cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Redox artifacts in electrophysiological recordings

Electrophysiological techniques make use of Ag/AgCl electrodes that are in direct contact with cells or bath. In the bath, electrodes are exposed to numerous experimental conditions and chemical reagents that can modify electrode voltage. We examined voltage offsets created in Ag/AgCl electrodes by exposure to redox reagents used in electrophysiological studies. Voltage offsets were measured in reference to an electrode separated from the solution by an agar bridge. The reducing reagents Tris-2-carboxyethly-phosphine, dithiothreitol (DTT), and glutathione, as well as the oxidizing agent H(2)O(2) used at experimentally relevant concentrations reacted with Ag in the electrodes to produce voltage offsets. Chloride ions and strong acids and bases produced offsets at millimolar concentrations. Electrolytic depletion of the AgCl layer, to replicate voltage clamp and sustained use, resulted in increased sensitivity to flow and DTT. Offsets were sensitive to electrode silver purity and to the amount and method of chloride deposition. For example, exposure to 10 μM DTT produced a voltage offset between 10 and 284 mV depending on the chloride deposition method. Currents generated by these offsets are significant and dependent on membrane conductance and by extension the expression of ion channels and may therefore appear to be biological in origin. These data demonstrate a new source of artifacts in electrophysiological recordings that can affect measurements obtained from a variety of experimental techniques from patch clamp to two-electrode voltage clamp.
Magnetic resonance image degradation from prosthetic magnet keepers

Eight types of prosthetic magnet keepers were imaged in a water phantom and a living human subject by a 1.5 T magnetic resonance device. Image artifacts were present for all eight samples and ranged from 160 mm to greater than 280 mm in diameter. These artifacts obliterate vital craniocervical areas making their examination by magnetic resonance impossible. Patients with magnetic keepers requiring comprehensive magnetic resonance imaging of the head and neck region must have them removed.
Z 0 effect in lepton-pair photoproduction

We study the modifications of lepton-pair photoproduction due to the spin-one ${Z}^{0}$ appearing in gauge theories of the weak interactions. It gives rise to a resonance in the invariant mass of the pair. To obtain exact results we consider neutral currents involving only the known leptons, and still we find an effect significantly above the electromagnetic Bethe-Heitler background. Aside from the resonance, a unique parity-violating signal occurs in the form of an azimuthal asymmetry. For a typical ${Z}^{0}$ mass of 10 GeV and beam energy of 400 GeV, it is on the order of 5%. Our results are easily adapted to any model of leptons and would probably be much increased by the hadronic part of the neutral current. The leptonic mechanism involves the $\mathrm{VVA}$ triangle, for which a previous result is extended to any energy, momentum transfer, and lepton mass.
Far-infrared band-pass grid filters

The spectral performance of bandpass grid filters centered at terahertz frequencies is presented. The filters are composed of a periodic array of cross-shaped apertures in an evaporated metal film on a thin dielectric substrate. A commercial Fourier-transform spectrometer is used to measure spectral transmittance. Results are presented for filters using gold films of different thickness. The peak transmittance is correlated with the DC surface resistance R s of the film, which is probed using an in situ test structure on the fabricated filters. This is true even though the gold films all have a thickness several times the classical skin depth at the resonant frequency. Measurements of R s and peak transmittance at 77 K show an equivalent correlation, indicating that some of the loss is due to the finite conductivity of the gold film. The dielectric substrate causes a downward shift in the center frequency of the filter proportional to the dielectric constant and thickness of the substrate. The center frequency shifts rapidly with increasing dielectric thickness and reaches an asymptotic value reduced from the freestanding case by the square root of the mean dielectric constant. Measurements are compared to a finite-difference time domain model, which accurately predicts the center frequency, but does not account for losses. The performance of these filters, along with their simple fabrication, makes them useful frequency- selective elements at far-IR wavelengths.
Extracellular matrix-derived products modulate endothelial and progenitor cell migration and proliferation in vitro and stimulate regenerative healing in vivo.

Most adult mammals heal without restorative replacement of lost tissue and instead form scar tissue at an injury site. One exception is the adult MRL/MpJ mouse that can regenerate ear and cardiac tissue after wounding with little evidence of scar tissue formation. Following production of a MRL mouse ear hole, 2 mm in diameter, a structure rapidly forms at the injury site that resembles the amphibian blastema at a limb amputation site during limb regeneration. We have isolated MRL blastemal cells (MRL-B) from this structure and adapted them to culture. We demonstrate by RT-PCR that even after continuous culturing of these cells they maintain expression of several progenitor cell markers, including DLK (Pref-1), and Msx-1. We have isolated the underlying extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by these MRL-B cells using a new non-proteolytic method and studied the biological activities of this cell-free ECM. Multiplex microELISA analysis of MRL-B cell-free ECM vs. cells revealed selective enrichment of growth factors such as bFGF, HGF and KGF in the matrix compartment. The cell-free ECM, degraded by mild enzyme treatment, was active in promoting migration and proliferation of progenitor cells in vitro and accelerating wound closure in a mouse full thickness cutaneous wound assay in vivo. In vivo, a single application of MRL-B cell matrix-derived products to full thickness cutaneous wounds in non-regenerative mice, B6, induced re-growth of pigmented hair, dermis and epidermis at the wound site whereas scar tissue replaced these tissues at wound sites in mice treated with vehicle alone. These studies suggest that matrix-derived products can stimulate regenerative healing and avert scar tissue formation in adult mammals.
Reliability and Validity of Student Evaluations: Testing Models Versus Survey Research Models

