cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conformational stability of deuterated poly(β-benzyl-l-aspartate) in m-cresol

Abstract Transition temperatures for the helix-to-coil conformational change of protonated and deuterated poly(β-benzyl- l -aspartate) in protonated and deuterated m-cresol/1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane mixtures were determined by optical rotation measurements at 546 nm. No difference in the stability of the helical state was found for the two forms of the polypeptide. It is believed that the absence of an isotope effect is due to the indifference of the intramolecular interactions of the polypeptide to deuteration; thus the implication is that the interactions of the helix disrupting solvent, m-cresol, with the polypeptide are predominantly with the sidegroup.
2n-quasihole states realize 2n−1-dimensional spinor braiding statistics in paired quantum Hall states

Abstract By explicitly identifying a basis valid for any number of electrons, we demonstrate that simple multi-quasihole wave functions for the v = 1 2 Pfaffian paired Hall state exhibit an exponential degeneracy at fixed positions. Indeed, we conjecture that for 2n quasiholes the states realize a spinor representation of an expanded (continuous) non-Abelian statistics group SO(2n). In the four-quasihole case, this is supported by an explicit calculation of the corresponding conformal blocks in the c = 1 2 + 1 conformal field theory. We present an argument for the universality of this result, which is significant for the foundations of fractional statistics generally. We note, for annular geometry, an amusing analog to black hole entropy. We predict, as a generic consequence, glassy behavior. Many of our considerations also apply to a form of the (3, 3, 1) state.
Peak filling rate normalized to mitral stroke volume: a new Doppler echocardiographic filling index validated by radionuclide angiographic techniques

Abstract The noninvasive measurement of left ventricular filling has relied predominantly on radionuclide-derived peak filling rate normalized to end-diastolic volume. Doppler echocardiography also has the ability to measure peak filling rate, but wide application of this technique has been limited by technical errors involved in quantitative echocardiographic determination of mitral anulus cross-sectional area and ventricular volumes. For Doppler echocardiography, normalization of peak filling rate to mitral stroke volume rather than end-diastolic volume permits the derivation of a diastolic filling index that is relatively free of errors caused by geometric assumptions, diameter measurements and sample volume positioning. This normalization process can be achieved by simply dividing early peak filling velocity by the time velocity integral of mitral inflov. To validate this new Doppler echocardiographic filling index, Doppler echocardiographic and radionuclide-derived peak filling rate, both normalized to mitral stroke volume, were compared in 30 patients; there was an excellent correlation (r = 0.91, SEE = 0.88). This variable was not influenced by the position of the sample volume in relation to the mitral apparatus in contrast to early filling velocity, which increased 37%, and early/late filling (E/A) ratio, which increased 43% as the sample volume was moved from the anulus to the tips of the mitral leaflets. In a cohort of 22 normal patients, the mean peak filling rate normalized to mitral stroke volume (SV) was 5.25 ± 1.47 SV/s. The mean peak filling rate for a subgroup of eight normal patients aged 57 to 89 years (mean 71 ± 9) was 3.9 ± 1 SV/s. In conclusion, normalization of peak filling rate to mitral stroke volume minimizes technical errors involved in measuring Doppler echocardiographic peak filling rate in the same fashion that normalization to end-diastolic volume minimizes technical errors involved in radionuclide angiographic measurement of peak filling rate. For this reason, peak filling rate normalized to mitral stroke volume may provide a more reliable and reproducible method for assessing left ventricular filling. Further studies are required to assess the clinical relevance of this new index.
Vessel-valley-course generation algorithm for quantitative analysis of angiograms

Three dimensional reconstruction and quantitative analysis of angiograms require vessel centerline determination and tracking. In a vessel profile, it is more straightforward to locate the valley point (local minimum) than the center. Therefore, vessel valley courses offer advantages over centerlines in terms of natural features and easy-to-locate. We propose a 'star' scan technique to generate a valley map, which is then traced to determine the valley courses. The angiogram is scanned along the horizontal, vertical, diagonal and anti-diagonal directions. The scan pattern resembles a 'star'; therefore, it is referred to as a 'star' scan. The scanning along each direction provides an image consisting of scan profiles, which may be multi-modal functions. We then detect and record the local minimum locations, thereby generating a valley map. By searching over the valley map, we can generate valley courses, which can be used for vessel quantitative analysis and 3-D reconstruction. Using the valley course, it is a straightforward process to generate centerlines. This is a robust and easily implementable algorithm for quantitative analysis of angiograms. Experimental validation of the algorithm will be reported using coronary angiograms and phantom images.
Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Distal Extremity

