cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Resistance to Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B: Naturally Acquired Antibodies of Man and Monkey

Abstract : Sera from residents of the United States and Southeast Asia were surveyed for the presence of antibody to highly purified staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). Hemagglutination of ovine erythrocytes coupled to SEB was the method for detecting antibody, and immune-precipitation reaction in agar gel served as an indicator of IgG antibody activity. Approximately 70% of sera from the U.S. had HA antibody and 30% had precipitins, whereas all samples from Southeast Asia had HA activity and 90% had precipitating activity. Seroconversion occurred in individuals who had no known history of exposure to SEB. Experimental intoxication of rhesus monkeys indicated that repeated parenteral exposure to SEB was required to achieve the titers of antibody observed in human sera. Rechallenge by gavage was less effective, in that antibody stimulation occurred only in monkeys that were fed repeatedly with 100 median effective doses (ED50). Resistance to a primary iv challenge with 1-25 ED50 was correlated with titers of naturally acquired HA antibody, but resistance to higher does was related to presence of precipitins. Ten weeks after primary exposure, many monkeys lacking humoral antibody were resistant to a second iv challenge. In contrast, illness following primary challenge with 1- 100 ED50 by gavage was unrelated to values of antibody, and the initial exposure had no affect on the response of seronegative monkeys to a second challenge by gavage.
Stimulation of systemic low-grade inflammation by psychosocial stress

Psychosocial stress is an important precursor of disease and reduced quality of life in humans. The biological pathways between stress exposure and pathophysiological processes underlying disease have received substantial scientific attention, although the roles of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and sympathetic nervous system remain insufficiently understood. Recent attention has focused on chronic systemic low-grade inflammation as a promising pathway because elevated inflammation often accompanies chronic psychosocial distress. These alterations of inflammatory activity play a key role in the pathophysiology of diseases that are adversely affected by chronic distress, such as cardiovascular disease. Transient increases in systemic inflammation are observed in response to acute psychosocial stress, with larger responses among individuals reporting adverse psychosocial states or conditions such as depression, lower self-esteem, or lower self-compassion. Recent evidence shows that lower subjective social status and perceived purpose in life are associated with sensitization of inflammatory stress responses to repeated stress exposure. The aims of this selective review article are to summarize current knowledge of the role of acute and chronic psychosocial stress on low-grade inflammation in humans and to discuss potential relationships between inflammatory responses to acute psychosocial stress and long-term development of disease.
Spontaneous Talk, Linguistic Capital, and Diversity: Communication in Knowledge-Based Organizations

In knowledge-based organizations, talk is more than just talk. Verbal ability plays a key role in career mobility in the workplace. Every worker is also expected to have good listening and interpretive skills. These skills are essential because the communication system in such organizations contains linguistic codes that allow several different messages to be sent in a single transmission. As minorities and women move into white-collar positions, they must be able to decipher the linguistic codes within these messages. Organizations are reluctant to teach them the code because so much of the existing power arrangement is organized around the receptive and interpretive skills of White males. This article discusses how codes are used to maintain the status quo and inhibit the career mobility of minorities and women.
Hydrolysis of the Leu-Gly bond of phenylazobenzyl-oxycarbonyl- l -Pro- l -Leu-Gly- l -Pro- D -Arg (a substrate of microbial collagenases) by treponemes isolated from the subgingival plaque of periodontitis patients

Cell extracts prepared from several oral treponemes isolated from the subgingival plaque of periodontitis patients showed high enzyme activity toward phenylazobenzyl-oxycarbonyl-l-prolyl-l-leucylglycyl-l-prolyl-d-arginine (a compound used as a substrate for microbial collagenases). One major enzyme hydrolyzing this substrate at the Leu-Gly bond only was partially purified from an unspeciated treponeme (strain US),Treponema denticola ATCC 35405, and 29 different clinical isolates ofT. denticola. TheTreponema US enzyme also hydrolyzed furylacryloyl-l-leucylglycyl-l-prolyl-l-alanine (another substrate of bacterial collagenases) at the Leu-Gly bond. This enzyme also hydrolyzed various collagens and collagen-derived peptides. These treponemal proteases were sensitive to metal chelators andp-chloromercury compounds. The results indicate that human oral treponemes contain enzymes that readily hydrolyze in chromogenic protease substrates the Leu-Gly bond only that is the cleavage site of these substrates also by “true” microbial collagenases.
What to do if no blood is available but the patient is bleeding

