cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lipid−Protein Correlations in Nanoscale Phospholipid Bilayers Determined by Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Nanodiscs are examples of discoidal nanoscale lipid−protein particles that have been extremely useful for the biochemical and biophysical characterization of membrane proteins. They are discoidal l...
Cationic Amino Acid Transport in the Rabbit Reticulocyte Na+-DEPENDENT INHIBITION OF Na+-INDEPENDENT TRANSPORT

Abstract A transport system for cationic amino acids has been described for the rabbit reticulocyte. This system appears neither concentrative nor energy-dependent. At high levels, several neutral amino acids with large apolar side chains inhibit uptake by it; furthermore, the presence of external leucine accelerates lysine exodus from the cell. These effects do not, however, arise from an interaction between the new system and the dominant Na+-independent system by which these amino acids are transported, because 2-aminobicyclo[2,2,1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid, a new specific substrate for the latter system, shows no inhibition of diamino acid uptake. Furthermore, lysine is devoid of inhibitory action on leucine uptake. Although the relations described above can be shown either in the presence or absence of Na+, the basic amino acids tested are taken up from 10 to 50% more rapidly when Na+ is present at about 0.14 m. Unequivocal evidence that the Na+-stimulated portion represents an independent system has not been obtained. In the presence of Na+, cysteine and homoserine inhibit a substantially larger portion than the Na+-stimulated portion of the uptake of diamino acids whereas no inhibition is seen in the absence of Na+. The result is that, on the addition of one of these two amino acids in excess, Na+ is changed from a stimulant to an inhibitor of diamino acid transport.
Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test

The Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) is one of the first commercially available tests for the assessment of memory. It was originally published in 1907 by Edouard Claparede, a renowned Swiss psychologist, and was called the Test de Memoire des Mots (Test of Memory for Words; Claparede, 1919). In this test, the examinee was read a list of 15 words and was then asked to immediately recall them. Claparede published three alternate lists of the 15 words (Series A, B, and C) and later had the lists translated into German, Italian, and Spanish (Boake, 2000). Keywords: auditory verbal learning test; diagnostic methods; neuropsychological assessment; Rey tests
Visual and flight performance recovery after PRK or LASIK in helicopter pilots.

INTRODUCTION: Refractive surgery, specifically photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), is becoming more accepted in the military environment. Determination of the impact on visual performance in the more demanding aviation environment was the impetus for this study. METHODS: A prospective evaluation of 20 Black Hawk pilots pre-surgically and at 1 wk, 1 mo, and 6 mo postsurgery was conducted to assess both PRK and LASIK visual and flight performance outcomes on the return of aviators to duty. RESULTS: Of 20 pilots, 19 returned to flight status at 1 mo after surgery; 1 PRK subject was delayed due to corneal haze and subjective visual symptoms. Improvements were seen under simulator night and night vision goggle flight after LASIK; no significant changes in flight performance were measured in the aircraft. Results indicated a significantly faster recovery of all visual performance outcomes 1 wk after LASIK vs. PRK, with no difference between procedures at 1 and 6 mo. Low contrast acuity and contrast sensitivity only weakly correlated to flight performance in the early post-operative period. DISCUSSION: Overall flight performance assessed in this study after PRK and LASIK was stable or improved from baseline, indicating a resilience of performance despite measured decrements in visual performance, especially in PRK. More visually demanding flight tasks may be impacted by subtle changes in visual performance. Contrast tests are more sensitive to the effects of refractive surgical intervention and may prove to be a better indicator of visual recovery for return to flight status. Language: en
Identification of two late acyltransferase genes responsible for lipid A biosynthesis in Moraxella catarrhalis

Lipid A is a biological component of the lipo-oligosaccharide of a human pathogen, Moraxella catarrhalis. No other acyltransferases except for UDP-GlcNAc acyltransferase, responsible for lipid A biosynthesis in M. catarrhalis, have been identified. By bioinformatics, two late acyltransferase genes, lpxX and lpxL, responsible for lipid A biosynthesis were identified, and knockout mutants of each gene in M. catarrhalis strain O35E were constructed and named O35ElpxX and O35ElpxL. Structural analysis of lipid A from the parental strain and derived mutants showed that O35ElpxX lacked two decanoic acids (C10:0), whereas O35ElpxL lacked one dodecanoic (lauric) acid (C12:0), suggesting that lpxX encoded decanoyl transferase and lpxL encoded dodecanoyl transferase. Phenotypic analysis revealed that both mutants were similar to the parental strain in their toxicity in vitro. However, O35ElpxX was sensitive to the bactericidal activity of normal human serum and hydrophobic reagents. It had a reduced growth rate in broth and an accelerated bacterial clearance at 3 h (P < 0.01) or 6 h (P < 0.05) after an aerosol challenge in a murine model of bacterial pulmonary clearance. O35ElpxL presented similar patterns to those of the parental strain, except that it was slightly sensitive to the hydrophobic reagents. These results indicate that these two genes, particularly lpxX, encoding late acyltransferases responsible for incorporation of the acyloxyacyl-linked secondary acyl chains into lipid A, are important for the biological activities of M. catarrhalis.
Ultra-wideband radiation and scattering from a thin filament

