cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Shape stability of TiSi2 islands on Si (111)

The evolution of the shape and size of TiSi2 islands on Si (111) surfaces is explored with real time ultraviolet photoelectron emission microscopy. During continuous deposition of Ti at elevated temperatures, individual islands in a dilute surface distribution grow larger without island–island interactions. As they increase in size, symmetric islands transform into elongated shaped islands with high length-to-width aspect ratios. An extremely elongated island shows a ratio of 85:1 and is ∼17 μm long and ∼0.2 μm wide. The individual elongated islands have different widths regardless of their length. The width of the growing islands is determined at the initial transition stage and remains essentially constant with increasing length. We propose that the various widths of the elongated islands are determined by the degree of strain relaxation, possibly through the nucleation of dislocations at the island interface. In addition, it is found that the elongated islands display a prism-like shape or a truncated ...
Surface functionalization without lattice degradation of highly crystalline nanoscaled carbon materials using a carbon monoxide atmospheric plasma treatment

Atmospheric plasma treatments on various forms of carbon were performed to compare the effect of surface modification using carbon monoxide (CO) as the active gas, in comparison to the conventionally used O2. Changes in surface characteristics were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) as a function of duration. The results indicated that use of O2 plasma resulted in only a limited oxygen uptake (O/C = 0.11), while CO treatments resulted in tailorable surface O/C ratios as high as 0.69, a result not attainable when using low-pressure RF plasmas (O/C < 0.1). High-resolution XPS analysis and Auger spectroscopy confirmed that a tailorable level of carbonyl functional groups could be evenly distributed throughout the surface. Both Raman and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) indicated nano-scale degradation of the structure when using the O2 treatment. On the other hand, CO treated specimens exhibited no observable damage to the material with high levels of oxygen incorporation. Contact angle measurements verified the formation of a highly stable hydrophilic surface and excellent dispersion was observed in an aqueous solution on treated specimens after CO treatment. The CO treatment was also successfully applied to SWCNT with similar results and no degradation of structure.
Sampling conformational hyperspace: Techniques for improving completeness

Three new strategies for sampling the conformation space accessible to a series of structurally diverse, flexible molecules are defined and compared to samples obtained using a fixed-grid torsion angle sampling strategy. A set of 28 potent inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme selected by Mayer et al. [J. Comput.-Aided Mol. Design, 1 (1987) 3] and the unrestricted active-site model proposed by Waller et al. [to be published] are used to produce a realistic experimental setting. We modified our Constrained Search algorithm [Dammkoehler et al., J. Comput.-Aided Mol. Design, 3 (1989) 3] to support these new sampling strategies, performing a series of 64 simulations (search experiments) and generating a large set of sterically allowed conformations. In each experiment, we systematically vary the internal torsion angles in each molecule using one of the sampling strategies. The common orientations of preselected functional groups thought to represent those dominating the interaction with the enzyme and presented by the set of molecules are classified and recorded for each experiment. Pairwise distances between groups are used to characterize the geometry of the common orientations. The results of each experiment, represented by a set of distance values, are compared and combined to evaluate the completeness of the conformational sampling. While no pure strategy or single search experiment was found to be adequate to fully explore the set of common sterically allowed conformations, a new sampling technique, called adaptive radial sampling, is shown to be significantly more complete than the commonly used fixed grid sampling.
Buying and Selling Producing Oil and Gas Properties: The Norms in the Data

Data from actual purchases of producing oil and gas properties over the past decade were collected. For each purchase, 5 data elements were captured: (1) Purchase price, (2) Recoverable oil reserves, (3) Recoverable gas reserves, (4) Oil production rate, and (5) Gas production rate. Quantitative norms in these purchase data are shown as well as distributions about the norms. The results are then used to show how comparisons can be made for specific, recent purchases not in the data base against the norms.
Spacecraft synchronization in the presence of attitude constrained zones

In this paper, we consider the problem of achieving identical orientation for a group of spacecraft in presence of attitude forbidden zones. The attitude forbidden zones can be identically defined over the group of spacecraft or can be defined independently. In order to find a feasible consensuslike algorithm, we utilize the quadratic convex parameterization for the attitude forbidden zones with unit quaternions. Subsequently, we embed this parameterization into a convex auxiliary system-whose output is shared among the spacecraft through a communication network. The auxiliary system's output play the role of an indicator function for the spacecraft dynamics such that it does not violate the attitude forbidden zones while attempting to reach consensus. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the algorithm, we present two sets of simulations where synchronization of six spacecraft with identical and independent attitude forbidden zones with random initial attitudes are considered.
An assessment of South Korean police officers' perceptions of organizational characteristics in the post‐reform era

