cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distributions of copepod nauplii and turbulence on the southern flank of Georges Bank: implications for feeding by larval cod (Gadus morhua)

Abstract The vertical distributions of copecod nauplii and water properties were sampled at well-mixed and stratified sites on Georges Bank using a pumping system, CTD and in vivo fluorometer during a four day period in late May 1992. At each stratified station at least one sample was taken within the thermocline and the fluorescence maximum, which usually co-occurred. Well-mixed sites had low average concentrations of nauplii, ca 41 −1 , and showed little variation of abundance with depth. Stratified sites had from 4 to 16 times the integrated (0–50 m) abundance of nauplii compared to well-mixed sites and showed strong vertical patterns of distribution. Maximum concentrations of nauplii, up to 1601 −1 , were associated with the thermocline at 7 of the 9 stratified stations. At the two remaining stratified sites the naupliar maximum was in the upper mixed layer, sampled at 5 m depth. The encounter rate between early feeding cod ( Gadus morhua ) larvae and their naupliar prey was calculated with and without turbulence. Turbulence was estimated from two sources: wind stress in the upper layer (calculated from wind observations during our cruise) and tidal shear in the lower layer (estimated initially from a tidal mixing equation). We ultimately replaced the lower layer estimates with turbulence data from a series of measurements made in 1995. The latter are more robust and had the advantage of providing dissipation rates for the pycnocline as well as the lower layer. Theory predicts an increase in encounters between a predator and its prey with the addition of turbulence parameters into standard models of encounter. We combined turbulence profiles with the vertical distribution of nauplii to examine the potential contribution of turbulent kinetic energy to predator-prey encounter rates at various depths in stratified and mixed water columns. Our calculations suggest the following increases due to turbulence at stratified sites on Georges Bank during our cruise: from 34 to 219% in the upper mixed layer, depending on wind speed and depth; approximately 8% in the pycnocline; and approximately 110% below the pycnocline. Mixed sites experience increases of at least 110% (tide only), but greater increases (118–192% in this study) occur when the wind blows because of the combined (spatially overlapped) effects of wind and tidal mixing at these sites. The absolute values for encounter rates and their modification by turbulence are sensitive to a number of assumptions in the models. We used a series of stated assumptions to generate estimates that range from 0.6 to 26.5 prey h −1 , depending on geographical location, physical forcing and depth.
International low carbon technology transfer: Do intellectual property regimes matter?

Abstract Transfer of low carbon technologies to developing countries has been recognized as important in global efforts to limit climate change. Yet the mechanics of international technology transfer, especially around intellectual property rights, have remained a controversial issue in international negotiations. Using a new dataset on international partnerships in China and India in three key low carbon technologies—solar photovoltaics, electric vehicles, and coal gasification/integrated gasification combined cycle—and complementary expert interviews we study the dynamics of the transfer of intellectual property and the underlying drivers that guide the development of business strategies and partnerships in the context of transitioning intellectual property regimes in emerging markets. We find that weak intellectual property regimes are indeed a hindrance to the diffusion of certain classes of low carbon technologies: (i) for cutting-edge technologies, (ii) for fully-embodied (explicitly codified) technologies, and (iii) for small firms. However, we also find that intellectual property issues do not represent a barrier to the diffusion of the relatively mature and low to medium cost low carbon technologies that are materially (at scale) most important for carbon dioxide emissions reduction in the short to medium term. Competitive technology supply, shifting market dynamics, and increasingly vigorous domestic innovation coupled with mechanisms and opportunities to structure credible intellectual property deals allow for the diffusion of key low carbon technologies to occur within the context of existing business, political, and institutional structures.
A Study of Rural Church Health Promotion Environments: Leaders’ and Members’ Perspectives

This study examined the beliefs of church leaders about health and associations between these beliefs and the church health promotion environment (CHPE). Perceptions of the CHPE by leaders and members of the same churches were also compared. Interviews were conducted with pastors (n = 40) and members (n = 96) of rural churches. They were Baptist (60%), and 57.5% were predominantly White, while 42.5% were Black. Leaders’ beliefs regarding talking about health topics in sermons were associated with the presence of health messages in the church. There was also a significant association between leaders’ beliefs about members’ receptivity to health messages and the presence of messages in the church. Leaders’ and members’ perceptions of the CHPE were discordant. While some leaders’ beliefs may be related to the CHPE, other factors may explain why programs and policies exist in some churches and not others.
The development of effector and memory T cells in cutaneous leishmaniasis: the implications for vaccine development

Leishmania major infections induce the development of a CD4(+) T-helper 1 (Th1) response that not only controls the primary infection but also results in life-long immunity to reinfection. How that immunity is maintained is unknown, although because of the existence of infection-induced immunity, there has been an assumption that the development of a vaccine against leishmaniasis would be relatively easy. This has turned out not to be the case. One problem has been the finding that a large part of the immunity induced by a primary infection depends upon the presence of persistent parasites. Nevertheless, there are ample situations where immunologic memory persists without the continued presence of antigen, providing the prospect that a non-live vaccine for leishmaniasis can be developed. To do so will require an understanding of the events involved in the development of an effective protective T-cell response and, more importantly, an understanding of how to maintain that response. Here, we review work from our laboratory, describing how Th1 cells develop in L. major-infected mice, the nature of the memory T cells that provide protection to reinfection, and how that information may be utilized in the development of vaccines.
Insect biological control accelerates leaf litter decomposition and alters short-term nutrient dynamics in a Tamarix-invaded riparian ecosystem

