cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dexpanthenol Enemas in Ulcerative Colitis: A Pilot Study

Objective To test the hypothesis that topical administration of pantothenic acid, a precursor of coenzyme A, might result in increased tissue levels of coenzyme A, improvement of fatty acid oxidation, and amelioration of ulcer ative colitis. Material and Methods In an open-label pilot study, three patients with active left-sided ulcerative colitis received nightly enemas that contained 1,000 mg of dexpanthenol for 4 weeks. Before and after the study, patients submitted stool specimens for short-chain fatty acid analysis and urine collections for measurement of pantothenic acid and dicarboxylic acids; they also underwent flexible sigmoidoscopy for procurement of biopsy specimens for histologic examination and measurement of colonic coenzyme A activity. A clinical disease activity index and histologic disease activity index were used to assess response. Results Despite increases in urinary pantothenic acid, no significant changes were found in colonic tissue coenzyme A concentrations, fecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, or urinary dicarboxylic acid concentrations. Moreover, no significant changes in clinical or histologic disease activity were noted. Although stool frequency and rectal bleeding remained unchanged, all patients noted increased abdominal cramping, and one patient had an increased extent of disease. Results Despite increases in urinary pantothenic acid, no significant changes were found in colonic tissue coenzyme A concentrations, fecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, or urinary dicarboxylic acid concentrations. Moreover, no significant changes in clinical or histologic disease activity were noted. Although stool frequency and rectal bleeding remained unchanged, all patients noted increased abdominal cramping, and one patient had an increased extent of disease. Conclusion Topically administered dexpanthenol seems to be absorbed, but at the dose used in this study, it did not influence concentrations of co-Ionic coenzyme A activity, fecal short-chain fatty acids, or clinical response in patients with active left-sided ulcerative colitis.
Cryopreservation of Semen from Lake Sturgeon

Abstract Lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens, once abundant and the only species of sturgeon endemic to the North American Great Lakes, is now rare and threatened with extinction as a result of overfishing and habitat destruction. Sperm cryopreservation can be useful for preserving the genetic variability of local populations of lake sturgeon. In this study, we show the conditions of extended storage of unfertilized gametes and successful cryopreservation of lake sturgeon semen using methanol as a cryoprotectant. We demonstrate that unfertilized eggs can be transported for 8–12 h, provided that their initial quality is good. Our results indicate that cryopreservation of lake sturgeon milt caused increased damage to sperm DNA (measured by comet assay); however, some spermatozoa maintained their fertilizing ability. Fertilization with cryopreserved semen caused an 87% reduction in postthaw fertilization rates of prehatched larvae compared with control fertilizations with fresh semen.
Glutamate Metabolism in a Glutamate-producing Bacterium, Brevibacterium flavum

Brevibacterium flavum No. 2247 was found to grow with l-glutamate as the sole carbon and nitrogen source on an agar-plate medium when high concentrations of l-glutamate, FeSO4 and biotin were added to the medium. It grew on l-glutamate in liquid medium only when yeast extract or high concentrations of FeSO4 and glucose or organic acids of the tricarboxylic acid cycle were added to the medium. The growth on l-glutamate in liquid medium was also stimulated by high concentrations of l-glutamate, biotin and MgSO4, and inhibited by a high concentration of (NH4)2SO4.Aspartate aminotransferase (TA)- and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KD)-defective mutants did not grow on l-glutamate, and glutamate-utilizing revertants derived from these mutants recovered TA and KD activity, respectively, whereas glutamate dehydrogenase (GD)-defective mutants grew on l-glutamate. Washed cells of strain No. 2247 grown on glutamate decomposed the amino acid, whereas those grown on glucose did not. The degradation was observed only ...
Thermodynamics of molybdenum-nitrogen solid solutions

Abstract Recent measurements of the temperature and pressure variation of the equilibrium between N 2 -gas and N-Mo solid solutions extending up to 2700 K have been analyzed. It has been shown that the enthalpy of solution varies strongly with temperature above ~2100 K. This phenomenon has been attributed to the simultaneous occupation of both octahedral and tetrahedral sites in the metal lattice by nitrogen atoms. The relevance of this concept to the observation of non-linear Arrhenius plots for the diffusivity of the interstitial species in such systems is discussed.
Deep conservation of genes required for both Drosphila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans sleep includes a role for dopaminergic signaling.

