cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative molecular properties of swine and human very low density lipoproteins-apoproteins E and C.

Abstract 1. 1. By means of 2-dimensional gradient-gel electrophoresis, the very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) apoproteins E and C profiles from human and swine plasma were studied. 2. 2. The molecular properties (isoelectric point and molecular weight) of the VLDL apoproteins and their isoforms were determined and showed many similarities between species. 3. 3. It also appears evident that a previously unrecognized apoprotein (C-III) and several associated isoforms may exist in swine; however, it's mobility on 2-dimensional gradient gels is very similar to APO C-II.
A multi-parameter functional side-channel analysis method for hardware trust verification

A hardware Trojan is a modification to a hardware design which inserts undesired or malicious functionality. They pose a substantial security risk, and as such, rapid, reliable detection of these Trojans has become a critical necessity. In this paper, we propose a method for detecting compromised designs quickly and effectively. The method involves a multi-parameter analysis of the design and statistical analysis to determine which designs have been compromised. We also briefly discuss a supplemental method of confirming our results using a targeted method of FPGA design analysis. This method was proposed for consideration in the Cyber Security Awareness Week (CSAW) 2012 Embedded Systems Challenge (ESC) hosted by the Polytechnic Institute of New York University. This served to independently verify our results. The method was awarded first place in the competition.
Comment on ''Vortices with ferromagnetic superfluid core in 3 He-B''

Etude de ces tourbillons par une combinaison de techniques analytiques et numeriques. Description du regime de Ginzburg-Landau le long de la transition phase normale→phase B
Improving the care of people with dementia at the end of life: The role of hospice and the US experience

The number of persons diagnosed with and dying from dementia continues to climb. Research corroborate that persons dying from dementia receive poor end of life care including the use of procedures or tests with little or no benefit, un- or undertreated physical and psychological symptoms, and futile care. This is in contrast to the patient's perspective on quality end of life care — adequate pain and symptom management, avoidance of prolongation of dying, achieve a sense of control, relieve burden, and strengthening relationships with loved ones. Hospice, initially developed to improve the end of life care for persons dying from cancer, represents an existing care model that can bridge these differences in experiences and wishes. Expansion of hospice services for persons dying from dementia may be limited by a number of obstacles that require consideration such as difficulties with prognosis, misconceptions by providers and families about the dying process in dementia, reimbursement issues, and regulatory...
Snake Feeding Strategies and Adaptations—Conclusion and Prognosis

Today's symposium has provided elegant demonstrations that being slender may have advantages to snakes; the advantage of slenderness should be easily recognizable to middle-aged members of the audience and to most of us during the post holiday season. In snakes, slenderness allows traverse of crevices off the ground and below the ground; slender snakes can extend their trunk across unstable branches and bridge discontinuous portions of their environment. The adaptations of snakes represent the current state of a process that was already underway in the Cretaceous. Clearly, the process of slenderization did not proceed under constant conditions, for not only did the physical environment shift, but their predators and prey evolved possibly at an accelerated rate due to the success of snake specializations. It is obvious also that the adaptive process affected many aspects of snakes; slenderization involved a profound reorganization. Some aspects may have been abandoned or others appear to have been reformed along the way; it is unlikely that such aspects conferred much advan? tage at the time of loss. The relative advan? tage of some of these aspects may later have increased under different circumstances. Thus, we observe the reversal of trends, for instance the increased stoutness of some Recent species of vipers (Pough and Groves) and the shift from concentration on large prey to feeding on many small items (Greene). Such cases make it likely that the history of snakes includes multiple reversals of trends and development of analogous substitutes. The sequences we dimly dis
Spectrometer-based digital holographic tomography

A digital holographic tomography system has been developed based on a fiber-based spectral interferometer. Multiple synthesized holograms of different wavelengths are obtained by transversely scanning a probe beam and then used for three-dimensional tomographic imaging.
Mutilating corn-picker injuries of the hand***

Our experience with 15 patients who had acute mutilating hand injuries from corn-picker machines is reviewed. Three injury patterns were defined. Type I involved severe injury to all digits of the hand, including the thumb; type II injuries involved amputation of all fingers, in whole or in part, but with sparing of the thumb; and type III injuries involved amputation of multiple fingers with sparing of the thumb and at least one other digit. Attempts at revascularization or at complex reconstruction of the injured digits in the period immediately after injury failed in all 15 patients. The most satisfactory results in patients with type I injuries were obtained by complex reconstructive procedures such as toe-to-hand transfer. Patients with type II injuries were best treated with construction of a mitten-type hand by various methods. Patients with type III injuries were best treated by amputation of the devascularized digits.
A numerical study of three-dimensional incompressible flow around multiple posts

The incompressible laminar flow around single and double rows of an infinite number of posts between two flat plates has been calculated numerically. A C-grid with periodic boundary conditions has been used. The angle of attack, measured from the line normal to the row of posts, was varied between zero and less than 90 deg. The pressure loading was computed for all of the posts in each of these cases. Most of these calculations have been carried out on the Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation Cray 2 at NASA Ames Research Center.
Ramification pattern and ultrastructural characteristics of the serotonin‐immunoreactive neuron in the antennal lobe of the moth Manduca sexta: A laser scanning confocal and electron microscopic study

