cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calcium-alginate coated, whey protein-based microspheres: preparation, some properties and opportunities

An 'all aqueous' encapsulation process followed by a heat treatment was used to prepare calcium-alginate-coated, whey protein-based, water insoluble microspheres containing micronized calcium carbonate as a model core. Results obtained with this process were compared to those obtained with a similar process in which chemical cross-linking was utilized. At an initial core load of 25 or 50% (w/w), core retention ranged from 84.2-95.12% and was not significantly affected by the initial core load or by the cross-linking method. Regardless of the cross-linking method, protein retention during the process was high and ranged from 78.2-87.5%. Outer topography of the microspheres was not influenced by the cross-linking method, however, at a given composition, the inner structure of heat treated microspheres differed from that obtained with chemically-cross-linked microspheres. Swelling properties of denovo microspheres were affected by pH. Results indicated that the micronized calcium carbonate could be used as a porogenic core. Removal of the core, by an acid treatment, allowed preparing microporous delivery devices. In addition to offer opportunities for encapsulation and delivery of crystalline core, the investigated process can provide means to prepare 'ghost' microporous delivery systems that can, in potential, be loaded, following their preparation, with sensitive core materials at conditions that favour the stability and functionality of this core.
Sub 10 nm conjugated polymer transistors for chemical sensing

Abstract Chemical sensing responses of polythiophene transistors were investigated with various channel lengths down to sub 10 nm. To eliminate undesirable spreading currents, a novel four-terminal geometry was employed which ensures that the sensor active area is truly nanoscale. For the same analyte–semiconductor combination, the nanoscale devices exhibited drastically different responses compared with larger scale devices. In general, the nanoscale transistors experienced an increase in drain current upon exposure to analytes such as 1-pentanol and vanillin, whereas the larger devices showed a decrease. The chemical sensing mechanisms in both microscale and nanoscale transistors are briefly discussed.
Phosphorylation of Syk activation loop tyrosines is essential for Syk function. An in vivo study using a specific anti-Syk activation loop phosphotyrosine antibody.

Syk is an important protein-tyrosine kinase in immunoreceptor signaling. FceRI aggregation in mast cells induces tyrosine phosphorylation and increased enzymatic activity of Syk. The two adjacent tyrosines in the Syk activation loop are thought to be important for the propagation of FceRI signaling. To evaluate the phosphorylation of these tyrosines in vivo and further understand the relationship of Syk tyrosine phosphorylation with its function, an antibody was developed specific for phosphorylated tyrosines in the activation loop of Syk. FceRI aggregation on mast cells induced the phosphorylation of both tyrosine residues of the activation loop. The kinase activity of Syk played the major role in phosphorylating its activation loop tyrosines both in vivoand in vitro. In FceRI-stimulated mast cells, the total Syk tyrosine phosphorylation paralleled the phosphorylation of its activation loop tyrosines and downstream propagation of signals for histamine release. In contrast, the cell surface binding of anti-ganglioside monoclonal antibody AA4 induced only strong general tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk and minimal histamine release and weak phosphorylation of activation loop tyrosines. These results demonstrate that phosphorylation of the activation loop tyrosines is important for mediating receptor signaling and is a better marker of Syk function than is total Syk tyrosine phosphorylation.
Applying the Inclan-Tsiao breakpoint algorithm in the search for the flight-to-safety phenomenon

The focus of this article is to examine the recent historical record of the US equity and government bond markets in an attempt to associate negative return correlations between the two series to identify flight-to-safety episodes. Using the Inclan–Tsiao algorithm to date changes in equity market volatility, we find evidence of a flight-to-safety phenomenon. The method allows us to identify the dates where the equity index is negative coupled with positive government bond movements. Most of these observations occur during the worldwide crash of October 1987.
Modelling the otolith membrane using boundary-fitted coordinates

Abstract This paper describes a method for modelling biological processes that involve an irregular object. The process is assumed to be described by a system of partial differential equations in a planar region. The techniques described are specifically designed for irregular regions. The example of displacements of the otolith membrane under the force of gravity is used to illustrate the techniques. In this problem, the displacements are described by a nontrivial system of partial differential equations, and the membrane has the shape of an irregular ellipse. It is assumed that the membrane is fixed along its boundary. The solution technique has three main steps: first, a set of points is placed on the membrane; then the partial differential equations are discretized using those points; and finally the discrete equations are solved. The points are automatically generated using a numerical grid-generation technique, the equations are discretized using a transformation technique, and the discrete equations are solved using an iterative method. The solution technique is capable of accurately modelling processes in irregular regions and is easier to program than competing techniques, especially when the geometry of the model is changed during the study. If the geometry changes, a new grid needs to be generated, but nothing else need be changed in the code to study the new situation.
The Band Spectrum of NaK

