cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conformer selection of protein ions by ion mobility in a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer

Electrospray mass spectra of multiply charged protein molecules show two distinct charge state distributions proposed to correspond to a more highly charged, open conformational form and a lower charged, folded form. Elastic collisions carried out in the radiofrequency-only collision cell of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer have dramatic effects on the appearance of the mass spectra. The different cross sectional areas of the conformers allow preferential selection of one charge state distribution over the other on the basis of ion mobility. Preferential selection is dependent on the nature and pressure of the target gas as well as the nature of the protein. In the case of positively charged horse heart apomyoglobin (MW 16,951 da), a high charge state distribution centered around (M + 20H)20+ predominates at low target gas pressures and a second distribution centered around (M + 10H)10+ predominates at high target gas pressures. Bimodal distributions are observed at intermediate pressures and, remarkably, charge states between the two distributions are not effectively populated under most of the conditions examined. Hard sphere collision calculations show large differences in collision frequencies and in the corresponding kinetic energy losses for the two conformational states and they demonstrate that the observed charge state selectivity can be explained through elastic collisions.
Polymerases in Nonhomologous End Joining: Building a Bridge over Broken Chromosomes

Abstract Repair of double-strand breaks in chromosomal DNA is essential. Unfortunately, a paradigm central to most DNA repair pathways—damaged DNA is replaced by polymerases, by using an intact, undamaged complementary strand as a template—no longer works. The nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway nevertheless still uses DNA polymerases to help repair double-strand breaks. Bacteria use a member of the archaeo-eukaryal primase superfamily, whereas eukaryotes use multiple members of the polymerase X family. These polymerases can, depending on the biologic context, accurately replace break-associated damage, mitigate loss of flanking DNA, or diversify products of repair. Polymerases specifically implicated in NHEJ are uniquely effective in these roles: relative to canonic polymerases, NHEJ polymerases have been engineered to do more with less. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 14, 2509–2519.
PUTOP: Turning Predominant Senses into a Topic Model for Word Sense Disambiguation

We extend on McCarthy et al.'s predominant sense method to create an unsupervised method of word sense disambiguation that uses automatically derived topics using Latent Dirichlet allocation. Using topic-specific synset similarity measures, we create predictions for each word in each document using only word frequency information. It is hoped that this procedure can improve upon the method for larger numbers of topics by providing more relevant training corpora for the individual topics. This method is evaluated on SemEval-2007 Task 1 and Task 17.
Microscopic lymph node tumor burden quantified by macroscopic dual-tracer molecular imaging.

Tichauer et al. describe a dual-tracer approach to quantify cancer cell receptor concentrations, in this case epidermal growth factor receptor, in lymph nodes, that can also correct for nonspecific uptake.
Effects of N-ethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDE) on central serotonergic and dopaminergic systems of the rat.

Abstract The influence of N -ethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDE) on the central serotonergic and dopaminergic systems of the rat after a single or multiple injections was studied. MDE (10 mg/kg) produced a significant decrease in the concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 1 hr later in the frontal cortex and the hippocampus without affecting the concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) or tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) activity. Hypothalamic and neostriatal concentrations of 5-HT, 5-HIAA, dopamine (DA), dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) remained unaffected, as well as the neostriatal TPH and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activities. However, 3 hr after the MDE injection, the serotonergic variables including TPH activity were decreased in most of the brain areas examined. The dopaminergic system remained unaffected, except for a significant reduction in neostriatal DOPAC concentrations. The changes in transmitter concentrations after a single injection were dose dependent; the maximum depletion in TPH activity was reached with a 10 mg/kg dose. The administration of multiple doses of MDE caused greater decreases in TPH activity and 5-HT concentrations 3 hr after the treatment than did a single injection; in addition, a partial recovery from multiple administrations occurred by 18 hr. The effects of MDE on DA and its metabolites were transient, and neostriatal TH activity was not altered. This study demonstrates that MDE primarily affects the central serotonergic system, as reported for its congeners 3, 4-methylenedioxyamphetamine and 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It does, however, produce less neurotoxicity as judged by its lower potency on the dopaminergic and the serotonergic systems as well as the recovery occurring in these systems.
Shock layer thickness and optimum linear velocity in displacement chromatography

The width of the mixed zones between two successive bands in the isotachic train represents the loss in recovery yield achieved in displacement chromatography. Intuitively, this width depends on the mobile phase flow velocity, but no systematic study of this effect has yet been performed. On the other hand, constant pattern behavior and the theory of shock layer are well known in chemical engineering. Using this approach, and assuming competitive Langmuir isotherm behavior, an analytical equation is derived which relates the shock layer thickness (SLT) in displacement chromatography and the column design and operating parameters. Using this equation, it is possible to investigate the dependence of the SLT between two consecutive bands in the isotachic train on the mobile phase velocity, the concentration and the retention factor of the displacer and the separation factor of the two components. In displacement chromatography, the optimum mobile phase linear velocity (uopts) for minimum shock layer thickness, or maximum recovery yield depends not only on the coefficients of axial dispersion and mass transfer resistance of the two components, as does the optimum mobile phase velocity (uoptL) in linear chromatography, but also on the retention factor and the concentration of the displacer. The results of the study of this analytical equation are in excellent agreement with those of numerical calculations.
Method for predicting photocatalytic oxidation rates of organic compounds.