The problem of a pulsed electric current source comprising an infinitely long filament has been solved using both time-domain and frequency-domain techniques. Also formulated is the problem of an infinitely long electrically conducting (PEC) thin cylinder, illuminated by a uniform normally impinging, pulsed plane wave excitation. Computed results for both problems illustrating the radiated field, induced current, and scattered field are presented, and physical interpretations of the mathematical formulae and numerical data are provided. Numerical results based on time-domain and frequency domain formulations, for each problem, are compared.
Large-eddy simulations of gravity current flows past submerged cylinders

As the offshore oil and gas industry moves towards deeper ocean environments, submarine structures such as oil and gas pipelines become increasingly exposed to less understood hazards, among them gravity and turbidity currents. Our incomplete understanding of the interaction between gravity currents and submarine structures has motivated several recent experimental [1, 2] and numerical [3, 4, 5, 6, 7] investigations. Whereas previous studies focus on the force exerted on submerged cylinders and on the two-dimensional dynamics of the interaction, the current investigation places emphasis on the magnitude of the wall shear stresses near the cylinder calculated from threedimensional simulations. This shear stress is related to the process of scour near submarine structures [8].
The decoding of Reed-Solomon codes

Reed-Solomon (RS) codes form an important part of the high-rate downlink telemetry system for the Magellan mission, and the RS decoding function for this project will be done by DSN. Although the basic idea behind all Reed-Solomon decoding algorithms was developed by Berlekamp in 1968, there are dozens of variants of Berlekamp's algorithm in current use. An attempt to restore order is made by presenting a mathematical theory which explains the working of almost all known RS decoding algorithms. The key innovation that makes this possible is the unified approach to the solution of the key equation, which simultaneously describes the Berlekamp, Berlekamp-Massey, Euclid, and continued fractions approaches. Additionally, a detailed analysis is made of what can happen to a generic RS decoding algorithm when the number of errors and erasures exceeds the code's designed correction capability, and it is shown that while most published algorithms do not detect as many of these error-erasure patterns as possible, by making a small change in the algorithms, this problem can be overcome.
Noninvasive measurement of ion currents in plasma-assisted processes using an optical fiber Faraday ring ammeter

The efficiency of plasma assisted deposition processes such as reactive ion plating with regard to the densification of the deposited thin films depends strongly on the arrival rate ratio of ionized species (atoms molecules) to the total influx of vaporized coating material. While it is relatively easy to measure ion beam currents produced by an auxiliary ion beam source (for example a Kaufman gun) it is much more difficult to measure ion currents in plasma processes. Typical probe measurements change the plasma conditions almost instantaneously. An optical fiber Faraday ring ammeter initially developed for space plasma research provides for a non-invasive measurement of ion currents present in plasma assisted deposition processes. We will be discussing the principles and the potential use of such a device in a high vacuum box coater equipped for low voltage reactive ion plating deposition. 1.
Crystal structures of some isotactic hydrocarbon polymers

Unit cell dimensions for several new isotactic polyhydrocarbons have been determined: Poly(vinyl cyclohexane)II, tetragonal, a = 20.48 A., c = 44.58 A., 247 helix; poly(vinyl cyclopentane); I: tetragonal, a = 20.14 A., c = 6.50 A., 41 helix; II: tetragonal, a = 20.11 A., c = 19.5 A., 123 helix; III: tetragonal, a = 37.3 A., c = 19.8 A., 103 helix; poly(vinyl cycloheptane): tetragonal, a = 23.4–23.5 A., c = 6.5 A., 41 helix; poly(vinyl cyclobutane): tetragonal, a = 34.1 A., c = 6.6 A., 41 helix; poly(3-methyl butene), tetragonal, a = 34.3 A., c = 6.85 A., 41 helix, poly(allyl cyclopentane): tetragonal, a = 20.34 A., c = 47.49 A., 247 helix; poly(allyl cyclohexane): I: tetragonal a = 21.06 A., c = 20.09 A., 103 helix; II: hexagonal, a = 19.12 A., c = 6.33 A., 31 helix; poly(metamethyl styrene): tetragonal, a = 19.9 A., c = 78.9 A., 4011 helix; poly(4,4-dimethyl pentene): tetragonal, a = 20.3 A., c = 13.8 A., 72 helix. Analysis of above unit cell data and those of the published literature seems to indicate that only 31 type helices can be accommodated in the hexagonal system, while the other isotactic structures between 3 and 4 monomers per turn crystallize in the tetragonal or orthorhombic systems. The various possibilities of expanding the central helix by varying the diameter and the pitch in order to satisfy the space requirement of the substituting side groups are discussed.
Second order structures in multi-criteria decision making