Objectives Cross-species conservation of sleep-like behaviors predicts the presence of conserved molecular mechanisms underlying sleep. However, limited experimental evidence of conservation exists. Here, this prediction is tested directly. Measurements and results During lethargus, Caenorhabditis elegans spontaneously sleep in short bouts that are interspersed with bouts of spontaneous locomotion. We identified 26 genes required for Drosophila melanogaster sleep. Twenty orthologous C. elegans genes were selected based on similarity. Their effect on C. elegans sleep and arousal during the last larval lethargus was assessed. The 20 most similar genes altered both the quantity of sleep and arousal thresholds. In 18 cases, the direction of change was concordant with Drosophila studies published previously. Additionally, we delineated a conserved genetic pathway by which dopamine regulates sleep and arousal. In C. elegans neurons, G-alpha S, adenylyl cyclase, and protein kinase A act downstream of D1 dopamine receptors to regulate these behaviors. Finally, a quantitative analysis of genes examined herein revealed that C. elegans arousal thresholds were directly correlated with amount of sleep during lethargus. However, bout duration varies little and was not correlated with arousal thresholds. Conclusions The comprehensive analysis presented here suggests that conserved genes and pathways are required for sleep in invertebrates and, likely, across the entire animal kingdom. The genetic pathway delineated in this study implicates G-alpha S and previously known genes downstream of dopamine signaling in sleep. Quantitative analysis of various components of quiescence suggests that interdependent or identical cellular and molecular mechanisms are likely to regulate both arousal and sleep entry.
An enhanced microcomputer program for CNC mathematics with graphics

Abstract Solutions to CNC programming for part and cutter path description require the application of basic trigonometry and geometry. This task can be very tedious and take considerable time. The M.A.T.H. PACK is a micro-computer based program that solves and graphically displays mathematics associated with CNC machining. The program contains numerous enhancements over the original version to permit easy storage and manipulation of data. The original program was presented at the 7th Annual Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering in March of 1985.
The Rise and Fall of the Reds: The Reiterated Dilemma-Solving Process and the Life Course of Social Movements

This article explores the diachronic relationship between strategy choice and the life course of social movements. By proposing a model of reiterated strategy-making, the article articulates a path-dependent logic of dilemma-solving in social movements: Earlier strategic choices shape future strategic choices. Moreover, I distinguish contingent dilemmas from recurring dilemmas. Contingent dilemmas are those that only exist at particular points in time and recurring dilemmas are those that entangle the movement across time. In this model, I argue that a strategic choice not only produces future contingent dilemmas but also brings the recurring dilemma back to revisit the social movement. Using the Reds movement – an anticorruption movement in Taiwan – as the case, I illustrate the intertwined relationship between contingent and recurring dilemmas and how this relationship accounts for the life course of social movements.
Deficiency of carnitine palmitoyltransferase in transformed lymphoblasts from a patient having a deficiency of carnitine palmitoyltransferase in skeletal muscle

Summary Peripheral blood lymphocytes from a patient with a partial deficiency of carnitine palmitoyltransferase in skeletal muscle were isolated, transformed with Epstein-Barr virus and maintained in tissue culture. The patient's lymphoblasts have a partial deficiency of carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity representing 69 percent of that of control lymphoblasts. In mitochondria isolated from lymphoblast homogenates, kinetic studies reveal reduced activity in the patient's mitochondria which is particularly marked between 100–250 μM palmitoylCoA, representing 32 to 48 percent of the activity of controls. Lymphoblast mitochondria from the patient's father, who is clinically unaffected, have carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity which is intermediate between that of five normal subjects and the patient, suggesting that partial deficiency of carnitine palmitoyltransferase is an inherited metabolic disease.
Policy: Adaptations of avian flu virus are a cause for concern

Members of the US National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity explain its recommendations on the communication of experimental work on H5N1 influenza.
Aspects of the relationship between Panonychus ulmi (Koch) and Tetranychus McDanieli McGregor in Simple Ecosystems (Acarina: Tetranychidae)

ABSTRACT Observations on the effects of competition between Panonychus ulmi (Koch) and Tetranychus mcdanieli McGregor population development were studied on Red Delicious apple trees grown in a greenhouse. It was shown that competition for the utilization of common resources does exist between mixed populations. From infestation ratios ranging from 2:1 to 1:5, T. mcdanieli female counts were comparable on both leaf surfaces, whereas P. ulmi female counts were related to the initial T. mcdanieli release density. The interaction between host plant and both spider mite species and the propensity of T. mcdanieli females to emigrate is discussed in terms of their influence on the outward manifestations of competition under greenhouse conditions.
The nature of software design and its teaching: an exposition

Design plays a critical role in the software's quality and long-term success. Yet, software design, as a systematic process, is not sufficiently understood, and its practice in the real world is highly varied. As a result, teaching software design remains a challenge in terms of lacking widely recognized and accepted pedagogy and even learning materials. These factors have played a role in persistently poor student learning achievement. The article makes an attempt to discuss what software design is and explore what teaching of software design may mean and entail. It also reviews published pedagogical studies and reports, composes heuristic suggestions, and searches directions of future research.
Group shift to caution at the race track

Abstract Group and individual riskiness were compared on $2 “win” best at the race track. Using the standard pretest-posttest risk-shift design, group discussion to unanimous decision was found to produce a cautious shift in group bets.
A manual for content analysis of death constructs

