cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduced gray matter volume in the anterior cingulate, orbitofrontal cortex and thalamus as a function of mild depressive symptoms: a voxel-based morphometric analysis.

Background Studies investigating structural brain abnormalities in depression have typically employed a categorical rather than dimensional approach to depression [i.e. comparing subjects with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-defined major depressive disorder (MDD) v. healthy controls]. The National Institute of Mental Health, through their Research Domain Criteria initiative, has encouraged a dimensional approach to the study of psychopathology as opposed to an over-reliance on categorical (e.g. DSM-based) diagnostic approaches. Moreover, subthreshold levels of depressive symptoms (i.e. severity levels below DSM criteria) have been found to be associated with a range of negative outcomes, yet have been relatively neglected in neuroimaging research. Method To examine the extent to which depressive symptoms – even at subclinical levels – are linearly related to gray matter volume reductions in theoretically important brain regions, we employed whole-brain voxel-based morphometry in a sample of 54 participants. Results The severity of mild depressive symptoms, even in a subclinical population, was associated with reduced gray matter volume in the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate, thalamus, superior temporal gyrus/temporal pole and superior frontal gyrus. A conjunction analysis revealed concordance across two separate measures of depression. Conclusions Reduced gray matter volume in theoretically important brain regions can be observed even in a sample that does not meet DSM criteria for MDD, but who nevertheless report relatively elevated levels of depressive symptoms. Overall, these findings highlight the need for additional research using dimensional conceptual and analytic approaches, as well as further investigation of subclinical populations.
Numerical simulation of gas–liquid–solid fluidization systems using a combined CFD-VOF-DPM method: bubble wake behavior

Abstract A new approach that can predict the characteristics of discrete phases of three-phase flows is provided in this study. In this model, the gas–liquid–solid flow in a fluidized bed is simulated by a combined method of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with the discrete particle method (DPM) and a volume-tracking represented by the volume-of-fluid (VOF) method. A bubble induced force model, a continuum surface force model and Newton's third law are, respectively, applied to account for the couplings of particle–bubble (gas), gas–liquid and particle–liquid interactions. A close-distance interaction model is included in the particle–particle collision model, which considers liquid interstitial effects among particles. Simulations of gas bubble rising in water in a small two-dimensional bed (height 0.1 m, width 0.06 m) with 1000 particles (glass beads, d p =0.8 mm, ρ p =2500 kg m −3 ) show that the model can capture the bubble wake behavior such as the wake structure and the shedding frequency. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental findings.
Treatment of oligodendrocytes with antisense deoxyoligonucleotide directed against CREB mRNA: effect on the cyclic AMP-dependent induction of myelin basic protein expression.

We have shown previously that in oligodendrocytes, the transcription factor cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) is maximally expressed immediately prior to the most rapid period of myelination in rat brain. We have begun to investigate the role of this protein during myelination by downregulating CREB synthesis in cultured oligodendrocytes using an antisense deoxyoligonucleotide directed against CREB mRNA. Neonatal oligodendrocytes were grown for 4 days in a chemically defined medium (CDM) after which intracellular delivery of CREB antisense oligonucleotide was facilitated by using a liposome preparation. Control cultures were treated in a similar manner but in the presence of CREB sense oligomer. Immediately after transfection, cells were cultured for 3 days in CDM in the presence or absence of the cyclic AMP (cAMP) analogue N6,O21-dibutyryl cAMP (db-cAMP). In these cultures, myelin basic protein (MBP) expression was investigated by immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis. Treatment of control cultures with db-cAMP resulted in a significant increase in the number of MBP positive cells which was abolished when the cells were treated with CREB antisense oligonucleotide. MBP positive cells in control cultures treated with db-cAMP have extended and highly branched MBP positive processes. In contrast, MBP positive cells in either control cultures grown in the absence of db-cAMP or cultures grown in the presence of db-cAMP but treated with CREB antisense oligonucleotide showed shorter and less complex processes and the MBP immunoreactivity appeared to be concentrated in the cell body. These observations suggest that CREB is at least one of the mediators in the induction of oligodendrocyte differentiation by cAMP. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Conservation and diversity of the cellular disulfide bond formation pathways.