Student evaluations of faculty teaching have four recognized functions. They provide diagnostic feedback for faculty, an evaluative tool for personnel decisions, information for students, and a subject for academic research. Regardless of how the evaluations are used, the user must be concerned about the reliability of the evaluation instrument and the validity of the student responses. Faculty members have a natural selfinterest in the reliability and validity of student evaluations when used as an evaluative tool for personnel decisions. Much of the existing literature on reliability and validity conceptualizes student evaluations as a "test," whose reliability is to be estimated and whose validation is to be determined. Student evaluations, however, resemble public opinion surveys more than they do objective tests. Consequently, an alternative approach is to conceptualize student evaluations as survey research rather than as tests. Such a conceptual framework provides new insights into student evaluations and an entirely different dimension to the question of reliability and validity. Personnel systems in American colleges and universities, as in other organizations, must solve the problem of allocating organizational resources to reward and reinforce productive behavior. They must grapple with the universal problem of defining, measuring, and rewarding merit. However, academic personnel systems differ in that they do not share a universally accepted "model" of who is to evaluate merit and how it is to be done. Instead, evaluation in higher education generally uses mixtures of three models for allocating rewards, two of which are commonly found in other organizations. The most common model for evaluating merit is the "supervisorsubordinate" model, in which the performance of a member is appraised by a supervisor/superior. Although there are a number of different approaches and instruments (i.e., trait-oriented or behaviororiented, comparison or forced choice), the defining characteristic is compatibility with the formal organizational hierarchy. Most textbook treatments of performance appraisals restrict themselves almost exclusively to this model, and a large body of normative literature exists in human resource management and empirical research in organization theory focusing on this model.' All universities use this model to the extent that university administrators are involved in personnel decisions allocating organizational rewards. The second common model for evaluating merit rejects the hierarchical framework in favor of some variation of peer evaluation. More commonly known as the "professional model,"2 it is based on the premise that the performance of members of certain professions can only be adequately evaluated by other like professionals.3 Peer evaluation, self-governance, and tenure are central to the principles of the American Association of University Professors, and are found to some extent in the accreditation requirements of numerous accrediting bodies.
Quantification and characterization of dissolved organic carbon and iron in sedimentary porewater from Green Bay, WI, USA

Both dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and iron play an important role in biogeochemical processes in lacustrine benthic environments. Moreover, recent evidence has shown that both substances can act as active reductants in the redox transformation of organic pollutants. This paper examines the nature and abundance of DOC and dissolved ferrous iron (FeII) in porewaters from a sediment core collected in Green Bay, WI, USA. The concentration of dissolved FeII and the abundance, absorbance at 280 nm (A280 nm), molar absorptivities (e280 nm), molecular weights, and polydispersities of DOC were measured as a function of depth in porewaters. Dissolved FeII concentrations increased from 3.6 μM near the sediment–water interface to 163 μM at a depth of 11 cm, then gradually declined. The DOC distribution varied with sediment depth, with the greatest variation in porewater DOC content and properties occurring in the transitional zone between oxic and suboxic conditions. The down-core porewater DOC profile was characterized by an increase in DOC concentration with depth from 0.64 mM OC at 1 cm to 1.23 mM OC at 13 cm, below which it remained relatively constant. A strong correlation was observed between FeII and DOC concentrations, suggesting that these constituents co-accumulate in these porewaters. The correlation between the DOC concentration of the porewaters and A280 nm was significant, making this parameter a good predictor for DOC concentrations in these waters. The molecular weight distributions of the porewater DOC were primarily monomodal, with relatively low polydispersivities. Weight-average molecular weights ranged from 1505 to 1949 Da. This data set is unique in that it is the first detailed study of a relatively highly resolved DOC profile of benthic porewater in surficial sediment from the Laurentian Great Lakes.
The Effect of Vitamin B6 Deficiency on Food Intake, Growth, and Renal Function in Chronically Azotemic Rats

