cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theoretical Investigation of the structures and stability of gas phase neutral and cationic TixOy clusters.

By Baljeet Kaur, M.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010. Major Director: Shiv N. Khanna, Professor, Department of Physics Theoretical investigation of the structure and stability of neutral and cationic TixOy cluster series (where y =2x-1, 2x, 2x+1) have been performed. The lowest lying structures for the neutral clusters are usually found in the singlet state. Generally, in bulk and in the case of the neutral TixOy clusters, the 2x cluster series is relatively more abundant than the 2x-1 and the 2x+1 cluster series. But in the case of cationic TixOy clusters, the 2x-1 series is more abundant. To understand the origin of the stability of the TixO2x-1 + clusters, we use density functional theory within the NRLMOL set of codes. Different analyzing factors such as ionization potential, TiO2 removal energy, oxygen removal energy, binding energy per atom and HOMO-LUMO gap have been used to examine the relative stability of TixO2x-1 + clusters. After analyzing the above criteria, we find that the ionization potential and HOMOLUMO gap are more reliable, as the low ionization potential of the 2x-1 series generally implies low HOMO-LUMO gap and suggests that the 2x-1 cluster series more likely prefer to remain as cations. To further confirm this, we examine the density of states of Ti3O5 and Ti3O6 which show a larger HOMOHOMO-1 gap in case of Ti3O5, indicating that the cluster would like to lose an electron for enhancing electronic stability.
Assessment of second-order ionosphere error in GPS range observables using Arecibo incoherent scatter radar measurements

[1] The second-order ionosphere error in GPS range measurements is determined by the electron densities and the geomagnetic field projection onto the GPS signal propagation direction along the GPS signal propagation path. It can be a delay or an advancement error. This paper presents the second-order error analysis based on an extensive collection of electron density profiles measured by the Arecibo incoherent scatter radar and geomagnetic field vectors generated using the International Geomagnetic Reference Field model. The results indicate that the 56–500 km altitude range contributes a maximum of −1.1 cm for GPS L1 signals arriving from the zenith at Arecibo. For signals coming from the north and south at 10 degree elevation angles, the maximum errors are 0.9 cm and −3.4 cm, respectively. The maximum of the mean values of the second-order error computed using the entire data set are −0.55 cm, 0.48 cm, and −1.74 cm for a signal arriving from the zenith, from the north at 10 degrees elevation, and from the south at 10 degrees elevation, respectively. The paper also discusses the diurnal patterns and geomagnetic activity dependency of the second-order error. Finally, the International Reference Ionosphere model is used to obtain an upper bound estimation of error contributions from the 500–2000 km altitude range.
Lower bounds for maximum parsimony with gene order data

In this paper, we study lower bound techniques for branch-and-bound algorithms for maximum parsimony, with a focus on gene order data. We give a simple O(n3) time dynamic programming algorithm for computing the maximum circular ordering lower bound, where n is the number of leaves. The well-known gene order phylogeny program, GRAPPA, currently implements two heuristic approximations to this lower bounds. Our experiments show a significant improvement over both these methods in practice. Next, we show that the linear programming-based lower bound of Tang and Moret (Tang and Moret, 2005) can be greatly simplified, allowing us to solve the LP in O*n3) time in the worst case, and in O*(n2.5) time amortized over all binary trees. Finally, we formalize the problem of computing the circular ordering lower bound, when the tree topologies are generated bottom-up, as a Path-Constrained Traveling Salesman Problem, and give a polynomial-time 3-approximation algorithm for it. This is a special case of the more general Precedence-Constrained Travelling Salesman Problem and has not previously been studied, to the best of our knowledge.
Options in practice

Abstract Options in Practice presents different management approaches to the same clinical situation. You are invited to submit a brief case description, including the specialty nursing care provided, and several glossy color photographs of the clinical situation. The case material will then be sent to another wound, ostomy, or continence care nurse, who will also address management concerns. Alternative solutions to difficult wound, ostomy, or incontinence clinical situations will be published.
Nucleotide sequence of the type A staphylococcal enterotoxin gene.

Abstract We determined the nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding staphylococcal enterotoxin A (entA). The gene, composed of 771 base pairs, encodes an enterotoxin A precursor of 257 amino acid residues. A 24-residue N-terminal hydrophobic leader sequence is apparently processed, yielding the mature form of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (Mr, 27,100). Mature enterotoxin A has 82, 72, 74, and 34 amino acid residues in common with staphylococcal enterotoxins B and C1, type A streptococcal exotoxin, and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1, respectively. This level of homology was determined to be significant based on the results of computer analysis and biological considerations. DNA sequence homology between the entA gene and genes encoding other types of staphylococcal enterotoxins was examined by DNA-DNA hybridization analysis with probes derived from the entA gene. A 624-base-pair DNA probe that represented an internal fragment of the entA gene hybridized well to DNA isolated from EntE+ strains and some EntA+ strains. In contrast, a 17-base oligonucleotide probe that encoded a peptide conserved among staphylococcal enterotoxins A, B, and C1 hybridized well to DNA isolated from EntA+, EntB+, EntC1+, and EntD+ strains. These hybridization results indicate that considerable sequence divergence has occurred within this family of exotoxins.
Chapter 6 – Oxidations