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to develop a broader understanding of police organizational culture in South Korea. More specifically, given its history and culture, the aim is to examine various elements of organizational culture as perceived by line officers and supervisors.Design/methodology/approach – The data for the present study came from a survey of police officers in South Korea who attended training courses at the Korea National Police University (KNPU), and at the Police Comprehensive Academy (PCA), from June through August of 2008. A total of 406 police officers completed the questionnaires representing an overall return rate of 62 percent.Findings – The results suggest that, overall, police officers across rank and job assignment were dissatisfied, and at best ambivalent, on all dimensions of organizational culture. Lower ranked police officers, relative to other ranks, appear more dissatisfied with managerial support, open lines of communication, and organizational support. Officers w...
Seminal plasma proteins inhibit in vitro- and cooling-induced capacitation in boar spermatozoa

Dilute boar seminal plasma (SP) has been shown to inhibit in vitro capacitation and cooling-induced capacitation-like changes in boar spermatozoa, as assessed by the ability of the spermatozoa to undergo an ionophore-induced acrosome reaction. We hypothesised that the protein component of SP is responsible for this effect. To test this hypothesis, varying concentrations of total SP protein or SP proteins fractionated by heparin binding were assayed for their ability to inhibit in vitro capacitation, as well as cooling- and cryopreservation-induced capacitation-like changes. In vitro capacitation and cooling-induced capacitation-like changes were prevented by 10% whole SP, as well as by total proteins extracted from SP at concentrations greater than 500 microg mL(-1). No amount of SP protein was able to prevent cryopreservation-induced capacitation-like changes. Total SP proteins were fractionated based on their heparin-binding properties and the heparin-binding fraction was shown to possess capacitation inhibitory activity at concentrations as low as 250 microg mL(-1). The proteins in the heparin-binding fraction were subjected to mass spectrometry and identified. The predominant proteins were three members of the spermadhesin families, namely AQN-3, AQN-1 and AWN, and SP protein pB1. We conclude that one or more of these heparin-binding SP proteins is able to inhibit in vitro capacitation and cooling-induced capacitation-like changes, but not cryopreservation-induced capacitation-like changes, in boar spermatozoa.
Twin data in support of the Lyon hypothesis.

THE Lyon hypothesis1,2 suggests that in the XX mouse and human female one X chromosome is genetically inactive after a certain stage in embryogenesis; that this ‘inactive’ X chromosome forms the Barr body, which can be identified at about the sixteenth day in the human embryo; that it is a random proposition which of the two X chromosomes in a given cell becomes the genetically inactive one; that once it is decided which X chromosome is to be the genetically inactive one in a given cell all descendants of this cell abide by the decision and have the same X chromosome inactive; and that the germ cell line does not participate in this process of X chromosome differentiation. The hypothesis suggests a mechanism: (1) of dosage compensation for the ‘excess’ genetic material in females; (2) of the observed phenotypic variability in females heterozygous for X-borne recessive mutations. The hypothesis requires the existence, in heterozygous females, of two populations of cells with regard to a particular trait for which the female is heterozygous. Beutler3 seems to have indirect evidence for such, in females heterozygous for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. All the genetic and cytological evidence supporting this attractive hypothesis1–4 will not be reviewed here. Some further evidence in its support will, however, be presented.
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Genes as Candidates for Pharmacogenetic Studies of Current and Future Antipsychotic Agents in Schizophrenia

Abstract: Recent research has linked the polymorphic metabotropic glutamate receptors to the pathogenesis of schizo-phrenia contributing to the development of the “glutamate hypothesis”. These receptors regulate glutamate through NMDA inotropic receptors. At the neurotransmitter level, antipsychotics developed to treat schizophrenia have been found to significantly increase serum glutamate levels and potentially affect the expression of various metabotropic glu-tamate receptors (mGluRs). Additionally, type-3 metabotropic glutamate receptor gene ( GRM3 ) polymorphisms have been associated with schizophrenia as well as being linked to reductions in prefrontal cortex N-acetylaspartate concentra-tions. Thus, glutamate has become an increasingly important area of interest for therapeutic intervention in schizophrenia and pharmaceutical companies are rapidly focusing on the development of agents that directly modulate this neurotrans-mitter; however the reality is that the clinical use of such drugs is still years away. Taken together, investigations of how genetic variability in genes coding for mGluRs relate to treatment outcomes are becoming increasingly important. The goalof this review is to discuss the genetics, pharmacology, and pharmacogenetics of the metabotropic glutamate receptors focusing on receptor subtypes with the most evidence for involvement with current and/or future antipsychotic activity.
Understanding and mitigating effects of nonuniformities on reliability of thin film photovoltaics

