cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction of protein kinase C with chromaffin granule membranes: effects of Ca2+, phorbol esters and temperature reveal differences in the properties of the association and dissociation events.

Abstract Interaction of protein kinase C with chromaffin granule membranes has been studied as a means of investigating the translocation of protein kinase C from cytosol to intracellular membrane surfaces, which is believed to occur during secretion. Protein kinase C in an adrenal medullary soluble fraction was found to bind reversibly to granule membranes in a Ca 2+ -dependent fashion. Association and dissociation events were sensitive to Ca 2+ concentrations in the low micromolar range, and the Ca 2+ sensitivity of both processes was increased when the membranes had been preincubated with the protein kinase C-activating phorbol ester, 4s-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA). Binding of protein kinase C to granule membranes occurred at 0 and 37°C, irrespective of whether the membranes had been preincubated with TPA. However, dissociation of protein kinase C from granule membranes that had been preincubated with TPA occurred only at 37°C and not at 0°C, even though dissociation of the enzyme from membranes which had not been preincubated with TPA would occur at both 37 and 0°C. These effects of TPA were not reproduced by 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4αPDD), a phorbol ester which does not activate protein kinase C. Soluble protein kinase C activity also associated with chromaffin granules in a Ca 2+ -dependent manner in an adrenal medullary homogenate, indicating that granules can compete with other intracellular membranes for the binding of protein kinase C. Results obtained with this model system differ from other systems where the interaction of protein kinase C with plasma membranes has been studied and have general implications for studies performed on the translocation of protein kinase C in intact cells and for the role of protein kinase C in stimulus-secretion coupling in the chromaffin cell.
Cycle-time aware architecture synthesis of custom hardware accelerators

We present the cycle-time aware architecture synthesis methodology used in PICO-NPA that automatically synthesizes minimal cost RT-level designs from high-level specifications to meet a given cycle-time. This allows subsequent physical synthesis to succeed on first pass with predictable performance. The core of the methodology is a static timing analysis engine that is used at multiple levels - program-level, architecture-level and RT-level - in order to identify, schedule and validate useful operator chains that are incorporated into the design automatically. We present architecture synthesis results for several embedded applications and evaluate the benefits of this technique.
Ranked dither for robust color printing

A spatially-adaptive method for color printing is proposed that is robust to printer instabilities, reproduces smooth regions with the quality of ordered dither, reproduces sharp edges significantly better than ordered dither, and may be less susceptible to moire. The new method acts in parallel on square, non-overlapping blocks of each color plane of the image. For blocks with low spatial activity, standard ordered dither is used, which ensures that smooth regions are printed with acceptable quality. Blocks with high spatial activity are halftoned with a proposed variant of dither, called ranked dither. Ranked dither uses the the same ordered dither matrix as standard dither, but the ranks of the thresholds are used rather than the thresholds themselves. Ranked dither is more sensitive than ordered dither to edges and more accurately reproduces sharp edges. Experiments were done with standard ordered dither masks of size 130, 130, 128, 144 for the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black planes respectively. Both on-screen and in-print, the results were sharper halftones. The entire process can be implemented in parallel and is not computationally expensive.
Hydrogen bonding in supercritical water: a Monte Carlo simulation

Abstract A detailed analysis of hydrogen bonding in supercritical water is made from Monte Carlo simulations along the 773 K isotherm over a wide range of pressures from 10 to 10000 MPa. It is shown that an energetic definition of H-bonding is much more effective in separating H-bonded and non-bonded molecular pairs than the widely used geometric definition, whereas a combination of both may be yet preferable at high pressures. Compared to H bonds in liquid water, the H bonds at 773 K are, on average, 10% weaker, 5% longer, and more bent. The quantitative characteristics of supercritical H bonds remain almost invariant over the entire pressure range studied.
Modulation of the uptake and retention of estradiol-17beta in the ovine corpus luteum by luteinizing hormone.

Modulation of the uptake and retention of estradiol-17beta in the ovine corpus luteum by luteinizing hormone (LH) is described. The uptake and retention of tritiated estradiol by the corpus luteum (induced by superovulation) was maximal through Cycle Days 8-12 with little or no up take and retention during luteinization or regression. Uptake and retention were significantly reduced (p less than .05) on Days 13-14 then increased on Day 15. LH inhibited the uptake of estradiol on Days 9-12 but had no effect during Days 2-5 nor at the end of the cycle (Day 15). Neither follicle stimulating hormone nor prolactin inhibited the uptake and retention of estradiol via stimulation of progesterone synthesis. These results demonstrate a specific uptake and retention of tritiated estradiol by isolated luteal cells from ewes which varies as a function of the stage of the estrous cycle.
Laser wave-mixing optical method for sensitive detection of analytes in microarrays and microchips

