cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Dissolved Gases Using a Hollow Core Optical Fiber and Capillary Membrane Inlet

Here we present an optical technique for continuously measuring dissolved gases in liquids. The method uses a capillary membrane inlet to extract gas from the liquid sample, which then travels through an anti-resonant hollow core fiber (AR-HCF) for analysis by absorption spectroscopy.
Characterizing the Performance of QUIC on Android and Wear OS Devices

Google’s QUIC protocol has become popular over the past few years and is being rapidly adopted as the transport protocol of choice by popular Internet services in their mobile applications. Considering this, it is crucial to understand the performance and implementation issues of integrating QUIC with mobile and wearable applications. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive measurement analysis and comparison of QUIC with TCP on mobile and wearable platforms. Our experiments cover a wide range of environments, including different request sizes, traffic directions, and connectivity types. From our experiments, we found that the benefits of using QUIC instead of TCP to service HTTP requests are not uniform across different scenarios. We also found a bug in the current implementation of QUIC in Android’s Cronet library that prevents the applications from reverting back to using WiFi after a connection migration from LTE happens. Our experiences from this measurement study has lead us to propose a probabilistic framework, which we call Dynamic Transport Selection, that adaptively chooses the appropriate transport protocol for a given network environment. We implemented and evaluated this framework in Android and Wear OS devices and found that it improves the overall request completion performance of the application by as much as 41.76% when compared to using either QUIC or TCP alone
Microgel Dynamics Characterization Using SEM

A methodology for imaging the dynamics of individual microgel particles using high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is presented. To enable this, the microgels are dispersed in an ionic liquid, which due to its low vapor pressure allows them to remain in suspension even under the high vacuum conditions present in a typical electron gun. Thus, compared with conventional electron microscopy studies of microgels, no sample drying or freezing is necessary which preserves their morphology while also allowing to probe microgel dynamics in solution. The results based on the individually tracked particles are compared with results from dynamic light scattering (DLS) which measures the mean size and diffusion properties of large collectives of particles. For the size measurements, the SEM and DLS data are in general agreement. For the particle dynamics, monitoring individual microgel motion reveals complex dynamics in which, aside from the expected thermal motion, one observes effects such as clustering, rotation and drift. This is in contrast with a control sample of hard sphere-like silica particles where the motion is primarily diffusional in good agreement with DLS studies.
Open Cholecystostomy Under Local Anesthesia for Acute Cholecystitis in the Elderly and High-Risk Surgical Patients.

Background The morbidity and mortality rates associated with cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis are higher in the critically ill elderly population. As an alternative to cholecystectomy, we report the results of treatment of acute cholecystitis in the elderly after open cholecystolithotomy with cholecystostomy tube placement under local anesthesia. Methods A case series was performed on 5 patients from August 2007 to April 2010 who presented with acute cholecystitis and underwent an open cholecystolithotomy and tube placement. Thirty-day mortality, intra- and immediate-postoperative complications, clinical improvement after drainage, additional biliary procedures needed, and outcome after cholecystostomy tube removal were recorded. Results Open cholecystolithotomy and tube placement were performed successfully in all patients and permitted resolution of the acute attack in all after a mean period of 3.75 days. Thirty-day mortality was 0%. Patients did not experience any intraoperative complications. We observed 100% rate of successful short-term outcomes in our patients including resolution pain, and objectively, normalization of leukocytosis, and defervescence. None of the patients required emergency cholecystectomy. All patients had their cholecystostomy tubes removed at a mean postoperative day 27. There were no cases of biliary leakage or tube dislodgement. There were no recurrences of acute cholecystitis within the mean follow-up of 20.75 months. Discussion Emergency open cholecystolithotomy and cholecystostomy tube placement represent an effective, safe, and definitive alternative treatment strategy for acute gallstone cholecystitis in selected elderly patients with a mortality rate of 0% in the authors' experience.
Human continuous glucose monitors for measurement of glucose in dairy cows

Abstract If validated for use in dairy cattle, interstitial continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) could be easily implemented, informative tools for research, clinical, and perhaps even on-farm applications. To evaluate their efficacy, 2 experiments were conducted, during which lactating Holstein cows were fit with indwelling jugular catheters, as well as FreeStyle Libre (FSL; Abbott) and Dexcom G6 (DexCom Inc.) CGMs secured either behind their polls, lateral to their ears, or beneath their pin bones on their upper rear legs. During the first experiment, blood (measured with a handheld glucometer) and interstitial glucose measurements were collected from 13 cows every 4 h for 96 h. In the second experiment, the same measurements were collected from 8 cows every 15 min for 6 h. At the mid-point of the sampling period (3 h), cows received a bolus dose of dextrose to facilitate comparisons across a broad range of glucose concentrations. Results from both experiments determined that functional longevity of the sensors was greatest for those sensors secured near the ear. Likewise, interstitial measurements from the ear sensors were most closely correlated with blood glucose concentrations (r = 0.82 and r = 0.71 for FSL ear and Dexcom G6 ear, respectively). Unfortunately, accuracy calculated as absolute relative error was low, at 60.7% or less. As a result of the low accuracy, even though both ear sensors detected an increase in glucose concentrations following the bolus dose, neither produced results exactly matching blood glucose measurements. The results of this work indicate that the FSL and Dexcom G6 CGMs are not currently capable of replacing blood-based glucose measurements.
Mendelssohn’s Response to Burke on the Sublime

Even if the author’s principles aren’t good for much, his book is still unusually useful as a collection of all the happenings and perceptions which philosophers must accept without argument in the course of these investigations... [and] no one will better know how to use them than you.
Dissociation of dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens from intracranial self-stimulation.