Abstract In designing a photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) system for a given air pollution source, destruction rates for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are required. The objective of this research was to develop a systematic method of predicting PCO rate constants by correlating rate constants with physical-chemical characteristics of compounds. Accordingly, reaction rate constants were determined for destruction of volatile organics over a titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) catalyst in a continuous mixed-batch reactor. It was found that PCO rate constants for alkanes and alkenes vary linearly with gas-phase ionization potential (IP) and with gas-phase hydroxyl radical reaction rate constant. The correlations allow rates of destruction of compounds not tested in this research to be predicted based on physical-chemical characteristics.
Fetal and postnatal growth of children born to narcotic-dependent women*

We studied the effect of heroin and methadone on birth length and 3-year stature of children ofuntreated heroin addicts (n=22), women receiving methadone maintenance therapy (95% were polydrug users) (n=21), and a drug-free comparison group (n=28), after adjustment for biologic, demographic, and health variables. The mean birth lengths of both groups of drug-exposed infants were significantly below that of a comparison group; however, group means were similar after adjustment for sex, race, prenatal care, pregnancy weight gain, obstetrical risk, maternal education, and smoking. At 3 years of age the mean height was comparable for all groups. When adjusted for birth length, parental height, and smoking, the methadone group was significantly shorter than children exposed to heroin in utero, and the comparison group assumed an intermediate position. These data indicate that the effect of heroin and methadone on intrauterine growth cannot be differentiated from that of associated factors, and that postnatal growth of children exposed to narcotics during pregnancy is no more impaired than that of a high-risk comparison group. Children of all three groups deserve continued observation and efforts to improve their environment in order that their full potential might be achieved.
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the binding of the dopamine D2 receptor agonist11C-(R,S)-5-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin in rodents and nonhuman primate

The in vitro autoradiographic binding characteristics as well as in vivo imaging characteristics of a dopamine D2 receptor agonist, (R,S)-2-(N-propyl-N-1′-11C-propyl)amino-5-hydroxytetralin (11C-5-OH-DPAT), were studied. In 3H-spiperone assays using rat striata, 5-OH-DPAT exhibited an affinity of IC50 = 2.5 nM. In vitro autoradiographs in rat brain slices with 11C-5-OH-DPAT revealed selective binding to the dopaminergic regions in the striata which was displaceable by sulpiride. Varying concentrations of dopamine displaced this selective binding of 11C-5-OH-DPAT to the striata in rat brain slices. This selective binding to the striata was also removed in the presence of the GTP analog, 5′-guanylylimidodiphosphate, indicative of the binding of 11C-5-OH-DPAT to the high-affinity state of the D2 receptor. Ex vivo autoradiographic study in rats exhibited selective binding of 11C-5-OH-DPAT to the striata. A PET study in a rhesus monkey showed selective localization of 11C-5-OH-DPAT in the striata and the ratio between striata and cerebellum approached approximately 2 at 40 min postinjection. Synapse 37:64–70, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Impact of surgical case order on perioperative outcomes for robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Objectives: Since its introduction, there have been many refinements in the technique and implementation of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). However, it is unclear whether operative outcomes are influenced by surgical case order. We evaluated the effect of case order on perioperative outcomes for RARP within a large health maintenance organization. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of RARP cases performed at our institution from September 2008 to December 2010 using a single robotic platform. Case order was determined from surgical schedules each day and surgeries were grouped into 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd round cases. Fourth round cases (n = 1) were excluded from analysis. We compared clinicopathological variables including operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), surgical margin rates and complication rates between groups. Results: Of the 1018 RARP cases in this cohort, 476 (47%) were performed as 1 st round cases, 398 (39%) 2 nd round cases and 144 (14%) 3 rd round cases by a total of 18 surgeons. Mean operative time was shorter as cases were performed later in the day (213 min vs. 209 min vs. 180 min, P < 0.0001) and similarly, EBL also decreased with surgical order (136 mL vs. 134 mL vs. 103 mL, P = 0.01). Transfusion rates, surgical margin rates and complication rates did not significantly differ between groups. Patients undergoing RARP later in the day were much more likely to have a hospital stay of 2 or more days than earlier cases (10% vs. 11% vs. 32%, P = 0.01). Conclusions: Surgical case order may influence perioperative outcomes for RARP with decreased operative times and increased length of hospital stay associated with later cases. These findings indicate that select perioperative factors may improve with ascending case order as the surgical team "warms up" during the day. In addition, 3 rd round cases can increase hospital costs associated with increased lengths of hospital stay. Knowledge of these differences may assist in surgical planning to improve outcomes and limit costs.
Ground level solar energy estimates using geostationary operational environmental satellite measurements and realistic model atmospheres

