the ultimate methane yield was produced in approximately 5 days in the non-agitated digester whereas it took 12 days in agitated digester. Even upon using an active inoculum from non-agitated digester the methane rate and yield was low in the agitated digester. On the other hand when the poorly performing inoculum from the agitated digester was transferred to the non-agitated digester, its activity was immediately enhanced. The non-agitated digester harbored a diverse microbial community with phylotypes Methanoculleus and Methanosarcina being dominant methanogens. Methanosaeta was the only methanogen detected in the agitated digester. It also contained a hydrogen-producing bacterial phylotype Petrotoga in high proportion which was not detected in the other digester.
Biosynthesis of fatty acids in perfused hearts of rats fed a fat-supplemented or a fat-free diet.

SummaryIncorporation of 14C from [1-14C]butyrate into lipids of the perfused rat heart was slightly greater than that from [1-14C]acetate. Of the 14C incorporated into total lipids, a greater proportion was in phospholipids when [14C]acetate was the substrate than when [14C]butyrate was used as substrate. Perfusion with [14C]butyrate resulted in more 14C incorporation into shorter chain fatty acids and less incorporation into palmitic and arachidonic acids than with [14C]acetate. Feeding a fat-free diet did not affect the metabolism of acetate in the perfused heart. However, it did increase the relative incorporation of 14C from butyrate into phospholipids as well as the total 14C incorporation into total lipids of perfused hearts of rats compared to those fed a fat-supplemented diet.
A combined 77Se NMR and Raman spectroscopic study of the structure of GexSe1-x glasses: Towards a self consistent structural model

Abstract The short-range structures of stoichiometric and Se-deficient binary Ge x Se 100 − x glasses with 42 ≥ x ≥ 33.33 have been investigated using a combination of Raman and 77 Se Car–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill (CPMG) spikelet nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. When taken together, these spectroscopic results allow for self-consistent assignment of average 77 Se NMR isotropic chemical shifts to Se atoms in various coordination environments in Ge x Se 100 − x glasses. Analysis of the compositional variation of the relative concentrations of these Se environments indicates considerable violation of chemical order in the nearest-neighbor coordination environments of the constituent atoms in the stoichiometric Ge 33.33 Se 66.67 glass. On the other hand, the presence of a random distribution of Ge―Ge bonds can be inferred in the Se-deficient glasses. Simulations of the previously published 77 Se NMR line shapes of Se-excess glasses on the basis of the revised structural assignments of 77 Se NMR chemical shifts obtained in this study conclusively indicate that the structure of these glasses is intermediate between a randomly connected and a fully clustered network of GeSe 4 tetrahedra and Se chains.
Improvement in radiographic contrast media through the development of colloidal or particulate media: an analysis.

Abstract Toxicity of modern iodinated organic contrast media for intravascular purposes is ascribed to the nature of the anion and cation of the ionic media and the hyperosmolarity resulting from their use in highly-concentrated solutions. Although recent progress has been made through introduction of a non-ionic water-soluble compound, the use of a very large molecule or a small particle would have further advantages for reducing toxicity. In addition to sufficient radiopacity, for a successful particulate contrast medium important factors are (1) particle size and particle surface characteristics in relation to interaction with blood proteins, (2) phagocytosis by reticuloendothelial cells, and (3) the capacity for cells to metabolize and excrete the particle or its components without harm to any organ or tissue. Development of contrast media specifically for visualization of liver and spleen and for lymphography would have closely related problems but also important differences. Discussions offered based on evidence and speculative thought.
Effects of smoking cessation on caloric intake and weight gain in an inpatient unit

The present research was designed to assess the amount of weight gain that would occur when male smokers in an inpatient setting were deprived of cigarettes for 10 days, and to evaluate factors that could contribute to that weight gain, such as caloric intake and activity level. Subjects were 17 healthy male smokers who either smokedad libitum (n=8) or quit smoking (n=9) for 10 days after a 3 day smoking baseline. Caloric intake, activity levels, and body weight were assessed daily. Abstainers gained more weight than did smokers and ate more over time. There were no group differences in activity level. An analysis of energy needs versus actual energy intake suggests that caloric intake accounted for a large percentage of the post-cessation weight gain. However, considerable individual variability exists in caloric intake after smoking cessation. In addition, the study found post-cessation increases in caloric intake that were quite similar to those found in studies with females, suggesting that gender may have little to do with overall post-cessation caloric intake. Further research assessing dietary and metabolic changes after smoking cessation in a larger sample of both males and females is needed so that the reasons for and implications of dietary variability can be evaluated.
Exposure to disability and hearing loss narratives in undergraduate audiology curriculum.