Abstract Despite the increasing use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound remains a valuable tool to diagnose injuries that cause distal extremity lameness in the horse. The key to a successful examination is a strong knowledge of anatomy in combination with proper ultrasonographic technique and the patience and dedication to learn these skills. Similar to all imaging modalities, it is equally important to recognize and consider the limitations of ultrasound in this region so that findings can be interpreted appropriately. Ultrasound can be used to diagnose injuries to the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), straight distal sesamoidean ligament and branches of the superficial digital flexor tendon using standard pastern ultrasonographic technique. The addition of newer techniques to image the DDFT at the level of P2, the navicular bursa and the collateral sesamoidean ligament can enhance the diagnostic utility of ultrasound in horses with distal extremity lameness. Although visibility is limited, ultrasound can be used to diagnose collateral ligament injuries of the coffin joint in many affected horses. Transcuneal imaging may be useful in some horses to detect abnormalities of the distal sesamoidean impar ligament and navicular bone, but evaluation of the DDFT is limited. Ultrasound should be considered in all horses with distal extremity lameness, regardless of the ability to perform advanced imaging procedures. Information gained is often complementary to other imaging modalities and may provide the basis for recheck examination purposes.
Scaling behavior of ultrafast two-color terahertz generation in plasma gas targets: energy and pressure dependence

Ultrafast terahertz emission from two-color generated laser plasma gas targets is studied using air and the noble gases (neon, argon, krypton, and xenon) as the generation media. Terahertz output pulse energy and power spectra are measured as function of gas species, gas pressure, and input pulse energy up to 6 mJ per pulse using a 40-fs 1-kHz Ti:sapphire laser system as the drive source. Terahertz pulse energies approaching 1 μJ per pulse with spectral content out to 40 THz and pulse duration of 35 fs is reported. A simple one dimensional transient photocurrent ionization model is used to calculate the spectra showing good agreement with experiments.
l(+)-Lactic acid production from non-food carbohydrates by thermotolerant Bacillus coagulans

Lactic acid is used as an additive in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, and is also an industrial chemical. Optically pure lactic acid is increasingly used as a renewable bio-based product to replace petroleum-based plastics. However, current production of lactic acid depends on carbohydrate feedstocks that have alternate uses as foods. The use of non-food feedstocks by current commercial biocatalysts is limited by inefficient pathways for pentose utilization. B. coagulans strain 36D1 is a thermotolerant bacterium that can grow and efficiently ferment pentoses using the pentose-phosphate pathway and all other sugar constituents of lignocellulosic biomass at 50°C and pH 5.0, conditions that also favor simultaneous enzymatic saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of cellulose. Using this bacterial biocatalyst, high levels (150–180 g l−1) of lactic acid were produced from xylose and glucose with minimal by-products in mineral salts medium. In a fed-batch SSF of crystalline cellulose with fungal enzymes and B. coagulans, lactic acid titer was 80 g l−1 and the yield was close to 80%. These results demonstrate that B. coagulans can effectively ferment non-food carbohydrates from lignocellulose to l(+)-lactic acid at sufficient concentrations for commercial application. The high temperature fermentation of pentoses and hexoses to lactic acid by B. coagulans has these additional advantages: reduction in cellulase loading in SSF of cellulose with a decrease in enzyme cost in the process and a reduction in contamination of large-scale fermentations.
Psychometric Properties of the Wisconsin Schizotypy Scales in an Undergraduate Sample: Classical Test Theory, Item Response Theory, and Differential Item Functioning

The Wisconsin Schizotypy Scales are widely used for assessing schizotypy in nonclinical and clinical samples. However, they were developed using classical test theory (CTT) and have not had their psychometric properties examined with more sophisticated measurement models. The present study employed item response theory (IRT) as well as traditional CTT to examine psychometric properties of four of the schizotypy scales on the item and scale level, using a large sample of undergraduate students (n?=?6,137). In addition, we investigated differential item functioning (DIF) for sex and ethnicity. The analyses revealed many strengths of the four scales, but some items had low discrimination values and many items had high DIF. The results offer useful guidance for applied users and for future development of these scales. The items for the Wisconsin Schizotypy Scales are available from Thomas R. Kwapil.
Dietary intake of essential and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in pregnancy

The dietary intake of EFA and long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA) by women with (n = 14) and without (n = 31) gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was determined by repeated 24-h recalls. Women with GDM consumed significantly more energy as fat compared with women who had uncomplicated pregnancies; absolute dietary fat did not differ. Dietary n-3 LCPUFA was substantially lower than the current recommendation for pregnancy, whereas intake of saturated FA (SFA) exceeded it. We conclude that replacing dietary sources of SFA with those of EFA and LCPUFA, especially n-3 LCPUFA, would benefit the dietary fat profiles of all pregnant women.
Misincorporation and Stalling at O6-Methylguanine and O6-Benzylguanine: Evidence for Inactive Polymerase Complexes†