Insect herbivory can strongly influence ecosystem nutrient dynamics, yet the indirect effects of herbivore-altered litter quality on subsequent decomposition remain poorly understood. The northern tamarisk beetle Diorhabda carinulata was released across several western states as a biological control agent to reduce the extent of the invasive tree Tamarix spp. in highly-valued riparian ecosystems; however, very little is currently known about the effects of this biocontrol effort on ecosystem nutrient cycling. In this study, we examined alterations to nutrient dynamics resulting from beetle herbivory in a Tamarix-invaded riparian ecosystem in the Great Basin Desert in northern Nevada, USA, by measuring changes in litter quality and decomposition, as well as changes in litter quantity. Generally, herbivory resulted in improved leaf litter chemical quality, including significantly increased nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations and decreased carbon (C) to nitrogen (C:N), C:P, N:P, and lignin:N ratios. Beetle-affected litter decomposed 23% faster than control litter, and released 16% more N and 60% more P during six months of decomposition, as compared to control litter. Both litter types showed a net release of N and P during decomposition. In addition, herbivory resulted in significant increases in annual rates of total aboveground litter and leaf litter production of 82% and 71%, respectively, under the Tamarix canopy. Our finding that increased rates of N and P release linked with an increased rate of mass loss during decomposition resulting from herbivore-induced increases in litter quality provides new support to the nutrient acceleration hypothesis. Moreover, results of this study demonstrate that the introduction of the northern tamarisk beetle as biological control to a Tamarix-invaded riparian ecosystem has lead to short-term stimulation of nutrient cycling. Alterations to nutrient dynamics could have implications for future plant community composition, and thus the potential for restoration of Tamarix-invaded ecosystems.
IT SECURITY IN BIOMEDICAL IMAGING INFORMATICS: THE HIDDEN VULNERABILITY

The convergence of biomedical instruments and computing platforms has resulted in medical imaging equipment being subjected to the threats of malicious software (Malware) which have traditionally plagued the computing industry. Vulnerabilities increase several-fold with implementations of Clinical Information Systems like the Picture Archival & Communication Systems (PACS), where computer-based biomedical equipment work hand in glove with computer servers. With the increasing complexity of modern Malware, proactive monitoring and reviews of known vulnerabilities are no longer sufficient. An institute faced with an IT security attack on their medical networks will still experience extended downtime, performance degradation and increased service costs, even if equipped with an adequate security system and recovery plans. Biomedical equipment vendors usually need more time than computing vendors to validate the security updates required for vulnerabilities before they can recommend changes for installation to their systems. This includes all system changes, patches, updates, and enhancements. However, the interval between the launch of a new Malware attack and the availability of a solution from the vendor can result in the medical network being compromised and rendered totally crippled. In view of such new challenges, it is crucial to redesign your medical network and operating procedures to ensure continuous operation with minimum performance degradation even under a Malware attack until the biomedical equipment vendor can provide the software updates to resolve security vulnerabilities. Such strategic implementation is not only necessary to ensure integrity and confidentiality of patient's data but also to protect the healthcare institute's reputation and business continuity.
Laboratory measurements of the vertical structure of rip currents

[1] This paper describes the three-dimensional variation of rip currents through the use of experimental measurements of rip currents in a directional wave basin. The rip currents are unstable, appearing sporadically at any given location. The vertical profile of the rip current is found to vary from depth-uniform inside the channel to depth-varying further offshore. Offshore from the channel the rip current has much stronger velocities at the surface than near the bottom. The instantaneous profiles twist rapidly over depth farther offshore and are fairly uniform in the channel. The depth variations are shown to be sensitive to the total volume flux in the rip.
Mixotrophic cultivation of a Chlorella sorokiniana strain for enhanced biomass and lipid production

Abstract Because some algae can be grown photoautotrophically, heterotrophically, and/or mixotrophically, they show promise for lipid production as biofuel feedstock with different conditions. In this study, we analyzed microalga Chlorella sorokiniana for biomass and lipid production under three culture modes. The best growth performance was obtained under mixotrophic conditions compared with photoautotrophic and heterotrophic conditions. With the addition of 4 g L −1 glucose, the specific growth rate (3.40 d −1 ) and maximum biomass dry weight (DW, 3.55 g L −1 ) in the mixotrophic culture were 1.8- and 2.4-fold of those in the heterotrophic culture, and 5.4- and 5.2-fold of those under the photoautotrophic culture. Most significantly, the biomass yield based on consumed glucose reached values of up to 0.82 g g −1 , which was only 0.34 g g −1 in the corresponding heterotrophic condition. Moreover, the lipid content in mixotrophic algae also substantially increased. At a light intensity of 50 μmol m −2 s −1 , a lipid content of 45% was achieved compared to only 13% in the heterotrophic culture. The PSII inhibitor 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) had little effect on the maximum DW and lipid content in the heterotrophic culture, but caused a significant decline in the mixotrophic culture. Mixotrophic cultures supplied with air grew as well as cultures supplied with 1% CO 2 . Mixotrophy also changed the temperature profiles for growth, increasing the optimum from 25 °C to 37 °C. These results indicate that C. sorokiniana may be an ideal candidate for mixotrophic cultivation that offers great potential in the production of renewable biomass for bioenergy applications.
Municipal Health Benefits: A First Step toward a Useful Knowledge Base:

The rising cost of health care benefits is posing a serious threat to municipal budgets. Despite the seriousness of this challenge, public administration has paid little attention to the subject of municipal health care benefits. This article seeks to remedy this situation by presenting findings from a comprehensive national survey. The findings address the types of health care plans in use, the types of benefits available, the costs of benefits, satisfaction levels, and complaints. We hope that these findings will serve as a first step toward the development of a new knowledge base that can help to guide future decisions.
Localized recruitment of a chromatin-remodeling activity by an activator in vivo drives transcriptional elongation

To understand the role of chromatin-remodeling activities in transcription, it is necessary to understand how they interact with transcriptional activators in vivo to regulate the different steps of transcription. Human heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) stimulates both transcriptional initiation and elongation. We replaced mouse HSF1 in fibroblasts with wild-type and mutant human HSF1 constructs and characterized regulation of an endogenous mouse hsp70 gene. A mutation that diminished transcriptional initiation led to twofold reductions in hsp70 mRNA induction and recruitment of a SWI/SNF remodeling complex. In contrast, a mutation that diminished transcriptional elongation abolished induction of full-length mRNA, SWI/SNF recruitment, and chromatin remodeling, but minimally impaired initiation from the hsp70 promoter. Another remodeling factor, SNF2h, is constitutively present at the promoter irrespective of the genotype of HSF1. These data suggest that localized recruitment of SWI/SNF drives a specialized remodeling reaction necessary for the production of full-length hsp70 mRNA.
Motion based object tracking in MPEG-2 stream for perceptual region discriminating rate transcoding

Object based bit allocation can result in significant improvement in the perceptual quality of relatively low bit-rate video. In this paper we describe a novel content aware video transcoding technique that can accept high-level description of video objects and extract them from incoming video stream and use it for perceptual encoding based extreme video downscaling.
Synthesis of α-iodo-α,β-unsaturated ketones by the reaction of α-silyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones with ICl or IClAlCl3

Treatment of α-silyl-α,β-unsaturated enones, readily preparable as regio- and stereodefined compounds in high yields, with either 2 equiv. of ICl or one equiv. each of ICl and AlCl3 provides the corresponding α-iodo-α,β-unsaturated enones in high yields.
A unified approach to prostanoid and corticosteroid synthons

Abstract Synthons for 11-deoxyprostanoids and 11-ketosteroids are available via intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions between oxygenated dienes and attached butenolides.
Standards-ethics and the safety of computer systems

The issue of responsibility for computer failures in critical systems is addressed, taking medical information systems as an example. Three basic modes of ethical analysis are defined and used to analyze the ethical questions raised for such systems. The first, called normative ethics, seeks to develop and justify rules for right conduct. The second, called the ethics of virtue, asks what kind of person does the right thing; thus, it concerns questions of character. The third mode, called social ethics, recognizes that values and choices are not only expressed in individual actions, but are embodied effectively in social structures, and asks what structures are needed to support values such as justice and respect for human life and dignity. >
Permutationally Invariant Polynomial Basis for Molecular Energy Surface Fitting via Monomial Symmetrization

We describe a procedure to develop a fitting basis for molecular potential energy surfaces (PESs) that is invariant with respect to permutation of like atoms. The method is based on a straightforward symmetrization of a primitive monomial basis and illustrated for several classes of molecules. A numerically efficient method to evaluate the resulting expression for the PES is also described. The fitting basis is used to obtain a new PES for H3O(+) based on roughly 62 000 ab initio energies.
8. A specimen-exchange device for an ultra-high vacuum atom-probe field-ion microscope

Abstract A specimen-exchange device is described for an ultra-high vacuum field-ion microscope (FIM). This device completely eliminates the long pump-down period that is required if the FIM chamber is brought back to atmospheric pressure. The pressure in an air-lock is reduced to 10 − 6 torr before the exchange takes place and the pressure in the FIM chamber remains below 10 − 7 torr during the exchange and it drops to less than 3 × 10 − 9 torr within 15 min after the exchange.
Stability of trions in strongly spin-polarized two-dimensional electron gases