Mesolimbic dopamine-releasing neurons appear to be important in the brain reward system1,2. One behavioural paradigm that supports this hypothesis is intracranial self-stimulation (ICS), during which animals repeatedly press a lever to stimulate their own dopamine-releasing neurons electrically3,4,5,6. Here we study dopamine release from dopamine terminals in the nucleus accumbens core and shell in the brain by using rapid-responding voltammetric microsensors7 during electrical stimulation of dopamine cell bodies in the ventral tegmental area/substantia nigra brain regions. In rats in which stimulating electrode placement failed to elicit dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens, ICS behaviour was not learned. In contrast, ICS was acquired when stimulus trains evoked extracellular dopamine in either the core or the shell of the nucleus accumbens. In animals that could learn ICS, experimenter-delivered stimulation always elicited dopamine release. In contrast, extracellular dopamine was rarely observed during ICS itself. Thus, although activation of mesolimbic dopamine-releasing neurons seems to be a necessary condition for ICS, evoked dopamine release is actually diminished during ICS. Dopamine may therefore be a neural substrate for novelty8 or reward expectation9 rather than reward itself.
Interfacing practices: domain theory emerges via collaborative reflection

Can reflective practice help an interdisciplinary team collaborate? When a new team begins negotiating their working process toward achieving project deliverables, members implicitly bring diverse professional practices to the table. Once minimal common ground has been established, members specify what they each need from the other in order to implement their respective expertise. This process of imposing mutual constraints results in adjusted workflow protocols that may modify participants’ regular course of action yet are vital for facilitating the collaboration. Yet, we argue, this discursive process of negotiating collaboration protocols in interdisciplinary projects may result in more than just surface reconfiguration of local practices. The negotiation may yield an articulated reification of implicit know-how in the form of new theoretical constructs bearing potential impact beyond the local context of the project. We support the argument by presenting and analyzing archived records gathered from an...
Constituting a People

The United States Constitution is read and interpreted from many perspectives. It is at the same time a historical document and a persevering authority, a political mandate and a religious document. This article is an examination of and introduction to the various views of the constitution.
A Model Study of Automobile Collisions

IT WAS FOUND BY DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS THAT THE VEHICLE MOTION DURING AND AFTER COLLISIONS MAY BE STUDIED WITH SCALE MODELS, IN LIEU OF FULL-SIZE AUTOMOBILES. THE SCALE MODELS WERE DESIGNED TO EXHIBIT THE SAME COEFFICIENTS OF RESTITUTION AND FRICTION BETWEEN THE VEHICLE BODIES IN COLLISION AND THE SAME COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION OF TIRE ON TEST SURFACE AS FULL-SIZE AUTOMOBILES. POST-COLLISION MOTIONS OF THE MODEL VEHICLE DUPLICATE THOSE OF CORRESPONDING FULL-SIZE AUTOMOBILE TESTS, RESULTING FROM SIMILAR IMPULSE EXCHANGE IN COLLISION.
A Bibliometric Analysis of the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

A bibliometric analysis based on the Journal Citation Reports distributed by the Institute of Scientific Information was made of the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and related journals to determine the relative ranking of the Archives in several bibliometric categories. It was hoped that this process would yield objective evidence for the strengths and weaknesses of the Archives. Bibliometric indices that were compared included the impact factor (a reflection of how often a journal's articles are cited) and the cited half-life and immediacy (both of which deal with the timeliness of a journal's articles). The overall rankings of the Archives in 1988 compared to all journals indexed were 1,887 of 4,020 for impact factor, 2,633 of 2,683 for cited half-life and 1,793 of 4,020 for immediacy. In general, the Archives ranked higher in most of these indices than most rehabilitation journals but lower than other journals widely cited in the Archives, including general journals, other specialty journals, and a basic science journal.
Adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in Bradyrhizobium japonicum bacteroids.

Adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP (cAMP) phosphodiesterase have been identified and partially characterized in bacteroids of Bradyrhizobium japonicum 3I1b-143. Adenylate cyclase activity was found in the bacteroid membrane fraction, whereas cAMP phosphodiesterase activity was located in both the membrane and the cytosol. In contrast to other microorganisms, B. japonicum adenylate cyclase remained firmly bound to the membrane during treatment with detergents. Adenylate cyclase was activated four- to fivefold by 0.01% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), whereas other detergents gave only slight activation. SDS had no effect on the membrane-bound cAMP phosphodiesterase but strongly inhibited the soluble enzyme, indicating that the two enzymes are different. All three enzymes were characterized by their kinetic constants, pH optima, and divalent metal ion requirements. With increasing nodule age, adenylate cyclase activity increased, the membrane-bound cAMP phosphodiesterase decreased, and the soluble cAMP phosphodiesterase remained largely unchanged. These results suggest that cAMP plays a role in symbiosis. Images
Solutions of carbon at high pressure

Carbon may dissolve not only in metals such as Mn, Fe, or Ni but also in molten compounds such as CuCl, AgCl, Cu2S, CdO, or hydroxyl-bearing alumino-silicates at high pressures and temperatures. Diamond may form from Mn, Fe, Ni, etc., but only graphite has so far been found to crystallize from the other substances. Direct current experiments show that carbon may have a net positive, zero, or negative charge, depending upon the solvent. In Fe or Ni the carbon is positive; in CaC2 or Li2C2 the carbon is negative; in the compound solvents the carbon is esentially neutral. The possible relationship of charge to diamond or graphite formation is discussed. Bei hohen Drucken und Temperaturen kann sich Kohlenstoff nicht nur in Metallen wie Mn, Fe oder Ni losen, sondern auch in geschmolzenen Verbindungen wie CuCl, AgCl, Cu2S, CdO oder hydroxylhaltigen Aluminosilikaten. Diamant kann sich aus Mn, Fe, Ni usw. bilden, bei den anderen Substanzen wurde bisher nur das Auskristallisieren von Graphit beobachtet. Gleichstromexperimente zeigen, das der Kohlenstoff je nach dem Losungsmittel eine positive, negative oder verschwindende Nettoladung haben kann. In Fe oder Ni ist Kohlenstoff positiv; in CaC2 oder Li2C2 ist er negativ; in den Verbindungen ist er im wesentlichen neutral. Der mogliche Zusammenhang zwischen der Ladung und der Diamant-oder Graphitbildung wird diskutiert.
Reverse-perfused sleeve: An improved device for measurement of sphincteric function of the crural diaphragm

Abstract The sphincteric function of the crural diaphragm has been difficult to measure in humans. The authors recently reported the use of a Dent sleeve device to measure esophagogastric junction pressure during contraction of the crural diaphragm. However, the major limitation of the conventional sleeve device is its slow response rate, and sustained diaphragmatic contractions of 6–8 seconds must be induced to measure the true pressure. In this article, the principles of a reverse-perfused sleeve device and the theoretical basis for its fast response rate are reported. The reverse-perfused sleeve is validated in an in vitro model of the lower esophageal sphincter. Furthermore, in vivo studies were performed in seven healthy human subjects. Standardized Muller maneuvers and straight-leg raises were performed to induce diaphragmatic contractions. Pressure increases of 50–150 mm Hg during diaphragmatic contractions were attained in
Aquatic pollution problems, North Atlantic coast, including Chesapeake Bay☆

Abstract Pollutant effects on fishes and fisheries of the North Atlantic may be estimated from biological and biochemical responses to pollutant exposure and the incidence of pollution-related disease in aquatic organisms. Indirect and potential effects on ecosystems may be estimated from the accumulation of contaminants in biota. Based upon increases in pollutant-related disease and bioaccumulation of contaminants, marine biota in the North Atlantic region show evidence of deleterious, pollution-related effects. However, the plethora of contaminants discharged to the marine environment makes it impossible to determine which agents, or combinations of agents, have the greatest effect. Marine and estuarine sediments show a history of contaminant input. More than 300 aromatic hydrocarbons have been detected in the Chesapeake Bay, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) occur in sediments in parts of New Bedford Harbor at levels measured in percent. Major sites of marine contamination are Boston, New Bedford, Providence, New York, Baltimore Harbor, and the Elizabeth River, Virginia. Biota in these and other areas show increased burdens of many contaminants, including PCBs, pesticides, phthalates, metals and aromatic hydrocarbons. In general, the gradient of contaminant levels decreases offshore. Contaminant burdens result from discharges to rivers and ocean, marine dumping and atmospheric fallout. Health advisories have been posted in some regions regarding the consumption of striped bass, bluefish and lobster, and the effects of chlordecone (kepone) spills on fisheries in the James River are felt after more than 10 years. What the long-term biological effects of these contaminants will be is not fully known. Biological effects of pollutants include alterations in biochemical, respiratory, and immune functions, as well as changes in population structure and developmental or structural abnormalities. Fishes and invertebrates exposed to organic contaminants may be induced to produce higher levels of enzymes capable of transforming many contaminants to more polar, but occasionally more toxic, metabolites. The induction of biotransformation enzymes has been suggested as a link in the etiology of disease among marine and estuarine fishes in highly contaminated areas. Surveys show high incidences of diseases in fishes from New England, Long Island Sound, the Hudson River estuary/New York Bight and the Elizabeth River, Virginia. The most common diseases generally affect the liver, although cataracts and pollution-related disorders of the skin and gills occur. Neoplasia, including benign and malignant growths, has been documented for flatfish as well as for tomcod in the Hudson River estuary. Epidemiological studies and statistical analyses support the concept of an environmental etiology for disease in fishes from contaminated areas.
High-Fat, High-Cholesterol Diet Increases the Incidence of Gastritis in LDL Receptor–Negative Mice

