cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
First-principles evaluation of carbon diffusion in Pd and Pd-based alloys

The absorption and diffusion of carbon in Pd and Pd-based alloys can be important in applications of these materials as catalysts or membranes, but little is known about these processes. We used first principles calculations to characterize the absorption of C in pure Pd and PdM alloys with $M=\text{Ag}$, Au, and Cu. Our calculations show that the preferred configuration of C in Pd is as an interstitial atom; effects from Pd vacancies are minimal and substitutional sites are much less favorable. When the effects of thermal lattice expansion are included, our calculations predict C diffusivities in good agreement with experimental data, which is only available at elevated temperatures. Characterizing the binding energy and hopping energies of interstitial C in terms of lattice expansion or contraction is also a useful way to understand the effect of small amounts of $M=\text{Ag}$, Au, or Cu in PdM alloys. We also examined the properties of interstitial C in ${\text{Pd}}_{77.7}{\text{Ag}}_{22.3}$. Our calculations predict that the diffusivity of C in this alloy is two to three orders of magnitude lower than in pure Pd.
Interaction of heparin with antithrombin III and platelet factor 4: pH dependence demonstrated with a new rocket precipitin Electrophoretic procedure.

Abstract Only 30% of commercial heparin reacts with antithrombin III (ATIII). This study shows that the interaction is pH dependent: 100% of the heparin binds to ATIII at pH 3.0, 30% at physiological pH. Binding of ATIII, platelet factor 4, and protamine to heparin was studied using a new rocket precipitin electrophoresis procedure, adapted from the Laurell rocket immunoelectrophoresis procedure. Protamine is incorporated into agarose gel, and heparin mixtures with protamine, ATIII, or platelet factor 4 electrophoresed into the gel from a series of wells. The residual free heparin is precipitated by the protamine in a rocket-shaped arc, the height of which is proportional to the amount of free heparin. No antibody is employed. This procedure is useful for quantitation of heparin and for studying the binding of heparin to proteins.
Patient and duct selection for nipple duct lavage.

Abstract Background Nipple ductal lavage (NDL) is a new minimally invasive procedure with the potential to help identify women who could benefit from breast cancer risk intervention. NDL is currently encouraged for women with fluid-producing ducts and a 5-year Gail risk ≥1.7%. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the atypia rate by NDL in fluid-producing ducts compared with non–fluid-producing ducts and the atypia rate in high-risk verses low-risk patients to determine if current recommendations are supported. Methods Fifty-nine women were studied with NDL. The 226 ducts lavaged included all fluid-producing ducts (n = 136) and any dry ducts we could cannulate (n = 90). Breast cancer risk was calculated using mathematic models. Results There were 26 (44%) women with a 5-year Gail risk ≥1.7% and 33 (56%) with a 5-year Gail risk Conclusions If NDL results are found to correlate with breast cancer incidence, it will be important to apply the test in a way that maximizes sensitivity for the detection of atypia in a screened population. We were unable to identify patient or duct characteristics that predict NDL atypia rates.
Recovery of Tc by annealing of irradiated A-15 compounds☆

A model has been developed for the recovery of T/sub c/ in radiation-damaged A-15 compounds. This model has been applied to isothermal annealing data at 550/sup 0/C on a sample of Nb/sub 3/Ge, and to isochronal annealing (200/sup 0/C to 900/sup 0/C) data on V/sub 3/Si, Nb/sub 3/Ge and Nb/sub 3/Sn subjected to varying doses of fast neutrons, and on Nb/sub 3/Al of various compositions subjected to the same dose. The recovery is assumed to take place by vacancy-assisted reordering and occurs in several stages. The major low-temperature stage involves a fairly stable population of irradiation-induced vacancies. At high temperatures these are replaced by thermal vacancies. Activation energies calculated for these processes, approximately 0.6 to 1.3 eV for site interchange, and approximately 1 to 2 eV for vacancy formation, are consistent with what is known about diffusion in the A-15 structure. Activation energies show some dependence upon radiation dose, but little upon composition.
Trade Policies and Industrialisation

In this paper, the three-commodity model of Gruen and Corden is used to examine the effects of import restriction policies designed to promote industrial development. It is shown that under circumstances which might reasonably be expected to exist in developing economies such policies will likely appear successful in the short run, but may fail in the long run, if the import-competing sector's expansion is largely achieved by the diversion of resources from an infant manufacturing sector producing exportables. An export subsidy is the more appropriate policy under these circumstances.
The glycoprotein Ib-IX-V complex mediates localization of factor XI to lipid rafts on the platelet membrane.

