cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dose of cat (Felis domesticus) allergen 1 (Fel d 1) that induces asthma

Abstract In 10 patients with cat asthma and hay fever, we quantified the doses of cat allergen (expressed as cat allergen 1 [Cat-1] in log Food and Drug Administration [FDA] units) inspired from the ambient air of a room containing living cats required to induce a 20% drop in FEV 1 . These doses were compared with the doses required to cause the same change in FEV 1 when the patients were subjected to bronchial challenge with aerosols of cat hair and dander extract in the conventional manner. Patients highly sensitive to cat extract by skin, leukocyte histamine release, and bronchoprovocation tests and with measurable levels of antic at IgE by RAST were exposed for up to 2 hours in a room occupied full-time by two cats. At the same time, room air was sampled by a Durham gravity sampler, by an Andersen sampler, and by lapel fiberglass filters. When hair and dander particles trapped on greased slides by gravity and Andersen samplers were stained, sized, and counted, squamous cell fragments in the p 1 , when air sampling was stopped, the lapel filters had trapped a total of −1.86 to p 1 in the conventional bronchoprovocation tests.
Convulsive therapy in delusional disorders

This article seeks to define the role of convulsive therapy in the management of psychoses dominated by persistent delusions. As delusions are not diagnostic of any specific mental illness or diagnostic group, this evaluation considers the psychiatric disorders in which delusions are defined and describes the role of convulsive therapy in their management. The predictive value of delusions for good outcome with electroconvulsive therapy is noted, and the relation between these observations and the mechanisms of action of convulsive therapy and the nosology of mental disorders is considered.
Demethylation of Veratrole by Cytochrome P-450 in Streptomyces setonii.

The actinomycete Streptomyces setonii 75Vi2 demethylates vanillic acid and guaiacol to protocatechuic acid and catechol, respectively, and then metabolizes the products by the β-ketoadipate pathway. UV spectroscopy showed that this strain could also metabolize veratrole (1,2-dimethoxybenzene). When grown in veratrole-containing media supplemented with 2,2′-dipyridyl to inhibit cleavage of the aromatic ring, S. setonii accumulated catechol, which was detected by both liquid chromatography and gas chromatography. Reduced cell extracts from veratrole-grown cultures, but not sodium succinate-grown cultures, produced a carbon monoxide difference spectrum with a peak at 450 nm that indicated the presence of soluble cytochrome P-450. Addition of veratrole or guaiacol to oxidized cell extracts from veratrole-grown cultures produced difference spectra that indicated that these compounds were substrates for cytochrome P-450. My results suggest that S. setonii produces a cytochrome P-450 that is involved in the demethylation of veratrole and guaiacol to catechol, which is then catabolized by the β-ketoadipate pathway.
Lumbar spinal malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor arising from a benign neurofibroma

We present the case of a 27-year-old man who had a soft-tissue lumbar spine mass causing back, abdominal, and groin pain. Imaging showed the lesion filling the right neural foramen, invading the anterior L2 vertebral body and both pedicles, and protruding into the central canal, causing compression of the thecal sac. The final pathologic diagnosis was a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, with histologic evidence of a precursor neurofibroma. The patient did not have an underlying diagnosis of neurofibromatosis.
Dimethyl amiloride improves glucose homeostasis in mouse models of type 2 diabetes.

Dimethyl amiloride (DMA) enhances insulin secretion in the pancreatic β-cell. DMA also enhances time-dependent potentiation (TDP) and enables TDP to occur in situations where it is normally absent....
Erosion testing of laser-cladding layers by abrasive water-jetting

Abstract Laser cladding is an advanced technique to improve the erosion resistance of the surface of parts. The erosion testing of five laser-cladding layers (METCO 81NS, METCO 430NS, SM 5847, HF147, AMDRY 302) was studied using three-axis CNC (computer numerical control) abrasive water-jetting (AWJ) at various erosion times t and various impingement angles α. An indicator named erosion rate E was defined to calculate and evaluate the erosion resistance of the laser-cladding layers. The effects of erosion time t and impingement angle α on the erosion of the five cladding layers were discussed. It is shown by calculation that SM 5847 has the best erosion resistance, and METCO 81NS has the worst erosion resistance among the five cladding layers. The erosion mechanisms for the five cladding layers were studied according to the surface morphologies of the eroded cladding layers. There exist two kinds of erosion mechanisms about the erosion of the cladding layers. One is brittle fracture mechanism; another is deformation wear mechanism. METCO 430NS has interconnected cracks after erosion; the brittle fracture mechanism is dominant. Both the brittle fracture mechanism and the deformation wear mechanism contribute to the erosion of METCO 81NS because of some discrete cracks in the eroded cladding layer. For SM 5847, HF147, and AMDRY 302, the deformation wear mechanism is absolutely dominant due to no cracks in these eroded cladding layers. The stress state of a cladding layer during the erosion process also has an effect on the erosion rate. Compared with a cladding layer subject to deformation wear, the normal stress perpendicular to the eroded surface has a greater effect on the erosion rate of a cladding layer subject to brittle fracture. Compared with grit blasting, AWJ can reduce the grit embedding in the target material due to the action of the high-pressure water, therefore improving the precision of erosion testing. The erosion testing is numerically controlled by a three-axis CNC system. Therefore, precise and detailed results at various parameters can be obtained.
Lipid targeting domain with dual-membrane specificity that expands the diversity of intracellular targeting reactions.