The two antennal lobes, the primary olfactory centers of the brain, of the moth Manduca sexta each contain one neuron that displays serotonin immunoreactivity. The neuron projects out of the antennal lobe and sends branches into ipsi- and contralateral protocerebral areas. An axon-like process extends from the contralateral protocerebrum to, and terminates in, the contralateral antennal lobe. In order to begin to investigate the possible role of this unique neuron in olfactory information processing, we have used laser scanning confocal microscopic and electron microscopic immunocytochemical techniques to study the ramification pattern, ultrastructural characteristics, and synaptic connections of the neuron in the antennal lobes of female adult Manduca sexta. The neuron ramifies extensively in the antennal lobe contralateral to the cell body. The ramifications, mainly in the base and center of each glomerulus, do not overlap with those of the sensory axons from the antenna. This finding suggests that the serotonin-immunoreactive neuron may not receive direct input from sensory neurons, and that it may modulate the activity of the neurons of the antennal lobe rather than that of the sensory neurons. In the electron microscope, the neuron exhibits large dense-cored vesicles and small, clear round vesicles. In the antennal lobe ipsilateral to the cell body, the primary neurite of the serotonin-immunoreactive neuron is unbranched and lacks detectable synaptic connections. The ramifications in the contralateral antennal lobe, however, participate in synaptic connections. At very low frequency, contralateral branches form synapses onto unlabeled processes and also receive synapses from unidentified neurons in the glomeruli, indicating that the neuron may participate directly in synaptic processing of olfactory information. The high ratio of output to input synapses made by the serotonin-immunoreactive processes in the contralateral antennal lobe is consistent with the idea that this neuron may receive synaptic input via its bilateral branches in the protocerebrum and then send information to the contralateral antennal lobe where the neuron may exert feedback or modulatory influences on olfactory information processing in the glomeruli. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Psychometric Properties of Three New National Survey of Student Engagement Based Engagement Scales: An Item Response Theory Analysis.

We sought to develop and psychometrically describe three new student engagement scales to measure college students’ engagement with their faculty (student-faculty engagement: SFE), community-based activities (CBA), and transformational learning opportunities (TLO) using items selected from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), a widely used, standardized student engagement survey. We used confirmatory factor analysis for ordered-categorical measures, item response theory (IRT), and data from 941 US college students’ NSSE responses. Our findings indicated acceptable construct validity. The scales measured related but separable areas of engagement. IRT demonstrated that scores on the student-faculty engagement scale offered the most precise measurement in the middle range of student-faculty engagement. The CBA scale most reliably measured above average engagement, while TLO scores provided relatively precise descriptions of engagement across this spectrum. Findings support these scales’ utility in institutional efforts to describe “local” student engagement, as well as efforts to use these scales in cross-institutional comparisons.
Degradation Kinetics and Mechanism of Antibiotic Ceftiofur in Recycled Water Derived from a Beef Farm

Ceftiofur is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that has been widely used to treat bacterial infections in concentratedanimalfeedingoperations(CAFOs).LandapplicationofCAFOwastemayleadtotheloadingofceftiofurresiduesand itsmetabolitestotheenvironment.Tounderstandthepotentialcontaminationoftheantibioticintheenvironment,thedegradation kinetics and mechanisms of ceftiofur in solutions blended with and without the recycled water derived from a beef farm were investigated. The transformation of ceftiofur in aqueous solutions in the presence of the CAFO recycled water was the combined process of hydrolysis and biodegradation. The total degradation rates of ceftiofur at 15 C, 25 C, 35 C, and 45 C varied from 0.4� 2.8 � 10 � 3 ,1.4� 4.4 � 10 � 3 ,6.3� 11 � 10 � 3 ,and11� 17 � 10 � 3 h � 1 ,respectively,inaqueoussolutionsblendedwith1to5% CAFO recycled water. Hydrolysis of ceftiofur increased with incubation temperature from 15 to 45 C. The biodegradation rates of ceftiofurwerealsotemperature-dependentandincreasedwiththeapplicationamountsoftherecycledCAFOwater.Cef-aldehydeand desfuroylceftiofur(DFC)wereidentifiedasthemainbiodegradationandhydrolysisproducts,respectively.Thisresultsuggeststhatthe primarybiodegradationmechanismofceftiofurwasthecleavageofthe β-lactamring,whilehydrolyticcleavageoccurredatthethioester bond. Unlike DFC and ceftiofur, cef-aldehyde does not contain a β-lactam ring and has less antimicrobial activity, indicating that the biodegradation of ceftiofur in animal wastewater may mitigate the potentially adverse impact of the antibiotic to the environment.
A Multi-Aperture Image Sensor With 0.7 $\mu{\hbox{m}}$ Pixels in 0.11 $\mu{\hbox{m}}$ CMOS Technology

