cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The physiological origin of the slow afterwave in muscle action potentials.

Abstract Objective : Both intramuscularly-recorded motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) and surface recorded MUAPs and compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) have slow afterwaves which can contribute as much as half their measured duration. This study tested the hypothesis that the slow afterwave has its physiological origin in the negative afterpotential of the muscle fiber intracellular action potential (IAP). Methods : We investigated the slow afterwave in MUAPs and CMAPs from brachial biceps, tibialis anterior, first dorsal interosseous, thenar and hypothenar muscles in 15 normal subjects, and using computer simulations. Results : The slow afterwaves did not match the time constant of the amplifier's high-pass filter, and so were not filtering artifacts. They lasted long after propagation had terminated at the muscle/tendon junction, and so were not due to the temporal or spatial dispersion of propagating single-fiber potentials. Their amplitude and polarity varied with the recording site as predicted by computer simulations that modeled the IAP as having a negative afterpotential. They also changed with double-pulse stimulation and decreasing temperature in ways consistent with the results of intracellular studies of the IAP negative afterpotential. Conclusions : The presented results support our hypothesis that the slow afterwave is a manifestation of the IAP negative afterpotential.
Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV)-associated lymphomas are associated with markedly elevated serum IL-10, elevated IL-6, IL-17 and circulating KSHV

Background KSHV, also called human herpesvirsus-8 (HHV8), is the etiologic agent of primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) (including extracavitary variant), and large B-cell lymphoma arising in HHV8-associated multicentric Castleman disease (together, KSHV-associated non-Hodgkin lymphoma (KSHV-NHL). Additional KSHV-associated diseases include: Kaposi sarcoma (KS), a form of multicentric Castleman disease (KSHV-MCD), and a proposed KSHV-associated inflammatory cytokine syndrome (KICS). Like KSHV-MCD, inflammatory symptoms are common in KSHV-NHL. We compared an array of inflammatory and angiogenic cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and select clinical laboratory values between HIV-infected patients with KSHV-NHL and other lymphomas (HIV-lymphoma).
The Ex Vivo human placental transfer of the anti‐HIV nucleoside inhibitor abacavir and the protease inhibitor amprenavir

OBJECTIVE: The transfer of abacavir, a new nucleoside inhibitor, and amprenavir, a new protease inhibitor, used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus, has been studied in the ex vivo human placental model. METHODS: The ex vivo human placental model used C14 antipyrine to determine the transport fraction and clearance index of these compounds at both the peak and trough serum concentrations. The clearance index accumulation and tissue concentrations were determined for each drug by high pressure liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The clearance index of abacavir was 0.47 +/- 0.19 and 0.50 +/- 0.07 at peak and trough concentrations, respectively. The clearance index of amprenavir was 0.38 +/- 0.09 and 0.14 +/- 0.08 at peak and trough concentrations, respectively. There was no unusual accumulation of either drug in the media or tissue when the perfusion system was closed. CONCLUSION: Abacavir is the first nucleoside compound studied in the perfusion system with a high clearance index. The transfer of the protease inhibitor amprenavir had a clearance index 2.75 times greater than the clearance index of ritonavir at peak concentration determined in a previous study. At trough concentration the clearance index was much less than at the peak concentration. A similar result was found with ritonavir.
Evaluation of bone mineral density in children with hemophilia: Mansoura University children hospital (MUCH) experience, Mansoura, Egypt.

Abstract Background: Patients with hemophilia may be at risk for developing reduced bone mineral density (BMD) for a number of reasons such as recurrent hemoarthrosis and immobilization. Aim of the work: To assess the BMD in children with hemophilia and to correlate BMD with findings regarding the joint disease (hemophilic arthropathy). Patients and methods: Thirty hemophilic patients aged 4.97 ± 3.64 years and 30 control healthy individuals (without joint disease) aged 5.09 ± 3.64 years were selected from the hematology unit and outpatient clinic of MUCH respectively. Anthropometric measurements were carried out in all cases. Z-score was used for weight, height, and body mass index (BMI). Joint evaluation for hemophilic patients and controls was done using Colorado PE-0.5: Half point instrument before using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). DEXA scanning was performed in all hemophilic patients and controls focusing on L2–L4 vertebrae. Results: There was no significant difference between hemophili...
Reducibility of metals on fluid cracking catalyst

