cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Particle Size Distribution and Hopper Flow Rates

The rate of flow of varying ratios of four sieve size fractions of rock salt through the hopper of a rotary press was represented by a second degree polynomial equation. This fitted polynomial accounted for 90 per cent of the variation in the mean flow rates. No correlation was found between the tangent of the angle of repose and flow rate. High positive correlation was found between flow rate and bulk density, while high negative correlation between flow rate and porosity was observed. There was no significant increase or decrease in flow rates with regard to the quantity of rock salt remaining in the hopper.
Inhibition of the Calcineurin-NFAT Interaction by Small Organic Molecules Reflects Binding at an Allosteric Site *

Transcriptional signaling from the Ca2+-calmodulin-activated phosphatase calcineurin to its substrate NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells, also termed NFATc) is critically dependent on a protein-protein docking interaction between calcineurin and the PXIXIT motif in NFAT. Several inhibitors of NFAT-calcineurin association (INCA compounds) prevent binding of NFAT or the peptide ligand PVIVIT to calcineurin. Here we show that the binding site on calcineurin for INCA1, INCA2, and INCA6 is centered on cysteine 266 of calcineurin Aα and does not coincide with the core PXIXIT-binding site. Although ample evidence indicates that INCA1 and INCA2 react covalently with cysteine 266, covalent derivatization alone is not sufficient for maximal inhibition of the calcineurin-PVIVIT interaction, because the maleimide INCA12 reacts with the same site and produces only very modest inhibition. Thus, inhibition arises through an allosteric change affecting the PXIXIT docking site, which may be assisted by covalent binding but depends on other specific features of the ligand. The spatial arrangement of the binding sites for PVIVIT and INCA makes it probable that the change in conformation involves the β11-β12 loop of calcineurin. The finding that an allosteric site controls NFAT binding opens new alternatives for inhibition of calcineurin-NFAT signaling.
Hydrogen Adsorption on Ordered Mesoporous Carbons Doped with Pd, Pt, Ni, and Ru

A soft-template synthesis and in situ doping were applied for dispersing transition metals palladium, platinum, nickel, and ruthenium on ordered mesoporous carbons as potential adsorbents for hydrogen storage. Three metal loadings (1, 5, and 10 wt %) on the carbons were obtained to study the effects of metal concentration on physical and chemical properties of the carbon adsorbents. The carbon adsorbents were characterized with TEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption apparatus for their physical and chemical properties, and evaluated for their hydrogen adsorption equilibria and kinetics at 298 K and hydrogen pressures up to 300 bar. The metal-doped carbons maintained the morphology of the pure ordered mesoporous carbon, although their specific surface area was significantly reduced. Hydrogen adsorption on the metal-doped carbons was enhanced by a factor 2.7-5.4 times over the pure carbon at hydrogen pressure of 800 Torr, and a factor of 1.38-3.69 at hydrogen pressure of 300 bar due to the spillover effect. Hydrogen adsorption on metal-doped carbons increases with metal loading for all metals except the Ni-doped carbons that showed a reverse trend. The 1 wt % Ni-doped carbon sample seems to be the best adsorbent for hydrogen adsorption; it adsorbs 0.13 wt % of hydrogen at 298 K and 800 Torr and 2.14 wt % of hydrogen at 298 K and 300 bar. Hydrogen adsorption/desorption hysteresis was observed in all metal-doped carbons, suggesting that part of the adsorbed hydrogen molecules/atoms did not spill over to the carbon surface and remained on the metal surface. All metal-doped carbons had equally faster adsorption kinetics at 298 K, and the metal loadings did not affect the hydrogen adsorption kinetics.
Congenital choroid plexus papilloma of the fourth ventricle.

A newborn infant with marked hydrocephalus had a large papilloma of the choroid plexus originating in the fourth ventricle and infiltrating the brain stem. The computed tomographic (CT) scan appearance was distinctive, showing vascularity and marked enhancement with contrast medium. Histological confirmation was made from several surgical sites. Total removal of the tumor was not possible. Review of congenital choroid plexus brain tumors reveals the location of this child's tumor in the fourth ventricle to be uncommon. (J Child Neurol 1989;4:127-130).
Overnight polysomnography versus respiratory polygraphy in the diagnosis of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND Substantial discrepancies exist in the type of sleep studies performed to diagnose pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in different countries. Respiratory polygraphic (RP) recordings are primarily performed in sleep laboratories in Europe, whereas polysomnography (PSG) constitutes the majority in the US and Australia. Home RP show consistent apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) underscoring, primarily because the total recording time is used as the denominator when calculating the AHI compared to total sleep time (TST). However, laboratory-based RP are less likely affected, since the presence of sleep technicians and video monitoring may enable more accurate TST estimates. We therefore examined differences in AHI in PSG and in-lab RP, and whether RP-based AHI may impact clinical decision making. METHODS Of all the children assessed for possible OSA who underwent PSG evaluation, 100 were identified and divided into 4 groups: (A) those with AHI < 1/h TST (n = 20), (B) 1 ≤ AHI < 5/h TST (n = 40), (C) 5 ≤ AHI < 10/h TST (n = 20), and (D) AHI ≥ 10/h TST (n = 20). Electroencephalography, electrooculography, and electromyography channels were deleted from the original unscored recordings to transform them into RP, and then rescored in random sequence. AHI-RP were compared to AHI-PSG, and therapeutic decisions based on AHI-RP and AHI-PSG were formulated and analyzed using clinical details derived from the patient's clinic letter. RESULTS Bland Altman analysis showed that in lab RP underestimated the AHI despite more accurate estimates of TST. This underestimation was due to missed hypopneas causing arousals without desaturation. Basing the therapeutic management decision on RP instead of PSG results changed the clinical management in 23% of all patients. The clinical management for patients in groups A and D was unaffected. However, 27.5% of patients in group B would have been given no treatment, as they would be diagnosed as having no OSA (AHI < 1/h TST) when they should have received a trial of anti-inflammatory therapy or been referred for ear, nose, and throat (ENT) review. Sixty percent of patients in group C would have received either a trial of medical treatment to treat mild OSA or no treatment, instead of referral to ENT services or commencement of continuous positive airway pressure. CONCLUSION Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is underestimated in respiratory polygraphy (RP), and the disparity in AHI-RP and AHI-polysomnography can significantly affect clinical management decisions, particularly in children with mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnea (1 < AHI < 10/h total sleep time).
TALEN Knockout of the PSIP1 Gene in Human Cells: Analyses of HIV-1 Replication and Allosteric Integrase Inhibitor Mechanism