In cell signaling pathways, many critical on-off switching events occur on membrane surfaces. Such switching events are often regulated by lipid targeting domains that recruit their parent signaling proteins from cytoplasm to the appropriate membrane surface during the event and then release from the membrane when the event ends. Once bound to their target membrane, the recruited signaling proteins are activated, at least in part, by enhanced accessibility to membrane-associated effector proteins and/or lipids (Fig. 1A). Lipid targeting domains have evolved sophisticated chemical recognition strategies to discriminate among diverse types of membranes exposed to the cytoplasm, enabling specific binding to one membrane. Progress is being made toward understanding the recognition mechanisms that deliver lipid targeting domains and their parent signaling proteins to exactly the right membrane surface at precisely the right time. However, the article by Boura and Hurley (1) in PNAS suggests that even more complex, highly specialized membrane targeting specificities remain to be discovered. The article reports the very high resolution (1.3 A) crystal structure of the recently described (2) MVB12-associated β-prism (MABP) domain and shows that the MABP domain targets anionic lipid bilayers. Further, in live cells, a homodimeric construct of the domain exhibits an unusual dual specificity characterized by simultaneous targeting to the plasma membrane and late endosomes, consistent with the known activity of MVB12 and its ESCRT complex (Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport) at both membranes. This first observation of dual-membrane targeting raises intriguing questions about the mechanism by which such targeting is achieved.
Flowshop with no idle machine time allowed

Abstract This paper investigates a solution procedure for a flowshop problem in which once a machine is started it continuously processes all the jobs that are to be processed. This is the “no idle time allowed” constraint. The constraint has previously been investigated and linear programming and a branch-and-bound method have been proposed as solution procedures with makespan criterion. In this paper, several heuristics designed for the general flowshop problem are applied to the no idle time allowed constraint and results show that one application yields good solutions for problems with up to ten jobs. Results are also given for larger flowshop problems.
Optimal power line communications control policies using stochastic optimization

We present a general stochastic optimization framework for periodic systems and apply it to PLC networks with linear and time varying (LPTV) channels. Our method of solution operates online and does not assume prior knowledge about the distribution of channel states, but rather samples the LPTV channel to learn the information necessary to compute optimal control policies. We apply this framework to compute optimal bit allocations (rates) and transmit powers for each transmit period over an AC cycle, subject to requirements on average bit error rates and finite buffer sizes. The resultant policies find bit loadings that maximize throughput, while meeting BER requirements and preventing buffer overflow.
Use of molecular variation in the NCBI dbSNP database.

While high quality information regarding variation in genes is currently available in locus-specific or specialized mutation databases, the need remains for a general catalog of genome variation to address the large-scale sampling designs required by association studies, gene mapping, and evolutionary biology. In response to this need, the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has established the dbSNP database http://ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/SNP/ to serve as a generalized, central variation database. Submissions to dbSNP will be integrated with other sources of information at NCBI such as GenBank, PubMed, LocusLink, and the Human Genome Project data, and the complete contents of dbSNP are available to the public via anonymous FTP. Hum Mutat 15:68-75, 2000. Published 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
TH‐C‐I‐609‐09: Quantifying Breast Density for Improved Evaluation of Breast Cancer Risk

Purpose: To quantify a preliminary relationship between breast density and acoustic velocity using ultrasoundcomputed tomography. The existence of such a relationship may provide quantitative prognostic information that can be used to determine breast cancer risk. Method and Materials: A sample of female patients was imaged using the CURE, or Computerized Ultrasound Risk Evaluation, device. The mammographic densities of each patient were assigned by a certified radiologist on a 1 (fatty) to 4 (dense) scale. Regions of interest (160 mm2) were selected contralateral to present anomalies in multiple adjacent slices centrally located on the breast, away from the chest wall and nipple regions. The minimum, maximum, mean, and standard deviation of the acoustic velocity were recorded for each slice. Results: This statistical information was then correlated against breast density to investigate the presence of meaningful relationships. Initial assessment of this sample suggests that the maximum sound speed values increase with increasing mammographic density, while the minimum values appear to decrease with increasing density. The mean sound speed shows a weak but steady trend with increasing density. The behavior of these correlations suggests that the intrinsic scatter of sound speeds within the breast tissue is a strong function of the mammographic breast density. However, these relationships are statistically weak due to a small sample size, and further investigation will be required to strengthen this association. Conclusion: This preliminary examination suggests that a quantifiable relationship between breast density and sound speed may exist. If these results are further validated in larger studies, then it may be possible to utilize CURE measurements to assess breast cancer risk with a quantitative score. Results will be available for forty additional patients in July, and a more definitive conclusion regarding these findings can then be provided.
A Chromatographic Examination of the Alkaloidal Fraction of Amanita pantherina