Thin-film photovoltaics (PV) are sensitive to lateral nonuniformities (LN) that manifest themselves in spatial variations of the device local characteristics and in the variability of the measured parameters between nominally identical devices. LN affect all the aspects of device operations and stability and appear as a hidden cost of the otherwise inexpensive technology. They are omnipresent as originating from multiple factors typical of thin-film PV: deposition geometry, wet and heat treatments, dispersion in grain and amorphous phase parameters, and fluctuations in metal-semiconductor barriers. LN are seen in the device mappings, including that of PL, Voc, OBIC, EBIC, thermography, and electroluminescence. Stresses localized on certain vulnerable spots drive the entire device degradation. We present a general summary of physical processes related to LN, including modeling aspects, characteristic length and variability scales, statistics, degradation mechanisms, and superadditive effects between different device components, such as a negative correlation between the resistive and LN related loss, and a positive correlation between LN and device shunting failures under stress. We then review the known practical techniques of mitigating LN effects patented by different groups from 1970s to nowadays and show how nonuniformity treatments play the key role in the existing technologies.
Manifolds whose curvature operator has constant eigenvalues at the basepoint

Osserman conjectured that if the curvature operatorR of a Riemannian manifoldM has constant eigenvalues, thenM is locally a rank-1 symmetric space or is flat. The pointwise question is considerably more complicated. We present examples of Riemannian manifolds so thatR has constant eigenvalues at the basepoint, butR is not the curvature operator of a rank-1 symmetric space.
Sb-doped p-ZnO∕Ga-doped n-ZnO homojunction ultraviolet light emitting diodes

ZnO p-n homojunction light emitting diodes were fabricated based on p-type Sb-doped ZnO∕n-type Ga-doped ZnO thin films. Low resistivity Au∕NiO and Au∕Ti contacts were formed on top of p-type and n-type ZnO layers, respectively. Au∕NiO contacts on p-type ZnO exhibited a low specific resistivity of 7.4×10−4Ωcm2. The light emitting diodes yielded strong near-band-edge emissions in temperature-dependent and injection current-dependent electroluminescence measurements.
Web services and web service security standards

This paper provides a short introduction to basic web services concepts and describes in greater detail the various specifications related to reliability, transactions and in particular security which are referred to as the Microsoft/IBM WS-^* family of specifications. The authors were not involved in the development and specification of the family of WS-^* specs described in this paper.
Peptidyl Dipeptidase A-Catalyzed Metabolism of Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide in Bovine Brain Microvessel Endothelial Cells: A Cell Culture Model of the Blood-Brain Barrier

Previous studies have shown that the metabolism of delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is catalyzed by amino-peptidases. In this study, we have shown that peptidyl dipeptidase A in cultured bovine brain microvessel endothelial cells (BBMEC), a model of the BBB, and a purified form of this enzyme can also metabolize DSIP by sequential hydrolyses of dipeptides or tripeptides from the carboxyl terminus of this nonapeptide. Both the dipeptidase and tripeptidase activity associated with peptidyl dipeptidase A can be inhibited by captopril. Total stabilization of DSIP to metabolism in BBMEC could be achieved by inclusion of an inhibitor of peptidyl dipeptidase A (e.g., captopril) and an inhibitor of aminopeptidases (e.g., bestatin).
Use of a Dynamic Monte Carlo Simulation in the Study of Nucleation-and-Growth Models for CO Electrochemical Oxidation†

A dynamic Monte Carlo program CARLOS was employed in studies of phase formation on electrodes. The aim was to improve the understanding of the kinetics of adsorbed CO electrochemical oxidation by identifying relationships between nucleation-and-growth models and mean-field treatments. Initially, the development of a single phase on a surface lattice was investigated. The findings were applied to model adsorbed CO oxidation, which involves changes in two phases. By using different types of fixed oxide nucleation sites and enabling CO diffusion, we made gains in the simulation of current−time transients from potential step measurements of adsorbed CO electrochemical oxidation on surface planes of single-crystal platinum.
Ethical development, professional commitment and rule observance attitudes: A study of auditors in Taiwan

Abstract Professional commitment, ethical development, and attitudes towards following rules for auditors in Taiwan are examined. Taiwanese accountants exhibit relatively high professional commitment, and commitment increases with rank. Accountants with high professional commitment perceive rule observance as more important than do accountants with low commitment. Accountants who perceived rule observance as important were primarily reasoning at conventional levels of moral development, while accountants who perceived rule observance as less important were reasoning at postconventional levels. Rule observance attitudes may mitigate continued ethical development. Higher professional commitment was associated with a higher level of moral reasoning. However, the mean ethical development of accountants was consistent with the postconventional level of ethical development for both high and low professional commitment conditions.
30-cm mercury ion thruster performance with a 1 kW capacitor-diode voltage multiplier beam supply

A 1 kW Solar Array and Capacitor-Diode Voltage Multiplier Converter (S/A-CDVM) has been successfully integrated with a 30 cm-diameter mercury ion thruster system to provide ion beam power. Measurements were made to compare steady state and transient response performance of a conventional bridge converter with the S/A-CDVM converter used for the ion beam supply. The ability to recover from screen to accelerator arcs and promptly re-establish stable thruster performance was demonstrated. Solar array transient response to thruster arcing was also measured.
Characterization of Fault Zones