Two pathways for the formation of biosynthetic protein disulfide bonds have been characterized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of eukaryotes. In the major pathway, the membrane-associated flavopr...
Hormonal and substrate responses to a standard meal in normal and hypertriglyceridemic subjects

Postprandial plasma insulin, glucose, growth hormone, cortisol and free fatty acid responses to a standard mixed meal were determined and compared to fasting plasma triglyceride levels in normal and hypertriglyceridemic subjects. The hypertriglyceridemic subjects had significantly higher postprandial plasma insulin levels than did normals, but no significant differences were seen between the two groups to any of the other variables. Postprandial plasma insulin levels were highly correlated to fasting plasma triglyceride levels, but there was no significant correlation between any of the other variables and fasting plasma triglyceride levels.
Isolation and synthesis of 23-methyl-22-dehydrocholesterol -a marine sterol of biosynthetic significance

Anew sterol, 23-methyl-22-dehydrocholesterol, and several closely relatedsterols, have been isolated from cultures of the dinoflagellat symbiont (zooxanthella) from the marine zoanthid Zoanthus sociatus. The structural features of these sterols suggest that direct bioalkylation of a Δ22 double bond may be a new biosynthetic route to novel sterol side chains.
Cycloheximide delays chlorophyll loss but not the inhibition of plastid protein synthesis during heat-bleaching in Euglena gracilis

Summary Growth at the bleaching temperature of 33 °C induces chlorophyll loss and inhibits chloroplast protein synthesis in photoheterotrophic cultures of Euglena gracilis Z. We now show that brief incubations in the presence of cycloheximide during the early hours of the treatment at the elevated temperature delay the onset of chlorophyll loss. Incubations in the presence of cycloheximide, however, do not bring temporary protection to plastids against the inhibitory effect of temperature on plastid protein synthesis. We conclude that protein synthesis on cytoplasmic ribosomes appears to be required to bring about the loss of chlorophyll at 33 °C. Furthermore, the inability of Euglena gracilis to develop and maintain functional chloroplasts at the elevated temperature can be explained by changes in the ability of plastids to synthesize proteins that are independent from the effect of temperature on chlorophyll accumulation.
Calculation of electron channeling radiation with a realistic potential

Abstract The emission of radiation by electrons moving through a crystal channel has been quantitatively predicted by Kumakhov, and was experimentally observed by Swent et al . The present study of this effect employs a realistic crystal potential, which was developed by Pantell and Swent in order to furnish the location of the emission peaks. A detailed calculation of the peak intensities, including the transition matrix elements and the populations of the channeling states, is carried out here. The results agree satisfactorily with the planar-channeling data of Swent et al . We further present a numerical calculation of the spectra, angular distributions and polarization of the radiation from 56 MeV planar-channeled electrons.
Clinical characteristics of African Americans vs Caucasian Americans with multiple sclerosis

Background: African American (AA) individuals are thought to develop multiple sclerosis (MS) less frequently than Caucasian American (CA) individuals. Objective: To compare the clinical characteristics of AA and CA patients with MS. Methods: The clinical features of MS were compared in a large retrospective cohort of AA (n = 375) and CA (n = 427) subjects. Results: The proportion of women to men was similar in AA and CA subjects (81% [AA] vs 77% [CA]; p = 0.122). There were no differences in the proportions of subjects with relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive, primary progressive, and progressive relapsing MS. The median time to diagnosis was 1 year after symptom onset in AA subjects and 2 years after symptom onset in CA subjects (p = 0.0013). The age at onset was approximately 2.5 years later in AA than CA subjects (33.7 vs 31.1 years; p = 0.0001). AA subjects presented with multisite signs and symptoms at disease onset more often than CA subjects (p = 0.018). Clinical involvement restricted to the optic nerves and spinal cord (opticospinal MS) occurred in 16.8% of AA patients compared with 7.9% of CA patients (p Conclusions: Compared with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Caucasian Americans, African American patients with MS have a greater likelihood of developing opticospinal MS and transverse myelitis and have a more aggressive disease course.
Returning to the Basics—Or Should We Have Ever Left Them?

This author answers the question he poses in the negative, then cautions that in a return to the basics administrators must take care to discern what the true basics are.
Diagnosis and management of an ovarian cyst complicated by torsion in utero: A case report

Advances in prenatal ultrasound (US) have increased the number of congenital anomalies detected in utero. We present a case of an ovarian cyst identified at 22 weeks gestation. Further imaging obtained postnatally demonstrated a 5.8 cm complex cyst in the right abdomen. Abdominal exploration at 2 months of age revealed a completely necrotic right ovary which was resected. Histologic findings confirmed extensive necrosis with no viable ovarian stroma remaining. This case provides an opportunity to highlight the diagnostic criteria and clinical management of in utero ovarian torsion.
Behavioral reproductive isolation inDrosophila silvestris, D. heteroneura, and their F1 hybrids (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