Nonlinear spectroscopy based on multi-photon laser wave mixing is presented as a sensitive analytical technique for rapid detection and imaging of various analytes in microfluidic and microarray devices. Capillary electrophoresis microchips and DNA microarrays offer improved speed of analysis over conventional methods. Laser wave-mixing optical methods offer sensitive detection of small changes in chemical and physical properties. Wave-mixing spectroscopy is especially effective in using small optical path lengths available in microchips. This unusually sensitive optical absorption detection method can keep up with fast changing environments in microfluidic systems. In wave mixing, two laser beams are focused and mixed inside the analyte. The analyte probe volume, i.e., the beam overlap volume, is very small. Hence, it is inherently suitable for interfacing to microchips and microarrays for high spatial resolution analysis. Signal collection is very efficient since the signal is a coherent laser-like beam. The signal has a quadratic dependence on analyte concentration and a cubic dependence on laser power. Hence, one can monitor small changes in signal more effectively and one can use low-power compact lasers efficiently.
Constraining P-wave velocity variations in the upper mantle beneath Southeast Asia

We have produced a P-wave model of the upper mantle beneath Southeast (SE) Asia from reprocessed short period International Seismological Centre (ISC) P and pP data, short period P data of the Annual Bulletin of Chinese Earthquakes (ABCE), and long period PP-P data. We used 3D sensitivity kernels to combine the datasets, and mantle structure was parameterized with an irregular grid. In the best-sampled region our data resolve structure on scale lengths less than 150 km. The smearing of crustal anomalies to larger depths is reduced by a crustal correction using an a priori 3D model. Our tomographic inversions reveal high-velocity roots beneath the Archean Ordos Plateau, the Sichuan Basin, and other continental blocks in SE Asia. Beneath the Himalayan Block we detect high seismic velocities, which we associate with subduction of Indian lithospheric mantle. This structure is visible above the 410 km discontinuity and may not connect to the remnant of the Neo-Tethys oceanic slab in the lower mantle. Our images suggest that only the southwestern part of the Tibetan plateau is underlain by Indian lithosphere and, thus, that the upper mantle beneath northeastern Tibet is primarily of Asian origin. Our imaging also reveals a large-scale high-velocity structure in the transition zone beneath the Yangtze Craton, which could have been produced in multiple subduction episodes. The low P-wave velocities beneath the Hainan Island are most prominent in the upper mantle and transition zone; they may represent counter flow from the surrounding subduction zones, and may not be unrelated to processes beneath eastern Tibet. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Empirical equations for the bond energies and vibrational frequencies at chemisorptive bonds on surfaces

Empirical equations derived for bond energies and force constants of gaseous molecules are applied to chemisorptive bonds on surfaces. For two adsorbed atoms from the same family of the periodic table, A and B, the chemisorptive bond energies, E, to the same metal, M, can be approximated by EA–M/EB-M ≈ (EA2/EB2)12, where EA2 and EB2 are the bonds energies of diatomic molecules A2 and B2, respectively The corresponding vibrational frequencies, ν, can be approximated by ν2A–M/ν2B-M ≈ (mB/mA)(FA2/FB2)12 · mA and mB are the masses of atoms A and B, respectively;FA2 and FB2 are the force constants of molecules A2 and B2, respectively. These relations are applied to the chemisorption of halogens on metals and showed good agreement with experiment.
Response of the Turkey to Mycoplasma gallisepticum Infection

Abstract THE immune response of turkeys to Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection has been shown to be, in general, of a very low order. Hart (1940) reported that two turkeys recovered from the disease were refractory to exposure by sinus administration of exudate, but Prier and Dart (1951) later had little success in trying to immunize turkeys with either exudate or embryonal tissues. Adler (1958) elicited no serological or immunological response in turkeys that received inactivated cultures both with and without adjuvants. True immunological response, however, might have been masked by the severity of the challenge dose. Adler also reported that a culture of M. gallisepticum, attenuated by 19 passages in vitro and administered intramuscularly, failed to protect turkeys against intraperitoneal challenge. Adler et al. (1960) demonstrated that inactivated organisms administered intramuscularly failed to protect turkeys against contact challenge. Intramuscular injection of a culture that had been attenuated by 51 in vitro passages,…
High Energy Phosphates and the Force of Contraction of Cardiac Muscle

This paper reviews studies performed by the authors and by others on the levels of high energy phosphate compounds—adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and creatine phosphate (CP)—of cardiac muscle under various conditions influencing contractile force. Interference with energy metabolism decreases both contractile force and high energy phosphates, especially CP. Certain types of experimental "failure" are associated with decreases in high energy phosphates; however, other types of "failure" occur without significant decreases in these phosphates. In addition, marked decreases or increases in contractile force, independent of significant changes in high energy phosphates, can be produced by drugs, by changes in heart rate, or by alterations in extracellular concentrations of cations. A decrease in force when levels of high energy phosphate are normal may be attributed to a deficiency in the utilization of these energy stores for mechanical work. The nature of this deficiency has been...
Validation of mean arterial pressure as an indicator of acute changes in cardiac output.

Changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) are often assumed to reflect changes in cardiac output (CO). A linear relationship is postulated to exist between these two quantities based upon the circuit model for systemic circulation. Previous studies have correlated changes in CO and MAP. However, to our knowledge, no studies have tested the relationship between CO and MAP in vivo without changes in systemic vascular resistance. Research on baroreceptor stimulation and vasomotor response has shown that vasomotor tone changes 15 to 60 seconds after an acute change in CO. Maximal activation of vasomotor response occurs after approximately 30 seconds. Thus MAP should correlate directly with CO during acute changes (<15 seconds). To test this, we examined the relationship between CO and MAP during 10 second occlusions of the inferior vena cava in anesthetized pigs. A linear relationship existed between CO and MAP in seven pigs (%MAP 0.60[%CO] 0.41, p 0.0001). This study validates the use of MAP as an indicator of acute changes in CO. Fluctuations in MAP correlate well with acute changes in CO in the absence of changes in vascular tone. ASAIO Journal 2005; 51:22‐25.
LC-MS/MS analysis of 2-aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid as a forensic biomarker for cyanide poisoning

AIM: To demonstrate the potential of using 2-aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid (ATCA) as a novel biomarker/forensic biomarker for cyanide poisoning. METHODS: A sensitive method was developed and employed for the identification and quantification of ATCA in biological samples, where the sample extraction and clean up were achieved by solid phase extraction (SPE). After optimization of SPE procedures, ATCA was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. ATCA levels following the administration of different doses of potassium cyanide (KCN) to mice were measured and compared to endogenous ATCA levels in order to study the significance of using ATCA as a biomarker for cyanide poisoning. RESULTS: A custom made analytical method was established for a new (mice) model when animals were exposed to increasing KCN doses. The application of this method provided important new information on ATCA as a potential cyanide biomarker. ATCA concentration in mice plasma samples were increased from 189 ± 28 ng/mL (n = 3) to 413 ± 66 ng/mL (n = 3) following a 10 mg/kg body weight dose of KCN introduced subcutaneously. The sensitivity of this analytical method proved to be a tool for measuring endogenous level of ATCA in mice organs as follows: 1.2 ± 0.1 μg/g for kidney samples, 1.6 ± 0.1 μg/g for brain samples, 1.8 ± 0.2 μg/g for lung samples, 2.9 ± 0.1 μg/g for heart samples, and 3.6 ± 0.9 μg/g for liver samples. CONCLUSION: This finding suggests that ATCA has the potential to serve as a plasma biomarker / forensic biomarker for cyanide poisoning.
Atomic velocity selection using stimulated Raman transitions

Stimulated Raman transitions between the ground-level hyperfine states of atoms have been used to manipulate slowly moving atoms in an atomic fountain. An ensemble of sodium atoms with an inferred velocity spread along one dimension of 270 \ensuremath{\mu}m/sec has been prepared by this technique. We also show that this velocity-selection method is effective in measuring ultracold temperatures of laser-cooled atoms in a regime where traditional ballistic methods fail.
An Examination of Environmental Factors Associated with Myxobolus cerebralis Infection of Wild Trout in Pennsylvania

Abstract Salmonid whirling disease, caused by the myxosporean parasite Myxobolus cerebralis, was first observed in the United States in 1956 in central Pennsylvania. The parasite was subsequently discovered at several culture facilities throughout the state, and widespread distribution of this parasite via the stocking of subclinically infected brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis, rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, and brown trout Salmo trutta has been assumed. Although no monitoring of wild populations occurred until the late 1970s, it is a common belief that epizootics of whirling disease, now realized in the Intermountain West, are unlikely to have occurred in Pennsylvania. We conducted a review of historical information and a synoptic survey aimed at identifying factors that may prevent whirling disease outbreak in this region, reasoning that such information might be useful in identifying management strategies for populations affected by this parasite. Here we present data on parasite prevalence, fish ...
Malignant hypertension in women aged 15 to 44 years and its relation to cigarette smoking and oral contraceptives

To study the factors associated with malignant hypertension in young women, we reviewed the medical records of all women aged 15 to 44 years who were hospitalized in any of 15 affiliated hospitals from 1971 to 1980 with malignant hypertension. There were 15 new patients in this period, an incidence of 0.5 per 100,000 women of these ages per year. Four women had underlying renal disease. All of the remaining 11 used oral contraceptives, smoked cigarettes, or both. Nine were white, and 6 women had normal blood pressure in the 24 months before hospitalization. These findings support a relation of oral contraceptive use and cigarette smoking to an increased risk of malignant hypertension in young women.
Augmentation of mass transfer through electrical means for hydrogel‐entrapped Escherichia coli cultivation