Chronically uremic patients appear to have an increased nutritional requirement for vitamin B6, and vitamin B6 deficiency occurs frequently when such individuals do not receive supplements of this vitamin. Since manifestations of vitamin B6 deficiency in renal failure are not well defined, this study examined two aspects of the chronic renal failure syndrome which might be influenced by vitamin B6: impaired growth and progressive loss of renal function. We examined food intake, weight gain, the food efficiency ratio, degree of azotemia, and renal function in chronically azotemic rats pair-fed for 6 weeks either a vitamin B6-deficient diet or a diet containing a surfeit of vitamin B6. In the azotemic vitamin B6-deficient rats, as compared to the azotemic B6-replete rats, there was evidence of reduced appetite, decreased weight gain, a lower food efficiency ratio, increased azotemia, and a reduced glomerular filtration rate as estimated from the urea clearance or the mean of the urea and creatinine clearances. These findings suggest that vitamin B6 deficiency may contribute to decreased food intake, reduced growth, and lower renal function in animals with chronic renal insufficiency.
Dual-use chromophores for photorefractive and irreversible photochromic applications.

Holographic experiments are performed on a series of dual-use chromophore molecules wherein both irreversible photochromic and erasable photorefractive holographic gratings can be written in the same storage volume. At 675 nm, the chromophore undergoes a photochemical reaction leading to the creation of irreversible holographic gratings. Alternatively, at longer wavelengths, application of an electric field during grating formation allows the storage of erasable photorefractive holograms in the same location as previously stored permanent photochemical holograms. Photochemical gratings (η > 60%) can be written in less than 1 min, whereas photorefractive gratings (η > 50%) can be written in less than 1 s. The photochemical gratings have a diffusion-limited dark half-life of as long as two weeks depending on the glass transition temperature of the composite.
Automated Learning of Workload Measures for Load Balancing on a Distributed System

Load-balancing systems use workload indices to dynamically schedule jobs. We present a novel method of automatically learning such indices. Our approach uses comparator neural networks, one per site, which learn to predict the relative speedup of an incoming job using only the resource-utilization patterns observed prior to the job's arrival. Our load indices combine information from the key resources of contention: CPU, disk, network, and memory.
Surface roughness of thermal spray coatings made with off-normal spray angles

The formation of a thermal spray coating using an off-normal direction angle for the spray has been analyzed to identify the causes of the large surface roughness of the coating. In the analysis, the string method was used for modeling the formation of the coating. The method uses a string of equally spaced node points to define the shape of the coating surface and to track the change in this shape as the thermal spray mass is deposited. The method allows for the calculation of arbitrary shapes for the coating surface that may be very complex. The model simulates the stochastic deposition of a large number of thermal spray droplets. Experiments were carried out to obtain the data used in the model for the mass flux distribution on the target surface. The data show that when the thermal spray mass impinges on the target surface a large fraction of it, called overspray, splashes off the target and is redeposited with a small direction angle. This component of the deposited mass results in a large coating roughness.
Access, attrition, test scores, and grades of college entrants and persisters: 1965–1973

This study contrasts the distributions of indices of academic abilities and achievements of entering freshmen classes and of classes at the end of the first year of college over an eight-year period. The data reported are based on two groups of students: one comprised of all students who completed the ACT Assessment Program and subsequently enrolled in college, and the other group comprised of all students in the first group completing their first year of college. Data collected show a decline in ACT test scores, an increase in the high school grades of college entrants, and the stability of test scores and increases in college grades of freshmen completing their first year of college.
The boiling slurry reactor: Axial dispersion model

Abstract We use a mathematical model that accounts for axial dispersion in both the gas and liquid phases to study the dynamics of a special configuration of a boiling slurry reactor (BSR). It is fed by a nonvolatile liquid reactant, a solvent, and a gaseous reactant and its effluent consists only of a gas. The proposed BSR configuration offers two important advantages over conventional slurry reactors, i.e., complete conversion of the liquid reactant and no need for expensive solid–liquid separation. Additionally, internal cooling devices are not needed since the reactor is cooled by evaporation of the solvent and the liquid products. The results generated by the dispersion model are compared with those of a well-mixed CSTR model. High dispersion — typical of a large diameter commercial scale reactor operating at high superficial gas velocity — leads to a reactor behavior similar to a well-mixed CSTR. Reduced backmixing does not change the qualitative reactor behavior dramatically, although temperature and concentration gradients increase, as expected. At low feed temperatures and very low axial dispersion no steady-state is reached since the reaction does not ignite at the bottom of the column. An increase of the feed temperature will stabilize the operation. A unique feature of this BSR is the possible existence of fill-up and dry-up states at which the reactor volume changes monotonically while the other state variables remain unchanged. The fill-up state will lead to spillover unless the feed and/or initial conditions are properly adjusted.
Front and back of the house: socio-spatial inequalities in food work

