cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Who is the Silverman of Caffey-Silverman disease?

Received: 28 March 2005 Accepted: 28 March 2005 Published online: 5 May 2005 Springer-Verlag 2005 Dr. William (Bill) Silverman died on 26 December 2004 at the age of 87 from end-stage renal disease. He was a neonatologist from the 1940s to 1970s and discovered that the excessive oxygen given to premature neonates was responsible for retrolental fibroplasia (now retinopathy of prematurity) [1]. He was an outstanding spokesman for controlled studies and rational care [2]. Bill is routinely confused in Europe and elsewhere with Dr. Fred Silverman—both worked in the 1940s with John Caffey in New York, both started as pediatricians (Fred Silverman switched to radiology while Bill Silverman became a pioneering neonatologist); he was one of the few to call Dr. Caffey ‘‘Jack.’’ He was always amused at seeing his name listed as a radiologist because of this confusion. Bill, writing on the internet as ‘‘Fumer’’ (he fumed at medical ignorance), wrote a fascinating series of e-mail letters to me in his last months. Some of his comments to me follow below. Dr. John Caffey, working alone at Babies Hospital in New York City from 1929 to 1945, collected for years cases of odd new bone formation in the long bones of infants. Finally, realizing that periosteal new bone formation occurred in (1) vitamin A poisoning, (2) child abuse, and (3) as infantile cortical hyperostosis, he was able to sort this out in a memorable series of papers [3–5]. Coauthor of Infantile Cortical Hyperostosis was William Silverman, M.D. [3]. He writes, ‘‘when Jack came back to Babies Hospital after his short stint as a practitioner in Hawaii, he became very interested in the multiple hyperostosis seen in congenital syphilis. He ran across some examples with these bony changes in infants who were not syphilitic. Jack labeled the findings in these instances as ‘non-specific,’ and, over the years, he collected a number of unexplained examples in a folder. ‘‘When I came running up to Jack in 1944 to say that the radiographic changes of periostitis in the infant I had just seen at BH resembled another baby I saw in San Francisco, Jack swiveled around in his chair and pulled out his ‘non-specific skeletal changes’ folder to show me that he had collected three other similar patients (he put me on his paper). The folder also contained other unclassified infants with these ‘non-specific skeletal changes.’ Over the next few years, Jack was able to label the remaining patients when he demonstrated an association with overdose of vitamin A and an association with trauma in abused infants (with ‘idiopathic subdural hematoma’) [4, 5]. Finally, Dr. Silverman wrote, ‘‘I hope these events are recorded somewhere in the annals of radiology, as it would be sad to forget how Jack patiently worked all of this out over his years at Babies Hospital.’’ Pediatr Radiol (2005) 35: 730–731 DOI 10.1007/s00247-005-1484-9 LETTER TO THE EDITOR
A model for the effect of lipid oxidation on diphenylhexatriene fluorescence in phospholipid vesicles.

Abstract We have determined by means of a standard spectrophotometric assay that lipid oxidation occurred at a significant rate in large, multilamellar vesicles containing egg phosphatidylcholine under normal experimental conditions. We have also observed that the fluorescence intensity of the vesicle-associated probe, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, decreased with time in vesicles containing such oxidizing lipids. The spectrophotometric data utilized to monitor lipid oxidation were found to fit an apparent first-order kinetic model. The loss of diphenylhexatriene fluorescence intensity in oxidizing liposomes was analyzed in terms of a first-order event superimposed (and thus presumably dependent) upon the ongoing formation of oxidized lipid. These and other data were used to conclude that the oxidation-induced loss of diphenylhexatriene fluorescence intensity was due to chemical modification of the fluorophore rather than to excited-state quenching or ground-state complex formation. Finally, the loss of fluorescence intensity in oxidizable membranes was found to alter drastically the ‘microviscosity’ parameter as derived from diphenylhexatriene fluorescence anisotropy and relative intensity measurements.
Endoneurial capillary permeability to [14C]sucrose in frog sciatic nerve

Abstract Using an in situ perfusion technique, we measured the [ 14 C]sucrose permeability-surface area product (PA) in endoneurial capillaries of 48 frog sciatic nerves, as 6.6 ± 0.6 (S.E.M.) × 10 −5 s −1 , and the vascular space as 1.31 ± 0.10%. Assuming A= 30cm 2 /g, P= 2.2 × 10 −6 cm/s. P for sucrose was greater than P in some barrier tissues with tight junctions, but was less than P in all capillaries examined so far except rat cerebral capillaries. These observations demonstrate that endoneurial capillaries are an effective part of the blood-nerve barrier to water-soluble non-electrolytes. The findings are consistent with capillary impermeability to microperoxidase and with capillary ultrastructure.
A note on Steiner tree games

