cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE DISTRIBUTION OF PENNSYLVANIAN‐AGE COAL PARTICLES IN RECENT RIVER SEDIMENTS, OHIO RIVER, KENTUCKY, AS AGE AND SEDIMENT RATE INDICATORS

The weight percentage of coal particles increased suddenly toward the upper levels of the river sediments. This increase is attributed to the onset of coal washing and mining operations in approximately the last 150 years. The distribution of these coal particles facilitates recognition of Recent sediments less than this age and also gives indications of sedimentation rates and regions of scour and deposition on the river banks and islands. The maximum rate of sedimentation found at the downstream end of an island was 114 cm/150 years equivalent to 450 cm of pore-free sediment in 1,000 years.
A Role for Multivitamins in Infection

Vitamin supplements are inexpensive and might improve health status in settings where infections are major public health problems. In developed countries, infections pose important economic burdens...
Experimental drug therapy of peritumoral brain edema

Four drugs with potential anti-peritumoral brain edema activity were studied using the VX2 rabbit brain tumor model. Meclofenamate and indomethacin were tested in an attempt to confirm recent reports of anti-edema activity in non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's). The “angiostatic” steroids 17 hydroxyprogesterone and epicortisol were tested because of their lack of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid effects and their structural similarity to glucocorticoids. The protein and water component of brain edema were indirectly quantitated. None of the test drugs demonstrated significant anti-edema activity. This work does not confirm reports that NSAID's have anti-edema activity and suggests that there may be no correlation between ‘angiostatic’ and anti-edema activity in certain steroid compounds.
Inhibition of the Catechol-O-Methyltransferase-Catalyzed O-Methylation of 2- and 4-Hydroxyestradiol by Catecholamines: Implications for the Mechanism of Estrogen-Induced Carcinogenesis

Catechol estrogens have been postulated to mediate estrogen-induced carcinogenesis. As part of our examination of this hypothesis, we studied the catechol-O-methyltransferase-catalyzed O-methylation of 2- and 4-hydroxyestradiol and the inhibition of this reaction by catecholamines. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, or dopamine (2 μM) inhibited the methylation of 2- and 4-hydroxyestradiol (20 nM) catalyzed by porcine liver catechol-O-methyltransferase by approximately 28-46% and 37-57%, respectively. One millimolar concentrations of catecholamines also inhibited the methylation of 5 μM 2-and 4-hydroxyestradiol by hamster kidney cytosol catechol-O-methyltransferase by approximately 27-31% and 19-33%, respectively. At a 15 μM 4-hydroxyestradiol concentration, the IC50 values for epinephrine and for dopamine were approximately 1200 and 3000 μM, respectively. Kinetic analyses of the methylation of 4-hydroxyestradiol in the presence of epinephrine, norepinephrine, or dopamine all revealed a competitive mechanism of inhibition. In contrast, the methylation of 160 μM 2-hydroxyestradiol was enhanced by approximately 75% in the presence of 1600 μM epinephrine or 2400 μM norepinephrine, likely due to a strong positive allosteric effect. An analysis of the substrate concentration dependence of O-methylation of 2-hydroxyestradiol revealed that at low concentrations (<15 μM) this reaction was inhibited by epinephrine or norepinephrine, whereas it was significantly increased by approximately 50-100% at high substrate concentrations (50-200 μM). In contrast, dopamine competitively inhibited the methylation of all concentrations of 2-hydroxyestradiol (5-160 μM) tested. High levels of catecholamines were measured in hamster kidney or mouse uterus (1041 ± 204 or 882 ± 214 ng norepinephrine/g wet tissue, respectively) and in Fisher 344 rat pituitary (9.4 ± 1.6 ng dopamine/mg protein), target organs of estrogen-induced carcinogenesis. Values were much lower in other organs of the same animals or in kidney, uterus, or pituitary of other rodent strains or species, which do not develop tumors under these conditions. High levels of catecholamines in target organs of hormonal cancer, the inhibition of O-methylation of 4-hydroxyestradiol, and the differential regulation of O-methylation of 2-hydroxyestradiol by catecholamines all support a role of 4-hydroxyestrogen metabolites in estrogen-induced carcinogenesis.
The Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Postoperative Mortality from Critical Illness

Background Conflicting data exist regarding the effect of body mass index (BMI) on postoperative mortality from critical illness. Few studies have examined this issue in surgical patients specifically. We tested the hypothesis that BMI is associated with mortality from surgical critical illness.
Adenoviral-mediated gene transfer of insulin-like growth factor 1 enhances wound healing and induces angiogenesis.