Background The dilemma of what to do if blood is unavailable (or in very short supply) when a patient is bleeding heavily has confronted all clinicians who work in the pre-hospital setting, operating room, intensive care unit or emergency department. This article reviews methods that are currently available and under investigation for bleeding control and resuscitation, including artificial oxygen carriers (AOCs), tourniquets, elevation/gravity, pro-coagulant technologies, haemostatic agents and minimisation of further blood loss by non-operative and minimally invasive surgical interventions. Methods The MEDLINE literature database, textbooks and the authors’ 56 combined years of experience in anaesthesia, critical care and bloodless medicine associated with the Shock Trauma Center, Baltimore, Maryland, the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center and other hospitals with major blood use were resorted to in evaluating the management strategies described. Results A multitude of strategies and options are available. Infusions of AOCs will enhance oxygen carriage and can also be used for volume expansion. Haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) are a major group of AOCs. HBOC therapy should include monitoring daily plasma haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit levels. HBOCs have limited half-life and decreasing plasma Hb, in the context of decreasing total Hb, indicates the need for re-dosing with HBOC. Total Hb, not haematocrit, is used for the assessment of anaemia, because haemodilution by the cell-free Hb solutions can cause haematocrit to be proportionally unrelated to total Hb. HBOCs can make patients appear jaundiced due to metabolism of free Hb. Interferences with laboratory and oximetry monitoring technology should also be considered. HBOCs, like erythropoietin, can act as haematinics and provide added benefits by stimulating erythropoiesis. There are still challenges that need to be resolved regarding the safety and efficacy of these products. The application of external pressure (e.g. using tourniquets to occlude bleeding from arterial and venous sites and inflatable splints or compression bandages as a temporising means of haemorrhage control for major pelvic fractures) can minimise bleeding. Intra-abdominal packing is an excellent means of salvage when haemorrhage is profuse (e.g. from a major liver laceration) and blood is unavailable. Intra-operatively, minimally invasive techniques and reduction of blood pressure can reduce surgical blood loss. Cell salvage technology and acute normovolaemic haemodilution will enable some vital surgeries to be completed with fewer transfusions or completely without blood. The use of pro-coagulant technologies, such as fibrin bandages, ChitoFlex dressing, and zeolitebased products (e.g. QuikClot
Saline Solution Effects on Propidium Iodide Uptake in Nanoinjected HeLa Cells

Being able to deliver molecular loads to the intracellular space of mammalian cells is a key initial step of genetic engineering. In the following work, experimentation with nanoinjection, a non-viral molecular load delivery technique, was examined in regards to transmembrane delivery of propidium iodide (PI), a dye that cannot penetrate the cell membrane and fluoresces when bound to genetic material. Investigation includes two environmental factors: peak pulse amplitude (1.5 to 3, 5, 7, or 9 V) and saline type (HBSS, PBS with potassium, and PBS without potassium). Results indicate that PBS with potassium has significantly higher PI uptake efficiency than the other two saline solutions for pulsed voltages of 3V, 5V, and 7V (with the peak value being 3.352 times greater than the positive control). Also, cell viability analysis indicates that there is a measureable reduction in cell viability for voltage protocol samples in comparison to non-voltage protocol samples. Cell viabilities range from 74.5% to 89.4% for voltage protocol samples. Findings suggest that a possible combination of physical/electrical variables work in concert with biological mechanisms to contribute to overall cell survival and PI uptake efficiency in nanoinjection.© 2014 ASME
Functional responses in Leptoxis praerosa to increasing metal concentration and exposure duration

The protectiveness of USEPA ambient water quality criteria for copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) was tested using the snail Leptoxis praerosa in short- and long-term artificial stream tests. Acute criteria were tested in 96-h survival tests. Chronic criteria were tested by comparing cellulolytic enzyme activity impairment, bioconcentration, and survival in 14-, 20-, 30-, and 114-d exposures. Significant Cu bioconcentration occurred within 40 d at the chronic Cu criteria concentration, followed by significant cellulolytic enzyme activity impairment within 54 d. Significant bioconcentration and enzyme activity impairment occurred within 40 and 54 d, respectively, at the chronic Zn criteria concentration, but survival was much higher than in Cu-exposed snails. Approximate additive effects were seen in combination treatments of Cu and Zn. Similar patterns of effects were seen from both increased exposure duration and concentration. This research concluded that criteria based on abbreviated chronic tests may be underprotective for some sensitive taxa when exposures are prolonged.
The One Atmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma (OAUGDP)—A Platform Technology for the 21st Century

Representatives from many industrial sectors are searching for more economic and ecologically sound technologies to meet regulatory and competitive pressures. Currently, the majority of industrial plasma processing is done with glow discharges at pressures below 10 torr. This tends to limit such applications to high-value items, as a result of the high capital cost of vacuum systems and the production constraints of batch processing. It has long been recognized that glow discharges would play a much larger industrial role if they could be generated at one atmosphere and in ambient air. A promising platform technology for plasma processing across many industrial sectors is the one atmosphere uniform glow discharge plasma (OAUGDP), a nonthermal normal glow discharge that operates in air (and other gases) at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. It generates active species useful for the sterilization, decontamination, and surface energy enhancement of films, fabrics, air filters, metals, and 3-D workpieces. This paper will survey exploratory research and development at the University of Tennessee's Plasma Sciences Laboratory on eight potential industrial applications of the OAUGDP that can be conducted at one atmosphere and at room temperature with air as the working gas
Variability in phenylalanine control predicts IQ and executive abilities in children with phenylketonuria

