cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 4529: Self-assembled lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles for the sustained delivery of siRNA and the treatment of drug-resistant cancers.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC RNA interference (RNAi), which can selectively knockdown target genes, has shown great potential in the treatment of various diseases including cancer. Thus far, numerous nanoparticle (NP) platforms such as lipoplex and polyplex have been developed to facilitate the safe and effective delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA), which represents a major hurdle for the clinical applications of RNAi. Nevertheless, these NP systems lack the sustained siRNA release property, and thus can only induce transient gene silencing due to the short lifetime of siRNA. Therefore, the delivery of siRNA using controlled-release NPs would be necessary for achieving sustained gene silencing. Herein, we will present a novel NP platform for safe and effective siRNA delivery in a sustained manner, which can be developed through the self-assembly of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers and lipids. The lipid-polymer hybrid NPs show excellent in vitro knockdown efficacy at low doses of siRNA, and promising in vivo results for delivering siRNA to xenograft tumors. More importantly, these NPs can control the temporal release of siRNA, with the half-release time of ∼ 9 days, for sustained silencing of target gene expression. Results demonstrate that the luciferase expression is still less than 25% at day 7 when the lucifrease-expressed HeLa cells were transfected with the NPs containing 40 pmol anti-luciferase siRNA. As a comparison, the luciferase expression is largely recovered (∼ 80%) at day 7, after transfection with lipo2000-siRNA complexes. Furthermore, this NP platform has been applied to deliver anti-drug resistance siRNA (e.g., anti-PHB1) and chemotherapeutic drugs (e.g., taxanes) for the effective treatment of drug resistant cancers. We believe that the lipid-polymer hybrid NP platform with the property of sustained siRNA release could hold potential in both fundamental studies and clinical applications. Citation Format: Jinjun Shi, Yingjie Xu, Xiaoyang Xu, Alexander Votruba, Xi Zhu, Eric Pridgen, Zeyu Xiao, Robert Langer, Bruce R. Zetter, Omid C. Farokhzad. Self-assembled lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles for the sustained delivery of siRNA and the treatment of drug-resistant cancers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4529. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4529
Histomorphometric evaluation of the thin hydroxyapatite layer formed through anodization followed by hydrothermal treatment.

By the previously described method of electrochemical and hydrothermal reaction, a thin hydroxyapatite (HA) layer of 1 μm thickness was formed on machined, grit-blasted, and titanium plasma-sprayed implants, the surfaces of which were equipped with a gap zone of 0.15 mm in depth. These implants, together with HA and titanium plasma-sprayed implants as control materials, were placed in dog mandibles for 4 weeks. Histomorphometrical comparison was performed to examine the effects of the thin HA layer and the surface topography on bone formation. The roughened implants, especially the grit-blasted implants, were surrounded with thin bone newly formed along the rough surfaces and showed higher bone apposition than the smooth implants. The gap zone of the HA plasma-sprayed implant was repaired with new bone that had vertically extended from the surrounding bone. The thin HA layer had as much osteoconduction as a plasma-sprayed HA coating but showed significantly different bone response. The results suggest that bone formation on an HA film is affected by degradation in living tissue that is related to the crystallinity and the chemical composition of the HA film itself. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effects of repeated amphetamine treatment on regional GABAA receptor binding.

The present study examined the effects of repeated exposure to amphetamine on GABAA receptor binding in cortical and subcortical areas. The goal of the study was to determine whether changes in specific binding were related to behavioral sensitization. Animals were exposed to either saline (0.3 ml, s.c.; n=12) or d-amphetamine (2.5 mg/kg, s.c.; n=12) for 6 consecutive days and sacrificed after a 14-day withdrawal period. Differences in GABAA receptor binding in these two groups of animals were assessed using the GABAA receptor antagonist [3H]SR 95531. To verify that the preceding treatment regimen led to the development of behavioral sensitization, a separate set of animals (n=8/group) was exposed to the same regimen and challenged with d-amphetamine (2.5 mg/kg, s.c.) after the 14-day withdrawal period. As expected, preexposure to amphetamine led to the development of amphetamine sensitization. There were no differences in GABAA receptor binding in animals preexposed to saline and amphetamine in the prefrontal cortex, caudate-putamen, hypothalamus, or cerebellum. These findings do not provide support for the idea that changes in GABAA receptor binding in the medial prefrontal cortex or various subcortical areas are related to the development of behavioral sensitization.
Preweaning paternal presence and later aggressiveness in male Mus musculus

Presence of an adult male during the first 3 weeks of life elevated later aggressiveness of male pups relative to that shown by those reared in absence of an adult male. This effect occurred whether the adult male had been confined behind a wire screen (preventing direct contact) or not. Pups in the father-present condition received more parental (maternal plus paternal) care than did pups in the other two groups. Maternal care in the father-absent condition was not reliably different than that in the condition with the father behind a screen. The results are compatible with the previously offered hypothesis that the mechanism involved is one of olfactory imprinting.
High precision measurements of sediment elevation in shallow coastal areas using a sedimentation-erosion table

