cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dispersibility of wheat proteins in aqueous urea solutions—a new parameter to evaluate bread-making potentialities of wheat flours

Dispersibility of wheat flour proteins in 3M-urea in 0·01M-pyrophosphate buffer pH 7-0 at 4° was highly correlated with bread-making potentialities of samples representing six hard red winter wheat varieties from 19 locations, and of samples representing composites of hard red winter, northern spring, soft red winter, durum, and soft white (club) varieties from 8 locations. Urea-dispersible proteins, expressed on an equal-protein basis, had consistently higher absorbance readings at 280 mμ in poor than in good bread-making wheat flours. Absorbance of urea-dispersible proteins of flour increased as a result of deleterious effects of γ-irradiation of wheat. The protein dispersibility index was negatively correlated with bread-making potentialities of flours milled from the wheats damaged by γ-irradiation. It is postulated that ease of dispersibility and disaggregation of proteins in urea are related to structural lability of wheat proteins during mechanical- or heat-processing of wheat dough. Differences in disaggregation due to rupture of hydrogen bonds might explain large differences in oxidation requirements of flours which vary little in levels of disulphideor thiol-containing amino acids.
Using Perturbation theory to reduce noise in diffusion tensor fields.

Abstract We propose the use of Perturbation theory to reduce noise in Diffusion Tensor (DT) fields. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) encodes the diffusion of water molecules along different spatial directions in a positive definite, 3 × 3 symmetric tensor. Eigenvectors and eigenvalues of DTs allow the in vivo visualization and quantitative analysis of white matter fiber bundles across the brain. The validity and reliability of these analyses are limited, however, by the low spatial resolution and low Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) in DTI datasets. Our procedures can be applied to improve the validity and reliability of these quantitative analyses by reducing noise in the tensor fields. We model a tensor field as a three-dimensional Markov Random Field and then compute the likelihood and the prior terms of this model using Perturbation theory. The prior term constrains the tensor field to be smooth, whereas the likelihood term constrains the smoothed tensor field to be similar to the original field. Thus, the proposed method generates a smoothed field that is close in structure to the original tensor field. We evaluate the performance of our method both visually and quantitatively using synthetic and real-world datasets. We quantitatively assess the performance of our method by computing the SNR for eigenvalues and the coherence measures for eigenvectors of DTs across tensor fields. In addition, we quantitatively compare the performance of our procedures with the performance of one method that uses a Riemannian distance to compute the similarity between two tensors, and with another method that reduces noise in tensor fields by anisotropically filtering the diffusion weighted images that are used to estimate diffusion tensors. These experiments demonstrate that our method significantly increases the coherence of the eigenvectors and the SNR of the eigenvalues, while simultaneously preserving the fine structure and boundaries between homogeneous regions, in the smoothed tensor field.
The cytoplasmic trafficking of DNA topoisomerase IIα correlates with etoposide resistance in human myeloma cells

Abstract In this study we have investigated the role of topoisomerase (topo) IIα trafficking in cellular drug resistance. To accomplish this, it was necessary to separate the influence of cell cycle, drug uptake, topo protein levels, and enzyme trafficking on drug sensitivity. Thus, we developed a cell model (called accelerated plateau) using human myeloma H929 cells that reproducibly translocates topo IIα to the cytoplasm. Compared to log-phase cells, the cytoplasmic redistribution of topo IIα in plateau-phase cells correlated with a 10-fold resistance to VP-16 and a 40–60% reduction in the number of drug-induced double-strand DNA breaks. In addition, 7-fold more VP-16 was necessary to achieve 50% topo IIα band depletion, suggesting that there are fewer drug-induced topo–DNA complexes formed in quiescent cells than in log-phase cells. The total cellular amount of topo IIα and topo IIβ protein in log- and plateau-phase cells was similar as determined by Western blot analysis. There was a 25% reduction in S-phase cell number in plateau cells (determined by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation), while there was no significant difference in the equilibrium concentrations of [ 3 H]-VP-16 when log cells were compared with plateau cells. Furthermore, the nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio of topo IIα is increased 58-fold in accelerated-plateau H929 cells treated with leptomycin B (LMB) when compared to untreated cells. It appears that the nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling of topo IIα, which decreases the amount of nuclear target enzyme, is a major mechanism of drug resistance to topo II inhibitors in plateau-phase myeloma cells.
An NC lathe simulator for part programming and machine operation training

Abstract The objective of this study is to develop a simulator, entitled nc-lathe to simulate the NC lathe operation and to train the part programming technique. nc-lathe includes five basic modules: operation selection module, part program development module, machine set-up module, simulation animation module, and design considerations module. The operation selection module consists of a rule-based expert system to aid in the selection of work-holding devices and machining operations. The part program development module includes a part program editor for developing and editing a part program for the designed part. The machine set-up module allows the user to set up the machine before the operation. The simulation animation module consists of a syntax checker, an operation troubleshooter, and a simulation animation subsystem. The syntax checker is designed for verifying the part program. The operation troubleshooter consists of a rule-based expert system to diagnose several most frequent operation problems during the simulation with probable causes and recommendations. On the simulation animation screen, a dynamic pictorial information is provided for simulating the NC lathe operation. Ten cases with a variety of machining operations on the lathe were used to validate the system. The results indicate that the performance of nc-lathe was equivalent to that of real NC lathes. The results of user interface evaluation demonstrate that nc-lathe provides an efficient and user-friendly interface. Evaluation of the system's performance indicates that nc-lathe could be used as a tool to help students to learn part programming.
Effect of ozone on the development of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae in sugar maple saplings.