The spectrum of the NaK molecule has been studied in absorption and in magnetic rotation throughout the visible and photographic infrared regions. By means of magnetic rotation the upper vibrational levels of the orange system have been followed nearly to dissociation, permitting accurate determinations of the energies of dissociation of four states of the molecule, that of the ground state being 0.62\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03 volt. Two new band systems, in the green and infrared, have been found and analyzed. The fourth theoretically expected system has not been found and is presumably covered by strong ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{K}}_{2}$ systems. The magnetic rotation spectra in the green and red have no simple relation to the absorption spectra and are probably to be interpreted as due to perturbations, like the red magnetic rotation spectrum of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$.
The anodic behaviour of copper in aqueous solutions

Abstract The anodic oxidation of copper in a variety of aqueous electrolytes has been investigated. In the presence of agents (e.g. CN − , Cl − , S 2 O 3 = ) which form stable complexes with copper(I), the metal enters solution solely in the unipositive state over a wide concentration range of electrolyte. With a nitrate, sulphate, or chlorate as electrolyte, copper enters solution with an apparent valence number considerably greater than 1 at 25°C. However, as the temperature is increased, the apparent valence number of copper decreases in the presence of these anions. With chlorate at 98°C, the valence number of copper falls to 1. All the experimental data can be explained on the hypothesis that the primary electrode reaction consists of the formation of unipositive copper.
Ionospheric convection inferred from interplanetary magnetic field‐dependent Birkeland currents

Computer simulations of ionospheric convection have been performed, combining empirical models of Birkeland currents with a model of ionospheric conductivity in order to investigate IMF-dependent convection characteristics. Birkeland currents representing conditions in the northern polar cap of the negative IMF By component are used. Two possibilities are considered: (1) the morning cell shifting into the polar cap as the IMF turns northward, and this cell and a distorted evening cell providing for sunward flow in the polar cap; and (2) the existence of a three-cell pattern when the IMF is strongly northward.
Laser-induced dissociation of phosphorylated peptides using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Reversible phosphorylation is one of the most important posttranslational modifications of cellular proteins. Mass spectrometry is a widely used technique in the characterization of phosphorylated proteins and peptides. Similar to nonmodified peptides, sequence information for phosphopeptides digested from proteins can be obtained by tandem mass analysis using either electrospray ionization or matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. However, the facile loss of neutral phosphoric acid (H3PO4) or HPO3 from precursor ions and fragment ions hampers the precise determination of phosphorylation site, particularly if more than one potential phosphorylation site or concensus sequence is present in a given tryptic peptide. Here, we investigated the fragmentation of phosphorylated peptides under laser-induced dissociation (LID) using a MALDI-time-of-flight mass spectrometer with a curved-field reflectron. Our data demonstrated that intact fragments bearing phosphorylated residues were produced from all tested peptides that contain at least one and up to four phosphorylation sites at serine, threonine, or tyrosine residues. In addition, the LID of phosphopeptides derivatized by N-terminal sulfonation yields simplified MS/MS spectra, suggesting the combination of these two types of spectra could provide an effective approach to the characterization of proteins modified by phosphorylation.
Prophylactic diazepam in prevention of contrast media-associated seizures in glioma patients undergoing cerebral computed tomography

Five milligrams of intravenous diazepam given prior to contrast media injection statistically significantly reduced the incidence of contrast media-associated seizures from 16% to 2% in a prospective, randomized series of glioma patients. Factors related to increased risk of contrast media-associated seizures are (1) prior seizure history due to glioma and/or prior contrast media and (2) prior or concurrent brain antineoplastic therapy. Factors not related to an increased risk of contrast media-associated seizures are (1) contrast media dosage, (2) type or grade of glioma, and (3) computerized tomographic appearance of the glioma. Theories regarding the etiology of contrast media-associated seizures are discussed.
Receptive fields of thalamic neurons projecting to the motor cortex in the cat.

Abstract The locations and receptive fields of thalamic neurons projecting to the motor cortex were examined and the following results were obtained. (1) Neurons located at the border area between nucleus ventralis lateralis (VL) and nucleus ventralis posterolateralis (VPL) could be activated antidromically from the motor cortex. (2) These neurons received topographically organized somesthetic inputs arising from skin and deep receptors. (3) The receptive fields of neurons in the small area of the motor cortex where these thalamic neurons projected could be examined in 8 instances. In 6 instances, the cortical neurons and the thalamic projection neurons were activated by exactly the same stimuli in the periphery. (4) Removal of the sensory cortex did not significantly change the characteristics of afferent inputs from the periphery to the motor cortex. (5) It is concluded that the motor cortex receives somesthetic inputs directly from the thalamus. The functional role of these inputs was discussed in relation to the known cortical reflexes.
On scheduling atomic and composite continuous media objects