Abstract This paper details a system for analyzing the content of constructs that persons employ to conceptualize situations involving death and dying. The development of the content coding manual is reviewed, and the interjudge reliability of the scoring system is presented. The paper outlines instructions for using the manual and discusses potential areas for its application.
3D sound imaging with head tracking

In Virtual Reality (VR) applications, an important measure of quality is the extent to which the user believes he is a part of (or immersed in) the virtual world which is being simulated. In this paper our focus is sound that is emanating from a source positioned in a particular 3D location in the real world. The ability to determine the 3D position of a sound source is called sound localization. A key element in localization is the Head Related Transfer Function (HTRF) and the associated impulse response. Here we use the U.C. Davis HTRF database along with a real-time DSP engine to implement the localization filters. By detecting the pose of the listener's head, the apparent position of a sound source relative to the listener is adjusted to accommodate the movement of the listener's head, thereby making the sound source appear to be at a fixed position in 3D space.
Positon expectation value and oscillator strength of a biased asymmetric quantum well

Abstract An asymmetric quantum well consisting of one narrow and one wide well separated by a thick barrier is investigated. We calculate the change in the position expectation values of an electron in the first three quasibound states of the structure as a biased voltage increases. The value in the first quasibound state, which is the ground state of the wide well, shifts toward the right wall of the well. It has been found earlier that for a certain applied voltage, the first and second states of this whole structure, which are actually the ground state of the narrow well and the first-excited state of the wide well, respectively, coincide to give rise to resonant tunneling. At this resonance voltage, we see that the most probable position to find an electron in the second and third quasibound states lies in the barrier separating the two wells. Furthermore, these two states interchange their identities, meaning that the ground state of the narrow well becomes the first-excited state of the wide well and vice versa. We also calculate the oscillator strengths for transitions from the ground state of the wide well to the ground state of the narrow well and the first-excited state of wide well, and from the ground state of the narrow well to the first-excited state of the wide well. A similar conclusion can be drawn regarding the interchange of identities between the second and third quasibound states of the structure from the changes in oscillator strengths as a function of applied voltage. The oscillator strength for the transition from the ground state of the narrow well to the first-excited state of the wide well peaks at the resonant voltage.
An Elite Theory of Political Consulting and Its Implications for U.S. House Election Competition

Does the hiring of political consultants make election races more competitive? If so, why? Most scholars of political consulting argue their expertise enhances competition; I argue that consultant reputation also boosts competition. Many political consultants are part of the Washington establishment, which notices their association with candidates. In particular, congressional candidates of the out party, especially challengers, have an incentive to hire the most reputable consultants to signal to political elites their viability. I demonstrate a positive empirical relationship between out-party candidates hiring top consultants (compared to less reputable ones) and how competitive their race is perceived by elites. These findings and theoretical insight provide a basis for understanding the high costs of political consultants and their impact on election outcomes.
Intermediate survival in neonates with aortic atresia: A multi-institutional study

Abstract Objective: Controversy persists with regard to the treatment of patients with aortic atresia. Staged reconstructive operations and primary transplantation have been advocated as treatment strategies, but in many instances no treatment is undertaken. A multi-institutional study was undertaken for the purpose of characterizing this challenging patient group, comparing the prevalence and outcomes of the various treatment strategies, and identifying potential predictors of success or failure with each. Methods and results: A total of 323 neonates with aortic atresia were entered into a 21-institution prospective, nonrandomized study between January 1, 1994, and January 1, 1997. Three protocols were used, nonexclusively in many institutions: (1) staged reconstructive surgery with initial palliation by a Norwood procedure and eventual Fontan operation, (2) heart transplantation as initial definitive therapy, and (3) nonsurgical management. Analysis was based on initial protocol assignment: staged reconstructive surgery in 253 patients, heart transplantation in 49 patients, and nonsurgical management in 21 patients. For all patients initially entered into the 2 surgical treatment protocols, survival at 1, 3, 12, 24, and 36 months after entry was 67%, 59%, 52%, 51%, and 50%, respectively. A multivariable analysis found incremental risk factors for death at any time after entry to be lower birth weight ( P = .04), associated noncardiac anomaly ( P = .007), and entry into the nonsurgical protocol ( P P = .03). Four institutions had higher survival statistics; 2 used a heart transplantation protocol and 2 used a staged reconstructive surgery protocol. For the 113 patients treated at these 4 institutions, survival at 1, 3, 12, 24, and 36 months after entry was 77%, 70%, 64%, 62%, and 61%, respectively. Survival among the 4 institutions was similar ( P = 0.1). Conclusions: Among patients with aortic atresia, other features of cardiac structure including aortic size, degree of left ventricular hypoplasia, and degree of mitral hypoplasia or atresia are not predictive of survival from 2 surgical protocols. The highest survival was achieved with either treatment strategy at institutions strongly committed to the use of one or the other surgical management protocol. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1998;116:417-31)
Symptomatic and disease-modifying therapy for the progressive ataxias.

