cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Rab-centric perspective of bacterial pathogen-occupied vacuoles

The ability to create and maintain a specialized organelle that supports bacterial replication is an important virulence property for many intracellular pathogens. Living in a membrane-bound vacuole presents inherent challenges, including the need to remodel a plasma membrane-derived organelle into a novel structure that will expand and provide essential nutrients to support replication, while also having the vacuole avoid membrane transport pathways that target bacteria for destruction in lysosomes. It is clear that pathogenic bacteria use different strategies to accomplish these tasks. The dynamics by which host Rab GTPases associate with pathogen-occupied vacuoles provide insight into the mechanisms used by different bacteria to manipulate host membrane transport. In this review we highlight some of the strategies bacteria use to maintain a pathogen-occupied vacuole by focusing on the Rab proteins involved in biogenesis and maintenance of these novel organelles.
Comparison of two parameterizations of the winner's curse model in a sample of Swedish Treasury auctions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the underpricing effect in Treasury auctions.Design/methodology/approach – The paper compares two winner's curse models using a dataset on multi‐unit auctions. The dataset is from Swedish Treasury auctions, which is under a discriminatory auction mechanism. One model is a single‐unit equilibrium model assuming that each bidder bids for 100 percent of the auctioned securities, which is described by Wilson and solved by Levin and Smith. The other model is a multi‐unit model calibrated by Goldreich using the US Treasury auctions data and assumes that each bidder bids for one unit of the auctioned securities.Findings – The empirical results show that, although both models work well in predicting the bid‐shading, the multi‐unit model fits the Swedish Treasury auctions data better than the single‐unit model.Research limitations/implications – The evidence implies that bidders rationally adjust their bids due to the winner's curse/champion's plague.Originality/va...
Phytate Removal from Soy Protein Isolates Using Ion Exchange Processing Treatments

A combination cation/anion exchange process was developed to remove 96–97% of the phytate and 97–99% of the Ca and Mg from soy protein isolates. Application of either of the ion exchange treatments alone failed to effectively remove phytate from soy protein extracts and also failed to convert the remaining phytate to a dialyzable form. Effective removal of phytate was only achieved by the combination ion exchange treatment. Consideration of these findings led to a proposed mechanism for the sequential disruption of the protein-Ca/Mg-phytate complex by the ion exchange treatment.
Covering over Trauma with a Fetishized Body Image: The Invasive Imaginary and Cosmetic Surgery

AbstractThis article reflects on late capitalism's societal shift from one structured by language and the prohibition of enjoyment, to one in which images and the command to enjoy have become the driving force, and this shift's connection to the increased societal need for cosmetic surgeries. I argue that this shift has impacted one's sense of ontological security usually provided by symbolic networks. The new, narcissistic subject's body inhabiting the imaginary society bears an atomistic vision of security, stemming from the subject's growing aggressivity, all of which leads to focusing on controlling and reshaping the body. Instead of a symbolic identity associated with modernity, this late- or post-modern narcissistic subject identifies with an image of his/her surgically chiseled body through which the subject expects to experience a sense of wholeness, security, enjoyment, and mastery of the self.
The re-making of the English working class?

More than twenty-five years after its publication The Making of the English Working Class remains a landmark work in English history and the study of class formation. Thompson's formulation and application of agency and experience in understanding the process of class formation have altered the ways historians and social scientists approach the study of class. From its inception The Making has been a lightening rod for criticism, some of it piquant and politically charged. In the latest round of critique, Gareth Stedman Jones and Joan Wallach Scott have argued that Thompson seriously neglects the role of discourse in class formation, and in doing so has presented a partial and distorted picture. They each have offered analyses that find a central role for discourse in the process of class formation. Stedman Jones sees political radicalism as a guiding force of working-class collective action, while Scott finds a fundamental gendering of the ways in which the working class was organized through discourse. Both Stedman Jones and Scott are clearly correct in observing that discourse played an important role in this working-class history, yet their accounts are reductionist and highly skewed interpretations of a rich and complex history. By privileging discourse as a casual force in class formation they shunt experience and agency into minor roles, providing impoverished accounts of how the working class was indeed active in its own making. The alternative I have proposed is to focus on discourse as an intermediate process linking experience and agency, animated through social organization and collective action. The English working class of the early nineteenth century faced degradation of their labor and political oppression of rights they perceived as fundamental. In response to these trials they constructed expressions of their grievances and visions of solutions through the discourse streams available to them. Through the contextual use of various streams they articulated a consciousness of class. This process itself was part of the class struggle that was their making. In this sense, discourse framed the painting of the panorama, and perhaps added shading, hue, and perspective, but it did not create the picture. As Thompson, following Marx, has observed, it is people that do the making, even if it is not just as they please.
Allopatric femtosecond laser gas-bubble formation in a closed system

