cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional Specialization of Human Salivary Glands and Origins of Proteins Intrinsic to Human Saliva

Salivary proteins facilitate food perception and digestion, maintain the integrity of the mineralized tooth and oral epithelial surfaces, and shield the oro-digestive tract from environmental hazards and invading pathogens. Saliva, as one of the easiest to collect body fluids, also serves in diagnostic applications, with its proteins providing a window to body health. However, despite the availability of the human saliva proteome, the origins of individual proteins remain unclear. To bridge this gap, we analyzed the transcriptomes of 27 tissue samples derived from the three major types of human adult and fetal salivary glands and integrated these data with the saliva proteome and the proteomes and transcriptomes of 28+ other human organs, with tissue expression confirmed by 3D microscopy. Using these tools, we have linked saliva proteins to their source for the first time, an outcome with significant implications for basic research and diagnostic applications. Furthermore, our study represents the first comparative transcriptomic analysis of human adult and fetal exocrine organs, providing evidence that functional specialization occurs late in salivary gland development, and is driven mainly by the transcription of genes encoding secreted saliva proteins. Moreover, we found that dosage of abundant saliva proteins secreted by the salivary glands is primarily regulated at the transcriptional level, and that secreted proteins can be synthesized by distinct subsets of serous acinar cells, revealing hitherto unrecognized heterogeneity in the acinar cell lineage. Our results reveal the functional underpinnings of these secretory organs, paving the way for future investigations into saliva biology and pathology.
V2S: a tool for translating video recordings of mobile app usages into replayable scenarios

Screen recordings are becoming increasingly important as rich software artifacts that inform mobile application development processes. However, the amount of manual effort required to extract information from these graphical artifacts can hinder resource-constrained mobile developers. This paper presents Video2Scenario (V2S), an automated tool that processes video recordings of Android app usages, utilizes neural object detection and image classification techniques to classify the depicted user actions, and translates these actions into a replayable scenario. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation to demonstrate V2S's ability to reproduce recorded scenarios across a range of devices and a diverse set of usage cases and applications. The results indicate that, based on its performance with 175 videos depicting 3,534 GUI-based actions, V2S is able to reproduce ≈ 89% of sequential actions from collected videos. Demo URL: https://tinyurl.com/v2s-demo-video
Laboratory experiments on nematodes from natural CO2 springs reveal species-specific tolerance to extreme CO2 concentrations

Abstract This study focuses on the CO 2 -tolerance of soil nematodes from natural CO 2 springs (mofette fields). In laboratory experiments, we compared survival, reproduction, activity and reactivation of a CO 2 -sensitive species with a CO 2 -tolerant species. Both species survived even 100% CO 2 , but in an inactive state. The higher the CO 2 concentration the more individuals entered inactivity. We found significant differences between the two species: more adults of the CO 2 -tolerant species maintained activity and reproduction at higher CO 2 concentrations. Moreover, reactivation after inactivity was faster. Together with a higher juvenile mortality of the CO 2 -sensitive species, these interspecific differences are conclusive to explain the niche separation of the two species that was observed in the mofette field.
PIPJ reconstruction after fracture including hemihamate transfer

Proximal interphalangeal joint fracture dislocations are challenging injuries that can be managed in a wide variety of ways. The fracture dislocations of the PIP joints are classified by their mechanical stability and the percentage of joint involved in the fracture. Fracture dislocations that remain stable with less than 30 degree of flexion of the PIP Joint and those that have less than 20% of the articular surface involvement are generally considered stable and can be treated with extension block splinting. The methods of treatment that will be discussed in this presentation include extension block splinting, traction of various kinds, pinning, and open reduction internal fixation. When the PIP joint is very unstable and the fracture at the base of the middle phalanx so comminuted as to be unreconstructible, the state of the art management method is to use hemi hamate transfer that was described by Hill Hastings. This method of bringing stability to an unstable joint with the use of a unique osteochondral graft has revolutionized the management of PIP fracture dislocations. In this presentation, I will discuss the indications, detailed technique and outcomes of the hemi hamate transfer for fracture dislocations with appropriate case illustrations.
Eye Movements in Reading

The primary characteristics of eye movements (fixations, saccades, and regressions) during reading are described. Much of the emphasis is on skilled reading, but the eye movement characteristics of beginning readers and dyslexic readers are also discussed. Research findings on the following topics are also discussed: (1) the size of the perceptual span (or area of effective vision) during a fixation in reading, (2) integration of information across eye fixations in reading, (3) eye movement control – where to fixate next, and (4) eye movement control – when to move the eyes.
Nanophotonics based on metasurfaces

Metasurfaces enable new phenomena that are distinctly different from those observed in 3D metamaterials, providing us with unique capabilities to fully control wavefront and surface wave propagation with planar elements and thus realize “flat photonics”.
Ethnographic Blogging: Reflections on a Methodological Experiment