A 1.5-Kg. quantity of oven-dried Amanita pantherina was defatted and extracted exhaustively with 70% ethanol. Purification of this extract yielded a solution which contained the total chloroform-soluble alkaloids of the mushroom. Chromatographic examination of this solution revealed the resence of two comounds giving typical alkaloid reactions and a third compound which appeared to be an indole derivative. Comparison of Rf values and color reactions of these compounds with known alkaloids revealed that neither bufotenine nor hyoscyamine, nor any alkaloid giving a positive Vitali-Morin reaction, was present in the extract.
Impurities in drug substances and drug products: new approaches to quantification and qualification

Regulatory requirements for the identification, qualification and control of impurities in drug substances and their formulated products are now being increasingly explicitly defined, particularly through the International Conference on Harmonisation. The implications of the recent guidelines are reviewed, both from their regulatory impact and the impact upon analytical technology. Impurities also have important safety consequences, and suggestions for possible routes to the qualification of impurities which do not involve the need to undertake additional studies are made.
Effect of Capillary Number on the Microstructure of Residual Oil in Strongly Water-Wet Sandstones

Les consequences d'une augmentation du nombre capillaire sur la structure de l'huile residuelle piegee dans une carotte en gres mouillee par de l'eau sont etudiees a l'aide d'une phase non mouillante, le styrene, qui peut se solidifier et se separer du milieu poreux et une phase mouillante constituee de saumure contenant 2% de CaCl 2 . La distribution des tailles des gouttes d'huile residuelle est determinee par analyse d'image et a l'aide du compteur Coulter
Spacetime coarse grainings in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics.

Sum-over-histories generalizations of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics are explored in which probabilities are predicted, not just for alternatives defined on spacelike surfaces, but for alternatives defined by the behavior of spacetime histories with respect to spacetime regions. Closed, nonrelativistic systems are discussed whose histories are paths in a given configuration space. The action and the initial quantum state are assumed fixed and given. A formulation of quantum mechanics is used which assigns probabilities to members of sets of alternative coarse-grained histories of the system, that is, to the individual classes of a partition of its paths into exhaustive and exclusive classes. Probabilities are assigned to those sets which decohere, that is, whose probabilities are consistent with the sum rules of probability theory. Coarse graining by the behavior of paths with respect to regions of spacetime is described. For example, given a single region, the set of all paths may be partitioned into those which never pass through the region and those which pass through the region at least once. A sum-over-histories decoherence functional is defined for sets of alternative histories coarse-grained by spacetime regions. Techniques for the definition and effective computation of the relevant sums over histories by operator-product formulas aremore » described and illustrated by examples. Methods based on Euclidean stochastic processes are also discussed and illustrated. Models of decoherence and measurement for spacetime coarse grainings are described. Issues of causality are investigated. Such spacetime generalizations of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics may be useful models for a generalized quantum mechanics of spacetime geometry.« less
Self-aligned, insulating-layer structure for integrated fabrication of organic self-assembled multilayer electronic devices

We demonstrate an approach for fabricating nanometer-scale devices with minimal device areas while still retaining compatibility with integrated metal wiring. A self-aligned layer of silicon oxide evaporated on top of a thin (25 nm) gold film deposited on a substrate with an etched step ensures that only a fraction of the gold, along the step edge, is exposed. Self-assembled multilayers of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) were grown on the exposed gold to define an arbitrarily long device length. A second, evaporated gold layer served as second electrode. Devices with between 3 and 7 MUA layers were insulating, with currents that decreased exponentially with the number of MUA layers.
A Module on Death and Dying to Develop Empathy in Student Pharmacists

Objective. To implement an integrated module on death and dying into a 15-week bioethics course and determine whether it increased student pharmacists’ empathy.Design. Students participated in a 5-...
FIBER-MATRIX INTERFACE FRACTURE IN FIBER COMPOSITES UNDER TRANSIENT THERMAL LOADS

The behavior of an interface crack between the matrix and the fiber in composite materials subjected to transient heating and cooling is studied. The differences in mechanical and thermal properties of fiber and matrix lead to the failure of the interface between these two constituents. A cylindrical cell of fiber and matrix was analyzed using a cylindrical crack at the interface. The cell was subjected to a transient thermal load, and the corresponding transient strain energy release rate G was calculated using the finite-element method. When the matrix boundary was unconstrained, the largest G occurred during the transient cooling and subsequent heating and was mostly due to shearing of the interface. Constraining the matrix reversed this trend. When the matrix was free, reducing a* m/a* f and E* m/E* f generally reduced G, but equality of fiber-matrix thermal expansion coefficients did not always result in the smallest G value. The increase in the fiber volume ratio was detrimental during transient the...
Quantitative methods for predicting neuronal behavior.

