cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conducting polymers as active materials in electrochemical capacitors

Abstract Electronically conducting polymer represent an interesting clas of materials for use in electrochemical capacitors thanks to the combination of high capacitive energy density and low materials cost. Three generalized typed of electrochemical capacitors can be constructed using conducting polymers as active material, and in the third of these, which utilized conducting polymers that can be both n- and p-doped, energy densities of up to 39 Wh per kg of active material on both electrodes have been demonstrated. This energy density is obtained using poly-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-thiophene (PEPT) in an electrolyte of 1 M tetramethylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMATFMS) in acetonitrile. This unique system exhibits reversible n- and p-doping to high charge density in relatively thich films of the active polymer and a cell voltage exceeding 3 V in the fully charged state. Impedance data for both n- and p-doped PFPT suggest that high power densities can be obtained in electrochemical capacitors based on this active conducting polymer.
Foliar application of urea to almond and olive: Leaf retention and kinetics of uptake

Abstract Regression equations relating volume of urea solutions retained on leaves initially and leaf area were developed to assess urea deposition nondestructively and facilitate measurement of urea uptake by leaves of olive (Olea europaea L.) and almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb], Foliar uptake of urea was slower in olive than it was in almond, but uptake in both species was proportional to the concentration of the urea applied. Foliar uptake of urea was not influenced by previous applications. No phytotoxicity was apparent in almond and olive following single applications of 0.5% w/v urea and 4% (w/v), respectively. Approximately 15 times more urea could be applied per cm of an olive leaf than per cm of an almond leaf at the threshold of phytotoxicity. Leaf N content in olive was increased 47% with minimal phytotoxicity following 5 successive foliar applications of 2% urea within ten days.
The use of agar for gel electrophoresis of DNA.

Abstract Agar can be used instead of agarose for electrophoresis of DNA. DNA restriction fragments migrate in proportion to the log of their molecular weights in the ranges studied. Bands of both restriction fragments and discrete small low molecular weight DNAs such as plasmids are sharp and clearly visible. The DNA can be Southern blotted with very low nonspecific background binding of radioactivity. Fragments can be removed from the gel and can be further restricted and ligated. Plasmid DNA retains its capacity to transform host bacterial cells. Agar is about 1 10 the cost of electrophoresis-grade agarose.
Perceptions of cotherapists as a function of therapist sex roles and observer sex roles

These two studies examined how therapist sex-role behaviors and subject sex roles influence perceptions of cotherapists conducting marital therapy. As hypothesized, ratings of therapist competence, strength, and impact varied directly with verbal dominance. Contrary to expectations, this effect was not stronger for female therapists than for male therapists. However, verbally dominant females were seen as less in charge than verbally dominant males. Reversal of traditional instrumental and expressive sex-role styles was more salient for male therapists than for females. Nontraditional therapist sex-role styles were seen as providing a greater learning experience than traditional styles. As predicted, androgynous subjects rated male and female therapists equal in competence and strength, and were equally comfortable with each. Sex-typed males and females demonstrated a preference for the female therapist, rating her higher in competence and strength. These studies suggest that cotherapists' attention to the models they present should encompass sex-role behaviors and styles.
Integrity assurance in resource-bounded systems through stochastic message authentication

Assuring communication integrity is a central problem in security. However, overhead costs associated with cryptographic primitives used towards this end introduce significant practical implementation challenges for resource-bounded systems, such as cyber-physical systems. For example, many control systems are built on legacy components which are computationally limited but have strict timing constraints. If integrity protection is a binary decision, it may simply be infeasible to introduce into such systems; without it, however, an adversary can forge malicious messages, which can cause significant physical or financial harm. We propose a formal game-theoretic framework for optimal stochastic message authentication, providing provable integrity guarantees for resource-bounded systems based on an existing MAC scheme. We use our framework to investigate attacker deterrence, as well as optimal design of stochastic message authentication schemes when deterrence is impossible. Finally, we provide experimental results on the computational performance of our framework in practice.
Adenosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate, Prostaglandins, and Epinephrine Stimulate the Secretion of Immunoreactive Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone from Cultured Human Placental Cells*

Cell culture and biochemical procedures were used to identify and study the possible mechanisms regulating the secretion of GnRH-like immunoreactivity (GnRH-LI) from human placenta. Monolayer primary cultures of trophoblasts were established after mechanical and enzymatic dispersion of normal human term placenta. The cultured cells stained immunocytochemically positive with anti-GnRH serum, and GnRH-LI extracted from the cells eluted from high performance liquid chromatography with the same retention time as authentic GnRH. One week after plating, exposure to high concentrations of K+ or to various doses of veratridine, a Na+ ionophore, increased GnRH-LI release into the culture medium. This effect was reversed by Ca2+ antagonists (cobalt, EGTA, and verapamil). Dibutyrylcyclic AMP, forskolin, theophylline, and theobromine also increased GnRH-LI concentrations in the medium of cultured placental cells in a dose-related manner, as did prostaglandins E2 and F2α and epinephrine. The effect of epinephrine on G...
Interacting dimers on a Sierpinski gasket