This paper describes how a weblog was utilized as a major component in a long-term, multi-site ethnography with both “virtual” and physically situated research components. “Ethnographic blogging” describes not only the act of writing on a website and hoping that someone will read it, but the process of regularly maintaining a blog, and the modes of interaction and observation that this process gradually enables. In my own study of self-identified ‘geeks’ and ‘nerds,’ ethnographic blogging involved traversing news sites, forums, and other blogs for relevant content, leading to opportunities for dialogue with other bloggers and readers; establishing a persona online as a researcher, which has encouraged subjects to invite me to public and private discussions about their culture and identities; and bringing together online subjects from multiple physical sites, among other opportunities. My own experience of integrating a blog into ethnographic research was largely experimental, though I offer these reflections to encourage researchers to consider what alternative means of qualitative analysis online may have to offer us.
Cost minimization in treatment of adult degenerative scoliosis

OBJECT Back pain is an increasing concern for the aging population. This study aims to evaluate if minimally invasive surgery presents cost-minimization benefits compared with open surgery in treating adult degenerative scoliosis. METHODS Seventy-one patients with adult degenerative scoliosis received 2-stage, multilevel surgical correction through either a minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) approach with posterior instrumentation (n = 38) or an open midline (Open) approach (n = 33). Costs were derived from hospital and rehabilitation charges. Length of stay, blood loss, and radiographic outcomes were obtained from electronic medical records. Functional outcomes were measured with Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS) surveys. RESULTS Patients in both cohorts were similar in age (AgeMIS = 65.68 yrs, AgeOpen = 63.58 yrs, p = 0.28). The mean follow-up was 18.16 months and 21.82 months for the MIS and Open cohorts, respectively (p = 0.34). MIS and Open cohorts had an average of 4....
Structural properties of Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 thin films on epitaxial RuO2 electrodes

Abstract For the first time, we have demonstrated that epitaxial Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 thin films can be grown on the epitaxial RuO2 electrodes by pulsed laser ablation. The Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 films, deposited on epitaxial (200) oriented RuO2 grown on (100) yttria-stabilized zirconia, exhibit single out-of-plane orientation as well as in-plane alignments. The detailed epitaxial relationships between the Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 films and the RuO2 electrodes have been analyzed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy.
The new field of plastics toxicology--methods and results.

A large number of medical, dental, and pharmaceutical advancements have been made with the use of new plastic materials for a host of items and devices, ranging from artificial heart valves to specialized packaging systems for the storago and delivery of medications. In the past, many of these devices and items received little attention in regard to potential toxicologic effects upon patients. Since present medical devices are not considered to be “new drugs,” there is great confusion as to the types of preclinical tests which should be performed on these items to ensure the safety of the device. A proper program to evaluate the toxicogenic properties of a material to be used in a medical and paramedical application must, of course, consider the end use of the device. In general, however, test results are needed which will indicate that (1) no toxic ingredient from a plastic will be released to tissue, (2) the released ingredient will not produce an allergic response, and (3) the released agent will not b...
Determination of an Extragalactic Radio Source Position Catalogue Suitable for Use in Monitoring Geophysical Phenomena

The use of radio interferometric techniques to monitor geophysical phenomena such as UT1-UTC variations, polar motion, and tectonic plate motion requires that there be available a fairly uniform distribution of extragalactic radio sources whose relative positions are known to better than 0″.01. These sources must also have very small proper motion, and not be subject to asymmetric changes in radio structure or to very large variations in intensity. In addition, to facilitate tying this frame of reference to the optical star frames, it is desirable that many of these radio objects have optical counterparts. This paper describes our progress in obtaining such a frame and sets forth our desiderata for further work by radio and optical astronomers.
Simultaneous AM and harmonic FM mode-locking of a Nd:YAG laser

Summary form only given. If two mode-locking mechanisms are combined such that one operates at the fundamental frequency and one at a harmonic, the benefits of shorter pulses at low repetition rates will be preserved. Towards this end we report here on simultaneous Nd:YAG laser mode-locking of fundamental AM and harmonic FM laser modulation.
On characterizing the probability of survival in a large competitive economy

We consider a Walrasian exchange economy in which an agent is characterized by a utility function, a random endowment vector, and a function that specifies the minimum expenditure necessary for survival at a given price system. If at any equilibrium price system, the income of the agent is no more than the minimum expenditure for survival, it is ruined. The main results characterize the probability of ruin when the number of agents is large. The implications of stochastic dependence among agents are explored.
MULTICOLLINEARITY AND CONSUMER DEMAND ELASTICITIES