Publisher Summary Titanium silicalite-1 (TS-1) and titanium silicalite-2 (TS-2) are microporous solid materials made of SiO2 and TiO2 that have silicalite structures modified by isomorphous substitution of Si(IV) with Ti(IV). TS-1 and TS-2 show similar properties in catalysis of H2O2 oxidations. Several methods have been employed for the synthesis of TS-1. A typical method begins with the addition of tetraethylorthotitanate (TEOT) to tetraethylorthosilicate followed by the addition of a certain concentration of tetrapropylammonium hydroxide. The hydroxylation of aromatic rings has been a special focus because of its commercial importance. In anhydrous solvents (one liquid phase), benzene itself undergoes oxidation to phenol, but overoxidation to p-benzoquinone may occur. The phenol may be oxidized to hydroquinone and catechol, and monosubstituted benzenes, such as anisole, are hydroxylated. In the absence of solvents, faster rates, higher conversions, and higher selectivities to phenol (95%) are obtained. However, electron-withdrawing substituents greatly inhibit aromatic ring hydroxylations.
The effect of gender, age, and lateral dominance on arch height and arch stiffness.

Background: Arch structure is known to vary widely. However, it may be linked to intrinsic factors such as gender, age, and lateral dominance. Understanding the association between these factors and arch structure may be useful in understanding injury biases that exist between individuals with different foot types. Methods: The foot structure of 145 subjects, 68 men and 77 women (18 to 65 years) was examined in this study. The arch height index, a measure of dorsal height normalized to foot length, and arch stiffness of both feet were measured in each subject. Comparisons of both arch height and arch stiffness were made between genders and between the dominant and nondominant feet. In addition, the relationship between both arch height and stiffness and age was examined. Results: There was no difference between the arch height index of men and women; however, the arches in women were significantly less stiff (p = 0.00). There were no statistically significant relationships between increasing age and eithe...
The development of within-song type variation in song sparrows

Abstract We investigated the development of within-song type variation in song sparrows, Melospiza melodia , with two experiments designed to determine how exposure to within-type variation influences the song-learning process and whether within-type variation itself is a learned trait. In the first experiment, we compared learning between two groups of males, one group tutored exclusively with song models presented with no variation, and the other group tutored exclusively with song models presented with a range of within-type variation that is normally produced by birds in the field. The two groups in this experiment did not differ significantly in any measure of how well they learned, suggesting that exposure to within-type variation has no measurable influence on the learning process overall. Nor did the groups differ in the expression of within-song type variation in their own adult songs, demonstrating that within-type variation is not a learned feature of song sparrow song. In the second experiment, we tutored a single group of birds with both invariant and variable models, allowing us to ask how within-type variability affects learning preferences. Young birds preferentially copied song type models presented with variation significantly more than invariant models. Taken together, these experiments provide insight into the evolution of within-song type variation in song sparrows, although the functional significance of this level of variation and learning preferences based on variation remain enigmatic.
Synthetic fibronectin peptide exerts neuroprotective effects on transient focal brain ischemia in rats.

Abstract Leukocytes have been investigated during the past decade for their roles in secondary tissue damage after ischemia/reperfusion injury. Peptide PRARIY, a synthetic fibronectin peptide, has shown an anti-adhesion effect in in vitro studies. Previous studies have demonstrated that anti-adhesion agents lead to reductions in apoptosis. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the peptide PRARIY displays anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective effects following transient focal brain ischemia in rats. Twenty-six male Sprague–Dawley rats (300–350 g) were randomly divided into three groups: phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) controls, PRARI controls, and PRARIY treatments. The right middle cerebral artery was transiently occluded using a 4-0 nylon suture. One hour later, the occluder was withdrawn, and reperfusion was maintained for 48 h. Immediately after reperfusion, the peptides (20 mg/kg, dissolved in PBS) and the same volume of PBS were continuously infused through the right external carotid artery using an osmotic minipump for 24 h. Neurological deficits were examined at 3, 24, and 48 h after ischemia. Forty-eight hours after reperfusion, the rats were sacrificed for determining infarction size, leukocyte infiltration, and apoptosis in the ischemia area. Unexpectedly, PRARIY did not influence leukocyte infiltration. However, PRARIY-treated rats showed significantly functional outcome, reduction of infarction size, decrease of TUNEL positive cells, and increase of Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic protein) positive cells in the ischemic areas when compared to the controls. These data indicate that the peptide PRARIY exerts its neuroprotective effects via supporting neural cell survival rather than anti-leukocyte recruitment following brain ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Planning art museum exhibitions