Abstract The different manners of embedding subgraphs of many disjoint edges in a parent graph arise in several different chemical and physical contexts. The problem of enumeration, or more generally of weighted summation, of such embeddings seems quite difficult to great quantitatively, at least for general extended graphs. The special extended parent graph treated here with the inclusion of interaction between dimers is that of a Sierpinski gasket with a fractal dimension of ln 3/ln 2. The manners of solution should extend to other fractal graphs with low ‘ramification degree’.
Methylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 is highly conserved and correlates with transcriptionally active nuclei in Tetrahymena

Studies into posttranslational modifications of histones, notably acetylation, have yielded important insights into the dynamic nature of chromatin structure and its fundamental role in gene expression. The roles of other covalent histone modifications remain poorly understood. To gain further insight into histone methylation, we investigated its occurrence and pattern of site utilization in Tetrahymena, yeast, and human HeLa cells. In Tetrahymena, transcriptionally active macronuclei, but not transcriptionally inert micronuclei, contain a robust histone methyltransferase activity that is highly selective for H3. Microsequence analyses of H3 from Tetrahymena, yeast, and HeLa cells indicate that lysine 4 is a highly conserved site of methylation, which to date, is the major site detected in Tetrahymena and yeast. These data document a nonrandom pattern of H3 methylation that does not overlap with known acetylation sites in this histone. In as much as H3 methylation at lysine 4 appears to be specific to macronuclei in Tetrahymena, we suggest that this modification pattern plays a facilitatory role in the transcription process in a manner that remains to be determined. Consistent with this possibility, H3 methylation in yeast occurs preferentially in a subpopulation of H3 that is preferentially acetylated.
Effect of blood sampling methodology on plasma levels of corticosterone, inorganic phosphorus and serum 5-hydroxytryptamine concentrations

Nachweis, dass diverse konventionelle Methoden der Blutgewinnung (Herzpunktion, Dekapitieren, Punktion de Jugularvene) zu unterschiedlichen absoluten Werten von Serum Corticosteron, anorganischem Phosphat und 5-Hydroxytryptamin fuhren, wobei auch eine unterschiedliche Hamolyse resultierte.
Evoked potentials in large-scale cortical networks elicited by TMS of the visual cortex

Single pulses of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) result in distal and long-lasting oscillations, a finding directly challenging the virtual lesion hypothesis. Previous research supporting t...
Contributions of Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Studies program to knowledge of ocean environments

The Minerals Management Service Environmental Studies Program was initiated in 1973 by the Secretary of Interior to conduct studies needed to predict, assess, and manage impacts on the human, marine and coastal environments of the outer continental shelf (OCS) and nearshore areas which may be affected by oil and gas activities. Studies in the Atlantic OCS Region have since made contributions to the body of knowledge concerning oceanographic processes of OCS environments extending from Nova Scotia to Cape Canaveral. The Atlantic Studies Program has contributed not only to the characterization of these areas and impact assessment on OCS resources but also to the advancement of oceanographic technologies and deepwater research. The program is committed to wide dissemination of information available in the form of data bases, reports, maps, models, and refereed publications. This overview focuses on the extent and principal results of studies which may prove valuable to resource managers and scientists investigating OCS processes.
CHANGES IN THE ENDOCRINE GLANDS OF A TUMORBEARING FEMALE ALBINO RAT

A female rat nearly two years old and the mother of nine litters died, apparently from the effects of a large abdominal tumor. External examination showed the growth to be about 9 cm. in diameter and to be situated in the caudal portion of the abdominal cavity. An incision through the abdominal wall pierced the capsule of the tumor from which there escaped a large amount of sanguineous fluid which failed to clot on standing. Most of this fluid was unfortunately lost so that the weight of the tissue and fluid within the capsule cannot be given. The matrix of the growth was loose and spongy and easily friable under manipulation with the forceps. The interstices of the mass were filled with the sanguineous fluid. The tumor was encapsulated by a thick fibrous covering. Portions of the matrix were embedded and sectioned by the courtesy of Doctor Damaso Rivas
Using local longitudinal records to estimate transient and resident homeless populations

Abstract Many local agencies that provide services to the homeless have only limited data and resources to estimate the extent of need or the size of the local population at risk of requiring the services they provide. Methods exist, however, that are capable of providing reasonable estimates of underlying service populations with minimal record keeping. In this paper one group of such models, first‐capture models, is discussed as a resource‐efficient technique for estimating the underlying population consistently at risk ("residents") and those occasionally at risk ("transients") of requiring agency services.
Investigation of a novel, heritable bleeding diathesis of Thoroughbred horses and development of a screening assay.