Purpose To determine whether exposure to disability and hearing loss narratives increased undergraduate communication sciences and disorders (CSD) students' affective responses to scenarios of indi...
A Multi-Period Study of the Evolution of Collaboration in Telemedicine

While prior research has examined how telemedicine projects can be successfully implemented, how these operational projects evolve and change, and therefore increase and expand their impact on healthcare delivery, has received little attention. This paper addresses this research gap by examining telemedicine from a knowledge management perspective. Knowledge management projects are organizational efforts to leverage the application of their knowledge assets. Telemedicine is framed as a form a virtual collaboration, placing particular emphasis on the application of knowledge to improve healthcare delivery outcomes. Teleconsultations, a particular type of telemedicine involving complex collaborative activities, are studied in order to provide insights into how these virtual collaboration efforts can evolve and improve over time. Findings from a study of sixteen teleconsultation projects from four different telemedicine networks highlight the key characteristics of and critical challenges faced by teleconsultation projects as they attempt to evolve and expand their impact on healthcare delivery.
T-cell receptor γδ diversity and specificity of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes : analysis of IEL-derived hybridomas

Abstract The phenotype, T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) usage and specificity of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), and hybridomas derived from IEL have been examined. In young conventionally reared mice, approximately 50% of the IEL express TCR αβ and 50% express TCR γδ, although there is considerable variation between individuals. Here we demonstrate that T-cell hybridomas can be prepared from freshly isolated BALB/c mouse IEL. The expressed TCR of these hybridomas reflects the TCR isotype distribution of the IEL population. Analysis of the γδ TCR expressed by the hybridomas demonstrates that IEL express a greater number of TCR V gene segments than has been reported for γδ T cells in several other epithelial sites. At least five types of γδ TCRs are expressed by a panel of BALB/c IEL hybridomas, although use of the γδ TCR V gene repertoire clearly is not random. Some TCR γδ cells and γδ hybridomas have been reported to recognize purified protein derivative (PPD); however, none of the IEL hybridomas secreted IL-2 in response to PPD. These data suggest that most TCR γδ IEL are not likely to be PPD reactive.
Altered Cardiovascular Responses in Mice Lacking the M1 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor

Although the M(2) muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) is the predominant functional mAChR subtype in the heart, some responses of the cardiovascular system to acetylcholine (ACh) may be mediated by other mAChR subtypes. The potential effect of M(1) mAChR on heart function was investigated using M(1) knockout (M(1)-KO) mice. In vivo cardiodynamic analysis showed that basal values of heart rate (HR), developed left ventricular pressure (DLVP), left ventricular dP/dt(max) (LV dP/dt(max)), and mean blood pressure (MBP) were similar between wild-type (WT) and M(1)-KO mice. Injection of the putative M(1)-selective agonist 4-(m-chlorophenyl-carbamoyloxy)-2-butynyltrimethylammonium (McN-A-343) produced an increase in LV dP/dt(max), DLVP, HR, and MBP in WT mice but did not affect hemodynamic function in the M(1)-KO mice. The stimulatory effect of McN-A-343 in WT mice was blocked by pretreatment with propranolol, indicating that stimulation of the M(1) mAChRs on sympathetic postganglionic neurons evoked release of catecholamines. Intravenous injection of ACh in both WT and M(1)-KO mice caused atrioventricular conduction block, without a significant change in the frequency of atrial depolarization, or atrial fibrillation. Immunoprecipitation and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction failed to detect the expression of M(1) mAChR in cardiac tissue from WT mice. The carbachol-induced increase of phospholipase C activity in cardiac tissues was not different between WT and M(1)-KO mice. These results demonstrate that 1) activation of M(1) mAChR subtype on sympathetic postganglionic cells results in catecholamine-mediated cardiac stimulation, 2) M(1) mAChR is not expressed in mouse heart, and 3) administration of ACh to mice induces arrhythmia.
Differences in the Active Site Environment ofAspergillus ficuumPhytases