Transgenic and knockout mice are widely used as models for atherogenesis studies. While developing a Helicobacter infection model in LDL receptor-negative (LDLR(-/-)) mice, we noticed that mice fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet often contracted gastritis independent of infection. To further investigate this finding, we studied 27 male and 18 female LDLR(-/-) mice fed high-fat, 1% or 1.25% cholesterol diets for 3 to 4 months. The extent of atherosclerosis was morphometrically analyzed in the whole aorta, and the degree of gastric inflammation was scored histologically in hematoxylin-eosin-stained stomach sections. The autoantibody titers to epitopes of oxidized LDL were also measured. Mice fed high-fat, high-cholesterol diets had a significantly higher incidence of gastritis than mice fed normal chow, 62% versus 5%, respectively (P<0.0001). This effect was specific for LDLR(-/-) mice, because no difference in gastritis was found in wild-type mice fed either diet. Animals with gastritis showed slightly more atherosclerosis than animals without gastritis: 16.3+/-6.4% versus 12.8+/-3.4% in males and 9.4+/-3.5% versus 6.5+/-3.3% in females. Cholesterol-fed mice also had significantly higher IgG autoantibody titers against modified LDL than normal chow-fed animals, but no difference was seen between the gastritis and nongastritis groups. We conclude that the standard high-fat, high-cholesterol diet commonly used in many murine models to induce atherosclerosis increased the incidence of gastritis significantly in LDLR(-/-) mice.
A Two-Point Conductivity Approach to Measuring Fixed Charge Density in Intervertebral Disc Tissue

Low back pain, a major socio-economic concern in the United States, is believed to result from degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) of the spine [1]. The IVD is characterized as a charged, hydrated soft tissue made up of a central nucleus pulposus (NP) surrounded by the layered annulus fibrosus (AF). The negatively-charged nature of the disc derives from the charged groups attached to the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) molecules found on proteoglycans (PG) in the extracellular matrix of the disc. The fixed charge density (FCD) is a measure of the number of negative charges attached to the disc matrix per unit volume. FCD is important to disc function, both mechanically (i.e., swelling pressure) and in terms of transport through the disc [2].Copyright © 2009 by ASME
16 Hormonal Regulation of Bilirubin Excretion by Rat Liver

In hypophysectomized (hypox) or thyroidectomized (thyrox) rats, the hepatic capacity to excrete bilirubin decreased progressively, reaching the maximal reduction, 40 % of normal, 7 days post-hypophysectomy and 18 to 25 days post-thyroidectomy. Both the volume of bile secreted and the concentration of bilirubin in bile were reduced. Hepatic uptake of bilirubin in vivo was unaffected by hypophysectomy but was reduced to 64 % of normal by thyroidectomy. Neither hypophysectomy nor thyroidectomy affected bilirubin glucuronide formation by liver homogenate in vitro. In hypox rats, the excretory defect was corrected after 6 days treatment with porcine growth hormone (2.0 mg/day) or thyroxine (1.25, 2.5 or 10.0 μg/day). In thyrox rats the excretory defect was corrected after 6 days treatment with thyroxine (2.5 or 5.0 μg/day). Treatment of thyrox rats with porcine growth hormone (2.0 mg/day/6 days) restored hepatic excretory capacity to 71 % of normal.
Dissolution of high-Mg calcite fossils and the formation of biomolds during mineralogical stabilization

Biomolds formed by the dissolution of high-Mg calcite (HMC) porcellaneous foraminifera occur in Holocene limestones from the Schooner Cays, Bahamas, and in Pleistocene limestones from the Belmont Formation of Bermuda and the Lucayan Formation of the Bahamas. In all of these cases, the HMC biomolds are associated with either a water table or a subaerial exposure surface. A single foraminiferal test may exhibit both a moldic fabric and a low-Mg calcite (LMC) recrystallization fabric that preserves original texture. Other types of HMC bioclasts, such as red algae and echinoids, do not exhibit biomolds but are mineralogically stabilized. The fact that foraminifera are more susceptible to dissolution and biomold formation than other types of HMC bioclasts indicates that an intrinsic factor, such as skeletal microstructure, is partially responsible. However, because both mold formation and texture-preserving recrystallization may occur in the same grain, intrinsic properties of the bioclasts alone do not determine the alteration pathway. An extrinsic factor is also implicated. It is proposed that this factor is CO2 flux across diagenetic interfaces during mineralogical stabilization. Abrupt and large influxes of CO2 across a subaerial exposure surface or water table will reduce saturation states in bulk pore waters and within skeletal grains. Recrystallization by spatially and temporally synchronous dissolution and precipitation, which is the normal HMC alteration process, will cease and only dissolution of HMC will occur. Bioclasts with high reactive surface areas, such as foraminifera, will be most susceptible to this dissolution. Once the CO2 influx has been buffered, HMC-to-LMC recrystallization will resume. In this manner, an originally HMC bioclast can exhibit the products of both dissolution and recrystallization pathways. This would be particularly true if recharge, and thus CO2 flux, is a seasonal phenomenon, as is the case in most carbonate regimes.
Inhibition of phorbol ester-accelerated amino acid transport in bovine lymphocytes

