cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neurophysiological correlates of hand preference in primary motor cortex of adult squirrel monkeys

Variability in the functional topography of area 4 was examined in adult squirrel monkeys. Conventional intracortical microstimulation techniques were used to derive detailed maps (250 microns interpenetration distances) of distal forelimb movement representations in both hemispheres of six monkeys. Spatial features of these representational maps were then compared to the hand preferred by the individual animals during a motor task requiring skilled digit use. Beyond a few broad generalizations common to all area 4 motor maps, the local mosaic-like topography of individual distal forelimb representations was highly idiosyncratic. Using statistical procedures to determine the independent contributions of individual, side, and movement category to the total variation in motor maps, the results demonstrate statistically significant variation in representational topography among individuals as well as between hemispheres of the same individuals. In the dominant hemisphere (i.e., the hemisphere opposite the preferred hand), the distal forelimb representations generally were greater in number and larger in total area, and displayed a longer total boundary length and a greater index of spatial complexity. Because of the direct relationship between interhemispheric asymmetry and behavioral asymmetry, these studies suggest that a large source of variability found in the topography of motor maps in this and other studies derives from differences in the way particular movements and/or movement combinations are performed by individual animals.
RFID Middleware Systems: A Comparative Analysis

In recent years, there is a widespread adoption of RFID technology in several key application domains. Deployment of RFID technology in large-scale applications is attractive due to its low cost; however RFID technology, especially the one that uses passive tags, is error prone in nature. Large-scale deployment of RFID technology requires efficient middleware solution that is able to handle the large amount of data, process the data in a timely fashion and deliver the required information to the applications. We discuss the state of the art in RFID middleware, and present the opportunities and challenges of the RFID technology.
Differences in hydration structure near hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids

We use molecular dynamics to simulate recent neutron scattering experiments on aqueous solutions of N-acetyl-leucine-amide and N-acetyl-glutamine-amide, and break down the total scattering function into contributions from solute-solute, solute-water, water-water, and intramolecular correlations. We show that the shift of the main diffraction peak to smaller angle that is observed for leucine, but not for glutamine, is attributable primarily to alterations in water-water correlations relative to bulk. The perturbation of the water hydrogen-bonded network extends roughly two solvation layers from the hydrophobic side chain surface, and is characterized by a distribution of hydrogen bonded ring sizes that are more planar and are dominated by pentagons in particular than those near the hydrophilic side chain. The different structural organization of water near the hydrophobic solute that gives rise to the inward shift in the main neutron diffraction peak under ambient conditions may also provide insight into the same directional shift for pure liquid water as it is cooled and supercooled.
Measurement of the de Haas-van Alphen effect in the pyrite-type copper dichalcogenides CuS2, CuSe2 and CuTe2

Abstract The de Haas-van Alphen effect has been measured in the pyrite-type copper dichalcogenides CuS 2 , CuSe 2 and CuTe 2 .
New Algorithms and Lower Bounds for the Parallel Evaluation of Certain Rational Expressions and Recurrences

The parallel evaluation of rational expressions is considered. New algorithms which minimize the number of multiplication or division steps are given. They are faster than the usual algorithms when multiplication or division takes more time than addition or subtraction. It is shown, for example, that xn can be evaluated in two steps of parallel division and ⌈log2n⌉ steps of parallel addition, while the usual algorithm takes ⌈log2n⌉ steps of parallel multiplication.Lower bounds on the time required are obtained in terms of the degree of the expressions to be evaluated. From these bounds, the algorithms presented in the paper are shown to be asymptotically optimal. Moreover, it is shown that by using parallelism the evaluation of any first-order rational recurrence of degree greater than 1, e.g. yi+1 = 1/2;(yi + a/yi), and any nonlinear polynomial recurrence can be sped up at most by a constant factor, no matter how many processors are used and how large the size of the problem is.
“Depressed” fathers' interactions with their infants

Quatre groupes (N = 80 familes) de peres et meres deprimes (symptomes depressifs) et non-deprimes ont ete compares durant des interactions avec leurs bebes de 3-6 mois pour determiner la maniere dont les peres deprimes (par rapport et opposition aux peres non-deprimes) communiquaient avec leurs nourrissons et la maniere dont leurs interactions pouvaient etre comparees aux meres deprimees communiquant avec leurs bebes Les peres deprimes et non-deprimes ont recu des cotes similaires et les peres deprimes ont recu iles cotes d'interaction plus hautes que les meres deprimees. Bien que les peres deprimes ne semblaient pas se comporter negativement avec leurs nourrissons, leurs partenaires non-deprimes ont fait preuve d'un comportement interactif moins optimal avec leurs bebes.
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis decreases urinary oxalate excretion in a mouse model of primary hyperoxaluria