HIV-1 utilizes the cellular protein LEDGF/p75 as a chromosome docking and integration cofactor. The LEDGF/p75 gene, PSIP1, is a potential therapeutic target because, like CCR5, depletion of LEDGF/p75 is tolerated well by human CD4+ T cells, and knockout mice have normal immune systems. RNA interference (RNAi) has been useful for studying LEDGF/p75, but the potent cofactor activity of small protein residua can be confounding. Here, in human cells with utility for HIV research (293T and Jurkat), we used transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) to completely eradicate all LEDGF/p75 expression. We performed two kinds of PSIP1 knockouts: whole-gene deletion and deletion of the integrase binding domain (IBD)-encoding exons. HIV-1 integration was inhibited, and spreading viral replication was severely impaired in PSIP1−/− Jurkat cells infected at high multiplicity. Furthermore, frameshifting the gene in the first coding exon with a single TALEN pair yielded trace LEDGF/p75 levels that were virologically active, affirming the cofactor's potency and the value of definitive gene or IBD exon segment deletion. Some recent studies have suggested that LEDGF/p75 may participate in HIV-1 assembly. However, we determined that assembly of infectious viral particles is normal in PSIP1−/− cells. The potency of an allosteric integrase inhibitor, ALLINI-2, for rendering produced virions noninfectious was also unaffected by total eradication of cellular LEDGF/p75. We conclude that HIV-1 particle assembly and the main ALLINI mechanism are LEDGF/p75 independent. The block to HIV-1 propagation in PSIP1−/− human CD4+ T cells raises the possibility of gene targeting PSIP1 combinatorially with CCR5 for HIV-1 cure. IMPORTANCE LEDGF/p75 dependence is universally conserved in the retroviral genus Lentivirus. Once inside the nucleus, lentiviral preintegration complexes are thought to attach to the chromosome when integrase binds to LEDGF/p75. This tethering process is largely responsible for the 2-fold preference for integration into active genes, but the cofactor's full role in the lentiviral life cycle is not yet clear. Effective knockdowns are difficult because even trace residua of this tightly chromatin-bound protein can support integration cofactor function. Here, in experimentally useful human cell lines, we used TALENs to definitively eradicate LEDGF/p75 by deleting either all of PSIP1 or the exons that code for the integrase binding domain. HIV-1 replication was severely impaired in these PSIP1 knockout cells. Experiments in these cells also excluded a role for LEDGF/p75 in HIV-1 assembly and showed that the main ALLINI mechanism is LEDGF/p75 independent. Site-specific gene targeting of PSIP1 may have therapeutic potential for HIV-1 disease.
Dietary methoxychlor exposure modulates splenic natural killer cell activity, antibody-forming cell response and phenotypic marker expression in F0 and F1 generations of Sprague Dawley rats.

