cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of excess dietary zinc on pancreatic exocrine function in the chick.

The effects of excess dietary zinc (Zn) on exocrine pancreatic function were studied in chicks. A purified diet based on crystalline amino acids and sucrose was employed in several experiments, and a practical type of diet based on corn and soybean meal was used in one experiment for the purpose of comparison. Additions of as little as 100 mg Zn/kg as ZnO to the purified diet markedly elevated pancreatic Zn concentration, whereas liver and plasma Zn were moderately increased. Histological examination of the pancreas showed alterations in acinar structure due to Zn intoxication. The activities of the pancreatic exportable enzymes amylase, lipase, trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen were each decreased by such levels of Zn feeding. Reductions of pancreatic enzyme activities were associated with reductions in the digestibility of dietary starch and in tissue alpha-tocopherol concentrations. Chicks fed the nonpurified (i.e., soy-containing) diet accumulated much less Zn in the pancreas (about one-tenth as compared with the purified diet); the addition of as much as 2000 mg Zn/kg as ZnO to this diet produced only a small increase in pancreas Zn concentration, and did not affect exportable pancreatic enzyme activities or tissue alpha-tocopherol concentrations. These results indicate that dietary factors that reduce Zn availability may also reduce Zn toxicity. Chicks fed the purified diet with excess Zn had slightly higher liver selenium (Se) concentrations, but this effect was not associated with changes in the activity of Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase in that organ. Nutritional deprivation of Se did not affect the extent of Zn-induced acinar damage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Irwin Rose (1926-2015).

On June 2, 2015, Irwin (Ernie) Rose died quietly in his sleep at age 88, after a long and fruitful lifetime of sleuthing for the secrets of life at the molecular level. Truly great scientists are much more than the sum of their publications and awards. This is especially true for Ernie who, when informed that he had been awarded the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, wondered aloud whether he really needed to go to Sweden to receive this honor. Although he did attend the ceremonies, and appeared to enjoy the process enormously, Ernie’s eye was always on the biggest prize of all: understanding how Nature works.
Implementation of a lamina‐based constitutive relationship for analysing thick composites

The finite element implementation of a lamina-based elastic constitutive relation appropriate for describing the three-dimensional (3-D) behaviour of fibre composite laminated media is presented. Unconstrained by the two-dimensional restrictions accompanying plate and shell theories, this approach resolves the macro 3-D deformation fields found in 'thick' laminated or filament wound composites without requiring each lamina to be individually discretized to assign material properties. In rectangular isoparametric solid elements where laminae locally parallel an element 'face', the implementation represents 'exactly' the elastic laminate behaviour by replacing the discrete lamina stiffnesses with continuous polynomial moduli functions. Attributable directly to the lamina constitutive relationship used, appropriate for fibre-dominated material systems, the implementation automatically preserves interlaminar continuity of tractions and displacements within each element for laminates assembled from a single lamina type. The order of the effective moduli functions is determined by the element kinematics and by requiring identical net mid-surface elemental forces and moments. In general, this representation substantially reduces the number of stored variables and through-thickness integrations required, and allows 'exact' integration by higher-order Gaussian quadrature. Additionally a single element may span any portion or number of laminae, thus allowing nearly arbitrary meshing and solution resolution. Several numerical examples using 3-D 8-node isoparametric solid elements demonstrate the approach's convergence and overall behaviour.
Damage Accumulation and Life-Prediction Models for SnAgCu Leadfree Electronics Under Shock-Impact

Relative damage-index based on the leadfree interconnect transient strain history from digital image correlation, explicit finite-elements, cohesive-zone elements, and component’s survivability envelope has been developed for life-prediction of two-leadfree electronic alloy systems. Life prediction of pristine and thermally-aged assemblies, have been investigated. Solder alloy system studied include Sn1Ag0.5Cu, and 96.5Sn3.5Ag. Transient strains during the shock-impact have been measured using digital image correlation in conjunction with high-speed cameras operating at 50,000 fps. Both the board strains and the package strains have been measured in a variety of drop orientations including JEDEC horizontal drop orientation, vertical drop orientation and intermediate drop orientations. In addition the effect of sequential stresses of thermal aging and shock-impact on the failure mechanisms has also been studied. The thermal aging condition used for the study includes 125°C for 100 hrs. The presented methodology addresses the need for life prediction of new lead-free alloy-systems under shock and vibration, which is largely beyond the state of art. Three failure modes have been predicted including interfacial failure at the copper-solder interface, solder-PCB interface, and the solder joint failure. Explicit non-linear finite element models with cohesive-zone elements have been developed and correlated with experimental results. Velocity data from digital image correlation has been used to drive the attachment degrees of freedom of the submodel and extract transient interconnect strain histories. Explicit finite-element sub-modeling has been correlated with the full-field strain in various locations, orientations, on both the package and the board-side. The survivability of the leadfree interconnections under sequential loading (thermal aging and shock-impact) from simulation has been compared with pristine circuit assemblies subjected to shock-impact. Sequential loading changes the failure modes and decreases the drop reliability as compared to the room temperature experimental results. Damage index based survivability envelope is intended for component integration to ensure reliability in harsh environments.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Understanding the extraocular muscles and oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves through a simulation in physical examination training: an innovative approach.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an innovative exhibitory eye model simulation in a physical examination laboratory format on explaining Listing's Law concerning the individual extraocular muscle action and the rationale for cranial nerve testing.
Nonempirical Rung 3.5 density functionals from the Lieb-Oxford bound

