cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiolipin containing liposomes are fully ionized at physiological pH. An FT-IR study of phosphate group ionization

Abstract Cardiolipin containing liposomes serve as model systems for probing cytochrome c binding to the inner membrane of mitochondria. In order to interpret binding isotherms properly it is important to identify the protonation state of the two phosphate groups of this phospholipid. Thus far, the literature proposed conflicting views based on experimentally and computationally support for both the fully protonated and semi-protonated state as the physiologically dominant species. In order to clarify this issue we measured the FT-IR spectra of 100% 1,1′2,2′-tetraoleyl cardiolipin (TOCL), 20% TOCL/80% 1,2-dioleyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) and 100% DOPC as a function of pH between 2 and 11. While the integrated intensities of all DOPC bands were found to be independent of pH within purely statistical variations, we identified specific spectral regions in the TOCL spectrum for which the intensities either decrease and or increase with decreasing pH below pH 4. It was obvious that these regions contain contributions from PO4− and P O stretching modes, respectively. We confirmed this with DFT-based normal mode calculations for a truncated TOCL head group, which revealed that the spectra regions between 1050 and 1100 cm−1 as well as between 1200 and 1300 cm−1 can be ascribed as a superpositions of bands mostly assignable to collective CH deformation modes and PO4 stretching modes. Our results strongly suggest that the protonation of the phosphate groups occur in the acidic region and that they exist in their fully ionized state at physiological pH.
Wing Kinematics Optimization for Hovering Micro Air Vehicles Using Calculus of Variation

The weight and power constraints imposed on flapping-wing micro air vehicles necessitate optimal design of the flapping kinematics. To date, the approach adopted for kinematics optimization has been to assume specific functions for the Euler angles describing the wing motion with respect to the body. Then, optimization is performed on the parameters of these functions. In another approach, a number of instants over the flapping cycle are selected, and optimization is performed on the magnitude of the Euler angles at these instants. This latter approach provides more freedom for the variations of the Euler angles rather than confining them to certain patterns. Yet, in both approaches, finite-dimensional optimization is adopted and, as such, additional constraints are imposed. Considering that the problem is an infinite-dimensional optimization problem, we use in this work the calculus of variations to obtain true optimality. The combination of the quasi-steady aerodynamics and the calculus of variations ap...
Reference architecture for multi-modal perceptual systems: tooling for application development

Context-aware applications are nearly common place nowadays, but dealing with their design and implementation is currently a huge undertaking. In this paper, we present a unified approach to design, implement and test multi-modal perceptual systems. We describe the reference architecture we co-authored for such applications, and present a set of tools we have developed to facilitate the collaborative building of such context-aware applications and services.
Assessment of structural requirements for the monoamine oxidase-B-catalyzed oxidation of 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine derivatives related to the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine.

The monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) substrate properties and distance measurements along the N1−C4 axis of 38 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine derivatives, including seven newly synthesized MPTP analogs, were used to define the maximum size that can be accommodated by the MAO-B active site. Only those compounds measuring less than 12 A displayed significant MAO-B substrate properties. The behavior of various 4-substituted-1-cyclopropyltetrahydropyridine analogs also is discussed in terms of this N1−C4 distance parameter in an effort to understand factors which contribute to their substrate vs inactivator properties. We conclude that this distance parameter will predict the majority of substrates vs nonsubstrates with this class of compound.
SERUM THYROGLOBULIN IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND PATIENTS WITH HYPERTHYROIDISM DUE TO GRAVES’DISEASE: EFFECTS OF T3, IODIDE, 131 I AND ANTITHYROID DRUGS

SUMMARY A sensitive, reproducible radioimmunoassay for thyroglobulin (Tg) in unextracted human serum is described. The mean (± SD) serum thyroglobulin concentration in ninety-three normal subjects was 8±8 ± 5±1 ng/ml. The mean serum Tg concentration in forty-seven patients with hyperthyroidism due to Graves’disease was 162 ± 145 ng/ml, and in nine patients with subacute thyroiditis 140 ± 75 ng/ml. The administration of T3, 75 /μg daily for 3 weeks to normal subjects, produced parallel and significant decreases in both serum Tg and T4 concentrations. Administration of iodide to normal subjects for 13 days resulted in significant increases in serum Tg concentrations, associated with increases in serum TSH and decreases in serum T4 concentrations. In patients with hyperthyroidism due to Graves’disease, iodide administration had no effect on serum Tg concentrations in five of six patients studied, though all had a reduction in serum T4 and T3. Administration of radioactive iodine, with or without iodide, to hyperthyroid patients resulted in acute increases in serum Tg concentrations in all patients. In patients with hyperthyroidism due to Graves’disease treated with antithyroid drugs, serum Tg concentrations were initially lower (mean 109 ng/ml) and declined to or towards normal during therapy in those who subsequently achieved remission. Initial serum Tg concentrations were higher (mean 207 ng/ml) and serum Tg concentrations did not change in the patients who developed recurrent hyperthyroidism when antithyroid drug therapy was decreased or discontinued. These data suggest that: (1) Tg release by the thyroid is normally under TSH control; (2) iodide inhibits thyroidal T4 and T3 release without affecting Tg secretion; (3) thyroidal injury results in marked increases in serum Tg concentrations; and (4) initial and/or serial Tg determinations may be useful in predicting remission in patients with hyperthyroidism due to Graves’disease treated with antithyroid drugs.
Theory of the phase diagram of highly excited semiconductors