Work on farms and in restaurants is characterized by highly gendered and racialized divisions of labor, low wages, and persistent inequalities. Gender, race, and ethnicity often determine the spaces where people work in the food system. Although some research focuses on gendered divisions of labor in restaurants and on farms, few efforts look more broadly at intersectional inequalities in food work. Our study examines how inequality is perpetuated through restaurant and farm work in the United States and, specifically, how gender and race/ethnicity influence where people work, their tasks and responsibilities, and their work experiences. In describing restaurant work, people in the restaurant industry typically refer to the front and back of the house to distinguish between different working spaces, jobs, and workers. We use this spatial metaphor of front and back of the house to analyze intersectional inequalities of food work in restaurants and on farms. The data derive from conversations with 63 restaurant and farm owners, managers, and workers in California and Pennsylvania. Our findings suggest that gendered and racialized bodies often define who works in the front and back of the “house,” and that owners and workers often naturalize gender and racial divisions of labor in food work. Despite these patterns, we found evidence of attempts to reduce these inequalities on farms and in restaurants.
Distribution of pedicle boring traces and the life habit of Late Paleozoic leiorhynchid brachiopods fiom dysoxic habitats

Alexander, R.R. 1994 10 15: Distribution of pedicle boring traces and the life habit of Late Paleozoic leiorhynchid brachiopods from dysoxic habitats. Pedicle boring traces, Podichnus isp., are concentrated on the anterolateral commissure of both valves of Leiorhynchoidea carboniferum and L. weeksi from the black ferruginous micrites of the Chainman Formation (Upper Carboniferous; west-central Utah, USA) and black phosphatic (‘False Cap’) limestone of the Phosphoria Formation (southeastern Idaho, USA), respectively. The absence of Podichnus isp. from the posterior of shells of both species indicates that the beak of the shell was buried in the mud, inaccessible to colonization by conspecific larvae. The concentration of pedicle boring traces near the anterolateral incurrent regions of leiorhynchid shells with a well-developed central fold further suggests that settling conspecific larvae behaved rheotaxically. Larvae were induced to metamorphose near the commissure of the host shell, where suspended food was drawn to the incurrents of the host. The piggybacked mode of life on the anterior of conspecific hosts provided a refuge for juveniles above the dysoxic black sediments. In contrast, modem brachiopods that live as epibionts on skeletal substrates display either a random or posteriorly concentrated distribution of pedicle boring traces. Permian, Carboniferous, brachiopods, leiorhynchids, Podichnus, dysoxic, rheotaxis.
Positional information in unicellular organisms.

Abstract Two different and experimentally distinguishable developmental principles govern the organization of the cell surface of ciliated protozoa. One is structural guidance, defined as the positioning and orientation of new organelles under the localized influence of neighboring preformed organelles. This mechanism exerts short-range control over the orientation and number of the ciliary rows that extend longitudinally over the cell surface. The second principle is that of positional control, probably by gradient-fields, according to which local properties are defined by their geometrical relations to certain special regions (boundary zones). This principle must be invoked to explain the placement of organelle systems, such as buccal structures, groups of cirri, and contractile vacuole pores, that develop anew in each cell generation. A review of experimental studies on positioning of organelle systems in diverse ciliates reveals that the properties of these positional systems show remarkable similarities to “positional information” (Wolpert, 1969, 1971) as analyzed in multicellular organisms such as hydroids and insects. The similarities render plausible the possibility that positional information might be homologous in unicellular and multicellular systems. If this is so, then attributes of cellularity such as compartmentalization and localization of genomes may not be fundamental to the generation of positional information, nor perhaps even to the initial steps in the interpretation of this information.
A thermal adaptive mode-matching telescope for interferometric gravitational wave detectors

In the advancing field of gravitational wave interferometry, the desire for greater sensitivity leads to higher laser powers to reduce shot noise. Current detectors[1] such as LIGO and GEO 600 operate with continuous wave lasers at 10-15 W powers, however future versions will operate at 200 W. One of the major challenges of higher power operation is the creation of thermal lenses in optical components, caused by from the absorption of laser light, yielding optical path deformation and concomitant beam aberrations. This effect is especially problematic in transmissive optical components even at very low levels of absorbed power. In environments that restrict the ability to move optical components (such as gravitational wave detectors), this effect can be used for beneficial purposes, specifically for providing adjustable beam-shaping. The method employs an additional laser having a wavelength strongly absorbed by the substrate and can create an aberration-free parabolic lens can be created provided that the heating beam mode is substantially larger than the transmitted beam mode. The resulting focal length varies inversely with the heating laser power. This idea forms the basis for an adaptive optical telescope. We present experimental and theoretical results on a laser adaptive mode-matching system that uses an argon laser absorbed in a color glass filter. We characterize the dynamic focal range of the lens and measure the resulting aberrations in the transmitted Nd:YAG beam. Our results are in good agreement with a theoretical model incorporating the temperature distribution of the lens and the relevant thermo-optic parameters.
Fuzzy Data Mining in Higher Dimensions for Data Analysis

To extract fuzzy rules from databases or data files, we first select a set of attributes to associate and restrict all records (rows) to these. We next embed these feature vectors of small dimension into a high dimensional feature space by a Gaussian kernel mapping that yields a symmetric fuzzy membership matrix. The entry value at row i and column] is a fuzzy truth value that feature vectors i and j are in the same cluster. We look for clusters where features A and B associate in some way, e.g., (A is HIGH) and (B is LOW), so if the support and confidence are high enough, we accept that rule. The cluster centers become centers of fuzzy set membership functions to use in fuzzy modus ponens with the fuzzy rules . We apply our novel algorithm to analyze two difficult well known datasets.
Thiazolidinediones and glucocorticoids synergistically induce differentiation of human adipose tissue stromal cells: biochemical, cellular, and molecular analysis.