Background:Bleeding in racing horses associated with exercise appears to be multifactorial, and clinical investigation into severe cases rarely occurs. Previously, we reported a severe bleeding diathesis in a Thoroughbred mare. Herein, we describe the cellular physiology of this defect, provide a diagnostic tool for identifying it, and demonstrate that the dysfunction is heritable. Hypothesis:The subject has a heritable defect in platelet secretion that reduces thrombin generation in the absence of additional plasma factors and delays the onset of thrombin production even in the presence of these factors. Animals:The study included 3 clinically normal Thoroughbred horses: the subject and her offspring. Methods:Washed platelets were examined for their ability to (1) translocate phosphatidylserine to the outer leaflet of the platelet membrane as determined by annexin-V binding, (2) generate thrombin as assessed by the activity of the prothrombinase enzyme complex, and (3) bind fibrinogen and form aggregates as determined by flow cytometry. Results:Subject and offspring platelets created procoagulant surfaces by translocating phosphatidylserine. The subject's platelets demonstrated reduced prothrombinase activity, resulting in decreased production of thrombin relative to control platelets. Subject and offspring platelets bound less fibrinogen than control platelets when stimulated with thrombin. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The subject mare has a transmissible defect that involves reduced generation of thrombin by activated platelets, resulting in decreased aggregation and ineffective clotting. A flow cytometric assay of fibrinogen binding to washed platelets discriminates individuals with this platelet dysfunction and may be useful for discerning subclinical congenital or acquired platelet dysfunctions.
Association of Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Health Care Access With Pressure Ulcers After Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract Saunders LL, Krause JS, Acuna J. Association of race, socioeconomic status, and health care access with pressure ulcers after spinal cord injury. Objective To assess the associations of race and socioeconomic status (SES) with pressure ulcers (PUs) after accounting for health care access among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Design Cross-sectional. Setting Large specialty hospital in the southeastern United States. Participants Persons with traumatic SCI who (1) had residual effects from their injury, (2) were 18 years or older at the time of the survey, and (3) were a year or more postinjury at the time of survey (N=2549). Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures Outcomes were measured by a mail-in survey: having a current PU (yes vs no), having a PU in the past year with or without reduced sitting time (no PU, no reduced sitting time, month or less, ≥5wk), and having at least 1 PU surgery since SCI onset (yes vs no). Results Of participants, 39.3% reported a PU in the past year, 19.9% had a current PU, and 21.9% reported having had surgery for a PU since their SCI onset. While race was preliminarily associated with each PU outcome, it became nonsignificant after controlling for SES and health care access. In each analysis, household income was significantly associated with PU outcomes after controlling for demographic and injury factors and remained significant after accounting for the health care access factors. Persons with lower income had higher odds of each PU outcome. Health care access was not consistently related to PU outcomes. Conclusions Even after accounting for health care access, household income, a measure of SES, remained significantly associated with PU outcomes after SCI; however, race became nonsignificant.
Echelle Spectroscopy With A Charge-Coupled Device (CCD)

The recent availability of large format CCD's with high quantum efficiency makes it possible to achieve significant advances in high dispersion astronomical spectroscopy. An echelle CCD combination excels or equals other techniques presently available, and offers the advantage of complete spectral coverage of several thousand Angstroms in a single exposure. Attention is given to experiments which were conducted with a CCD camera head and an echelle spectrograph on a 4-meter telescope. It was found possible to achieve a signal-to-noise ratio of 150/1 on a 13th magnitude star at 6000 A in a two-hour exposure at 0.16 A/pixel, limited primarily by photon statistics. For fainter objects, readout noise is the limiting factor in precision. For 20 electron rms readout noise, an S/N = 15/1 at 18th magnitude is expected, all other things being equal.
A causal analysis relating previous achievement, attitudes, discourse, and intervention to achievement in biology and chemistry

This study described the relationship of 38 variates to achievement in high school biology and chemistry classes. Forty-four teachers prepared audio tape recordings of discussions throughout a nine-month period. Equal-sized groups received treatment consisting of wait time feedback and/or supportive intervention, a form of peer coaching. Other variables were initial measures, which included the variates of class size and previous science grade, pre- and posttest scores on student attitudes and perceptions, and prediscourse and discourse analyses, which included the variates of wait times, actions, and response durations. While previous research has shown that wait time feedback and supportive intervention are effective means of changing teacher behavior, the results of the present study revealed that previous student achievement and the attitudes of students accounted for 70% of the variation in the final examination scores (New York State Regents) on the basis of only the first three weeks of data collection on the variables assessed. Generally, little emphasis on higher-level thinking, wait time, or problem solving was found at the beginning of the school year, and only minimal changes resulted from the application of the treatment variables. Pressures for content coverage and preparation for externally imposed statewide examinations that emphasize memory-level learning augured against the changes that the independent variables were designed to produce.
The Day the EHR Died

I was sitting at the computer, reviewing a note in the electronic health record, when suddenly the software froze. I felt immediate frustration and anger.
Efficacy of plant-derived compounds combined with hydrogen peroxide as antimicrobial wash and coating treatment for reducing Listeria monocytogenes on cantaloupes.