The use of a sedimentation-erosion table (SET) for the measurement of small changes in sediment surface elevation in intertidal and shallow subtidal areas is described. The SET provides a constant reference plane in space from which the distance to the sediment surface can be measured by lowering pins to the surface. The precision of the method was determined by repeated measurements in coastal marshes, mudflats, and subtidal areas in Louisiana and Georgia. The confidence interval of the SET is about ±1.5 mm. The SET is more accurate if pins are lowered manually and the sediment surface is determined visually than if pins are lowered by gravity and the sediment surface is determined by soil resistance.
Driver design for DDR4 memory subsystems

As DDR4 continues to move from the design phase towards implementation, several challenges have been identified to successfully implement this high performance memory architecture for next generation systems. This paper investigates driver design selection for DDR4 systems. The paper studies the pros and cons of three driver design types namely: standard, pre-emphasis, and de-emphasis on typical net topogies of 1DPC (DIMM per channel) and 2DPC operated at 2400MT/s. For each driver type the impact of source termination on performance and power saving capability is discussed. Since the effects associated with different driver designs can be best understood in the time domain this paper uses behavioral models created in the SPICE format for simulations.
Elaboration of the α-model derived from the BCS theory of superconductivity

The single-band α-model of superconductivity (Padamsee et al 1973 J. Low Temp. Phys. 12 387) is a popular model that was adapted from the single-band Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer (BCS) theory of superconductivity mainly to allow fits to electronic heat capacity versus temperature T data that deviate from the BCS prediction. The model assumes that the normalized superconducting order parameter Δ(T)/Δ(0) and therefore the normalized London penetration depth λL(T)/λL(0) are the same as in BCS theory, calculated using the BCS value αBCS ≈ 1.764 of α ≡ Δ(0)/kBTc, where kB is Boltzmann’s constant and Tc is the superconducting transition temperature. On the other hand, to calculate the electronic free energy, entropy, heat capacity and thermodynamic critical field versus T, the α-model takes α to be an adjustable parameter. Here we write the BCS equations and limiting behaviors for the superconducting state thermodynamic properties explicitly in terms of α, as needed for calculations within the α-model, and present plots of the results versus T and α that are compared with the respective BCS predictions. Mechanisms such as gap anisotropy and strong coupling that can cause deviations of the thermodynamics from the BCS predictions, especially the heat capacity jump at Tc, are considered. Extensions of the α-model that have appeared in the literature, such as the two-band model, are also discussed. Tables of values of Δ(T)/Δ(0), the normalized London parameter Λ(T)/Λ(0) and λL(T)/λL(0) calculated from the BCS theory using α = αBCS are provided, which are the same in the α-model by assumption. Tables of values of the entropy, heat capacity and thermodynamic critical field versus T for seven values of α, including αBCS, are also presented.
Affective symptoms and intra-individual variability in the short-term course of cognitive functioning in bipolar disorder.

BackgroundFew studies have examined the short-term course of cognitive impairments in bipolar disorder (BD). Key questions are whether trajectories in symptoms covary with cognitive function and whether BD is associated with increased intra-individual variability in cognitive abilities.MethodForty-two out-patients with BD and 49 normal comparison (NC) subjects were administered a battery of neuropsychological tests at baseline, 6, 12 and 26 weeks, along with concurrent ratings of depressive and manic symptom severity. Mixed-effects regressions were used to model relationships between time, diagnosis and symptom severity on composite cognitive performance. Within-person variance in cognitive functioning across time was calculated for each subject.ResultsBD patients had significantly worse performance in cognitive ability across time points, but both groups showed significant improvement in cognitive performance over repeated assessments (consistent with expected practice effects). BD was associated with significantly greater intra-individual variability in cognitive ability than NCs; within-person variation was negatively related to baseline cognitive ability in BD but not NC subjects. Changes in affective symptoms over time did not predict changes in cognitive ability.ConclusionsModerate changes in affective symptoms did not covary with cognitive ability in BD. The finding of elevated intra-individual variability in BD may reduce capacity to estimate trajectories of cognitive ability in observational and treatment studies.
Crystal structures of the G protein Gi alpha 1 complexed with GDP and Mg2+: a crystallographic titration experiment.

The effect of Mg2+ binding on the conformation of the inactive GDP-bound complex of the heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunit Gi alpha 1 has been investigated by X-ray crystallography. Crystal structures of the Gi alpha 1.GDP complex were determined after titration with 5, 10, 100, and 200 mM Mg2+. Comparison of these structures with that of the Mg2+-free complex revealed Mg2+ bound at the same site as observed in the structure of the active, Gi alpha 1. GTP gamma S.Mg2+-bound complex of Gi alpha 1, with a similar coordination scheme except for the substitution of a water molecule for an oxygen ligand of the gamma-phosphate of Gi alpha 1.GTP gamma S. Mg2+. In contrast to the GDP.Mg2+ complex of Gt alpha and of other G proteins, switch I residues of Gi alpha 1 participate in Mg2+ binding and undergo conformational changes as a consequence of Mg2+ binding. Partial order is induced in switch II, which is disordered in the Mg2+-free complex, but no order is observed in the switch III region. This contrasts with the GDP.Mg2+ complex of Gt alpha in which both switch II and III switch are ordered. Mg2+ binding also induces binding of an SO42- molecule to the active site in a manner which may mimic a Gi alpha 1.GDP.PO42-.Mg2+ product complex. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Mechanism and significance of the mammalian pathway for elimination of D-glutamate; inhibition of glutathione synthesis by D-glutamate