The nonequilibrium electron-hole system is treated as composed of an exciton gas in thermal equilibrium with an electron-hole plasma. Each of these subsystems is allowed to undergo a phase transition into their respective condensates: the coherent state or the metallic liquid, respectively. Interactions between the subsystems are confined to a renormalization of the excitons due to the plasma. Approximate calculations are carried out for Ge and GaAs. The theoretical phase diagram of Ge turns out to be in satisfactory agreement with experiment, comparison with the diagram for GaAs helps clarify the stability condition for both types of condensates.
Cardiac neural crest and outflow tract defects in Lrp6 mutant mice

The role of a key Wnt coreceptor Lrp6 during heart development remains unclear. Here we show that ablation of Lrp6 in mice causes conotruncal anomalies including double-outlet right ventricle (DORV), outflow tract (OFT) cushion hypoplasia, and ventricular septal defect (VSD). Cardiac neural crest cells are specifically lost in the dorsal neural tube and caudal pharyngeal arches of the mutant embryos. We also demonstrate that Lrp6 is required for proliferation and survival of cardiac progenitors and for the expression of Isl1 in the secondary heart field. Other known cardiogenic regulators such as Msx1, Msx2, and Fgf8 are also significantly diminished in the mutant pharyngeal arches and/or OFT. Unexpectedly, the myocardium differentiation factors Mef2c and Myocardin are upregulated in the mutant OFT. Our results indicate that Lrp6 is essential for cardiac neural crest and OFT development upstream of multiple important cardiogenic genes in different cardiac lineage cells during early cardiogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 239:200–210, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
New Technologies in Emergency Medical Services for Children

Innovations in communications technology, computer systems and software, and medical as well as nonmedical devices occur rapidly, and it may be difficult for clinical practice modifications to keep pace. The goals of this review are to discuss emerging technologies in emergency medical services (EMS) and to highlight studies and resources supported by the EMS for Children program. We will describe applications of new technology in the areas of EMS processes, telemedicine, patient monitoring and treatment, disaster management, and provider education.
Longevity, fecundity, and food intake of adult Triatoma sanguisuga (Leconte) (Hemiptera: Triatominae).

Adult Triatoma sanguisuga (Leconte) were collected in the field as fifth instar nymphs and allowed to emerge in the laboratory at 25°C and 45–50% relative humidity. Females averaged 711 eggs (312–1166 eggs each), 54–89% of which hatched under laboratory conditions. Hatchability decreased late in life of females. The females lived 251–609 days (mean 456 days) and took 2191–8349mg of blood, whereas males lived 345–679 days (mean 526 days) and took only 1880–4721 mg of blood. Food intake of females showed a cyclic pattern that correlated with the cyclic deposition of eggs, in which females exhibited two or three laying cycles. Adults were reared from eggs with difficulty; females produced only 1–183 eggs, but there was little difference in hatchability. The mean adult life of the laboratory-reared insects was less than half that of the field-collected individuals.
Octamer binding protein 2 (Oct2) regulates PD-L2 gene expression in B-1 cells through lineage-specific activity of a unique, intronic promoter

Programmed death-1 ligand 2 (PD-L2) expression extends beyond macrophages/dendritic cells to B-1 B cells, a distinct B-cell lineage that is responsible for natural immunoglobulin and which is repertoire skewed toward autoreactive specificities. PD-L2 expression is constitutive in B-1 cells, whereas it is inducible in other cell types, suggesting that PD-L2 is regulated differently in the former versus the latter, and this proved to be the case, both in transcription and promotion. B-1 cells express a PD-L2 transcript that lacks exon 1, in contrast to macrophages/dendritic cells for which exon1 is included, reflecting a unique start site upstream of exon 2. PD-L2 transcription in B-1 cells is regulated by a novel intronic promoter located between exons 1 and 2. This intronic promoter binds Octamer binding protein 1 (Oct1) and Oct2, and although these transcription factors are present in all B cells, Oct2 binding is found in vivo only in B-1 cells and not PD-L2-negative B-2 cells. Moreover, the proximal promoter upstream of exon 1 that is active in macrophages is inactive in B-1 cells. Thus, PD-L2 expression is regulated by two different promoters that function in a lineage-specific manner, with the B-1-specific promoter being constitutively active as a result of Oct1 and Oct2 binding.
Rapid purification of a high molecular weight human brain protein by chromatography on controlled pore glass.