A number of studies have revealed significant relationships between cognitive performance and average phenylalanine (Phe) levels in children with phenylketonuria (PKU), but only a few studies have been conducted to examine the relationships between cognitive performance and variability (fluctuations) in Phe levels. In the current study, we examined a variety of indices of Phe control to determine which index best predicted IQ and executive abilities in 47 school-age children with early- and continuously-treated PKU. Indices of Phe control were mean Phe, the index of dietary control, change in Phe with age, and several indices of variability in Phe (standard deviation, standard error of estimate, and percentage of spikes). These indices were computed over the lifetime and during 3 developmental epochs (<5, 5.0-9.9, and ≥10 years of age). Results indicated that variability in Phe was generally a stronger predictor of cognitive performance than other indices of Phe control. In addition, executive performance was better predicted by variability in Phe during older than younger developmental epochs. These results indicate that variability in Phe should be carefully controlled to maximize cognitive outcomes and that Phe control should not be liberalized as children with PKU age.
TREK-1 currents in smooth muscle cells from pregnant human myometrium

The mechanisms governing maintenance of quiescence during pregnancy remain largely unknown. The current study characterizes a stretch-activated, tetraethylammonium-insensitive K+ current in smooth ...
Placental 57-kDa Ca2+-Binding Protein: Regulation of Expression and Function in Trophoblast Calcium Transport

During gestation, transport by placental trophoblasts is solely responsible for nutrient supply to the developing fetus. The calcium (Ca) transport machinery of the placenta thus represents the primary tissue site for regulating fetal Ca homeostasis. The exact mechanism of trophoblast Ca transport is not known. However, there is evidence suggesting that a developmentally expressed cytosolic, trophoblast-specific, high M(r) 57-kDa Ca-binding protein (CaBP) plays an important role in regulating and/or shuttling cytosolic Ca. We report here the cloning of a full-length cDNA of the mouse CaBP which shows significant homology with calreticulin, an endoplasmic reticulum-associated Ca binding protein. The functional role of CaBP in cellular Ca handling was investigated using a trophoblastic cell line, Rcho-1, derived from a rat choriocarcinoma. Upon differentiation, Rcho-1 cells exhibit enhanced Ca uptake compared to undifferentiated Rcho-1 stem cells, and CaBP expression is upregulated. To analyze the regulation of CaBP expression, placenta organ cultures and Rcho-1 cells were treated for 48 h in vitro with a series of agents implicated in Ca homeostasis. In both placenta organ cultures and undifferentiated as well as differentiated Rcho-1 cells, treatment with 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3, estrogen, parathyroid hormone (PTH), parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP 1-34), and Ca had no effect on CaBP mRNA and protein levels, which were significantly stimulated by PTHrP 67-84. PTHrP 67-84-treated Rcho-1 cells also exhibited higher Ca uptake activity than untreated control cells. The upregulation of CaBP expression during and/or following the differentiation of Rcho-1 cells into trophoblastic giant cells supports the importance of CaBP in trophoblast maturation and the validity of the Rcho-1 rat model cell system. In addition, the action of PTHrP on placental trophoblast Ca transport is likely to involve the regulation of CaBP expression to handle the increasing Ca requirements of the developing fetus.
Rubber networks containing unattached macromolecules. III. Nonlinear stress relaxation in the system ethylene–propylene terpolymer with ethylene–propylene copolymer and behavior of extracted networks

Further stress relaxation experiments, mostly at 50°C, are reported on mixtures of crosslinkable ethylene–propylene terpolymer with saturated ethylene–propylene copolymer (molecular weights 3.6 and 45 × 104) containing up to 50% by weight of copolymer, crosslinked by sulfur to leave the saturated copolymer unattached and free to reptate in the copolymer network. Stress relaxation was measured in small simple elongations (stretch ratio about 1.15) on samples which had been extracted to remove a large part of the unattached copolymer and dried. The relative increase in modulus at long times (104 sec) increased with the proportion extracted; at short times (1 sec), extraction of the lower molecular weight copolymer increased the modulus to about the same extent but extraction of the higher molecular weight copolymer affected it very little. The relaxation modulus of the copolymer extracted from sample 50H (50% copolymer of high molecular weight), obtained by difference, agreed with that for the total copolymer except for a small difference probably attributable to molecular weight selectivity in the extraction. Stress relaxation was measured on sample 50H at six higher elongations up to a stretch ratio of 3. The dependence of stress on time and strain was consistent with an analysis based on the following assumptions: (a) linear additivity of the network and unattached copolymer contributions, (b) strain–time factorization of the stress contributions from the individual components, (c) a strain dependence for the unattached component corresponding to the presence of a Mooney–Rivlin C2 term only, (d) a strain dependence for the network component which does not follow the Mooney–Rivlin equation but is dominated by a simple neo-Hookean term.
Activity of the De Novo Engineered Antimicrobial Peptide WLBU2 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Human Serum and Whole Blood: Implications for Systemic Applications

