cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
110. Beta-Adrenergic sensitivity and somatic symptoms of depression in heart failure patients

Background: Depression is prevalent in heart failure (HF) and is considered a powerful predictor of rehospitalization and mortality. Dysregulated sympathetic activity associated with depression may be one pathway. We investigated the relationship between depressive symptoms and alterations in leukocyte beta-adrenergic sensitivity in response to an acute exercise task in HF-patients. Methods: NYHA II–III HF-patients (n = 13) were assessed for symptoms of depression using the Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), sub-categorized into somatic (BDI-s) and cognitive (BDI-c) symptoms. Participants underwent a 15 min bicycle ergometry task using a modified Bruce protocol. Beta-adrenergic receptor sensitivity was measured by quantifying leukocyte cyclic-AMP levels pre- and post-isoproterenol stimulation. Repeated measures analysis-of-variance (MANOVA) was used to measure changes in beta- adrenergic sensitivity in relation depressive symptoms. Results: There was a significant time effect (p = .006) with increases in stimulated cAMP levels in response to exercise in the HF-patients. Moreover,there was a time x-somatic symptoms interactions (p = .016) for stimulated cAMP. Although HF-patients with elevated somatic symptoms of depression appeared to have elevated basal stimulated cAMP levels, they responded less to the exercise task then those with low somatic symptoms of depression. Conclusions: HF-patients with low BDI-s had an increase in beta-receptor sensitivity due to exercise. However in HF-patients with high BDI-s, elevated basal and reduced stimulated cAMP level response to exercise suggest sympathetic dysregulation. This is consistent with the hypothesis that depression is related to over-activation of the sympathetic–adrenal–medullary system, causing dysregulation of beta-adrenergic activity. Further study is needed to identify clinical implications and HF-disease prognosis.
Building a diffractive imaging micro spectrometer

A diffractive imaging micro spectrometer that exhibits good spectral and spatial resolution is a very useful lab-on-a-chip device that can be integrated into biosensors. We have demonstrated the possibility of such a micro spectrometer experimentally.
Fibrates as adjuvant therapy for chronic cholestatic liver disease: Its time has come†

In 1993, the effects of fibrates in lowering serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was shown for bezafibrate (BF) to be the result of hepatic, rather than bone or intestinal, isoenzymes.1 These initial observations led to the suggestion that fibrates might be beneficial for patients with an elevated ALP and cholestatic liver disease. Since then, several dozen case reports and pilot studies have demonstrated the efficacy of fibrates in reducing serum biomarkers of cholestasis and liver function abnormalities in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) or primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and incomplete responses to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) monotherapy (Tables 1 and ​and22).
Reduce Content or Raise Price? The Impact of Persuasion Knowledge and Unit Price Increase Tactics on Retailer and Product Brand Attitudes

Abstract This research investigates consumer reactions to the practice of increasing unit prices of products by either reducing product content or increasing total prices. Using pricing tactic persuasion knowledge (PTPK) as a lens for understanding, I predict that total price increases garner less favorable attitudes toward retailers for relatively low PTPK consumers, while content reductions garner less favorable attitudes toward product brands for relatively high PTPK consumers. The results of an experiment with a nationally representative sample of U.S. consumers support these asymmetric predictions about PTPK consumer segments as well as expectations about the underlying psychological processes.
Sustained Interleukin-1β Overexpression Exacerbates Tau Pathology Despite Reduced Amyloid Burden in an Alzheimer's Mouse Model

Neuroinflammation is an important component of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis and has been implicated in neurodegeneration. Interleukin-1 (IL-1), a potent inflammatory cytokine in the CNS, is chronically upregulated in human AD and believed to serve as part of a vicious inflammatory cycle that drives AD pathology. To further understand the role of IL-1β in AD pathogenesis, we used an inducible model of sustained IL-1β overexpression (IL-1βXAT) developed in our laboratory. The triple transgenic mouse model of AD, which develops plaques and tangles later in its life cycle, was bred with IL-1βXAT mice, and effects of IL-1β overexpression on AD pathology were assessed in F1 progeny. After 1 and 3 months of transgene expression, we found robust increases in tau phosphorylation despite an ∼70–80% reduction in amyloid load and fourfold to sixfold increase in plaque-associated microglia, as well as evidence of greater microglial activation at the site of inflammation. We also found evidence of increased p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and glycogen synthase kinase-3β activity, which are believed to contribute to tau phosphorylation. Thus, neuroinflammation regulates amyloid and tau pathology in opposing ways, suggesting that it provides a link between amyloid accumulation and changes in tau and raising concerns about the use of immunomodulatory therapies in AD.
Partial purification and characterization of a strombine dehydrogenase from the adductor muscle of the mussel Modiolus squamosus