Abstract Controlled pore glass (CPG) chromatography was employed to simply (one pass through column) and rapidly (60 minutes) purify a human brain specific protein having a high molecular weight (approximately 250, 000 mol. wt.) from a crude brain extract containing proteins of varying molecular weights. This method, either exactly as described herein or by adjusting the pore size of the CPG, should be adaptable to other purification problems.
Defining larger roles for "tiny" RNA molecules: role of miRNAs in neurodegeneration research.

Many facets of transcriptional and translational regulation contribute to the proper functioning of the nervous system. Dysfunctional control of mRNA and protein expression can lead to neurodegenerative conditions. Recently, a new regulatory control element—small noncoding RNAs—has been found to play a significant role in many physiologic systems. Here, we review the microRNA (miRNA) field as it pertains to discovery-based and mechanistic studies on the brain and specifically in neurodegenerative disorders. Understanding the role of miRNAs in the brain will aid to open new avenues to the field of neuroscience and, importantly, neurodegenerative disease research.
Stress fractures of male distance runners: Lack of association with nutritional practices

Abstract The incidence of stress fractures has been reported frequently in the literature. Since physical activity and nutritional intake influence bone growth, the purpose of this study was to investigate if food intake could influence the occurrence of stress fractures in highly trained distance runners. A question-naire dealing with incidence of stress fractures, training schedule and aating patterns was completed by 80 male runners competing on the national road race circuit. The subjects were grouped relative to their having previously had a stress fracture (SF, n=24) or not (NF, n=56). The two groups of runners had similar physical characteristics, and reported comparable training and racing patterns, although, the SF athletes were significantly faster over the 10 km distance than the NF athletes. Dairy product intake was similar in the two groups, both being lower than recommended. The consumption of meat, chicken and fish was also similar between the two groups of athletes, however, 41.7% of the SF and 32.1% of the NF group restricted red meat consumption. Since reported consumption of different food groups was similar between the two groups of male runners, perhaps other factors, such as hormonal influences, were involved in the occurrence of the stress fractures.
Studies of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Azurin Mutants: Cavities in β-Barrel Do Not Affect Refolding Speed

Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin is a blue-copper protein with a Greek-key fold. Removal of copper produces an apoprotein with the same structure as holoazurin. To address the effects on thermodynamic stability and folding dynamics caused by small cavities in a beta-barrel, we have studied the behavior of the apo-forms of wild-type and two mutant (His-46-Gly and His-117-Gly) azurins. The equilibrium- and kinetic-folding and unfolding reactions appear as two-state processes for all three proteins. The thermodynamic stability of the two mutants is significantly decreased as compared with the stability of wild-type azurin, in accord with cavities in or near the hydrophobic interior having an overall destabilizing effect. Large differences are also found in the unfolding rates: the mutants unfold much faster than wild-type azurin. In contrast, the folding-rate constants are almost identical for the three proteins and closely match the rate-constant predicted from the native-state topology of azurin. We conclude that the topology is more important than equilibrium stability in determining the folding speed of azurin.
An adaptive approach to impact analysis from change requests to source code

The paper presents an adaptive approach to perform impact analysis from a given change request (e.g., a bug report) to source code. Given a textual change request, a single snapshot (release) of source code, indexed using Latent Semantic Indexing, is used to estimate the impact set. Additionally, the approach configures the best-fit combination of information retrieval, dynamic analysis, and data mining of past source code commits to produce an improved impact set. The tandem operation of the three techniques sets it apart from other related solutions.
The Impact of the September 11, 2001, Attacks on the Well-Being of Arab Americans in New York City

In this exploratory study, eight focus groups were conducted, utilizing 83 participants. A structured, but flexible, interview guided by trauma theory was designed to solicit perspectives on the impact of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the Arab American community in New York City. Participants identified several common areas of concern, including fear of hate crimes, anxiety about the future, threats to their safety, loss of community, isolation, and stigmatization. Barriers to services and current mental health needs were discussed. The results of this study may assist social workers and clinical psychologists in developing targeted mental health initiatives using community outreach strategies. This approach may enhance recovery and healing at the individual and community levels, particularly if services are provided by those who are culturally and linguistically competent and sensitive.
p-version hierarchical axisymmetric shell element