Factor XI binds to activated platelets where it is efficiently activated by thrombin. The factor XI receptor is the platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX-V complex (Baglia, F. A., Badellino, K. O., Li, C. Q., Lopez, J. A., and Walsh, P. N. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 1662–1668), a significant fraction of which exists within lipid rafts on stimulated platelets (Shrimpton, C. N., Borthakur, G., Larrucea, S., Cruz, M. A., Dong, J. F., and Lopez, J. A. (2002) J. Exp. Med. 196, 1057–1066). Lipid rafts are membrane microdomains enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids implicated in localizing membrane ligands and in cellular signaling. We now show that factor XI was localized to lipid rafts in activated platelets (∼8% of total bound) but not in resting platelets. Optimal binding of factor XI to membrane rafts required prothrombin (and Ca2+) or high molecular weight kininogen (and Zn2+), which are required for factor XI binding to platelets. An antibody to GPIb (SZ-2) that disrupts factor XI binding to the GPIb-IX-V complex also disrupted factor XI-raft association. The isolated recombinant Apple 3 domain of factor XI, which mediates factor XI binding to platelets, also completely displaces factor XI from membrane rafts. To investigate the physiological relevance of the factor XI-raft association, the structural integrity of lipid rafts was disrupted by cholesterol depletion utilizing methyl-β-cyclodextrin. Cholesterol depletion completely prevented FXI binding to lipid rafts, and initial rates of factor XI activation by thrombin on activated platelets were inhibited >85%. We conclude that factor XI is localized to GPIb in membrane rafts and that this association is important for promoting the activation of factor XI by thrombin on the platelet surface.
Cosmic ray scintillations: 2. General theory of interplanetary scintillations

The motion of charged particles in a stochastic magnetic field with nonzero mean is considered via a generalized quasi-linear expansion of Liouville's equation. The general result is an equation relating cosmic ray scintillations to magnetic fluctuations and to cosmic ray gradients. The resonant interaction between particles and the random magnetic field is considered in detail, and the effect of nonlinear terms in the equations is considered. The nonlinear terms are important in damping out initial conditions and in determining conditions near cyclotron resonances. The application of the theory to the propagation of cosmic rays during quiet times in interplanetary space is considered. It is concluded that cosmic ray scintillations in interplanetary space may provide useful information about interplanetary particles and fields and also about nonlinear plasma interactions.
Mucocele of the appendix causing tubal factor infertility

Objective To report on the safety of conservative management of a young woman with pseudomyxoma peritonei of appendiceal origin desiring fertility preservation. Design Case report. Setting IVF Center at Tertiary Hospital. Patient(s) A 32-year-old woman with primary infertility. Intervention(s) Appendectomy, conservative second-look laparoscopy, and IVF. Main Outcome Measure(s) Persistence of active mucinous lesions in the peritoneal cavity, presence of abnormalities at colonoscopy, and maternal/fetal complications from IVF. Result(s) Normal second-look laparoscopy, no evidence of persistent disease, and successful intrauterine twin pregnancy following IVF. Conclusion(s) Pseudomyxoma peritonei of appendiceal origin is rare in young female patients. Although traditional therapy in older patients often involves aggressive surgical therapy, this case report demonstrates that patients desiring fertility can be managed conservatively and safely and still maintain successful pregnancy.
Open vs. Closed: Which source is more secure?

There is no better way to start an argument among a group of developers than proclaiming Operating System A to be "more secure" than Operating System B. I know this from first-hand experience, as previous papers I have published on this topic have led to reams of heated e-mails directed at me - including some that were, quite literally, physically threatening. Despite the heat (not light!) generated from attempting to investigate the relative security of different software projects, investigate we must.
Growth hormone, thyrotropin, and prolactin responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone following diethylstilbestrol pretreatment.

Abstract Treatment of 6 normal male volunteers with diethylstilbestrol (DES) 2.5 mg twice daily orally for 5 days resulted in no change in basal thyrotropin (TSH) or prolactin serum levels; TSH response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) was not changed by estrogen pretreatment but prolactin responses were significantly increased. Basal growth hormone (GH) levels were elevated by DES pretreatment, but no significant GH response to TRH was seen before or after estrogen administration.
Protein kinase C activation of intestinal glutamine transport is mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinases

Abstract Background. Glutamine is essential for the preservation of intestinal structure and function and its uptake by the bowel is augmented during catabolic states. However, the signal transduction pathways implicated in brush border glutamine transport have not been examined. The aim of this study was to investigate the intracellular signaling pathways involved in the regulation of accelerated intestinal glutamine transport. Our hypothesis was that the activation of intestinal glutamine transport involves protein kinase C (PKC) and is mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Methods. [3H] l -Glutamine (50 μM) transport activity and mRNA levels for the intestinal glutamine transporter ATB0 were measured in intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells. Confluent cells were treated with phorbol ester (PMA, 0–10 μM), the MAPK MEK inhibitor PD 98059 (0–100 μM), actinomycin (0–0.1 μM), MAPK p38 inhibitor SB 203580 (0–10 μM), protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine chloride (0–6.6 μM), or cycloheximide (0–10 μM) for 24 h. Data were analyzed by ANOVA with significance set at P Results. Phorbol ester treatment increased intestinal System B glutamine transport activity by 75%, an increase that was blocked individually by PD 98059, chelerythrine chloride, actinomycin, and cycloheximide, but not SB 203580, an effect first noted at 6 h. The resulting activity increase was consistent with de novo synthesis of transporter units and enhanced expression of transporter gene ATB0 as indicated by a threefold increase of ATB0 mRNA levels in PMA-treated cells. Conclusions. Activation of glutamine transport in Caco-2 cells by phorbol ester occurs via signaling pathways that lead to transcription of the glutamine transporter gene. PKC and mitogen-activate protein kinase MEK are key intracellular mediators involved in this signal transduction cascade.
Neutron reflection from interfaces with biological and biomimetic materials