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, a highly active tumor-promoting agent and lymphocyte comitogen, rapidly accelerates the transport of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid in cultured bovine lymphocytes. Structure-activity studies show that the ability of phorbol diesters to accelerate alpha-aminoisobutyric acid uptake runs parallel to their potency as lymphocyte comitogens and as tumor promoters in mouse skin. This phorbol ester-accelerated, amino acid transport is largely insensitive to the inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis by actinomycin D and cycloheximide, respectively, and is insensitive to the inhibition of membrane movement by cytochalasin B and colchicine. Retinoic acid, an antagonist of the tumor-promoting and comitogenic actions of phorbol esters also inhibits the acceleration of amino acid uptake by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate; however, the epoxy derivatives of retinoic acid and structurally related analogs, which are potent antagonists of the other aspects of phorbol ester activation of lymphocytes, are inactive in blocking amino acid uptake. Comparative studies in lymphocytes show that this phorbol ester elicits a number of metabolic responses which appear to originate at the cell membrane and that these are differentially antagonized by retinoic acid, the 5,6-epoxide of retinoic acid, and related retinoid analogs.
Generation and control of femtosecond pulses by molecular modulation

We have demonstrated that coherent molecular modulation can result in the collinear generation of mutually-coherent spectral sidebands that extend in frequency from the infrared to the far ultraviolet. Our technique is based on adiabatic preparation of a highly coherent molecular superposition-state, which is achieved by using narrow-linewidth lasers slightly detuned from a Raman resonance. The phases of the resultant Stokes and anti-Stokes sidebands are adjusted in order to synthesize desired single-cycle pulse trains at the target. In this article we review recent improvements and developments in this area, including: techniques for increasing the number of generated sidebands; synchronization of the pulse trains with the molecular motion in the given molecular system; laser self-focusing and spatial soliton formation due to the coherent interaction of light with oscillating molecules. In the future, this Raman source may produce sub-cycle optical pulses, and allow synthesis of waveforms where the elect...
Long-term intraindividual cholesterol variability: Natural course and adverse impact on morbidity and mortality—the Framingham Study

We examined intraindividual variability in serum TC in 2912 men and women having TC measured at each of biennial examinations 2 through 7 of the FHS. RMSE described variability around the linear slope of an individual's TC during the baseline decade. Average biennial difference +/- SD was +3.7 +/- 6.7 mg/dl in men, +6.6 +/- 8.8 mg/dl in women. RMSE was < 7 mg/dl in half the group, but in the teens and twenties in the highest quartile of variability. Age-adjusted analyses showed positive associations with all-cause mortality over a 24-year period in men and a positive relation to cardiovascular and coronary incidence and mortality in both sexes. Risk ratios for highest versus lowest quartile of TC variability ranged up to 1.75. High TC variability portends excess mortality risk, and women in particular must include TC variability among their risk factors for coronary death.
Aging and balance control in response to external perturbations: role of anticipatory and compensatory postural mechanisms

The ability to maintain balance deteriorates with increasing age. Anticipatory and compensatory postural adjustments (APAs and CPAs, respectively), both, are known to be affected in the elderly. We examined the effect of aging on the ability of older adults to utilize APAs and its effect on subsequent control of posture (CPAs). Ten elderly individuals were exposed to external predictable and unpredictable perturbations applied to the upper body in the sagittal plane. Body kinematics, electromyographic activity of 13 muscles, and ground reaction forces were analyzed during the anticipatory and compensatory phases of postural control. The elderly were capable of recognizing an upcoming predictable perturbation and activated muscles prior to it. However, the older adults used different muscle strategies and sequence of muscle recruitment than that reported in young adults. Additionally, when the perturbations were unpredictable, no APAs were seen which resulted in large CPAs and greater peak displacements of the center of pressure (COP) and center of mass (COM) following perturbations. As opposed to this, when the perturbations were predictable, APAs were seen in older adults resulting in significantly smaller CPAs. The presence and utilization of APAs in older adults also improved postural stability following the perturbation as seen by significantly smaller COP and COM peak displacements. Using APAs in older adults significantly reduces the need for large CPAs, resulting in greater postural stability following a perturbation. The results provide a foundation for investigating the role of training in improving the interplay between anticipatory and compensatory postural control in older adults.
A MOLECULAR SURVEY OF HPRT DEFICIENCY: 48