Abstract Methoxychlor, a chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide, is a persistent environmental contaminant that has been identified in human reproductive tissues. Methoxychlor has been shown to be estrogenic in both in vivo and in vitro studies. As an endocrine disrupter, it may have the potential to adversely affect endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems in animals. The present study evaluated methoxychlor's immunotoxic potential in F0 (dams) and F1 generations of Sprague Dawley rats exposed to an isoflavone-free diet containing methoxychlor at concentrations of 10, 100, and 1000 ppm. In dams, exposure to methoxychlor from gestation day 7 to postpartum day 51 (65 days total exposure) produced a significant increase in the NK activity (1000 ppm) and the percentages of T cells (1000 ppm), helper T cells (1000 ppm) and macrophages (100 and 1000 ppm). In contrast, a decrease in the numbers of splenocytes and B cells was observed at the 100 and 1000 ppm concentrations. In F1 males, exposure to methoxychlor gestationally, lactationally and through feed from postnatal day 22–64 (78 days total exposure) produced an increase in the spleen IgM antibody-forming cell response to sheep red blood cells (100 and 1000 ppm) and the activity of NK cells (1000 ppm). However, there was a decrease in the terminal body weight (1000 ppm), spleen weight (1000 ppm), thymus weight (100 and 1000 ppm), and the numbers of splenocytes (1000 ppm), B cells (100 and 1000 ppm), cytotoxic T cells (1000 ppm) and NK cells (100 and 1000 ppm). In F1 females, exposure to methoxychlor produced a decrease in the terminal body weight (1000 ppm) and the percentages of cytotoxic T cells (10, 100 and 1000 ppm). These results demonstrate that developmental and adult dietary exposure to methoxychlor modulates immune responses in Sprague Dawley rats. Immunological changes were more pronounced in the F1 generation male rats that were exposed during gestation and postpartum, when compared to the F0 and F1 generation females. Increases in antibody-forming cell response and NK cell activity, and altered spleen cell subpopulation numbers were observed in the F1 generation male rats, without similar changes to the F1 generation females.
Trans-Chromophore-Quencher Complexes Based on Ruthenium(II)

A series of chromophore−quencher complexes, trans-[Ru(bpy)2(pya)(pyb)]n+ (bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridyl; pya, pyb = substituted pyridyl ligands; n = 2−4) have been prepared and characterized. These contain combinations of the electron donor PTZ in py-PTZ (py-PTZ = 10-(4-picolyl)phenothiazine) and the electron acceptors MQ+ (1-methyl-4,4‘-bipyridinium cation), py-AQ (4-((((9,10-anthraquinon-2-yl)carbonyl)amino)methyl)pyridine), and py-MPAA (N-(4-pyridyl)-β-(1-methylpyridinium-3-yl)acrylamide cation), and 4-ethylpyridine (4-Etpy). The asymmetrical complexes (pya ≠ pyb) are synthesized by using the precursor trans-[Ru(bpy)2(DMSO)2](CF3SO3)2·0.5H2O, which is converted into trans-[Ru(bpy)2(py-PTZ)(DMSO)](CF3SO3)2·0.5H2O (1) by reaction with py-PTZ in DMSO/acetone at room temperature. 1 is treated with LiCl in aqueous DMF at 105 °C to prepare trans-[RuCl(bpy)2(py-PTZ)]CF3SO3·H2O (2). 2 is converted into the derivatives trans-[Ru(bpy)2(py-PTZ)(4-Etpy)](PF6)2·0.5H2O (5), trans-[Ru(bpy)2(py-PTZ)(MQ+)](PF6)3 (7), trans-[Ru(...
Glucose stimulation of cytochrome C reduction and oxygen consumption as assessment of human islet quality.

Background An in vitro method to assess human islets could prevent transplantation of nonviable islets and facilitate the optimization of islet preparation. We hypothesize that glucose-stimulated cytochrome c reduction and oxygen consumption by human islets can be used as predictors of transplant success. Methods Isolated human islets were obtained from research-grade pancreata. Using a previously developed islet flow culture system, the response of cytochrome c reduction and oxygen consumption to glucose was compared to the ability of islets transplanted into nondiabetic NOD-SCID mice to secrete C-peptide in response to a glucose tolerance test conducted 7 days following transplant (n=10). Results In vitro responses by human islets were qualitatively similar to those seen in rat islets: glucose increased both oxygen consumption and cytochrome c reduction. However, the responses were smaller in magnitude and quite variable. Scatter plots of C-peptide and quantiles for ln(C-peptide) indicated that 12 ng/ml could be used as threshold of transplant success with which to evaluate the diagnostic potential of cytochrome c and oxygen consumption. Data was analyzed by generating receiver operating curves and the area under the curve was 0.889 (95% CI: 0.645-1.000) and 0.738 (95% CI: 0.413-1.000) for cytochrome c reduction and oxygen consumption respectively (1 indicates absolute predictive capability and 0.5 indicates no predictive capability). Conclusions The detection of glucose-stimulated cytochrome c reduction and oxygen consumption may have utility as criteria for the assessment of human islet quality.
Penile plication without degloving enables effective correction of complex Peyronie's deformities

Objective To present our initial experience with extended plication repair for men with severe and/or biplanar penile curvature. Materials and Methods A review of men who underwent plication repair for complex penile deformity (biplanar curvature or curvature ≥60°) was performed. All patients underwent tunical plication via a 2-cm penoscrotal incision mobilized distally along the penile shaft without degloving. Angle of curvature, direction(s), stretched penile length (SPL), and number of sutures were recorded. Results Among 102 patients treated with plication surgery, 43 (44%) had complex penile deformity. Among 11 men with biplanar curvature, median angle in the primary plane of curvature was corrected from 45° to 10° and secondary plane was corrected from 35° to 5° using an average of 7 sutures (5° correction per suture). Among 32 men with severe curvature, median angle of curvature was corrected from 70° to 15° using an average of 11 sutures (6° correction per suture). SPL was unchanged in 29 (69%), increased an average of 0.65 cm in 7 (16%), and decreased 0.5 cm in only 6 (14%) patients. At a mean follow-up of 15.3 months, repeat plication was required in 2 patients and 2 required penile prosthesis. Conclusion Penile plication without degloving appears to be safe and effective for correction of complex penile curvature without significant impact on penile length.
Joint magnitude and phase properties of numerically simulated highresolution VV- and HH-polarized X-band Sea backscatter over wide range of incidence angles