Hyperoxaluria significantly increases the risk of calcium oxalate kidney stone formation. Since several bacteria have been shown to metabolize oxalate in vitro, including probiotic bifidobacteria, we focused on the efficiency and possible mechanisms by which bifidobacteria can influence oxalate handling in vivo, especially in the intestines, and compared these results with the reported effects of Oxalobacter formigenes. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DSM 10140 and B. adolescentis ATCC 15703 were administered to wild-type (WT) mice and to mice deficient in the hepatic enzyme alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase (Agxt(-/-), a mouse model of Primary Hyperoxaluria) that were fed an oxalate-supplemented diet. The administration of B. animalis subsp. lactis led to a significant decrease in urinary oxalate excretion in WT and Agxt(-/-) mice when compared to treatment with B. adolescentis. Detection of B. animalis subsp. lactis in feces revealed that 3 weeks after oral gavage with the bacteria 64% of WT mice, but only 37% of Agxt(-/-) mice were colonized. Examining intestinal oxalate fluxes showed there were no significant changes to net oxalate secretion in colonized animals and were therefore not associated with the changes in urinary oxalate excretion. These results indicate that colonization with B. animalis subsp. lactis decreased urinary oxalate excretion by degrading dietary oxalate thus limiting its absorption across the intestine but it did not promote enteric oxalate excretion as reported for O. formigenes. Preventive or therapeutic administration of B. animalis subsp. lactis appears to have some potential to beneficially influence dietary hyperoxaluria in mice.
Stochastic simulation of semivariograms

The semivariogram obtained from simulated space series formed by an autoregressive (AR) process gives a ready explanation for most of the common types. Linear semivariograms arise from a random walk (Brownian motion) process while the transitive and exponential types are generated by an AR process of first order. The continuous (“Gaussian”) type arises from a process of second order which also accounts for the “hole-effect” when the process becomes pseudo-periodic. The nugget effect can be included by the addition of a moving average (MA) process of first order.
High-throughput measurements of materials properties

By taking advantage of compositional variations and the formation of intermetallic compounds in diffusion couples and diffusion multiples as well as newly developed micron-scale resolution measurement techniques, one can now perform localized measurements of several materials properties as a function of composition and phase in a high-throughput fashion that is much more effective and systematic than using individual alloy samples.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis MtrAY102C is a gain-of-function mutant that potentially acts as a constitutively active protein

The MtrAB histidine-aspartate signal transduction of mycobacteria includes the response regulator MtrA and sensor kinase MtrB. We recently showed that Mycobacterium smegmatis ΔmtrB is filamentous, defective for cell division, cell shape maintenance and shows compromised MtrA target gene expression. Interestingly, overproduction of phosphorylation competent M. tuberculosis MtrAY102C reverses the ΔmtrB mutant phenotype, although the genetic basis of phenotype reversal is unknown. Here we show that introduction of D56N mutation in MtrAY102C completely abolished its phosphorylation potential yet the double mutant protein retained a partial ability to reverse the mtrB mutant phenotype indicating that phosphorylation activity is not necessary for the function of MtrAY102C. The phosphorylation-defective MtrAD56N-Y102C protein bound its target promoters ripA and fbpB efficiently. Together, these results support a hypothesis that the gain-of-function phenotype of MtrAY102C is in part due to its ability to function as a constitutively active protein in the absence of phosphorylation.
Influence of N-methylation on a cation-π interaction produces a remarkably stable β-hairpin peptide

The methylation of lysine in histone tails is a common posttranslational modification that functions in histone-regulated chromatin condensation, with binding of methylated lysine occurring in aromatic pockets on chromodomain proteins. We have synthesized a highly stable 12-residue beta-hairpin peptide that exploits the histone-related cation-pi interaction between a methylated lysine residue and a tryptophan residue. Thermodynamic analysis reveals significant entropic stabilization of the peptide due to methylation of the lysine residue. Chemical denaturation of the peptide demonstrates two-state behavior. In comparison to other reported, highly stable designed beta-hairpins, this peptide is the most thermally stable beta-hairpin reported to date. This study provides insight into the role of Lys methylation in histone proteins and more generally in mediating protein-protein interactions.
In vitro conditions modify immunoassayability of bovine pituitary prolactin and growth hormone: insights into their secretory granule storage forms.

The amount of immunoassayable intracellular bovine (b) PRL and GH varies depending on treatment conditions. The present studies were designed to characterize the mechanisms involved and to compare immunoassayability of both hormones under similar conditions. Pituitary homogenate and secretory granule hormones displayed both time- and temperature-dependent increases when incubated at pH 10.5 with reduced glutathione; for example, 180 min values were 156% (GH) and 439% (PRL) at 22 C compared with control homogenate values. Under these conditions, PRL in granule cores (the sedimentable fraction after hypotonic lysis of granules) increased the most, changing 120-fold from 2.9 ± 0.25 μg/ml (pH 8.3 control) to 349 ± 22.8 μg/ml. Isolated oligomeric PRL increased significantly after exposure to mercaptoethanol, indicating that changes in assayability do not require nonhormonal granule components. No change in monomeric PRL, or GH in either form, was observed. Pretreatment with iodoacetamide resulted in a 33% decr...
A method for finding the least squares estimate of the intersection point of two Helices in space

When the helical trajectories of two charged particles moving away from a common point in a magnetic field are reconstructed from measurements on the tracks, the reconstructed tracks are perturbed by measurement and other errors and do not, in general, intersect. A method is given for adjusting the reconstructed tracks in a least squares manner so that they do intersect.
Autoradiographic evidence for methamphetamine-induced striatal dopaminergic loss in mouse brain: attenuation in CuZn-superoxide dismutase transgenic mice.