Multicollinearity is a common problem in the estimation of consumer demand models and the elasticities. While straight forward application of classical least squares often yields models with good predictive power, this apparently occurs for reasons other than the accuracy of the estimates of the parameters. The implications of multicollinearty in two-stage and three-stage least squares are discussed, with examples from Brookings Quarterly Agricultural Submodel of the United States. A comparison is made of alternative estimators of the parameters of consumer demand functions. The article points to difficulties raised by using a priori coefficients for one variable (eg. income elasticity) as a means of developing an accurate estimate of another coefficient (eg. price elasticity), and indicates evidence of multicollinearity depressing estimated consumer price elasticities. LA COLLINEARITE ET DES ELASTICITES DE LA DEMANDS DE CONSUMMATION - La collinearite est un probleme common de l'estimation des modeles de demande en consummation et des elasticites. Quoique l'application directe de la methode classique de “moindre carre”, permet souvent d‘elaborer des modeles ayant beaucoup de prediction, ceci semble-t-il etre en function de d'autres facteurs que de l'exactitude des evaluations des parametres. Les effets de la cottinearite dans les estimations moindre carre de deux et trois etapes sont evahtes avec des exemples tires du “Brookings Quarterly Agricultural Submodel” des Etats-Unis. Differentes methodes d'estimation de la fonction de la demande en consummation sont comparees. L'article fait etat des difficultes que souleve l'emploi de coefficient a priori pour une variable (ex. l’elasticite du revenue) comme moyen de developper un estime precis d'un autre coefficient (ex. l‘elasticite de prix), et apporte de l'evidence sur l'effet attendant de la collinearite sur les estimes d’elasticite de prix.
Prevention of murine breast cancer by vaccination with tumor cells modified by cytokine-producing recombinant vaccinia viruses

Background: Cancer gene therapy expressing specific levels of multiple genes has not been adequately tested. This study investigates the antitumor effects of recombinant vaccinia viruses (recVVs) that express predictable levels of single and multiple cytokines in a passive immunization murine breast cancer (C3HBA) model. Methods: Seventeen recVVs encoding different cytokine combinations under weak and strong VV promoters were constructed. Cytokine production was measured in vitro by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mice were immunized with infected C3HBA cells and rechallenged 10 days later with 106 parental tumor cells. Controls were treated with saline or recVVs not expressing cytokines. Tumors were measured for 24 days. Data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test and the Breslow-Gehan-Wilcoxon test. Results: recVVs encoding multiple cytokines induced secretion of each cytokine at predictable levels corresponding to VV promoter strength. Ten of 10 controls developed tumors by day 11 after rechallenge. recVVs producing large but not small amounts of murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) alone resulted in complete protection in all immunized mice (p=0.0003) for 24 days and disease-free survival (DFS) was significantly prolonged versus controls (p<0.001). GM-CSF under a weak promoter was also effective in combination with human interleukin-1β (hIL-1β; p=0.0220; DFS, p=0.031) or interferon-gamma (IFN-γ; p=0.0037; DFS, p=0.003). Effectiveness of hIL-1β and IFN-γ vaccines depended on cytokine combinations and not the amount of cytokine produced. IL-2 or tumor necrosis factor-alpha vaccines had no significant antitumor effect. Conclusions: (a) recVVs can simultaneously express controllable levels of two cytokines; (b) tumor cells modified by recVVs generate systemic antitumor immunity; and (c) strength of immunity appears to be related to the amounts and specific cytokine(s) produced.
Unexpectedly rapid action of human interferon in physiological conditions.

THE progression of many viral infections can be affected by the administration of exogenous interferon or the production of endogenous interferon1,2, the concentration of which is greatest at the site of infection3,4. Therapy with interferon generally requires large amounts5,6 presumably to allow for diffusion to the site. Model studies of this phenomenon in vitro have usually been carried out in the non-physiological conditions of relatively low concentrations of interferon and room temperature7–9. To understand better the factors that govern the local protective action of interferon, we have done model experiments in tissue culture to define the time and concentration variables under strict simulation of body temperature by carrying out all manipulations in a 37 °C water bath.
Immersion scanners enabling 10nm half-pitch production and beyond

Nikon’s new immersion scanner “NSR-S630D” has been developed to deliver enhanced product overlay and CD uniformity while improving productivity at 10 nm half pitch node and beyond. The NSR-S630D is equipped with various advanced technologies. Among them are the new reticle stage with encoder servo control and advanced reticle bending mechanism, new optics with enhanced correction knobs for thermal aberration control, and advanced thermally stable wafer stage; all of which are key components to providing the best scanner solution to meet the requirements for 10 nm half pitch node and beyond. In this paper, we describe the NSR-630D development concept and the latest performance data at factory. One of the key factors in improving overlay is shot distortion; in order to improve shot distortion, the NSR-S630D is equipped with a newly developed state-of-the-art projection lens. The overall overlay improvements have been made possible not only by minimizing lens distortion through advancements in lens manufacturing techniques, but also by reducing thermal distortion, which is especially important in actual device production. In addition, we have also added a new function for more effective reticle heating distortion compensation. In order to improve wafer grid performance, we newly designed a wafer table with enhanced thermal stability. We have also further improved the reticle bending system in order to minimize the field curvature induced by projection lens thermal aberration. The new features described above, in addition to the matured Streamlign platform, have enabled the NSR-S630D to deliver highest accuracy and stability.
Transcription of unique and reiterated DNA sequences in mouse liver and brain tissues as a function of age.