Low-temperature magnetophotoluminescence studies of negatively charged excitons (X{sub s}{sup -} trions) are reported for n-type modulation-doped ZnSe/Zn(Cd,Mn)Se quantum wells over a wide range of Fermi energy and spin splitting. The magnetic composition is chosen such that these magnetic two-dimensional electron gases are highly spin polarized even at low magnetic fields, throughout the entire range of electron densities studied (5x10{sup 10} to 6.5x10{sup 11} cm-2). This spin polarization has a pronounced effect on the formation and energy of X{sub s}{sup -}, with the striking result that the trion ionization energy (the energy separating X{sub s}{sup -} from the neutral exciton) follows the temperature- and magnetic field-tunable Fermi energy. The large Zeeman energy destabilizes X{sub s}{sup -} at the {nu}=1 quantum limit, beyond which a separate photoluminescence peak appears and persists to 60 T, suggesting the formation of spin-triplet charged excitons. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
Optical Characteristics of Nanoparticle Sintering and Coalescence for Electronics Fabrication

Low temperature sintering of metal nanoparticle (NP) inks is a promising technique in realizing large area and flexible electronics. Previous research efforts on laser patterning of nanoparticle-laden materials in micro-fabrication as well as potential applications in nano-fabrication have sparked great interest in understanding the fundamental phenomena involved in nanoscale phase change and coalescence transformation. Molecular dynamics simulation has been applied to study nanoparticle sintering behavior. Optical methods including in-situ pump and probe technique and spectroscopic ellipsometry have been employed to study the characteristics of nanoparticle sintering and coalescence including coalescence time, temperature history and percolation transition, etc.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Long-term central 5-HT depletions resulting from repeated administration of MDMA enhances the effects of single administration of MDMA on schedule-controlled behavior of rats.

Abstract The behavioral effect of single administration of ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) on rats performing on the differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate 72-second schedule (DRL 72 sec) was compared before and after a period of repeated administration of MDMA known to deplete 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels in the brain. Single administration of MDMA decreased reinforcement rate (1, 2, 4, 6 mg/kg) and increased response rate (4,6 mg/kg) of rats performing on the DRL 72-sec schedule. This effect is typical of amphetamines and other psychomotor stimulants. Four weeks after repeated administration of MDMA (6 mg/kg twice daily for 4 days) there was an increase in sensitivity to the effect of single administration of MDMA. Doses of 2, 4 and 6 mg/kg of MDMA resulted in increases in response rate that were significantly greater after repeated MDMA administration than before. Doses of 0.5, 2, and 6 mg/kg of MDMA resulted in decreases of reinforcement rate that were significantly greater after repeated MDMA administration than before. Repeated administration of MDMA resulted in long-term depletion of serotonin levels by 30–50% in the amygdala, neostriatum, hippocampus and the frontal cortex. Norepinephrine and dopamine (DA) levels were not significantly different from control in any of the brain regions analyzed. The behavioral and neurochemical results suggest that serotonergic neurons normally exert an inhibitory action upon the psychomotor stimulant effects of MDMA. Since the psychomotor stimulant effects of amphetamines appear to be mediated primarily by the dopamine system, these results provide evidence that 5-HT and DA may represent opposing systems in the DRL schedule-controlled behavior.
Generalized Elitzur's Theorem and Dimensional Reductions

We extend Elitzur's theorem to systems with symmetries intermediate between global and local. In general, our theorem formalizes the idea of dimensional reduction. We apply the results of this generalization to many systems that are of current interest. These include liquid crystalline phases of quantum Hall systems, orbital systems, geometrically frustrated spin lattices, Bose metals, and models of superconducting arrays.
Legislation Impacting Audiology and the Provision of Audiological Services: A Review of Legislation Across the United States

Purpose The purpose of this review was to investigate the legislation about the provision of audiology services. Specifically, the goal of the review was to investigate the similarities and differe...
The treatment of maple syrup urine disease.

Summary The early management of 3 infants with maple syrup urine disease is described with particular reference to variations in daily requirements for branched-chain amino acids. The use of a new dry base mix consisting of a dextrimaltose-corn oil-mineral mix, an iron-vitamin mix, and an amino acid mix as a formula base has facilitated earlier home management of these patients.
A Diels–Alder approach to biaryls (DAB): synthesis of the western portion of TMC-95

Abstract The rapid synthesis of the western biaryl portion of TMC-95 is disclosed via the use of a Diels–Alder reaction with o -nitrostyrene derivative and 1-silyloxy diene with excellent regiochemical control. Subsequent sequential substitutions of a p -iodo-phenol derivative followed by an o -bromo-nitrobenzene intermediate are employed to incorporate the western carbon framework of TMC-95.
A Female Sterile Factor in the Two-Spotted Spider Mite, Tetranychus urticae,

The sex-linked mutant deep orange of Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen) results in sterile homozygous females (Merrell 1947). This female sterile mutant has been found to exhibit a synthetic lethal or semilethal effect in combination with other nonallelic mutants (Lucchesi 1968). In the arrhenotokous parasitic wasp ( Monnoniella )= Nasonia vitripennis (Walker), several mutant stocks can be carried only as female heterozygotes as the female homozygotes are lethal or sterile (Saul et al. 1965). This report is on an apparent female lethal/sterile mutant in the arrhenotokous two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch.
Demand for Zn2+ in acid-secreting gastric mucosa and its requirement for intracellular Ca2+.