Abstract Methamphetamine (METH) has long-lasting neurotoxic effects on the nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) system of rodents. METH-induced neurotoxicity is thought to involve release of DA in presynaptic DA terminals, which is associated with increased formation of oxygen-based free radicals. We have recently shown that METH-induced striatal DA depletion is attenuated in transgenic (Tg) mice that express the human CuZn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme. That study did not specifically address the issue of loss of DA terminals. In the present study, we have used receptor autoradiographic studies of [ 125 I]RTI-121-labeled DA uptake sites to evaluate the effects of several doses of METH on striatal DA terminals of Non-Tg as well as of heterozygous and homozygous SOD-Tg mice. In Non-Tg mice, METH caused decreases in striatal DA uptake sites in a dose-dependent fashion. The loss of DA terminals was more prominent in the lateral region than in the medial subdivisions of the striatum. In SOD-Tg mice, the loss of DA terminals caused by METH was attenuated in a gene dosage-dependent fashion, with the homozygous mice showing the greatest protection. Female mice were somewhat more resistant than male mice against these deleterious effects of METH. These results provide further evidence for a role of superoxide radicals in the long-term effects of METH. They also suggest the notion of a gender-specific handling of oxidative stress.
The Spoken Knowledge in Low Literacy in Diabetes scale: a diabetes knowledge scale for vulnerable patients

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to develop and validate a new knowledge scale for patients with type 2 diabetes and poor literacy: the Spoken Knowledge in Low Literacy patients with Diabetes (...
The Roles of Gender and Affirmative Action Attitude in Reactions to Test Score Use Methods1

The present study explored the effects of 2 variables, affirmative action (AA) attitude and gender, on reactions to 3 test score use (TSU) methods: top-down selection. banding with random selection, and banding with preferences. In a study of 94 upper-division and graduate business students, AA attitude was associated with different reactions to TSU methods in terms of fairness and organizational attractiveness. Moreover, women with negative AA attitudes and men rated banding with preferences lower than the other two methods, but women with positive AA attitudes did not Results are discussed in terms of applicant reactions models, implications for organizations and future research.
Rapid antibacterial activity of 2 novel hand soaps: evaluation of the risk of development of bacterial resistance to the antibacterial agents.

Objective To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of and risk of organisms developing resistance to 2 novel hand soaps: (1) a soap containing triclosan, polyhexamethylene biguanide, and benzethonium chloride added to a soap base (TPB soap); and (2) a soap containing farnesol, polyhexamethylene biguanide, and benzethonium chloride added to a soap base (FPB soap). Tests also included soaps containing only triclosan. Design The risk of emergence of resistant bacterial mutants was investigated by determining the susceptibility changes after repeated exposure of bacteria to the drugs and soaps in vitro. The effectiveness of the soaps was evaluated using an in vitro tube dilution method, a volunteer method (the ASTM standard), and 2 pig skin methods. Results The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of triclosan against Staphylococcus aureus increased 8- to 62.5-fold, whereas those of TPB and FPB (both alone and in soap) were unchanged. In vitro, TPB and FPB soaps produced higher log(10) reductions in colony-forming units of all tested organisms (4.95-8.58) than did soaps containing triclosan alone (0.29-4.86). In the test using the pig skin and volunteer methods, TPB soap produced a higher log(10) reduction in colony-forming units (3.1-3.3) than did the soap containing triclosan alone (2.6-2.8). Conclusion The results indicate that TPB and FPB soaps may provide superior rapid and broad-spectrum efficacy with a lower risk of organisms developing resistance than do soaps containing triclosan alone. Pig skin methods may be used to predict the efficacy of antibacterial soaps in the rapid disinfection of contaminated hands. Hand washing with TPB and FPB soaps by healthcare workers and the general population may reduce the transmission of pathogens, with a lower risk of promoting the emergence of resistant organisms.
Using noisy bilingual data for statistical machine translation

SMT systems rely on sufficient amount of parallel corpora to train the translation model. This paper investigates possibilities to use word-to-word and phrase-to-phrase translations extracted not only from clean parallel corpora but also from noisy comparable corpora. Translation results for a Chinese to English translation task are given.
Shopping orientation-based segmentation of U.S. grocery shoppers

Abstract This study presents a segmentation analysis of grocery shoppers. The process utilized consists of three parts. First, shopping orientations are identified through a factor analysis of responses to psychographic statements related to grocery shopping. Seven shopping orientations are found to exist, including (1) price consciousness, (2) recreation, (3) food safety, (4) health, (5) convenience, (6) home shopping, and (7) home cooking. Second, grocery shopping segments are identified by clustering respondents on the basis of their scores across the seven shopping orientations. Four grocery shopping segments are identified including (1) food safety/health, (2) convenience, (3) middle-of-theroad, and (4) home shopping. Third, each of the grocery shopping segments is profiled with respect to store attribute evaluations, media usage, and level of involvement. Demographic characteristics were not significantly related to the four grocery shopping segments. The study delineates implications for each of th...
Laboratory apparatus for studying pesticide leaching in intact soil cores

