cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Facial nerve electromyographic monitoring to predict movement in patients titrated to a standard anesthetic depth.

BACKGROUND: Facial nerve (FN) monitoring has been accepted as a standard of care in craniofacial, middle ear, and skull-based surgeries as a means of reducing iatrogenic injury, localizing the FN, and predicting postoperative neurologic function. Past studies have also shown that FN electromyographic monitoring (FNEMG) may have some clinical utility as a monitor of anesthetic depth and predicting patient movement. In this study, we evaluated Bispectral Index (BIS) and FNEMG using two different anesthetic techniques to determine whether these monitors can be used to predict movement in patients undergoing skull-based surgical procedures. METHODS: Using a single-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial, the relationship between FNEMG monitoring and BIS to predict movement during specific craniofacial and skull-based surgeries performed under general anesthesia was evaluated. In addition, a total IV anesthetic (TIVA) technique, using propofol and remifentanil, was compared with an inhaled anesthetic technique, using desflurane (DES), to determine which regimen provides the best conditions of adequate anesthesia and prevents movement in nonparalyzed patients undergoing a surgical procedure requiring FNEMG monitoring. RESULTS: The TIVA technique produced better hemodynamic conditions compared with DES. No significant differences were noted in BIS values between the two groups. However, FNEMG activity was lower in the TIVA group during emergence from the effects of anesthesia. More patients moved during anesthesia with DES compared with TIVA, and of the 10 patients who moved, eight had significant FNEMG activity. The positive predictive value of the FNEMG for movement was found to be 38%, and the negative predictive value was 95%. There was no significant change from baseline values in hemodynamics or BIS value for patients who experienced movement compared with those who did not move with FNEMG activity. CONCLUSION: This study shows that FNEMG may be an effective monitor for predicting patient movement when undergoing craniofacial and skull-based surgeries. BIS monitoring, however, was not an adequate monitor to predict movement in this patient population. The DES group had more hemodynamic variability and FNEMG activity, whereas TIVA proved to be a more effective anesthetic in preventing patient movement when clinically titrated to produce stable operation conditions. FNEMG was a useful clinical tool to help predict and prevent movement in these patients.
Effects of temperature on excluded volume-promoted cyclization and concatemerization of cohesive-ended DNA longer than 0.04 Mb

The 0.048502 megabase (Mb), primarily double-stranded DNA of bacteriophage lambda has single-stranded, complementary termini (cohesive ends) that undergo either spontaneous intramolecular joining to form open circular DNA or spontaneous intermolecular joining to form linear, end-to-end oligomeric DNAs (concatemers); concatemers also cyclize. In the present study, the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the cyclization and concatemerization of lambda DNA are determined at temperatures that, in the absence of PEG, favor dissociation of cohesive ends. Circular and linear lambda DNA, monomeric and concatemeric, are observed by use of pulsed field agarose gel (PFG) electrophoresis. During preparation of lambda DNA for these studies, hydrodynamic shear-induced, partial dissociation of joined cohesive ends is fortuitously observed. Although joined lambda cohesive ends progressively dissociate as their temperature is raised in the buffer used here (0.1 M NaCl, 0.01 M sodium phosphate, pH 7.4, 0.001 M EDTA), when PEG is added to this buffer, raising the temperature sometimes promotes joining of cohesive ends. Conditions for promotion of primarily either cyclization or concatemerization are described. Open circular DNAs as long as a 7-mer are produced and resolved. The concentration of PEG required to promote joining of cohesive ends decreases as the molecular weight of the PEG increases. The rate of cyclization is brought, the first time, to values that are high enough to be comparable to the rate observed in vivo. For double-stranded DNA bacteriophages that have a linear replicative form of DNA (bacteriophage T7, for example), a suppression, sometimes observed here, of cyclization mimics a suppression of cyclization previously observed in vivo. The PEG, temperature effects on DNA joining are explained by both the excluded volume of PEG random coils and an increase in this excluded volume that occurs when temperature increases.
Roughening of Stepped Metal Surfaces

A generic phase diagram is proposed for stepped ($11m$) surfaces of fcc metals, which describes the roughening transition and subsequent changes of the nature of the rough phase in terms of a sequence of universal values for the roughness parameter ${x}_{1}(T, m)$. From a detailed analysis of atom-beam diffraction profiles of Ni(115), for $100 \mathrm{K}lTl900 \mathrm{K}$, it is concluded that Ni(115) is rough in this temperature interval. The roughening temperatures of Ni(113) and Ni(001) are predicted to be 200 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 50 K and well above 420 K, respectively. Near 420 K, islands appear in the rough (115) surfaces in addition to the meandering steps.
Partially Delocalized Allylic Lithium Compounds: Dynamics of Inversion, 1,3 Li Shift, and C−Li Bond, Exchange Influence of the Stereochemistry of Solvation

While exo-exo-[1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)allyl]lithium (15) and [1-(trimethylsilyl)allyl]lithium (16) were previously shown to be contact ion pairs containing delocalized carbanions, the corresponding...
The Importance of Parent‐to‐Parent Support among Families of Children with Autism in the People’s Republic of China