Abstract The electrical behavior of a nerve cell may be described by a system of ordinary first-order differential equations that approximates the partial differential equation of cable theory. The choice among methods for solving this system depends primarily on the physiological questions that are asked, and secondarily on special properties of the neuron. This paper describes several such methods, some of which are new, that are appropriate for the analysis of different classes of physiological questions. For steady-state current flows, the equations may be treated as linear with constant coefficients, and direct matrix manipulations suffice to predict voltage attenuations and input resistances. A simplifying assumption with respect to synaptic currents furnishes an efficient means for calculating steady-state firing rates in a synaptically coupled neuronal circuit. Voltage transients in such a system can be calculated either through numerical evaluation of the matrix exponential or through a direct eigenfunction expansion. Some ‘active’ or nonlinear properties of the neuron can be included within these formulations. More realistic physiological descriptions of synaptic effects and of time- and voltage-dependent ionic conductances lead to nonlinear equations having time-dependent coefficients. This level of description precludes the use of the more direct solution methods and dictates the use of difference techniques. Adoption of a method such as Runge-Kutta numerical integration in turn allows the incorporation of detailed descriptions of membrane and ionic processes. A discussion is given of the theoretical and practical considerations bearing on the choice of solution method.
Primary Cutaneous Melanoma with Regression Does not Require a Lower Threshold for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Histological evidence of primary tumor regression (RG) is observed in 35% or fewer patients with cutaneous melanoma. Some advocate a lower threshold for sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy when RG is present. We identified 1,349 patients presenting to our center with clinically localized cutaneous melanoma between 1995 and 2004. Of these, 344 demonstrated histological RG in their primary melanoma. A retrospective analysis of their medical records was performed to obtain clinical and pathological information. The median Breslow depth for the 344 patients with RG was 1.1 mm versus 1.5 mm for 1,005 patients with no regression (NRG) (P 1.0 and ≤2.0mm, >2 and ≤4 mm, and >4.0 mm). Recurrence was more common in patients with NRG (21% vs 12%; P < 0.005). Both local and systemic recurrence occurred more commonly in patients with NRG (4% vs 1%, P = 0.002 and 8% vs 3%, P < 0.005, respectively) The presence of histological RG in a primary melanoma predicts neither SLN positivity when stratified by Breslow depth nor increased risk of recurrence when compared with melanomas with NRG.
Granulomas obstruct lymphatics in all layers of the intestine in Crohn's disease.

After an earlier study defining immunolabeled lymphoid follicles, obstructed lymphatics, and granulomas of the diseased ilea of 24 Crohn's disease patients, we chose to trace the lymphatics of these cases and 10 additional by serial sectioning. Particular attention was given to establishing physical continuity between granuloma-obstructed lymphatics and lymphatics with 'lymphocytic thrombi'. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from resected diseased ilea and proximal colons from 34 patients were reviewed. Patients were 13 men and 21 women, aged 14-60 years. Duration of disease ranged from 1 month to 10 years. Immunohistochemistry employed D2-40 antibody to label lymphatics and anti-CD68 to label granulomas. Twenty-nine of the 34 (85%) resection tissues had lymphangectasia, in mucosa, submucosa, and subserosa. In 53% of the specimens, lymphatics of the various layers were obstructed by granulomas that filled the lumina. In 44%, 15/34, there were also distended lymphatics that were totally plugged with lymphocytes. In 10 of the 15, serial sections revealed continuity between the lymphocyte-plugged lymphatics and the endolymphatic granulomatous obstruction downstream. In 5 of the cases, D2-40 immunostaining revealed redundant lymphatic endothelium interwoven with the granuloma cells. Granulomas totally obstruct lymphatics in all layers of the intestine in Crohn's disease. Upstream of these obstructions, lymphatics are distended with lymphocytes. The degree and extent of this potentially irreversible 'lymphangitis nodosa' have undoubtedly confounded treatment regimens and clinical trials. There currently are no imaging methods to demonstrate the lymphangitis, nor treatments to resolve it.
CHEMICAL MICROSTRUCTURE OF CORTICAL BONE PROBED BY RAMAN TRANSECTS