Nutrient depletion and inhibitory end-product accumulation are the major problems for hydrogel-entrapment cell cultures. An electrokinetic technique was developed to enhance intrahydrogel mass transfer to overcome these problems. Escherichia coli cells (ATCC 15224) were entrapped in 3.2-mm-thick potassium-K-carrageenan and agarose hydrogel slabs. With a electric current density of 180A/m(2) the cell densities were increased by 140%(from 3.9 to 9.6 dry cell weight [DCW] g/L) in potassium-K-carrageenan and by 80% (from 3.9 to 7.0 DCW g/L) in agarose. A mathematical model taking into account nutrient depletion, inhibitory end-product formation, and cell growth kinetics under facultatively anaerobic conditions was developed to rationalize the overall transport and biological behaviors in the hydrogel. The cell growth in hydrogel was successfully simulated. It is concluded that the augmented transports for glucose and inhibitory end-products accounted for these increases in cell growth. The increase in cell density in potassium-K-carrageenan was due to the enhanced removal of inhibitory end-products (through electroosmosis and electro-phoresis: 80%) and due to the augmented glucose transport (through electroosmosis: 20%). (c) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Exposing vulnerabilities of untrusted computing platforms

This work seeks to expose the vulnerability of un-trusted computing platforms used in critical systems to hardware Trojans and combined hardware/software attacks. As part of our entry in the Cyber Security Awareness Week (CSAW) Embedded System Challenge hosted by NYU-Poly in 2011, we developed and presented 10 such processor-level hardware Trojans. These are split in five categories with various impacts, such as altering instruction memory, modifying the communication channel, stealing user information, changing interrupt handler location and RC-5 encryption algorithm checking of a medium complexity micro-processor (8051). Our work serves as a good starting point for researchers to develop Trojan detection and prevention methodologies on modern processor and to ensure trustworthiness of computing platforms.
Help Wanted: Graduate Teaching Assistants for the LRC

To the Editor: I am submitting this letter to inform your readers of the valuable resources graduate teaching assistants can provide a learning resource center. The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing hires nurses who are enrolled in our MN, MSN, DNP, or PhD program, have an Ohio nursing license, and have at least 2 years of current clinical experience to teach the undergraduate BSN and prelicensure Master of Nursing labs in exchange for tuition reimbursement and a small
Seismic detection of a low-velocity layer beneath the southeast flank of Mauna Loa, Hawaii

The authors have identified seismic phases reflected off the top and bottom of a low velocity layer (LVL) by analysis of seismograms from six small earthquakes in Hawaii. These events occurred almost directly beneath station AIN of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) seismic network, located within the Kaoiki seismic zone on the southeast flank of Mauna Loa. The polarity reversals of the first reflected phases provide clear evidence for the existence of a LVL beneath this station. The LVL is estimated to be at a depth of about 11.5 km, with a thickness of about 800 m. The estimated depth to the top of the LVL is consistent with the depth distribution of low-angle thrust faulting events from the aftershock sequence of the 1983 Kaoiki earthquake. Presumably, this zone is the marine sediment layer buried beneath the volcanic pile, along which the volcanic edifice may slip easily to cause large earthquakes. Mapping the interface between the volcanic pile and oceanic crust and thus determining the depth and thickness of the buried sediment layer is essential for understanding the tectonics of large earthquakes in Hawaii.
PROPER MOTIONS AND ORIGINS OF AXP 1E 2259+586 AND AXP 4U 0142+61

Using high-resolution NIR images supported by laser guide star adaptive optics from the Keck II telescope from 2005 to 2012, we have measured the proper motions of two anomalous X-ray pulsars, AXP 1E 2259+586 and AXP 4U 0142+61. The proper motion of AXP 1E 2259+586 in the sky frame is (μ_α, μ_δ) = (– 6.4 ± 0.6, –2.3 ± 0.6) mas yr^(–1) and that of AXP 4U 0142+61 is (μ_α, μ_δ) = (– 4.1 ± 1, 1.9 ± 1) mas yr^(–1). After correcting for the velocity of the progenitors, we calculate the tangential ejection velocities of the magnetars to be 157 ± 17 km s^(–1) and 102 ± 26 km s^(–1) respectively. The proper motion vector of AXP 1E 2259+586 is directed away from the putative center of the supernova remnant CTB 109 that has long been proposed to be associated with AXP 1E 2259+586. This is significant evidence for linking the pulsar with CTB 109. We comment on the possible movement of CTB 109 after the explosion. We narrow the search cone for the birthsite or remnant of AXP 4U 0142+61 to an opening angle of 24°. However, we are unable to find any suitable association.
Central nervous system effects of cardiopulmonary bypass