Abstract Background Chronic wounds are characterized by a wound healing and neovascularization deficit. Strategies to increase neovascularization can significantly improve chronic wound healing. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 is reported to be a keratinocyte mitogen and is believed to induce angiogenesis via a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-dependent pathway. Using a novel ex vivo human dermal wound model and a diabetic-impaired wound healing murine model, we hypothesized that adenoviral overexpression of IGF-1 (Ad-IGF-1) will enhance wound healing and induce angiogenesis through a VEGF-dependent pathway. Methods Ex vivo: 6-mm full-thickness punch biopsies were obtained from normal human skin, and 3-mm full-thickness wounds were created at the center. Skin explants were maintained at air liquid interface. Db/db murine model: 8-mm full-thickness dorsal wounds in diabetic (db/db) mice were created. Treatment groups in both human ex vivo and in vivo db/db wound models include 1 × 108 particle forming units of Ad-IGF-1 or Ad-LacZ, and phosphate buffered saline (n = 4–5/group). Cytotoxicity (lactate dehydrogenase) was quantified at days 3, 5, and 7 for the human ex vivo wound model. Epithelial gap closure (hematoxylin and eosin; Trichrome), VEGF expression (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and capillary density (CD 31 + CAPS/HPF) were analyzed at day 7. Results In the human ex vivo organ culture, the adenoviral vectors did not demonstrate any significant difference in cytotoxicity compared with phosphate buffered saline. Ad-IGF-1 overexpression significantly increases basal keratinocyte migration, with no significant effect on epithelial gap closure. There was a significant increase in capillary density in the Ad-IGF-1 wounds. However, there was no effect on VEGF levels in Ad-IGF-1 samples compared with controls. In db/db wounds, Ad-IGF-1 overexpression significantly improves epithelial gap closure and granulation tissue with a dense cellular infiltrate compared with controls. Ad-IGF-1 also increases capillary density, again with no significant difference in VEGF levels in the wounds compared with control treatments. Conclusions In two different models, our data demonstrate that adenoviral-mediated gene transfer of IGF-1 results in enhanced wound healing and induces angiogenesis via a VEGF-independent pathway. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of IGF-1 effects on angiogenesis may help produce novel therapeutics for chronic wounds or diseases characterized by a deficit in neovascularization.
Recent criticisms and defenses of Pascal's Wager

Le pari pascalien est un des arguments les plus interessants de la philosophie de la religion. Il fonde la foi et l'existence de Dieu sur des bases prudentes et avantageuses. Envisager le pari comme un probleme de decision risquee revient a une lecture profonde de l'argument. L'A. s'attache ensuite aux objections formulees a l'egard du pari. Il montre alors comment ces objections peuvent etre resolues. Enfin, il adresse lui-meme une critique au pari de Pascal qui, si elle n'est pas prise en compte, ne permet plus d'utiliser le pari comme outil apologetique
Stripping of Keanakakoi tephra on Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

Morphological characteristics, erosional processes, and effects of burial and exhumation by debris mantles on basaltic volcanic landforms have been evaluated through field study of the Keanakakoi Formation, a basaltic tephra formed in 1790 by phreato-magmatic eruptions from Kilauea caldera, Hawaii. The upper coarse lithic, intermediate fine vitric, and lower mixed members of this formation play different roles in the creation of micro-terrain elements during stripping of tephra from the underlying bedrock. Of the seven micro-terrain elements defined, bedrock, scabby upland surfaces, and lag gravels are the most distinctive and widely distributed. Different proportions and combinations of micro-terrain elements define five zones of progressive deterioration of the Keanakakoi tephra blanket southwestward from Kilauea caldera into the Kau Desert. Fluvial and eolian processes operate on different time scales and at different locations, governed by blanket thickness, debris caliber, and the formation of case-hardened crusts. Stripping of an entire mantle is probably not possible; however, materials trapped within depressions form the only clearly discernible morphological expression of previously more extensive debris blankets.
Modeling for survivability of Smart Power Grid when subject to severe emergencies and vulnerability

We discuss a model for survivability of Smart Power Grid under severe emergencies and vulnerability. We focus on the smart electric power delivery systems, i.e., electricity transmission and distribution smart grids, along with SCADA and EMS systems. We introduce concepts and results from graph and social network theories, and apply them to the study of the IEEE 118 Bus system. We discuss concept of self-healing grid and intelligent adaptive islanding for IEEE 118 bus system and WSCC-Smart Power Grid Network-SCADA-EMS (WSSE) System. We also calculate values of the topological characteristics of the networks and compare their error and attack tolerances, i.e., their performance when vertices are removed, randomly or in a malicious way. Also, we study survivability of IEEE 118 bus considering network islanding scheme under random and targeted attacks. The IEEE 118 network islanding scheme was found to be more survivable under different attacks.
Performance of a 2k CCD camera designed for electron crystallography at 400 kV

Abstract We discuss the performance of a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera that has been designed for use in electron crystallographic studies of proteins. There have been many previous publications describing the characteristics and performance of CCD-based cameras in electron microscopy; here we focus on characteristics relevant to protein studies at 400 kV. The low exposure that must be used in such studies produces a very poor signal-to-noise ratio, so any loss of signal-to-noise ratio in the recording process must be avoided. Images must contain a sufficient number of molecules to allow identification of the reciprocal lattice, thus requiring a large image format. Electron diffraction patterns may contain some spots with intensity around 10 −7 times that of the central beam, so the largest possible dynamic range is helpful. Some of the characteristics we discuss are most easily measured with crystals, but the conclusions also apply for other work such as single-particle analyses. The camera has been optimized for work at 400 kV with a P43 scintillator fiber-optically coupled to a CCD with 24 μm pixels. The scintillator in this camera is thicker than generally used at lower voltages, which provides an adequate signal level but slightly degrades the resolution. Operation at 400 kV leads to a point spread function that is broader than the CCD pixel size. Images are thus binned by a factor of two to double the effective pixel size, with the resulting loss of a factor of two in the size of areas that can be recorded in a single frame. A large CCD with a 2048×2048 pixel array is used to compensate for this loss and provide a sufficient signal for the crystallographic image processing used in this work. Images and electron diffraction patterns recorded on the CCD are compared with data recorded on photographic film. While the quality of the images recorded on the CCD at the low exposures required in protein studies is not quite as good as that on film, electron diffraction data recorded on the CCD are superior to that on film.
1228 PERSISTENT FETAL CIRCULATION IN NEONATES WITH DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA

In spite of advances in neonatal surgery, the mortality rate from diaphragmatic hernia (DH) remains high. Infants with the early onset of symptoms are at greatest risk and die of hypoxia in spite of successful repair of the defect. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and to identify factors leading to hypoxemia and death in these infants. Of 21 infants born with DH in our hospital during the last 7 years, 13 had respiratory distress from birth. Nine (70%) of these 13 infants had persistent fetal circulation (PFC) which terminated in death in 6 (46%) infants. PFC was characterized by elevated right atrial pressure, hypoxemia in the descending aorta in spite of inhalation of 100% oxygen and evidence for right-to-left shunt at atrial or ductal levels. In patients who died, progressive hypoxemia and metabolic acidosis were accompanied by severe peripheral vasoconstriction, poor skin perfusion and systemic hypertension. In this study, PFC was the major cause of death in infants with DH. PFC occurred commonly and exclusively in infants whose symptoms were present at birth. Unless PFC is recognized early and reversed by vigorous treatment, the infants will die as a result of progressive hypoxemia and metabolic acidosis.
Synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline copolymethacrylates, copolyacrylates, and copolysiloxanes containing 4-methoxy-4′-hydroxy-α-methylstilbene and 4-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-α-methylstilbene constitutional isomers as side-groups

The synthesis of methacrylates and acrylates containing 4-methoxy-4′-hydroxy-α-methylstilbene and 4-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-α-methylstilbene constitutional isomers attached to the polymerizable group through flexible spacers containing 11, 8, 6, 3, and respectively 2 methylenic units is described. The radical copolymerization of a 1/2 or 2/1 mole ratio of the two constitutional isomeric monomers led to thermotropic side-chain liquid crystalline polymers in all cases. The synthesis of copolysiloxanes based on the same constitutional isomeric mesogens as side groups, and flexible spacers containing 11, 8, 6, 5, and respectively 3 methylenic units is also described. All polymers were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and optical polarization microscopy. The polymers containing 11 methylenic units in the spacer exhibit Sc mesomorphism, while the other polymers are nematic. Copolymethacrylates do not undergo side-chain crystallization. Only the copolyacrylate containing 11 methylenic units in the spacer exhibits side-chain crystallization. All the copolysiloxanes display side-chain crystallization. The number of melting transitions seen for these polymers decreases with increasing spacer length. Copolysiloxanes containing dissimilar spacer length were also prepared. Only the copolymer synthesized with highly dissimilar spacer lengths, i.e., containing 3 and 11 methylenic units, does not undergo side-chain crystallization. These results have demonstrated that while the type of mesophase is dictated only by the spacer length, the degree of decoupling of the motion of the side-groups from the motion of the main chain is strongly dependent on the nature of the polymer backbone. For the same mesogenic unit and spacer length, the thermal stability of the mesophase is also dictated by the nature of the polymer backbone. The use of constitutional isomers of mesogenic units as side groups in liquid crystalline polymers provides at least qualitative information on the degree of decoupling of the side groups from the polymer main chain.
Comparison of VLC-based indoor positioning techniques

Indoor positioning based on visible light communication (VLC) technology has become a very popular research topic recently. This paper provides an overview of different VLC based indoor positioning techniques and their performance. Three schemes of location estimation together with their mechanisms are introduced. We then present a detailed comparison on their performances in terms of accuracy, space dimension and complexity. We further discuss a couple of factors that would affect the performance of each of these positioning systems, including multipath reflections and synchronization. Finally, conclusions and future prospects of research are addressed.
Chorioamnionitis and Intrauterine Fetal Death after Second-Trimester Amniocentesis

We report an intrauterine fetal death that occurred less than 24 h after transabdominal amniocentesis. Chorioamnionitis was confirmed by amniotic fluid culture which showed multiple enteric organisms and postmortem examination of the fetus that showed Clostridium perfringens. The patient was treated with intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics and uterine evacuation and her condition rapidly improved. Intra-amniotic infection after amniocentesis requires a high index of suspicion and prompt aggressive treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics and uterine evacuation to prevent maternal sepsis-related morbidity and mortality.
Dechlorination of Carbon Tetrachloride by Fe(II) Associated with Goethite