During the past decade, neutron reflectivity has increasingly become an important technique for the characterization of biological and biomimetic thin films. Advancements in instrumentation, sample environment and measurement protocols now make it possible to obtain Angstrom-level information about the composition of these materials along the axis perpendicular to the plane of the membrane. A newly developed phase-sensitive neutron reflectivity technique now allows direct inversion of the reflectivity data to obtain unique compositional depth profiles of the films. This review concentrates on the development of these neutron reflectivity methods for the study of peptide and protein interactions with model membranes.
Alternating release of different bioactive molecules from a complexation polymer system.

Regeneration of bone is driven by the action of numerous biomolecules. However, most osteobiologic devices mainly depend on delivery of a single molecule. The present studies were directed at investigating a polymeric system that enables localized, alternating delivery of two or more biomolecules. The osteotropic biomolecules studied were simvastatin hydroxyacid (Sim) and parathyroid hormone (1-34) (PTH(1-34)), and the antimicrobial peptide cecropin B (CB) was also incorporated. Loaded microspheres were made using the complexation polymer system of cellulose acetate phthalate and Pluronic F-127 (blend ratio, 7:3). By alternating layers of the different types of microspheres, 10-layer devices were made to release CB and Sim, CB and PTH, or Sim and PTH. In vitro experiments showed five discrete peaks for each molecule over a release period of approximately two weeks. MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells alternately exposed to the osteotropic biomolecules showed enhanced proliferation and early osteoblastic activity. Alternating delivery of 10 nM Sim and either 500 pg/ml or 5 ng/ml PTH showed additive effects compared to the CB/Sim or CB/PTH devices. These implantable formulations may be useful for alternating delivery of different biomolecules to stimulate concurrent biological effects in focal tissue regeneration applications.
The use of Soybean Plantlets to Study Root Nodule Senescence

Summary Two types of soybean plantlets were prepared by rooting cuttings of trifoliates and stem pieces with apical buds. These were termed trifoliates and multifoliates, respectively. The trifoliates did not increase in size or undergo visible signs of development including flowering or senescence. The multifoliates increased in height by 4 to 5 times, flowered, set seed and senesced. Both plantlet types were nodulated by four strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum . The timing of nodulation and the nodule phenotype were indistinguishable from those observed when seed-grown plants were nodulated by the same strains. As in seed-grown plants, nitrogen fixation in multifoliates declined just prior to flowering. Since the same decline was observed in non-flowering trifoliates, it is unlikely that flowering and seed set, alone, are responsible for the observed decline in nitrogen fixation.
Thoughts on a practical database and data exchange for CELIA/LIGA members

Abstract A practical database should function to record information about a topic, a site, or sites, so that the information is secure, but at the same time readily available to authorized users. The information should be in the form of a digital file using standard and well-proven formats and media. Copies should be made available easily to authorized users, but the original database file should be ‘read-only’. As scientists will be using microcomputers both for providing and receiving data, the files should have a format that can be distributed to the widest number of potential users. There is no reason to demand conformity among end-users in how the data are handled in their own facilities; however, the manner in which data are transferred between the users is important. Practical considerations suggest that data in standard ASCII text format will be the easiest to handle. For the immediate future, data files can be exchanged in the mail or in person using standard ‘floppy’ magnetic disks. It would be a marked advantage to use the various governmental e-mail networks for both the international exchange of data and ideas. Concomitantly, agreements of a more delicate nature need to be worked out, to insure that the rightful ‘ownership’ of the original data is observed and credit given when it is used by others.
Molecular Weights of Three Mouse Milk Caseins by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis and κ-Like Characteristics of a Fourth Casein

Abstract Caseins of mouse milk are phospho-proteins which precipitate at pH 4.6, stain blue with "Stains-all," and stain red with "Stains-all" following alkaline phosphatase digestion. Four caseins were separated electrophoretically in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels varying from 8.5 to 15% acrylamide. Molecular weights for three of these proteins were 43,200, 27,700, and 25,900. The molecular weights determined for bovine α s 1 and β caseins by this method were similar to those previously obtained by other methods. A fourth mouse casein contained carbohydrate, phosphorus, and sialic acid. This protein was rennin-sensitive and behaved anomalously on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels, as did bovine κ-casein. Because of similarities with bovine κ -casein, it was designated the " κ -casein" of mouse milk.
Dynamics of Internet Dating