We investigated the role that courtship and aggressive interactions may have for the maintenance of reproductive isolation betweenDrosophila silvestris andD. heteroneura. We examined the behavioral bases of reproductive isolation between the parental species and we examined the courtship success of each sex of both reciprocal F1 hybrids when paired with the parental species. We found reduced copulation success among heterotypic parental pairs compared to homotypic pairs, which was primarily due to the lack of courtship initiation betweenD. silvestris males andD. heteroneura females. When hybrid males from both reciprocal crosses were paired with parental females their copulation successes were not significantly different from that of parental males. In contrast, hybrid females from both crosses had reduced copulation success withD. silvestris males, which in turn was primarily due to a reduced success of reaching later stages of courtship. The time spent in copulation by hybrid males was intermediate between the two parental males. We studied aggression by observing the interactions of males of heterotypic pairs, both between the parental species and between the hybrids and parental males. A lack of aggressive interactions betweenD. silvestris males andD. heteroneura males in addition to the lack of courtship suggests thatD. silvestris males do not respond toD. heteroneura individuals of either sex. Hybrid males were equally successful in winning fights with bothD. silvestris andD. heteroneura males. These results indicate that the behavioral isolation betweenD. silvestris andD. heteroneura may be largely a consequence of the earliest stages of interactions. The two species may differ either in activity levels or in morphological or chemical traits that are important for species and mate recognition. The relatively high copulation and aggressive success of hybrids indicates that sexual selection against hybrids alone is unlikely to be a sufficient force to reduce gene flow and maintain species distinctions.
The starlike trees which span a hypercube

Abstract A connected bipartite graph is called equitable if it has the same number of nodes in each of its two colors. A starlike tree with b branches is a subdivision of the star K l , b with b ⩾ 3. We prove that a starlike tree T with b branches, where 3 ⩽ b ⩽ n , having 2 n nodes spans the hypercube Q n if and only if T is equitable. This extends a result of Nebesky who had made this observation for b = 3.
Promoter-selective properties of the TBP-related factor TRF1.

The TATA-binding protein (TBP)–related factor 1 (TRF1) is expressed in a tissue-restricted fashion during Drosophila embryogenesis and may serve as a promoter-specific recognition factor that can replace TBP in regulating transcription. However, bona fide target promoters that would preferentially respond to TRF1 have remained elusive. Polytene chromosome staining, chromatin immunoprecipitation, direct messenger RNA analysis, and transient cotransfection assays identified the Drosophila gene tudor as containing a TRF1-responsive promoter. Reconstituted in vitro transcription reactions and deoxyribonuclease I footprinting assays confirmed the ability of TRF1 to bind preferentially and direct transcription of the tudor gene from an alternate promoter. Thus, metazoans appear to have evolved gene-selective and tissue-specific components of the core transcription machinery to regulate gene expression.
Incisional/ventral herniorrhaphy employing bilateral reversed anterior rectus abdominis sheath

Repair of a symptomatic incisional/ventral hernia that is not amenable to simple primary closure is problematic. Therapeutic options include: (1) fascial reapproximation after unilateral/bilateral horizontal parasagittal relaxing incisions (obliquus externusand transversus abdominis) with or without pre-operative pneumoperitoneum; (2) bridging a fascial defect with autologous devascularized (lata femoris, anterior rectus abdominissheath) or vascularized (abdominal wall fascia, tensor fasciae latae, myofascial, or myofascial/cutaneous rotational flaps) tissue; or (3) insertion of prosthetic/synthetic material (polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polygalactin). In the presence of abdominal infection or contaminated operative wounds use of autologous tissue is preferred, because of the risks of infection and gastroenterocolonic fistulization. Since 1985 the authors have observed excellent results with use of a bilateral reversed anterior rectus abdominissheath technique of incisional/ventral herniorrhaphy. Although the parasagittal incision parallel to the linea semilunarisand mobilization medially undoubtedly caused partial devascularization (interruption of segmental and intermuscular arteriovenous arcades, respectively), the sheath coapted in the midline maintained its integrity as evaluated clinically and radiographically. This implies that the Sheath is relatively hypometabolic, that collateral circulation is maintained and/or develops, and/or sustenance is obtained by contiguity with peritoneal secretions and subcutaneous tissue. Twenty-three patients (13 males, 10 females, age range 19–79 years) with large symptomatic mid-abdominal hernias of 8–16 months duration were so treated. Each of these patients had required multiple (three to seven) exploratory celiotomies for traumatic, infectious, inflammatory., or neoplastic entities. To date all patients have healed per primumwithout recurrence. Only one patient, who had previously received pelvic irradiation, manifested eventration. This qualitative analysis suggests that this technique has validity for patients requiring incisional/ventral herniorrhaphy with an otherwise intact rectus abdominismuscle and sheath. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Simulations on crystallization in stereoblock poly(propylene). Idealized structures showing the effects of atactic block length

In typical polymerizations of propene, the stereochemical structures of the resulting polymer depend on the replication probability (for meso placements) in two ways. Decrease in this probability decreases the overall isotactic content, but also decreases the average lengths of the isotactic sequences. New catalysts, however, can now decrease isotactic content without necessarily decreasing the average lengths of the isotactic sequences, by either internally rotating between two forms of the active site or by having two alternative sites available for occupation by the growing polymer chain. The present investigation takes parallel arrays of such chains having idealized stereoblock structures and looks for matches in structure that would lead to the formation of crystallites. Counting the numbers of units in such matches relative to the total number then gives the percent crystallinity, and it is also possible in this way to estimate melting points, and other related thermodynamic and molecular properties. Of particular interest here is the dependence of such properties on the lengths of the atactic sequences separating isotactic blocks of constant length.
Prevalency rate and personality comparisons of bulimic and normal adolescents.