Carbon tetrachloride (CT) was dechlorinated to chloroform (CF) under anoxic conditions by Fe(II) that was sorbed to the surface of goethite (α-FeOOH). No reaction occurred when Fe(II) was present and goethite was absent. Several abiotic experiments were conducted with goethite at 30 °C in which the total amount of Fe(II) in the system, the amount of sorbed Fe(II), the density of sorbed Fe(II), and the pH were varied. Regeneration of sorbed Fe(II) occurred when dissolved Fe2+ was available and maintained pseudo-first-order conditions with respect to CT. Analysis of the rates of CT loss for experiments with sorbed-Fe(II) regeneration showed the rate-determining-step to be first order with respect to CT, second order with respect to the volumetric concentration of sorbed Fe(II) (i.e., mmol sorbed Fe(II) L-1 suspension), and zero order with respect to H+ for pH between 4.2 and 7.3. The absolute rate constant for the reaction was determined to be 42 ± 5 M-2 s-1. Normalization of the observed rate constants to ...
Pupillometric assessment of sleepiness in narcolepsy.

Purpose: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is highly prevalent in the general population, is the hallmark of Narcolepsy, and is linked to significant morbidity. Clinical assessment of sleepiness remains challenging and the common objective (Multiple Sleep Latency Test; MSLT) and subjective (Epworth Sleepiness Scale; ESS) methods correlate poorly. We examined the relative utility of Pupillary Unrest Index (PUI) as an objective measure of sleepiness in a group of unmedicated narcoleptics and healthy controls in a prospective, observational pilot study. Methods: Narcolepsy (n = 20; untreated for > 2 weeks) and control (n = 56) participants were tested under the same experimental conditions; overnight polysomnography was performed on all participants, followed by a daytime testing protocol including: MSLT, PUI, sleepiness Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ESS, and the Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT). Results: The narcolepsy and control groups differed significantly on psychomotor performance and each measure of objective and subjective sleepiness, including PUI. Across the entire sample, PUI correlated significantly with objective (mean sleep latency; SL) and subjective (ESS and VAS) sleepiness, but none of the sleepiness measures correlated with performance (PVT). Among narcoleptics, VAS correlated with PVT measures. Within the control group, mean PUI was the only objective sleepiness measure that correlated with subjective sleepiness. Finally, in an ANCOVA model, SL and ESS were significantly predictive of PUI as measure of sleepiness. Conclusion: The role of PUI in quantifying and distinguishing sleepiness of narcolepsy from sleep satiated healthy controls merits further investigation as it is a portable, brief, and objective test.
Identification of interleukin 6 as a synergistic factor for the differentiation-inducing effect of TNF on leukemic ML-1 cells

Recombinant TNF was capable of inducing differentiation of human leukemic ML-1 cells in the monocytic pathway. Recombinant interleukin 6 did not have the activity but it could significantly increase the activity of recombinant TNF. Both of these molecules were found to play a similar role in PWM-induced conditioned medium from human lymphocytes (LCM). The differentiation inducing effect of LCM could be partially neutralized by antibody to interleukin 6. Fractionation of LCM also identified interleukin 6 as the factor that synergizes with TNF.
A 3-dimensional ultrasound study of local anesthetic spread during lateral popliteal nerve block: what is the ideal end point for needle tip position?

Background and Objectives Recent clinical trials suggest that subfascial (sometimes termed subepineural) injections result in faster block onset and success compared with conventional techniques. This prospective, randomized, observer-blinded study measured and compared the 3-dimensional spread pattern and volume of perineural local anesthetic (LA) in contact with the sciatic nerve after subfascial versus extrafascial lateral popliteal injections. Methods Sixty patients were randomly assigned to either the subfascial or the extrafascial injection group. All patients received a single-injection, US-guided lateral popliteal sciatic nerve block for postoperative pain. Depending on group assignment, the needle tip was placed outside or beneath the sciatic fascial sheath for a single injection of 30 mL of ropivacaine 0.5%. Using 3-dimensional ultrasound imaging, postblock scans were acquired to quantify the volume and spread pattern of perineural LA around the sciatic nerve in each group. Results The mean LA perineural volume for the extrafascial group was 1.48 (SD, 0.50) mL versus a mean of 5.57 (SD, 1.68) mL for the subfascial group, P Conclusions Placement of the needle tip beneath the complex fascial sheath of the sciatic nerve resulted in significantly greater perineural local anesthetic volume following a single-injection lateral popliteal approach at the nerve bifurcation and was associated with greater sensory blockade and a characteristic laminar LA spread pattern.
Fields of definition for homomorphisms of abelian varieties

Abstract We give results on when homomorphisms between abelian varieties are or are not defined over fields obtained from division points on the varieties. For example, if A and B are abelian varieties defined over a field F, of dimensions d and e, respectively, and L is the intersection of the fields F(AN, BN) for all integers N prime to the characteristic of F and greater than 2, then every element of Hom(A, B) is defined over L, L F is unramified at the discrete places of good reduction for A × B, and [L : F] divides H(d,e), where H(d,e) is a number given by an explicit formula and is less than 4(9d)2d(9e)2e.
False alarm control using Doppler estimation

A technique which uses maximum-likelihood estimates (MLEs) of target Doppler and target amplitude is developed for rejecting clutter residues. Multiple estimates are made and consistency checks are applied to the estimates. Simulation results indicate that for large clutter-to-noise ratios (C/N>or=55 dB) the probability of false alarm from clutter residues is reduced from 1.0 to below 0.01. >
Femtosecond real-time alignment in chemical reactions