Raman transects, microspectra taken at equal intervals along a line, are used to explore the microstructure of human cortical bone. Transects of 50 spectra taken at 2.5 mu m intervals across an osteon show spatial differences in local mineral and protein composition as different physiological structures are traversed. Differences in mineral composition are seen near the rim of an osteon and further out in the lamellae. The blood vessel wall, primarily composed of collagen and elastin, is detected inside the Haversian canal. Factor analysis is used to explore the data set and reveals differences in mineral composition. Factor analysis also yields one bone matrix component, an osteoidal tissue component, and one blood vessel protein component. The 4 cm-1 spectral resolution and 2.5 mu m spatial sampling facilitate the development of univariate metrics for bone development and health. Band integration is performed for important marker bands including phosphate upsilon1 at ~ 960 cm-1, monohydrogen phosphate upsilon1 at ~ 1003 cm-1, B-type carbonate upsilon1 at ~ 1070 cm-1, collagen CH2 wag at ~ 1450 cm-1, and collagen amide I at ~ 1650 cm-1. Mineral-to-matrix ratio, phosphate-to-monohydrogen phosphate ratio, and carbonate-to-phosphate ratio are calculated from these measured areas.
Contacting and Complaining: Political Participation and the Failure of Democracy in Russia

This article analyzes mass political participation as a factor contributing to the failure of Russian democracy. Data from public opinion surveys and firsthand interviews are used to evaluate patterns in Russian citizens' engagement in nonvoting political participation from the late Soviet era to the present. The article asks whether Russians expanded their participation in acts constraining elites, such as party-development work and protests, and investigates practices of contacting public officials, considering the implications of contacting for the deepening of democratic institutions. The factors contributing to patterns of participation, including the weakness of Russia's party system and the paucity of Russian civil society, are also discussed.
The Spatial Structure of Urban Ethnic Economies.

Most studies of the economic activity of ethnic and immigrant groups have been conducted with little regard to their spatial conditions and consequences. At the same time, geographic concentration or clustering of residences and businesses is often cited as a significant element in the formation of ethnic economies. This paper argues that spatial location may operate as a defined resource in enhancing the prospects of ethnic businesses. Specifically, it examines how the geographical concentration of residences or the clustering of businesses may operate to incubate beginning businesses, foster linkages between businesses, increase the opportunities for the establishment of additional businesses, and serve as an economic and cultural focus for the ethnic community. The paper then speculates on how the spatial patterns generated by ethnic economic activity will vary depending on the type of resources utilized, the sectoral composition of the ethnic economy, and the maturity of the economy.
655 Short-Term Outcomes in Heart Transplant Recipients Treated with Generic Tacrolimus

Purpose: The efficacy and safety of generic tacrolimus (T) compared to Prograf (P) in real-world use is unknown. We present our preliminary experience with T after heart transplant (HTX). Methods and Materials: We retrospectively studied 21 consecutive patients treated with T following HTX; 44 consecutive HTX patients who were treated with P were used for comparison. Two-tailed t-test was used for comparison of means, and Fischer’s exact or chi-square tests were used to compare categorical data. Biopsy results were tallied and rejection rate per day over the 6-month study period was calculated for each group. Results: Baseline characteristics are shown in Table 1. No significant difference in biopsy-proven rejection was noted between the groups and there was no significant difference in mean T level. Rate of rejection was not significantly different between the two groups (Table 2).
Implementing electronic lab order entry management in hospitals: Incremental strategies lead to better productivity outcomes

This paper evaluates the impact of varying implementation of electronic lab order entry management (eLAB) system strategies on hospitals’ productivity in the short run. Using the American Hospital Association's Annual Surveys for 2005–2008, we developed hospital productivity measures to assess facilities’ relative performances upon implementing eLAB systems. The results indicate that different eLAB system implementation strategies were systematically related to changes in hospitals’ relative productivity levels over the years studied. Hospitals that partially implemented an eLAB system without completing the roll-out experienced negative impacts on productivity. The greatest loss in short-term productivity was experienced by facilities that moved from having no eLAB system to a complete implantation in one year—a strategy called the “Big Bang”. The hybrid approach of a limited introduction in one period followed by complete roll-out in the next year was the only eLAB system implementation strategy associated with significant productivity gains. Our findings support a very specific strategy for eLAB system implementation where facilities began with a one-year pilot program immediately followed by an organization-wide implementation effort in the next period.
An Analysis of the Effects of Occupational Variables on Child bearing Intentions

Fishbeins Theory of Reasoned Action was used to analyze the effects of different occupational variables on the beliefs attitudes and subjective norms that underlie intentions to have a child (within the next 3 years). The sample included 100 married women without children between the ages of 20 and 38 who were residents of the Champaign-Urbana Illinois community. The women were enlisted by telephone to participate in the study which involved the completion of a 1/2 hour questionnaire in their home. The components of Fishbeins model were followed by several measures primarily relating to the resondents work experiences and attitudes toward work. The questionnaire included a measure of attitude toward pursuing a career a measure of attitude toward working and 4 beliefs regarding what it means to have a career. Consistent with the theory occupational variables were significantly related to childbearing intentions only if they were related to attitudes toward having a child and subjective norms. These latter relationships were dependent upon relations between the occupational variables and underlying beliefs evaluations and motivations to comply. Different occupational variables influenced intentions in different ways. Fishbeins theory permits a means of identifying the loci of effects of occupational variables on childbearing intentions. The 2 components of the model were sufficient to predict childbearing intentions. In general the occupational variables failed to contribute to prediction of childbearing intentions over and above childbearing attitudes and subjective norms.
Planar substrate surface plasmon resonance probe