Purpose To test a possible mechanism for allopatric gas-bubble formation in femtosecond laser–assisted surgery using an experimental closed system. Setting Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA. Methods Plastic bottles were filled with balanced salt solution (BSS). Femtosecond laser (IntraLase) flap-mode cuts were made on the walls of the BSS bottles. After femtosecond laser application, the BSS bottles were viewed under the excimer laser microscope and the results photographed. Next, the BSS bottles and laser cuts were imaged with optical coherence tomography. Results In-bottle gas bubbles were consistently produced in the closed system. No cut lines crossed the inner wall of the BSS bottles. Conclusion Results show that in situ gas-bubble formation as a mechanism for gas-bubble formation is a possible alternative to gas traveling through the anterior segment and into the intraflap laser space.
Oral vibrotactile stimulation: A method for monitoring change in lingual sensitivity as a function of time

This study describes assessment procedures used to monitor the change in lingual sensitivity of a 40-year-old partial glossectomized female subject over a period of time. Oral vibrotactile thresholds were obtained from the right, midline, and left sections of the anterior dorsum of the tongue once a week for 7 weeks while the subject was receiving speech therapy. Improvement in sensitivity was noted for all three lingual sections. The implications for using oral vibrotactile threshold measurements for monitoring purposes were discussed.
Thermotransport of carbon in niobium

Abstract The thermotransport behavior of carbon in niobium metal was investigated in the one-phase and two-phase conditions using radioactive tracer techniques. Experiments were performed in a differentially ion-pumped system at pressures of about 3 × 10 −9 Torr . The heat of transport for carbon in niobium in the one-phase condition is −13.1 ± 0.6 kcal mol −1 and that for specimens partly in the two-phase condition is −13.3 ± 1.0 kcal mol −1 . Experiments that were carried out in an inert gas atmosphere and under pressures of 10 −6 Torr in a system using an oil diffusion pump showed an initial decarburization of the specimen followed by carburization during continued heating. Thermotransport experiments in an inert gas atmosphere gave anomalous results indicating carbon transport towards the colder regions. This effect is attributed to a vapor phase transport.
Formal methods of automated reasoning for situational estimation

Most research and prototype development of automated methods for situational estimation in the data fusion community have applied heuristic approaches coupled to techniques for uncertainty management. Reasoning theorists would label these methods as those of the parametric reasoning class. Such methods are reasonable when the so-called 'closed world' assumption can be confidently applied (ability to full pre- specify expected conditions) which might have been reasonable in the 'Soviet Era' but would appear fragile/brittle for current-day application. Motivated in part by these considerations and by the need to consider much more cost- effective knowledge-based-system development in an era of declining budgets, this paper offers some discussion on the applicability of more formal methods of reasoning for KBS. It is concluded that strictly formal methods for real-world applications require yet further theoretical development but that movement toward formalization is possible.
Interaction of creatine kinase from monkey brain with substrate: analysis of kinetics and fluorescence polarization.

: Titrimetric determination of the dissociation constants for the binding of substrates to creatine kinase from monkey brain reveals 13-fold and 4-fold synergism in the forward and reverse directions, respectively. This synergism is expressed as a decrease in the KD for a given substrate in the ternary complex compared with the binary complex and may be a reflection of substrate-induced conformational change. Creatine kinase labeled with two molecules of 5′-iodoacetamidofluorescein displays a blue shift and a decrease in fluorescence intensity upon binding of MgADP, indicative of movement of the dye into a more hydrophobic environment and quenching of the extrinsic fluorescense. Rotational relaxation times determined from analysis of fluorescence polarization of dansylated brain creatine kinase decrease from 212 ± 7 ns to 189 ± 6 ns upon MgADP binding. Dansylated creatine kinase in 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate has a rotational relaxation time of 135 ± 6 ns. The rotational relaxation time of dansylated muscle-type isoenzyme is unaffected by MgADP and has the same value as the brain isoenzyme-MgADP complex. Polarization values at 25°C for muscle and brain enzyme labeled with 3 - (4 - maleimidylphenyl) - 7 - diethylamino - 4 - methylcoumarin compared with limiting polarization and polarization of the free dye suggest that the dye rotation is severely restricted in the muscle form, but possesses freedom of rotation in the brain form. These results support the conclusion that compared with the muscle isoenzyme, the brain isoenzyme is more open at the active site and more flexible overall. Binding of MgADP by brain creatine kinase produces a protein more compact across one or both of its rotational axes, thus resembling the conformation of the muscle isoenzyme. It is probable that creatine kinase in the brain, unlike that from muscle, is subject to kinetic regulation accompanied by conformational modification. This suggests that the neurobiochemical role of the brain isoenzyme is distinct from the metabolic function of the muscle isoenzyme.
Will Emergency Health Care Providers Respond to Mass Casualty Incidents