Abstract While adipocyte differentiation has been studied extensively in murine cultures, the lack of a readily available preadipocyte model has hindered equivalent studies in man. We describe methods for the isolation and culture of primary human stromal cells from surgical adipose tissue specimens. In vitro, the stromal cells rapidly differentiate in response to a combination of adipogenic agents. Among these, glucocorticoids and thiazolidinediones act together to induce the formation of lipid vacuoles within the cells. These morphologic changes accompany the increased expression of 2 characteristic adipocyte proteins, the cytoplasmic enzyme glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) and the secreted cytokine leptin. Likewise, stromal cell differentiation results in elevated mRNA levels for the fatty acid binding protein aP2 and the adipogenic regulatory transcription factors CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in addition to leptin. The in vitro differentiated stromal cells exhibit a lipolytic response to β-adrenergic agonists, comparable to that reported with primary human adipocytes. These studies demonstrate the validity of human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells as a reliable in vitro model for investigations of adipocyte metabolism in humans.
Pentachlorophenol dermal absorption and disposition from soil in swine: effects of occlusion and skin microorganism inhibition.

Abstract Residue of the environmentally relevant biocide pentachlorophenol (PCP) is found mainly in soil, making dermal contact one of the primary routes for PCP exposure. To quantify exposure effects on dermal absorption and systemic disposition, [14C-UL]PCP was dosed nonocclusively or occlusively at 40 μg/cm2in a soil-based mixture in anin vivoswine model. Additionally, antibiotics were also codosed with occlusive PCP in soil to examine the impacts of skin microbial PCP biodegradation on total dermal absorption. Under nonocclusive, occlusive, and occlusive-antibiotic conditions, total radiolabel absorption by 408 hr was 29.08, 100.72, and 86.21% dose, respectively. Tissue accumulation of PCP and its labeled metabolite(s) was very significant in swine since one-half to two-thirds of the absorbed dose was still present in tissues by 17 days after PCP dermal exposure. High14C concentrations were found in liver, kidney, lung, ovary, and uterus. Urine and fecal routes were equally important for label excretion from the body. Occlusion enhanced total dermal absorption and changed the shape of the absorption profiles in the blood and plasma. Skin microorganism inhibition retarded14C dermal absorption, altered local and systemic tissue distribution, and increased plasma/blood concentration ratios, suggesting skin microbial PCP degradation might play an important role in the altered absorption and disposition by occlusion. This study demonstrated significant dermal absorption and extensive tissue persistence of PCP after soil exposure. Occlusion and skin microflora growth may greatly impact dermal absorption, cutaneous disposition, and systemic toxic input. Therefore, exposure-specific PCP absorption and disposition profiles must be taken into consideration in risk analysis.
Field flattening in superconducting beam transport magnets

Dipoles in which the beam traverses the midplane well away from the magnet axis may benefit from flattening of the vertical field on the midplane. A procedure is described for doing so, making use of Chebyshev polynomials. In the case of the large aperture "DX" magnets located immediately on each side of the six intersection regions of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), a comparison is made of the field of coils optimized in this way and of coils optimized in the more common way by minimizing the leading coefficients of the Fourier expansion about the magnet axis. The comparison is of the integrated Fourier coefficients of the field expanded locally along the beam trajectory. >
Genomic mapping of single-stranded DNA in hydroxyurea-challenged yeasts identifies origins of replication

During DNA replication one or both strands transiently become single stranded: first at the sites where initiation of DNA synthesis occurs (known as origins of replication) and subsequently on the lagging strands of replication forks as discontinuous Okazaki fragments are generated. We report a genome-wide analysis of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) formation in the presence of hydroxyurea during DNA replication in wild-type and checkpoint-deficient rad53 Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. In wild-type cells, ssDNA was first observed at a subset of replication origins and later 'migrated' bi-directionally, suggesting that ssDNA formation is associated with continuously moving replication forks. In rad53 cells, ssDNA was observed at virtually every known origin, but remained there over time, suggesting that replication forks stall. Telomeric regions seemed to be particularly sensitive to the loss of Rad53 checkpoint function. Replication origins in Schizosaccharomyces pombe were also mapped using our method.
A community analysis of sal (Shorea robusta) forests in the western Terai of Nepal