We examined the effects of ozone on the incidence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae in the roots of sugar maple {Acer saccharum) seedlings using a modified grid-line intersect method. The presence of vesicles, arbuscules, hyphal coils and internal my? celium was recorded. As the concentration of ozone
Autism diagnosis and screening: Factors to consider in differential diagnosis

Abstract There has been an exponential growth in assessment methods to diagnose disorders on the autism spectrum. Many reasons for this trend exist and include advancing knowledge on how to make a diagnosis, the heterogeneity of the spectrum, the realization that different methods may be needed based on age and intellectual disability. Other factors include the recognition that some testing will be for diagnosis, while other diagnostic work will be for identifying targets for intervention and for monitoring symptoms over time. Measures of co-occurring conditions that interface with measures of core symptoms are also needed and should aid in multidisciplinary treatment. In addition to these factors we discuss factors associated with observational data collection methods, length, and scoring of evaluations and the fallacy that a “gold standard” for diagnosis of autism exists or in fact is desirable. The implications of these data are discussed.
Tangential Induction and Its Effect on Wind Turbine Performance and Loads

In the modeling of wind turbine loads, the effect of tangential induction on relative velocity is frequently neglected in blade element/momentum theory computer codes. Tangential induction is neglected in the FLAP (Wright et al., 1992) and FAST (Wilson et al., 1993) codes, while it is included in the PHATAS code (Snel et al., 1992). In order to determine the impact of neglecting tangential induction, calculations of power, angle-of-attack, dynamic pressure, and root bending moment were made on the ESI-80 wind turbine (Musial et al., 1985) using an updated version of PROP (Harman, 1994).
Radiation resistance of fluorine-doped silica-core fibers

Abstract In order to make optical fibers with excellent radiation resistance characteristics in a wide wavelength region, fluorine-doped silica-core fibers instead of pure-silica-core fibers were studied. Also the effect of H 2 doping fluorine-doped fibers was investigated. As a result, it has been clarified that fluorine doping makes the usable wavelength region of fibers extremely wide and H 2 doping on fluorine-doped fibers makes radiation resistance characteristics of fibers significantly stronger.
Comparison of the influence of acute transmural and nontransmural myocardial infarction on ventricular function

Abstract In order to assess the relative impact on left and right ventricular function of nontransmural and transmural acute myocardial infarction (AMI), we performed radionuclide ventriculography in 86 patients (54 men and 32 women) within 16 hours after a first infarct. Nontransmural infarction was present in 19 patients (11 anterior and 8 inferior). Transmural infarction was found in 67 patients (30 anterior and 37 inferior). Left ventricular ejection fractions were higher (0.57 ± .014 vs 0.46 ± 0.14, p 2 , p = 0.013) in patients with nontransmural infarction compared to those with transmural infarction. Right ventricular ejection fraction also may have been different in the two groups (0.63 ± 0.15 vs 0.55 ± 0.13, p = 0.057). In patients with inferior infarction, left and right ventricular ejection fractions were similar in patients with nontransmural and transmural infarction (0.60 ± 0.09 vs 0.55 ± 0.10, p = 0.119 and 0.58 ± 0.14 vs 0.51 ± 12, p = 0.226). On the other hand, patients with anterior transmural infarction had lower left ventricular ejection fractions (0.36 ± 0.12 vs 0.54 ± 0.17, p = 0.003) but similar right ventricular ejection fractions (0.60 ± 0.13 vs 0.66 ± 0.14, p = 0.14) compared to those with nontransmural anterior infarction. In 29 additional patients with a history of previous infarction, no differences in any of the parameters studied were found between those with transmural and those with nontransmural infarcts. Thus, left ventricular function is better preserved in patients with a first nontransmural infarct compared to those with a first transmural anterior infarct. However, this difference is not seen in patients with a history of a previous infarction.
Nongovernmental Organizations, Democracy, and Deforestation: A Cross-National Analysis