Administration of a tracer dose of L-[14C] glutamate to rats led to rapid labeling of tissue 5-oxoproline, a finding in accord with the γ-glutamyl cycle. After giving the same dose of D-[14C] glutamate, the labeling of kidney 5-oxoproline was about 400 times greater than found after giving L-[14C] glutamate; this reflects the activity of D-glutamate cyclase, which catalyzes cyclization of D-glutamate to 5-oxo-D-proline. The mammalian pathway for detoxication of D-glutamate, which does not require energy or utilization of other metabolites, may have evolved to protect L-amino acid-specific systems against inhibition by D-glutamate; D-glutamate cyclase seems to account for the presence of 5-oxo-D-proline in normal blood plasma and urine. Administration of D-glutamate decreased the glutathione level in the kidney markedly, reflecting inhibition of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase; D-glutamate may be useful in various studies as an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis.
Susceptibility of Northern Fowl Mites in North Carolina to Five Acaricides

Abstract The susceptibilities (dosage-response regression curves) of northern fowl mites collected from six poultry farms in North Carolina were determined for five acaricides by exposure of the mites for 24 hr to acaricide residues inside glass pipettes. The residue concentrations were expressed as parts per million on a weight-volume basis of the acaricide-acetone solution in which the pipettes were immersed prior to testing. All of the acaricides, except malathion, were highly toxic to the northern fowl mites. The mean LD50 values (ppm) were: permethrin, .53; tetrachlorvinphos, 4.06; carbaryl, 4.11; and coumaphos, 5.04. For malathion, the mean LD50 for mites from three caged layer flocks was 119.35 ppm while concentrations as high as 500 ppm gave only low mortalities (20% or less) of mites from the other flocks and LD50 values could not be calculated. These data show that northern fowl mites are highly resistant to malathion in North Carolina, as has been reported elsewhere, but there is no evidence of resistance to the other acaricides tested. The effect of temperature on the toxicity to northern fowl mites of the newest acaricide, permethrin, was determined. Permethrin was significantly more toxic at 20 C than at 25, 30, or 35 C.
E-healthcare: strategies to consider

Healthcare decision makers need access to better-integrated patient information systems to facilitate organisational healthcare strategy, to improve patient satisfaction and to enhance patient outcomes. The impact of technology must be managed by healthcare organisations. This paper discusses strategies and explores operational issues needed to create a successful healthcare information system.
A systematic review of outcomes of maternal weight gain according to the Institute of Medicine recommendations: Birthweight, fetal growth, and postpartum weight retention

This systematic review focuses on outcomes of gestational weight gain, specifically birthweight, fetal growth, and postpartum weight retention, for singleton pregnancies with respect to the 1990 Institute of Medicine weight gain recommendations. A total of 35 studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. There was strong evidence to support associations between excessive gestational weight gain and increased birthweight and fetal growth (large for gestational age) as well as inadequate gestational weight gain and decreased birthweight and fetal growth (small for gestational age). There was moderate evidence to support the association between excessive gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention. Clear clinical recommendations based on this review are challenging because of several limitations in the literature. Improvements in future research include the use of consistent definitions of gestational weight gain and outcomes of interest, assessment of confounders, and better collection of weight and weight gain data.
An unusual colonic duplication associated with a foreign body and anemia: a tale of 2 colons

Alimentary tract "duplications" are infrequent and usually present in infancy and childhood. The diagnostic difficulties associated with these congenital anomalies underscore the need for a high level of awareness given the variable spectrum of clinical presentation. We report a child with a colonic duplication who presented with an intestinal foreign body and iron deficiency anemia.
Conjugated Polymers with Geminal Trifluoromethyl Substituents Derived from Hexafluoroacetone

Convenient syntheses of 9,9-bis(trifluoromethyl)fluorene and 6,6,12,12-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)indenofluorene are reported. These compounds are readily prepared in two steps from simple halo-aromatics and hexafluoroacetone, which serves as the source of the geminal trifluoromethyl groups. Iodination yields polymerizable monomers that were used to prepare several conjugated polymers. The photophysical properties of these polymers are reported. The polymers demonstrate slightly blue-shifted UV−vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra as well as high solution and solid-state fluorescence quantum efficiencies. Polymer photobleaching experiments reveal that poly(fluorene)s with geminal trifluoromethyl substituents demonstrate greater photooxidative stability than poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene).
Applications of parks management information systems