Sal (Shorea robusta) forest is found in an extensive array of conditions in lowland Nepal, and has been heavily used by both government and local people. Thus, we did a study to provide information on sal forests occupying a broad range of historical and environmental influences across anextensiverangeinthewesternTerai ofNepaland explorefactors‐bothenvironmentaland anthropogenic‐that mayberesponsibleforvariation of forest structure. Trees, saplings, seedlings and shrubs were sampled along transects (2 km long) in two protected areas and two proposed community forests. The protected areas had three transects each, and a single transect covered two proposed community forests. Samplings were done every 200 m along the transects, a plotless technique sampled trees (>5 cm dbh). With tree sampling point as the center, shrubs and saplings (1‐5 cm dbh and >1 m height) were sampled in 5 m radius circular plots and herbs and seedlings (<1 m height) were sampled in 1 m 2 circular plots nested within shrub plots. Altogether 131 species were recorded: 28 trees, 10 shrubs, 6 climbers and 87 herbs. The mean density across all plots was 220 trees/ha and the average basal area was 13.2 m 2 /ha. Three different associations of sal forest were identified by cluster analysis. Community types distinguished in the classification analysis were clearly separated in the site ordination. None of the environmental variables measured (pH, percent organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, available potassium and soil texture) explained the distribution of plots in the site ordination. We concluded that rainfall and past disturbances (fire and anthropogenic use) are mainly responsible for different community types. Community types were different in structure and composition, thereby representing unique entities. The protection and maintenance of each of the different communities through forest management is important for biodiversity conservation. # 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Calretinin immunoreactive structures in the human hippocampal formation.

The calcium-binding protein calretinin is present in an intrinsic GABAergic and an extrinsic non-GABAergic system in the rat and monkey hippocampal formation. Important species differences have been noted in hippocampal cell types immunostained for calretinin and the termination pattern of calretinin containing hypothalamic afferents in the hippocampus. In the present study, calretinin-containing neurons were visualized using immunocytochemistry in the human hippocampal formation of individuals which showed no significant neuropathological alterations. Calretinin-immunoreactivity was present exclusively in non-granule cells of the dentate gyrus and in non-pyramidal cells of Ammon's horn. Calretinin-positive neurons were found most frequently in the hilus of the fascia dentata and in strata radiatum and lacunosum-moleculare of CA1, whereas neurons in CA2 and CA3 were rarely immunostained. The majority of calretinin-immunoreactive neurons were small, bipolar or fusiform neurons. The dendritic trees of the calretinin-positive neurons were, for the most part, parallel to the dendrites of the principal cells. In the hilus, however, we observed cells with dendrites restricted to the hilar area. These dendrites were parallel to the granule cell layer. In the stratum lacunosum-moleculare, neurons with dendrites oriented parallel to the hippocampal fissure were frequently detected. In general, dendrites were smooth or sparsely spiny, displaying small conventional spines. The axons usually emerged from the proximal dendrite and could be followed over long distances. Axons were thin, had small varicosities and displayed only few collaterals which branched relatively far away from the cell body. Distinct bands of darkly stained calretinin-positive fibers occupied the innermost portion of the dentate molecular layer and the pyramidal cell layer of CA2. This distribution of calretinin-immunoreactive structures in the human hippocampus is similar to that observed in other primates but differs from that described in lower mammals, i.e., the rat. Our findings suggest that primates may share a common hippocampal calretinin-containing system, presumably both the intrinsic GABAergic and the extrinsic hypothalamic non-GABAergic components.
Primate phylogenomics: developing numerous nuclear non-coding, non-repetitive markers for ecological and phylogenetic applications and analysis of evolutionary rate variation

Genetic analyses are often limited by the availability of appropriate molecular markers. Markers from neutrally evolving genomic regions may be particularly useful for inferring evolutionary histories because they escape the constraints of natural selection. For the majority of taxa however, obtaining such markers is challenging. Advances in genomics have the potential to alleviate the shortage of neutral markers. Here we present a method to develop numerous markers from putatively neutral regions of primate genomes. We began with the available whole genome sequences of human, chimpanzee and macaque. Using computational methods, we identified a total of 280 potential amplicons from putatively neutral, non-coding, non-repetitive regions of these genomes. Subsequently we amplified, using experimental methods, many of these amplicons from diverse primate taxa, including a ring-tailed lemur, which is distantly related to the genomic resources. Using a subset of 10 markers, we demonstrate the utility of the developed markers in phylogenetic and evolutionary rate analyses. Particularly, we uncovered substantial evolutionary rate variation among lineages, some of which are previously not reported. We successfully developed numerous markers from putatively neutral regions of primate genomes using a strategy combining computational and experimental methods. Applying these markers to phylogenetic and evolutionary rate variation analyses exemplifies the utility of these markers. Diverse ecological and evolutionary analyses will benefit from these markers. Importantly, methods similar to those presented here can be applied to other taxa in the near future.
Improving Fort Carson's Soldier Readiness Point