The first integrated multi-aperture image sensor is reported. It comprises a 166 $\times$ 76 array of 16 $\times$ 16, 0.7 $\mu{\hbox{m}}$ pixel, FT-CCD subarrays with local readout circuit, per-column 10-bit ADCs, and control circuits. The image sensor is fabricated in a 0.11 $\mu{\hbox{m}}$ CMOS process modified for buried channel charge transfer. Global snap shot image acquisition with CDS is performed at up to 15 fps with 0.15 V/lux-s responsivity, 3500 e- well capacity, 5 e- read noise, 33 e-/s dark signal, 57 dB dynamic range, and 35 dB peak SNR. When coupled with local optics, the multi-aperture image sensor captures overlapping views of the scene, which can be postprocessed to obtain both a high-resolution 2-D image and a depth map. Other benefits include the ability to image objects at close proximity to the sensor without the need for objective optics, achieve nearly complete color separation through a per-aperture color filter array, relax the requirements on the camera objective optics, and increase the tolerance to defective pixels. The multi-aperture architecture is also highly scalable, making it possible to increase pixel counts well beyond current levels.
Infection of chicks by intranasal route with Rous sarcoma virus.

Summary and Conclusions1. It is possible to infect chicks with the Rous sarcoma virus by using the intranasal route. 2. By this route, the lungs always became involved if infection took place, but growths were by no means limited to this organ. 3. Widespread involvement of organs and tissues may result from inoculation by this route. 4. Inhalation of aerosol preparations of the Rous virus did not yield recognizable Rous virus infection in this study. 5. The organs and tissues involved with sarcoma in some instances were those not usually associated with Rous infection when other routes of inoculation are used. 6. No hemorrhagic disease was observed in infected chicks. 7. The possible relationship of the intranasal route to the method of spread of natural Rous virus infection is considered as is also the bearing of these experiments on cancer in general.
Differential privacy for collaborative security

Fighting global security threats with only a local view is inherently difficult. Internet network operators need to fight global phenomena such as botnets, but they are hampered by the fact that operators can observe only the traffic in their local domains. We propose a collaborative approach to this problem, in which operators share aggregate information about the traffic in their respective domains through an automated query mechanism. We argue that existing work on differential privacy and type systems can be leveraged to build a programmable query mechanism that can express a wide range of queries while limiting what can be learned about individual customers. We report on our progress towards building such a mechanism, and we discuss opportunities and challenges of the collaborative security approach.
Spatial and temporal variations in temperate forest soil carbon dioxide during the non-growing season

In the Whitehall Forest of Georgia during the 1985-86 non-growing season soil CO2 varied with soil depth, varied spatially at constant depth, and varied temporally with changing environmental conditions. Variations with depth in the upper 1.4 m of the soil were of greater magnitude than temporal variations and spatial differences at 30 cm depth were of lesser magnitude. Mean soil CO2 in evergreen forest was higher (0.207 per cent) than in deciduous and mixed forest (0.157 per cent). There were no trends in soil CO2 along hillslopes or with changes in soil texture, bulk density, moisture content, or temperature. Soil CO2 did increase near trees possibly due to increased root densities and/or more numerous pockets of microbial activity. For CO2 at 30 cm depth, two variables–the mean daily temperature range in the month before measurement and actual evapotranspiration in the week before measurement (AET7)–explained 76 per cent of the variation in mean soil CO2. At the profile site, where soil CO2 was measured at five depths, 66 per cent of the variability in CO2 was explained by soil depth, AET7, and the average daily temperature range in the two months before measurement.
Modulation of gingival cAMP levels by tissue infalmmation

The basal levels of the nucletide cAMPin gingiva and the relationship of these levels to gingival tissue health was determined in Rhesus monkeys. It was shown that tissue cAMP levels were negatively correlated ot gingival infalmmation. Infalmed gingiva showed lower tissue cAMP levels that healthy gigiva. In adition, the effect of thetrauma of in the tissues progressively decreased as flaps were reflected for 30,60, or 120 minutes. It is concluded that inflammatory stimuli due to bacterial plaque or tissue trauma both result in lowered tissue cAMP levels which may be one of teh mediators of the physiologic changes seen in gingival tissuess during infalmmation.
Effects of recombinant equine FSH (reFSH) and LH (reLH) in deep anestrous mares under natural photoperiod after treatment, conception, and pregnancy termination

Recently, it was reported that recombinant equine gonadotropins induced ovulation in deep anestrous mares under natural photoperiod, but after ovulation, mares returned to anestrous. The overall studywas to determine if deep anestrous mares that received either reFSH or reFSH/ reLH under natural photoperiod would ovulate, conceive, and get pregnant at 24 days as observed by a fetal heartbeat. Twenty deep anestrous mares of light horse breeds (4-15 yr.) were either treated with reFSH (n1⁄410) or reFSH/ reLH (n1⁄410) beginning Feb 6th. The study reported herein was to determine if those mares that did not conceive, reabsorbed their embryo or were treated with PGF2a to abort their fetus at 24 days would continue to cycle on their own, or if not, could be treated again with the recombinants in a cross-over design. The mares were monitored for ovarian activity and cyclicity by trans-rectal ultrasonography and palpation. Blood collections were taken daily from the jugular vein from all mares and processed for plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone (P4), estradiol17b (E2), and immunoreactive (ir)-inhibin by validated radioimmunoassays (RIA). Two mares from each treatment group did not conceive. These mares were then followed for 30 days to determine if they would continue to cycle and ovulate on their own. Two mares from the reFSH/reLH group continued to cycle and ovulate on their own, whereas two mares from the reFSH group returned to anestrous and were then treated with reFSH/reLH. The retreated reFSHmares responded to reFSH/reLHwith a 35 mm follicle within 8.5 0.7 days and ovulated after administration of hCG (2500 IU). They were bred, conceived, and determined to be pregnant at 24 days post-
Hemispheres Apart: The Martian Crustal Dichotomy

