cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterizing Synaptic Vesicle Proteins Using Synaptosomal Fractions and Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

Cloning and characterization of synaptic vesicle proteins and their binding counterparts on the presynaptic plasma membrane have greatly advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the synaptic vesicle cycle and neurotransmitter release. This unit discusses multidisciplinary approaches to characterize proteins from synaptosome-enriched subcellular fractions and localize them within cultured neurons. The first approach regroups methods used to isolate synaptic vesicles from rat brain synaptosomal preparations, allowing for specific biochemical investigation of synaptic vesicle proteins. The second is a detailed procedure for pre-embedding immunogold staining and electron microscopic observation, which permits the morphological identification of proteins in individual vesicles at intact synapses. Additionally, this chapter proposes methods for light microscopic examination of hippocampal neurons. It includes procedures for embryonic and postnatal hippocampal neuron culture and describes an immunocytochemical staining protocol used to investigate synaptic vesicle protein localization with respect to other proteins or subcellular structures.
TNF influences chemokine expression of macrophages in vitro and that of CD11b+ cells in vivo during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Granulomas, focal accumulations of immune cells, form in the lung during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Chemokines, chemotactic cytokines, are logical candidates for inducing migration of T lymphocytes and monocytes to and within the lung. TNF influences chemokine expression in some models. TNF-deficient mice infected with M. tuberculosis are highly susceptible to disease, and granuloma formation is inhibited. Through in vitro assays, we demonstrate that neutralization of TNF in M. tuberculosis -infected macrophages led to a reduction in many inflammatory chemokines, such as C-C chemokine ligand 5, CXC ligand 9 (CXCL9), and CXCL10. In TNF-deficient mice, immune cells migrated to the lungs early after infection, but did not organize to form granulomas within the lung. Although chemokine expression, as measured in whole lung tissue, was not different, the expression of chemokines in the CD11b + subset of cells isolated ex vivo from the lungs of TNF-deficient mice had reduced expression of C-C chemokine ligand 5, CXCL9, and CXCL10 at early time points after TNF neutralization. Local expression of CXCR3-binding chemokines within the lungs, as determined by in situ hybridization, was also affected by TNF. Therefore, TNF affects the expression of chemokines by macrophages in vitro and CD11b + cells in vivo, which probably influences the local chemokine gradients and granuloma formation.
An exact algorithm to minimize mixed-radix exclusive sums of products for incompletely specified Boolean functions

An exact algorithm for the synthesis of mixed polarity exclusive sum of product (ESOP) expressions for arbitrary size incompletely specified Boolean functions is presented. For more than four input variables, this problem has not been solved yet. A decision function H is constructed for a Boolean function f that describes all possible ESOP solutions to f. The function H plays for the ESOP minimization problem a role analogous to that of the Petrick function for the minimization of the inclusive sum of product expression problem of classical logic. Each product of literals that satisfies the function H corresponds to one ESOP solution of f. The algorithms to create and solve function H are presented. >
Induced Dependence On The ALK Kinase Inhibitor Crizotinib In Formerly Sensitive Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Cells

Kinase inhibitors can be highly effective against cancers driven by specific oncogenic kinase proteins, but resistance usually develops after prolonged treatment. Target-dependent mechanisms, typically acquired second-site mutations that prevent drug binding, or target-independent mechanisms, such as downstream or parallel pathway activation, may mediate resistance. Prolonged exposure of kinase-dependent cell lines to inhibitors in vitro to select for resistant populations has identified clinically relevant resistance mechanisms against a number of inhibitors. ALK-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is an uncommon form of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) driven by the NPM-ALK fusion kinase, resulting from a t(2;5)(p23;q35) chromosomal rearrangement. ALK inhibitors developed for lung cancer, where a different ALK fusion (EML4-ALK) is found in 6% of cases, have shown promise clinically as a new treatment modality for ALK+ ALCL patients. In this study, we selected three NPM-ALK-dependent ALCL cell lines (Karpas-299, SUP-M2, and SU-DHL-1) for resistance to the ALK inhibitor crizotinib. All three lines initially were highly sensitive the drug (IC50 1 µM (Karpas-299CR1000). This line had greatly increased viability in crizotinib at concentrations up to 1 µM, compared to untreated cells, suggesting the drug actually maintained growth. Plated in 250 nM crizotinib, Karpas-299CR1000 grows rapidly, similar to the parent line growing in drug-free media. Plated in drug-free media, however, the line’s viability drops rapidly to zero and dies, similar to the parent line plated in 250 nM crizotinib. Therefore the drug that once shut off the signaling necessary for the cells’ survival, after prolonged exposure (>9 months), became necessary to maintain it in the sub-clonal population. Melanoma cells driven by BRAF-V600E selected for vemurafenib resistance had a similar phenotype in a recent report (Das Thakur, et al., 2013). These cells amplified mutant BRAF to overcome the inhibitor but came to require the drug to counteract BRAF over-activity with amplification beyond a certain point. Preliminarily, we find a similar effect of NPM-ALK amplification in Karpas-299CR1000 cells but are actively exploring mechanism. In sum, our study shows that long-term exposure of ALK+ ALCL cells to an ALK inhibitor may induce a resistant phenotype that comes to depend on drug presence to prevent over-activity of the mutant kinase. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Cataloging genetic diseases and mapping the genes on chromosomes