There are currently three major competing views on the essential geometrical, mechanical, and mathematical nature of faults. The standard view is that faults are (possibly segmented and heterogeneous) Euclidean zones in a continuum solid. The continuum-Euclidean view is supported by seismic, gravity, and electromagnetic imaging studies; by successful modeling of observed seismic radiation, geodetic data, and changes in seismicity patterns; by detailed field studies of earthquake rupture zones and exhumed faults; and by recent high resolution hypocenter distributions along several faults. The second view focuses on granular aspects of fault structures and deformation fields. The granular view is supported by observations of rock particles in fault zone gouge; by studies of block rotations and the mosaic structure of the lithosphere (which includes the overall geometry of plate tectonics); by concentration of deformation signals along block boundaries; by correlation of seismicity patterns on scales several times larger than those compatible with a continuum framework; and by strongly heterogeneous wave propagation effects on the earth’s surface. The third view is that faults are fractal objects with rough surfaces and branching geometry. The fractal view is supported by some statistical analysis of regional hypocenter locations; by long-range correlation of various measurements in geophysical boreholes; by the fact that observed power-law statistics of earthquakes are compatible with an underlying scale-invariant geometrical structure; by geometrical analysis of fault traces at the earth’s surface; and by measurements of joint and fault surfaces topography.
Effect of Change in Air Temperature Upon Systemic Small and Large Vessel Resistance

Direct resistance measurements in the foreleg of the anesthetized dog show that the rise in total resistance following reduction of air temperature is due predominately to small vessel constriction and is based upon at least three different mechanisms. The large arteries and veins also constrict and evidence is presented which suggests that the venous and possibly the arterial resistance responses are predominately due to changing levels of circulating epinephrine, norepinephrine or both.
Determining the Role of the Epstein-Barr Virus Cp EBNA2-Dependent Enhancer during the Establishment of Latency by Using Mutant and Wild-Type Viruses Recovered from Cottontop Marmoset Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen (EBNA) 2 (EBNA2) is involved in upregulating the expression of both EBNAs and latency-associated membrane proteins. Transcription of the six EBNA genes, which are expressed in EBV-immortalized primary B cells, arises from one of two promoters, Cp and Wp, located near the left end of the viral genome. Wp is exclusively used to drive EBNA gene transcription during the initial stages of infection in primary B cells; induction of transcription from Cp follows. We previously have mapped an EBNA2-dependent enhancer upstream of Cp (M. Woisetschlaeger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:3942–3946, 1991) and, more recently, have demonstrated that deletion of this enhancer results in EBV-immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) that are heavily biased toward the use of Wp to drive transcription of the EBNA genes (L. Yoo et al., J. Virol. 71:9134–9142, 1997). To assess the immortalizing capacity of this mutant EBV and to monitor the early events after infection of primary B cells, B cells isolated from cottontop marmosets were used to generate LCLs immortalized with the Cp EBNA2 enhancer deletion mutant virus. As previously reported, all EBV-infected marmoset LCLs examined could be triggered to produce significant levels of virus. Infection of human B cells with wild-type or Cp EBNA2 enhancer mutant viruses recovered from marmoset B-cell lines demonstrated that (i) the Cp EBNA2 enhancer mutant virus immortalizes primary human B cells nearly as efficiently as wild-type virus and (ii) the Cp EBNA2-dependent enhancer plays an important role in the induction of Cp activity during the early stages of infection. The latter is consistent with the phenotype of LCLs immortalized with the Cp EBNA2 enhancer mutant EBV. Finally, using an established LCL in which EBNA2 function is regulated by β-estradiol, we showed that the loss of EBNA2 function results in an ∼4-fold decrease in the steady-state levels of Cp-initiated transcripts and a concomitant increase in the steady-state levels of Wp-initiated transcripts. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence that EBNA2 plays an important role in regulating Cp activity. These results also demonstrate that diminished induction of Cp activity does not appear to affect the ability of EBV to immortalize primary B cells in cultures. Finally, as shown here, infection of marmoset B cells with immortalization-competent mutants of EBV provides a convenient reservoir for the production of mutant viruses.
X-ray diffraction studies of cross-bridges weakly bound to actin in relaxed skinned fibers of rabbit psoas muscle.

X-ray diffraction patterns were obtained from skinned rabbit psoas muscle under relaxing and rigor conditions over a wide range of ionic strengths (50–170 mM) and temperatures (1 degree C-30 degrees C). For the first time, an intensification of the first actin-based layer line is observed in the relaxed muscle. The intensification, which increases with decreasing ionic strength at various temperatures, including 30 degrees C, parallels the formation of weakly attached cross-bridges in the relaxed muscle. However, the overall intensities of the actin-based layer lines are low. Furthermore, the level of diffuse scattering, presumably a measure of disorder among the cross-bridges, is little affected by changing ionic strength at a given temperature. The results suggest that the intensification of the first actin layer line is most likely due to the cross-bridges weakly bound to actin, and that the orientations of the weakly attached cross-bridges are hardly distinguishable from the detached cross-bridges. This suggests that the orientations of the weakly attached cross-bridges are not precisely defined with respect to the actin helix, i.e., nonstereospecific. Intensities of the myosin-based layer lines are only marginally affected by changing ionic strength, but markedly by temperature. The results could be explained if in a relaxed muscle the cross-bridges are distributed between a helically ordered and a disordered population with respect to myosin filament structure. Within the disordered population, some are weakly attached to actin and others are detached. The fraction of cross-bridges in the helically ordered assembly is primarily a function of temperature, while the distribution between the weakly attached and the detached within the disordered population is mainly affected by ionic strength. Some other notable features in the diffraction patterns include a approximately 1% decrease in the pitch of the myosin helix as the temperature is raised from 4 degrees C to 20 degrees C.
HIV-1 autoreactive antibodies: are they good or bad for HIV-1 prevention?