Abstract Background . The spectrum of approaches to the issue of brain injury in cardiac surgical practice ranges from refusal to acknowledge that the problem exists to an overemphasis on cerebral risks that can unduly frighten patients. An appropriate approach to therapeutic and preventive strategies requires a fitting sense of proportion and an understanding of the mechanisms of cerebral injury. Methods . This article reviews the incidence and severity of cerebral injury during cardiopulmonary bypass, the identification of high-risk patients, and the mechanisms of injury, including hypoperfusion, microemboli, and inflammatory response. It discusses the influences of alpha-stat and pH-stat strategies on cerebral blood flow during cardiopulmonary bypass; the use of retinal angiography to image the retinal circulation, thus providing a window on the cerebral microcirculation during bypass; magnetic resonance imaging evidence of an inflammatory response in the brain during bypass; and current efforts to gain better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the inflammatory response. Results . The current incidence of stroke during cardiopulmonary bypass is somewhat lower than in the 1980s but still remains a significant problem. Levels of cognitive impairment also are unacceptably high. Recognized predictors enable us to identify patients at particularly high risk of stroke. Hypertensive patients are particularly susceptible to ischemic injury during bypass and should be perfused at mean perfusion pressures higher than those for normotensive patients. Under conditions of hypothermia, a pH-stat strategy causes loss of cerebral blood flow autoregulation, and the cerebral blood flow becomes pressure-passive. With both the pH-stat and alpha-stat strategies, cooling of the patient greatly increases the flow to metabolism ratio of the cerebral blood flow; however, this luxury perfusion brings to the brain not just an excess supply of oxygen but also an increased quantity of microemboli. Current investigative efforts are focused on the endothelial cell–leukocyte adhesion cascade, attempting to characterize β 2 and β 1 adhesion molecule expression in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Hammersmith Hospital is about to complete a study of the effects of high-dose aprotinin on the inflammatory response pattern and on cerebral infarction. Conclusions . Further progress in the development of therapeutic and preventive strategies with respect to cerebral injury during cardiac bypass depends on an increase in the understanding of the mechanisms involved. Current strategies should include optimizing cerebral perfusion and minimizing macroembolic and microembolic damage. The possibility of modifying the systemic inflammatory response is the most interesting challenge of the next few years.
Impaired Erythropoietin (Epo) Response to Anemia in Term Infants Under 2 Months of Age; Reticulocyte (retic) and Hemoglobin (Hb) Levels Following Epo Administration † 672

Impaired Erythropoietin (Epo) Response to Anemia in Term Infants Under 2 Months of Age; Reticulocyte (retic) and Hemoglobin (Hb) Levels Following Epo Administration † 672
Reporting the size of effects in research studies to facilitate assessment of practical or clinical significance.

"Statistically significant" results may lack practical or clinical significance, and the description of results in reports of research studies is frequently incomplete or misleading in presentation of data necessary to assess such significance (effect sizes). Various common presentations are discussed, and one method of presentation of results is proposed that not only encompasses all the others, but enhances the scope of useful information conveyed in a research report. The results of the Infant Health and Development Program (IHDP) are used to illustrate the method.
Radiation induced coloring of Cherenkov counter glasses

Abstract The radiation induced absorption, i.e. coloring, has been determined for two lead silicate glasses used in Cherenkov counters. The measurements were made on Schott SF5 and Ohara PEMG4 glasses. Both the radiation induced absorption spectra and the coloring, or growth, curves of the two glasses are quite similar. The absorption of both glasses extends from the ultraviolet “edge” to the near infra-red and can be resolved into three broad Gaussian shaped bands. The growth of two of the bands is accurately described by the expression α ( Φ ) = A (1−e − aΦ )+ α L Φ where Φ is the total dose imparted to the glass and A , a and α L are constants which are different for each band. The constants specifying the growth curves and the absorption bands have been determined. Thus, the radiation induced absorption in these glasses can be computed if the dose rate and irradiation time or total dose is known.
Third molar caries experience in middle-aged and older Americans: a prevalence study.

Purpose To assess the prevalence of third molar caries experience in a middle-aged and older population and the relationship of these findings to caries experience in teeth more anterior in the mouth. Patients and Methods Data from 6,550 Dental Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study participants aged 52 to 74 years who underwent a clinical examination for coronal caries experience were available for these analyses. Subjects with visible third molars (N = 2,003) were divided based on third molar coronal caries experience on at least 1 third molar: no carious/decayed coronal surface (DS) or at least 1 coronal DS and no filled coronal surface (FS) or at least 1 coronal FS. Coronal DS and FS were also calculated for more anterior teeth. Covariates included ethnicity, gender, age, body mass index, education, income, smoking status, and diabetes diagnosis. Subject level outcomes for third molar and more anterior teeth were compared by descriptive statistics and χ2 or t tests with statistical significance set at P less than .05. Multivariate modeling was performed to adjust outcome variables for covariates. Results Third molar caries experience was detected in 77% of subjects and was significantly associated with caries experience in more anterior teeth and white race (P Conclusions Third molar coronal caries experience was significantly associated with caries experience in teeth more anterior in the mouth in this middle-aged and older population.
Calcium-dependent repolarization in Paramecium.