This study examined the world of Internet dating. It explored the motivations of daters, their styles of courtship, and how they negotiated problems of trust and deception. The authors employed in-depth interviews and participant observation with men and women who met online. Internet daters sought companionship, comfort after a life crisis, control over presentation of themselves and their environments, freedom from commitment and stereotypic roles, adventure, and romantic fantasy. The authors also studied the development of trust between daters, the risks they assume, and lying online. Most participants in the study eventually met, which sometimes resulted in abrupt rejection and loss of face, but other times ended in marriage.
Inverse Determination of Moving Heat Flux Distributions Using Reduced Order Models

Optimization-based solutions to inverse problems involve the coupling of an analysis model, such as a finite element model, with a numerical optimization method. The goal is to determine a set of parameters that minimize an objective function that is determined by solving the analysis model. In this paper, we present an approach that dramatically reduces the computational cost for solving this inverse problems in this way by replacing the original full order finite element model (FOM) with a reduced order model (ROM) that is both accurate and quick to compute. The reduced order model is constructed with basis functions generated using proper orthogonal decomposition of set of solutions from the FOM. A discrete Galerkin method is used to project the differential equation on the basis functions. This approach allows us to transform the linear full order finite element model into an equivalent discrete ROM with far fewer unknowns. The method is applied to a parameter estimation problem in heat transfer. Specifically, we determine the parameters governing the magnitude and distribution of an unknown surface heat flux moving at a constant velocity across the surface of a solid bar of material. A finite element model was implemented in the commercial package COMSOL and a corresponding ROM was constructed. The ROM was coupled with an optimization algorithm to determine the parameter values that minimized the distance between the computed surface temperatures and the target surface temperature. The target surface temperature was generated using simulated measurements produced from the full order finite element model. Several optimization methods were used. The results show the approach can recover the parameters with high accuracy with twenty seven FOM runs.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
SITE-DIRECTED MUTAGENESIS OF THE YEAST MULTICOPPER OXIDASE FET3P

High affinity iron transport in yeast is mediated by two proteins, Fet3p and Ftr1p. The multicopper oxidase Fet3p is thought to convert extracellular ferrous iron to ferric iron, which then crosses the plasma membrane through the permease Ftr1p. Fet3p is capable of oxidizing other substrates, such asp-phenylenediamine, and there is still a question of whether it is the ferroxidase activity that is essential for iron transport. Fet3p is also required for Ftr1p localization to the cell surface, making it difficult to prove a direct role for Fet3p oxidase in high affinity iron transport. In an attempt to generate Fet3p specifically lacking ferroxidase activity, we used site-directed mutagenesis to alter residues within Fet3p that had been suggested to impart iron oxidase activity. These substitutions resulted in either a loss or retention of both p-phenylenediamine and ferroxidase activities, indicating that the ability of Fet3p to act as a ferroxidase involves other amino acids. Inactive Fet3p, however, did mediate Ftr1p localization to the cell surface but did not mediate high affinity iron transport. These observations indicate that the ferroxidase activity of Fet3p is intrinsically required for high affinity iron transport.
Power vector analysis of the optical outcome of refractive surgery

Abstract Purpose To demonstrate the power vector method of representing and analyzing spherocylindrical refractive errors. Setting School of Optometry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA. Methods Manifest and keratometric refractive errors were expressed as power vectors suitable for plotting as points in a 3-dimensional dioptric space. The 3 Cartesian coordinates ( x , y , z ) of each power vector correspond to the powers of 3 lenses that, in combination, fulfill a refractive prescription: a spherical lens of power M , a Jackson crossed cylinder of power J 0 with axes at 90 degrees and 180 degrees, and a Jackson crossed cylinder of power J 45 with axes at 45 degrees and 135 degrees. The Pythagorean length of the power vector, B , is a measure of overall blurring strength of a spherocylindrical lens or refractive error. Changes in refractive error due to surgery were computed by the ordinary rules of vector subtraction. Results Frequency distributions of blur strength ( B ) clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of refractive surgery in reducing the overall blurring effect of uncorrected refractive error. Power vector analysis also revealed a reduction in the astigmatic component of these refractive errors. Paired comparisons revealed that the change in manifest astigmatism due to surgery was well correlated with the change in keratometric astigmatism. Conclusions Power vectors aid the visualization of complex changes in refractive error by tracing a trajectory in a uniform dioptric space. The Cartesian components of a power vector are mutually independent, which simplifies mathematical and statistical analysis of refractive errors. Power vectors also provide a natural link to a more comprehensive optical description of ocular refractive imperfections in terms of wavefront aberration functions and their description by Zernike polynomials.
A method for evaluating and treating the temporal peak region in patients with male pattern baldness.