Abstract Temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and high-temperature oxygen titration have been applied to characterize Ni and V in fluid cracking catalysts (FCC) as a function of catalyst composition and the method of metals impregnation and deactivation. The influence of the type of matrix, the level of nickel and vanadium, antimony and oxidation/reduction cycles have been examined. TPR spectra of nickel on cracking catalysts are characterized by a low-temperature peak at 680 °C attributable to supported nickel oxide and a high-temperature peak in the range of 800 to 880 °C attributable to highly dispersed nickel species such as Ni hydroxysilicate and Ni surface spinel. Increasing the alumina content of the catalyst generally leads to a decrease in the intensity of the low-temperature peak and an increase in the reduction temperature of the high-temperature peak. TPR spectra of vanadium on cracking catalysts are characterized by a single peak in the range of 550 to 650 °C. Metals were introduced by pore volume impregnation followed by steaming in an inert or a cyclic oxidizing/reducing environment. Metals, especially vanadium, from pore volume impregnation are generally more easily reduced than metals in equilibrium catalyst. Steaming the metallated catalysts in a cyclic redox environment decreases the amount of reducible nickel and vanadium, increases the temperature required for the reduction of vandium, and decreases the dehydrogenation activity of the metals, especially vanadium. A survey of commercial equilibrium catalysts shows that the reducibility of metals, as measured by high-temperature oxygen titration can be correlated with the coke selectivity.
Study of the electronic local density of states using the cluster-Bethe-lattice method: Application to amorphous III-V semiconductors

The cluster-Bethe-lattice method is extended to study the Weaire-Thorpe $s{p}^{3}$ Hamiltonian. We derive a transformation which makes it possible to calculate the local density of states of a system described with a four-orbital Hamiltonian by using the local Green's function of a one-orbital Hamiltonian. We study the effects on the density of states of the presence of like-atom bonds in amorphous III-V semiconductors. We analyze two models: (a) like-atom bond in tetrahedral configuration, and (b) like-atom bond in triangular pyramidal configuration. Our results are in agreement with the experimental data.
On the equation of state of crystalline polyvinylidene fluoride

The crystalline state theory based on the cell model and discussed previously, is employed to describe the equation state of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF2). The recent experimental results on the compression ratios for PVF2 (phases I and II) up to 14×103 kg cm−2 are well represented by a Tait relation. The comparison of theory and experiment for phase II shows satisfactory agreement for the isobar at atmospheric pressure and the isotherm at room temperature up to about 5×103 kg cm−2. For phase I such an agreement is observed only up to about 3×103 kg cm−2. Above these values, the theory predicts too large a compression. An empirical adjustment of the scaling pressure would be required to achieve agreement over the entire pressure range. This is in contrast to the earlier success for crystalline polyethylene over a much wider range. The difference between the two polymers in respect to the theory may arise from the asymmetry in the repeat unit of PVF2. Finally we illustrate theoretical isotherms for low compressibility conditions and their excellent approximation by a Tait relation. The theory corresponds to highB-values for low compressibilities, whereas PVF2 in both phases is characterized not only by a low compressibility, but also by its comparatively high isothermal volume derivative, particularly in phase I.
Effects of Unsaturation and Curvature on the Transverse Distribution of Intramolecular Dynamics of Dipyrenyl Lipids

The roles of acyl chain unsaturation and curvature in the excimer formation efficiency (EFE) of site-specific conjugated pyrene molecules in lipid membranes have been investigated by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Six 1-2-(pyrenyl-n-acyl)-phosphatidylcholine (dipy(n)PC) probes, with pyrenyl chains of varying methylene units n from 4 to 14 carbons, were incorporated separately into dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) or dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) lipid membranes at 0.1 mol%. Both the excimer-to-monomer fluorescence intensity ratio and association-to-dissociation rate constant ratio of conjugated pyrenes were used to quantify EFE. At all temperatures (T = 0-30 degrees C) and for n = 4 and 6, the EFE for DOPE was always smaller than EFE for DOPC. At T 8, the EFE for curvature frustrated DOPE was significantly greater than EFE for nonfrustrated DOPC (control), and the difference increased gradually with n. At T> 18 degrees C (where DOPE is in the inverted hexagonal H(II) phase and DOPC is in the L alpha phase) and for n > 8, EFE for the curvature-relaxed DOPE was again smaller than the EFE for DOPC control. The contributions of splay conformation and internal dynamics of pyrenyl chains to EFE were examined separately using a lattice model. Our results suggest that i) the cis double bonds of the host lipid matrix strongly perturb both the conformation and dynamics of conjugated pyrenes at the specific location around n = 8, and ii) the lateral stress at the upper part (n < 8) of the curvature frustrated bilayer membranes (DOPE) may be significantly relaxed once the membrane surface adopts a favorable negative interfacial curvature.
Extrema in diffusion couple concentration profiles

Description de la methode theorique de prevision du nombre maximum d'extrema dans le profil de concentration des couples de diffusion a multicomposants. Cas particulier des systemes a diffusivite constante
Runway performance of normal and anosmic rats as a function of reward magnitude: A preliminary report

Two groups of normal rat Ss received 50 acquisition trials with large and small reward magnitudes, respectively. Two groups of anosmic Ss were trained under the same conditions. The results indicated that reward magnitude was positively related to performance in all measures for the normal Ss, but not for the anosmic Ss. The results are seen as: (1) supporting the traditional assumption of the effectiveness of reward magnitude, and (2) cautioning against the use of anosmic Ss as an odor control procedure until the full behavioral effects of anosmia are delineated.
Comparative susceptibility of a canine cell line and bluetongue virus susceptible cell lines to a bluetongue virus isolate pathogenic for dogs