There have been several cross-national studies published in the world polity theoretical tradition that demonstrate the beneficial impact of international nongovernmental organizations. However, these studies neglect the role of domestic nongovernmental organizations. We address this gap in the literature by conducting a cross-national study that considers the impact of both international and domestic nongovernmental organizations on deforestation. We use data from a sample of 60 nations for the period of 1990 to 2005. We find substantial support for the world polity theory that higher levels of both types of nongovernmental organizations are associated with lower rates of deforestation. We expand the analysis to test a political opportunity structure hypothesis that democracy enhances the ability of nongovernmental organizations to deal with the causes of forest loss. In doing so, we find that international and domestic nongovernmental organizations tend to decrease forest loss more in democratic rather ...
Relationship between systems-level factors and hand hygiene adherence

This study was a cross sectional descriptive survey of acute care hospitals in California to describe staff hand hygiene compliance and related predictors, and explore the relationship between hand hygiene adherence to health care-associated infections. Although there was a relatively small sample size, institutions with morning huddles reported a significantly higher proportion of ≥95% hand hygiene compliance. Huddles are an organizational tool to improve teamwork and communication and may offer promise to influence hand hygiene adherence.
Analytic construction of Hartree-Fock density matrices.

Abstract A method is presented for variational calculation of the energy and the spin densities derived from a single-determinant wavefunction. Sum and difference coordinates [unk]R = ½([unk]r1 + [unk]r1) and [unk]r = [unk]r1 - [unk]r1 are introduced, and the density matrix P([unk]r1,[unk]r1) is expanded in partial waves in the new coordinate frame: [Formula: see text] The functions hL(e,r) are bound or continuum hydrogenic functions with energy e. It is shown that the spin densities depend on the s partial waves only, and a Euler equation for these partial waves is derived: [Formula: see text] in which U([unk]R) is the electrostatic potential, a(e) = h0(e,0), and μ is chosen to normalize the spin density to N electrons. Further, the electronic energy can be expressed in terms of the s partial waves and the constant μ in the above equations. The idempotent density matrix that ensues from a particular choice of functions {B00[unk](e,[unk]R)} is generated by choosing partial density waves {BLM(e,[unk]R), L > 0} so that tr[P2(1 - P)2] is minimized.
Critical Roles of a Cyclic AMP Responsive Element and an E-box in Regulation of Mouse Renin Gene Expression

Mouse As4.1 cells, obtained after transgene-targeted oncogenesis to induce neoplasia in renal renin expressing cells, express high levels of renin mRNA from their endogenous Ren-1(c) gene. We have previously identified a 242-base pair enhancer (coordinates -2866 to -2625 relative to the CAP site) upstream of the mouse Ren-1(c) gene. This enhancer, in combination with the proximal promoter (-117 to +6), activates transcription nearly 2 orders of magnitude in an orientation independent fashion. To further delimit sequences necessary for transcriptional activation, renin promoter-luciferase reporter gene constructs containing selected regions of the Ren-1(c) enhancer were analyzed after transfection into As4.1 cells. These results demonstrate that several regions are required for full enhancer activity. Sequences from -2699 to -2672, which are critical for the enhancer activity, contain a cyclic AMP responsive element (CRE) and an E-box. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that transcription factors CREB/CREM and USF1/USF2 in As4.1 cell nuclear extracts bind to oligonucleotides containing the Ren-1(c) CRE and E-box, respectively. These two elements are capable of synergistically activating transcription from the Ren-1(c) promoter. Moreover, mutation of either the CRE or E-box results in almost complete loss of enhancer activity, suggesting the critical roles these two elements play in regulating mouse Ren-1(c) gene expression. Although the Ren-1(c) gene contains a CRE, its expression is not induced by cAMP in As4.1 cells. This appears to reflect constitutive activation of protein kinase A in As4.1 cells since treatment with the protein kinase A inhibitor, H-89, caused a significant reduction in Ren-1(c) gene expression and this reduction is mediated through the CRE at -2699 to -2688.
Valinomycin inhibition of chloroplast electron transport at or near plastoquinone

Abstract Valinomycin inhibits the coupled portion of whole-chain noncyclic electron transport and phosphorylation and also inhibits the anaerobic menadione-dependent cyclic phosphorylation. Both of these electron transport systems are thought to involve plastoquinone. Electron transport and phosphorylation in various photosystem I and II partial reactions not involving plastoquinone or phosphorylation using other cyclic cofactors that are not dependent on plastoquinone were relatively insensitive to valinomycin. Single-beam ultraviolet spectrophotometric measurements showed that valinomycin decreased the apparent first-order rate constant for plastohydroquinone oxidation by more than twofold and had no observable effect on the reduction rate constant. The valinomycin inhibitions did not require K+ addition to the media. However, it was shown that extensive washing or dialysis did not reduce the chloroplast endogenous K+ content below 0.1 μmol K+/mg of chloroplasts.
The IPAT Equation and Its Variants

Summary In the early 1970s Ehrlich and Holdren devised a simple equation in dialogue with Commoner identifying three factors that created environmental impact. Thus, impact (I) was expressed as the product of (1) population, (P); (2) affluence, (A); and (3) technology, (T). This article tracks the various forms the IPAT equation has taken over 30 years as a means of examining an underlying shift among many environmentalists toward a more accepting view of the role technology can play in sustainable development. Although the IPAT equation was once used to determine which single variable was the most damaging to the environment, an industrial ecology view reverses this usage, recognizing that increases in population and affluence can, in many cases, be balanced by improvements to the environment offered by technological systems.
Note on the mathematical theory of interaction of social classes