Abstract We introduce the concept of higher order criteria in the decision making problem. These types of criteria are manifested by situations in which we desire to satisfy a criterion if it is possible without sacrificing the satisfaction to other primary criteria.
Preventive dentistry: current concepts in women’s oral health

In 2000, the Surgeon General of the United States issued the first-ever report on oral health, to alert Americans on its importance to general health and well-being. Women, due to gender, display oral disease differentially. The most common oral diseases are dental caries and periodontal disease. Both of the diseases are infectious in nature, and are responsive to a variety of interventions including: community wide, professional care and self-care. Eating disorders, which are prevalent in adolescent women, have oral manifestations that need to be addressed by the dentist as well as the primary care Ob/Gyn. Oral health in women is markedly affected by hormonal fluctuations. Specific oral conditions are associated with puberty, adolescence, menses, pregnancy, and menopause. These conditions are discussed along with available effective preventive modalities that can optimize oral health.
Methods for automated segmentation of trabecular bone structure

The precise segmentation of bone regions is important in applications where measurements are taken from the extracted tissues. In high quality biomedical images, these extracted regions can be processed to study the underlying biology, like the relationship between bone structure and genetics. In studying the relationship between trabecular tissue growth patterns and the genes governing that particular development in mice limbs, it is important to ensure that segmentation is accurate. After obtaining the region of interest, image analysis techniques can be non-invasively applied to make any desired calculations. Fractal analysis has been used to measure structure related factors in trabecular bone. Since conventional methods could result in substantial loss of trabecular bone volume, methods for automated segmentation are compared. The first method performs automated segmentation using thresholding and morphological operators, while the second uses region growing. A comparison between two segmentation approaches is done. According to the fractal analysis, the first method outperforms the second in the segmentation precision.
Does experience preclude leaks in laparoscopic gastric bypass

Improved outcomes of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) have been demonstrated once pratice has moved beyond the learning curve. However, there is no evidence that experience has a favorable impact on the incidence of leaks. This study evaluated the incidence of staple-line leaks as experience accrued in a university-based bariatric surgery program. Prospectively collected data on our first 200 patients undergoing LRYGB since July 1998 were analyzed. Linear staplers were used to divide the stomach and to create a side-to-side jejunojejunostomy. A side-to-side cardiojejunostomy was created using a 21-mm circular stapler. Patient characteristics, operative data, and outcomes were evaluated chronologically with comparison of outcomes between quartiles. Staple-line leaks developed in 9 (4.5%) of the first 200 patients undergoing LRYGB. Among the 200 patients were 190 women (95%). The median age of the patients was 48 years (ranges, 24–62 years), and their body mass index was 43 kg/m2 (ranges, 32–59 kg/m2). As surgeons’ experience increased over time, there was a significant increase in the weight of patients and the percentage of patients with previous abdominal operations. There also was a significant decrease in conversion rates and operative times. Leaks occurred in six patients at the cardiojejunostomy (3%), in two patients jejunojejunostomy (1%), and in one patient at the excluded stomach (0.5%). Of the 50 leaks that occurred in each quartile, there were in the 3 in the 1st quartile, 1 in the 2nd quartile, 2 in the 3rd quartile, 3 in the 4th quartile. The differences were not significant. There was no correlation between the number of LRYGBs, and the occurrence of a leak (p = 0.59 confidence interval −0.13–0.22). The incidence of staple-line leaks appears to be independent of the number of LRYGBs performed. These data suggest that surgeons’ experience may not eliminate anastomotic complications experienced by patients undergoing LRYGB.
Vertical X-ray confinement applicable to a time resolved XAFS method

Abstract We present results of focusing X-rays in a configuration suitable for a time-resolved X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurement in the microsecond range, an improvement by two orders of magnitude over previous techniques at synchrotron sources. The approach employs a new method of focusing X-rays by confinement and combines it with flow techniques from laser technology. The inexpensive focusing method provided a line focus of about 10 μm with intensity gains of at least 9, which produced quality XAFS spectra of a 58 millimolar solution of zinc sulfate in a fast flowing jet stream.
Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy

Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy is most frequently a benign process that does not require intervention. However, 35% of cases of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy are related to disease processes that may have serious bleeding consequences at delivery or for which thrombocytopenia may be an indicator of a more severe systemic disorder requiring emergent maternal and fetal care. Thus, all pregnant women with platelet counts less than 100,000/μL require careful hematological and obstetric consultation to exclude more serious disorders.
Growth of NaClKCl mixed crystals from the melt

Abstract Large NaCl-KCl mixed crystals were grown by the Bridgman-Stockbarger and the Czochralski methods from melts containing 5–30 mole % KCl. The former method yielded crystals which were invariably characterized by internal strain and severe segregation. The Czochralski-grown crystals, however, were strain-free and homogeneous. The chemical analysis of these crystals indicated that the liquidus-solidus interval of the generally accepted NaCl-KCl phase diagram is incorrect within this composition range.
In situ factors affecting stability of the DNA helix in interphase nuclei and metaphase chromosomes.