Many DNA−carcinogen adducts not only compromise polymerase fidelity but also inhibit replication. This polymerase stalling or “idling” may then contribute to misincorporations if the polymerase is not completely blocked, such as the G:C to A:T mutations caused by O6-substituted guanines. Kinetic experiments were conducted to address the mechanism of polymerase stalling of T7 DNA polymerase exo- (T7-) and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) during replication of primer/template DNA containing guanine (G), O6-methylguanine (O6-MeG), or O6-benzylguanine (O6-BzG), thus, extending work presented in the preceding paper in this issue [Woodside, A. M., and Guengerich, F. P. (2002) Biochemistry 41, 1027−1038]. Substitution of a thio-substituted dNTP did not appear to strongly affect the chemistry of phosphodiester bond formation because the rate decreased <3-fold. Although the for “productive” binding increased for both T7- and RT as a function of the O6 substituent, fluorescence titrations indicate that the ground-s...
Electrokinetic Lift of a Sphere Moving in Slow Shear Flow Parallel to a Wall: I. Experiment

Abstract In this paper we present experimental observations of the migration away from a wall of 9.87- and 5.2-μm-diameter polystyrene latex spheres in solutions of varying viscosity and conductivity. During slow linear shear flow, this lateral migration is diminished by an increase in the fluid conductivity caused either by adding salt to increase the number of charge carriers or by adding water to decrease the viscosity. At a shear rate of 6 s-1, for example, the largest conductivity for which lift of 5.2-μm spheres is observed is 0.12 μS cm-1. In addition, the increase in the particle-wall separation distance upon the initiation of flow generally increases with particle zeta potential for a given fluid conductivity. These observations support the hypothesis that the migration is electrokinetically induced, but predictions of lift based on the current lubrication theory are more than one order of magnitude weaker than gravity. This disagreement has led us to refine the electrokinetic lift theory in the sequel to this paper.
Wood decomposition over a first-order watershed: mass loss as a function of lignocellulase activity.

Abstract Because plant litter decomposition is directly mediated by extracellular enzymes, analyses of the dynamics of their activity may clarify the mechanisms that link decomposition rates to substrate quality and to temperature, moisture and nutrient availability patterns. We investigated this possibility by placing arrays of white birch ice-cream sticks at eight upland, riparian and lotie sites on a forested watershed in northern New York. For 3 yr, samples were analyzed for mass loss, protein, nitrogen and phosphorus accumulation and the activity of 11 classes of extracellular enzymes involved in lignocellulose degradation and nutrient cycling. Despite considerable heterogeneity both within and between sites, decomposition rates were closely related to the activity of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes. A statistical model was developed that accounted for 94% of the variance in mass loss rates as a function of the temporally-integrated activity of these enzymes. Models of this type contribute to our understanding of scale integration and may facilitate the estimation of decomposition rates among landscape units.
Small Format Photography For MINI-RPV

Army, tactical aerial photography in the past has been achieved sy the use of large format photographic cameras. The imagery produced by these cameras contained a great deal of information with sufficient scale factor to allow ease of interpretation. However, the present use of small aircrafts by the Army has emphasized the need of cameras with smaller format. These cameras must be more efficient because the image interpreter still requires the same information co tamed in each small frame that was present in the larger format. The current requirement for small Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) has emphasized even further the need for small format photography.© (1975) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Programing the formation of DNA and PNA quadruplexes by π–π-stacking interactions

Guanine (G) rich G4T4G4 DNA and homologous PNA strands tend to form antiparallel dimeric quadruplexes. In contrast, the same DNA strands carrying planar aromatic 5′-residues preferentially form parallel DNA quadruplex. Conformation and composition of the DNA quadruplexes can be programed by π–π-stacking interaction exerted by the 5′-residues.
Changes in human bladder epithelial cell gene expression associated with interstitial cystitis or antiproliferative factor treatment.

Explanted bladder epithelial cells from patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) have been shown to differ from explanted control cells in several ways, including production of an antiproliferative...
Directional electron transfer in ruthenium-modified horse heart cytochrome c

Cytochrome c can be modified by [(NH3)5RuII/III-] specifically at the imidazole moiety of histidine 33, and we have recently discussed the thermodynamics and kinetics of electron transfer within this modified protein1–5. X-ray crystal structures of the oxidized and reduced forms of tuna cytochrome c6 indicate that the separation between the haem group of cytochrome c and the ruthenium label is 12–16 A. Internal electron transfer from the [(NH3)5RuII-] centre to the Fe(III) haem centre occurs with a rate constant K ≃ 53s−1 (25 °C) (ΔH‡=3.5kcal mol−1, ΔS‡ = −39EU), as measured by pulse radiolysis. The measured unimolecular rate constant1, k ≃ 53 s−1, is on the same timescale as a number of conformational changes that occur within the cytochrome c molecule7–9. These results raise the question of whether electron transfer or protein conformational change is the rate limiting step in this process. We describe here an experiment that probes this intramolecular electron transfer step further. It involves reversing the direction of electron transfer by changing the redox potential of the ruthenium label. Electron transfer in the new ruthenium–cytochrome c derivative described here is from haem(II) to the RU(III) label, whereas in (NH3)5Ru–cytochrome c the electron transfer is from RU(II) to haem(III). Intramolecular electron transfer from haem(II) to RU(III) in the new ruthenium–cytochrome c described here proceeds much slower (> 105 times) than the electron transfer from Ru(II) to haem(III) in the (NH3)5Ru–cytochrome c. We therefore conclude that electron transfer in cytochrome c is directional, with the protein envelope presumably involved in this directionality.
Reliability and power management of integrated systems