This article reports the experiences of families of children with autism in the People’s Republic of China. The caregivers of 43 children with autism attending one of two short‐term (3‐month) intervention programmes for young children with autism were interviewed about their experiences before, during, and after the programme. Parent‐to‐parent support emerged as the main theme. Specifically, caregivers in this study discussed the value of being with other parents who share similar experiences. Two reasons were given for the importance of parent‐to‐parent support: to learn from each other, and to gain moral support and encouragement in a relationship that is more equal and less discriminatory than was experienced from others in society. This report also briefly highlights the factors that are similar to family experiences in western contexts, as well as factors that are influenced by the Chinese context.
Development of Chitosan–SLN Microparticles for chemotherapy: In vitro approach through efflux-transporter modulation

Drug efflux-transporters serve as a major barrier to anticancer drugs at the target site. One strategy to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of drugs against cancer is to increase their available concentrations at the target site by suppressing or modulating efflux-transporters. This manuscript deals with the development and evaluation of the particle type drug delivery system made of stearic acid (Solid Lipid Nanoparticle - SLN) and chitosan for the delivery of Phenethyl Isothiocyanate (PEITC), a tumor-suppressive agent, through the pulmonary route. The rationale behind the particle type drug delivery system involves a prior release of the efflux-transporter inhibitors, such as tamoxifen, verapamil HCl or nifedipine, to suppress or modulate the efflux activity of ABC transporters followed by the release of the efflux-transporter substrate, PEITC. The efficacy of Chitosan-SLN Microparticles (CSM) as a carrier for PEITC was evaluated by investigating the release profiles of PEITC loaded in CSM and its cytotoxicity in the presence or absence of the efflux-transporter inhibitors. An initial burst release of the inhibitors, followed by gradual, sustained release of PEITC and subsequent increase in cytotoxicity was observed. This finding indicated that the efflux transporter inhibitors significantly affected the PEITC uptake rate by Calu-3 cells. Judging from these results, CSM can be an efficient drug delivery system for the substrates susceptible to the efflux-transporters.
Enterocyte apoptosis and barrier function are modulated by SIgA after exposure to bacteria and hypoxia/reoxygenation.

Abstract Background Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) is the principal immune defense against luminal pathogens at gut mucosal surfaces. It also has anti-inflammatory activities that may be important for the maintenance of mucosal surface integrity. Enterocyte apoptosis (Apo) is increased after challenge with invasive bacteria and ischemia-reperfusion insults. Increased Apo also has been associated with impaired intestinal barrier function. However, the impact of SIgA on enterocyte apoptosis and mucosal barrier integrity after challenge with commensal bacteria and ischemia-reperfusion is unknown. Methods Caco2 intestinal epithelial cell monolayers were subjected to 21% O2 (control) or 95% N2/15% CO2 (hypoxic) conditions for 90 minutes, followed by 21% O2. Escherichia coli and SIgA were added in subsets. Caco2 cell Apo was identified by flow cytometry and barrier function indexed by permeability to dextran-fluorescein isothiocyanate. Results There were no differences in the percentage of Apo Caco2 cells after exposure to either bacteria or hypoxic-reoxygenation versus control. There was a significant increase in Apo after the combined bacteria/hypoxia-reoxygenation challenge. SIgA abrogated the Apo response and preserved barrier function after this combined challenge. Conclusion Modulation of enterocyte Apo by SIgA may serve to maintain intestinal barrier function and thereby decrease the systemic inflammatory response after clinical conditions associated with gut ischemia-reperfusion insults.
Reflex Stiffness of Man's Anti-Gravity Muscles during Kneebends while Carrying Extra Weights

Abstract The effective lumped stiffness and damping ratio of the human leg system was determined from measurements of parallel and antiparallel-mode oscillations while standing on a linear spring. Knee flexion angle was held fixed in each trial, and varied systematically from 0° to 75°. At each knee angle, subjects carried weights up to twice body weight on their shoulders to determine the effect of increasing muscle force. For small knee flexion angles (θ ≤ 30°), reflex stiffness was independent of muscle force, but rose slightly with muscle force for large flexions. The damping ratio was calculated to be 0.34, showing the underdamped character often reported for skeletomotor feflex mechanisms. Leg stiffness measured in this way is consistent with measurements taken during human running.
Local Pattern Electroretinograms and Ganglion Cell Activity in the Turtle Eye

1. Local electroretinograms and spike activity from ganglion cells were recorded from an eye cup preparation of the turtle retina. The responses were elicited with striped and plaid stimulus patterns. 2. The results obtained with the two forms of recording were highly similar. Both depended on the spatial phase of the pattern with respect to the recording electrode. Both had maximal response at the same stimulus spatial frequency. 3. The optimum spatial frequency (both for maximum electroretinogram amplitudes and spike discharge rates;) shifted to lower values with the administration of the GABA antagonist, picrotoxin. 4. The low frequency falloff associated with this spatial tuning may point to a mechanism of lateral interactions common to the local electroretinogram and spike responses.
Children's Attitudes Toward the Mentally III as Reflected in Human Figure Drawings and Stories