The efficacy of four plant-derived antimicrobials (PDAs), namely carvacrol, thymol, β-resorcylic acid, and caprylic acid, with or without hydrogen peroxide (HP), as antimicrobial wash and chitosan based coating for reducing Listeria monocytogenes (LM) on cantaloupes was investigated. Cantaloupe rind plugs inoculated with LM (10(7) CFU/cm(2)) were washed for 3, 6, 10 min at 25 °C or 1, 3, 5 min at 55 or 65 °C in water, or water containing 2% PDAs with or without 2% HP. Additionally, inoculated cantaloupes (10(8) CFU/fruit) washed with 2% PDA-HP combinations at 55 or 65 °C (5 min) were cut into rindless cubical pieces, stored at 4 °C for 7 days and sampled for LM. Furthermore, inoculated plugs coated with 2% PDAs were stored for 7 days and sampled for surviving LM. Individual PDA washes reduced LM on rinds by ≥2.5 log CFU/cm(2) by 3 min (P < 0.05). PDA-HP combinations decreased LM to undetectable levels by 5 min at 55, 65 °C, and 10 min at 25 °C (P < 0.05) and reduced LM transfer from cantaloupe surface to interior (P < 0.0001). All PDA coating treatments reduced LM on cantaloupe to undetectable levels by 5 days (P < 0.05). Results indicate that PDAs alone, or with HP could be used to reduce LM on cantaloupes.
Stochastic Model for Time-Dependent Compression of Particulate Media

The volumetric creep of loose granular materials, in absence of pore fluid pressure, is modeled as a stochastic process of diffusion-convection for excess porosity under sustained, applied loading. The analogy of the underlying concepts, with the theory of sedimentation in Brownian motion, and differences with the earlier contribution of Marsal (1965) are discussed. The analytical formulation and numerical solution are presented for a 1D compression with finite strain and moving boundary surface. The results represent the time evolution of the spatial distribution of the material porosity and the rate of settlement. The compression versus time relationship is normalized in dimensionless form to facilitate the determination of the governing equation coefficients from test data. Examples of determination and comparisons with the model response are presented. According to the model, final settlement is reached asymptotically with equilibrium porosity. At transient states, the spatial distribution of porosity...
Species Identification in Trichophrya (Suctorida) and the Occurrence of Melanin in Some Members of the Genus

SYNOPSIS. Comparison of dimensional and other morphological details of adult suctorians recovered from the gills of five genera of fish from five widely separated localities in North America indicates that the practice of identifying a distinct suctorian species based upon the species of fish with which it is symbiotic is unfounded. Conversely, identification of suctorian species based on their adult morphology alone under certain conditions is justified. An emended diagnosis of Trichophyra piscium Butschli, 1889, is presented. The pigment in T. piscium recovered from Oncorhynchus nerka (sockeye salmon) was characterized as melanin and its significance to the suctorians is discussed.
The design, construction and performance of a variable collimator for epithermal neutron capture therapy beams

A patient collimator for the fission converter based epithermal neutron beam (FCB) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Reactor (MITR-II) was built for clinical trials of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). A design was optimized by Monte Carlo simulations of the entire beam line and incorporates a modular construction for easy modifications in the future. The device was formed in-house by casting a mixture of lead spheres (7.6 mm diameter) in epoxy resin loaded with either 140 mg cm(-3) of boron carbide or 210 mg cm(-3) of lithium fluoride (95% enriched in 6Li). The cone shaped collimator allows easy field placement anywhere on the patient and is equipped with a laser indicator of central axis, beam's eye view optics and circular apertures of 80, 100, 120 and 160 mm diameter. Beam profiles and the collateral dose in a half-body phantom were measured for the 160 mm field using fission counters, activation foils as well as tissue equivalent (A-150) and graphite walled ionization chambers. Leakage radiation through the collimator contributes less than 10% to the total collateral dose up to 0.15 m beyond the edge of the aperture and becomes relatively more prominent with lateral displacement. The measured whole body dose equivalent of 24 +/- 2 mSv per Gy of therapeutic dose is comparable to doses received during conventional therapy and is due principally (60-80%) to thermal neutron capture reactions with boron. These findings, together with the dose distributions for the primary beam, demonstrate the suitability of this patient collimator for BNCT.
The shape of the vibrotactile loudness function: The effect of stimulus repetition and skin-contactor coupling

In the psychophysical literature describing the relationships between physical and psychological magnitudes, as physical intensity increases, perceived intensity often grows much faster near threshold than at higher levels. In this laboratory, however, the loudness curve for sinusoidal vibrotactile stimuli was best fit by a single-limbed function rather than by the expected two-limbed function. In the present study, we measured the growth of vibrotactile loudness of 250-Hz sinusoidal stimuli by the method of absolute magnitude estimation to explore the source of the one- versus two-limbed discrepancy. The number of times that the stimulus was presented was varied, as well as whether the stimulator contacted the skin with constant force or constant penetration. Neither of these manipulations affected the shape of the loudness function consistently. Number of repetitions influenced the shapes of the magnitude estimation functions, but only for a few individuals. Skin-contactor coupling did not affect the shapes of the functions, although the absolute level (vibrotactile loudness) was consistently greater for constant indentation.
Lattice QCD with eight light-quark flavors.