Introduction: Emergency response plans often call on health care providers to respond to the workplace outside of their normal working pattern. Hypothesis. Providers will report to work during a mass casualty emergency regardless of family duties, type of incident, or availability of treatment. Methods. Survey of emergency personnel needed to respond to a mass casualty incident. Two scenarios were presented: one involving the release of a nontransmissible biological agent with proven treatment andthe other the release of a transmissible biological agent with no treatment. At critical time points, participants were asked whether they would report to work. Additional questions considered the effect of commonly used treatment dissemination methods. Results. A total of 186 surveys were issued andreturned. (45 physicians, 29 nurses, 86 EMS personnel, and20 support staff); 6 were incomplete andexcluded. Initial commitment rates were 78%. The highest commitment rate identified was 84% andthe lowest was 18%. Any ...
Proterozoic depletion of the lithosphere recorded in mantle xenoliths from Inner Mongolia

MANTLE xenoliths entrained in alkali basalt provide direct samples from a cross-section of the lithosphere. In most cases, the chemistry and isotope systematics of these objects have suggested a complex history of chemical change by processes such as metasomatism and partial melting (see, for example, ref. 1). Here, however, we present evidence from a suite of xenoliths from alkali basalts in the Chinese province of Inner Mongolia, suggesting that the lithosphere in this region has remained stable and closed to chemical modification since experiencing partial melting in the Proterozoic. Clinopyroxene separates from these xenoliths yield an approximate isochron in the 143Nd/144Nd versus 147Sm/144Nd diagram, suggesting an episode of depletion ∼1.6 Gyr ago. Although other explanations for this correlation, such as mixing, cannot be ruled out definitively, further evidence for the long-term undisturbed nature of the lithosphere in this region comes from neodymium model ages of the clinopyroxenes. In particular, one highly depleted sample with very high 147Sm/144Nd provides a model age of 1.6 Gyr, consistent with the isochron result.
The structures of acetylacetone, trifluoroacetyl-acetone and trifluoroacetone

Abstract The molecular geometries of three structurally related compounds have been determined by electron diffraction in the gas phase. Acetylacetone, which exists primarily as the enol tautomer, was found to have a planar symmetric ring with the following rg values: C1-C2 = 1.405± 0.005 A, C2-C4 = 1.510± 0.005 A, C-O = 1.287± 0.006 A, C-H = 1.090± 0.010 A, ∠C2C1C3 = 118.3 ± 1.8°, ∠C1C3O1 = 123.2± 1.7°, ∠C1C3C5 = 122.0± 1.2°, and ∠CCH = 110.2 ± 2.1°. A model in which the enol proton is in the ring plane located symmetrically between the oxygen atoms is in best agreement with the diffraction data. The structure of trifluoroacetylacetone is similar to that of acetylacetone. The rg values for this compound are C1-C3 = 1.4164 ± 0.006 A, C3-C5 = 1.511 ± 0.021 A, C2-C4 = 1.536 ± 0.018 A, C-O = 1.270 ± 0.008 A, C-H = 1.088 ± 0.039 A, C-F = 1.340 ± 0.005 A, ∠C2C1C3 = 117.2 ± 1.8°, ∠C1C2O2 = 123.6 ± 1.7°, ∠C1C3C5 = 118.1 ± 2.3°, ∠C1C2C4 = 123.0 ± 1.4°, ∠CCH = 109.0± 4.8°, and ∠CCF = 110.6± 0.8°. The rg values for the trifluoroacetone are: C1-C2 = 1.481 ± 0.019 A, C1-C3 = 1.562 ± 0.011 A, CO = 1.207 ± 0.006 A, C-H = 1.089 ± 0.024 A, C-F = 1.339 ± 0.003 A, ∠C2C1O = 122.0 ± 1.1°, ∠C3C1O = 116.8 ± 0.7 °, ∠CCH = 105.0 ± 2.2 °, and ∠CCF = 110.7 ± 0.3°. The significance of the error estimates is discussed briefly.
Hepatitis C virus infection in infants whose mothers took street drugs intravenously.

To assess the risk of transmission of hepatitis C virus from mother to infant during pregnancy or at delivery, we measured the antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) in serum from 43 infants whose mothers took illicit drugs intravenously. Passively transmitted maternal anti-HCV was detected in 17 (40%) of the 43 infants tested with the ELISA during the first 4 postnatal months. Ten of these initially seropositive infants were followed to 15 months of age or beyond; anti-HCV cleared from nine infants and persisted in one. Among 24 initially seronegative infants, three (12.5%) showed persistent anti-HCV at 6, 11, and 18 months of age, respectively. The remaining two infants were initially tested with ELISA at 6 and 15 months of age; both were transiently seropositive, but anti-HCV disappeared by 12 and 24 months of age, respectively. Among the 17 infants with maternal antibody, nine with ELISA reactions greater than 2.5 optical density units were reactive by RIBA: the eight with weaker reactivity by ELISA were nonreactive by RIBA. When serum samples from the four infants who showed persistent reactivity by ELISA were tested with RIBA, one, reacted to both antigens displayed by RIBA (C-100 and 5-1-1), one reacted to the 5-1-1 antigen only, and two were nonreactive. Serum transaminase values were elevated in three of these four infants; all four were also infected with human immunodeficiency virus. The results indicate that vertically transmitted hepatitis C virus may be a cause of hepatitis in infants, especially those coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus. Neonates at risk of hepatitis C virus infection should be monitored beyond 12 months of age. The interpretation of tests for anti-HCV antibody during infancy requires further investigation.
Colchicine and gout