In continuation of previous studies, the interreaction of two social classes is investigated from a somewhat different point of view. An exchange of results of activities of the two classes is considered, and a mathematical approach is outlined based on the use of such psychological concepts as the satisfaction function.
A Study on the Miscibility of Selected Blends of Methyl Methacrylate−Benzyl Methacrylate Copolymers

This study was conducted in the Division of Chemical Engineering at Seoul National University while C.-W.P. was on leave from the University of Florida. C.-W.P. thanks the faculty of Chemical Engineering Division for providing the work environment for this study. He also acknowledges the support of the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF) and the Korean Federation of Science and Engineering Societies for this study.
Local noise estimation in low-dose chest CT images

Image noise in computed tomography (CT) images may have significant local variation due to tissue properties, dose, and location of the X-ray source. We developed and tested an automated tissue-based estimator method for estimating local noise in CT images. An automated TBE method for estimating the local noise in CT image in 3 steps was developed: (1) Partition the image into homogeneous and transition regions, (2) For each pixel in the homogeneous regions, compute the standard deviation in a $$15\times 15\times 1$$ voxel local region using only pixels from the same homogeneous region, and (3) Interpolate the noise estimate from the homogeneous regions in the transition regions. Noise-aware fat segmentation was implemented. Experiments were conducted on the anthropomorphic phantom and in vivo low-dose chest CT scans to validate the TBE, characterize the magnitude of local noise variation, and determine the sensitivity of noise estimates to the size of the region in which noise is computed. The TBE was tested on all scans from the Early Lung Cancer Action Program public database. The TBE was evaluated quantitatively on the phantom data and qualitatively on the in vivo data. The results show that noise can vary locally by over 200 Hounsfield units on low-dose in vivo chest CT scans and that the TBE can characterize these noise variations within 5 %. The new fat segmentation algorithm successfully improved segmentation on all 50 scans tested. The TBE provides a means to estimate noise for image quality monitoring, optimization of denoising algorithms, and improvement of segmentation algorithms. The TBE was shown to accurately characterize the large local noise variations that occur due to changes in material, dose, and X-ray source location.
State political culture and support for Obama in the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries

Abstract Though ideologically similar, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton appealed to different types of voters in the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries and demographically the candidates’ support varied considerably. Relative to the demographics of the primary electorates, however, we find that state political culture played an outsized role in determining which candidate emerged victorious in a particular state. When the size of demographic groups in the 2008 Democratic primaries are utilized in ordinary least squares regression models as independent variables with state political characteristics and Daniel Elazar's state political culture typology, political culture proves to be an important determinant of the level of support given to Obama in a state. States that are characterized by a more moralistic political culture are more likely to have given Obama a greater share of the primary vote and states that are characterized by a more traditionalistic or individualistic culture were less likely to support Obama in the 2008 Democratic primaries.
Momentum transfer in the reactions of 25-GeV /sup 12/C and 28-GeV /sup 1/H with Cu

The thick-target, thick-catcher technique has been used to determine mean kinetic properties of selected products of the fragmentation of Cu by 25-GeV $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ ions and 28-GeV $^{1}\mathrm{H}$. Recoil properties of target fragments vary strongly with product mass, but show only a weak dependence on projectile type which is interpreted as indicating small deviations from the limiting fragmentation hypothesis for 2-GeV/nucleon $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ ions.NUCLEAR REACTIONS Cu($^{12}\mathrm{C}$, spallation) $E=25$ GeV, Cu($^{1}\mathrm{H}$, spallation) $E=28$ GeV, thick-target, thick catchers; measured $2W(F+B)$ and $W(F\ensuremath{-}B)$ for six products $^{24}\mathrm{Na}$-$^{58}\mathrm{Co}$; deduced mean kinetic properties.
Application of XML tools for enterprise-wide RBAC implementation tasks

The use of Extensible Markup Language (XML) and its associated APIs, for information modeling and information interchange applications is being actively explored by the reseach community. In this paper we develop an XML Document Type Definition (DTD) for representing the schema of a Role-based Access Control (RBAC) Model and a conforming XML document containing the actual RBAC-based access control data for a commercial banking application. Based on this DTD, the XML document and the methods in the Document Object Model (DOM) API Level 1.0 standards, we describe three application tasks related to enterprise-wide implementation of RBAC. They are: (a)implementing an RBAC model for a database application (b)implementing RBAC models with identical data on two different database servers and (c)transforming data under an RBAC model to a different, but structurally similar model like Group-based Access Control model. Other potential Access Control Service applications exploiting the capabilities of some commercial XML processors are also outlined.
Dynamical suppression of spontaneous emission.