Abstract 1. 1. Strombine dehydrogenase from the adductor muscle of the marine mussel Modiolus squamosus was partially purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration and chromatography on Procion Red Agarose. 2. 2. The enzyme showed relatively broad amino acid specificity using glycine, alanine, cysteine, and glutamate in order of decreasing activity. 3. 3. In terms of keto-acid specificity, this enzyme utilized pyruvate, oxaloacetate, α-ketobutyrate and glyoxylate in order of decreasing activity. 4. 4. The strombine dehydrogenase from M. squamosus has catalytic properties similar to other marine invertebrate alanopine/strombine dehydrogenases. This enzyme appears to function during periods of elevated energy demand.
Knights and Merchants Unite : Sir Amadace, the Grateful Dead, and the Moral Exemplum Tradition

Sir Amadace, a Middle English romance composed in the late fourteenth century, has been almost uniformly ignored by critics. However, at the center of this text lies a striking social relationship between a knight and a merchant, an anomaly within chivalric literature. Most of the existing scholarship on this text has investigated the relation of Amadace to either the folkloric tradition—particularly the tale type of the Grateful Dead—or to Old French romance. In this essay, I suggest that the closest analogues likely lie in the exemplum tradition; furthermore, I suggest that the fourteenth-century French exempla collection known as Ci nous dit offers the closest parallels to the unique knight–merchant interaction lying at the heart of Amadace’s narrative.
Primary Sedimentary Structures in Search for Petroleum: ABSTRACT

Several types of primary sedimentary structures have been used in determining the source and direction of transport of sediments. In the last 15 years, much attention has been given to the description and measurement of the azimuthal directions of paleocurrent features and to the preparation of paleocurrent maps to illustrate ancient current patterns. Aside from End_Page 2325------------------------------ the purely academic interests in paleocurrent patterns, the establishment of paleocurrent trends can be of economic significance. The paleocurrent trends are indicative of the orientation of elongate sandstone bodies in which they commonly occur because their orientations typically parallel those of the sandstone bodies. Paleocurrent patterns, therefore, may be of assistance in depicting more accurately sandstone trends on isopachous maps. Current trends may be determined by, or reflect, grain orientation and thus yield information regarding the fabric and preferential permeability directions of sandstone beds. A marked departure in the paleocurrent pattern of one fault block relative to the pattern in adjacent blocks can be indicative of the relative amount and direction of movement of the block. Measurements of the orientation of paleocurrent features are obtained readily from outcrops. In the subsurface of the Gulf Coast, the recognition and measurement of current trends must be made through the use of oriented conventional cores and (or) the high-resolution dipmeter. From oriented cores, paleocurrent directions may be determined from cross-bedding or from the orientation of elongate particles. Advancements in the instrumentation of dipmeters and improvements in the computation of dipmeter data have made possible the recognition of dip directions of cross-bedding in the subsurface. It is recommended that attention be given to paleocurrent features in the subsurface as an aid in the determination of sandstone, permeability, and structural trends. End_of_Article - Last_Page 2326------------
Further studies of the nickel/graphite-hydrogen reaction

A combination of electron microscopy and hydrogen chemisorption techniques has been used to probe the causes for the unusual loss in catalytic activity of nickel particles in the graphite-hydrogen reaction. This deactivation, which occurs at about 1000/sup 0/C, is associated with the spreading of material along the sides of channels created catalytically at lower temperatures. Detailed quantitative analysis of this phenomenon indicates that nickel is progessively laid down as a near-monolayer film on the walls of the channels while the particles move forward. Nickel deposited in this manner strongly interacts with hydrogen ''sorbed'' by the graphite and therefore has a poor activity for C-C bond rupture (carbon gasification) and a low hydrogen chemisorption capacity. Removal of ''sorbed'' hydrogen at 1000/sup 0/C, under vacuum or in inert gas environments, not only results in carbon gasification, but also in removal of Ni-H interactions and formation of Ni-C bonds (a surface carbide which does not adsorb H/sub 2/). These Ni-C bonds are broken by steaming at 1000/sup 0/C and the hydrogen chemisorption capacity is restored.
EFFECT OF α-LINOLENIC ACID (ALA) INTAKE DURING EARLY LIFE ON NEURODEVELOPMENTAL STATUS OF PRETERM INFANTS: ▴ 1915

EFFECT OF α-LINOLENIC ACID (ALA) INTAKE DURING EARLY LIFE ON NEURODEVELOPMENTAL STATUS OF PRETERM INFANTS: ▴ 1915
Coupled Hydro-mechanical Processes Associated with Multiphase Flow in a Dual-continuum System: Formulations and an Application

Fractured rock has often been conceptualized as a dual-continuum system for many practical applications. This study proposes a systematic approach to deal with multiphase flow in a dual-continuum system. Considering that fluid flow occurs in pore volumes (including fracture apertures), we first develop a so-called pore-space conservation equation for deformed fractured rock and then combine this equation with fluid mass balance to derive governing equations for multiphase flow associated with rock deformation. Constitutive relationships are also presented for describing stress dependence of hydraulic properties and effective mechanical parameters for bulk rock body (as a function of the corresponding parameters for fracture and matrix continua). Finally, we applied the developed approach to a CO2 geological sequestration problem to demonstrate the usefulness of the approach.
Experimental Evidence for a Metallohydrolase Mechanism in Which the Nucleophile Is Not Delivered by a Metal Ion: EPR Spectrokinetic and Structural Studies of Aminopeptidase from Vibrio proteolyticus