Abstract In this paper, we develop an integer programming model for use by art museums to plan cost effective temporary special exhibitions. By using a model based plan for organizing the changing exhibitions, the museum's professional staff can identify the timing and selection of exhibits to maximize attendance. We consider both the fixed and variable costs incurred in designing and organizing an exhibition as well as revenues generated by admission charges and museum shop sales after its installation.
High-Throughput Microarray Detection of Vomeronasal Receptor Gene Expression in Rodents

We performed comprehensive data mining to explore the vomeronasal receptor (V1R & V2R) repertoires in mouse and rat using the mm5 and rn3 genome, respectively. This bioinformatic analysis was followed by investigation of gene expression using a custom designed high-density oligonucleotide array containing all of these receptors and other selected genes of interest. This array enabled us to detect the specific expression of V1R and V2Rs which were previously identified solely based on computational prediction from gene sequence data, thereby establishing that these genes are indeed part of the vomeronasal system, especially the V2Rs. 168 V1Rs and 98 V2Rs were detected to be highly enriched in mouse vomeronasal organ (VNO), and 108 V1Rs and 87 V2Rs in rat VNO. We monitored the expression profile of mouse VR genes in other non-VNO tissues with the result that some VR genes were re-designated as VR-like genes based on their non-olfactory expression pattern. Temporal expression profiles for mouse VR genes were characterized and their patterns were classified, revealing the developmental dynamics of these so-called pheromone receptors. We found numerous patterns of temporal expression which indicate possible behavior-related functions. The uneven composition of VR genes in certain patterns suggests a functional differentiation between the two types of VR genes. We found the coherence between VR genes and transcription factors in terms of their temporal expression patterns. In situ hybridization experiments were performed to evaluate the cell number change over time for selected receptor genes.
Indications for operation in necrotizing enterocolitis revisited

Operation for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is reserved for infants with intestinal gangrene or perforation. It should not be undertaken until gangrene is present, but ideally should be performed before intestinal perforation occurs. To characterize the onset of intestinal gangrene, data were analyzed for 147 infants with documented NEC, 94 of whom had gangrene. Twelve criteria were evaluated as predictors of intestinal gangrene, using standard epidemiological measures for diagnostic tests. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and prevalence were calculated for each of the proposed operative criteria. The best indications were those whose specificity and positive predictive value approached 100%, and whose prevalence was greater than 10%. These were pneumoperitoneum, positive paracentesis, and portal venous gas. Good indications were those whose specificity and positive predictive value approached 100%, but whose prevalence was less than 10%. These were fixed intestinal loop noted on x-ray, erythema of the abdominal wall, and a palpable abdominal mass. A fair indication for operation--with 91% specificity, 94% positive predictive value, and prevalence of 20%--was "severe" pneumatosis intestinalis, graded by a radiographic system. Poorer indications for operation (and their predictive value for the presence of gangrene) were clinical deterioration (78%), platelet count below 100,000/mm3 (73%), abdominal tenderness (58%), severe gastrointestinal hemorrhage (50%), and gasless abdomen with ascites (0%). No test had a high sensitivity for intestinal gangrene. Portal venous gas should be acknowledged as an indication for operation. Probability analysis may provide a more scientific basis for clinical decision-making.
Cross-linked poly(orthocarbonate)s as organic solvent sorbents

A simple method for the synthesis of a series of cross-linked poly(orthocarbonate)s (CPOC), based on tetraethyl orthocarbonate, is reported. Structural evidence for CPOCs was obtained from 13C solid-state NMR, FT-IR, and thermal analysis. All polymers have high and fast uptake of organic fluids such as tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, dichloroethane, and the dry-cleaning fluid blend “trichlor”.
Scheduling for distributed sensor networks with single sensor measurement per time step

We examine the problem of distributed estimation when only one sensor can take a measurement per time step. We solve for the optimal recursive estimation algorithm when the sensor switching schedule is given. We then consider the effect of noise in communication channels. We also investigate the problem of determining an optimal sensor switching strategy. We see that this problem involves searching a tree in general and propose two strategies for pruning the tree to minimize the computation. The first is a sliding window strategy motivated by the Viterbi algorithm, and the second one uses thresholding. The performance of the algorithms is illustrated using numerical examples.
4-Aminobutyrate aminotransferase. Conformational changes induced by reduction of pyridoxal 5-phosphate.

Conformational changes induced in 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase (4-aminobutyrate:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.19) by conversion of pyridoxal-5-P were examined by two independent methods. The reactivity of the SH groups of the reduced enzyme is increased by chemical modification of the cofactor. 1.8 SH per dimer of modified enzyme react with DTNB, whereas 1.2 SH per dimer of the native enzyme react with the attacking reagent under identical experimental conditions. The modified and native forms of the enzyme bind the fluorescent probe ANS, but the number of binding sites for ANS is increased as result of conversion of P-pyridoxal to P-pyridoxyl. After the conformational changes onset by reduction of the cofactor, the modified enzyme binds one molecule of pyridoxal-5-P with a Kd of 0.1 μM to become catalytically competent. The catalytic site of the reduce enzyme was probed with P-pyridoxal analogs. Like resolved 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase, the reduced species recognize the phosphorothioate analog and regain 40% of the total enzymatic activity. Since the catalytic parameters of reduced and native 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase are indistinguishable, it is concluded that the additional catalytic site of the reduced enzyme is functionally identical to that of the native enzyme.
Does pharmacology corroborate the nicotine therapy and practices of South American shamanism