Virtually complete deficiency of hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) results in the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Partial deficiency of HPRT results in gout. We have previously sequenced the normal enzyme and documented the amino acid substitution in four mutant forms of the enzyme. We have undertaken a molecular genetic survey of cell lines derived from HPRT-deficient patients in order to define specific mutations for which protein sequencing is impractical or impossible. Lymphoblasts derived from 17 patients deficient in HPRT (9 with the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome; 8 with partial HPRT deficiency) were studied. Northern blot analysis of mRNA derived from these cell lines was used to determine the molecular size and relative concentrations of message. Three cell lines had no detectable HPRT mRNA. In the remaining cell lines, all but one exhibited normal molecular size (1.6 Kb); the exception had a molecular weight of 1.8 Kb. Relative concentrations of mRNA ranged from slightly diminished in 3, normal in II and increased in 3. To more completely define the molecular abnormality, we have generated a cDNA library derived from mRNA obtained from one patient's cultured B-lymphoblasts. From this library, a mutant HPRT cDNA was cloned. This cDNA is 1200 base pairs in length and has restriction maps with Hae III, Hinc II and Hind III identical to normal HPRT-cDNA. This approach provides a direct method for defining the mutation in all mRNA+ HPRT- subjects. From this survey we conclude that analysis of mutant HPRT at the DNA and mRNA level provides a powerful tool to define specific mutations.
Nuclear electromagnetic moments — An interface between nuclear, atomic and condensed matter physics

Abstract Studies at the interface between nuclear, atomic and condensed matter physics have revealed new phenomena in all three areas. In this review, a few examples taken from observed interactions between moving ions and ferromagnetic materials or tilted foils, are discussed and future directions are indicated.
Experimental testing of a passive, evaporation-based roof cooling system

Abstract In this paper, we study the capability of a roof based, passive, evaporative pumping system to lessen thermal loadings imposed on the interior of a building thus reducing air conditioning energy consumption. To do so, an instrumented experimental setup was constructed wherein a porous membrane rested on top of an air cooled copper plate while heated by a halogen lamp from above. From the membrane, water evaporated while drawing replenishment from a separated reservoir. The tests aimed to determine the ability of such a system to lessen roof temperatures and heat fluxes into the building compared to traditional (e.g., dark ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM)) and non-traditional roofs (e.g., white). The results indicated that the evaporation system considered kept the plate temperature of the test section considerably lower than competing options, for a typical summer day in Austin, TX. Additionally, with the use of reclaimed water in mind, the system's performance was evaluated under membrane fouling conditions, which was shown to affect the evaporation rate of the porous membrane.
Clinicians as Caregivers: Role of Attachment Organization in Treatment

The relationship between case managers' attachment organization and interventions used with clients who have serious psychopathological disorders was examined. Adult Attachment Interviews were administered to 27 clients and their 18 case managers. Interviews were coded by means of Kobak's Q-set, which yields scores for secure-insecure and preoccupied-dismissing attachment strategies. Case managers were interviewed during each of 5 months regarding their most recent interventions; interventions were coded for depth of intervention and attention to dependency needs. Compared with secure case managers, insecure case managers attended more to dependency needs and intervened in greater depth with preoccupied clients than they did with dismissing clients. Case managers who were more preoccupied intervened with their clients in greater depth than did case managers who were more dismissing.
North Central Sociological Association 2012 Ruth and John Useem Plenary Address. Political Renewal: Occupations, Springs, and Tea Parties

Novelty is paramount in the development of sociological theory—so much so that sometimes novelty is attributed even when it does not really exist. The study of social movements is hardly exempt from this problem and at times the craving for newness can become palpable. Despite that desire, however, some have concluded that things really have not changed much over a score of years—at least in terms of the implications for theory—but now, we think the time has finally come. Three recent mobilizations have provided us with something new into which we can sink our collective teeth. The Tea Party, the Arab Spring, and Occupy Wall Street represent changes in the motivations and tactics driving social and political change that can renew the study of protest and collective political influence. These three bursts of political behavior reveal important edges of social movement study even as they exhibit roots in the now classic ideas in the field.
eXtend: reducing e-waste through redistribution of local it resources

We designed a system of online classified ads that facilitates cascading used Information Technology (IT) equipment such as computers, printers, and monitors from computing-intensive labs in higher education institutions to lower-end labs and then to administrative sites within the institution and finally the local community. After ethnographic research and a literature review, we found that IT departments in higher education institutions tend to recycle instead of reuse IT equipment largely because there is no system in place that fosters equipment reuse. In the University of Michigan, this results in 50 tons of electronics being recycled annually, an estimated 40% of which could be re-used either elsewhere in the institution or in the wider local community. eXtend will promote decreased consumption of new equipment which will lead to a decrease in the generation of local e-waste.
Brain mitochondria from DJ-1 knockout mice show increased respiration-dependent hydrogen peroxide consumption.