The purpose of this discussion is to examine these two concerns, the efficacy and safety of colchicine, in the context of this controversy. Of the two, there is less solid information bearing on efficacy than on safety
Until Death Do You Part: The Effects of Unilateral Divorce on Spousal Homicides

This study examines how the widespread adoption of unilateral divorce influenced the prevalence of lethal spousal violence in the United States. These evaluations are based on fixed-effects specifications for spousal homicide counts from an annual panel of U.S. states from 1968 to 1978. The results indicate that unrestricted unilateral divorce laws had small and statistically insignificant effects on the amount of lethal spousal violence directed against wives. However, the easy access to divorce created by such laws increased spousal homicides of husbands by approximately 21%. These increases were concentrated in states where the division of marital property favored husbands.
Use of U–Pb ages of detrital zircons to infer maximum depositional ages of strata: A test against a Colorado Plateau Mesozoic database

Abstract We test the research strategy of using youngest U–Pb ages of detrital zircons to constrain the maximum depositional ages of strata containing the zircon grains by comparing U–Pb ages of detrital zircons in 58 samples of Mesozoic sandstone from the Colorado Plateau and adjacent areas with depositional ages known independently from biostratigraphy. Our analysis confirms the validity of the research strategy but indicates that results vary somewhat depending upon how youngest grain age is specified. We use four alternate measures of youngest age which vary from least to most statistically robust as follows: (a) youngest single grain age, (b) youngest graphical age peak controlled by more than one grain age; (c) mean age of the youngest two or more grains that overlap in age at 1 σ , (d) mean age of the youngest three or more grains that overlap in age at 2 σ . We also calculated the “youngest detrital zircon age” generated by Isoplot 2008 but do not recommend that model age as a youngest-age measure. In general, the youngest-age measures based on multiple grain ages are more consistently compatible with depositional ages, but the youngest single grain ages are compatible with depositional age for > 90% of samples, and lie within 5 Ma of depositional age for ~60% of samples. Selected minor discrepancies between youngest grain age and depositional age may reflect stratigraphic miscorrelations rather than errors in U–Pb geochronology.
There’s a religious app for that! A framework for studying religious mobile applications

This article provides a new methodological approach to studying religious-oriented mobile applications available on the iTunes app store. Through an extensive review of 451 religious apps a number of problems were noted when relying solely on iTunes categories to identify app functions and purpose. Thus further analysis was done in order to present a new typology and framing of religious apps, which more accurately describe their design. We suggest that the 11 new categories offered here suggest a critical framework for studying religious apps. Thus this study provides a starting point for scholars interested in analyzing religious mobile applications to investigate how app developers integrate religious goals into their designs, and consider the primary ways people are expected to practice religion through mobile apps.
Discriminant analysis in aerial images using fractal-based features

This paper presents a processing technique for computer assisted discriminant analysis in remote sensing applications. Local features extracted using Richardson's power law are investigated for their discriminatory power and a nonparametric classification scheme based on probability density function estimation is suggested. The capability to adjust false alarm rates and perform on-line learning is provided by this probabilistic approach. Case studies indicating the ability to discriminate between classes of objects in aerial images are presented. The technique can be used as a preprocessing aid in segmentation or in conjunction with morphological features in a more complete discrimination system.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An interpretation of Twyman-Green interferograms from static and dynamic fracture experiments

Abstract The application of a Twyman—Green interferometer to measurements in static and dynamic fracture mechanics is described. Twyman—Green interferometry shows the absence of a dominant singular field in the out-of-plane deformation in the vicinity of a crack. For relatively brittle fracture and except near the crack flanks, the spatial gradient of the out-of-plane displacement for a quasi-statically propagating crack is well predicted by elastostatic simulations. In addition, this method has been employed to elucidate certain transient features involving cracks propagating at large fractions of the material wave speeds. The free surface out-of-plane deformation surrounding a constant velocity dynamically propagating crack in a plate is compared with the equivalent elastostatic case. It appears that the dynamic deformation may not be obtained from the static deformation simply by a Prandtl—Glauert mapping as might be suggested by the solution for the equivalent two-dimensional generalized plane stress problem. Alternatively, the general character of the three-dimensional dynamic surface deformation may be approximately fitted by a Doppler mapping of the static deformation when scaled by the crack to plate wave speed ratio.
Multiphoton fluorescence imaging of NADH to quantify metabolic changes in epileptic tissue in vitro