We study the influence of a strong resonant driving field on the spectral properties of a single, cavity-confined, two-level atom. Under conditions of atom-cavity resonance, the lines of the Mollow resonance fluorescence triplet are found to narrow with increasing driving field strength, indicating a dynamical decoupling of the atom from the vacuum field.
Renal cell carcinoma invading the urinary collecting system: implications for staging.

Purpose: Current TNM staging of renal cell carcinoma is based on the tumor propensity for local extension (T), nodal involvement (N) and metastatic spread (M). Locally advanced renal cell carcinoma may involve the perirenal fat, adrenal glands, renal vein, vena cava and/or urinary collecting system. The existing TNM classification does not reflect the ability of renal cell carcinoma to invade the urothelium. We evaluated the incidence and characteristics as well as overall and cancer specific survival of renal cell carcinoma invading the urinary collecting system.Methods and Materials: We reviewed pathological findings in 504 kidneys from 475 patients with renal cell carcinoma who presented to our institution in a 3-year period. Urothelial involvement required evidence of gross or histological invasion of the renal calices, infundibulum, pelvis or ureter. Demographic and survival data were obtained from medical records and an institutional cancer registry for tumors invading the urothelium. Stage specific...
The importance of host plant limitation for caterpillars of an arctiid moth (Platyprepia virginalis) varies spatially

Spatial dynamic theories such as source-sink models frequently describe habitat-specific demographies, yet there are surprisingly few field studies that have examined how and why interacting species vary in their dynamics across multiple habitat types. We studied the spatial pattern of interaction between a chewing herbivore and its primary larval host plant in two habitat types. We found that the interaction between an arctiid caterpillar (Platyprepia virginalis) and its host (Lupinus arboreus) differed in wet vs. upland dry habitats, as did yearly population dynamics for the caterpillar. In upland sites, there was a strong positive relationship between lupine cover and the abundance of caterpillars although this relationship was not apparent in wet sites. Additionally, in wet sites, caterpillar populations were larger and less variable across years. Caterpillars appeared to exhibit source-sink dynamics, with the time-averaged finite growth rate lamda > 1 in wet sites (sources), lamda < 1 in upland dry sites (sinks), and predominant source-to-sink movement of late-instar caterpillars. Populations in upland dry sites also went locally extinct in years of low regional abundance. Emigration from wet sites could potentially explain the lack of coupling of herbivore and host plant dynamics in these sites. These results indicate that movement and other factors affecting demography are habitat-specific and have important implications for trophic control. Acknowledging such complexity makes simple models of trophic control seem overly general but may allow us to formulate more broadly applicable ecological models.
Systolic realization with asynchronous communication protocols for arbitrarily large LMS adaptive filters

The systolic algorithm approach is currently the most effective design procedure for minimizing computing time and the number of processors. In this study, a method is proposed for designing systolic arrays for arbitrarily large LMS filters. The development process involves the design of the (1) computational graph, (2) computational scheme, (3) interconnection scheme, (4) proposed processing element, for computing the output, y j at time j, and PE k protocol. The protocol controls input data flow properly and efficiently. This control ensures that values of input variables are not overwritten during their computing, while achieving maximum parallelism and thus reducing waiting time.
Long-term live imaging provides new insight into stem cell regulation and germline-soma coordination in the Drosophila ovary

The Drosophila ovariole tip produces new ovarian follicles on a 12-hour cycle by controlling niche-based germline and follicle stem cell divisions and nurturing their developing daughters. Static images provide a thumbnail view of folliculogenesis but imperfectly capture the dynamic cellular interactions that underlie follicle production. We describe a live-imaging culture system that supports normal ovarian stem cell activity, cyst movement and intercellular interaction over 14 hours, which is long enough to visualize all the steps of follicle generation. Our results show that live imaging has unique potential to address diverse aspects of stem cell biology and gametogenesis. Stem cells in cultured tissue respond to insulin and orient their mitotic spindles. Somatic escort cells, the glial-like partners of early germ cells, do not adhere to and migrate along with germline stem cell daughters as previously proposed. Instead, dynamic, microtubule-rich cell membranes pass cysts from one escort cell to the next. Additionally, escort cells are not replenished by the regular division of escort stem cells as previously suggested. Rather, escort cells remain quiescent and divide only to maintain a constant germ cell:escort cell ratio.
A Photochemical Crosslinkinig Study of the Subunit Structure of Membrane-Associated Spectrin

