cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subpicosecond Fluorescence Spectra of Tryptophan in Water

A femtosecond ultraviolet fluorescence spectrophotofluorometer has been exploited for the study of tryptophan and analogues. Using a time resolution better than 300 fs, time-resolved emission spectra have been constructed for TRP in water. They reveal an initial spectrum shifted 4900 cm-1 from the putative 0−0 band at 295 nm, along with a picosecond relaxation to a spectrum 412 cm-1 lower and 322 cm-1 wider. The time constant of this “solvent relaxation” of tryptophan in water was ∼1.2 ps, as expected for forced diffusive reorientation of nearby solvent molecules upon excitation. Emission anisotropy measurements on the same time scale, obtained at a wide range of excitation and emission wavelengths, yielded “r0” (apparent initial anisotropies) compatible with classical measurements in glassy solvents and single-exponential anisotropy decay. This implies that any state conversion must occur well within the impulse response of our instrument; eg., τIC < 300 fs. Even upon “red edge” (301 nm) excitation, the ...
A Numerical Study of Wind- and Thermal-Forcing Effects on the Ocean Circulation off Western Australia

Abstract A high-resolution, multilevel, primitive equation model is initialized with climatological data to investigate the combined effects of wind and thermal forcing on the ocean circulation off Western Australia during the austral fall and winter, corresponding to the period of strongest flow for the anomalous Leeuwin Current. This process-oriented study builds on previous modeling studies, which have elucidated the role of thermal forcing in the generation of the Leeuwin Current and eddies, by including the additional effects of wind forcing for the eastern boundary current region off Western Australia. The ocean circulation is generated by the model using a combination of density forcing from the climatological Indian Ocean thermal structure, the influx of warm low-salinity waters from the North West (NW) Shelf, and the climatological wind stress. In the first experiment (case 1), forcing by the Indian Ocean and wind stress are imposed, while in the second experiment (case 2), the additional effects...
The CKD Enigma with Misleading Statistics and Myths about CKD, and Conflicting ESRD and Death Rates in the Literature: Results of a 2008 US Population-Based Cross-Sectional CKD Outcomes Analysis

The just released (August 2012) US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) report on chronic kidney disease (CKD) screening concluded that we know surprisingly little about whether screening adults with no signs or symptoms of CKD will improve health outcomes and that clinicians and patients deserve better information on CKD. The implications of the recently introduced CKD staging paradigm versus long-term renal outcomes remain uncertain. Furthermore, the natural history of CKD remains unclear. We completed a comparison of US population-wide CKD to projected annual incidence of end stage renal disease (ESRD) for 2008 based on current evidence in the literature . Projections for new ESRD resulted in an estimated 840,000 new ESRD cases in 2008, whereas the actual reported new ESRD incidence in 2008, according to the 2010 USRDS Annual Data Report, was in fact only 112,476, a gross overestimation by about 650%. We conclude that we as nephrologists in particular, and physicians in general, still do not underst...
The Exegetical Background of the "Ambiguity of Death" in the Wisdom of Solomon

L'A. traite du Livre de la Sagesse (Sagesse de Salomon) plus particulierement de sa comprehension de la mort en recourant aux traditions exegetiques sur la creation de l'homme dans le livre de la Genese preservees par Philon dans son oeuvre sur ce livre. Ces traditions propres au judaisme hellenistique ont influence le redacteur de la Sagesse de Salomon et sa vue sur la mort spirituelle.
Darunavir: a nonpeptidic antiretroviral protease inhibitor.

Background: Protease inhibitors were a major therapeutic breakthrough in the mid-1990s for the treatment of HIV infection, which resulted in improved life expectancy for patients who had failed previous therapies. With time and evolution of the virus, however, there is a new population of patients with treatment-resistant disease and few treatment options. Darunavir is a synthetic nonpeptidic analogue of amprenavir with enhanced activity against resistant virus that became available in 2006. Objectives: The purpose of this review was to describe the clinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, and clinical efficacy of darunavir. Also discussed are the published clinical experience with darunavir, its adverse events, drug interactions, pharmacoeconomics, and dosing and administration. Methods: A MEDLINE and EMBASE search (English-language only) was performed from January 1996 through April 2007 using the key words darunavir and TMC114. Abstracts from relevant scientific meetings were searched for the years 2000 through 2007. Additionally, the US Food and Drug Administration Web site was accessed to review the new drug application summary and data presented therein. Results: Darunavir was found to maintain antiretroviral activity against HIV with protease inhibitor mutations in 6 studies. Clinical efficacy and safety data are limited to 4 controlled and 2 uncontrolled trials. In 2 large Phase IIb clinical studies, viral suppression at 48 weeks to undetectable levels in heavily pretreated patients was achieved in 45% of patients compared with 10% of patients in the control group (P < 0.001). The addition of enfuvirtide enhanced this response rate to 58% compared with 11% of the patients who did not receive enfuvirtide (P < 0.001). Gastrointestinal symptoms, nausea, and headache were the most commonly reported events. Conclusions: Darunavir has improved activity against resistant HIV isolates in patients with few treatment choices, particularly when enfuvirtide is added. The safety profile of darunavir is comparable to other protease inhibitors based on early data. (Clin Ther. 2007;29:1559-1576) Copyright © 2007 Excerpta Medica, Inc.
Vision Algorithm For Finding Holes