We investigate the cost allocation strategy associated with the problem of providing some service of common interest from some source to a number of network users, via the minimum cost directed Steiner tree (ST) network that spans the source and all the receivers. The cost of such ST is distributed among its receivers who may be individuals or organizations with possibly conflicting interests. The objective of this article is to develop a reasonably fair and efficient cost allocation scheme associated with the above cost allocation problem. Since finding the optimal Steiner tree is an NP-hard problem, the input to our cost allocation problem is the best known Steiner tree obtained using some heuristic. To allocate the cost of this Steiner tree to the users (receiver nodes), we formulate the associated Modified Steiner Tree Network (MSTN) game in characteristic function form. Then we construct a primal-dual cost allocation algorithm which finds some points in the core of the MSTN game and thus results in subsidy-free cost allocations. Moreover, for the given Steiner tree, our cost allocation scheme is efficient and finds the above “fair” cost allocations in polynomial time. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2012 © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Self-assembled nanoscale coordination polymers with trigger release properties for effective anticancer therapy

Nanoscale coordination polymers (NCPs) are self-assembled from metal ions and organic bridging ligands, and can overcome many drawbacks of existing drug delivery systems by virtue of tunable compositions, sizes and shapes, high drug loadings, ease of surface modification and intrinsic biodegradability. Here we report the self-assembly of zinc bisphosphonate NCPs that carry 48 ± 3 wt% cisplatin prodrug and 45 ± 5 wt% oxaliplatin prodrug. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in mice show minimal uptake of pegylated NCPs by the mononuclear phagocyte system and excellent blood circulation half-lives of 16.4 ± 2.9 and 12.0 ± 3.9 h for the NCPs carrying cisplatin and oxaliplatin, respectively. In all tumour xenograft models evaluated, including CT26 colon cancer, H460 lung cancer and AsPC-1 pancreatic cancer, pegylated NCPs show superior potency and efficacy compared with free drugs. As the first example of using NCPs as nanotherapeutics with enhanced antitumour activities, this study establishes NCPs as a promising drug delivery platform for cancer therapy.
Nuclear translocation of angiogenin in proliferating endothelial cells is essential to its angiogenic activity.

Abstract The intracellular pathway of human angiogenin in calf pulmonary artery endothelial (CPAE) cells has been studied by immunofluorescence microscopy. Proliferating CPAE cells specifically endocytose native angiogenin and translocate it to the nucleus, where it accumulates in the nucleoli. Nuclear translocation of angiogenin does not occur in nonproliferative, confluent CPAE cells. These cells were previously found to express an angiogenin-binding protein (AngBP) that was identified as smooth muscle alpha-actin. Exogenous actin, an anti-actin antibody, heparin, and heparinase treatment all inhibit the internalization of angiogenin, suggesting the involvement of cell surface AngBP/actin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans in this process. It has been established that two regions of angiogenin are essential for its angiogenic activity, one is its endothelial cell binding site and the other its catalytic site capable of cleaving RNA. CPAE cells do not internalize four enzymatically active angiogenin derivatives whose cell binding site is modified, but they do internalize two enzymatically inactive mutants whose cell binding site is intact. Thus, the putative cell binding site of angiogenin is necessary for both endocytosis and nuclear translocation, but the catalytic site is not. Three other angiogenic molecules are also translocated to the nucleus of growing CPAE cells. Overall, the results suggest that nuclear translocation of angiogenin and other angiogenic molecules is a critical step in the process of angiogenesis.
Cloud-ECG for real time ECG monitoring and analysis

Highlights? Developing capability for ECG monitoring and diagnosis based on cloud computing. ? Presenting techniques for mobile healthcare. ? Developing signal quality enhancement techniques. Recent advances in mobile technology and cloud computing have inspired numerous designs of cloud-based health care services and devices. Within the cloud system, medical data can be collected and transmitted automatically to medical professionals from anywhere and feedback can be returned to patients through the network. In this article, we developed a cloud-based system for clients with mobile devices or web browsers. Specially, we aim to address the issues regarding the usefulness of the ECG data collected from patients themselves. Algorithms for ECG enhancement, ECG quality evaluation and ECG parameters extraction were implemented in the system. The system was demonstrated by a use case, in which ECG data was uploaded to the web server from a mobile phone at a certain frequency and analysis was performed in real time using the server. The system has been proven to be functional, accurate and efficient.
Low-temperature alteration in tuffs from Yucca Mountain, Nevada