The Soldier Readiness Point at Fort Carson, Colorado suffers from long soldier wait times and low throughput caused by poor command and control, limited building capacity, and poor flow through the site. By applying systems thinking and simulation to this complex problem, it is possible to identify key opportunities for improvement. Fort Carson's SRP Site is operating at near maximum capacity and the application of loading strategies failed to produce substantial gains, however, the increase of onsite servers at key bottlenecks as well as the reduction of those requiring testing by sending them to offsite testing before entering the system proved very effective in increasing throughput and reducing wait times.
Presumptive meningoencephalitis secondary to extension of otitis media/interna caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus in a cat:

A 5-year-old castrated male domestic longhair cat was presented with neurological signs consistent with a central vestibular lesion and left Horner's syndrome. Computed tomography images revealed hyperattenuating, moderately contrast-enhancing material within the left tympanic bulla, most consistent with left otitis media/interna. Marked neutrophilic pleocytosis was identified on cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (SEZ) was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid. Intracranial extension of otitis media/interna is relatively infrequent in small animals. There are no reports of otitis media/interna caused by SEZ in dogs or cats. This is the first report of otitis media/interna and presumptive secondary meningoencephalitis caused by SEZ in a cat.
Association between bilirubin and cardiovascular disease risk factors: using Mendelian randomization to assess causal inference

Background: Elevated serum bilirubin has been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, serum bilirubin is also related with several potential confounders related to CVD, such as obesity. Mendelian randomization has been proposed as a method to address challenges to validity from confounding and reverse causality. It utilizes genotype to estimate causal relationships between a gene product and physiological outcomes. In this report, we demonstrate its use in assessing direct causal relations between serum bilirubin levels and CVD risk factors, including obesity, cholesterol, measures of vascular function and blood pressure. Methods: Study subjects included 868 asymptomatic individuals. Study subjects were genotyped at the UGT1A1*28 locus, which is strongly associated with bilirubin levels. Results: Serum bilirubin levels were inversely associated with levels of several cardiovascular disease risk factors, including body mass index (p = 0.003), LDL (p = 0.0005) and total cholesterol (p = 0.0002). In contrast, UGT1A1*28 genotype, a known cause of elevated bilirubin levels, was not significantly associated with any of these traditional CVD risk factors. We did observe an association between genotype and brachial artery diameter (p = 0.003) and cold pressor reactivity (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Our findings imply that the observed association of serum bilirubin levels with body mass index and cholesterol are likely due to confounding and suggest that previously established CVD benefits of increased bilirubin may in part be mediated by the early regulation of vascular structure and reactivity.
Cationic corticosteroid vehicle for gene delivery

Summary form only given. Inflammatory and immune responses to lipoplexes, lipids, and DNA present major obstacles to successful in vivo gene delivery. Several potent hydrophobic drugs inhibit some of these processes and can be made into molecules that resemble cationic lipids. Therefore, we report a one-step synthesis of a water-soluble, dexamethasone-spermine (DS) cationic lipid that has potent gene transfer capability in confluent bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) when used with neutral lipid, dioleylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). Lipofection of confluent BAEC with EGFP plasmid using DS/DOPE resulted in a 4.3-fold increase in percent transfection over Lipofectamine. Lipofection of subconfluent BAEC with DS/DOPE yielded a 4.6-fold increase in percent transfection over Lipofectamine from 16.0% with Lipofectamine to 73.8% transfection with DS/DOPE. DS, designed to be a prodrug lipid, hydrolyzes to DA, a dexamethasone amide (solubility in water DS >20,000 mg/L, dexamethasone 100 mg/L, DA 60 mg/L). Both DS and its hydrolysis product DA induced dose-dependent transcription from a glucocorticoid response element promoter construct (pGRE-SEAP), displaying an EC50 of /spl sim/ 10 to 100 nM relative to dexamethasone in 293 cells. Cationic pharmacophores represent a new approach to gene delivery and localized anti-inflammatory therapy.
Somatic and autonomic function in progressive autonomic failure and multiple system atrophy