Usually, to find a hole in an image, its shape must he known and corrections made to account for perspective distortion or hole surface orientation. Not so with this algorithm. As a heuristic vision algorithm, this hole finder seeks edge patterns which correspond to holes -- any promising holes. The algorithm uses neighborhood operators applied in both horizontal and vertical strips to locate the hole centers. The power of the heuristic approach lies in the fact that these algorithms can be uninformed about the nature of the part itself. Yet, a robot can be directed to pick up the part using the hole to grasp it.
A GROUP FINDING ALGORITHM FOR MULTIDIMENSIONAL DATA SETS

We describe a density-based hierarchical group finding algorithm capable of identifying structures and substructures of any shape and density in multidimensional data sets where each dimension can be a numeric attribute with arbitrary measurement scale. This has applications in a wide variety of fields from finding structures in galaxy redshift surveys, to identifying halos and subhalos in N-body simulations and group finding in Local Group chemodynamical data sets. In general, clustering schemes require an a priori definition of a metric (a non-negative function that gives the distance between two points in a space) and the quality of clustering depends upon this choice. The general practice is to use a constant global metric which is optimal only if the clusters in the data are self-similar. For complex data configurations even the most finely tuned constant global metric turns out to be suboptimal. Moreover, the correct choice of metric also becomes increasingly important as the number of dimensions increase. To address these problems, we present an entropy-based binary space partitioning algorithm which uses a locally adaptive metric for each data point. The metric is employed to calculate the density at each point and a list of its nearest neighbors, and this information is then used to form a hierarchy of groups. Finally, the ratio of maximum to minimum density of points in a group is used to estimate the significance of the groups. Setting a threshold on this significance can effectively screen out groups arising due to Poisson noise and helps organize the groups into meaningful clusters. For a data set of N points, the algorithm requires only O(N) space and O(N(log N)3) time which makes it ideally suitable for analyzing large data sets. As an example, we apply the algorithm to identify structures in a simulated stellar halo using the full six-dimensional phase space coordinates.
A Green's function method for heavy ion beam transport

The use of Green's function has played a fundamental role in transport calculations for high-charge high-energy (HZE) ions. Two recent developments have greatly advanced the practical aspects of implementation of these methods. The first was the formulation of a closedform solution as a multiple fragmentation perturbation series. The second was the effective summation of the closedform solution through nonperturbative techniques. The nonperturbative methods have been recently extended to an inhomogeneous, two-layer transport media to simulate the lead scattering foil present in the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories (LBL) biomedical beam line used for cancer therapy. Such inhomogeneous codes are necessary for astronaut shielding in space. The transport codes utilize the Langley Research Center atomic and nuclear database. Transport code and database evaluation are performed by comparison with experiments performed at the LBL Bevalac facility using 670A MeV20Ne and 600A MeV56Fe ion beams. The comparison with a time-of-flight and ΔE detector measurement for the20Ne beam and the plastic nuclear track detectors for56Fe show agreement up to 35%–40% in water and aluminium targets, respectively.
Southern Military Interests in the Crimean War

When the Crimean War, which pitted Russia against Turkey, Britain, and France, erupted in the mid-nineteenth century, the Southern section (the states of the future Confederacy) of the United State...
Calcium-deprived rats sham-drink CaCl2 and NaCl.

Abstract Calcium-deprived rats are often thought to increase their calcium intake as a result of learning, but recent studies indicate that there is also an unlearned component to the appetite. They also ingest large amounts of some non-calcium minerals, including sodium. We examined the contribution of post-ingestive feedback to drinking using calcium-deprived and replete rats that could sham-drink CaCl 2 and NaCl. Rats fitted with gastric cannulae in order to allow ingested fluids to drain freely drank 0·3 M NaCl in six 1-h sessions with their cannulae open (sham), followed by two sessions with their cannulae closed. Their intake of 0·03 M CaCl 2 was then measured in a similar series of tests (six with cannula open followed by two with it closed). Ingestion of both NaCl and CaCl 2 was significantly greater in calcium-deprived than in replete subjects under both open and closed conditions. These differences reached significance within 15 min after the onset of drinking during the first test with NaCl, and within 5 min in subsequent tests. The differences in CaCl 2 intake generally reached significance within 5 min, including during the first test. Because there was minimal opportunity for post-ingestive NaCl or CaCl 2 to mediate learning, the results provide additional support that the appetite for CaCl 2 and NaCl in calcium-deprived rats can be driven solely by orosensory factors.
Comparison of Secretin-Stimulated Magnetic Resonance Pancreatography and Manometry Results in Patients with Suspected Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