Abstract The theory and design ofa new planar surface plasmon resonance probe are presented. The new sensoris based on a folded light pipe combined with a telecentric lens. The inexpensive sensing elements areconstructed from pieces ofmicroscope slide and are easy to manufacture. A prototype probe designcapable of measuring 2 samples simultaneously was constructed. This is the first SPR probe capable ofmultiplexing and first order sensing. Initial experimental refractive index testing for 0% to 41% byweight glucose solutions exhibited a sensitivity of3 x i0 index ofrefraction units. Key Words Surface Plasmon Resonance, Refractometer, Biosensor, Process Control, Multiplexing Introduction Sensors based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) have become popular laboratory tools forapplications such as the monitoring ofimmuno-assays and enzyme reactions'. In addition to bio-chemical sensing, SPR sensors have also been shown to function as high resolution refractometers2.There is potential for utilizing these sensing abilities in industrial process control applications such asenvironmental waste stream monitoring, pharmaceutical production, and food/beverage preparation.Although several trial studies3 have been published, to date there have been no reports of SPR sensorssuccessfully performing in a commercial process control application.For use in commercial process control, a sensor must be compatible with the operating conditions of theapplication and have a low failure rate. Additional necessary sensor characteristics include:
Biventricular pacing: more is better!

This editorial refers to ‘The association between biventricular pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy efficacy when compared with implantable cardioverter defibrillator on outcomes and reverse remodelling’ by A. Ruwald et al. , on page doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehu294 More is better and too much is never enough.Scintilla Fly Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been associated with reduced morbidity and improved survival in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure symptoms.1,2 Nevertheless, a substantial number of patients do not benefit from resynchronization therapy.3 One recognized reason for the lack of response to CRT is inadequate biventricular pacing. Indeed, previous observations suggest that higher proportions of biventricular pacing are associated with improved outcomes,4,5 yet inadequate biventricular pacing remains a reality for many patients owing to atrial arrhythmias, ventricular ectopy, and high capture thresholds amongst a variety of other conditions ( Table 1 ). View this table: Table 1 Causes of reduced biventricular pacing Determining an optimal proportion of biventricular pacing that results in improved reverse remodelling, reduced heart failure hospitalization, and/or all-cause mortality may influence therapies that clinicians recommend to increase biventricular pacing in particular patients. Yet identifying a clinically relevant, desirable pacing percentage threshold is challenging, in part because biventricular pacers are often coupled with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), which are also associated with improved survival in this patient population.6,7 Ruwald and colleagues have now attempted to clarify the relationships between percentage biventricular pacing and clinical outcomes.8 The authors studied patients from the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator …
A computational study of the effects of serotonin on a molluscan burster neuron

A mathematical model of burster neuron R15 from the abdominal ganglion of Aplysia is presented. This is an improvement over earlier models in that the bursting mechanism is more accurately represented. The improved model allows for simulated application of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which has been reported to have profound effects on the voltage waveform produced by R15. Computational analysis indicates that the serotonin-induced modulation of the waveform can be explained in terms of competition between stationary, bursting, and beating attractors. Analysis also indicates that, as a result of this competition, serotonin increases the sensitivity of the neuron to synaptic perturbations. This may have important consequences with regard to water balance in the Aplysia, particularly during egg laying.
Excitation und deexcitation of Tm3+ centres in ZnS involving “External” Excited States

The excitation and thermal quenching behaviour of two Tm3+ centres in ZnS crystals are studied by measuring broad-band excitation spectra and the temperature dependence of the decay time, (τ), of the blue 1G4, 3H6, emission of samples with different codopants. It is shown that these centers possess “external” excited states which manifest themselves by excitation peaks and τ(T) dependences characteristic of the centre investigated. Values are given of the transfer rates from the external to the 4f states, which lie between 1010 and 1012s−l. It is believed that the occurrence of external states is a general property of RE3+ centers in 11-VI compounds and that these states, in many cases, have a crucial effect on luminescence yield. Das Anregungs- und thermische Tilgungsverhalten von zwei Tm3+-Zentren in ZnS-Kristallen wer- den untersucht, indem die Breitbandanregungsspektren und die Temperaturabhangigkeit der Ab- klingdauer (t) der blauen 1G4, 3H6, Emission von Proben mit verschiedenen Kodotanden ge- messen werden. Es wird gezeigt, das diese Zentren, „externe” angeregte Zustande besitzen, die sich durch zentrentypische Anregungsmaxima τ(T)-Abhangigkeiten manifestieren. Werte fur die Transferraten von den externen zu den 4f-Zustanden werden angegeben, die zwischen 1010 und 10l2 s-l liegen. Es wird angenommen, daB das Auftreten von externen Zustanden eine allgemeine Eigenschaft der RE3+-Zentren in 11-VI-Verbindungen ist und daR diese Zustande in vielen Fallen einen entscheidenden EinfluR auf die Lumineszenzausbeute haben.
Effect of 6063, sodium bicarbonate and ammonium chloride on electrolyte composition of thermal sweat.

