cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Generation and Characterization of Photopolymerized Polymer Brush Gradients

A novel method for using photoiniferter-mediated photopolymerization techniques to create surface-bound macromolecular assemblies exhibiting position-dependent molecular weights, surface densities, and layer thicknesses has been developed. By using a variable photomasking system and judiciously selecting photopolymerization parameters, such as monomer concentration and light intensity, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) surfaces exhibiting layer thickness gradients were photopolymerized on single silicon substrates from self-assembled monolayers of photoiniferter. The ability to precisely control the topographic slope of a surface-tethered polymer brush gradient was achieved by varying surface irradiation time or bulk monomer concentration. Kinetics of surface-gradient formation were measured using variable angle ellipsometry as well as transmission Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Under the conditions studied, the photopolymerization of PMMA exhibited first-order dependence of polymer brush layer t...
Successful liver transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome in a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria treated with the anti-complement antibody eculizumab

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, acquired hemolytic anemia caused by somatic mutations in the phosphatidylinositol glycan-complementation class A gene and the resulting absence of a key complement regulatory protein, CD59. Affected red blood cells in patients with PNH undergo intravascular complement-mediated lysis with resulting anemia, hemoglobinuria, and venous thromboses. Hepatic venous outflow thrombosis [Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS)] is especially common in PNH patients and often fatal. The few case reports of outcomes in patients undergoing liver transplant for BCS secondary to PNH detail instances of recurrent BCS as well as early thrombotic portal vein occlusion and hepatic artery thrombosis requiring retransplantation. PNH is therefore generally considered a contraindication to liver transplantation. Here we present the first report of a patient with PNH and BCS undergoing successful liver transplantation while receiving eculizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the activation of the terminal complement at C5.
Ab Initio Study of Coupling between Electronic and Phononic Contribution to Stress-Dependent Thermal Conductivity of Au, Si, and SiC

AbstractThis work presents an understanding of strain-thermal conductivity correlation in a metal (Au), in a semiconductor (Si), and in a ceramic (SiC) using ab initio density functional theory and utilizing a modified nonequilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) approach. Separately, electronic and phononic contributions to thermal conductivity values are calculated as a function of applied tensile strain and temperature. Analyses show that electron thermal conductivity shows a significant decrease with increase in Fermi gap (metal to semiconductor to ceramic). The electronic thermal conduction has less than 5% contribution to overall thermal conductivity in the case of Si and SiC with the value being of the same order as phononic thermal conductivity in the case of Au. Phonons are dominant carriers of heat transport in Si and SiC, with such contribution reducing with increase in temperature and increase in strain. Similar reduction is observed in the case of electronic thermal conduction in Si and SiC. In the...
Neuroscience: Capturing free will

Jacek Debiec enjoys two complementary books charting the psychology and neuroscience of decision-making.
New humanized HLA-DR4-transgenic mice that mimic the sex bias of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To generate a mouse model that can mimic human rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A major difference between RA in humans and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice is the lack of sex bias and autoantibodies in the animal model. We used DRB1*0401-transgenic mice to understand the role of DR4 in susceptibility and sex bias in RA. Methods A transgenic mouse was generated that lacked all endogenous mouse class II genes (AEo) and expressed the RA susceptibility allele HLA–DRB1*0401. These transgenic mice were tested for incidence, severity, and sex distribution of CIA. Results DRB1*0401.AEo mice developed CIA predominantly in females and produced rheumatoid factors, similar to the features of human RA. Another feature similar to human RA is the expression of class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells as well as T cells. Activated and sorted CD4+ T cells can present DR4-restricted type II collagen (CII)–derived peptide in vitro, but cannot process the antigen. This suggests a role for these cells in epitope presentation locally in joints, which affects disease severity. After challenge with CII, female mice had higher cellularity and increased T cell proliferation and produced higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines than did the male mice. Conclusion DR4.AEo mice expressed HLA similar to humans and displayed increased arthritis susceptibility in females, thus mimicking RA in humans. This model may be valuable for studying sex differences observed in humans and for understanding why autoimmunity is increased in women. These mice may also be useful for developing future therapeutic strategies.
Language Development and Delay in Internationally Adoped Infants and Toddlers

When children change cultures through adoption, they experience a transition from a birth first language to a new adoptive first language. Because adoptive families rarely speak the birth language,...
The effect of estrogen administration in vivo upon catecholamine release in vitro from superfused hypothalamic tissue of ovariectomized pre-pubertal and adult mice