Recently, bluetongue virus (BLU) serotype 11 was detected in diseased dogs that had been inoculated with live attenuated vaccine contaminated with this serotype of bluetongue virus (Akita et al., 1994). For various laboratory tests, BLU can be propagated in different cell cultures. No information was found in the literature about the possibility of propagating this virus in canine cells. To determine whether the BLU isolate from the contaminated canine vaccine (BLU-vac) is unique in its ability to replicate in canine cells, this virus was studied in parallel with U.S. prototype strains of BLU (serotypes 2, 10, 11, 13, and 17), in hamster lung (HmLu-1) and canine kidney (MDCK) cell cultures. In HmLu-1 cell cultures, the BLU-vac produced cytopathic effect (CPE) of the same type as the U.S. prototype BLU strains by 4 to 6 d postinoculation. In MDCK cell cultures, all of the BLU strains tested were able to replicate but did not produce CPE. The BLU-inoculated MDCK cells became persistently infected, and these cultures continued to produce infectious BLU even after six serial passages over 2 1/2 mo. In none of these cultures was CPE observed. In mixed cultures containing both HmLu-1 and MDCK cells, CPE first affected the HmLu-1 islands; subsequently, CPE spread also to the areas with MDCK cells. The silent persistent infection of the MDCK cells with BLU indicates that more stringent screening of the cells used in the production of live vaccines for various contaminating viruses is necessary.
Methods of scalp revision for deep brain stimulator hardware: case report.

OBJECTIVE The use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat a variety of disorders has expanded and will result in an increasingly larger number of patients and implanted electrodes. Hardware failure can result from malfunction, lead migration, fracture, and infection. Scalp erosion with exposure of underlying hardware can lead to potential infectious complications and is, in itself, a strong indication for explantation of the neurostimulation system. The patient's relief of symptoms after DBS will be limited by hardware-related complications and thus, strategies to revise scalp overlying hardware are important in the widespread application of DBS. CLINICAL PRESENTATION We describe strategies to address complications related to implanted DBS neurostimulator hardware specifically designed to address breach of the integrity of the scalp over the burr hole site. The aim of these approaches is to treat scalp erosion to allow for the reimplantation of previously explanted, infected hardware, or to treat thinned scalp with threatened erosion and prevent the need to remove exposed hardware that is otherwise functioning. INTERVENTION Two different approaches are presented: 1) a temporoparieto-occipital flap based on the superficial temporal artery with or without scalp expansion, and 2) a scalp fasciocutaneous flap with or without cranioplasty. CONCLUSION Stimulation of various deep brain targets helps patients with a wide range of diseases. In the future, with continued refinement, hardware complications can be minimized. Until then, novel approaches need to be developed to save DBS systems and provide symptomatic relief to patients.
The home–daycare link: mapping children’s new world order

Abstract The expansion of nonparental child care in the U.S. has led to increased scholarly attention to the home–daycare link. The home–daycare literature seeks to explore the patterns of relationships and paths of influence that define this dual ecology. The present review summarizes and comments on the central themes that define the home–daycare literature: (1) the influence of daycare on children’s home experience; (2) the influence of the home environment on children’s daycare experience; (3) reciprocal patterns of developmental influence; (4) the caregiver–parent relationship; (5) the role of child characteristics in cross-contextual adaptation; (6) the intercontextual continuity issue. The purpose of this review is to help organize existing knowledge on the home–daycare link as well as aid in outlining the future agenda for home–daycare ecology research.
Root cortical aerenchyma enhances the growth of maize on soils with suboptimal availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Root cortical aerenchyma (RCA) is induced by hypoxia, drought, and several nutrient deficiencies. Previous research showed that RCA formation reduces the respiration and nutrient content of root tissue. We used SimRoot, a functional-structural model, to provide quantitative support for the hypothesis that RCA formation is a useful adaptation to suboptimal availability of phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium by reducing the metabolic costs of soil exploration in maize (Zea mays). RCA increased the growth of simulated 40-d-old maize plants up to 55%, 54%, or 72% on low nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium soil, respectively, and reduced critical fertility levels by 13%, 12%, or 7%, respectively. The greater utility of RCA on low-potassium soils is associated with the fact that root growth in potassium-deficient plants was more carbon limited than in phosphorus- and nitrogen-deficient plants. In contrast to potassium-deficient plants, phosphorus- and nitrogen-deficient plants allocate more carbon to the root system as the deficiency develops. The utility of RCA also depended on other root phenes and environmental factors. On low-phosphorus soils (7.5 μm), the utility of RCA was 2.9 times greater in plants with increased lateral branching density than in plants with normal branching. On low-nitrate soils, the utility of RCA formation was 56% greater in coarser soils with high nitrate leaching. Large genetic variation in RCA formation and the utility of RCA for a range of stresses position RCA as an interesting crop-breeding target for enhanced soil resource acquisition.
Dose-response to acellular pertussis vaccine and comparison with whole cell pertussis vaccine at 15–24 months and 4–6 years of age