Over a period of more than twenty years, we have assembled a catalog of known genetic traits of man which exists as a computer database and is published in the form of a handbook every few years [1]. For the last few years, work has been in progress on a Human Genetics Knowledge Base, in collaboration with the National Library of Medicine.
Reprogramming of the transcriptional machinery in Xenopus oocytes by injection of mouse poly(A)+ RNA.

Abstract We have devised an assay for species-specific transcription factors for the mouse rRNA gene by exploiting the ability of Xenopus oocytes to transcribe injected DNA and translate mRNAs. When mouse rRNA genes are microinjected into Xenopus oocytes, they are not transcribed. We show here that transcription of mouse rRNA genes is supported when mouse mRNAs are injected before the transcription template is injected, indicating that the necessary transcription factors are translated in the oocyte and are available to transcribe an appropriate template. The use of this assay in cloning genes for transcription factors is discussed.
Monitoring of human brain functions in risk decision-making task by diffuse optical tomography using voxel-wise general linear model

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive imaging technique which measures the hemodynamic changes that reflect the brain activity. Diffuse optical tomography (DOT), a variant of fNIRS with multi-channel NIRS measurements, has demonstrated capability of three dimensional (3D) reconstructions of hemodynamic changes due to the brain activity. Conventional method of DOT image analysis to define the brain activation is based upon the paired t-test between two different states, such as resting-state versus task-state. However, it has limitation because the selection of activation and post-activation period is relatively subjective. General linear model (GLM) based analysis can overcome this limitation. In this study, we combine the 3D DOT image reconstruction with GLM-based analysis (i.e., voxel-wise GLM analysis) to investigate the brain activity that is associated with the risk-decision making process. Risk decision-making is an important cognitive process and thus is an essential topic in the field of neuroscience. The balloon analogue risk task (BART) is a valid experimental model and has been commonly used in behavioral measures to assess human risk taking action and tendency while facing risks. We have utilized the BART paradigm with a blocked design to investigate brain activations in the prefrontal and frontal cortical areas during decision-making. Voxel-wise GLM analysis was performed on 18human participants (10 males and 8females).In this work, we wish to demonstrate the feasibility of using voxel-wise GLM analysis to image and study cognitive functions in response to risk decision making by DOT. Results have shown significant changes in the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during the active choice mode and a different hemodynamic pattern between genders, which are in good agreements with published literatures in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and fNIRS studies.
Outcome After Orthotopic Cardiac Transplantation in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease

Background—Advances in surgical and medical management have greatly improved long-term survival rates in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). As these patients reach adulthood, myocardial dysfunction can occur, leading to cardiac transplantation. Methods and Results—We reviewed the pretransplantation and posttransplantation courses of 24 patients >18 years old (mean age, 26 years; range, 18 to 56 years) with CHD who received a transplant between January 1985 and September 1998. The relation between preoperative and perioperative risk factors for complications and death was assessed. Single ventricle was the pretransplantation diagnosis for 12 patients (50%), and d-transposition of the great vessels was the diagnosis for 4 patients (16%). Twenty-two patients had a mean of 2 previous operations. At cardiac transplantation, additional surgical procedures were required to correct extracardiac lesions in 18 patients (75%). Refractory heart failure was present in 22 patients, significant cyanosis was p...
Design, Realization and Evaluation of a Component-based, Compositional Network Simulation Environment

In this paper, we present a component-based network simulation environment that provides a systematic way to simulate, with high fidelity, protocol operations in a variety of target network architectures. We take a four-step approach to developing such a composable network simulation environment with reusable components. First, we lay a component-based software architecture, called the autonomous component architecture (ACA). Second, we propose a new real-time, process-driven simulation technique that fits naturally in ACA and simulates the real system realistically. Third, we devise a packet-based network simulation framework, called extensible internetworking framework (INET), on top of ACA. Fourth, we implement in Java both ACA and INET, and several representative suites of protocol components in a variety of network architectures. The resulting codes, along with a scripting framework, constitute a network simulation environment called J-Sim. By virtue of the many desirable features inherited from ACA, the J-Sim environment meets the flexibility, composability, reusability, extensibility and diagnosability requirements. The price J-Sim pays for the many desirable features is, however, the inter-component communication overhead. In this paper, we show (via experimentation) that this overhead is not significant (in the range of 0.2â0.6 μs), and J-Sim achieves better scalability than two other network simulators in the public domains, ns-2 and Scalable Simulation Framework Network Models (SSFNET), in terms of both the experiment setup time and the simulation completion time.
Life-cycle based government policies a survey

This paper examines how different Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) approaches, from full LCA’s to more qualitative LCA’s, are being used internationally in the development of government policies. Examples from 14 countries are provided for recent initiatives in various forms of policy which were developed to move national environmental policies toward the more life-cycle based programs. They indicate that a broader frame of reference is beginning to be used by those who write such policies. Discussion is also provided on the barriers that slow the adoption of life-cycle approaches in the development of government policies.
Additional evidence for the binding of calcium ions to elastin at neutral sites.