The paper presents a conceptual model of an integrated management information system for municipal parks maintenance and operations. Research efforts in management information systems are presented in three categories: Business Research, Federally Sponsored Research, and Park and Recreation Systems Research. A case is made for further empirical research, the development of normative models, and evaluative criteria in an attempt to realize the full potential of electronic data processing in parks and recreation.
On-die sensors for measuring process and environmental variations in integrated circuits

We present compact on-die variation monitoring circuits for measuring process and environmental fluctuations in product chips. The process characterization structure can be used to isolate process induced systematic and random variation in NFET and PFET devices. The environmental monitoring structure is designed for real time monitoring of performance variations. The proposed structures provide an efficient trade-off between test cost and measurement data. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed sensors show very good sensitivity to FET level threshold voltage and supply voltage fluctuations, respectively. Due to their low overhead and improved monitoring capabilities, the structures can be very effective as on-die embedded sensors for measuring spatial and temporal variability in integrated circuits.
Duality of Optimal Strapdown Sculling and Coning Compensation Algorithms

This paper addresses the design of optimal algorithms for the sculling compensation applied in strapdown inertial systems. A class of optimized algorithms for the sculling compensation is derived and evaluated for three dynamic environments: a pure sculling environment, a benign environment, and a generalized vibrational environment. The resultant class of optimized sculling algorithms is shown to manifest an interesting duality property when compared with a class of optimized coning compensation algorithms previously derived, in both algorithm structure and the algorithm errors incurred in the three dynamic environments considered.
Diagnostic and treatment guidelines for the chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms: current challenges

ISSN 2045-1393 Int. J. Hematol. Oncol. (2015) 4(1), 5–8 The chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocytosis (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) are a unique group of hematopoietic stem cell disorders, characterized by the increased production of morphologically normal red cells, white cells and platelets alone or in combination and a tendency to develop myelofibrosis, extramedullary hematopoiesis with bone marrow failure or leukemic transformation, albeit at varying frequencies. These shared clinical features not only result in phenotypic mimicry among these three disorders but also between them, their companion myeloid neoplasms (MN) and certain benign disorders of hematopoiesis as well. In this regard, although they are clonal stem cell disorders, the chronic MPN differ from their companion MN because with supportive therapy alone, survival in PV, ET and PMF is usually measured not in years but decades. This makes diagnostic accuracy essential. However, until the 2005 discovery of a mutation (V617F) in JAK2 [1], a tyrosine kinase essential for hematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation, the diagnosis of a specific MPN was largely based on clinical phenotype and, in particular exclusion of absolute erythrocytosis [2], the hall mark of PV, the most common MPN and the one in which the risk of thrombosis or hemorrhage is greatest. The development of a clinical assay for JAK2 V617F and subsequently, for mutations in JAK2 exon 12, redefined the MPN on a molecular basis with approximately 95% of PV patients expressing JAK2 V617F and 3% expressing JAK2 exon 12 mutations. By contrast, only 50–60% of ET and PMF patients expressed JAK2 V617F; the discovery of MPL mutations primarily in 4% of ET and 8% of PMF patients still left approximately 30–40% of MPN patients, including some with PV, without an identified molecular basis for their disease. In 2007, taking advantage of these molecular findings, the WHO proposed new diagnostic criteria for the MPN, relying on the use of molecular assays for JAK2 and MPL mutations together with stipulated values for the hemoglobin or hematocrit value, the use of the serum erythropoietin (EPO) level, endogenous erythroid colony formation, bone marrow histology, cytogenetics and flow cytometry
Targeted disruption of the Hexa gene results in mice with biochemical and pathologic features of Tay-Sachs disease.

Abstract Tay-Sachs disease, the prototype of the GM2 gangliosidoses, is a catastrophic neurodegenerative disorder of infancy. The disease is caused by mutations in the HEXA gene resulting in an absence of the lysosomal enzyme, beta-hexosaminidase A. As a consequence of the enzyme deficiency, GM2 ganglioside accumulates progressively, beginning early in fetal life, to excessive amounts in the central nervous system. Rapid mental and motor deterioration starting in the first year of life leads to death by 2-4 years of age. Through the targeted disruption of the mouse Hexa gene in embryonic stem cells, we have produced mice with biochemical and neuropathologic features of Tay-Sachs disease. The mutant mice displayed < 1% of normal beta-hexosaminidase A activity and accumulated GM2 ganglioside in their central nervous system in an age-dependent manner. The accumulated ganglioside was stored in neurons as membranous cytoplasmic bodies characteristically found in the neurons of Tay-Sachs disease patients. At 3-5 months of age, the mutant mice showed no apparent defects in motor or memory function. These beta-hexosaminidase A-deficient mice should be useful for devising strategies to introduce functional enzyme and genes into the central nervous system. This model may also be valuable for studying the biochemical and pathologic changes occurring during the course of the disease.
Leaf hydrocarbons of Phacelia species (hydrophyllaceae)

Abstract Whole leaf hydrocarbons of six species of Phacelia were investigated for their variability among natural Californian populations, and for adaptive
Certain computational aspects of vector diffraction problems