A new crystal structure of an anti–HIV-1 envelope antibody bound to an envelope–receptor complex shows the antibody binding both the HIV-1 envelope and the CD4 receptor, raising the question of what the role of antibody autoreactivity in host responses to HIV-1 may be.
Analysis of the effects of particle size and densification on NIR spectra

Abstract A novel method for quantifying the median particle size of a dry powder using standard normal variate (SNV) transformed, near infrared (NIR) spectra is presented in this manuscript. The findings are of particular interest since the SNV transformation is traditionally used to remove physical information such as particle size information. Eight sieve cuts of dibasic calcium phosphate were densified in a 100 ml graduated cylinder by tapping using a tap density tester. NIR absorbance spectra spanning 1101–2200 nm were collected from each sieve cut in the diffuse reflectance mode in situ between each set of taps. The relationship of the untreated log(1/ R ) spectra ( R is the reflectance), zeroed spectra and SNV transformed spectra to median particle size and logarithmically transformed number of taps was investigated using multiple linear regression (MLR) for 1100 wavelengths spanning 1101–2200 nm. Summations of normalized, SNV transformed absorbance intensities from 1473 to 1520 nm and 1914 to 1933 nm were also investigated by MLR. A quadratic model was developed to explain these summations as a function of the median particle size since the effect of densification was minimal.
The ring of quotients of R(S)

A ring of quotients of the semigroup ring R(S) is discussed where R has a σ-set Σ and S has a σ-set Δ. In particular, we study the cases where (1) R is an integral domain and S is a commutative cancellative semigroup, (2) R is a commutative ring and S is a semilattice and (3) R is a commutative ring and S is a Rees matrix semigroup over a semigroup.
Performance of advanced modulation formats in submarine transmission systems

Today's submarine carriers are seeing double and triple digit annual growth on installed submarine cable systems and are faced with the challenge of how to cost-effectively upgrade these systems. Many of the world's markets are showing up to 100% CAGR in internet traffic, and hence submarine cables are required to expand to multiples of their initial design capacities. Since the cost of installing new submarine cable systems is several hundred million dollars, the motivation for extending the life and capacity of these installed submarine cables is enormous. The use of the newer advanced modulation formats for upgrading submarine systems has shown the potential to meet these upgrade requirements.
Trust and outsourcing: do perceptions of trust influence the retention of outsourcing providers in the hospitality industry?

Abstract The global trend toward outsourcing necessitates unprecedented symbiosis between client-based organizations—purchasers of these services—and their multiple suppliers. Building on existing empirical work that suggests that the level of trust that exists between a purchaser and a supplier is fundamental in determining the strength of such a dyadic relationship, we examine how an organization's outsourcing efforts can be influenced by trust, and how perceptions of trust influence buyer retention of outsourcing providers. The resulting causal model suggests that communication, benevolence, and trust are vital to developing and maintaining productive, enduring relationships between purchasers and suppliers.
Wafer Probing Issues at Millimeter Wave Frequencies

With increased wafer probing activity at millimeter wave frequencies, and the maturing of wafer probing technology itself, new issues have arisen. Many of these issues involve phenomena which, although present at lower frequencies, do not cause significant perturbation at measured data below 40 GHz. At higher frequencies wafer probe systems begin to experience the effects of phenomena such as surface waves and sensitivity to the RF properties of the surface below the device under test. This paper presents measured data showing the presence of surface waves and how they interact with wafer probes and coplanar waveguide transmission lines. Methods for minimizing these interactions are explored and quantified. Finally, the impact of surface wave effects on wafer calibrations are addressed.
Voriconazole: a broad-spectrum triazole for the treatment of invasive fungal infections

Over the last 20 years, the frequency of life-threatening, invasive fungal infections has risen dramatically, corresponding to an increase in the number of immunocompromised patients. Thus, the development of newer, better tolerated, more effective antifungal drugs has become critically important. Voriconazole was the first second-generation triazole to be approved by the US FDA and the EMEA, both in 2002. Voriconazole is currently approved for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis, candidemia, candidal esophagitis and disseminated candidiasis in adults, and serious fungal infections due to Scedosporium apiospermum and Fusarium species. In addition to providing an alternative treatment option for Candida infections and many emerging and refractory invasive fungal infections, voriconazole is currently the treatment of choice for invasive aspergillosis. Voriconazole has excellent in vitro activity against a wide spectrum of yeasts and molds, with only a few notable exceptions. Although it has the potential for some unique and interesting side effects, as well as important drug-drug interactions, the use of therapeutic drug monitoring can be used to optimize its efficacy and safety.
Civilian colon trauma: factors that predict success by primary repair.