Abstract Mutations in the DJ-1 gene have been shown to cause a rare autosomal-recessive genetic form of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The function of DJ-1 and its role in PD development has been linked to multiple pathways, however its exact role in the development of PD has remained elusive. It is thought that DJ-1 may play a role in regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and overall oxidative stress in cells through directly scavenging ROS itself, or through the regulation of ROS scavenging systems such as glutathione (GSH) or thioredoxin (Trx) or ROS producing complexes such as complex I of the electron transport chain. Previous work in this laboratory has demonstrated that isolated brain mitochondria consume H2O2 predominantly by the Trx/Thioredoxin Reductase (TrxR)/Peroxiredoxin (Prx) system in a respiration dependent manner (Drechsel et al., Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2010). Therefore we wanted to determine if mitochondrial H2O2 consumption was altered in brains from DJ-1 deficient mice (DJ-1−/−). Surprisingly, DJ-1−/− mice showed an increase in mitochondrial respiration-dependent H2O2 consumption compared to controls. To determine the basis of the increased H2O2 consumption in DJ1−/− mice, the activities of Trx, Thioredoxin Reductase (TrxR), GSH, glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and glutathione reductase (GR) were measured. Compared to control mice, brains from DJ-1−/− mice showed an increase in (1) mitochondrial Trx activity, (2) GSH and GSSG levels and (3) mitochondrial glutaredoxin (GRX) activity. Brains from DJ-1−/− mice showed a decrease in mitochondrial GR activity compared to controls. The increase in the enzymatic activities of mitochondrial Trx and total GSH levels may account for the increased H2O2 consumption observed in the brain mitochondria in DJ-1−/− mice perhaps as an adaptive response to chronic DJ-1 deficiency.
Interface structure of ZnS/Si(001) and comparison with ZnSe/Si(001) and GaAs/Si(001)

The interface between ZnS and Si(001) has been studied with transmission electron microscopy. It was found that stacking faults were the dominant microstructural defect in the ZnS films. Higher-quality interfaces and better ZnS films were obtained when arsenic-terminated Si(001) surfaces were used as the substrate. It was also found that the stacking fault density was much lower and qualitatively different than for interfaces formed without an As monolayer. Stacking faults in only one of the two possible orientations were observed for ZnS grown on non-As-terminated Si(001). These results are compared with those for ZnSe on Si and GaAs on Si and it is concluded that lattice match does not play as large a role as does chemical compatability at the interface.
Immunochemical studies on the binding properties of Brucella abortus lipopolysaccharides to bovine precipitating antibodies

The binding properties of Brucella abortus smooth lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to the precipitating antibodies in the serum of a B. abortus S2308 infected cow were studied by quantitative precipitin and precipitin-inhibition assays. Crude B. abortus lipopolysaccharides (cLPS) and chemical modification products of strains 1119.3, 19 and 2308 (virulent) were used for this study. In the quantitative precipitin assay, 13 μg of cLPS precipitated about 4.0–5.2 μg nitrogen of precipitating antibodies in 10 μl of serum. After alkaline treatment (0.125 N NaOH at 56°C for 1 hr), the alkali-treated lipopolysaccharides (aLPS) from S19 and S1119.3 maintained the maximum precipitability, but the precipitation profile was changed from a sigmoidal to a bell-shaped curve, and aLPS from S2308 was reduced to about 40% of its reactivity. These results indicate that some of the antigenic determinants blocked by other molecules were reshielded by alkaline treatment, and possibly that structural differences exist between virulent (S2308) and nonvirulent (S19 and S1119.3) strains. Among the monosaccharides and glycosides tested for inhibition of precipitation, methyl α-d-mannose was most active and about 3.3 times as active as d-mannopyranose (dMan) and only 1200 as active as acid hapten or the carbohydrate moiety of cLPS prepared from S1119.3 (expressed as a monosaccharide of mol. wt 200) implying that the carbohydrate determinants of this antigen are probably related to a dManα1→ linked compound. The precipitability of the antibodies in this serum was greatly reduced after absorption with cLPS and the precipitin reaction was completely inhibited by the carbohydrate moiety of LPS (O-antigen) S1119.3 demonstrating that the common antigenic determinants (hapten) of B. abortus LPS reacting with these precipitating antibodies are in the region of the carbohydrate moiety of the LPS.
Hormonal Correlates of Breeding Status, Nest Construction, and Parental Care in Multiple-Brooded Northern Mockingbirds, Mimus polyglottos

Abstract Blood samples were taken from free-living male and female mockingbirds to determine correlations between plasma steroids and breeding behavior. Plasma levels of testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), and corticosterone (B) were assessed during pre-breeding courtship, while males built nests, while females incubated, while parents fed young, and while males built new nests as pairs continued to care for dependent fledglings, Samples were also taken from unmated males holding spring territories. In males, T and P fluctuated with breeding phase, and in all groups, male T levels exceeded basal values measured in autumn. But, when mated males built nests in the absence of young, T levels were higher than in all other conditions, though only for early broods. In females too, T and P levels changed with breeding phase; T levels rose during courtship and while males built first nests and were intermediate during nest construction for later broods. Male and female P levels rose during courtship and when males built nests with young present. While feeding young in the nest, males showed significantly higher corticosterone levels than females, though in females, both P and B levels increased during incubation for replacement broods. These findings strengthen an earlier finding that T may activate male nest construction, and they suggest that breeding behavior may be related to T in females as well. Progesterone data raise the possibility that P too, may be linked to breeding behavior in male and female mockingbirds. Sex differences in corticosterone levels during the nestling period may reveal subtle costs associated with male mockingbirds' highly aggressive defense against predators.
An overview of spoken language technology for education