In multiuser multimedia information systems (e.g., movie-on-demand, digital-editing), scheduling the retrievals of continuous media objects becomes a challenging task. This is because of both intra and inter lobject time dependencies. Intraobject time dependency refers to the real-time display requirement of a continuous media object. Interobject time dependency is the temporal relationships defined among multiple continuous media objects. In order to compose tailored multimedia presentations, a user might define complex time dependencies among multiple continuous media objects with various lengths and display bandwidths. Scheduling the retrieval tasks corresponding to the components of such a presentation in order to respect both inter and intra task time dependencies is the focus of this study. To tackle this task scheduling problem (CRS), we start with a simpler scheduling problem (ARS) where there is no inter task time dependency (e.g., movie-on-demand). Next, we investigate an augmented version of ARS (termed ARS/sup +/) where requests reserve displays in advance (e.g., reservation-based movie-on-demand). Finally, we extend our techniques proposed for ARS and ARS/sup +/ to address the CRS problem. We also provide formal definition of these scheduling problems and proof of their NP-hardness.
Systems definitions and derivation based on structural data flow modelling

General systems definitions are often too vague or too prescriptively narrow for consistent, meaningful application by researchers across disciplines. The lack of a common, functional system definition has tended to fragment systems research and slow the advancement and general applicability of general systems theory (GST) development. This paper submits a general system definition based on a functional technique for dataflow diagramming (DFD) used in computer system analysis. This DFD-based definition illustrates added coherence and utility for deriving many kinds of systems at different research levels, and urges wider adoption and trial of the definition and modelling technique as a basis for systems research and GST theory testing.
The role of structural dynamics in the design and operations of space systems: The history, the lessons, the technical challenges of the future

Structural dynamics and its auxiliary fields are the most progressive and challenging areas space system engineering design and operations face. Aerospace systems are dependent on structural dynamicists for their success. Past experiences (history) are colored with many dynamic issues, some producing ground or flight test failures. The innovation and creativity that was brought to these issues and problems are the aura from the past that lights the path to the future. Using this illumination to guide understanding of the dynamic phenomena and designing for its potential occurrence are the keys to successful space systems. Our great paradox, or challenge, is how we remain in depth specialists, yet become generalists to the degree that we make good team members and set the right priorities. This paper will deal with how we performed with acclaim in the past, the basic characteristics of structural dynamics (loads cycle, for example), and the challenges of the future.
Advanced information processing system

Design and performance details of the advanced information processing system (AIPS) for fault and damage tolerant data processing on aircraft and spacecraft are presented. AIPS comprises several computers distributed throughout the vehicle and linked by a damage tolerant data bus. Most I/O functions are available to all the computers, which run in a TDMA mode. Each computer performs separate specific tasks in normal operation and assumes other tasks in degraded modes. Redundant software assures that all fault monitoring, logging and reporting are automated, together with control functions. Redundant duplex links and damage-spread limitation provide the fault tolerance. Details of an advanced design of a laboratory-scale proof-of-concept system are described, including functional operations.
Reciprocal transport and canonical equations

This paper deals with an abstract theory of one-dimensional stationary transport processes, Wing’s “one-dimensional model” [I]. Both linear and nonlinear processes are treated. In the linear case it is shown that the standard idea of reciprocity for the two-point boundary value problems leads to the fact that the solution of the associated initial value problem is a canonical transformation. A notion of nonlinear reciprocity is defined and the same fact follows for nonlinear reciprocal transport. In the linear case it is shown that the equations of Ambarzumian for the reflection and transmission coefficients are closely related to the Hamilton-Jacobi equation. The connection between the *-product defined by Redheffer [6] and the composition of generating functions of linear canonical transformations is developed. In the area of ray optics and electrical networks DesChamps [2, 31 has established the connection between reciprocity and symplectic matrices, i.e., linear canonical transformations. Brayton and Moser have given a definition of nonlinear reciprocity [9]. The general connection between reciprocity and symplectic geometry is known in a number of circles [4, 51 though the literature appears to lack a clear physical example treated in detail.
Shear and interfacial instabilities of oil-water flow in an inclined channel

Abstract A study of the linear stability of a laminar flow of an oil-water system in an inclined channel is presented. A novel shear-mode of instability, which is necessarily decaying in plane Poiseuille flow, is found to be the primary instability in certain situations. When the channel is sufficiently inclined, the long-wave mode can become unstable, regardless of the total volumetric flow rate of the fluids The consequences to oil transport are discussed.
Vitamin K-dependent carboxylase: Purification of the rat liver microsomal enzyme

Abstract Rat liver microsomes contain a vitamin K-dependent enzyme that carboxylates glutamyl residues of precursor proteins to γ-carboxyglutamyl residues in completed biologically active proteins. Utilizing the carboxylation of the peptide Phe-Leu-Glu-Glu-Leu as an assay, a stable 100- to 150-fold increase in specific activity of this enzyme has been achieved by the selective extraction of other proteins from the membrane. The resulting preparation has the same general properties as the microsomal enzyme but requires a higher concentration of vitamin K and lower concentration of substrate for maximum activity. Microsomal vitamin K-dependent dehydrogenase activity has been lost during the purification, as the preparation requires the reduced form of vitamin K for activity and is not active in the presence of vitamin K and NADH. Much of the apparent purification results from the removal of a protein inhibitor(s) of the enzyme present in the crude microsomal preparation. The resulting preparation appears to require lipid for maximum activity but no longer contains intact membranes.
Predicting prognostic markers for glioma using gene co-expression network analysis