Background: The progressive ataxias are a diverse group of neurologic diseases that share features of degeneration of the cerebellum and its inflow/outflow pathways but differ in etiology, course, and associated noncerebellar system involvement. Some will have treatable causes, but for most, the pathophysiology is incompletely known. Review Summary: Treatment strategies will include (1) definitive therapy when available, (2) symptomatic treatment and prevention of complications, and (3) rehabilitation and support resources. The physician will have to decide whether to introduce or approve the use of therapies based on as yet-unproven mechanisms or the use of complementary medicine approaches. Conclusions: There are as yet no drugs that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of the progressive ataxias and relatively few disease-modifying therapies, but symptomatic and rehabilitation interventions can greatly improve the quality of life of individuals with these disabling neurodegenerative disorders.
Prevention of yeast translocation across the gut by a single enteral feeding after burn injury.

Recently, burn injury has been shown to facilitate the ability of enteric Candida albicans (CA) to penetrate the gut epithelium and translocate to the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) during the first 24 hr after injury. Guinea pigs were given 3 x 1010 CA intragastrically before inflicting a 50% burn to determine if a single enteral feeding could affect CA translocation to the MLN. A bolus infusion (20 kcal/kg, 12 ml in volume) of liquid meal, consisting of 68% carbohydrate, 20% protein, and 12% lipid, was administered either at 3-hr or 12-hr postburn. Control groups received no food or a similar amount of saline by bolus infusion. All animals were allowed water ad libitum until 24-hr postburn when their MLN and intestinal segments were harvested for enumeration of viable CA. Blood was also collected for determination of serum IgG, C3, cortisol, and albumin. Compared to nonfeed animals, those with a single enteral feeding at 12-hr postburn had reduced numbers of CA translocating to the MLN (970 ± 220 vs 7,120...
E4orf1: a novel ligand that improves glucose disposal in cell culture

Reducing dietary fat intake and excess adiposity, the cornerstones of behavioral treatment of insulin resistance(IR), are marginally successful over the long term. Ad36, a human adenovirus, offers a template to improve IR, independent of dietary fat intake or adiposity. Ad36 increases cellular glucose uptake via a Ras-mediated activation of phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase(PI3K), and improves hyperglycemia in mice, despite a high-fat diet and without reducing adiposity. Ex-vivo studies suggest that Ad36 improves hyperglycemia in mice by increasing glucose uptake by adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, and by reducing hepatic glucose output. It is impractical to use Ad36 for therapeutic action. Instead, we investigated if the E4orf1 protein of Ad36, mediates its anti-hyperglycemic action. Such a candidate protein may offer an attractive template for therapeutic development. Experiment-1 determined that Ad36 ‘requires’ E4orf1 protein to up-regulate cellular glucose uptake. Ad36 significantly increased glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, which was abrogated by knocking down E4orf1 with siRNA. Experiment-2 identified E4orf1 as ‘sufficient’ to up-regulate glucose uptake. 3T3-L1 cells that inducibly express E4orf1, increased glucose uptake in an induction-dependent manner, compared to null vector control cells. E4orf1 up-regulated PI3K pathway and increased abundance of Ras–the obligatory molecule in Ad36-induced glucose uptake. Experiment-3: Signaling studies of cells transiently transfected with E4orf1 or a null vector, revealed that E4orf1 may activate Ras/PI3K pathway by binding to Drosophila discs-large(Dlg1) protein. E4orf1 activated total Ras and, particularly the H-Ras isoform. By mutating the PDZ domain binding motif(PBM) of E4orf1, Experiment-4 showed that E4orf1 requires its PBM to increase Ras activation or glucose uptake. Experiment-5: In-vitro, a transient transfection by E4orf1 significantly increased glucose uptake in preadipocytes, adipocytes, or myoblasts, and reduced glucose output by hepatocytes. Thus, the highly attractive anti-hyperglycemic effect of Ad36 is mirrored by E4orf1 protein, which may offer a novel ligand to develop anti-hyperglycemic drugs.
Infection of Kittens with Endamoeba histolytica by Direct Injection of Cultures into the Ileum.

In the course of experiments to test the relative pathogenicity for kittens of a number of strains of Endamoeba histolytica in culture, rectal injection proved unsatisfactory because of the small percentage of kittens which became infected. The technique of rectal injection was simply to withhold food on the day of injection, and inject the sediment from a rich culture by means of a rubber-tipped pipette which was inserted gently through the anus to a distance of about 3 inches. The kitten was then held head downward for a few minutes before being released. In one series the anus was sutured for 24 hours, without producing any better results. A preliminary enema, as used by Kessel1 was not given because of the desire to avoid even microscopic trauma as far as possible and to avoid early evacuation of the injected material.Feeding cysts by mouth produced no better results with the one strain with which the method was employed. This method was also impracticable because some strains did not form cysts in cu...
Townsend's First Ionization Coefficient in Nitrogen

