cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of changes in β-tubulin and NF gene expression in rat DRG neurons under regeneration-permissive and regeneration-prohibitive conditions

To examine the question of whether or not prevention of axonal regrowth after injury affects the molecular responses of neurons to axotomy, Northern blotting and in situ hybridization were used to study changes in the mRNA levels of neurofilament (NF) proteins and tubulins in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells. Adult male rats sustained either a crush lesion of the mid-sciatic nerve (regeneration-permissive condition) or a cut lesion of the sciatic nerve combined with ligation of the proximal nerve stump and removal of a large segment of the distal nerve (regeneration-prohibitive condition). At 14 days post-injury, the relative levels of the low (NF-L) and middle (NF-M) molecular weight NF protein mRNAs, as well as those of beta II- and beta III-tubulin, were examined in the L4 and L5 DRG. The data showed that the levels of NF-L and NF-M mRNAs decreased while beta II- and beta III-tubulin mRNA levels increased in the DRG after either crush axotomy or cut/ligation axotomy of the sciatic nerve, suggesting that the elicitation of these molecular changes by axon disconnection is independent of the ultimate success or failure of the axonal regrowth process. However, cut/ligation axotomy had a more pronounced effect than did crush injury on the mRNA changes. This result suggests that feedback mechanisms from regrowing axons are important in regulating the extent of the cytoskeletal mRNA changes in injured neurons.
Azaarenes in Puget sound sediments

The first quantitative measurements of azaarenes in marine sediments are reported for Puget Sound, in northwestern Washington State, U.S.A. Two- to four-ring azaarenes, in concentrations as low as 50 ppb (relative to organic carbon), are measured in 210Pb dated sediments using glass capillary gas chromatography combined with nitrogen-selective detection. Azaarene distributions are geographically and temporally variable. Azaarene distributions in upper sediment layers suggest that total azaarene concentrations are related to proximity to urban areas, and may be anthropogenically derived. Subsurface maxima between 6 and 17 cm in several cores resemble similar maxima in PAH and organo-sulfur compounds. Trace quantities of azaarenes present in sediments, deposited prior to urbanization of the Puget Sound region, suggest low-level natural azaarene sources. One core containing particulate coal produced a concentrated and complex azaarene mixture, suggesting either introduction of mined coal or erosion of regional coal deposits. Analyses of possible azaarene sources indicate that although azaarene compositions vary between sources, coal azaarenes can be distinguished from petroleum azaarenes by their ratios of 2-ring to 3-ring azaarenes, and may identify predominant azaarene inputs in environmental samples. Gross differences in azaarene composition exist between European and American air particulates and sediments, suggesting differences in azaarene sources.
Venous graft repair following brachial artery thrombosis in a neonate

A case of venous graft repair to recover blood flow of a newborn's upper extremity, is described. Eventhough this complication remains uncommon, we emphasize on to avoid brachial artery for vascular monitorization and to perform microsurgical revision as elective procedure if conservative therapy is unsuccessful.
Alcoholysis of tri-tert-butylgallium: synthesis and structural characterization of [(But)2Ga(μ-OR)]2

Abstract Compounds of the type [(But)2Ga(μ-OR)]2, where R = Me (1), Et (2), Prn (3), Pri (4), Bun (5), Bui (6), Bus (7), But (8), n-C5H11 (9), CH2CH2Pri (10), C(H)Et2 (11), CH2But (12), n-C6H13 (13), cyclo-C6H13 (14), Ph (15), CH2Ph (16), have been synthesized and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR and IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. All the compounds are dimeric. The molecular structure of compounds 1, 3, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 15 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The geometry of the Ga2O2 core is found to be independent of the substituents at oxygen, but steric interactions with the gallium-tert-butyl groups do modify the conformation adopted by the alkoxide group. The crystal packing of [(But)2Ga(μ-OR)]2 for substituents with carbon chains of five or lower is dependent on the packing of the organometallic [(But)2Ga(μ-O)2Ga(But)2] core, while for longer carbon chains the amphiphilic inter-molecular interactions dominate the packing
The creeping motion of immiscible drops through a converging;diverging tube

Results of experiments on the low-Reynolds-number flow of liquid drops through a horizontal circular tube with a diameter that varies sinusoidally with axial position are reported. Measurements of the contribution of the drop to the local pressure gradient and the relative velocity of the drop are correlated with the time-dependent drop shape. Both Newtonian and viscoelastic suspending fluids are considered. The viscosity ratio, volumetric flow rate and drop size are varied in the experiment, and both neutrally buoyant and non-neutrally buoyant drops are studied. Comparison with previous results for a straight-wall tube shows that the influence of the tube boundary geometry on the drop shape is substantial, but the qualitative effect of the tube shape depends strongly on the relative importance of viscous forces compared to interfacial tension for the particular experiment. For Newtonian fluids, two modes of drop breakup, which are distinguished by the magnitude of the viscosity ratio, are observed. When the suspending fluid is viscoelastic, both shear-thinning and time-dependent rheological effects are present.
Comparisons between in vitro glial cell adherence and internalization of non-encapsulated and encapsulated strains of Cryptococcus neoformans