Abstract This paper describes the design, construction, operation, and performance of an apparatus useful for studying pesticide leaching through intact soil cores. A technique is described for rapidly mounting intact soil cores. A turntable is used to support and rotate 12 or more soil cores under an oscillating dripper unit capable of simulating rainfall intensities of 1 to 30mm/h. Each soil core is attached to a filtration flask which is connected to a -10 to -20 Kpa vacuum supply. The CV of the rainfall delivery rate over a range of 2–12mm/h averaged 3.7%. Dye studies using intact soil cores indicated that water movement at the soil-wall interface was not faster than through the soil matrix. An experiment conducted to evaluate atrazine [2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)- s -triazine] leaching through soil cores obtained from no-till(NT) and conventional-till(CT) fields indicated consistently greater leaching through CT cores. The capability of precise application of simulated rain, accommodation of large number of soil cores, and ease of modification to meet a wide range of research parameters make this apparatus useful for the laboratory evaluation of soil-water-pesticide interactions.
Nucleation rate for black holes

A simple heuristic calculation is given for the rate of nucleation of black holes at positive temperature. This calculation is based on the classical theory of nucleation and reproduces the result of Gross, Perry, and Yaffe.
Sexological Systems Theory: an ecological model and assessment approach for sex therapy

Current modalities of sex therapy, consisting of both cognitive-behavioral and systemic approaches, show moderate results. Yet the very fact that such results are at times inconsistent or incomplete indicates that something is lacking in treatment. The present paper suggests that such inadequacies may be a result of a lack of focus on all aspects of sexuality as biopsychosocially determined within current modalities. The Sexological Systems Model proposes sexuality as a developmental process similar to Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Systems Model. The Sexological Systems Diagram is introduced as an intervention for both assessment and psychoeducation for couples presenting for sex therapy. Information obtained through facilitating the Sexological Systems Diagram can be used by the therapist to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
Senior Academic Staff Mentoring: Dealing with a Challenging Concept

This article theorizes mentoring in higher education, particularly considering the gap that senior academic staff notice in terms of support after being granted tenure. Following discussions of the various definitions of the concept as well as the identification of its features and several operational models as found in the literature, the authors propose a model for mentoring of experienced college professors. The model in question capitalizes on parameters that characterize effective mentoring, while comparing the pre- and post-tenure experiences of senior academic staff. The focus of a prospective professional development program relying on mentoring should take into account contextual parameters that motivate seasoned college instructors as contributors to their institution’s knowledge base and positive culture. Keywords : Senior Academic Staff; Mentoring; Professional Development
Hosting the animal: the art of Kathy High

This article considers the question of ‘‘hosting the animal’’ through the artwork of contemporary artist Kathy High. I show how High’s art project ‘‘Embracing Animals’’ challenges us to think about aesthetics of hospitality as far as the animal is concerned. I will argue that Kathy High’s work, when read through the lens of the concept of hospitality, provides us with an opportunity to interrogate what hosting the animal in art might be and the limits and limitations of such hosting. Keywords: bio-art; aesthetics of hospitality; human-animal relation; Derrida; relationality; responsibility; aesthetics (Published: 31 December 2010) Citation: Journal of Aesthetics & Culture, Vol. 2 , 2010 DOI: 10.3402/jac.v2i0.5888
Using the Sign Rule

The "sign rule" for drawing implications from static theories is not always valid if the theory contains loops of reciprocal causation between variables. However, if the theory is the stable equilibrium of an underlying dynamic model and if it contains only positive or only negative loops, then the sign rule can freely be used to predict the relation between any pair of independent and dependent variables. The sign rule is not in general valid when a theory contains interseting positive (potentially explosive) and negative (dampening) causal loops.
On Division in Extreme and Mean Ratio and its Connection to a Particular Re-Expression of the Golden Quadratic Equation x 2 − x − 1 = 0

The golden quadratic x 2 − x − 1 = 0, when re-expressed as (x)(1) = 1/(x − 1), x = 1.618, can be interpreted as the algebraic expression of division in extreme and mean ratio (DEMR) of a line of length x = 1.618 into a longer section of length 1 and a smaller of length (x − 1). It can, however, also be interpreted as the formulation of the area of a golden rectangle of sides x = 1.618 and 1, and as the system of equations constituted by y = x, and y = 1/(x − 1). Based on the well-known connection existing between the first two of these interpretations, the authors address the problem of finding out the thread connecting the golden rectangle with the system of equations referred to above. The results obtained indicate first that this system, like the golden rectangle, also carries in its geometry the essential traits of DEMR; and, second, that it implicitly subsumes the simpler rectangular geometry of its alternative interpretation. The process of developing these connections brought forward a heretofore apparently unreported golden trapezoid of sides Φ, 1, ϕ and \(\sqrt{2}\).
Massively parallel information processing systems for space applications