A powerful advantage of multiphoton microscopy is its ability to image endogenous fluorophores such as the ubiquitous coenzyme NADH in discrete cellular populations. NADH is integral in both oxidative and non-oxidative cellular metabolism. NADH loses fluorescence upon oxidation to NAD + ; thus changes in NADH fluorescence can be used to monitor metabolism. Recent studies have suggested that hypo metabolic astrocytes play an important role in cases of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Current theories suggest this may be due to defective and/or a reduced number of mitochondria or dysfunction of the neuronal-astrocytic metabolic coupling. Measuring NADH fluorescence changes following chemical stimulation enables the quantification of the cellular distribution of metabolic anomalies in epileptic brain tissue compared to healthy tissue. We present what we believe to be the first multiphoton microscopy images of NADH from the human brain. We also present images of NADH fluorescence from the hippocampus of the kainate-treated rat TLE model. In some experiments, human and rat astrocytes were selectively labeled with the fluorescent dye sulforhodamine 101 (SR101). Our results demonstrate that multiphoton microscopy is a powerful tool for assaying the metabolic pathologies associated with temporal lobe epilepsy in humans and in rodent models.
Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in the Elderly

Previous studies using pulsed Doppler echocardiography have demonstrated a pattern of abnormal left ventricular relaxation associated with increasing age. Specifically, aging is associated with decreased peak velocity of early diastolic mitral inflow, increased peak velocity of late diastolic inflow, increased isovolumic relaxation time, and early diastolic deceleration time. Abnormal relaxation can progress to significantly elevated left atrial pressure--characterized by increased early peak velocity and shortened isovolumic relaxation time and deceleration time--as part of the disease processes. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is highly prevalent, occurring in one half to two thirds of elderly patients with congestive heart failure, in association with normal systolic function. Left ventricular hypertrophy, which is commonly related to systemic arterial hypertension, and ischemic heart disease are the two major causes of abnormal left ventricular diastolic function in the elderly. Recently, newer echocardiographic techniques have been described that allow more accurate evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function. Treatments for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction should focus on the underlying disease etiology as well as on the derangement in left ventricular diastolic function. Although calcium channel blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have been used clinically to treat diastolic dysfunction, their effects on prognosis remain unproven.
Cyclic Voltammetry Simulations with DigiSim Software: An Upper-Level Undergraduate Experiment.

An upper-division undergraduate chemistry experiment is described which utilizes DigiSim software to simulate cyclic voltammetry (CV). Four mechanisms were studied: a reversible electron transfer with no subsequent or proceeding chemical reactions, a reversible electron transfer followed by a reversible chemical reaction, a reversible chemical reaction followed by a reversible electron transfer, and a reversible electron transfer followed by a reversible chemical reaction followed by a reversible electron transfer. The experiment concludes with a student discussion of three journal articles that contain CV data. In addition to introducing students to the theory of CV, the experiment also reinforces the physical chemistry concepts of equilibrium and rate of reaction. Thus, it is suitable for a physical chemistry, instrumental analysis, or integrated/interdisciplinary laboratory experiment.
Zener disaccommodation in dilute F.C.C. Co-Ti alloys

Abstract The magnetic disaccommodation, i.e., the time dependence of the low field magnetic permeability, was investigated in cobalt base alloys containing 0–5.1 at.% (0–4.2 wt.%) titanium in the temperature range 400–700°C. A strong temperature dependence of the disaccommodation observed in the range 430–530°C could be accounted for predominantly by a single first order relaxation process. Analyzing the data in terms of (a) a single exponential relaxation, (b) a lognormal distribution of relaxation times, and (c) a sum of exponential relaxations, it was shown that the relaxation strength varies as the square of the titanium concentration and that the relaxation is characterized by an activation enthalpy of 69 ± 1 kcal / mole and a τ 0 of the order of 10 −16 sec. The disaccommodation was attributed to the reorientation of substitutional solute atom (titanium) pairs. From the temperature dependence of the relaxation strength the binding energy of Ti atom pairs was determined to be 0.17 ± 0.08 eV .
Preparation and casting of metal-particulate non-metal composites

A new process for the preparation and casting of metal-particulate non-metal composites is described. Particulate composites of ceramic oxides and carbides and an Al-5 pet Si-2 pct Fe matrix were successfully prepared. From 10 to 30 wt pct of A12O3, SiC, and up to 21 wt pct glass particles, ranging in size from 14 to 340 ώ were uniformly distributed in the liquid matrix of a 0.4 to 0.45 fraction solid slurry of the alloy. Initially, the non-wetted ceramic particles are mechanically entrapped, dispersed and prevented from settling, floating, or agglomerating by the fact that the alloy is already partially solid. With increasing mixing times, after addition, interaction between the ceramic particles and the liquid matrix promotes bonding. Efforts to mix the non-wetted particles into the liquid alloy above its liquidus temperature were unsuccessful. The composite can then be cast either when the metal alloy is partially solid or after reheating to above the liquidus temperature of the alloy. End-chilled plates and cylindrical slugs of the composites were sand cast from above the liquidus temperature of the alloy. The cylindrical slugs were again reheated and used as starting material for die casting. Some of the reheated composites possessed “thixotropy.” Distribution of the ceramic particles in the alloy matrix was uniform in all the castings except for some settling of the coarse, 340ώ in size, particles in the end-chilled cast plates.
A new type of storage container for freeze-etch specimens.