Abstract Many properties and changes that occur in cells are a result of the types of proteins being synthesized. The types of RNA species in a cell are thought to determine the types of protein being synthesized and should consequently reflect, at a fundamental but general level, the functional state of a cell. Moreover, the types of RNA species present in a whole organ consisting of many different types of cells should provide a fundamental parameter describing the physiological state of the organ as one unit of function. Thus, a determination and comparison of the types of RNA species in whole organs has the unique advantage of measuring and comparing complex physiological properties by one parameter. This approach was used to determined age-dependent changes that might be occurring in the cells making up whole liver and brain tissue. A DNA-RNA hybridization procedure was used to separately analyze the RNA species transcribed from reiterated and unique DNA sequences. Results for liver show a steady decrease in the number of different types of genes being transcribed from both reiterated and unique DNA sequences as a function of age (two-fold between ages 48 and 746 days). However, for brain an increase of about two-fold was found up to 120 days, which was then followed by a gradual decline to approximately the level of the young animal. DNA-RNA hybridization experiments using mixed RNA samples from young and old tissues or between different tissues indicated that on the average either derepression or repression was occurring in gene activity—but not both simultaneously. These results suggest that the progressive reduction in the number of different types of genes being expressed as a function of age after sexual maturity may be a general characteristics of the mammalian aging process.
Activation of phosphoinositide metabolism by parathyroid hormone in growth plate chondrocytes

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is one of the most potent stimulators of growth plate chondrocyte mitogenesis that has been reported. However, study of the second messenger signaling mechanisms involved in the transduction of the hormone's effects on these cells is incomplete. Our data indicate that in addition to stimulating cyclic adenosine-3'5'-monophosphate metabolism, PTH also activates the phosphoinositide cascade, the pathway responsible for the generation of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate dependent Ca2+ signals. Our conclusion that PTH activates the phosphoinositide cascade is based on data that demonstrate: (1) the Ca2+ transients evoked by the hormone are dependent on intracellular Ca2+ stores; (2) the hormone stimulates the release of radiolabeled inositol from GPC plasma membranes; and (3) the hormone stimulates a greater than 8-fold increase in cytosolic inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate pool size.
The kinematic Laplacian equation method

A novel procedure for the Navier-Stokes equations in the vorticity-velocity formulation is presented. The time evolution of the vorticity is solved as an ODE problem on each node of the spatial discretization, using at each step of the time discretization the spatial solution for the velocity field provided by a new PDE expression called the kinematic Laplacian equation (KLE). This complete decoupling of the two variables in a vorticity-in-time/velocity-in-space split algorithm reduces the number of unknowns to solve in the time-integration process and also favors the use of advanced ODE algorithms enhancing the efficiency and robustness of time integration. The issue of the imposition of vorticity boundary conditions is addressed, as well as the details of the implementation of the KLE by isoparametric finite element discretization. We shall see some validation results of the KLE method applied to the classical case of a circular cylinder in impulsive-started pure-translational steady motion at several Reynolds numbers in the range 5
IKKα Provides an Essential Link between RANK Signaling and Cyclin D1 Expression during Mammary Gland Development

To identify functions of the IKKalpha subunit of IkappaB kinase that require catalytic activity, we generated an Ikkalpha(AA) knockin allele containing alanines instead of serines in the activation loop. Ikkalpha(AA/AA) mice are healthy and fertile, but females display a severe lactation defect due to impaired proliferation of mammary epithelial cells. IKKalpha activity is required for NF-kappaB activation in mammary epithelial cells during pregnancy and in response to RANK ligand but not TNFalpha. IKKalpha and NF-kappaB activation are also required for optimal cyclin D1 induction. Defective RANK signaling or cyclin D1 expression results in the same phenotypic effect as the Ikkalpha(AA) mutation, which is completely suppressed by a mammary specific cyclin D1 transgene. Thus, IKKalpha is a critical intermediate in a pathway that controls mammary epithelial proliferation in response to RANK signaling via cyclin D1.
Development and validation of ethylenethiourea determination in foods using methanol-based extraction, solid-phase extraction cleanup and LC-MS/MS.