background. In the past, hair restoration surgeons have focused most of their attention and efforts on the reconstruction of the hairline region and the area on top of the head. However, little attention has been given to the temporal peaks and the areas immediately posterior to them. objective. The goals of this article are to describe the pattern baldness process at the temporal peaks and the region immediately posterior to them, and to describe a method for the evaluation and treatment of these very important and often neglected areas. methods. A method for evaluating and grading the temporal peak region is given. A surgical technique for treating this problem is described. This method consists of making 1.0 mm spear blade incisions at a very acute 10° angle in the newly designed anterior peak and in between the hair follicles that remain in the area posterior to the peak. The grafting of the finest one-haired grafts available in between existing hair follicles is accomplished with the help of 3.5× expandable loupes. The anterior temporal peak design is coordinated with the position of the frontal hairline restoration; the more anterior the hairline, the more anterior the temporal peak and vice-versa. results. The results of evaluating the temporal peak areas and treating them appropriately have consistently restored the cosmetic harmony between the frontal hairline and the temporal peak region. It is important, however, to only utilize the finest hairs available to create an aesthetically pleasing result. conclusion. When evaluating patients for hair restoration surgery, it should be a common practice to evaluate the temporal peak regions and the areas immediately posterior to them. These areas should be appropriately treated so that the frontal hair restoration coordinates with that of the temporal peak. The further anterior one comes with the hairline, the more anterior must come with the temporal peak restoration and vice-versa.
Chronic inhibition of nitric‐oxide synthase induces hypertension and erectile dysfunction in the rat that is not reversed by sildenafil

Study Type – Aetiology (case control) Level of Evidence 3b OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertension (HT) on erectile function in the rat and determine if the phosphodiesterase (PDE)-5 inhibitor, sildenafil, can reverse the effects of nitric oxide (NO) deficiency, as HT is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED) and the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-NAME induces NO-deficient HT. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-six adult Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into three groups, i.e. a control, L-NAME-HT (40 mg/rat/day in the drinking water for 4 weeks), and sildenafil-treated L-NAME-HT (1.5 mg/rat/day sildenafil, by oral gavage concomitantly with L-NAME). The erectile response expressed as a ratio of intracavernosal pressure (ICP)/mean arterial pressure (MAP), evaluated after electrical stimulation of the right cavernous nerve. The isometric tension of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) was measured in organ-bath experiments. NOS expression was determined immunohistochemically for neuronal (n)NOS and by Western blot analysis for endothelial (e) and inducible (i) NOS protein. cGMP levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The erectile response was diminished in the HT group. Nitrergic and endothelium-dependent relaxation was reduced, while the relaxation response to sodium nitroprusside and contractile response to phenylephrine were not altered in CCSM from L-NAME-treated rats. HT rats showed decreased expression of nNOS, whereas eNOS and iNOS protein expression was increased. Sildenafil partly restored endothelial and molecular changes in CCSM from HT rats, but did not reverse the decreased erectile response, even as cGMP levels returned to normal levels. CONCLUSIONS Sildenafil treatment did not correct the ED in L-NAME-treated HT rats. Under sustained high blood pressure, up-regulation of PDE5 expression failed to reverse the depletion of neuronal NO and/or impaired nNOS activity. However, endothelium-dependent relaxation was restored. Drug targeting of neuronal dysfunction might delay the onset of ED in HT.
Identification of Anxiety Symptom Clusters in Patients with COPD: Implications for Assessment and Treatment

Treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is palliative, and quality of life is important. Increased understanding of correlates of quality of life and its domains could help clinicians and researchers better tailor COPD treatments and better support patients engaging in those treatments or other important self-management behaviors. Anxiety is common in those with COPD; however, overlap of physical and emotional symptoms complicates its assessment. The current study aimed to identify anxiety symptom clusters and to assess the association of these symptom clusters with COPD-related quality of life. Participants (N = 162) with COPD completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Medical Research Council dyspnea scale. Anxiety clusters were identified, using principal component analysis (PCA) on the BAI’s 21 items. Anxiety clusters, along with factors previously associated with quality of life, were entered into a multiple regression designed to predict COPD-related quality of life. PCA identified four symptom clusters related to (1) general somatic distress, (2) fear, (3) nervousness, and (4) respiration-related distress. Multiple regression analyses indicated that greater fear was associated with less perceived mastery over COPD (β = −0.19, t(149) = −2.69, p < 0.01). Anxiety symptoms associated with fear appear to be an important indicator of anxiety in patients with COPD. In particular, fear was associated with perceptions of mastery, an important psychological construct linked to disease self-management. Assessing the BAI symptom cluster associated with fear (five items) may be a valuable rapid assessment tool to improve COPD treatment and physical health outcomes.
Occurrence, isolation, and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in New Jersey.

