cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Myelinated fiber regeneration after crush injury is retarded in sciatic nerves of aging mice

To compare nerve regeneration in young adult and aging mice, the right sciatic nerves of 6- and 24-month-old mice were crushed at the sciatic notch. Two weeks later, both groups of mice were perfused with an aldehyde solution, and, after additional fixation, the sciatic nerves were processed so that the transverse sections of each nerve subsequently studied by light and electron microscopy included the entire posterior tibial fascicle 5 mm distal to the crush site. The same level was sectioned in unoperated contralateral nerves; these nerves served as controls. Electron micrographs and the Bioquant Image Analysis System IV were used to measure areas of posterior tibial fascicles and count the number of myelinated axons, the number of unmyelinated axons, and their frequency in Schwann cell units. In aging mice, the total number of regenerating myelinated axons was significantly reduced, but totals of regenerating unmyelinated axons in aging and young adults did not differ significantly. In aging mice, the frequency of Schwann cells that contained a single unmyelinated axon was greater, suggesting that before myelination began, Schwann cell ensheathment of axons also was slowed. After axotomy by a crush injury, the area of the posterior tibial fascicle was less than that in young adults and the distal disintegration of myelin sheath remnants also appeared to be retarded. The results indicate that responses of neurons, axons, and Schwann cells could be important in slowing the regeneration of myelinated fibers found in sciatic nerves from aging mice.
Worlds Built on Avian Excrement

In this environmental history of the Pacific world, Cushman demonstrates the fundamental role played by guano.
Functional Antibody CDR3 Fusion Proteins with Enhanced Pharmacological Properties

Most mammalian antibodies have complementarity determining region (CDR) loops of 8–16 residues, while some human antibodies have longer, protruding CDR loops that play a role in virus neutralization.[1] The bovine antibody repertoire features a subgroup of antibodies with exceptionally long heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3H) loops. The lengths of CDR3H in these bovine antibodies range from 40 to 67 amino acid residues.[2] We recently solved the X-ray crystal structure of bovine antibody BLV1H12 which has a CDR3H of 61 residues (Figure 1).[3] The crystal structure revealed a novel CDR3H structure that forms a solvent exposed 2-stranded antiparallel sheet ~20 A (7 amino acids) in length (the stalk region). This β-sheet terminates in a folded protein domain that is stabilized by three pairs of disulfide bonds (the knob region). This knob region was shown to play a critical role in recognition of a viral antigen in the case of one such bovine antibody.[3] Herein we asked whether the knob region of BLV1H12 can be substituted with other native protein and peptide ligands to create chimeric antibodies with new or enhanced properties. For example, such fusion proteins may have improved serum half-lives relative to the native polypeptide,[4] improved binding affinity or specificity due to interactions of the cognate receptor with the other bovine CDRs (or simply through bivalent binding), or improved expression and/or stability in the context of the antibody framework. To begin to explore these possibilities, we first attempted to substitute bovine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (bGCSF) for the knob region in CDR3H of antibody BLV1H12.[5] The resulting bovine antibody-bGCSF (Ab-bGCSF) fusion protein was stably expressed in mammalian cells, exhibits potency similar to bGCSF in proliferating GCSF-dependent cells, and can significantly increase and sustain neutrophil populations for over three weeks in rodents.
Increase of Diamagnetic Susceptibility on the Death of Living Cells

ACCORDING to E. Bauer's theory, the lack of equilibrium in living systems is due to an excited state of the protein molecules of the protoplasm. The maintenance of this state is operated through the process of metabolism, collisions of the second kind between the molecules of the protoplasm and those of the food substance leading to an activation of the latter, and their chemical energy, set free in the reaction, being used to maintain the active, excited state of the molecules of the living substance1.
Interactive Confidence Test Scoring and Interpretation.

Confidence scored tests allow subjects to respond to the options on a multiple choice test by assigning probabilities to each of the item options. Reproducing scoring functions applied to the set of response probabilities produces scores which are maximized in the long run, if and only if, probabilities assigned to correct answers are equal to the proportion of times those probabilities are assigned to correct answers. This maximizing property makes it possible to separate evidence of knowledge from confidence in knowledge. Such separation has the potential for providing more reliable and valid measures of learning as well as information about the tendency to overvalue or undervalue one's information. This paper describes an interactive computer program for administering, scoring, and interpreting the results of confidence tests.
Tibial Pilon Fractures: A Comparison of Treatment Methods