Abstract The data from earlier cytochemical studies, in which the metachromatic fluorochrome acridine orange (AO) was used to differentially stain single vs double-stranded DNA, suggested that DNA in situ in intact metaphase chromosomes or in condensed chromatin of G0 cells is more sensitive to denaturation, induced by heat or acid, than DNA in decondensed chromatin of interphase nuclei. Present studies show that, indeed, DNA in permeabilized metaphase cells, in contrast to cells in interphase, when exposed to buffers of low pH (15–28) becomes digestible with the single-strand-specific S1 or mung bean nucleases. A variety of extraction procedures and enzymatic treatments provided evidence that the presence of histones, HMG proteins, and SS bonds in chromatin, as well as phosphorylation or poly(ADP)ribosylation of chromatin proteins, can be excluded as a factor responsible for the differential sensitivity of metaphase vs interphase DNA to denaturation. Cell treatment with NaCl at a concentration of 1.2 N and above abolished the difference between interphase and mitotic cells, rendering DNA in mitotic cells less sensitive to denaturation; such treatment also resulted in decondensation of chromatin visible by microscopy. The present data indicate that structural proteins extractable with ⩾1.2 N NaCl may be involved in anchoring DNA to the nuclear matrix or chromosome scaffold and may be responsible for maintaining a high degree of chromatin compaction in situ, such as that observed in metaphase chromosomes or in G0 cells. Following dissociation of histones, the high spatial density of the charged DNA polymer may induce topological strain onthe double helix, thus decreasing its local stability; this can be detected by metachromatic staining of DNA with AO or digestion with single-strandspecific nucleases.
Nonuniform states of an imperfect bose gas

Abstract The low-lying states of an inhomogeneous weakly interacting Bose gas are investigated with the Bogoliubov transformation. The particle density n (r), the particle current j(r) , and the pair density function n 2 (r, r′) are evaluated at finite temperature T , including both condensate and noncondensate contributions. For a uniformly moving condensate, j is proportional to the Landau superfluid density ϱ s ( T ). For a singly quantized vortex with core radius ξ, the asymptotic properties ( r → ∞) are given by n ( r ) ∼ n [1 + O( ξ 2 r 2 )] and j θ (r) ∼ ( n h mr )[1 + O( ξ 2 r 2 )] , where n = n 0 + n ′ is the total density (condensate plus noncondensate) in a uniform system. Near the axis of the vortex, n (0) = n ′(0) is estimated to be ≈ 1.4 n ′, yet j θ ( r ) vanishes linearly, implying a finite kinetic energy density in the core. The N -body wave function in configuration space is constructed for the lowest state of a vortex. It suggests an improved form of the trial function used by Chester, Metz, and Reatto for a vortex in 4 He.
Computerizing the Mental Rotations Test: are gender differences maintained?

A computerized version of the Revised Mental Rotations Test using touch-screen technology was tested and compared with the paper-and-pencil version. One hundred ninety-two participants—133 women and 59 men— took the paper-and-pencil version; 91 participants—47 women and 44 men—took the touch-screen version. Standard scores × test half and the entire test, proportion of errors × type, and proportion correct × alternative type were calculated. The expected gender differences occurred in standard scores and proportion correct × alternative type for both test versions. Men performed better than women in all instances, but gender difference effect sizes (measured by Cohen’s d) were reduced from large for the paper-and-pencil version to medium for the computerized version. Scores declined at least nominally from the first to the second half of both versions, and significantly for women taking the paper-and-pencil version.
Notes on the case statement

The case statement is one of the newest and one of the least known of the ‘standard’ control structures in higher level languages. Its importance has increased with the greater use of structured and goto-less programming. This paper surveys the development of the case statement and provides two extensions which are natural and intuitive and which, it is claimed, increase the intellectual manageability of the host language.
18 wheeler Regulates Apical Constriction of Salivary Gland Cells via the Rho-GTPase Signaling Pathway

Rho GTPase and its upstream activator, guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2 (RhoGEF2), have emerged as key regulators of actin rearrangements during epithelial folding and invagination (Nikolaidou, K.K., Barrett, K. (2004). A Rho-GTPase-signaling pathway is used reiteratively in epithelial folding and potentially selects the outcome of Rho activation. Curr. Biol. 14, 1822-1826). Here, we show that Drosophila 18 wheeler (18W), a Toll-like receptor protein, is a novel component of the Rho-signaling pathway involved in epithelial morphogenesis. 18w Mutant embryos have salivary gland invagination defects similar to embryos that lack components of the Rho pathway, and ubiquitous expression of 18W results in an upregulation of Rho signaling. Transheterozygous genetic interactions and double mutant analysis suggest that 18W affects the Rho-GTPase-signaling pathway not through Fog and RhoGEF2, but rather by inhibiting Rho GTPase activating proteins (RhoGAPs). We show that RhoGAP5A and RhoGAP88C/Crossveinless-c (CV-C) are required for proper salivary gland morphogenesis, implicating them as potential targets of 18W.
HIV-1 Tat-coated nanoparticles result in enhanced humoral immune responses and neutralizing antibodies compared to alum adjuvant