Cationic amphipathic peptides have been extensively investigated as a potential source of new antimicrobials that can complement current antibiotic regimens in the face of emerging drug-resistant bacteria. However, the suppression of antimicrobial activity under certain biologically relevant conditions (e.g., serum and physiological salt concentrations) has hampered efforts to develop safe and effective antimicrobial peptides for clinical use. We have analyzed the activity and selectivity of the human peptide LL37 and the de novo engineered antimicrobial peptide WLBU2 in several biologically relevant conditions. The host-derived synthetic peptide LL37 displayed high activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa but demonstrated staphylococcus-specific sensitivity to NaCl concentrations varying from 50 to 300 mM. Moreover, LL37 potency was variably suppressed in the presence of 1 to 6 mM Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) ions. In contrast, WLBU2 maintained its activity in NaCl and physiologic serum concentrations of Mg(2+) and Ca(2+). WLBU2 is able to kill P. aeruginosa (10(6) CFU/ml) in human serum, with a minimum bactericidal concentration of <9 microM. Conversely, LL37 is inactive in the presence of human serum. Bacterial killing kinetic assays in serum revealed that WLBU2 achieved complete bacterial killing in 20 min. Consistent with these results was the ability of WLBU2 (15 to 20 microM) to eradicate bacteria from ex vivo samples of whole blood. The selectivity of WLBU2 was further demonstrated by its ability to specifically eliminate P. aeruginosa in coculture with human monocytes or skin fibroblasts without detectable adverse effects to the host cells. Finally, WLBU2 displayed potent efficacy against P. aeruginosa in an intraperitoneal infection model using female Swiss Webster mice. These results establish a potential application of WLBU2 in the treatment of bacterial sepsis.
Study on development of dry band on ADSS fibre optic cable

All dielectric self supporting (ADSS) fiber optic cables are suffering from damage caused by dry-band arcing. This paper investigates the formation of the dry band, which is crucial to the arcing. The formation of the dry band is the result of evaporation of water deposit some point on the cable surface. When the dry band is formed the current is interrupted. Then high voltage is applied to the small gap separated by the dry band, and may cause arcing. This paper discusses the drying process of the wet layer on the surface of the cable in detail. The differential equation of the drying rate is formulated and numerical simulation is performed. With this equation, the time-to-arcing and variation of the layer resistance can be estimated. For verification of the results, the time-to-arcing and layer resistance are measured in the laboratory. The numerical results provide guidance for design of an automatic dry-band arcing aging test system. The onset of arcing is investigated based on the results.
Influence of β -Blockers on Mortality in Chronic Heart Failure

OBJECTIVE:To briefly discuss the pathophysiology of heart failure and the rationale for the use of β -blockers in the treatment of chronic heart failure. Key morbidity reduction trials are briefly mentioned, and recent mortality reduction trials are reviewed. General recommendations regarding the use of β -blockers in heart failure are also included to guide clinical practice.STUDY SELECTION/DATA EXTRACTION:Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials and meta-analyses evaluating mortality reduction with β -blockers in the treatment of heart failure were identified using a MEDLINE search from January 1993 to March 2000. Abstracts and presented results from recent scientific meetings were also considered.DATA SYNTHESIS:β -Blockers have been shown to decrease hospitalization for worsening heart failure, decrease the need for heart transplant, improve New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, and increase left-ventricular ejection fraction. A mortality benefit has recently been demonstrated for p...
Acid mine drainage biogeochemistry at Iron Mountain, California