ObjectiveThis retrospective review of surgically treated distal tibia fractures was undertaken to determine whether treatment with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) was more efficacious in achieving fracture union than one of two external fixation methods.MethodsOf the 60 study patients wi
Lung Cancer and the Debrisoquine Metabolic Phenotype

In a case-control study, we tested the hypothesis that the genetically determined ability to metabolize debrisoquine is related to risk of lung cancer. Overall, individuals who were extensive metabolizers of debrisoquine were at significantly greater risk of lung cancer than those who were poor or intermediate metabolizers (odds ratio = 6.1; 95% confidence interval = 2.2-17.1). In this study, case patients had lung cancer, and control subjects had either chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cancers other than lung cancer. Results were adjusted for age, race, asbestos exposure, and smoking. Both black and white individuals who were extensive metabolizers of debrisoquine were at significantly increased risk after similar adjustment (for blacks, odds ratio = 4.5, 95% confidence interval = 1.1-18.1; for whites, odds ratio = 10.2, 95% confidence interval = 2.0-51.4). Significantly increased risk of lung cancer was also present for individuals who were extensive metabolizers when subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other cancers were considered separately. These data confirm that the ability to metabolize debrisoquine is a major determinant of susceptibility to lung cancer. Evaluation of the marker in other case-control settings, further exploration of racial differences, and the prospective evaluation of this marker in subgroups at high risk of lung cancer are areas worthy of further study.
Estimation of N2 fixation based on differences in the natural abundance of 15N among freshwater N2-fixing and non-N2-fixing algae.

The dynamics of nitrogen supply was investigated for blue-green and green algae from Smith Lake and other freshwaters of subarctic and arctic Alska. The natural abundance of 15N (defined as δ15N) of six N2-fixing blue-green algae was 1.0±%o(X±SE), indicating supply of metabolic nitrogen from atmospheric N2 (δ15N=0.0). The δ15N of six green algae showed an average of 6.6±4.5%o, which is significantly higher than δ15N of N2-fixing blue-green algae from the same waters, reflecting the utilization of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN). Nitrogen-fixing algae also showed higher nitrogen content (7.1±2.1%) than non-N2-fixing algae (2.9±1.5%). The δ15N of a bloom-forming species, Anabaena flos-aquae (Lyngb.) Breb. in Smith Lake showed no significant interannual variations during a three-year study period. The changes in δ15N during each bloom were probably due to variations in the 15N composition of DIN and in the proportional uptake of DIN and N2 fixation. An estimation of the fractional contribution of atmosphere-derived nitrogen (ADN) from δ15N indicated that A. flos-aquae obtained 58-75% of its nitrogen by N2 fixation. This technique agreed with the result obtained using a 15N2 enrichment method. The δ15N of the presumed N2-fixing terrestrial plant was similar to that of the atmospheric N2, whereas the δ15N of the presumed non-N2-fixing terrestrial plants reflected their nitrogen sources.
Comparative performance of indicator algorithms for modeling conditional probability distribution functions

This paper compares the performance of four algorithms (full indicator cokriging. adjacent cutoffs indicator cokriging, multiple indicator kriging, median indicator kriging) for modeling conditional cumulative distribution functions (ccdf).The latter three algorithms are approximations to the theoretically better full indicator cokriging in the sense that they disregard cross-covariances between some indicator variables or they consider that all covariances are proportional to the same function. Comparative performance is assessed using a reference soil data set that includes 2649 locations at which both topsoil copper and cobalt were measured. For all practical purposes, indicator cokriging does not perform better than the other simpler algorithms which involve less variogram modeling effort and smaller computational cost. Furthermore, the number of order relation deviations is found to be higher for cokriging algorithms, especially when constraints on the kriging weights are applied.
Active-Site Dynamics in RNA Polymerases

New crystal structures of transcription complexes formed by bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase reveal a nucleotide-addition cycle driven by active-site conformational changes similar to those observed in DNA polymerases, and suggest provocative hypotheses for the more complex multisubunit RNA polymerases of free-living organisms.
An international assessment of energy security performance

Energy security has in recent years grown as a salient policy and political issue. To better understand energy security and sustainability concerns, this study's main objective is to present an energy security index which measures national performance on energy security over time. Based on three years of research involving interviews, surveys, and an international workshop, this study conceptualizes energy security as consisting of the interconnected factors of availability, affordability, efficiency, sustainability, and governance. It then matches these factors with 20 metrics comprising an energy security index, measuring international performance across 18 countries from 1990 to 2010. It offers three case studies of Japan (top performer), Laos (middle performer), and Myanmar (w]orst performer) to provide context to the index's results. It then presents four conclusions. First, a majority of countries analyzed have regressed in terms of their energy security. Second, despite the near total deterioration of energy security, a great disparity exists between countries, with some clear leaders such as Japan. Third, tradeoffs exist within different components of energy security. Fourth, creating energy security is as much a matter of domestic policy from within as it is from foreign policy without.
Intrastream variation in growth rates and time of first otolith increment formation for young of the year Etheostoma simoterum (Cope) (Perciformes : Percidae)

