cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RAVE and Rabconnectin-3 Complexes as Signal Dependent Regulators of Organelle Acidification.

The yeast RAVE (Regulator of H+-ATPase of Vacuolar and Endosomal membranes) complex and Rabconnectin-3 complexes of higher eukaryotes regulate acidification of organelles such as lysosomes and endosomes by catalyzing V-ATPase assembly. V-ATPases are highly conserved proton pumps consisting of a peripheral V1 subcomplex that contains the sites of ATP hydrolysis, attached to an integral membrane V o subcomplex that forms the transmembrane proton pore. Reversible disassembly of the V-ATPase is a conserved regulatory mechanism that occurs in response to multiple signals, serving to tune ATPase activity and compartment acidification to changing extracellular conditions. Signals such as glucose deprivation can induce release of V1 from Vo, which inhibits both ATPase activity and proton transport. Reassembly of V1 with Vo restores ATP-driven proton transport, but requires assistance of the RAVE or Rabconnectin-3 complexes. Glucose deprivation triggers V-ATPase disassembly in yeast and is accompanied by binding of RAVE to V1 subcomplexes. Upon glucose readdition, RAVE catalyzes both recruitment of V1 to the vacuolar membrane and its reassembly with Vo. The RAVE complex can be recruited to the vacuolar membrane by glucose in the absence of V1 subunits, indicating that the interaction between RAVE and the Vo membrane domain is glucose-sensitive. Yeast RAVE complexes also distinguish between organelle-specific isoforms of the Vo a-subunit and thus regulate distinct V-ATPase subpopulations. Rabconnectin-3 complexes in higher eukaryotes appear to be functionally equivalent to yeast RAVE. Originally isolated as a two-subunit complex from rat brain, the Rabconnectin-3 complex has regions of homology with yeast RAVE and was shown to interact with V-ATPase subunits and promote endosomal acidification. Current understanding of the structure and function of RAVE and Rabconnectin-3 complexes, their interactions with the V-ATPase, their role in signal-dependent modulation of organelle acidification, and their impact on downstream pathways will be discussed.
Clinical Analysis of Targeted Navel Drops in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: To analyze and evaluate the clinical efficacy of targeted navel drops in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Methods: The time span of the study was from September 2020 to April 2021, and 288 diabetic patients were selected from our hospital. The patients were divided into research group (n = 96) group, control group 1 (n = 96) and control group 2 (n = 96) by random number table. Control group 1 was managed with diet and exercise alone, control group 2 was treated with metformin on the basis of control group 1, and based on the treatment plan of the two control groups, the research group was treated with targeted navel drops. The relevant indexes of the three groups were compared and analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in the fasting blood glucose and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose among the three groups (p > 0.05) before the treatment. After treatment, the fasting blood glucose and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose of the research group were significantly lower than those of control group 1 and control group 2 (p < 0.05). The total effective rate of the research group was 95.8%, that of control group 1 was 85.4%, and that of control group 2 was 79.2%. The total effective rate of the research group was significantly higher than that of control group 1 and control group 2 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: There is a significant effect of targeted navel drops on diabetic patients in reducing their blood sugar levels, and its curative effect is better than using a single hypoglycemic therapy belonging to western medicine. It can be widely promoted at all levels in medical institutions.
"I smoked that cigarette, and it calmed me down": A qualitative analysis of intrapersonal, social, and environmental factors influencing decisions to smoke among youth experiencing homelessness.

INTRODUCTION Approximately 70% of youth experiencing homelessness smoke cigarettes; many try to quit and are interested in formal smoking cessation programs. The purpose of this study was to describe the intrapersonal, social, and environmental contexts associated with the most recent smoking experience among youth experiencing homelessness and (2) identify differences in contextual factors by age and willingness to quit. METHODS Thirty-six youth experiencing homelessness aged 14-24 years and who reported current smoking were recruited from a drop-in center in a Midwestern city. Semi-structured in-person interviews were analyzed to understand smoking behaviors. RESULTS Two-thirds of participants reported stress and nicotine dependence as primary reasons for smoking, and older youth (aged 18-24 years) reported smoking to de-escalate negative emotions associated with stressful events. For 25% of participants, and especially older youth, smoking was described as part of a routine. Over 80% of participants smoked outside at the homeless drop-in center or the places they lived. Social prompts from drop-in center peers regularly preempted smoking. Younger youth (aged 14-17 years) reported smoking socially while older youth were more likely to smoke alone. CONCLUSIONS For youth experiencing homelessness, smoking is integrated into daily life and is often used to manage stress associated with homelessness and engage socially with homeless peers. Multicomponent interventions to reduce structural stressors specific to homelessness, change social smoking norms (environmental and social context), and address stress management and nicotine dependence (intrapersonal context) are needed to support smoking cessation among youth experiencing homelessness. IMPLICATIONS Youth experiencing homelessness overwhelmingly described how daily stressors associated with homelessness and nicotine dependence preceded recent smoking. Older youth (aged 18-24 years) also reported smoking as "routine", which likely underscores nicotine dependence in this group. Younger youth (aged 14-17 years) described social smoking. Researchers must develop optimized multilevel interventions to support youth experiencing homelessness who want to quit smoking. Interventions directly targeting social determinants of stress (e.g., poverty, housing instability, food insecurity) and linkages to supportive services are needed. Complementary strategies to address stress coping and nicotine dependence (intrapersonal context) and social smoking norms (social and environmental context) are also necessitated.
Proposed SpaceWire Redundancy Mechanism