NASA is developing massively parallel systems for ultra high speed processing of digital image data collected by satellite borne instrumentation. Such systems contain thousands of processing elements. Work is underway on the design and fabrication of the 'Massively Parallel Processor', a ground computer containing 16,384 processing elements arranged in a 128 x 128 array. This computer uses existing technology. Advanced work includes the development of semiconductor chips containing thousands of feedthrough paths. Massively parallel image analog to digital conversion technology is also being developed. The goal is to provide compact computers suitable for real-time onboard processing of images.
Roadblock Repression of Transcription by Bacillus subtilis CodY

Abstract CodY is a global transcriptional regulator that is known to control, directly or indirectly, expression of more than 100 genes and operons in Bacillus subtilis. Using a combination of mutational analysis and DNase I footprinting experiments, we identified two high-affinity CodY-binding sites that contribute to repression of the ybgE gene and appear to act independently. One of these sites, located 80 bp downstream of the transcription start site, accounted for the bulk of ybgE repression. Using in vitro transcription experiments, we demonstrated that in the presence of CodY, a shorter-than-expected ybgE transcript that terminates at the downstream CodY-binding site was synthesized. Thus, CodY binding to the downstream site represses transcription by a roadblock mechanism. Similar premature termination of transcription was observed for bcaP and yufN, two other CodY-regulated genes with binding sites downstream of the promoter. In accord with the roadblock mechanism, CodY-mediated repression at downstream sites was partly relieved if the transcription–repair coupling factor Mfd was inactivated.
Purification and characterization of mouse glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was purified to homogeneity from testes and kidneys of the inbred strain of mice (DBA/2J) by a simple two-step affinity column procedure. This involved the sequential application of 8-(6-aminohexyl)-amino-AMP-and -2′, 5′-ADP-Sepharose columns and biospecific elution with NADP+ in both steps. The molecular and biochemical properties of the purified enzyme were studied in detail. These include the molecular weight determination, amino acid composition, steady-state kinetics, inactivation by high temperature, urea and iodoacetate, and immunology. The purified enzyme from mouse kidneys or testes was shown to be a tetramer with a molecular weight of 220,000. The enzyme is highly specific for glucose-6-phosphate, exhibits almost no activity with NAD+ as a coenzyme and is little inhibited by AMP or ATP. Michaelis constants for glucose-6-phosphate and NADP+ were determined to be 50 μm and 10 μm respectively. NADPH is a competitive inhibitor of NADP+ and has a Ki of 18 µm. Rabbit antisera against glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were raised. The antisera also cross-react with the same enzyme from human and guinea pig.
Leptin-induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer Cells Requires β-Catenin Activation via Akt/GSK3- and MTA1/Wnt1 Protein-dependent Pathways

Perturbations in the adipocytokine profile, especially higher levels of leptin, are a major cause of breast tumor progression and metastasis; the underlying mechanisms, however, are not well understood. In particular, it remains elusive whether leptin is involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here, we provide molecular evidence that leptin induces breast cancer cells to undergo a transition from epithelial to spindle-like mesenchymal morphology. Investigating the downstream mediator(s) that may direct leptin-induced EMT, we found functional interactions between leptin, metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1), and Wnt1 signaling components. Leptin increases accumulation and nuclear translocation of β-catenin leading to increased promoter recruitment. Silencing of β-catenin or treatment with the small molecule inhibitor, ICG-001, inhibits leptin-induced EMT, invasion, and tumorsphere formation. Mechanistically, leptin stimulates phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) via Akt activation resulting in a substantial decrease in the formation of the GSK3β-LKB1-Axin complex that leads to increased accumulation of β-catenin. Leptin treatment also increases Wnt1 expression that contributes to GSK3β phosphorylation. Inhibition of Wnt1 abrogates leptin-stimulated GSK3β phosphorylation. We also discovered that leptin increases the expression of an important modifier of Wnt1 signaling, MTA1, which is integral to leptin-mediated regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway as silencing of MTA1 inhibits leptin-induced Wnt1 expression, GSK3β phosphorylation, and β-catenin activation. Furthermore, analysis of leptin-treated breast tumors shows increased expression of Wnt1, pGSK3β, and vimentin along with higher nuclear accumulation of β-catenin and reduced E-cadherin expression providing in vivo evidence for a previously unrecognized cross-talk between leptin and MTA1/Wnt signaling in epithelial-mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells.
Routine postoperative upper gastrointestinal fluoroscopy is unnecessary after laparoscopic adjustable gastric band placement.