The use of tobacco by South American Indians is deeply rooted in their culture and thought. From early pre-Columbian times to the present, tobacco has functioned as an important psychotropic drug for magico-religious, medicinal and recreational purposes. Native interest in tobacco centers on the nicotine alkaloid it contains. Data culled from about 1800 sources and pertaining to nearly 300 societies reveal that South American Indians employ six major and several minor means of nicotine application. There exists a close functional relationship between tobacco and shamanism. The empirical ethnographical data base of nicotine application is compared to the comprehensive literature of experimental clinical studies of tobacco and nicotine. Ritual tobacco use aims to achieve acute nicotine intoxication. The pharmacological effects of the alkaloid on the human body are shown to have informed shamanic therapeutic practices and beliefs. Closely associated with soil cultivation, tobacco use in the New World is much more recent than shamanism. Thus, it is not the drug that gave origin to shamanic religion but religion that informed the effects of the drug.
The Optimal Locus Methodology in Process Control

An optimal locus concept is introduced as the basis for a real-time optimization methodology for a process subject to varying constraints. The optimal locus in the control plane contains all possible optimum points, and the actual point is found at the intersection of the optimal locus with the most limiting constraint. The controller based on this concept generates the optimal parameters in real time, and uses them as references to the control loops. The optimization methodology and control architecture are structured in a generalized way for application to processes having multiple variables and subject to several constraints. The proposed controller architecture can effectively control many machining processes. The optimal locus approach was applied to a grinding system and the experimental results verify the proposed theory.
An application of generalizability theory to study a physical performance measure in Parkinson's disease.

Clinicians and researchers frequently quantify impairments and functional ability to monitor patient’s symptoms and progress. For some patients, such as those with Parkinson’s disease (PD), symptoms can fluctuate from day to day, making reliable measurement difficult. Multiple measures then may be required to obtain reliable data. Decisions must be made, balancing the optimum measurement schedule to obtain “good reliability” against burden to the patient. This investigation demonstrates the use of Generalizability Theory in determining the testing schedule when designing an experiment involving patients with known fluctuations of symptoms. In this investigation we use “Functional Axial Rotation” (FAR), a measure of spinal flexibility, to illustrate the use of Generalizability Theory for designing an experiment using participants who have PD. Measurements of FAR were taken on 13 participants, aged 60 or older, who were in early and midstages of PD. Three measurements were obtained on each of two consecutive days, and repeated on two consecutive days a week later, giving a total of 12 measures of FAR for each individual. Four sources of variation (subject, week, day and trial) were employed to estimate the reliability of FAR under several designs. Assuming different schedules of measures across weeks, days and trials, the estimated reliability of FAR for four measurements is in the range of 0.75 to 0.83, and for eight measurements in the range of 0.82 to 0.86. We discuss the use of this type of analysis in the determination of the optimum measurement design for experiments involving subjects with known fluctuations.
On Multicast Algorithms for Heterogeneous Networks of Workstations

Networks of workstations (NOWs) provide an economical platform for high performance parallel computing. Such networks may comprise a variety of different types of workstations and network devices. This paper addresses the problem of efficient multicast in a heterogeneous communication model. Although the problem of finding optimal multicast schedules is known to be NP-complete in this model, a greedy algorithm has been shown experimentally to find good solutions in practice. In this paper we show that the greedy algorithm finds provably near-optimal schedules in polynomial time and that optimal schedules can be found in polynomial time when the number of distinct types of workstations is bounded by a constant. Specifically, this paper presents three results. First, when there are n workstations of some constant k distinct types, the greedy algorithm is shown to find schedules that complete at most a constant additive term later than optimal. Second, an algorithm is given that finds optimal schedules in time O(n2k). Finally, it is shown that for the general problem, the greedy algorithm finds solutions that complete the multicast in at most twice the optimal time.
New drugs from fat bugs

Signal transduction cascades, such as Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, are potentially important targets for new drugs. A new study in this issue of Cell Metabolism (Suh et al., 2006) identifies hedgehog signaling in the formation of the Drosophila fly body and in mammalian adipogenesis.
Perturbation theory for the Manakov soliton and its applications to pulse propagation in randomly birefringent fibers

We develop perturbation theory for the soliton of the Manakov equation, and apply it to the problem of soliton propagation in randomly birefringent fibers. We calculate both the slow evolution of the soliton parameters (through second order for two of them) as well as the radiation emitted by the soliton. Our analytical results agree well with the corresponding numerical results of earlier studies. We also relate results obtained with perturbation theory with those obtained from the intuitive picture of the dynamics of the soliton components as interacting quasiparticles.
Growth of AlN Single Crystals