In the present report we examined the effects of estrogen upon catecholamine release from superfused medial basal hypothalamic tissue fragments of pre-pubertal ovariectomized CD-1 mice. Prepubertal mice treated with estradiol benzoate (EB - 5 μg × 2 days, sc), showed significantly reduced amounts of dopamine but no changes in norepinephrine release in response to a depolarizing concentration of potassium (30 mmol/L) compared with their respective groups receiving the oil vehicle. Since EB treatment reduced potassium stimulated dopamine release in these pre-pubertal mice, in a second experiment we compared the effects of EB versus oil vehicle treatment upon potassium stimulated dopamine release from the hypothalamus of the ovariectomized adult female mouse. Similar to that observed in the pre-pubertal mouse, EB treatment significantly reduced the amount of potassium stimulated dopamine release. Interestingly, the absolute amounts of potassium stimulated dopamine release was substantially greater in adult compared with pre-pubertal mice. These results demonstrate that the hypothalamic dopaminergic system of both pre-pubertal and adult mice show relatively similar responses to estrogen treatment but differ in absolute amounts of dopamine released.
Model for Predicting Laser Peening Residual Stresses in Arbitrary 3D Bodies

This paper presents a methodology for predicting the residual stress resulting from laser peening treatment of arbitrary 3D bodies. The model consists of three basic steps. First, the inputs to the model are derived from residual stress measurements made on laser peened blocks of the pertinent material. The measured residual stress in the blocks consists of residual stress caused directly by laser peening and residual stress required for equilibrium. The laser peening induced residual stress is converted into an equivalent strain distribution that reproduces the stress state in an elastic model of the original body (called eigenstrain). Second, a finite element model representing the geometry of the actual part is constructed. Third, the laser peening induced eigenstrain is input into the finite element model at the locations where laser peening is to be applied (arbitrary coverage area). Solving for equilibrium provides a prediction for the residual stress resulting from laser peening treatment. The modeling procedure is verified using comparisons with residual stress measurements for specimens containing corner fillets of various sizes. The model predictions correlate well with the residual stress measurements over the range of conditions studied.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Metadata Standards for Archival Control: An Introduction to EAD and EAC

SUMMARY This article provides a concise guide to the structure and use of the Encoded Archival Description (EAD) and Encoded Archival Context (EAC) metadata standards. After a brief outline of archival description, the finding aid, and the objectives behind EAD, the structure of EAD is examined in detail. Discussion of all of the important elements in the EAD document-type definition (DTD) will be supplemented with examples of actual finding aids and their encoding, with attention to the common necessity of “reengineering” existing finding aids. The current status of EAD implementation and some issues affecting the widespread adoption of EAD are considered. A close look at the emerging EAC standard closes the article, providing key element definitions from the EAC Tag Library (Beta version, Feb. 2004), and examples of EAC records–including early implementations such as the University College London's LEADERS project.
Integrating Disability Awareness into Psychology Courses: Applications in Abnormal Psychology and Perception

The rising number of college students with disabilities and federal regulations concerning them impel educators to increase their own and nondisabled students' awareness of learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and emotional disorders. We describe simulation activities, discussion topics, and speakers appropriate for courses in abnormal psychology and perception. Students who simulated auditory or visual disabilities reported increased empathy toward people with disabilities, greater understanding of the stigma associated with disability, and a heightened appreciation for their sensory systems. We suggest that interested faculty work with existing campus offices for disabled students to implement these activities.
The Chain and Post‐Stratification Methods for Observed‐Score Equating: Their Relationship to Population Invariance

The Non-Equivalent-groups Anchor Test (NEAT) design has been in wide use since at least the early 1940s. It involves two populations of test takers, P and Q, and makes use of an anchor test to link them. Two linking methods used for NEAT designs are those (a) based on chain equating and (b) that use the anchor test to post-stratify the distributions of the two operational test scores to a common population (i.e., Tucker equating and frequency estimation). We show that, under different sets of assumptions, both methods are observed score equating methods and we give conditions under which the methods give identical results. In addition, we develop analogues of the Dorans and Holland (2000) RMSD measures of population invariance of equating methods for the NEAT design for both chain and post-stratification equating methods.
Seasonal growth of Pistia stratiotes L. in South Florida

Abstract Two populations of Pistia stratiotes L. in an unused aquaculture pond and a roadside drainage ditch were sampled monthly for 1.5 years to examine seasonal trends in leaf area, leaf and plant densities, leaf and root biomasses, and flowering. Biomasses and leaf areas were sharply depressed by winter cold, especially by subfreezing temperatures. Spring regrowth occurred by budding and the proliferation of small plants. From late spring through mid-summer, leaf size and plant biomass increased and plant density decreased; these variables did not change markedly between August and December. In both populations, flowering occurred synchronously during December, but no sexual reproduction was observed. Winter cold is a major determinant of growth patterns in south Florida, but local conditions are also important. Measurements from the day of unfurling until subsidence into the water showed that leaves reached an average length of 15.3 cm after 2 weeks and declined towards the water at a rate of 2.9° day−1.
Development of a simulation platform based on dynamic models for HVAC control analysis