Odashima and Capelle (OC) recently presented a nonempirical, nonlocal, approximate exchange-correlation density functional constructed from exact exchange and the Lieb-Oxford bound [M. M. Odashima and K. Capelle, Phys. Rev. A 79, 062515 (2009)]10.1103/PhysRevA.79.062515. Our “Rung 3.5” exchange energy, built from the product of the Kohn-Sham one-particle density matrix and a semilocal model density matrix, provides an upper bound to exact exchange via the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality. The present work combines this bound with the OC construction to yield nonempirical Rung 3.5 functionals. Numerical tests indicate that these functionals provide reasonable treatments of many molecular properties, and suggest areas for improvement. The results illustrate the promise of the OC construction and the utility of Rung 3.5 exchange in constraint satisfaction.
On hyperedge replacement and BNLC graph grammars

Abstract It is shown that except for the vertex labelling BNLC grammars of bounded nonterminal degree generate the same languages of simple graphs as hyperedge replacement grammars. This does not hold if the vertex labelling is taken into account. Furthermore the generation of loops and multiple edges by hyperedge replacement grammars is discussed.
Functional analysis of -351 interleukin-9 promoter polymorphism reveals an activator controlled by NF-κB

Genetic studies have shown linkages for asthma to the chromosomal region 5q31-q33 in humans that includes the IL-9 gene. An A-to-G base substitution has been identified at bp -351 in the IL-9 promoter. The role of this polymorphism in IL-9 promoter function was assessed utilizing CD4+ T cells purified from individuals with one or two of the G alleles in comparison to those homozygous for the wild-type A. The presence of an A at -351 (A allele) increased mitogen-stimulated IL-9 transcription twofold in comparison to subjects with one or two G alleles at this position. Binding of nuclear extract proteins from IL-9-producing human cell lines to DNA sequences including this base exchange demonstrated specific binding of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. Binding of NF-kappaB to the IL-9 promoter was confirmed in vivo using the chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Recombinant NF-kappaB bound to a promoter fragment with the A allele with fivefold higher affinity than it did to a promoter with the G allele. Individuals carrying the A allele of the IL-9 promoter display increased synthesis of IL-9, which may result in strong Th2 immune responses and a modulation of their susceptibility to infectious, neoplastic, parasitic or atopic disease.
Spread of Synaptic Depression Mediated by Presynaptic Cytoplasmic Signaling

Postsynaptic activity may modulate presynaptic functions by transsynaptic retrograde signals. At developing neuromuscular synapses in Xenopus nerve-muscle cultures, a brief increase in the cytosolic calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration in postsynaptic myocytes induced persistent depression of presynaptic transmitter secretion. This depression spread to distant synapses formed by the same neuron. Clearance of extracellular fluid did not prevent the spread of depression, and depression could not be induced by increasing the Ca2+ concentration in a nearby myocyte not in contact with the presynaptic neuron. Thus, the spread of depression is mediated by signaling in the presynaptic cytoplasm, rather than by a retrograde factor in the extracellular space.
Fiber-optic resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization probe for in situ detection of aromatic contamination

A simple fiber-optic probe suitable for remote analysis with the use of resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization has been developed and demonstrated by measuring vapor-phase toluene and gasoline above aqueous solutions. An optical fiber transmits a high-power laser pulse (266 nm or 532 nm) to the sample, ionizing it, and the subsequent ions are collected with a platinum electrode mounted at the fiber tip. Measurements take approximately 100 s to perform, require no sample preparation, and have been demonstrated over a distance of five meters. The limit of detection for toluene in water with the use of this probe is 1.47 ± 0.02 ppb (wt/wt). In addition to two-photon excitation at 266 nm, the feasibility of a 2 + 2 excitation scheme using 532 nm has also been shown.
Micro-Plasma Field Effect Transistor Operating With DC Plasma

This letter presents the smallest microplasma field effect transistor (MOPFET) reported to date. The MOPFET has a gaseous (atmospheric pressure He) channel and operates in the sub-Paschen breakdown regime, where the channel breakdown voltage depends (nearly) linearly on the channel length. The gate field effect is explained by noting that the channel ionization depends on the primary electron density that is controlled by both VDS and VG; negative VG increased the channel electron density lowering the channel breakdown voltage (VDS-B), whereas positive VG attracted the channel electrons and reduced their density for ionization in the channel increasing the VDS-B. A simple empirical model using Townsend breakdown criteria is developed to include the effect of the gate electric field in VDS-B.
On the origin of equatorial Atlantic biases in coupled general circulation models