Abstract Femtosecond real-time alignment in dissociation reactions is observed experimentally for HgI2 and ICN. The results are accounted for by the classical theory outlined here. This study adds a new dimension to femtosecond transition-state spectroscopy (FTS), namely the probing of the “vector dynamics” of reactions.
Presence of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone-Like Proteins in Bovine and Ovine Ovaries*

Recently, the rat ovary was shown to contain significant levels of a GnRH-like protein, but no detectable GnRH. In the present studies, extracts of bovine ovaries and ovine corpora lutea were examined for their content of both GnRH-like protein and GnRH. The GnRH-like proteins were detected with a rat ovarian membrane radioreceptor assay, and GnRH was detected with a specific GnRH RIA. The biological activity of the GnRH-like protein was evaluted with a rat luteal cell assay. GnRH-like activity, but not GnRH, was clearly present in extracts of the entire bovine ovary, bovine corpus luteum, bovine granulosa cells, and ovine corpus luteum. The highest levels of GnRH-like activity were present in granulosa cells. Neither GnRH-like activity nor GnRH was detected in extracts of bovine follicular fluid or bovine jugular plasma. Fractionation of the bovine and ovine GnRH-like proteins by reverse phase HPLC resulted in retention times similar to that of the rat ovarian GnRH-like protein, but distinctly different ...
The electrical conductivity and thermodynamic behavior of SrO-doped nonstoichiometric cerium dioxide

Abstract Electrical conductivity and thermogravimetric measurements were made on SrO-doped nonstoichiometric cerium dioxide (i.e., Ce1−ySryO2−y−x) as a function of temperature (∼700–1500°C) and oxygen partial pressure (∼1 to 10−21 atm). Assuming limiting case defect models the ionic, σi, and electronic, σe, conductivities were calculated from this data. In the region where y ⪢ x (i.e., at low temperatures and high oxygen pressures) the conductivity is independent of PO2 and up to approximately 3 mole% SrO, it is proportional to mole% SrO. The equation for ionic conductivity, σ i ⋍ [4.5 ± 0.5] [m/o SrO]exp (−0.58/kT) , was obtained by fitting the conductivity data in this region to an expression derived on the basis of an oxygen vacancy model. In the composition region between approximately x = 10−3 and x = 10−2, both the thermodynamic behavior and the electrical conductivity was shown to be consistent with a defect model involving randomly distributed doubly ionized oxygen vacancies and electrons localized on normal cerium sites. In this region the electronic conductivity varies linearly with x and the electronic mobility decreases with increasing SrO content.
Particulate myocardial perfusion scintigraphy: Its clinical usefulness in evaluation of coronary artery disease

The determination of myocardial viability is a crucial parameter in the evaluation of a patient with coronary artery disease. Particulate myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (PMPS) is one of several methods available for this determination. A brief comparison between PMPS and two other commonly used methods is described in this review. The technique and analysis are described and applied to 194 patients with 366 surgically bypassed regions. The patients are analyzed for postoperative regional wall function and for total ventricular function as expressed by ejection fraction. PMPS is a highly accurate and unique study for clinically predicting myocardial viability.
Immunochemical analysis of a recombinant, genetically engineered, secreted HLA-A2/Q10b fusion protein.

Abstract We engineered a fusion gene which encodes the α 1 and α 2 domains of HLA-A2 with the α 3 and truncated transmembrane domains of the murine class I-like protein Q10 b , and transferred it into mouse L cells along with the gene for human β 2 -microglobulin ( β 2 m). The secreted rA2/Q10 b gene product consisted of a single heavy chain of molecular weight 42 kd that was noncovalently associated with the human β 2 m light chain. Native detergent-solubilized HLA-A2 and secreted rA2/Q10 b proteins were found to be similar by: (a) the binding to mouse monoclonal anti-HLA antibodies in an ELISA; (b) the blocking of lysis of HLA-A2 + cells by human anti-HLA-A2,-B17, anti-HLA-A2,9,28, and anti-HLA-A2,28 cross-reactive group (CREG) antisera in a complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay; and (c) the ability when coupled to Sepharose to selectively purify HLA-A2,9,28 and HLA-A2,28 CREG-specific antibodies. Mouse L cells expressing rA2/Q10 b produced as much as 2.5 μg protein per 10 6 cells/day, or 50- to 100- fold more antigen on a per cell basis than the level of HLA-A2 expressed by B-lymphoblastoid cell line or spleen cells. Thus rA2/Q10 b represents a viable alternative to detergent-solubilized HLA-A2 for purification of anti-HLA-A2 antibodies and analysis of anti-HLA-A2 immune responses.
The Cylindrical Crack

Etude d'une fissure cylindrique soumise a une pression interne dans un milieu elastique infini
Two-Segment Separable Programming