Joint properties of high-resolution coherent sea surface backscatter at different polarizations are studied using two-dimensional (2-D) direct numerical simulations based on a first-principles boundary integral equation technique. The quantities considered include the joint probability density function for HH and VV intensities and the distribution for the phase difference between the two polarization channels. Various distribution moments and polarimetric parameters such as entropy and “alpha angle” are also examined, including their sensitivity to wind speed and noise. A broad span of incidence angles (ranging from 20 to 85 degrees) is considered, which helps elucidate the trends as backscattering geometry evolves towards low grazing regime.
Lake Erie Coastal Wetlands: an Overview

Abstract Coastal wetlands of Lake Erie fall into three categories, depending on the type of protection available to the wetland vegetation: (1) coastal lagoons behind barrier beaches, (2) managed marshes protected by earthern and rip-rap dikes, and (3) estuarine tributary mouths. At one time the most important protection was that afforded by barrier bars or other natural shoreline features which formed quiet lagoons and embayments. Very few natural wetlands of this type still exist in Lake Erie. Most of the lagoon-type coastal marshes, if they have not been drained or filled or engulfed by the lake, have been replaced by the second type: managed-waterfowl marshes which are now protected by earthen rip-rap dikes. The third type of protection is the natural isolation from lake storms provided by the estuaries of virtually all of the tributaries entering Lake Erie, particularly at the western end. Large wetlands have developed along most of the estuaries where disturbance has been minimal. Estuarine coastal marshes currently form the majority of the naturally protected wetlands bordering western Lake Erie.
Isospin violation in πN scattering from π0−η mixing

Abstract Contributions to charge-exchange scattering from π 0 − η mixing are studied and found to be generally very small. It would usually be safe to assume isospin conservation in πN partial wave analysis. However, special enhancement mechanisms associated with the S 11 resonance N ∗ (1540) lead to the prediction of a significant effect at 650–900 MeV/ c . Verification of this effect would test various π 0 − η mixing models and also provide structural information about the N ∗ (1540).
SOME ASPECTS OF CATALYSIS: THE P. H. EMMETT AWARD ADDRESS

Abstract It is an honor and a personal pleasure to receive the first Paul H. Emmett Award in Fundamental Catalysis.
Implementing a statistical catch-at-age model (Stock Synthesis) as a tool for deriving overfishing limits in data-limited situations

Abstract Stock Synthesis (SS) is a likelihood-based statistical catch-at-age modeling environment allowing multiple data sources to be used to characterize population dynamics through time. While it is typically applied in data-rich circumstances, its suitability in data-limited situations is investigated in this work. Two “Simple Stock Synthesis” (SSS) approaches are outlined, each developed to mimic the Depletion-Based Stock Reduction Analysis (DB-SRA) estimation of overfishing limits (OFLs) currently applied to data-limited U.S. west coast groundfish species. SSS-MC uses Monte Carlo draws of natural mortality, steepness, and stock depletion and estimates initial recruitment, while SSS-MCMC estimates natural mortality, steepness, and initial recruitment while fitting to an artificial abundance survey representing stock depletion with an error distribution equivalent to the stock depletion prior used in DB-SRA. These approaches are applied to 45 species of unassessed groundfishes in the Pacific Fishery Management Council Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, and the OFL estimates are compared to corresponding DB-SRA estimates. Despite model structure and parameter specification differences, SSS led to results comparable to DB-SRA over a wide range of species and life histories. SSS models with sex-specific life history parameters and growth variability are also presented as examples of how the inherent flexibility of SS can be used to account for more uncertainty in derived quantities. SSS-MCMC, while exhibiting statistically undesirable traits due to the inclusion of the artificial survey, readily includes data-informed abundance surveys into an assessment framework consistent with more complex, data-informed assessments. Establishment of viable data-limited approaches in SS is a convenient first steps in “building-up” stock assessments towards fuller implementation in SS when additional data become available, while also providing a way to inform management in data-limited situations.
Feasibility of Tracking Fish with Acoustic Transmitters in the Ice Harbor Dam Tailrace

The Juvenile Salmon Acoustic Telemetry System (JSATS) has been used at many dams but has never been deployed in the near-dam tailrace environment. The use of JSATS in the tailrace is of interest to fishery managers to evaluate downstream passage behavior of juvenile salmonids and dam approach behavior of upstream migrating adult salmon and lamprey. The acoustic noise level and detection range of JSATS were studied to determine the feasibility of deploying JSATS in the Ice Harbor Dam tailrace. The noise level measured from the powerhouse deck was less than 104 dB re 1 μPa except for the turbine outlet near the spillway, and 350 m downstream of the dam, the noise level was less than 106 dB. The measured noise levels would allow a theoretical detection range of 100 m to 350 m and 85 m to 320 m, respectively. Validation experiments showed that the detection range is 113 to 184 m using hydrophones deployed from the powerhouse deck and 148 m using hydrophones deployed 500 m downstream of the dam.
The Ombudsman: A Closer Look at the Efficiency of Top Executive Pay and Incentives