Many coupled ocean–atmosphere general circulation models (GCMs) suffer serious biases in the tropical Atlantic including a southward shift of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) in the annual mean, a westerly bias in equatorial surface winds, and a failure to reproduce the eastern equatorial cold tongue in boreal summer. The present study examines an ensemble of coupled GCMs and their uncoupled atmospheric component to identify common sources of error. It is found that the westerly wind bias also exists in the atmospheric GCMs forced with observed sea surface temperature, but only in boreal spring. During this time sea-level pressure is anomalously high (low) in the western (eastern) equatorial Atlantic, which appears to be related to deficient (excessive) precipitation over tropical South America (Africa). In coupled simulations, this westerly bias leads to a deepening of the thermocline in the east, which prevents the equatorial cold tongue from developing in boreal summer. Thus reducing atmospheric model errors during boreal spring may lead to improved coupled simulations of tropical Atlantic climate.
Shape-resonance--enhanced vibrational excitation at intermediate energies (10--40 eV) in electron-molecule scattering

Here we emphasize a new class of shape resonances, falling in the intermediate-energy range (10 to 40 eV), which have emerged in the course of our current survey studies of electron-molecule scattering, using the multiple-scattering method (MSM). We have found that these features are enhanced in vibrational excitation and appear prominently, all the more so because the nonresonant background is negligible in the vibrationally inelastic channels.
Prediction of effluent compositions for fixed-bed coal gasifiers

Abstract A two-zone, well-mixed, partial equilibrium model that provides efficient estimates of fixed bed coal gasifier effluent temperature, tar production and gas composition has been developed and evaluated. The model includes detailed treatment of devolatilization, partial equilibrium of volatile gases, treatment of a large number of gas-phase species, and estimation of tar production with potential for recirculation of effluent products. Predictions have been compared to measured effluent compositions from two large-scale fixed-bed reactors over a wide range of coal types and operating conditions. Model evaluation also includes determination of sensitivity of effluent temperature and composition to model options, model parameters and operational parameters. The model can be used separately or as part of a large process simulator since execution times are on the order of seconds using an engineering workstation. Furthermore, the predicted effluent compositions can provide useful initial estimates for one- or two-dimensional fixed-bed models.
Effects of Kinetic Mechanism on Diffusion-Controlled Structure of Hydrogen-Halogen Reaction Zones

Abstract Some theoretical computations are completed, illustrating possible influences of reaction mechanism on the structure of the reaction zone, for reactions which occur by a straight-chain process. The occurrence of single and of double reaction fronts is identified. It is demonstrated that while a double front may occur for hydrogen-fluorine systems, in the case of the hydrogen-bromine reaction only a single front is obtained.
Implementing wireless communication links in 3-D ICs utilizing wide-band on-chip meandering microbump antenna

Three-dimensional integrated circuit (3-D IC) technology for improving integration density has made great progress, and its wide deployment in high performance computing systems has been envisaged during the recent years. We present a promising perspective of wireless communication links between 3-D ICs for reducing latency and overall pin count. We propose a wireless link utilizing a fully Si-compatible micro-bump antenna, and demonstrate the feasibility of using micro-bumps placed between the layers of 3-D IC as a high-efficiency, compact, and wide-bandwidth antenna. The wide-bandwidth antenna allows a highly flexible wireless link with a data capacity comparable to that of wireline link and shows high invariability over process variation.
The dynamic plasticity of non-symmetrical free-flight collision impact

Abstract The major portion of the diffraction grating experimental studies of finite amplitude wave propagation in crystalline solids has measured the detail of non-linear wave fronts generated by symmetrical free-flight axial collision of two identical specimens. In the present paper a series of non-symmetrical free-flight impact experiments are described for a wide variety of materials and material conditions. It is shown that the writer's generalized linearly temperature-dependent parabolic stress-strain function experimentally established from symmetrical measurements may be introduced into the non-viscous finite amplitude wave theory to provide a detailed correlation between experiment and theory for the high strain rate non-symmetrical free-flight impact situation.
Primary tuberculous inoculation of an ear lobe; report of an unusual case and review of the literature.