The adherence of non-encapsulated and encapsulated strains of Cryptococcus neoformans to rat glial cells in culture was compared. Like the encapsulated strain, the adherence of the unencapsulated strain was affected by the yeast culture age and growth temperature. Yeasts grown to late stationary phase at 37 degrees C were the most adherent. Neither encapsulated nor non-encapsulated strains adhered to glial monolayers when the experiments were conducted at 5 degrees C, indicating that metabolically active mammalian cells were required for yeast adherence. Additionally, the non-encapsulated strain was consistently three times more adherent than the encapsulated strain, suggesting that the non-encapsulated strain either had more adhesins or more adhesins were exposed. Electron microscope studies indicated that both strains were internalized by glial cells, an event previously not reported for this mammalian cell type. The same carbohydrates (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, sucrose and inositol) that inhibited adherence of the encapsulated strain the most, also inhibited adherence of the non-encapsulated strain, again indicating similar adhesin mechanisms. Both encapsulated and non-encapsulated strains were made non-adherent by treatment with pronase, papain, trypsin and amylase. Immobilized amylase appeared to remove an adhesin fragment that bound to glial cells and inhibited the adherence of intact cryptococci.
The Auroral Display of July 7

A VERY unusual auroral display was observed from our north woods camp on Big Sauble Point on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan at 9.45 P.M. Central Standard Time, July 7.
Ionization suppression of Stark states in intense laser fields.

We have observed suppression of ionization in Rydberg atoms irradiated by an intense short-pulse laser field. We find that single-photon ionization of the outer electron in a Ba 6snk Stark state can be severely suppressed relative to high-order (\ensuremath{\ge}3 photon) nonresonant multiphoton ionization of the tightly bound 6s core electron. This population trapping occurs in intense short laser pulses, where the bandwidth of the ionizing laser is greater than the spacings between adjacent Stark states, and may be due to a substantial modification of the initial Stark state via stimulated Raman processes through the continuum. The ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{+\mathrm{*}}$ ion should be left in a higly excited superposition state, or wave packet.
On the Vibration of Coupled Traveling String and Air Bearing Systems

Air bearings are used to position and guide such axially-moving materials as high speed magnetic tapes, paper sheets, and webs. In each case, vibration of the moving medium couples with the air bearing's dynamics, and techniques are developed here to reduce the computational effort that is required to predict the natural frequencies, damping ratios, and vibration modes of the prototypical traveling string and self-pressurized air bearing model. Automatic nodal point allocation reduces the number of nonlinear equations that arise in finding the equilibrium string displacement and air pressure, and in subsequent vibration analysis, the response is obtained in closed form by using the Green's function for the traveling string. Global discretization of the air pressure alone then yields a matrix eigenvalue problem which is simpler than that obtained through previous methods which required discretization of both displacement and pressure. Overall, essentially a five-fold increase in computational speed is achieved, thus facilitating design and parameter studies. Changes in the natural frequencies, damping ratios, and coupled displacement-pressure mode shapes with respect to several design variables are discussed and compared with experiments.
Study of ureidosuccinic acid and related compounds in pyrimidine synthesis by Lactobacillus bulgaricus 09.

SummaryA number of ureides were tested for orotic acid-like activity using L. bulgaricus 09. Ureidosuccinic acid, the only compound that could be visualized to yield a substituted pyrimidine ring by cyclization, was the only ureide with significant activity.
In vitro culture of ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

The successful culturing and subculturing of ascites tumor cells for 80 odd days are described, as well as the growth pattern of these cells during this period. The cytological appearance of cells after 3 weeks in tissue culture and reinoculation into mice is also presented.
MID-ARM CIRCUMFERENCE/HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE RATIO (MAC/HC) AS AN F PROTEIN-CALORIE DEPRIVATION IN PRETERM INFANTS

MAC/HC has been a useful anthropometric measure of malnutrition in older infants. Since standards have not been established for term or preterm neonates, we measured MAC/HC on day 3 of life in 104 term and 100 preterm infants (EGA 37.5-43 and 26-37 wks). A strong correlation between increasing gestational age and MAC/HC was found defining a standard curve y=.0056x + .066 (r=.85;p <.001). The MAC/HC of 25 preterm infants was then determined at 1 week intervals for 6±3 weeks (avg±SD). All infants were AGA, without hydrocephalus by ultrasound. 88% (22/25) of infants demonstrated a decrease in the MAC/HC during the first week postnatally and then fell to values below -2SD from the curve. By hospital discharge, 23/25 regained their birth HC percentile, but only 5 infants regained birth MAC/HC percentile. The mean caloric and protein intakes were significantly lower during weeks when MAC/HC decreased than when it increased (mean age at increase 2.9±1.1 wks). Caloric intake: 76±28 vs 104±24 Kcal/kg/d; p <.001; protein intake: 1.75±.8 vs 2.5±.8 gm/kg/d;p < .001. CONCLUSIONS: 1) The MAC/HC increases with gestational age. 2) Preterm infants fall off the standard curve on the basis of protein-calorie deprivation. 3) HC returns to its original percentile before MAC/HC demonstrating head-sparing at the expense of body mass in preterm infants. 4) Preterm infants remain below the MAC/HC standard curve at discharge despite presumably adequate weight gain and protein and calorie intake.
Construction of pathways to promote axon growth within the adult central nervous system.