HIV-1 Tat has been identified as an attractive target for vaccine development and is currently under investigation in clinical trials as both a therapeutic and preventative vaccine for HIV-1. It is well known that protein based vaccines produce poor immune responses by themselves and therefore require adjuvants to enhance immune responses. We have previously reported on the use of anionic nanoparticles (NPs) for enhancing cellular and humoral immune responses to Tat (1-72). The purpose of this study was to further evaluate the immune response of HIV-1 Tat (1-72) coated on anionic nanoparticles compared to alum using various doses of Tat (1-72). Nanoparticles were effective at generating comparable antibody titers at both 1 and 5 microg doses of Tat (1-72), whereas the antibody titers significantly decreased at the lower dose of Tat (1-72) using alum. Anti-sera from Tat (1-72) immunized mice reacted greatest to the N-terminal and basic regions of Tat, with the NP groups showing stronger reactivity to these regions compared to alum. Moreover, the anti-sera from all Tat (1-72) immunized groups contained Tat-neutralizing antibodies and were able to significantly inhibit Tat-mediated long terminal repeat (LTR) transactivation.
Generating hinges from arbitrary subhypergraphs

Abstract The role of the hinge in relational database theory is examined. The notion of a hinge is expanded to an fd-hinge to include the set of functional dependencies that define the database semantics along with the universal join dependence. The process of generating a hinge from an arbitrary subhypergraph is presented.
Demographic model predicts trout population response to selenium based on individual-level toxicity

Abstract A fundamental problem in ecotoxicology is prediction of population-level effects of toxicant exposure based on the response of individuals. We propose that stochastic population simulation can effectively address this problem and present an application to chronic selenium exposure in cutthroat trout. Decreased pre-winter survival and growth of juveniles due to selenium exposure were modeled by functions fit to toxicity test data. Density dependence in cutthroat trout populations occurs primarily in winter survival of juveniles, and this survival was modeled with a compensatory function calibrated to observational data. The model predicted that populations declined for a period of 10–40 years after exposure began but re-stabilized at lower equilibrium population sizes. These equlibria decreased sigmoidally with increasing selenium concentration. Toxicity-related juvenile mortality was the primary cause of population size decrease, and individual-level response was greater than population-level response until individual-level mortality exceeded 80%. Populations compensated for increased pre-winter mortality via decreased density-dependent winter mortality at selenium concentrations below 7.0–10.0 μg/g (whole-body, dry weight), depending on life history. At higher concentrations, equilibrium population size declined in the stochastic environment not because average juvenile survival rates declined but because variance in survival rates declined, preventing high survival during years in which fry production was low relative to carrying capacity. Our results suggest that: (1) when survival of individuals is density-dependent, population-level response to toxicant exposure may be lower than predicted based on individual-level response, (2) cutthroat trout populations will be protected at selenium concentrations not exceeding 7.0 μg/g, and (3) environmental stochasticity can significantly affect the response of population size to individual-level toxicity.
Active image registration and recognition

An active feature matching technique was developed, which incorporated both local and global information in the matching process, to achieve a global optimal goodness-of-match. First, an optimal snake was developed to reduce the 2D object of interest to a 1D feature string. This snake has the capability to extract accurate information about an object's corners that contains critical important discriminant information. High performance was achieved by dividing the energy optimization process into multiple stages that optimized both performance and speed of the snake. After the objects to be matched were reduced to two feature vector strings, dynamic feature matching (DFM) was used to match these strings. DFM matched the two feature strings in a global optimally way by using the Bellman optimality principle. An active image registration system was then developed using active feature matching to obtain a partial disparity map from which a full disparity map was estimated using regularization. This system was tested on a sequence of MR functional brain images. Results showed that the brain activation map obtained from registered images was significantly improved when compared to nonregistered images. Finally, an active image recognition system was implemented based on active feature matching. This system was applied to aircraft images and results showed that the active recognition system had superior distortion tolerance over the correlation based system and maintained good performance over a wide range of distortion. This tolerance to distortion was due to its 'active' nature. In other words, it, to some extent, mimicked human vision by dynamically adjusting the matching path so that the differences due to perspective distortion were minimized.
Motion compensation algorithm for noninvasive two-dimensional temperature estimation using diagnostic pulse-echo ultrasound

The feasibility of real-time non-invasive spatio-temporal temperature estimation from pulse-echo diagnostic ultrasound data has been previously demonstrated in stationary phantoms. The method is based on first estimating the axial shifts of the RF-echo data due to local changes in the speed of sound and thermal expansion in the propagating medium, and then differentiating these estimates along axial direction to obtain the temperature rise map. In a clinical setup, however, translation, rotation and deformation affect the estimates. In this paper we introduce an algorithm to compensate for tissue translation and uniform deformation along the axial and lateral directions of the ultrasound imaging plane. This is achieved by separating the components of the time-shift map due to temperature rise (a local effect, occurring within the vicinity of the heated region) from the component due to translation and deformation (effect observed over a larger region). A rubber phantom experiment was designed where high intensity focused ultrasound was used to generate localized heating while motion was applied to the phantom and/or imaging transducer. Temperature profiles were successfully estimated while the phantom was translated by 30 mm and axially deformed by 13%.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Methionine Hydroxy Analog or Sulfate Supplementation for High Producing Dairy Cows