To response to the need for a rapid, cost-effective, eco-friendly and efficient extraction process, a sensitive method for the determination of ethylenethiourea (ETU) in food matrices by high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC–LC/MS) was developed and validated. ETU was extracted from food commodities with methanol, cleaned up by alumina-SPE column, and then determined by HPLC–MS/MS. The MS detection was operated in positive ionization mode. For confirmation of target compound, two precursor ion > product ion transitions were selected by multi-reaction monitoring mode (MRM). The method showed good linearity with correlation coefficient higher than 0.9950. Recoveries at three spiked levels (10, 50, 100 ng/g) in random selected food matrices were in range of 71–121% with RSDs not larger than 25%. The limit of quantitation for the analyte was estimated at 5 ng/g.
Response of a boiling channel to power or inlet flow modulation

Abstract An analogue study was made of the void fraction response to power or inlet flow modulation of a vertical boiling channel with saturated feed water. The equations of energy, continuity, and momentum for the system were differenced in the height variable and linearized around steady-state. It was assumed that a variable-density model given earlier could be used to describe the flow in each section, implying that the radial velocity and void fraction response is rapid compared to the axial response. It was found that a minimum of four differenced sections was necessary to obtain the characteristic frequency notch in the void fraction response. The propagation velocity of a disturbance was found to be more closely related to the vapour velocity than to the liquid or mixture velocity.
Modules and Supporting Hardware for FASTBUS Test and Diagnostic Purposes

This paper contains detailed descriptions and circuitry of some modules and supporting hardware for the FASTBUS System developed at SLAC. A fast slave-only Memory Module ("PRIMO"), a Dummy Module ("U2"), a FASTBUS Test Box ("LAIKA"), and a Bus Display Bar ("BBD") have been built, tested and used for test and diagnostic purposes for FASTBUS.
Postirradiation Vesicovaginal Fistula Completely Resolved with Conservative Treatment

Postirradiation vesicovaginal fistulae (VVF) pose a great challenge for the urologist. The poorly vascularized radiated tissue surrounding the fistula impairs healing and makes operative repair technically demanding. Conservative treatment for postirradiation VVF is considered inappropriate, and to our knowledge has never previously been described. We present a case of a woman with postirradiation VVF that was resolved after transurethral coagulation and 3 weeks of catheterization.
The determination of flow distribution by analysis of indentation geometry

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate a means of characterizing localized plastic flow in irradiated metals with indentation hardness. Seven alloys, heat treatable to a range of strengths and ductilities, were investigated in both uniaxial tension and static indentation hardness tests. Deformation surfaces were examined by replication and by multiple beam and differential interference techniques. It was observed that specimens exhibiting very coarse slip produced quite asymmetric pile-ups around the indentations, whereas specimens exhibiting fine slip produced indentations which were symmetric in their pile-up.
Increased intracranial pressure in mini-pigs exposed to simulated solar particle event radiation.

Changes in intracranial pressure (ICP) during space flight have stimulated an area of research in space medicine. It is widely speculated that elevations in ICP contribute to structural and functional ocular changes, including deterioration in vision, which is also observed during space flight. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in opening pressure (OP) occurring as a result of ionizing radiation exposure (at doses and dose-rates relevant to solar particle event radiation). We used a large animal model, the Yucatan mini-pig, and were able to obtain measurements over a 90 day period. This is the first investigation to show long term recordings of ICP in a large animal model without an invasive craniotomy procedure. Further, this is the first investigation reporting increased ICP after radiation exposure.
Sensory symptoms of multiple sclerosis: a hidden reservoir of morbidity.

Objective: To assess the frequency and quality of sensory symptoms in a population of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and compare them with controls. Design: Survey to target population and control group evaluating demographic data, data on disease course, presence of various symptoms of MS. Setting: Neurological practices affiliated with a tertiary community hospital. Participants: 224 patients with MS, 93 controls of similar age and sex. Results: Sensory symptoms were more common in MS patients than in controls, and differed in severity and quality. Fifty per cent described brief (seconds to hours) episodes of neurological dysfunction, significantly more often than in controls (P=0.001). Pain was present at some time in similar percentages in patients and controls, but active pain problems were present more often in MS patients (P=0.001). The qualitative description of pain in MS patients was more often neuropathic, with burning, itching, electric and formicatory pain, as opposed to throbbing, sha...
Microbial systems for study of the biotransformations of drugs

The metabolic fate of drugs and other xenobiotics in mammalian organisms represents an area of intense contemporary interest. Traditionally, it is a difficult area of research becausethe biological systems which are used to study biotransformations are capable of yielding only minute quantities of metabolites. Recent developments in comparative biochemistry have made itpossible to link diverse metabolic systems through similarities in the pathways by which they alter foreign organic compounds. The potential thus exists for utilizing microbial metabolic systems to study and possibly predict the metabolic fate of a drug or other foreign compound in mammals. The ease with which microbial systems may be used to obtain large amounts of metabolites is an obvious Advantage. We havhe attemped to review the ways in which mammalian and microbialorganisms metabolize a variety of organic compounds. Attention has been focused on the similarities and differences in the mechanisms by which these living systems metabolize xenobiotics. Particular emphasis has been given to four types of reactions which are important in drug biotransformations: aromatic hydroxylationl; N- and O-dealkylations; and sulfur oxygenations.
Structure and properties of Ni7 cluster isomers