Inducing significant axon growth or regeneration after spinal cord injury has been difficult, primarily due to the poor growth supportive environment and low intrinsic growth ability of neurons within the CNS. Neurotrophins alone have been shown to readily induce regeneration of sensory axons after dorsal root lesions, however if neurotrophin gradients are expressed within the spinal cord these axons fail to terminate within appropriate target regions. Under such conditions, addition of a “stop” signal reduces growth into deeper dorsal laminae to support more specific targeting. Such neurotrophin gradients alone lose their effectiveness when lesions are within the spinal cord, requiring a combined treatment regime. Construction of pathways using combined treatments support good regeneration when they increase the intrinsic growth properties of neurons, provide a bridge across the lesion site, and supply a growth supportive substrate to induce axon growth out of the bridge and back into the host. Neurotrophin gradients distal to the bridge greatly enhance axon outgrowth. In disorders where neuronal circuits are lost, construction of preformed growth supportive pathways sustain long distance axon growth from a neuronal transplant to distal target locations.
Effects of telencephalic ablation upon nest-building and avoidance behaviors in East African mouthbreeding fish, Tilapia mossambica.

Decerebrated and sham-operated male fish's nest-digging activity was compared pre- and post-operatively; ablation markedly reduced the nest-digging activity. These results on T. mossambica taken together with earlier researches on T. macrocephala indicate that extensive forebrain ablation depresses all reproductive-cycle behaviors regardless of their closeness to spawning. The same fish were also compared in their postoperative acquisition of an instrumental avoidance response; again, ablation markedly impaired avoidance-learning ability, increasing the observed species generality of this ablation produced deficit. Comparisons from both experiments failed to show any high degree of concordance among extent of ablation, reduction in nest-digging, and impairment of avoidance learning.
Evaluation of Adding Distance Information to Freeway-Specific Service (Logo) Signs

Specific service (or logo) signs provide information on attractions, camping, lodging, food, and gas services on the mainline of limited-access highways in advance of the interchange that provides access to the services. At present, to ascertain the distance to a particular establishment, motorists depart from the mainline and read the distance on the logo signs on the ramps. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness or usefulness of adding distance information on mainline logo signs. A pilot study of adding distance information on mainline logo signs at three interchanges in Virginia was conducted. The Virginia Department of Transportation requested permission to experiment with these signs and the Federal Highway Administration granted the permission. The study examined legibility, motorist opinions, and crash history related to adding the distance information. The results of the study indicated that the legibility distance for the added information on the mainline logo signs was adeq...
The role of national culture on Mexican staffing practices

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of national cultural dimensions on staffing practices in Mexico – a major player in Latin America. US multinationals are increasing their presence in Mexico and staffing practices seem to be a great challenge.Design/methodology/approach – This conceptual paper uses the national cultural dimensions of the GLOBE project, which is identified as the most topical theoretical framework on culture. The national cultural scores are used to develop hypotheses for specific cultural dimensions of power distance, uncertainty‐avoidance, in‐group collectivism, gender egalitarianism, and performance‐orientation. Examples from the literature are also used to strengthen the proposed hypotheses.Findings – This research identifies staffing practices such as internal recruitment, personal references, succession planning, psychometric tests, and elaborate bio‐data associated with these cultural dimensions. Also, certain staffing practices, such as e‐recruitment and pa...
Molecular characterization of biodegradable natural resin acid-substituted polycaprolactone

Abstract Renewable resin acid-substituted polycaprolactone is prepared for characterization of physical properties of polymers. Six samples of dehydroabietic acid-substituted polycaprolactone (PCL-g-DAPE) with various molecular weight were synthesized by a combination of ring-opening polymerization and click chemistry. These polymers were characterized by on-line two angle light scattering and differential pressure viscosity. The values of dn/dc, average molecular weight, intrinsic viscosity, hydrodynamic radius, and radius of gyration were determined. Mark-Houwink double logarithmic relations of intrinsic viscosity and weight average molecular weight as well as Stockmayer–Fixman plots were established to scale the dimensions and conformation of PCL-g-DAPE chains related to their molar mass. The results indicated that PCL-g-DAPE is a flexible-coil polymer, similar to poly(methyl acrylate). Such properties were somewhat unexpected, considering the bulky group in the polymer side chains.
Interactions of a propeller with a stator-induced circumferentially varying flow