Measurements of Townsend's first ionization coefficient, $\ensuremath{\alpha}$, have been made in nitrogen for values of $\frac{E}{p}$ from 24 to 82. The ionization coefficient $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ is the mean number of ionizations per cm in the field direction produced by electron collision. $E$ is the electric field strength measured in volts per cm and $p$ is the pressure in mm of mercury. Sodium azide was used as a nitrogen source in an effort to obtain pure nitrogen. Data were also taken in tank nitrogen and mass spectrographic analyses of gas from both sources were made. No impurities were detectable in the sodium-azide-produced gas, while the tank nitrogen was found to contain some contamination even after a purification process. Results at low values of $\frac{E}{p}$ differ considerably from previously reported data, while at high values the results agree very well with data obtained by Bowls. Values of $\frac{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{p}$ in tank nitrogen were found to be considerably lower at low $\frac{E}{p}$ than those found in gas produced from sodium azide, although at high values the difference was small. The effect of wall potential on $\frac{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{p}$ was investigated and was found to be unimportant over a range from 45% to 100% of anode potential.
Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: A Clinical and Research Update

Much has been learned since the International Psychogeriatric Association's initial consensus conference on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in 1996. In this introduction to the 1999 conference proceedings, I review what we have learned, identify some remaining gaps in the knowledge base, and describe new areas for research and program development.
A density functional study of sodalite: a new view on an old system

Abstract We have conducted a first principles calculation of sodalite (Na 8 Cl 2 Al 6 Si 6 O 24 ) to explore the structural properties of aluminosilicate frameworks. By isolating Al-poor and rich frameworks, with and without extra-framework ions, we show that framework interaction with extra-framework ions is not the origin of the so-called framework collapse – as previously believed. Instead, this collapse is a direct consequence of framework stresses resulting from aluminum substitution. We find that extra-framework ions play only a weak role in determining the structural configuration of sodalite – a new result that should apply to open zeolite structures in general.
Abstract 640: Human MutS homologue 4 (hMSH4) interacts with eIF3f and inhibits NHEJ-mediated DNA repair.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins participate in diverse cellular functions including DNA damage response and repair. As a member of the MMR family, hMSH4 plays an important role in meiotic recombination, likely through the formation of hMSH4-hMSH5 heterocomplex that interacts with homologous recombination DNA intermediate structures. It is known that hMSH4 is expressed in an array of somatic cells; however, its involvement in mitotic processes is poorly defined. We have identified a new hMSH4 interacting partner eIF3f, a protein that functions not only in translation but also in the regulation of apoptosis and tumorigenesis. Our studies have demonstrated that hMSH4-eIF3f interaction is mediated through the N-terminal regions of both proteins. The interaction with eIF3f stabilizes hMSH4 protein, which in turn sustains DNA double strand break (DSB)-induced γ-H2AX foci and compromises cell survival in response to ionizing radiation (IR). These effects could be attributed to the inhibition of NHEJ activity by hMSH4. Furthermore, hMSH4 reduces IR-induced AKT activation, thereby facilitating eIF3f-mediated bypass of S phase arrest, and ultimately promoting G2/M arrest in response to IR treatment. In short, this study revealed a potential role of hMSH4 in the maintenance of genomic stability through suppressing error-prone DSB repair. Citation Format: Xiling Wu, Yen-Lin Chu, Chengtao Her. Human MutS homologue 4 (hMSH4) interacts with eIF3f and inhibits NHEJ-mediated DNA repair. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 640. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-640
Telomere content correlates with stage and prognosis in breast cancer

Purpose To evaluate the hypothesis that telomere DNA content (TC) in breast tumor tissue correlates with TNM staging and prognosis.
Socialization for Childbearing

Provides a conceptual framework for studying socialization for childbearing and presents empirical findings regarding selected components of that framework. By exploring socialization about birth control family size the value of children and sex preferences for children the paper attempts to explicate some of the processes and content of socialization for childbearing. The data indicate that by the time a young woman is at risk of pregnancy she apparently has notions about the value of children appropriate family size and preferences for sex of offspring. While there is a moderate amount of mother-child communication about birth control the mothers own contraceptive behavior is generally not known to her children. However on the matter of family size young people are more well informed and accurate concerning the preferences of their mothers. Data derived from interviews with mothers and children from a stratified random sample of 163 families in Cincinnati (59% black). (Authors modified)
Compassion, Reason, and Moral Judgment

This paper will discuss the role of compassion in ethics in general and in healthcare ethics in particular. My thesis is that compassion:1) as Rousseau pointed out, is a natural trait common to all higher animals (human as well as nonhuman);2) can and does serve as one of the most important motivators and modulators of ethics in both theoretical and applied aspects;3) must be controlled by, and in turn control, reason if it is to serve its ethical as well as natural purposes; and4) as a natural trait has survival value and, by virtue of being a natural trait, cannot be an obligation although there may very well be an obligation to do all that is necessary to nurture and not crush this sentiment.
Response of Cottons to Chemical Treatments Part I: Fiber Mercerization and Urea Treatments 1:

In order to determine whether different cottons respond differently to identical chemi cal treatments, single fibers from six carefully selected cottons were subjected to four treatments under a te...
Design of microstrip bi-Yagi and microstrip quad-Yagi antenna arrays for WLAN and millimeter-wave applications

Two new antenna designs are presented that are extensions of the microstrip Yagi antenna array. Simple fabrication techniques that are inexpensive can be employed to realize these structures due to the placement of the feeding structure on the same layer as the antenna. These designs effectively increase the gain of quasi-endfire antennas while maintaining an acceptable F/B ratio. This design approach can be integrated with 3D modules that consist of embedded passives, filters, and MMICs to realize a wireless system-on-package (SOP) RF front end devices for ultrafast applications in WLAN (WiFi, WiMax) and millimeter-wave frequencies.
Histochemical and morphological studies on mammalian epidermal peridermal granules.

SUMMARY We performed morphological studies on the epidermal peridermal granules (PG) of newborn mice using histological, fluorescent and electron microscopic methods. PG appeared during the 17th to 18th day of foetal life, and remained in the outermost epidermal layers until 5 days after birth. PG were evenly distributed over the entire cutaneous surface of the mouse, except the tail. PG were found to contain protein and corresponded to sites of transglutaminase activity, but they were devoid of lipids and nucleic acids. They could be differentiated clearly from keratohyalin granules. Together, these studies suggest that PG represent a unique epidermal protein product that serves as a marker of late foetal development.
Robust optimal control theory for selective vibrational excitation in molecules : a worst case analysis

Recent research has demonstrated that optimal electromagnetic fields capable of producing selective vibrational excitation in molecules can be designed employing linear quadratic control methods using a cost functional that balances the energy distribution in the molecule, the fluence of the optical field, and a final cost to insure the desired excitation. Practical computations of molecular control theory for large molecules especially with anharmonic potentials become difficult to obtain due to the increased dimensionality and the accompanying uncertainty in the Hamiltonian. In this paper we reduce the complexity of the problem by treating a portion of the molecule including the target and optical dipoles in full detail, while the remainder of the molecule is modeled as an external disturbance of bounded energy. The optimal control field now minimizes the cost functional which is simultaneously maximized with respect to the energy constrained external disturbance to assure robustness. This optimal design process is commensurate with taking the most pessimistic view of the disturbance. This conservative view was born out in the numerical calculations such that practical laboratory studies should reach results much improved over the worst case design. As an illustration we investigate disturbances of varying energy content for a truncated 20 atom molecular chain where the uncontrolled remainder of the chain is the source of the system disturbance. The sensitivity of the system with respect to the disturbance was found to be strongly dependent on the distance of the disturbance to the target bond and the dipole arrangement. In addition, in the range of physically reasonable disturbance energy the optimal field could be accurately predicted from an asymptotic expansion involving only the reference undisturbed case. Although the present paper takes advantage of linear system techniques, the same robust optimal control procedure can be generalized to nonlinear systems by a variety of means.
Possibilities for Atmospheric Aerosol Formation involving NH3

TRACE gases in the atmosphere, such as H2S and S02, NH3 and N02 and some organic trace gases, such as pinenes, are considered as “potentially” formers of aerosols and it is generally accepted that the atmospheric aerosol with particle sizes less than about 0.1 radius results from chemical reactions in the gas phase involving those gases. The exact mechanisms of aerosol formation are, however, still unclear. The fact that the ammonium ion NH4+ is a very common constituent of aerosols with particles of radius < 1 µm as well as of precipitation and dry deposition does confirm the participation of ammonia in the overall phase transition process.
Long Arithmetic Progressions in Sum‐Sets and the Number x‐Sum‐Free Sets

In this paper we obtain optimal bounds for the length of the longest arithmetic progression in various kinds of sum-sets. As an application, we derive a sharp estimate for the number of sets $A$ of residues modulo a prime $n$ such that no subsum of $A$ equals $x$ modulo $n$, where $x$ is a fixed residue modulo $n$.
Variation of forage and extractable soil minerals over two grazing seasons in North Florida

Abstract A two‐year experiment was conducted at a north Florida farm to evaluate the mineral status of bahiagrass forages and soils. Forage samples were collected every 28 d throughout the grazing season, and soils evaluated twice yearly. The minerals calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) were uniformly below the dietary requirements for growing beef cattle in both years. Forage magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), crude protein (CP), and manganese (Mn) were generally adequate throughout the grazing season, with the exception of low P concentration at the end of the growing season for both years. Extractable soil concentrations of Ca, P, K, Mg and Zn were adequate but low in Cu. Although CP was adequate (>7.0%) throughout the grazing season, IVOMD values were relatively low. There was a general trend for forage P, K, and IVOMD to decrease (P<0.05) with time.
Localization of the human frontal eye fields and motor hand area with transcranial magnetic stimulation and magnetic resonance imaging