In this paper, we described our approach for selecting potential biomarkers based on gene co-expression network (GCN) analysis. We present an efficient GCN finding algorithm and applied it to search for predictive markers in glioblastoma using the TCGA data. We identified six clusters of genes as potential biomarkers, which show significant difference in survival times between patient groups separated using these genes as features. Specifically, we have identified two gene clusters which are enriched with immune genes and tumor microenvironment genes respectively. These genes represent important biological processes related to the metastasis of glioblastoma and lead to new biological insight.
Interleukin-2 therapy in HIV infection.

Immune cells secrete a variety of cytokines that have a profoundly significant influence on the immune system. For example, cytokines secreted by T-helper cells have a role in cellular immune response (Th1 cytokines) and in antibody production (Th2 cytokines). Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is used therapeutically for immune modulation, most specifically in cancer therapy. The following report describes the mechanisms of IL-2/IL-2 receptor interaction and summarizes the rationale for using IL-2 in HIV-infected patients and briefly describes recent and ongoing clinical trails using IL-2 in HIV/AIDS disease (intravenous IL-2 therapy and subcutaneous IL-2 therapy). In one study of patients with moderate stage HIV disease, subjects taking a maximum tolerated dose of IL-2 at 12 to 15 MIU/day demonstrated durable increases in CD4 counts and a near normal return in value. Relative to the published reports, low circulating CD4 counts and high HIV viral burden appeared to be independent determinants of a poor response to IL-2. However, aggressive combination therapy with IL-2 and highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART)(e.g., ACTG 328) holds promise for an improved immune restorative response even in patients with advanced disease.
Coagulation reaction in a one-dimensional gas.

An extension of previous work on the ballistic annihilation reaction {ital A}+{ital A}{r arrow}0 to the coagulation reaction {ital A}+{ital A}{r arrow}{ital A} is presented. Three possible velocities {ital c} (with probability {ital p}), {minus}{ital c} (with probability {ital q}), and zero are considered. While the long-time behavior is controlled by moving particles when {ital p}={ital q}, it is controlled by the stationary particles when {ital p}{ne}{ital q}. The comparison of the coagulation reaction with the annihilation reaction shows that the long-time results are essentially the same except for a rescaling of the time. In addition, the time dependences of the decay in the ballistic coagulation reaction when {ital p}={ital q} and the diffusion-limited coagulation reaction are also identical, but for different physical reasons. The reason for this becomes transparent by rederiving the ballistic coagulation results using a random-walk formalism, which can perhaps be generalized to more complicated ballistic reactions.
Calcium–Lithium Competition in Absorption by Plant Roots

IN the process of absorption by plant roots, different ions may compete with each other, may fail to compete, or finally, one kind of ion may increase the rate of absorption of another. These specificities are considered due to the existence of specific binding sites on carriers which transport the ions across cellular membranes. Examples of mutually competing ions are the pairs potassium–rubidium1 and calcium–strontium2. Neither sodium nor lithium competes readily for the potassium–rubidium sites, at low to moderate concentrations, and magnesium is bound loosely if at all by the sites which transport calcium and strontium.
Oxygen rich gas generator design and performance analysis

The present oxygen-rich combustion research investigates oxygen gas generator concepts. The theoretical and modeling aspects of a selected concept are presented, together with a refined concept resulting from the findings of the study. This investigation examined a counter-flow gas generator design for O2/H2 mass ratios of 100-200, featuring a near-stoichiometric combustion zone followed by downstream mixing. The critical technologies required to develop a performance model are analyzed and include the following: (1) oxygen flow boiling; (2) two-phase oxygen flow heat transfer; (3) film-cooling in the combustion zone; (4) oxygen-rich combustion with hydrogen; and (5) mixing and dilution.
Frankfurt Cases and Overdetermination

For nearly forty years now, Frankfurt cases have served as one of the major contributors to the compatibilist's cause with respect to moral responsibility. These cases typically involve a causally preempted condition that is supposed to guarantee a choice without causing it. This has had the effect of softening up some to the idea that determinism does not exclude moral responsibility simply in virtue of guaranteeing a unique future. I believe that these traditional Frankfurt cases adequately support this cause. But I also believe that the traditional versions of Frankfurt cases suffer from some rhetorical defects. My strategy is as follows. First, I want to respond to a dilemma that has been raised by some libertarians against arguments utilizing Frankfurt cases. This dilemma has the effect of raising a question-begging charge against such arguments. Part of my response is to draw attention to the relevant principle that I think Frankfurt cases should really target, a principle slightly different from Harry Frankfurt's original Principle of Alternate Possibilities. Second, I elaborate and defend the claim that traditional Frankfurt cases involve causal preemption.
A new preparation of peroxydisulfuryl difluoride