Summary 1. A case of primary tuberculous inoculation of an ear lobe following puncture for earrings in an 18-month-old Porto Rican child is presented. 2. An ulcerative tuberculous lesion of the right ear lobe with regional lymphadenopathy developed and was successfully treated with streptomycin and para-aminosalicylic acid.
Right ventricular size and function: The discrepancy between cardiac blood pool imaging techniques

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a number of equilibrium radionulide methods for analyzing right ventricular size and function, in an attempt to determine if any of a variety of approaches could accurately characterize right ventricular hemodynamics. Fourteen patients being clinically evaluated for coronary artery disease (N = 9), congestive cardiomyopathy (N = 2), valvular disease (N = 2), or intracardiac shunts (N = 1) underwent biplane contrast right ventriculography following gated blood pool imaging. Four radionuclide techniques were examined and included: (1) a semiautomatic edge-detection algorithm using a variable right ventricular region-of-interest and a right ventricular apical end diastolic background; (2) a fixed right ventricular end-diastolic region-of-interest with a C-shaped background; (3) the same fixed end-diastolic right ventricular region-interest with a right ventricular end-diastolic apical background; and (4) both right ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic regions-of-Interest with a background chosen lateral to the left ventricle. Right ventricular end-diastolic volume was obtained by correcting end-diastolic counts by frame time, the number of processed heart beats, and blood radioactivity. The results illustrate the wide discrepancy among these methods. The correlation coefficients comparing right ventricular ejection fractions by radlonuclide methods 1 to 4 with contrast ventriculography were 0.23, 0.74, 0.40, and 0.42, respectively. For right ventricular end-diastolic volumes, the correlation coefficients were 0.90, 0.72, 0.90, and 0.92, respectively. While these techniques may be useful for analyzing serial changes in right heart function and size, further investigation is needed before right ventricular equilibrium radionuclide techniques can be acceptably utilized in clinical practice, particularly in individual subjects.
Erythrocyte polyamine levels during intravenous feeding of patients with colorectal carcinoma.

Changes in erythrocyte (RBC) polyamines were studied during total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in 16 colorectal carcinoma patients and six patients with noncancerous diseases. RBC putrescine (PTC), spermidine (SPD), and spermine (SPM) were analyzed before and at the completion of preoperative TPN in each patient. Before TPN, nutritional status, based on a history of weight loss and plasma albumin, prealbumin and retinol-binding protein levels, were similar for the two groups. Initial RBC PTC, SPD, and SPM levels were also similar for both groups. Preoperative TPN induced significant increases in RBC PTC levels (P<0.001) and RBC PTC:SPD ratios (P < 0.005) of the cancer patients while no significant polyamine changes were observed in the other group. Host response to nutritional therapy was monitored with plasma prealbumin and retinol-binding protein levels which did not change significantly in either group.
ION DESORPTION CHARACTERISTICS INDUCED BY ELECTRON INTERACTION WITH CARBON MONOXIDE ADSORBED ON RHENIUM.

Abstract A study has been made of carbon monoxide adsorbed on polycrystalline rhenium ribbons using Electron Probe Surface Mass Spectrometry, and Thermal Desorption Analysis. For this system O + and CO + are found to desorb with comparable efficiency. The results of flash filament experiments with CO on rhenium have been shown to be very similar to those obtained for carbon monoxide on tungsten. Adsorption and desorption studies indicate that CO + can be associated with the α phase and O + primarily with the lowest binding energy portion of the β phase. The magnitude of these two ion signals has been found to be interrelated. The results obtained on this system may help clarify some of the reasons for the discrepancies observed by different authors for the electron induced ion desorption products of carbon monoxide adsorbed on tungsten surfaces.
Highly Efficient Benzannulation of Poly(phenylene ethynylene)s

Macromolecules linked by single bonds between aromatic substituents, that is, polyphenylenes, have attracted great interest for use in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and other optoelectronic devices, as structurally rigid dendrimers, for isolating or organizing chromophores, and as soluble precursors of nanostructured forms of graphene. Paraand meta-linked polyphenylenes with high molecular weight are synthesized through transition-metalcatalyzed cross-coupling approaches, some of which proceed through chain-growth mechanisms. Only a few oligomeric ortho-linked phenylenes have been reported as a result of poor cross-coupling efficiency during the polymerization. Longer o-polyphenylenes are interesting because they can adopt specific helical conformations induced by steric interactions along the polymer backbone and can be oxidized to soluble, structurally precise graphene nanoribbons. New strategies for accessing o-polyphenylenes, particularly those that tolerate additional aromatic substituents, are therefore of great utility. Here we report a versatile and efficient approach to prepare polymers of high molecular weight containing osubstituted arylene linkages through a cycloaddition reaction at each alkyne function of a poly(phenylene ethynylene) (PPE). PPEs are attractive precursors because of their structural versatility, functional-group tolerance, and efficiency of polymerizations. However, their alkyne moieties are notably unreactive and have only been reduced to methylene or cis-vinylene groups prior to this study. This benzannulation strategy (Scheme 1) is the first reported efficient cycloaddition performed along a conjugated polymer backbone, and it tolerates bulky aromatic substituents adjacent to the alkyne moieties, thus suggesting that it will be applicable to a broad range of crowded aromatic architectures. Yamamoto and co-workers reported a Cu(OTf)2-catalyzed benzannulation of diphenylacetylene with o-(phenylethynyl)benzaldehyde 2 to produce 2,3-diphenylnaphthalene, but this transformation has not previously been employed for polymer modification. We first evaluated its feasibility for PPE benzannulation using dialkyne 4 (Figure 1), a model compound similar in structure to PPE 1. Compound 4 reacts rapidly (in as little as 30 min) and efficiently with 2 in the presence of catalytic amounts of Cu(OTf)2 and excess trifluoroacetic acid (CF3CO2H) at 100 8C to provide the doubly benzannulated product 5 in 98% yield of isolated product. Yamamoto and co-workers found that some alkyne-containing substrates form more than 10% of a naphthyl ketone side product (Figure 1b, inset) Scheme 1. Benzannulation of each alkyne of a substituted poly(phenylene ethynylene) 1 provides polyphenylene 3.
Three-dimensional real-time through-the-wall imaging