This viewgraph presentation reviews a possible mechanism and benefits of SpaceWire redundancy.
The Computational Modeling of Crystalline Materials Using a Stochastic Variational Principle

We introduce a variational principle suitable for the computational modeling of crystalline materials. We consider a class of materials that are described by non-quasiconvex variational integrals.We are further focused on equlibria of such materials that have non-attainment structure, i.e., Dirichlet boundary conditions prohibit these variational integrals from attaining their infima. Consequently, the equilibrium is described by probablity distributions. The new variational principle provides the possibility to use standard optimization tools to achieve stochastic equilibrium states starting from given initial deterministic states.
DB-FSG: An SQL-Based Approach for Frequent Subgraph Mining

Mining frequent subgraphs (FSG) is one form of graph mining for which only main memory algorithms exist currently. There are many applications in social networks, biology, computer networks, chemistry and the World Wide Web that require mining of frequent subgraphs. The focus of this paper is to apply relational database techniques to support frequent subgraph mining. Some of the computations, such as duplicate elimination, canonical labeling, and isomorphism checking are not straightforward using SQL. The contribution of this paper is to efficiently map complex computations to relational operators. Unlike the main memory counter parts of FSG, our approach addresses the most general graph representation including multiple edges between any two vertices, bi-directional edges, and cycles. Experimental evaluation of the proposed approach is also presented in the paper.
Improving oral healthcare delivery systems through workforce innovations: an introduction

The objective of this paper is to describe the purpose, rationale and key elements of the special issue, Improving Oral Healthcare Delivery Systems through Workforce Innovations. The purpose of the special issue is to further develop ideas presented at the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) workshop, Sufficiency of the U.S. Oral Health Workforce in the Coming Decade. Using the IOM discussions as their starting point, the authors evaluate oral health care delivery system performance for specific populations' needs and explore the roles that the workforce can play in improving the care delivery model. The contributing articles provide a broad framework for stimulating and evaluating innovation and change in the oral health care delivery system. The articles in this special issue point to many deficits in the current oral health care delivery system and provide compelling arguments and proposals for improvements. The issues presented and solutions recommended are not entirely new, but add to a growing body of work that is of critical importance given the context of wider health care reform.
Structurally Abnormal Human Autosomes

In contrast to full trisomy and monosomy, which in liveborn infants are limited to a few autosomes, the variety of structurally abnormal chromosomes is virtually infinite. This is to be expected, since chromosomes may break at almost any point, and the broken ends may join randomly to form new combinations. Chromosome breaks occur in meiocytes as well as in somatic cells. The only limitation to the variety of structurally abnormal chromosomes is their possible lethal effect on the individuals or cells carrying them. Deletions, duplications, ring chromosomes, inversions, and translocations cause partial trisomy and/or monosomy syndromes which have been described for all chromosome arms (de Grouchy and Turleau, 1984; Schinzel, 1984). It would be impossible to review the entire field of structural chromosome abnormalities even in a much more comprehensive book than this one; therefore, only the main classes of abnormal chromosomes are described herein, illustrated by a few examples of the resulting syndromes. Reciprocal and Robertsonian translocations and their segregation are discussed in Chapters 26 and 27, respectively.
Imaging Consecutive Steps of O2 Reaction with Hydroxylated TiO2(110): Identification of HO2 and Terminal OH Intermediates

We report the results of a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of the reaction of molecular oxygen with a partially hydroxylated TiO2(110) surface. The consecutive steps of both primary and secondary site-specific reactions have been tracked with high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). We have directly imaged stable, adsorbed hydroperoxyl (HO2) species, which is believed to be a key intermediate in many heterogeneous photochemical processes but generally metastable and “elusive” until now. We also found terminal hydroxyl groups, which are another critical but never previously directly observed intermediates. Conclusive evidence that O2 reacts spontaneously with a single bridging OH group as an initial reaction step is provided. The experimental results are supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations that have determined the energies and configurations of these species. Reported observations provide a base for a consistent description of the elementary reaction st...
Adaptive Tolerance of CD4+ T Cells In Vivo: Multiple Thresholds in Response to a Constant Level of Antigen Presentation