Abstract Dynamic modeling of HVAC system is extremely important for control analysis toward building energy saving. In order to provide researchers a simulation platform to analyze different control strategies, this paper introduces a simulation platform with customized Simulink block library based on dynamic HVAC component model. As an initiating effort, the current simulation platform is composed of basic modular HVAC components, including conduit, damper/valve, fan/pump, flow merge, flow split, heating coil, cooling coil, and zone. These modules are developed into Simulink customized blocks. The simulation platform is capable to calculate the flow rates of fresh air, exhaust air, and return air based on system characteristic and fan curve with customizable basic/advanced control strategies. A case study is proposed using single-zone, constant volume system by comparing the uncontrolled, fixed temperature and damper position controlled, and schedule based reset controlled cases. The simulation result proves that schedule based temperature and damper position reset has a significant impact on energy saving for both heating and cooling seasons. This simulation platform can be especially useful for analyzing the dynamic performance of different HVAC control strategies.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy of Nova Sagittarius 1999 (V4444 Sagittarii)

We present 0.8–2.5 μm near-IR spectrophotometry of the very fast nova Nova Sagittarius 1999 (V4444 Sgr) taken 125 days after outburst. The emission-line spectrum of V4444 Sgr, with features ranging from C I to [Si IX] and [Si VIII], exhibited perhaps the greatest spread of excitation for any single-epoch observation of a nova. However, two other novae, Nova Sagittarius 1992 No. 2 and Nova Aquila 1993, had spectra similar to V4444 Sgr between 0.8 and 1.4 μm, so such manifestations may not be uncommon. The continuum of V4444 Sgr showed a significant rise longward of 1.5 μm indicative of thermal emission from dust. The absence of any dust features in the light curve of V4444 Sgr suggests that we may have a relatively unobscured line of sight, or that some or all of the circumstellar dust was preexisting. The latter would indicate that V4444 Sgr is possibly a recurrent nova.
Theory of the angular distribution for ejection of photoelectrons from optically active molecules and molecular negative ions. II

Formulas are presented for the angular distribution of photoelectrons produced on absorption of circularly polarized photons by randomly oriented, optically active (chiral) molecules or molecular negative ions. Results are presented to order ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{3}$. The results for nonchiral molecules can be recovered by setting the appropriate coefficients equal to zero. These findings suggest measurement of the angular distribution difference for absorption of left and right circularly polarized photons, whose leading term behaves as $2{B}_{e}cos\ensuremath{\theta}$, where ${B}_{e}$ is a coefficient appropriate for the electric dipole ($E1$) process and $\ensuremath{\theta}$ is the angle between the direction of the emerging beam of photoelectrons and the direction of incidence of the photon beam. The integrated cross-section difference behaves as $8\ensuremath{\pi}({A}_{m}+\frac{{C}_{m}}{3})$, where these coefficients are appropriate for the electric-dipole, magnetic-dipole ($E1M1$) interference; this term is responsible for the circular dichroism of the molecule in the region of continuous absorption.
Polarized angular dependent spectroscopy of epithelial cells and epithelial cell nuclei to determine the size scale of scattering structures.

An understanding of the relationship between tissue structures and light scattering from tissue will help facilitate the development and acceptance of noninvasive optical diagnostics including elastic scattering spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance, and optical coherence tomography. For example, a quantitative model of the structures that scatter light in epithelial cells would allow determination of what structures control the characteristics of in vivo light transport measurements and subsequently could provide a detailed relationship between cellular structures and optical measurements. We have determined the size distribution of refractive index structure variations in epithelial cells as well as in nuclei isolated from epithelial cells from measurements of the angular dependence of polarized light scattering. The quantitative size distributions we obtained for both whole cells and isolated nuclei include particles with effective radii of 2 µm to 10 nm or less and contain orders of magnitude more small particles than large particles. These results demonstrate that not only are biological cells very heterogeneous, but so are the nuclei within them. Light scattering is likely sensitive to structures smaller than those commonly investigated by standard pathology methods.
Growth-promoting effects of silicon in rats.

To study new trace element deficiency diseases and to identify hitherto unrecognized essential trace elements, an all-plastic trace element controlled isolator system has been created1,2. It prevents access of the animals to metal, glass, rubber, dust, or caretaking personnel. Each isolator accommodates thirtytwo rats in individual plastic cages. Complete, chemically defined diets are used which are based on amino-acids in lieu of protein. The known essential elements are supplied in sufficient and balanced quantities. All ingredients are monitored for trace element contaminants. By means of this approach we have been able to demonstrate recently that tin3,4, vanadium5, and fluorine6 (K. S. and D. B. M., unpublished results) are essential for growth.
Stereologic studies on the adrenal cortex of 4-APP (4-aminopyrazolopyrimidine)-induced lipoprotein-deficient rats