Jacquart and Armstrong [Jacquart P, Armstrong JS 2013 Are top executives paid enough? An evidence-based review. Interfaces 436:580-589] offer a series of provocative recommendations aimed at improving current executive compensation practices. I argue that when executive compensation contracts are designed to achieve multiple goals, an efficient contract may call for the executive to be paid rents, which could be mistaken for excess compensation. I also discuss how the popular notion that executive compensation contracts exhibit little, if any, pay for performance is largely inaccurate, because it focuses exclusively on annual pay rather than on the change in an executive's overall wealth. In particular, when changes in the value of executives' stock and option holdings are taken into account, executive compensation contracts tend to exhibit substantial pay for performance.
Six Commercially Available Angiotensin II AT1 Receptor Antibodies are Non-specific

Commercially available Angiotensin II AT1 receptor antibodies are widely employed for receptor localization and quantification, but they have not been adequately validated. In this study, six commercially available AT1 receptor antibodies were characterized by established criteria: sc-1173 and sc-579 from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc., AAR-011 from Alomone Labs, Ltd., AB15552 from Millipore, and ab18801 and ab9391 from Abcam. The immunostaining patterns observed were different for every antibody tested, and were unrelated to the presence or absence of AT1 receptors. The antibodies detected a 43 kDa band in western blots, corresponding to the predicted size of the native AT1 receptor. However, identical bands were observed in wild-type mice and in AT1A knock-out mice not expressing the target protein. Moreover, immunoreactivity detected in rat hypothalamic 4B cells not expressing AT1 receptors or transfected with AT1A receptor construct was identical, as revealed by western blotting and immunocytochemistry in cultured 4B cells. Additional prominent immunoreactive bands above and below 43 kDa were observed by western blotting in extracts from tissues of AT1A knock-out and wild-type mice and in 4B cells with or without AT1 receptor expression. In all cases, the patterns of immunoreactivity were independent of the AT1 receptor expression and different for each antibody studied. We conclude that, in our experimental setup, none of the commercially available AT1 receptor antibodies tested met the criteria for specificity and that competitive radioligand binding remains the only reliable approach to study AT1 receptor physiology in the absence of full antibody characterization.
The fork head transcription factor FKTF-1b from Strongyloides stercoralis restores DAF-16 developmental function to mutant Caenorhabditis elegans

The purpose of this study was to determine whether Strongyloides stercoralis FKTF-1, a transcription factor of the FOXO/FKH family and the likely output of insulin/IGF signal transduction in that parasite, has the same or similar developmental regulatory capabilities as DAF-16, its structural ortholog in Caenorhabditis elegans. To this end, both splice variants of the fktf-1 message were expressed under the control of the daf-16α promoter in C. elegans carrying loss of function mutations in both daf-2 (the insulin/IGF receptor kinase) and daf-16. Under well-fed culture conditions the majority (91%) of untransformed daf-2; daf-16 double mutants developed via the continuous reproductive cycle, whereas under the same conditions 100% of daf-2 single mutants formed dauers. Transgenic daf-2; daf-16 individuals expressing fktf-1b showed a reversal of the double mutant phenotype with 75% of the population forming dauers under well-fed conditions. This phenotype was even more pronounced than that of daf-2; daf-16 mutants transformed with a homologous rescuing construct, daf-16α::daf-16a (56% dauers under well fed conditions), indicating that S. stercoralis fktf-1b can almost fully rescue loss-of-function mutants in C. elegans daf-16. By contrast, daf-2; daf-16 mutants expressing S. stercoralis fktf-1a, encoding the second splice variant of FKTF-1, showed a predominantly continuous pattern of development identical to that of the parental double mutant stock. This indicates that, unlike FKTF-1b, the S. stercoralis transcription factor FKTF-1a cannot trigger the shift to dauer-specific gene expression in C. elegans.
Paleomagnetic and Geochronologic Data Bearing on the Structural Evolution of the Northeastern Margin of the Front Range, Colorado

Radiometrically dated hypabyssal tabular intrusive masses in the northern part of the Front Range, Colorado, were emplaced about 63 m.y. ago. Comparison of the remanent magnetic directions of these igneous bodies with their unrelated magnetic reference directions indicates that the intrusive rocks and the enclosing Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary rocks have undergone variable amounts of rotation, depending on their geographic location. The host beds of the Ralston intrusive near Golden were rotated to their present attitude after the emplacement of the intrusive, whereas the enclosing sedimentary rocks at three sites near Boulder were rotated in part prior to and in part after intrusion. The host beds of the sill near Left Hand Canyon were probably rotated prior to intrusion. It is likely that rotations are due to the vertical and (or) eastward translation of the Precambrian crystalline rocks adjacent to the monocline.
Determinants of the Method of Payment in Asset Sell‐Off Transactions