Background Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) has become an accepted procedure for weight loss surgery, particularly due to fewer early complications and decreased mortality in comparison to other bariatric procedures. Many centers use postoperative upper gastrointestinal fluoroscopy (UGI) to ensure stomal patency and gastric integrity at the banding site. However, UGI increases cost and may increase length of stay due to availability. The purpose of this study is to determine whether routine UGI after LAGB is necessary for detection of early complications.
THE ANALYSIS OF SPATIAL FORM AND ITS RELATION TO GEOGRAPHIC THEORY

An interest in the relations between geography and geometry has been a continuing theme in geographic studies. A review of current research which is consistent with this theme reveals a greater emphasis now on the mathematics of spatial patterns and the properties of the geometries which are assumed. A challenge for geography is to combine this interest in geometries with the work on human behavior over space and to develop process theories from which the spatial patterns can be deduced.
Preoperative management of congestive heart failure in neonates: the closed hood

Abstract In this study we report the results of the use of a closed hood with no external administration of CO 2 to increase pulmonary vascular resistance by lowering the inspired fraction of oxygen (FiO 2 ) and raising the inspired fraction of carbon dioxide (FiCO 2 ) in patients with congenital heart disease and increased pulmonary blood flow. Between December 1995 and May 1996, 9 neonates (F:5, M:4) were admitted. Each study patient was assigned to clinical classes using a 1 to 4 classification. Ages ranged between 2 and 30 days (mean 18), weight between 2.25 and 3.65 kg (mean 2.89). A plastic hood, closed on the top with a plastic membrane and with the gas entrance open to room air was placed over the head of the patients. Patients increase pCO 2 by rebreathing their own expired CO 2 . After 24 h of the onset of the treatment the media of points of congestive heart failure 1 to 4 classification decrease from a mean of 4 to a mean of 2.28±0.44 ( p =0.001). A statistically significant improvement in symptoms and lowering of pO 2 and pH while raising pCO 2 has been demonstrated in this study.
Deflationism and the Gödel Phenomena: Reply to Cieśliński

We clarify how the requirement of conservative extension features in the thinking of various deationists, and how this relates to another litmus claim, that the truth-predicate stands for a real, substantial property. We discuss how the deationist can accommodate the result, to which Cieslinski draws attention, that non-conservativeness attends even the generalization that all logical theorems in the language of arithmetic are true. Finally we provide a four-fold categorization of various forms of deationism, by reference to the two claims of conservativeness and substantiality. This helps to clarify the various possible positions in the deationism debate.
NADPH-P-450 reductase: structural and functional comparisons of the eukaryotic and prokaryotic isoforms.

Abstract The comparison of the properties of microsomal NADPH-P-450 reductase and the flavoprotein domain of P-450 BM-3 (BMR) has revealed a significant difference in the mechanism of reduction of the hemoprotein P-450 by these flavoproteins. Microsomal NADPH-P-450 reductase transfers electrons to the hemoprotein by shuttling between hydroquinone and semiquinone forms of the FMN delivering one electron per cycle. Since the microsomal NADPH-P450 reductase has evolved as a component of multienzyme system, this type of mechanism may permit regulation of the steps of the P-450 reaction via variation in the affinity of the reductase for different P-450s, interaction with cytochrome b 5 , etc. In contrast, in the soluble, bacterial flavocytochrome P-450 BM-3 , the reductase domain has evolved together with a single unique heme domain. This enzyme was found to utilize the fastest and simplest way to reduce the heme iron, with the FMN moiety of BMR shuttling between the semiquinone and oxidized states. This mechanism of reduction provides the highest turnover number of any P-450 and tight coupling of the monooxygenation reaction. While there are clear differences in the intermediates involved in the reduction of P-450s by these two enzymes, the domain structure and presumably the mode of interaction between the reductase and P-450s has been maintained over evolutionary time.
Applications of ECM analogs in surgery

The loss of tissue mass in humans has been conventionally treated as an irreversible change. Treatments have emphasized replacement of the missing function by use of a transplant, an autograft, tissue synthesized in vitro or, most commonly, by use of engineering devices based on biomaterials. During the last few years solid progress has been made in the area of tissue and organ regeneration. This new approach is based on the discovery that certain simple chemical analogs of extracellular matrices synthesized by graft copolymerization of a glycosaminoglycan onto type I collagen can induce synthesis of physiologic tissue in lesions which otherwise heal spontaneously by synthesis of scar tissue. This approach offers serious potential advantages over the alternatives listed above since the graft "grows out" of host tissue. However, regeneration in the adult mammal has been successfully demonstrated so far only in skin (human, guinea pig), sciatic nerve (rat) and the knee meniscus (dog).
Partitioning Nasal Airway Resistance in Normal Adults

A rhinomanometric method that partitions nasal airway resistance into its nasal cavity and velopharyngeal components is described. Nasal cavity resistance, velopharyngeal resistance and total nasal airway resistance is reported for 20 normal subjects (10 women and 10 men). During expiration, mean nasal cavity resistance for women (1.52 cm H2O/[liters per second] L/s) was 76.3% and mean velopharyngeal resistance (.64 cm H2O/L/s) constituted 23.7% of the total nasal airway resistance. For men, mean nasal cavity resistance (1.50 cm H2O/L/S) made up 70.2% and mean velopharyngeal resistance (.85 cm H2O/L/S) was 29.8% of the total nasal airway resistance. During inspiration, the mean nasal cavity resistance for women (1.47 cm H2O/L/s) was 75.8% and mean velopharyngeal resistance (.44 cm H2O/L/s) was 24.2% of total nasal airway resistance. For men, mean nasal cavity resistance (1.30 cm H2O/L/s) constituted 73.9% and mean velopharyngeal resistance (.83 cm H2O/L/s) made up 26.1% of total nasal airway resistance. T...
1,2-Sulfur Migrations