BACKGROUND: Primary repair has become the most common method of treatment for civilian injuries of the colon. However, colostomy may still be required in selected patients. AIMS: This study was undertaken to identify factors for the performance of colostomy in patients with colon injuries. METHODS: During a 60-month period, all penetrating injuries to the colon treated at Saint Louis University Hospital were evaluated. All patients underwent an operation within six hours of injury. Rectal injuries were excluded. RESULTS: One hundred thirty consecutive patients with injuries to the colon were identified. Primary repair was performed in 81 patients (62 percent). Fecal diversion was used in 49 patients (38 percent). No deaths occurred related to colon injury. Complications related to colon injury included wound infections in 22 patients (17 percent) and intra-abdominal complications in 16 patients (abscess, 14; fecal fistula, 1). Wound complications were most closely related to whether the skin was closed primarily or left open (22vs.8 percent). Intra-abdominal complications occurred in 7 percent of patients in whom the colon injury was closed primarily and in 20 percent of patients in whom a stoma was created (P>0.05). Patients chosen for colostomy had significantly greater blood loss, more associated injuries, and higher scores on the Abdominal Trauma Index (ATI) and Colon Injury Scale (CIS) and were more likely to have gross contamination (P<0.05). Stepwise regression analysis of 13 factors revealed that only gross contamination and ATI predicted the occurrence of intra-abdominal complications and that CIS most closely predicted either wound or intra-abdominal complications. Stratification of patients based on an ATI of ≥30 and a CIS of ≥4 revealed no difference in outcome between primary repair and colostomy in either the low-risk or high-risk groups. However, severity of injury was greater in patients treated with colostomy. CONCLUSIONS: Primary repair can be accomplished with low morbidity in the majority of civilians with penetrating injuries to the colon. Colostomy may be required in high-risk patients as defined by an ATI of ≥30 in association with a CIS of ≥4.
The Human Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter: Determination of Conformation and Identification of the Folate-Binding Pocket

Folate cofactors play crucial roles in hundreds of reactions in cells including DNA and protein synthesis. The human proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) is the only means of absorption of dietary folates in humans. PCFT expression and function is associated with many disorders including hereditary folate malabsorption, neural tube defects, Down syndrome, cancer, heart diseases, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Upregulation of PCFT expression in tumor cells is of significant consideration for development of PCFT-targeted chemotherapeutic agents. However, not much is known about the structure and function of PCFT, which contributes to the low clinical success rate of folate-based agents. To address this gap in the knowledge we performed extensive Cys-mutagenesis studies. We analyzed 40 residues towards the extracellular face of PCFT, 35 positions towards the cytoplasmic face of PCFT and 28 positions along the proposed folate-binding pocket of PCFT. Based on the accessibility studies of the extracellular face of PCFT we determined loop-helix boundaries of this face and identified the glycerol-3-phosphate transporter (PDB#1PW4) and tripeptide-proton symporter (PDB#4APS) as the best templates for modeling PCFT. Based on the accessibility studies of the cytoplasmic face of PCFT, we identified loop-helix boundaries of this face. Here, we also show that our accessibility studies support the hypothesis that PCFT is present predominantly in an inward-open conformation in the absence of substrate (pH 7.5 and no folic acid). We also show that the folate-binding pocket of PCFT is formed by residues present in PCFT transmembrane helices I, IV, V, X and XI. Our results are of high significance in understanding the details of folate-homeostasis mechanisms and in design of PCFT-targeted therapeutic and diagnostic agents.
Mesenteric pseudocyst of the sigmoid colon

A 31-year-old woman with right lower abdominal pain was hospitalized. Palpation revealed both tenderness and rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant of her abdomen. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) indicated a multilocular cystic mass on the right side of the pelvic area, and a computed tomography (CT) scan showed a low-density mass measuring 7 cm in diameter. Torsion of the pedicle of a right ovarian cyst was suspected, and emergency laparotomy was performed. At operation, however, the uterus and both ovaries appeared normal, and exploration revealed a yellow-reddish cystic mass, approximately 10 cm in size, in the subserosa of the sigmoid colon. The mass was excised together with a 10-cm segment of the sigmoid colon. Macroscopically, it was a multilocular cyst, measuring 10 × 10 cm in size, and it contained white gelatinous fluid. Histological examination showed the cyst wall to be composed of neutrophils, lymphocytes, fibrin, and fibroblasts, but neither a specific endothelial lining nor proliferating lining was detected. The final pathological diagnosis was a mesenteric pseudocyst. Mesenteric pseudocysts are rare, and only 14 cases have been reported previously in the Japanese literature. Emergency operation was performed in 3 patients, including our own. The etiology of these three pseudocysts (manifested by acute abdomen) was unknown. We suspect that inflammation spread and injured lymph vessels, causing lymph to leak out and pool under the subserosal layer.
A Broadly Applicable 3-D Neuron Tracing Method Based on Open-Curve Snake