Abstract A radiative transfer model and measured radiance values from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite are used to obtain estimates of ground level solar insolation. These are compared to surface observed data monitored in Northern California. The estimates of solar insolation are obtained by using pixel data from a Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, in conjunction with ground reflectivity and zenith angle of the sun to choose an appropriate atmospheric model. The sophisticated radiative transfer model is then used to obtain the ground level estimate of insolation. The time integrated GOES-model estimated surface insolation values are within 3% of the measured data during a 3-day test period.
A Reexamination of the Corporate Demand for Reinsurance

This study examines the effect of the state of the international reinsurance market on the demand for reinsurance by U.S. insurers using data from the years 1993 through 2000. Both the overall demand for reinsurance and the utilization of foreign reinsurance by U.S. insurers are explored. In addition to supporting the findings of prior literature related to the traditional motives for the corporate demand for insurance, evidence indicates that the state of the U.S. reinsurance industry impacts the amount of reinsurance demanded by U.S. insurers. The study also investigates reasons why U.S. insurers utilize a reinsurance program composed of both U.S. and foreign reinsurers. The results indicate that the decision to utilize some percentage of foreign reinsurance is driven primarily by the financial and operational characteristics of the ceding company such as firm size, group affiliation, and organizational form. However, no support is found for the hypothesis that possible differences between the foreign and U.S. reinsurance markets impact the decision to utilize foreign reinsurance.
Signal transduction by transforming growth factor-β: A cooperative paradigm with extensive negative regulation.

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) represents an evolutionarily conserved family of secreted factors that mobilize a complex signaling network to control cell fate by regulating proliferation, differentiation, motility, adhesion, and apoptosis. TGF-β promotes the assembly of a cell surface receptor complex composed of type I (TβRI) and type II (TβRII) receptor serine/threonine kinases. In response to TGF-β binding, TβRII recruits and activates TβRI through phosphorylation of the regulatory GS-domain. Activated TβRI then initiates cytoplasmic signaling pathways to produce cellular responses. SMAD proteins together constitute a unique signaling pathway with key roles in signal transduction by TGF-β and related factors. Pathway-restricted SMADs are phosphorylated and activated by type I receptors in response to stimulation by ligand. Once activated, pathway-restricted SMADs oligomerize with the common-mediator Smad4 and subsequently translocate to the nucleus. Genetic analysis in Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans, as well as TβRII and SMAD mutations in human tumors, emphasizes their importance in TGF-β signaling. Mounting evidence indicates that SMADs cooperate with ubiquitous cytoplasmic signaling cascades and nuclear factors to produce the full spectrum of TGF-β responses. Operating independently, these ubiquitous elements may influence the nature of cellular responses to TGF-β. Additionally, a variety of regulatory schemes contribute temporal and/or spatial restriction to TGF-β responses. This report reviews our current understanding of TGF-β signal transduction and considers the importance of a cooperative signaling paradigm to TGF-β-mediated biological responses. J. Cell. Biochem. Suppls. 30/31:111-122, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Characterization of the Group II Chaperonin TriC derived from Human Cervical Adenocarcinoma (HeLa) Cells

Molecular chaperones are key elements in protein folding pathways, and there are numerous proteins which are unable to fold in the absence of one or more molecular chaperones. Eukaryotic chaperones can be broadly separated into two families: chaperones, which sequester and protect unfolded proteins, but do not facilitate folding, and chaperonins, which require ATP, and actively fold nacent or misfolded proteins. The mammalian chaperonin TRiC, in addition to being required for actin and tubulin folding, binds and refold several disease causing proteins in vitro, including those associated with Alzheimer's disease, Von Hippel Landau tumor, and Huntington's disease. This refolding activity has revealed TRiC as a possible therapeutic agent for the treatment and prevention of aggregation diseases. We have purified TriC from cervical adenocarcinoma cells. To assess the properties of Human TriC, we are characterizing its interactions of with human γ Crystallins. Crystallins are a family of structural proteins found in the lens of the human eye, and aggregation of these proteins is thought to be the cause of cataract. Methanococcus marapaludis chaperonin Mm-Cpn, a homolog of human TriC, has been shown to both suppress aggregation of Human γ Crystallins, and refold the Crystallins to a native-like conformation. Suppression of γ Crystallin aggregation is being investigated using UV/Vis spectroscopy, and the ability of TriC to restore unfolded γ Crystallin to a native fold investigated using size exclusion chromatography. In collaboration with fellow members of the Center for Protein Folding Machinery, we are investigating the possibility of visualizing the crystallin substrate in the chaperonin/substrate complex by Cryo-EM.Supported by an NIH Roadmap Award to the Center for Protein Folding Machinery (http://ncmi.bcm.tmc.edu/nanomedicine).
The conceptual congruence inventory (CCI): an experimental tool for the investigation and measurement of 22 common affective concepts.