One hundred and sixty-eight children in grades three through six drew pictures and wrote stories about their conceptions of the mentally ill. Work/chores and play were predominant themes in the drawings and stories depicting "normal" people. Inappropriate behavior, suicide, aggression/hostility and self-abusive behavior were the predominant themes in the drawings and stories depicting "crazy" people. The utility of using drawings and stories as a data base for assessing children's attitudes toward the mentally ill is examined.
On codimension-three bifurcations in the motion of articulated tubes conveying a fluid

Abstract We consider the planar motion of two articulated tubes conveying a fluid near a double degeneracy in the linearized dynamical equations. In particular, the interaction between Hopf and pitchfork (symmetric saddle-node) bifurcations, and the effects of asymmetries on that interaction, are studied in detail. The fourth order system of nonlinear equations is reduced to a third order system using center manifold theory. The method of averaging provides the normal form which can be considered as a planar vector field with three important parameters, one each for the Hopf bifurcation, the pitchfork bifurcation and the asymmetry. This second order system is shown to possess twenty-three open sets in the parameter space, each with qualitatively different phase portraits. Some of these portraits are presented, along with bifurcation analysis, and the physical implications of the results are discussed.
First-principles computation of second-order elastic constants and equations of state for tetragonal BaTiO3

Abstract First-principles computational techniques are employed for computing the second-order elastic constants (SOEC) and equations of state for the tetragonal phase of BaTiO 3 . The bulk modulus is computed by two independent methods and compared with experiment. A variety of potentials and basis sets are used. The impact on the computational values due to the potentials, basis sets, and the crystalline geometry optimization is discussed.
Wavefront correction using machine learning methods for single molecule localization microscopy

Optical Aberrations are a major challenge in imaging biological samples. In particular, in single molecule localization (SML) microscopy techniques (STORM, PALM, etc.) a high Strehl ratio point spread function (PSF) is necessary to achieve sub-diffraction resolution. Distortions in the PSF shape directly reduce the resolution of SML microscopy. The system aberrations caused by the imperfections in the optics and instruments can be compensated using Adaptive Optics (AO) techniques prior to imaging. However, aberrations caused by the biological sample, both static and dynamic, have to be dealt with in real time. A challenge for wavefront correction in SML microscopy is a robust optimization approach in the presence of noise because of the naturally high fluctuations in photon emission from single molecules. Here we demonstrate particle swarm optimization for real time correction of the wavefront using an intensity independent metric. We show that the particle swarm algorithm converges faster than the genetic algorithm for bright fluorophores.
Natural History: the Life and Afterlife of a Concept in Adorno

Theodor Adorno's concept of ‘natural history’ [Naturgeschichte] was central for a number of Adorno's theoretical projects, but remains elusive. In this essay, analyse different dimensions of the concept of natural history, distinguishing amongst (a) a reflection on the normative and methodological bases of philosophical anthropology and critical social science; (b) a conception of critical memory oriented toward the preservation of the memory of historical suffering; and (c) the notion of ‘mindfulness of nature in the subject’ provocatively asserted in Max Horkheimer and Adorno's Dialectic of Enlightenment. These strands are united by the notion of transience and goal of developing a critical theory sensitive to the transient in history. The essay concludes by suggesting some implications of an expanded concept of natural history for issues in the discourse theory of Jurgen Habermas.
Sermm Somatomedin Stimulation in Thyroxine-Treated Hypophysectomized Rats*

Somatomedin activity in rat serum was measured by sulfate incorporation into embryonic chick cartilage. Hypophysectomized male rats were treated daily for 21 days with 20 microgram/kg L-thyroxine (T4) and/or 25 microgram bovine (b) GH. Serum from rats given T4 alone or with bGH had somatomedin potencies of 0.88 and 0.83, respectively, comparable to normal serum (1.00) and significantly greater than serum from bGH-treated hypophysectomized rats (0.62). Hypophysectomized rats had no measurable somatomedin activity. T4 treatment resulted in a return to normal of the basal metabolic rate and serum T4 and T3 concentrations. Addition of T4 or T3 to serum from normal rats to produce concentrations comparable to those found in serum of hypophysectomized rats after T4 and/or bGH treatment did not alter the somatomedin activity. Higher concentrations of T4 (10(-7) M) or T3 (10(-8) or 10(-7) M) did, however, enhance the sulfation potency of normal serum. T4 (10(-9) M to 10(-6) M) or T3 (10(-10) M to 10(-7) M) added to serum-free medium provided minimal sulfation activity that represented only a fraction of the activity of serum. T4 may stimulate production of somatomedin in the absence of adequate bGH or may be metabolized to an active sulfation factor.
Leisure and Subjective Well-Being: A Model of Psychological Mechanisms as Mediating Factors

Leisure is a key life domain and a core ingredient for overall well-being. Yet, within positive psychology, its definition and the psychological pathways by which it evokes happiness are elusive (Diener and Biswas-Diener 2008). In this paper, we seek to address these issues by delineating leisure and presenting a conceptual framework linking leisure to subjective well-being (SWB). Leisure is defined as a multidimensional construct, encom- passing both structural and subjective aspects. Respectively, it is the amount of activity/time spent outside of obligated work time and/or perceived engagement in leisure as subjectively defined. To explain the effects of leisure on SWB, a quantitative summary of theories from 363 research articles linking leisure and SWB was conducted. Based on our findings, we propose five core psychological mechanisms that leisure potentially triggers to promote leisure SWB: detachment-recovery, autonomy, mastery, meaning, and affiliation (DRAMMA). These psychological mechanisms promote leisure SWB which leads to enhanced global SWB through a bottom-up theory of SWB. We discuss how future research can use this conceptual model for understanding the interplay between leisure and SWB.
An experimental and theoretical study of the gas-phase decomposition of monoprotonated peptide nucleic acids