Growth rates and otolith-estimated hatching dates of young of the year Etheostoma simoterum were studied at four localities along an elevational gradient in the Little River, Tennessee, U.S.A. during the summer of 1983. Changes in otolith increment width and mean daily air temperature corresponded well with each other, suggesting that increments were laid down daily. Growth rate increased nearly threefold from the highest elevation site to the lowest. Median otolith-estimated hatching dates differed by about 2 weeks between sites, and the pattern was not directly related to elevation. These data indicate that within-stream, life-history variation of a broadly distributed species should be taken into consideration when studying factors regulating stream fish populations along elevational gradients.
The wealth effects of smoking

Objective: To investigate the impact of smoking on the wealth of US young baby boomers. Methodology: The research analyses self reported responses of both smoking habits and wealth holdings from a nationally representative sample of US individuals born between 1957 to 1964 (n = 8908). Data are from four waves (1984, 1992, 1994, 1998) of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 cohort, a random survey of individuals conducted by the US Department of Labor using a stratified multistage area sample design. Results: Regression results show lower net worth is associated with smoking, after holding constant a variety of demographic factors. Respondents who were ever heavy smokers are associated with a reduction in net worth of over $8300 while light smokers are $2000 poorer compared to non-smokers. Beyond this reduction, each adult year of smoking is associated with a decrease in net worth of $410 or almost 4%. Conclusions: While a causal relation cannot be proven, smokers appear to pay for tobacco expenditures out of income that is saved by non-smokers. Hence, reductions in smoking will boost wealth, especially among the poor.
Randomly Selected Hydrophobic Peptides Inhibit Lassa Pseudovirus

Lassa fever is a hemorrhagic fever endemic in West Africa. Currently the only available treatment, ribavirin, is only effective in the early stages of infection. Due to the limited efficacy of ribavirin, new drugs are needed to combat Lassa fever. In recent years many peptides have been developed as entry inhibitors against numerous viruses. Many of these peptides share a common trait; they are somewhat hydrophobic and have a tendency to partition into membranes. It is hypothesized that many of these peptides disrupt the physical chemistry of the membrane, inhibiting the virus from fusing with the host cell. In this study hydrophobic membrane interacting peptides were selected and challenged against a Lassa pseudovirus. This pseudovirus is composed of an HIV core (pSG3Δenv) and the Lassa envelop (Josiah strain), and allows us to study the virus, a BSL-4 pathogen, in a BSL-2 environment. Infection of the pseudovirus was detected using TZM HeLa cells, a cell line containing a gene that encodes luciferase which is promoted by tat, an HIV core protein. Initially ten hydrophobic peptides were selected; nine of which were discovered for characteristics other than antiviral activity. Interestingly, some were found to inhibit the virus while others increased viral activity. Of the peptides that inhibited the virus, the two peptides that showed the greatest antiviral activity were discovered from the same peptide library. More peptides from that library were then tested against the Lassa pseudovirus, most of which showed antiviral activity and low toxicity. In the next phase of this work these peptides will provide an archetype for the design of a combinatorial peptide library to optimize Lassa viral entry inhibition.
Dynamic adaptive virtual core mapping to improve power, energy, and performance in multi-socket multicores

Consider a multithreaded parallel application running inside a multicore virtual machine context that is itself hosted on a multi-socket multicore physical machine. How should the VMM map virtual cores to physical cores? We compare a local mapping, which compacts virtual cores to processor sockets, and an interleaved mapping, which spreads them over the sockets. Simply choosing between these two mappings exposes clear tradeoffs between performance, energy, and power. We then describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of a system that automatically and dynamically chooses between the two mappings. The system consists of a set of efficient online VMM-based mechanisms and policies that (a) capture the relevant characteristics of memory reference behavior, (b) provide a policy and mechanism for configuring the mapping of virtual machine cores to physical cores that optimizes for power, energy, or performance, and (c) drive dynamic migrations of virtual cores among local physical cores based on the workload and the currently specified objective. Using these techniques we demonstrate that the performance of SPEC and PARSEC benchmarks can be increased by as much as 66%, energy reduced by as much as 31%, and power reduced by as much as 17%, depending on the optimization objective.
Exercise-induced increase in skeletal muscle vasodilatory responses in Obese Zucker rats