Abstract: The ingestion of uncooked infected white-tailed deer (WTD) tissues can transmit Toxoplasma gondii infection to humans and mesocarnivores, including cats. In the present study, we tested 264 WTD from New Jersey for T. gondii infection during the 2011–2012 hunting season. Serum samples were tested for antibodies to T. gondii by the modified agglutination test (cutoff titer, 25); 76 (28.7%) of 264 WTD were seropositive. Heart muscle samples from 64 seropositive WTD were digested in pepsin, and the digests were bioassayed for the isolation of T. gondii. Viable T. gondii was isolated in mice from the myocardium of 9 WTD; tachyzoites from infected mouse tissues were further propagated in cell culture. One of the 9 strains was highly virulent for outbred Swiss Webster mice. The DNA isolated from culture-derived tachyzoites of these 9 T. gondii isolates was characterized using 11 PCR-RFLP markers (SAG1, 5′- and 3′-SAG2, alt.SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico). Six genotypes were...
A yeast model system for functional analysis of the Niemann-Pick type C protein 1 homolog, Ncr1p.

Niemann–Pick disease type C (NP-C) is a progressive, ultimately fatal, autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder. The major biochemical hallmark of the disease is the endocytic accumulation of low-density lipoproteinderived cholesterol. The majority of NP-C patients have mutations in the Niemann-Pick type C1 gene, NPC1. This study focuses on the Saccharomyces cerevisiae homolog of the human NPC1 protein encoded by the NCR1 gene. Ncr1p localizes to the vacuole, the yeast equivalent to the mammalian endosome-lysosome system. Here, we identify the first phenotype caused by deletion of NCR1 from the yeast genome, resistance to the ether lipid drug, edelfosine. Our results indicate that edelfosine has a cytotoxic, rather than cytostatic, effect on wildtype yeast cells. We exploit the edelfosine resistance phenotype to assess the function of yeast Ncr1 proteins carrying amino acid changes corresponding to human NPC1 patient mutations. We find that one of these amino acid changes severely compromises Ncr1p function as assessed using the edelfosine resistance assay. These findings establish S. cerevisiae as a model system that can be exploited to analyze the molecular consequences of patient mutations in NPC1 and provide the basis for future genetic studies using yeast.
Closed Bernoulli Production Lines: Analysis, Continuous Improvement, and Leanness

In closed production lines, each part is placed on a carrier at the input of the first machine and is removed from the carrier at the output of the last machine. The first machine is starved if no carriers are available, and the last machine is blocked if the empty carrier buffer is full. The number of carriers in the system is S and the capacity of the empty carrier buffer is N 0. Under the assumption that the machines obey the Bernoulli reliability model, this paper provides methods for determining if a pair (N 0, S) impedes the open line performance and, if it does, develops techniques for improvement with respect to S and N 0. In addition, bottlenecks in closed lines are discussed, and an approach to selecting the smallest N 0 and S, which result in no impediment, is described.
Local Uteroplacental Influences are Responsible for the Induction of Uterine Artery Myogenic Tone during Rat Pregnancy

Uterine artery constrictor responses to elevation of intraluminal pressure (myogenic tone) are considerably enhanced in late pregnant rats, although the underlying causes remain unknown. A single uterine horn ligation model was used to differentiate local from systemic influences, and to test the hypothesis that factors associated with the site of placentation, rather than systemic hormonal changes, are primarily involved in the induction of this adaptive process. Radial uterine arteries were dissected from the gravid and non-gravid uterine horns of late pregnant rats, cannulated, and pressurized. Changes in arterial diameter and smooth muscle [Ca2+]i in response to the elevation of intraluminal pressure were studied using intact and endothelium-denuded arteries loaded with the ratiometric Ca2+-sensitive dye fura-2. Elevations of pressure from 10 to 60 and 100 mm Hg resulted in passive arterial distention of arteries from nongravid horns with a minor change in [Ca2+]i. In contrast, arteries from gravid horns developed myogenic tone associated with a significant elevation in [Ca2+]i. Synchronous oscillations in [Ca2+]i and lumen diameter were frequently observed in vessels from gravid horns. Endothelial denudation augmented tone in the gravid horn but did not uncover myogenic tone in vessels from the nongravid horn. In summary, pregnancy-associated uterine artery myogenic behavior is due to an upregulation of calcium-handling mechanisms, occurs independently of the endothelium, and is induced by local uteroplacental influences.
The Effect of Concentrated PV Gradients on Stationary Waves: Correction

Abstract This note corrects a numerical error in a prior work of Lindzen. The correction eliminates the strong sensitivity found in the earlier paper to the details of the concentration of potential vorticity gradients at the tropopause. Remaining sensitivities in the simple calculations presented are largely related to variations in the basic state’s zonal wind.
Diabetic macular edema: changing treatment paradigms.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the current management and recent changes in treatment paradigm for diabetic macular edema (DME). RECENT FINDINGS During the review period (1 year), several prospective studies analyzed the beneficial effect of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents in the management of DME. An exploratory analysis concluded that intravitreal ranibizumab appears to be associated with a reduced risk of diabetic retinopathy worsening. A randomized, controlled, multicenter, double-masked, parallel-group, 12-month trial to evaluate a dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX implant) combined with laser photocoagulation compared with laser alone for treatment of DME concluded that there was no significant between-group difference at month 12. A multicenter, prospective, observational study found that in eyes with diabetic retinopathy without concurrent central-involved DME, presence of noncentral-involved DME immediately prior to cataract surgery or history of DME treatment may increase the risk of developing central-involved macular edema after cataract extraction. Another randomized trial to evaluate whether intravitreal ranibizumab injection at cataract surgery prevents postoperative DME concluded that intravitreal ranibizumab injection at cataract surgery may prevent the postoperative worsening of macular edema. SUMMARY The results of clinical trials have shown the superiority of some of these anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents to laser therapy. However, with the availability of several of these newer agents, it may be difficult to individualize treatment options, especially if DME patients respond differently to various therapies.
Visual detection of lintel-occluded doors from a single image