Rationale and Objectives To measure main pancreatic duct diameter (PDD) with magnetic resonance pancreatography (MRP) before and after secretin injection in patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) and to determine if the diameter change is predictive of sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) results. Materials and Methods We identified all patients during the study period referred for SOM for clinically suspected SOD; patients with an intact sphincter and without contraindication to MRP examination were considered for study entry. Consenting patients underwent MRP, including dynamic imaging of the pancreatic duct after intravenous administration of porcine secretin followed by SOM during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. MRP was defined as abnormal when PDD remained increased by ≥1.0 mm from baseline 15 minutes after secretin injection. SOM was abnormal when basal sphincter pressure (SP) was ≥40 mm Hg. Mean PDD before and after secretin administration was compared within normal and abnormal SP groups with two-tailed unpaired t -test; the mean difference between baseline and peak PDD and duration of ≥0.5 mm increase in PDD was compared between groups with two-tailed t -test. P Results Of 70 patients referred for SOM, 30 met all entry criteria, gave consent to participate, and underwent both MRP and SOM. Ten of 30 patients (33%) had normal SP; 20 (67%) were abnormal. PDD increased significantly after secretin injection (normal SP, 1.62 ± 0.73 to 2.78 ± 0.77 mm, P P P = .33) or duration of ≥0.5 mm increase in PDD (5.28 ± 8.76 vs. 13.60 ± 13.00 minutes; P = 0.07). Conclusions In patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, magnetic resonance pancreatography demonstrated PDD increase following secretin injection but did not predict the results of manometry.
Immune-mediated muscle disease.

The immunopathogeneic mechanisms responsible for myasthenia gravis, polymyositis, masticatory myopathy, and dermatomyositis are discussed in light of their relevance to the clinical disease. Current thinking concerning these disorders is presented as a prelude to further research and greater understanding
Real-time ocean chemistry for improved biogeochemical observation in dynamic coastal environments

We describe a new ocean observation system that integrates mass spectroscopy, hydrographic instrumentation, and satellite imagery (SeaWIFS). We used a quadrupole ICP mass spectrometer at sea to acquire continuous trace element data during separate surveys of the Baja California coastal margin, and the San Diego Bay and coastal environment. There is evidence for extreme Ba depletion in surface waters off the Baja coast, which is the result of biological productivity and marine barite precipitation. The synoptic data are used to elucidate the biochemical mechanism of barium removal; to constrain the spatial and temporal boundaries over which the phenomenon occurs; and to quantify surface flux to sediments. Further systems application led to mapping of the distribution of a suite of biologically active trace metals (Mn, Ni, Zn, Cu, and Cd) in San Diego Bay, and the Bay signature was tracked in tidal plumes into the coastal ocean. The continuous data provided chemical gradients within the Bay, with which we estimate the contaminant metal flux that is discharged from the Bay into the coastal ocean during tidal pumping.
Work-function changes accompanying changes in composition of (100) surfaces of HfCx and TaCx☆

Using angle-resolved ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation, the absolute work functions of four (100) surfaces having estimated compositions TaC1.0, TaC0.5, HfC1.0, and HfC0.6 were determined to be 4.38, 4.73, 4.63, and 3.87 eV, respectively. The results are interpreted qualitatively by considering the work function as a sum of two terms, one which arises from the presence of a surface dipole layer and another which is associated with the Fermi level. The difference in work-function behavior (its increasing with carbon content x for HfCx but decreasing with x for TaCx) is shown to be associated with a difference in Fermi-level behavior.
Degree of fibrosis and hypertrophy predicts myocardial improvement in LVAD supported patients

sive hemodynamic recovery. If this also results in the abortion of the apoptotic machinery is not known. Methods: We studied apoptosis and its related cytokines in biopsies of 11 patients (5 DCM, 6 IHD) undergoing LVAD implantation as a bridge to transplantation and compared these with biopsies taken at the time of heart transplantation (mean assist time 207 133 days). Apoptosis was counted as the number of TUNEL positive nuclei per 10 calibrated grids at magnification 400 x. Immunohistochemistry was used with antibodies against TNF , TNF converting enzyme (TACE), TNF receptor 1 and 2 (TNFR1, TNFR2), Fas, FasL, Poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and its product PAR. PARP and PAR were scored with the following grading: 1 0-25%, 2 25-50%, 3 50-75% and 4 75-100%. Results:
How encompassing is the effect of negativity bias on political conservatism

We argue that the political effects of negativity bias are narrower than Hibbing et al. suggest. Negativity bias reliably predicts social, but not economic, conservatism, and its political effects often vary across levels of political engagement. Thus the role of negativity bias in broad ideological conflict depends on the strategic packaging of economic and social attitudes by political elites.
Copper Complexes with N-Alkylated NS2-Macrocyclic Ligands: Synthesis, Characterization, and Capabilities as Aziridination Precatalysts