Fourier decomposition of a given amplitude distribution into plane waves and the subsequent superposition of these waves after propagation is a powerful yet simple approach to diffraction problems. Many vector diffraction problems can be formulated in this way, and the classical results are usually the consequence of a stationary-phase approximation to the resulting integrals. For situations in which the approximation does not apply, a factorization technique is developed that substantially reduces the required computational resources. Numerical computations are based on the fast-Fourier-transform algorithm, and the practicality of this method is shown with several examples.
Specific Granulomatous Hypersensitivity elicited by Bentonite Particles coated with Soluble Antigens from Schistosome Eggs and Tubercle Bacilli

THE infectious granuloma is a form of focal inflammation which occurs around various infectious agents1. The schistosome egg granuloma has been investigated as a model of granulomatous inflammation2, and it has been shown that mice previously exposed to eggs of Schistosoma mansoni develop larger granulomas than unsensitized mice and that peak size is attained earlier3. The anamnestic response is specific, it can be transferred passively with lymphoid cells, but not by serum, and is inhibited by immunosuppressive drugs4, neonatal thymectomy5 and anti-lymphocyte serum6. It has been concluded therefore that the formation of granuloma around S. mansoni eggs is a manifestation of delayed hypersensitivity.
The Self Focus Sentence Completion: a study of egocentricity.

Summary A 30-item sentence completion blank (SFSC), in which most of the stems contain a self-reference (I, my, me, etc.) is described. Normative data are provided for 2,592 non-psychiatric subjects representing five different kinds of populations, and 273 psychiatric patients from nine different diagnostic groups. Reliability data are presented and the results of six validation studies are discussed. It is suggested that the SFSC, which yields six scores, may provide a useful index of egocentricity as a response orientation or style. The data are discussed in the context of “egocentric balance,” a postulate seemingly compatible with several theoretical positions.
Humoral sensitivity to native collagen types I-VI in the arthritis of MRL/l mice.

Abstract The presence of immune reactivity to collagen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis as well as recent interest in the type II collagen-induced arthritis model have suggested a role for autoimmunity to collagen as a major disease mechanism. However, data concerning the occurrence of antibodies (AB) against the different types of collagen during a spontaneously occurring, histologically well-defined arthritis have been lacking. Sera from 48 MRL I mice aged 5 to 25 weeks with spontaneously occurring hindlimb arthritis were obtained. Sera were tested for auto-AB against collagens utilizing highly purified native collagen types I–VI. Significant levels of circulating AB against native collagen types I, III, and VI could not be detected in any age group. The greatest elevation of antibodies directed against type II collagen was found in 13- to 15-week-old mice. AB against type IV collagen were detected in slightly elevated levels with a maximum at 9–10 weeks. Most strikingly, AB against type V were markedly elevated after 19 weeks. The occurrence of high levels of AB against type V collagen, largely found in the pericellular matrix of smooth muscle cells, is associated with the late stage of disease characterized by histologically documented vasculitis. The results suggest that AB to collagen occur as a consequence of tissue destruction and that evidence for a pathogenetic role of AB in MRL I arthritis is lacking.
A Powerful Truncated Newton Method for Potential Energy Minimization

With advances in computer architecture and software, Newton methods are becoming not only feasible for large-scale nonlinear optimization problems, but also reliable, fast and efficient. Truncated Newton methods, in particular, are emerging as a versatile subclass. In this article we present a truncated Newton algorithm specifically developed for potential energy minimization. The method is globally convergent with local quadratic convergence. Its key ingredients are: (1) approximation of the Newton direction far away from local minima, (2) solution of the Newton equation iteratively by the linear Conjugate Gradient method, and (3) preconditioning of the Newton equation by the analytic second-derivative components of the “local” chemical interactions: bond length, bond angle and torsional potentials. Relaxation of the required accuracy of the Newton search direction diverts the minimization search away from regions where the function is nonconvex and towards physically interesting regions. The preconditioning strategy significantly accelerates the iterative solution for the Newton search direction, and therefore reduces the computation time for each iteration. With algorithmic variations, the truncated Newton method can be formulated so that storage and computational requirements are comparable to those of the nonlinear Conjugate Gradient method. As the convergence rate of nonlinear Conjugate Gradient methods is linear and performance less predictable, the application of the truncated Newton code to potential energy functions is promising.
Decreased RNA polymerase activity after organ storage

Abstract The role of RNA polymerase in controlling DNA transcription was examined after the negative impact of organ storage. Total RNA polymerase activity was reduced to 18% of control values after 2 hr of warm (37°C) organ storage and to 31% of control values by 72 hr of cold (0–4°C) storage. Engaged (RNA polymerase transcribing endogenous chromatin) and free RNA polymerase activities were reduced to 20 and 70%, respectively, of their control values by warm storage conditions. However, engaged RNA polymerase was not affected by the cold storage for 24 hr, a condition which reduced the free enzyme activity to 18% of control values. RNA polymerase enzymes were extracted from the nuclei and identified as RNA polymerase I or RNA polymerase II by virtue of their sensitivity to α-amanitin and their retention on DEAE-Sephadex. A decrease in the activity of both enzymes was found during organ storage (cold and warm), however, RNA polymerase I was more susceptible to inactivation during storage than RNA polymerase II. Organ storage decreases RNA polymerase activity. It is likely that this activity must be restored in order for the organ to regain function.
A sediment trap intercomparison experiment in the Panama Basin, 1979