Summary The effect of 4-APP (4-aminopyrazolopyrimidine), the compound reducing hepatic release of lipoproteins, on the rat adrenal cortex was studied by means of stereological methods. Within 3 days 4-APP resulted in a marked increase in the absolute and relative adrenal weights and markedly lowered plasma and adrenal total cholesterol concentration. 4-APP did not change the relative volume of individual adrenocortical zones, however significantly increased the volume in mm 3 of the zona fasciculata (ZF) and reticularis (ZR) and of the entire cortex. The average volume of the ZF and ZR cells of 4-APP treated rats was markedly higher than in control rats while no difference was found in the zona glomerulosa (ZG) cell. In lipoprotein-deficient rats the number of adrenocortical cells within the entire cortex was similar to that observed in control rats. A marked increase in the number of mitoses in both, adrenocortical and endothelial cells suggests inhibitory action of 4-APP on the proliferative activity of these cells. The present study shows that 4-APP-induced changes in the rat adrenal cortex mainly depends upon the stimulatory action of that compound on ACTH secretion, however this adenine analogue also exerts a direct action on the adrenocortical cells.
The effects of divalent cations on the rotational mobility of myosin, heavy meromyosin and myosin subfragment-1 and on the binding of heavy meromyosin to actin.

Abstract The effects of the divalent cations Mg 2+ , Mn 2+ and Ca 2+ on the Brownian rotational motion of fluorescently labeled myosin, heavy meromyosin and myosin subfragment-1 were measured by the method of time-resolved fluorescence depolarization. When Mg 2+ was added to solutions of myosin or heavy meromyosin and EDTA, their rotational mobility increased. Ca 2+ had no effect. Mn 2+ increased the mobility of heavy meromyosin but decreased that of myosin. None of these divalent cations effected the mobility of subfragment-1. The binding of heavy meromyosin to actin was affected very little by Mg 2+ or EDTA over a wide range of conditions. Divalent cations appear to change the swivel about which the heads of myosin rotate, presumably by binding to light chain 2 (also called DTNB light chain). However, the heads are still able to bind actin in nearly the same way whether Mg 2+ is present or not. The concentration of free Mg 2+ for the mid-point of the change in heavy meromyosin mobility is in good agreement with that for EDTA activation of ATPase activity. This suggests that EDTA activation is due to removal of Mg 2+ bound to myosin itself.
Phanerozoic Tectonic Evolution of Central California and Environs

The use of actualistic analog models for paleotectonic reconstruction produces significant advances in our understanding of evolutionary continental tectonics. The sequential application of such models is possible in a cross section from the central California coast to Utah. This transect represents one of the best-understood Phanerozoic continental margins on Earth. Excellent exposure, detailed local studies, and regional syntheses all contribute to the choice of appropriate plate-tectonic models for successive intervals from the latest Neoproterozoic to the Quaternary. These models include craton, terrestrial rift, nascent ocean, intraplate continental margin, intraoceanic magmatic arc intraplate margin, Devonian-Mississippian Antler orogeny (arc-continent suturing), Mississippian-Pennsylvanian intraplate margin, Pennsylvanian-Permian Ancestral Rockies orogeny (Ouachita-Marathon continental suturing), Permian-Triassic Sonoma orogeny (arc-continent suturing), Triassic-Jurassic continental-margin magmatic...
Galectin-9 Controls CD40 Signaling through a Tim-3 Independent Mechanism and Redirects the Cytokine Profile of Pathogenic T Cells in Autoimmunity

While it has long been understood that CD40 plays a critical role in the etiology of autoimmunity, glycobiology is emerging as an important contributor. CD40 signaling is also gaining further interest in transplantation and cancer therapies. Work on CD40 signaling has focused on signaling outcomes and blocking of its ligand, CD154, while little is known about the actual receptor itself and its control. We demonstrated that CD40 is in fact several receptors occurring as constellations of differentially glycosylated forms of the protein that can sometimes form hybrid receptors with other proteins. An enticing area of autoimmunity is differential glycosylation of immune molecules leading to altered signaling. Galectins interact with carbohydrates on proteins to effect such signaling alterations. Studying autoimmune prone NOD and non-autoimmune BALB/c mice, here we reveal that in-vivo CD40 signals alter the glycosylation status of non-autoimmune derived CD4 T cells to resemble that of autoimmune derived CD4 T cells. Galectin-9 interacts with CD40 and, at higher concentrations, prevents CD40 induced proliferative responses of CD4loCD40+ effector T cells and induces cell death through a Tim-3 independent mechanism. Interestingly, galectin-9, at lower concentrations, alters the surface expression of CD3, CD4, and TCR, regulating access to those molecules and thereby redirects the inflammatory cytokine phenotype and CD3 induced proliferation of autoimmune CD4loCD40+ T cells. Understanding the dynamics of the CD40 receptor(s) and the impact of glycosylation status in immunity will gain insight into how to maintain useful CD40 signals while shutting down detrimental ones.
Optical coherence tomography in papilledema: what am I missing?