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are DNA/RNA mimics which have recently generated considerable interest due to their potential use as antisense and antigene therapeutics and as diagnostic and molecular biology tools. These synthetic biomolecules were designed with improved properties over corresponding oligonucleotides such as greater binding affinity to complementary nucleic acids, enhanced cellular uptake, and greater stability in biological systems. Because of the stability and unique structure of PNAs, traditional sequence confirmation methods are not effective. Alternatively, electrospray ionization coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry shows great potential as a tool for the characterization and structural elucidation of these oligonucleotide analogs. Extensive gasphase fragmentation studies of a mixed nucleobase 4-mer (AACT) and a mixed nucleobase 4-mer with an acetylated N-terminus (N-acetylated AACT) have been performed. Gas-phase collision-induced dissociation of PNAs resulted in water loss, cleavage of the methylene carbonyl linker containing a nucleobase, cleavage of the peptide bond, and the loss of nucleobases. These studies show that the fragmentation behavior of PNAs resembles that of both peptides and oligonucleotides. Molecular mechanics (MM+), semiempirical (AM1), and ab initio (STO-3G) calculations were used to investigate the site of protonation and determine potential low energy conformations. Computational methods were also employed to study prospective intramolecular interactions and provide insight into potential fragmentation mechanisms.
Engineering forensics at Youngstown State University

Buildings collapse, vehicles crash, cranes and bridges collapse. Why? Who is responsible? Forensic engineers must analyze failures to determine causes, origins, and legal responsibilities of accidents, fires, and explosions. This is the subject of a new course offered in spring 2005 at Youngstown State University (YSU) entitled Engineering Forensics Using the Scanning Electron Microscope. The course included a lab in which undergraduate students conducted failure analysis investigations involving the use of the scanning electron microscope and the energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer. The creation of this course was a collaborative effort between the Forensic Science and the Materials Engineering Programs at YSU. This paper describes how this course was forged from a combination of the principles of forensic science with engineering failure analysis techniques.
Mental rotation and orientation-invariant object recognition: Dissociable processes

Abstract How are we able to recognize misoriented objects? One hypothesis is that we normalize the stimulus representation to an upright position through a process of mental rotation and then recognize the upright image. Response time studies of the relation between mental rotation and the recognition of misoriented objects have yielded equivocal results. We describe a patient with a large right middle cerebral artery territory stroke who fails three different mental rotation tasks but is nonetheless able to recognize misoriented mumbers, letters, and drawings. This pattern of performance implies that orientation-invariant object recognition does not depend upon mental rotation.
The use of iterated laplace transformations in the solution of combined circuit-field problems

By consideration of a detailed example, the use of iterated Laplace transformations is shown to be an important technique for the solution of combined circuit-field problems, i.e., problems in which the simultaneous solution of ordinary and partial differential equations is necessary. One- and 2-mesh circuits in which eddy currents in a rectangular magnetic core play a significant role are analyzed utilizing the iterated transformations; equivalent circuits characterizing the effect of the eddy currents are also presented.
Biosensor design based on Marangoni flow in an evaporating drop

Effective point-of-care diagnostics require a biomarker detection strategy that is low-cost and simple-to-use while achieving a clinically relevant limit of detection. Here we report a biosensor that uses secondary flows arising from surface Marangoni stresses in an evaporating drop to concentrate target-mediated particle aggregates in a visually detectable spot. The spot size increases with increasing target concentration within the dynamic range of the assay. The particle deposition patterns are visually detectable and easily measured with simple optical techniques. We use optical coherence tomography to characterize the effect of cross-sectional flow fields on the motion of particles in the presence and absence of target (aggregated and non-aggregated particles, respectively). We show that choice of substrate material and the presence of salts and glycerol in solution promote the Marangoni-induced flows that are necessary to produce signal in the proposed design. These evaporation-driven flows generate signal in the assay on a PDMS substrate but not substrates with greater thermal conductivity like indium tin oxide-coated glass. In this proof-of-concept design we use the M13K07 bacteriophage as a model target and 1 μm-diameter particles surface functionalized with anti-M13 monoclonal antibodies. Using standard microscopy-based techniques to measure the final spot size, the assay has a calculated limit-of-detection of approximately 100 fM. Approximately 80% of the maximum signal is generated within 10 minutes of depositing a 1 μL drop of reacted sample on PDMS enabling a relatively quick time-to-result.
The potential role of peroxynitrite in the vascular contractile and cellular energetic failure in endotoxic shock