Abstract First principles calculations based on molecular orbital theory as well as molecular dynamics simulation using a many body interatomic potential reveal the existence of two nearly degenerate isomeric forms of Ni 7 -a capped octahedron and a pentagonal bipyramid. Contrary to expectations, the magnetic moments of the two isomers are the same. Although the reactivity of the isomers with N 2 is different, it is argued that the current experimental studies of N 2 saturation coverage cannot confirm the coexistence of the two isomers. Further experiments are necessary to achieve this goal.
Current Management Issues Associated with Community-Acquired Pneumonia:

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a significant cause of morbidity, mortality, and increased cost. Despite numerous managementguidelines, CAP continues to existas a challenge to the learned cli...
Human Adipose Stem Cells: A Potential Cell Source for Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering

Background/Aims: A crucial step in providing clinically relevant applications of cardiovascular tissue engineering involves the identification of a suitable cell source. The objecti
MIXING AND COMBUSTION OF CRYOGENIC OXYGEN-HYDROGEN SHEAR-COAXIAL JET FLAMES AT SUPERCRITICAL PRESSURE

ABSTRACT This paper extends past analyses of liquid-oxygen-hydrogen flames at supercritical pressure by providing quantitative results that characterize multicomponent diffusion processes in the flame zone of a shear-coaxial injector element. High-fidelity simulations, using both the large-eddy-simulation and direct-numerical-simulation techniques, have been performed using detailed treatments of thermodynamic, transport and chemical kinetics. Results are presented for a condition where oxygen is injected in a cryogenic state, at a subcritical temperature and supercritical pressure, and hydrogen is injected in a supercritical state. This condition has significant technical relevance in liquid-rocket engines but is not well understood. For this situation a diffusion dominated mode of combustion occurs in the presence of exceedingly large thermophysical property gradients. The flame anchors itself in the interfacial region of high shear that exists between the liquid-oxygen core and the annular hydrogen jet...
Development of QA/QC performance standards for field use of open-path FTIR spectrometers

The objective of this study was to evaluate instrument performance with the ultimate goal of developing guidelines for procedures that can be used by instrument manufacturers and end users for quality control and quality assurance. A glass calibration cell was placed in the IR beam path and various performance parameters were evaluated. The parameters examined were gas flow rate, spectral noise in the region of interest, interferogram height, detector linearity, polystyrene peak positions, instrument accuracy, and instrument precision.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Linear allocation rules under uncertainty

Linear models have been widely used in economic and other decision-making situations due to their simplicity and perhaps flexibility. For statistical estimation problems linearity has other advantages. In practical applications to real world data, linear models have to face two basic constraints. One is that the decision variables and sometimes the state variables have to be constrained in the sense of inequalities and hence the characterization of decision regions is very important. The second concerns the generating mechanisms of the linear model, e.g. it may be generated by a quadratic objective function as in the linear decision rule (LDR) approach [4], or in the team decision approach with a quadratic pay-off function [6, 10]; it may also be generated by the expected utility function as in stochastic linear programming [12, 18].
Systolic blood pressure in Peromyscus species : considerations for the murine hypertension model

Hypertension, in the form of chronic elevations of systolic blood pressure, has been investigated in laboratory-reared Mus musculus as a potential animal model of the human condition. However, these laboratory studies have never been related to murine biology in naturally-occurring populations of mice. The present study improves the murine hypertension model and broadens its implications by describing systolic blood pressure values for both sexes in five species of Peromyscus. Comparisons are made to three strains of laboratory M. musculus. An indirect plethysmographic technique was used for determination of systolic pressure. Habituation to the novel environment of the laboratory was assessed by obtaining blood pressure measurements at three and 20 weeks after capture, and in the F1, generation. Genetic differences, as are found between strains and sexes of M. musculus, were found between species and sexes of Peromyscus. The F1, generation was hypertensive relative to their captured parents. Our findings demonstrate the validity of murine laboratory models of hypertension.
Diabetes. Dialogue between muscle and fat.

Knocking out a glucose transporter in fat cells also affects the uptake of glucose into muscle cells, which may prompt a rethink of the transporter's role in diabetes.
Intimacy and the face of the other: A philosophical study of infant institutionalization and deprivation

Abstract The orphans of Romania were participants in what is sometimes called “the forbidden experiment”: depriving human infants of intimacy, affection, and human contact is an inhuman practice. It is an experiment which no ethical researcher would set out to do. This paper examines historical data, case histories, and research findings which deal with early deprivation and performs a phenomenological analysis of deprivation phenomena as they impact emotional and physical development. A key element of deprivation is the absence of intimate relationships with other human beings. However, the absence of intimacy impacts not only the social/emotional abilities of infants, but their very ability to perceive the world. Philosophically and from a radically Merleau-Pontean perspective, the intimate face of the other appears to be a world opening event for the child. Its absence has a profound impact on the child's experience of embodiment, coexistence, spatiality, temporality, and language. When seen through early deprivation, intimacy appears as a necessary foundation for establishing the transcendence of the world beyond perceptual presence, and it provides the possibility for language, culture, and history.
Cryptic species in cyanobacterial systematics: a case study of Phormidium retzii(Oscillatoriales) using RAPD molecular markers and 16S rDNA sequence data