Abstract WhileAspergillus ficuumphytaseA (phyA) was rapidly inactivated by 1,2-cyclohexanedione and phenylglyoxal, both specific modifiers of arginine, phytaseB (phyB) showed a markedly different behavior. First, phyB was totally insensitive to 1,2-cyclohexanedione even in the presence of 0.2 M guanidinium hydrochloride; second, the enzyme showed a great deal of resistance to inactivation by phenylglyoxal. Taken together, these results indicate that the chemical environment of the active site of phyB is very different from that of the active site of phyA. Despite sequence similarities of the active site region in these two proteins, their differential behavior to arginine modifiers indicates that other parts of the protein play a role in the active site formation. We expected some differences in the structure since the proteins have dissimilar kinetic parameters and pH optima.
Reentry Works: The Implementation and Effectiveness of a Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative

Spurred by large increases in prison populations and other recent sentencing and correctional trends, the federal government has supported the development and implementation of Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiatives (SVORI) nationwide. While existing research demonstrates the effectiveness of the separate components of these programs (e.g., matching services to inmate needs, combining community supervision and rehabilitative services), few if any evaluations of the effectiveness of these new coordinated reentry interventions have yet been published. The current study examines the implementation and effectiveness of a small SVORI program in the upper-Midwest, comparing inmates receiving enhanced reentry services to a sample of similar prisoners receiving only traditional prison/parole services. Results reveal that the reentry program successfully reached its target population of serious and violent offenders, provided more referrals to community-based services, and increased drug testing...
The Hill Interaction Matrix.

The Hill Interaction Matrix represents a system of classifying group process and group progress, which has been empirically derived and systematically researched. Leadership style, group composition, and group development are simultaneously quantified through the use of this matrix. It represents an attempt to objectify the art of group therapy.
Analysis of a rapidly rotating gas in a pie-shaped cylinder

By using asymptotic analysis, an eigensolution technique has been developed for predicting the flow of gas contained in a pie-shaped cylinder of finite length rotating rapidly about its vertex. This problem has application to a conventional cylindrical gas centrifuge with radial walls. Three different types of boundary layers exist in the flow : Ekman layers on the top and bottom, buoyancy layers on the radial walls, and a cylindrical ‘pancake’ layer on the outer wall of the cylinder. A single sixth-order partial differential equation is obtained for the axial velocity in the cylindrical layer, and the other layers provide matching conditions. The problem is formulated for no-slip and prescribed temperature conditions on the solid surfaces and for adiabatic no shear stress with zero pressure at the inner free surface. Eigenvalues are computed for this problem and compared with those for the open cylinder, and solutions are presented for flows induced by mass throughput and by differential temperature conditions.
5-Keto-Mannose (D-Lyxo-Hexos-5-Ulose) in Aqueous Solution-Isomeric Composition Dominated by α/β D-Fructofuranose Related Structures

Abstract Selective C-6 hydroxyl triphenylmethylation of methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-α-D-mannofuranose (1), followed by C-5 hydroxyl oxidation and sequential removal of protecting groups in aqueous acid, yielded D-lyxo-hexos-5-ulose (5-keto-mannose, 5) as a mixture of isomeric forms. The isomeric mixture of 5 in D2O solution was carefully examined using 1H and 13C NMR techniques and structural assignments were made for seven isomers. The most prevalent form of 5 observed was the ketofuranose isomer 2S, 5R-D-lyxo-hexo-5,2-furanos-5-ulose 1-hydrate (5a, 52%), with its 2S, 5S-ketofuranose anomer (5b) being the next most abundant (14%). Also identified in the mixture were the α and β-hexofuranos-5-uloses 5c (6%) and 5d (< 2%), the pyranose structure 1R,5R-lyxo-hexopyranos-5-ulose 5e (10%), and the anhydro isomer 1R,5R-1,6-anhydro-D-lyxo-hexopyranos-5-ulose (5f, 5%), present in 1 C 4 conformation. Limited spectral information suggests that the remaining isomer 5g (8%) is a hydrated acyclic aldehyde form of 5.
Developmental distribution of platelet-derived growth factor in the mouse central nervous system