1. Intracellular injection, recording and current-passing methods were used to investigate the role of intracellular Ca in the modulation of electrical behaviour in the ciliate Paramecium caudatum. 2. Injection of EGTA converted graded regenerative responses ascribed to Ca inward current to all-or-none action potentials. The EGTA injection also caused a discontinuity in the steady state I—V relations to outward current, but had little effect on hyperpolarizing current—voltage responses. 3. The overshoot of the all-or-none spike produced by the EGTA-injected cell followed an approximate 29 mV increase for a tenfold increase in external Ca concentration and was independent of changes in external K and Na concentrations. 4. The EGTA-induced all-or-none action potential tended to produce plateaus that could last up to 20 sec. During the plateau the membrane slowly repolarized to a critical potential, upon which repolarization occurred precipitously. 5. Injection of 10-6 M-free Ca2+ as a Ca-EGTA buffer hyperpolarized the membrane and decreased the potential shifts to inward current pulses. These responses are consistent with an increase in K conductance. 6. During EGTA plateaus reversed beating of the cilia indicated a rise in intracellular Ca, and thus an inability of the EGTA to complex the Ca as rapidly as it entered the cilia. Reversal of the motile apparatus thus appears to be activated at lower concentrations of intracellular Ca than are required to activate the inferred Ca-dependent K system. 7. In uninjected cells removal of the cilia, which results in a loss of the voltage-activated Ca channels (Dunlap, 1977), or addition of extracellular Ba both tended to linearize the steady state I—V relations. 8. Injections of Cs and TEA tended to linearize the steady state I—V relations, but did not result in either a conversion to an all-or-none spike or a discontinuity in the depolarizing steady-state I—V relations. 9. It is concluded that in Paramecium a Ca-activated K conductance short-circuits the inward current of the regenerative Ca response, preventing all-or-none behaviour. The occurrence of plateau spikes following EGTA injection indicates that the Ca conductance inactivates very slowly in face of a maintained depolarization. Such slow Ca-inactivation is consistent with the slow relaxation of Ca-dependent ciliary reversal that occurs during maintained depolarization. 10. The possibility is discussed that injection of EGTA may also enhance the Ca conductance.
Biochemical studies of taste sensation. VII. Enhancement of taste stimulus binding to a catfish taste receptor preparation by prior exposure to the stimulus

The technical assistance of Ardithanne Boyle, Linda Graham and Pamela Burke is appreciated. I thank Dr. H. Ronald Kaback and Dr. Leonard D. Kohn for their suggestions of experiments relevant to transport questions. This research was supported in part by NIH research grant No. NS-08775 from NINCDS. The taste receptor membrane fraction (Fraction P2) was prepared from a homogenate of the taste tissue of the channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. This included the rostral, dorsal, and dorsolateral surfaces of the catfish in addition to those of the barbels. The yield of Fraction P2 is 4–7 mg protein from an individual fish, with a purification averaging 8- to 15-fold over that of the crude whole homogenate and essentially quantitative recovery of binding activity in Fraction P2. Treatment of Fraction P2 in vitro with a high concentration of the taste stimulus molecule L-alanine led to a several-fold enhancement of binding activity. Enhancement of the binding of 3H L-alanine was observed after treatment with unlabeled 10mM L-alanine and removal of the L-alanine by washing. Enhancement occurred whether the preparation was stored frozen (−65°C) for an extended period in the presence of the L-alanine, or merely exposed to it in the cold without freezing. D-Alanine enhanced the binding activity of 3H L-alanine to about 60% of the level induced by L-alanine. Nonspecific binding of 3H L-alanine was unaffected by the treatment. Scatchard analyses of saturation curves for binding of 3H L-alanine to freshly prepared Fraction P2 and to L-alanine-treated Fraction P2 revealed no change in the KD value, but a several-fold increase occurred in the amount bound. Binding activity is operationally defined. Because the enhancement observed here is reminiscent of an increase in transport due to a countertransport effect, further studies were carried out to examine whether the phenomenon reflects transport or true binding. The measured binding was not increased in the presence of Na+, indicating that it is not due to an Na+- coupled transport of L-alanine. When Fraction P2 was preloaded with L-alanine (10−6 – 10 −2M) prior to assay, no stimulation of binding was observed; instead, binding decreased. This result is consistent with a true binding phenomenon but not with a carrier-mediated transport process to expiain the enhancement phenomenon. Binding assays carried out over a range of osmolarities revealed decreased binding at high osmotic strengths, suggesting that a significant portion of the ligand might be contained in vesicles. It is postulated that “hidden” or “buried” receptor sites exist in the Fraction P2 as isolated, and that these are exposed upon perturbation of the membrane structure by ahigh ligand concenration.
Using a Single Diamond NV Center for Nanoscale Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging

We study the near-field optical properties of a diamond nanocrystal hosting a single NV center. Using a single NV center as a probe of the electromagnetic mode structure, we demonstrate nanoscale fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy.
A Structural Equation Modeling Approach for the Analysis of Cortisol Data Collected Using Pre-Post-Post Designs.