SUMMARY A new storage container for freeze-etch specimens is described which (1) dramatically reduces the loss of liquid nitrogen from the storage dewar, (2) which always sits on the bottom of the dewar and can be quickly identified and retrieved therefrom, (3) which cannot open accidentally during long term storage and (4) which can withstand continual exposure to temperature extremes. Using such containers over 300 different kinds of specimens can be readily stored in a 30 1 liquid nitrogen dewar.
Biomedical graphite and CaF2 preparation and measurement at PRIME Lab

The biomedical program at PRIME Lab has prepared radiocarbon and 41Ca as tracers for a variety of applications. Over the last decade several hundred 14C samples and several thousand 41Ca samples have been measured per year. Biomedical samples pose challenges that are relatively rare in the AMS community. We will discuss how to prepare and compensate for samples that have isotope ratios above the dynamic range of AMS, high interference rates, and small samples sizes. In the case of 41Ca, the trade off in the chromatography between yield and sample cleanliness will be analyzed. Secondary standards that have isotope ratios commonly encountered in our applications are routinely prepared. We use material from the Joint Research Centre’s Institute for Reference Materials and Measurement: IRMM-3701/4, 3701/5, and 3701/6 and a standard produced by PRIME Lab for 41Ca. We use International Atomic Energy Agency’s IAEA C-3, IAEA C-7, IAEA C-8, and a ∼12.5× modern oxalic acid secondary standard supplied by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for 14C. We will discuss our precision, reproducibility, and the relative agreement between our measured and the reported values for these materials.
Lightcurves and the axis of rotation of 433 Eros

Ten lightcurves and UBV photometry of 433 Eros were obtained between August 1972 and May 1975. The absolute magnitude of the lightcurve maximum is 10.75 and the phase coefficient is 0.025 mag/deg. There may be a small difference in B-V color between the northern and southern hemispheres. The pole of the axis of rotation is directed toward 16 deg, ecliptic longitude and 12 deg ecliptic latitude, respectively, and the rotation is direct with a sidereal period of 5 hr 16 min 13.4 sec. The dimensions derived from the polarimetric albedo and the lightcurve amplitudes are 12 km by 12 km by 31 km for a smooth cylinder with hemispherical ends.
In vivo quantitative evaluation of the transport kinetics of gold nanocages in a lymphatic system by noninvasive photoacoustic tomography

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has emerged as a preferred method for axillary lymph node staging of breast cancer, and imaging the SLN in three-dimensional space is a prerequisite for the biopsy. Conventional SLN mapping techniques based on the injection of an organic dye or a suspension of radioactive colloids suffer from invasive surgical operation for visual detection of the dye or hazardous radioactive components and low spatial resolution of Geiger counters in detecting the radioactive colloids. This work systematically investigates the use of gold nanocages (AuNCs) as a novel class of optical tracers for noninvasive SLN imaging by photoacoustic (PA) tomography in a rat model. The transport of AuNCs in a lymphatic system and uptake by the SLN were evaluated by PA tomography on the axillary region of a rat. Quantification of AuNCs accumulated in the lymph node was achieved by correlating the data from PA imaging with the results from inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Several parameters were systematically evaluated and optimized, including the concentration, size, and surface charge of the AuNCs. These results are critical to the further development of this AuNC-based PA tomography system for noninvasive SLN imaging, providing valuable information for metastatic cancer staging.
A Rat Primary Hepatocyte Culture Model for Aging Studies

The purpose of this protocol is to establish a primary hepatocyte culture system as a suitable model to examine age-related changes in Phase II detoxication gene expression. Hepatocytes are isolated using a two-step collagenase perfusion technique from young (3 to 6 months) and old (24 to 28 months) rats and placed in primary culture using collagen (Type I)-coated plates as the extracellular matrix. A supplemented William’s E Medium is used as the medium. This culture system maintains hepatocyte viability from both young and old rats for ~60 hr, as measured by lactate dehydrogenase activity, while also maintaining their respective phenotypes relative to Phase II detoxification. We thus conclude that a collagen-based cell culture system is suitable to study age-associated deficits in Nrf2/ARE-mediated Phase II gene regulation provided that experiments can be conducted within 60 hr after cell isolation.
Synthesis of 5-Halogeno-6-amino-2′-deoxyurldines and their Analogs as Potential Inhibitors of Thymidine Phosphorylase

ABSTRACT 5-Halogeno-6-amino-2′-deoxyuridines were synthesized from 2′-deoxyuridine as potential thymidine phosphorylase (ThdPase) inhibitors. Among the compounds synthesized, 5-bromo-6-amino-2′-deoxyuridine (6) and 5-iodo-6-amino-2′-deoxyuridine (9) were found to inhibit ThdPase activity with IC50 values of 1.3 μM and 6.5 μM, respectively. In vitro cell culture studies showed that compound (6) can significantly enhance the cytotoxic effects of 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine against a human colon cancer HCT-8 cell line.
Relationship of periodontal attachment loss to peripheral vascular disease: an analysis of NHANES 1999-2002 data.