This paper presents a broadly applicable algorithm and a comprehensive open-source software implementation for automated tracing of neuronal structures in 3-D microscopy images. The core 3-D neuron tracing algorithm is based on three-dimensional (3-D) open-curve active Contour (Snake). It is initiated from a set of automatically detected seed points. Its evolution is driven by a combination of deforming forces based on the Gradient Vector Flow (GVF), stretching forces based on estimation of the fiber orientations, and a set of control rules. In this tracing model, bifurcation points are detected implicitly as points where multiple snakes collide. A boundariness measure is employed to allow local radius estimation. A suite of pre-processing algorithms enable the system to accommodate diverse neuronal image datasets by reducing them to a common image format. The above algorithms form the basis for a comprehensive, scalable, and efficient software system developed for confocal or brightfield images. It provides multiple automated tracing modes. The user can optionally interact with the tracing system using multiple view visualization, and exercise full control to ensure a high quality reconstruction. We illustrate the utility of this tracing system by presenting results from a synthetic dataset, a brightfield dataset and two confocal datasets from the DIADEM challenge.
The role of non-adiabaticity and two-dimensional Fermi surfaces in the reconstruction of Mo(001) and W(001)

Abstract The driving mechanisms for the incommensurate reconstruction of Mo(001) and the commensurate reconstruction of W(001) are the subject of great debate, particularly concerning the role played by collective electronic phenomena. In this regard, the structure of the two-dimensional Fermi surfaces is the key physical parameter. We present here angle-resolved photoemission measurements of the two-dimensional Fermi surfaces of both Mo(001) and W(001). The Fermi surfaces obtained display significant nesting in the surface Brillouin zone, and strongly support a collective electronic origin to the reconstructions. The data is shown to be consistent with recent theoretical work and with measurements using He scattering of soft phonon modes on both surfaces. We also show that non-adiabatic effects should be large on these surfaces and discuss how this leads to structural instability.
Determination of Dynamic Coefficients in a Hydrodynamic Journal Bearing Based on the 3-D Navier-Stokes Equations and Considering Cavitation Effects

Dynamic coefficients are very important for the stability of a hydrodynamic journal bearing and therefore for its design. In order to determine the stiffness, damping and added mass coefficients of the hydrodynamic bearing, the finite perturbation method around its stabilization position was employed. Based on the Reynolds equation with Gumbel cavitation algorithm, the maximum magnitude of the perturbation was judged by comparing results from finite perturbation (numerical way) to those from infinitesimal perturbation (additional analytical equations need to be derived based on order analysis), as well as theoretical analysis. Using the determined perturbation amplitude, the full three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations in CFD-ACE+ were used to evaluate coefficients from an actual lubricant and compare to those obtained with Reynolds equation. Finally, a homogeneous gaseous cavitation algorithm is coupled with the Navier-Stokes equation to establish the pressure distribution in the bearing. When gas concentration was varied, the pressure distribution as well as the dynamic coefficients changed significantly.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
DSP-Based Fuzzy Neural Network PI/PD-Like Fuzzy Controller for Motion Controls and Drives

In this paper, an on-line trained fuzzy neural-network PI/PD controller is developed and implemented for speed trajectory tracking of a brushless drive system. The fuzzy neural network (FNN) structure is basically composed of two parallel fuzzy-neural PI/PD-like fuzzy controllers. Each of the fuzzy-neural PI/PD controllers is a four layer control network. Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is used to adaptively train each FNN parameters on-line. The on-line learning mechanism modifies the weights and the membership functions of the parallel FNN PI/PD-like fuzzy controllers to adaptively control the rotor speed of the drive system. Thus, the proposed architecture-based EKF presents an alternative to control schemes employed so far. The entire system is designed and implemented in the laboratory using a hardware setup. The real-time laboratory implementation is based on a dSPACE DS1104 DSP and MATLAB/Simulink environment. Experimental results have shown that the proposed controller adaptively and robustly responds to a wide range of operating conditions.
Discrete monotron oscillator

We theoretically and numerically investigate the operation and behavior of the discrete monotron oscillator, a novel high-power microwave source. The discrete monotron differs from conventional monotrons and transit time oscillators by shielding the electron beam from the monotron cavity's RF fields except at two distinct locations. This makes the discrete monotron act more like a klystron than a distributed traveling wave device. As a result, the oscillator has higher efficiency and can operate with higher beam powers than other single cavity oscillators and has more stable operation without requiring a seed input signal than mildly relativistic, intense-beam klystron oscillators.
Promotion criteria for clinician-educators