Abstract Thirty-six Holstein cows were assigned to three rations. Control rations were supplemented with 25g/day methionine analog or 17.5g/day sodium sulfate. Assignment was by actual or estimated mature equivalent production of the previous lactation. Individual intakes and production were summarized for 18 wk during which rations consisted of 48% concentrate, 42% alfalfa hay cubes, and 10% alfalfa-grass silage. Full lactation records from Dairy Herd Improvement were compared. Average dry matter intake equaled 2.95% of body weight during the feeding-lactation trial. Production averaged 3896kg milk, 3.3% fat, or 4081kg adjusted to 3.5% fat, mature equivalent basis. Production for the full lactation averaged 7480kg milk, 3.3% fat, or 8047kg adjusted. No differences were significant among treatments for feed intake, adjusted production, or percent fat. High producers did not respond differently from lower producers. Analysis of medium and long chain fatty acids of the milk triglyceride fraction did not demonstrate treatment differences. However, there were changes in fatty acid composition between pre-peak samples and milk samples taken as lactation progressed.
Nonsentinel node metastasis in breast cancer patients: assessment of an existing and a new predictive nomogram

Abstract Background The accurate prediction of nonsentinel node (NSN) metastasis in breast cancer patients remains uncertain. Methods The medical records of 574 breast cancer patients from 2 different institutions (Mayo Clinic and University of Michigan) with sentinel lymph node biopsy examination and completion axillary lymph node dissection were reviewed for multiple clinicopathologic variables. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center nomogram performance for prediction of NSN metastases was assessed. A new model was developed with clinically relevant variables and possible advantages. Results The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center nomogram predicted the likelihood of NSN metastasis with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of .72 and .86. For predicted probability cut-off points of 5% and 10%, the false-negative rates were 0% and 14% (Mayo), and 17% and 11% (Michigan). A new model was developed with similar area under the curve but lower false-negative rates for low-probability subgroups. Conclusions Predictive models for NSN tumor burden are imperfect.
Solution and estimation of a bivariate interdependent adjustment cost model

Abstract A simplified method is proposed for solving and conducting inference in the context of a bivariate adjustment cost model. The formulas presented here allow one to use standard OLS regressions to derive consistent, though not fully efficient, estimates of objective function parameters. A straightforward application of ‘the delta method’ then delivers consistent standard errors.
Improved fast neutron spectroscopy via detector segmentation

Organic scintillators are widely used for fast neutron detection and spectroscopy. Several effects complicate the interpretation of results from detectors based upon these materials. First, fast neutrons will often leave a detector before depositing all of their energy within it. Second, fast neutrons will typically scatter several times within a detector, and there is a non-proportional relationship between the energy of, and the scintillation light produced by, each individual scatter; therefore, there is not a deterministic relationship between the scintillation light observed and the neutron energy deposited. Here we demonstrate a hardware technique for reducing both of these effects. Use of a segmented detector allows for the event-by-event correction of the light yield non-proportionality and for the preferential selection of events with near-complete energy deposition, since these will typically have high segment multiplicities.
Estimating the Individual Effects of the Reduced Palmitic Acid fapnc and fap1 Alleles on Agronomic Traits in Two Soybean Populations

Major fap alleles that reduce palmitate content in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed oil also can reduce seed yield. One of these alleles, fap nc , has been shown to be a deletion in the GmFATB1a gene. Allele-specific primers that amplify GmFATB1a can be used to test precisely if the faP nc allele has an effect on agronomic traits. The objectives of this study were to determine if the segregation of the fap nc allele explained a significant amount of genetic variation in several agronomic traits; to determine if the fap1 allele or minor palmitate genes have an effect on agronomic traits; and to confirm if GmFATB1a maps to the distal region on linkage group A1. GmFATB1a-specific primers were used to genotype lines from two populations segregating for fap nc , fap1, and fan alleles and modifier genes. The fap nc allele explained a significant portion of the genetic variation in seed yield, plant height, protein content, and stearic acid content in both populations. After removing the effect of fap nc from the model, the genetic correlation between palmitate and yield was significant in one population but not significant between palmitate and height, indicating that fap1 has a small but significant effect on seed yield but no effect on plant height. The fap1 and/ or modifier genes significantly affected stearic acid content. GmFATB1a mapped 20 cM distal to Satt684 on linkage group A1. Breeding efforts did not totally eliminate the negative influence of the fapnc allele on seed yield and plant height.
On the theory of dynamic plug‐flow processes: Inlet control and distributed trajectory control