The syntheses of two new ligands containing macrocyclic [10]-aneNS2 (1-aza-4,8-dithiacyclodecane) units are reported, including the N-methylated analogue (LMe) and a dinucleating version that separates two [10]-aneNS2 groups with a m-xylyl spacer (L2). Copper complexes with these new ligands as well as previously reported related complexes have been found to mediate the aziridination of olefins. Thus, isolated copper complexes containing the ethylnaphthyl-appended [10]-aneNS2 macrocyclic ligand (Lnap), including [LnapCu]PF6 (1) and [LnapCu(CH3CN)]PF6 (2), the Cu(I) complex [LMeCu(CH3CN)]PF6 (3), and the Cu(II) complex LMeCuBr2 (4), were compared in their ability to function as aziridination precatalysts. In addition, the aziridination capabilities were probed for complexes generated in situ from copper(I) ion sources and L2, 1,4,7-triazacyclononane, 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane, or 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane. The synthesis and characterization of the new complexes 3 and 4 are reported, including ...
Protein Kinase D Regulates Cell Death Pathways in Experimental Pancreatitis

Inflammation and acinar cell necrosis are two major pathological responses of acute pancreatitis, a serious disorder with no current therapies directed to its molecular pathogenesis. Serine/threonine protein kinase D family, which includes PKD/PKD1, PKD2, and PKD3, has been increasingly implicated in the regulation of multiple physiological and pathophysiological effects. We recently reported that PKD/PKD1, the predominant PKD isoform expressed in rat pancreatic acinar cells, mediates early events of pancreatitis including NF-κB activation and inappropriate intracellular digestive enzyme activation. In current studies, we investigated the role and mechanisms of PKD/PKD1 in the regulation of necrosis in pancreatic acinar cells by using two novel small molecule PKD inhibitors CID755673 and CRT0066101 and molecular approaches in in vitro and in vivo experimental models of acute pancreatitis. Our results demonstrated that both CID755673 and CRT0066101 are PKD-specific inhibitors and that PKD/PKD1 inhibition by either the chemical inhibitors or specific PKD/PKD1 siRNAs attenuated necrosis while promoting apoptosis induced by pathological doses of cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK) in pancreatic acinar cells. Conversely, up-regulation of PKD expression in pancreatic acinar cells increased necrosis and decreased apoptosis. We further showed that PKD/PKD1 regulated several key cell death signals including inhibitors of apoptotic proteins, caspases, receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 to promote necrosis. PKD/PKD1 inhibition by CID755673 significantly ameliorated necrosis and severity of pancreatitis in an in vivo experimental model of acute pancreatitis. Thus, our studies indicate that PKD/PKD1 is a key mediator of necrosis in acute pancreatitis and that PKD/PKD1 may represent a potential therapeutic target in acute pancreatitis.
Realistic equivalent-photon yields in heavy-ion collisions.

Heavy-ion collisions are a potentially prolific source of {gamma}{gamma} collisions at very-high-energy colliders. However, their utility is limited to events in which the nuclei miss each other. The Weizsaecker-Williams approximation in impact-parameter space is used to evaluate the consequent reduction in photon flux below that obtained by including the effect of the size of the nucleus only through the elastic form factor. The effective luminosity ({tau}/{ital Z}{sup 4}){ital dL-script}/{ital d}{tau} is shown for all relevant circumstances to be a function of the single variable {ital z}={ital mR}/{gamma}, where {ital m} is the mass of the created system, {ital R} is the nuclear radius, and {gamma} is the center-of-mass-system Lorentz factor of each nucleus. A graph and a simple parametrization are given of ({tau}/{ital L-script}{sub 0}){ital dL-script}/{ital d}{tau} as a function of {ital z}. The effective cross section for production of a Higgs boson with a mass of 100 (150) GeV using Pb-Pb-generated {gamma}{gamma} collisions is reduced by a factor of roughly 1/2.4 (1/3) at the Superconducting Super Collider and a factor of 1/4.6 (1/7) at the CERN Large Hadron Collider by the exclusion of events in which the nuclei collide.
Susceptibility of Caenorhabditis elegans to Burkholderia Infection Depends on Prior Diet and Secreted Bacterial Attractants