In this paper a three-dimensional (3D) diffraction tomographic (DT) algorithm is proposed for real-time through-the-wall imaging (TWI). The spectral expansion of the three-layered medium dyadic Green's function is employed to derive a linear relation between the spatial Fourier transforms of the image and the scattered field. Then the image is efficiently reconstructed with inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT). The linearization of the inversion scheme with Born approximation and the easy implementation of the algorithm with FFT/IFFT make the DT algorithm suitable for on-site TWI applications.
Democracy and political corruption: A cross-national comparison

Past research on democracy and politicalcorruption produced mixed results becauseof differences in sampling and analyticalmethods. Moreover, an important shortcominghas been researchers' focus on detectinglinear effects alone. In the current study,I statistically controlled for potentiallyconfounding economic factors and usedhierarchical polynomial regression toevaluate the form of thedemocracy-corruption relationship. Resultsshowed that a cubic function best fittedthe data. Despite eruptions of corruptionamong intermediate democracies, theconsolidation of advanced democraticinstitutions eventually reduced corruption.Ultimately, the initial politicalconditions and the final democraticachievements determined the magnitude ofpolitical corruption in a country.
Respiratory infections in infants on mechanical ventilation: The immune response as a diagnostic aid

A prospective study was undertaken in 41 newborn infants receiving artificial respiration for evaluation of the incidence of respiratory infections. Clinical and radiologic evidence of pneumonia was compared with the appearance of serum antibodies against antigens prepared from microorganisms isolated from bronchial aspirates, and with serum and bronchial immunoglobulin M values. A significant specific immune response was documented in 24% of the patients studied. The data indicate that by correlating the clinical and radiographic findings with specific antibodies and IgM antibody responses, it is possible to document a significant number of respiratory infections. One implication of this study is that subclinical infections may not be uncommon. The significance of the presence and changes in concentration of IgM in bronchial aspirate requires further study.
Industry-level changes in microbial contamination on market hog and broiler chicken carcasses between two locations in the slaughter process

Abstract Pork and poultry products have been implicated in a substantial proportion of microbial foodborne illnesses such as salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis. Understanding the similarities and differences between the effectiveness of interventions applied during slaughter to the two commodities can help identify opportunities to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. This study uses data from two national surveys and censored data techniques to assess the concentrations of microbial contamination on broiler chickens and market hogs at two points in the slaughter process. Statistical distributions are fitted to estimate the average concentrations of microbial contamination, the variability in these concentrations, and the average reduction in contamination between the two locations for pork and chicken produced in the United States. The concentrations of Salmonella and generic Escherichia coli (GEC) are estimated for hog carcasses; the concentrations of Salmonella , GEC, and Campylobacter are estimated for chicken carcasses. These datasets are also used to study the magnitude of seasonal changes in concentrations of microbial contamination and to demonstrate the potential utility of using the reduction in the average aerobic plate count between the pre-evisceration and post-chill stages of the slaughter process as an indicator of the corresponding reduction in other species of bacteria. The study finds interventions for hog carcasses achieve much larger reductions in contamination than those applied to chicken. However, the variability in the concentration of Salmonella contamination on pork is significantly higher, suggesting an opportunity to decrease risk by ensuring more consistent reductions across the industry. The study also finds, for both commodities, that the log 10 reductions in the concentrations of GEC are similar to the log 10 reductions in Salmonella , while the log reduction in Campylobacter on chicken was substantially greater than for both GEC and Salmonella . Additional analyses demonstrate modest seasonal increases in contamination only on hog carcasses as well as demonstrating that reductions in APC are indicative of reductions in all other organisms, suggesting its potential as an effective indicator organism.
Broken Aboulker stents in the tracheal lumen

Aboulker stents (AS) used in laryngotracheoplasty have yielded good results and few complications. Although the complications are few, a potentially serious complication is fracture of the stent. The Aboulker stent produced in France has been used with increasing frequency. Dr. Robin Cotton reported on a method of modifying the stent so that a metal tracheotomy tube could be inserted and wired to the stent. This method avoids the problem of suprastomal tracheal collapse often encountered with other stenting methods. However, though the method is generally effective, transverse break of the AS has occurred in 5 cases in 3 different institutions. When transverse break of the AS occurs, the airway can be compromised rapidly and removal of the stent can be treacherous. During attempts to remove the stent, any tilt of the distal broken segment can cause immediate complete occlusion of the tracheal airway. In this paper, 3 cases of transverse break of the AS are analyzed, and suggestions for avoiding stent breakage are outlined.
The evaluation of a lectin-agarose based subunit vaccine and complementary diagnostic antigen for Aujeszky's disease (pseudorabies) in the pig