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that exercise training improves microvascular function in obese Zucker rats, a model of obesity and type II diabetes. Animals were divided into four age-matched groups: lean sedentary (LS), lean exercise (LE), obese sedentary (OS), and obese exercise (OE). The exercise groups were treadmill-exercised from 5 to 11 wk of age, including a 2-wk acclimation period. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was not significantly different between any of the groups. The OS had significantly higher mean body weight, blood glucose, insulin, IL-6, and leptin levels compared with the LS, whereas the OE had significantly lower blood glucose, insulin, and IL-6 levels compared with the OS. Functional hyperemia and endothelial-dependent vasodilation were tested in the spinotrapezius muscle using intravital microscopy. Functional hyperemia and acetylcholine (0.1 μM, 1 μM, and 10 μM) responses were significantly attenuated in OS compared with the LS, while the contraction and ACh-induced (1 μM and 10 μM) vasodilation were significantly increased in both LE and OE compared with the sedentary animals. These results suggest that exercise training can improve vascular function in this model of type II diabetes. Moreover, the impaired vasodilation observed in 11-wk-old OZR suggests that the microvascular dysfunction is not likely due to an elevated blood pressure.
Resonance suppression through variable stiffness and damping mechanisms

This paper describes the modifications in the dynamic behavior of a building structure when devices with variable stiffness and damping are installed in parallel with a low- damping isolation system. The results of eigen-value analyses of linear-elastic structural models with varying degrees of isolation stiffness and damping direct the subsequent design of a semi-active deice. A hydraulic semi- active actuator is designed to minimize an H2 norm of the closed loop system. Details regarding the energy storage mechanisms of the device are retained in the device model. The energy dissipation mechanisms are idealized to be viscous in nature. The actuator behaves essentially as a visco-elastic Maxwell element with a variable damping coefficient. The response time of the control-valve mechanism in this actuator is studied to reveal the relative benefits of a valve that is fast to open and valve that is fast to close. Device parameters that result in a variable damping and variable damping and variable stiffness properties are given. A model-independent, bang-bang, control rule is employed to illustrate the closed loop control system when variable damping and variable stiffness embodiments are deployed. Rules governing the placement of device with this control rule are given when the device is primarily dissipative.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On rational reciprocity

A method for deriving "rational" nth power reciprocity laws from general ones is described. It is applied in the cases n = 3, 4, 8 , yielding results of von Lienen, Burde, Williams.
Evolutionary Screening of Biomimetic Coatings for Selective Detection of Explosives

Susceptibility of chemical sensors to false positive signals remains a common drawback due to insufficient sensor coating selectivity. By mimicking biology, we have demonstrated the use of sequence-specific biopolymers to generate highly selective receptors for trinitrotoluene and 2,4-dinitrotoluene. Using mutational analysis, we show that the identified binding peptides recognize the target substrate through multivalent binding with key side chain amino acid elements. Additionally, our peptide-based receptors embedded in a hydrogel show selective binding to target molecules in the gas phase. These experiments demonstrate the technique of receptor screening in liquid to be translated to selective gas-phase target binding, potentially impacting the design of a new class of sensor coatings.
Interferometer Experiment with Independent Local Oscillators

We have operated an interferometer with independent local oscillators and without any communication link of wide bandwidth between the elements of the interferometer. This makes operation possible at very long base lines because, heretofore, construction of the communications link has been the factor limiting the separation of the elements. In our system, coherence at the two elements is maintained through the use of two highly stable, atomic oscillators. The intermediate-frequency output signals are recorded at each element on a high-speed digital tape recorder. Interference fringes are produced later by cross-correlating the two tape records in a digital computer.
Evaluation of mini-mental status examination score after gamma knife radiosurgery as the first radiation treatment for brain metastases