Peroxynitrite is a toxic oxidant species produced from nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide. We have recently observed that the cell-permeable superoxide dismutase mimetic Mn(III)tetrakis(4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP) inhibits the suppression of mitochondrial respiration elicited by authentic peroxynitrite in vitro. Here we have investigated the relative potency of MnTBAP and a range of related compounds in terms of inhibition of peroxynitrite-induced oxidation and cytotoxicity. In addition, we tested the effects of MnTBAP on the vascular and the cellular energetic failure in rodent models of endotoxic shock. We observed a dose-related inhibition of the peroxynitrite-induced oxidation of dihydrorhodamine 123 to rhodamine by MnTBAP, ZnTBAP and FeTBAP, but not by MnTMPyP [(5,10,15,20-tetrakis(N-methyl-4′-pirydyl)porphinato)-manganese (III)]. In addition, MnTBAP, ZnTBAP and FeTBAP, but not MnTMPyP prevented the suppression of mitochondrial respiration by authentic peroxynitrite in cultured J774 macrophages. In rat cultured aortic smooth muscle cells, MnTBAP protected against the suppression of mitochondrial respiration in response to authentic peroxynitrite, immunostimulation and nitric oxide (NO) donor compounds. MnTBAP slightly reduced the amount of nitrite/nitrate produced in response to immunostimulation in these cells. Administration of MnTBAP, 15 mg kg−1 i.v., before the administration of endotoxin (15 mg kg−1, i.v.) to rats ameliorated the development of vascular hyporeactivity and the development of endothelial dysfunction in the thoracic aorta ex vivo. MnTBAP also prevented the endotoxin-induced decrease in mitochondrial respiration, the development of DNA single strand breaks, and the depletion of intracellular NAD+ in peritoneal macrophages ex vivo. MnTBAP did not inhibit the expression by endotoxin of the inducible NO synthase in lung samples. MnTBAP did not alter survival rate in mice challenged with high dose endotoxin. Our findings, taken together with previous data demonstrating protective effects of NO synthase inhibitors against the endotoxin-induced contractile and energetic failure in the models of shock used in the current study, and with the known ability of peroxynitrite to cause cellular energy depletion, suggest a role for peroxynitrite in the pathogenesis of cellular energetic failure and contractile dysfunction in endotoxin shock. British Journal of Pharmacology (1997) 120, 259–267; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0700872
Slow-Time Changes in Human Muscle Fatigue Are Fully Represented in Movement Kinematics

Muscle fatigue is exhibited in individuals who partake in repetitive movements for an extensive duration of time. The objective of this study was to identify correlation, if any, between movement kinematics and muscle electrical activity (EMG). Movement kinematics and EMG signals were measured and recorded from the lower extremities of stationary elite cyclists. Standard statistical metrics (SSM) and phase space warping (PSW) based features were extracted from the recorded fast-time time series for consecutive intermediate time intervals. The SSM based features were composed of higher moments, fractal dimension, correlation sum, power spectral density, and cross-correlation. The PSW based features were subject to quantifying short-time differences between the fatigued and unfatigued reconstructed phase spaces. The slow-time manifolds describing global fatigue dynamics in these feature spaces were extracted using smooth orthogonal decomposition (SOD). Mean and median frequencies from the EMG data were calculated to describe the local fatigue dynamics in each muscle. There were very close correlations between the EMG and kinematics data based global fatigue features. Also, the 4 and 5 dimensional slow time manifolds (corresponding to PSW and SSM based features, respectively) fully represented the local fatigue dynamics in all the muscles as described by the EMG data. Therefore, for this particular context, the fatigue information present in the standard EMG analysis was fully represented in the SOD based slow-time features extracted from the kinematic data. Furthermore, the SOD based analysis gave estimates of effective dimensionality of muscle fatigue dynamics.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Understanding the Reactivity of Oxide-Supported Bimetallic Clusters: Reaction of NO with CO on TiO2(110)-Supported Pt−Rh Clusters

The reactions of CO, NO, and NO with CO have been studied on Pt, Rh, and bimetallic Pt−Rh clusters deposited on TiO2(110). The following four cluster surfaces were investigated: 4 ML of Rh, 4 ML of Pt, 2 ML of Rh + 2 ML of Pt (Rh + Pt), and 2 ML of Pt + 2 ML of Rh (Pt + Rh). Scanning tunneling microscopy studies demonstrated that the surfaces exhibited similar cluster sizes and densities, and low-energy ion scattering experiments showed that the surfaces of the bimetallic clusters were Pt-rich (20−30% Rh) regardless of the order of metal deposition; therefore, both Pt and Rh atoms are capable of diffusing to the cluster surface at room temperature. Notably, heating the surface caused substantial encapsulation of the metal clusters by titania at 700 K and complete encapsulation at 800 K. In temperature programmed desorption experiments, the activities of the Pt and Rh clusters for CO and NO dissociation were found to be higher than those of the (111) surfaces of the corresponding single crystals. For both...
Gestational zinc requirement of the A/J mouse: effects of a marginal zinc deficiency on in utero B-cell development