This study was designed to examine (1) the prevalency rate of bulimia in high school students and (2) the personality characteristics of bulimic studients when compared with a matched control group using the MMPI. The Bulimia Test and the Eating Disorder Inventory were used to screen for the disorder, followed by clinical interviews. A prevalency rate of 5.8% was established. A significant discriminate function was found using the Pa, Hy, Mf, and Sc scales to discriminate bulimics from controls.
A Methodological Approach to Choose Components in Development and Evolution Processes

One of Software Engineering's main goals is to build complex applications in a simple way. For that, software components must be described by their functional and non-functional properties. Then, the problem is to know which component satisfies a specific need in a specific composition context, during software development or evolution. We claim that this is a problem of substitution, and we propose a need-aware substitution model that takes into account functional and non-functional properties.
Situating the family of Ottoman Bulgaria within the European pattern

The article seeks to reassess the traditional stereotype of the complex Balkan family, especially in Bulgaria, on the basis of published and unpublished materials. On most measure features, such as population structure, marriage patterns, fertility and mortality rates, family and household size and structure, and inheritance patterns the Balkans show a great deal of variety and, on some measures, are more like the western and central parts of Europe than the easter-part. But all attempts to argue for the historical predominance of the zadruga in southeastern Europe (and in Bulgaria in particular) are presumptious, because the zadruga has been firmly documented only for the period from the late eighteenth to the early twentieth century, when it was not statistically predominant. Its appearance (or recurrence) and decline could be explained by different factors, and almost promising area of exploration seems to be the possible connection between a stockbreeding economy and multiple families of the zadruga type.
Study of Diffusion Processes by Electrolysis with Micro-electrodes

THE diffusion of an electro-oxidizable or -reducible substance in solution can be studied by measuring the current obtained using suitable electrodes in an electrolysis cell under such conditions that the amount of electro-oxidizable or reducible material reaching one of the electrodes is determined only by the rate of diffusion of the material to the electrode. The concentration of the diffusing material at the electrode is maintained at a value practically equal to zero by applying a potential to the electrode such that the diffusing material is immediately oxidized or reduced upon reaching the electrode surface.
Early cellular rejection after orthotopic liver transplantation correlates with low concentrations of FK506 in hepatic tissue.

We have previously reported that low hepatic tissue cyclosporine levels correlate with early cellular rejection after liver transplantation. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is a similar relationship in patients treated with FK506. Twenty-five liver biopsies were performed in 10 patients immunosuppressed with FK506 without cellular rejection: day 7 = 10; day 14 = 3; day 21 = 9; day 28 = 1; day 35 = 1; and day 42 = 1. These 10 patients without cellular rejection were compared with 7 patients immunosuppressed with FK506 with cellular rejection who underwent a total of 23 liver biopsies, including 9 biopsies that showed rejection: day 7 = 4; day 14 = 2; day 21 = 1; day 28 = 1; and day 49 = 1. There was no significant difference between the nonrejection and current rejection groups in the median plasma concentration of FK506, 0.9 ng/mL versus 0.9 ng/mL (P = .50). In contrast, the median hepatic tissue concentration of FK506 was significantly higher in the nonrejection group than it was in the current rejection group, 144 ng/g versus 48 ng/g (P = .02). In the current rejection group, 7 of 9 hepatic tissue concentrations of FK506 were 100 ng/g. Low hepatic tissue concentrations of FK506 correlate with the occurrence of early cellular rejection after liver transplantation, in contrast to plasma concentrations of FK506. A hepatic tissue concentration of FK506 < 100 ng/g is 78% sensitive and 72% specific for cellular rejection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Iron-, zinc-, and magnesium-rich field peas (Pisum sativum L.) with naturally low phytic acid: A potential food-based solution to global micronutrient malnutrition

Abstract Biofortification of commonly eaten foods with iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) might be a solution to global “hidden hunger”. This study was carried out to determine the micronutrient biofortification potential of US-grown field peas ( Pisum sativum L.). We analyzed seed Fe, Zn, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), total phosphorus (P), and phytic acid (PA) concentrations of six commercial field pea genotypes grown at seven locations in North Dakota, USA. These US-grown field peas were naturally rich in Fe (46–54 mg kg –1 ), Zn (39–63 mg kg –1 ), and Mg (1350–1427 mg kg –1 ). A single serving of field pea could provide of 28–68% the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for Fe, 36–78% of the RDA for Zn, and 34–46% of the RDA for Mg. Field pea is not a good source of Ca (622–1219 mg kg –1 ; 6–12% of RDA). In addition, these field peas are naturally low in PA (4.9–7.1 mg g –1 of PA or 1.4–2 mg g –1 of phytic-P) despite very high total P concentrations (3.5–5 mg g –1 ). Overall, field pea is a good food source of Fe, Zn, and Mg, and selection of genetic material to enrich micronutrients in conjunction with growing location may further enhance mineral concentrations.
Spatiotemporal changes of landscape pattern in response to urbanization