The structure, chemistry and distribution of hydrothermal alteration and weathering products of feldspars and glass in 3 samples of Yucca Mountain tuffs (GSW G4 borehole at a depth of 1531 ft (464 m) and USW GU3 borehole at 1406 ft (426 m) from the Calico Hills Formation and USW G4 at a depth of 272 ft (82.4 m) from the Topobah Springs Member) were examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and analytical electron microscopy (AEM). Alteration products are of interest because they may influence the form and distribution of contaminants released from the proposed high-level nuclear waste repository. Samples from the Calico Hills Formation contain alkali-bearing aluminosilicate glass and its alteration products. Zeolites appear to have formed from compositionally similar glass by recrystallization, probably under hydrothermal conditions. Crystals are fibrous and frequently no more than a few tens of nanometers in diameter. Porous aggregates of few-nanometer-diameter, poorly crystalline silica spheres (probably opal C-T) develop adjacent to corroded glass surfaces and zeolite crystals. Finely crystalline Fe-rich smectites coat etched glass surfaces, zeolites and feldspar crystals and occur within opal-like silica aggregates. Microstructures in the clay-dominated coatings and details of smectite-glass interfaces suggest that clays grow in orientations controlled by heterogeneously retreating surfaces and from constituents released at associated glass dissolution sites. The alteration assemblage also includes finely crystalline hematite, goethite, Mn-oxide films and illite formed by alteration of muscovite. The zeolitized sample contains abundant opal-like silica whereas glass in the unzeolitized sample is weathered to smectite-like clays. These differences may be attributed to hydrological and consequent geochemical factors resulting from the higher porosity of zeolitized samples. Exsolved alkali feldspar, which occurs as micron-sized crystals in the Calico Hills Formation and as phenocrysts and in the groundmass of the devitrified Topobah Springs Member, are almost unaltered. Feldspar alteration is confined to cracks and grain boundaries, where minor, poorly crystalline, Fe-bearing aluminosilicate alteration products are developed. In these tuffs, most of the porosity, permeability, high surface area and capacity to affect solution chemistry are associated with products of glass alteration.
The origin of the long wavelength absorption bands in purple bacteria.

Abstract From a study of the effect of the mild detergent octanoic acid on the circular dichroism of bacterial chromatophores it is deduced that the long wave length absorption band of the bacteriochlorophyll seen in vivo at around 860 nm compared to the in vitro absorption around 770 nm is due to a specific interaction between the monomeric bacteriochlorophyll pi-electron system and certain functional groups in the protein with which it is associated in the biological system.
Perturbative QCD and lepton charge symmetry at Z0 energies

Abstract Although the Drell-Yan mechanism for lepton pair production is very successful qualitatively, large perturbative QCD corrections inhibit a quantitative comparison with experiment at energies presently accessible. It is shown that an appropriately defined charge asymmetry in the context of the parton model has small (5–15%) order αs(Q2) perturbative corrections, despite large (50–250%) corrections to the cross section itself for typical experimental parameters. Calculations to order αs(Q2) of the asymmetry in lepton pair production from p p collisions at √s=540 GeV are presented. The charge asymmetry is large - ac≈70–80 percent for a dilepton mass √Q2≈60 GeV, where the asymmetry is maximized. The structure of the asymmetry near the Z0 resonance is also displayed.
Crystallization from the glassy state

Isothermal crystallization of poly[3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxacyclobutane] and poly-(ethylene terephthalate) from the quenched glassy state gave small lamellae approximately 1000–2000 A. in lateral dimension with a constant thickness of about 100 A. The maximum primary nuclei density for crystallization slightly above the glass transition temperature, Tg, was 1010 greater than frequently observed during spherulitic growth from the melt. Since the lamellae grow at a linear rate, the crystallization process could be described by the Avrami theory for two-dimensional growth with a constant nuclei density. By assuming that crystallization near Tg is diffusion-controlled, bulk crystallization rate data were analyzed to obtain self-diffusion coefficients whose activation energies were similar to reported values for other polymers.
Comment on "Prediction of Weak-Coupling Structure from a Shell-Model Basis"

The theoretical predictions of Wildenthal, Nann, and Seth about weak-coupling relations between the ${0}_{1,2}^{+}$ states of $^{32}\mathrm{S}$ and the ${{\frac{3}{2}}_{1}}^{+}$ and ${{\frac{3}{2}}_{3}}^{+}$ states have been experimentally confirmed and the weak-coupling picture shown to extend to a quadruplet of states in $^{33}\mathrm{Cl}$ which have significant parentage in the ${2}_{1}^{+}$ state of $^{32}\mathrm{S}$.
Propofol hemisuccinate suppresses cortical spreading depression

Abstract Propofol is a rapidly acting water-insoluble non-barbiturate anesthetic agent that is widely used as an intravenous sedative–hypnotic agent. Anecdotal evidence indicates that propofol may be effective at terminating intractable migraine headache. Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is believed to be the neural correlate of migraine aura and may be a trigger for migraine pain. Agents that block the induction or slow the spread of CSD may be of utility in treating migraine. Here we examined the ability of propofol hemisuccinate (PHS), a water-soluble prodrug of propofol, to affect CSD in mice. For comparison, we examinined dizocilpine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, that is well recognized to inhibit CSD. When administered 15 min prior to activation of CSD by KCl application to the cortex, intraperitoneal PHS at doses of 120 and 200 mg/kg decreased the number of CSD deflections without an effect on CSD amplitude, and at 200 mg/kg caused a 77% reduction in CSD velocity. The minimally-effective dose of PHS (120 mg/kg) did not cause sedation or motor impairment and while some animals receiving 200 mg/kg did demonstrate motor impariment none exhibited loss-of-righting reflex (anesthesia). Dizocilpine produced comparable inhibition of CSD at doses of 0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg. We conclude that acute PHS treatment inhibits CSD. Our results indicate that propofol, or its prodrug PHS, are worthy of further investigation as a treatment for migraine.
Broadband electromagnetic vibration energy harvesting system for powering wireless sensor nodes