New iterative separable programming techniques based on two-segment, piecewise-linear approximations are described for the minimization of convex separable functions over convex sets. These techniques have two advantages over traditional separable programming methods. The first is that they do not require the cumbersome “fine grid” approximations employed to achieve high accuracy in the usual separable programming approach. In addition, the new methods yield feasible solutions with objective values guaranteed to be within any specified tolerance of optimality. In computational tests with real-world problems of up to 500 “nonlinear” variables the approach has exhibited rapid convergence and yielded very close bounds on the optimal value.
Cascade effects on the polarization of He-like Fe 1 s 2 l − 1 s 2 x-ray line emission

We calculate x-ray line polarization degrees for cases with axial symmetry using a collisional-radiative magnetic-sublevel atomic kinetics model and the properties of multipole radiation fields. This approach is well suited for problems where the alignment is determined by the competition between many atomic processes. We benchmark this method against polarization measurements performed at the Livermore electron beam ion trap, and we study the 3-to-2 cascade effects on the polarization of 2-to-1 lines in He-like Fe.
Comparison of methods for detecting mitomycin C‐ and ethyl nitrosourea‐induced germ cell damage in mice: Sperm enzyme activities, sperm motility, testis weight

Testes weights, sperm motility and enzyme activities in single sperm were compared with respect to their ability to detect either developmental or mutational damage to germ cells. Male mice were injected i.p. with 2.5 mg/kg mitomycin C (MC) or 50 or 100 mg/kg ethylnitrosourea (ENU) or saline and were then killed at times such that sperm derived from treated vas sperm (SZ), spermatids (ST), preleptotene-late-spermatogonial cells (PLSG), spermatogonial cells (SG), or spermatogonial stem cells (SGS) could be evaluated. Testis weights decreased significantly as early as 1 wk after treatment, with the greatest decrease reached 3-4 wk after treatment, followed by recovery to normal levels 10-15 wk after treatment. We conclude that testis weight, which is easily obtained, is a sensitive indicator of germ cell damage by these agents. Sperm from each animal were evaluated for sperm motility, acrosin activity, succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activity with or without the competitive inhibitor malonate or after exposure to 60 degrees C for 10 min. The latter two assays were to detect sperm enzymes resistant to the inhibitor or heat. The presence of the acrosin protein was also detected immunologically. Sperm motility decreased most from treatment of PLSG and SG. After MC or ENU treatment, the greatest loss of acrosin activity and of the acrosin protein was also noted in sperm derived from treated PLSG and SG. MC and ENU failed to induce SDH activity in single sperm resistant to 60 degrees C heat inhibition or to inhibition by malonate. Of the sperm assays, acrosin activity proved to be the most sensitive indicator of germ cell damage and was the simplest to measure.
Melt distribution in mantle rocks deformed in shear

Shear experiments on olivine-basalt aggregates provide compelling evidence that the dynamic distribution of melt is controlled by the magnitude and orientation of the differential stress. Our results suggest that deformed, partially molten upper mantle rocks will have highly anisotropic physical properties including seismic wave velocities and melt permeability. In addition, our results provide a basis for interpreting geophysical observations, such as shear-wave splitting and for modeling melt migration processes beneath mid-ocean ridges, specifically focused flow of melt toward the ridge axis.
Dual-energy micro-CT imaging of pulmonary airway obstruction: correlation with micro-SPECT

To match recent clinical dual energy (DE) CT studies focusing on the lung, similar developments for DE micro-CT of the rodent lung are required. Our group has been actively engaged in designing pulmonary gating techniques for micro- CT, and has also introduced the first DE micro-CT imaging method of the rodent lung. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of DE micro-CT imaging for the evaluation of airway obstruction in mice, and to compare the method with micro single photon emission computed tomography (micro-SPECT) using technetium-99m labeled macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA). The results suggest that the induced pulmonary airway obstruction causes either atelectasis, or air-trapping similar to asthma or chronic bronchitis. Atelectasis could only be detected at early time points in DE micro-CT images, and is associated with a large increase in blood fraction and decrease in air fraction. Air trapping had an opposite effect with larger air fraction and decreased blood fraction shown by DE micro-CT. The decrease in perfusion to the hypoventilated lung (hypoxic vasoconstriction) is also seen in micro-SPECT. The proposed DE micro-CT technique for imaging localized airway obstruction performed well in our evaluation, and provides a higher resolution compared to micro-SPECT. Both DE micro-CT and micro-SPECT provide critical, quantitative lung biomarkers for image-based anatomical and functional information in the small animal. The methods are readily linked to clinical methods allowing direct comparison of preclinical and clinical results.
THE EFFECTS OF INSTRUCTION IN CONSUMER EDUCATION ACADEMIC UNITS ON CONSUMER ECONOMIC PROFICIENCY

This research sought to determine whetehr formal classroom instruction improves students' consumer economic competencies. Students who were enrolled in a course that presented information in the areas of credit use, money management, savings and investment, and insurance when compared to students who did not take the course demonstrated a higher level of consumer economic competency. Significant differences in competency were also found when social class, post-high school career plans, and sex of student were considered.
A Temperature-Dependent Study of Sealed Lead-Acid Batteries Using Physical Equivalent Circuit Modeling With Impedance Spectra Derived High Current/Power Correction

A lead-acid battery model was developed for use in characterizing lead-acid battery performance for renewable energy power generation and load balancing. This model includes the effect of temperature, current, and state of charge (SOC). The model was tested against experimental results for constant power discharge. This model also shows a strong link between the applied dc current and the effective impedance of the cell.
Role of a long-acting somatostatin analogue (SMS 201-995) in the treatment of acromegaly.