A new approach for dynamic reliability and power management of integrated systems, such as systems on chips (SoCs) and networks in chips (NoCs) is presented. With aggressive transistor scaling, decreased voltage margins, and increased processor power and temperature, reliability assessment has become a significant issue in design. Our work combines for the first time dynamic power management with reliability models. The joint model is used to determine system level reliability as a function of failure rates, system configuration and power management policies. We show that the overall system reliability is strongly affected by reliability network topology and power management policy.
Sensitivity of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Haemophilus aphrophilus to oxidative killing

We examined the killing of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Haemophilus aphrophilus by oxygen metabolites generated by the xanthine-xanthine oxidase (X-XO) system. This system generates a mixture of oxidants, including superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, and possibly singlet oxygen. Differential sensitivity to the X-XO system was observed among strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans; notably, 2 catalase-deficient strains and 2 strains representative of serotypes b and c were the most susceptible. H. aphrophilus was not sensitive. The amount of oxidants produced by the X-XO system more closely correlated with killing than the ratio of oxidant production. Cytochrome c, superoxide dismutase, catalase, dimethyl sulfoxide, and desferrioxamine were used to determine the role of superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical in the bactericidal process. Hydrogen peroxide was the major bactericidal agent against A. actinomycetemcomitans. Superoxide anion participated in killing of A. actinomycetemcomitans to varying but lesser degrees. The intracellular generation of hydroxyl radical was implicated in the killing of several strains. We conclude that (i) strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans are differentially sensitive to the bactericidal effects of the X-XO system and (ii) of the oxidants produced by the X-XO system, hydrogen peroxide is the most bactericidal against A. actinomycetemcomitans.
The ABA problem in multicore data structures with collaborating operations

An increasing number of modern real-time systems and the nowadays ubiquitous multicore architectures demand the application of programming techniques for reliable and efficient concurrent synchronization. Some recently developed Compare-And-Swap (CAS) based nonblocking techniques hold the promise of delivering practical and safer concurrency. The ABA2 problem is a fundamental problem to many CAS-based designs. Its significance has increased with the suggested use of CAS as a core atomic primitive for the implementation of portable lock-free algorithms. The ABA problem's occurrence is due to the intricate and complex interactions of the application's concurrent operations and, if not remedied, ABA can significantly corrupt the semantics of a nonblocking algorithm. The current state of the art leaves the elimination of the ABA hazards to the ingenuity of the software designer. In this work we provide the first systematic and detailed analysis of the ABA problem in lock-free Descriptor-based designs. We study the semantics of Descriptor-based lock-free data structures and propose a classification of their operations that helps us better understand the ABA problem and subsequently derive an effective ABA prevention scheme. We supplement our analysis with a statistical model of the probability for an ABA event in a concurrent system. Our ABA prevention approach outperforms by a large factor the use of the alternative CAS-based ABA prevention schemes. It offers speeds comparable to the use of the architecture-specific CAS2 instruction used for version counting. We demonstrate our ABA prevention scheme by integrating it into an advanced nonblocking data structure, a lock-free dynamically resizable array.
Emmision spectra and lifetimes of Re2Cl2−8 in CH3CN and CH2Cl2 at 300 K

Abstract Exitation of the e g π(Cl) → δ* LMCT band of Re 2 Cl 8 2− with 354 nm laser pulses in solution at 300 K generates long-wavelength luminescence at ≈850 nm, exhibiting a quantum yield of ≈5 × 10 −4 with decay times of 133 ± 10 and 91 ± 10 ns in CH 3 CN and CH 2 Cl 2 , respectively.
Combinatorial H3K9acS10ph Histone Modification in IgH Locus S Regions Targets 14-3-3 Adaptors and AID to Specify Antibody Class-Switch DNA Recombination

Class-switch DNA recombination (CSR) is central to the antibody response, in that it changes the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) constant region, thereby diversifying biological effector functions of antibodies. The activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID)-centered CSR machinery excises and rejoins DNA between an upstream (donor) and a downstream (acceptor) S region, which precede the respective constant region DNA. AID is stabilized on S regions by 14-3-3 adaptors. These adaptors display a high affinity for 5'-AGCT-3' repeats, which recur in all S regions. However, how 14-3-3, AID, and the CSR machinery target exclusively the donor and acceptor S regions is poorly understood. Here, we show that histone methyltransferases and acetyltransferases are induced by CD40 or Toll-like receptor signaling and catalyze H3K4me3 and H3K9ac/K14ac histone modifications, which are enriched in S regions but do not specify the S region targets of CSR. By contrast, the combinatorial H3K9acS10ph modification specifically marks the S regions set to recombine and directly recruits 14-3-3 adaptors for AID stabilization there. Inhibition of the enzymatic activity of GCN5 and PCAF histone acetyltransferases reduces H3K9acS10ph in S regions, 14-3-3 and AID stabilization, and CSR. Thus, H3K9acS10ph is a histone code that is "written" specifically in S regions and is "read" by 14-3-3 adaptors to target AID for CSR as an important biological outcome.
THE WHITEHEAD ASPHERICITY CONJECTURE AND PERIODIC GROUPS