Previous studies have implicated carboxyl groups, sulphhydryl groups and amino groups as the sites for calcium binding in elastin. In this study, the concept was investigated that neutral co-ordinating sites in elastin may also provide calcium binding sites. Calcium binding to elastin was increased upon solvent changes which also effected conformational changes in the protein. In methanol-H2O mixtures calcium binding appeared to be independent of changes in pH and ionic strength. Of ten ions tested (Ca2+, Co2+, Na+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cr3+, Pb+2, K+, Rb+, and Mg2+), only calcium binding was significantly increased when methanol was added. It is proposed that neutral sites are important to the various relationships involving calcium and elastin and perhaps serve as nucleation centers in the calcification of the protein.
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: state of the art and future directions.

Current developments in the practice of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty concern increasing the safety of the procedure and reducing the incidence of lesion recurrence. Technical improvements and increased operator experience have greatly expanded the indications for the procedure. With experience, success in dilating proximal discrete lesions is now almost absolute. Old, calcified lesions and chronic total occlusions remain the barriers to total success. Careful case selection and expert anaesthesiology and surgical support are paramount in maintaining low complication rates. The largely unpredictable occurrence of acute vessel reclosure in approximately 2% of patients remains the major problem. This complication is usually the result of uncontrolled intimai dissection. These risks are considerably increased in patients with multivessel and diffuse disease and long lesions. Randomized trials are required to determine if such patients are best managed with bypass graft surgery. Early detection of less advanced coronary disease will ultimately lead to the most effective application of PTCA. Lesion recurrence mav be reduced, in part, by careful attention to achieving an optimal, initial arteriographic and haemodynamic result. Otherwise, the solution to restenosis will depend on the development of pharmacological agents which prevent the rapid regrowth of atheromatous plaque.
Beneficial Use of Thermal Effluent in Lobster Culture1

Comparative water quality analyses and rearing experiments were conducted to assess benefits and problems in using thermal effluent to culture the American lobster (Homarus americanus) from the egg to market size. Most of this research was conducted in a special laboratory developed in cooperation with the San Diego Gas & Electric Co. at the Encina Power Plant in Carlsbad, California. Separate studies supported by the Southern California Edison Co. were recently initiated at their Redondo Beach, California, generating station, in a similar laboratory supplied with both thermal effluent and ocean quality seawater. Parallel experiments are being conducted at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in electrically heated and ocean temperature water. Salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and concentrations of the heavy metals Cu, Zn, Cd, Co, Pb, Cr, and As were essentially the same in thermal effluent from the Encina Power Plant as in ocean water from the outer Agua Hedionda Lagoon and Scripps. Sensitive H. americanus larvae employed to test effluent water quality were cultured individually and in mass rearing systems at constant temperatures of 18.5 and 21.6 C. Larvae reared to Stage IV in Encina effluent and in water from the two ocean sources did not differ significantly in survival or size attained. Similar results were obtained for larvae and juveniles reared to Stage VIII over a 3–month period at 22.1 C. These results suggest that chemical toxicity may not be a problem in using thermal effluent from the Encina Power Plant. In other tests, juveniles were cultured individually and in mass rearing systems in effluent at varying temperatures (X=22 C) and in lagoon water at ambient temperature (X=19 C). The juveniles reared individually in effluent for 10 months had significantly higher survival and were 11.6% larger than those in lagoon water. Juveniles cultured in mass rearing systems for 6 months were 15.5% larger than those in lagoon water. These preliminary results indicate that thermal effluent may provide a useful and economical source of warm water for lobster culture.
Escaping Embarrassment: Face-work in the Rap Cipher:

How do individuals escape embarrassing moments in interaction? Drawing from ethnographic fieldwork, in-depth interviews, and video recordings of weekly street corner ciphers (impromptu rap sessions...
Quantum effects in an n-component vector model for structural phase transitions

The influence of quantum effects on the critical properties of an $n$-component vector model for structural phase transitions is explored. It is shown for $n=1,2, \mathrm{and} \ensuremath{\infty}$ that these effects can suppress the occurrence of a phase transition for all dimensions $d$. This turns out to be of particular relevance for systems where the classical transition temperature almost vanishes (${T}_{c}=0$ represents the displacive limit). We also discuss the critical properties at this limit for $n=\ensuremath{\infty}$ and show that the critical exponents change discontinously.
Analytic results for the gravitational lens statistics of singular isothermal spheres in general cosmologies