Abstract A hierarchical formulation for a three-node axisymmetric shell element based on p -version for linear elastic axisymmetric stress analysis is presented. The element displacement field can be of arbitrary polynomial orders p ξ and p η in the longitudinal (ξ) and the transverse (η) directions of the element. The element approximation functions and the corresponding nodal variables are derived by first constructing the one-dimensional hierarchical approximation functions of order p ξ and p η and the corresponding nodal variables operators in the ξ and η directions and then taking their products (also known as tensor products). The element displacement approximation is hierarchical, i.e. the approximation functions and the nodal variables corresponding to the polynomial orders p ξ and p η are a subset of those corresponding to the polynomial orders ( p ξ + 1) and ( p η + 1). Since the displacement approximation is hierarchical, the resulting element stiffness matrix and the equivalent nodal load vectors are hierarchical also. The formulation ensures C 0 continuity. The element properties are derived using the principal of virtual work and the hierarchical element approximation. In developing the element properties all four components of the stress ( σ θ , σ r , τ rz , σ z ) and strain ( e θ , e r , γ rz , e z ) are retained, i.e. the stress normal to the middle surface of the element is not neglected (an assumption commonly used in developing axisymmetric shell elements) in the present formulation. The element formulation also permits non-differentiable geometries (sharp corners). The stress concentrations at such locations can be calculated accurately due to the presence of a complete state of stress (and strain) and a non-differentiable geometry feature. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy, efficiency, modeling convenience and overall superiority of the present formulation as well as its applications to pressure vessel stress analysis. The results obtained from the present formulation are also compared with those available in the literature as well as with the analytical solutions. The numerical results from the h - models using isoparametric axisymmetric solid elements are also presented for comparison purposes
Medial hypothalamic nuclei mediate serotonin's inhibitory effect on feeding behavior

Previous studies have demonstrated that injection of serotonin (5-HT) into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), specifically at the onset of the active feeding cycle, causes a strong and selective suppression of carbohydrate intake, while producing no change in fat intake and, in some cases, enhancing protein consumption. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether this selective inhibitory effect of 5-HT on macronutrient ingestion is localized to a specific brain region, perhaps the PVN, or whether it can also occur in other sites throughout the hypothalamus or in regions outside this structure. A total of 7 hypothalamic and 5 extrahypothalamic areas were examined in brain-cannulated, freely feeding rats maintained on pure macronutrient diets of protein, carbohydrate and fat. The effect of 5-HT, a selective suppression (-55%) of carbohydrate feeding, was replicated in the PVN with a relatively low dose of 2.5 nmoles. Tests in 11 other brain sites demonstrated that this action of 5-HT is not unique to the PVN but is anatomically localized to the medial nuclei of the hypothalamus. Sites outside the hypothalamus, namely, the amygdala, nucleus accumbens, septum, diagonal band of Broca and nucleus reuniens dorsal to the PVN, failed to exhibit any response to 5-HT injection. Within the hypothalamus, the ventromedial (VMN) and suprachiasmatic (SCN) nuclei each responded to 5-HT in a manner similar to the PVN, producing a suppression of carbohydrate intake (-50% to -70%) with little or no change in either protein, fat or total kcal intake. The dorsomedial nucleus showed a somewhat smaller response relative to these other medial hypothalamic areas.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Dynamics of spacecraft with deploying flexible appendages

A computational formulation for the dynamic analysis of spacecraft with deploying appendages is presented. The appendage model is based on a geometrically nonlinear beam formulation which accurately accounts for large rotational and large deformation motions. A moving finite element reference grid is incorporated within the nonlinear beam formulation to model the deployment motion. Hamilton's Law is used to formulate the general equations of motion, and a transient integration solution procedure is derived from a space-time finite element discretization of the Hamiltonian variational statement. Computational results of the methodology are presented for a classical gravity gradient stabilized satellite configuration.
Memory, amnesia, and the issue of recovered memory: Neurobiological aspects

Abstract The main thesis of this article is that the debate about the credibility of “recovered memories”—reports by adults of recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse and trauma that were allegedly repressed for many years—can be usefully informed by considering the biological and behavioral facts and ideas about how memory works. Accordingly, the first section of this review describes current facts and ideas about the neurobiology and neuropsychology of memory and amnesia, including what parts of the brain are important for memory, distinctions between different memory systems in the brain, and the phenomena of infantile amnesia and source amnesia. The second section takes into account the information about the biological and behavioral bases of memory and addresses two questions about memory that have become a focus of debate in the recovered memory controversy, that is, whether memories for traumatic events change over time, and whether memories can be created for traumatic events that did not actually happen.
Age versus size determination of radial variation in wood specific gravity: lessons from eccentrics

Radial increases in wood specific gravity have been shown to characterize early successional trees from tropical forests. Here, we develop and apply a novel method to test whether radial increases are determined by tree age or tree size. The method compares the slopes of specific gravity changes across a short radius and a long radius of trees with eccentric trunks. If radial changes are determined by size, then the slope of the change should be the same on both radii. If radial changes are determined by age, then the slope should be greater on the short radius. For 30 trees from 12 species with eccentricity of at least 4%, the ratio of the slopes of the linear regressions of specific gravity on radial distance (short radius slope/long radius slope) was regressed on the ratio of radii lengths (long radius/short radius). The regression was highly significant, and the faster increase in specific gravity on the short radius was sufficient to compensate for the difference in radius lengths, so the specific gravity of wood along the short radius was equal to the specific gravity on the long radius at any given proportional distance on the radius. Therefore, trees that are producing xylem faster on one radius than another produce wood of comparable specific gravity on both radii at the same time, so radial increases in specific gravity are dependent on tree age, not tree size.
Three-dimensional aerodynamic structure of a tree shelterbelt: Definition, characterization and working models