Mars is a world divided—divided into ancient, heavily cratered highlands in the southern hemisphere and relatively featureless lowland plains in the northern hemisphere (Figure 1). This hemispheric dichotomy is manifested not only in the topography, but also in the geology, the tectonics, the cratering record, the gravity and magnetic field, and the crustal structure. The contrast between hemispheres has been brought into sharp focus by the unprecedented amount of new data returned by the fleet of operational spacecraft in Mars orbit (Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Express) and on the surface (Mars Exploration Rovers). However, the origin of perhaps the most fundamental feature of the crust of Mars remains uncertain. The formation of the crustal dichotomy may have set the course for most of the subsequent geologic evolution of Mars, including the Tharsis volcanic and tectonic province.
New Prospects for Antibacterial Agents Against Multidrug-Resistant Pneumococci

ABSTRACT Since the first description of penicillin-resistant pneumococci nearly 30 years ago, drug-resistance has become widespread throughout the world. This review focuses upon the in vitro susce...
Evaluation of the binding of the radiolabeled antidepressant drug, 18F-fluoxetine in the rodent brain: an in vitro and in vivo study

We have developed 18F-fluoxetine as a radiotracer analog of the antidepressant drug fluoxetine (Prozac). In vitro saturation experiments of 18F-fluoxetine were carried out on rat midbrain tissue and citalopram was used for measuring nonspecific binding. A saturation curve for the binding of 18F-fluoxetine was not obtained. Even when fluoxetine (10 microM) was used for measurements of nonspecific binding, a saturation curve was difficult to obtain. Other compounds, such as deprenyl, clorgyline, amphetamine, and reserpine were also not able to reduce the binding of 18F-fluoxetine. Ex vivo autoradiographic experiments with 18F-fluoxetine did not reveal any specific uptake in various brain regions. In vivo administration of 18F-fluoxetine in rats showed similar uptake in all the brain regions with little regional selectivity. A subcellular analysis of rat brain tissue after intravenous (IV) administration of 18F-fluoxetine indicated significant amounts of binding in mitochondria and synaptosomes. In summary, in vitro experiments with 18F-fluoxetine indicate little specific binding. Binding to the serotonin transporter was not identifiable. High nonspecific binding of the tracer resulting from its subcellular nature in the brain masks the ability to detect binding to the serotonin uptake sites in vivo. These findings indicate that a large portion of the binding of 18F-fluoxetine in rat brains is subcellular and clears slowly out of the cells. Other sites, such as monoamine oxidase, may also play a significant role in the action of fluoxetine.
Studies on the amphibian digestive system. III. The origin and development of pancreatic islands in certain species of anura

A study is made of the pancreatic islands in Rana clamitans, R. catesbiana, R. sylvatica and Hyla versicolor during various stages of development. The islands, which were first seen in the 8-mm. R. clamitans larvae, originate from the endodermal cells of the primitive pancreatic anlagen. Following early larval development in all of the species, new islands differentiate from the cells of the pancreatic ductules. During metamorphosis, much of the acinous tissue degenerates, but the islands persist. They become aggregated and the definitive islands are formed from the primary islands before the mature adult stage is reached. With the azure-eosin technique, two types of island cells were distinguishable before, or at the time of metamorphosis, in all of the anurans studied. They are designated as the red and blue types. The blue cells are considered the primitive or embryonic type, and may transform into the red type; or the red type may originate independently.
A xenon gas scintillation proportional counter coupled to a photoionization detector

Abstract Tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene (TMAE) vapor, with a photoionization potential of 5.4 eV, has been successfully used to detect the light from a xenon filled gas scintillation proportional counter. An energy resolution of 9.5% fwhm was achieved for 5.9 keV X-rays. Although the energy resolution of the prototype instrument is modest, it demonstrates that xenon light can be detected with a photoionization detector. This is a significant step towards making gas scintillation proportional counters with better energy resolution and with imaging capabilities.
Optical Science and Engineering Curriculum at NJIT