Abstract This study introduces a novel application of structural equation modeling (SEM) for the analysis of cortisol data that are collected using a pre–post–post design. By way of an extended example, an SEM model is developed that permits an examination of both the overall level of cortisol, as well as changes in cortisol (reactivity and regulation), as predictors of cognitive (executive) and behavioral functioning in 3- to 5-year-old children (N = 171) attending Head Start. The SEM model makes use of the parameterization of latent curve models. Throughout the extended example, the strengths of using an SEM approach for the analysis of cortisol data that are collected using pre–post–post designs is highlighted.
The effect of urban form and residential cooling energy use in Sacramento, California

The impact of urban form on residential space-conditioning energy use has been controversial in recent planning literature. This study empirically evaluates the association between urban form and residential energy use, focusing particularly on residential electricity use for space cooling in the City of Sacramento, California. We characterize urban form, property conditions, and demographic and socioeconomic characteristics by applying spatial metrics embedded within a geographic information system where LiDAR data effectively include each building and the surrounding vegetation. A statistical model is applied to assess the relationship between these explanatory variables and the estimated summer air-conditioning energy use. Controlling for other variables, higher population density, east�west street orientation, higher green space density, larger vegetation on the east, south, and especially the west sides of houses, appears to have statistically significant effects on reducing summer cooling energy use. This study quantifies the built environment impact on the energy demand of air conditioning and informs planners as they craft urban planning and design policies for energy conservation.
Density Functional Theory Study of Aqueous-Phase Rate Acceleration and Endo/Exo Selectivity of the Butadiene and Acrolein Diels−Alder Reaction

The four stereospecific transition structures of the butadiene and acrolein Diels−Alder reaction have been studied using the Becke three-parameter density functional theory with the 6-31G(d) basis set. The effect of solvent on the activation energies and endo/exo selectivity has been approximated by the polarizable continuum model (PCM); explicit definition of one, two, and three waters; and the combined strategy of the discrete-continuum model. The full aqueous acceleration and enhanced endo/exo selectivity observed by experiment is computed only when solvation forces are approximated by the discrete-continuum model. Consistent with previous ideas, two explicit waters are used to satisfy localized hydrogen bonding of acrolein and induce a charge polarization of the endo s-cis transition structure. Smaller enforced hydrophobic interactions result. Significant bulk-phase effects beyond hydrogen bonding and enforced hydrophobic interactions are computed for the first time. The gas-phase activation energy is...
Boosting instance prototypes to detect local dermoscopic features

Local dermoscopic features are useful in many dermoscopic criteria for skin cancer detection. We address the problem of detecting local dermoscopic features from epiluminescence (ELM) microscopy skin lesion images. We formulate the recognition of local dermoscopic features as a multi-instance learning (MIL) problem. We employ the method of diverse density (DD) and evidence confidence (EC) function to convert MIL to a single-instance learning (SIL) problem. We apply Adaboost to improve the classification performance with support vector machines (SVMs) as the base classifier. We also propose to boost the selection of instance prototypes through changing the data weights in the DD function. We validate the methods on detecting ten local dermoscopic features from a dataset with 360 images. We compare the performance of the MIL approach, its boosting version, and a baseline method without using MIL. Our results show that boosting can provide performance improvement compared to the other two methods.
Electronic structure of intentionally disordered AlAs/GaAs superlattices.

We use realistic pseudopotentials and a plane-wave basis to study the electronic structure of nonperiodic, three-dimensional, 2000-atom (AlAs${)}_{\mathit{n}}$/(GaAs${)}_{\mathit{m}}$ (001) superlattices, where the individual layer thicknesses $n,m\ensuremath{\in}{1,2,3}$ are randomly selected. We find that while the band gap of the equivalent ( $n\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}m\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}2$) ordered superlattice is indirect, random fluctuations in layer thicknesses lead to a direct gap in the planar Brillouin zone, strong wave function localization along the growth direction, short radiative lifetimes, and a significant band-gap reduction, in agreement with experiments on such intentionally grown disordered superlattices.
Tubal sterilization with a waterborne polyethylene glycol in situ cross-linking material: A minimally invasive approach

Objective To assess the effectiveness and compatibility of an in situ–gelling polymeric device when implanted in the fallopian tube to prevent pregnancy. Design Controlled laboratory study. Setting Animals in a controlled laboratory environment. Animal(s) Ten white New Zealand rabbits (nine female and one male). Intervention(s) The material was implanted through a small incision into one of each rabbit's twin fallopian tubes. The rabbits then were allowed to heal. After a healing period of 6 to 10 weeks, the rabbits were bred. After breeding, the animals were killed, and samples were collected from their fallopian tubes for histology. Main Outcome Measure(s) Pregnancy of the specimens. Result(s) Four specimens showed unilateral pregnancy (pregnancy in only one uterus). Because rabbits have the capacity to be pregnant in both uteri simultaneously, this suggests strong potential of the material for use as a contraceptive. Conclusion(s) Although concerns remain concerning distension and potential injury resulting from use of the system, enough data have been gathered to warrant further study of this material for use in humans.
Causal Process “Observation”: Oxymoron or (Fine) Old Wine