QCD with eight flavors is studied on ${16}^{3}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{N}_{t}$ lattices with ${N}_{t}=4,6, \mathrm{and} 8$, a dynamical quark mass $ma=0.015$, and lattice coupling $\ensuremath{\beta}=\frac{6}{{g}^{2}}$ between 4.5 and 5.0. For ${N}_{t}=16$, hadron masses and screening lengths are computed for a variety of valence quark masses. The previously observed, strong, first-order transition for ${N}_{t}=4,6, \mathrm{and} 8$ is seen, for ${N}_{t}=16$, to become a $\ensuremath{\beta}$-independent, zero-temperature transition characterized by a factor of \ensuremath{\cong} 3 change in lattice scale. This strong, first-order transition restores chiral symmetry, at least for ${N}_{t}=4,6, \mathrm{and} 8$, producing a chirally symmetric, weak-coupling phase. However, as ${N}_{t}$ increases to 16, the chiral-symmetry properties of the weak-coupling side of the zero-temperature transition are unclear and offer a hint of a normal, finite-temperature, chiral-symmetry-breaking transition in the weak-coupling phase.
Synthetic Biology Looks Good on Paper

Tremendous progress has been made in the design and implementation of synthetic gene circuits, but real-world applications of such circuits have been limited. Cell-free circuits embedded on paper developed by Pardee et al. promise to deliver specific and rapid diagnostics on a low-cost, highly scalable platform.
Turnover of RNA in normal and secondarily epileptogenic rabbit cortex.

Abstract Nuclear, nucleolar, and cytoplasmic ribonucleic acid turnover in neurons and neuronal populations of normal and secondarily epileptogenic cortex was examined autoradiographically. Rabbits with “mirror foci” and implanted epidural electrodes, and normal controls with and without implanted electrodes were injected intravenously with tritiated uridine. Quantitative observations were made 15 min and 1, 8, and 24 hours after the administration of this labeled RNA precursor. Additional autoradiographic observations were made on rabbits with mirror foci 8 hours after the intravenous administration of tritiated cytidine, adenosine, and guanine. Average grain counts for all of the uridine-injected animals within each time group revealed that the nuclear label decreased from 81.1% of the total intracellular label at 15 min to 54.3% by 24 hours, whereas cytoplasmic label increased from 12.8% at 15 min to 39.7% at 24 hours. Nucleolar label was greatest (13.6%) at the 1-hour time interval. No average differences in these nuclear/nucleolar/cytoplasmic ratios were observed between epileptogenic and nonepileptogenic neuronal populations. At the cellular level great variability in intracellular grain content and location was observed within every population studied but the only finding consistently characteristic of the mirror foci areas was the presence of nests of dense neurons which stained darkly with RNA-specific azure B but contained little or no intracellular label. The staining properties and intracellular grain patterns described above were not seen when the sections were pretreated with RNAse. We concluded that the time course of RNA synthesis and turnover calculated here is in agreement with other reports for neurons of the mammalian CNS. The only finding peculiar to epileptogenic tissue, in the interictal state, was the presence of neurons with increased RNA-staining properties but decreased incorporation of RNA precursors.
Peripheral nerve grafts to the frog optic tectum: A morphological study of the axon reaction in trigeminal motor and sensory neurons

The mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve was severed and the proximal stump was grafted onto the optic tectum in adult Rana pipiens. The resultant changes occurring in the cell bodies of origin in the ipsilateral trigeminal motor and mesencephalic nuclei were studied qualitatively and quantitatively. Nucleolar, nuclear, and somal cross-sectional areas increased in size significantly approximately 3 days after surgery and peaked at 6 weeks postsurgery. This swelling, in which the nucleolus was most severely affected, gradually reversed itself and disappeared by 24 weeks after surgery. Despite the cell enlargement, cytoplasmic basophilia was maintained or even slightly increased. These morphologic changes suggest a strong anabolic reaction. Two differences were found between the motoneurons and the sensory neurons. First, the morphometric cell changes occurred at a faster rate in neurons of the trigeminal motor nucleus than in those of the mesencephalic nucleus. The time course of the motoneuron response correlated well with that of axonal regeneration from the nerve graft. Second, there was a delayed loss of mesencephalic nucleus cells between 12 and 24 weeks after surgery, whereas cells of the trigeminal motor nucleus were maintained at all survival times studied. Taken together with sensory cell loss in the trigeminal ganglion, this suggests a greater viability of regenerating motoneurons.
A Vanishing Finite Sum associated with Jacobi's triple product identity

Abstract Jacobi's triple product identity is shown to be equivalent to the vanishing of a finite sum. The vanishing of the sum is then established independently of Jacobi's identity, and the behavior of a related finite sum is discussed. Finally, the possibility of generalizing Jacobi's identity to include variables with non-quadratic exponents is examined; no decisive result is obtained.
Characterization of a fibrinogenase from northern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen) venom