The in vivo T cell response to persistent Ag contains a hyporesponsive phase following an initial expansion and subsequent partial deletion of the responding cells. The mechanism(s) responsible for this tolerance process is poorly understood. In this study, we describe a new paired transgenic model (TCR and Ag), which within 7-14 days produces 20-40 million hyporesponsive T cells. This state is characterized by an 85-95% reduction in all cytokine production, an impairment of re-expression of CD25 and CD69, and a desensitization of the proliferative response to Ag. TCR levels were normal, and in vivo mixing experiments showed no evidence for active suppression. The hyporesponsiveness partially dissipated without proliferation when the cells were transferred into a non-Ag-bearing host. If the second host expressed Ag, the T cells initially regained responsiveness, but then slowly entered an even deeper state of tolerance characterized by an additional 7- to 10-fold lowering of cytokine production and a greater desensitization of proliferation. Surprisingly, this readaptation took place with the same level of Ag presentation, suggesting that other parameters can influence the tolerance threshold. Both the readjustment in sensitivity and the reversal without Ag convincingly demonstrate for the first time a truly adaptive tolerance process in CD4+ T cells in vivo.
Living with Infinities

This is the written version of a talk given in memory of Gunnar Kallen, at the Departments of Theoretical Physics, Physics, and Astronomy of Lund University on February 13, 2009. It will be published in a collection of the papers of Gunnar Kallen, edited by C. Jarlskog and A. C. T. Wu. I discuss some of Kallen's work, especially regarding the problem of infinities in quantum field theory, and recount my own interactions with him. In addition, I describe for non-specialists the current status of the problem, and present my personal view on how it may be resolved in the future.
The Concentrations of Water, Sodium and Potassium in the Nucleus and Cytoplasm of Amphibian Oocytes

Techniques are described for the isolation of nuclei and cytoplasm from frozen amphibian oocytes at -40 °C and their analysis for water, sodium, and potassium contents. Nuclei of the 4 species studied contain 74-85% water while cytoplasm is only 35-50% water. Nuclei contain 7-17 µequiv. Na/ml H2O and 123-129 µequiv. K/ml H2O; cytoplasm contains 59-84 µequiv. Na/ml H2O and 81-94 µequiv. K/ml H2O. Mechanisms suggested to explain the observed nucleo-cytoplasmic asymmetries are the selective sequestering of sodium in the cytoplasm and a fraction of cytoplasmic water which does not act as solvent. Asymmetric cation transport by the nuclear membrane is not indicated.
Application of Adaptive OFDM Bit Loading for High Data Rate Through-Metal Communication

The acoustic through-metal channel is characterized by strong multipath components caused by the echoing of acoustic energy within the channel. Transmission at high data rates is therefore difficult to achieve with traditional single-carrier systems. This paper applies an adaptive bit-loading technique to the transmission of digital signals through metal barriers using ultrasonic signaling. The multi-carrier approach discussed here allows us to mitigate severe frequency selectivity of the through-metal communication link and improve spectral efficiency by exploiting the stationary nature of the channel. Experimental performance of bit loading is examined in an ultrasonic through-metal channel. Our results indicate that non-power-scaled rate adaptive bit loading significantly outperforms non-adaptive modulation. Adaptive bit loading was shown to adhere to a strict BER constraint while increasing data rates by roughly 240% from values of 5 Mbps to approximately 12 Mbps when compared to narrowband modulation techniques.
Role of cAMP in modulating intrafollicular progesterone levels and oocyte maturation in amphibians (Rana pipiens).

Abstract The role of cAMP in regulating follicular progesterone levels and oocyte maturation was investigated following in vitro culture of amphibian (Rana pipiens) ovarian follicles. Intrafollicular levels of cAMP were manipulated with the use of a stimulator of cAMP synthesis (forskolin) or by exogenous addition of cAMP alone or either of these in combination with an inhibitor of cAMP catabolism (3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine, IBMX). Follicular progesterone content was determined by RIA and oocyte maturation was assessed cytologically. In the presence of increasing doses of forskolin (0–3 μM), cAMP (0–3 mM), or dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP, 0–2.5 mM) increasing but low levels of progesterone were detected. Increasing doses of IBMX (0-0.09 mM) alone had no significant effect on follicular steroid content. Exogenous cAMP, dbcAMP, or IBMX (0.09 mM) suppressed hormone-induced oocyte maturation. Simultaneous exposure of follicles to increasing doses of both forskolin (0–3 μM) and IBMX (0-0.09 mM) markedly increased intrafollicular progesterone levels to those produced by frog pituitary homogenate (FPH). A marked increase in progesterone levels also occurred when follicles were exposed to exogenous cAMP (3 mM) and IBMX (0.09 mM). These results indicate that exogenous cAMP is incorporated by follicle cells and that forskolin effects are mediated through cAMP. Changes in follicular progesterone levels (increase and decrease) over time following FPH or cAMP manipulation (cAMP + IBMX or forskolin + IBMX) were essentially identical. In contrast to cAMP, cGMP was inactive in inhibiting hormone induced GVBD or stimulating follicular progesterone accumulation. Elevation of follicular and medium levels of progesterone resulting from FPH or cAMP stimulation required the presence of the somatic follicular cells. The decrease in follicular progesterone levels with prolonged culture was not associated with a corresponding increase in progesterone levels in the medium. The decrease in follicular progesterone levels appears to reflect steroid catabolism rather than loss of steroid to the culture medium. The results suggest that the level of intracellular cAMP in the follicle cells is modulated by the relative activity of the adenylate cyclase system and phosphodiesterase and that FPH can affect both components. Thus, intracellular levels of cAMP play a key role in regulating follicular progesterone levels and FPH action on the follicle cells. The steroidogenic capacity of follicle cells can be manipulated independently of FPH stimulation.
Demonstration of a specific receptor for prolactin in porcine granulosa cells.