Abstract In order to compare the collection efficiency of settling particles among sediment traps in a variety of design concepts, 28 sediment traps of 11 different designs were deployed at six depths ranging from 665 to 3769 m along five rigid mooring anchored in a sill-protected marginal basin about 3865 m deep for about 4 months from August to November 1979. The traps represented three basic designs: (1) cylinders with an aspect ratio between 2 and 3; (2) funnels with a large opening covered by a baffle with a small grid and (3) open boxes whose openings were covered by a baffle. All but two of these types of participating traps had a mechanism to isolate the collected sample. Monitoring instruments indicate that all moorings provided a stable platform throughout the duration of Sediment Trap Intercomparison Experiment (STIE) with relatively low current velocity at the middle layers and very low velocity at the deep layers. Total mass flux, fluxes of three size fractions after water sieving, carbonate, combustible and noncombustible fractions, organic carbon, nitrogen and other sedimentary constituents in the individual samples were determined and evaluated with regard to the relative consistency in terms of depth and statistical tests on the similarity of the constituents. Under the conditions tested, the trapping efficiency of settling particles between a large funnel trap with baffle and an intermediate-sized cylinder trap was nearly identical considering the laboratory analytical errors. This conclusion might be extended to cylinder traps with diameters as small as 7 cm and a large aspect ratio when deployed rigidly in a low energy ocean environment. A funnel-type trap with a more effective baffle had a higher collecting efficiency than the other traps. Because of mechanical problems, comparison of the box-type traps to the other types was inconclusive.
Futility and inappropriate care in pediatric intensive care: a cross-sectional survey.

Summary Background : Over recent years, there have been increasing concerns regarding an increase in the number of futile and inappropriate admissions to pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in the United Kingdom (UK). Methods : A prospective cross-sectional survey was carried out using a data collection form distributed by mail to the directors of all PICUs in the UK. Respondents were asked to give details of all patients on their unit on a specific day including age, reason for admission and any preexisting medical conditions. An assessment was made by respondents of whether the care being provided in each case was, in their opinion, appropriate, futile or inappropriate according to standard definitions. Results : We received responses from 21 units (68%) who reported the details of 111 patients. Care was felt to be appropriate in 88 of these cases (79%), futile in nine cases (8%) and inappropriate in 14 cases (13%). Futile cases were most commonly admitted with respiratory failure and all had preexisting medical conditions, most commonly developmental delay. Where care was felt to be inappropriate, respiratory failure was again the most common reason for admission and all had a preexisting medical condition, most commonly cardiovascular disease. Conclusions : The care being provided in 21% of the PICU cases, described in this study, was felt to be either futile or inappropriate by the directors of those units. There is an urgent need to, accurately, establish the resource consumption associated with these patients and to establish a standard approach to futility and inappropriate care in PICU in the UK.
STUDIES IN ONAGRACEAE V. THE NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF THE SUBGENERA LAVAUXIA AND MEGAPTERIUM OF THE GENUS OENOTHERA

In the preceding papers of this series there have been treated the North American species of the subgenera Chylismia, Sphaerostigma (Chamissonia), Eulobus, Calylophis (Meriolix), Salpingia (Galpinsia), and Taraxia, or the Onagreae-Chamissoniinae of Raimann (Engler & Prantl, Natiirl. Pflanzenfam., III, Abt. 7: 2I6. I893). This group includes those members of the genus with the stigma spherical or discoid. The present paper begins with those subgenera having the stigma divided into four lobes, taking up the discussion of two of these, namely Lavauxia and Megapterium. Of the former I have had insufficient South American material to include such species; the latter is exclusively North American. In both of these subgenera, the seeds are winged at the somewhat flattened apex. In Lavauxia, the capsule itself is ovoid, quite woody in texture, with angles winged most widely in the upper half so as to make the capsule appear obpyramidal, and with the seeds merely granular and in two rows in each cell of the capsule. In Megapterium the capsule is more cylindrical or prismatic, less indurate, with the angles usually winged their entire length, and with the seeds having corky tubercles and occurring in one row in each cell of the capsule. With such a basis of division, I would place the North American species as follows: (i) in Lavauxia, Oenothera triloba, 0. flava, 0. taraxacoides; (2) in Megapterium, 0. missouriensis, 0. brachycarpa, 0. Fremonti'i, and 0. gramin'ifolia. Of other species that have been referred to Lavauxia, I would place in Pachylophis: 0. primiveris (including Lavauxia lobata A. Nels.) and 0. tubifera. Of those that have been referred to Megapterium, I would place in Hartmannia: 0. dissecta and 0. Havard'i, and in Gaurella: 0. canescens. The transfer of Oenothera brachycarpa from Lavauxia to Megapterium differs from the usual disposition, but the basis of being acaulescent or caulescent, which has been so often used to separate the two groups, means little. I have seen specimens of the South American species 0. acaulis, which is an undoubted Lavauxia, with stems several decimeters long. The acaulescent condition of 0. brachycarpa does not deter me therefore, from placing the species in Megapterium, where various other characters seem to place it; namely, capsule-wings running from base of fruit rather 1 No. IV of this series appeared in Amer. Jour. Bot. i6: 702-7I5. I929. 358
Fuelwood resources and forest regeneration on fallow land in Uganda.