Abstract One of the fractions obtained by the carboxymethylcellulose ion-exchange chromatography of northern copperhead ( Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen ) venom prevented the thrombin-induced clotting of fibrinogen by proteolytically degrading the fibrinogen. The active component has been further purified to apparent electrophoretic homogeneity by molecular sieve chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated a molecular weight of 22 900 ± 600 for the purified enzyme. In addition to its fibrinogenase activity, it catalyzed the hydrolysis of hide powder azure and had an intraperitoneal LD 50 value in mice of less than 5.1 μg/g body weight. The enzyme rapidly destroyed fibrinogen's ability to form clots. Electrophoresis of fibrinogen which had been incubated only a few minutes with the fibrinogenase revealed the rapid disappearance of the α-chain and the appearance of lower molecular weight fragments. The neutral pH optimum and ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and dithiothreitol sensitivity indicated that this enzyme belonged to the class metalloproteinases. Atomic absorption studies have revealed one zinc atom per molecule of protein. The apoenzyme's activity was restored by incubation with ZnCl 2 .
Conflict in post-soviet-occupation Afghanistan

(1991). Conflict in post-soviet-occupation Afghanistan. Journal of Contemporary Asia: Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 513-528.
k-OptForce: Integrating Kinetics with Flux Balance Analysis for Strain Design

Computational strain design protocols aim at the system-wide identification of intervention strategies for the enhanced production of biochemicals in microorganisms. Existing approaches relying solely on stoichiometry and rudimentary constraint-based regulation overlook the effects of metabolite concentrations and substrate-level enzyme regulation while identifying metabolic interventions. In this paper, we introduce k-OptForce, which integrates the available kinetic descriptions of metabolic steps with stoichiometric models to sharpen the prediction of intervention strategies for improving the bio-production of a chemical of interest. It enables identification of a minimal set of interventions comprised of both enzymatic parameter changes (for reactions with available kinetics) and reaction flux changes (for reactions with only stoichiometric information). Application of k-OptForce to the overproduction of L-serine in E. coli and triacetic acid lactone (TAL) in S. cerevisiae revealed that the identified interventions tend to cause less dramatic rearrangements of the flux distribution so as not to violate concentration bounds. In some cases the incorporation of kinetic information leads to the need for additional interventions as kinetic expressions render stoichiometry-only derived interventions infeasible by violating concentration bounds, whereas in other cases the kinetic expressions impart flux changes that favor the overproduction of the target product thereby requiring fewer direct interventions. A sensitivity analysis on metabolite concentrations shows that the required number of interventions can be significantly affected by changing the imposed bounds on metabolite concentrations. Furthermore, k-OptForce was capable of finding non-intuitive interventions aiming at alleviating the substrate-level inhibition of key enzymes in order to enhance the flux towards the product of interest, which cannot be captured by stoichiometry-alone analysis. This study paves the way for the integrated analysis of kinetic and stoichiometric models and enables elucidating system-wide metabolic interventions while capturing regulatory and kinetic effects.
Paget's disease of the vulva.

Abstract Paget's disease of the vulva and Paget's with an underlying adenocarcinoma may be two separate lesions. The clinical aspects of the two follow entirely different courses. Paget's disease without invasion has a rather indolent behavior and can reoccur locally without subsequent invasion. Paget's with invasion appears to be aggressive with potential spread to regional lymph nodes. Simple local excision may be adequate therapy for Paget's disease without invasion. Radical vulvectomy and inguinal lymphadenectomy appears to be minimal treatment for Paget's disease with an associated adenocarcinoma.
The Caenorhabditis elegans schnurri homolog sma-9 mediates stage- and cell type-specific responses to DBL-1 BMP-related signaling

In Caenorhabditis elegans, the DBL-1 pathway, a BMP/TGFβ-related signaling cascade, regulates body size and male tail development. We have cloned a new gene, sma-9, that encodes the C. elegans homolog of Schnurri, a large zinc finger transcription factor that regulates dpp target genes in Drosophila. Genetic interactions, the sma-9 loss-of-function phenotype, and the expression pattern suggest that sma-9 acts as a downstream component and is required in the DBL-1 signaling pathway, and thus provide the first evidence of a conserved role for Schnurri proteins in BMP signaling. Analysis of sma-9 mutant phenotypes demonstrates that SMA-9 activity is temporally and spatially restricted relative to known DBL-1 pathway components. In contrast with Drosophila schnurri, the presence of multiple alternatively spliced sma-9 transcripts suggests protein isoforms with potentially different cell sublocalization and molecular functions. We propose that SMA-9 isoforms function as transcriptional cofactors that confer specific responses to DBL-1 pathway activation.
Phase unwrapping by least squares error minimization of phase curvature