Abstract In a randomized double-blind trial 55 children of 15–24 months and 56 children of 4–6 years of age previously immunized with whole-cell DTP (WC-DTP) received acellular pertussis DTP vaccines containing 12.5 μg (AC-12.5) or 25 μg (AC-25) each of pertussis toxoid (PT) and filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA) per dose of WC-DTP. No differences in antibody responses or adverse events were noted for children who received AC-25 as compared with AC-12.5. All three groups had significant increases in pertussis agglutinins, but the geometric mean titre (GMT) for 4–6-year-old children who received WC-DTP was higher than the GMT for children who received acellular vaccine. No significant differences were noted in the GMT of antibodies to FHA or PT between children who received WC-DTP and recipients of acellular vaccine. The rates of several adverse reactions were significantly ( p ⩽ 0.05) higher for recipients of WC-DTP, and children given WC-DTP were significantly ( p ⩽ 0.0001) more likely to have received acetaminophen. These acellular vaccines are safe and as immunogenic for FHA and PT as WC-DTP when administered as the fourth or fifth dose to children who received three doses of WC-DTP in infancy. The lower (12.5 μg) dose of acellular vaccine was as effective as the higher (25 μg) dose in inducing antibodies to FHA and PT in children 15–24 months and 4–6 years of age.
A 12.5-bit 4 MHz 13.8 mW MASH $\Delta \Sigma$ Modulator With Multirated VCO-Based ADC

A novel MASH delta-sigma (ΔΣ) ADC architecture is introduced that has a multirated voltage controlled oscillator (VCO)-based ADC in its second stage. The architecture allows for low power and high speed operation and is insensitive to the VCO linearity. A prototype consists of a first-order switched-capacitor (SC) modulator operating at 100 MHz in the first stage followed by a second-stage VCO-based ADC operating at 1.2 GHz. A custom IC prototype of this architecture achieves 77.3 dB signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) over a 4 MHz signal bandwidth with a power consumption of 13.8 mW. It was fabricated in a 130 nm 1P8M CMOS process. The resulting FoM is 298 fJ per conversion.
Regularity and Hyperreal Credences

Many philosophers have become worried about the use of standard real numbers for the probability function that represents an agent's credences. They point out that real numbers can't capture the distinction between certain extremely unlikely events and genuinely impossible ones�they are both represented by credence 0, which violates a principle known as �regularity.� Following Skyrms 1980 and Lewis 1980, they recommend that we should instead use a much richer set of numbers, called the �hyperreals.� This essay argues that this popular view is the result of two mistakes. The first mistake, which this essay calls the �numerical fallacy,� is to assume that a distinction that isn't represented by different numbers isn't represented at all in a mathematical representation. In this case, the essay claims that although the real numbers do not make all relevant distinctions, the full mathematical structure of a probability function does. The second mistake is that the hyperreals make too many distinctions. They have a much more complex structure than credences in ordinary propositions can have, so they make distinctions that don't exist among credences. While they might be useful for generating certain mathematical models, they will not appear in a faithful mathematical representation of credences of ordinary propositions.
EFFECTS OF RN316 (PF-04950615), A HUMANIZED IGG2ΔA MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY BINDING PROPROTEIN CONVERTASE SUBTILISIN KEXIN TYPE 9, ON LIPOPROTEIN PARTICLES IN HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC SUBJECTS

RN316 binds to Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin type 9 (PCSK9), preventing PCSK9-mediated down-regulation of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (R), improving LDL cholesterol (C) clearance from serum, and reducing LDL-C levels. High concentrations of small LDL particles contribute to
Transcriptional Slippage During the Transcription Initiation Process at a Mutant lac Promoter in Vivo

A C.G to A.T transversion at position +10 of the lac promoter activates a nascent sigma 70-dependent promoter (the +10A promoter). The lac +10A promoter has two unusual properties; it programs a large family of transcripts with multiple 5' ends, and its sequence bears little resemblance to other sigma 70-dependent promoters. The 5' end of the +10A in vivo mRNA was determined to contain oligo(U) sequences of varying lengths suggesting that the true start site was at a run of three T.A base-pairs located 20 to 22 bp downstream of the lac wild-type promoter start site, and that the transcription initiation process involved a transcriptional slippage event (which resulted in multiple rU incorporation). Only mutations at or near the start site and those deletions that changed the location of the start site abolished this transcriptional slippage property of the transcription initiation process. This transcriptional slippage was also found to be promoter independent because changing the lac UV5 start site to a run of five T.A base-pairs (-1 to +4) resulted in similar transcriptional slippage. Saturated mutagenesis of the +10A promoter identified a potential -10-like region and indicated that sequences immediately upstream of the -10 region contributed to the promoter's activity. Decreasing the weak -35 region homology did not change promoter strength; however, introduction of the consensus -35 hexamer TTGACA increased expression tenfold. RNA polymerase bound to the +10A promoter partially protects a 20 base-pair sequence from DNase I digestion upstream of the start site. These results suggest that RNA polymerase interacts with the +10A promoter in a different manner from that for the majority of sigma 70 promoters.
Decision Making in Employment and Labor Arbitration