Summary1. Thermal sweat, as collected in this study is a moderately acid secretion low in ammonia and titratable acid. 2. Ingestion of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (6063), sodium bicarbonate and ammonium chloride had no effect on the acid-base composition of sweat regardless of changes in composition of extracellular fluid and urine. 3. Sweat glands have no regulatory role in the maintenance of hydrogen ion concentration of body fluids.
Study of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Yttrium Stabilized Zirconia Coating Deposited by Air Plasma Spray

Ceramic materials have been used extensively in different industries due to their excellent properties in high temperature environment. Thermally sprayed ceramic coatings offer outstanding properties which make them suitable candidate for advanced applications. These coatings exhibit excellent wear resistant properties with high adhesion strength. Depending on the application, ceramic coatings can be subjected to in-plane or out-of-plane loading during service. When the components are exposed to extreme change in temperature, consistent expansion, and shrinkage of the materials will cause crack initiation and propagation, resulting in spallation of the coating and consequently failure of the components. In this study, mechanical performance of plasma sprayed Yttrium stabilized Zirconia coating was investigated. A powder mixture of Yttrium stabilized Zirconia (ZrO2−8Y2O3) was air plasma sprayed on a cast iron substrate. Microstructural characterization of the as-sprayed coating was performed to evaluate the microstructural uniformity of the deposited samples using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Three-point bend tests were performed to measure bending modulus of the free standing as-sprayed coating samples. Knoop indentation technique was also used as an alternate method to determine the modulus of the coating. Damping properties of the samples were also evaluated. This study pays special attention to the dependency of the mechanical performance on the microstructural characteristics of the thermal sprayed ceramic coatings.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) for the Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Salmonella Typhimurium from Pork

UNLABELLED Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a novel molecular detection method that is more rapid and simpler than PCR. Products can be detected by turbidity using one temperature without the need for expensive PCR equipment. Our objective was to sensitively detect Salmonella Typhimurium from pork products within 1 d using the LAMP assay. Pork chop and pork sausage samples (25 g) were inoculated with high (10(8) to 10(6) CFU) and low (10(5) to 10(0) CFU) inocula of S. Typhimurium. Serial dilutions in phosphate buffered saline were plated on XLT4 agar either immediately or after selective preenrichment in tetrathionate broth (225 mL) for 10-h at 37 degrees C. Nucleic acid was extracted using the TRIzol method from 1-mL samples. The LAMP assay using 6 specific invA gene primers and Bst DNA polymerase reaction mix was carried out at 62 degrees C for 90 min in a waterbath. Turbid products were detected visually and by agarose gel electrophoresis. Improved Salmonella detection at 10(2) CFU/25 g for both pork chop and sausage was obtained after 10-h enrichment and 10(6) CFU/25 g without enrichment for both products. This assay can detect Salmonella from pork within 1 d, significantly faster than traditional methods that take >5 d. This method shows tremendous potential for routine diagnostics and monitoring of Salmonella by the pork industry. PRACTICAL APPLICATION The novel loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay is a rapid, specific, and sensitive method that has potential application for routine diagnostics of Salmonella from pork products. The isothermal method does not require expensive equipment such as a PCR thermocycler but only a simple waterbath for amplification within 90 min. Detection is even simpler by visual eye or turbidimeters that are less expensive than fluorescent spectrophotometers or real-time PCR machines. All these advantages make it a practical approach for routine use by processing industries to rapidly detect Salmonella in their environment and to implement appropriate control strategies. To improve detection sensitivities, preenrichment followed by selective enrichment may be necessary. Even so, the entire assay can be completed at the most within two 8-h working shifts.
Specific reversible stimulation of system y(+) L-arginine transport activity in human intestinal cells.

l-Arginine, which is intimately involved in cellular immune functions and nitric oxide biology, is transported by intestinal cells largely via transport System y+. The gut epithelium is exposed to various luminal amino acids at any given time, and therefore the purpose of this study was to study the regulation of luminal arginine transport by other amino acids. System y+l-arginine transport activity was measured in Caco-2 monolayers exposed to various amino acids. l-arginine and/or other System y+ substrates specifically upregulated System y+ transport activity twofold after 1 hour, with a response noted as early as 5 minutes. Non-System y+ substrates did not affect l-arginine absorption. Kinetic analysis indicated that l-arginine exposure increased both System y+ Km and Vmax. Neither cycloheximide nor actinomycin affected this stimulation, indicating that the regulation did not involve transcription or translation. The System y+ substrate activation effect was reversible. l-arginine transport activity returned to baseline within 3 hours when cells were reincubated in amino acid-free media. These data indicate that System y+ arginine transport activity is rapidly and reversibly activated by System y+ substrates via a mechanism consistent with transmembrane stimulation. These findings identify a mechanism by which luminal nutrients regulate arginine uptake by the gut.
The piecewise linear neural network: training and recognition