Abstract A series of studies were initiated to define the effects of suboptimal zinc intake on in utero development of the immune system using the A/J mouse. Dams were fed a biotin-fortified egg white diet containing 1.3, 2.7, 3.8, 6.2, 10 or 30 μg Zn/g (control) from days 0 to 18 of gestation. It was found that a dietary zinc level of 10 μg Zn/g was adequate for gestation. Dams fed 3.8 μg Zn/g had a modest decrease in weight gain and serum zinc levels; by day 18 fetal body weights were 86% the weight of control fetuses. Thus, the 3.8 μg Zn/g diet was judged to be marginal and was subsequently used to study B-cell development in the fetal liver. Day 18 fetal liver cells (FLC) were prepared from groups receiving adequate (30 μg Zn/g), adequate but restricted-fed (30 μg Zn/g) and marginal levels (3.8 μg Zn/g) of dietary zinc for adoptive transfer to normal, irradiated adult hosts. In response to a T-cell independent antigen (TI), the recipients which received FLC from the marginal or restricted-fed groups produced 49% and 90% respectively as many antibody producing cells per spleen as recipients which received FLC from normal fetuses. The results indicate that B-cell development in utero was significantly altered by a marginal zinc deficiency.
Structural and biophysical characterization of an epitope-specific engineered Fab fragment and complexation with membrane proteins: implications for co-crystallization.

Crystallization chaperones are attracting increasing interest as a route to crystal growth and structure elucidation of difficult targets such as membrane proteins. While strategies to date have typically employed protein-specific chaperones, a peptide-specific chaperone to crystallize multiple cognate peptide epitope-containing client proteins is envisioned. This would eliminate the target-specific chaperone-production step and streamline the co-crystallization process. Previously, protein engineering and directed evolution were used to generate a single-chain variable (scFv) antibody fragment with affinity for the peptide sequence EYMPME (scFv/EE). This report details the conversion of scFv/EE to an anti-EE Fab format (Fab/EE) followed by its biophysical characterization. The addition of constant chains increased the overall stability and had a negligible impact on the antigen affinity. The 2.0 A resolution crystal structure of Fab/EE reveals contacts with larger surface areas than those of scFv/EE. Surface plasmon resonance, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and size-exclusion chromatography were used to assess Fab/EE binding to EE-tagged soluble and membrane test proteins: namely, the β-barrel outer membrane protein intimin and α-helical A2a G protein-coupled receptor (A2aR). Molecular-dynamics simulation of the intimin constructs with and without Fab/EE provides insight into the energetic complexities of the co-crystallization approach.
Reduced anterior and posterior cingulate gray matter in borderline personality disorder.

Background Structural abnormalities in prefrontal and cingulate gyrus regions—important in affective processing, impulse control and cognition may contribute to the psychopathology of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Previous MRI studies examining volume have reported that compared with healthy controls, BPD patients have decreases in right anterior cingulate, no differences in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and mixed findings for prefrontal cortex. We extended this investigation by examining gray and white matter volume of frontal and cingulate gyrus Brodmann areas (BAs) in a large group of patients and healthy controls. Methods MRI scans were acquired in 50 BPD patients (n = 13 with comorbid diagnosis of BPD and Schizotypal Personality Disorder (SPD) and n = 37 without SPD) and 50 healthy controls, and gray/white matter volume in cingulate gyrus and frontal lobe BAs were assessed. Normal BPD and BPD subgroup comparisons were conducted. Results Compared with controls, BPD patients showed reduced gray matter volume in BA 24 and 31 of the cingulate. BPD patients without comorbid SPD had isolated gray matter volume loss in BA 24, but were spared for BA 31 in contrast to BPD patients with SPD. There were no group differences in whole cingulate or frontal lobe volume. Conclusions The finding of more pervasive cingulate shrinkage in the patients with BPD and SPD comorbidity resembles recent observations with the same methods in patients with schizophrenia. The pattern of reduced anterior and posterior cingulate gray matter volume in BPD patients, particularly those comorbid for SPD is consistent with the affective and attentional deficits observed in these personality disorders.
Regional Central Nervous System Oligosaccharide Storage in Caprine β-Mannosidosis

Goats affected with beta-mannosidosis, an autosomal recessive disease of glycoprotein metabolism, have deficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme beta-mannosidase along with tissue storage of oligosaccharides, including a trisaccharide [Man(beta 1-4)GlcNAc(beta 1-4)GlcNAc] and a disaccharide [Man(beta 1-4)GlcNAc]. CNS myelin deficiency, with regional variation in severity, is a major pathological characteristic of affected goats. This study was designed to investigate regional CNS differences in oligosaccharide accumulation to assess the extent of correlation between oligosaccharide accumulation and severity of myelin deficits. The concentrations of accumulated disaccharide and trisaccharide and the activity of beta-mannosidase were determined in cerebral hemisphere gray and white matter and in spinal cord from three affected and two control neonatal goats. In affected goats, the content of trisaccharide and disaccharide in spinal cord (moderate myelin deficiency) was similar to or greater than that in cerebral hemispheres (severe myelin deficiency). Thus, greater oligosaccharide accumulation was not associated with more severe myelin deficiency. Regional beta-mannosidase activity levels in control goats were consistent with the affected goat oligosaccharide accumulation pattern. The similarity of trisaccharide and disaccharide content in cerebral hemisphere gray and white matter suggested that lysosomal storage vacuoles, more numerous in gray matter, may not be the only location of stored CNS oligosaccharides.
Identification of multiple phosphoinositide-linked receptors on human SK-N-MC neuroepithelioma cells.