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans may be killed by certain pathogenic bacteria and thus is a model organism for studying interactions between bacteria and animal hosts. However, growing nematodes on prey bacteria may influence their susceptibility to potential pathogens. A method of axenic nematode culture was developed to isolate and quantify interactions between C. elegans and potentially pathogenic strains of the Burkholderia cepacia complex. Studying these dynamics in liquid solution rather than on agar surfaces minimized nematode avoidance behavior and resolved more differences among isolates. Most isolates of B. cenocepacia, B. ambifaria and B. cepacia caused 60–80% mortality of nematodes after 7 days, whereas isolates of B. multivorans caused less mortality (<25%) and supported nematode reproduction. However, some B. cenocepacia isolates recovered from chronic infections were much less virulent (5–28% mortality). As predicted, prior diet altered the outcome of interactions between nematodes and bacteria. When given the choice between Burkholderia and E. coli as prey on agar, axenically raised nematodes initially preferred most lethal Burkholderia isolates to E. coli as a food source, but this was not the case for nematodes fed E. coli, which avoided toxic Burkholderia. This food preference was associated with the cell-free supernatant and thus secreted compounds likely mediated bacterial-nematode interactions. This model, which isolates interactions between bacteria and nematodes from the effects of prior feeding, demonstrates that bacteria can influence nematode behavior and their susceptibility to pathogens.
Structural Determination of the Symmetry-Breaking Parameter in trans-(CH) x

The magnitude of the symmetry-breaking dimerization distortion has been determined by analysis of x-ray scattering data from trans-${(\mathrm{CH})}_{x}$ ${u}_{0}\ensuremath{\simeq}0.03$ \AA{}.This distortion can account for the magnitude of the energy gap, implying that electron-electron interactions do not dominate the physics of long-chain polyenes.
Lipid droplet binding and oligomerization properties of the Parkinson's disease protein α-synuclein

α-Synuclein is a major component of the fibrillary lesion known as Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites that are the pathologic hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD). In addition, point mutations in the α-synuclein gene imply α-synuclein dysfunction in the pathology of inherited forms of PD. α-Synuclein is a member of a family of proteins found primarily in the brain and is concentrated within presynaptic terminals. Here, we address the localization and membrane binding characteristics of wild type and PD mutants of α-synuclein in cultured cells. In cells treated with high concentrations of fatty acids, wild type α-synuclein accumulated on phospholipid monolayers surrounding triglyceride-rich lipid droplets and was able to protect stored triglycerides from hydrolysis. PD mutant synucleins showed variable distributions on lipid droplets and were less effective in regulating triglyceride turnover. Chemical cross-linking demonstrated that synuclein formed small oligomers within cells, primarily dimers and trimers, that preferentially associated with lipid droplets and cell membranes. Our results suggest that the initial phases of synuclein aggregation may occur on the surfaces of membranes and that pathological conditions that induce cross-linking of synuclein may enhance the propensity for subsequent synuclein aggregation.
Serum beta-2 microglobulin levels in homosexual men with AIDS and with persistent, generalized lymphadenopathy.

In order to investigate the nature of the immune disorders associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the AIDS-related condition of persistent, generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL), serum beta-2 microglobulin &-M) levels were determined in patients with AIDS and PGL and in asymptomatic homosexual and heterosexual controls. Sixteen of 20 (80%) patients with AIDS exhibited elevated 8,-M levels. In contrast, 20 of 44 (45%) patients with PGL, 4 of 20 (20%) asymptomatic homosexuals, and only 3 of 46 (7%) heterosexuals had increased serum e2-M levels (P < 0.001). When considering mean levels of &M, only the asymptomatic control individuals had normal values. AIDS patients had significantly higher mean 0,-M levels when compared to all other groups (P < 0.05). The mean level for PGL patients was greater than that in the homosexual and heterosexual controls (P < 0.05). No relationship was found between presence of antibody to human T-lymphotropic retrovirus (HTLV-111) and B2-M levels in the patients with AIDS or PGL. The authors conclude that &-M is elevated in patients with AIDS and PGL, suggesting an increased turnover of a certain subpopulation of lymphocytes in these patients. &M levels also appear to parallel disease activity, as well as immune dysfunction, with the greatest elevation occurring in patients with AIDS, followed by those with PGL, and asymptomatic homosexuals. 6,-M levels may be a useful confirmatory marker in AIDS and its related disorders. Cuncer 57:2190-2192, 1986. HE SMALL PEPTIDE Beta-2 microglobulin (&M) is T present on the surface membrane of all nucleated cells, including B- and T-lymphocytes.' Because of its association with the histocompatibility antigens, as well as the similarity of its amino acid sequence to the constant region of the immunoglobulin chain, this peptide may play an important role in immune function.' &microglobulin is synthesized and shed by many cells, particularly lymphocytes, and levels in the serum are primarily derived from turnover of the cell membrane."' The protein is eliminated by the kidney. ' Abnormally elevated serum &-M concentrations have been reported in renal fail~re,~
Invested interests: the politics of national economic policies in a world of global finance