Topological methods are applied in a study of the periodic operation of plug-flow processes. Attention is focused on periodic processes, but the results are shown to apply to other important situations. Three combinations of control options are considered and compared. Attainable sets for each case are characterized. The theory describes comparisons between steady state and time-varying controls and the a priori structure of optimal control. On applique des methodes topologiques a I'etude du fonctionnement periodique des procedes d'ecoulement a bouchon (plug). On considere particulierement les procedes periodiques, mais on demontre que les resultats s'appliquent aussi a d'autres cas importants. On examine et compare trois sortes de contro'le qu'on peut utiliser et caracterise les resultats qu'on peut obtenir dans chaque cas. La theorie decrit des comparaisons entre les contro'les en regime permanent et a duree variable et la structure a priori du contro'le optimal.
Transmission Electron Microscopy-Based Analysis of Electrically Conductive Surface Defects in Large Area GaSb Homoepitaxial Diodes Grown Using Molecular Beam Epitaxy

We investigate a mechanism causing shorting of large area GaSb diodes grown on GaSb substrates using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The source of these shorts is determined to be large crystallographic defects on the surface of the diodes that are formed around droplets of gallium ejected from the gallium Knudsen cells during MBE. The gallium droplets cause defects in the crystal structure, and, as the epitaxy continues, the gallium is incorporated into the surrounding material. The shape of the defects is pyramidal with a central void extending from the epi-surface to the gallium core. Processing a GaSb diode with these surface defects results in the top-side contact metal migrating into the defect and shorting the diode. This prevents realization of large area diodes that are critical to applications such as photovoltaics and detectors. The diodes in this study are electrically characterized and the defect formation mechanism is investigated using cross-section transmission electron microscopy and electron dispersive spectroscopy.
Structure, strength and fracture resistance of interfaces in NiAl/Mo model laminates

Abstract Intermetallic matrix composites with ductile phase reinforcement are being considered for high-temperature structural applications. Increases in room temperature toughness over that of monolithic NiAl have been achieved in directionally-solidified NiAl/Mo eutectic composites. Since the nature of interface fracture is critical to understanding toughening effects in these composites, NiAl/Mo model laminates were bonded at high temperature to create interfaces for structural examination and mechanical testing. In the slightly off-stoichiometric NiAl, a reaction layer identified as Mo 3 Al forms at the interface and varies in thickness with bonding conditions. Microscopic features on either side of the interface fracture surface show excellent matching and some evidence of plastic deformation on the Mo side of the interface. Mechanical response of the interfaces was studied under various loading conditions using several methods, including a novel technique in which one of the adjoining phases was loaded in compression, producing a stable interface crack. The NiAl/Mo interface was also fractured in three- and four-point bending. Interface fracture resistances were determined using finite element analysis to model the experimental tests. A small amount of plasticity was found to play a large role in crack initiation.
Capsule Commentary on Mandl et al., Provider Collaboration: Cohesion, Constellations, and Shared Patients

This study by Mandl et al.1 examined how often patients in a commercial health care plan were shared by providers in the network. The authors found that while only 13% of patients were seen by a single provider, among the 87% of patients who were seen by more than one provider, there was little evidence of cohesive coordination or communication, and 73 % of these provider pairs shared only one to two patients. Among constellations with three providers, nearly 100% shared just one patient. This study describes how often patients are “shared” among groups of providers, but provides no data on the nature of the interaction between these providers or what the “sharing” comprised. For example, one of the most common forms of sharing was between a primary care physician and a gynecologist; both were seeing the same female patient, but it is unclear from the data whether the two providers communicated at all. The fact that there were so few shared by any set of unique providers suggests minimal communication. There is a growing body of research on patient care teams demonstrating that greater team cohesiveness is associated with better clinical outcomes and higher patient satisfaction.2 Poor coordination of care within the hospital is associated with higher costs.3,4 In these studies, definitions of sharing and collaboration constitute close communication and coordination of care among providers. Mandl examines only whether the patient is being seen by more than one provider. The fact that there are so few “constellations,” and that so many of the combinations of sharing are unique suggests that there is not a great deal of communication or cohesiveness in the sense of providing improved patient outcomes. Other studies have shown that within a single year, primary care physicians for Medicare patients coordinated with an average of 229 other physicians working in 117 practices.5 As was illustrated in the Mand study, the current healthcare system is not structured to foster outpatient care coordination. Until methods can be engineered to efficiently enhance coordination , improvements in collaborative healthcare efforts are unlikely.
A tetra-(bipyridylphenyl)porphyrin for luminescence sensing of divalent metal ions