Abstract Eleven out of 25 pigs were immunized with a lectin-agarose based subunit vaccine for Aujeszky's disease (AD). The vaccine was prepared by extracting protective antigens from a non-ionic detergent (Triton-X-100) extract of AD virus-infected PK-la cells with Lens culinaris agglutinin immobilized on agarose beads. Two groups of 3 and 4 pigs received 2 doses of vaccine each containing 426 μg of adsorbed protein. Two groups of 2 pigs each received 2 vaccine doses containing either 23 or 33 μg of adsorbed protein. All vaccinated pigs survived a nasal challenge of 10 8.5 PFU of virulent AD virus while 13 out of 14 (93%) uninoculated controls died between Days 5 and 9 post challenge. This immunizing preparation qualified as a practical subunit vaccine because pigs were protected with relatively small amounts of protective antigen while at the same time remained free of detectable antibody to a complementary diagnostic antigen. This antigen was obtained in relatively pure form from the maintenance medium of virus-infected cells 4 h post-inoculation. In addition both high and low dose vaccinates failed to produce detectable antibody to at least one other antigen complex. The composition of Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA) and Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA)-purified AD viral antigen preparations were also compared by crossed immunoelectrophoretic techniques. Both preparations contained two antigen complexes and two individual antigens in common. Each preparation also contained its own unique antigen complex. The RCA purified antigen preparation also contained small quantities of a single antigen that was not detectable in the LCA antigen preparation.
Computationally driven experimental discovery of the CeIr 4 In compound

We present a combined experimental and computational methodology for the discovery of new materials. Density functional theory (DFT) formation energy calculations allow us to predict the stability of various hypothetical structures. We demonstrate this approach by computationally predicting the Ce-Ir-In ternary phase diagram. We predict previously unknown compounds CeIr${}_{4}$In and Ce${}_{2}$Ir${}_{2}$In to be stable. Subsequently, we successfully synthesize CeIr${}_{4}$In and characterize it by x-ray diffraction. Magnetization and heat capacity measurements of CeIr${}_{4}$In are reported. The correct prediction and discovery of CeIr${}_{4}$In validates this approach for discovering new materials.
Regulation of Protein Quality Control by UBE4B and LSD1 through p53-Mediated Transcription

Protein quality control is essential for clearing misfolded and aggregated proteins from the cell, and its failure is associated with many neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we identify two genes, ufd-2 and spr-5, that when inactivated, synergistically and robustly suppress neurotoxicity associated with misfolded proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans. Loss of human orthologs ubiquitination factor E4 B (UBE4B) and lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), respectively encoding a ubiquitin ligase and a lysine-specific demethylase, promotes the clearance of misfolded proteins in mammalian cells by activating both proteasomal and autophagic degradation machineries. An unbiased search in this pathway reveals a downstream effector as the transcription factor p53, a shared substrate of UBE4B and LSD1 that functions as a key regulator of protein quality control to protect against proteotoxicity. These studies identify a new protein quality control pathway via regulation of transcription factors and point to the augmentation of protein quality control as a wide-spectrum antiproteotoxicity strategy.
Bottom line: A seat at the table that I set: Beyond social justice allies

Toby Jenkins argues for including the roles of advocates and agents in higher education's conversation about social justice.
Capillary electrochromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry for methylated benzo[a]pyrene isomers.

Benzo[a]pyrene, one of the most carcinogenic PAHs, has 12 monomethylated positional isomers (MBAPs). A strong correlation between the carcinogenicity of these isomers and methyl substitution has been reported. In this study, on-line coupling of capillary electrochromatography (CEC) and atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry (APPI-MS) provides a unique solution to highly selective separation and sensitive detection of MBAP isomers. The studies indicated that APPI provides significantly better sensitivity compared to electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization modes of MS. A systematic investigation of APPI-MS detection parameters and CEC separation is established. First, several sheath liquid parameters (including type and concentration of volatile buffers, type and content of organic modifiers, use of dopants and inorganic/organic additives, and sheath liquid flow rate) and APPI-MS spray chamber parameters (capillary voltage, vaporizer temperature, nebulizer pressu...
A rat heart UniGene set for identification of spatially and/or temporally regulated genes during heart development

A rat heart UniGene set for identification of spatially and/or temporally regulated genes during heart development
PASSOVER ELIMINATES GAP JUNCTIONAL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN NEURONS OF THE GIANT FIBER SYSTEM IN DROSOPHILA

The Passover-related gene family plays significant roles in cellular connectivity. Mutations in three family members from Drosophila and from Caenorhabditis elegans alter a few specific electrical synapses. The passage of cobalt between Drosophila neurons was used to assay the presence of gap junctional connections. The giant fiber in the wild type has specific gap junctional connections in the brain and in the thorax. In flies mutant for Passover, cobalt cannot pass into or out of the giant fiber in either the anterograde or the retrograde directions. A large number of other gap junctional connections remain unaffected. This demonstrates that the Passover gene is necessary for gap-junctional communication between the neurons of the Drosophila giant fiber system.
Contemporary open radical cystectomy: analysis of perioperative outcomes.