Abstract Introduction Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a common disabling condition associated with many of the same risk factors as coronary heart disease. It has been suggested that periodontal disease is a risk factor for coronary heart disease but its relationship to peripheral vascular disease is under-researched. We therefore sought to evaluate the relationship of periodontal disease to PVD. Methods The study population consisted of 3585 participants who were 40 years or older when examined in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 1999–2002. PVD was defined as an ankle-brachial index (ABI) Results Of 3585 participants, 172 (4.8%) were recognized as PVD cases. The cross-sectional associations were evaluated using multiple logistic regression considering the sampling design. After adjusting for age, gender, race, poverty, traditional risk factors of PVD and other potential confounding factors, PAL was significantly associated with PVD (odds ratio=2.25, 95% confidence interval 1.20–4.22, p Conclusions There appears to be a cross-sectional relationship between PAL and PVD. Inflammation may be one possible pathway to link PVD with periodontal disease.
Vaccination To Induce Antibodies Blocking the CX3C-CX3CR1 Interaction of Respiratory Syncytial Virus G Protein Reduces Pulmonary Inflammation and Virus Replication in Mice

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection causes substantial morbidity and some deaths in the young and elderly worldwide. There is no safe and effective vaccine available, although it is possible to reduce the hospitalization rate for high-risk children by anti-RSV antibody prophylaxis. RSV has been shown to modify the immune response to infection, a feature linked in part to RSV G protein CX3C chemokine mimicry. This study determined if vaccination with G protein polypeptides or peptides spanning the central conserved region of the G protein could induce antibodies that blocked G protein CX3C-CX3CR1 interaction and disease pathogenesis mediated by RSV infection. The results show that mice vaccinated with G protein peptides or polypeptides containing the CX3C motif generate antibodies that inhibit G protein CX3C-CX3CR1 binding and chemotaxis, reduce lung virus titers, and prevent body weight loss and pulmonary inflammation. The results suggest that RSV vaccines that induce antibodies that block G protein CX3C-CX3CR1 interaction may offer a new, safe, and efficacious RSV vaccine strategy.
Efficiency and specificity of CTXϕ chromosomal integration: dif makes all the difference

Bacteriophage can convert their bacterial host from a nonpathogenic form to a pathogenic form by providing the bacterium with virulence genes, in a process called lysogenic phage conversion. Vibrio cholerae is a bacterium prevalent in marine environments that can infect humans to cause the devastating diarrheal disease cholera, which is endemic in much of Asia and Africa. Although the health and economic burdens of cholera are enormous, the disease is sometimes overshadowed by other diseases, but cholera's predilection for epidemic spread commands attention.
Thermal and electrical characterization of nanocomposites for thermoelectrics

Nanostructures have been shown theoretically, and to a certain extent experimentally, to exhibit enhanced thermoelectric properties. While the use of thermoelectric devices is not widespread today, even marginal improvements in performance could lead to a revolution in small-scale energy conversion and generation and heat removal applications. The potential integration of nanostructures into actual thermoelectric devices has not been fully realized since these devices generally require larger scale materials for the thermoelectric elements. Therefore, a focused investigation into thermal, electrical and thermoelectric characteristics of nanocomposites comprised of nanostructures that, in their bulk form, exhibit good thermoelectric characteristics, was conducted. The presented research explores the thermal and electrical properties of nanocomposites comprised of bismuth nanoparticles that were embedded in a conducting polymer matrix. The thermal and electrical conductivities as well as the thermopower of thin films of polyaniline (the conducting polymer) with different volume fractions of nanoparticles were measured. Results demonstrate that the thermal and electrical properties of polyaniline may be significantly influenced by the presence of the nanoparticles.
On flow reservation and admission control for distributed scheduling strategies in IEEE802.11 wireless LAN

Providing service differentiation in IEEE802.11 Wireless LANs [3] has been investigated by many researchers ([2], [5], [6], [7], [9], [13]). It has been shown [1] that some distributed schedulers such as DFS [9] and EDCF [5] can achieve high throughput and certain service differentiation comparing to DCF and PCF provided that the traffic load in the system is low or medium. However, those strategies do not support flow reservation and thus cannot guarantee QoS requirements of high priority real-time flows under overloading network traffics. In this paper, we present a MAC layer flow reservation and admission control scheme for distributed scheduling strategies in the aim of achieving QoS guarantee in IEEE802.11 wireless LANs. Our approach has several desirable features: (1) It can work with most of the distributed scheduling strategies like DCF, DFS, EDCF without modification of the underlying scheduling mechanism. (2) A dynamic priority re-allocation method is integrated with the admission control to further improve system throughput. (3) Misuse of priority can be easily handled. Simulation of our proposed reservation scheme upon various distributed scheduling strategies has been conducted, and results show that this scheme can achieve low collision rate, high throughput, and less delay.
Human visual system based similarity metrics