The Richmond Mine at Iron Mountain, Shasta County, California, USA provides an excellent opportunity to study the chemical and biological controls on acid mine drainage (AMD) generation in situ, and to identify key factors controlling solution chemistry. Here we integrate four years of field-based geochemical data with 16S rRNA gene clone libraries and rRNA probe-based studies of microbial population structure, cultivation-based metabolic experiments, arsenopyrite surface colonization experiments, and results of intermediate sulfur species kinetics experiments to describe the Richmond Mine AMD system. Extremely acidic effluent (pH between 0.5 and 0.9) resulting from oxidation of approximately 1 × 105 to 2 × 105 moles pyrite/day contains up to 24 g/1 Fe, several g/1 Zn and hundreds of mg/l Cu. Geochemical conditions change markedly over time, and are reflected in changes in microbial populations. Molecular analyses of 232 small subunit ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene sequences from six sites during a sampling time when lower temperature ( 0.8) conditions predominated show the dominance of Fe-oxidizing prokaryotes such as Ferroplasma and Leptospirillum in the primary drainage communities. Leptospirillum group III accounts for the majority of Leptospirillum sequences, which we attribute to anomalous physical and geochemical regimes at that time. A couple of sites peripheral to the main drainage, "Red Pool" and a pyrite "Slump," were even higher in pH (>1) and the community compositions reflected this change in geochemical conditions. Several novel lineages were identified within the archaeal Thermoplasmatales order associated with the pyrite slump, and the Red Pool (pH 1.4) contained the only population of Acidithiobacillus. Relatively small populations of Sulfobacillus spp. and Acidithiobacillus caldus may metabolize elemental sulfur as an intermediate species in the oxidation of pyritic sulfide to sulfate. Experiments show that elemental sulfur which forms on pyrite surfaces is resistant to most oxidants; its solublization by unattached cells may indicate involvement of a microbially derived electron shuttle. The detachment of thiosulfate (S2O32-) as a leaving group in pyrite oxidation should result in the formation and persistence of tetrathionate in low pH ferric iron-rich AMD solutions. However, tetrathionate is not observed. Although a S2O32--like species may form as a surface-bound intermediate, data suggest that Fe3+ oxidizes the majority of sulfur to sulfate on the surface of pyrite. This may explain why microorganisms that can utilize intermediate sulfur species are scarce compared to Fe-oxidizing taxa at the Richmond Mine site.
Elimination of post-release adhesion in microstructures using conformal fluorocarbon coatings

The adhesion of polysilicon microstructures to their substrates is eliminated using a relatively conformal hydrophobic fluorocarbon (FC) coating grown in a field-free zone of a plasma reactor. Experiments show that the FC film deposition on top of the microstructure and on the underside was approximately 2:1. The FC coating is able to cover the entire underside of a 200/spl times/200 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ plate, with a 20% deposition nonuniformity. The coating exhibits a contact angle of 110/spl deg/ and is able to prevent adhesion of cantilever beams and doubly supported beams to their substrates even after direct immersion in DI water. The durability of the coating was tested using an accelerated aging method, predicting a lifetime of greater than ten years at 150/spl deg/C. Periodic wear tests indicate that the coating remains hydrophobic even after 10/sup 7/ contact cycles.
Development of a precipitate size-dependent crystal plasticity constitutive model for two-phase materials and its implementation on a multi-scale computational framework

Abstract A new method to introduce size-dependence in crystal plasticity constitutive models, recently developed for single-phase polycrystal materials [1] , is extended to two-phase single crystal materials. The precipitate size-dependent crystal plasticity constitutive model is developed by accounting for the resistance to dislocation nucleation and mobility at a material point in the matrix phase near the interface between the precipitate and matrix phases (referred to as precipitate-matrix interface influence region). Following the crystal plasticity constitutive modeling principle, changes in strength and straining-hardening characteristics in the precipitate-matrix interface influence region are captured by introducing a shear flow strain parameter equivalent to the resistance to dislocation nucleation. As a result, for the interface influence region with its thickness and the distribution of the equivalent shear flow strain remaining the same irrespective of the unit-cell size, the precipitate size-dependence is naturally evolved in the constitutive model. A simplified model that considers the precipitate-matrix interface effect on an average sense in the matrix phase is also developed under the general framework. Implementation of this general framework is demonstrated by considering the case of a power-law flow rule and a hyperbolic-secant hardening rule. Accordingly, a characteristic length-scale parameter that defines the effective precipitate size is introduced. Finally, the precipitate size-dependent constitutive model was implemented on a multi-scale computational framework developed by NASA Glenn Research Center. The elastic-plastic behavior of a full-scale Ni-based superalloy disk with variations in the precipitate size along the radius is analyzed as an example problem for the size-dependent multi-scale model.
The Cellular and Molecular Properties of Multipotent Neural Stem Cells

The promise of stem cell based therapies for the treatment of a number of debilitating neurological disorders has led to an increased interest in the mechanisms which regulate the development and maintenance of neural stem/progenitor cell populations. Here, we highlight some of the molecular and cellular similarities shared by neural stem and progenitor cell populations in both the developing and adult central nervous systems as well as differences that distinguish between them. Lastly, we discuss methods in which these properties can then be used to identify and isolate specific neural stem/progenitor cell populations from the CNS.
Ranking Drug Harms for Sentencing Policy

Unidimensional rankings comparing the harmfulness of different drugs have been criticized as too simplistic for policy making. A type of unidimensional ranking of direct drug harms is needed for sentencing policy making, however, in order to implement the sentencing principle of just desert. Available empirical evidence of the relative harmfulness of illegal drugs on several measures of direct harm is reviewed. Data on typical dosage weight is used to evaluate the proportionality of current federal mandatory minimum statutes and guidelines for drug trafficking offenses. Several drugs that rank relatively low on harms are punished as, or more, severely than drugs that are far more harmful. Mandatory minimum statutes and congressional directives to the United States Sentencing Commission must be repealed or revised before recommendations of the federal sentencing guidelines will result in proportionate punishment.
Psychosocial outcomes and interventions among cancer survivors diagnosed during adolescence and young adulthood (AYA): a systematic review