Abstract East African forests have been largely converted to agriculture. The remaining forests hold many endangered species but are threatened by the heavy local demand for fuelwood. Here we evaluate fallow land in western Uganda as an alternate fuel source to diverse forests. We quantify the regeneration process on fallows, calculate tree bio-mass increases, and measure grass and woody herb biomass over 44 months. The biomass values we measured were typical or slightly below the average from 11 studies elsewhere in the tropics. Variation in biomass between our neighboring study sites exceeded that between sites on different continents, indicating the sensitivity of vegetation regeneration to local land use. Tree regeneration was extremely slow (0.46 g/m2/year); however, the woody herbs and grasses on a 4 year old fallow of ∼0.5 ha can provide much of a family's domestic fuel. Fallow land is generally abundant in western Uganda and can partially alleviate pressure on forests for domestic fuels. Fallows c...
The [12]Annulene Global Minimum

A new global minimum for [12]annulene has been computationally located. This mono-trans minimum 5 (CCCCCT) is computed to be 1.5 kcal/mol more stable (CCSD(T)/cc-pVDZ//BHHLYP/6-311+G**) than the known tri-trans isomer 1 (CTCTCT) and 2.4 kcal/mol lower than the di-trans isomer 4 (CCTCCT), for which there is indirect evidence. The barriers for several rearrangements of 5 were all computed to be above 15 kcal/mol, indicating that direct experimental characterization of 5 should be possible. The computed barriers for the dynamic processes (including conformational automerization) coupled with computed 1H NMR shift values should aid in the future characterization of this [12]annulene isomer.
A study of microbend test by strain gradient plasticity

Abstract Metallic materials display strong size effect when the characteristic length associated with plastic deformation is on the order of microns. This size effect cannot be explained by classical plasticity theories since their constitutive relations do not have an intrinsic material length. Strain gradient plasticity has been developed to extend continuum plasticity to the micron or submicron regime. One major issue in strain gradient plasticity is the determination of the intrinsic material length that scales with strain gradients, and several microbend test specimens have been designed for this purpose. We have studied different microbend test specimens using the theory of strain gradient plasticity. The pure bending specimen, cantilever beam, and the microbend test specimen developed by Stolken and Evans (Stolken, J.S., Evans, A.G., 1998. A microbend test method for measuring the plasticity length scale Acta Mater. 46, 5109–5115) are found suitable for the determination of intrinsic material length in strain gradient plasticity. However, the double cantilever beam (both ends clamped) is unsuitable since its deformation is dominated by axial stretching. The strain gradient effects significantly increase the bending stiffness of a microbend test specimen. The deflection of a 10-μm thick beam is only a few percent of that estimated by classical plasticity.
Ensuring volt-second balance in high-power-density phase-shifted full-bridge converter design

The phase-shifted full-bridge (PSFB) converter topology provides a platform which enables the achievement of high power-density through low-loss operation at high frequency. However, this topology is also subject to the risk of flux imbalance in the main power transformer if precautions are not taken to prevent its occurrence. This paper evaluates the power-density implications of the several known mechanisms described in the literature for ensuring flux balance in the context of this converter topology. Additionally, the details of a high-power PSFB prototype converter design are reported and the performance of this system is used to evaluate the practicality of implementing a novel technique for addressing the volt-second balance issue without compromising the converter bus design required to achieve higher power density.
Tc17 cells mediate vaccine immunity against lethal fungal pneumonia in immune deficient hosts lacking CD4+ T cells

Vaccines may help reduce the growing incidence of fungal infections in immune-suppressed patients. We have found that, even in the absence of CD4+ T-cell help, vaccine-induced CD8+ T cells persist and confer resistance against Blastomyces dermatitidis and Histoplasma capsulatum. Type 1 cytokines contribute to that resistance, but they also are dispensable. Although the role of T helper 17 cells in immunity to fungi is debated, IL-17 producing CD8+ T cells (Tc17 cells) have not been investigated. Here, we show that Tc17 cells are indispensable in antifungal vaccine immunity in hosts lacking CD4+ T cells. Tc17 cells are induced upon vaccination, recruited to the lung on pulmonary infection, and act non-redundantly in mediating protection in a manner that requires neutrophils. Tc17 cells did not influence type I immunity, nor did the lack of IL-12 signaling augment Tc17 cells, indicating a distinct lineage and function. IL-6 was required for Tc17 differentiation and immunity, but IL-1R1 and Dectin-1 signaling was unexpectedly dispensable. Tc17 cells expressed surface CXCR3 and CCR6, but only the latter was essential in recruitment to the lung. Although IL-17 producing T cells are believed to be short-lived, effector Tc17 cells expressed low levels of KLRG1 and high levels of the transcription factor TCF-1, predicting their long-term survival and stem-cell like behavior. Our work has implications for designing vaccines against fungal infections in immune suppressed patients.
Centers of mass and weight distribution in spiders of the family uloboridae.