Objective assessment of image quality is important for a number of image processing applications. Similarity metrics have been used for methods such as automating compression, automating watermarking, and benchmarking algorithm success. The goal of objective quality assessment is to quantify the quality of images in a manner consistent with human perception. For this reason, we introduce a novel image similarity metric based on the human visual system. The measures of enhancement (EME, AME, and LogAME) have been successfully used to quantify human quality perception for image enhancement. In this paper, we present a modified version of the Logarithmic AME which can successfully be used to quantify image similarity. We compare the quantitative assessments of this algorithm with those of the well known Mean Squared Error (MSE), Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Structural Similarity (SSIM) on the basis of correlation with subjective human evaluations for a number of images.
Pilot evaluation of a continuing professional development tool for developing leadership skills

Abstract Background Strategies are needed to assure essential nonclinical competencies, such as leadership, can be gained using a continuing professional development (CPD) framework. Objective The objective of this study was to explore student pharmacists' utilization and perceived effectiveness of a CPD tool for leadership development in an elective course. Methods Students completed 2 CPD cycles during a semester-long leadership elective using a CPD tool. A questionnaire was used to measure students' perceptions of utility, self-efficacy, and satisfaction in completing CPD cycles when using a tool to aid in this process. Results The CPD tool was completed twice by 7 students. On average, students spent nearly 5 hours per CPD cycle. More than half (57.1%) scored themselves as successful or very successful in achieving their learning plans, and most (71.4%) found the tool somewhat useful in developing their leadership skills. Some perceived that the tool provided a systematic way to engage in leadership development, whereas others found it difficult to use. Conclusions In this pilot study, most student pharmacists successfully achieved a leadership development plan and found the CPD tool useful. Providing students with more guidance may help facilitate use and effectiveness of CPD tools. There is a need to continue to develop and refine tools that assist in the CPD of pharmacy practitioners at all levels.
Posterior shoulder instability.

Posterior instability of the shoulder is relatively uncommon and often presents a diagnostic challenge to the treating physician. Advances in understanding of the static and dynamic stabilizers of the glenohumeral joint have defined more clearly the pathoanatomy and altered mechanics associated with posterior instability, aiding in diagnosis and management. Posterior instability more commonly presents as recurrent posterior subluxation, with acute posterior dislocation being uncommon. This article clearly defines, classifies, and diagnoses posterior instability of the shoulder so that effective nonoperative management can be instituted early in the development of the disorder and outlines the appropriate indications for nonoperative and operative management, providing the greatest potential for treatment success.
Role of Oxidants in Interstitial Lung Diseases: Pneumoconioses, Constrictive Bronchiolitis, and Chronic Tropical Pulmonary Eosinophilia

Oxidants such as superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and myeloperoxidase from activated inflammatory cells in the lower respiratory tract contribute to inflammation and injury. Etiologic agents include inorganic particulates such as asbestos, silica, or coal mine dust or mixtures of inorganic dust and combustion materials found in World Trade Center dust and smoke. These etiologic agents are phagocytosed by alveolar macrophages or bronchial epithelial cells and release chemotactic factors that recruit inflammatory cells to the lung. Chemotactic factors attract and activate neutrophils, eosinophils, mast cells, and lymphocytes and further activate macrophages to release more oxidants. Inorganic dusts target alveolar macrophages, World Trade Center dust targets bronchial epithelial cells, and eosinophils characterize tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) caused by filarial organisms. The technique of bronchoalveolar lavage in humans has recovered alveolar macrophages (AMs) in dust diseases and eosinophils in TPE that release increased amounts of oxidants in vitro. Interestingly, TPE has massively increased eosinophils in the acute form and after treatment can still have ongoing eosinophilic inflammation. A course of prednisone for one week can reduce the oxidant burden and attendant inflammation and may be a strategy to prevent chronic TPE and interstitial lung disease.
Keynes and the British academy

This account of Keynes's relationship with the British Academy begins with his early, perhaps premature, nomination as a Fellow and its sequel, an initial rejection by the Academy on political grounds in 1920. The event became linked with the failure of his professorial colleague at Cambridge, Arthur Cecil Pigou, to be elected until 1927 on grounds that Keynes regarded as equally discreditable to the Academy. It was certainly one of the less edifying examples of Cambridge in-fighting. But having relented in his original decision not to allow his name to be put forward again Keynes was elected in 1929. The article deals with Keynes's subsequent participation in the affairs of the Academy, especially his part in nominating Beatrice Webb, the first woman to be elected to the Academy in 1930; and his contrasting failure to secure the election of Joan Robinson in the 1940s. The article is based mainly on archival sources and makes use of material drawn from the Academy's archive on the section that housed economists and economic historians between its foundation in 1902 and Keynes's death as its chairman in 1946. The article concludes by contrasting the part Keynes played in the Academy with his more dominant role as secretary to the Royal Economic Society.