Abstract Immunoblotting and immunohistochemical techniques have been used to characterize the developmental changes in the distribution and relative quantity of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), an important mitogen and growth regulator for glial (and possibly neuronal) cells. PDGF exists as a dimer of two chains, A and B, and antibodies which are relatively specific for one chain or the other can be used to localize PDGF isoforms during development. We have also studied the distribution of PDGF receptor β subunit (PDGF-Rβ)-like immunoreactivity using an antibody probe. All 3 isoforms of PDGF are found in neural structures during development, beginning at about the midpoint of embryogenesis. Immunoblotting studies confirm the presence of PDGF isoforms in brain during embryonic and postnatal development, with the distribution and relative abundance of each isoform appearing to be independently regulated. Similarly, immunoblotting studies have verified the relative abundance and specificity of PDGF receptor β subunit. The immunohistochemical findings confirm and extend these biochemical observations. Each PDGF chain (A and B) has a discrete localization during nervous system development, and the immunohistochemical distribution of PDGF-Rβ is distinct from each of the PDGF isoforms. PDGF A-chain (localized with an antibody to PDGF(AA) dimers) appears to be found in growth cones of developing neurons in mid-embryonic brain development. By 11.5 days post-conception (embryonic day 11.5, E11.5) to E12, PDGF isoforms are found in apparent neurons in the basal plate (future ventral horn) of spinal cord. PDGF-Rβ-like immunoreactivity is localized to the boundary cap region of the developing spinal cord at the same age. Similarly, at E13.5, all 3 PDGF isoforms are found, to varying extents, within cells of the dorsal root ganglia and trigeminal ganglia. At the same developmental stage, PDGF receptor protein is most prevalent in the nerves accompanying these structures. By E15, both PDGF isoform and PDGF receptor β subunit immunoreactivity have declined to near-background levels in the sensory ganglia, while in the spinal cord and developing forebrain, levels of all PDGF-related proteins remain high.
Phosphorylation of membranes from the rat gastric mucosa.

Abstract Gastric mucosal membranes derived primarily from parietal cells were found to contain endogenous protein kinase systems as well as several phosphate-accepting substrates. One specific membrane protein with a molecular weight of 88 000 was phosphorylated only in the presence of calcium, while the degree of phosphorylation of three other membrane proteins was similarly increased. The activity of the calcium-dependent protein kinase was found to be totally inhibited in the presence of trifluoperazine, a phenothiazine known to specifically inactivate calmodulin. These results suggest that a calmodulin- and calcium-dependent phosphorylation system may be a component of the parietal cell membrane. Phosphorylation of the membrane proteins was not affected by either cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP. The heat-stable inhibitor protein of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase did not inhibit the endogenous protein kinase activity suggesting that the membrane enzyme is not similar to the cytosolic protein kinase. However, the catalytic subunit of the soluble enzyme was capable of phosphorylating a number of membrane proteins indicating that after maximal autophosphorylation of the gastric membranes, phosphate-acceptor sites are still available to the cytosolic cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.
Larvicidal properties of the 42 and 51 kilodalton Bacillus sphaericus proteins expressed in different bacterial hosts: evidence for a binary toxin.

The 51 kilodalton (kDa) and the 42 kDa larvicidal proteins ofBacillus sphaericus 2362 appear to reside on a single transcriptional unit. Constructs containing the genes for both of these proteins or for only the 51 kDa or the 42 kDa protein were inserted into the appropriate expression vectors and the proteins over-produced inEscherichia coli JM105, andBacillus sphaericus strain 718 and SSII-1. In all of these organisms the 51 kDa and 42 kDa proteins were not toxic alone but were toxic in combination. These results are interpreted to indicate that theBacillus sphaericus 2362 larvicide is a binary toxin in that both the 51 and the 42 kDa proteins are required for toxicity.
On the linkage between electoral volatility and party system instability in Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract. Electoral volatility is assumed to be a precursor to, or even an indicator of, party system instability. Such an assumption has strong implications for the underlying elite–mass electoral linkage and for the prospects of party system stabilisation in young democracies. This article demonstrates that electoral volatility follows from, rather than leads to, changes in the supply of parties. Thus, the choices of elites may be more responsible for instability in the early stages of party system development than the erratic behaviour of voters.
An assessment of human-computer interaction research in management information systems: topics and methods