Consideration is given to the piecewise linear neural network (PLNN), a neural network form of a piecewise linear classifier. The weight vectors of the cells in the middle layer of the network represent prototype patterns of the various classes to be recognized. The PLNN classifies input patterns by the minimum Euclidean distance to the prototype cells. The network structure is defined during training. The training is controlled by parameters &#949; and d. If there is no cell of the correct class within distance &#949; of a training pattern, a new prototype cell is created. And all prototype cells within distance d of the training pattern have their weights adjusted, either towards or away from the training pattern, depending upon their class. Cells of the same class that are moved close together are merged. The dynamics of the PLNN training is shown by examples of the prototype cells adapting to statistically generated data. The results of training backpropagation networks of similar size are described. The PLNN is also trained for the recognition of handwritten numerals. The processing of the image data, training of the network, and recognition results for PLNNs of various sizes are described. The results of training backpropagation networks of comparable size on the same data are also shown. The PLNN performance is generally superior, with far less training time required
Control of acetylcholinesterase by contractile activity of cultured muscle cells.

THE activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is one of the many properties of skeletal muscle known to be regulated by nerves. For example, AChE is synthesised and released by chick embryo muscle fibres grown in situ and in culture1,2. During maturation in situ, neural activity decreases AChE everywhere in the muscle fibres of chicks except at the neuromuscular junction3. How nerves repress this extrajunctional AChE is not known. The possibility that they do so by signalling the muscles to contract, and that muscle contractile activity itself reduces the level of enzyme, has been tested by extracellular stimulation of muscle cultures with electrical impulses. Our results indicate that contraction reversibly reduces AChE activity of muscle cultures.
Phytochemical investigations in Photinia

Abstract Leaves of Photinia glabra, P. serrulata, P. glabra × serrulata, P. × fraseri, Heteromeles arbutifolia, Cotoneaster pannosa , and Eriobotrya japonica were investigated for oil and n -alkane content and for hydrogen cyanide production. Benzaldehyde proved to be the major volatile oil component in all taxa except Eriobotrya which yielded no oil upon steam distillation. A conjugated aldehyde was present in all taxa of Asian origin but essentially absent from the New World form Heteromeles . The presence of cyanogenic compounds was indicated in all species again excepting Eriobotrya . C 24 H 50 to C 33 H 68 n -alkanes were presentin all taxa. The patterns of composition showed distinct differences along generally recognizable generic limits and again supported the separate placement of Heteromeles .
Homeopathic remedies for team toxicity

By creating better goals and results definition, by clarifying and checking on rules, and by ensuring processes are well integrated and documented, you can avoid workplace toxins. But the real secret to long-term project health lies in ensuring that every team member feels it appropriate to their role to expose toxic levels of team activity and to name a solution. You can ensure this by implementing five antitoxins: clear, mutually agreed upon goals and results; clear rules that make sense; well-integrated and visible processes; increased accountability of all team members for uncovering and reporting toxic performance levels; and, most importantly, recognition and a positive approach to answering tough questions about the project's progress. Continuous positive feedback about small successes is still the best medicine for keeping a team healthy and productive. What do healthy team members do when they see a toxin! They add it to the list of other toxins already caught or prevented before they caused bugs in the team's software. Such lists become an important part of the project's lessons learned.
Enzyme replacement therapy

ABSTRACT: Of the many genetic diseases which are now known to be due to an enzyme deficiency, the glycolipid storage diseases are among those which are most likely to yield to enzyme replacement therapy. To be successful, such therapy requires the availability of relatively pure enzyme from a human source, delivery of the enzyme to the storage cell, and contact with the storage material for a sufficiently long period of time to permit it to be catabolized. Various receptor sites on cells may divert the delivery of enzyme to its site of action.
Development of UV stable LED encapsulants

In recent years, high power white LED devices (LEDs) have been developed and widely used in display, display backlight module and general lightings. UV LED pumped RGB phosphors is one of the methods to generate white light. It shows some advantages, such as: excellent color rendering index (CRI), tolerant to LED variation, etc. However, the high energy of UV or near UV based LED lighting source leads to encapsulated transparent epoxy resin chain scission and forms some chromatic sites. The discolored epoxy materials decreases the light output and accumulates heat inside to speed up material degradation. Moreover, LED display and LED lighting devices also suffer UV irradiation from sunlight in the outdoor applications. In order to avoid the UV-degraded problem of LED encapsulating materials, we developed UV resistant material technology. Our developing strategies included evaluating UV stabilizer, synthesis of silicone modified epoxy or curing agent to enhance the bonding energy of encapsulating material.