Porcine granulosa cells and subcellular fractions from these cells have been shown to have a specific receptor for ovine prolactin (OPRL). Ovine growth hormone demonstrated 7% of the potency of OPRL in displacing 125I-OPRL from its binding site; FSH, TSH, LH, insulin and ACTH showed negligible cross-reactivity.Scatchard analysis of the displacement curves suggested that 125I-OPRL has a high affinity for its receptor with a dissociation constant (Kd) for the granulosa cell-receptor of 7.4–7.7 × 10−10 M with no change as the follicle enlarges. In contrast, the specific binding of prolactin decreased markedly with maturation of the follicles with an apparent decrease in binding sites/cell from 555 in small follicles to 300 in large (preovulatory) follicles.The demonstrated Kd's were within the range of prolactin concentrations easily attained in vivo and were in good agreement with values obtained in our laboratory and elsewhere for the prolactin receptor from mammary gland and other tissues. Consequently, t...
Behavioral treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness in an elderly woman with multiple medical problems.

Abstract The case is described of a 61-year-old woman who complained of excessive daytime sleepiness, periodic cataplexy, and nocturnal urinary frequency, in the context of several other medical problems. Behavioral treatment consisted of training in progressive muscle relaxation and fluid restriction to facilitate sleep maintenance, and the use of a rubber band which was snapped against the wrist to facilitate daytime arousal. Following this self-management program, improvements were noted in the following dependent measures: (1) sleep attacks at home; (2) sleep attacks while driving; (3) cataplectic episodes; (4) nocturnal awakenings, and (5) nocturnal urine output. These improvements were maintained at 6- and 12-month follow-up. The integration of medical and behavioral strategies was highlighted.
POSTISCHEMIC ATP-MGCL2 PROVIDES PRECURSORS FOR THE RESYNTHESIS OF CELLULAR ATP

Accelerated recovery of renal ATP levels have been documented in rats given a postischemic infusion of ATP-MgCl2. This observation could be related to a direct entry of ATP as a source of metabolic energy or to augmentation of the resynthesis of cellular ATP. To distinguish between these possibilities, rats were infused with either ATP-MgCl2 (25 μmoles), AMP-MgCl2 (25 μmoles) or normal saline (NS) after 45 min of renal ischemia. Renal cortical ATP levels were determined continuously in vivo, prior to, during and for 120 min after the ischemic injury using 31p NMR spectroscopy (TMR-32; 32.5 MHz for 31p). During the ischemia, cellular ATP levels fell rapidly and remained <10% of control values in all rats. ATP levels returned to 50% of control values within 10 min after the ischemic insult in all animals. In rats given NS, renal cortical levels of ATP recovered to only 65±2% at 2 hrs indicating a very slow and incomplete regeneration of cellular nucleotides. In contrast, the animals infused with ATP-MgCl2 (81±3%) or AMP-MgCl2 (83±4%) had significantly better (P<0.01) recovery of cellular ATP. Since ATP-MgCl2 and AMP-MgCl2 produced a similar result, it would appear that the infused ATP was not necessarily a direct source of cellular energy. Moreover, these findings would suggest that the postischemic infusion of ATP-MgCl2 provides precursors for the repletion of the tissue nucleotide pool and resynthesis of cellular ATP.
Application of a novel 1,1'-dimethylferricinimum dye for the determination of uric acid in urine

Water-soluble 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (Hp-β-CyD), a cyclic and nonreducing oligosaccharide was used to enclose a hydrophobic guest molecule 1,1′-dimethylferrocene (DMF) to form a water-soluble yellow complex. At high concentrations (300 mM), Hp-β-CyD enclosed up to 100 mM DMF. The yellow complex was electrochemically oxidized (platinum vs Ag/AgCl poised at +450 mV) to form a blue dye, 1,1′-dimethylferricinium (DMF+). This is a one-electron transfer process and the ferricinium cation formed exhibited an absorption peak at 650 nm. The concentrated DMF+ was stable for at least 4 mo at 4°C and insensitive to a wide pH variation (pH 2–11). Application of the novel DMF+ complex as a colorimetric dye for the determination of uric acid in urine was successfully demonstrated. The reaction between the dye and uric acid is almost instantaneous and decrease in absorbance caused by the reduction of 1,1′-dimethylferricinium to 1,1′-dimethylferrocene can be followed at 650 nm. The results obtained agreed well with those of the reference reversed-phase HPLC method.
Using region analysis technique to efficiently retrieve online image databases