Background and Aims Recent work has suggested that Zn2+ plays a critical role in regulating acidity within the secretory compartments of isolated gastric glands. Here, we investigate the content, distribution and demand for Zn2+ in gastric mucosa under baseline conditions and its regulation during secretory stimulation.
Moody’s ratings and regionalization: State government general obligation bonds

For the period 1930, 1931, 1937–1987, the Scheffe’s test provides evidence of regionalization in Moody’s ratings of state government general obligation bonds. Sub-period analysis indicates a reduction in the extent of regionalization over time. Findings suggest this may be due to a change in the criteria used in rating such bonds. However, further study is necessary on this topic. The results also suggest that further study is necessary on the question of why two political-economic variables show no regionalization and the meaning of this finding to bond ratings.
The development of the trigeminal (V) motor nucleus in normal and tubocurare treated chick embryos.

The generation of cells and the naturally occurring neuronal death was studied in the trigeminal motor neuron pool in normal and tubocurare treated chick embryos between the 5th and 18th days of incubation. 3H-thymidine autoradiography revealed that the generation time extends from the 2nd to the 5th day of incubation, wherein about 50% of trigeminal motoneurons are born on the 3rd day. Maximum neuron number was found on the 7th day of incubation which steadily decreased to about 50% of the originally generated neurons by the 13th day. Nuclear pyknosis occurred from the 6th to the 13th day of incubation with a peak of neuron loss on the 7th day. Tubocurare, administered daily from the 5th day of incubation rescued most of the generated motoneurons which would otherwise have died. Cell nuclear area measurements in the motoneuron pool of the tubocurare treated animals showed a marked hypertrophy accompanying the increased neuronal survival.
Hypermethylation of E-cadherin is an independent predictor of improved survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND. The loss of E-cadherin (ECAD) protein expression has been linked to aggressive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Promoter hypermethylation of the cadherin 1, type 1 (CDH1) gene (encoding ECAD) is 1 mechanism by which this protein can be inactivated, although this epigenetic alteration of the gene has not been linked conclusively to poorer patient outcome and, in fact, may be associated with better patient prognosis. METHODS. The authors investigated the prevalence of CDH1 promoter hypermethylation in a population-based case series of 340 primary HNSCC tumors using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. They also studied the association between CDH1 hypermethylation and patient demographic characteristics using multivariate analysis and examined the impact of CDH1 hypermethylation on patient survival using both univariate and multivariate methods. RESULTS. Hypermethylation of CDH1 was significantly more prevalent (P < .03) among individuals with a low smoking history independent of whether they were seropositive for human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16). Patients who had tumors with CDH1 hypermethylation had significantly better overall survival compared with patients who had tumors without hypermethylation (P < .02; log-rank test). This effect was independent of HPV-16 status and demonstrated a significant hazard ratio of 0.5 (95% confidence interval, 0.3-0.9) in a model that controlled for HPV-16 serology, age, sex, and tumor stage. CONCLUSIONS. The current results suggested that hypermethylation of CDH1 occurs more commonly in patients with HNSCC who are low smokers, suggesting that an additional factor may be driving this epigenetic alteration. Clinically, CDH1 hypermethylation may hold powerful prognostic potential in addition to that observed with HPV serology, and the authors concluded that it should be pursued in additional studies. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Status and issues in the development of a gamma-ray laser (Invited Paper)

Recent advances in theoretical and experimental research concerned with the feasibility of the gamma-ray laser are reviewed. The discussion covers the principal concepts, pump calibration, giant pumping resonances, and the development of a laser model. A quantitative model based on new data and concepts demonstrates the feasibility of the gamma-ray laser.
Sequence of centromere separation: a mechanism for orderly separation of dicentrics.

Abstract Stable dicentric chromosomes from three mouse cell lines (viz., SEWA Rec4, brain tumor, and L-cells), as well as a human t(9;11) line were analyzed for the sequence in which the two centromeres separate. At prometaphase, as well as in many cells at midmetaphase, the dicentrics express the two centromeres in the form of two primary constrictions. As the cell advances to late metaphase, one of the constrictions loosens the two chromatids so that eventually there is no connection between them. The other centromere stays intact during this period and separates into two units at the metaanaphase junction along with the rest of the genome. The centromere that separates prematurely (out-of-phase) usually is the same in a given dicentric. It is proposed that such a prematurely separating centromere does not function as active element during chromatid migration. Apparently, in dicentrics some sort of control is exerted to eliminate the functioning of one centromere. The nature of such control is not understood at this time. The mouse dicentrics “synthesize” only one kinetochore as definable by antikinetochore antibody studies.
Summary Proceedings From the Apnea-of-Prematurity Group