Background:Grading of papilledema severity is subjective and based on monocular fundus features of the optic nerve. Interobserver agreement on grading the severity of papilledema is poor among expert observers, even using well-defined criteria such as the Frisen scale, which is a non-continuous ordi
Influence of epithelial-mesenchymal interaction on the viability of facial mesenchyme. II: Synthesis of basement-membrane components during tissue recombination.

The presence of basement-membrane components during tissue separation procedures was determined employing monoclonal antibodies to laminin and type IV collagen. In addition, the reconstitution of basement-membrane components and the formation of the basement-membrane were examined in isolated epithelium and mesenchyme and in tissue recombination. Epithelium and mesenchyme of maxillary processes of chick embryos were separated by a variety of protocols, including those employed in a prior study (Saber et al: Anat. Rec. 225:56-66, 1989). Results indicated that the protocol previously employed did not remove basement-membrane components after enzymatic tissue separation. A revised protocol in which the basement-membrane components (i.e., laminin and type IV collagen) were removed from isolated tissues prior to recombination revealed that a developmental compartment and a gradient of cell viability, comparable in size and dimensions to that observed in the study of Saber et al. (ibid.) was present in the mesenchyme of recombined explants. Type IV collagen and laminin, therefore, do not appear to be required initially during tissue recombination in order for subsequent growth-sustaining effects to be expressed. Additional studies revealed, however, that synthesis of basement-membrane components occurred not only in isolated tissues but was altered markedly by tissue recombination. Culture of isolated tissues demonstrated induction of laminin synthesis in separated epithelium by 24 hours and induction of collagen synthesis in isolated mesenchyme by 24 hours. Recombination of epithelium and mesenchyme, however, resulted in rapid induction of laminin synthesis within 1 hour. Recombination of epithelium and mesenchyme after 24 hours resulted in the presence of laminin not only in epithelium but in mesenchyme as well. Both tissues were required for basement-membrane formation which appeared to be fully reconstituted by 24 hours in culture. These observations indicate that recombination in culture alters the pattern of synthetic activity of these basement-membrane components. These can be characterized as "early" (temporal) and "late" spatial) responses by the recombined tissues.
Monomeric Yeast Frataxin Is an Iron-Binding Protein†

Friedreich's ataxia, an autosomal cardio- and neurodegenerative disorder that affects 1 in 50,000 humans, is caused by decreased levels of the protein frataxin. Although frataxin is nuclear-encoded, it is targeted to the mitochondrial matrix and necessary for proper regulation of cellular iron homeostasis. Frataxin is required for the cellular production of both heme and iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters. Monomeric frataxin binds with high affinity to ferrochelatase, the enzyme involved in iron insertion into porphyrin during heme production. Monomeric frataxin also binds to Isu, the scaffold protein required for assembly of Fe-S cluster intermediates. These processes (heme and Fe-S cluster assembly) share requirements for iron, suggesting that monomeric frataxin might function as the common iron donor. To provide a molecular basis to better understand frataxin's function, we have characterized the binding properties and metal-site structure of ferrous iron bound to monomeric yeast frataxin. Yeast frataxin is stable as an iron-loaded monomer, and the protein can bind two ferrous iron atoms with micromolar binding affinity. Frataxin amino acids affected by the presence of iron are localized within conserved acidic patches located on the surfaces of both helix-1 and strand-1. Under anaerobic conditions, bound metal is stable in the high-spin ferrous state. The metal-ligand coordination geometry of both metal-binding sites is consistent with a six-coordinate iron-(oxygen/nitrogen) based ligand geometry, surely constructed in part from carboxylate and possibly imidazole side chains coming from residues within these conserved acidic patches on the protein. On the basis of our results, we have developed a model for how we believe yeast frataxin interacts with iron.
Determination of thermal conductivity from specific heat and thermal diffusivity measurements of plasma-sprayed cermets

The thermal conductivities of three plasma-sprayed cermets have been determined over the temperature range 23–630°C from the measurement of the specific heat, thermal diffusivity, and density. These cermets are mixtures of Al and SiC prepared by plasma spray deposition and are being considered for various applications in magnetic confinement fusion devices. The samples consisted of three compositions: 61 vol% Al/39 vol% SiC, 74vol% Al/26vol% SiC, and 83 vol% Al/17 vol% SiC. The specific heat was determined by differential scanning calorimetry through the Al melt transition up to 720°C, while the thermal diffusivity was determined using the laser flash technique up to 630°C. The linear thermal expansion was measured and used to correct the diffusivity and density values. The thermal diffusivity showed a significant increase after thermal cycling due to a reduction in the intergrain contact resistance, increasing from 0.4 to 0.6 cm2·−1 at 160°C. However, effective medium theory calculations indicated that the thermal conductivities of both the Al and the SiC were below the ideal defect-free limit even after high-temperature cycling. The specific heat measurements showed suppressed melting points in the plasmasprayed cermets. The 39 vol% SiC began a melt endotherm at 577°C, which peaked in the 640–650°C range depending on the sample thermal history. Chemical and X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the presence of free silicon in the cermet and in the SiC powder, which resulted in a eutectic Al/Si alloy.
Polymorphism of human cytochrome P-450