This paper describes a prototype of the Conceptual Congruence Inventory (CCI), designed to assess the degree of overinclusion and underinclusion of 22 of a person's affective concepts with respect to a standard group. The CCI, the text of which is 15 short descriptions of characters' behavior evaluated for certain "traits" by the testee, was standardized for scale means and SDs with a group of 125 college students. An additional sample of 20 students was used to establish test-retest reliability over a period of 6 months, the correlation coefficient of which was .899.
Effect of storage at 4 °C in a nutrient medium on antigenic properties of rat aortic valve allografts

The effects of prolonged storage at 4 degrees C in nutrient medium on the antigenic properties of aortic valve allografts are unknown. Lewis rats received heterotopic aortic valve allografts from Brown Norway donors. Valves were transplanted immediately after harvest (fresh), or after antibiotic sterilization and storage in a nutrient medium at 4 degrees C for 3, 7, 14, or 21 days. Additional rats underwent sham laparotomy (sham). All recipient rats received Brown Norway skin grafts 3 weeks after valve transplant or sham procedure. Time to skin graft rejection for all groups was as follows: fresh (n = 10), 4.5 +/- 0.9 days; sham (n = 10), 7.1 +/- 0.3 days; 3-day (n = 10), 4.9 +/- 0.3 days; 7-day (n = 10), 5.2 +/- 0.4 days; 14-day (n = 10), 6.1 +/- 0.7 days; and 21-day (n = 10), 6.0 +/- 0.6 days. Significant differences existed between the sham group and each of the transplanted groups. No significant differences existed between the fresh group and either the 3-day or 7-day groups. The difference between the fresh group and the 14-day group approached significance (0.05 less than p less than 0.10), and the difference between the fresh and 21-day groups was significant (p less than 0.05). Additional valves not used for transplantation were studied with scanning electron microscopy. The valves preserved in nutrient medium exhibited a progressive loss of endothelium as compared with fresh valves. Storage of aortic valve allografts in a nutrient medium at 4 degrees C is associated with a progressive attenuation of antigenic response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Many-body theory of the Sternheimer antishielding factor for the Na + ion

The Sternheimer antishielding factor (${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\infty}}$) for the ion ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ including electron-electron interaction effects has been calculated by the linked-cluster many-body perturbation theory. The diagrams involving only the perturbation due to the external field gradient lead to radial and angular contributions of -5.02 and 0.61, respectively, adding up to a net ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\infty}}$ of -4.41. The diagrams involving one order in the electron-electron interaction, representing consistency effects, lead to an additional contribution of 0.87 while correlation diagrams make a smaller but significant net contribution of -0.27. The total ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\infty}}$ is found to be -3.81\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.10. The physical significance of various contributions to consistency and correlation effects is analyzed and comparisons are made with the results for ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\infty}}$ in ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ by other methods. The larger importance of consistency contributions to ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\infty}}$ in ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$, as compared to that in other positive-ion systems, ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{+2}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{+3}$, ${\mathrm{Rb}}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{Cs}}^{+}$, is discussed.
Interaction of the solar wind with the planets.

T characteristics of the flow of the solar wind, a tenuous, magnetized plasma emitted continuously by the sun, are known to be altered greatly when the plasma encounters an obstacle of dimensions in excess of 100,000 km. The magnetosphere of the Earth presents an obstacle of such size. In studies of magnetohydrodynamics, properties of the resulting interaction between the solar wind and the magnetosphere are of interest for a number of reasons. In connection with planetary exploration, the reason for much of our interest is a practical one, namely, that the interaction creates disturbances in a large volume surrounding the obstacle, thereby increasing the detectability of a planetary magnetic field. In the following, the observations of the properties of the interplanetary medium and the development of theoretical models for the solar wind will be summarized. Next, from the available measurements, parameters typical of a quiet solar wind will be calculated. The interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's dipolar magnetic field will be described, and the method employed in scaling the observed effects for interactions with dipolar fields of different moments will be given. Finally, some speculations concerning interactions of the solar wind with planetary bodies not shielded by magnetic fields will be summarized.
Dicer Is Required for Maintenance of Adult Pancreatic Acinar Cell Identity and Plays a Role in Kras-Driven Pancreatic Neoplasia

The role of miRNA processing in the maintenance of adult pancreatic acinar cell identity and during the initiation and progression of pancreatic neoplasia has not been studied in detail. In this work, we deleted Dicer specifically in adult pancreatic acinar cells, with or without simultaneous activation of oncogenic Kras. We found that Dicer is essential for the maintenance of acinar cell identity. Acinar cells lacking Dicer showed increased plasticity, as evidenced by loss of polarity, initiation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM). In the context of oncogenic Kras activation, the initiation of ADM and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) were both highly sensitive to Dicer gene dosage. Homozygous Dicer deletion accelerated the formation of ADM but not PanIN. In contrast, heterozygous Dicer deletion accelerated PanIN initiation, revealing complex roles for Dicer in the regulation of both normal and neoplastic pancreatic epithelial identity.
A miniature wearable optical imaging system for guiding surgeries