Applied optics is an enabling technology for engineers and scientists, while becoming more widespread as an interdisciplinary tool for teaching, research, and industry. New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) currently offers its Optical Science and Engineering (OPSE) curriculum created by an interdisciplinary team of research faculty with a Combined Research-Curriculum Development (CRCD) grant from the National Science Foundation. The OPSE teaching laboratory is also open to precollege students and high school science teachers through out*reach programs. Composed of two upper level undergraduate courses and one graduate level course, the OPSE curriculum teaches fundamental and applied optics to an interdisciplinary student audience. The courses combine lecture and experiments in which students are challenged to learn and apply optics within their own fields as well as others. These courses form a unified sequence with their own, stand-alone designation (OPSE) within the NJIT registration scheme. They are often taken as technical electives, though the undergraduate pair is required for Applied Physics and Engineering Science students minoring in optics. Enrollment is distributed among Applied Physics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer and Information Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Biology majors. The OPSE curriculum continues to receive excellent support from local industry as well as the NJIT community. Laboratory manuals, course notes, and outlines are distributed on the Internet at www.njit.eduDirectoryCentersOPSE.
Effect of oxygen pressure from 10−9 to 10−6 Torr on the friction of sputtered MoSx films

Abstract The effect of oxygen pressure in the range 10 −9 to 10 −6 Torr on the friction of sputtered MoS x films was determined in a pin-on-disk tribometer at a hertzian contact pressure of 0.44 GPa. The coefficient of friction was 0.04–0.05 at oxygen pressures of 1 × 10 −8 Torr or less. When 2 × 10 −8 Torr or more of oxygen was present during sliding the coefficient of friction decreased gradually to 0.01–0.02, independent of the pressure. However, static exposure to oxygen at any pressure did not affect the subsequent friction in vacuum. The wear scars with high friction were much larger than those with low friction. Oxygen may have reduced the friction force by causing a reduction in the shear strength of the film or a reduction in the area of contact. It is argued that the results are not consistent with a reduction in film shear strength. Rather, it is proposed that oxygen reduces the friction by influencing the transfer of material to the pin in such a way as to reduce the area of contact. With this hypothesis, a shear strength of 4.8 ± 0.6 MPa, independent of oxygen pressure, was deduced for a representative film.
Hybrid organic–inorganic nanomaterials based on polythiophene dendronized nanoparticles

In this work, the synthesis, characterization, and applications of branched oligothiophene dendrons that act as electroactive surfactants for the capping of Au metal nanoparticles and CdSe quantum dots are described. Two distinct methods have been employed for synthesis: a ligand exchange process and a direct-capping synthesis approach. The coverage of the dendrons per nanocrystal, the nature of the surface coordination interactions, and energy transfer interactions were studied in detail using UV-vis absorbance, FT-IR, AFM, TEM, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The competition/displacement in ligand metathesis is highlighted by the size of the dendron and nature of binding on semiconductor nanocrystals. In the other system using the direct capping method, the size of the Au nanoparticle is mediated by the dimensions of the ligand, i.e. alkyl chain spacer and dendron branching or size. These hybrid dendron/nanoparticle complexes are generally very soluble and stable in non-polar solvents. They exhibit energy transfer, surface plasmon resonance effects, and photoinduced charge transfer interactions between the metal/semiconductor and conjugated ligands. Adsorption on mica and graphite surfaces was observed. A one-layer photovoltaic cell was fabricated to demonstrate the potential for device applications.
Acute conversion of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia with intravenous diltiazem

Diltiazem has electrophysiologic effects similar to those of verapamil. Its efficacy and safety in 4 doses for treatment of induced supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) were examined and compared with those of placebo in 87 patients (25 with atrioventricular [AV] nodal reentry tachycardia, 60 with AV reentry associated with an accessory AV connection, and 2 with atrial tachycardia). Conversion to sinus rhythm occurred in 4 of 14 patients (29%) with 0.05 mg/kg of diltiazem, 16 of 19 (84%) with 0.15 mg/kg, 13 of 13 (100%) with 0.25 mg/kg, and 14 of 17 (82%) with 0.45 mg/kg compared with 6 of 24 (25%) treated with placebo. Conversion rates in groups receiving doses of 0.15 to 0.45 mg/kg of diltiazem were superior to that in the placebo group (p less than 0.001). Time to conversion was 3.0 +/- 2.6 minutes in responding diltiazem patients compared with 5.9 +/- 6.1 minutes in responding control patients. Diltiazem administration resulted in significant lengthening of SVT cycle length, AH interval, and AV nodal effective refractory period and block cycle length. The most frequent adverse response to diltiazem was hypotension (7 of 63 patients); however, only 4 patients had symptoms related to hypotension. Thus, intravenous diltiazem in doses of 0.15, 0.25 and 0.45 mg/kg is an effective and safe treatment for the acute management of SVT.
XLPM: efficient algorithm for the analysis of protein-protein contacts using chemical cross-linking mass spectrometry