Metallohydrolases catalyse some of the most important reactions in biology and are targets for numerous chemotherapeutic agents designed to combat bacterial infectivity, antibiotic resistance, HIV infectivity, tumour growth, angiogenesis and immune disorders. Rational design of inhibitors of these enzymes with chemotherapeutic potential relies on detailed knowledge of the catalytic mechanism. The roles of the catalytic transition ions in these enzymes have long been assumed to include the activation and delivery of a nucleophilic hydroxy moiety. In the present study, catalytic intermediates in the hydrolysis of L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-leucine by Vibrio proteolyticus aminopeptidase were characterized in spectrokinetic and structural studies. Rapid-freeze-quench EPR studies of reaction products of L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-leucine and Co(II)-substituted aminopeptidase, and comparison of the EPR data with those from structurally characterized complexes of aminopeptidase with inhibitors, indicated the formation of a catalytically competent post-Michaelis pre-transition state intermediate with a structure analogous to that of the inhibited complex with bestatin. The X-ray crystal structure of an aminopeptidase–L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-leucine complex was also analogous to that of the bestatin complex. In these structures, no water/hydroxy group was observed bound to the essential metal ion. However, a water/hydroxy group was clearly identified that was bound to the metal-ligating oxygen atom of Glu152. This water/hydroxy group is proposed as a candidate for the active nucleophile in a novel metallohydrolase mechanism that shares features of the catalytic mechanisms of aspartic proteases and of B2 metallo-β-lactamases. Preliminary studies on site-directed variants are consistent with the proposal. Other features of the structure suggest roles for the dinuclear centre in geometrically and electrophilically activating the substrate.
SMALL-ANGLE X-RAY SCATTERING FROM LIQUID HELIUM I AND LIQUID HELIUM II

X-rays from a rotating Cu anode x-ray tube have been scattered from liquid helium at angles up to 5 degrees in the temperature range from 1.5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K to 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The helium was contained in a thin-walled aluminum tube enclosed in a metal cryostat with beryllium windows. The liquid structure factor obtained experimentally, agreed well with the theoretical zero-angle liquid structure factor between 3\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Below about 2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, the observed value of the zero-angle structure factor is larger than the theoretical value by an amount believed to be outside the experimental error. Angular distributions at 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K are typical of liquid scattering patterns near the critical point. No scattering anomaly was observed near the $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ point.
A quantitative morphometric comparative analysis of the primate temporal lobe.

Given their importance in language comprehension, the human temporal lobes and/or some of their component structures might be expected to be larger than allometric predictions for a nonhuman anthropoid brain of human size. Whole brain, T1-weighted MRI scans were collected from 44 living anthropoid primates spanning 11 species. Easyvision software (Philips Medical Systems, The Netherlands) was used to measure the volume of the entire brain, the temporal lobes, the superior temporal gyri, and the temporal lobe white matter. The surface areas of both the entire temporal lobe and the superior temporal gyrus were also measured, as was temporal cortical gyrification. Allometric regressions of temporal lobe structures on brain volume consistently showed apes and monkeys to scale along different trajectories, with the monkeys typically lying at a higher elevation than the apes. Within the temporal lobe, overall volume, surface area, and white matter volume were significantly larger in humans than predicted by the ape regression lines. The largest departure from allometry in humans was for the temporal lobe white matter volume which, in addition to being significantly larger than predicted for brain size, was also significantly larger than predicted for temporal lobe volume. Among the nonhuman primate sample, Cebus have small temporal lobes for their brain size, and Macaca and Papio have large superior temporal gyri for their brain size. The observed departures from allometry might reflect neurobiological adaptations supporting species-specific communication in both humans and old world monkeys.
Injection of autologous muscle stem cells (myoblasts) for the treatment of vocal fold paralysis: a pilot study.