Abstract The combined method of urban gradient analysis and landscape metrics in analyzing the changes of landscape pattern has been widely applied since its introduction by Luck and Wu (2002) . In order to address the temporal dynamics of landscape change, this study integrated transect analysis with temporal trend analysis and specifically discussed how changes of residential pattern are related to forms of urban growth. Using Dane County, Wisconsin, USA as an example, a 60 km transect passing through the City of Madison was set up to represent a continuum of rural-urban-rural landscapes. Changes of landscape pattern from 1968 to 2000 were analyzed by FRAGSTATS with four metrics—percentage of landscape (PLAND), Shannon's evenness index (SHEI), patch density (PD), and mean patch size (MPS). Findings from metric analyses revealed that the degree of land-use diversity and landscape fragmentation is positively related to the degree of urbanization. Specifically, at the class-level, residential land-use type shows the strongest positive relationship to the degree of urbanization in all of the class-level metrics adopted. Changes in residential land-use pattern were further analyzed with the number of housing units. The analyses revealed that there are different patterns of residential development along the transect in the study area—with the core urban area expanding outward in a contiguous manner while the rural areas have scattered development. This study demonstrated the additional insights into landscape change by integrating the spatial and the temporal perspectives and by targeting the forms of residential developments.
The effect of complexation hydrogels on insulin transport in intestinal epithelial cell models.

A novel class of pH sensitive complexation hydrogels composed of methacrylic acid and functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) tethers, referred to as P(MAA-g-EG) WGA, was investigated as an oral protein delivery system. The PEG tethers were functionalized with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), a lectin that can bind to carbohydrates in the intestinal mucosa, to improve residence time of the carrier and absorption of the drug at the delivery site. The ability of P(MAA-g-EG) WGA to improve insulin absorption was observed in two different intestinal epithelial models. In Caco-2 cells, P(MAA-g-EG) WGA improved insulin permeability by 9-fold as compared to an insulin only solution. P(MAA-g-EG) WGA was also evaluated in a mucus-secreting culture that contained Caco-2 and HT29-MTX cells. Insulin permeability was increased by 5-fold in the presence of P(MAA-g-EG) WGA. Overall, it is clear that P(MAA-g-EG) WGA enhances insulin absorption and holds great promise as an oral insulin delivery system.
Source apportionment of fine particulate matter measured in an industrialized coastal urban area of South Texas

Abstract Corpus Christi is a growing industrialized urban airshed in South Texas impacted by local emissions and regional transport of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Positive matrix factorization (PMF2) technique was used to evaluate particulate matter pollution in the urban airshed by estimating the types of sources and its corresponding mass contributions affecting the measured ambient PM2.5 levels. Fine particulate matter concentrations by species measured during July 2003 through December 2008 at a PM2.5 speciation site were used in this study. PMF2 identified eight source categories, of which secondary sulfates were the dominant source category accounting for 30.4% of the apportioned mass. The other sources identified included aged sea salt (18.5%), biomass burns (12.7%), crustal dust (10.1%), traffic (9.7%), fresh sea salt (8.1%), industrial sources (6%), and a co-mingled source of oil combustion & diesel emissions (4.6%). The apportioned PM mass showed distinct seasonal variability between source categories. The PM levels in Corpus Christi were affected by biomass burns in Mexico and Central America during April and May, sub-Saharan dust storms from Africa during the summer months, and a continental haze episode during August and September with significant transport from the highly industrialized areas of Texas and the neighboring states. Potential source contribution function (PSCF) analysis was performed and it identified source regions and the influence of long-range transport of fine particulate matter affecting this urban area.
Thucydides, Ancient Greece, and the Democratic Peace

Abstract The hypothesis that democracies rarely fight each other is well-supported for the contemporary era. Yet evidence for it in another era of many democracies—Greece in the fifth century BCE—is weak at best. This article considers several reasons why the experience of the two eras may differ. It shows that the causal reasoning of the contemporary democratic peace depends on key assumptions about how institutions constrain leaders that did not apply well in ancient polities. Analysis of these differences helps to clarify theoretical understanding of interstate relations in both eras.
Cached DRAM for ILP processor memory access latency reduction

Cached DRAM adds a small cache onto a DRAM chip to reduce average DRAM access latency. The authors compare cached DRAM with other advanced DRAM techniques for reducing memory access latency in instruction-level-parallelism processors.
Early Intervention Practices and Communication Intervention Strategies for Young Males with Fragile X Syndrome.