This paper reviews research in spoken language technology for education and more specifically for language learning. It traces the history of the domain and then groups main issues in the interaction with the student. It addresses the modalities of interaction and their implementation issues and algorithms. Then it discusses one user population - children - and an application for them. Finally it has a discussion of overall systems. It can be used as an introduction to the field and a source of reference materials.
Epinephrine - not a ‘one size fits all’ drug

Abstract Rationale In pediatrics, overdosing and/or underdosing of emergency epinephrine may occur due to limited doses of auto-injectors available. We suggest that in the outpatient setting, accurate dosing can be more easily achieved using weight-based calculations. Methods In our Center, pediatric patients receiving immunotherapy have weight-based doses of intramuscular epinephrine and emergency code medications calculated semi-annually. Results Epinephrine auto-injectors are vital for immediate treatment of anaphylaxis outside the health care setting. Accurate dosing is hindered by the limitation of only two available doses, Epi-pen 0.3mg and Epi-pen Jr. 0.15mg. Due to the vast differences in weight from infancy to adolescence, many pediatric patients may be either overdosed or underdosed. It is not practical in the home setting to have patients and/or parents draw up and administer weight-based doses. In the outpatient setting, epinephrine can be calculated and administered by healthcare professionals. By instituting an individualized, semi-annually updated emergency drug dosing form, we ensure quick access to accurate doses for anaphylactic reactions and/or anaphylactic shock. The code medication form uses the child's weight in kilograms to calculate all emergency code medications and intramuscular epinephrine. This form is kept in the room where immunotherapy is administered and attached to each child's immunotherapy chart for easy access. Conclusions Treatment of anaphylaxis in the pediatric primary care setting can be efficiently managed with weight-based, pre-calculated epinephrine and code medication doses. We suggest institution of a standardized weight-based emergency medication form for all pediatric patients receiving immunotherapy.
Accumulation of Phosphorus and Arsenic in Two Perennial Grasses for Soil Remediation

Rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides Sw.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were assessed for potential for phytoremediation of arsenic (As) in a soil-based medium amended with phosphorus (P) in a greenhouse experiment. Arsenic was added at 30 mg kg−1, and P concentrations ranged from 0 to 120 mg kg−1. Plants were grown for 8 weeks. Rice cutgrass accumulated greater concentration and total amount of As in shoots or roots than fescue. Only the first increment of P fertilization increased As in shoots above that which accumulated without P fertilization. Phosphorus fertilization did not stimulate growth of either species. Most of the As remained in the roots of either species. Plant–soil accumulation ratios suggest that rice cutgrass has more potential in phytoremediation than fescue. Above a minimal amount, P fertilization did not enhance As accumulation in shoots and may not be useful in increasing the potential of either species to remediate soils.
Phased beam projection from tiled apertures in the presence of turbulence and thermal blooming

The individual phases of a multi-beamlet laser source can be manipulated by exploiting high-bandwidth phase loops to correct for aberrations induced within the optical beamlet trains. With the current state of the art in phasing technology, this phasing of the beamlet trains is successfully accomplished up to a common aperture sharing element or on a pointsource target; however, in the presence of an extended target, rough surface scattering through laser-target interaction adds the additional constraints of speckle and depolarizing effects. In particular, speckle phenomena and atmospheric effects create unobservable modes in the beam control system. One such unobservable mode is termed stair mode and is appropriately identified by a stair-step pattern of piston phase across the individual subapertures that comprise a tiled aperture. This paper investigates the effects of turbulence and thermal blooming on phased beam projection from tiled apertures using wave-optics simulations. To represent different array fill factors in the source plane, both seven and 19 element hexagonal close-packed tiled apertures are used in the simulations along with both Gaussian and flat-top outgoing beamlets. Peak Strehl ratio and power in the bucket are calculated in the target plane over multiple random realizations that are then averaged. This is done for all simulation setups with and without the presence of stair mode.
A progress report on the use of English in information retrieval

Progress is reported in the further development of an already working model for communicating in English with a computer about the contents of a library. The revised grammar of this model combines the phrase structure and transformational rules of the underlying grammar into a single efficient component. Problems of implementation and ambiguity resolution are discussed.
Predation environment predicts divergent life-history phenotypes among populations of the livebearing fish Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora

We document a strong association between predation environment and life-history phenotypes in the Costa Rican livebearing fish Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora. Populations that co-occurred with piscine predators attained maturity at a smaller size, and produced more, smaller offspring relative to populations from predator-free environments. These differences persisted over 3 years and between wet and dry seasons within a year. Reproductive allotment did not differ between predation environments, but was greater in the wet season than in the dry season. We also examined the phenotypic covariance structure among life-history traits and found traits to be highly correlated. Based on life-history differences, discriminant analyses showed that populations could be neatly classified by predation category, and could be reasonably classified into wet and dry season categories. Finally, we found that the pattern of predator-associated life-history divergence in B. rhabdophora is remarkably similar to that of the taxonomically distinct Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata), possibly pointing to an evolutionary convergence between these two systems.