In order to make recommendations to landowners with regard to the design and management of tree shelterbelts, it is necessary to understand and predict the wind flow patterns associated with shelterbelt structure. A structural description is a prerequisite for any prediction of wind flow. Optical porosity (percentage of open spaces on the side view of a shelterbelt) has been used as a structural descriptor of a shelterbelt; however, it is a 2-dimensional measure unable to fully represent the aerodynamic influence of a tree shelterbelt. Based on numerous studies observing the wind fields associated with shelterbelt structure, the overall aerodynamic structure of a tree shelterbelt in three dimensions is defined by its external structural characteristics (length, height, width, and crosssectional shape) and by its internal structural components (amounts and arrangements of vegetative surface area and volume, and geometric shape of individual vegetative elements). In order to associate the defined structure with wind speed, turbulent stress, and pressure, it is characterized using two structural descriptors the spatial functions of vegetative surface area density (vegetative surface area per unit canopy volume) and cubic density (vegetative volume per unit canopy volume). For field estimation, the two structural descriptors are expressed in three dimensions using two working models in terms of 1- or 2- dimensional sub-functions capable of being defined with field measurements. This paper discusses the rationale behind the definition, characterization, and working models for the 3-dimensional aerodynamic structure of a tree shelterbelt.
Spatial Induction of Illusory Motion

Induced motion is not limited to continuous motions presented on a frontoparallel plane. Experiments were conducted to investigate several varieties of induced motion to which theories of induced motion must apply. The observer indicated the perceived path of motion of a vertically moving test point to which induced motion at right angles to the physical motion was added by the motion of two inducing points. In experiment 1 all motions (both apparently and physically) were in a frontoparallel plane. It was found that discrete displacement as well as continuous motion of the test and inducing points produced substantial amounts of induction. In experiment 2 the inducing points were continuously moved in stereoscopic distance rather than remaining in an apparent frontoparallel plane. A large amount of apparent motion in depth was found in the vertically moving test point and was interpreted as an induced motion in depth. In experiment 3 an alternative interpretation of the phenomenon of experiment 2, in ter...
Analysis of quadrature crosstalk in bandpass signals

An analysis of crosstalk between the quadrature components of a bandpass signal when passed through a bandpass filter is presented. The crosstalk interference ratio (CIR) is defined and used as an evaluation criterion.
Extraction Ratio of Cyclosporine in a Liver Transplant Patient with Organ Rejection

Cyclosporine, a cyclic polypeptide with potent immunosuppressive properties, 1 has been successfully used to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs such as kidneys, livers, hearts, and bone marrow. 2–5 It is highly lipophilic and is eliminated primarily by metabolism in the liver. 6 Recent studies in transplant patients indicate cyclosporine to be a low-to-intermediate clearance drug. We had a unique opportunity to directly determine the hepatic extraction ratio of this drug in a pediatric liver transplant recipient. The patient was a 4-year-old male who underwent liver transplantation for α1-antitrypsin deficiency. Subsequent to his first transplantation, he progressed well until 1 month following surgery when he developed hepatic artery thrombosis. He received a second liver 53 d after the first transplant. On the day prior to the second transplant, the liver function tests were as follows: alkaline phosphatase, 63 IU/L; serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), 654 IU/L; serum glutamic pyruvic transamine (SGPT), 273 IU/L; bilirubin (total), 1.0 mg/dL; bilirubin (direct), 0.2 mg/dL. This indicated that the patient did not have a normally functioning liver. The patient did not receive any drugs known to induce or inhibit the drug-metabolizing enzyme systems of the liver at any time prior to the second transplant. At the time of the study, the patient received cyclosporine and a low dose of prednisolone as immunosuppressants, captopril for the treatment of hypertension, and systemic antibiotics. Prior to the operation, 30 mg im of secobarbital was administered. Just prior to the removal of the first transplanted liver, simultaneous blood samples were obtained from the hepatic and portal veins. Blood samples were kept frozen until analyzed for whole blood cyclosporine concentration by HPLC. The blood was extracted using the procedure of Sawchuck and Cartier. 7 Samples were analyzed using a 5-μm C18 , column (Supelco, Bellefonte, PA) heated to 70°C and UV detection (model 441; Waters Associates, Milford, MA) at 214 nm. Standards were prepared in blank blood, and the internal standard was cyclosporine D (Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, Basel, Switzerland). The mobile phase was 68% acetonitrile, delivered at 1.8 mL/min. Under these conditions, the retention time for cyc1osporine was 9.8 min and that for cyclosporine D was 12.8 min. The CV of the analytical method was 3.95% at 600 ng/mL (n = 10). The concentration of cyc1osporine in the portal vein (PV) was 596 ng/mL, whereas the hepatic vein (HV) concentration was 500 ng/mL. The hepatic extraction ratio was: In this patient, the first transplanted liver was 740 g in weight. The hepatic blood flow in humans is 100 mL/100 g of liver weight. 8 Therefore, based on an estimated blood flow of
Mouse major histocompatibility complex (H-2) and fetal lung development: implications for human pulmonary maturation.