Chemical cross-linking is used for protein-protein contacts mapping and for structural analysis. One of the difficulties in cross-linking studies is the analysis of mass-spectrometry data and the assignment of the site of cross-link incorporation. The difficulties are due to higher charges of fragment ions, and to the overall low-abundance of cross-link species in the background of linear peptides. Cross-linkers non-specific at one end, such as photo-inducible diazirines, may complicate the analysis further. In this report, we design and validate a novel cross-linked peptide mapping algorithm (XLPM) and compare it to StavroX, which is currently one of the best algorithms in this class. We have designed a novel cross-link search algorithm -XLPM - and implemented it both as an online tool and as a downloadable archive of scripts. We designed a filter based on an observation that observation of a b-ion implies observation of a complimentary y-ion with high probability (b-y filter). We validated the b-y filter on the set of linear peptides from NIST library, and demonstrate that it is an effective way to find high-quality mass spectra. Next, we generated cross-linked data from an ssDNA binding protein, Rim1with a specific cross-linker disuccinimidyl suberate, and a semi-specific cross-linker NHS-Diazirine, followed by analysis of the cross-linked products by nanoLC-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry. The cross-linked data were searched by XLPM and StavroX and the performance of the two algorithms was compared. The cross-links were mapped to the X-ray structure of Rim1 tetramer. Analysis of the mixture of NHS-Diazirine cross-linked 15N and 14N-labeled Rim1 tetramers yielded 15N-labeled to 14N-labeled cross-linked peptide pairs, corresponding to C-terminus-to-N-terminus cross-linking, demonstrating interaction between different two Rim1 tetramers. Both XLPM and StavroX were successful in identification of this interaction, with XLPM leading to a better annotation of higher-charged fragments. We also put forward a new method of estimating specificity and sensitivity of identification of a cross-linked residue in the case of a non-specific cross-linker. The novel cross-link mapping algorithm, XLPM, considerably improves the speed and accuracy of the analysis compared to other methods. The quality selection filter based on b-to-y ions ratio proved to be an effective way to select high quality cross-linked spectra.
Effect of Crumb Rubber Dissolution on Low-Temperature Performance and Aging of Asphalt–Rubber Binder:

Asphalt binder plays a critical role in defining the low-temperature performance of asphalt pavement, and, therefore, enhancing its mechanical behavior at low service temperatures through modification always has been of great interest. Crumb rubber modification of asphalt is one of the common practices in the industry. However, the effect of a crumb rubber modifier (CRM) on low-temperature performance of the binder is not well understood. A CRM swells by absorbing the aromatics and light molecular components of asphalt at low interaction temperatures (i.e., 160°C) and dissolves at higher interaction temperatures (i.e., 190°C, 220°C). Each of those activities affects the performance of the CRM asphalt differently. In this research, the activities of CRMs in asphalt controlled accurately through regulating the interaction conditions and the effect of each of those activities on low-service-temperature properties of asphalt were studied by using the bending beam rheometer (BBR) and modulated differential sca...
Ca2+ Selectivity and Fatty Acid Specificity of the Noncapacitative, Arachidonate-regulated Ca2+ (ARC) Channels

Abstract The arachidonate-regulated, Ca2+-selective ARC channels represent a novel receptor-activated pathway for the entry of Ca2+ in nonexcitable cells that is entirely separate from the widely studied store-operated, Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+channels. Activation of ARC channels occurs specifically at the low agonist concentrations typically associated with oscillatory Ca2+ signals and appears to provide the predominant mode of Ca2+ entry under these conditions (Mignen, O., Thompson, J. L., and Shuttleworth, T. J. (2001)J. Biol. Chem. 276, 35676–35683). In this study we demonstrate that ARC channels are present in a variety of different cell types including both cell lines and primary cells. Examination of their pharmacology revealed that currents through these channels are significantly inhibited by low concentrations (< 5 μm) of Gd3+, are unaffected by 100 μm2-aminoethyoxydiphenyl borane, and are not activated by the diacylglycerol analogue 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (100 μm). Their selectivity for Ca2+ was assessed by determining the EC50 for external Ca2+ block of the monovalent currents observed in the absence of external divalent cations. The value obtained (150 nm) indicates that the Ca2+ selectivity of ARC channels is extremely high. Examination of the ability of various fatty acids, including arachidonic acid, to activate the ARC channels demonstrated that activation does not reflect any nonspecific membrane fluidity or detergent effects, shows a high degree of specificity for arachidonic acid over other fatty acids (especially monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids), and is independent of any arachidonic acid metabolite. Moreover, studies using the charged analogue arachidonyl coenzyme A demonstrate that activation of the ARC channels reflects an action of the fatty acid specifically at the internal face of the plasma membrane. Whether this involves a direct action of arachidonic acid on the channel protein itself or an action on some intermediary molecule is, at present, unclear.
Environmental inversion effects in face perception

Visual processing is highly sensitive to stimulus orientation; for example, face perception is drastically worse when faces are oriented inverted vs. upright. However, stimulus orientation must be established in relation to a particular reference frame, and in most studies, several reference frames are conflated. Which reference frame(s) matter in the perception of faces? Here we describe a simple, novel method for dissociating effects of egocentric and environmental orientation on face processing. Participants performed one of two face-processing tasks (expression classification and recognition memory) as they lay horizontally, which served to disassociate the egocentric and environmental frames. We found large effects of egocentric orientation on performance and smaller but reliable effects of environmental orientation. In a follow-up control experiment, we ruled out the possibility that the latter could be explained by compensatory ocular counterroll. We argue that environmental orientation influences face processing, which is revealed when egocentric orientation is fixed.
Physical Model Study of an Alternating Diffuser for Thermal Discharge