Purpose: The feasibility of laparoscopic or robotic assisted radical cystectomy has been demonstrated in several small series, but the specific advantages are uncertain and require comparisons to more recent results that incorporate refinements in open technique and perioperative management. We reviewed our contemporary radical cystectomy series to evaluate perioperative outcome measures which could be affected by surgical approach for the purpose of establishing contemporary benchmarks for future comparisons.Materials and Methods: The medical records of 553 consecutive patients undergoing radical cystectomy from January 2000 through June of 2005 were reviewed. Perioperative and demographic data, type of urinary diversion, hospital stay, complications and perioperative mortality were examined.Results: Median patient age was 69 years (range 22 to 94) and average American Society of Anesthesiologists classification was 2.7. Median operative time was 258 minutes (range 89 to 801). Mean operative time for ile...
Pathogenesis of osteoporotic hip fractures

Abstract Osteoporosis is characterized late in the course of the disease by an increased risk of fracture, particularly in the elderly. It occurs in both sexes, affecting ∼8 million women and 2 million men aged ≥50 years (1). While low bone density is a predictor of fractures, it is not the only determinant of fracture risk. Other factors include advanced age, altered bone quality, a personal or family history of falls, frailty, poor eyesight, debilitating diseases, and high bone turnover. A diet with sufficient calcium and vitamin D is important to minimize bone loss and, along with regular exercise, to maintain muscle strength. Bisphosphonates have been shown to reduce the risk of hip fracture. For elderly patients, the use of hip protectors may be used as a treatment of last resort. Regardless of the age of the patient, individual patient risk factors must be considered to target appropriate treatment and prevent fracture.
An in Vitro Study of Various Commercially Available Bulk-Type Laxatives:*: III. Physicochemical Measurements of their Influence Upon the Digestion of a Carbohydrate, a Fat, and a Protein

A study has been made to determine if the presence of bulk-type laxatives would influence the digestion of a carbohydrate, a fat, and a protein. Procedures have been developed for evaluating this possibility. The results indicate that many of the bulk-type laxatives studied retard the digestion of a carbohydrate and a protein and accelerate the digestion of a fat.
Separating forward and backward pathways in nonequilibrium umbrella sampling.

Umbrella sampling enforces uniform sampling of steady-state distributions that are functions of arbitrary numbers of order parameters. The key to applying such methods to nonequilibrium processes is the accumulation of fluxes between regions. A significant difference between microscopically reversible and irreversible systems is that, in the latter case, the transition path ensemble for a reaction can be significantly different for “forward” and “backward” trajectories. Here, we show how to separately treat forward and backward pathways in nonequilibrium umbrella sampling simulations by working in an extended space. In this extended space, the exact rate (for equilibrium or nonequilibrium processes) can be calculated “for free” as a flux in phase space. We compare the efficiency of this rate calculation with forward flux sampling for a two-dimensional potential and show that nonequilibrium umbrella sampling is more efficient when an intermediate is present. We show that this technique can also be used to describe steady-state limit cycles by examining a simulation of circadian oscillations. We obtain the path of the limit cycle in a space of 22 order parameters, as well as the oscillation period. The relation of our method to others is discussed.
On the Pace–Datyner theory of diffusion of small molecules through polymers

The Pace–Datyner theory for diffusion of penetrant molecules in polymers has been analyzed. It has been found that the correct solution of the problem they pose is possible only at 0 K, since then the separation of two chains at x = ∞ is equal to the minimum of the DiBenedetto potential for their interaction. Otherwise the energy of symmetrical separation is infinite. By using the linearization method to solve the differential equation, Pace and Datyner neglected the problem of unnatural boundary conditions at x = ∞ for temperatures above 0 K. The exact numerical solutions of differential equations at temperature 0 K were therefore compared with the results of the Pace–Datyner linear approximation. For temperatures different from 0 K the solution of the problem is possible only when the proper cutoff is imposed. The analytical expression for the coeffients in the DiBenedetto potential has been found, and the potential can be written as
Strategies for improving antitumor activity utilizing IL-2: preclinical models and analysis of antitumor activity of lymphocytes from patients receiving IL-2.