The issue of how qualitative and quantitative information can be use together is critical. Brady, Collier and Seawright have argued that “causal process observations” can be adjoined to “data set observations.” This implies that qualitative methods can be used to add information to problematic quantitative data sets. In a recent symposium in Political Analysis I argued that such qualitative information cannot be adjoined in any meaningful way to quantitative data sets. In that symposium the original authors oered several defenses. Here I consider those issues more generally. I argue that the “causal process observations” are useful either for the explanation of specific events, or to help in the theory building process (or in any other way that qualitative analysts find them useful); but, they are not capable of being “adjoined” to standard quantitative data.
Hedonic Pricing and Willingness to Pay for Bed and Breakfast Amenities in Southeast Wisconsin

While the hedonic price model has been used to evaluate willingness to pay in a variety of markets, its use in the tourism industry is limited. This research note highlights the usefulness of the hedonic price technique in this industry by evaluating willingness to pay for specific characteristics of bed and breakfast accommodations. Heterogeneity in price and amenities offered by bed and breakfast accommodations enables us to generate estimates of willingness to pay for specific characteristics. Using data on price and amenities collected from bed and breakfast accommodations in Southeast Wisconsin, the findings show a willingness to pay for specific characteristics such as a hot tub, a private bath, and a larger room. However, fireplaces, themes, scenic views, and room service were not statistically significant determinants of price. Location characteristics, day of week, and time of year are also found to be important.
Characterization of the wheat-Stagonospora nodorum disease system: what is the molecular basis of this quantitative necrotrophic disease interaction?†

Abstract Stagonospora nodorum blotch (SNB) has long been a problem in wheat production areas by affecting both the leaves and glumes of susceptible bread and durum wheat. Resistance to both disease phases has been shown to be complexly inherited and although much effort has gone into the identification and introgression of disease resistance, less than satisfactory progress has been made in producing SNB resistant cultivars. A major pitfall in this process has been the lack of understanding of the underlying mechanism of disease resistance. Recently, we have shown the Stagonospora nodorum–wheat interaction to involve multiple effector proteins also known as host-selective toxins (HSTs) that interact either directly or indirectly with dominant wheat sensitivity/susceptibility gene products to induce disease. Therefore, we have referred to this system as an ‘inverse gene-for-gene’ interaction (i.e. effector-triggered susceptibility) because the recognition of an effector protein by the host leads to suscept...
IMAX: Larger than Life

IMAX was involved in several aspects of the large-format film business: production, distribution, theater operations, system development and leasing. The case illustrates IMAX’s use of its unique capabilities to pursue a focused differentiation strategy. IMAX was initially focused on large format films that were educational yet entertaining, and the theaters were located in institutions such as museums, aquariums and national parks. However, IMAX found that its growth and profitability were constrained by its niche strategy. In response, IMAX has sought to grow by expanding into multiplexes. Additionally, IMAX has expanded its film portfolio by converting Hollywood movies such as Harry Potter and Superman into the large film format. This shift in strategy has been supported by the development of two technological capabilities - digital re-mastering (DMR) for the conversion of standard 35 mm film into large format and digital multiplexing (DMX) to convert standard multiplexes to IMAX systems. The shift in strategy has been partially successful, but carried the risk of IMAX losing it unique reputation.
Regulation of Shale Gas Development, Including Hydraulic Fracturing

This paper provides one of the first detailed surveys of current oil and gas and hydraulic fracturing (also called fracing, fracking, or hydrofracking) regulation. It identifies and compares the environmental laws and regulations that apply to most stages of the oil or gas development process in shales and tight sands, from conducting seismic testing to constructing a well pad, drilling, withdrawing water, completing a hydraulic fracture treatment, and storing and disposing of waste. It briefly describes municipal ordinances and federal regulations, including recently-announced EPA regulatory efforts, but focuses primarily on the states, comparing regulations in sixteen states. The paper's comparison tables show that state regulations in some areas vary substantially, and the paper attempts to connect the potential risks of oil and gas development from shales and tight sands -- which are addressed in another Energy Institute paper by Professor Ian Duncan -- to the regulation. The paper concludes that states should modify certain regulations to address these risks. Some states do not require specific types of blowout prevention, for example, offering only a narrative standard, yet well blowouts are an important concern at the drilling and fracturing stage. States also should update their casing and cementing regulations to protect well integrity during drilling and fracturing and ensure long-term well integrity, and they should require the testing of water around proposed wells before site construction begins. Ideally, states also would consider implementing a presumption of oil and gas operator liability for water well contamination, as Pennsylvania and West Virginia have done. For risks at the well surface, states should update spill prevention requirements at well sites and consider whether federal Department of Transportation regulations addressing the movement of fracturing chemicals adequately protect against spills. States also must explore better options for disposing of large quantities of new wastes and regulating the withdrawal of large volumes of water for fracturing to prevent adverse impacts to streams and overuse of underground sources of water. Further, states and the federal government must enhance air quality monitoring around sites and consider additional controls. Finally, the collection of more and better data, including information from baseline and post-production water testing, is essential. With states at the regulatory helm, comparison of public law strategies to address development risks can produce fruitful cross-jurisdictional lessons. The Energy Institute at the University of Texas funded the research for this paper.