The subunit structure of membrane-associated spectrin was investigated by crosslinking human erythrocyte membranes with a variety of cleavable photosensitive heterobifunctional reagents by flash photolysis millisecond crosslinking. Crosslinked complexes were analyzed on agarose-polyacrylamide gels whose high exclusion limit permits the resolution of molecules with Mr larger than 106. Crosslinking of membrane ghosts produced a series of new bands with apparent molecular weights of approximately 420000, 710000 and 910000, as well as a band at the top of the gels. No significant bands were detectable between the 910000-Mr band and the material at the gel top. The molecular weights of the three bands correspond to spectrin dimer, trimer, and tetramer, suggesting a limiting tetrameric stoichiometry for membrane-associated spectrin. The rate of formation of spectrin oligomers was examined by increasing crosslinking time. Dimers accumulate before trimer and tetramer, and as tetramer increased, dimer diminished. A simple kinetic model is employed which is also consistent with spectrin tetramer existing on the cytoplasmic surface of the erythrocyte membrane as the basic structural unit.
A computational study of twisted linked scroll waves in excitable media

Abstract We investigate numerically the dynamic behavior of three-dimensional twisted linked scroll waves occuring in excitable media modeled by nonlinear reaction diffusion equations. The computations reveal several interesting properties of the organizing center such as rotation of the structure about a symmetric axle, fusion of the singular filaments, expansion and contraction of the curved filaments and unwrithing of a twisted filament. It is generally observed that the organizing center propagates spiral waves for a considerable number of rotations before destabilising either to a plain uncurved scroll or to a steady state solution.
Nanoscale Networks in Poly[isoprene-block-styrene-block-(methyl methacrylate)] Triblock Copolymers.

ABC triblock copolymers are capable of self-assembling into triply-periodic network structures with a high degree of internal interfacial area and tailored chemical and mechanical properties, making them perfect candidates for nanoscale devices. Our present work focuses on the bulk morphological behavior of the poly[isoprene-block-styrene-block-(methyl methacrylate)] (ISM) system near the styrene-rich network phase window. Lamellar (LAM 3 ), alternating gyroid (Q 214 ), and disordered melt (DIS) morphologies were found. Our experimental phase behavior is compared to the self-consistent-field theory diagram of a nonfrustrated ABC model system by Tyler et al. The behavior of our ISM system differs slightly from the model ABC system due to small discrepancies in conformational asymmetries and interaction parameters between the respective systems, which highlights the sensitivity of self-assembly in triblock copolymers.
New competitive strategies for the practice of radiology in a changing economic environment.

Recently, change and increasing competition have been the major characteristics of the health-care industry. Strategic planning is a process that is evolutionary and continuous, but the first step is to prepare brief statements regarding the Time frame of the planning horizon, the Objectives to be obtained, the Environment, and the seven Ss, originaly developed by McKinsey & Co. (a management consulting group in New York)
Infant Heel Nodules Calcification of Epidermal Cysts

Calcified nodules of the heel have been reported in high-risk neonates following multiple needle sticks to draw blood. Previous reports suggest that the needle stick trauma causes dystrophic calcification. A case of multiple discrete firm heel lesions, which began shortly after birth in an immature-birth weight neonate who had sustained multiple needle sticks of the heel, is presented. Histologically, these lesions demonstrated foci of calcification and fragments of keratin surrounded by an epithelial lining, suggesting that calcified nodules may also arise from epidermal implantation cysts that secondarily calcify. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 92(2): 112-113, 2002)
The fragmentation of actin by thrombin. Isolation and characterization of the split products.

Abstract Thrombin, a limited protease, hydrolyzes three bonds in actin at Arg-28, Arg-39, and Lys-113, thereby producing two smaller peptides and two larger fragments. The location of the bonds split was identified in the amino acid sequence of actin by isolating the split products and carrying out amino acid analysis, and N- and C-terminal determinations.
Sinusoidal phase plate model of laser propagation through a turbulent shear layer

A loss of beam intensity occurs when a laser beam is propagated through shear layers with optical index fluctuations. A new model which uses Fraunhofer diffraction around a sinusoidal phase grating predicts the loss of intensity accurately. The size of coherent structures within the shear layers determines the spacing and the width of the grating. Numerical results agree well with previous experimental results.
Oxygen Speciation in Hydrous Silicate Glasses: An Oxygen-17 NMR Study

The structural roles of H2O and OH in hydrous Na2Si4O9 (sodium tetrasilcate, NTS) and NaAlSi3O8 (“albite”) glasses have been investigated with 17O, one-dimensional fast magic-angle spinning (MAS), static, and cross-polarization (CP), and two-dimensional triple quantum MAS (3QMAS) NMR techniques. Silica gel and crystalline analcime (NaAlSi2O6·H2O) were also studied as model compounds. Peaks for molecular H2O are clearly identified in the analcime and in the hydrous glasses in one-dimensional, partial saturation experiments. Bridging and nonbridging oxygen sites are clearly resolvable in the 3QMAS spectra, as is a feature related to SiOH in hydrous NTS glass. This feature may also be present in the hydrous albite glass, although, lacking further characterization of other site types (e.g., NaOH, AlOH, Si−OH−Al), this assignment remains tentative. 1H−17O CP experiments with short contact times reveal a peak that is similar in both hydrous glasses and silica gel, again possibly related to SiOH groups.
Molecular Dynamics Study of Structure and Transport of Water and Hydronium Ions at the Membrane/Vapor Interface of Nafion