In the Uloboridae, web reduction is accompanied by changes in opisthosomal shape, leg length, and web-monitoring tactics. These morphological changes make reduced-web spiders more cryptic and alter their leg leverage and centers of mass. When compared with the orb-weaver Uloborus glomosus, the irregular, reduced-web spider, Miagrammopes animotus, invests more mass in its prosoma and first legs. However, the latter species' elongate opisthosoma posteriorly shifts this region's center of mass, causing the relative position of its composite center of mass and the distribution of weight between its first and fourth legs to be similar to that of the orb-weaver. Like these species, the opisthosomal center of mass of the triangle-weaver, Hyptiotes cavatus, lies near its midpoint. However, the shorter first legs and rounder, heavier opisthosoma of Hyptiotes posteriorly shift its composite center of mass and distribute more of its weight onto its fourth legs. Consequently, the morphology of M. animotus can be adequately explained by its adaptiveness for web manipulation, balance, and weight distribution and the crypsis that these features confer as an ancillary advantage. In contrast, anatomical changes in H. cavatus are better explained as adaptations for web manipulation and crypsis.
Direct numerical simulation of turbulent flow with evaporating droplets at high temperature

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) is used to investigate turbulent flows with evaporating fuel droplets. For the solution of the carrier gas fluid, the Eulerian method is employed, while for fuel droplets, the Lagrangian method is used. The two-way coupling interactions between the carrier fluid and the fuel droplets are described by the mass, momentum and energy transfers. Direct numerical simulation is performed by a compressible code, named S3D. In this paper, the effects of evaporating and non-evaporating droplets on isotropic turbulent flows are investigated. From the simulations it is found that for the case without evaporation, the inclusion of small droplets suppresses the turbulence, while evaporation usually enhances turbulence at later times for higher mass-loading ratios.
Survey of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Departments in the U. S.

As a part of a major curriculum study undertaken by the IEEE Computer Society Education Committee in the fall of 1974, a subcommittee surveyed existing curriculum and equipment in both computer science and electrical engineering departments to assess the current situation. The survey was also intended to update the COSINE survey of electrical engineering departments conducted in the fall of 1972. 1
Synthesis of the large-port K− mordenite endmember: its relation to ion-exchange theory

Abstract This paper reports the synthesis of the large-port K-mordenite endmember using 1 wt% of H-mordenite as seed crystals. By varying the K (Na+K) ratio in the starting batch, a series of K-, (Na,K)-, and Na-mordenites was synthesized. In the mixed cation system, the mordenite was found to preferentially incorporate potassium into the structure over sodium. The K Na ratios obtained during synthesis and during ion exchange were found to be essentially the same. The standard free energy change for the reaction K soln + Na-mordenite α K -mordenite + Na soln was found to be −1.8 kcal g-mol −1 under synthesis conditions.
Novel mechanisms of early upper and lower urinary tract patterning regulated by RetY1015 docking tyrosine in mice

Mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase RET are associated with congenital anomalies of kidneys or urinary tract (CAKUT). RET tyrosine Y1015 is the docking site for PLCγ, a major regulator of RET signaling. Abrogating signaling via Y1015 causes CAKUT that are markedly different than renal agenesis in Ret-null or RetY1062F mutant mice. We performed analysis of Y1015F mutant upper and lower urinary tracts in mice to delineate its molecular and developmental roles during early urinary tract formation. We found that the degeneration of the common nephric ducts (CND), the caudal-most Wolffian duct (WD) segment, depends on Y1015 signals. The CNDs in Y1015F mutants persist owing to increased proliferation and reduced apoptosis, and showed abundance of phospho-ERK-positive cells. In the upper urinary tract, the Y1015 signals are required for proper patterning of the mesonephros and metanephros. Timely regression of mesonephric mesenchyme and proper demarcation of mesonephric and metanephric mesenchyme from the WD depends on RetY1015 signaling. We show that the mechanism of de novo ectopic budding is via increased ERK activity due to abnormal mesenchymal GDNF expression. Although reduction in GDNF dosage improved CAKUT it did not affect delayed mesenchyme regression. Experiments using whole-mount immunofluorescence confocal microscopy and explants cultures of early embryos with ERK-specific inhibitors suggest an imbalance between increased proliferation, decreased apoptosis and increased ERK activity as a mechanism for WD defects in RetY1015F mice. Our work demonstrates novel inhibitory roles of RetY1015 and provides a possible mechanistic explanation for some of the confounding broad range phenotypes in individuals with CAKUT.