Purpose: This study describes speech-language pathologists’ impressions of the communication difficulties of young males with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and the need for both syndrome-specific and in...
Solar radiation during the total eclipse of January 24, 1925

Abstract A Fery radiation pyrometer was used in relative radiation measurements during a total eclipse of the sun. The experimental curve shows that the radiation is not uniform over the sun's disc. The ratio of the energy received during full sunlight to the energy received from the corona was found to he 13,000.
Identification of membrane topography of the electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter pNBC1 by in vitro transcription/translation.

The transmembrane topography of the human pancreatic electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter pNBC1 was investigated using in vitro transcription/translation of HK-M0 and HK-M1 fusion vectors designed to test membrane insertion properties of pNBC1 hydrophobic sequences (H). These vectors encode N-terminal 101 (HK-M0) or 139 (HK-M1) amino acids of the H,K-ATPase α-subunit, a linker region and the C-terminal 177 amino acids of the H,K-ATPase β-subunit that contain five N-linked glycosylation consensus sites (Bamberg, K., and Sachs, G. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 16909−16919). The glycosylation status of the β-region was used as a reporter to determine whether a given hydrophobic sequence possesses signal anchor and/or stop transfer properties in the HK-M0 and HK-M1 vectors. The linker region of each vector was replaced either with individual hydrophobic sequences or combinations thereof. The transcription/translation products of these fusion vectors in reticulocyte lysate system ± microsomal membranes w...
Post-treatment hemodynamics of a basilar aneurysm and bifurcation.

To investigate whether or not a successful aneurysm treatment procedure can subject a parent artery to harmful hemodynamic stresses, computational fluid dynamics simulations are performed on a patient-specific basilar aneurysm and bifurcation before and after a virtual endovascular treatment. Prior to treatment, the aneurysm at systole is filled with a periodic train of vortex tubes, which form at the aneurysm neck and advect upwards into the dome. Following the treatment procedure however, the motion of the vortex train is inhibited by the aneurysm filling material, which confines the vortex tubes to the region beneath the aneurysm neck. Analysis of the post-treatment flow field indicates that the impingement of the basilar artery flow upon the treated aneurysm neck and the close proximity of a vortex tube to the parent artery wall increase the maximum wall shear stresses to values approximately equal to 50 Pa at systole. Calculation of the time-averaged wall shear stresses indicates that there is a 1.4 × 10−7 m2 area on the parent artery exposed to wall shear stresses greater than 37.9 Pa, a value shown by Fry [Circ. Res. 22(2):165–197, 1968] to cause severe damage to the endothelial cells that line the artery wall. The results of this study demonstrate that it is possible for a treatment procedure, which successfully isolates the aneurysm from the circulation and leaves no aneurysm neck remnant, to elevate the hemodynamic stresses to levels that are injurious to the artery wall.
The impedance characteristics of Mars Exploration Rover Li-ion batteries

Determination of the cell or battery impedance is critical to predicting and managing the battery performance, especially in a remote application such as in a spacecraft. While electrochemical impedance spectroscopy provides more quantitative and diverse information on the electrochemical processes, it is less informative in the absence of a reference electrode and/or more cumbersome in multi-cell batteries. DC impedance values, on the other hand, are relatively easy to implement and with subtle variations in the pulse conditions, i.e., pulse magnitude and pulse width, may provide useful trends in the ohmic, charge transfer and mass transfer components. In order to assess the impedance values of the Li-ion cells and batteries and their impact on the current-limiting series resistors in the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER), we, therefore, adopted DC methods under a variety of test conditions, i.e., magnitude and duration of the sampling current pulses, states of charge of the cells and batteries, as well as at different (low) temperatures. Understandably, higher current pluses tend to lower the contribution from the charge transfer, while longer pulses result in a higher share of the diffusional component in the overall impedance. Based on relatively simple analyses, we derived useful trends for the ohmic, charge transfer and mass transfer components of the cell impedance, as a function of temperature and obtained activation energies for these processes. Finally, these measurements assisted us in the assessment of risk associated with the series resistors during the launching of the Mars Rover missions.
Octadecanoic Acid Self-Assembled Monolayer Growth at Sapphire Surfaces

Self-assembled monolayer growth of octadecanoic acid on single-crystal C-plane (0001) and R-plane (1102) sapphire (α-Al2O3) has been investigated by ex situ tapping mode atomic force microscopy, contact angle measurements, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Partial monolayers, interrupted during growth, contain islands of a densely packed well-ordered phase within a lower-lying disordered molecular matrix. The areal fraction of the ordered phase increases as a function of immersion time. The growth kinetics are sensitive to the history of the sapphire substrate; e.g., complete monolayers were formed from 1.5 mM hexadecane solution in ∼1 min on freshly annealed (i.e., dehydrated) substrates in comparison with ∼1 h on substrates aged for 1 day under ambient conditions. The growth is slightly faster on C-sapphire than R-sapphire. Although weakly bound, the complete monolayers are very well-ordered, conformal, and essentially defect-free.
Contained morcellation using the GelPOINT advance access platforms and 3M Steri-Drape endobag