Using a sample of asset sell-off transactions from January 1990 to April 2010, we find that the method of payment used in asset sell-off transactions is associated with several characteristics cited in the acquisitions research that reflect cash constraints of the bidder. Specifically, bidders facing more stringent cash constraints are more likely to use equity when purchasing assets, while sellers subjected to cash constraints prefer cash when selling assets. Second, we find that the variation in method of payment among asset sell-off transactions also is partially explained by variables representing asymmetric information. Third, we apply our model to an expanded sample that includes non-U.S. sellers of assets and find that an equity payment is more likely when sellers are based in countries that have relatively high country risk (more government restrictions), weak shareholder rights, and a weak legal system. Thus, it appears that bidders prefer that sellers share in the risk of the transaction under these conditions.
Cytochalasin B and the sialic acids of Ehrlich ascites cells

Abstract The effect of cytochalasin B (CB) on the electrophoretic mobility and density of ionized sialic acid groups at the surface of Ehrlich ascites cells was examined together with a biochemical assay of the total sialic acid content of treated and control cells. Sialic acid assays indicated that CB-treated cells had a greater amount of total sialic acid and sialic acid sensitive to neuraminidase than control cells/cell. Equal amounts of sialic acid were removable by neuraminidase treatment from control cells and cells pretreated with neuraminidase and subsequently cultured with CB. The electrophoresis results showed a decrease in electrophoretic mobility in the presence of CB which could be reversed by growth in CB-free medium. Neuraminidase treatment did not make a significant additional reduction in the mobility of CB-treated cells. CB also prevented the recovery of electrophoretic mobility of neuraminidase treated cells. The results suggest that while CB does not inhibit sialic acid synthesis, it does alter the expression of ionized sialic acid groups at the electrokinetic surface. CB-containing culture media could be re-utilized several times suggesting that CB is not significantly bound or metabolized by Ehrlich ascites cells.
Growth of uranium dioxide single crystals by chemical vapor deposition

Abstract Single crystals of uranium dioxide are grown on uranium dioxide substrates with (100) and (111) orientations. The growth kinetics have been studied in a closed system using chlorine as the transporting agent. The crystals are characterized using X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis, chemical etching, micro-hardness measurements and scanning electron microscopy. The characteristics are related to the growth conditions.
Complete sequence of the yeast artificial chromosome cloning vector pYAC4

Abstract The cloning vector pYAC4 is widely used in the construction of yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) genomic libraries. The sequence of pYAC4, 11 454 nucleotides (nt) in length, has been assembled from published sources and is presented in its entirety.
All-organic non-PFOS nonionic photoacid generating compounds with functionalized fluoroorganic sulfonate motif for chemically amplified resists

Nonionic photoacid generators (PAGs) based on photosensitive fluoroorganic sulfonate esters of imide and nitrobenzyl have been prepared and characterized. These new compounds produce fluoroorganic sulfonic acids that contain very few fluorine atoms (non-PFOS), which make them attractive PAGs for all advanced and emerging lithography. The structural influence of these new PAGs on sensitivity, resolution and line edge roughness (LER) was investigated by using DUV (254 nm) and e-beam lithography with ESCAP and ACRYLIC type positive tone resists. E-beam lithography evaluation indicates that these new fluroorganic sulfonic acids are sensitive and capable of providing image profiles down to 80 nm. The variation observed in sensitivity and LER at e-beam lithography was analyzed in terms of the structures of the photogenerated acids, chromophores and resists.
Coordinating Supplemental Reading Instruction

Although supplemental reading services are meant to improve reading achievement of struggling readers and students with reading disabilities, without concerted effort to ensure communication and coordination with in-school instruction, they may fall short of their desired mark. To promote learning, it is critical that any services provided outside of the typical curriculum be coordinated to ensure that students are reaping the maximum benefit. This article describes six dynamic steps to coordinate supplemental instruction and contextualizes these through examples and vignettes of a second-grade struggling reader.
Factors predicting organochlorine pesticide levels in pregnant Latina women living in a United States agricultural area.

Factors predicting organochlorine pesticide levels in pregnant Latina women living in a United States agricultural area
XFastMesh: fast view-dependent meshing from external memory

We present a novel disk-based multiresolution triangle mesh data structure that supports paging and view-dependent rendering of very large meshes at interactive frame rates from external memory. Our approach, called XFastMesh, is based on a view-dependent mesh simplification framework that represents half-edge collapse operations in a binary hierarchy known as a merge-tree forest. The proposed technique partitions the merge-tree forest into so-called detail blocks, which consist of binary subtrees, that are stored on disk. We present an efficient external memory data structure and file format that stores all detail information of the multiresolution triangulation method using significantly less storage then previously reported approaches. Furthermore, we present a paging algorithm that provides efficient loading and interactive rendering of large meshes from external memory at varying and view-dependent level-of-detail. The presented approach is highly efficient both in terms of space cost and paging performance.
Omega-3 fatty acids in hypertriglyceridemic patients: triglycerides vs methyl esters