1. The cytochrome P-450 forms involved in debrisoquine 4-hydroxylation (P-450DB), phenacetin O-deethylation (P-450PA), S-mephenytoin 4-hydroxylation (P-450MP), and nifedipine 1, 4-oxidation (P-450NF) have been purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from human liver microsomes. All of these reactions show in vivo polymorphism in humans. Evidence for the roles of the purified proteins in these processes comes from in vitro reconstitution and immunoinhibition studies.2. The rat orthologs of these enzymes are as follows—P-450DB: P-450UT-H; P-450PA: P-450ISF-G; P-450MP: P-450UT-I; P-450NF; P-450NF: P-450PCN-E. Only in the case of P-450UT-H is the primary rat ortholog the same cytochrome P-450 which catalyses the catalytic reaction under consideration.3. Reconstitution and immunochemical studies establish that the following reactions are catalysed by the individual P-450s—P-450DB: debrisoquine 4-hydroxylation, sparteine Δ5-oxidation, bufuralol 1′-hydroxylation, encainide O-demethylation, and propanolol 4-hydro...
Development and Innervation of the Paratympanic Organ (Vitali Organ) in Chick Embryos

The paratympanic organ (Vitali organ) is a small sensory organ in the middle ear of birds. It possesses a sensory epithelium with hair cells similar to those of the inner ear. Injection of fluorescent
Catheter-directed MR angiography and cross-sectional imaging for the assessment of renal artery stenosis.

PURPOSE Catheter-directed intraarterial (IA) gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced gradient-echo (GRE) imaging has been used in the setting of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging–guided endovascular procedures for two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) depiction of blood vessels. In a swine model, the hypothesis was tested that the combination of 2D IA GRE and 2D cross-sectional steady-state free precession (SSFP) imaging improves assessment of renal artery stenosis (RAS) compared with 3D IA GRE imaging alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bilateral RAS was surgically induced in seven pigs. Detection of stenoses was then compared between the combination of 2D projection IA GRE and cross-sectional 2D SSFP imaging without contrast agent and 3D IA GRE alone. Radiographic digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was employed as the reference standard. Linear regression was used to compare stenosis measurements, with an α of 0.05. RESULTS Radiographic DSA and MR imaging were successful in the seven animals (14 stenoses). With use of linear regression analysis, the combination of 2D IA GRE and 2D SSFP imaging had a higher r 2 (0.87 vs 0.72) and a slope closer to unity (1.02 vs 0.77) compared with 3D IA GRE imaging alone. When comparing intercepts, the regression line for SSFP significantly differed from that of 3D IA GRE imaging ( P CONCLUSION The combination of 2D IA GRE and cross-sectional 2D SSFP imaging improves the accuracy of RAS detection compared with IA 3D IA-GRE alone.
Rapid Increases and Time-Lagged Declines in Amphibian Occupancy after Wildfire

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of drought and wildfire. Aquatic and moisture-sensitive species, such as amphibians, may be particularly vulnerable to these modified dis- turbance regimes because large wildfires often occur during extended droughts and thus may compound environmental threats. However, understanding of the effects of wildfires on amphibians in forests with long fire-return intervals is limited. Numerous stand-replacing wildfires have occurred since 1988 in Glacier Na- tional Park (Montana, U.S.A.), where we have conducted long-term monitoring of amphibians. We measured responses of 3 amphibian species to fires of different sizes, severity, and age in a small geographic area with uniform management. We used data from wetlands associated with 6 wildfires that burned between 1988 and 2003 to evaluate whether burn extent and severity and interactions between wildfire and wetland isolation affected the distribution of breeding populations. We measured responses with models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate occupancy during prefire (0-4 years) and different postfire recovery periods. For the long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) and Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris), occupancy was not affected for 6 years after wildfire. But 7-21 years after wildfire, occupancy for both species decreased ≥25% in areas where >50% of the forest within 500 m of wetlands burned. In contrast, occupancy of the boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas) tripled in the 3 years after low-elevation forests burned. This increase in occupancy was followed by a gradual decline. Our results show that accounting for magnitude of change and time lags is critical to understanding population dynamics of amphibians after large disturbances. Our results also inform understanding of the potential threat of increases in wildfire frequency or severity to amphibians in the region.
Smart Home-Based Health Platform for Behavioral Monitoring and Alteration of Diabetes Patients:

Background: Researchers and medical practitioners have long sought the ability to continuously and automatically monitor patients beyond the confines of a doctor’s office. We describe a smart home monitoring and analysis platform that facilitates the automatic gathering of rich databases of behavioral information in a manner that is transparent to the patient. Collected information will be automatically or manually analyzed and reported to the caregivers and may be interpreted for behavioral modification in the patient. Method: Our health platform consists of five technology layers. The architecture is designed to be flexible, extensible, and transparent, to support plug-and-play operation of new devices and components, and to provide remote monitoring and programming opportunities. Results: The smart home-based health platform technologies have been tested in two physical smart environments. Data that are collected in these implemented physical layers are processed and analyzed by our activity recognition and chewing classification algorithms. All of these components have yielded accurate analyses for subjects in the smart environment test beds. Conclusions: This work represents an important first step in the field of smart environment-based health monitoring and assistance. The architecture can be used to monitor the activity, diet, and exercise compliance of diabetes patients and evaluate the effects of alternative medicine and behavior regimens. We believe these technologies are essential for providing accessible, low-cost health assistance in an individual’s own home and for providing the best possible quality of life for individuals with diabetes.
Immediate-early gene expression in the central nucleus of the amygdala is not specific for anxiolytic or anxiogenic drugs

The lateral, basal, and central nuclei of the amygdala are part of a circuitry that instantiates many fear and anxious behaviors. One line of support indicates that immediate-early gene (IEG) expression (e.g., c-fos and egr-1 (zif268)) is increased in these nuclei following fear conditioning. Other research finds that anxiogenic drugs working through various mechanisms induce IEG expression in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) suggesting that expression is a neural marker for fear and anxiety. However, several studies have also found that anxiolytic drugs induce IEG expression in the CeA. Expression of egr-1 in the CeA and lateral nucleus of the amygdala following administration of anxiolytic and anxiogenic benzodiazepine and serotonin agonists and antagonists was investigated. The first experiment determined behaviorally active anxiolytic and anxiogenic doses for two anxiogenic drugs (FG 7142 and mCPP) and two anxiolytic drugs (diazepam and buspirone). The effects of anxiogenic and anxiolytic doses of these drugs on egr-1 expression in the amygdala were then tested in a second experiment. All four drugs increased egr-1 in the CeA indicating that increased egr-1 mRNA expression in the CeA is not specific to anxiolytic or anxiogenic effects of the drugs. We suggest that IEG expression in the CeA may be due to activation of circuits that are associated with systemic physiological homeostasis perturbed by a number of drugs including anxiogenic and anxiolytic compounds.
Bidentate organophosphorus compounds as extractants—I: Extraction of cerium, promethium, and americium nitrates☆

Abstract It is shown that tetraalkyl methylenediphosphonates , dialkyl N,N-dialkylcarbamylphosphonates , and dialkyl N,N-dialkylcarbamylmethylenephosphonates are powerful, chelating extractants for cerium, promethium, and americium from solutions of nitric acid.
Design of a New Somatosensory Stimulus Delivery Device for Measuring Laryngeal Mechanosensory Detection Thresholds in Humans

Laryngeal control is essential for airway protection, breathing, deglutition, speech, and voice. Unfortunately, integration of laryngeal sensory assessment in research and clinical practice is limited by technical and practical limitations of commercially available technology. A commercial device is available, but reported limitations include procedural complexity requiring two or three individuals to operate, limited stimulus dynamic range, device generated noise, and questionable stimulus reproducibility. The objective of this study was to design a new laryngeal somatosensory stimulus delivery device that provides direct, reliable control over the timing, duration, and dynamic range of stimulus presentation, and test the device in individuals who may manifest a laryngeal sensory deficit. The new device operates silently and has more than four times greater stimulus dynamic range than the commercial device. Testing with the new device revealed laryngeal mechanosensory detection thresholds in an individual with Parkinson's disease that were seven times higher than those of healthy controls. These data would have otherwise gone undetected due to limited stimulus dynamic range in the commercial device. The new design resulted in a new assessment instrument that is simple to use for routine clinical assessment, yet sufficiently versatile for integration within rigorous clinical research protocols.
Azorhizobium caulinodans electron-transferring flavoprotein N electrochemically couples pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity to N2 fixation.

Azorhizobium caulinodans thermolabile point mutants unable to fix N2 at 42 °C were isolated and mapped to three, unlinked loci; from complementation tests, several mutants were assigned to the fixABCX locus. Of these, two independent fixB mutants carried missense substitutions in the product electron-transferring flavoprotein N (ETFN) α-subunit. Both thermolabile missense variants Y238H and D229G mapped to the ETFN α interdomain linker. Unlinked thermostable suppressors of these two fixB missense mutants were identified and mapped to the lpdA gene, encoding dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LpDH), immediately distal to the pdhABC genes, which collectively encode the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex. These two suppressor alleles encoded LpDH NAD-binding domain missense mutants G187S and E210G. Crude cell extracts of these fixB lpdA double mutants showed 60–70 % of the wild-type PDH activity; neither fixB lpdA double mutant strain exhibited any growth phenotype at the restrictive or the permissive temperature. The genetic interaction between two combinations of lpdA and fixB missense alleles implies a physical interaction of their respective products, LpDH and ETFN. Presumably, this interaction electrochemically couples LpDH as the electron donor to ETFN as the electron acceptor, allowing PDH complex activity (pyruvate oxidation) to drive soluble electron transport via ETFN to N2, which acts as the terminal electron acceptor. If so, then, the A. caulinodans PDH complex activity sustains N2 fixation both as the driving force for oxidative phosphorylation and as the metabolic electron donor.
The use of subjective expert opinions in cost optimum design of aerospace structures