This paper reports the design of an electromagnetic vibration energy harvesting system that provides high power density and broad bandwidth. The ‘double cell’ harvester was chosen as the generator for this system. In order to harvest power over a broad range of frequencies, four ‘double cell’ harvesters with varying resonances were incorporated in the system architecture. The average AC to regulated DC power conversion efficiency across the 4 Hz bandwidth was 78%, which is one of the highest reported magnitudes for an electromagnetic vibration harvesting system. The magnetic flux density variation within the double cell array was modeled using the finite element method and compared to a single cell with equivalent tip mass and magnet volume. The double cell array was found to generate a similar magnitude of power to a single cell but three times higher bandwidth. The average generator conversion efficiency for the double cell array was 45.3%, which approaches the maximum theoretical limit of 50%.
Rational lecture hall polytopes and inflated Eulerian polynomials

For a sequence of positive integers s=(s1,…,sn), we define the rational lecture hall polytope\(\mathbf{R}_{n}^{(\mathbf{s})}\). We prove that its h∗-polynomial, \(Q_{n}^{(\mathbf{s})}(x)\), has nonnegative integer coefficients that count certain statistics on s-inversion sequences. The polynomial \(Q_{n}^{(\mathbf{s})}(x)\) can be viewed as an inflated version of the s-Eulerian polynomial, \(A_{n}^{(\mathbf{s})}(x)\), associated with the integral lecture hall polytope, \(\mathbf {P}_{n}^{(\mathbf{s})}\), introduced by Savage and Schuster. The result is applied in three ways: (1) in the theory of s-lecture hall partitions, introduced by Bousquet-Melou and Eriksson, the generating function, refined to include the size of the last part, now has an explicit description in terms of the inflated s-Eulerian polynomial, \(Q_{n}^{(\mathbf{s})}(x)\); (2) for special sequences, s, we get an explicit formula for \(Q_{n}^{(\mathbf{s})}(x)\) by computing the Ehrhart quasi-polynomial of \(\mathbf{R}_{n}^{(\mathbf {s})}\); and (3) for many sequences, s, the coefficients the inflated s-Eulerian polynomial form a symmetric unimodal sequence, even when the coefficients of the (uninflated) s-Eulerian polynomial, \(A_{n}^{(\mathbf {s})}(x)\), do not.
Privatization techniques for software transactional memory

Early implementations of software transactional memory (STM) assumed that sharable data would be accessed only within transactions. Memory may appear inconsistent in programs that violate this assumption, even when program logic would seem to make extra-transactional accesses safe. Designing STM systems that avoid such inconsistency has been dubbed the privatization problem. We argue that privatization comprises a pair of symmetric subproblems: private operations may fail to see updates made by transactions that have committed but not yet completed; conversely, transactions that are doomed but have not yet aborted may see updates made by private code, causing them to perform erroneous, externally visible operations. We explain how these problems arise in different styles of STM, present strategies to address them, and discuss their implementation tradeoffs. We also propose a taxonomy of contracts between the system and the user, analogous to programmer-centric memory consistency models, which allow us to classify programs based on their privatization requirements. Finally, we present empirical comparisons of several privatization strategies. Our results suggest that the best strategy may depend on application characteristics.
Abstract 3208: Identification and characterization of a small molecule involved in the downregulation of RET transcription in MTC

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA The gain of function mutations in the RET proto-oncogene, which results in the constitutive activation of the mitogenic pathways, were found mainly in Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC). In our study, a new therapeutic strategy has been explored to repress the expression of the RET gene by targeting the transcriptional activation of this gene with small molecules. The transcriptional inhibitor of the RET gene was initially screened from the NCI chemical libraries using the cell-based luciferase reporter gene assay, which has a promoter sequence identical to the RET promoter. As a result of our screening effort, a small molecule, nonactin, has been identified as a potential lead compound, downregulating the transcriptional activity of the RET gene promoter. The effect of this molecule in the downregulation of the RET mRNA levels and the protein levels was confirmed by RT-PCR and western blotting respectively. We also observed that Egr1 expression is downergulated in a dose dependent manner by this small molecule, which is in correlation with the RET downregulation. The RET promoter has a highly conserved GC rich region, which acts as a binding site for Egr-1, which is involved in the transcription of many growth factor genes. Thus, we conclude that Egr1 would be one of important transcriptional factors involved in the activation of the RET and nonactin inhibits the expression of Egr1, which in turn downregulates the transcription of RET oncogene. Citation Format: Vishnu Muthuraj Kumarasamy, Yoon-Joo Shin, Daekyu Sun. Identification and characterization of a small molecule involved in the downregulation of RET transcription in MTC. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3208. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3208
Effect of salt and acidic pH on the stability of virulence plasmid (pYV) in Yersinia enterocolitica and expression of virulence-associated characteristics