This paper addresses the image retrieval problem for online image databases. Solutions to this problem may find applications in many areas including online information analysis, multimedia information retrieval and Web applications. In this research, we investigate this problem by proposing a novel solution, called CLEAR, that incorporates multi-features including color, texture, shape, as well as conventional geometric information. Moreover, CLEAR extracts the features based on regions in an image as opposed to the whole image domain, which allows the features to be more descriptive in indexing the objects of an image. To address the “inaccuracy” problem typically existing in many color-feature based retrieval systems, fuzzy logic is applied to the traditional color histogram to develop a fuzzy color histogram as the color feature vector. A similarity function is defined based on the multi-features through a balanced combination between global and regional similarity measures. In order to further improve the retrieval efficiency, a secondary clustering technique is developed and employed in CLEAR to significantly save query processing time without compromising retrieval precision. An implemented prototype system of CLEAR has demonstrated a promising retrieval performance for a test database containing 2000 general-purpose color images, as compared with its peer systems in the literature.
Clinical study of an organic arsenical, melarsoprol, in patients with advanced leukemia.

Inorganic arsenic trioxide (As2O3) induces a high proportion of complete remissions in relapsed patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Previously, we have shown that both As2O3 and melarsoprol, an organic arsenical used for the treatment of trypanosomiasis, exhibit broad antileukemic activity against both chronic and acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemia cell lines. Given the breadth of this activity, we initiated a clinical study to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety, and potential efficacy of melarsoprol in patients with refractory or resistant leukemia. Using the antitrypanosomal dose and schedule, patients received escalating intravenous doses daily for 3 days, repeated weekly for 3 weeks. Doses were 1 mg/kg on day 1, 2 mg/kg on day 2, and 3.6 mg/kg on day 3 and on all days thereafter, up to a maximum daily dose of 200 mg. Eight patients [6 AML (2 morphologic APL), 1 CML, 1 CLL] were treated. Mean peak plasma concentrations of the parent drug were obtained immediately after injection, ranged from 1.2 μg/ml on day 1 to 2.4 μg/ml on day 3, were dose proportional, and decayed with a t1/2≅ 15 min. A minor clinical response (regression of splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy) was observed in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Central nervous system (CNS) toxicity proved limiting on this dose and schedule. Three patients experienced generalized grand mal seizures during the second week of therapy. We concluded that this dose and schedule of melarsoprol is associated with excessive CNS toxicity and that verification of the striking preclinical activity in patients with leukemia will require developing an alternative dose and schedule.
Alterations in brain structure and function after chemotherapy for cancer

The majority of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy complain of fatigue and/or cognitive dysfunction. Although many patients experience improvement shortly after completion of treatment, a substantial number of patients may continue to be symptomatic for years or even decades after their last dose of chemotherapy. This review focuses on the scope of postchemotherapy cognitive dysfunction, spotlights recent studies that investigate this problem in the short- and long-term, examines neuroimaging studies that document regional cerebral alterations observed after chemotherapy, discusses candidate mechanisms and treatments and finally comments on challenges in the field.
ESR studies on a-Si:H : Evidence for charged defects and safe hole traps☆

Abstract Comparisons of electron soin resonance (ESR) light-induced ESR (LESR) and photo-modulated ESR (PMESR) indicate the existence of a shallow defect level near the valence band which functions as an effective safe hole trap (SHT). Evidence for this state is found both in the annealed state (state A) and is observed to increase with light soaking. The hole dominated LESR and PMESR lineshapes also require the presence of large densities of charged defects in order to account for the ‘ESR invisible’ electrons. Observing the changes in the PMESR and LESR signals with the movement of the quasi-Fermi level by varying temperature and light flux confirm these ideas.
Cholinesterases of rat sympathetic ganglia after immunosympathectomy, decentralization and axotomy.

— Immunosympathectomy was produced in Sprague-Dawley rats by the subcutaneous injection of 300 units of nerve growth factor (NGF)-antiserum (1.56 mg of freeze-dried serum)/g/day for 6 days, the first dose being given 5–8 hr after birth. The immunosympathectomized rats and their control littermates were killed 2½ and 7 months after birth. Ganglionic acetylcholinesterase and pseudocholinesterase activities were measured by an adaption (Kungman, Kungman and Pouszczuk, 1968) of the colorimetric method of Ellman, Courtney, Andres and Featherstone (1961). Following immunosympathectomy the activities of these enzymes decreased significantly in superior cervical, stellate, thoracic chain, cardiac (abdominal), coeliac and superior mesenteric ganglia. The reduction of the acetylcholinesterase activity was greater than expected in a number of sympathetic ganglia, e.g. superior cervical, stellate, coeliac and cardiac ganglia, if one considered that only the postganglionic neurons were affected by immunosympathectomy. The activities of these enzymes were also reduced in the cervical sympathetic trunks from NGF-antiserum-treated rats. By means of decentralization and axotomy it was shown that 45 per cent of the total ganglionic acetylcholinesterase activity was associated with the preganglionic and 55 per cent with the postganglionic elements of the superior cervical ganglion from control rats. It was concluded that immunosympathectomy also affects the preganglionic sympathetic neurons. It is not known whether this is a primary effect of the NGF-antiserum or a secondary effect resulting from the absence of over 90 per cent of the postganglionic sympathetic cell bodies.
Ir-based diffusion barriers for Ohmic contacts to p-GaN