Through the use of molecular dynamics simulation, we examine the structural and transport properties of water and hydronium ions at the interface of a Nafion polymer electrolyte membrane and a vapor phase. The effect of humidity was studied by examining water contents of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight. We observe a region of water depletion in the membrane near the vapor interface. We report the vehicular diffusion of hydronium ions and water as components parallel and perpendicular to the interface. In the interfacial region, for hydronium ions, we find that the component of the vehicular diffusivity parallel to the interface is largely unchanged from that in the bulk hydrated membrane, but the component perpendicular to the interface has increased, due to local decrease in density. We find similar behavior with water in the interfacial region. On the basis of these diffusivities, we conclude that there is no observable additional resistance to mass transport of the vehicular component of water and hydronium ions due to the interface. In terms of structure at the interface, we find that there is a decrease in the fraction of fully hydrated hydronium ions. This translates into a lower probability of forming Eigen ions, which are necessary for structural diffusion. Finally, we observe that the hydronium ions display a preferential orientation at the interface with their oxygen atoms exposed to the vapor phase.
Water impermeable seed dormancy

Viable seeds that do not imbibe water and thus fail to germinate in an apparently favorable environment are commonly termed impermeable or hard seed. This physical, exogenous dormancy is especially common in species of the Fabaceae. The ecological significance of hard seed includes the ability to rapidly recolonize burnt areas after fire and to withstand ingestion by animals and birds. Advantages and problems that hard seed cause in agriculture are discussed. Species from different families with impermeable seeds appear to have in common a layer of macrosclerid cells that form a palisade layer in the testa. The term strophiole and its contradictory use in botanical literature are discussed. Genetic factors and environmental conditions both affect the proportion of impermeable seeds produced. Methods of artificially softening impermeable seeds include acid and solvent, soaking, mechanical scarification, pressure, percussion, freezing, heating, and radiation treatments that can result in a change in germination from less than 20% in some untreated species up to 90% or more in treated species. Natural softening involves high temperatures and temperature fluctuations and the degree of desiccation of the seed. The mechanism of water impermeability is related to the testa and is thought to involve waterproofing substances including wax, lignin, tannin, suberin, pectin, and quinone derivatives. The hilum acts as a hygroscopic valve that prevents water uptake but allows water loss to occur at low relative humidities in some species. The strophiole is an area of weakness in the testa of some Papilionoideae while the chalaza region has been determined as an area of weakness inPisum andGossypium. The water impermeable status of some species is reversible at a seed moisture content greater than 10%. The hard seed of a species can be described both in terms of the amount and the degree of impermeability.
Reported Parental Heights Do Not Differ from Actual Heights in an Outpatient Pediatric Endocrine Clinic in Brooklyn

Reported Parental Heights Do Not Differ from Actual Heights in an Outpatient Pediatric Endocrine Clinic in Brooklyn
PRC2 is recurrently inactivated through EED or SUZ12 loss in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) represent a group of highly aggressive soft-tissue sarcomas that may occur sporadically, in association with neurofibromatosis type I (NF1 associated) or after radiotherapy. Using comprehensive genomic approaches, we identified loss-of-function somatic alterations of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) components (EED or SUZ12) in 92% of sporadic, 70% of NF1-associated and 90% of radiotherapy-associated MPNSTs. MPNSTs with PRC2 loss showed complete loss of trimethylation at lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3) and aberrant transcriptional activation of multiple PRC2-repressed homeobox master regulators and their regulated developmental pathways. Introduction of the lost PRC2 component in a PRC2-deficient MPNST cell line restored H3K27me3 levels and decreased cell growth. Additionally, we identified frequent somatic alterations of CDKN2A (81% of all MPNSTs) and NF1 (72% of non-NF1-associated MPNSTs), both of which significantly co-occur with PRC2 alterations. The highly recurrent and specific inactivation of PRC2 components, NF1 and CDKN2A highlights their critical and potentially cooperative roles in MPNST pathogenesis.
Studies in organometallic rearrangements IV—proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of group IVA substituted indenes and indenyl anions†

The proton and carbon NMR spectra for a series of substituted indenes [C9H7R, R = H, CH3, Si(CH3)3] are reported. The proton and carbon resonances for the 5-membered ring exhibit pronounced changes as a function of the substituents.
Better in 3D? An Empirical Investigation of User Satisfaction and Preferences Concerning Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Product Representations in Business-to-Consumer E-Commerce