The Whitehead asphericity conjecture claims that if is an aspherical group presentation, then for every the subpresentation is also aspherical. This conjecture is generalized for presentations of groups with periodic elements by introducing almost aspherical presentations (for example, every one-relator group is almost aspherical). It is proven that the generalized Whitehead asphericity conjecture (which claims that every subpresentation of an almost aspherical presentation is also almost aspherical) is equivalent to the original Whitehead conjecture. It is also proven that the generalized Whitehead asphericity conjecture holds for Ol'shanskii's presentations of free Burnside groups of large odd exponent, presentations of Tarski monsters and others.
Interactions of tillage and soil depth on fluometuron degradation in a Dundee silt loam soil

Fluometuron (N,N-dimethyl-N 0 -[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]urea) is the most widely used soil applied herbicide in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) production in the Southeastern United States. Thus, there is a need to understand the persistence of this herbicide under various crop management systems in regards to both herbicide efficiency and environmental fate. The effects of long-term no-tillage practices on fluometuron degradation were studied in a Dundee silt loam under laboratory conditions. Soil was collected at four depths (0‐2, 2‐5, 5‐10, and 10‐25 cm) from field plots following 11 years of continuous no-tillage (NT) or conventional tillage (CT). Organic carbon content, microbial biomass, and fluorescein diacetate (FDA)-hydrolytic activity were 48, 106, and 127% greater, respectively, in the upper 2 cm of NT soil compared to CT soil. Microbial biomass and FDA-hydrolytic activity were 39‐66 and 34‐99% greater in the CT compared to NT soil, respectively, in the 2‐5 and 5‐ 10 cm depths. Fluometuron degradation was assessed under laboratory conditions using 14 C-ring labeled fluometuron. Fluometuron was degraded more rapidly at depths between 0 and 10 cm of the CT soil relative to the NT soil. Fluometuron degradation was described as first-order (ka 0:0754, 0.0608, 0.0273, and 0.0074 per day in the 0‐2, 2‐5, 5‐10, and 10‐25 cm depths of CT soils compared to 0.035, 0.0368, 0.0145, and 0.0138 per day in respective depths of NT soil). Although the surface 0‐2 cm of the NT soil had greater microbial activity and biomass, higher fluometuron sorption in the surface 0‐2 cm NT soil compared to CT (Freundlich coefficient âKfa NTa 7:12 versus CTa 1:88) reduced fluometuron solution concentration in NT soil and may have impeded degradation. Interactions between soil biological activity and fluometuron soil solution concentrations, mediated by sorption, may determine the potential for fluometuron degradation in soils under long-term NT practices. Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
Doppler-free two-photon-excited fluorescence spectroscopy of OH in flames

High-resolution, Doppler-free fluorescence excitation spectra of OH A2Σ+ ← X2Π(0, 0)-band transitions were measured in low-pressure hydrogen-oxygen flames. A pulse-amplified cw dye-laser system with a 40-MHz bandwidth was used in a counterpropagating-beam geometry to excite the OH transitions by two-photon absorption. Hyperfine splittings of 15 rovibronic transitions were determined, and water-vapor pressure-broadening coefficients were measured for four of the transitions by varying the total pressure of the flame. Direct observation of the collision-broadened line shape made it unnecessary to resort to any deconvolution procedures. To our knowledge, this is the first application of a Doppler-free spectroscopic technique in a combustion environment.
Hepatocyte Growth Factor System in the Mouse Uterus: Variation Across the Estrous Cycle and Regulation by 17-Beta-Estradiol and Progesterone

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor MET have been implicated in uterine development, pregnancy, and endometrial disorders, such as endometriosis and carcinoma. In vitro studies have shown that HGF acts as a mitogen, motogen, and morphogen on endometrial epithelial cells. However, the expression and regulation of HGF and MET in the uteri of different species remain obscure. The present study aimed to investigate the changes of HGF, MET, and HGF activator (HGFA) expression in the uterine endometrium during the estrous cycle in mice and to explore estrogen and progesterone regulation of their expression. MKI67 immunostaining was conducted to examine the association between HGF/MET expression and endometrial cell proliferation. Endometrial epithelial and stromal cells both expressed HGF, HGFA, and MET, but the cell type-specific patterns changed during the cycle. Estrogen and progesterone differentially regulated HGF, MET, and HGFA expression. Progesterone up-regulated their expression in the stroma and down-regulated their expression in the luminal epithelium, whereas 17-beta-estradiol down-regulated their expression in the glandular epithelium. The pattern of HGF/MET overall correlated with that of MKI67. In conclusion, HGF, HGFA, and MET expression in mouse uterus changes during the estrous cycle in a stage-, cell type-, and compartment-specific manner under the influence of estrogen and progesterone. HGF likely plays a role in cyclic endometrial remodeling, such as cell proliferation via autocrine/paracrine mechanisms in mouse uterus.
Fuzzy decision neural networks and application to data fusion