OBJECTIVE: Department of medicine chairs have a critical role in the promotion of clinician-educators. Our primary objective was to determine how chairs viewed: 1) the importance of specific areas of clinician-educator performance in promotion decisions; and 2) the importance and quality of information on available measures of performance. A secondary objective was to compare the views of department chairs with those of promotion and tenure committee chairs.
Increased Vascularization in Mice Overexpressing Angiopoietin-1

The angiopoietins and members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family are the only growth factors thought to be largely specific for vascular endothelial cells. Targeted gene inactivation studies in mice have shown that VEGF is necessary for the early stages of vascular development and that angiopoietin-1 is required for the later stages of vascular remodeling. Here it is shown that transgenic overexpression of angiopoietin-1 in the skin of mice produces larger, more numerous, and more highly branched vessels. These results raise the possibility that angiopoietins can be used, alone or in combination with VEGF, to promote therapeutic angiogenesis.
Membrane potential, action potential and activation potential of eggs of the sea urchin, Lytechinus variegatus

Abstract Unfertilized Lytechinus variegatus eggs in sea water in their normal physiological state have membrane potentials that approximate −70 to −80 mV. This conclusion is based on microelectrode measurements and on computation from the Na + and K + fluxes. The −8 to −15 mV values for the membrane potential previously reported and which are generally measured are the consequence of depolarization by impalement. The activation potential in inseminated eggs with an initial membrane potential more negative than −60 mV is a compound event involving sperm-induced as well as voltage dependent conductance changes. The sperm-induced mechanism is a two-phase conductance increase which involves both Na + and Ca 2+ during the first phase, and Na + alone during the second phase. In addition, the sperm-induced depolarization at the beginning of the first phase activates a voltage dependent Ca 2+ -conductance mechanism resulting in generation of an action potential.
Mixed complexes of copper(II) with O-azophenol and ethanolamine or ethylenediamine

Abstract The copper(II) ion is known to form a 1:1 complex with o-o′ dihydroxy azobenzene (abbrev. dye). This complex reacts with ethylenediamine (abbrev. en) or ethanolamine (abbrev. em) to form a 1:1 complex [Cu-dye-en] or [Cu-dye-em] respectively where the copper(II) ion seemingly has a co-ordination number of five. The solid [Cu-dye-em] complex on the other hand is a dimer with a magnetic moment of 1·2 B.M. Hydrogen bonding seems to contribute to dimer stabilization.
General and Exact Theory of Waves in Finite Elastic Strain

After the classical researches of Christoffel, Hugoniot, Hadamard, and Duhem on waves in elastic materials, it might seem that little remains to be learned. Such is not the case. As for most parts of mechanics, it has been necessary in the last decade to go over the matter again, not only so as to free the conceptual structure from lingering linearizing and to fix it more solidly in the common foundation of modern mechanics, but also so as to derive from it specific predictions satisfying modern needs for contact between theory and rationally conceived experiment. After reading the recent papers by Toupin & Bernstein [1961, 1] and by Hayes & Rivlin [1961, 2], I have seen that more can be learned than is there proved. In the present paper I follow Toupin & Bernstein’s approach to the general theory yet try to achieve the elegant and explicit directness of Ericksen’s earlier treatment of isotropic incompressible materials [1953]. At the same time, all the results of Hayes & Rivlin are obtained in shorter but more general form as immediate corollaries.
Compartmentation of α-tubulin in neurons: Identification of a somatodendritic-specific variant of α-tubulin

Abstract The composition of α-tubulin in axons was compared with that in cell bodies and dendrites in the rat. Pure axons and highly enriched preparations of cell bodies and dendrites were obtained from expiant cultures of sympathetic neurons, dissolved directly into sodium dodecyl sulfate, and analysed by isoelectric focusing gel electrophoresis. Immunoblots using two different monoclonal antibodies against α-tubulin and fluorographs of [ 35 S]methionine- and [ 3 H]tyrosine-labeled α-tubulin all show several variants common to both compartments, and an additional variant, more basic than the others, prominent in the somatodendritic compartment but absent from the axonal compartment. This variant, termed alpha s , partitions with both cytoskeletal and soluble tubulin pools, indicating that microtubules in the somatodendritic compartment differ from microtubules in the axonal compartment with respect to α-tubulin composition. Pulse-chase and immunoprecipitation analyses suggest that extensive post-translational modification of α-tubulin occurs in the neuron. Newly synthesized α-tubulin (10-min pulse-label) is relatively simple in profile, consisting of a major band with the mobility of alpha s , and a minor band slightly lower in isoelectric point. The profile is somewhat more complex after 5 h chase time, but is much more complex after 20 h. The generation of additional bands appears to be at the expense of the band co-migrating ith alpha s , suggesting that alpha s is the unmodified form of a primary translation product that undergoes extensive post-translational modification. The unmodified form of the primary translation product is restricted to the somatodendritic compartment, while many of its derivatives are present throughout the neuron.