This study evaluated the mini-mental status examination (MMSE) scores of patients with brain metastases after gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) without whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT). Between January 2009 and June 2011, 119 consecutive patients with new brain metastases were treated with a single session of GKS without WBRT. MMSE scores were determined for all patients before GKS and for surviving patients every 3 months after GKS. We evaluated 76 patients (63.9 %) after GKS. The median pre-GKS MMSE score was 28 (range 3–30). The median age, number of brain metastases, and total volume of brain metastases were 65.5 years (range 40–92 years), 2 (range 1–18), and 4.17 ml (range 0.04–27.0 ml), respectively. The median marginal dose was 22.0 Gy (range 14–24 Gy). Thirty-nine patients (51.3 %) developed new distant lesions. The median MMSE follow-up time was 5.8 months (range 0.9–21.6 months). In 16 of 37 patients (43.2 %) with pre-GKS MMSE scores ≤27, the MMSE scores improved by ≥3 points, whereas 15 of all patients (19.7 %) experienced deteriorations of ≥3 points. The incidences of 3-point drops due to new distant lesions and adverse radiation effects were 2.6 and 1.3 %, respectively. The 12-month rate of 3-point drops of the MMSE score due to these 2 causes was 4.2 % (1 of 24 patients). A larger tumor volume was a better prognostic factor for an improvement. GKS has a mild effect on neurocognitive function. Mental deterioration of patients with large symptomatic metastatic tumors tended to improve after GKS.
Description of the preimaginal stages of Dactylosternum cacti (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae, Sphaeridiinae)

The immature stages of Dactylosternum cacti (LeConte, 1855) are described, and information on the biology of this species is included. The larva of this species is compared to a larva associated with adults of Dactylosternum subrotundum (Fabricius, 1792) from Brazil; differences between both larvae raise questions about their congenerity.
Leukokinetic Studies V. Uptake of Tritiated Diisopropylfluorophosphate by Leukocytes.

ConclusionsUptake of tritiated diisopropylfluorophosphate (H3-DFP) by various morphologic types of leukocytes after labeling in vitro and in vivo has been studied. When leukocytes from normal subjects and patients with leukemia were labeled in vitro, myelocytes labeled most intensely. Metamyelocytes and polymorphonuclear (PMN) neutrophils contained about half as many grains/cell as the myelocytes. Lymphocytes, eosinophils, and basophils did not bind significant amounts of DFP under the conditions of this study while a few monocytes were lightly labeled. Granulocytes in both blood and bone marrow were labeled after intravenous injection of H3-DFP. Relative degree of labeling was as follows: blood PMN neutrophils, 1.0; marrow PMN neutrophils, 0.3; marrow metamyelocytes. 0.2: and marrow myelocytes, 0.6. None of the other formed elements in either blood or bone marrow contained significant amounts of the label.
Current data do not support routine use of patient-specific instrumentation in total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) versus standard instrumentation for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with regard to coronal and sagittal alignment, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and cost. A systematic query in search of relevant studies was performed, and the data published in these studies were extracted and aggregated. In regard to coronal alignment, PSI demonstrated improved accuracy in femorotibial angle (FTA) (P = 0.0003), while standard instrumentation demonstrated improved accuracy in hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA) (P = 0.02). Importantly, there were no differences between treatment groups in the percentages of FTA or HKA outliers (>3 degrees from target alignment) (P = 0.7). Sagittal alignment, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and cost were also similar between groups (P > 0.1 for all comparisons).
Textile Handcraft Guild Participation: A Conduit to Successful Aging

The purpose of this study was to explore inductively older women's involvement in textile handcraft guilds as a conduit for successful aging. Research salient to textile handcraft guilds and the pr...
The use of an electron beam ion trap in the study of highly charged ions

The Electron Beam Ion Trap (EBIT) is a relatively new tool for the study of highly charged ions. Its development has led to a variety of new experimental opportunities; measurements have been performed with EBITs using techniques impossible with conventional ion sources or storage rings. In this paper, I will highlight the various experimental techniques we have developed and the results we have obtained using the EBIT and higher-energy Super-EBIT built at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
The IPNS second harmonic RF upgrade

The intense pulsed neutron source (IPNS) rapid cycling synchrotron (RCS) is used to accelerate protons from 50 MeV to 450 MeV, at a repetition rate of 30 Hz. The original ring design included two identical rf systems, each consisting of an accelerating cavity, cavity bias supply, power amplifiers and low-level analog electronics. The original cavities are located 180 degrees apart in the ring and provide a total peak accelerating voltage of ~21 kV over the 2.21-MHz to 5.14-MHz revolution frequency sweep. A third rf system has been constructed and installed in the RCS. The third rf system is capable of operating at the fundamental revolution frequency for the entire acceleration cycle, providing an additional peak accelerating voltage of up to ~11 kV, or at the second harmonic of the revolution frequency for the first ~4 ms of the acceleration cycle, providing an additional peak voltage of up to ~11 kV for bunch shape control. We describe here the hardware implementation and operation to date of the third rf cavity in the second harmonic mode.
Patient-level clinically meaningful improvements in activities of daily living and pain after total hip arthroplasty: data from a large US institutional registry