A decision-based neural network (DBNN) is extended to a fuzzy-decision neural network (FDNN), which is shown to offer classification/generalization performance improvements, especially when the data are not clearly separable. The hierarchical structure adopted make the computation process very efficient. The learning rule and some key properties of FDNN are described. A Bayesian paradigm offers an optimal approach to data fusion. This approach is explored. DBNN, together with a Bayesian approach, is proposed to formulate the data fusion process. >
No Free Lunch

Imagine that your department is about to build a new building. Because the area is seismically active, you raise the issue of earthquake-resistant construction when meeting with the architect and engineer. They tell you to decide on the level of seismic safety you want, and they will provide it. The more safety you want, however, the more it will cost. Thus you have to decide how much of the construction budget to put into seismic safety. The more you spend, the better off you will be in a future large earthquake. You are worse off in the intervening years, however, because that money isn't available for office and lab space, equipment, etc. Mitigating the risks to society from earthquakes involves economic and policy issues. Deciding what to do involves cost-benefit analysis. This involves trying to estimate the maximum shaking expected during the building's life and the level of damage you will accept. There turns out to be a range of scenarios, each involving a different cost for seismic safety and a different benefit in damage reduction. You and colleagues weigh these, accepting that your estimates for the future have considerable uncertainties, and somehow decide on what seems like a reasonable balance between cost and benefit. This process, which society faces in preparing for earthquakes and other natural disasters, illustrates two simple principles. The first, “There's no free lunch”, is that using resources for one goal means they are not available for another. This is easy to see in the public sector, where there are direct trade-offs. Funds spent strengthening schools are not available to hire teachers, stronger bridges may result in hiring fewer police officers and fire fighters, etc. The second principle is that there's “no such thing as other people's money”—costs are ultimately borne by society as a whole. …
Non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis using magnetic resonance elastography in liver transplant recipients with hepatitis C

Background Liver biopsy has been the reference standard when evaluating fibrosis due to recurrent hepatitis after liver transplantation. Magnetic resonance elastography estimates liver stiffness, correlating to fibrosis. Aim To investigate the utility of elastography in staging liver fibrosis in transplant recipients with hepatitis C. Methods Fifty-four patients, ≥12 months post-transplant, underwent elastography within three months of biopsy. Discriminatory capability for METAVIR fibrosis stages F0–2 vs. F3–4 and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis were determined. Results On biopsy, 27 patients had METAVIR fibrosis score 0–1; 12 had a 3 or 4. There was significant correlation between histologic fibrosis and shear stiffness (R² = 0.588, p < 0.0001). Using a cutoff value of 3.5 kPa, elastography was 91% sensitive and 72% specific in differentiating fibrosis scores of ≥3 from 0 to 1. The AUC of elastography in predicting a fibrosis score of ≥3 was 0.92. Multivariate analysis revealed no correlation between the grade of histologic inflammation and liver stiffness measured by magnetic resonance elastography (R² = 0.265, p = 0.47). Conclusion Magnetic resonance elastography is an accurate non-invasive technique for excluding stage ≥3 graft in recipients with hepatitis C.
Using Podcasting to Enhance Learning Experience: A Case Study on Subscription Behavior

Beginning on the fall of 2005, the Information Technology at Purdue (ITaP) unit of Purdue University has started BoilerCast, a free podcasting service that uses current digital audio delivery technology to deliver classroom audio recordings to the students at their request. Students who subscribe to the service will be able to review lecture material for homework assignments and exam reviews. In this paper, we will first review the background and the technology requirement for podcasting, and then study the feasibility of podcasting from a students' perspective. Students were surveyed concerning their podcasting subscription behavior, and a modified Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model was used as the framework for analyzing such behavior. This model incorporates the original TPB with the Technology Acceptance Model and perceived service quality as a tool to identify important features that students consider important for podcasting to be successful. The results of this study will provide guidelines for future podcasting implementation, and better utilization of the technology in education.
Investigation of Failure Processes in Porous Battery Substrates: Part II—Simulation Results and Comparisons

Models are presented for the evolution of transport and mechanical properties of nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery substrates. In the first paper in this series, conductive losses and enhancement of mechanical properties in these materials were quantified experimentally. These were quantitatively shown to be related to observed morphological changes in the substrate materials. Here, an evolution hypothesis for changes in these structures is presented, along with a simplified approximation of the real material microstructure (porous fiber/powder nickel network) with a tractable simulation geometry (porous fiber networks). Transport and mechanics models are then compared with experimental results, with stochastically-arranged fibers approximated as conductive beams connected by elastic torsion springs. Both quantitative and qualitative agreement are found with the models. Limitations of the approaches proposed are also discussed, along with the consequences of the simplifications of geometry for analysis.
Structure-based color learning on a mobile robot under changing illumination