This experimental study examined the labor and employment arbitration decisions of four groups of arbitrators: (1) employment arbitrators who resolve disputes involving nonunion employees, (2) labor arbitrators who arbitrate cases in which an employee is represented by a union, (3) arbitrators in the National Academy of Arbitrators (NAA), and (4) students as a comparison of nonarbitrator decision makers with experienced arbitrators. A 2 ×2 ×4 factorial design was used, crossing arbitrator group with discipline standard and sex of the grievant. Results indicate that employment artibrators reinstate the grievant significantly less frequently than other arbitrators; however, the findings also reveal that all arbitrators make more favorable decisions under a just-cause standard than under the newer META standard of discipline.
Models for recognition of virally modified cells by immune thymus-derived lymphocytes

Virus-immune effector T cells generated in vivo are specific for both the virus used and theH-2 type of the infected mouse. Genes mapping at H-2K or H-2D apparently serve as self markers. The mechanism underlying this function is, however, not understood. This paper summarizes models that seem, at present, to be feasible explanations for this phenomenon, and considers possible implications of the hypothesis that self-recognition may be mediated by way of the same V gene subset that codes for alloreactivity.
Mutuality and Retirement Community Success: An Interactionist Perspective in Gerontological Research

An interactionist perspective is employed in the interviews of forty male residents of a retirement community. Research was directed toward assessing male residents' satisfaction with retired life in general, and, specifically, with life in a retirement community. Emphasis is placed upon the respondent's definition of his situation as a useful analytical approach. Residents were found not only to be satisfied with retired life but surprisingly free of feelings of disengagement, work orientation, and conservative world view. Four related hypotheses are offered both to partially explain the findings and to stimulate further research in this area. Satisfaction with life in a retirement community is tied to the mutuality of background, life style, and interests operating within the community.
Correlation between Religious Commitment and Students' Achievement

Studies dealing with religious activity of adolescents have produced many relationships between various characteristics of youth and their level of religious commitment (DeBord, 1969; Suommen, 1979) . Since many of these religious activities are sedentary and cognitive, a relationship between students' achievement and religious activity would seem probable. Strommen (1979) found four activities to be the most ~ o w e r f u l ~rediccors of varying degrees of religious commiunent: being involved in congregational and personal religious activities, praying for people needing God's help, seeking God's help in deciding right and wrong behavior, and having a strong interest in help provided by the congregation. These activities are listed in order of increasing religious commitment. Chi-squared was computed between Strommen's four indicators of religious commiunent and self-reported grade point averages (achievement). Twenty-seven females and seventeen males, ranging in age from 13 to 1 8 yr. ( M = 15.5, SD = 2.7), served as subjects. Self-reported G.P.A. and scores on religious commitment were obtained through a questionnaire mailed to randomly selected Assembly of God churches in northern Illinois. A commitment score was obtained by assigning a numerical value to each of the indicators. When a subject met the criterion for that indicator. the value was added to his score. The final sum was his commitment score. Assigned values were: Involvement = 1, Praying = 2, Seeking God's guidance = 3, and Interest in congregational help = 4. The criterion for involvement was attending church service or youth group half the time and participating i n personal prayer three times a week. The criterion of praying for others was praying for others at least four times a week. Seeking God's guidance was participated in if the subject looked to God for answers in personal behavioral issues at least 70% of the time. The criterion for congregational help was attending special religious meetings or classes 60% of the time they were available and seeking out help to grow spiritually. The commitment scores ranged from 0 to 10 (M = 6.3, SD = 3.2); Mdn was 7. The GPA ranged from 2.0 to 4.0 ( M = 3.17, SD = .52) and a median of 3.2. The two measures were dichotomized around their medians. Using a 2 X 2 contingency cable, the relationship between GPA and religious commitment was significant ( X 2 = 9.09, p < .01). A two-tailed t test indicated no significant relation between sex and commitment (tdn = .01). Of several possible explanations, one concerns an underlying, factor, such as formal motivation, which may influence both variables. Thcse results suggest that further research should explore these possibilities.
Conformational heterogeneity of MHC class II induced upon binding to different peptides is a key regulator in antigen presentation and epitope selection

T cells bearing αβ receptors recognize antigenic peptides bound to class I and class II glycoproteins encoded in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Cytotoxic and helper T cells respond respectively to peptide antigens derived from endogenous sources presented by MHC class I, and exogenous sources presented by MHC II, on antigen presenting cells. Differences in the MHC class I and class II structures and their maturation pathways have evolved to optimize antigen presentation to their respective T cells. A main focus of our laboratory is on efforts to understand molecular events in processing of antigen for presentation by MHC class II. The different stages of MHC class II—interactions with molecular chaperons involved in folding and traffic from the ER through the antigen-loading compartments, peptide exchange, and transport to the cell surface have been investigated. Through intense research on biophysical and biochemical properties of MHC class II molecules, we have learned that the conformational heterogeneity of MHC class II induced upon binding to different peptides is a key regulator in antigen presentation and epitope selection, and a determinant of the ability of MHC class II to participate in peptide association or dissociation and interaction with the peptide editor HLA-DM.
Numerical prediction of multicellular melt flow during natural convection-dominated melting