Capital moves more rapidly across national borders now than it has in at least fifty years and perhaps in history. This article examines the effects of capital mobility on different groups in national societies and on the politics of economic policymaking. It begins by emphasizing that while financial markets are highly integrated within the developed world, many investments are still quite specific with respect to firm, sector, or location. It then argues that contemporary levels of international capital mobility have a differential impact on socioeconomic groups. Over the long run, increased capital mobility tends to favor owners of capital over other groups. In the shorter run, owners and workers in specific sectors in capital-exporting countries bear much of the burden of adjusting to increased capital mobility. These patterns can be expected to lead to political divisions about whether or not to encourage or increase international capital market integration. The article then demonstrates that capital mobility also affects the politics of other economic policies. Most centrally, it shifts debate toward the exchange rate as an intermediate or ultimate policy instrument. In this context, it tends to pit groups that favor exchange rate stability against groups that are more concerned about national monetary policy autonomy and therefore less concerned about exchange rate stability. Similarly, it tends to drive a wedge between groups that favor an appreciated exchange rate and groups that favor a depreciated one. These divisions have important implications for such economic policies as European monetary and currency union, the dollar-yen exchange rate, and international macroeconomic policy coordination.
Real-time adaptive optical joint transform correlator

A real-time optical joint transform correlator (OJTC) has been developed for direct-input optical correlation operation. Innovative features of this OJTC include: (1) two separate spatial light modulators, one for large-frame video rate input, the other for high-speed reference updating; and (2) a multiple quantum well holographic device (MQHD) for high-speed joint transform power spectrum detection and read-out. These system innovations have enabled real-time adaptive optical joint transform correlation to accommodate scale, rotation, and other variations required for real-world pattern recognition applications. System architecture and analysis will be depicted. Experimental results of invariant landmark tracking using this OJTC will be provided.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Metabolically active basic proteins isolated from the nuclear soluble protein fraction

Abstract Two basic protein fractions have been isolated from the soluble proteins of calf-thymus nuclei. The proteins of these two nuclear fractions have a different gross amino acid composition from the histones and the nuclear ribosomal proteins. They are metabolically active in the incorporation of [14C]leucine. Chromatography of these basic nuclear proteins on carboxymethyl-cellulose resolves them into separable fractions which, upon electrophoresis at pH 5.0 on polyacrylamide gel, separates seven identifiable components. The possible relationship between some of these chromatographic fractions and nuclear ribosomal proteins is discussed.
Time-Dependent Tracking in the Monte Carlo Application Toolkit

The Monte Carlo Application Toolkit (MCATK) provides solution options for problems with time varying properties in mesh geometries and simple solid bodies. The paper describes the toolkit’s mechanism for handling time varying problems focusing on managing the particle population. The included results show the robustness of this approach for systems with varying degrees of criticality without user intervention.
The characterization of multiple forms of kynurenine formidase in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract Two enzymic forms of kynurenine formamidase (EC 3.5.1.9) from Drosophila melanogaster were separated and partially purified by pH fractionation, (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 fractionation and Sephadex G-75 gel filtration. The enzymes were also separated by DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography and distinguished by their different rates of thermal inactivation. The multiple forms are termed formamidase I and formamidase II. The molecular weight of formamidase I as measured by Sephadex G-75 chromatography is 60 000 and that of formamidase II is 31 000. The pH optima are broad, ranging between 6.7 and 7.8 for formamidase I and 6.5 and 8.0 for formamidase II. The apparent K m values are 5·10 −3 and 0.83·10 −3 M, respectively. The possibility that formamidase II is an active subunit of formamidase I is discussed, although neither enzyme will convert to the other when separated and rechromatographed. Eight organisms were tested for the presence or absence of multiple forms of formamidase. Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila virilis have both enzymes; cow, chicken, yeast and housefly have formamidase I only, and mouse and frog have formamidase II only.
Null Theorems of Weak Nonleptonic Decays

It is shown that the current-current model of the weak Hamiltonian is consistent with the nonvanishing of the parity-violating nonleptonic decays ${K}_{S}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $B\stackrel{\mathrm{pv}}{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{B}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\gamma}$.
Cooperative line-flow power electronics control for transient stabilization

Transient stabilization of power systems in response to large disturbances is a challenging problem of high complexity. The complexity arises from the large number of system states and the nonlinearities in system dynamics which evolve at various time scales. The first contribution of this paper is a two-level approach to multi-time scale modeling of power system dynamics which includes dynamics of power-electronically controlled devices, such as Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) lines. This approach proposes an interaction variable-based power system model suitable for the design of the FACTS controllers. The second contribution is an ectropy-based cooperative controller for FACTS capable of transiently stabilizing generator dynamics and extending the critical clearing time of a fault.
The perceptual fluency effect on pleasurable online shopping experience

Purpose – Visual information quality is one of the most important elements that determines online shoppers' experience on a web site. Yet, currently many e‐tailers use poor quality visual information such as small and blurry images. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of visual information quality on online shoppers' affective responses and behavioral intent toward the web site. The theoretical framework of perceptual fluency, the ease with which perceptual forms (i.e. objects) are processed, guided the research.Design/methodology/approach – A theoretical model was developed based on the literature and tested using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and structural equation modeling (SEM). The model proposed a mediating effect of pleasure in creating positive aesthetic evaluations and behavioral outcomes of the perceptual fluency effect. An online experiment (n=1,999) was employed with two levels of perceptual fluency.Findings – MANOVA results confirmed the perceptual ...
Subcutaneous emphysema secondary to perforated radiation proctosigmoiditis.