Abstract The genetic variability of the cosmopolitan, ubiquitous freshwater cyanobacterium Phormidium retzii was assessed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers and nearly complete (ca. 95%) 16S rDNA sequences. Strains consistent with the morphological species circumscription were utilized from geographically distant locations ranging from British Columbia, Canada, in the north to Rio Claro, Costa Rica in the south, and from Rhode Island, USA in the east coast to Washington State, USA on the west coast. In addition, some strains were from geographically close ( 0.05). A 1340 bp region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced for 8 of the 12 strains used in the RAPD analysis. Sequence homology among strains ranged from 88.4 to 98.4%, implying the presence of cryptic species within this group of strains. Given the lack of sequence similarity, P. retzii as presently circumscribed most likely represents several cryptic species not clearly distinguishable with light microscopy of morphological features. This conclusion may explain the lack of correlation between geographic proximity and genetic similarity. This research provides further strength for the case of species of cyanobacteria being more localized rather than having global distributions.
Rats can learn a probability discrimination based on previous trial outcomes in partial reward schedules

In each of two experiments, rats were trained in a runway with either an alternating or an irregular schedule of partial reward. One-third of the animals within each schedule were trained with a small, medium, or large reward. In Experiment 1, the irregular schedule was constructed in such a way that the probability of an R trial following an N trial was.75 and the probability of an N trial following an R trial was also.75. Of course, in an alternating schedule the probabilities are 1.0. The rats learned to run rapidly following N trials and slowly following R trials when trained under either schedule. This effect, however, was greater in the alternating condition and was facilitated by larger rewards. In Experiment 2, the irregular schedule was constructed so that the occurrence of R or N trials was not a reliable predictor of the following trial. Under these conditions, differential running speeds did not develop in the irregular schedule, but the rats in the alternating schedule performed as in Experiment 1. The data are discussed within the context of probability learning and are related to methodological issues of importance to sequential trial experiments.
Loading, stationary phase, and salt effects during hydrophobic interaction chromatography: α-Lactalbumin is stabilized at high loadings

Amide hydrogen-deuterium exchange labeling has been used to study the effects of salt and protein loading on α-lactalbumin (BLA) stability during hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC). Stability in the adsorbed phase increased dramatically with increasing loading, and unfolding was nearly undetectable close to the resin saturation capacity. We also found that a butyl surface destabilized BLA more than a phenyl surface, despite the fact that BLA was bound more strongly on the phenyl surface. These observations have important implications for HIC process design and indicate that in some cases column capacity does not have to be sacrificed to preserve protein stability.
Developmental biology: Birth of the blood cell

Could it be that fetal liver cells and adult bone-marrow cells originate from a subset of endothelial cells that line blood vessels in the mouse embryo? Several lines of evidence suggest that this might be the case.
Ion trap mass spectrometry of trimethylsilylamides following gas chromatography

Fatty acid amides are a class of compounds with newly discovered biological activity. The ion trap mass spectrometric characteristics of silylated fatty acid amides were examined. Silylation of primary fatty acid amides is required prior to gas chromatography owing to thermal instability of the underivatized compound. The trimethylsilylated amides do not yield a molecular ion under normal electron ionization conditions (70 eV). With methane as a chemical ionization gas, the [M + H] + ion appears. The [M + H] + ion also appears when the helium buffer gas pressure is increased in the ion trap. There are three fragments other than the [M + H] + peak that are predominant in the ion trap mass spectra of these compounds. Two of the fragments have been reported previously, namely the m/z 59 and the [M - 71] + fragments. The fragment of m/z 72 was identified and is the result of a rearrangement. Isotopic labeling was used to confirm fragment identity and the composition of the rearrangement products. Fragmentation patterns were affected by the amide chain length and concentration.
Viewing radiation signatures of solar energetic particles in interplanetary space

Abstract A current serious limitation on the studies of solar energetic particle (SEP) events is that their properties in the inner heliosphere are studied only through in situ spacecraft observations. Our understanding of spatial distributions and temporal variations of SEP events has come through statistical studies of many such events over several solar cycles. In contrast, flare SEPs in the solar corona can be imaged through their radiative and collisional interactions with solar fields and particles. We suggest that the heliospheric SEPs may also interact with heliospheric particles and fields to produce signatures which can be remotely observed and imaged. A challenge with any such candidate signature is to separate it from that of flare SEPs. The optimum case for imaging high-energy (E > 100 MeV) heliospheric protons may be the emission of π0-decay γ-rays following proton collisions with solar wind (SW) ions. In the case of E > 1 MeV electrons, gyrosynchrotron radio emission may be the most readily detectible remote signal. In both cases we may already have observed one or two such events. Another radiative signature from nonthermal particles may be resonant transition radiation, which has likely already been observed from solar flare electrons. We discuss energetic neutrons as another possible remote signature, but we rule out γ-ray line and 0.511 MeV positron annihilation emission as observable signatures of heliospheric energetic ions. We are already acquiring global signatures of large inner-heliospheric SW density features and of heliosheath interactions between the SW and interstellar neutral ions. By finding an appropriate observable signature of remote heliospheric SEPs, we could supplement the in situ observations with global maps of energetic SEP events to provide a comprehensive view of SEP events.
Identification of Potent and Novel α4β1 Antagonists Using in Silico Screening