A new method of unwrapping two-dimensional periodically discontinuous phase data is developed in this paper and results from application of the method to electro-optically generated phase data are presented. The method, whose foundations lie in the minimization of the energy of the surface determined by the unwrapped data, fits planar surface patches to previously processed data, then uses the best fit plane's parameters to estimate the value of the pixel under consideration. At each pixel, a new value composed of the sum of the original value and an integral multiple of the magnitude of the phase discontinuity is assigned. Processing proceeds along an expanding wavefront originating from a seed point chosen as the reference for the measurement. The facet based fringe number selection method has been found to be highly reliable even for incomplete, noisy data.
Numerical Optimization of a Cogenerating Parabolic Solar Collector Receiver

The motivation for this study comes from the need for a clean, renewable energy source, which is greater now more than ever to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels. Cogenerating solar systems can provide heat and electricity for many industrial applications such as power generation and absorption refrigeration systems. For example, data centers that run on conventional refrigeration systems are one of the largest electricity consumers in the nation, accounting for 1.2% of the total electricity consumption in 2005. This electricity consumption, almost half of which is used to run the data center’s air conditioning units, translates to $2.7 billion in electricity costs for that year. Using cogenerating solar systems for these types of applications could represent a significant amount of savings in electricity costs. The objective of this paper is to numerically optimize a receiver for a cogenerating photovoltaic and thermal parabolic solar collector that will produce both heat and electricity. The solar cogeneration system studied will convert solar energy into both heat and electricity by using a combination of photovoltaic cells, a parabolic trough thermal collector, and water as the liquid heat exchanger on the photovoltaic cells. The peak electrical efficiency of the multi-junction gallium arsenide Spectrolab photovoltaic cells used in this study is about 32%, with the rest of the solar energy being absorbed as heat. These temperature gains in the cells can lead to a decrease in efficiency. However, in cogenerating systems, water is used as a working fluid to remove heat from the photovoltaic cells, thus aiding in increasing the electrical efficiency of the photovoltaic system as well as increasing the thermal energy gained from the solar thermal collector. The numerical analysis for this project will use Flotherm, a CFD tool used to solve fluid and thermal problems. A single-phase water cooled square duct receiver subjected to non-uniform heating will be analyzed in Flotherm to determine the optimal parameters for the best convection heat transfer between the working fluid and the photovoltaic cells. To enhance the heat transfer between photovoltaic cells and working fluid, the inner surface of the receiver tube receiving the heat flux will be improved by adding fins to increase heat transfer and induce turbulent flow. The initial receiver design will be compared with other receivers to determine the optimal design. Results will be presented parametrically for a range of flow rates and receiver geometry.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Impact of sequence of operations and layout of cells in cellular manufacturing

Abstract A new model that includes two important factors which were not considered previously by the author has been developed and presented for determining optimal/near-optimal machine-part clusters in cellular manufacturing. First, the model takes into consideration the sequence of operations in evaluating the intercell and intracell moves; and second, it includes the impact of the layout of cells in evaluating the intercell moves. The total move is computed as a weighted sum of both intercell and intracell moves, and is used as a suitable measure to evaluate the performance of the model. Another measure incorporated in the model is the utilization of a workstation and a targeted minimum value of 50% utilization was used for each machine in a workstation. An efficient solution algorithm for this model was developed and implemented on a microcomputer. Its effectiveness was tested on different test problems that have appeared in the literature. Although the results presented cannot be compared directly wi...
Are meiofaunal species cosmopolitan? Morphological and molecular analysis of Xenotrichula intermedia (Gastrotricha: Chaetonotida)

Many meiofaunal species are reported to be cosmopolitan, but due to uncertainties of identification, the affiliation of specimens from geographically distant areas to the same species-taxon is problematic. In this study, we examined morphological and molecular variation in samples of Xenotrichula intermedia Remane (Gastrotricha: Chaetonotida) from the Mediterranean Sea, the northwestern Atlantic and the northern Gulf of Mexico. Univariate analysis of 16 morphological traits was unable to detect differences among populations, except for the length of the pharynx, which was significantly shorter in the Gulf of Mexico specimens. Canonical discriminant analysis separated the Gulf of Mexico specimens from the other two populations, with pharynx length contributing about half of the total discrimination. Molecular analysis based on restriction-fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in a 710-base pair polymerase chain-reaction (PCR) produet representing roughly half of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene detected four haplotypes: one each from the Mediterranean and the Gulf of Mexico populations and two coexisting within the Atlantic population. The estimated nucleotide-sequence divergence calculated for each pairwise combination of haplotypes (based on the proportion of shared fragments) ranged from 5.3 to 11.5%. The high genetic divergence and the inability to clearly separate populations based on morphology suggest that individuals characterized by different haplotypes are genetically isolated sibling species.
Advancing the case for organ procurement.

James Delaney and David Hershenov (2009) make a compelling case for the conclusion that it is morally permissible to procure organs from the deceased without prior consent; although they prudently ...
Unilateral agenesis of the diaphragm.