Abstract As an emerging subfield of Management Information Systems (MIS), Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) or Human Factors studies in MIS are concerned with the ways humans interact with information, technologies, and tasks, especially in business, managerial, organizational, and cultural contexts. To date, few studies have either synthesized existing studies or drawn an overview picture of the HCI subfield in MIS. This paper first provides a framework of broad HCI issues and concerns. It then reports an assessment of a sample of published HCI articles in two top MIS journals, MIS Quarterly and Information Systems Research , over a period of thirteen years (1990–2002). It identifies the main topics studied, the main research approaches utilized, the research publication patterns, and the needs for future research efforts in this subfield. The results should be of interest to researchers in this subfield, in the MIS field, and in other related disciplines for future research, collaboration, and publication.
Prolonged diet induced obesity has minimal effects towards brain pathology in mouse model of cerebral amyloid angiopathy: Implications for studying obesity–brain interactions in mice

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) occurs in nearly every individual with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Down's syndrome, and is the second largest cause of intracerebral hemorrhage. Mouse models of CAA have demonstrated evidence for increased gliosis contributing to CAA pathology. Nearly two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, with little known about the effects of obesity on the brain, although increasingly the vasculature appears to be a principle target of obesity effects on the brain. In the current study we describe for the first time whether diet induced obesity (DIO) modulates glial reactivity, amyloid levels, and inflammatory signaling in a mouse model of CAA. In these studies we identify surprisingly that DIO does not significantly increase Aβ levels, astrocyte (GFAP) or microglial (IBA-1) gliosis in the CAA mice. However, within the hippocampal gyri a localized increase in reactive microglia were increased in the CA1 and stratum oriens relative to CAA mice on a control diet. DIO was observed to selectively increase IL-6 in CAA mice, with IL-1β and TNF-α not increased in CAA mice in response to DIO. Taken together, these data show that prolonged DIO has only modest effects towards Aβ in a mouse model of CAA, but appears to elevate some localized microglial reactivity within the hippocampal gyri and selective markers of inflammatory signaling. These data are consistent with the majority of the existing literature in other models of Aβ pathology, which surprisingly show a mixed profile of DIO effects towards pathological processes in mouse models of neurodegenerative disease. The importance for considering the potential impact of ceiling effects in pathology within mouse models of Aβ pathogenesis, and the current experimental limitations for DIO in mice to fully replicate metabolic dysfunction present in human obesity, are discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Animal Models of Disease.
Abstract 2768: Single molecule approach detects significant mutation heterogeneity at the androgen receptor locus in prostate tumors

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Studying the impact of genomic instability in cancer has been traditionally performed with PCR-based techniques. PCR-based methods may underestimate the total number of somatic mutations present in heterogeneous tumor genomes. Using standard PCR based methods we identified many missense somatic mutations of the DNA repair polymerase genes pol beta, pol eta and pol kappa in 30 prostate tumors. However, using a single molecule random cloning/sequencing method we uncovered a very high frequency of somatic alterations in prostate tumors: 0.52 somatic alterations per Kb of genomic DNA sequence (which corresponds to 1.8 million alterations per tumor cell genome). We then examined the somatic alteration frequency present in exon 2 of the androgen receptor (AR) gene, an established “driver” gene in prostate tumor progression. Exon 2 of the AR gene includes part of the DNA binding domain of this trancription factor. We report a similarly high somatic alteration frequency (including 50 missense AR mutations) and extreme AR mutation heterogeneity in prostate cancer patients with Gleason scores 5-9. Each somatic mutation was present in 1-5% of the tumor clones. Thus most of these “driver” mutations are not detectable by direct sequencing of a PCR product. All four cysteine residues that comprise the first Zinc-finger (Zf1) of the AR DNA-binding domain (the only zinc finger present in exon 2) had missense mutations in these patients (including recurrent mutations). In fact, we found missense or stop codon mutations of almost all Zf1 residues in these tumors. Some of these mutations have been shown to confer higher oncogenic transformation potential and hormone promiscuity to the androgen receptor. These data provide a molecular basis for the understanding of both a) the impact of genomic instability and b) anti-androgen drug resistance during prostate cancer progression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2768. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2768
Appointment Template Redesign in a Women’s Health Clinic Using Clinical Constraints to Improve Service Quality and Efficiency