This study aimed at determining the user preferences and satisfaction concerning three-dimensional product representations in business-to-consumer electronic commerce. An experiment was designed and conducted on 20 college-age electronic shoppers to determine the user preference and satisfaction issues concerning two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional low-interaction (3DL), and three-dimensional high-interaction (3DH) product representations. A valid and reliable survey with 0.89 Cronbach's alpha internal reliability coefficient was presented to participants after they completed tasks on each product representation type. Results indicated that participants found the 3D representations (both low and high interaction) more detailed, easier and more fun to use, more accurate, and carrying more information than 2D representations. It was concluded that 3D representations in general resulted in higher satisfaction for the shoppers. Future studies can be conducted to determine the business aspects of different...
Interaction of amphotericin B with monolayers of egg lecithin and cholesterol: polorized absorption spectra

Abstract Polarized absorption spectra have been obtained of the antibiotic polyene, amphotericin B, interacting with monolayers of egg lecithin, cholesterol and equimolar egg lecithin-cholesterol at low and high surface pressures. An expression is derived which enables the determination from the polarization data of the orientations of the transition moments of the polyene absorption bands at 4077 and 3645 A. For some of the systems the 3645-A band is replaced by a previously unreported band appearing between 3610 and 3632 A. The orientation of the 4077-A transition moment (parallel to the long molecular axis) is found to vary from an angle of 64 ° with the surface for the low-pressure monolayers of cholesterol to 21 ° for the high-pressure films of egg lecithin-cholesterol. For the band between 3610 A and 3645 A, the angle varies from 90 ° for cholesterol to 18 ° for the high-pressure mixed-lipid film. It is found that a large increase in surface pressure of the cholesterol and egg lecithin-cholesterol monolayers causes a decrease in the angle of the 4077-A moment for both films and that of the higher energy moment for the mixed film. Increasing the content of cholesterol in these monolayers rotates the orientation of the transition moments for both bands toward the surface normal, the change being greatest for the low-pressure films. The effectiveness of amphotericin B in lowering the surface tension of these lipid monolayers is related to its binding, orientation and extent of penetration. For low-pressure cholesterol films where the surface interaction with the polyene is greatest, the binding and penetration are large and the polyene molecule is oriented with its long dimension nearly perpendicular to the surface.
Biomass energy production in the United States: an overview

Abstract This paper summarizes reports prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). It also presents conclusions from a Biomass Energy Strategies Workshop conducted at ORNL. The Biofuels Feedstock Development Program (BFDP) has largely concentrated on the development of dedicated biomass feedstocks, referred to as energy crops. Two general types of energy crops have received the most attention—short-rotation woody crops (SRWC) and herbaceous energy crops (HEC). These cropping systems use traditional food production technologies as a means of maximizing the production of biomass per unit of land. Research focuses on the development of new crops and cropping technologies. The reports prepared for EPA and summarized by this article include discussions of crop production technologies, available land, economic considerations and environmental trade-offs. The discussion of other sources of biomass occurs only in the context of the workshop on biomass energy strategies. [The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the U.S. Department of Energy.]
MEASUREMENT OF MOTOR STYLES.

In the attempt to depress and release a spring-loaded hand key slowly and steadily there was a significantly greater expenditure of energy by the preferred hand than by the nonpreferred hand when b...
In vivo optical reflectance measurement of human brain tissue with calculation of absorption and scattering coefficients

Parkinson's disease is a neuro-degenerative disease affecting the globus pallidus (GP), a deep brain gray matter structure surrounded by white matter. During a pallidotomy a thin radio frequency probe is inserted into the GP to generate a small lesion. A fiber optic reflectance probe was developed and used during surgery. This instrument provides real-time display of the optical reflectance spectra as well as assisted lesion localization. Our 1.5-mm probe contains seven 100-micrometers fibers, one delivers light and six return the reflected light to a spectrometer. During clinical studies, the probe was placed against the surface of the brain and the spectrum between 350 - 850 nm was recorded. Measurements were repeated at 1-mm increments from the surface of the brain to 60-mm deep (GP level). This provided optical reflectance signals from both gray and white matter. Clinical results show that gray matter reflectance is approximately 50% of white matter between 650 - 800 nm. By calculating the slope between 700 - 850 nm, the signals can be differentiated between gray and white matter. We can quantify the absorption and scattering coefficients of the locally measured brain tissue by fitting the two-flu theory of Kubelka and Munk with our measurements.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An analysis of beach management framework in Spain. Study case: the Catalonian coast

In the present paper, the current beach management framework in the North-Western Mediterranean coast (Catalonia, Spain) was revised. Beach management was analyzed using the concepts of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). The history of beach management in the second half of the 20 century and the new developments in the academic field and in the practical beach management sector during the last decade were studied. The revision of legal texts and strategies in the Catalan coast allowed synthesizing all scattered information affecting beach management. A SWOT analysis was performed. The main strengths of the beach management framework in Catalonia are the public ownership of beaches, which allows the government to carry out a comprehensive management and the recent data and analysis provided by the adopted National and Autonomous ICZM strategies. The weaknesses found were related to the functioning of traditional existing institutions. New opportunities are related to the possibility of establishing new institutions that conduct a more inclusive and proactive management. The main threat is that although the possibility for a fundamental change in beach management organization exists, resources available are not fully exploited.