Apnea of prematurity (AOP) is found in >50% of premature infants and is almost universal in infants who are 20 seconds or for >10 seconds if associated with bradycardia or oxygen desaturation), but there is no consensus about the duration of apnea, the degree of change in oxygen saturation, or severity of bradycardia that should be considered pathologic. Although caregivers are able to respond successfully to apnea events with drugs (as well as physical and mechanical interventions) in the NICU, it remains unproven whether such interventions have any long-term effects. One of the most effective drugs, caffeine citrate, is currently labeled for short-term use only and within a limited gestational-age population. Clinicians often use off-label drugs that have been approved for gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is common in premature infants, with the belief that such treatments also have an impact on AOP, although this link has never been demonstrated. Key treatment issues include (1) lack of standardization for definition, diagnosis, and treatment of AOP, (2) unproven benefit of intervention, (3) lack of real-time data documenting AOP events, (4) unevaluated sustained treatment improvement at 7 days or later, (5) failure to address confounding conditions, (6) unsubstantiated AOP-gastroesophageal reflux disease relationship, and (7) undetermined role of AOP affecting long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. In addressing study-design issues, the pulmonary group identified (1) key questions about neonatal apnea, (2) methodologic requirements for study, (3) appropriate outcome measures, and (4) ethical considerations for future studies. This article describes a sample framework for the study of apnea in neonates and identifies future research needs. Plenary-session discussion points are also listed.
Sounding Rocket Boost-Phase Gust Angle of Attack

This paper derives approximate angle-of-attack statistics suitable for boost-phase structural loading estimates on unguided, fin-stabilized sounding rockets. Sounding rockets are assumed to lift off with a large constant vertical acceleration.Theirrigid-bodyrotationsaremodeledasundampedshort-period motionswithoutanyvelocityvector rotation;the onlysource ofpitch/yawtorquesisviaaerodynamic staticstability. Theverticalacceleration causesthe dynamic pressure to increase rapidly, leading to time-varying coefficients in the short-period equations and, therefore, gust responses that require nonstationary analyses. Transforming the independent variable from time to altitude enables calculation of a simple lateral velocity sinusoidal gust impulse response function. Next, the total response for a single instantiation is found by superposition of all its gust impulses. Then, convolution to find the variance in transverse velocity is found based on the Dryden gust autocorrelations. A closed-form result for the standard deviation in boost-phase gust angle of attack is obtained and compared with both its high-altitude asymptote and the classical sharp-edged (step function) gust response. At altitudes above about two pitch wavelengths, the asymptote provides an accurate result, whereas the classical sharp-edged gust model significantly underestimates the gust response, except for regions very near the ground.
Genomic Organization and Molecular Characterization of Clostridium difficile Bacteriophage ΦCD119

In this study, we have isolated a temperate phage (ΦCD119) from a pathogenic Clostridium difficile strain and sequenced and annotated its genome. This virus has an icosahedral capsid and a contractile tail covered by a sheath and contains a double-stranded DNA genome. It belongs to the Myoviridae family of the tailed phages and the order Caudovirales. The genome was circularly permuted, with no physical ends detected by sequencing or restriction enzyme digestion analysis, and lacked a cos site. The DNA sequence of this phage consists of 53,325 bp, which carries 79 putative open reading frames (ORFs). A function could be assigned to 23 putative gene products, based upon bioinformatic analyses. The ΦCD119 genome is organized in a modular format, which includes modules for lysogeny, DNA replication, DNA packaging, structural proteins, and host cell lysis. The ΦCD119 attachment site attP lies in a noncoding region close to the putative integrase (int) gene. We have identified the phage integration site on the C. difficile chromosome (attB) located in a noncoding region just upstream of gene gltP, which encodes a carrier protein for glutamate and aspartate. This genetic analysis represents the first complete DNA sequence and annotation of a C. difficile phage.
Recent Polish Historiography of the Period of the Partitions

The two-hundredth anniversary of the First Partition of Poland is an appropriate time to review the recent Polish historiography of the Partitions of 1772, 1793, and 1795, which at first glance appear to have been treated as stepchildren. Since the founding of the Polish People's Republic twenty-nine years ago, not a single Polish monographic study has been devoted exclusively to the Partitions. Moreover, both the classic, authoritative study, The Second Partition of Poland: A Study in Diplomatic History, by Robert H. Lord, and the recent major monograph, The First Partition of Poland, by Herbert H. Kaplan, published in 1962, were written by foreigners.
Determination of trichloroacetate when incorporated in an N.P.K. fertiliser.