The interactions of a circumferentially varying stator cascade and a downstream fixed pitch propeller were investigated experimentally. The global performance of the components and the coupled system were systematically investigated through force and moment measurements on the propulsor model in a water tunnel. In addition, the wake of the cyclic stator cascade with and without the propeller was investigated downstream from a propulsor model using the Stereoscopic PIV technique. A cyclic distribution of the stators’ deflections resulted in non-axisymmetric distributions of the flow field downstream of the stator array. The stator distribution alone produced a significant side force that increased linearly with stator pitch amplitude. When a propeller was incorporated downstream from the cyclic cascade, the side force from the stator cascade was reduced, but a small normal force and pitching moment were created. The generation of these secondary forces and moments can be related to the redistribution of the tangential flow from the cyclic cascade into the axial direction by the retreating and advancing blade states of the fixed pitch propeller.
A $\hbox{Pb}(\hbox{Zr}_{0.55}\hbox{Ti}_{0.45}) \hbox{O}_{3}$ -Transduced Fully Differential Mechanically Coupled Frequency Agile Filter

This letter reports on the performances of a frequency-tunable lead-zirconate-titanate-transduced fully differential mechanically coupled high-overtone width-extensional filter. The demonstrated electric field tuning provides channel agility and bandwidth adjustability for the incorporation of analog spectral processors in modern radio receiver architectures. We designed and experimentally characterized the higher overtone frequency response of a fully differential width-extensional filter. The filter demonstrates a center frequency (fC) tuning range of 7 MHz at 260 MHz and an adjustable bandwidth from 3 to 6.3 MHz while maintaining a maximum frequency shift due to hysteresis effects below 0.14% and a stopband rejection floor of -60 dB.
Towards realizing self-protecting SCADA systems

SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems are prime cyber attack targets due to potential impacts on properties, economies, and human lives. Current security solutions, such as firewalls, access controls, and intrusion detection and response systems, can protect SCADA systems from cyber assaults (e.g., denial of service attacks, SQL injection attacks, and spoofing attacks), but they are far from perfect. A new technology is emerging to enable self-protection in SCADA systems. Self-protecting SCADA systems are typically an integration of system behavior monitoring, attack estimation and prevention, known and unknown attack detection, live forensics analysis, and system behavior regulation with appropriate responses. This paper first discusses the key components of a self-protecting SCADA system and then surveys the state-of-the-art research and techniques to the realization of such systems.
Putting the Laboratory at the Center of Teaching Chemistry.

This article describes an effective approach to teaching chemistry by bringing the laboratory to the center of teaching, to bring the excitement of discovery to the learning process. The lectures and laboratories are closely integrated to provide a holistic learning experience. The laboratories progress from verification to open-inquiry and culminate in an independent lab project. The lectures are presented in an interactive format that invites students to be actively involved in the learning process. The effectiveness of this method from students’ perspective is also presented.
Individualized Brain Inhibition and Excitation Profile in Response to Paired-Pulse TMS

ABSTRACT Short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF) are generated from paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulations (ppTMS) using certain interstimulus intervals (ISIs). ppTMS provides an accessible technique to evaluate inhibitory and facilitatory motor neural circuits. However, SICI and ICF are highly variable such that individual variability is not captured by any one static ISI. The authors hypothesized that individuals may have individualized and relatively stable pattern of SICI-ICF profiles. They tested SICI and ICF profiles using ISIs from 1 to 500 ms, on 2 occasions about 3 weeks apart, and the test-retest reliability, in 23 healthy controls. Moderate-to-good test-retest reliabilities were found at ppTMS with 1 and 3 ms ISIs (SICI) and with 12, 15, 18, and 21 ms ISIs (ICF), but not with other control ISIs. A similar pattern of results was obtained for men and women. Interestingly, the peak facilitation, peak inhibition, and maximum inhibition and facili...
The use of a lightly preserved cadaver and full thickness pig skin to teach technical skills on the surgery clerkship--a response to the economic pressures facing academic medicine today.

Abstract Background In response to declining instruction in technical skills, the authors instituted a novel method to teach basic procedural skills to medical students beginning the surgery clerkship. Methods Sixty-three medical students participated in a skills training laboratory. The first part of the laboratory taught basic suturing skills, and the second involved a cadaver with pig skin grafted to different anatomic locations. Clinical scenarios were simulated, and students performed essential procedural skills. Results Students learned most of their suturing skills in the laboratory skills sessions, compared with the emergency room or the operating room ( P = .01). Students reported that the laboratory allowed them greater opportunity to participate in the emergency room and operating room. Students also felt that the suture laboratory contributed greatly to their skills in wound closure. Finally, 90% of students had never received instruction on suturing, and only 12% had performed any procedural skills before beginning the surgery rotation. Conclusions The laboratory described is an effective way of insuring that necessary technical skills are imparted during the surgery rotation.
Large, solution-processable graphene quantum dots as light absorbers for photovoltaics.