Abstract The beneficial effect of the long-acting analogue of somatostatin SMS 201-995 in the treatment of acromegaly is described in three cases, and current published experience is reviewed. A total of 64 patients from 10 series have received the drug from one to 25 months, usually in doses of 50–150 μg every eight hours by subcutaneous injection. Clinical and chemical improvement was observed in the majority of subjects but normal 24-hour serum growth hormone levels were achieved in no more than 35 percent of this group and possibly less. We have found that higher doses, up to 1,500 μg per day, which have generally been free of side effects, are sometimes required to normalize growth hormone secretion. A reduction of up to 33 percent in pituitary tumor size has been reported in more than half of the 27 cases studied from four groups. Clinically important side effects are infrequent, but diarrhea, usually transient, occurred in about 13 percent, with frank steatorrhea in 2 to 6 percent of cases. Alteration in carbohydrate metabolism, such as transient glucose intolerance at the start of therapy in non-diabetic acromegalic patients, and increased sensitivity to insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetic acromegalic patients, is common. Overall, SMS 201-995 appears to be a valuable new agent for the treatment of acromegaly, but long-term safety needs to be established.
Effect of laser focus on ion production in the laser ion source for elemental analysis

Abstract Optimization of the laser ion source is best done via ion beam diagnostics rather than by visual focusing to the specimen surface or to a minimum diameter brightest plasma. Doubly charged ions signals are especially useful for the optimization of both the laser focus and the local laser power density level.
EARLY FLOWERING3 Encodes a Novel Protein That Regulates Circadian Clock Function and Flowering in Arabidopsis

Higher plants use photoperiodic cues to regulate many aspects of development, including the transition from vegetative to floral development. The EARLY FLOWERING3 (ELF3) gene is required for photoperiodic flowering and normal circadian regulation in Arabidopsis. We have cloned ELF3 by positional methods and found that it encodes a novel 695–amino acid protein that may function as a transcriptional regulator. ELF3 transcript level is regulated in a circadian manner, as is expected of a zeitnehmer input pathway component. Overexpression of the LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL gene, which has been proposed to function as a clock component, did not abolish circadian regulation of ELF3 transcription, providing further evidence that ELF3 is a circadian clock input pathway component.
Enkephalins—Enhancement of active T-cell rosettes from lymphoma patients

Methionine enkephalin was found to increase significantly the active T-cell rosettes from lymphoma patients. In sharp contrast, the leucine enkephalin was observed to increase active rosettes only at a single low concentration. Neither enkephalin significantly altered the total T-cell rosettes. It is suggested that methionine enkephalin could have a significant influence in enhancing cell-mediated immunity and T-cell function, particularly in lymphoma patients.
An antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to the delta opioid receptor (DOR-1) inhibits morphine tolerance and acute dependence in mice

Pharmacological data from several laboratories support a modulatory role for the delta opioid receptor in morphine analgesia, tolerance, and physical dependence. We examined the role of the delta opioid receptor in these processes using an in vivo antisense strategy in mice. Intracerebroventricular administration of a 20mer antisense or a mismatch control oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) targeting the mRNA of the cloned delta opioid receptor (DOR-1) for 3 days did not affect baseline nociceptive thresholds or morphine analgesia compared to untreated or saline-treated mice. However, dose-response studies indicate that the induction of morphine tolerance following 3 days of chronic morphine administration was blocked in antisense but not mismatch ODN or saline-treated mice. Antisense ODN treatment also blocked the development of acute morphine dependence, whereas similar protection was not afforded to mice treated with saline or mismatch ODN. This study demonstrates the relevance of the cloned DOR-1 in morphine tolerance and dependence and provides new evidence for a modulatory role of the delta opioid receptor using this novel approach.
The effects of valinomycin on ion movements across the sarcoplasmic reticulum in frog muscle.

The effects of valinomycin on the elemental composition and the fractional volume of the terminal cisternae (t.c.) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (s.r.) were determined in rapidly frozen frog semitendinosus muscles. The concentrations of valinomycin used for the electron probe studies (5 microM) had no effect on tetanus tension or t.c. volume (2.% of fibre volume). Mitochondria were markedly swollen and their K content was significantly increased in both the resting and the tetanized valinomycin-treated muscles. Valinomycin had no effect on the concentration of Na, Mg, P, Cl, K and Ca in the t.c. of resting muscles. In untreated, tetanized muscles, Ca2+ release was accompanied by the uptake of K and Mg into the t.c. in an amount that was significantly less than the positive charge removed through Ca2+ release, confirming previous observations showing an apparent charge deficit (Somlyo, Gonzalez-Serratos, Shuman, McClellan & Somlyo, 1981). Valinomycin abolished the apparent charge deficit: in tetanized, valinomycin-treated muscles, the uptake of K into the t.c. was significantly (P less than 0.001) greater than in the untreated muscles and Mg uptake also remained highly significant. It is suggested that Ca2+ release from activated muscle is an electrogenic process and that the K+ conductance of the s.r. in untreated frog muscles is insufficient to allow charge neutralization of the Ca2+ current during release. The increase in K+ permeability caused by valinomycin permits the greater counter movement of K+ under the combined influence of the electrical potential generated by outward Ca2+ movement and the acidic cation binding proteins in the lumen of the s.r. The results are consistent with the proposal (Somlyo et al. 1981) that in normal frog muscles not treated with valinomycin, the apparent positive charge deficit observed after a tetanus reflects the movement of protons and, possibly, organic cations.
Investigation of Nanoporous Thin-Film Alumina Templates