Objective: Autologous muscle stem cell (myoblast) therapy may be an ideal treatment for vocal fold paralysis because of its technical ease (administered by injection), its potential to restore muscular defects and dynamic function, and its autologous origin. The goal of this project was to determine whether autologous myoblast injection into the thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle after recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury could attenuate TA muscle atrophy and enhance spontaneous reinnervation. Study Design: This was an animal experiment. Methods: Unilateral RLN transection and sternocleidomastoid muscle (approximately 1 g) biopsies were performed in 16 male Wistar rats. Biopsies were used to create myoblast cultures for each animal. One month later, 106 autologous myoblasts labeled with fluorescent cell membrane marker (PKH26) were injected into the denervated TA of each study animal, with saline injected into controls. Animals were euthanized at 2 weeks and 2 months after myoblast injection. Outcomes included myoblast survival, TA fiber diameter and volume, and reinnervation status (motor endplate to nerve contact staining). Results: All denervated TA study specimens demonstrated viable myoblasts under fluorescent microscopy, with the myoblasts demonstrating fusion with the TA myofibers at 2 months. The myoblast-treated group had greater mean TA fiber diameter than denervated TA controls at 2 months (25.1 vs. 21.1 μm; P = .04) but not at 2 weeks (25.7 μm vs. 23.5 μm; P = .06). Mean TA volumes were greater in the myoblast-treated groups at both time points. Two of the animals in the myoblast-treated group demonstrated adductor motion at 2 months, whereas none of the 2 week study animals or controls recovered adduction. Reinnervation was not significantly different between the myoblast-treated groups and the denervated controls. Conclusions: Autologous myoblast therapy may be a future treatment for vocal fold paralysis, with current findings demonstrating myoblast survival with attenuation of TA muscle atrophy.
Pressure Distribution and Defect Formation in Green Ceramic Bodies During Supercritical Extraction of Binder

Supercritical extraction (SCE) with carbon dioxide at 10–40 MPa and 55°–90°C has been used to remove binder from multilayer green ceramic bodies. Defects such as cracking and delamination were occasionally observed in the green bodies following the extraction process, and these defects were attributed to pressure gradients that arise during isothermal depressurization from conditions of SCE. A model based on flow in porous media was developed to describe the temporal and spatial distribution of pressure within the green body during depressurization. The model incorporates both nonideal pressure–volume–temperature behavior and nonconstant viscosity of the supercritical fluid. The effects of the body size and gas-phase permeability on the pressure within the green body were examined.
Correction to "Complimentary polarizers STT-MRAM (CPSTT) for on-chip caches" [Feb 13 232-234]

There was a typographical error in the title of the above-named paper [ibid., vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 232-234, Feb. 2013]. It should have been "Complementary Polarizers STT-MRAM (CPSTT) for On-Chip Caches" The same error also appears in the abbreviated title on page 233 and in the last sentence of Section I. The sentence should be We propose an STT-MRAM structure with complementary polarizers (CPSTT) that has symmetric write currents (to save write power) and self-referencing differential read (to reduce read access failures and read access delays).
Studies of Ion Beam-Photon Interactions at the National Synchrotron Light Source

To date, synchrotron radiation has been used for atomic physics experiments with gas or vapor targets. Experiments with crossed or merged ion and photon beams are made possible by the advent of high-brightness synchrotrons such as the National Synchrotron Light Source. Some types of experimental programs which can now be pursued are considered. Design parameters for a proposed ion-photon beam apparatus are discussed.
Questionable sound exposure outside of the womb: frequency analysis of environmental noise in the neonatal intensive care unit

Aim: Recent research raises concerns about the adverse effects of noise exposure on the developing preterm infant. However, current guidelines for NICU noise remain focused on loudness levels, leaving the problem of exposure to potentially harmful sound frequencies largely overlooked. This study examined the frequency spectra present in a level-II NICU. Methods: Noise measurements were taken in two level-II open-bay nurseries. Measurements were taken over 5 days for a period of 24 h each. Spectral analysis was focused on comparing sound frequencies in the range of human speech during daytime (7 AM–7 PM) vs. night-time (7 PM–7 AM). Results: On average, daytime noise levels (Leq = 60.05 dBA) were higher than night-time (Leq = 58.67 dBA). Spectral analysis of frequency bands (>50 dB) revealed that infants were exposed to frequencies 500 Hz 57% of the time. During daytime, infants were exposed to nearly 20% more sounds within the speech frequency range compared with night-time (p = 0.018). Conclusion: Measuring the frequency spectra of NICU sounds is necessary to attain a thorough understanding of both the noise levels and the type of sounds that preterm infants are exposed to throughout their hospital stay. The risk of high-frequency noise exposure in the preterm population is still unclear and warrants further investigation.
Root deterioration in the potato early dying syndrome: causes and effects of root biomass reductions associated with colonization by Verticillium dahliae

Russet Burbank potatoes were grown in the greenhouse in a split-root culture system to assess the impact of pathogens associated with the Potato Early Dying Syndrome (PED) on root deterioration. Plants were grown with all, half, or none of the root system in steamed soil infested withVerticillium dahliae, or in field soil infested withV. dahliae and other PED pathogens. The direct impact of pathogens on root deterioration versus indirect effects resulting from premature senescence of the whole plant was evaluated. Root biomass did not differ significantly between root halves from the same plant in infested and uninfested soil. Root biomass from plants with both halves of the root system in uninfested soil was usually greater than from plants with one or both halves growing in infested soil. Root biomass decreased rapidly after plant stems were inoculated with conidial suspensions ofV. dahliae. Root deterioration in PED was associated with premature senescence of foliar tissue and occurred independently of root colonization by root-colonizing pathogens.
Diverse and conserved nano- and mesoscale structures of diatom silica revealed by atomic force microscopy