Abstract The fluorescence quenching of a tetra-(bipyridylphenyl)porphyrin (1a) by various metal ions in DMSO solutions is discussed. In all cases quenching results via formation of a ground state complex between a bipyridyl moiety of the porphyrin and the metal ion. For Zn(II) tetra-(bipyridylphenyl)porphyrin (1b) luminescence quenching is only observed with Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II). In all three detectable quenching is observed at sub-part per million concentrations. For luminescent species having multiple, independent, metal ion binding sites (like 1b), detailed examination of the luminescence quenching clearly shows that association equilibria for binding metal ions at atleast two of the available sites must be taken into account. The quenching of 1b with Cu(II) was examined in detail and the rate constant for quenching was determined using picosecond time resolved absorption spectrophotometry. The mechanism of the quenching process is discussed in each case. Metal ion selectivity is obtained for this system as a result of both thermodynamic and kinetic limitations to quenching the luminescence of 1b.
Fenfluramine discrimination in obese and lean Zucker rats: Serotonergic medaition of effect

Abstract Genetically obese Zucker rats and their lean littermates were trained to discriminate between the stimulus properties of 2.0 mg/kg fenfluramine and its vehicle in a two-lever, food-motivated operant task. Both groups learned he discrimination at the same rate and all rats showed a dose-related decrease in discriminative performace with lower fenfluramine doses. Analysis of the dose-response curves indicated an ED 50 for the obese rats of 0.56 mg/kg and for the lean group of 0.42 mg/kg. Time-course experiments indicted that the obese rats maintain errorless discrimination through 90 min post-injection but discriminate significantly less than the lean rats at 960 min post-administration. These suggest a similar sensitivity to fenfluramine in obese and lean rats with a difference in the time-course of drug action. Pre-treatment with the specific serotonin receptor antagonist pirenperone significantly attenuated fenfluramine discrimination in lean rats without a similar effect in the obese rats. Possible reasons for this observation are offered.
Cohomology of incidence coalgebras

The cohomology groups H^n(M, C) are studied, where C is the incidence coalgebra of a locally finite partially ordered set P and where M is a C-C comodule depending on a convex coarsening of the given partial order on P. The case where P is a geometric lattice and the convex coarsening is just the equality relation is emphasized.
Early experience with laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection

Background: Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection (LAPR) has not been fully evaluated as a technique in the treatment of rectal and anal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the early experience with laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection at Washington University Medical Center.
A DISCRETE BLOB MODEL OF CONTAMINANT TRANSPORT IN GROUNDWATER WITH TRAPPED NON-AQUEOUS PHASE LIQUIDS

The present work describes a model developed for multiphase transport in the subsurface. The system under consideration comprises three phases including the immobile solid phase composed of soil grains, the aqueous phase flowing through the bed of soil grains, and the non-aqueous phase of liquids (NAPLs) that may consist of several mutually soluble compounds. Numerous field data and experimental results have indicated that the residual nonwelting fluids of the NAPLs in groundwater systems are trapped, i.e., completely surrounded by the wetting aqueous phase. In the model, therefore, the NAPLs are treated as discrete blobs with generalized local-size distribution, while the aqueous phase is assumed To be a continuum. In addition, the model takes into account the surface area-to-volume ratio and the ratio of the aqueous contacting area to the overall surface area of NAPL blobs. Interactions between the two liquid phases manifest themselves in the governing equations of the aqueous phase as an integral over ...
QUANTUM TREATMENT OF MULTIPLE REAL TRANSITIONS.

We give a quantum-mechanical derivation of the probability that an energetic particle, interacting with an extended many-particle system which possesses a large number of eigenstates lying close together in energy, will excite $n$ of these eigenstates during an interaction time $t$.
A method for the demonstration of both acetylcholinesterase and catecholamine in the same nerve trunk

Abstract By the combined use of a modification of the fluorescence method for catecholamines and the thiocholine method for acetylcholinesterase, it was possible to demonstrate the presence of both catecholamine and acetylcholinesterase in individual nerve trunks.
Recombinant activated factor VII for cerebral injury-induced coagulopathy in pediatric patients. Report of three cases and review of the literature.

✓ Brain injury remains one of the leading causes of death and disability in children. Appropriate therapy involves aggressive management of intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure, which often requires placement of an intraparenchymal ICP monitor or intraventricular catheter. These potentially life-saving interventions require normal coagulation function; however, several factors may lead to coagulopathy in the head-injured patient. Standard therapies, which often include multiple doses of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), have a number of drawbacks when used in the pediatric population. The use of FFP requires time to type and crossmatch, thaw, and administer. It imposes a significant volume load on a child in whom cerebral edema remains a problem. Success in using recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) in the hemophiliac population suggests an alternative therapy. Three patients suffered severe coagulopathy after cerebral injury. One patient received rFVIIa after repeated doses of FFP ha...
Management of surgical procedures common in men. Part 1: genitourinary procedures

Abstract Common genitourinary surgical procedures in the male population have seen a dramatic rise in frequency as the percentage of men aged greater than 50 years old increases in the United States. Accompanying the advanced age of many men undergoing these procedures is the presence of one or more co-existent medical conditions. This article explores the surgical and anesthetic implications of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), radical prostatectomy (RP), transurethral resection of a bladder tumor (TURBT), cystoscopy, and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and the considerations necessary when one or more coexistent illnesses are present. Each procedure will be considered from the surgical, anesthetic, pre-operative and postoperative perspective.