Purpose A cancer diagnosis during adolescence or young adulthood (AYA; defined as ages 15–39) generates unique medical and psychosocial needs as developmental milestones are simultaneously impacted. Past research highlights that AYAs’ experiences and psychosocial outcomes are different, and more research and attention is needed. We aimed to identify and synthesize literature regarding psychosocial outcomes, unique needs, and existing psychosocial interventions pertaining to individuals diagnosed with cancer exclusively during AYA, and to highlight areas for future research.
Overview: Imaging in the Study of Integrins

Integrins play critical adhesion and signaling roles during development, wound healing, immunity, and cancer. Central to their function is a unique ability to dynamically modulate their adhesiveness and signaling properties through changes in conformation, both homo- and heterotypic protein-protein interactions and cellular distribution. Genetic, biochemical and structural studies have been instrumental in uncovering overall functions, describing ligand and regulatory protein interactions and elucidating the molecular architecture of integrins. However, such approaches alone are inadequate to describe how dynamic integrin behaviors are orchestrated in intact cells. To fill this void, a wide array of distinct light microscopy (largely fluorescence-based) imaging approaches have been developed and employed. Various microscopy technologies, including wide-field, optical sectioning (laser-scanning confocal, spinning-disk confocal, and multiphoton), TIRF and range of novel "Super-Resolution" techniques have been used in combination with diverse imaging modalities (such as IRM, FRET, FRAP, CALI, and fluorescence speckle imaging) to address distinct aspects of integrin function and regulation. This chapter provides an overview of these imaging approaches and how they have advanced our understanding of integrins.
Observations Of Downwelling Far-Infrared Radiance At Earth’s Surface with FIRST

Far-infrared radiance from the atmosphere was observed at Earth’s surface at Cerro Toco, Chile, and Table Mountain, CA with the NASA FIRST instrument. Measurements are compared with model calculations, showing agreement within their combined uncertainty.
Wear Induced Deformation of Ni3Al, (Fe, Co)3V, and (Fe, Ni)3V

Several experimental techniques have been implemented in order to compare the tribological response of Ni3Al, (Fe,Co)3V, and (Fe,Ni)3V to commercial engineering alloys. Abrasive and adhesive macrowear behavior during sliding contact has been determined. Microstructural data obtained from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have been correlated with macrowear results. In this correlation, consideration was given to the effects of wear on long-range-order and the presence (or absence) of dislocation subcell structures. The formation of dislocation subcell structures is partially related to the material’s stacking fault energy (SFE) which has been the basis of recent wear theory. An experimentally verified wear mechanism based on inhomogeneous slip is defined.
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of expressed prostatic secretions: Metabolite citrate and derivatives are potential markers of prostate cancer

4623 Background: Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMRS) along with a novel method for determining absolute concentrations of metabolites were utilized to analyze expressed prostatic secreti...
Independence of the Judiciary

This article focuses on the idea of state law in an attempt to curb the abuse of rulers in a legal framework that yearn to save human rights and maintenance his fundamental freedoms. And it shows the features of an independent authority that seeking to do right and deter falsehood with maintenance of public freedoms from erosion and encroachment that issues by other authorities. Moreover, this article draws a realistic theoretical that gives the independence and freedom to the judiciary, allowing it to exercise its important role in building the state of law and the consolidation of the principles of justice. Also, it clarify the scenario that gives to the judiciary the ability and freedom of movement on the performance and development within its circle, as well as how it can not affect by the political positions of executive power or without being bound by the two authorities to monitor kidney or interference in its work or decisions. This article demonstrates the capacity of the judiciary in proper legal applications of the laws and the resolution of issues and the application of justice and the law impartially. And to enable the citizen to sue any center the legislature, or executive, and the judiciary in the case of a sense of violating the constitution or work in contravention of legal texts, which paid for the development and innovation in the research process and the conclusion.
Data Communication Security Strategy for Electric Vehicle Charging Facilities

The importance of data security is discussed when charging facilities for electric vehicles are supervised through the public network.Data security methods are compared and a suitable one is selected by analyzing the normal security mechanism and data communication characteristics of the charging facilities,as well as the demands of engineering practice.As the embedded system is generally used in the charging facilities to reduce cost and improve reliability,an improved method for the normal one-time pad mode is put forward,in which the key pool technology is used to simplify encryption software,improve efficiency,and increase the difficulty in deciphering ciphertext by increasing redundant data bytes and transmitting message with fixed length on each packet.
Adenoviral expression of murine serum amyloid A proteins to study amyloid fibrillogenesis.