An outstanding example of biological pattern formation at the single cell level is the diversity of biomineral structures in the silica cell walls of the unicellular eukaryotic algae known as diatoms. We present a survey of cell wall silica structures of 16 diatom species, which included all major cell wall components (valves, girdle bands and setae), imaged across the nano-, meso- and microscales using atomic force microscopy. Because of atomic force microscopy's superior ability to image surface topology, this approach enabled visualization of the organization of possible underlying organic molecules involved in mineral structure formation. Diatom nanoscale silica structure varied greatly comparing the same feature in different species and different features within a single species, and frequently on different faces of the same object. These data indicate that there is not a strict relation between nanoscale silica morphology and the type of structure that contains it. On the mesoscale, there was a preponderance of linear structures regardless of the object imaged, suggesting that assembly or organization of linear organic molecules or subcellular assemblies that confine a linear space play an essential and conserved role in structure formation on that scale. Microscale structure imparted an overall influence over nano- and mesoscale structure, indicating that shaping of the silica deposition vesicle plays a key role in structure formation. These results provide insights into the design and assembly principles involved in diatom silica structure formation, facilitating an understanding of the native system and potentially aiding in development of biomimetic approaches.
A new flexible backbone polyimide adhesive

A new linear, aromatic, thermoplastic polyimide, identified as LARC-IA, has been synthesized and evaluated, primarily as an adhesive, which is physiologically safe and relatively inexpensive. The p...
The Changing Role of Public Housing Authorities in the Affordable Housing Delivery System

As the great recession began, public housing authorities (PHAs) were just beginning to experience the full effects of neoliberal policy implementation and devolution. Using 13 case studies of the largest PHAs in the Pacific Northwest, this paper outlines activities that PHAs undertook to balance public mission with private-market means. PHAs made trade-offs among five paths that emphasize agency survival, producing housing for the poorest households, identifying as a nonprofit housing provider, poverty alleviation, or gaining other public powers. This diversity of responses points to the under-valued attribute of PHAs as local organizations with diverse mandates. Dependence on the federal government, local charter, and the degree of integration with local government likely contributed to PHAs' propensity to develop non-US Department of Housing and Urban Development-assisted affordable housing. Even with this creativity, adequate resources are necessary to meet the demand for affordable housing for the poo...
Oxidate-reductive pathways for metabolism of biogenic aldehydes

Publisher Summary This chapter describes oxidative–reductive pathways for metabolism of biogenic aldehydes. In brain and other tissues the aldehydes derived from the catecholamines, that is, the catecholaldehydes, may be either oxidized to the corresponding acid metabolites or reduced to the alcohol derivative. The β-hydroxy-substituted phenylethylamines are more readily reduced, after the initial deamination to produce the aldehyde, than the phenylethylamines which lack the β-hydroxyl group. These findings, coupled with some other observations have shown that norepinephrine and normetanephrine are metabolised primarily to the corresponding alcohol metabolites, whereas the major product of dopamine metabolism in the brain is the acid derivative. These metabolites are formed from the corresponding biogenic aldehyde intermediates by a reductive of oxidative pathway. Evidence has also been obtained which indicates that the NADPH-linked aldehyde reductase, alcohol:NADP oxidoreductase, but not the NADH-dependent enzyme, may be involved in the reduction of biogenic aldehydes including the catecholaldehydes in brain. In one study, it was observed that brain tissue from all classes of vertebrates possessed NADPH-linked aldehyde reductase, whereas, the tiger salamander and American chameleon were devoid of the NADH-linked aldehyde reductase activity.
Perception of the periodicity strength of complex sounds by the chinchilla.

The perception of periodicity strength was studied in chinchillas using a stimulus generalization paradigm in an operant-conditioning, positive reinforcement behavioral task. Stimuli consisted of cosine-phase and random-phase harmonic complex tones, infinitely iterated rippled noises, and wideband noise. These stimuli vary in periodicity strength as measured by autocorrelation functions and are known to generate a continuum in the perception of pitch strength in human listeners. Chinchillas were trained to discriminate a cosine-phase harmonic tone complex from wideband noise and tested in the generalization paradigm using random-phase tone complexes and iterated rippled noises as probe stimuli. Chinchillas were tested in three different conditions in which the periods of the fundamental frequencies of the tone complexes were fixed at 2 ms, 4 ms, or 8 ms. Behavioral responses obtained from chinchillas were related to stimulus periodicity strength. For most animals, the behavioral responses to random-phase tone complexes were smaller than those to cosine-phase tone complexes. The behavioral responses were analyzed in terms of the Auditory Image Model of Patterson et al. [Patterson, R.D., Allerhand, M.H., Giguere, C., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 98 (1995) 1890-1894], and the results suggest that the periodicity information in the stimulus envelope has a large influence in controlling the behavioral response of the chinchilla. Comparison of the generalization data obtained in the present study to magnitude estimation data obtained previously in human subjects suggests a greater influence of stimulus envelope for the perception of periodicity strength in chinchillas than for the perception of pitch strength in human listeners.
VIBRATIONAL MODES OF TRUMPET BELLS