Objective. To characterize patient-level clinically meaningful improvements in pain and limitation of key activities of daily living (ADLs) after primary or revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods. We analysed prospectively collected data from the Mayo Clinic Total Joint Registry to study clinically meaningful improvements in index hip pain severity and limitation in seven key ADLs (walking, climbing stairs, putting on shoes/socks, picking up objects, getting in/out of car, rising from a chair and sitting), from preoperative to 2- and 5-year post-THA. Results. The primary THA cohort consisted of 6168 responders preoperatively, 5707 at 2 years and 3289 at 5 years postoperatively. The revision THA cohort consisted of 2063 responders preoperatively, 2682 at 2 years and 1627 at 5 years postoperatively. In the primary THA cohort, clinically meaningful pain reduction to mild or no hip pain at 2 years was reported by 94% with moderate and 91% with severe preoperative pain; respective proportions were 91% and 89% at 5-year follow-up. For revision THA, respective proportions were 84% and 77% at 2 years and 80% and 78% at 5 years. In the primary THA cohort, up to 4% with moderate and 17% with severe preoperative ADL limitation reported severe limitation in the respective activity 2 years post-primary THA; at 5 years, the respective proportions were up to 7% and 20%. Respective proportions for revision THA were up to 10% and 26% at 2 years and 13% and 30% at 5 years. Conclusions. These comprehensive data for patient-level clinically meaningful improvements in pain and seven key ADLs can help patients set realistic goals for improvement after THA.
Interactive retrieval of complex documents

Abstract Documents such as reports, articles, memos, and forms have complex structure and layout, as well as multimedia content. Information systems that represent these aspects of documents must be able to handle queries more complex than in typical database or text retrieval systems. In this paper, we describe an interface that allows the specification of uncertain queries and combines evidence about the relevance of documents to produce an overall ranking. We also report the results of an experiment that addresses some of the cognitive aspects of such an interface.
Characterization of oxidoreductase-redox polymer electrostatic film assembly on gold by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared-external reflection spectroscopy

The electrostatic assembly of nanocomposite thin films consisting of alternating layers of an organometallic redox polymer (RP) and oxidoreductase enzymes, glucose oxidase (GOX), lactate oxidase (LOX) and pyruvate oxidase (PYX), was investigated. Multilayer nanostructures were fabricated on gold surfaces by the deposition of an anionic self-assembled monolayer of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid, followed by the electrostatic attachment of a cationic RP, poly(vinylpyridine Os(bis-bipyridine)2Cl-co-allylamine) (PVP-Os-AA), and anionic oxidoreductase enzymes. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared external reflection spectroscopy (FT-IR–ERS) and electrochemistry were employed to characterize the assembly of these nanocomposite films. The surface concentration of GOX was found to be 2.4 ng/mm 2 for the first enzyme layer and 1.96 ng/mm 2 for the second enzyme layer, while values of 10.7 and 1.3 ng/mm 2 were obtained for PYX and LOX, respectively. The apparent affinity constant for GOX adsorption was found to be 8 × 10 7 M −1 . FT-IR–ERS was used to verify the incorporation of GOX and its conformational stability inside of these nanocomposite thin films. An SPR instrument with a flow-through cell was modified by additions of Ag/AgCl reference and Pt counter electrodes, with the gold-coated SPR surface film serving as the working electrode. This enabled real-time observation of the assembly of sensing components and immediate, in situ electrochemical verification of substrate-dependent current upon the addition of enzyme to the multilayer structure. A glucose-dependant amperometric response with sensitivity of 0.197 A/cm 2 /mM for a linear range of 1–10 mM of glucose was obtained. The SPR and FT-IR–ERS studies also showed no desorption of polymer or enzyme from the nanocomposite RP–GOX structure when stored in aqueous environment occurred over the period of 3 weeks, suggesting that decreasing substrate sensitivity with time was due to loss of enzymatic activity rather than loss of film compounds from the nanostructure. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Variability of the Physical Constants

The accepted numerical values of the physical constants have shown disturbing variations over the period during which presumably precise measurements have been made. The reasons for this have been varied, but in most instances the explanation has been experimental error or incomplete theoretical understanding of the underlying theory. The variations observed over the past forty years in the values of the atomic constants are reviewed and the reasons for some of the variations are presented. On the other hand, Dirac’s Large Number Hypothesis (LNH) introduces the question of the variability of the physical ‘constants’ on the cosmic time scale. Because it is often possible to determine small relative variations in a physical quantity with great sensitivity, there have been some very stringent limits placed on the magnitude of possible long term variations in the values of the constants. A summary of the arguments and of the experimental basis for the conclusions is presented.
Peace, Bread and Riots: Jordan and The International Monetary Fund