The natural cosmological distance for the analysis of gravitational lens statistics with a singular isothermal sphere model for the lens potential is the proper motion distance. By using the proper motion distance we derive analytic expressions for the cross-sections, averages of the image separations, and averages of the distances to the lens for both point-like and resolved sources that depend only on the total density of the cosmological model and the proper motion distance to the source. The ratio of the square of the mean image separation to the mean square image separation for the lenses in a survey is a robust measure of survey completeness
The Secreted G Protein of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Antagonizes Antibody-Mediated Restriction of Replication Involving Macrophages and Complement

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) G and F glycoproteins are the neutralization antigens, and G also is expressed in a soluble form (sG). Previously, sG was demonstrated to reduce the efficiency of RSV antibody-mediated neutralization by serving as an antigen decoy and to inhibit the antibody-mediated antiviral effects of Fc receptor-bearing leukocytes. The present study demonstrated that effective antibody-mediated restriction in vivo, and the evasion of this restriction by sG, involves pulmonary macrophages and complement, but not neutrophils.
Area-luminance effects and the visual evoked brain response

Psychophysical and electrophysiological studies report that luminance must be systematically increased as stimulus area is decreased if a constant response is to be elicited. The visual evoked brain response (VEBR) was recorded from three human subjects as a function of eight stimulus intensities for five different areas. The results indicate: (a) the amplitude of the B-C component of the VEBR increases in a linear fashion as a function of increases in log luminance, (b) there is a linear reciprocal relationship between the magnitude of log area and log luminance for targets up to 10 deg, and (c) substituting total number of receptors in an area for stimulus size results in receptor-luminance functions identical to the corresponding area-luminance function. Results are discussed in terms of neural summation.
HVDC Circuit Breaker Development and Field Tests

With the growth of direct current transmission, the need and scope of application for a high voltage direct current circuit breaker have increased. This paper reports on the development of two different dc breaker prototypes and full scale field tests of these breakers on the ±400-kV, 1360-km long Pacific DC Intertie.
Wandering narratives and wavering conclusions: Irreconciliation in Frances Burney's the wanderer and Walter Scott's waverley

(2001). Wandering narratives and wavering conclusions: Irreconciliation in Frances Burney's the wanderer and Walter Scott's waverley. European Romantic Review: Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 429-456.
Pattern‐Sensitive Epilepsy. II: Effects of Pattern Orientation and Hemifield Stimulation

The majority of pattern-sensitive epileptics described in the literature have responded mainly to veritical or near-vertical gratings. In this study, orientation selectivity was reexamined in two patients and the effects of hemifield stimulation are also reported. Prior studies of our subjects by Chatrian et al. (1970) revealed that Case 1 was sensitive to all orientations and that Case 2 was responsive to vertical or near-vertical gratings only. Upon reexamination, Case 1 was distinctly less sensitive to oblique orientations and Case 2 was slightly responsive to horizontal gratings. At the time of testing, Case 1 was clinically improved and Case 2 was acutely worse compared to their conditions during the 1970 studies. With low-contrast gratings, Case 1 responded only to vertical orientations. However, when presented with a checkerboard pattern, he responded only when the edges were diagonal and not when they were vertical and horizontal. Upper hemifield gratings were epileptogenic, whereas lower hemifield presentations were almost ineffective. Lateral hemifield presentation produced discharges mainly in the contralateral hemisphere. The results suggest that orientation selectivity is not a fixed property of the pattern-sensitive condition. Instead, it is apparently influenced by clinical status and pattern properties. The checkerboard results suggest that the epileptogenic feature of the pattern is its Fourier fundamental component rather than individual lines and edges. The hemifield results may indicate a functional difference between the upper and lower visual fields.
Cellular and Molecular Neurosurgery: Pathways from Concept to Reality-Part I: Target Disorders and Concept Approaches to Gene Therapy of the Central Nervous System

Recent advances in cellular and molecular biology and better understanding of genetic and biochemical bases of different central nervous system (CNS) disorders have made gene therapy of the CNS a realistic goal. Concept approaches for gene therapy of CNS disorders are reviewed and include the following: 1) gene replacement with a single normal allele to correct the inherited global neurodegenerative disorders, such as enzyme deficiencies; 2) brain repair to restore the function of a particular subset of cells that were lost because of a neurodegenerative process; 3) gene therapy of brain tumors; and 4) gene therapy of stroke. Techniques of viral vector-mediated CNS transfer of a therapeutic gene, transplantation of genetically modified cells, fetal embryonic implantation and/or implantation of genetically engineered neural progenitor cells, and production of a specific enzyme, neurotransmitter, and/or growth factor are discussed with respect to the therapeutic potential for global and localized CNS neurodegenerative disorders and stroke. Transfection of the CNS tumor cells with the drug susceptibility ("suicide") gene and/or "toxic" gene and antisense strategies and a concept of adoptive immunotherapy of brain tumors are also discussed. Other approaches, such as transfer of drug-resistant genes and monoclonal antibody gene transfer, are briefly discussed. In addition to summarizing current principles of gene therapy for several groups of CNS disorders, the issues that remain to be resolved in clinical reality, such as delivery of the genetic material and regulation of the cellular expression of the transgene, and the negatives associated with the concepts of gene therapy, such as transient gene expression, toxicity of viral proteins, drawbacks of antisense therapy, and the problem of immune response to the transfected protein, have been also identified.
Evaluation processes in young children's problem solving