Image guidance can result in improved surgical outcomes, shorter operating times as well as a reduced likelihood of requiring a follow-up surgery for various medical interventions. Many intraoperative imaging systems utilize 2D computer monitors, making it difficult to correlate the surgical landscape with the displayed functional information as well as potentially distracting the surgeon. To address this issue, a miniature, wearable Near Infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging system entitled Stereoscopic Optical Imaging Goggle is developed. The system is made up of two imaging sensors affixed to a wearable stereoscopic display, providing the surgeon with functional data in 3 dimensions with depth perception. We have characterized the system’s optical properties and fluorescent detection limits. In addition, we have demonstrated the efficacy of the system during surgical studies in chicken. We have found that the system can resolve fluorescent structures down to 0.25mm. The system was successfully guided the excision of fluorescent tissue from a chicken. To the best of our knowledge, the Stereoscopic Optical Imaging Goggle is the first wearable wide-field fluorescence imaging system that offers stereoscopic imaging capability and 3D depth perception.
Pushing the limits: From lanekeeping to autonomous racing

Abstract The success of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) has demonstrated the potential life-saving benefits of vehicle control systems. Lanekeeping presents an obvious next step in vehicle control, but the performance of such systems must be guaranteed before lanekeeping can be viewed as a safety feature. This paper demonstrates that simple lookahead control schemes for lanekeeping are provably robust even at the limits of tire adhesion. By responding to the heading error relative to the desired path, these schemes provide the countersteer behavior necessary to compensate for rear tire saturation and stabilize the vehicle. Using a Lyapunov-based analysis, vehicle stability can be proven even with a highly saturated tire. Taking this a step further by developing a desired path based on the racing line, this lookahead controller can be coupled with longitudinal control based on path position and wheel slip to create an autonomous racecar. The performance of this algorithm shows the potential for lanekeeping control that can truly assist even the best drivers.
Speed-difficulty trade-off in speech: Chinese versus English.

This study continues the investigation of the previously described speed-difficulty trade-off in picture description tasks. In particular, we tested a hypothesis that the Mandarin Chinese and American English are similar in showing logarithmic dependences between speech time and index of difficulty (ID), while they differ significantly in the amount of time needed to describe simple pictures, this difference increases for more complex pictures, and it is associated with a proportional difference in the number of syllables used. Subjects (eight Chinese speakers and eight English speakers) were tested in pairs. One subject (the Speaker) described simple pictures, while the other subject (the Performer) tried to reproduce the pictures based on the verbal description as quickly as possible with a set of objects. The Chinese speakers initiated speech production significantly faster than the English speakers. Speech time scaled linearly with ln(ID) in all subjects, but the regression coefficient was significantly higher in the English speakers as compared with the Chinese speakers. The number of errors was somewhat lower in the Chinese participants (not significantly). The Chinese pairs also showed a shorter delay between the initiation of speech and initiation of action by the Performer, shorter movement time by the Performer, and shorter overall performance time. The number of syllables scaled with ID, and the Chinese speakers used significantly smaller numbers of syllables. Speech rate was comparable between the two groups, about 3 syllables/s; it dropped for more complex pictures (higher ID). When asked to reproduce the same pictures without speaking, movement time scaled linearly with ln(ID); the Chinese performers were slower than the English performers. We conclude that natural languages show a speed-difficulty trade-off similar to Fitts’ law; the trade-offs in movement and speech production are likely to originate at a cognitive level. The time advantage of the Chinese participants originates not from similarity of the simple pictures and Chinese written characters and not from more sloppy performance. It is linked to using fewer syllables to transmit the same information. We suggest that natural languages may differ by informational density defined as the amount of information transmitted by a given number of syllables.
African lightning: Indicator of Tropical Atlantic Cyclone formation