The stability of the Yersinia enterocolitica virulence plasmid (pYV) under different NaCl concentrations and under acidic pH conditions was investigated. Exposure of five strains representing five serotypes of pYV-bearing virulent Y. enterocolitica to 0.5, 2 and 5% NaCl and under conditions of pH 4, 5, and 6 for 24 h at 28 °C in the stationary phase did not lead to the loss of the virulent pYV from the surviving cells. At pH 3.0, the cells did not survive. Virulence assays using crystal violet binding, low-calcium response, Congo red-uptake, hydrophobicity by latex particle agglutination, and autoagglutination, as well as PCR assay to determine the presence of pYV indicated that the surviving cells were still virulent.
Biochemical properties of the Escherichia coli dnaK heat shock protein and its mutant derivatives

Abstract The dnaK protein of Escherichia coli has been shown to possess both autophosphorylating and 5′-nucleotidase activities. The dnaK protein has been shown to bind avidly to ATP, but hydrolyzing it slowly. In vitro autophosphorylation occurs at a threonine residue when either ATP or GTP are used as phosphate donors. The extent of autophosphorylation is low; only a few percent of the molecules are phosphorylated. This activity is stimulated at least tenfold in the presence of Ca 2+ ions with either ATP or GTP as the donor. The autophosphorylating activity of the mutant dnaK756 protein in the presence or absence of Ca 2+ is reduced compared to that of the wild type.
ELECTRIC-PROPULSION SPACECRAFT OPTIMIZATION FOR LUNAR MISSIONS

A quick and efficient method for computing the optimal vehicle-trajectory combination for lunar missions using electric propulsion is developed. The problem involves computing the optimal spacecraft sizing parameters and trajectory shaping parameters that maximize the payload for a one-way, fixed-trip-time, planar transfer from circular Earth orbit to circular low lunar orbit. The computational load of the problem is reduced by utilizing universal low-thrust trajectory solutions to approximate the Earth-escape and moon-capture spiral trajectories. Several maximum-payload solutions are obtained for both nuclear electric-propulsion and solar electric-propulsion spacecraft. The nuclear results show a very good match with published exact trajectories. A sensitivity analysis of the assumed electric-propulsion technology level is also performed.
Adolescent Risk Behaviors and Religion: Findings from a National Study.

Too few studies have assessed the relationship between youth risk behaviors and religiosity using measures which captured the varied extent to which youth are engaged in religion. This study applied three measures of religiosity and risk behaviors. In addition, this study ascertained information about youths' participation in religious activities from a parent or caretaker. Based on a national random sample of 2004 teens (ages 11-18), this study indicates that youth perceive religion as important, are active in religious worship and activities, and further shows that perceived importance of religion as well as participation in religious activities are associated with decreased risk behaviors. Looking at ten risk behaviors, religiosity variables were consistently associated with reduced risk behaviors in the areas of: smoking, alcohol use, truancy, sexual activity, marijuana use, and depression. In the case of these six risk variables, religiosity variables were significantly associated with reduced risk behaviors when controlling for family background variables and self-esteem. The study highlights the importance of further understanding the relationship between religious variables, background variables, self-esteem, and youth risk behaviors.
The relationship between career satisfaction and fellowship training in academic surgeons

Background Academic surgeons make various important decisions about their careers; however, little is known about the relationships between fellowship training, career development issues, and academic responsibilities. Methods Surgeon members of the Association for Surgical Education were surveyed about career development issues. Three hundred ninetytwo (75.2%) surgeons responded. Results An exploratory factor analysis of the career development issues revealed four career development factors. Statistically significant differences were found between types of fellowship training and the career development factors. Nonfellowship-trained and clinic alfellowship-trained surgeons spend their time similarly to physicians in other specialties. Researchfellowship-trained surgeons spent significantly more time doing research, had fewer concerns about professional confidence, and expressed greater satisfaction with their careers. Conclusion There is a relationship between career development issues, fellowship training, and type of fellowship training. Attention to these issues may be important in recruiting and retaining academic surgeons.
Hydroxyproline determination in serum and gingival crevicular fluid.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for total hydroxyproline in serum and gingival crevicular fluid has been developed. The Clq component of the first complement factor was precipitated out of the samples with a 0.02 M sodium acetate solution. Aliquots of the supernatants were dried, vapor hydrolyzed with 6 M hydrochloric acid at 105°C for 24 hours and derivatized with phenylisothiocyanate. The derivatives were chromatographed using a multilinear solvent gradient with detection at 254 nm. The regression of peak areas on the concentrations of hydroxyproline was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.99 within the range of assayed quantities (2.5 to 25 ng). Analytical recovery was 90.5 ± 2.54% (X± SD) and the determination level was 2.5 ng (19.1 pmol). The precision of the assay as determined by the coefficient of variation for five consecutive runs of six concentrations of hydroxyproline in serum hydrolysate (“within-run” precision) and five series run on different days (“between-run” precision) was 1.8 ± 1.28% and 4.2 ± 2.59% (X± SD), respectively. Hydroxyproline concentrations in GCF from single sites during developing experimental gingivitis in the beagle dog showed an irregular pattern of low and high concentrations ranging from 5.2 to 17.4 ng/μl.
Roles of H2 uptake hydrogenases in Shigella flexneri acid tolerance