We localized the neuroanatomical correlates for control of saccadic eye movements and for finger movements using a combined transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach. Two participants underwent TMS while performing an endogenous saccade task. The motor hand area was localized by TMS and the region anterior to it was mapped to identify the borders of a region where TMS produced delays in generating contralateral saccades. MRI scans were then obtained with fiducial markers placed over the motor hand area and 2 cm anterior to it, the common cortical region that produced saccadic delays in these two subjects. It was also shown that the structural anatomy of the hand area, physiologically defined by visible contractions of the contralateral hand following TMS, corresponded to the knob-like structure recently reported [18, 19]. These results demonstrate that TMS can be a precise, non-invasive tool for neuroanatomical mapping of cortical structures when combined with structural images of the brain.
Differences in the structure and dynamics of the apo- and palmitate-ligated forms of Aedes aegypti sterol carrier protein 2 (AeSCP-2).

Sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2) is a nonspecific lipid-binding protein expressed ubiquitously in most organisms. Knockdown of SCP-2 expression in mosquitoes has been shown to result in high mortality in developing adults and significantly lowered fertility. Thus, it is of interest to determine the structure of mosquito SCP-2 and to identify its mechanism of lipid binding. We report here high quality three-dimensional solution structures of SCP-2 from Aedes aegypti determined by NMR spectroscopy in its ligand-free state (AeSCP-2) and in complex with palmitate. Both structures have a similar mixed α/β fold consisting of a five-stranded β-sheet and four α-helices arranged on one side of the β-sheet. Ligand-free AeSCP-2 exhibited regions of structural heterogeneity, as evidenced by multiple two-dimensional 15N heteronuclear single-quantum coherence peaks for certain amino acids; this heterogeneity disappeared upon complex formation with palmitate. The binding of palmitate to AeSCP-2 was found to decrease the backbone mobility of the protein but not to alter its secondary structure. Complex formation is accompanied by chemical shift differences and a loss of mobility for residues in the loop between helix αI and strand βA. The structural differences between the αI and βA of the mosquito and the vertebrate SCP-2s may explain the differential specificity (insect versus vertebrate) of chemical inhibitors of the mosquito SCP-2.
High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography can assess microstructural and mechanical properties of human distal tibial bone.

High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) is a newly developed in vivo clinical imaging modality. It can assess the 3D microstructure of cortical and trabecular bone at the distal radius and tibia and is suitable as an input for microstructural finite element (µFE) analysis to evaluate bone's mechanical competence. In order for microstructural and image-based µFE analyses to become standard clinical tools, validation with a current gold standard, namely, high-resolution micro-computed tomography (µCT), is required. Microstructural measurements of 19 human cadaveric distal tibiae were performed for the registered HR-pQCT and µCT images, respectively. Next, whole bone stiffness, trabecular bone stiffness, and elastic moduli of cubic subvolumes of trabecular bone in both HR-pQCT and µCT images were determined by µFE analysis. The standard HR-pQCT patient protocol measurements, derived bone volume fraction (BV/TVd), trabecular number (Tb.N*), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp), and cortical thickness (Ct.Th), as well as the voxel-based direct measurements, BV/TV, Tb.N*, Tb.Th*, Tb.Sp*, Ct.Th, bone surface-to-volume ratio (BS/BV), structure model index (SMI), and connectivity density (Conn.D), correlated well with their respective gold standards, and both contributed to µFE-predicted mechanical properties in either single or multiple linear regressions. The mechanical measurements, although overestimated by HR-pQCT, correlated highly with their gold standards. Moreover, elastic moduli of cubic subvolumes of trabecular bone predicted whole bone or trabecular bone stiffness in distal tibia. We conclude that microstructural measurements and mechanical parameters of distal tibia can be efficiently derived from HR-pQCT images and provide additional information regarding bone fragility. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Articulated Mechanism Design and Kinematics for Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery Robot

Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has reduced the invasiveness of surgery by eliminating external incisions on the patient. With this type of procedure, recovery time is drastically shortened, cosmetics are improved, and infections and pain are greatly reduced. For NOTES procedures to be successfully performed, a flexible endoscope or similar instrument is important for passing orifice flexures. However, technological deficiencies like poor angulations of surgical instruments introduced through working channels in flexible endoscopes, the lack of scope fixation, and lack of scope stiffening are technological barriers which prevent NOTES from being widely accepted in human surgeries. A novel multifunctional robot with an articulated drive mechanism for NOTES has been developed. The steerable articulating drive mechanism is connected to the robotic end effector to guide the robot and navigate through a natural orifice. The design process for the articulating drive mechanism and engineering analysis are discussed in this paper. Workspace of the drive mechanism with and without a translational insertion degree of freedom is presented in detail. The kinematics of the drive mechanism is also discussed. Additionally, friction in the spherical joints of the drive mechanism is explored to characterize its influence on the overall shape achieved by the articulation, including the effects of varying the total length in the steering mechanism. The surgeon control console for the drive mechanism is briefly discussed as well. Bench-top testing results are presented as proof of feasibility of the design.© 2011 ASME
A Forecast of the Future of American Railroads