Abstract We report on an investigation of the normal modes of vibration of the bells of several modern trumpets. We describe the results of experiments using electronic speckle-pattern interferometry to visualize the modal structure and we show that the mode frequencies follow a generalized version of Chladni's law.
Maneuverability of Large Receiver of Different Size and Weight in Aerial Refueling

This work evaluates the ability of a large receiver aircraft with two different sizes and three different mass configurations to maneuver and maintain contact position behind a KC-135 tanker in the presence of prevailing wind and atmospheric turbulence. A linear quadratic regulator controller is designed for trajectory tracking of the receiver aircraft relative to the tanker. The flight tracks followed in simulation by each aircraft are taken from 2004 testing of a Learjet behind a KC-135 that was part of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory Automated Aerial Refueling program and includes significant winds at altitude. The simulation also includes the aerodynamic coupling between the aircraft through the trailing and bound vortices of each aircraft as well as their volumes (bow wave effect for the tanker).
Active microfluidic mixer for mixing of microparticles and liquids

This paper presents a new active microfluidic mixer for mixing of microparticles and liquid samples using electrohydrodynamic (EHD) convection for applications in microfluidic-based biochemical analysis systems and biochips. To understand the EHD convection mixing, analytical analysis on the micro mixer have been performed for two different liquid samples with different electric conductivities. Through the analytical simulation, a new active micro mixer for both liquid/liquid mixing and liquid/microparticles mixing has been designed, fabricated, and demonstrated for application of a magnetic microbead- based analysis system. Magnetic beads that are dispersed in buffer solution have been fully mixed with the selected liquid sample while passing the mixing zone, which has voltage of between 7 to 25 V applied across it. Since the realized micro mixer has simple structure and no mechanically moving parts, it shows very reliable and repeatable mixing performance. The active micro mixing device studied in this work also shows feasible mixing capabilities of microparticles in naon- or pico-liter range of liquid volumes by applying a low voltage of 7 V across the microchannel. Furthermore reliable, robust mixing and manipulating of microparticles in liquid samples can be rapidly achieved.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Effects of Currency Substitution on the Response of the Current Account to Supply Shocks

Standard real models predict that a permanent increase in oil prices would result in a current account surplus. This is due to the fact that investment falls while saving remains unchanged. This paper shows that if currency substitution is introduced into the analysis, the same shock could cause a current account deficit. Furthermore, the higher the dependence of the economy on oil, the larger would be the deficit. The presence of foreign money makes it optimal for the public to decrease saving following the terms of trade deterioration. The fall in saving could be larger than the decline in investment.
Intravenous Glutamine Fails To Improve Gut Morphology After Radiation Injury

Male Sprague-Dawley rats housed in individual metabolic cages received total parenteral nutrients via chronic indwelling internal jugular catheters to determine whether supplementing parenteral nutrition with glutamine would accelerate recovery of small-bowel morphology after abdominal radiation. After recovering from catheter insertion for 3 days they received either 1000 cGy gamma radiation to the abdomen only or no radiation and immediately thereafter received isonitrogenous and isocaloric intravenous solutions containing either 0% or 2% glutamine at 1.58 mL/h for the next 5 days. Intestinal segments were then assayed for whole-bowel deoxyribose nucleic acid content and villus height. Irradiation caused a 40% decrement in these parameters, which were not restored by glutamine supplementation. Therefore, intravenous glutamine supplementation failed to accelerate recovery of small-bowel morphology in this model of combined surgical and radiation injury.
Basin plains in the eastern Mediterranean: Significance in interpreting ancient marine deposits, 1. Basin depth and configuration

Abstract Basins in the eastern mediterranean, and particularly those associated with the Hellenic Arc, accumulate rhythmically stratified deposits which resemble marine flysch formations encountered in the ancient rock record. Most flysch studies suggest that this type of deposit accumulates in deep (“deep”, to most workers, implies below shelf break or deeper than neritic) elongate basins. This examination of modern basins sheds light on this problem. The eastern Mediterranean basin plains, except those off the Nile Cone, are bounded by slopes that exceed 3° and in some cases 40°; the topographic characteristics and distribution of these basins reflect the intense structural activity in this region. Depths in the Aegean Sea range from less than 200 to over 2500 m (basin plain area range from 10–1380 km 2 ); plains in the Sea of Crete are less elongate than those in other provinces. Depressions south of the Peloponnesus-Crete-Rhodes island arc include a number of long, very narrow (1–3 km wide) trenches that are generally small (25–200 km 2 ) and deep (> 300 m). The largest depressions, the Herodotus and Sirte abyssal plains, south of the Mediterranean Ridge also exceed 3000 m. Although most basins occur at depths exceeding 1000 m, there are excellent examples of shallower (
Use of the unanesthetized rhesus monkey as a model for studying the gastrointestinal absorption of drugs.