A NEW PREPARATION OF PEROXYDISULFURYL DIFLUORIDE S.D. Brown and G.L. Gard Department of Chemistry Portland State University Portland, Oregon 97207 ~ece~ed27Au~st1974) Cady and Dudley (i) first reported the preparation of peroxydisulfuryl difluoride ($206F2) via the catalytic fluorination of SO 3 with F 2 over AgF 2 at i00 °. More recently it was shown that XeF 2 will react with SO 3 to form $206F 2 (2). We now wish to report another route to $206F 2. Chromium pentafluoride reacts quantitatively with SO 3 according to the following equation: CrF 5 + 5S03 ) $206F 2 + Cr(SO3F) 3 Pure $206F 2 is removed from the reaction mixture at -22 ° . Cr(SO3F)3, which has not been previously reported, is an amorphous light green solid soluble in DMSO. The infrared spectrum was measured neat between KRS5 windows and is listed along with its assignments in Table I. TABLE I Infrared Spectra of Cr(SO3F) 3 Band (cm -I) Approximate Assignment
Carotenoid synthesis and function in plants: Insights from mutant studies in Arabidopsis*

Carotenoids are integral components of higher plant photosystems and their composition in photosynthetic plant tissues (lutein, β-carotene, violaxanthin and neoxanthin) is remarkably conserved throughout evolution. Carotenoids perform a variety of critical functions including acting as structural components of LHCs, accessory pigments for light harvesting, substrates for abscisic acid synthesis and components of photoprotection involved in dissipating excess energy and scavenging singlet oxygen. In order to increase understanding of carotenoid synthesis and function(s) in plants, several laboratories have recently taken a molecular genetic approach in Arabidopsis thaliana to define and disrupt the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway and thereby modify carotenoid production and accumulation in vivo. This chapter reviews recent work which has resulted in the identification and characterization of several novel mutations in Arabidopsis defining genes essential for xanthophyll synthesis in photosynthetic plant tissues. The use of these mutations, both singly and in combination, allows one to dramatically manipulate the carotenoid composition of Arabidopsis photosystems in vivo, in the most extreme cases eliminating synthesis of all wild-type xanthophylls (lutein, violaxanthin and neoxanthin). This analysis has demonstrated a surprising plasticity in the carotenoid compositions plant photosystems will accept in vivo. Ongoing physiological, biochemical and photochemical analyses of these carotenoid biosynthetic mutants will provide insight into the regulation and integration of carotenoid synthesis with other chloroplast components and the functional role(s) of individual carotenoids in the photosystems.
Automated classification of severity of age-related macular degeneration from fundus photographs.

PURPOSE To evaluate an automated analysis of retinal fundus photographs to detect and classify severity of age-related macular degeneration compared with grading by the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) protocol. METHODS Following approval by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine's Institution Review Board, digitized images (downloaded AT http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gap/) of field 2 (macular) fundus photographs from AREDS obtained over a 12-year longitudinal study were classified automatically using a visual words method to compare with severity by expert graders. RESULTS Sensitivities and specificities, respectively, of automated imaging, when compared with expert fundus grading of 468 patients and 2145 fundus images are: 98.6% and 96.3% when classifying categories 1 and 2 versus categories 3 and 4; 96.1% and 96.1% when classifying categories 1 and 2 versus category 3; 98.6% and 95.7% when classifying category 1 versus category 3; and 96.0% and 94.7% when classifying category 1 versus categories 3 and 4; CONCLUSIONS Development of an automated analysis for classification of age-related macular degeneration from digitized fundus photographs has high sensitivity and specificity when compared with expert graders and may have a role in screening or monitoring.
Evolutionary origins of novel conchologic growth patterns in tropical American corbulid bivalves

SUMMARY We conducted a combined sclerochronologic and phylogenetic analysis to document patterns and rates of shell accretion in several subclades of related corbulids, and to explore the evolutionary origins of novel conchologic developmental patterns. We found three disparate patterns of valve development in Neogene tropical American corbulid genera. These patterns include growth through primarily radial accretion along the sagittal plane, and two derivative patterns: one characterized by initial deposition of a thin shell followed by valve thickening with little increase in valve height, and another producing a well-defined nepioconch through a marked change in the primary growth direction. We conducted a species-level phylogenetic analysis of the taxa surveyed for growth patterns, focusing on the ([Bothrocorbula1Hexacorbula]1Caryocorbula) clade. The phylogenetic distribution of shell growth patterns suggests that this clade is characterized by derivative patterns of growth. Oxygen-isotope calibrated ontogenetic age estimates of species in the derived Bothrocorbula subclade further suggest that transitions from the ancestral radial (sagittal) growth pattern to a derived pattern of growth are a function of heterochrony (peramorphosis by acceleration). These findings are significant because they link previously observed patterns of morphological constraint with a specific evolutionary process, demonstrate how morphologic constraint and innovation can be interrelated, and serve as a model for understanding the evolution of morphologic diversity in the clade as a whole. Furthermore, this study highlights the utility of sclerochronologic records as an important component of evolutionary developmental research on organisms with accretionary skeletal growth.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a view from the USA.