This paper presents the results of a systematic study of the fabrication of thin-film alumina templates on silicon and other substrates. Such templates are of significant interest for the low-cost implementation of semiconductor and metal nanostructure arrays. In addition, thin-film alumina templates on silicon have the potential for nanostructure integration with silicon electronics. Formation of thin-film alumina templates on silicon substrates was investigated under different fabrication conditions, and the dependence of pore morphology and pore formation rate on process parameters was evaluated. In addition, process conditions for improved pore size distribution and periodicity were determined. The template/silicon interface, important for nanostructure integration on silicon, was investigated using capacitance-voltage measurements and electron microscopy, and was found to be of good device quality. Formation of thin-film alumina templates on nonsilicon substrates such as glass, indium-tin-oxide-coated glass, and silicon carbide was also investigated.
Classification and detection of fire on WSN using IMB400 multimedia sensor board

Over the years fire detection systems have been developed using multiple techniques. These systems monitor the damage done by forest fires and tend to reduce the environment degradation and save the natural as well as human resources. On the other hand, these techniques or methodologies still need a lot of effort because they are mostly a high cost maintenance process for early detection. Otherwise some systems have been considered as slow systems in detecting fires. It is a well documented fact that detecting a fire would not be enough for real time cases. An early detection and an early alarm system can rapidly improve the detection process and avoid loss of life as well as property or natural damage. In this paper we introduce a new detection system for fire detection using a multimedia board in order to detect and verify the fire in less time. The idea of the new algorithm is to add the capability of multimedia in an efficient way. Therefore, we used the IMB 400 Multimedia board in order to capture the images and run our filtering algorithm over the images to detect the fire. Hence, with the IMB 400 board's sleep/wake up ability, we can save on the critical issue of energy consumption. With this system, we will be able to detect and verify the fire in an environment at the same time and save the fire images in a database for further training of the classifier. This would be a robust system itself. Lastly, in this paper we are showing the importance of color information and movement over the detection of fire systems by using the Multimedia board (IMB400) in our implementation.
Adaptive Accelerated Molecular Dynamics (Ad-AMD) Revealing the Molecular Plasticity of P450cam

An extended accelerated molecular dynamics (AMD) methodology called adaptive AMD is presented. Adaptive AMD (Ad-AMD) is an efficient and robust conformational space sampling algorithm that is particularly-well suited to proteins with highly structured potential energy surfaces exhibiting complex, large-scale collective conformational transitions. Ad-AMD simulations of substrate-free P450cam reveal that this system exists in equilibrium between a fully and partially open conformational state. The mechanism for substrate binding depends on the size of the ligand. Larger ligands enter the P450cam binding pocket, and the resulting substrate-bound system is trapped in an open conformation via a population shift mechanism. Small ligands, which fully enter the binding pocket, cause an induced-fit mechanism, resulting in the formation of an energetically stable closed conformational state. These results are corroborated by recent experimental studies and potentially provide detailed insight into the functional dy...
The crystal structure of the Y66L variant of green fluorescent protein supports a cyclization-oxidation-dehydration mechanism for chromophore maturation.

The crystal structure of a colorless variant of green fluorescent protein (GFP) containing the Y66L substitution has been determined to 1.5 A. Crystallographic evidence is presented for the formation of a trapped intermediate on the pathway of chromophore maturation, where the peptide backbone of residues 65−67 has condensed to form a five-membered heterocyclic ring. The hydroxyl leaving group remains attached to the ring as confirmed by high-resolution electrospray mass spectrometry. The α-carbon of residue 66 exhibits trigonal planar geometry, consistent with ring oxidation by molecular oxygen. Side chain positions of surrounding residues are not perturbed, in contrast to structural results obtained for the GFPsol-S65G/Y66G variant [Barondeau, D. P., Putnam, C. D., Kassmann, C. J., Tainer, J. A., and Getzoff, E. D. (2003) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100, 12111−12116]. The data are in accord with a reaction pathway in which dehydration is the last of three chemical steps in GFP chromophore formation. A...
Superionic behavior in CuCl and CuBr at elevated temperatures

Abstract EXAFS data on several phases of CuCl and CuBr are analyzed in terms of the various structural models that have been proposed. The one favored is the excluded volume model which has previously given good results on superionic AgI and CuI. It is determined that the Cu ion density peaks at the tetrahedral locations in all phases of CuCl and CuBr and that it spreads substantially toward and through the tetrahedral faces as the temperature is increased. This behavior is qualitatively identical to that in AgI and CuI, and therefore properly regarded as superionic.