Aluminum nitride is a wurtzite structure III–V compound, although epitaxial layers of zincblende structure AIN have been made. AlN melts congruently at 2750°C with dissociation pressure of 9 atmospheres. Boules of AIN have been successfully grown by a sublimation-recondensation technique at 2300°C employing tungsten crucibles. Growth rates of 0.3 mm per hour were attained at 1 bar pressure of N2, and crystals up to 22 mm long have been grown. An analysis of the growth process shows that the 9.75eV dissociation energy of N2 is the limiting factor in the growth rate. The growth rate is predicted to depend on the N2 pressure, but no experiments in this area have yet been concluded. The most satisfactory crucible material found so far for growing AIN is single crystal tungsten.
Change, Difference, and Orthodox Truthmaker Theory

Call the thesis that, possibly, there are two times, t1 and t2, such that everything that exists at t2 also exists at t1, but some things that exist at t1 do not exist at t2 Temporal Change. Call the thesis that, possibly, there are two worlds, w and v, such that everything that exists at v also exists at w, but some things that exist at w do not exist at v Modal Difference. I argue that if either Temporal Change or Modal Difference is true, then Orthodox Truthmaker Theory—the theory that every truth requires a necessitating truthmaker—is false.
Vibrational characterization of azobenzenes, azoxybenzenes and azoaromatic and azoxyaromatic polyethers

Raman and infrared spectra of a bisphenol-A-containing azoaromatic polyether, a bisphenol-A-containing azoxyaromatic polyether and a bisphenol-A-containing 2-hydroxyazoaromatic polyether were analyzed. Vibrational spectra were also collected for the corresponding model compounds 4,4′-(4-tert-butylphenoxy)azobenzene, 4,4′-(4-tert-butylphenoxy)azoxybenzene and 4,4′-(4-tert-butylphenoxy)-2-hydroxyazobenzene. Comparisons with substituted azobenzenes and azoxybenzenes were used in assigning the spectra in the 1650–900 cm-1 region. Assignments of the N=N stretch (1410–1390 cm-1) demonstrate that all of the compounds are in the trans configuration. The azo bridge vibrations of the azoaromatic ethers are very similar to those of azobenzene. Different types of hydrogen bonding are seen in the 2-hydroxyazoaromatic compounds. The polyether has an OH stretch at 3355 cm-1 which indicates a network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds among the polymers. The 2-hydroxyazoaromatic model compound has no IR peak above 3100 cm-1 and N=N, CO and CN stretches which are shifted due to an intramolecular hydrogen bond with the azo nitrogen. The N=N stretch of the azoxyaromatic ethers is at the same wavenumber as in the azo compounds. Assignment of the N→O stretch vibration is difficult because of mixing with other modes of the azoxy bridge. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of psychological/psychiatric symptomatology of women and men sexually abused as children

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore gender differences in symptomatology among sexual abuse survivors utilizing a standardized measure of specific symptom patterns, the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Method: Gender differences in symptomatology of adults sexually victimized as children were examined. Participants were 162 women and 25 men entering an outpatient treatment program for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in a university-based community mental health center. Symptomatology was measured using the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Results: Although no differences appeared when examining the raw data, the results changed dramatically once the data were converted into T -scores and epidemiological SCL-90-R gender differences were taken into account. The findings indicate that men exhibited significantly more interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, and phobic anxiety than women in relation to their respective normative samples. Conclusions: The use of nonclinical T -scores in this study allows for the interpretation that men survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) have higher levels of symptomatology than women survivors when compared to their respective normative samples.
Chemokine programming dendritic cell antigen response: part I – select chemokine programming of antigen uptake even after maturation

Summary Here, we report on the successful programming of dendritic cells (DCs) using selectively applied mixtures of chemokines as a novel protocol for engineering vaccine efficiency. Antigen internalization by DCs is a pivotal step in antigen uptake/presentation for bridging innate and adaptive immunity and in exogenous gene delivery used in vaccine strategies. Contrary to most approaches to improve vaccine efficiency, active enhancement of antigen internalization by DCs as a vaccine strategy has been less studied because DCs naturally down-regulate antigen internalization upon maturation. Whereas chemokines are mainly known as signal proteins that induce leucocyte chemotaxis, very little research has been carried out to identify any additional effects of chemokines on DCs following maturation. Here, immature DCs are pre-treated with select chemokines before intentional maturation using lipopolysaccharide (LPS). When pre-treated with a mixture of CCL3 and CCL19 in a 7 : 3 ratio, then matured with LPS, chemokine pre-treated DCs exhibited 36% higher antigen uptake capacity than immature DCs and 27% higher antigen-processing capacity than immature DCs treated only with LPS. Further, CCL3 : CCL19 (7 : 3) pre-treatment of DCs modulated MHC molecule expression and secretion of various cytokines of DCs. Collectively, DC programming was feasible using a specific chemokine combination and these results provide a novel strategy for enhancing DC-based vaccine efficiency. In Part II, we report on the phenotype changes and antigen presentation capacity of chemokine pre-treated murine bone marrow-derived DCs examined in long-term co-culture with antigen-specific CD4+ T cells.
Increase in retinal hypoxia-inducible factor-2α, but not hypoxia, early in the progression of diabetes in the rat.