The conceptualization of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been the subject of some controversy. In this article, two US-based academic child psychiatrists discuss the prevailing approach to diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in the USA and suggest potential reasons for the variability in prevalence estimates between the USA and Europe.
An Observational Study of Social Communication Skills in Eight Preschoolers with and Without Hearing Loss During Cooperative Play

Early peer relationships and interactions influence social acceptance and a child’s ability to form social relationships later in life (Ladd 2005). Although it has been reported that some children with profound hearing loss who have experienced the oral approach since diagnosis display language skills similar to children with typical hearing (DeLuzio and Girolametto 2011), many may still be excluded socially and have subtle communication differences that impact friendships. More information is needed about how differences and similarities are manifested in young children with hearing loss. This investigation observed the frequency of three social communicative behaviors displayed by eight preschoolers with and without hearing loss as they played in dyads during unstructured table activities. The results revealed that the children with hearing loss produced about a quarter as many initiated verbal comments; however, they engaged in more verbal and play turns than their playmates with typical hearing. Implications for teaching young children with hearing loss in inclusive preschool settings are discussed.
Global profiling of dynamic protein palmitoylation

A quantitative proteomics approach to characterize protein palmitoylation dynamics on a global scale in cells, as well as to identify enzymes responsible for the regulation of palmitoylation, is described.
Infant's and young children's preference for complexity

Abstract Children ranging in age from 9 to 41 months were presented with pairs of random shapes which varied in the number of angles. Over 4 successive test days, preference of these children was an increasing linear function of the complexity of the stimuli, with no change across days and no difference among the three age groups into which S s could be divided. Results of this study are compared and contrasted with previous research.
Laudatio for John Money on the occasion of the 1988 Masters and Johnson award of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research.

Abstract I was very pleased when the Program Committee of SSTAR asked me to give the Laudatio for John Money, and I immediately agreed. There have been so many occasions over the last 20 years-while seeing patients, writing papers, and planning research-when I have been grateful for John's wisdom, knowledge, and friendship that I welcome the opportunity to join in honoring him today.
PYRUVATE DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVATION IN RAT BRAIN CORTICAL SLICES BY ELEVATED CONCENTRATIONS OF EXTERNAL POTASSIUM IONS

— Cortical slices from rat brain were incubated in Krebs-Ringer phosphate medium. Activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH) was measured in homogenates of the incubated tissue. Increasing the extracellular KCI concentration from 5 to 75 mM caused a dose-dependent increase in activity of this rate-limiting mitochondrial enzyme. The increase in PDH activity, produced by high concentration of KCI. was associated with a decrease in the tissue content of ATP. Omission of calcium, or replacement of sodium by choline, reduced, and addition of ouabain prevented, the activation of the enzyme in the depolarized tissue. The mechanism by which extracellular potassium can affect PDH activity is unknown. However, it is most likely that the alterations in enzyme activity are related to changes in properties of cell membranes during depolarization leading to intracellular events directly affecting the enzyme complex. These could include alterations in the concentrations of adenine nucleotides or free calcium ions in the cell.
A study of magnetic domain distribution in ferrite by magnetic force microscopy

In this study, vibration sample measurement (VSM) and magnetic force microscopy (MFM) have been used to observe the magnetic behavior and identify the magnetic domain distribution of NiZn ferrite, which was synthesized via chemical route and spray deposition method. Cases considered in the present study involve the types of NZF1 and NZF2 NiZn ferrite. VSM results show that the films with different deposition rate have the saturation magnetization from 200 to 900 emu/cm3, and the resistance of the film is about 1 Mohm. The ferromagnetic resonance frequency is 1 GHz approximately. MFM results show that images were also discussed the domain wall motion between the particle of NiZn ferrite, which generated the different magnetic moment direction. Therefore, MFM could obtain the relationship results between the qualitative magnetic domain structure distribution and surface morphology of two types of NiZn ferrite.
Educational–Occupational Mismatch, Race/Ethnicity, and Immigrant Wealth Attainment