We studied 62 consecutive patients with progressive autonomic failure (PAF) or multiple system atrophy (MSA) (26 PAF; 36 MSA). Patients were well matched in age (67 vs 66 years), duration (39 vs 36 months), and severity of autonomic failure (median values for PAF and MSA). Peripheral somatic neuropathy occurred in 2 patients with PAF and 7 patients with MSA. Postganglionic sudomotor and vasomotor functions were studied using the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test and supine plasma norepinephrine. The extent and severity of autonomic failure were assessed by the thermoregulatory sweat test, by heart rate responses to deep breathing and the Valsalva maneuver, and by blood pressure recordings. Severe and widespread anhidrosis was found in both PAF and MSA patients. Postganglionic sudomotor failure occurred at the forearm in 50% each of PAF and MSA patients and at the foot in 69% and 66% of PAF and MSA patients, respectively. However, postganglionic sudomotor function was preserved in some patients with anhidrosis on thermoregulatory sweat test, indicating a preganglionic lesion. Vagal abnormalities were found in 77% and 81% of PAF and MSA patients. Supine plasma free norepinephrine values were significantly reduced in PAF (p less than 0.001), but not in MSA, patients. Standing plasma norepinephrine values were reduced in both PAF (p less than 0.001) and MSA (p less than 0.001) patients. We conclude the following: (1) PAF is characterized by combined postganglionic sudomotor and adrenergic failure. (2) MSA is associated with a similar frequency of postganglionic sudomotor failure, but postganglionic adrenergic denervation was uncommon. (3) Preganglionic neuron is also involved in both disorders, but more severely in MSA. (4) Somatic neuropathy may occur.
A 13-Bit 10-Mhz Adc Background-Calibrated with Real-Time Oversampling Calibrator

A real-time digital-domain code-error calibration technique is developed and demonstrated in this fully-Merential5-volt 13-bit IO-= BiCMOS ADC. The calibration process does not interfere with the normal operation of the converter but improves its linearity in real time while the converter is working. The core of this technique is an oversampling sigma-delta ratio calibrator working synchronously with the converter in background.' 1. Introdiictiou Existing self-calibration techniques for data converters interrupt normal conversion cycle for calibration[ I]. Temperature variation, device parameter drift, etc., may cause the calibration data to become invalid unless the converter is periodically re-calibrated. Other analogdomain calibration techniques are limited by the analog signal accuracy and circuit noise[2]. A novel digital-domain, code-error background calibration technique is implemented in this experimental 13-bit 10-MHZ ADC. The calibration procedure is virtually trans arent to the normal converter operation, thus allowing tg e converter to operate continuously even while being calibrated. 2.Real-Time Digital Calibration Technique In a multi-stage type ADC, the linearity of the D-to-A converter @AC) in the first stage determines the overall transfer characteristics of the ADC. To calibrate the ADC it is necessary to correct the linearity error of the fist stage DAC. In this ADC, a resistor-string DAC is used in the first stage because it allows both the calibrator circuit and the ADC amplifier to tap different DAC outputs simultaneously without affecting each other, provided that the DAC outputs settle within the clock phase. The DAC output errors are digitized by the calibrator and later subtracted from the raw output codes with the code-error calibration technique[3], To measure the resistor DAC error, a ratio-measurement method has been used. A switched-capacitor subtracter is used to measure the mid-point voltage error of a given section of the resistor string. A simplified diagram is shown in Figxe 1. Assuming ideal conditions,C, = C2 = C,,
Project planning: getting it right the first time

As the number of space flight projects being conducted concurrently at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has increased, so has the need for institutional support for the projects. One area of particular importance to flight project success is support during the early project planning/formulation phase. Numerous studies have identified front-end project planning as a key element of project success. This paper describes JPL's project formulation support team (PFST), which plays a central role in providing the institutional support tools and services for projects during their early formulation phases and ensure they get off to the right start. Finally, potential future trends in project formulation are discussed, including the increasing application of information networks to meet flight project needs, the effects of competition in the selection process for new flight projects, and the increasing use of multi-national flight project teams.
Severe Growth Deficiency is Associated with STAT5b Mutations that Disrupt Protein Folding and Activity

The first genetic defect in human signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)5b was identified in an individual with profound short stature and GH insensitivity, immune dysfunction, and severe pulmonary disease, and was caused by an alanine to proline substitution (A630P) within the Src homology-2 (SH2) domain. STAT5bA630P was found to be an inactive transcription factor based on its aberrant folding, diminished solubility, and propensity for aggregation triggered by its misfolded SH2 domain. Here we have characterized the second human STAT5b amino acid substitution mutation in an individual with similar pathophysiological features. This single nucleotide transition, predicted to change phenyalanine 646 to serine (F646S), also maps to the SH2 domain. Like STAT5bA630P, STAT5bF646S is prone to aggregation, as evidenced by its detection in the insoluble fraction of cell extracts, the presence of dimers and higher-order oligomers in the soluble fraction, and formation of insoluble cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in cells. Unlike STAT5bA630P, which showed minimal GH-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and no transcriptional activity, STAT5bF646S became tyrosine phosphorylated after GH treatment and could function as a GH-activated transcription factor, although to a substantially lesser extent than STAT5bWT. Biochemical characterization demonstrated that the isolated SH2 domain containing the F646S substitution closely resembled the wild-type SH2 domain in secondary structure, but exhibited reduced thermodynamic stability and altered tertiary structure that were intermediate between STAT5bA630P and STAT5bWT. Homology-based structural modeling suggests that the F646S mutation disrupts key hydrophobic interactions and may also distort the phosphopeptide-binding face of the SH2 domain, explaining both the reduced thermodynamic stability and impaired biological activity.