Introduction: the alarmist and the fatalist attitude; the problems to be solved, 364. — I. Transportation Technique; how recent its great advances, 365. — Motor-truck possibilities, 368. — Centralized generation of power, 371. — II. Terminals, 371. — Unitary control inevitable, 374. — III. Consolidations, 375. — Future of the Transportation Act in this regard uncertain, 376. — Public advantage of consolidation, 377. — IV. Ownership and Control, 378. — Financial difficulties arising from the legal limitation of return, 380. — Possible eventual outcome: a few great corporations, mixed directorates, 382.
Outcome of angioplasty for atherosclerotic intracranial stenosis.

Background and Purpose—We sought to assess the long-term outcome and efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the treatment of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses. Methods—Twenty-three patients with fixed symptomatic intracranial stenoses were treated over a 5-year period with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Patients who underwent successful angioplasty were followed up for 16 to 74 months (mean, 35.4 months). Results—An angioplasty that resulted in decreased stenosis was performed in 21 of 23 patients (91.3%). In 1 case a stenosis could not be safely crossed, and in another balloon dilatation resulted in vessel rupture. This vessel rupture resulted in the 1 periprocedural death in the series. In follow-up there was 1 stroke in the same vascular territory as the angioplasty and 2 strokes in the series overall. This yielded an annual stroke rate of 3.2% for strokes in the territory appropriate to the site of angioplasty. Conclusions—Intracranial angioplasty can be performed...
A discussion on electrically small antennas loaded with high permittivity and permeability materials

Electrically small antennas have remained a significant topic of interest for a number of applications, particularly low frequency systems and wireless networks requiring small devices. As is well-known, there are a number of techniques whereby an electrically small antenna can be efficiently matched to a 50Ω system impedance. Ultimately, the primary design challenge is achieving as wide an efficient operating bandwidth as possible, within the constraints of manufacturing tolerance issues and de-tuning effects resulting from the surrounding operating environment. One common size reduction technique is the utilization of dielectric materials to capacitively load the antenna structure. In this paper, which is intended to be mostly a tutorial discussion, we focus on loss and bandwidth issues associated with material loading an antenna using high permittivity and/or high permeability materials. We particularly focus on how these materials impact overall efficiency and discuss the relationship between conductor and material losses within an impedance matched electrically small antenna.
SPECTRUM AND PREVALENCE OF CARDIAC RYANODINE RECEPTOR (RYR2) AND KIR2.1 (KCNJ2) MUTATIONS IN PATIENTS REFERRED FOR FAMILION® CATECHOLAMINERGIC POLYMORPHIC VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA (CPVT) GENETIC TESTING

Cardiac ryanodine receptor (RYR2) and Kir2.1 (KCNJ2) mutations are a cause of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), a lethal cardiac channelopathy. Here, we describe mutations in RYR2 and KCNJ2 in patients referred for FAMILION CPVT genetic testing. Sequence analysis of 38
Interactions of amiloride and small monovalent cations with the epithelial sodium channel. Inferences about the nature of the channel pore

The voltage dependence of amiloride-induced inhibition of current flow through apical membrane sodium channels in toad urinary bladder was studied at different ionic conditions. The "inert" salt N-methyl-D-glucamine HCl (NMDG HCl) affected neither the apparent inhibition constant (Kl) for the amiloride-induced current inhibition nor the apparent fraction of the transmembrane voltage that falls between the mucosal solution and the amiloride-binding site (delta). When NMDG+ was replaced with Na+, Kl increased, reflecting amiloride-Na+ competition, whereas delta was unchanged. Similar results were obtained with another permeant cation, Li+. When NMDG+ was replaced by K+, an impermeant but channel-blocking cation, Kl increased whereas delta decreased. Similar results were obtained using another impermeant, channel-blocking cation guanidinium. The results are interpreted on the premise that Na+ and K+ compete with amiloride by binding to cation binding sites within the channel lumen such that ion occupancy of these sites vary with voltage. Occupancy by K+, which cannot traverse the channel, will increase as the mucosal solution becomes positive, relative to the serosal solution. Occupancy by Na+, which can traverse the channel, is comparatively voltage independent. Ion movement through the channels was simulated using discrete-state kinetic models. Two types of models could describe the shape of the current-voltage relationship and the voltage dependence of the amiloride-induced channel block. One model had a single ion-binding site with a broad energy barrier at the inner (cytoplasmic) side of the site. The other model had two binding sites separated from each other and from the aqueous solutions by sharp energy barriers.