The antigen α4β1 (very late antigen-4, VLA-4) plays an important role in the migration of white blood cells to sites of inflammation. It has been implicated in the pathology of a variety of diseases including asthma, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. We describe a series of potent inhibitors of α4β1 that were discovered using computational screening for replacements of the peptide region of an existing tetrapeptide-based α4β1 inhibitor (1; 4-[N‘-(2-methylphenyl)ureido]phenylacetyl-Leu-Asp-Val) derived from fibronectin. The search query was constructed using a model of 1 that was based upon the X-ray conformation of the related integrin-binding region of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). The 3D search query consisted of the N-terminal cap and the carboxyl side chain of 1 because, upon the basis of existing structure−activity data on this series, these were known to be critical for high-affinity binding to α4β1. The computational screen identified 12 reagents from a virtual library of ...
T cell responses to allogeneic human mesenchymal stem cells: immunogenicity, tolerance, and suppression.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were evaluated for their ability to activate allogeneic T cells in cell mixing experiments. Phenotypic characterization of MSCs by flow cytometry showed expression of MHC Class I alloantigens, but minimal expression of Class II alloantigens and costimulatory molecules, including CD80 (B7-1), CD86 (B7-2), and CD40. T cells purified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) did not proliferate to allogeneic MSCs. Lack of response was not due to a deficiency of costimulation, since retroviral transduction of MSCs with either B7-1 or B7-2 costimulatory molecules did not result in lymphoproliferation. Although these results suggested that MSCs were immunologically inert or potentially tolerogenic, T cells cultured with MSCs produced IFN-γ and displayed secondary kinetics to restimulation with PBMCs, indicating alloantigen priming rather than tolerance induction by the MSCs. To determine whether MSCs suppressed alloreactive T cells, MSCs were added to primary mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) cultures. MSCs suppressed cell proliferation when added at the initiation of culture or when added to an ongoing MLR culture. Suppression was dose-dependent, genetically unrestricted, and occurred whether or not MSCs were pretreated with IFN-γ. MSCs in transwell chambers suppressed primary MLR cultures, indicating that suppression was mediated by soluble molecules. Analysis of cytokines in suppressed MLR cultures demonstrated up-regulation of IFN-γ and IL-10, and down-regulation of TNF-α production relative to control cultures. We conclude that MSCs can initiate activation of alloreactive T cells, but do not elicit T cell proliferative responses due to active suppressive mechanisms.
Nonlinear optics of conjugated polymers

Abstract We present the results of two types of measurements of the nonlinear optical properties of conjugated polymers. First, we have used third harmonic generation (THG) to probe the nonlinear susceptibility of polyacetylene. The magnitude of δ (3)(3ω;ω,ω,ω) is (4±2)× 10 −10 esu with h ω = 1.17 eV the only important component of χ (3) is that associated with π-electron motion along the polymer backbone. Comparison of cis- and trans -(CH) x shows that χ (3) |trans is 15–20 time larger than χ (3) |cis. Second, we have employed time-resolved waveguide modulation to measure the magnitude and sign of the nonlinear refractive index (n 2 ) of polydiacetylene-4BCMU. We find that n 2 is negative, with magnitude of approximately 10 −7 (MW/cm 2 ) −1 . The response time of this nonlinearity shows a fast (resolution-limited) decay, followed by a slower (∼2.5 ps) decay time. These results are consistent with bleaching of the excitonic absorption as the mechanism of the nonlinearity.
ANTIOXIDANT CONTENT AND MARKET QUALITY OF JALAPENO PEPPER RINGS AS AFFECTED BY MINIMAL PROCESSING AND MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING

Retention of β-carotene in jalapeno pepper rings after 12 days' storage at 4.4°C, and an additional 3 days at 13°C was 87% in modified atmosphere packages (MAP, 5% O 2 , 4% CO 2 ) and 68% in air. Retention of α-carotene was 92% in MAP and 52% in air after 15 days, while ascorbic acid retention after 15 days was 83% in MAP and 56% in air. MAP retarded the conversion of L-ascorbic acid to dehydroascorbic that occurred in air stored peppers. Most antioxidant losses occurred within 3 days after minimal processing. MAP treatment resulted in greater preservation of quality attributes (texture, color and moisture content) and antioxidants than air stored peppers.