A model has been developed to study the gastrointestinal absorption of drugs and dosage forms in the unanesthetized rhesus monkey. Chronic vascular catheters were implanted in the iliac vein and the artery to enable the investigator to withdraw blood samples without disturbing the monkey. The vascular catheters also allow intravenous studies to be carried out so that the kinetic parameters of any drug can be determined. Plastic cannulae were implanted surgically in the stomach and in the duodenum very close to the pylorus. These cannulae provide a means of instilling a drug solution or a dosage form directly into the stomach or the duodenum. A technique was developed using Foley catheters to block the pylorus so that a drug solution or drug particles can be maintained in the stomach. With this setup, absorption of a drug specifically from the stomach can be studied. Sample data for salicylic acid absorption from the stomach and the intestine and for carbamazepine absorption following gastric administration of a solution or a broken tablet are presented.
Proton transfer in time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry studies of frozen-hydrated dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine.

A frozen water matrix, as found in freeze-fractured frozen-hydrated cellular samples, enhances the ionization of phosphatidylcholine lipids with static time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). Isotopic profiles of the phosphocholine ion from deuterated forms of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) have been examined under various sample preparation conditions to show that ionization occurs through protonation from the matrix and is enhanced by the water present in freeze-fractured samples. The ionization of DPPC results in positively charged fragment ions, primarily phosphocholine, with a m/z of 184. Other ions include the M + H ion (m/z 735) and an ion representing the abstraction of the two palmitoyl fatty acid groups (m/z 224). Freeze-fracture techniques have been used to prepare frozen aqueous samples such as liposomes and cells to expose their membranes for static TOF-SIMS imaging. Due to the importance of surface water during SIMS analyses, sources of gas-phase water resulting fro...
Integrating the Agents of Bioterrorism into the General Biology Curriculum II. Mode of Action of the Biological Agents

A s biology educators, we always are trying to find new examples and applications of basic biological principles and concepts to engage and interest our students. The bioterrorism events in October 2001, and the likelihood of additional and perhaps more severe attacks in the future, present us with such examples. Many of the key biological agents that have been or could be used for bioterrorism have mechanisms of action that reflect and complement the basic biological principles and concepts that we already teach. This includes class/course topics on cell/membrane structure and function, genetics, human anatomy and physiology, and immunology.
Psychological kinship, love, and liking: preliminary validity data.

Psychological kinship refers to valuing significant others as though they were members of one's own family. This construct has many implications for human relationships, including the client-therapist relationship (Bailey, 1988). A 60-item Kinship Scale was developed and administered to 63 undergraduates (39 females; 24 males), along with several other independent measures of sociality (Rubin Love and Liking scales; EPPS Affiliation, Nurturance, and Succorance scales; abbreviated UCLA Loneliness Scale) and the Spiritual Well-Being scales. Subjects took the Kinship, Love, and Liking scales under two cognitive sets, "closest family member" and "acquaintance," while the other scales were taken in regular fashion. The Kinship, Love, and Liking scales were all sensitive to the cognitive sets and appropriately yielded higher mean values and higher correlations with the independent measures vis-a-vis the "closest family member" as opposed to "acquaintance." Significant sex differences were noted, with stronger correlation patterns for males than females. Overall, the Kinship Scale performed very well and shows considerable promise for future research.
Friends or foes: Gerontological and feminist theory

Abstract The purpose of this article is to analyse the current relation between feminist and gerontological concerns. In addition to explaining the interwoven nature of feminist and gerontological theory, problems in the relationships are also discussed.
Stereovision to MR image registration for cortical surface displacement mapping to enhance image-guided neurosurgery.

Purpose: A surface registration method is presented to align intraoperative stereovision (iSV) with preoperative magnetic resonance (pMR) images, which utilizes both geometry and texture information to extract tissue displacements as part of the overall process of compensating for intraoperative brain deformation in order to maintain accurate neuronavigational image guidance during surgery. Methods: A sum-of-squared-difference rigid image registration was first executed to detect lateral shift of the cortical surface and was followed by a mutual-information-based block matching method to detect local nonrigid deformation caused by distention or collapse of the cortical surface. Ten (N = 10) surgical cases were evaluated in which an independent point measurement of a dominant cortical surface feature location was recorded with a tracked stylus in each case and compared to its surface-registered counterpart. The full three-dimensional (3D) displacement field was also extracted to drive a biomechanical brain deformation model, the results of which were reconciled with the reconstructed iSV surface as another form of evaluation. Results: Differences between the tracked stylus coordinates of cortical surface features and their surface-registered locations were 1.94 ± 0.59 mm on average across the ten cases. When the complete displacement map derived from surface registration was utilized, the resulting images generated from mechanical model updates were consistent in terms of both geometry (1–2 mm of model misfit) and texture, and were generated with less than 10 min of computational time. Analysis of the surface-registered 3D displacements indicate that the magnitude of motion ranged from 4.03 to 9.79 mm in the ten patient cases, and the amount of lateral shift was not related statistically to the direction of gravity (p = 0.73 ≫ 0.05) or the craniotomy size (p = 0.48 ≫ 0.05) at the beginning of surgery. Conclusions: The iSV–pMR surface registration method utilizes texture and geometry information to extract both global lateral shift and local nonrigid movement of the cortical surface in 3D. The results suggest small differences exist in surface-registered locations when compared to positions measured independently with a coregistered stylus and when the full iSV surface was aligned with model-updated MR. The effectiveness and efficiency of the registration method is also minimally disruptive to surgical workflow.
Scheduling divisible loads in bus networks with arbitrary processor release times