Graphenes have very attractive properties for photovoltaics. Their tunable bandgap and large optical absorptivity are desirable for efficient light harvesting. Their electronic levels and interfacing with other materials for charge transfer processes can both be tuned with well-developed carbon chemistry. Graphenes have also been shown to have very large charge mobilities, which could be useful for charge collection in solar cells. In addition, they consist of elements abundant on Earth and are environmentally friendly. However, these important properties have not been taken advantage of because graphenes that are large enough to be useful for photovoltaics have extremely poor solubility and have a strong tendency to aggregate into graphite. Here we present a novel solubilization strategy for large graphene nanostructures. It has enabled us to synthesize solution-processable, black graphene quantum dots with uniform size through solution chemistry, and we show that they can be used as sensitizers for sola...
Temporary atrioventricular conduction disturbance associated with ingestion of Veratrum viride.

Abstract A case is described in which the ingestion of veratrum viride, in an attempt to lower the blood pressure, apparently produced definite electrocardiographic conduction disturbances, namely downward wandering of the cardiac pacemaker from the sinus node into the right bundle of His, producing a pseudo-left bundle branch block. The physiologic mechanisms are discussed, and it is suggested that this disturbance may be found in others who take veratrum to lower blood pressure and may be useful in detection of its unacknowledged use.
The Contextualized Technology Adaptation Process (CTAP): Optimizing Health Information Technology to Improve Mental Health Systems

Health information technologies have become a central fixture in the mental healthcare landscape, but few frameworks exist to guide their adaptation to novel settings. This paper introduces the contextualized technology adaptation process (CTAP) and presents data collected during Phase 1 of its application to measurement feedback system development in school mental health. The CTAP is built on models of human-centered design and implementation science and incorporates repeated mixed methods assessments to guide the design of technologies to ensure high compatibility with a destination setting. CTAP phases include: (1) Contextual evaluation, (2) Evaluation of the unadapted technology, (3) Trialing and evaluation of the adapted technology, (4) Refinement and larger-scale implementation, and (5) Sustainment through ongoing evaluation and system revision. Qualitative findings from school-based practitioner focus groups are presented, which provided information for CTAP Phase 1, contextual evaluation, surrounding education sector clinicians’ workflows, types of technologies currently available, and influences on technology use. Discussion focuses on how findings will inform subsequent CTAP phases, as well as their implications for future technology adaptation across content domains and service sectors.
Microstructural Characterization of Multiphase Coatings Produced By Chemical Vapor Deposition

Chemical vapor deposition has been utilized to produce ternary, multiphase coatings of various compositions of silicon carbide (SiC) with Ti, Cr, and Mo. Thermodynamic calculations have been performed for a variety of experimental conditions in each system. Scanning, transmission and analytical electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques have been used to characterize the microstructures and to determine compositions.
Tomographic reconstruction of dynamic objects

In this paper, we propose a unified variational framework for tomographic reconstruction of 3-D dynamic objects. We use a geometric scene model, where the scene is assumed to be composed of discrete objects captured by their continuous surface boundaries. Object dynamics are modeled as consisting of separate intensity dynamics and object boundary dynamics. The shape dynamics are incorporated into our variational framework by defining a new distance measure between surfaces based on their signed distance functions, which is an extension of our previous definition of distance between curves. These models are then combined in a unified variational framework which incorporates the observation data, shape and intensity dynamics, and prior information on object spatial smoothness. The object surface and intensity sequences are estimated jointly as the minimizer of the resulting energy function. A coordinate descent algorithm based on surface evolution is developed to solve this nonlinear optimization problem. Efficient level set methods are used to implement the algorithm. This approach evolves the surfaces from their initial position to the final solution and handles topological uncertainties automatically.
Application of D-C machines to oil-weil drilling

BECAUSE OF their flexibility, portability, and ease of operation, diesel-electric units are particularly well suited as power plants for drillings rigs. The diesel engine has long been recognized for its efficiency, reliability, and economy of operation. In many cases, the diesel engine has all but replaced other types of prime movers.
Historic land use influences contemporary establishment of invasive plant species