Physical model tests were conducted of the mixing of heated water from a proposed thermal diffuser. Dilutions were measured and flows imaged by a three-dimensional laser-induced fluorescence system that provides vastly more data than conventional thermocouple techniques. The flows were quite three-dimensional. For zero current speed, the effluent mixed over the water depth, but only in a limited region, and a two-layer stratified flow developed toward the edges of the effluent field and farther downstream. For zero and slow currents, the lowest surface dilution occurred where the jet centerline intersected the water surface and could be reasonably predicted by simple free-jet calculations. The prediction of an entrainment model, UM3, was close to the observed results because the flow is three-dimensional and the entraining water can be supplied from the ends. CORMIX considerably underestimated the observed dilution because it uses a two-dimensional analysis and neglects the effect of source momentum flux....
Dilaton black holes, naked singularities and strings.

We extend a previous calculation which treated Schwarzschild black-hole horizons as quantum-mechanical objects to the case of a charged, dilaton black hole. We show that for two values of the dilaton parameter a, which are determined by the condition of unitarity of the S matrix, black holes transform at the extremal limit into strings.
Evolution of neurological impairment in pediatric infratentorial ependymoma patients.

Background Infratentorial ependymoma is a common central nervous system tumor of childhood and in patients >1 year of age is treated with maximally feasible surgical resection and radiotherapy. Because of this tumor typically arises within the 4th ventricle and can invade the brainstem, patients are at risk for significant neurological impairment. Purpose To characterize the incidence, evolution, and persistence of neurologic impairment in children with infratentorial ependymoma following maximal safe surgery and conformal or intensity-modulated radiation therapy (CRT/IMRT). Patients and Methods After surgical resection, 96 children with non-metastatic infratentorial ependymoma were enrolled on a phase II study of image-guided radiation therapy and were prospectively followed with interval comprehensive neurological examinations. Late adverse neurological severity was graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 3.0. Results The most common deficits detected at baseline examination were limb dysmetria, cranial nerve VI/VII palsy, limb paresis, dysphagia, and truncal ataxia/hypotonia. When present, gait dysfunction and dysphagia were often severe. Oculomotor dysfunction, facial paresis, dysphagia, and gait impairment improved over time. With the exception of hearing loss, in the survivor cohort, very few severe late effects (CTCAE Grade 3/4/5) were present at 60 months survival. Conclusion In general, neurological deficits were maximal in the post-operative period and either remained stable or improved during radiation and the post-treatment evaluation period. With the exception of hearing, the majority of chronic residual neurological deficits in this at-risk population are mild and only minimally intrude upon daily life.
Cecal Insertion and Withdrawal Times With Wide-Angle Versus Standard Colonoscopes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to see if a 170° angle of view (wide angle [WA]) colonoscope allowed faster withdrawal without decreasing adenoma detection. Methods: Eight colonoscopists at 2 institutions participated in the study. Patients were randomized so that each colonoscopist performed 50% of the exams with a 160 series (140° angle of view; standard [ST]) colonoscope and 50% with a prototype 160 series colonoscope with a 170° angle of view (WA instrument). Insertion and withdrawal times and number of polyps detected were recorded. Endoscopists were asked to withdraw as quickly as they could carefully complete the exams. Analysis of variance was done to compare insertion and withdrawal times and number of polyps detected. Time to perform biopsy, polypectomy, and cleaning was subtracted using a stopwatch. Results: A total of 710 procedures were performed, 355 with ST and 355 with WA colonoscope. The mean insertion time was similar. The mean withdrawal time (absent time for suctioning, washing, etc.) with the WA colonoscope was 4.9 min which was shorter (4.9 vs 5.4 min; P = .0001) overall and for three individual endocopists (P = .0001, P = .01, and P = .03). There was no difference in the mean number of adenomas detected per colonoscopy with ST (0.6) compared to WA (0.5) (P = .12). Two of the three endoscopists with shorter withdrawal times with WA had numerically higher detection rates with WA. Conclusions: The WA colonoscope is associated with a reduction in withdrawal time without compromising adenoma detection. However, this effect is operator dependent and the overall impact of wide-angle optics in this study was minor.
A meso specific reaction

Abstract Acid-catalyzed condensation of optically pure 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-pyrrolidmone, 2 , with benzaldehyde gives only a monomeric optically active oxazoliduie, 3 , while under the same conditions, racemic 2 gives only a meso centrosymmetric compound 4 - a dimer of racemic 3 . This meso specific reaction serves as a highly efficient method for increasing the optical purity of the generally useful chiral building blocks 2 and 3 .
Ethanol-induced hypothermia in mice: Influence of genotype on development of tolerance