Abstract Ir-based electrical contacts to p-type GaN have been fabricated and characterized. Both GaN//Ni/Au/Ir/Au and GaN//Ni/Ir/Au contact structures were deposited, however, only the former produced Ohmic current–voltage characteristics. At an anneal temperature of 500 °C, the Ni/Au/Ir/Au contact had a specific contact resistance of ∼2 × 10−4 Ω cm2, comparable or superior to conventional Ni/Au contacts that are less thermally stable. Anneal temperatures above 500 °C caused the Ir-based contact to fail. Auger electron spectroscopy was used to obtain depth profiles of both types of contacts at a variety of temperatures in order to provide insight into the mechanism of Ohmic formation as well as potential reasons for failure. A comparison to other metallization schemes on p-GaN is also given.
Detection of symmetry and perceptual organization: The way a lock-and-key process works

Abstract We studied the speed with which observers could detect symmetry in drawings that incorporated symmetric contours — related by reflection or translation — within single objects or across different objects. We asked observers to perform a speeded decision whether pairs of contours are the same, i.e., related by reflection or by translation, or different. When the contours belong to a single object, observers are faster to see the relation between contours when they are related by reflection than by translation. When the contours belong to different objects, observers are faster to see the relation between the contours when they are related by translation than by reflection. We tested whether this advantage of translation is due to a lock-and-key process. We first tested our hypothesis by manipulating the correspondence of the features, so as to make matching more difficult. This change did not produce the predicted pattern of results. We performed a second manipulation to change the appearance of the objects: we increased the pragnanz of the objects by changing the type of lines used to connect the contours. Results indicate that perceptual organization can alter the detectability of symmetry.
Long-term follow-up of IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

Little effort has been made to quantitate adverse outcomes of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) of the immunoglobulin M (IgM) class, which progresses to lymphoma or Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, whereas IgA and IgG MGUS progress to multiple myeloma, primary amyloidosis (AL), or a related plasma cell disorder. From 1960 to 1994, IgM MGUS was diagnosed in 213 patients in southeastern Minnesota. The end point was progression to lymphoma or a related disorder, as assessed with the Kaplan-Meier method. The 213 patients were followed up for 1567 person-years (median, 6.3 years per patient). Lymphoma developed in 17 patients (relative risk [RR], 14.8), Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia in 6 (RR, 262), primary amyloidosis in 3 (RR, 16.3), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 3 (RR, 5.7). The relative risk of progression was 16-fold higher in the patients with IgM MGUS than in the white population of the Iowa Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Cumulative incidence of progression was 10% at 5 years, 18% at 10 years, and 24% at 15 years. On multivariate analysis, the serum monoclonal protein and serum albumin concentrations at diagnosis were the only risk factors for progression to lymphoma or a related disorder. Risk for progression to lymphoma or a related disorder at 10 years after the diagnosis of MGUS was 14% with an initial monoclonal protein concentration of 0.5 g/dL or less, 26% with 1.5 g/dL, 34% for 2.0 g/dL, and 41% for more than 2.5 g/dL.
TERRESTRIAL VERTEBRATES IN PENNSYLVANIA: STATUS AND CONSERVATION IN A CHANGING LANDSCAPE

Abstract In this paper, I review major historical conservation events, changes in landscape (cover types) patterns, and agency (state and federal) inventory and monitoring programs to help explain trends in terrestrial vertebrate populations in Pennsylvania. I then give recommendations for the long-term conservation of terrestrial vertebrates within the context of a future changing landscape in the Commonwealth. In Pennsylvania, the amount of forest has remained relatively constant since the 1970s, while the extent of early successional, grassland, and wetland/riparian habitats is declining. These trends, combined with direct human disturbance, degradation of water quality, and loss of critical habitat features have contributed to the endangered or threatened status of 31 vertebrate species in the state. Based on two major databases, the Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Survey and the Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas, bird species occupying early successional, grassland, or wetland/riparian habitats, in particu...
Heat generation in a torsional spring subjected to sinusoidal oscillations

Abstract The effect of thermomechanical coupling in a viscoelastic hollow cylinder subjected to sinusoidal shear stresses or shear displacements has been studied. The problem is a simple model of torsional springs made of rubberlike materials. The material is assumed to be thermorheologically simple. A non-linear boundary value problem is formulated for the almost steady mechanical oscillation coupled with a slowly varying temperature distribution. The wave motion is analyzed by the well-known WKB approximation. Corresponding temperature distributions are calculated numerically by iterative procedures. Although the applied stress and applied displacement are small, significant temperature rises are found. Different stress and temperature distributions are compared for various frequencies.
Separation of lanthanides and quantification of hydronium ion by capillary zone electrophoresis