1,2-Thio migration has emerged as a valuable synthetic tool for organic chemists. The most common route of 1,2-thio migration proceeds through a thiiranium intermediate. The latter usually proceeds stereoselectively, since substitution of a vicinal leaving group of sulfur takes place with good stereocontrol; substitution or elimination to open the thiiranium ring also proceeds stereoselectively. This and other types of 1,2-thio migration, including 1,2-thio shifts, formal 1,2-thio migration through fragmentation-recombination, [1,5]∼thio migration in five-membered ring systems, and radical 1,2-thio migrations are discussed in this review.
Psychology of Religion: Classic and Contemporary Views

The Psychology of Religion The Biological Foundations of Religion Behavioral and Comparative Theories of Religion Religion in the Laboratory The Correlation Study of Religion The Perspective of Sigmund Freud Object-Relations Theory and Religion Erik H. Erikson: Religion in the Human Life Cycle C G Jung and the Analytical Tradition William James and His Legacy The German Descriptive Tradition The American Humanistic Synthesis Epilogue Glossary References Source Notes Author Index Subject Index.
Controlled Heart Rate by Atrial Pacing in Angina Pectoris A Determinant of Electrocardiographic S-T Depression

This study was undertaken with a consideration of the physiological relationship between myocardial oxygen consumption and heart rate. Atrial pacing was performed in 63 resting subjects, 36 of whom had been referred for evaluation of angina pectoris. Pacing at critical controlled heart rates evoked angina pectoris in six patients of this group with chest pain and, consistently and more frequently, produced significant S-T segmental depression in 28 patients as a manifestation of myocardial ischemia. The functional test employing controlled heart rates has several advantages over other stress tests. The use of the sole stress of controlled atrial tachycardia is a new technique which has provided relatively safe, reproducible results in the objective evaluation and investigation of myocardial ischemia.
Transition metal activation of π-complexed benzene: double nucleophilic additions

Abstract Treatment of the η 5 -cyclopentadienyl-η 6 -benzenecobalt dication with sodium methoxide in methanol or sodium cyclopentadienide in tetrahydrofuran gives double, vicinal, and stereospecific ( exo ) addition to the benzene ring in accord with the Davies-Green-Mingos rules.
Is there gender bias in participation in early childhood education programs in developing countries? Role of mother's education

Gender bias in education is a commonly noted characteristic in developing countries. Most of the research work focuses on primary secondary and tertiary education. The focus of this paper is on whether or not such gender bias also appears in early childhood education programs. This paper uses household survey data from two northern states in India Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for the period 1997-1998. The results show no evidence of gender bias in the overall sample. However there is evidence of consistent gender bias among poor households in the sample. The results also indicate that mothers education has a consistently important positive influence on childrens attendance in early childhood programs. However further analysis reveals that mothers education increases male participation in pre-school but not female participation. These results remain robust to different model specifications.
Purification of a trypsin inhibitor of alfalfa.

Abstract A study was made of a trypsin inhibitor in the vegetative portion of alfalfa. Alfalfa meal was extracted with acetone and ethanol to remove lipids and chlorophyll. The inhibitor then was isolated by extraction with acidic water and precipitation with ammonium sulfate. It was purified further by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. A double reciprocal study indicated the substance to be a non-competitive inhibitor. It was inactivated slowly by heating in aqueous solution. Its electrophoretic behavior and its positive reaction with Folin-Ciocalteau reagent and with phenol-sulfuric acid indicated it to be a polypeptide-carbohydrate complex or a glyco-protein.
A study on the effect of temperature on soot formation in a jet stirred combustor

In an attempt to understand soot formation mechanisms and predict soot yields in practical combustion systems, experiments were conducted in a toluene/air turbulent premixed flame in a jet stirred combustor (JSC). Soot mass concentrations were measured via a laser extinction technique and soot particle diameter and number density were measured via a laser extinction technique and soot particle diameter and number density were measured via a combination laser extinction/scattering technique. A global soot model was utilized to analyze rates of particle nucleation, coagulation, and specific surface growth. In order to study the effect of flame temperature on soot formation, one uncooled and three water cooled JSCs were prepared. Soot mass concentration measurements showed strong dependency of the soot production on stoichiometry, residence time, and flame temperature. It was found that as temperature became lower the incipient soot limit became lower, which indicated a greater sooting tendency at a lower flame temperature. The soot mass concentration was found to maximize at a flame temperature of approximately 1200∼1400°C. It was also found that the soot particle diameter increased with temperature. The measurements and the results of a global soot model calculation showed that particle nucleation decreased and the specific surface growth rate increased with an increase in temperature above the maximum sooting temperature.
Internal Mobility of Reactive-Site-Hydrolyzed Recombinant Cucurbita maxima Trypsin Inhibitor-V Characterized by NMR Spectroscopy: Evidence for Differential Stabilization of Newly Formed C- and N-Termini†,‡