This paper uses wealth attainment as an indicator of economic integration and assesses how educational–occupational mismatch (i.e., over/underqualification) and race/ethnicity affect the wealth attainment of a sample of legal permanent residents in the USA. Using data from the New Immigrant Survey, this paper finds that overqualification is positively associated with wealth attainment, but below the rate for adequately qualified workers in the same occupation. Underqualified immigrants are associated with a pattern of wealth attainment that is equivalent to the adequately qualified. Racial/ethnic wealth inequality among legal permanent residents generally reflects the well-documented pattern among the U.S. native-born. This paper concludes with a discussion that places these results alongside previous research that examines the relationship between educational–occupational mismatch and income among immigrants.
Conformational Dynamics of Phus

Iron is essential for pathogen's survival and virulence in the host and it requires specialized mechanisms for uptake and storage. PhuS is a cytoplasmic heme-trafficking protein in the opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Heme binding to PhuS has been thought to occur by an induced-fit mechanism. However, this assumption is recently challenged by the structure of the holo form, which shows no significant difference from the apo form. To resolve the controversy, we performed molecular dynamics simulation of the apo form of PhuS. We found that the apo PhuS samples a conformational space distinct from the holo structure, thus providing new insights into the mechanism of heme trafficking in P. aeruginosa.
The influence of crosslinking and fumed silica nanoparticles on mixed gas transport properties of poly[1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne]

Abstract Crosslinking poly[1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne] (PTMSP) films with 3,3′-diazidodiphenylsulfone, a bis(azide) crosslinker, rendered the films insoluble in common solvents for PTMSP such as toluene. At all temperatures, mixed gas CH 4 and n -C 4 H 10 permeabilities of crosslinked PTMSP were less than those of uncrosslinked PTMSP, which correlates with lower free volume in the crosslinked material. The presence of fumed silica (FS) nanoparticles in both uncrosslinked PTMSP and crosslinked PTMSP increased mixed gas CH 4 and n -C 4 H 10 permeabilities, consistent with the disruption of polymer chain packing by such nanoparticles. Mixed gas CH 4 permeabilities of all films were significantly less than their corresponding pure gas CH 4 permeabilities. For example, at 35 °C, the mixed gas CH 4 permeabilities were approximately 60–80% less than their pure gas values. The greatest decrease was observed for uncrosslinked PTMSP, while nanocomposite PTMSP films showed the least decrease. The mixed gas n -C 4 H 10 /CH 4 selectivities of crosslinked PTMSP and nanocomposite PTMSP films were less than those of uncrosslinked PTMSP at all temperatures. For example, at 35 °C, the mixed gas n -C 4 H 10 /CH 4 selectivities of uncrosslinked PTMSP, crosslinked PTMSP containing 10 wt% crosslinker, and uncrosslinked PTMSP containing 30 wt% FS were 33, 27, and 17, respectively, when the feed gas contained 2 mol% n -C 4 H 10 and the total upstream mixture fugacity was 11 atm. For all films, as temperature decreased, mixed gas n -C 4 H 10 permeabilities increased, and mixed gas CH 4 permeabilities decreased. Consequently, the mixed gas n -C 4 H 10 /CH 4 selectivities increased substantially as temperature decreased and the mixed gas selectivity of uncrosslinked PTMSP increased from 33 to 170 as temperature decreased from 35 °C to −20 °C when the feed gas contained 2 mol% n -C 4 H 10 and the total upstream mixture fugacity was 11 atm.
Estimating the Structure of Agricultural Investment: A Stochastic- Coefficients Approach

Two approaches, a flexibie-accelerator model and a stochastic-coefficients alternative, are used to estimate the structure of aggregate agricultural investment. Structural estimates of the adjustment rates for each model differ. The stochastic-coefficients model, however, performs better in out-of-sample forecasting.
Structural-Functional Properties of Identified Excitatory and Inhibitory Interneurons within Pre-Bötzinger Complex Respiratory Microcircuits

We comparatively analyzed cellular and circuit properties of identified rhythmic excitatory and inhibitory interneurons within respiratory microcircuits of the neonatal rodent pre-Botzinger complex (pre-BotC), the structure generating inspiratory rhythm in the brainstem. We combined high-resolution structural-functional imaging, molecular assays for neurotransmitter phenotype identification in conjunction with electrophysiological property phenotyping, and morphological reconstruction of interneurons in neonatal rat and mouse slices in vitro. This approach revealed previously undifferentiated structural-functional features that distinguish excitatory and inhibitory interneuronal populations. We identified distinct subpopulations of pre-BotC glutamatergic, glycinergic, GABAergic, and glycine-GABA coexpressing interneurons. Most commissural pre-BotC inspiratory interneurons were glutamatergic, with a substantial subset exhibiting intrinsic oscillatory bursting properties. Commissural excitatory interneurons projected with nearly planar trajectories to the contralateral pre-BotC, many also with axon collaterals to areas containing inspiratory hypoglossal (XII) premotoneurons and motoneurons. Inhibitory neurons as characterized in the present study did not exhibit intrinsic oscillatory bursting properties, but were electrophysiologically distinguished by more pronounced spike frequency adaptation properties. Axons of many inhibitory neurons projected ipsilaterally also to regions containing inspiratory XII premotoneurons and motoneurons, whereas a minority of inhibitory neurons had commissural axonal projections. Dendrites of both excitatory and inhibitory interneurons were arborized asymmetrically, primarily in the coronal plane. The dendritic fields of inhibitory neurons were more spatially compact than those of excitatory interneurons. Our results are consistent with the concepts of a compartmental circuit organization, a bilaterally coupled excitatory rhythmogenic kernel, and a role of pre-BotC inhibitory neurons in shaping inspiratory pattern as well as coordinating inspiratory and expiratory activity.
Plot Query Processing with Wavelets