Each year, devastating hurricanes originating from the tropical Atlantic Ocean cause severe loss of life and property damage. Efforts to predict and forecast the behavior of such phenomena range from satellite-derived sea surface temperatures to coupled ocean-atmosphere models. Nonetheless, predicting cyclone occurrence and behavior remains elusive. New research suggests that the presence of lightning activity in storms crossing the West African coast could be used as a precursor to cyclone formation. This article analyzes the lightning activity monitored during the 2004 hurricane season by the University of Connecticut's Zeus Long-Range Lightning Monitoring Network (http://sifnos.engr.uconn.edu/realtime.htm). The Zeus system was used to follow the westward progression of African Easterly Waves (AEWs) and their embedded convective regimes, as these propagate over continental Africa and finally cross into the Atlantic Ocean. Those disturbances that exhibit sustained lightning in the Atlantic were shown to be far more likely to produce tropical cyclones (TCs) than those for which lightning ceases at the coast.
A new predictive model for adverse outcomes after elective thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Abstract Background . Recent recommendations have emphasized individualized treatment based on balancing a patient's risk of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm rupture with the risk of an adverse outcome after surgical repair. The purpose of this study was to determine which preoperative risk factors currently predict an adverse outcome after elective thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Methods . A single, composite end point termed adverse outcome was defined as the occurrence of any of the following: death within 30 days, death before discharge from the hospital, paraplegia, paraparesis, stroke, or acute renal failure requiring dialysis. A risk factor analysis was performed using data from 1,108 consecutive elective thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repairs. Results . The incidence of an adverse outcome was 13.0% (144 of 1,108 patients); predictors included preoperative renal insufficiency ( p = 0.0001), increasing age ( p = 0.0035), symptomatic aneurysms ( p = 0.020), and extent II aneurysms ( p = 0.0001). These risk factors were used to construct an equation that estimates the probability of an adverse outcome for an individual patient. Conclusions . This new predictive model may assist in decisions regarding elective thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm operations. For patients who are acceptable candidates, contemporary surgical management provides favorable results.
Computations of Arbitrary Thin-Shell Vertical Cylinders in a Wave Field by a Hypersingular Integral-Equation Method

We present a numerical formulation and computational results for the hydrodynamic loads on bottom-mounted thin-shell vertical cylinders of arbitrary cross-sectional shapes, including open bodies. Such cylinders may undergo prescribed or free motion or may be subjected to a wave load. The formulation is based on linear theory and a hypersingular integral-equation results from sectional contours of zero thickness. The method reduces the fully three-dimensional problem into a number of two-dimensional ones in the horizontal plane and is therefore much faster than the usual boundary integral method used for water wave problems. This traditional method of solution is also known to become ill-conditioned as the body thickness decreases. As an example of the current method, radiation and diffraction loads are presented for the cases of a circular and square closed and opened cylinders with the effect of the increased opening size discussed at different frequencies. The free-surface elevation associated with this method of solution is presented for some cases as well.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Analysis of Nutritional Contents in Vegetable Soybeans

ABSTRACT In addition to oil and soyfoods, soybean [Glycine max L. (Merr.)] is also produced for vegetable use. The importance of consuming vegetable soybean for the prevention of chronic diseases is well documented. The objectives of this study were to determine the magnitude of genotype x year interactions (GYIs) for nutritional values, to estimate broad-sense heritability (h2 BS), and to identify genotypes that have stable nutritional values. Thirty-one soybean genotypes from maturity groups (MGs) III to VI were grown at Randolph Research Farm of Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia, during three years. The genotypes were harvested at immature green pod stage (R6-R7) and analyzed for nutritional values (lipid, protein, fatty acid profile, and carbohydrate). Significant (P < 0.01) differences among the genotypes were found for protein, ratio (18:1/18:2 + 18:3), and carbohydrate (CHO). The GYIs were also significant (P < 0.01) for all the seed traits analyzed, indicating that the performance of...
MICROELEMENTS IN CULTURE-SOLUTION EXPERIMENTS WITH HIGHER PLANTS

A PREVIOUS paper (Arnon, 1937) reported that, in a preliminary experiment, molybdenum, chromium, and nickel improved the growth of barley plants in a culture solution supplied with ammonium salts as the sole source of nitrogen. This finding suggested that these and other elements, if present in minute quantity, may favorably influence the growth of plants. It was deemed advisable to test this possibility by arranging a number of chemical elements in groups and by observing how the addition of a given group affects the growth of plants in culture solutions. This paper is a report on the observed responses from a group of elements not generally credited with a function in plant nutrition. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS. -Lettuce and asparagus plants were grown in a basic culture solution of the following composition: NH,H,PO4, 0.001 M; KNO3, .006 M; Ca(NO0)2, .004 M; MgSO4, 0.002 M. All the salts except the C.P.-grade ammonium phosphate were purified from heavy metals by a special technique developed in this laboratory-a method to be described by P. R. Stout and the author in a later publication. In making up culture solutions, distilled water was used throughout. An iron solution containing 0.5 per cent FeSO4 and 0.4 per cent tartaric acid was added thrice weekly at the rate of approximately 0.6 cc. per liter of culture solution. The number of iron applications was later reduced to one a week. Three supplementary solutions, each containing different elements in minute quantity, were prepared. These solutions were designated as A4, B7, and C13, respectively. In each case, the numeral following the capital letter indicates the number of elements supplied. The A4 solution furnished boron, manganese, zinc, and copper, the four generally accepted as indispensable for plant growth (review by Hoagland, 1937). The basic culture solution supplemented with the A4 solution therefore furnished the plant with a seemingly complete list of essential elements. One cc. of the A4 solution was used for each liter of culture solution (unless otherwise indicated), giving a concentration of 0.5 ppm. B, 0.5 ppm. Mn, 0.05 ppm. Zn, and 0.02 ppm. Cu. The composition of the A4 solution in grams in 1 liter of water was: H,BO., 2.86; MnCl,. 4H20, 1.81; ZnSO4.7H20, 0.222; CuSo4.5H20, 0.079. The supplementary solution designated B7 contained the following seven elements: molybdenum, vanadium, chromium, nickel, cobalt, tungsten, and
Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Geriatric Patients with Nocturia and Nursing Home Residents with Nighttime Incontinence