The legacy of agricultural land use can have widespread and persistent effects on contemporary landscapes. Although agriculture can lead to persistent changes in soil characteristics and plant communities, it remains unclear whether historic agricultural land use can alter the likelihood of contemporary biological invasions. To understand how agricultural land-use history might interact with well-known drivers of invasion, we conducted factorial manipulations of soil disturbance and resource additions within non-agricultural remnant sites and post-agricultural sites invaded by two non-native Lespedeza species. Our results reveal that variation in invader success can depend on the interplay of historic land use and contemporary processes: for both Lespedeza species, establishment was greater in remnant sites, but soil disturbance enhanced establishment irrespective of land-use history, demonstrating that contemporary processes can help to overcome legacy constraints on invader success. In contrast, additions of resources known to facilitate seedling recruitment (N and water) reduced invader establishment in post-agricultural but not in remnant sites, providing evidence that interactions between historic and contemporary processes can also limit invader success. Our findings thus illustrate that a consideration of historic land use may help to clarify the often contingent responses of invasive plants to known determinants of invasibility. Moreover, in finding significantly greater soil compaction at post-agricultural sites, our study provides a putative mechanism for historic land-use effects on contemporary invasive plant establishment. Our work suggests that an understanding of invasion dynamics requires knowledge of anthropogenic events that often occur decades before the introduction of invasive propagules.
Distinct and Atypical Intrinsic and Extrinsic Cell Death Pathways between Photoreceptor Cell Types upon Specific Ablation of Ranbp2 in Cone Photoreceptors

Non-autonomous cell-death is a cardinal feature of the disintegration of neural networks in neurodegenerative diseases, but the molecular bases of this process are poorly understood. The neural retina comprises a mosaic of rod and cone photoreceptors. Cone and rod photoreceptors degenerate upon rod-specific expression of heterogeneous mutations in functionally distinct genes, whereas cone-specific mutations are thought to cause only cone demise. Here we show that conditional ablation in cone photoreceptors of Ran-binding protein-2 (Ranbp2), a cell context-dependent pleiotropic protein linked to neuroprotection, familial necrotic encephalopathies, acute transverse myelitis and tumor-suppression, promotes early electrophysiological deficits, subcellular erosive destruction and non-apoptotic death of cones, whereas rod photoreceptors undergo cone-dependent non-autonomous apoptosis. Cone-specific Ranbp2 ablation causes the temporal activation of a cone-intrinsic molecular cascade highlighted by the early activation of metalloproteinase 11/stromelysin-3 and up-regulation of Crx and CoREST, followed by the down-modulation of cone-specific phototransduction genes, transient up-regulation of regulatory/survival genes and activation of caspase-7 without apoptosis. Conversely, PARP1+-apoptotic rods develop upon sequential activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 and loss of membrane permeability. Rod photoreceptor demise ceases upon cone degeneration. These findings reveal novel roles of Ranbp2 in the modulation of intrinsic and extrinsic cell death mechanisms and pathways. They also unveil a novel spatiotemporal paradigm of progression of neurodegeneration upon cell-specific genetic damage whereby a cone to rod non-autonomous death pathway with intrinsically distinct cell-type death manifestations is triggered by cell-specific loss of Ranbp2. Finally, this study casts new light onto cell-death mechanisms that may be shared by human dystrophies with distinct retinal spatial signatures as well as with other etiologically distinct neurodegenerative disorders.
α-Ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex may be heterogeneous in quaternary structure

The quaternary structure of the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (KGDC) from Escherichia coli has been investigated by electron microscopy. KGDC consists of an octahedral cube-shaped structural core, lipoyl transsuccinylase (E2), to which 12 polypeptide chains each of alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (E1) and dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (E3) are non-covalently bound. The analysis was greatly simplified by analyzing subcomplexes of KGDC prepared by assembly of the purified component enzymes in vitro; the subcomplexes consisted of the E2 component to which only a few E1 or E3 subunits were attached. We find that both the E1 and E3 bind on the surface of the E2 molecule approximately midway between the 4-fold and 2-fold symmetry axes of E2. There are 24 such positions per E2 molecule but, based upon the observed stoichiometries of the component enzymes, it is clear that at least half of these sites are unoccupied in KGDC. If KGDC possesses symmetry, then a mechanism must exist for selecting a symmetrically distributed subset of the potential binding sites for the E1 and E3. However, analysis of images of subcomplexes in which two E1 or E3 subunits are present suggests that binding to the E2 occurs through random selection of the potential binding sites. If native KGDC is assembled by such a mechanism, then KGDC would not have a unique quaternary structure, but instead would consist of a family of structural isomers having up to approximately 125,000 members. Consideration of independent structural and biochemical data regarding the mechanism of action of the E2 indicates that the kind of structural heterogeneity being proposed is consistent with a functional KGDC.
The colour preservation and photography of gross specimens

An article on the preservation and photography of gross specimens written by this writer more than 20 years ago and published in the Journal of the Biological Photographic Association has been gene...
Lower tropospheric levels and fate of airborne 132Te

Abstract Large releases of radiotellurium can be injected into the atmosphere from nuclear weapons tests and postulated nuclear power plant accidents. During January–June of 1976 an initial monitoring program was operated in eastern Washington to determine the environmental airborne levels of 132 Te as well as its physical, chemical and washout characteristics. In addition to intermittent snow analyses, weekly air samples were collected with a three stage, differential sampler. These samples were routinely analyzed for 132 Te by wet chemical separation followed by low level beta counting. The 132 Te detected in the ambient samples ranged from below the analytical detection limit to 21.20 pCim −3 . Possible sources of 132 Te, the meteorological conditions giving rise to 132 Te contamination, and 132 Te behavior in the environment are explored in this article.
Visual Field Defects in Patients With Normal-tension Glaucoma and Patients With High-tension Glaucoma