Abstract The effects of acetate (Ac) concentration on the separation of lanthanides from hydronium ion (H3O+) in capillary zone electrophoresis is investigated. The effects of sample acidity and buffers on the H3O+ peak have been studied. A mixture of 14 rare earth metals, along with H3O+, can be baseline separated in less than nine minutes by use of a ternary buffer system [sodium acetate (NaAc) /α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA) / UV CAT-1]. In contrast, replacing NaAc by equal molar sodium chloride (NaCl) in the buffer decreases the electroosmotic flow without enhancing selectivity and resolution of lanthanides. All of these results suggest that the higher mobility H3O+ ion elutes slower than would be predicted. The late appearance of H3O+ at pH=4.4 is attributed to the weak acid-base equilibria of HIBA and HAc in the buffers as H3O+ migrates through the capillary. The improved separation of metal ions from H3O+ by the addition of sodium acetate is also due to the equilibrium of the weak acid (HAc). In a...
Feeding of Adult Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Dry Sucrose

Dry sucrose was evaluated for its potential as a feeding substrate for corn earworm. Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). This study is part of a large-scale effort to incorporate use of feeding attractants or stimulants for adults into programs to manage populations of H. zea on crops or on an areawide basis. The ability of adult H. zea to feed on dry sugar was demonstrated in bioassays with milled, granulated [14C] sucrose. We found that a liquid secreted by adults through the proboscis facilitated ingestion of dry sucrose. Because these tests also demonstrated that the liquid was not regurgitated from the crop, the only other possible source is the salivary glands. Thus, salivation is an important factor in ingestion of dry sugars by adult H. zea . The ability of adult H. zea to feed on dry sugars is important in that it may simplify development of formulations of attracticides that induce feeding because application of dry materials that incorporate feeding attractants or stimulants that will persist under field conditions may be simpler than applying materials in a liquid phase.
The molecular kink paradigm for rubber elasticity: Numerical simulations of explicit polyisoprene networks at low to moderate tensile strains

Based on recent molecular dynamics and ab initio simulations of small isoprene molecules, we propose a new ansatz for rubber elasticity. We envision a network chain as a series of independent molecular kinks, each comprised of a small number of backbone units, and the strain as being imposed along the contour of the chain. We treat chain extension in three distinct force regimes: (Ia) near zero strain, where we assume that the chain is extended within a well defined tube, with all of the kinks participating simultaneously as entropic elastic springs, (II) when the chain becomes sensibly straight, giving rise to a purely enthalpic stretching force (until bond rupture occurs) and, (Ib) a linear entropic regime, between regimes Ia and II, in which a force limit is imposed by tube deformation. In this intermediate regime, the molecular kinks are assumed to be gradually straightened until the chain becomes a series of straight segments between entanglements. We assume that there exists a tube deformation tension limit that is inversely proportional to the chain path tortuosity. Here we report the results of numerical simulations of explicit three-dimensional, periodic, polyisoprene networks, using these extension-only force models. At low strain, crosslink nodes are moved affinely, up to an arbitrary node force limit. Above this limit, non-affine motion of the nodes is allowed to relax unbalanced chain forces. Our simulation results are in good agreement with tensile stress vs. strain experiments.
AGT 100 automotive gas turbine system development

General Motors is developing an automotive gas turbine system that can be an alternate powerplant for future automobiles. Work sponsored by DOE and administered by NASA Lewis Research Center is emphasizing small component aerodynamics and high-temperature structural ceramics. Reliability requirements of the AGT 100 turbine system include chemical and structural ceramic component stability in the gas turbine environment. The power train system, its configuration and schedule are presented, and its performance tested. The aerodynamic component development is reviewed with discussions on the compressor, turbine, regenerator, interturbine duct and scroll, and combustor. Ceramic component development is also reviewed, and production cost and required capital investment are taken into consideration.
Normal myoblast fusion requires myoferlin

Muscle growth occurs during embryonic development and continues in adult life as regeneration. During embryonic muscle growth and regeneration in mature muscle, singly nucleated myoblasts fuse to each other to form myotubes. In muscle growth, singly nucleated myoblasts can also fuse to existing large, syncytial myofibers as a mechanism of increasing muscle mass without increasing myofiber number. Myoblast fusion requires the alignment and fusion of two apposed lipid bilayers. The repair of muscle plasma membrane disruptions also relies on the fusion of two apposed lipid bilayers. The protein dysferlin, the product of the Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy type 2 locus, has been shown to be necessary for efficient, calcium-sensitive, membrane resealing. We now show that the related protein myoferlin is highly expressed in myoblasts undergoing fusion, and is expressed at the site of myoblasts fusing to myotubes. Like dysferlin, we found that myoferlin binds phospholipids in a calcium-sensitive manner that requires the first C2A domain. We generated mice with a null allele of myoferlin. Myoferlin null myoblasts undergo initial fusion events, but they form large myotubes less efficiently in vitro, consistent with a defect in a later stage of myogenesis. In vivo, myoferlin null mice have smaller muscles than controls do, and myoferlin null muscle lacks large diameter myofibers. Additionally, myoferlin null muscle does not regenerate as well as wild-type muscle does, and instead displays a dystrophic phenotype. These data support a role for myoferlin in the maturation of myotubes and the formation of large myotubes that arise from the fusion of myoblasts to multinucleate myotubes.
What’s Your Attitude?