Numerical solutions to the convection-dominated melting in a rectangular cavity are presented, with particular attention to the multicellular flows in the melt. The process of phase change is modeled by the source-based method, where the absorption and evolution of the latent heat is treated as a source term of the enthalpy equation on the basis of a single-domain (or fixed-grid) concept. The porous medium model is introduced for the simulation of melt convection with the fixed-grid approach. At the earlier stage of the melting, the melt region is quite similar to cavities with high aspect ratio, where the multicellular natural convection appears. The formation and evolution of the multiple flow cells and the heat transfer during phase change are numerically investigated. Also, numerical aspects for the prediction of the detailed flow structure in the melt are discussed
Novel adatom-terminated step structure on the Ge(111)-(1×1):Br surface

Abstract This Letter reports the observation of a novel 2× adatom step reconstruction along the 〈11 2 〉 steps of the bulk-terminated Ge(111)-(1×1):Br surface. The Ge adatoms found along these steps are bonded to pairs of Ge step-edge atoms, in addition to rest-atoms on the lower terrace. The step structure is highly strained and produces substantial buckling in the adjacent upper terrace. Despite this strain energy, the observed structure is favored over the 〈11 2 〉 bulk terminated step structure. Similar results were reported earlier for the Si(111)-(1×1):Br surface where bulk terminated 〈11 2 〉 steps were also found to be energetically unfavorable. These combined observations suggest that there may be a fundamental instability of bulk-terminated 〈11 2 〉 steps on the (111) surfaces of non-compound diamond lattice semiconductors.
On the modal behavior of a three-dimensional functionally graded cantilever beam: Poisson’s ratio and material sampling effects

Abstract Modal behavior of a three-dimensional (3D) homogeneous and functionally graded (FG) cantilever beam is studied using the Rayleigh–Ritz (RR) method and the finite element method (FEM). The effect of Poisson’s ratio and material sampling point on the natural frequencies is further addressed using the FEM. The natural frequencies (first three) obtained using the RR method converge as the number of admissible shape functions increase. The natural frequencies (first 15) obtained using the FEM vary considerably with the material gradation, more so for the lower modes than for the higher modes. Poisson’s ratio significantly changes the torsional natural frequencies of the homogeneous and graded beams. Considerable change in the natural frequencies is seen for the linear graded beams whose material properties are sampled at the element centroid rather than at Gaussian integration points. This difference is easily observed for beams modeled using a coarse mesh rather than a fine mesh. The natural frequencies of the y direction hyperbolic tangent beam with material nonhomogeneity parameter β = 100 matches well with those of the y direction bi-material beam. The natural frequencies of the power-law graded 3D cantilever beam obtained using the FEM matches closely with the 2D reference (Qian and Ching, 2004 [1] ) solution obtained using the meshless local Petrov–Galerkin method.
Molokai Fracture Zone: Continuation West of the Hawaiian Ridge

The Molokai Fracture Zone is one of the principal east-west (striking) fracture zones between California and the mid-Pacific. On the basis of bathymetry alone, it has been assumed that the zone ended abruptly east of the Hawaiian Islands. Use of correlation techniques between bathymetric features and their magnetic anomalies in the vicinity of the islands now show that structural elements of the zone cross the islands and continue westward for at least 130 kilometers. Recent volcanism and deep rift zones of the islands parallel the zone, suggesting structural correlation between the strike of the zone and the origin of recent volcanism in the islands.
Laser-based electro-optic testing of multichip module structures

Laser-based electro-optic probing is a proven noninvasive technique for testing high-speed microwave circuits on substrates such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) and indium phosphide (InP). We have extended this technique to probe circuit structures on doped and poled polyimide substrates that are useful in high-density packaging applications such as multichip modules (MCMs). Our results demonstrate the potential to improve the testability of MCMs by probing circuit structures that are buried in the central layers of an MCM. In addition to direct, point-by-point electric field measurements in representative MCM structures, we have investigated the poled polyimide dielectric efficacy both as a dielectric circuit layer and as a suitable electro-optic material.
The Impact of the Raising A Reader Program on Family Literacy Practices and Receptive Vocabulary of Children in Pre-Kindergarten

This research explored the effectiveness of the Raising A Reader (RAR) program on improving children’s receptive vocabulary and improving parents’ support of reading activities in the home. A total of 148 children in twelve pre-K classrooms were involved in this research study. In addition, parent surveys were conducted to determine if RAR improved parents’ support of reading activities in the home. Receptive vocabulary was assessed using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. The RAR is an evidence-based program that is designed to encourage parents to read to their children. High quality books were provided to pre-kindergarten classrooms and books were distributed to children weekly for 12 weeks. The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of RAR on: family reading behavior, family visits to the library, and receptive vocabulary of participating children. Findings show significant improvements in reading routines, quality of visits to the library, and significant gains in receptive vocabulary.
Effect of Heating On the Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Ratios of Bone Collagen