Abstract An apparently unique case history of subcutaneous emphysema presenting in the head and neck arising from perforated radiation proctosigmoiditis is reported.
Longitudinal cardiorespiratory fitness algorithms for clinical settings

Background Non-exercise algorithms are cost-effective methods to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in healthcare settings. The limitation of current non-exercise models is that they were developed with cross-sectional data. Purpose To extend the non-exercise research by developing algorithms for men and women using longitudinal data on indicators available in healthcare settings. Methods The sample included 1325 women (aged 20–78 years) and 10,040 men (aged 20–86 years) who completed two to 21 maximal treadmill tests between 1977 and 2005. The data were analyzed in 2011 and 2012. The dependent variable was CRF measured by treadmill test. The independent variables were age; body composition (percentage fat or BMI); waist circumference; self-reported physical activity; resting heart rate; and smoking behavior. Results Linear mixed-models regression showed that all variables were independently related to CRF. There was a positive association between CRF and physical activity. Higher levels of body composition were linked to lower CRF. High resting heart rate and smoking resulted in lower estimates of CRF. The error estimates of the percentage fat algorithms were as follows: women, 1.41 METs (95% CI=1.35, 1.47); and men, METs 1.54 (95% CI=1.51, 1.55). The BMI models were somewhat less accurate: women, METs 1.51 (95% CI=1.45, 1.58); and men, 1.66 METs (95% CI=1.63, 1.68). Conclusions These results showed that the CRF of women and men can be estimated from easily obtained health indicators. The longitudinal non-exercise algorithms provide models to accurately estimate CRF changes associated with aging and provide cost-effective algorithms to track CRF over time with health indicators available in healthcare settings.
Evaluating outcomes of enterocystoplasty in patients with spina bifida: a review of the literature.

Purpose: The urological complications of spina bifida impose a significant burden of disability and disease. Therapy is focused on the bladder to achieve the primary goals of maintaining normal renal function and attaining urinary continence. When medical management fails, surgical intervention, including enterocystoplasty, is frequently performed. However, practice patterns for enterocystoplasty show significant variation. Given this context, we examined outcome measures for enterocystoplasty in patients with spina bifida.Materials and Methods: A MEDLINE® search was performed for articles on enterocystoplasty in patients with spina bifida. A total of 226 articles were identified and manually reviewed for relevant studies. Additional articles were selected based on a cited reference search.Results: Almost all studies are retrospective, single institution case series of a relatively small number of patients. Few uniform or validated outcome measures for enterocystoplasty exist but reported measures typical...
Morphological relationships in the chromospheric H-alpha fine structure

A continuous relationship is proposed between the basic elements of the dark fine structure of the quiet and active chromosphere. A progression from chromospheric bushes to fibrils, then to chromospheric threads and active region filaments, and finally to diffuse quiescent filaments, is described. It is shown that the horizontal component of the field on opposite sides of an active region quiescent filament can be in the same direction and closely parallel to the filament axis. Consequently, it is unnecessary to postulate twisted or otherwise complex field configurations to reconcile the support mechanism of filaments with the observed motion along their axis.
Radioimmunoimaging of human breast carcinoma xenografts in nude mouse model with 111In-labeled new monoclonal antibody EBA-1 and F(ab′)2 fragments

Abstract Radioimmunoimaging characteristics of a new monoclonal antibody EBA-1 and its F(ab′)2 fragments utilizing nu/nu mice bearing human breast carcinoma xenografts are described. 111In-DTPA conjugates of EBA-1 localized with tumor/blood ratios of 0.99 ± 0.10 (P
Building Statistical Proxy Models for CO2 Geologic Sequestration

Abstract We compare two approaches for building a statistical proxy model (metamodel) for CO 2 geologic sequestration from the results of full-physics compositional simulations. The first approach involves a classical Box-Behnken experimental design with a quadratic polynomial response surface. The second approach used a space-filling maxmin Latin Hypercube sampling design with the choice of four different meta-modeling techniques: quadratic polynomial, kriging, multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) and additivity and variance stabilization (AVAS). Simulations results for CO 2 injection into a reservoir-caprock system with 9 design variables (and 97 samples) were used to generate the data for developing the proxy models. The fitted models were validated with an independent data set for three different performance metrics: total storage efficiency, CO 2 plume radius and average reservoir pressure. The Box-Behnken–quadratic polynomial metamodel performed the best, followed closely by the maximin LHS–kriging metamodel.
The effect of Ca doping on the structures of YBa2Cu4O8 and Y2Ba4Cu7O14+x single crystals