A partition chromatographic method is described for the determination of about 0.5% of trichloroacetate incorporated in an N.P.K. fertiliser. The free acid together with its main contaminant, dichloroacetic acid, is extracted from the fertiliser, chromatographed and the individual acids titrated with sodium methoxide. Although developed for the separation of di- and tri-chloroacetic acids, the method will separate acetic, mono-, di- and tri-chloroacetic acids in the presence of each other. Once the chromatographic column has been prepared and standardised, a complete analysis can be carried out in about 6 h. Over 50 separations have been made with one column. Experiments indicate a recovery of 97% ± 2%.
Biodistribution and in vivo toxicity of aptamer-loaded gold nanostars

This paper reports an in vivo evaluation of toxicology and biodistribution of a highly anisotropic Au nanoconstruct composed of a gold nanostar (AuNS) core and a ligand shell of a G-quadruplex DNA aptamer AS1411 (Apt) supporting both targeting and therapy capabilities. We examined the toxicity of the nanoconstructs (Apt-AuNS) at four different injected concentrations. At the highest dose tested (48 mg/kg), maximal tolerated dose was not reached. Clinical pathology showed no apparent signs of acute toxicity. Interestingly, the nanoconstructs circulated longer in female rats compared to male rats. In two different tumor models, the biodistribution of Apt-AuNS, especially tumor accumulation, was different. Accumulation of Apt-AuNS was 5 times higher in invasive breast cancer tumors compared to fibrosarcoma tumors. These results provide insight on identifying a tumor model and nanoconstruct for in vivo studies, especially when an in vitro therapeutic response is observed in multiple cancer cell lines. From the clinical editor: This study investigated the toxicity and distribution of aptamer loaded gold nanostars in a rodent model of invasive breast cancer and fibrosarcoma. Acute toxicity was not identified even in the highest studied doses. Fivefold accumulation was demonstrated in the breast cancer model compared to the fibrosarcoma model. Studies like this are critically important in further clarifying the potential therapeutic use of these nanoconstructs, especially when ex vivo effects are clearly demonstrated.
Identification of a spontaneously active, Na+-permeable channel in guinea pig gallbladder smooth muscle

potential in gallbladder smooth muscle (GBSM) is caused by Ca 2 entry through voltage-dependent Ca 2 channels (VDCC), which contributes to the GBSM contractions. Action potential generation in GBSM is critically dependent on the resting membrane potential (about 50 mV), which is 35 mV more positive of the K equilibrium potential. We hypothesized that a tonic, depolarizing conductance is present in GBSM and contributes to the regulation of the resting membrane potential and action potential frequency. GBSM cells were isolated from guinea pig gallbladders, and the whole cell patch-camp technique was used to record membrane currents. After eliminating the contribution of VDCC and K channels, we identified a novel spontaneously active cation conductance (Icat) in GBSM. This Icat was mediated predominantly by influx of Na .N a substitution with N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG), a large relatively impermeant cation, caused a negative shift in the reversal potential of the ramp current and reduced the amplitude of the inward current at 50 mV by 65%. Membrane potential recordings with intracellular microelectrodes or in current-clamp mode of the patch-clamp technique indicated that the inhibition of Icat conductance by NMDG is associated with membrane hyperpolarization and inhibition of action potentials. Extracellular Ca 2 ,M g 2 , and Gd 3 attenuated the Icat in GBSM. Muscarinic stimulation did not activate the Icat. Our results indicate that, in GBSM, an Na-permeable channel contributes to the maintenance of the resting membrane potential and action potential generation and therefore plays a critical role in the regulation of GBSM excitability and contractility. nonselective cation channel; motility
Visualization of pronuclei in living bovine zygotes.

Bovine embryos were surgically collected from the oviducts of superovulated crossbred heifers 48 h postonset of estrus. The one-celled ova were treated with 4’-6’-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and observed under ultraviolet light by fluorescence microscopy. Both male and female pronuclei were visualized, identified and subjected to micromanipulation.
Mapping of key functions of the herpes simplex virus 1 U(S)3 protein kinase: the U(S)3 protein can form functional heteromultimeric structures derived from overlapping truncated polypeptides.

Earlier studies have shown that the herpes simplex virus (HSV) US3 encodes two transcriptional units directing the synthesis of the US3 (residues 1 to 481) and US3.5 (residues 77 to 481) protein kinases. Both kinases phosphorylate histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and HDAC2 and enable the expression of genes cotransduced into U2OS cells by recombinant baculoviruses, an activity designated the “helper function.” The two kinases differ with respect to antiapoptotic activity. In the studies reported here, we made a series of FLAG-tagged amino- and carboxyl-terminal truncations of US3 and these were tested for antiapoptotic activity, phosphorylation of HDAC1, and the helper function. We report the following. (i) HDAC1 phosphorylation and the helper function were expressed in cells transduced by the truncation encoding residues 182 to 481 but not in cells transduced by the truncation encoding residues 189 to 481 or the amino-terminal polypeptides encompassing the first 188 amino acids. (ii) The self-posttranslational modification requires residues 164 to 481. (iii) The antiapoptotic activity requires both the amino-terminal and the carboxyl-terminal domains, of which the truncated protein containing residues 1 to 163 and that containing residues 164 to 481, respectively, were the smallest fragments tested to be effective. The two domains need not be on the same molecule, but they must overlap. The smallest overlapping pair tested was the fragment containing residues 1 to 181 and that containing residues 164 to 481. Consistent with the hypothesis that the effective overlapping truncations form a heteromultimeric structure, antibody to FLAG coprecipitated untagged US3 from lysates of cells cotransduced with FLAG-tagged, truncated US3 constructs. Although US3 has been reported to be a monomeric enzyme, the results indicate that it can form enzymatically active multimeric structures.
Cokeromyces recurvatus isolated from pleural and peritoneal fluid: case report.