the SAA # protein was capable of forming amyloid fibrils, whereas the CE}J SAA was incapable. Radiolabelled SAAs were associated with normal or acute-phase high-density lipoproteins (HDLs); we examined them for their clearance from the circulation. In normal mice, SAA # had a half-life of 70 min and CE}J SAA had a half-life of 120 min; however, in amyloid mice 50% of the SAA # cleared in 55 min, compared with 135 min for the CE}J protein. When the SAA proteins were associated with acute-phase HDLs, SAA # clearance was decreased to 60 min in normal mice compared with 30 min in amyloidogenic mice. Both normal and acute-phase HDLs were capable of depositing SAA # into preformed amyloid fibrils, whereas the CE}J protein did not become associated with amyloid fibrils. This established approach opens the doors for large-scale SAA production and for the examination of specific amino acids involved in the fibrillogenic capability of the SAA # molecule in aitro and in aiao. have a unique secondary and tertiary structure that allows its fibrillogenic properties. We have identified a strain of mice (CE}J) that is totally resistant to amyloid formation [12]. The CE}J mouse contains a unique SAA isoform that is a composite molecule of the SAA " and SAA # proteins. The CE}J and SAA " proteins dier from the SAA # protein in 5 and 9 of their 103 amino acids respectively, suggesting that the amyloidogenicity is defined by these dierences [13]. The N-terminal region of the CE}J protein is similar to the non-fibrillogenic SAA " protein, with the sixth and seventh residues being valine and histidine respectively [13], whereas in the SAA # molecule the residues at positions 6 and 7 are isoleucine and glycine. This region of the SAA # protein has been shown to be important for amyloid fibrillogenesis by using synthetic peptides to mimic fibril formation in aitro [14]. We and others have shown that the CE}J and SAA " proteins lack the ability to undergo a conformational change to a b-pleated sheet in the presence of heparan sulphate proteoglycans and Ca#+, whereas SAA # can easily form b-pleated structures [15]. These amino acid dierences have been suggested to result in structural changes that enable the SAA # protein to form b-pleated sheets. Arrangement of the structures allows the SAA # protein to form amyloid fibrils. Several studies have attempted to express recombinant SAA
The Use of Pedicled Grafts of Omentum in the Repair of Transplant-related Urinary Tract Problems

AbstractUrologic complications related to renal transplantation may be difficult to treat and can be serious threats to life or to function of the transplanted kidney. Successful experience with omentum for non-transplant and transplant-related reconstructive procedures recommends its further use. Herein are reported 4 patients in whom pedicled flaps of omentum were used to treat transplant-related urologic problems.
The Cult of St Nicholas of Myra in Norman Bari, c. 1071–c. 1111

This article explores the cult of St Nicholas in later eleventh-century Bari, focusing on its importance to the new Norman rulers in the region as well as to their subjects. While acknowledging the influence of earlier expressions of the cult in Normandy and in Byzantine southern Italy, it argues that for numerous reasons Nicholas was, for Bari, an especially important – and appropriate – intercessor. During these years, which witnessed the translation of the saint from Myra, economic developments, church politics and the demands of the First Crusade merged to render Nicholas an ideal patron for the city.
Hypoglycemia and the Central Nervous System

The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) convincingly demonstrated that intensive insulin therapy reduces the microvascular complications associated with diabetes, including retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy. 1,2 However, intensive insulin therapy that lowers blood glucose towards normal levels also significantly increases the risk for hypoglycemia. Moderate hypoglycemia can acutely affect cognitive ability, leading to temporary stupor and confusion. Severe hypoglycemia can lead to seizures, coma, and even death. Therefore, hypoglycemia causes recurrent morbidity that can interfere with the ability of individuals to work, as well as to perform activities of daily living. 3 The fear of a
Implementing competency-based business curricula in higher education

ABSTRACTDevelopment of competency-based education business curricula at three universities showed substantial variation. Curriculum competencies were developed from traditional learning objectives or employer interviews and addressed once or several times. Assessments were unique or based on traditional program or national examinations. Faculty roles were unchanged or unbundled into development, delivery, and advising. Trade-offs existed among student characteristics, program structure, and faculty interaction. Opposition depended on competency-based education fit with faculty culture and perceived traditional program competitiveness.
ASSURE: Authentication Scheme for SecURE Energy Efficient Non-Volatile Memories

Data tampering threatens data integrity in emerging non-volatile memories (NVMs). Whereas Merkle Tree (MT) memory authentication is effective in thwarting data tampering attacks, it drastically increases cell writes and memory accesses, adversely impacting NVM energy, lifetime, and system performance (instructions per cycle (IPC)). We propose ASSURE, a low overhead, high performance Authentication Scheme for SecURE energy efficient (ASSURE) NVMs. ASSURE synergistically integrates (i) smart message authentication codes (SMACs), which eliminate redundant cell writes by enabling MAC computation of only modified words on memory writes, with (ii) multi-root MTs (MMTs), which reduce MT reads/writes by constructing either high performance static MMTs (SMMTs) or low overhead dynamic MMTs (DMMTs) over frequently accessed memory regions. Our full-system simulations of the SPEC CPU2006 benchmarks on a triple-level cell (TLC) resistive RAM (RRAM) architecture show that on average, SMMT ASSURE (DMMT ASSURE) reduces NVM energy by 59% (55%), increases memory lifetime by 2.36× (2.11×), and improves IPC by 11% (10%), over state-of-the-art MT memory authentication.
Thalamic connections of the core auditory cortex and rostral supratemporal plane in the macaque monkey