The biochemical and pharmacological characteristics of receptor-stimulated phosphoinositide (PPI) hydrolysis in human SK-N-MC neuroepithelioma cells have been examined. Of 11 ligands tested, the addition of four, i.e., norepinephrine, oxotremorine-M, endothelin-1, and ATP, each resulted in an increased release (three- to eightfold) of inositol phosphates from [3H]inositol-prelabeled cells. Agonist-stimulated PPI turnover was sustained for at least 30 min and required the addition of Ca2+ for full effect. An increased release of inositol phosphates could also be elicited by the addition of the Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin. All four agonists enhanced the release of radiolabeled inositol mono- and bisphosphates, inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate, and inositol tetrakisphosphate. Increases in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate were smaller and only consistently observed in the presence of norepinephrine or oxotremorine-M. Norepinephrine-stimulated PPI turnover was potently inhibited by prazosin, WB-4101, and 5-methylurapidil (Ki less than 2.5 nM), but was relatively insensitive to chlorethylclonidine pretreatment. This pharmacological profile is consistent with the involvement of an alpha 1A-receptor subtype. The presence of an M1 muscarinic cholinergic receptor is also indicated, because pirenzepine blocked oxotremorine-M-stimulated inositol phosphate release (Ki = 35 nM) with a 30-fold greater potency than the M2-selective antagonist, AF-DX 116. Of the three endothelins tested, only the addition of endothelin-1 and endothelin-2 promoted PPI hydrolysis, whereas endothelin-3 was essentially inactive. A P2 nucleotide receptor of broad agonist specificity is also present on these cells and activates PPI turnover in the absence of a generalized increase in plasma membrane permeability. These results indicate that SK-N-MC cells express at least four PPI-linked receptors. Because the functional coupling of three of these receptors, i.e., alpha 1A-adrenergic, endothelin, and P2 nucleotide, has not been extensively characterized previously in neural tissues, the SK-N-MC cell line may provide a useful model system for studies of these receptors and their regulation.
On the determination of mixing density in reliability studies

Abstract In reliability studies the three quantities (1) the survival function, (2) the failure rate and (3) the mean residual life function are all equivalent in the sense that given one of them, the other two can be determined. In this paper we have considered the class of exponential type distributions and studied its mixture. Given any one of the above mentioned three quantities of the mixture a method is developed for determining the mixing density. Some examples are provided as illustrations. Some well known results follow trivially.
Adjustment to College Among Trauma Survivors: An Exploratory Study of Resilience

Researchers have examined students’ adjustment to college—why some students make the transition successfully, whereas others struggle or leave school after only a short time (e.g., Ezezek, 1994; Holmbek & Wandrei, 1993). Efforts to support students through this transition must draw upon a more complete understanding of variables that place students at risk for a stressful transition and protective factors that promote positive adaptation. Recent research has been focused on both individual and contextual variables including gender, racial identity, coping strategies, stress, social support and attachment (Feenstra, Banyard, Rines, & Hopkins, 2000; Klasner & Pistole, 2003; Pritchard & Wilson, 2003) and suggests the need for more research that goes beyond explaining academic success from “demographic and academic variables” (Pritchard & Wilson, p. 18). The current study is an examination of a group of students potentially at risk for a stressful transition to college: students who are survivors of traumatic stress. For the purposes of this research, trauma is defined broadly as a range of events that overwhelm an individual’s coping capacities and involves threats of serious injury or death to self or someone close to the individual (e.g., Pynoos, 1993). This examination was of variation in the transition to college among
Protein kinase C activation decreases peripheral actin network density and increases central nonmuscle myosin II contractility in neuronal growth cones

PKC activation enhances myosin II contractility in the central growth cone domain while decreasing actin density and increasing actin network flow rates in the peripheral domain. This dual mode of ...
ON THE BIOLOGY OF GNATHOPHYLLOIDES MINERI, A SHRIMP INHABITING THE SEA URCHIN TRIPNEUSTES VENTRICOSUS

ABSTRACT The small shrimp Gnathophylloides mineri is a common inhabitant of the short spines of the sea urchin Tripneustes ventricosus found in shallow waters of eastern St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands. It shows remarkable cryptic coloration and behavioral and morphological features suggesting a past history of intense predation pressure. Gnathophylloides mineri feeds on the epithelium covering the sea urchin spines which is abraded by toothed setae on the second maxillipeds and perhaps also by small, handlike structures on the dactyls of the walking legs. It seems likely that dark pigment from the host test is incorporated by the shrimp. Filter feeding also occurs. The shrimp are usually found in groups (up to 13 on a given host) with females greatly outnumbering males. Although there is a broad overlap in size distributions, males are significantly smaller. There is evidence that shrimp move between urchins. Differential male mortality during migration may explain the uneven sex ratio.
FDTD computational study of nanoplasmonic guiding structures for non-paraxial spatial solitons