Considerable enthusiasm remains for the successful utilization of the immune system for the immunotherapy of human cancers. Immunotherapeutic maneuvers have been able to mediate impressive antitumor responses for some patients with advanced and refractory malignancies. Unfortunately, the number of patients who benefit from current immunotherapies is low, while the toxicity for many of the patients receiving these treatments is high. It is becoming quite clear that the development of successful immunotherapeutic strategies will involve a carefully chosen combination of immunotherapeutic modalities or of immunotherapy combined with either surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. The use of an IL-2 based regimen which is clinically tolerable and can provide significant immune activation continues to remain central to many of these treatment approaches. Preclinicalin vitro and animal model systems can evaluate promising treatment strategies, including combination approaches. As an effective immunotherapeutic approach will likely require use of a combination of biologically active agents, the scheduling of these therapies may have profound importance both for optimal antitumor responses as well as clinical tolerance.
THE CYTOLOGY AND DERIVATION OF A TEMPERATURE‐SENSITIVE MEIOTIC MUTANT IN THE FERN CERATOPTERIS

Meiotic mutants were obtained from an inbreeding program following a hybridization between two diploid species of the homosporous fern Ceratopteris. The mutants are characterized by high levels of asynapsis at high temperatures (27 C, 33 C) and by aberrant spindle function at low temperatures (18 C). Spore viabilities vary with temperature and are highest at 23 C. Occasional restitution during the first division results in the production of dyads of diploid spores, some of which are viable. The inbreeding program was characterized by the expression of high levels of apparent heterozygosity in spite of intragametophytic selfing. It appears that segregation within the inbreeding program was responsible for the production of the mutants. The apparent heterozgosity and segregation can be explained by a previously documented genetic system within the polyploid homosporous ferns. A MAJOR aspect of the genetic control of chromosome behavior involves the pairing of homologous chromosomes during prophase stages of meiosis (Rees, 1961). There are many examples within the angiosperms in which pairing failure during meiotic prophase has been attributed to genetic factors. Sjodin (1970) has listed many of these reported cases and has summarized the data concerning the cytological behaviors, derivations, and the inheritance of the mutants. Ferns undoubtedly possess similar systems. However, because of high levels of polyploidy, long life cycle times, and the lack of suitable meiotic mutants for experimental purposes, little or no direct experimental information has been available concerning the genetic control of chromosome behavior in pteridophytes. Mutants that are suitable for such experimentation have recently been derived in the homosporous fern Ceratopteris. The cytological behavior of these mutants is described in this paper. The mutant behavior involves temperature-sensitive pairing failure during meiotic prophase and aberrant behavior during later stages of meiosis. In addition, several aspects of the derivation of the mutants, through hybridization followed by inbreeding, are discussed in reference to the nature of the genetic system of polyploid homosporous ferns.
Electro-magneto-optical Effects

Electro-magneto-optical effects in stationary materials are observed when the materials are placed in strong, static electric or magnetic fields and an electromagnetic wave (light) traverses the medium. The Faraday effect is an example of the class of phenomena we have in mind. Clearly, the existence of electro-magneto-optical effects in material media is direct evidence that the equations for the electromagnetic field in a material medium, unlike the equations for it in vacuum, are non-linear since the sum of two solutions generally fails to be a solution. An analysis of electro-magneto-optical effects, though based on nonlinear equations for which all but the simplest exact solutions are difficult to exhibit, may be simplified and made tractable by assuming that the dynamical part of the solution (the light wave) has such weak intensity that the vectors which describe it may be treated as infinitesimals.
Wasting Disease of Zostera in American Waters

THE unprecedented widespread occurrence and devastating nature of the prevalent disease of the eel–grass, Zostera marina, have been viewed with considerable concern by those directly affected by its disappearance. To plant pathologists and marine biologists, the ecological changes following the total disappearance of the plant from our Atlantic coast1 and from the western coast of Europe2 have been a matter of special interest.
Practical management of dyslipidemia with elevated lipoprotein(a)

Objective To report a case and describe a practical approach to treating dyslipidemia in a very-high-risk patient with elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. Setting Pharmacist-managed lipid clinic, from November 2006 to July 2007. Patient description A 50-year-old white woman with a recent history of multiple myocardial infarctions presented for management of dyslipidemia. Case summary At baseline, the patient had elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and Lp(a) (306 nmol/L) levels and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Early initiation of combination therapy with a statin and niacin extended release (ER) titration was started. After 3 months, despite progressive weight gain caused by dietary indiscretion, LDL-C decreased by 24% and TG and TC levels reached goal. Lp(a) levels did not change. Niacin ER titration continued, pravastatin was maximized, and ezetimibe 10 mg daily was started. Despite dramatic 9-month weight gain (68 lb total), LDL-C and HDL-C reached goal and Lp(a) levels decreased by 33% (204 nmol/L) after niacin ER maximization. Results Lp(a) is an emerging risk factor in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Elevated Lp(a) (>30 mg/dL) has been implicated as both an independent and an additive risk factor for CVD and stroke, particularly in women. In this case, the patient did not reach the optimal goal ( Conclusion This case illustrates a practical use of currently available therapy options to address Lp(a) as a secondary cardiovascular risk factor. Niacin is a preferred option for Lp(a) lowering in very-high-risk patients with coronary heart disease and dyslipidemia. The importance of moderate reductions in Lp(a) is not known.