Abstract The effects of heat on the stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios of collagen in bone were studied. Boiling or roasting did not change the δ13C and δ13N values by more than 1‰. More extreme heating, such as might occur if bones were burned or a body cremated, shifted δ13C and δ15N values by as much as 5 and 4‰ respectively. These large shifts were accompanied by changes in the atomic carbon-to-nitrogen ratios of the collagen. These results indicate that collagen samples extracted from prehistoric bones which display anomalous atomic carbon-to-nitrogen ratios may have been subjected to heating extreme enough to have altered their 13 C 12 C and/or 15 N 14 N ratios and therefore should not be used for dietary reconstruction.
Response to Johannsen, Rump, and Linder’s Penetrating a wall of introspection: a critical attrition analysis

In Penetrating a Wall of Introspection: A Critical Attrition Analysis, Johannsen, Rump, and Linder strive to give a voice to those whose thoughts might otherwise be unheard: students representing the casualties in the conflict surrounding the practices of STEM education, specifically those in the field of physics. Beyond giving those students a voice, they try to filter out and amplify a message that the seven individuals themselves may not have recognized: that the cause of their struggles in their physics programs might not be something innate (causa materialis in the authors’ framework), but might be found outside the individuals (causa efficiens in the authors’ framework). In our response, we attempt to extend the conversation regarding the issues these authors have raised by (1) considering the conditions within the physics community that might exacerbate this situation and (2) exploring from a different perspective the nature of the discourses that will either perpetuate or ameliorate such circumstances. In so doing we seek to provide a more holistic description of the features of the educational system that help to construct the wall of introspection and that might, in turn, be redressed in order to help tear it down—and positively impact attrition rates.
Are We Treating Professionalism Professionally? Medical School Behavior as Predictors of Future Outcomes

Background: Seminal papers on medical professionalism demonstrate a link between medical school behavior and future disciplinary action by medical boards. Other groups have studied whether negative comments on a student's Dean's letter predict problems as residents. Various groups have tried to provide concrete examples of professionalism, including a number of offenses of questionable demerit, such as taking food from a talk that one ultimately does not attend, or criticizing the internal medicine residency curriculum for being overly focused on inpatient medicine at the exclusion of outpatient medicine. Summary: The seminal studies linking professionalism to future board disciplinary action are reviewed here. Overwhelmingly, the studies demonstrate weak associations with little predictive power. Thus, professionalism scores are much more likely to wrongfully cast doubt on ultimately un-censured physicians than they are to identify problem ones. Additionally, the body of literature identifying concrete e...
An improved rewriting-number algorithm

We discuss several improvements to an algorithm for computing the rewriting number of a group. Our improvements speed up the computation by a couple of orders of magnitude. With the faster algorithm, we have shown that the rewriting number of the symmetric groupS5 is 8.
Advocating "spine damage control" as a safe and effective treatment modality for unstable thoracolumbar fractures in polytrauma patients: a hypothesis

Background The "ideal" timing and modality of fracture fixation for unstable thoracolumbar spine fractures in multiply injured patients remains controversial. The concept of "damage control orthopedics" (DCO), which has evolved globally in the past decade, provides a safe guidance for temporary external fixation of long bone or pelvic fractures in multisystem trauma. In contrast, "damage control" concepts for unstable spine injuries have not been widely implemented, and the scarce literature in the field remains largely anecdotal. The current practice standards are reflected by two distinct positions, either (1) immediate "early total care" or (2) delayed spine fixation after recovery from associated injuries. Both concepts have inherent risks which may contribute to adverse outcome.
An experimental study of floc strength

Photographic observation of the disintegration of individual flocs upon interaction with a turbulent jet has been used to quantify the binding force of kaolin-polymer and kaolin-Fe+III aggregates. The data suggest that the strength per unit mass decreases with increasing floc size, thereby supporting the multiple-level model for aggregation.
Greenhouse Experimental Methods Towards in-situ Burial and Restoration of Contaminated Sites in Submerged Wetlands

As a result of commercial and industrial activit ies conducted in the absence of environmental regulations and enforcement in the past, sediments contaminated by organic compounds, heavy metals, and other potentially to xic chemicals have accu mulated in many of the world's deepwater and wet land environ ments. These sediment-borne contaminants can eventually become incorporated into aquatic food webs and adversely affect ecological receptors like benthic organisms and fish, and u ltimately pose a risk to hu man health. This laboratory research tested a commercial product AquaBlok TM (patented, composite-aggregate technology comprised of a solid core, an outer layer of clay material, and polymers) as an in-situ capping technology that could be used to remediate and/or manage contaminated sediments in the New Jersey Hackensack Meadowlands, a superfund site. In a greenhouse setting, tubs containing representative Meadowland marsh soil and water were capped with AquaBlok. This research not only examined the potential use of this product as an in-situ capping material and possible substrate for flora co lonization, but also examined the imp rovements of the same patented, clay mineral-based composite aggregate technology (SubmerSeed TM ) as an alternative to tradit ional means of wetland p lant propagation. At the end of a two-year period, both the sediment/cap and vegetation plant tissues were examined for metallic contaminants (including Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, and Zn). Overall, capping provided a less contaminated substrate. Results indicated that AquaBlok cap alone did not allow contaminants in the sediment belo w to breakthrough. Nevertheless, vegetation colonization was restricted to a limited number of plant species. Furthermore, plants growing in AquaBlok were less robust with lower dry weight and s maller root system than plants growing in uncapped sediments despite the fact that their tissue contained smaller amounts of metallic contaminants. The improvements of the clay mineral-based composite aggregate technology (Sub merSeeds) as an alternative to trad itional means of plant propagation worked very well in successfully delivering aquatic plant seeds into permanently inundated conditions.
On the Optimality of the MAP Estimation Loop for Carrier Phase Tracking BPSK and QPSK Signals