Background: Patient wait time is a critical element of access to care that has long been recognized as a major problem in modern outpatient health care delivery systems. It impacts patient and medical staff productivity, stress, quality and efficiency of medical care, as well as health-care cost and availability. Objectives: This study was conducted in a Women’s Health Clinic. The objective was to improve clinic service quality by redesigning patient appointment template using the clinical constraints. Methods: The proposed scheduling template consisted of two key elements: the redesign of appointment types and the determination of the length of time slots using defined constraints. The reclassification technique was used for the redesign of appointment visit types to capture service variation for scheduling purposes. Then, the appointment length was determined by incorporating clinic constraints or goals, such as patient wait time, physician idle time, overtime, finish time, lunch hours, when the last appointment was scheduled, and the desired number of appointment slots, to converge the optimal length of appointment slots for each visit type. Results: The redesigned template was implemented and the results indicated a 73% reduction in average patient waiting from the reported 40 to 11 minutes. The patient no-show rate was reduced by 4% from 24% to 20%. The morning section on average finished about 11:50 am. The clinic day was finished around 4:45 pm. Provider average idle time was estimated to be about 5 minutes, which can be used for charting/documenting patients. Conclusions: This study provided an alternative method of redesigning appointment scheduling templates using only the clinical constraints rather than the traditional way that required an objective function. This paper also documented the employed methods step by step in a real clinic setting. The implementation results concluded a significant improvement on patient wait time and no-show rate. Citation: Huang Y, Verduzco S. Appointment Template Redesign in a Women’s Health Clinic Using Clinical Constraints to Improve Service Quality and Efficiency. Appl Clin Inf 2015; 6: 271–287 http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2014-10-RA-0094
Perceived Health Problems, Formal/Informal Support, and Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults

The purpose of this study was to assess whether support from formal sources buffers the effects of stress more effectively than assistance that is provided by informal network members. Findings from a longitudinal study of older adults suggests that formal support, but not informal assistance, reduces the deleterious effects of perceived health problems on changes in life satisfaction through time. In the process of evaluating these relationships, an effort was made to match the needs created by a particular type of stress (ongoing perceived health problems) with the benefits provided by a particular type of support (illness-related instrumental support).
Pyroelectric properties of lead barium niobate single crystals

Abstract The temperature dependence of the pyroelectric coefficients of lead barium niobate Pb1−xBaxNb2O6 (PBN) single crystals were investigated using the Byer-Roundy technique. Pyroelectric coefficients were found to be enhanced in single crystals of the near-morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) compositions. High pyroelectric coefficients (336 μC/m2−K, 1 − × = 0.684) and switchable polarization vectors between the two perpendicular crystallographic directions ([001] and [110]) in crystal of near-morphotropic phase boundary composition (1 − x = 0.615) were found to be of interest for pyroelectric device applications.
The regulation of amino acid incorporation into thyroid protein: evidence that thyroxine and iodide inhibit protein synthesis at a ribosomal site.

Abstract 1. The regulation of protein synthesis in the rat-thyroid gland was studied utilizing both a tissue slice system and a cell-free amino acid incorporating system. 2. Thyroid tissue slices and thyroid cell-free amino acid incorporating systems obtained from iodine-deficient rats both had an increased ability to incorporate [14C]valine into protein compared to similar systems obtained from control rats. 3. The addition of low concentrations of thyroxine and iodide to the incubation medium reduced the increased incorporation observed in iodine-deficient rat thyroid glands to levels near those of controls in both experimental systems. 4. It was observed that the increased ability for [14C]valine incorporation in iodine-deficient rat-thyroid glands and the inhibitory action of thyroxine and iodide were associated with the microsomal fraction. 5. The action of thyroxine and iodide is discussed in terms of the regulation of protein synthesis. It is suggested that thyroxine and iodide act as ribosomal inhibitors of protein synthesis in the rat-thyroid gland.
External nozzle flap dynamic load measurements on F-15 S/MTD model