Hypoxia and the associated hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) may be influential in the progression of diabetic retinopathy. However, little is known of the extent of hypoxia and the levels of HIFs early in the progression of the disease. In the current study, we injected the oxygen-dependent probe pimonidazole (Hypoxyprobe™-1) into diabetic rats, and also performed immunohistochemistry to determine the retinal levels of HIF-1α and HIF-2α. The rats were made diabetic using a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg), with vehicle-injected rats used as non-diabetic controls. The measurements of hypoxia and HIF levels were obtained three weeks following STZ injection, at which time we have previously found significant decreases in retinal blood flow in the same model. In the current experiments, no increases in either HIF-1α or hypoxia were observed in the diabetic rats (compared with controls), and there was even a tendency for hypoxia levels to be decreased (tissue more highly oxygenated). However, we did observe an increase in HIF-2α in the retinas of the diabetic rats. Therefore, we conclude that early diabetes-induced increases in HIF-2α occur independently of hypoxia.
The Pendulum as a Source of Energy for Plasticity Measurements

Abstract ADVANCEMENT in methods for studying the consistency of rubber during the last 10 years has been confined largely to various modifications of previous tests and to better interpretation of the data obtained. The extrusion plastometer introduced by Marzetti (11) has been modified by Behre (1) to provide a battery of instruments, by Dillon and Johnston (5) to provide more simple apparatus capable of operating at increased rates of shear, and by Dillon (4) to provide an instrument for rapid control work. The parallel-plate plastometer (16) has received numerous modifications of form. DeVries (2) modified the plates to provide a constant area of contact with the rubber. This modification was used by van Rossem and van der Meyden (14) who stressed the necessity of following the elastic recovery as well as the rate of compression. Karrer (8) pointed out the need for controlling the time factor during compression and recovery and has described an instrument (9) with which each measurement requires about ...
Charge and Size Distributions of Electrospray Drops

Abstract The distributions of charge q and diameter d of drops emitted from electrified liquid cones in the cone-jet mode are investigated with two aerosol instruments. A differential mobility analyzer (DMA, Vienna type) first samples the spray drops, selects those with electrical mobilities within a narrow band, and either measures the associated current or passes them to a second instrument. The drops may also be individually counted optically and sized by sampling them into an aerodynamic size spectrometer (API's Aerosizer). For a given cone-jet, the distribution of charge q for the main electrospray drops is some 2.5 times broader than their distribution of diameters d , with q max / q min ∼ 4. But mobility-selected drops have relative standard deviations of only 5% for both d and q , showing that the support of the ( q , d ) distribution is a narrow band centered around a curve q ( d ). The approximate one-dimensionality of this support region is explained through the mechanism of jet breakup, which is a random process with only one degree of freedom: the wavelength of axial modulation of the jet. The observed near constancy of the charge over volume ratio ( q ∼ d 3 ) shows that the charge is frozen in the liquid surface at the time scale of the breakup process. The charge over volume ratio of the primary drops varies between 98 and 55% of the ratio of spray current I over liquid flow rate Q , and decreases at increasing Q . I / Q is therefore an unreliable measure of the charge density of these drops.
Is cholangiography required for ex situ splitting of cadaveric livers

Anomalous biliary anatomy is encountered frequently and, if not considered at the time of ex situ splitting of a cadaveric liver into left lateral segment and right lobe grafts, right-sided second-order ducts that enter the left system, or the segment IV duct, may be damaged, leading to biliary complications in the recipients. Bench cholangiography facilitates delineation of these anomalies, but if one considers the commonly encountered variations in biliary anatomy, in relation to the correct plane of division of the left hepatic duct (away from the hilum, close to the umbilical fissure), it is possible to avoid inadvertent injury to right-sided sectoral ducts. This approach, combined with careful probing of the ducts and absolute identification of the segment IV duct negates the contribution of cholangiography.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: The nurse's legal duty to serve

Some nurses are reluctant to care for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected clients because of fear of contagion and discomfort in caring for people with alternate life-styles. Various federal, state, and local antidiscrimination statutes limit the right of the nurse to refuse to care for people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or HIV infection. Other constraints are employment contracts, ethical codes of professional organizations, and regulations of state licensing boards. Nurses have rights as well as responsibilities in caring for AIDS or HIV-infected patients. They also have a professional responsibility to institute measures that minimize the need for litigation and ensure access to health care for everyone.
Thymus dependency of neonatal tolerance induction in the absence of detectable suppressor cells