5. CONCLUSION A new very practical millimeter-wave transition for joining an RWG with the first layer SIW of a two layer LTCC has been proposed. It addresses both the shrinkage tolerances typically seen with this material as well as the avoidance of a second layer excitation. The LTCC tan d and er have been determined through a LINE and THRU measurement to distinguish the transition loss from the actual transmission line loss. These novel purely intrasubstrate experiments further confirm the strong dispersion of the LTCC. Simulations, with and without a varying gap, as well as the measurements on the fabricated back-to-back transition prove our concept. Fabricated LTCC circuits have been analyzed optically and even exceeded the total estimated shrinkage range. However, the transition shows good insertion loss <0.7 dB and a good matching with RL < 10 dB in the envisaged band. These results allow recommending this transition for two layer LTCC SIW projects up to an approximate circuit length of 12 kg in comparable environments.
Adsorption of Arsenic on Conditioned Layered Double Hydroxides: Column Experiments and Modeling

The removal of As(V) by conditioned, calcined layered double hydroxide (LDH) adsorbents is investigated in continuous-flow, packed-bed columns, in order to study the effect of important operating parameters, such as the influent As concentration, the pH, the adsorbent particle size, and the flow rate. Earlier bed saturation and breakthrough were observed at higher flow rates and influent concentrations. On the other hand, a decrease in the adsorbent particle size and the influent pH resulted in an increase in the number of bed volumes at breakthrough. A column model which accounts for external, liquid-film mass transport and for diffusion and adsorption in the adsorbent particles is utilized. Two different adsorption models are employed, which were shown previously to be capable of predicting the As(V) uptake by LDH adsorbents. They are a conventional homogeneous surface diffusion model and a bidisperse pore model, the latter viewing the LDH particles as assemblages of microparticles and taking into accou...
Frequency dependent shear compliance of TaS3: Depinning relaxation spectra and search for a glass transition

Abstract At T ≈ 100 K, the magnitude of the shear compliance of TaS3 increases by 25% with charge-density-wave (CDW) depinning by a dc voltage. We have measured the strain frequency dependence of the complex compliance (j) at different voltages, and fit it to distributions of Debye relaxation modes. The sensitivity of the compliance to the structure of the CDW suggests that it would also be sensitive to a glass transition. However, we find that both the real and imaginary parts of j are independent of frequency (within 1%) when the CDW remains pinned for 8 K l s for the pinned CDW.
Widely tunable femtosecond optical parametric amplifier at 250 kHz with a Ti:sapphire regenerative amplifier

A Ti:sapphire mode-locked regenerative amplifier system pumped with a single argon-ion laser produces 4-μJ, 170-fs pulse of 800-nm wavelength at a 250-kHz repetition rate. Part of this output is used to generate a high-beam-quality white-light continuum, while the rest is doubled to 400 nm and used to parametrically amplify visible components of this continuum to more than 100 nJ. Synchronized with the visible signal pulse tunable from 460 to 700 nm is an infrared idler pulse tunable from 2.4 to 0.9 μm.
Continuous daily sunitinib for recurrent glioblastoma.

Bevacizumab ((BEV) has become a mainstay of treating recurrent glioblastoma, but eventual tumor resistance is expected. Targeting multiple growth-associated signaling pathways may result in more effective treatment than targeting VEGF alone. Patients with recurrent glioblastoma were stratified by prior BEV exposure and treated with sunitinib 37.5 mg daily in this phase II study. Response evaluations were performed at baseline and at the end of every 4 week cycle. Six-month progression-free survival (PFS6) was the primary endpoint for both arms of the study. Secondary endpoints included health related quality of life measures and FDG-PET correlatives with patient outcomes. Sixty-three patients were accrued to this study; thirty-two were BEV-naive, 31 were BEV-resistant. PFS6 was 10.4 % [95 % CI 3.2–33.8] in the BEV-naive cohort and 0 % in the BEV-resistant cohort. Median overall survival was 9.4 months [95 % CI 6.15–21.90] in the BEV-naive cohort and 4.37 months [95 % CI 3.02–6.21] in the BEV-resistant cohort. 3/29 patients (10 %) of the BEV-naive, and 0/27 BEV-resistant patients achieved radiographic response. Thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and neutropenia were the most common drug-associated adverse events and occurred with higher frequency than expected. Sunitinib treatment in BEV-naive patients did not appear to affect outcomes with subsequent BEV therapy. Continuous daily sunitinib did not prolong progression-free survival in BEV-naive nor BEV-resistant patients with recurrent glioblastoma.
Transabdominal cerclage: can we predict who fails?

Objective. To examine the outcome of pregnancies in women with transabdominal cerclage (TAC) and to determine whether aspects of the obstetric history predict failure.Methods. This was a cohort study of pregnant women referred for a transabdominal cerclage between 1978 and 2004. Records were reviewed for obstetric history and maternal demographics. Predictor variables were prior pregnancy loss, prior vaginal cerclage, associated factors for TAC, and maternal age. The outcome variable was delivery of an infant beyond 24 weeks who survived the neonatal period. Outcomes were compared using Student's t-test, standard z-test, and Chi-square test.Results. Eighty-eight women delivered 96 pregnancies after TAC placement. The fetal salvage rate prior to TAC was 18%, 93% after the procedure (p < 0.001). Delivery beyond 37 weeks occurred in 70% of pregnancies. Maternal age, prior cerclage history, associated factors for TAC, or previous delivery of a viable infant did not predict the eight failures out of the 96 pre...