A central goal of robotics and AI is to be able to deploy an agent to act autonomously in the real world over an extended period of time. To operate in the real world, autonomous robots rely on sensory information. Despite the potential richness of visual information from on-board cameras, many mobile robots continue to rely on non-visual sensors such as tactile sensors, sonar, and laser. This preference for relatively low-fidelity sensors can be attributed to, among other things, the characteristic requirement of real-time operation under limited computational resources. Illumination changes pose another big challenge. For true extended autonomy, an agent must be able to recognize for itself when to abandon its current model in favor of learning a new one; and how to learn in its current situation. We describe a self-contained vision system that works on-board a vision-based autonomous robot under varying illumination conditions. First, we present a baseline system capable of color segmentation and object recognition within the computational and memory constraints of the robot. This relies on manually labeled data and operates under constant and reasonably uniform illumination conditions. We then relax these limitations by introducing algorithms for (i) Autonomous planned color learning, where the robot uses the knowledge of its environment (position, size and shape of objects) to automatically generate a suitable motion sequence and learn the desired colors, and (ii) Illumination change detection and adaptation, where the robot recognizes for itself when the illumination conditions have changed sufficiently to warrant revising its knowledge of colors. Our algorithms are fully implemented and tested on the Sony ERS-7 Aibo robots.
Human umbilical cord blood cells and diabetes mellitus: recent advances.

Stem cell therapy for patients with diabetes is an area of great interest to both scientists and clinicians. Human umbilical cord blood cells (HUCBCs) are being increasingly used as a source of stem cells for cell-based therapy for diabetes because these cells can differentiate into pancreatic islet β-cells. Administration of HUCBCs has been shown to lower blood glucose levels in diabetic animal models. The use of autologous HUCBC transfusion in type 1 diabetic children has not shown any benefit. However, “Stem Cell Educator” therapy has shown promise in long term lowering of blood glucose levels in both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. In this review, we will briefly discuss recent advances in HUCBC therapy in the treatment of diabetes and some of its complications.
Rapid lung cytokine accumulation and neutrophil recruitment after lipopolysaccharide inhalation by cigarette smokers and nonsmokers

Inhalation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by humans rapidly recruits neutrophils to alveolar structures. Recruitment of neutrophils may be mediated in part by intrapulmonary release of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-8, although the kinetics of cytokine accumulation and neutrophil recruitment to the lungs after LPS inhalation have not been determined. Release of some cytokines in response to LPS is reported to be decreased in smokers' alveolar macrophages compared with nonsmokers', suggesting responses to LPS may differ in smokers (S) and nonsmokers (NS). To assess the kinetics of early cytokine accumulation after LPS inhalation and to compare inflammation induced in LPS-exposed S and NS, we performed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in 28 subjects (14 NS and 14 S) at 90 or 240 minutes after inhalation of aerosolized LPS (30 μg). BAL performed at 90 and 240 minutes after LPS inhalation recovered increased numbers of neutrophils and lymphocytes in both NS and S compared with an unexposed control group (10 NS, 10 S), with greater recovery of neutrophils in S than NS (p < 0.00 1). BAL fluid supernate concentrations of IL-8, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α at 90 minutes were increased in S and NS compared with an unexposed control group. IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations were similar in S and NS; however, IL-1β concentrations were greater in S (p < 0.005). BAL fluid concentrations of IL-1β and IL-8 at 90 minutes correlated with absolute neutrophil recovery in S and NS. These findings suggest that the rapid accumulation of cytokines, particularly IL-1β and IL-8, contributes to lung neutrophil recruitment after LPS inhalation. In addition, parameters of pulmonary inflammation present in S after LPS inhalation are similar to or increased compared with those present in NS.
Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in humans and dogs

Objective: To describe the clinical appearance and theories on the pathogenesis of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in humans, and to review the evidence suggesting that a similar syndrome occurs in critically ill dogs. Human-based studies: Currently, there are a multitude of publications describing the pathogenesis and clinical course of MODS in humans. Providing much of the basis for on-going research and the development of clinical applications, a consensus statement made by the American College of Chest Physicians and Society of Critical Care Medicine defined parameters that had guided and shaped much of what is known about MODS. Veterinary-based studies: To date, there are few publications describing MODS in dogs and much of what is known has been derived from case reports and reviews of various critical illnesses in dogs. While a similar syndrome of multiple organ dysfunction likely exists in dogs, a consensus statement defining clinical parameters has not been made. Data sources: Veterinary and human literature review. Conclusions: The development of MODS in human critical illness is widely recognized and major strides have been made in the understanding of this complex syndrome. Scoring schemes applied to human MODS patients have established that with increasing numbers of failing organs, there is a worse prognosis. As a similar finding likely exists in dogs, an awareness of MODS is vital to veterinary critical care clinicians and a consensus definition of MODS in dogs is warranted.
Association of the Prothrombin G20210A Mutation With Factor V Leiden in a Midwestern American Population