Dynamic pressure loads were obtained on 1/12 scale models of the F-15B production aircraft and the F-15 S/MTD experimental aircraft with rectangular nozzles and canards. Flight Mach numbers from 0.51 to 1.20 were studied for aircraft angles of attack from 0 to 10 deg and nozzle pressure ratios from 1.00 to 5.09. The results show that dynamic levels are lower in the internozzle region of twin rectangular nozzles than are levels found with twin axisymmetric nozzles. At other locations, the levels associated with both geometries are of the same order of magnitude when normalized by aircraft dynamic Q. At Mach number of 0.51, the loads spectrum is dominated by plume shock noise processes for both geometries. Above Mach 0.51, this mechanism is associated with either vortex bursting from a forward location or turbulent boundary layer separation over the nozzle external flaps. At supersonic speeds both geometries show significantly decreased load levels.
Yellowstone Convection Plume and Break-up of the Western United States

MUCH of the late Cainozoic history of the western United States is characterized by tensional rifting. The Basin and Range Province is a zone of rifting 300 to 600 km wide (Fig. 1). The Rio Grande depression and the Snake River downwarp are areas of rifting which are similar in time and style to the Basin and Range faulting. The rifting in the Rio Grande depression has usually been related to the same causative mechanism as in the Basin and Range. The Basin and Range type faulting has variously been explained as the result of a westward moving convection cell1; as part of a wide, soft boundary reflecting the transform motion of the American and Pacific plates2; or as the result of a large mantle diapir which came up under the crust following the complete subduction of the Farallon plate in that region3. Although most of these explanations adequately account for the Basin and Range faulting, they fall short in explaining the rifting in the Rio Grande depression. None of the three hypotheses adequately explains why extensive rifting occurs over a area 600 km wide in the Basin and Range abruptly stops for a length of 500 km in the Colorado Plateau area and then resumes again in a narrow zone in the Rio Grande region. The Snake River rifting transects the regional trend of the Basin and Range rifting and does not fit any of the proposed tectonic models for the Basin and Range.
Only long sperm are fertilization-competent in six sperm-heteromorphic Drosophila species

Abstract Males of many species exhibit sperm heteromorphism, in which multiple morphologies of sperm are produced in a common testis (see references in [1]). Polymegaly, a form of sperm heteromorphism, is found in the Drosophila obscura group and is characterized by the production of two size classes of nucleated sperm that differ only in head and tail lengths [1,2]. Both the length and the ratio of sperm types produced is species-specific [1,3–5], and each sperm type develops in its own bundle deriving from a single stem cell [4]. Previous studies suggested that both types of sperm are fertilization-competent on the basis of similar ultrastructure [6], DNA content [6], nuclear protein transition during spermatogenesis [7], and storage in females [3–5]. However, a previous study demonstrated that only long sperm fertilize eggs [3]. Here, we extend this study to examine fertilization in six obscura group species using anti-sperm antibodies and digital deconvolution microscopy. Consistent with the previous study, we found that all eggs were fertilized by only the long sperm type, even in polyspermic eggs. Moreover, sperm entry and position during and following fertilization were similar to other Drosophila groups [3,8–10]. Thus, polymegaly and its maintenance appear to have arisen independently of fertilization processes per se .
Normalization of nutritional status by various levels of vitamin E supplementation during murine AIDS

Abstract Female C57BL/6 mice were infected with LP-BM5 retrovirus, causing murine AIDS which is functionally similar to human AIDS. Dietary supplementation, with a 15-, 150- and 450-fold increase of vitamin E in a liquid diet (National Council Research), significantly restored serum and haptic vitamin A and E which had been reduced by retrovirus infection. They also significantly restored hepatic copper, which had been reduced by retrovirus infection, whereas only 150- and 450-fold vitamin E improved hepatic zinc level. Vitamin E supplementation at all levels had no effects on hepatic zinc and copper levels in normal mice, whereas they significantly increased serum and hepatic vitamin A and E concentrations. Vitamin E supplementation at all levels significantly increased intestinal vitamin A and E levels during murine AIDS, whereas only intestinal vitamin E levels was altered by various levels of vitamin E supplementation. Interestingly, vitamin E supplementation had no effect on intestinal copper level, whereas they significantly increased intestinal zinc level in the normal mice and only 450-fold vitamin E supplementation significantly elevated intestinal level of zinc. These data indicate that dietary vitamin E supplementation at extremely high levels was not toxic, can improve undernutrition initiated by retrovirus infection during progression to murine AIDS, which should favorably affect immune response.