Abstract Faced with a novel problem in which the probability of obtaining the correct final answer was 70%, even if by chance the student was just guessing, 2 out of 23 kindergartners and 18 out of 19 second graders generated an appropriate problem solving strategy. Most of the kindergartners shifted from one inappropriate strategy to another. In a second study, task conditions were changed so that an incorrect intermediate response always resulted in an incorrect final response, and consequently the probability of a chance correct final response was reduced to .45. In this study 23 out of 35 kindergartners generated an appropriate strategy.
Avalanche mechanism for atom loss near an atom-dimer Efimov resonance

An Efimov trimer near the atom-dimer threshold can increase the atom loss rate in ultracold trapped atoms through the avalanche mechanism proposed by Zaccanti et al. A three-body recombination event creates an energetic atom and dimer, whose subsequent elastic collisions produce additional atoms with sufficient energy to escape from the trapping potential. We use Monte Carlo methods to calculate the average number of atoms lost and the average heat generated by recombination events in both a Bose-Einstein condensate and a thermal gas. We take into account the energy-dependence of the cross sections and the spatial structure of the atom cloud. While the number of atoms lost in a recombination event can be much larger than the value 3, we find that the avalanche mechanism does not produce a narrow loss feature near the atom-dimer resonance.
Investigation of the Precipitation Behavior of Asphaltenes in the Presence of Naphthenic Acids Using Light Scattering and Molecular Modeling Techniques

A delay in the onset of flocculation is observed for asphaltenes in the presence of several naphthenic acids: methyl abietate, hydrogenated methyl abietate, 5β-cholanic acid, and 5β-cholanic acid-3-one. This flocculation behavior is monitored as a function of the added precipitant (n-heptane) to solutions of suspended asphaltenes and naphthenic acids in model solutions of toluene/n-heptane, using a combination of dynamic light scattering (DLS) and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic techniques. DLS and NIR show very good correlation in indentifying the onsets of flocculation, which varied among the series of naphthenic acids. Specific interaction energies and equilibrium intermolecular distances of asphaltenes and naphthenic acids are calculated using molecular mechanics. The results from molecular mechanics calculations support the experimental results of the titrations, and structure–property relationships are defined. Structure–property relationships are established for naphthenic acids, defining the rel...
Large-area phase-shift mask design

In previous work, Liu and Zakhor developed an algorithm for automated design of diffraction compensated phase-shift masks (PSM) in isolated small areas. In our current work we focus on devising an algorithm that performs optimization for larger mask areas up to 100 X 100 micrometers 2. We model Manhattan geometry masks using polygons composed of floating objects -- deformable edge segments and corner serifs. The model accommodates binary masks, alternating phase shift masks, and attenuated phase shift masks. With this underlying model, the positions of mask objects are optimized. Because of the simulation intensive nature of the optimization, we need an efficient intensity calculation method. To this end we employ mask function windowing approximation. We also use the fast Fourier transform (FFT) in changing to and from Fourier representations as necessary in the Hopkin's image intensity equations. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm in improving image intensity characteristics at the focus plane and at defocus for various examples of binary and phase-shift masks.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mantled Gneiss Domes in the Albion Range, Southern Idaho