OBJECTIVES: To determine if nocturnal polyuria in geriatric patients with nocturia and nocturnal incontinence is associated with elevated plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Four nursing homes and two board and care facilities. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-four nursing home residents and 26 board and care residents with a mean age of 86. MEASUREMENTS: Daytime (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) and nighttime (7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) urine volumes of incontinent nursing home residents were measured over 3 days and 3 nights by reweighing preweighed adults diapers and toileting inserts emptied by research staff for the board and care group. Blood was drawn in the early morning (5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.) before subjects arose and in the evening after an hour of lying in bed (8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.), and plasma ANP levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Forty-nine (61%) of the subjects had nocturnal polyuria as defined by night/total urine volume ratios ≥ 50%. There was no significant difference between those with night/total ratios ≥ 50% versus <50% in plasma levels of ANP in the early morning (44.2 ± 33.3, median 35.7 pg/mL vs 40.9 ± 39.2, median 28.5; P = .36 by Mann Whitney U) or in the evening (43.4 ± 28.8, median 36.4 pg/mL vs 49.6 ± 53.1, median 34.4; P = .58). Nor was there any significant correlation between night/total urine volume ratio and morning or evening ANP levels (r = .01, P = .96 and r = .23, P = .31, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of geriatric patients with nocturia and nursing home residents with nighttime urinary incontinence, ANP levels were elevated, but increased nighttime urine production was not associated with higher levels. Because of the variability in ANP levels, our power to detect such an association was low, and we cannot draw any definitive conclusions. Although high plasma ANP levels are unlikely to be a primary cause of nocturia and nighttime incontinence, they may, when combined with other factors such as low antidiuretic hormone levels, sleep disorders, and low functional bladder capacity, contribute to these symptoms in some geriatric patients. J Am Geriatr Soc 47:1439–1444, 1999.
A hybrid electron beam-PN junction device

A hybrid active element employing an electron beam to control the output current of a semiconductor device will be described. Device is capable of large gains, fast response, and high output power.
Factors associated with the success of the implementation of statistical process control

Abstract Implementation of new technologies intended to improve the quality of manufactured products has been hindered by a lack of knowledge of appropriate practices to manage its introduction into the workplace. The present study was designed to identify specific management activities associated with successful implementation of Statistical Process Control (SPC). Hypotheses were tested regarding the effects on SPC implementations of higher management commitment, the structure of SPC training, the involvement of operatives in decision making about quality issues, and the salience of concerns about job security. SPC implementations in two samples of manufacturing departments ( N = 73 and 86) were investigated. After providing evidence of the construct validity of the implementation-success criterion, additional statistical tests indicated the importance of top management support for the implementation, the effectiveness of an inclusive approach to SPC training, the significance of relying on trainers who are organization members, and the salutary influence of frequent meetings to discuss quality problems.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy signatures of an RNA molecule: An aptamer that binds to αvβ3 integrin

Raman spectroscopy is a useful technique for identifying molecules by their unique vibrational signatures. Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) is capable of routinely amplifying the Raman signal by a factor of >107 through the use of a plasmon-generating substrate. This study investigated the SERS spectrum of Apt-αvβ3, an 85-base long RNA molecule generated specifically for binding to the αvβ3 integrin on cellular membranes. The Ag nanorod (AgNR) SERS substrate used in this study was fabricated using oblique angle deposition (OAD). Apt-αvβ3 at 4 μM concentration was imaged on a patterned multiwell AgNR SERS chip using a Renishaw Ramascope 2000 spectrometer with 2.3 mW power and 514 nm excitation wavelength. The majority of the peaks lie in the 800-1600 cm−1 range consistent with previously published RNA/DNA Raman spectra. Peaks corresponding to vibrational modes of guanine, cytosine, adenine and uracil can all be identified. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the AgNR SERS substrate in obtaining the Raman spectra of biological samples. Additionally, the unique Raman signature of Apt-αvβ3 was determined.
Congressional Candidates’ Use of YouTube in 2008: Its Frequency and Rationale