Abstract Neonatal thymectomy prevents tolerance induction with bovine serum albumin (BSA) in Wistar Furth (WF) rats whose thymus-derived (T) cell deficit is reconstituted with adult nonadherent peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Sham-thymectomized (STx) rats given PBL become tolerant. To establish whether the adult T cells become tolerant in STx rats, their carrier-reactivity was studied in a cooperative immune response following challenge with methylated BSA (mBSA). The results indicate that carrier-reactive cells, derived from PBL, do become tolerant of BSA in the presence, but not in the absence, of the thymus. To determine whether thymic function during tolerance induction is mediated by suppressor T cells, attempts were made to replace the thymus with various populations of thymocytes or lymphoid cells from neonatal or adult normal rats or neonatal BSA-injected rats. No cell population tried could substitute for the thymus during tolerance induction. In addition, it was found that BSA-tolerant rats with intact thymi do not contain either nonspecific suppressor cells whose activity can be boosted with mBSA or specific suppressor activity demonstrable on transfer to normal rats. Timed thymectomy experiments showed that the thymus is required for more than 2, but less than 5 to 7 days after tolerogen injection for significant tolerance induction. These results imply that the thymus itself is necessary for tolerance induction in a peripheral T-cell population and that its effect is not mediated by suppressor cells. It is suggested that peripheral T helper cells may periodically recirculate through the thymus, at least in young rats, and become tolerant of antigen complexed with Ia antigens in the thymic epithelium. Such a mechanism may be of great importance in the development of self-recognition.
Stereochemical biotransformation of warfarin as a probe of the homogeneity and mechanism of microsomal hydroxylases

Abstract The hepatic microsomal metabolism of R and S warfarin by normal Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats was compared with that of phenobarbital (PB) and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC)-pretreated animals. In all the microsomal systems examined, R warfarin was metabolized faster than the S enantiomer. Induction of microsomal mixed-function oxidase activity with PB, and especially 3-MC, caused significant alterations in the normal stereochemical pattern of R and S warfarin hydroxylation which were independent of the method of microsomal preparation and the technique employed in the quantitation of hydroxylated products. PB pretreatment of Sprague-Dawley rats resulted in an increase in all hydroxylated products but to differing extents. Similar results were obtained from Wistar rats except for the processes of 4' and benzylic hydroxylation of ( S ) warfarin. 3-MC pretreatment resulted in the selective induction of 6- and 8-hydroxylation in both species. These results suggest that liver microsomes from normal animals contain at least two major, A and B, and two minor, C and D, mono-oxygenases which differ in their stereoselectivity (as measured by the rates for the formation of two enantiomeric products), regioselectivity (as measured by the ratio of any two isomeric products from the same substrate), and inducibility. In this model, normal animals have hydroxylase activity enzyme A which is not inducible by PB or 3-MC and which is stereoselective for the R enantiomer of warfarin in 7- and benzylic hydroxylation and for the S enantiomer in 4'-hydroxylation. Microsomes from normal and PB-induced animals contain additional hydroxylase activity, enzyme B, which catalyzes both the 6- and 8-hydroxylation of warfarin and which has low stereoselectivity but is regioselective for 6-hydroxylation. Enzyme B may also be responsible for some 4'-hydroxylation. PB-induced animals have additional mono-oxygenase activity, enzyme C, which displays the opposite stereoselectivity compared to enzyme A for benzylic and less stereoselectivity for 7-hydroxylation. 3-MC-induced animals have greatly enhanced levels of 6- and 8-hydroxylase activity, enzyme D, which is stereoselective for the R enantiomer and regioselective for 8-hydroxylation of R warfarin and 6-hydroxylation of S warfarin.
Intensive Feeding of Grass Carp in Ponds

Abstract Growth and feed consumption were determined for yearling grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) stocked at a rate of 8,000/hectare in earthen ponds and fed either a practical-type catfish diet or diets in which dehydrated alfalfa meal comprised either 19 or 38% of the formula. The diets were formulated to be approximately equal in estimated digestible energy (2.9 kcal/g) and digestible protein (27.7-28.4%) and to meet all nutritional requirements for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). The fish grew from an average stocking size of 63 g to an average harvest size of 192 g with an average feed conversion of 2 g feed per gram of weight gain in 84 d. Fish fed the diet containing 19% alfalfa meal had faster weight gain and lower feed conversion (P < 0.05) than fish fed the other two diets. Analyses of digestive tract contents, before and after feeding, showed that natural pond foods accounted for only about 5% of the ingesta, by volume, indicating that supplemental feed provided most of the nutrient...
Control of hindlimb posture by wind-sensitive hairs and antennae during locust flight.

1. Steering movements of tethered, flying locusts,Schistocerca gregaria, subjected to simulated yaw were examined under open-loop conditions. Lateral movements of hindlimbs or curling of the abdomen were monitored with a capacitive movement transducer and were interpreted as indicating the tendency of the animal to turn. 2. Three responses to simulated yaw were noted: 1) Yaw-correcting upwind turning tendencies (Figs. 1, 2, 3). 2) Downwind turning tendencies (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5), and 3) transient adjustments of hindlimb position consistent with an upwind turning tendency occurred in animals that made either no sustained postural adjustments of hindlimbs, or that exhibited sustained downwind turning tendencies (Figs. 4, 5). 3. Ablations of certain mechanoreceptors tested their roles in wind detection and wind angle determination. The expression of upwind turning tendencies, whether sustained or transient, depends on inputs from cephalic mechanosensory hairplates (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5). With hairplates occluded, all locusts exhibited downwind turning tendencies. All downwind turning tendencies depend on inputs from the antennae (Figs. 2, 3). 4. Antennae and hairplates operate in an apparent antagonism in the steering responses they produce, which may provide the control flexibility required for complex flight maneuvering.
Factors influencing triage decisions in patients referred for ICU admission.