Hydrogenases play many roles in bacterial physiology, and use of H2 by the uptake-type enzymes of animal pathogens is of particular interest. Hydrogenases have never been studied in the pathogen Shigella, so targeted mutant strains were individually generated in the two Shigella flexneri H2-uptake enzymes (Hya and Hyb) and in the H2-evolving enzyme (Hyc) to address their roles. Under anaerobic fermentative conditions, a Hya mutant strain (hya) was unable to oxidize H2, while a Hyb mutant strain oxidized H2 like the wild-type. A hyc strain oxidized more exogenously added hydrogen than the parent. Fluorescence ratio imaging with dye JC-1 (5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide) showed that the parent strain generated a membrane potential 15 times greater than hya. The hya mutant was also by far the most acid-sensitive strain, being even more acid-sensitive than a mutant strain in the known acid-combating glutamate-dependent acid-resistance pathway (GDAR pathway). In severe acid-challenge experiments, the addition of glutamate to hya restored survivability, and this ability was attributed in part to the GDAR system (removes intracellular protons) by mutant strain (e.g. hya/gadBC double mutant) analyses. However, mutant strain phenotypes indicated that a larger portion of the glutamate-rescued acid tolerance was independent of GadBC. The acid tolerance of the hya strains was aided by adding chloride ions to the growth medium. The whole-cell Hya enzyme became more active upon acid exposure (20 min), based on assays of hyc. Indeed, the very high rates of Shigella H2 oxidation by Hya in acid can supply each cell with 2.4×108 protons min−1. Electrons generated from Hya-mediated H2 oxidation at the inner membrane likely counteract cytoplasmic positive charge stress, while abundant proton pools deposited periplasmically likely repel proton influx during severe acid stress.
Enhancing disk-directed I/O for fine-grained redistribution of file data

Abstract Few parallel file systems provide support for permuting file data from the canonical file distribution to a different distribution on compute nodes. Hence, redistributions are typically performed using many inefficient, fine-grained file operations. File systems relying on collective operations take a global view and replace many fine-grained file operations with a single request. One such system is disk-directed I/O, in which I/O nodes, given a collective description of a file operation, manage the transfer of data between the compute nodes' memory and disk. Disk-directed I/O provides the user with nearly full disk bandwidth in many situations, but while it easily outperforms non-collective approaches, disk-directed I/O provides only a fraction of the available disk bandwidth when fine-grained redistributions are required. We analyze disk-directed I/O's performance on these redistributions and show that, with the high-bandwidth disk systems available today, other approaches should be considered. We propose two enhancements to disk-directed I/O, one in which data from several disk blocks are combined into a single message from an I/O node to a compute node, and another in which the two-phase access strategy is combined with disk-directed I/O. Our results show that these schemes, when applied to fine-grained redistributions of file data, provide higher bandwidth than traditional disk-directed I/O or previously suggested variations.
Angular momentum and Dirac charge quantization in curved spacetime

We consider the angular momentum of two dual charged particles in an axisymmetric spacetime and of a single dual charged test particle in a charged axisymmetric background. In each instance we find that the component of angular momentum along the symmetry axis has the same value ${e}_{1}{g}_{2}\ensuremath{-}{e}_{2}{g}_{1}$ that it takes in flat spacetime.
The variational problems for classical $N$-vector models

We prove existence and regularity properties of solutions of the variational problems introduced in the previous paper [1] for classical lattice N-vector models. These results form a basis of our renormalization group approach to low temperature expansions for the considered models.
Bending Capacity of Tubes With Lüders Bands: Influence of Geometric and Material Parameters

Previous studies involving a combination of experiment and analysis have shown that when bending a pipe with material that exhibits Luders bands to strain levels of 2–3% the structure develops instabilities that can lead to premature collapse. It has been demonstrated that the associated events and limit states can be consistently simulated using 3D finite elements and an elastic-plastic constitutive model with an up-down-up material response. This paper presents the results of a parametric study of the problem in which a wide range of geometric and material parameters are considered. The parametric study quantifies the boundary between stable and unstable behavior and shows that the bounding values of Luders strain depend on the D/t of the tube and the level of the Luders stress.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Identification and Evaluation of Additional Sources of Resistance to Peanut Root-knot Nematode in Arachis hypogaea L.