The Albion Range, in southern Idaho east of the Antler orogenic belt and west of the Sevier orogenic belt, exposes a northeast-trending chain of four mantled gneiss domes. The Green Creek Complex (Precambrian [2.5 b.y.] gneiss and metasediments), which forms the cores of the domes, is unconformably overlain by the Paleozoic Dove Creek Group, consisting of sparsely fossiliferous metasediments approximately 22,000 feet thick. The basal quartzite and overlying schists, marbles, and thin quartzites are of probable Cambrian age. A massive quartzite and overlying schist and limestone may be Cambrian or Ordovician in age. Ordovician quartzite more than 7000 feet thick forms the middle part of the metasedimentary section, and this is overlain by massive pure dolomite, calcareous black schist, and quartzite of Ordovician through Mississippian(?) age. Devonian strata are thin or absent. At the top of the metasedimentary section are limestone, schist, and quartzite of the Pennsylvanian Oquirrh(?) Formation. Younger Paleozoic sandstone, limestone, and chert, and Triassic(?) shale occur in fault contact overlying the metasediments. Cenozoic sedimentary and volcanic rocks unconformably overlie the deformed older rocks. Metamorphic grade (greenschist and amphibolite facies) increases northwestward and downward in the area. Staurolite and kyanite occur in Cambrian rocks in the northern half of the range; cordierite, andalusite, and sillimanite occur in Precambrian rocks in the southern half of the range, but these may be due to Tertiary contact metamorphism. Deformation during Mesozoic metamorphism produced two fabric systems; locally a Precambrian metamorphic fabric survived the younger metamorphism. Early bedding foliation and northeast-trending, northwest-vergent folds and lineations predated rise of the domes. Northwest-trending folds and lineations with northeast and southwest vergence were produced during and after doming; over much of the western half of the range these structures destroyed all older fabrics. During the Oligocene (30 m.y.) a postkinematic adamellite stock—the Almo Pluton—and related granitic dikes were emplaced. Following emplacement of the pluton, uplift of the range accelerated to an average rate of .5 mm per year, bringing the gneiss domes to the surface from a depth of at least 10 km. The Albion Range is part of a belt of rocks along the western part of the Cordilleran miogeosyncline which was affected by high-grade regional metamorphism during the middle of the Mesozoic. The metamorphic rocks are part of the Cordilleran infrastructure, which can be traced from California into southern British Columbia and beyond.
Comparison of Direct Laryngoscopy and Video Laryngoscopy in Intubating a Mannequin: Should Video Laryngoscopy Be Available to Manage Airway Emergencies in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Office?

Purpose Video laryngoscopy (VL) is an innovation in tracheal intubation that could be beneficial in an emergency situation. However, the technique could be detrimental if it prolongs intubation performed by an inexperienced physician. The purpose of this study was to compare direct laryngoscopy (DL) with VL skill for oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) residents and practitioners to assess the practicality of recommending the inclusion of VL as a component of OMS emergency airway management. Materials and Methods To address the research purpose, the authors designed and implemented a randomized crossover study investigating the performance of OMS residents and practitioners to intubate a mannequin using DL versus VL. The predictor variables were the experience level of the participants and their ability to intubate with DL and with VL. The outcome variables were time to view cords, the Cormack-Lehane glottis view achieved, the time to intubate the mannequin, and the total time for performing laryngoscopy and intubation. Comparisons of laryngoscopy and intubation and resident and practitioner experiences were compared using Cox proportional hazards survival analysis. Results Data from 22 OMS residents and 26 practitioners were assessed. The comparison outcomes between DL and VL showed that the time to view cords was shorter for VL, the Cormack-Lehane glottis view was better for VL, the time to intubate was shorter for DL, and the total time between techniques was not statistically different. OMS practitioners showed better times than OMS residents and showed adeptness with VL that was comparable to DL. Conclusion The combined findings with OMS residents and practitioners showed comparable total intubating times between DL and VL, which is consistent with what has previously been reported with other medical colleagues.
Defect generation by argon implantation: microscopy characterization and electrical properties

In this work defects generated by argon implantation were studied both by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) inspections and by measurements of the defect electrical activity at the oxide-silicon interface and in the bulk. TEM analyses showed defects close to the surface for argon doses equal or larger than 1013cm-2, and stacking faults in the sample implanted with 1015 cm-2 dose. The maximum defect depth was about 50 nm. The generation lifetime was heavily degraded even with the lowest argon dose. Besides, positive charge and a relevant population of interface states were found to be related to argon implantation. In addition, DLTS revealed four deep levels starting with the samples implanted with 1013cm-2 argon dose. These levels evolve with increasing the argon dose and are located much deeper than the defects revealed by TEM, i.e. down to a few micron depth. The dependence of the signal amplitude on the filling pulse width was analyzed, and showed that all the observed levels are related to extended defects. Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of the implantation and annealing process indicate that argon atoms interact with implantation-induced defects and enhance the formation of extended defects. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Predictable Synchronization Mechanisms for Multiprocessor Real-Time Systems

Predictability is of paramount concern for hard real-time systems. In one approach to pre- dictability, every aspect of a real-time system and every primitive provided by the underlying operating system must be bounded and predictable in order to achieve overall predictability. In this paper, we describe several concurrency control synchronization mechanisms developed for a next generation multiprocessor real-time kernel, the Spring Kernel. The important features of these mechanisms include semaphore support for mutual exclusion with linear waiting and bounded resource usage, termed strong semaphores. Three, more efficient, strong semaphore solutions are proposed in this paper. Two of them are based on the main theorem of the paper, the deferred bus theorem. These two solutions can either be implemented in hardware or software. The third solution, a pure software solution, is an extension to the existing burns'' algorithm. A performance comparison and a complexity analysis in terms of time, space and bus traffic are presented.
Epoxy/acrylic simultaneous interpenetrating networks