In the primate auditory cortex, information flows serially in the mediolateral dimension from core, to belt, to parabelt. In the caudorostral dimension, stepwise serial projections convey information through the primary, rostral, and rostrotemporal (AI, R, and RT) core areas on the supratemporal plane, continuing to the rostrotemporal polar area (RTp) and adjacent auditory-related areas of the rostral superior temporal gyrus (STGr) and temporal pole. In addition to this cascade of corticocortical connections, the auditory cortex receives parallel thalamocortical projections from the medial geniculate nucleus (MGN). Previous studies have examined the projections from MGN to auditory cortex, but most have focused on the caudal core areas AI and R. In this study, we investigated the full extent of connections between MGN and AI, R, RT, RTp, and STGr using retrograde and anterograde anatomical tracers. Both AI and R received nearly 90% of their thalamic inputs from the ventral subdivision of the MGN (MGv; the primary/lemniscal auditory pathway). By contrast, RT received only ∼45% from MGv, and an equal share from the dorsal subdivision (MGd). Area RTp received ∼25% of its inputs from MGv, but received additional inputs from multisensory areas outside the MGN (30% in RTp vs. 1-5% in core areas). The MGN input to RTp distinguished this rostral extension of auditory cortex from the adjacent auditory-related cortex of the STGr, which received 80% of its thalamic input from multisensory nuclei (primarily medial pulvinar). Anterograde tracers identified complementary descending connections by which highly processed auditory information may modulate thalamocortical inputs.
Deforestation and biomass fuel dynamics in Uganda

Abstract Forests are, and will remain for decades to come, a critical source of domestic energy for households in East Africa. Deforestation threatens to alter the supply of biomass available to households. We use remote sensing and longitudinal household data to understand the relationship between agriculture-led deforestation and household energy choices in Uganda. Our hypothesis is that rapid deforestation and associated biomass stock depletion affects the type, quantity, and quality of fuels used by households. We analyze land use changes characterizing deforestation and forest degradation at 500-m spatial resolution. Using two waves of survey data for 451 households, we describe changes in the type, quantity, and source of biomass fuels used. We estimate net losses of 4.51 billion kg or 26% of available air-dry biomass over an 8-year period in 5-km buffers surrounding the study villages. We estimate a series of panel mixed-effect regression models to test whether reduction in biomass availability affects fuel choice and find that lower biomass availability is associated with an increase in fuel sourced from non-forest areas, use of crop residues as a cooking fuel, and time to collect fuel. We find that households are transitioning from fuelwood sourced from forests to fuelwood sourced from areas with much less available and lower quality biomass. We find limited evidence that investment in tree planting is replacing natural forests as a source of high quality biomass fuel. Our findings have implications for both human and environmental health particularly in biomass dependent and population dense settings in sub-Saharan Africa.
Dendrite formation in silicon anodes of lithium-ion batteries

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries require a vigorous improvement if we want to use them massively for high energy applications. Silicon and metal lithium anodes are excellent alternatives because of their large theoretical capacity when compared to graphite used in practically all rechargeable Li-ion batteries. However, several problems need to be addressed satisfactorily before a major fabrication effort can be launched; for instance, the growth of lithium dendrites is one of the most important to take care due to safety issues. In this work we attempt to predict the mechanism of dendrite growth by simulating possible behaviors of charge distributions in the anode of an already cracked solid electrolyte interphase of a nanobattery, which is under the application of an external field representing the charging of the battery; thus, elucidating the conditions for dendrite growth. The extremely slow drift velocity of the Li-ions of ∼1 mm per hour in a typical commercial Li-ion battery, makes the growth of a dendrite take a few hours; however, once a Li-ion arrives at an active site of the anode, it takes an extremely short time of ∼1 ps to react. This large difference in time-scales allows us to perform the molecular dynamics simulation of the ions at much larger drift velocities, so we can have valuable results in reasonable computational times. The conditions before the growth are assumed and conditions that do not lead to the growth are ignored. We performed molecular dynamics simulations of a pre-lithiated silicon anode with a Li : Si ratio of 21 : 5, corresponding to a fully charged battery. We simulate the dendrite growth by testing a few charge distributions in a nanosized square representing a crack of the solid electrolyte interphase, which is where the electrolyte solution comes into direct contact with the LiSi alloy anode. Depending on the selected charge distributions for such an anode surface, the dendrites grow during the simulation when an external field is applied. We found that dendrites grow when strong deviations of charge distributions take place on the surface of the crack. Results from this work are important in finding ways to constrain lithium dendrite growth using tailored coatings or pre-coatings covering the LiSi alloy anode.