Using C57/10Sn (B10, H-2b) and B10.A/SgSn (B10.A,H-2a) congenic mice, we measured 1) the level of endogenous pulmonary corticosterone during mouse development; 2) the degree of lung morphological maturation on gestation day 17, with or without corticosteroid treatment; and 3) the maternal influence on normal lung development and fetal response to corticosteroids. The results of our study indicate that there was a progressive increase in the level of endogenous hormone with time in fetal B10 (H-2b) and B10.A (H-2a) mice; throughout mid- to late gestation, the detectable amount of hormone was almost identical in lungs of both strains. Evaluating the degree of lung maturation by morphometry, B10.A mouse lungs were found to be less mature than B10 mouse lungs. Following corticosteroid treatment on day 12 of gestation, H-2a lungs were equal to or more mature than H-2b lungs. We also compared heterozygous mouse lungs from reciprocal crosses (B10.B10.A, b/a and B10.A.B10, a/b). Mice with a maternally derived H-2a haplotype had less mature lungs than those with a maternally derived H-2b haplotype, suggesting a maternal effect. When exogenous hormone was administered, all heterozygous mouse lungs increased in maturity regardless of the origin of the H-2a haplotype. The treated a/b or b/a lungs were more mature than homozygous b/b and less mature than homozygous a/a lungs. We conclude that progressive lung maturation is associated with a gene(s) at or near the H-2 complex, as is the ability to respond to corticosteroids.
Spectroscopic and computational analysis of the molecular interactions in the ionic liquid ion pair [BMP]+[TFSI]-

Abstract 1-Butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([BMP]+[TFSI]−) ion pairs were studied using DFT at the B3LYP/6-31 + G(d) level. Nine locally stable conformations of the ion pair were located. In the most stable conformation, [TFSI]− takes a cis conformation and lies below the pyrrolidinium ring. Atoms-in-molecules (AIM) and electron density analysis indicated the existence of nine hydrogen bonds. Interaction energies were recalculated at the Second-order Moller–Plesset (MP2) level to show the importance of dispersion interaction. Further investigation through natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis provided insight into the importance of charge transfer interactions in the ion pair. Harmonic vibrations of the ion pair were calculated and compared with vibrations of the free ions as well as the experimental infrared spectrum. Assignments and frequency shifts are discussed in light of the inter-ionic interactions.
Sub-millimolar cobalt selectively inhibits the receptive field surround of retinal neurons

Recent work has indicated that cobalt, at sub-millimolar concentrations, blocks horizontal cell (HC) to cone feedback, without attenuating direct cone to second-order cell synaptic transmission. We utilized low concentrations (0.25-0.5 mM) of cobalt to test the contribution of the feedback circuit, and other possible cobalt-sensitive mechanisms, to the receptive-field surrounds of retinal neurons. In the great majority of cases, low cobalt blocked ganglion cell surrounds, and it invariably blocked driving the ganglion cell by extrinsic current injected into the HC network. Although low cobalt reduced the integrating area of the HC network, dopamine, which similarly constricted the HC receptive area, did not block ganglion cell surrounds. Low cobalt reduced a late depolarizing wave in the HC light-evoked waveform and selectively suppressed the depolarizing component of chromatic HCs, both signs of HC to cone feedback. Low cobalt also reduced or blocked completely the receptive-field surrounds of a small sample of bipolar and amacrine cells. These results implicate the HC to cone feedback synapse in the formation of the receptive-field surround of retinal neurons.
A Bipartite Bacteriophage T4 SOC and HOC Randomized Peptide Display Library: Detection and Analysis of Phage T4 Terminase (gp17) and Late σ Factor (gp55) Interaction