The prothrombin G20210A mutation has been identified as a risk factor for thrombosis. We studied the relationship between prothrombin G20210A and factor V Leiden mutations in patients with thrombophilia. The first 264 patients for whom these molecular diagnostic studies were requested at our institution were included in the study. For 116 of the 264 patients, additional coagulation test results were available in the laboratory database. The prothrombin G20210A mutation was found in 16 (6.1%) of the patients and the factor V Leiden mutation in 44 (16.7%). Of the 16 patients with the prothrombin G20210A mutation, 8 also carried factor V Leiden; this association was significant. In contrast, only 2 patients of the 116 with additional coagulation testing harbored more than 1 prothrombotic risk factor. These data support the hypothesis that thrombophilia is a multigenic disorder. Among unselected samples from a Midwestern population evaluated for thrombotic risk factors, the prevalence of factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations are similar to those found in other populations in the Western world.
A flexible modem structure for increased network capacity and multimedia transmission in GSM PCS

A reconfigurable Global Mobile Standard (GSM) compatible radio modem interface which doubles the number of simultaneous video and voice transmissions per channel is presented for personal communication systems (PCS). The result is that an average video frame rate of up 14 fps can be supported within a single TDMA time slot, doubling the number of conventional GMSK multimedia transmissions per GSM channel. The design employs an in-circuit reconfigurable cross-correlated FQPSK signal processing technique. This innovative network modem is reconfigured in-circuit for high bit rate data transmission or GSM compatible operation. Spectrum efficiency /spl nu//sub f/ (b/s/Hz) is investigated in a nonlinear amplified (NLA) environment-providing a 6 to 9 dB advantage in power efficiency. Our results show that the GSM compatible configuration of a specific cross correlated FQPSK-KF implementation offers up to 5.1 dB improvement in E/sub b//N/sub o/, power efficiency, and network capacity /spl nu//sub T/ (erlangs/Hz m/sup 2/) may be increased 76% over GMSK BT/sub b/=0.3.
Multiple Orders Per Job Compatible Batch Scheduling

This paper investigates the problem of grouping different customer orders into jobs and these formed jobs to batches and scheduling them on a single batch processing machine to minimize the total weighted tardiness of orders. A compatible batching environment is considered in which there is no restriction on the orders being from the same family to be batched together. A mixed-integer program (MIP) is developed and tested. The compatible MIP model takes 1 + h, on average, to solve an instance. A new simulated annealing-based heuristic solves compatible problems to within 4% of optimality in a few minutes. This fast, near optimal performance suggests that these heuristics may be viable for implementation in practical manufacturing settings, such as burn-in operations in the back end of the semiconductor manufacturing process
The Last Wave of Affirmative Action

Recent arguments equate non-preferential recruitment and retention programs with preferential forms of affirmative action, such as setting aside seats in a law school class for minority students who meet different admissions standards than white students, or laying off white teachers before black teachers regardless of seniority. If these arguments prevail, the last wave of permissible affirmative action will be held presumptively unconstitutional and likely dismantled. This result would render the ideal of the even playing field an unattainable illusion.This is not mere hyperbole: equal access to information and opportunity is imperative for minorities to compete for the same opportunities as whites. By engaging in an argument about whether affirmative outreach to minorities is constitutional, we beg the question of whether we as a society have abandoned the ideal of the even playing field altogether. If we have, we must grapple with the disastrous consequences not only for minorities seeking access to opportunities, but also for our entire society and its ability to survive and compete in the twenty-first century. Race-conscious, non-preferential affirmative action allows decision-makers to strive for colorblindness by recognizing that we must first look at race to get beyond it. These programs are unique in that they allow decision-makers to acknowledge prior race-based decision-making, broaden their applicant pool accordingly, and select their candidates of choice without burdening any other group. This article argues that current jurisprudence regarding preferential affirmative action does not mandate the dismantling of non-preferential affirmative action simply because it is race-conscious.
Achilles’ Cleavage: Conferring the Specificities of DNA-Binding Molecules on Restriction Endonucleases

Achilles’ cleavage (AC) is a general method for combining the cleavage specificity of a restriction endonuclease with the binding specificity of other DNA-binding molecules. Restriction enzymes, which typically have recognition sequences of from 4 to 8 base pairs (bp) in length, cleave unmodified DNA from complex genomes at thousands or even millions of sites. By limiting the activity of these enzymes to a specific subset of these sites, the AC process makes it possible to cleave even the human genome at only a single site. The AC process can be used both as a means of obtaining basic information about the DNA-binding characteristics of the binding molecule employed and as a practical tool for creating unique cleavage specificities to analyze and manipulate DNA.
An Uninformative Truth: The Logic of Amarin’s Off-Label Promotion

Spencer Phillips Hey and Aaron Kesselheim propose that informativeness-asserting scientific facts-rather than truthfulness ought to be the standard for regulating commercial speech about pharmaceuticals.