Doors are important landmarks for indoor mobile robot navigation. Most existing algorithms for door detection use range sensors or work in limited environments because of restricted assumptions about color, pose, or lighting. We present a vision-based door detection algorithm that achieves robustness by utilizing a variety of features, including color, texture, and intensity edges. We introduce two novel geometric features that increase performance significantly: concavity and bottom-edge intensity profile. The features are combined using Adaboost to ensure optimal linear weighting. On a large database of images collected in a wide variety of conditions, the algorithm achieves more than 90% detection with a low false positive rate. Additional experiments demonstrate the suitability of the algorithm for real-time applications using a mobile robot equipped with an off-the-shelf camera and laptop.
Congress targets DOE plants

Calling the Department of Energy's management of the nation's crippled nuclear weapons production complex “a 35-year secret chemical war waged against people living near DOE's sites,” Representative Thomas Luken (D-OH) opened a congressional hearing on February 23 with an appeal to DOE Secretary-designate James Watkins to release secret health records of workers at the plants. In testimony that followed, Comptroller General Charles Bowsher told a subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee that President Bush's new budget does not go far enough on the long and costly road of cleaning up and modernizing the contaminated and aging facilities. The renovation is expected to cost up to $155 billion. By next month, 11 of the 17 installations that make up the DOE complex will be on the EPA's Superfund list of the nation's most contaminated waste sites. Some o f the DOE facilities, including the Rocky Flats plant in Denver, Colo., the Hanford Reservation in eastern Washington, and the Savannah River plant in South Carolina, are among the most polluted sites ever identified by EPA. The principal function of the facilities, the production of tritium and plutonium for nuclear weapons, has stopped, creating what DOE has characterized as a looming national security crisis.
An Attempt to Reduce Ethnocentrism in the Foreign Language Classroom.

ABSTRACT This study investigated an important but little understood issue in foreign language education: ethnocentrism. Research regarding how well second language instructors succeed in reducing ethnocentrism is scarce. Some researchers (e.g., Lambert) suggest that prejudice and ethnocentrism, which interfere with the attainment of openmindedness and cross-cultural understanding, are already well established in children by the age of 12. If this is true, can second language instructors succeed in achieving their goals? The current study expanded upon the research of Tuttle et al. (1979) in which support was found for the hypothesis that ethnocentrism may be more efficiently reduced if the instructor stresses cultural similarities instead of differences when presenting cultural information about the target culture. The hypothesis had not been examined with college-aged subjects. The three specific research questions investigated in this study were: (1) Does an approach to teaching German culture which emphasizes cultural similarities between German and American culture result in a statistically significant decrease in general ethnocentrism compared to an approach which emphasizes cultural differences? (2) Does an approach to teaching German culture which emphasizes cultural similarities between German and American culture result in a statistically significant decrease in ethnocentrism toward Germans compared to an approach which emphasizes cultural differences? (3) To what extent do variables selected on the basis of existing literature correlate to one's initial level of ethnocentrism? The study utilized a quasiexperimental intact group design. Nine sections of first-semester German students were randomly assigned to one of three groups: one in which German and American cultural similarities were stressed, one in which German and American cultural differences were stressed, or a control group. All participants completed an attitude survey and provided demographic information prior to any of the cultural presentations. The author then presented six cultural units to each experimental group. Depending on the group viewing the presentations, either cultural similarities or differences were emphasized. All participants subsequently completed the same attitude survey in order to assess changes in ethnocentrism. Although members of the similarities group demonstrated a greater decrease in ethnocentrism than members of the differences group, the results of the experiment were inconclusive because the difference was not statistically significant. However, the author does not view the results as a basis to dismiss the hypothesis. Rather, the data obtained suggest the need for further research on ethnocentrism in the foreign language classroom. The author discusses potential pedagogical implications and makes recommendations for future studies.
Separation of ionization and displacement damage using gate-controlled lateral PNP bipolar transistors

Proton irradiation produces both ionization and displacement damage in semiconductor devices. In this paper, a technique for separating the effects of these two types of damage using a lateral PNP bipolar transistor with a gate contact over the active base region is described. By biasing the gate appropriately, the effects of ionization-induced damage are minimized and the effects of displacement damage can be measured independently. Experiments and simulations are used to validate this approach and provide insight into proton-induced BJT degradation.
Water content of ambient aerosol during the Pittsburgh Air Quality Study