Abstract The problem of processing divisible loads in a distributed bus network architecture with arbitrary processor available/release times is considered. The objective is to optimally distribute the load among the processors in the system in such a way that the processing time of the entire load is a minimum. Different cases of release time distributions are considered. First, we present the analysis for the case in which the processors are assumed to be available from the time instant at which the processing load arrives at the system. In this case, a multi-installment load distribution strategy is adopted. We develop basic recursive equations for the case when the processors in the system are heterogeneous and extend the analysis to the case of homogeneous processors. Then the case of arbitrary processor release times is considered. Closed-form solutions for the processing time when the processor release times are identical are derived. For a general case of arbitrary processor release times, a heuristic algorithm is presented. All the cases are demonstrated through several illustrative examples.
Domain wall modeling of bcc to hcp reconstructive phase transformation in early transition metals

The bcc (body-centered-cubic) phase to hcp (hexagonal-close-packed) phase transformation in certain elements and alloys is induced either by quenching or the application of pressure. Following the Burgers mechanism and through first-principles calculations we show that the bcc structure of Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, and Hf is unstable with respect to the shuffle of atoms rather than the shear. We therefore reduce the two-order-parameter (two-OP) Ginzburg-Landau (GL) free energy to an effective free energy in the shuffle OP. From the phonon dispersion experiments and the change of entropy at transition temperature we found the GL free energy coefficients for Ti and Zr. By using this information we obtain the domain wall width and energy for Ti and Zr.
The mTOR (Mammalian Target of Rapamycin) Kinase Maintains Integrity of mTOR Complex 2

In higher eukaryotes, growth factors promote anabolic processes and stimulate cell growth, proliferation, and survival by activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Deregulation of PI3K/Akt signaling is linked to human diseases, including cancer and metabolic disorders. The PI3K-dependent signaling kinase complex mTORC2 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2) has been defined as the regulatory Ser-473 kinase of Akt. The regulation of mTORC2 remains very poorly characterized. We have reconstituted mTORC2 by its assembly in vitro or by co-expression its four essential components (rictor, SIN1, mTOR, mLST8). We show that the functional mTOR kinase domain is required for the mTORC2 activity as the Ser-473 kinase of Akt. We also found that mTOR by phosphorylation of SIN1 prevents its lysosomal degradation. Thus, the kinase domain of mTOR is required for the functional activity of mTORC2, and it controls integrity of mTORC2 by maintaining the protein stability of SIN1.
GMOs: Are They a Regulatory or Food Safety Issue?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are complex organisms that are typically engineered through the introduction of DNA from a different organism or synthesis, with the new sequence encoding a protein or genetic regulatory element to alter endogenous gene expression or block viral infections. Many countries have adopted regulations that are consistent with the science-based Codex Alimentarius Commission guidelines that outline a process to evaluate the potential allergenicity, toxicity, and nutritional qualities of foods derived from GMOs. Harmonization of regulations between countries is needed to ensure food safety and allow trade at low costs for consumers. However, regulators in some countries are demanding expensive tests based on unsubstantiated concerns, and some organizations and legislative bodies are trying to implement a generic “GMO” labeling system that has no established basis for improving food safety and, in fact, may detract from labeling that is useful for protecting consumers with foo...
Effect of PET Melt Spinning on TiO2 Nanoparticle Aggregation and Friction Behavior of Fiber Surface

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was incorporated with different amounts of TiO2 nanoparticle and then spun into fibers of different diameters. Surface properties of these modified fibers were investigated by friction force, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). TiO2 nanoparticles showed aggregation on the fiber surface. The number of aggregates increased as the amount of TiO2 nanoparticle increased and/or the diameter of spun fiber decreased. These were evidenced from SEM and also from an increased C(1s)/O(1s) ratio in the ESCA spectra. The aggregates of TiO2 nanoparticle on the fiber surface cause unevenness, leading to a decreased friction-contact area between surface of the sliding fiber and its encountered surface. Thus, the friction force that arose from the interface reduced. In addition, on the basis of different amounts of TiO2, a broad range of fiber frictions could be formed. This would provide promise to potent...