The solution structure and internal dynamics of the reactive-site (Lys44−Asp45 peptide bond) hydrolyzed form of recombinant Cucurbita maxima trypsin inhibitor-V (rCMTI-V*) were characterized by the application of two-dimensional 1H−15N NMR methods to the uniformly 15N-labeled protein. The 1H−15N chemical shift correlation spectra of rCMTI-V* were assigned, and the chemical shift data were compared with those available for rCMTI-V [Liu, J., Prakash, O., Cai, M., Gong, Y., Huang, Y., Wen, L., Wen, J. J., Huang, J.-K., & Krishnamoorthi, R. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 1516−1524] and CMTI-V* [Cai, M., Gong, Y., Prakash, O., & Krishnamoorthi, R. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 12087−12094] for which three-dimensional solution structures have been determined. It was deduced that the solution structure of rCMTI-V* was almost the same as that of CMTI-V*. 15N spin−lattice and spin−spin relaxation rate constants (R1 and R2, respectively) and {1H}−15N steady-state heteronuclear Overhauser effects were measured for the peptide NH...
COMBINED CONVECTION AND RADIATION IN SIMULTANEOUSLY DEVELOPING FLOW AND HEAT TRANSFER WITH NONGRAY GAS MIXTURES

Abstract Combined convection and radiation in simultaneously developing laminar flow and heat transfer in a smooth tube is numerically considered with the P-I approximation and the exponential wideband model. The fluid is a mixture of carbon dioxide, water vapor, and nitrogen, The bulk mean temperature variation, temperature profiles, and Nusselt numbers are shown for a uniform inlet temperature and several constant wall temperatures. Nusselt numbers for simultaneously developing flow are compared with those for thermally developing flow. The effects of the mole fraction of the nongray gases and the wall emissivity on convective and radiative Nusselt numbers are explored.
Form birefringent retardation plates in GaAs substrates: design, fabrication, and characterization

We discuss various practical points in the design, fabrication and characterization of form birefringent retardation plates in GaAs. The role of the substrate in the device performance is presented, together with the importance of using anti-reflection coatings. Also, we discuss the specific case of metallic reflection gratings in GaAs substrates and the resulting enhanced retardation. Finally we present the results of thermal tuning of a nominally half-wave subwavelength retardation plate.
842 ALLOGENEIC BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION IN THE SETTING OF A GENERAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has been performed in specialized centers because of perceived needs for supportive care measures such as laminar flow rooms (LFR), gut sterilization (GS), and leukocyte transfusions (LT). Hospitalizations in such settings are costly. Since June 1979, allogeneic BMT has been performed 11 times in 10 patients (pts) at Texas Children's Hospital: For aplastic anemia (2 pts) (1 pt transplanted twice); acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (4 pts); and acute lymphocytic leukemia (4 pts). All pts were cared for with standard reverse isolation techniques without LFR, GS, or prophylactic LT. Recipients were conditioned with cyclophosphamide; leukemia pts also received total body irradiation (TBI). Identical sibling donor bone marrow was infused 8-12 hours post TBI. All pts required antibiotic treatment for suspected sepsis. Fatal pseudomonas sepsis occurred in 1 pt despite antibiotic therapy and LT. All pts were transfused daily with irradiated platelet concentrates and received methotrexate to prevent graft versus host disease; all achieved marrow engraftment, identified by rising blood counts by 7-20 (mean 13) days post BMT. Eight surviving pts (9 BMT procedures) were discharged 18-30 (mean 24) days post BMT with satisfactory blood counts. These data demonstrate that BMT can be safely performed in a children's hospital without expensive ancillary equipment or procedures.
Plant identification in the presence of disturbances and application to digital adaptive systems

THE NEED for an adaptive control system occurs when the parameters involved in the design of the system change in time. For small variations, conventional feedback configurations can sometimes reduce the sensitivity of the output to these changes to acceptable values, but large variations of the parameters require a more flexible system. The newer adaptive point of view in designing a control system can, in general, allow for changes in input signal characteristics, plant characteristics, and disturbance characteristics with a minimum amount of a priori knowledge. It appears that a general distinction has been made between adaptive controls1,2 and optimalizing (optimizing) controls3,4 although the characteristics are not always distinct. A recent note5 has suggested a possible classification according to whether there is an original feedback loop or not.
Development of a flow-through immunoassay system

Abstract A semi-automated flow-through immunoassay system consisting of an amperometric immunosensor and reagent flow arrangements has been developed. The amperometric immunosensor is based on a high-surface-area carbon immunoelectrode. The novel principle of flow immunoelectrode based on highly dispersed carbon material which acts as both an immunosorbent and an immunoelectrode was employed. The immunoelectrode is designed to be a disposable sensing element. The ‘sandwich’ scheme of immunoassay has been used and iodine formed as a result of the enzymatic oxidation of iodide by peroxidase-label has been detected amperometrically. The overall time of analysis including flowing of analyte, flowing of antigen, washing and detecting stages is as low as 17 min. The developed system allows fast determination of rabbit IgG (used as a model analyte) with a low detection limit in the 10−11 M range and may easily be adapted for detection of various other analyses. The immunoassay system has the potential for miniaturization and complete automation allowing its use in laboratory setting as well as in field conditions.