Abstract Male mice of BALB/c, C57BL, DBA/2 strains and two lines of mice selectively bred for sensitivity to ethanol, Long-Sleep (LS) and Short-Sleep (SS), were tested for ethanol-induced hypothermia following varied doses of ethanol. The results show that the genotype as well as the dose of the drug determines the intensity and the duration of the effect. Repeated injection of ethanol results in the decrease of hypothermia in BALB/c mice and in C57BL, but not in DBA/2 mice, indicating that tolerance as measured in this study may not develop in certain genotypes of mice. The blood ethanol elimination data after repeated injections of ethanol indicate that the metabolic factors do not explain the changes observed in the hypothermic effects of repeated injections of ethanol.
The Southwestern Market for Big-Game Hunting Permits and Services: A Hedonic Pricing Analysis

Individuals pursuing big-game hunting in the Southwestern United States are presented with a wide array of opportunities, including public lotteries and market-based allocations (e.g., auctions, private transactions). The marketing of big-game hunts and associated services by landowners, guides, and outfitters is increasingly common and supported by state-sanctioned, transferable permit allocations. Given the range of permit and services combinations now available in the market, prices can be expected to vary systematically across attributes of the hunt transaction. Using a sample (n = 942) collected from information posted online and a follow-up telephone survey, this research employed hedonic pricing analysis to examine the regional market for big-game permits and associated hunting services in the Southwest. Estimation results allowed the implicit price of different attributes to be identified. Results also have policy relevance, including: understanding trends in ranch prices, assessing poaching losse...
Cytotoxicity-related alterations of selected cellular functions after in vitro vanadate exposure.

Abstract A bovine kidney cell line was used to monitor select cellular functions for toxicity-dependent alterations in an effort to examine the cellular response to vanadium insult. The vanadium concentrations utilized ranged between 20 and 500 μM Na 3 VO 4 (V) and elicited 15–60% cytotoxicity. Cytotoxicity-related decreases in thymidine incorporation into DNA and leucine incorporation into protein were noted. Paradoxically, V-treated cultures exhibited increased protein and DNA content, suggestive of a decrease in precursor transport. K + -dependent phosphatase (KP), acid phosphatase (AP) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) were monitored in surviving cells and in a cell-free system. Significant inhibitions were detected for KP and AP; SDH exhibited slight enhancement. In the cell-free system, KP was inhibited significantly at 10 −7 M V, while AP and SDH were either unchanged or sensitive only at concentrations of 10 −4 M V or greater. Measurement of reduced glutathione (GSH) in surviving cells revealed toxicity-dependent increases of up to 500% of control values. When compared to the cellular V content, the GSH: V molar ratio decreased from 1.7 to 0.5 as cell survival decreased.
A multi-scale 3D radial gradient filter for computerized mass detection in digital tomosynthesis breast images

Abstract We have developed a pre-selection algorithm to identify mass lesion candidates in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) images. This algorithm is designed to achieve computationally efficient pre-selection of lesion candidate locations in the reconstructed breast volume. First, the breast volume is filtered with a radial gradient filter to enhance spherical structures. The filter is designed such that the convolution can be carried out in the spatial frequency domain. Variation of mass lesion size is accounted for by varying the scale of the radial gradient filter. For the subsequent analysis, the dimensionality of the feature volume is reduced through maximum intensity projection, without loss of information for the present database. The database consisted of 36 breast volumes, 21 of which had mass lesions. DBT volumes were reconstructed from 11 projections using a ML-EM algorithm. For this database, we found a sensitivity of 100% at 23 false positives and 90% sensitivity at 13 false positives. False positives can be reduced through subsequent feature analysis.
Clinical Use of Inotropic Therapy for Heart Failure: Looking Backward or Forward? Part I: Inotropic Infusions During Hospitalization

Early descriptions of heart failure focused on the syndrome of congestion, an excess of the wet or melancholic humors, “dropsy,” or “backward” failure.1 Although associations with weak pulses and cool skin were also noted, more precise measurement of impaired contraction at the level of the heart and the myocyte itself later redefined heart failure as a malady of impaired forward function. Focus on forward failure was sharpened by dramatic initial responses to agents that stimulate contractility. However, the inability to sustain early improvements with inotropic agents was accompanied by increased mortality.2,3 Focusing instead on chronic responses, inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system and peripheral blockade of β-adrenergic receptors have been found over time to help preserve and in some cases improve contractility, decrease filling pressures, and prolong survival.4–6 These neurohormonal antagonists decrease the development and worsening of heart failure. In trial populations dominated by mild-moderate heart failure, the majority of patients with left ventricular dysfunction have preserved cardiac output at rest and are limited primarily by impaired volume regulation and diminished cardiac output responses to exercise. Despite the benefits of interventions for mild-moderate heart failure, it has remained a progressive disease. In the later stages of heart failure that lead to repeated hospitalization, resting flow decreases to vital organs, particularly the kidney. Inotropic therapy is frequently considered in hopes that either brief or prolonged stimulation of contractility to increase perfusion may help to restore compensation for a period of time. The decision to use inotropic therapy and the selection of inotropic agent should reflect the realistic goals of therapy for the individual with heart failure. The diversity of goals and settings has limited the performance of randomized controlled trials to establish evidence on which to base these therapies.7 Sharper focus on current practices and outcomes with inotropic …