For most indebted countries in the Middle East and throughout the "Third World", a recurring theme is that of economic adjustment and liberalization, often at the behest of the dominant economic and financial institutions of the global political economy. From a political perspective what is most interesting, and most troubling, about economic adjustment programs is their frequent correlation with political instability and unrest. For that reason, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has long remained one of the most controversial institutions on the world stage. To some governments, it represents a key source of financial survival, to others a hated and powerful economic overseer akin to a thuggish loan shark. It is the latter more pejorative image of the IMF that seems to resonate more clearly with the general public throughout Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. This negative image is certainly due in large part to the social and political costs associated with economic adjustment. And the Jordanian experience with IMF austerity and adjustment programs has done nothing to soften that image.
Myo10 in brain: developmental regulation, identification of a headless isoform and dynamics in neurons.

Although Myo10 (myosin-X) is an unconventional myosin associated with filopodia, little is known about its isoforms and roles in the nervous system. We report here that, in addition to full-length Myo10, brain expresses a shorter form of Myo10 that lacks a myosin head domain. This `headless9 Myo10 is thus unable to function as a molecular motor, but is otherwise identical to full-length Myo10 and, like it, contains three pleckstrin homology (PH) domains, a myosin-tail homology 4 (MyTH4) domain, and a band-4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin (FERM) domain. Immunoblotting demonstrates that both full-length and headless Myo10 exhibit dramatic developmental regulation in mouse brain. Immunofluorescence with an antibody that detects both isoforms demonstrates that Myo10 is expressed in neurons, such as Purkinje cells, as well as non-neuronal cells, such as astrocytes and ependymal cells. CAD cells, a neuronal cell line, express both full-length and headless Myo10, and this endogenous Myo10 is present in cell bodies, neurites, growth cones and the tips of filopodia. To investigate the dynamics of the two forms of Myo10 in neurons, CAD cells were transfected with GFP constructs corresponding to full-length or headless Myo10. Only full-length Myo10 localizes to filopodial tips and undergoes intrafilopodial motility, demonstrating that the motor domain is necessary for these activities. Live cell imaging also reveals that full-length Myo10 localizes to the tips of neuronal filopodia as they explore and interact with their surroundings, suggesting that this myosin has a role in neuronal actin dynamics.
Spectroscopic detection of bladder cancer using near-infrared imaging techniques

High-contrast imaging of bladder cancer is demonstrated using near-infrared autofluorescence under long-wavelength laser excitation in combination with cross-polarized elastic light scattering. Fresh unprocessed surgical specimens obtained following cystectomy or transurethral resection were utilized and a set of images for each tissue sample was recorded. These images were compared with the histopathology of the tissue sample. The experimental results indicate that the intensity of the near-infrared emission as well as that of the cross-polarized backscattered light was considerably different in cancer tissues than in that of the contiguous nonneoplastic tissues, allowing an accurate delineation of a tumor's margins.
DISCRIMINATING BETWEEN TWO SPECTRAL DENSITIES IN CASE OF REPLICATED OBSERVATIONS

. Coates and Diggle (1986) introduced a test procedure for the comparison of the spectral densities of two stationary processes. We extend this test to a situation in which replicated observations are available for each process.
An electrochemical intraocular drug delivery device

A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) drug delivery device is investigated for the treatment of incurable ocular diseases. Unlike conventional ocular drug delivery devices, this MEMS device is capable of being refilled, features electronic control of the drug regimen, and enables targeted intraocular drug delivery. The refillable design permits long-term drug therapy and avoids repetitive surgeries. Electronic control of dosing is achieved by using electrolysis-actuated pumping to deliver pharmaceuticals directly to the intraocular space. A flexible Parylene transscleral cannula allows targeted delivery to tissues in both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. This electrochemically driven drug delivery device was demonstrated to provide flow rates suitable for ocular drug therapy (pL/min to μL/min). Both continuous and bolus drug delivery modes were performed to achieve accurate delivery of a target volume of 250 nL. An encapsulation packaging technique was developed for acute surgical studies and preliminary ex vivo drug delivery experiments in porcine eyes were performed.
Lyapunov design for safe reinforcement learning