HOC and SOC are dispensable T4 capsid proteins that can be used for phage display of multiple copies of peptides and proteins. A bipartite phage T4 peptide library was created by displaying on tetra-alanine linker peptides five randomized amino acids from the carboxyl-terminus of SOC and five randomized amino acids from the amino terminus of HOC. The bipartite library was biopanned against the phage T4 terminase large subunit gp17 to identify T4 gene products that may interact with the terminase. The sequences of selected phages displayed matches to those T4 gene products previously known by genetic and biochemical criteria to interact with gp17: gp20 (portal protein), gp32 (single-stranded DNA binding protein), gp16 (terminase small subunit), and gp17 (self). In addition, matches were found to gp55 (T4 late sigma factor), gp45 (sliding clamp), gp44 (clamp loader), gp2 (DNA end protein), and gp23 (major capsid protein). Abundant amino acid sequence matches were found to aa region 118-134 of gp55. Immunoprecipitation and affinity column chromatography demonstrated direct binding of gp17 and gp55; moreover, gp17 bound specifically to a column-coupled peptide corresponding to gp55 residues 111-136. Measurements of gene 17 and other mRNA levels in mutant-infected bacteria did not support a role of gp17-gp55 interaction in regulation of terminase or other late gene transcription. However, whereas DNA concatemers that accumulate in prohead and terminase defective phage T4 infections could be packaged in vitro to approximately 10% wild-type efficiency, 55am33am defective concatemeric DNA was packaged at least 100-fold less efficiently. Moreover, gp55 residues 111-136 peptide specifically blocked DNA packaging in vitro. These results suggest that the T4 terminase interaction with T4 late sigma factor gp55 plays a role in DNA packaging in vivo. The gp55 interaction may function to load the terminase onto DNA for packaging.
X-ray production by electron excitation, ionization, and capture for F q+ (q=1-9) ions in collisions with a He gas target

$K$ x-ray transitions resulting from collisions between F projectiles, with charge states ranging from ${1}^{+}$ to ${9}^{+}$, and He atoms have been observed. Production mechanisms leading to projectile $K$ x rays include $K$-shell electron excitation, single $K$-shell multiple $L$-shell vacancy production, and electron capture. The measured F $K$ x-ray production cross sections range from ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}22}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ for low charge states to ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ for incident bare ions. Using calculated average fluorescence yields, the $K$-shell electron excitation, single $K$-shell, single $K$-shell + single $L$-shell, single $K$-shell + double $L$-shell ionization, and electron-capture cross sections have been determined. The measured ionization cross sections are found to decrease with the increase in projectile charge state, whereas single-$K$-shell electron-excitation cross sections increase with the increase in projectile charge state.
Experimental study of the convective cooling of a heated continuously moving material

An experimental investigation of the heat transfer associated with a continuously moving material has been carried out. This thermal transport circumstance is encountered in many manufacturing processes, such as hot rolling, fiber drawing, plastic extrusion, crystal growing, and continuous casting. The transport associated with a heated plate or a cylindrical rod being cooled due to its own movement at uniform velocity in a stationary extensive fluid is considered. Very little experimental work has been done on this problem and this study focuses on the resulting thermal fields. Time-dependent temperature distributions in the solid, as well as in the flow, are measured for the material moving vertically downward in water and moving vertically upward or downward in air. The effects of thermal buoyancy, material speed, and properties of the material and the fluid on the thermal field are studied. The results indicate that the temperature profiles obtained are similar to those obtained in earlier numerical and analytical studies. At low material speeds, the upstream penetration of the conductive transport due to temperature variation in the material was seen to be substantial. This effect decreased with an increase in the material speed. The thermal boundary layer is found to be thicker in air than in water, as expected. The effect of thermal buoyancy on the temperature distributions in air was found to be very significant. High-thermal-conductivity materials, such as aluminum, are cooled down more rapidly than low-conductivity materials, such as teflon. The experimental results obtained lead to a better understanding of the underlying transport mechanisms and add to the data base needed for the design and optimization of the relevant systems.
Clinical interpretation and recommendations for patients with a variant of uncertain significance in BRCA1 or BRCA2: a survey of genetic counseling practice.

The intent of this study was to document current practices in breast cancer genetic counseling and identify areas of variability for patients with a variant of uncertain significance (VUS) in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Registered members of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) Cancer Special Interest Group (SIG) were sent an invitation via electronic mail to participate in an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into three sections: clinical experience, clinical meaning, and risk perceptions and clinical recommendations for clinical situations involving a VUS. Fifty-seven of the eligible members responded. During the pre-test counseling session for a BRCA risk assessment patient, the vast majority of counselors (80.7%) mention VUS as a possible test result. Nearly half, 49.1%, report having given such a result to their patients at least one to four times. However, only 63.2% felt as though their patients understood the meaning of a VUS result. When asked to conclude the implicati...
An integer programming formulation of computer data base design problems

Abstract Traditionally, computer data base design has been handled intuitively without the assistance of quantitative techniques. A systematic approach to data base design consists of these phases: (1) a mathematical problem statement; (2) problem reduction; (3) mathematical solution. This paper addresses the first phase (associated work on the other phases is briefly discussed) and demonstrates that certain data base design problems can be formulated as nonlinear, zero-one programs. The decision variables state which logical data base elements (entities and attributes) are represented in each subdivision (subfile) of the physical data base. Computational experience using cluster analysis for problem reduction and branch and bound for mathematical solution is reported. It is shown that a planned subdivision of the physical data base can yield noticeable operating cost improvements over conventional data base designs.
Virtual Sphere Algorithms for orthodrome-based collision-free & smooth robot motion