The root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne arenaria race 1) causes significant economic losses throughout the peanut (Arachis hypogaea) production areas of the southern U.S. Chemicals for control of this pest are becoming increasingly limited, and there are no peanut cultivars with resistance. Seven moderately resistant plant introductions have been identified; however, less than 25% of the germplasm collection has been examined for resistance based on nematode reproduction. The objectives of this work were to examine an additional 1000 plant introductions for resistance to the peanut root-knot nematode and to compare the most resistant introductions to previously reported sources of resistance. Preliminary greenhouse screening trials were conducted to rate severity of root galling and amount of egg mass production. Seventeen accessions were selected based on a mean egg mass rating of less than or equal to three. These selections were reevaluated in additional greenhouse and field experiments to quantify levels of resistance and to directly compare these sources of resistance to those previously reported. Eight accessions had a significantly higher level of resistance (lower egg mass rating) than Florunner; however, none had a significantly higher level of resistance than those previously reported. Results of this study identified additional sources of resistance which may provide unique genes for resistance. In addition, two of these new sources of resistance (PI 298848 and PI 311265) exhibited significantly higher yield than those previously identified when grown in soil heavily infested with M. arenaria
Differential gene regulation during programmed death (apoptosis) versus proliferation of prostatic glandular cells induced by androgen manipulation

By manipulating the circulating blood level of androgen, it is possible to induce either the programmed death (apoptosis) or proliferation of prostatic glandular cells. To examine the role of differential gene regulation in these two procedure, the expression of the mRNA of a series of genes was quantitated on a per cell basis during the androgen ablation-induced programmed death of rat prostatic glandular cells. These results were then compared to quantitative analysis of the mRNA expression of these same series of genes during the proliferative regrowth of prostatic glandular cells induced in rats castrated for 1 week before being treated with exogenous androgen replacement. These comparisons demonstrated that androgen ablation-induced programmed death of prostatic glandular cells share several (i.e. c-myc, H-ras, and tissue transglutaminase), but not most, of the epigenetic changes associated with androgen-stimulated proliferation of these cells. No enhancement of the mRNA expression of several genes r...
Access network technology for all wireless WDM communications system

In this paper, we report design and implementation scenarios for a gigabit-capacity and high-data-rate fixed wireless access technology research demonstrator. The all weather survivable system is based on broadband wireless access concept and implementation techniques utilizing RF/microwave/millimeter-wave as well as free-space optical wireless high speed links. The demonstration platform provides broadband last mile access and networking solutions to Internet users in densely populated areas with homes and businesses (e.g., downtown building-centric and inner city- environment) in need of high bandwidth not served with fiber infrastructure. The focus of this investigation is radio link design, access network architecture, and system integration. Hybrid fiber radio and WDM optical wireless solutions are implemented to interface and complement the existing ATM fiber and satellite core networks in support of all wireless infrastructure for Next Generation Internet (NGI).
The influence of incompletely desolvated droplets and vaporizing particles on chemical matrix effects in inductively coupled plasma spectrometry: time-gated optical emission and laser-induced fluorescence measurements

The effects of high concentrations of NaCl on analyte (Sr) atom and ion number densities (measured by laser-induced fluorescence), ionization (assessed from ion to atom fluorescence intensity ratios) and excitation (determined from emission to fluorescence intensity ratios) were investigated near and away from incompletely desolvated droplets and vaporizing particles. Matrix effects on analyte ion number densities, ionization and excitation were more severe near droplets or particles. This is expected, considering that local temperatures are more than 1000 K cooler near an incompletely desolvated droplet or vaporizing particle. However, offsetting spatial effects (on and off axis radially) and ion number density vs ion excitation effects resulted in almost identical matrix-induced changes in Sr ion emission intensities near and away from an incompletely desolvated droplet at 14 mm above the load coil. Line-of-sight Sr ion emission intensities were unaffected by high concentrations of NaCl at 14 mm above the load coil both near and far from desolvating droplets. Sr ion emission intensities at 22 mm above the load coil were depressed in the presence of NaCl in the sample by similar magnitudes near and away from vaporizing particles.
From Field Vibration Data to Laboratory Simulation

The objective of a test program is to simulate a specified dynamic environment. The question is: How do I go from field-test data to a reasonable laboratory or finite-element simulation? This paper looks at a simple situation of a two degree-of-freedom vehicle that has a broadband excitation source and a two degree-of-freedom test item that can be attached to the vehicle. The paper shows that significantly different field data are obtained depending on field-test conditions, and vastly different simulation results are obtained when using these different field data as laboratory inputs. A relatively simple theoretical model is developed that explains how field data in this case can be modified in the frequency domain to obtain a more realistic laboratory test environment. This presentation shows that a general theory of vibration testing is needed, a theory that provides guidelines for this process of obtaining field data and developing realistic test specifications.
Response to Drs. Famularo et al .