The transition temperature of YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 4]O[sub 8] (124) is increased by about 10 K by doping with calcium, whereas Ca substitution in Y[sub 2]Ba[sub 4]Cu[sub 7]O[sub 14+x] (247) has no effect on [Tc]. X-ray structure refinements of 13 YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 4]O[sub 8] and 12 Y[sub 2]Ba[sub 4]Cu[sub 7]O[sub 14+x] Ca-doped and undoped single crystals have been performed in order to determine structural changes due to Ca doping. In 124 a major fraction of Ca replaces Y; in 247 Ba1 (single-chain 123 unit) and Y are substituted by Ca in the ratio 3:2. The changes of the charge distribution caused by the substitution of trivalent Y[sup 3+] by divalent Ca[sup 2+] and ion size effects lead to structural changes in Ca-doped crystals. One structural consequence of the replacement of the small Y (r = 1.02 [angstrom]) by the larger Ca (r = 1.12 [angstrom]) is the increase of the distance between the adjacent oxygen planes in the c direction. In 247 the 123 unit is compressed due to the substitution of Ba1 by the smaller Ca. Ca doping diminishes the buckling of the CuO[sub 2] superconducting layers. The Ba-O sublattices in the double-chain 124 units of 247 and 124 aremore » identical and change in the same way upon Ca doping; differences are observed in the Ba-Y sublattice.« less
Glucose suppression of deoxyribose interference in the thiobarbituric acid determination of sialic acid.

Abstract Glucose has been demonstrated to suppress the reaction of deoxyribose in the thiobarbituric acid determination of sialic acid. Suppression occurs at the periodate oxidation step in which glucose apparently competes with deoxyribose. This suppression is augmented by sodium chloride and trichloroacetic acid. With these three substances, deoxyribose reactivity can be completely eliminated at concentrations up to 75 μ m with only a 25% decrease in sialic acid reactivity. Mixtures of deoxyribose and sialic acid and hydrolyzed extracts of rat organs gave reaction products with an absorption spectrum closely resembling that given by a sialic acid standard. Provided that the spectral characteristics of the colored product from an unknown sample are verified, sialic acid can be determined directly from absorbance at 550 nm without interference by deoxyribose.
Effect of hemoglobin and of ferric ammonium citrate on the virulence of periodontopathic bacteria.

The effect of the iron-containing substances hemoglobin (Hb) and ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) on the virulence of a strain of Streptococcus sanguis, Actinomyces viscosus, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and 2 strains of Bacteroides gingivalis was studied in a guinea-pig model. The results showed that the addition of Hb or FAC had no effect on the virulence of S. sanguis. However, the addition of Hb but not FAC had an enhancing effect on the virulence of A. viscosus and B. gingivalis. The addition of FAC but not Hb enhanced the virulence of A. actinomycetemcomitans. This study, suggests that the virulence of periodontopathic bacteria could be dependent upon the nature of the iron compound in the host medium.
Radiance of Rectangular-Profile Gratings in S Polarization

We treat gratings as arrays of lines or elements rather than as infinite periodic structures. Since we cannot calculate accurately the diffraction pattern of a single rectangular-profile line, we have constructed a simple model which assumes Fraunhofer diffraction from the various parts of the line. Three measured parameters, functions of the angle of incidence, determine the entire diffraction pattern with good accuracy except for large angles of diffraction. The radiance either of the single-line or of a grating of any number of lines is then given by the triple product of the squares of the incident amplitude, the single-line diffraction amplitude (or the effective single-line pattern) and the array factor. Spectral radiances in S polarization calculated for a set of 20-line rectangular-profile gratings are in good agreement with measured values. Even anomalous behavior is accurately predicted.
Does testing with feedback help grade-school children learn key concepts in science?

Abstract Testing effects have been well-established across a variety of studies involving school-age children. Specifically, children's test performance improves when they are given the opportunity to practice retrieval prior to the final test as compared to when practice involves only study. The current investigation focused on the influence of testing with feedback on fifth graders’ learning of science concepts. Across two experiments, 65 students studied twenty key concept definitions. After study, the definitions were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: control, test only, study only, and test plus feedback. Concepts assigned to the latter three conditions were presented again (either for test only, study only, or test plus feedback) during two separate sessions, and a final test was administered during a separate session. At the final test, students were asked to provide the definition for each of the twenty key concepts. Final test performance was best for definitions that had been tested with feedback, followed by recall for those that had only been tested or only restudied, with lowest performance for those that did not receive additional practice. Despite multiple sessions spaced across several days, however, performance for all conditions was low, which may have resulted from the ineffective use of feedback. In summary, testing followed by feedback can boost younger students learning of science concepts, but mastery will require the use of other strategies as well.
Intergenerational Support in Families with Disabilities: Grandparents' Perspectives

Grandparent adjustment to grandchildren with disabilities and grandparent support and involvement with these grandchildren were explored in this survey study of seventy families. The results showed...
First and Fourth Grade Boys' and Girls' Preferences For and Perceptions About Narrative and Expository Text

This investigation focused on elementary-aged (first and fourth grade) children's individual preferences for narrative and expository text and perceptions of what their same-aged peers would like t...