We compared the automated visual field test results of 24 patients with normal-tension glaucoma and 24 patients with high-tension glaucoma who were closely matched for the amount of visual field loss to determine any differences in the characteristics of visual field defects between the two groups. Patients were matched with a maximum allowable difference in mean deviation of 0.3 dB. Although the normal-tension group had a greater amount of focal visual field loss (pattern standard deviation), the difference was not statistically significant (P = .628). Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference in the amount of diffuse or focal visual field damage in the superior hemifields between the two groups; however, the patients with normal-tension glaucoma had a significantly greater amount of localized visual field loss in the inferior hemifield than the patients with high-tension glaucoma (P = .015). Our data support the hypothesis that a vascular mechanism may have a greater role in the pathogenesis of optic nerve damage and visual field loss in patients with normal-tension glaucoma than in patients with high-tension glaucoma.
Charge transfer interaction in the effective fragment potential method

An approximate formula is derived and implemented in the general effective fragment potential (EFP2) method to model the intermolecular charge transfer interaction. This formula is based on second order intermolecular perturbation theory and utilizes canonical molecular orbitals and Fock matrices obtained with preparative self-consistent field calculations. It predicts charge transfer energies that are in reasonable agreement with the reduced variational space energy decomposition analysis. The formulas for the charge transfer gradients with respect to EFP translational and rotational displacements are also derived and implemented.
Δ-Maximal topologies for some cardinal functions

Abstract In this paper we introduce the concept of Δ-maximal topologies and characterize Δ-maximal topological spaces for a class of topological properties which include the cardinal functions κ-dense, Sanin, Caliber-κ, and the countable chain condition. In addition special consideration is given to the existence of Δ-maximal κ-dense spaces which are finer than a given κ-dense topology and also investigated are the existence of Δ-maximal second countable spaces.
Specific and stable intron-factor interactions are established early during in vitro pre-mRNA splicing

Abstract Biochemical components (splicing factors) interact with specific intron regions during pre-mRNA splicing in vitro. The pre-mRNA specifically associates with factors at both the branch point and the 5′ splice site and these RNA-factor interactions are maintained in the intron-containing RNA processing products. The first detectable event, the ATP-dependent association of a factor (or factors) with the branch point, is mediated by at least one factor containing an essential nucleic acid component. Mutant RNA substrates that lack either the 5′ splice site or the vast majority of exon sequences can still associate with the branch point binding factor(s). However, this branch point-factor interaction does not occur with a mutant RNA substrate that contains the branch point but that lacks the 3′ splice site consensus sequence. These results suggest that selection of the 3′ splice site accompanied by the association of a factor with the branch point may be the initial step in mammalian pre-mRNA splicing.
Feasibility of quantitative lung perfusion by 4D CT imaging by a new dynamic-scanning protocol in an animal model

The purpose of this study is to test a new dynamic Perfusion-CT imaging protocol in an animal model and investigate the feasibility of quantifying perfusion of lung parenchyma to perform functional analysis from 4D CT image data. A novel perfusion-CT protocol was designed with 25 scanning time points: the first at baseline and 24 scans after a bolus injection of contrast material. Post-contrast CT scanning images were acquired with a high sampling rate before the first blood recirculation and then a relatively low sampling rate until 10 minutes after administrating contrast agent. Lower radiation techniques were used to keep the radiation dose to an acceptable level. 2 Yorkshire swine with pulmonary emboli underwent this perfusion- CT protocol at suspended end inspiration. The software tools were designed to measure the quantitative perfusion parameters (perfusion, permeability, relative blood volume, blood flow, wash-in & wash-out enhancement) of voxel or interesting area of lung. The perfusion values were calculated for further lung functional analysis and presented visually as contrast enhancement maps for the volume being examined. The results show increased CT temporal sampling rate provides the feasibility of quantifying lung function and evaluating the pulmonary emboli. Differences between areas with known perfusion defects and those without perfusion defects were observed. In conclusion, the techniques to calculate the lung perfusion on animal model have potential application in human lung functional analysis such as evaluation of functional effects of pulmonary embolism. With further study, these techniques might be applicable in human lung parenchyma characterization and possibly for lung nodule characterization.
DARPP-32 (dopamine and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein, Mr 32,000) is a membrane protein in the bovine parathyroid