TO THE EDITOR: We thank Famularo et al. for their well written and erudite letter and are glad that our case study generated some hypotheses. We agree that the fecal flora of each individual are unique and also that fecal bacteriotherapy (because of this reason) may succeed in some individuals, as it did in our patient, and fail in others. It would be preposterously difficult, however, as suggested by the authors, to determine beforehand the bacterial composition of the fecal enema to be used. It has been said it would take one laboratory technician a lifetime to characterize fully the entire bacterial population of feces. Hyperbole? Perhaps, but the point is made. We did not, as stated by Famularo et al., suggest that fecal enemas are "better" than probiotics for the treatment of Clostridium difficile colitis. Indeed, the future in C. difficile treatment belongs to probiotics, and we look forward to "dissection" of the properties of organisms we administer.
Earthquake hazard assessment based on bivariate exponential distributions

Abstract The use of the bivariate exponential distribution in hazard assessment, with particular reference to seismic events is considered. A brief review of various bivariate exponential distributions is first given and an argument is presented for selection of the most appropriate model for earthquake hazard assessment. Dependency between the intensity and the time between the earthquakes in a given region is investigated. It is shown that ignoring the dependency (when it exists) results in, respectively, overestimation and underestimation of seismic hazard according to whether earthquakes occur as quasi-periodic (rhythmic) quakes or in clusters. Several examples using real data are given to provide further illustration of the application of the model.
Complexation of Retrovirus with Cationic and Anionic Polymers Increases the Efficiency of Gene Transfer

Previously, we have demonstrated that chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans inhibit retrovirus transduction. While studying the mechanism of inhibition, we found that the combined addition of equal-weight concentrations (80 μg/ml) of Polybrene and chondroitin sulfate C to retrovirus stocks resulted in the formation of a high-molecular-weight retrovirus-polymer complex that could be pelleted by low-speed centrifugation. The pelleted complex contained more than 80% of the virus particles, but less than 0.3% of the proteins that were originally present in the virus stock. Surprisingly, the virus in the complex remained active and could be used to transduce cells. The titer of the pelleted virus, when resuspended in cell culture medium to the starting volume, was three-fold greater than the original virus stock. The selectivity (CFU/mg protein) of the process with respect to virus activity was more than 1000-fold. When the pelleted virus-polymer complex was resuspended in one-eighth of the ...
Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 204

Abstract Evaluated nuclear structure and decay data for all nuclei within the A = 204 mass chain are presented. The experimental data are evaluated and best values for level and gamma-ray energies, quantum numbers, lifetimes, gamma-ray intensities, and other nuclear properties are recommended. Inconsistencies and discrepancies that exist in the literature are noted. This work supersedes the earlier evaluation by M.R. Schmorak (1994Sc24), published in Nuclear Data Sheets 72, 409 (1994).
Diagnosis of an imprinted-gene syndrome by a novel bioinformatics analysis of whole-genome sequences from a family trio

Whole-genome sequencing and whole-exome sequencing are becoming more widely applied in clinical medicine to help diagnose rare genetic diseases. Identification of the underlying causative mutations by genome-wide sequencing is greatly facilitated by concurrent analysis of multiple family members, most often the mother–father–proband trio, using bioinformatics pipelines that filter genetic variants by mode of inheritance. However, current pipelines are limited to Mendelian inheritance patterns and do not specifically address disorders caused by mutations in imprinted genes, such as forms of Angelman syndrome and Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome. Using publicly available tools, we implemented a genetic inheritance search mode to identify imprinted-gene mutations. Application of this search mode to whole-genome sequences from a family trio led to a diagnosis for a proband for whom extensive clinical testing and Mendelian inheritance-based sequence analysis were nondiagnostic. The condition in this patient, IMAGe syndrome, is likely caused by the heterozygous mutation c.832A>G (p.Lys278Glu) in the imprinted gene CDKN1C. The genotypes and disease status of six members of the family are consistent with maternal expression of the gene, and allele-biased expression was confirmed by RNA-Seq for the heterozygotes. This analysis demonstrates that an imprinted-gene search mode is a valuable addition to genome sequence analysis pipelines for identifying disease-causative variants.
Monitoring Traffic Activity Graphs with low-rank matrix approximation

Recently, Traffic Activity Graphs (TAGs) have been proposed to understand, analyze, and model network-wide communication patterns. The topological properties of the TAGs have been shown to be very helpful for malware analysis, anomaly detection, and attack attribution. In a TAG, nodes represent hosts in the network and edges are observed flows that indicate certain communication relations or interactions of interest among the hosts. The challenge is how to capture and analyze TAGs which are usually large, sparse and complex and often have overly-large space and computation requirements. In this paper, we present a new sampling-based low-rank approximation method for monitoring TAGs. The resulted solution can reduce the computation complexity for the communication pattern analysis from O(mn) to O(m+n), where m and n denote the number of sources and destinations, respectively. The experimental results with real-world traffic traces show that our method outperform existing solutions in terms of efficiency and the capability of processing and identifying unknown TAGs.