Objective To report a technique that safely allows power and hand morcellation for laparoscopic hysterectomy and myomectomy specimens in a contained fashion in the event of unsuspected uterine sarcoma or leiomyosarcoma. Design Video article introducing a method for enclosed tissue morcellation for laparoscopic specimens. Setting Hospital of an academic-based practice. Patient(s) Two patients underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy: a 57-year-old G7 P5025 female for leiomyoma, anemia, and a history of CIN-3; and a 38-year-old G0P0 female with a 10-year history of pelvic pain and severe dysmenorrhea who failed medical therapy. Intervention(s) A technique using the GelPOINT Platform incision extender system and GelSeal Cap (GSP) Advanced Access Platform and a 50 cm × 50 cm 3M Steri-Drape endobag for enclosed intracorporeal and extracorporeal tissue morcellation of laparoscopic specimens. Main Outcome Measure(s) For training purposes, we used a pelvic simulator and cadaver to describe the step-by-step process and troubleshoot issues to optimize intra- and extracorporeal morcellation. This allowed for easier implementation on the live patient. Result(s) Simulation training and the cadaver model provided a learning platform for contained internal power and external hand morcellation, accelerating the learning curve in its application to the live patient. Conclusion(s) The GSP and 3M Steri-Drape endobag is an alternative for laparoscopic power or hand morcellation. Using simulation training helped transition this technique to the live patient, allowing for easy and safe removal of tissue specimens and minimizing the potential for tissue seeding and dissemination.
Comparison of four design methods for real-time software development

Abstract Four design methods that are of current interest in real-time software development are compared. The comparison presents the relative strengths and weaknesses of each method, with additional information on graphic notation and the recommended sequence of steps involved in the use of each method. The methods selected for comparison are Structured Design for Real-Time Systems, object-oriented design, PAMELA (Process Abstraction Method for Embedded Large Applications), and SCR (Software Cost Reduction project from the Naval Research Laboratory).
Content-Based Image Retrieval Based on ROI Detection and Relevance Feedback

Content-based image retrieval is an important research topic in computer vision. We present a new method that combines region of interest (ROI) detection and relevance feedback. The ROI based approach is more accurate in describing the image content than using global features, and the relevance feedback makes the system to be adaptive to subjective human perception. The feedback information is utilized to discover the subjective ROI perception of a particular user, and it is further employed to recompute the features associated with ROIs with the updated personalized ROI preference. A fast computation technique is proposed to avoid repeating the ROI detection for images in the database. It directly estimates the features of the ROIs, which makes the query process fast and efficient. For illustration of the overall approach, we use the color saliency and wavelet feature saliency to determine the ROIs. Normalized projections are selected to represent the shape features associated with the ROIs. Experimental results show that the proposed system has better performance than the global features based approaches and region based techniques without feedback.
Thermal degradation of poly(α-methyl styrene) in a closed system

Poly(α-methyl styrene), produced in various ways, was degraded in a closed system over a range of temperatures from 260 to 320°C. in the absence of air. Except for the initial parts of the degradation reaction (up to about 20% conversion to monomer), all samples had a random initiation reaction, followed by a depropagation step with a number-average kinetic chain length larger than the number-average polymer chain length. The energies of activation, after the initial part of the degradation, were all of similar magnitude (ca. 63 kcal./mole) and agreed with values found by previous workers. A few samples showed distinct maxima during the first 20% conversion in their curves of rate of monomer versus conversion, whereas others showed only constant rates or slowly decreasing rates during the initial periods of the reaction. The latter rates can be accounted for by chain-end initiation (kinetic chain length ≫ polymer chains) or by a random initiation process followed by depropagation and disproportionation as termination reaction. The initial maxima found in some samples could be accounted for by a theory of random initiation in conjunction with a number-average kinetic chain length larger than the polymer chains, which is inhibited by a reaction of polymer radicals with catalyst fragments. The inhibitor is consumed during the reaction.
Polarization spectroscopy of single fluorescent molecules

Polarization spectroscopy of single fluorescent molecules is used to probe their rotational dynamics. When a molecule is immobilized on a dry surface, its in-plane dipole orientation is precisely determined by utilizing its transition dipole moment. An angular offset between the absorption and the emission dipoles was detected from a single fluorophore revealing its binding geometry to the surface. In an aqueous environment, DNA-tethered fluorophores display dynamics that are well-described by a hindered rotational diffusion model. A detailed description of the model is given, including calculations to estimate depolarization effects resulting from the high numerical aperture objective used to collect fluorescence photons. Protein-conjugated fluorophores display very distinct dynamics with continuous evolution of the rotational profile, possibly reflecting fluctuations in the polypeptide chain. When protein-conjugated fluorophores are allowed to freely diffuse in solution, it is possible to determine the ...
The role of private bankers in the US payments system, 1835-1865