A brother and sister with congenital agenesis of the diaphragm are described and the literature reviewed with respect to the familial incidence of congenital diaphragmatic lesions. Although unilateral agenesis of the diaphragm is infrequent, four comparable reports of familial occurrence were found.
Nanofabricated optical and detector elements for light-field camera sensors

Light-field cameras capture the intensity, position, and angular information of light from a scene, enabling after-the-fact focusing and 3D rendering from a single exposure. The sensitivity, pixel density, and directional resolution of light-field sensors could be increased by taking advantage of the unique photonic effects present in nanoscale and microscale structures. We demonstrate that semiconductor nanoshell whispering gallery resonators are a versatile platform for dense, ultra-thin photosite arrays. We show experimentally that an array of nanocrystalline silicon shells only 50 nm thick is as absorptive as a micron-thick planar film. We further show that we can tune the separation and size of the nanoshells by etching the underlying nanosphere template and that we can readily transfer the array onto a flexible substrate. Next, we describe the phenomenon of photonic nanojets emanating from small dielectric microlenses and microlens arrays. We devise a sensor architecture that uses the super-resolution foci formed by these nanojets to separate light into different nanoshell photosites depending on the angle of incidence. The proximity of the microlenses to the photosites corresponds to a small effective f-number, which enables main camera optics with very large apertures for light collection. In optical simulations, we demonstrate directional resolution in the integrated light-field sensor at acceptance angles of up to 35 degrees from normal incidence.
Eosinophilic oesophagitis in patients presenting with dysphagia – a prospective analysis

SUMMARY Background Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoO) may be a common finding in adults presenting with dysphagia. Aim To identify the risk factors and prevalence of EoO in an adult population with dysphagia. Methods All patients with dysphagia referred for an upper endoscopy (EGD) were asked to participate. Patients completed a detailed questionnaire followed by EGD with four quadrant biopsies in the distal and midoesophagus. Primary endpoint was the prevalence of EoO; secondary endpoints included age, gender, asthma, food allergies, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease ⁄dysphagia score and endoscopic findings. Results Two hundred and sixty-one patients enrolled between December 2005 and January 2007. Thirty-one patients (12%) met pathological criteria for EoO. There was no difference in EoO prevalence within each gender. Mean age of EoO patients was 42 15 vs. 61 15 for non-EoO patients (P < 0.001). EoO was diagnosed in 35% of patients <50 years of age. EoO was present in 22% of asthmatics vs. 9% non-asthmatics (P < 0.01). EoO was present in 36.8% of patients with self-reported food allergies vs. 9.3% those without allergy (P < 0.001). A 13 ⁄31(42%) of EoO patients did not have the classic EGD findings (rings furrows) and would have been missed without oesophageal biopsies. Conclusions Eosinophilic oesophagitis was diagnosed in 12% of the patients presenting with dysphagia with relative risk of 9.5 if age <50 years. Oesophageal biopsies are warranted in patients presenting with dysphagia especially in the younger population. Patients may not present with classic endoscopic findings and EoO can be missed without biopsies.
GaN nanorod Schottky and p-n junction diodes

Conductive atomic force microscopy has been used to characterize single GaN nanorod Schottky and p-n junction diodes. The ideality factor, reverse breakdown voltage, and the Schottky barrier height of individual nanorod diodes were compared to those from conventional thin-film diodes. Large-area contacts, enabling diodes with arrays of GaN nanorods in parallel, were also fabricated and their electrical characteristics investigated. The defect-free nature of the GaN nanorods and enhanced tunneling effects due to nanoscale contacts have been invoked to explain the electrical behavior of the nanorod diodes.
Levatorplasty using a posterior sagittal approach in secondary faecal incontinence

Levatorplasty has been used successfully in children with secondary faecal incontinence. A posterior sagittal approach in anorectal anomalies gives excellent delineation of the anatomy of the pelvic floor and perineum. Between August 1985 and December 1989, 13 children underwent levatorplasty using a posterior sagittal approach for faecal incontinence following primary operations for imperforate anus. There were 9 boys and 4 girls; 7 of them had a major associated anomaly. Twelve patients had a high anorectal anomaly and the primary operation was a sacro-perineal or sacro-abdomino-perineal pull-through. One had an intermediate anomaly treated by a perineal operation. All patients had persistent soiling and among them had 27 further unsuccessful operations to improve continence prior to posterior sagittal levatorplasty. Six patients had good and 7 had poor to moderate voluntary squeeze pressures prior to levatorplasty. Age at posterior sagittal levatorplasty ranged from 4 to 17 years (mean 10.7 years). All patients were followed up for periods ranging from 2 years 2 months to 6 years 5 months (mean 4.7 years). At least review 6 patients (46%) had excellent results with full continence and no soiling; 5 (39%) showed significant improvement compared with the pre-operative state with occasional soiling only. Of these, 3 patients opted for total colonic irrigation once a day to remain clean at all times. Two patients (15%) had poor results with frequent soiling. The posterior sagittal approach provides excellent exposure for levatorplasty. Best results were obtained in patients who had good voluntary squeeze pressures on anorectal manometry prior to the operation.