Starting with MAP estimation theory as a basis for optimally estimating carrier phase of BPSK and QPSK modulations, it is shown in this paper that the closed loop phase trackers, which are motivated by this approach, are indeed closed loop optimum in the minimum mean-square phase tracking jitter sense. The corresponding squaring loss performance of these so-called MAP estimation loops is compared with that of more practical implementations wherein the hyperbolic tangent nonlinearity is approximated by simpler functions.
Rapid prototyping of micropatterned substrates using conventional laser printers

We demonstrated rapid prototyping of templates for replica molding using a conventional laser printer. A polymer, polydimethylsiloxane, was cast directly on the transparency templates to make the replicas. The templates and replicas were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, profilometry, and optical microscopy. Four patterns, including an Electronic Industries Association resolution test pattern, were printed on transparencies at 600 dots per inch on a HP LaserJet 4M printer (Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, CA). Optimal precision and clarity occurred between intensity settings of 50–100. Mean pattern height/depth ranged from 8–13 μm, and width was as small as a few tenths of a millimeter. Mean surface roughness of the template patterns ranged from 1 to 4 μm on the top surface and from 5 to 10 nm on the bare transparency surface. This method provides access to microfabricated patterns for the broader research community without the need for sophisticated micromachining facilities.
Identification of lipids and lipid-binding proteins in phloem exudates from Arabidopsis thaliana

The phloem plays a crucial role in assimilate and nutrient transport, pathogen response, and plant growth and development. Yet, few species have yielded pure phloem exudate and, if proteins need to be analysed, those species may not have sequenced genomes, making identification difficult. The enrichment of Arabidopsis thaliana phloem exudate in amounts large enough to allow for metabolite and protein analysis is described. Using this method, it was possible to identify 65 proteins present in the Arabidopsis phloem exudate. The majority of these proteins could be grouped by response to pathogens, stress, or hormones, carbon metabolism, protein interaction, modification, and turnover, and transcription factors. It was also possible to detect 11 proteins that play a role in lipid/fatty acid metabolism (aspartic protease, putative 3-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, UDP-sulphoquinovose synthase/SQD1, lipase, PIG-P-like protein: phosphatidylinositol-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase), storage (glycine-rich protein), binding (annexin, lipid-associated family protein, GRP17/oleosin), and/or signalling (annexin, putative lipase, PIG-P-like protein). Along with putative lipid-binding proteins, several lipids and fatty acids could be identified. Only a few examples exist of lipids (jasmonic acid, oxylipins) or lipid-binding proteins (DIR1, acyl-CoA-binding protein) in the phloem. Finding hydrophobic compounds in an aqueous environment is not without precedence in biological systems: human blood contains a variety of lipids, many of which play a significant role in human health. In blood, lipids are transported while bound to proteins. The present findings of lipids and lipid-binding proteins in phloem exudates suggest that a similar long-distance lipid signalling exists in plants and may play an important role in plant growth and development.
Enlarged cells for the conformal FDTD method to avoid the time step reduction

Recently, the conformal finite-difference time-domain (CFDTD) method has emerged as an efficient FDTD method with a higher order accuracy than the conventional FDTD methods that are degraded by staircasing errors. The only obvious point to further improve on the CFDTD method is its requirement for a smaller time step increment due to the existence of small irregular cells near the boundary. In this letter, an enlarged cell technique is introduced to ensure the stability of the CFDTD method without the time step reduction. The introduction of the enlarged cells therefore makes the CFDTD method much more efficient and suffers from a smaller dispersion error, as shown in several two-dimensional examples.
Saddlepoint Approximation for the Distribution of the Modified Signed Root of Likelihood Ratio Statistics Near the Mean

Barndorff-Nielsen introduced a variable U in the adjusted saddlepoint approximation Φ(R) + φ(R)(R −1 − U −1) to reduce the order of error in the standard normal approximation to the distribution of the log-likelihood ratio statistic R. DiCiccio and Martin (1993) proposed a modification, which avoids the practical difficulties of finding an exact or approximate ancillary A in calculating Barndorff-Nielsen's variable U. We repair the numerical difficulties in applying their modification, when the ordinate at which the approximation is evaluated is near the conditional mean of the approximated distribution. Some special cases and examples are discussed.