The purpose of this study was to compare the relative effects of omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FAs) in the triglyceride (TG) and methly ester (ME) forms in a crossover design in patients with type IV hyperlipidemia. Eight male patients were given 18 vegetable-oil capsules (control); 18 capsules of a TG rich in omega-3 FAs (omega-3 TG); and 11 capsules containing omega-3-FA MEs (omega-3 ME). One supplement was given during each of three 6-wk periods. Equivalent amounts of omega-3 FAs (6.8 g/d) were provided by each of the omega-3 treatments. Plasma cholesterol (C) levels were unchanged during the two omega-3 phases whereas plasma TG levels fell by 44% during both. Low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels rose significantly with both omega-3-FA treatments, as did apolipoprotein B levels. When taken in either the TG or ME forms, omega-3 FAs are equally effective hypotriglyceridemic agents but they may raise LDL-C levels.
Systems Pharmacology to Predict Drug Toxicity: Integration Across Levels of Biological Organization*

To achieve sensitive and specific mechanism-based prediction of drug toxicity, the tools of systems pharmacology will be integrated using structured ontological approaches, analytics, mathematics, and statistics. Success of this effort is based on the assumption that a systems network that consists of drug-induced perturbations of physiological functions can be characterized. This network spans the hierarchy of biological organization, from gene to mRNA to protein to intracellular organelle to cell to organ to organism. It is populated with data from each of these levels of biological organization. These data, from disparate sources, include the published literature, drug development archives of all approved drugs and drug candidates that did not complete development, and various toxicity databases and adverse event reporting systems. The network contains interrelated genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics data, as well as organ and physiological functional data that are derived from the universe of ...
Influence of decreasing nutrient path length on the development of engineered cartilage.

Summary Objective Chondrocyte-seeded agarose constructs of 4mm diameter (2.34mm thickness) develop spatially inhomogeneous material properties with stiffer outer edges and a softer central core suggesting nutrient diffusion limitations to the central construct region [Guilak F, Sah RL, Setton LA. Physical regulation of cartilage metabolism. In: Mow VC, Hayes WC, Eds. Basic Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Philadelphia 1997;179–207.]. The effects of reducing construct thickness and creating channels running through the depth of the thick constructs were examined. Methods In Study 1, the properties of engineered cartilage of 0.78mm (thin) or 2.34mm (thick) thickness were compared. In Study 2, a single nutrient channel (1mm diameter) was created in the middle of each thick construct. In Study 3, the effects of channels on larger 10mm diameter, thick constructs were examined. Results Thin constructs developed superior mechanical and biochemical properties than thick constructs. The channeled constructs developed significantly higher mechanical properties vs control channel-free constructs while exhibiting similar glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen content. Collagen staining suggested that channels resulted in a more uniform fibrillar network. Improvements in constructs of 10mm diameter were similarly observed. Conclusions This study demonstrated that more homogeneous tissue-engineered cartilage constructs with improved mechanical properties can be achieved by reducing their thickness or incorporating macroscopic nutrient channels. Our data further suggests that these macroscopic channels remain open long enough to promote this enhanced tissue development while exhibiting the potential to refill with cell elaborated matrix with additional culture time. Together with reports that in vivo and that irregular holes are associated with clinically used osteochondral graft procedures, we anticipate that a strategy of incorporating macroscopic channels may aid the development of clinically relevant engineered cartilage with functional properties.
OARSI Clinical Trials Recommendations: Design and conduct of clinical trials of lifestyle diet and exercise interventions for osteoarthritis

The objective was to develop a set of "best practices" for use as a primer for those interested in entering the clinical trials field for lifestyle diet and/or exercise interventions in osteoarthritis (OA), and as a set of recommendations for experienced clinical trials investigators. A subcommittee of the non-pharmacologic therapies committee of the OARSI Clinical Trials Working Group was selected by the Steering Committee to develop a set of recommended principles for non-pharmacologic diet/exercise OA randomized clinical trials. Topics were identified for inclusion by co-authors and reviewed by the subcommittee. Resources included authors' expert opinions, traditional search methods including MEDLINE (via PubMed), and previously published guidelines. Suggested steps and considerations for study methods (e.g., recruitment and enrollment of participants, study design, intervention and assessment methods) were recommended. The recommendations set forth in this paper provide a guide from which a research group can design a lifestyle diet/exercise randomized clinical trial in patients with OA.
Tissue-Specific Up-Regulation of B7-1 Expression and Function During the Course of Murine Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

B7/CD28-mediated costimulation is a promising target for therapeutic intervention in autoimmune diseases. However, studies addressing the differential functional roles of B7-1 and B7-2 in several autoimmune models have resulted in conflicting data, perhaps due to the temporal dynamics of B7-1 and B7-2 surface expression on different cell types and/or at different sites during an autoimmune response. We examined the temporal expression of B7 costimulatory molecules in the CNS and in various lymphoid organs during the course of murine relapsing-remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (R-EAE). Following immunization of SJL mice with the immunodominant proteolipid protein epitope, PLP139–151, surface expression of B7-1 was up-regulated on B cells, T cells, and macrophages, relative to B7-2, on CNS-infiltrating cells and on splenocytes. Similar enhancement in splenic B7-1 expression could be induced in SJL mice by the adoptive transfer of PLP139–151-specific cells or by immunization with CFA alone. These changes were not observed on lymph node cells, including those isolated from lymph nodes draining the immunization site, which maintained the predominant B7-2 expression pattern seen in naive mice. These phenotypic expression patterns correlated with the functional predominance of B7-1 in costimulating T cell activation when employing APCs from the spleen or CNS of mice with ongoing R-EAE, while B7-2 remained functionally predominant on lymph node APCs. Variation of phenotypic expression and functional dominance of costimulatory molecule expression in different lymphoid compartments during an active inflammatory autoimmune response has important implications in immune regulation, autoimmune pathogenesis, and therapeutic strategies.
Framed cobordisms in real algebraic geometry