Background: Few data is available on triage of critically ill patients. Because the demand for ICU beds often exceeds their availability, frequently intensivists need to triage these patients in order to equally and efficiently distribute the available resources based on the concept of potential benefit and reasonable chance of recovery. The objective of this study is to evaluate factors influencing triage decisions among patients referred for ICU admission and to assess its impact in outcome. Methods: A single-center, prospective, observational study of 165 consecutive triage evaluations was conducted in patients referred for ICU admission that were either accepted, or refused and treated on the medical or surgical wards as well as the step-down and telemetry units. Results: Seventy-one patients (43.0%) were accepted for ICU admission. Mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE)-II score was 15.3 (0 - 36) and 13.9 (0 - 30) for accepted and refused patients, respectively. Three patients (4.2%) had active advance directives on admission to ICU. Age, gender, and number of ICU beds available at the time of evaluation were not associated with triage decisions. Thirteen patients (18.3%) died in ICU, while the in-hospital mortality for refused patients was 12.8%. Conclusion: Refusal of admission to ICU is common, although patients in which ICU admission is granted have higher mortality. Presence of active advance directives seems to play an important role in the triage decision process. Further efforts are needed to define which patients are most likely to benefit from ICU admission. Triage protocols or guidelines to promote efficient critical care beds use are warranted. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jocmr1501w
Conditions variation and procedural improvement for hydrothermal crystal growth of oxides under highly oxidizing conditions

Abstract The hydrothermal technique for the growth of small single crystals of the higher oxides of the rare earths has been investigated with a view toward increasing crystal size and perfection. Conditions such as the substrate: mineralizer ratio, pressure cycling, capsule size and charge concentration, depressurization rate and temperature, thermal gradient and initial and final growth pressure were investigated.
Effect of age and alcohol consumption on plasma lipids in the rat

Rats aged 6 weeks (young), 6 months (mature), and 20 months (senescent) were offered alcohol ad libitum for 3 weeks to study the interrelationship between alcohol, age, and serum lipids. Although the total quantity of alcohol consumption increased with age, senescent rats actually consumed less alcohol per gram body weight per day as compared to either mature or young rats. Increasing age alone was associated with higher levels of total serum cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Triglyceride levels were not affected by age. Alcohol consumption elevated high density lipoprotein cholesterol in young rats, however, did not alter this lipid fraction in either mature or senescent rats. Triglyceride levels were elevated by alcohol only in senescent rats.
Activation of Heat-Shock Factor by Stretch-Activated Channels in Rat Hearts

Background— Previously, we have observed that the isolated, erythrocyte-perfused rabbit heart has increased levels of heat-shock protein (HSP) 72 after a mild mechanical stress. We hypothesized that stretch-activated ion channels (SACs) mediated this increase. Methods and Results— To test this hypothesis, we subjected isolated, perfused rat hearts to mechanical stretch. Gel mobility shift assay showed that heat-shock factor (HSF) was activated in hearts with mechanical stretch, but not in controls. Supershift experiments demonstrated that HSF1 was the transcription factor. Northern blots revealed the concomitant increase in HSP72 mRNA in stretched rat hearts. In a separate set of experiments, gadolinium, an inhibitor of SACs, was added to the perfusate. Gadolinium inhibited the activation of HSF and decreased HSP72 mRNA level. Because gadolinium can inhibit both SACs and L-type calcium channels, we perfused a group of hearts with diltiazem, a specific L-type calcium channel blocker, to eliminate the invol...
Seed germination, seedling inoculation and establishment of Alnus spp. in containers in greenhouse trials

Methods for production of containerized seedlings ofAlnus species were developed which permit nitrogen-fixing nodules to form on the root systems prior to outplanting, in order to provide an early nitrogen input during seedling establishment. The methods are based on procedures for inoculating root systems with suspensions ofFrankia (Actinomycetales), applied either directly in the container cell as a soil drench at the time of seeding, or as a root dip for seedlings transplanted into the containers. Germination of dried, stored seed was enhanced by light and by presoaking for 16 h in water. Pretreatments to overcome seed dormancy or to eliminate fungal pathogens did not further enhance germination. Some loss of seedlings was recorded in the early stages of growth shortly after germination, which is a factor in calculating projected seedling yield. Nodulation and seedling growth were evaluated in terms of growth media characteristics. Seedlings performed well in peat-vermiculite, at soil pH between 5.5 and 8.0.