A distinct form of DARPP-32, a protein phosphatase-1 inhibitor, has been identified in bovine calf parathyroid glands. Immunoblot analysis of parathyroid tissue revealed a 32 kDa protein present predominantly in a particulate fraction; it remained particulate after treatment with 1.0 M NaCl or 0.1 M Na2CO3. Metabolic labeling of parathyroid cells with mevalonolactone demonstrated that DARPP-32 is isoprenylated. Immunocytochemical localization studies demonstrated that DARPP-32 is present in vesicles throughout the cytoplasm of parathyroid cells, and that protein phosphatase-1γ is concentrated in the region of the plasma membrane. Thus, in contrast to the predominately soluble form of DARPP-32 that has been characterized in selected areas of the central nervous system, the parathyroid form is tightly associated with intracellular membranes.
Regional and local influences on the nature of airborne particulate organic matter at four sites in New Jersey during summer 1981

Abstract As part of the New Jersey Project on Airborne Toxic Elements and Organic Substances, daily variations in the concentrations of three fractions of extractable organic matter (EOM) in samples of inhalable particulate matter were investigated at three urban sites and one rural site in New Jersey. During three episodes of elevated concentrations of airborne particulate matter, SO 2− 4 and O 3 , the concentrations of EOM increased by 50–100 % at all sites. Lower ratios of elemental to organic carbon and higher proportions of the acetone-soluble organic fraction of EOM, which contains more polar, oxidized hydrocarbons, were also observed at all sites during these episodes, indicating the formation of secondary particulate organic matter. Local emissions plus Northeast regional background organic aerosol were estimated to contribute about 10μg m −3 to the total EOM at the urban sites during these periods. The contribution of secondary organic aerosol to EOM was estimated to be 2 μg m −3 and this seemed to be distributed over the New Jersey region. At the Newark site, an additional 4μg m −3 of secondary aerosol appeared to be locally generated.
Two MAPK-signaling pathways are required for mitophagy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Macroautophagy (hereafter referred to simply as autophagy) is a catabolic pathway that mediates the degradation of long-lived proteins and organelles in eukaryotic cells. The regulation of mitochondrial degradation through autophagy plays an essential role in the maintenance and quality control of this organelle. Compared with our understanding of the essential function of mitochondria in many aspects of cellular metabolism such as energy production and of the role of dysfunctional mitochondria in cell death, little is known regarding their degradation and especially how upstream signaling pathways control this process. Here, we report that two mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), Slt2 and Hog1, are required for mitophagy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Slt2 is required for the degradation of both mitochondria and peroxisomes (via pexophagy), whereas Hog1 functions specifically in mitophagy. Slt2 also affects the recruitment of mitochondria to the phagophore assembly site (PAS), a critical step in the packaging of cargo for selective degradation.
Factors affecting autopsy rates, autopsy request rates, and autopsy findings at a large academic medical center.

Autopsy rates continue to decline in the United States. To assess the impact of various objective factors (time of death, day of death, age at death, patient gender, clinical service, and length of hospital stay) on the autopsy request rate, autopsy rate, successful request rate, and percentage of cases in which the autopsy examination added to or altered the clinical assessment of the patient, we prospectively studied all hospital deaths at a major academic medical center for the 3-year period from 1996 through 1998. The autopsy rate decreases significantly with patient age, both because of a decreasing request rate and because family members are less likely to grant permission. An autopsy is less likely to be requested for deaths in the emergency department or on general surgery services and most likely to be requested for fetal, medicine, cardiothoracic surgery, and pediatric deaths. Families more commonly grant permission for autopsy on fetal deaths, pediatric deaths, and emergency department deaths. Forty percent of autopsies reveal significant information about the patient's death beyond what was known premortem. This is least frequent among the fetal deaths, but relatively constant for adults of all ages. Patients who die in the emergency department are most likely to have significant unexpected findings at autopsy. Increasing the request rate for adult patients who die in the emergency department and on the medicine services will result in the greatest increase in information learned from autopsy.
Future semiconductor workforce preparation based on Learning by Doing using Microelectronics Teaching Factory at Arizona State University East

The traditional practice of the semiconductor industry has been to provide in-house hands on training to their newly hired employees (includes operators, technicians and engineers) with basic skills. The Microelectronics Teaching Factory (MTF) at Arizona State University East (ASU East) has taken up the challenge to be of assistance to the Industry by providing work ready graduates who can make an economic contribution immediately after graduation leveraging the experience gained through learning by doing in the classroom. The education effort that is underway in the MTF is fully supported and guided by an active local Semiconductor Industry Advisory Board. In this paper, we describe the installation of a toxic gas monitor in the ASU East MTF clean room facility as an example of a typical student project that encompasses the philosophy of learning by doing.
Computational structural genomics: identifying protein targets for structural studies

explosion of available gene sequences and advances in the methods for determining protein structures have motivated structural genomics efforts to determine all the different types of protein structures existing in nature in order to infer protein molecular functions. Since solving a structure is time-consuming and expensive, choosing the right targets for structural studies becomes important. The focus of this work is the comprehensive evaluation of potential targets for maximizing the chances of solving new folds with a minimum number of experiments. An automatic procedure for target selection has been designed and applied to the bacterial genome of Mycoplasma genitalium.