Simultaneous interpenetrating networks were prepared by simultaneously synthesizing crosslinked epoxy and poly (n-butyl acrylate) polymers. A two-phase morphology emerged, with the dispersed rubber domains being of the order of 0.1–0.2 m in size. The actual dimensions of the dispersed phase, and the extent of molecular mixing between the two networks, depends on the relative rates of polymerization, or the gelation time. The minimum domain size and greatest molecular mixing occurs when the closest approach to simultaneity is attained. Spherical rather than elongated rubber domains yield the greatest toughening of the epoxy when the domains are smaller than optimum.
Order propagation near the percolation threshold

A new Monte Carlo method for studying bond percolation clusters is developed and used to identify new critical quantities associated with the percolation threshold. The bonds in each cluster are partitioned into three distinct connectivity classes, 'red' (singly connected backbone bonds), 'blue' (multiply connected backbone bonds) and 'yellow' (non-backbone bonds, often called dangling ends). Among the new cluster properties studied are the mean number of red bonds, a critical quantity diverging at p_c with exponent y_R approximately ≃ 1, and the length of the shortest connected path through the cluster which is critical with exponent y_(min)=1.35 ± 0.02. For all cluster properties studies, the authors also compute averages over only the largest clusters; the corresponding critical exponents are found to be significantly different from those obtained by averaging over clusters of all sizes.
A Lexical Approach to Study Computer Games and Game Play Experience via Online Reviews

This article proposes a revised lexical approach to understand characteristics of computer games and user experience in game play by analyzing online game reviews. The lexical approach was originally used by psychologists to study personality traits. It was based on a lexical hypothesis stating that personality traits are reflected in the adjectives people have been using to describe personality over a long time. A factor analysis was then conducted to identify the patterns of personality related adjectives (i.e., personality traits). The argument here is that game players have used natural languages to describe computer games and their experiences over time and that the most important characteristics of computer games and game play experience would be reflected in player language. Therefore, the traits of computer games and user experience during game play can be studied by examining the adjectives used by players in online reviews. Based on 696,801 reviews downloaded from three major game websites, the ...
The viability of Sphaeridiotrema pseudoglobulus (Digenea) eggs following cold water storage as a possible overwintering strategy

Sphaeridiotrema pseudoglobulus is a digenean parasite believed to be involved in a yearly fall die-off of ducks in Quebec, Canada. Hatching characteristics of eggs stored at 7°C for 0–28 weeks in the lab and following maintenance overwinter in a lake are described. The hatching success of eggs stored for 4–28 weeks remained constant (71–81 %) but slightly less than that observed in fresh eggs (90%). The hatching success of eggs kept overwinter under natural conditions did not differ from that of eggs stored an equivalent length of time in the lab at 7°C (74·7 and 75·8%, respectively). With the exception of fresh eggs (17·7 days), the mean hatch time of eggs steadily decreased with increased storage time (18·9 days following 4 weeks storage to 11·4 days at 28 weeks storage) due to a slow embryonation of the eggs at 7°C. Hatching characteristics of a subsample of eggs incubated at 10, 15 and 20°C were compared and the embryonation rate was found to increase with incubation temperature. The majority of eggs stored at 10°C embryonated but failed to hatch. When their incubation temperature was raised to 15°C, a further 46% hatched within the following week. The survivorship functions of miracidia hatching from eggs stored for 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks differed but the mean expected life-span of the miracidia did not decline with increasing storage time as expected. The results of these experiments are discussed in relation to the potential importance of overwintered eggs in the development of the infective pool of metacercariae.
A Mobile Positron Activation Detection System for Post–Proton Therapy Tumor Blood Flow Measurements

wire were recorded from 10 random patients (100 orthogonal films). Acute and late toxicities were assessed using the CTCAE criteria. Results: Averages of the set up variability summary statistics (median, and standard deviation across 10 treatments per patient) and the average of the maximum values for each measurement per patient are presented in the Table. Average of the per fraction maximum values across all measurements and across only scar related measurements per patient were 0.54 cm and 0.30 cm, respectively. Median follow-up was 7 months (range 0-36). No patient experienced a grade 3 toxicity or local recurrence. Cosmesis was good/excellent at 6 months in 27/28 patients with six months of follow-up. Median skin area included in all beams was 13 cm (standard deviation +/11). Median % heart receiving 5% of the prescription was 0%. Conclusions: Supine proton treatment using an APBI approach was reproducible. Interfraction variation demonstrates radial planning margins are adequate however, outliers occur over 10 fractions and films should be reviewed stringently and in real time. Multibeam proton APBI appears to have a low incidence of grade three acute toxicity. This technique is straightforward and could be utilized at any proton facility. Author Disclosure: E.A. Strom: A. Employee; UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. R.A. Amos: A. Employee; UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. S. Shaitelman: A. Employee; UT MDAnderson Cancer Center.M. Kerr: A. Employee; UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. K. Hoffman: A. Employee; UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. B.D. Smith: A. Employee; UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. M. Amin: A. Employee; UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. X. Wang: A. Employee; UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. F. Poenisch: A. Employee; UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. W.A. Woodward: A. Employee; UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Generalized transverse momentum distributions