The aerosol water content and volumetric growth factors of fine particulate matter were measured during July-August 2001 and January-June 2002 in an urban park about 6 km from downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most of the aerosol during the study was transported to the region from other areas, and its composition and concentration were characteristic of the regional particulate matter in the northeastern United States. During the summer months the ambient aerosol practically always contained water even when the relative humidity ( RH) was as low as 30%. In contrast, during the winter the aerosol was dry below 60% RH. The spring months were characterized by a transitional behavior between these two states. The observed seasonal behavior can be explained by the aerosol acidity. The summer aerosol was acidic and retained water at low RH. The winter aerosol was neutral and became wet when the relative humidity reached the deliquescence point of ammonium nitrate. The observations during July 2001 were compared with the predictions of the thermodynamic Gibbs Free Energy Minimization (GFEMN) model and the aerosol inorganics model ( AIM), neglecting the organic aerosol contribution to water absorption. The models under-predicted water concentrations by about 35%, but no clear correlation between organic mass and the excess water was observed. On average, the contribution of the organics to water absorption appeared to be higher during the afternoon hours and when the aerosol was presumably more oxidized.
Reduced-Complexity ICI Mitigation for Mobile SFBC-OFDM with Application to DVB-H

Effective inter-carrier interference (ICI) mitigation for MIMO-OFDM requires accurate channel estimation which is very challenging due to the large number and fast time-varying nature of the channel parameters to be estimated using scattered pilots. We present a novel SFBC-OFDM scheme for doubly-selective channels and a reduced complexity channel estimation algorithm which exploits the banded and sparse structure of the channel in the frequency and time-domains, respectively. Furthermore, we design an FIR-MMSE ICI cancellation algorithm for mobile SFBC-OFDM and demonstrate its effectiveness for digital video broadcasting-handheld (DVB-H) systems.
Open-framework coordination complexes from hydrogen-bonded networks: toward host/guest complexes

Abstract Coordination compounds with peripheral hydrogen bonding substituents have been used to assemble infinite frameworks of one, two, and three dimensions. The propagation of 1D, 2D and 3D network depends on the nature of the metal ion, the number of hydrogen bonding substituents used, and the nature and placement of the hydrogen bonding substituents. An overview of coordination complexes connected via simple hydrogen bonding substituents, e.g. carboxylic acids and carboxamides, is given, and analogous organic and inorganic hydrogen bonding networks are discussed. The use of 2D and 3D hydrogen-bonded coordination networks in creating host–guest networks is also discussed.
An untethered magnetically actuated micro-robot capable of motion on arbitrary surfaces

This work presents an untethered magnetic micro- robot with dimensions of 250 mum x 130 mum x 100 mum. The robot is composed entirely of neodymium-iron-boron fabricated using laser micro-machining. It is actuated by a system of five macro-scale electromagnets. By using electromagnets to control the robot, the surface on which the robot operates need not be specialized, smooth, patterned, nor conductive. Two control methods, both based on periodic excitation of the robot, are attempted and compared. Controllable motion at speeds in excess of 2.8 mm/s, approximately 11 body lengths per second, is demonstrated. Teleoperated motion in two dimensions is shown, and the assembly of micro-particles is demonstrated underwater. Potential future applications include micro-scale manipulation, fabrication, and assembly of micro-systems.
Balloon Compression as Treatment for Refractory Vaginal Hemorrhage

Severe vaginal hemorrhage is a rare presenting condition but serious life threat in the emergency department (ED). Initial management has historically been limited to vaginal packing, fluid resuscitation, and emergency surgical intervention. An alternative approach to therapy is presented that can be effectively deployed in the ED. In the present case, balloon compression of the vaginal mucosa was successful in arresting life-threatening hemorrhage. The patient survived subsequent hemodynamic stabilization and surgical intervention and was ultimately discharged home.
Epitactic Nucleation of Spinel in Aluminosilicate Gels and Its Effect on Mullite Crystallization

Control over the structure of hybrid (colloidal + molecular) aluminosilicate gels was utilized to demonstrate that precursor chemistry has a direct and controllable effect on the ∼1000°C crystallization of spinel and mullite in molecular precursor systems. Synthesis or preparation conditions leading to the development of a cubic, transition alumina result in the epitactic nucleation of spinel at ∼1000°C in gels that otherwise crystallize directly to mullite at ∼1000°C. Thus, the preference for spinel nucleation in gels derived from solution precursor systems whose chemistries promote formation of transition alumina readily explains the reported inability to obtain substantial mullite yields at ∼1000°C. Isothermal transformation kinetics of colloidal and hybrid gels show that in the absence of direct mullite formation at ∼1000°C, the release of alumina from the spinel-type crystal structure becomes the rate-controlling step in the transformation. This necessitates higher temperatures for mullite formation and limits the kinetic enhancement possible with extrinsic increases in mullite nucleation frequency.