The results of two questionnaires sent to engineering experts are statistically analyzed and compared with objective data from Saturn V design and testing. Engineers were asked how likely it was for structural failure to occur at load increments above and below analysts' stress limit predictions. They were requested to estimate the relative probabilities of different failure causes, and of failure at each load increment given a specific cause. Three mathematical models are constructed based on the experts' assessment of causes. The experts' overall assessment of prediction strength fits the Saturn V data better than the models do, but a model test option (T-3) based on the overall assessment gives more design change likelihood to overstrength structures than does an older standard test option. T-3 compares unfavorably with the standard option in a cost optimum structural design problem. The report reflects a need for subjective data when objective data are unavailable.
Sylvatic Plague Studies. IV. Inapparent, Latent Sylvatic Plague in Ground Squirrels in Central California.

plague had occurred, the "digger" squirrels frequently were being decimated by sickness and death. Provided the special Plague Survey Crews of rodent hunters arrived in an area during the progress of an epizootic among the young rodents, carcasses with anatomical lesions indicative of plague as a rule were encountered without difficulty. Pasteurella pestis was isolated by cultures or animal inoculation tests. When the sur-
Reaction-based genetically encoded fluorescent hydrogen sulfide sensors.

The detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a toxic gas and an important biological signaling molecule, has been a long-time challenge. Here we report genetically encoded fluorescent protein (FP)-based probes that can selectively detect H2S. By expanding the genetic codes of E. coli and mammalian cells, FP chromophores were modified with the sulfide-reactive azide functional group. These structurally modified chromophores were selectively reduced by H2S, resulting in sensitive fluorescence enhancement detectable by spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Exploration of a circularly permuted FP led to an improved sensor with faster responses, and the feasibility of using such a genetically encoded probe to monitor H2S in living mammalian cells has also been demonstrated.
Analysis of a 600 MW Generator's Hydrogen-explosion Event

A hydrogen-explosion event of one 600 MW hydrogen-cold generator took place in an electric power plant.Direct-current withstand voltage test was carried out after the gas-exchange operation was over for two days,when the first phase test was finished,the voltage was step down to zero and the windings were earthed,this event happened.Through the analysis to the generator structure and the investigation to the event process,the possible hydrogen source and fire source was deduced,and the measures to prevent such event from happening were given.
Investigation on the Sensorless Control for Directly Wind-driven Generator

A rotor position/frequency self-sensing method for PMSM,which can be applied in a wide frequency range,is investigated.In the method the high frequency fluctuating voltage signal injection method is used at the low-speed band,the back-EMF tracking method is used at the mid/high-speed band,and only one of these two methods is used to obtain the position/frequency signal at the crossing-speed.The simulation results indicate that,the proposed scheme is suitable for accurate and fast detection of PMSM's position and speed in a wide speed range.
Study on the genotype and epidemic characteristics of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolated from diarrheal patients in Beijing

Objective To understand the distribution of virulence gene and the epidemiological characteristics of diarrheagenic Escherichia（E.） coli （DEC） from diarrheal patients in Beijing. Methods Stool specimens from diarrheal patients were cultured which were collected from the hospitals under sentinel surveillance program,during 2012-2013. DNA was examined by real-time PCR. Results 253 out of 6 370 specimens were positive for DEC detection with the rate as 4.0%. A total number of 262 DEC strains were isolated. Two different pathotypes of DEC strains with mixed infection,were isolated from 9 specimens. Different pathotypes would show the following profiles：42.8% for enteropathogenic E. coli （EPEC） including 42.0% atypical and 0.8% typical;38.9% for enterotoxigenic E. coli（ETEC）including 24.8%st positive,9.9%lt positive and 4.2%st and lt both positive;15.3% for enteroaggregative E. coli（EAEC）;2.7% for enteroinvasive E. coli（EIEC）;one strain STEC with serotype O26 ∶ K60. ETEC had obvious characteristics on age. All kinds of DEC were isolated throughout the year with seasonal fluctuation. Conclusion DEC isolates from diarrheal patients in Beijing were dominated by EPEC and ETEC,with atypical ones accounted for the majority of EPEC. One specimen was found under mixed infection. Pathotypes DEC were found to have different age and seasonal distributions. Key words: Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli; Virulence gene; Real-time PCR
Solvent drag of LDL across mammalian endothelial barriers with increased permeability

We investigated the mechanisms of hamster low-density lipoprotein (LDL) transport across the endothelial barrier in individually perfused venular microvessels in hamster mesentery. These experiment...