Abstract Simple models are used to argue that distributions in generalized transverse momentum variables can be used to study various aspects of the transverse spatial structure in production processes and distinguish between competing inelastic mechanisms.
Denoising and Wavelet-Based Feature Extraction of MODIS Multi-Temporal Vegetation Signatures

Temporal vegetation signatures (i.e., vegetation indices as functions of time) generated using the MODIS imagery poses many challenges, primarily due to signal-to-noise-related issues. This article...
Preparation Of Moisture Resistant Polylmide Films By Plasma Treatment

Polyimides are an important class of polymeric materials used in microelectronics fabrication. These polymers could be used even more extensively if it were possible to improve their moisture resistance. We are using plasma processing techniques to modify the moisture resistance of polyimide films. Films are exposed to nitrogen trifluoride plasmas to introduce fluorine into the surface of the polyimide. Fluorination is monitored with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy. Water contact angle measurements are used to assess the hydrophobicity of the treated surfaces. Thus far, we have demonstrated that this plasma treatment is a good way of introducing fluorine into the polyimide surface, and that these treatments do enhance the hydrophobic nature of polyimide.
Results of a Ta2O5 sputter yield round robin

The ASTM E42.08 subcommittee on ion beam sputtering has sponsored a round robin to measure the sputter yield of anodic Ta2O5 films grown on tantalum. The purpose of this study was to compare the results from different laboratories and to test the suitability of this material as a standard for sputter yield measurements. Six different laboratories made 42 separate measurements of the sputter yield of Ta2O5 by determining the time to the Ta2O5/Ta interface during Auger depth profiles using 2 ke V Ar+ ions. The scatter of an individual set of measurements varied from 3 to 6% (except for one laboratory) while the means of the individual set of measurements varied about 10% from the average of all of the measurements. This result indicated the presence of systematic errors among the various laboratories. The possible sources of these errors are discussed.
Tricks in Plasmodium’s molecular repertoire – Escaping 3′UTR excision-based conditional silencing of the chloroquine resistance transporter gene

In the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the major determinant of chloroquine resistance, P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt), likely plays an essential role in asexual blood stages, thus precluding conventional gene targeting approaches. We attempted to conditionally silence the expression of its ortholog in Plasmodium berghei (pbcrt) through Flp recombinase-mediated excision of the 3'untranslated region (UTR) during mosquito passage. However, parasites maintained pbcrt expression despite 3'UTR excision. Characterisation of these pbcrt mRNAs, by 3'rapid amplification of cDNA ends, identified several replacement 3'UTR sequences. Our observations demonstrate the astounding genetic plasticity of this parasite when faced with the loss of an essential gene.
Single-shot measurement and tunnel-rate spectroscopy of a Si/SiGe few-electron quantum dot

We investigate the tunnel rates and energies of excited states of small numbers of electrons in a quantum dot fabricated in a Si/SiGe heterostructure. Tunnel rates for loading and unloading electrons are found to be strongly energy dependent, and they vary significantly between different excited states. We show that this phenomenon enables charge sensing measurements of the average electron occupation that are analogous to Coulomb diamonds. Excited-state energies can be read directly from the plot, and we develop a rate model that enables a quantitative understanding of the relative sizes of different electron tunnel rates.
Motion-induced blindness is influenced by global properties of the moving mask

Perceptual fluctuations experienced during motion-induced blindness (MIB) have been characterized as the result of a competition between representations of the moving mask and stationary (or slowly moving) targets (Bonneh, Cooperman, & Sagi, 2001). While there is evidence to support a local influence of the mask on target disappearance, what is not yet clear is whether the global properties of the mask can likewise impact disappearance. In the present study, we investigated the presence of a global effect of the mask on MIB by manipulating global motion properties of the mask while controlling its local motion properties surrounding the target. Results showed a significant impact of the global mask properties on the observed degree of disappearance. We also tested for a complementary local effect by comparing conditions in which we manipulated local mask properties while controlling global properties. This analysis did not yield evidence for a local effect, although this may have been due to our weaker ma...
In Situ Visualization of DNA Double-Strand Break Repair in Human Fibroblasts

A method was developed to examine DNA repair within the intact cell. Ultrasoft x-rays were used to induce DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in defined subnuclear volumes of human fibroblasts and DNA repair was visualized at those sites. The DSBs remained in a fixed position during the initial stages of DNA repair, and the DSB repair protein hMre11 migrated to the sites of damage within 30 minutes. In contrast, hRad51, a human RecA homolog, did not localize at sites of DNA damage, a finding consistent with the distinct roles of these proteins in DNA repair.