Plots are among the most important and widely used tools for scientific data analysis and visualization. With a plot (a.k.a. range group-by query) data are divided into a number of groups, and at each group, they are summarized over one or more attributes for a given arbitrary range. Wavelets, on the other hand, allow efficient computation of (individual) exact and approximate aggregations. With the current practice, to generate a plot over a wavelet-transformed dataset, one aggregate query is executed per each plot point; hence, for large plots (containing numerous points) a large number of aggregate queries are submitted to the database. On the contrary, we redefine a plot as a range group-by query and propose a wavelet-based technique that exploits I/O sharing across plot points to evaluate the plot efficiently and progressively. The intuition behind our approach comes from the fact that we can decompose a plot query into two sets of 1) aggregate queries, and 2) reconstruction queries. Subsequently, we exploit and extend our earlier related studies to effectively compute both quires in the wavelet domain. We also show that our technique is not only efficient as an exact algorithm but also very effective as an approximation method where either the query time or the storage space is limited.
Evaluation of preoperative Strepsils lozenges on incidence of postextubation cough and sore throat in smokers undergoing anesthesia with endotracheal intubation.

Post-operative sore throat (POST) is an undesirable side effect of endotracheal intubation. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures have been utilized for minimizing the morbidity caused by POST. We have tested use of Strepsils lozenges in providing efficacy for decreasing POST in smokers presenting for surgery under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. Materials and Methods: 100 patients, 20-65 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I and II, either sex, history of smoking, posted for elective surgical procedure of more than 1 hour, requiring general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation were included and randomly divided into groups (n = 50) to receive Strepsils (Group A) and sugar candy (Group B). The patients were assessed for cough, sore throat, and hoarseness of voice after extubation, 30 min, 12 hrs, and 24 hrs after extubation. Results: At extubation no cough was seen in 39 (78%) patients (group A) compared to 23 (46%) patients (Group B), and mild cough in 22% (Group A) and 52% (Group B). Incidence of sore throat at extubation was lower in group A compared to Group B (P = 0.04). At other times of observations (30 min,12 hrs and 24 hrs) there was a significant decrease in incidence of sore throat in Group A compared to Group B (P = 0.000). Hoarseness of voice was not observed in any patient in either group. Conclusions: Use of preoperative Strepsils lozenges decreases incidence of POST and maybe utilized as a simple and cost-effective measure for decreasing the symptoms of POST and increasing the satisfaction of patients.
A new recursive subclass of domain independent formulas based on subimplication

We motivate and define subimplication completion of a relational calculus query and of a general deductive database. Subimplication completion not only avoids getting unexpected answers, but also makes some domain dependent queries and databases domain independent. We define a new recursive subclass of domain independent formulas, called weakly range-restricted formulas, which is strictly larger than the class of range-restricted formulas. We also define admissible and deductive databases and show that under the subimplication completion they are domain independent and safe. >
Controlling switch-reconfigured antennas using FPGAs

Different types of switches such as RF MEMS [1], p-i-n and Schottky diodes [2] have been used to achieve antenna reconfiguration. This paper proposes the reconfiguration of antennas through the use of p-i-n diodes to connect subsections to a main antenna section. The activation and deactivation of these p-i-n diodes is controlled through a field programmable gate array (FPGA), which manages the overall antenna configuration under software control. The antenna design, structure, tuning and the FPGA programming is investigated in the present paper. This antenna was fabricated, and the FPGA-controlled p-i-n diodes antenna was tested. The measured results show good agreement with the simulated data.
An improved enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay protocol for the detection of small lytic peptides in transgenic grapevines (Vitis vinifera)

An enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) protocol was developed for the detection of small lytic peptides in transgenic grapevines (V. vinifera). The protocol requires a high concentration of protease inhibitor in the extraction buffer; the use of antiserum cross-absorbed with control tissue, an increased concentration of blocking reagents in the antiserum buffer, and performing all coating and/or binding processes at 37°C while reducing the time period for each step to 1 h. The procedure greatly reduced protein degradation, increased the signal-to-noise ratio, and it allowed the effective detection of the Shiva-1 lytic peptide (5 kDa) at concentrations as low as 0.1 μM. This procedure made it possible for routine analysis of transgene expression in Shiva-1 gene-containing transgenic grape plants.