A novel geometric algorithm is proposed that assures a smooth path around the obstacle by generating a Virtual Sphere around it. The Spherical Virtual Sphere Algorithm (SVSA) makes the end-effector (the outermost tip of a closed gripper and hence, considered a point object) of the robot manipulator navigate along the orthodrome, the shortest path connecting the end-points of the obstacle avoidance path on the Virtual Sphere. The Exponential Virtual Sphere Algorithm (EVSA), although uses a Virtual Sphere to determine the end-points of the obstacle avoidance path, makes the end-effector navigate along an exponential curve around the obstacle. A performance comparison of both these algorithms is presented, followed by achievements over the past algorithms. Unlike some of the existing algorithms that focus on recovering from local minima, Virtual Sphere Algorithms (VSAs) avoid entering a concave obstacle due to the spherical encapsulation. Simplicity due to the geometric nature and guarantee of shortest path are major achievements of VSAs.
Molecular Analysis of the Human Mitochondrial DNA Control Region for Forensic Identity Testing

This unit on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) highlights methods used to perform mtDNA sequence analysis on highly degraded biological material. The focus is on applications to forensic casework, and a number of case examples are provided. However, the laboratory working with ancient DNA, or any basic research laboratory, will benefit from this information.
Seismic interpretation; 40, Contouring with center-line faults; using fault geometry to your fault geometry to advantage; Part 2, A close look at map quality achieved with center-line fault technology and a description of a program execution

This article takes an in‐depth look at seismic map generation using center‐line fault technology in highly faulted terrain. Part 1 (which appeared in the December 1993 issue of TLE) demonstrated that, compared with contouring seismic data using opaque fault polygons (fault zones), contouring with center‐line faults is faster, less expensive, more reliable, and produces meaningful geologic results with far less contour editing. As a result, computer‐generated contouring should no longer alienate management (and geoscientists).
Why Multinationals Help Reduce Poverty

Over the years, multinationals have attracted both friends and enemies. Foes have argued that they exert adverse influences on the well-being of poor countries in general, and their poorer citizens in particular. Friends have argued that in their wake, multinational corporations bestow on host economies a variety of benefits primarily, but not exclusively, via spillover effects of various sorts. This paper provides a detailed reappraisal of the issues involved and argues that if their adverse effects can be removed by appropriate domestic policies, multinationals can have a potentially major role to play in the alleviation of poverty.
Acral verruca-like presentation of chronic graft-vs.-host disease.

Background Chronic graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD) is a severe and potentially fatal complication in patients after undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplant. This disease may be hard to diagnose as it has numerous cutaneous presentations. Methods We report four cases of patients seen at Stanford Hospital between January 2013 to December 2014 with hematologic malignancy who developed hyperkeratotic papules and plaques on the palms and soles after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Results In all four cases, standard treatments for verruca vulgaris failed. Histopathology uniformly showed basal vacuolar alteration at the dermal–epidermal junction and necrotic keratinocytes around the eccrine glands, consistent with GVHD. Interestingly, all four patients responded to topical immunosuppression. Conclusions Acral verrucous lesions represent an underrecognized presentation of chronic GVHD. We describe four patients with verruca-like lesions on the palms and soles following allogeneic HSCT. Histopathology confirmed GVHD, and lesions improved with immunosuppression. It is important for dermatologists and dermatopathologists to recognize this rare presentation of cutaneous GVHD.
Metabolic and inflammatory links to depression in youth with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE Youth with diabetes are at increased risk for depression. The objectives of this study were to provide preliminary evidence that this at-risk status for depression is associated with metabolic and inflammatory markers and to inform future, more stringent examinations of the directionality of these associations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data from SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study Group (SEARCH), an observational study of U.S. children diagnosed with diabetes at RESULTS Six of eight markers were significantly ( P CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that depression reported by youth with diabetes is partially associated with metabolic abnormalities and systemic inflammation.
On-line classification of US Select beef carcasses for longissimus tenderness using visible and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy.

The current experiment was conducted to evaluate the on-line application of visible and near-infrared spectroscopy (VISNIR) to US Select carcasses during commercial beef carcass grading procedures to predict tenderness of longissimus steaks after 14 days of refrigerated storage. A regression model was calibrated using 146 carcasses and tested against an additional 146 carcasses. Carcasses were segregated into VISNIR-based tenderness classes based on whether their VISNIR-predicted slice shear force value was less than (tender) or greater than (tough) the median predicted slice shear force value. Carcasses classified as tender by VISNIR had a lower mean SSF value, were less likely to have slice shear force values greater than 245 N, had higher trained sensory panel tenderness ratings, and were less likely to have trained sensory panel tenderness ratings below slightly tender than were carcasses classified as tough (P < 0.001). This technology might be useful for identification of US Select carcasses that excel in longissimus tenderness.