According to Winston Churchill, “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” In a recent study by Yu and colleagues, genetics experts had a chance to share their attitudes about returning genetic testing results from whole-exome and -genome sequencing to patients. The results of the
Biosorption of lead(II), cadmium(II), copper(II) and nickel(II) by anaerobic granular biomass

Abstract Biosorption is potentially an attractive technology for treatment of wastewater for retaining heavy metals from dilute solutions. This study investigated the feasibility of anaerobic granules as a novel type of biosorbent, for lead, copper, cadmium, and nickel removal from aqueous solutions. Anaerobic sludge supplied from a wastewater treatment plant in the province of Quebec was used. Anaerobic granules are microbial aggregates with a strong, compact and porous structure and excellent settling ability. After treatment of the biomass with Ca ions, the cation exchange capacity of the biomass was approximately 111 meq/100g of biomass dry weight which is comparable to the metal binding capacities of commercial ion exchange resins. This work investigated the equilibrium, batch dynamics for the biosorption process. Binding capacity experiments using viable biomass revealed a higher value than those for nonviable biomass. Binding capacity experiments using non-viable biomass treated with Ca revealed a high value of metals uptake. The solution initial pH value affected metal sorption. Over the pH range of 4.0–5.5, pH-related effects were not significant. Meanwhile, at lower pH values the uptake capacity decreased. Time dependency experiments for the metal ions uptake showed that adsorption equilibrium was reached almost 30 min after metal addition. It was found that the q max for Pb 2+ , Cd 2+ , Cu 2+ , and Ni 2+ ions, were 255, 60, 55, and 26 mg/g respectively (1.23, 0.53, 0.87, and 0.44 mmol/g respectively). The data pertaining to the sorption dependence upon metal ion concentration could be fitted to a Langmiur isotherm model. Based on the results, the anaerobic granules treated with Ca appear to be a promising biosorbent for removal of heavy metals from wastewater due to its optimal uptake of heavy metals, its particulate shape, compact porous structure, excellent settling ability, and its high mechanical strength.
Nanostructure‐Directed Physisorption vs Chemisorption at Semiconductor Interfaces: The Inverse of the HSAB Concept

A concept, complementary to that of hard and soft acid-base interactions (HSAB-dominant chemisorption) and consistent with dominant physisorption to a semiconductor interface, is presented. We create a matrix of sensitivities and interactions with several basic gases. The concept, based on the reversible interaction of hard-acid surfaces with soft bases, hard-base surfaces with soft acids, or vice versa, corresponds 1) to the inverse of the HSAB concept and 2) to the selection of a combination of semiconductor interface and analyte materials, which can be used to direct a physisorbed vs chemisorbed interaction. The technology, implemented on nanopore coated porous silicon micropores, results in the coupling of acid-base chemistry with the depletion or enhancement of majority carriers in an extrinsic semiconductor. Using the inverse-HSAB (IHSAB) concept, significant and predictable changes in interface sensitivity for a variety of gases can be implemented. Nanostructured metal oxide particle depositions provide selectivity and complement a highly efficient electrical contact to a porous silicon nanopore covered microporous interface. The application of small quantities (much less than a monolayer) of nanostructured metals, metal oxides, and catalysts which focus the physisorbtive and chemisorbtive interactions of the interface, can be made to create a range of notably higher sensitivities for reversible physisorption. This is exemplified by an approach to reversible, sensitive, and selective interface responses. Nanostructured metal oxides developed from electroless gold (Au x O), tin (SnO 2 ), copper (Cu x O), and nickel (NiO) depositions, nanoalumina, and nanotitania are used to demonstrate the IHSAB concept and provide for the detection of gases, including NH 3 , PH 3 , CO, NO, and H 2 S, in an array-based format to the sub-ppm level.
Wave breaking and global existence for the generalized periodic two-component Hunter-Saxton system

Article history: In this paper, we study the wave-breaking phenomena and global existence for the generalized two-component Hunter-Saxton sys- tem in the periodic setting. We first establish local well-posedness for the generalized two-component Hunter-Saxton system. We ob- tain a wave-breaking criterion for solutions and results of wave- breaking solutions with certain initial profiles. We also determine the exact blow-up rate of strong solutions. Finally, we give as uf fi - cient condition for global solutions.
Social Differentiation and Leadership Development in Early Pithouse Villages in the Mogollon Region of the American Southwest

This paper examines the development of social differentiation and simple decision-making organizations in the Mogollan region of the prehistoric American Southwest. We suggest that intensifying managerial problems associated with the transition to sedentism may have selected for suprahousehold sociopolitical organizations. Based on cross-cultural data, a set of theoretical expectations concerning social differentiation and leadership development is formulated which focuses on regularities in the regional settlement pattern and intrasettlement distribution of architectural features and material goods. These expectations are then used to generate a set of propositions which are evaluated archaeologically using data from early pithouse villages. On the basis of a test of these propositions it appears that simple suprahousehold decision-making organizations were present in the American Southwest by A.D. 600. The implications of this interpretation for understanding subsequent developments in Southwestern prehistoric sociopolitical organization are then discussed.