This article examines the formation, function and economics of unincorporated, or private, bankers' networks in long-distance payments during the 20 years leading up to the Civil War. Using historical evidence from both the center and the periphery, I find that the private bankers' networks played an important role in the interregional circulation of currency and in the issuance and clearing of deposits and drafts. In the 1850s, as the private bankers' networks were adapted to the mobilization of long-term financial capital, their role in long-distance payments began to diminish. This pattern of specialization was reinforced by the financing of the northern government's effort in the war of the states.
Process as Theory in Information Systems Research

Many researchers have searched for evidence of organizational improvements from the huge sums invested in ICT. Unfortunately, evidence for such a pay back is spotty at best (e.g., Brynjolfsson 1994; Brynjolfsson and Hitt 1998; Meyer and Gupta 1994). On the other hand, at the individual level, computing and communication technologies are increasingly merging into work in ways that make it impossible to separate the two (e.g., Bridges 1995; Gasser 1986; Zuboff 198). This problem—usually referred to as the productivity paradox—is an example of a more pervasive issue: linking phenomena and theories from different levels of analysis.
A Modified XPC Characterization for Polarimetric Channels

Models describing the polarimetric response of a multipath channel are considered. Conventional cross-polarization coupling (XPC) models are found to provide an ambiguous polarization representation and are sensitive to the receive antenna polarization configuration. These limitations are contrasted with polarization mode dispersion (PMD) models, which provide unambiguous frequency-dependent polarization characterizations. The XPC model is augmented using received signal power ratios associated with three orthogonally polarized antenna pairs. The revised model is shown to provide higher fidelity polarization characterizations. A comparison of the polarization behavioral models is illustrated using measured data from channel sounding experiments conducted in the 2.4-GHz industrial, scientific, and medical band in an urban propagation environment.
Near‐equilibrium ordering of the crystalline phases of atomic hydrogen

Some time ago Min et al. [Phys. Rev. B 30, 5076 (1984)] found the near-equilibrium sequence of phases of paramagnetic crystalline H to be (in order of increasing energy) simple cubic (SC), hexagonal close packed (HCP), body-centered cubic (BCC), and face-centered cubic (FCC), with FCC and HCP substantially separated (about 60 mRy/atom). This result is counterintuitive on three counts when compared with crystalline Li. That comparison suggests that HCP should lie only slightly below FCC and both should be substantially below BCC. (Simple cubic should lie lowest in H but not in Li because of the difference in orbital occupancy.) We have redone the calculations with our published full-potential linearized augmented plane wave code WIEN. We find the sequence of phases with increasing energy to be SC, HCP, FCC, and BCC, the ordering expected from solid Li. By direct exploration of dense k-space meshes, we show that the difference in predictions results from a k-space mesh extrapolation technique used by Min et al.
Female choice of large males in the treefrog Hyla ebraccata

The mating behaviour and male mating success of Hyla ebraccata were examined over three study periods. Mated males were larger than unmated males on a significant number of nights and for one of the three study periods. In field observations of pair formation, female behaviour was consistent with choice of large males: females moved freely through the chorus, remaining within 10 cm of males larger than the nightly mean, before the male initiated amplexus. In 27% (n = 3) of these observations, males chased and fought over the female. However, the females removed two of these three males from amplexus, suggesting that females can also exercise choice after amplexus. There was a significant negative correlation between male size and dominant frequency of the primary note, indicating that the male's advertisement call contained size-related information. Comparisons of the size of mated and unmated males suggest that two factors may have affected the degree to which female choice influenced male mating success. First, the distance between calling males may have limited the opportunity for females to express a mating preference. Secondly, an increase in mean and a decrease in the variance of male size in one of the three study periods also may have limited the ability of females to express a preference for large males.
Factors Regulating the Effects of Hippocampal Inactivation on Renewal of Conditional Fear After Extinction

After extinction of fear to a Pavlovian conditional stimulus (CS), contextual stimuli come to regulate the expression of fear to that CS. There is growing evidence that the context dependence of memory retrieval after extinction involves the hippocampus. In the present experiment, we examine whether hippocampal involvement in memory retrieval after extinction is related to the history of CS presentations in the context used for retrieval testing. We used infusions of muscimol to inactivate the dorsal hippocampus (DH) during postextinction retrieval tests that were conducted in contexts that differed in their history of CS presentations in that context. We found that DH inactivation affected the context-dependent retrieval of extinction (i.e., renewal) when testing occurred in a context that had no history of CS exposure, but not in a context that reliably predicted the CS. These results are discussed in terms of theories regarding the role of the hippocampus in contextual memory retrieval.