This study investigates the extent of Congressional candidates’ use of YouTube in 2008 and analyzes which candidates were more likely to adopt and use this tool. While 72 percent of the major party candidates for the Senate opened YouTube channels, only 28 percent of candidates for the House seats did so. A multivariate analysis of all major-party candidates for the House shows that better-financed candidates and those in competitive elections were more likely to become early adopters by opening a YouTube channel; open seat candidates were less likely than incumbents to open a channel. A multivariate analysis of how extensively candidates used YouTube revealed that incumbents and better-financed candidates posted more videos to their channels. Candidates from districts with a higher percentage of college graduates also were more likely to post videos. YouTube is best understood as a vehicle for disseminating campaign communications produced by or for traditional media, especially television, and not so much as a new technology tool. Separating adoption from implementation leads to some more nuanced and conceptually important interpretations of the findings in this and earlier studies, and underscores the need to attend to life cycle and technology specific attributes of new media in campaigns.
Universal Solutions for Incompressible Laminated Bodies

A theory of inhomogeneous simple bodies has been proposed recently by Noll [1] and Wang [2]. In this paper, we apply that theory to a class of inhomogeneous incompressible isotropic bodies, called laminated bodies. We obtain certain exact static and dynamic solutions for such bodies.
Phototoxicity mechanisms: chlorpromazine photosensitized damage to DNA and cell membranes.

Photosensitized damage to biological molecules is the initial process in phototoxic responses. It is now recognized that many phototoxic compounds can photosensitize damage to more than one type of biological substrate. The in vitro light-initiated reactions of phototoxic compounds with DNA, soluble proteins and membrane components can be classified by their molecular mechanisms: (1) those in which an excited state of the photo-toxic compound (or an unstable species derived from it) reacts directly with the biological substrate and (2) those in which a molecule derived from the phototoxic compound (a photoproduct or an activated oxygen species) reacts with the biological substrate. This paper describes the mechanisms by which chlorpromazine photosensitizes damage to membranes, protein and DNA and compares them to the mechanisms of photosensitization by psoralens, porphyrins, dyes, and other molecules.
On the current state of finite element methods and our ADINA endeavours

Abstract Some thoughts on present research and development activities for the advancement of solution capabilities of non-linear problems in mechanics are presented. Various difficulties that are encountered in the research and development of improved analysis capabilities are described. The objectives in our research and development work are given and the current major capabilities of the computer programs ADINA and ADINAT are briefly summarized.
Effects of adhesive thickness on Lamb wave generation and sensing using bonded PWASs

This paper presents an analytical model that simulates ultrasound generation and sensing in a slender structure using bonded piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS). To account for multi-mode ultrasound generation, both the longitudinal and flexural vibrations of the slender structure were considered. The effect of adhesive thickness on the ultrasound pitch-catch signals was investigated. The simulation results predict that there exists an optimal adhesive layer thickness for both ultrasound modes. Two types of experiments were carried out to validate the simulation predictions. Quantitative agreements between simulation and measurement results were achieved.
Prognostic significance of minimal residual disease detection and PML/RAR-α isoform type: long-term follow-up in acute promyelocytic leukemia

The t(15;17) translocation in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) yields a PML/RAR-alpha fusion messenger RNA species that can be detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification. Breakpoints within intron 3 of PML produce a short PML/RAR-alpha isoform, whereas breakpoints within intron 6 result in a longer form. Using RT-PCR, serial evaluations were performed on the bone marrow of 82 patients with APL (median follow-up, > 63 months) who received retinoic acid (RA) induction followed by postremission treatment with chemotherapy, RA, and biologic agents. Sixty-four patients attained a clinical complete remission and had at least 2 RT-PCR assays performed after completing therapy. Forty of 47 patients (85%) with newly diagnosed APL who were induced using RA had residual disease detectable by RT-PCR before additional therapy. After 3 cycles of consolidation therapy, residual disease was found in only 4 of 40 evaluable patients (10%). Among newly diagnosed patients who had 2 or more negative RT-PCR assays, only 3 of 41 (7%) had a relapse, whereas all 4 patients (100%) who had 2 or more positive results had a relapse. Among 63 newly diagnosed patients, those who expressed the short isoform appeared to have shorter disease-free and overall survival durations than patients who expressed the long isoform. These data indicate that 2 or more negative RT-PCR assays on bone marrow, performed at least 1 month apart after completing therapy, are strongly associated with long-term remissions. Conversely, a confirmed positive test is highly predictive of relapse.
Design of highly soluble extended pi-electron oligomers capable of supporting stabilized delocalized bipolaronic states for NLO applications

Several electroactive polymers, such as polyacetylene, polythlophene, poly (p-phenylene vinylene), and poly (2, 5-thienylene vinylene) have shown promise as NLO-active materials over the past few years. Extended conjugation pi-electron polymers, however, suffer from solubility and processability problems. Several recent experimental and theoretical studies have indicated that long conjugation sequences may not be necessary for enhanced (chi) (3) activity. During the past year we have utilized a suggestion of Wudl and coworkers and discovered that long, branched-chain alkyloxy groups can greatly enhance the solubility of various oligomers related to the above polymers. In this paper we present studies directed toward the incorporation of oligomeric subunits in formal copolymers and how stable bipolaronic charge states can be formed in NLO-active repeat units.