Akbulut and King [3, 4] have obtained several interesting results investigating the effects on homology of real algebraic varieties of the blowing-up construction. Here we apply this technique to study the behaviour of homotopy classes.
Two-Channel Passive Data Telemetry With Remote RF Powering for High-Performance Wireless and Batteryless Strain Sensing Microsystem Applications

A reliable two-channel passive data telemetry system with remote RF powering capability is developed for high-performance industrial wireless and batteryless microelectromechanical systems strain sensing applications. The prototype system is insensitive to mechanical rotation and can simultaneously transmit and receive digitized Manchester-encoded strain and temperature data at 2.5 Mb/s and 125 kb/s by employing passive phase-shift keying and passive amplitude-shift keying modulation schemes, respectively, over the same wireless link used for remotely RF powering the strain sensing microsystem. The remote RF powering system can produce a stable on-chip dc voltage of 2.8 V with a 2-mA current supply capability from a 50-MHz energy source. The demonstrated performance is critical for realizing a wireless and batteryless strain sensing microsystem, which can provide a high-resolution and high-data rate strain information together with a low-data rate temperature information for real-time calibration and intelligent system control.
Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome and intracranial vascular pathologies.

Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, first described in 1977, is a rare autosomal dominant condition that commonly presents with skin lesions, including fibrofolliculomas and trichodiscomas; pulmonary cysts; spontaneous pneumothoraces; and renal cancer. We present the only known cases of intracranial vascular pathologies in patients with Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome. We present three cases (three female; age range 18-50) of intracranial vascular lesions in Birt-Hogg-Dube patients, including two aneurysms and one arteriovenous malformation, and review one previously reported case of carotid aplasia. Due to the rarity of Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome and significant variations in its clinical presentation, it is difficult to assess whether or not Birt-Hogg-Dube patients are predisposed to intracranial vascular pathologies. We hypothesize that increased transcription of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha, resulting from a mutated form of the protein folliculin transcribed by the Birt-Hogg-Dube gene, may be associated with vascular pathogenesis in Birt-Hogg-Dube patients and thus provide a possible molecular basis for a link between these two conditions.
Soft x-ray laser holography with wavelength resolution

We report the tabletop acquisition of soft x-ray holographic images of nanostructures with a spatial resolution of 46±2 nm, nearly equal to the wavelength of the illumination. Holograms of carbon nanotubes were recorded using a compact, tabletop capillary-discharge soft x-ray laser emitting at 46.9 nm in a high-numerical-aperture Gabor configuration.
Directness and tempo of avian seed dispersal increases emergence of wild chiltepins in desert grasslands

Summary 1. Seed dispersal is thought to be unpredictable and outside a plant’s control. But directed seed dispersal by mutualistic birds can increase probabilities of germination and survival by the non-random deposition of seeds in suitable microhabitats. 2. In the Sonoran Desert grasslands of southern Arizona (USA), bird-dispersed wild chiltepin peppers (Capscium annuum var. glabriusculum) grow in non-random association under bird-dispersed nurse trees and shrubs that serve as perches. We tested the hypothesis that the pattern is maintained by directional avian seed-dispersal patterns. Alternatively, post-dispersal processes, such as differential seed predation and seedling mortality, could create the associations. 3. For 3 years, we sampled the bird-generated seed rain under desert trees in four chiltepin subpopulations, comparing seed dispersal into microhabitats of fleshy-fruited trees and non-fleshy-fruited trees. Celtis pallida (fleshy-fruited) and Prosopis vellutina (non-fleshy-fruited) trees accounted for > 90% of the cover available for chiltepin recruitment. We tracked seedling emergence and survival in the two microhabitats and conducted a controlled seed-addition experiment to measure the effects of microhabitat, seed-addition density and temporal seed deposition on chiltepin emergence, growth and survival. 4. Approximately twice as many bird-dispersed seeds arrived at fleshy-fruited microhabitats compared with non-fleshy microhabitats. The numbers of seeds arriving and the number of seedlings emerging in microhabitats the following year were positively correlated. Survival of naturally emerged seedlings was similar at both microhabitats, but the seed-addition experiment revealed that more seeds are able to emerge under the denser foliage of fleshy-fruited microhabitats. The experiment also shows a significant effect of temporal deposition: when seeds were added gradually in a microhabitat (emulating repeated avian seed deposition under perches) instead of all at once, seedling emergence increased twofold on average. 5. Synthesis: Birds dispersed disproportionally high quantities of chiltepin seeds into favourable recruitment microhabitats, showing a case of directed dispersal. Birds also increase seedling emergence through the temporal deposition of seeds under fleshy-fruited trees, most likely as a result of reducing the odds of seed predation. A coupling between directed seed dispersal with classic facilitative plant–plant interactions leads to the formation of pattern and self-organization in a plant community.