The zygomycetous mold Cokeromyces recurvatus was isolated from the pleural and peritoneal fluids of a 64-year-old man with a history of peptic ulcer disease and alcohol abuse. The patient presented to the hospital with severe abdominal pain and a ruptured duodenal ulcer. This is one of the few times that C.recurvatus has been isolated from a human source, and the organism may have contributed to the death of this patient.
Elementary functional correlates of the transcephalic DC circuit.

A brief general theory is proposed linking the transcephalic DC potential, which is recorded on the midline surface of the head over the frontal and occipital emissary veins, with a certain functional organization of the brain. From this it is proposed that interoceptive or protopathic afferents—carotid sinus, carotid body, vestibular, and visceral—should produce a positive frontal deflection, while exteroceptive or epicritic afferents—tactile, auditory, proprioceptive, gustatory, visual, and olfactory—should produce a negative frontal DC shift. It is proposed that hunger promotes a negative frontal base line, satiety a positive one, and anxiety increases the base-line variance of a group. A relationship is proposed between frontal negativity and body metabolic peaks. It is proposed that a noxious exteroceptive stimulus produces a positive frontal shift, despite its cortical projection. The hypotheses were tested using normal adult male Ss and good agreement between results and predictions was found.
Control of mRNA decapping by positive and negative regulatory elements in the Dcp2 C-terminal domain

Decapping commits an mRNA to complete degradation and promotes general 5' to 3' decay, nonsense-mediated decay (NMD), and transcript-specific degradation. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a single decapping enzyme composed of a regulatory subunit (Dcp1) and a catalytic subunit (Dcp2) targets thousands of distinct substrate mRNAs. However, the mechanisms controlling this enzyme's in vivo activity and substrate specificity remain elusive. Here, using a genetic approach, we show that the large C-terminal domain of Dcp2 includes a set of conserved negative and positive regulatory elements. A single negative element inhibits enzymatic activity and controls the downstream functions of several positive elements. The positive elements recruit the specific decapping activators Edc3, Pat1, and Upf1 to form distinct decapping complexes and control the enzyme's substrate specificity and final activation. Our results reveal unforeseen regulatory mechanisms that control decapping enzyme activity and function in vivo, and define roles for several decapping activators in the regulation of mRNA decapping.
Some recent progress in the theory of magnetism for non-migratory models

The present paper is concerned entirely with models in which the magnetic electrons do not migrate from atom to atom. Part I reviews the progress made since 1950 by various workers in calculating the Curie point for the Heisenberg model and the behavior of the susceptibility above it. The calculations have been greatly improved in recent years by including more terms in the series method, and in extending both this method and that of Bethe-Peierls-Weiss to higher values of the spins. Furthermore, the B-P-W theory has been applied to ferrimagnetism, and especially to antiferrimagnetism where it gives both the Neel point and the corresponding maximum value of the susceptibility. The so-called constant coupling approximation of Kasteleijn and Van Kranendonk is a relatively simple method which gives surprisingly good results for three-dimensional lattices. Part II reviews recent developments in the calculation of the magnetization at very low temperatures by the method of spin waves. Part III is concerned with ferromagnetic anisotropy. Here it is necessary to generalize the Heisenberg model by including spin-orbit interaction, since otherwise no anisotropy results. A general proof is given that with quadrupole type coupling, the cubic anisotropy constant K1 should vary as the tenth power of the magnetization a low temperatures. In ferrites a " one-atom " model of the anisotropy can be used, but in ferromagnetic materials where the spins of the individual atoms are 3/2 or less it, is necessary to include coupling between atoms to obtain appreciable anisotropy. The temperature variation of the magnetic anisotropy of nickel is still a mystery. On the other hand, crystalline field theory furnishes an explanation of the unusually large anisotropy of dilute cobalt ferrites.
Segmentation conditional random fields (SCRFs): a new approach for protein fold recognition

Protein fold recognition is an important step towards understanding protein three-dimensional structures and their functions. A conditional graphical model, i.e. segmentation conditional random fields (SCRFs), is proposed to solve the problem. In contrast to traditional graphical models such as hidden markov model (HMM), SCRFs follow a discriminative approach. It has the flexibility to include overlapping or long-range interaction features over the whole sequence, as well as global optimally solutions for the parameters. On the other hand, the segmentation setting in SCRFs makes its graphical structures intuitively similar to the protein 3-D structures and more importantly, provides a framework to model the long-range interactions directly. Our model is applied to predict the parallel β-helix fold, an important fold in bacterial infection of plants and binding of antigens. The cross-family validation shows that SCRFs not only can score all known β-helices higher than non β-helices in Protein Data Bank, but also demonstrate more success in locating each rung in the known β-helix proteins than BetaWrap, a state-of-the-art algorithm for predicting β-helix fold, and HMMER, a general motif detection algorithm based on HMM. Applying our prediction model to Uniprot database, we hypothesize previously unknown β-helices.