Lyapunov design methods are used widely in control engineering to design controllers that achieve qualitative objectives, such as stabilizing a system or maintaining a system's state in a desired operating range. We propose a method for constructing safe, reliable reinforcement learning agents based on Lyapunov design principles. In our approach, an agent learns to control a system by switching among a number of given, base-level controllers. These controllers are designed using Lyapunov domain knowledge so that any switching policy is safe and enjoys basic performance guarantees. Our approach thus ensures qualitatively satisfactory agent behavior for virtually any reinforcement learning algorithm and at all times, including while the agent is learning and taking exploratory actions. We demonstrate the process of designing safe agents for four different control problems. In simulation experiments, we find that our theoretically motivated designs also enjoy a number of practical benefits, including reasonable performance initially and throughout learning, and accelerated learning.
The measurement and importance of red cell survival

The measurement of red blood cell survival in the circulation has progressed from the original differential agglutination technique of Ashby to current isotopic and flow cytometric methods. While occasionally useful in the clinic, these methods find widespread use in a number of important research areas, including the evaluation of new red cell storage media in transfusion medicine and studies of the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease and diabetes. In this review, measurement techniques are placed in historical perspective and examined for relative merits and suitable application. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Improved Pressure–Frequency Sensing Subxiphoid Pericardial Access System: Performance Characteristics During In Vivo Testing

We have designed, synthesized, and tested an im proved version of our original subxiphoid access system intended to facilitate epicardial electrophysiology. The new version of the system incorporates a precision fiber-optic pressure sensor and a novel signal analysis algorithm for identifying pressure-frequency signatures which, in the clinical setting, may allow for safer ac cess to the pericardial space. Following in vivo studies on ten adult canine models, we analyzed 215 pressure-frequency mea surements made at the distal tip of the access needle, of which 98 were from nonpericardial, 112 were from pericardial, and five were from ventricular locations. The needle locations as identi fied by the algorithm were significantly different from each other (p <; 0.01), and the algorithm had improved performance when compared to a standard fast Fourier transform (FFT) analy sis of the same data. Moreover, the structure of the algorithm can potentially overcome the time lags intrinsic to FFT analy sis such that the needle's location can be determined in near real time. Hydrodynamic pressure-frequency measurements made during traversal of the pericardial membrane revealed a distinct change in signal structure between the pericardial and nonperi cardial anatomy. We present and discuss the design principles, details of construction, and performance characteristics of this system.
Information extraction from telephone company drawings

A system for the interpretation of telephone company drawings is described. Two different types of drawings are interpreted: manhole and table drawings. Each drawing is interpreted by using a different approach to suit its characteristics. Manhole drawings represent the interconnection of telephone lines in the field. The approach used is the vectorization of the line segments to extract continuous lines. The table drawings contain information related to the cables in the manhole. The approach is to locate lines and their intersections to extract the information for entries. An Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR) system is used to interpret text information by using grammars. >
Secretory IgA: an adolescent coming of age.

The various immunoglobulin classes of man differ not only in their primary structure but quite radically in their biological roles. As a group, all immunoglobulins possess the capability of responding to specific antigens in one of several ways. There may be a physical combination with the antigen or the synthesis of the immunoglobulin may be stimulated or even suppressed by these same antigens. Individual Ig classes, however, react quite differently after the anti-genic combination. Some are especially efficient in activating the complement system, some are potent opsonizers, others initiate histamine release, some block cytophilic antibodies, some enhance tumor growth and some initiate cytotoxic reactions. Exactly how each Ig class fits into the human protective scheme evolved by Nature is still not fully understood. IgA has been known as an immunoglobulin for nearly 15 years (1) and thus is in its stormy adolescence. This may explain why dealing with IgA in the clinical setting is so capricious.
Hypermutation in stationary-phaseE. coli: tales from thelac operon

Escherichia coli cells are capable of complex regulatory responses to environmental conditions and stresses. In some circumstances, the response includes an increase in the mutation rate, effectively mutagenizing the genome. The classic example is the SOS response to DNA damage. Recent work indicates that other environmental stresses can also result in mutation of the genome. Modulation of mutation rate may be a more prevalent stress response than previously thought. In this review we focus on genome-wide mutation inE. coli cells subjected to a nonlethal genetic selection for reversion of alac frameshift allele. Reversion of thelac frameshift allele occurs via a novel mechanism that requires homologous recombination functions, and is enhanced by transiently diminished postsynthesis mismatch repair. A model for recombination-dependent stationary-phase mutation will be presented and its relevance for genome-wide mutation discussed.
The Effect of Cation Disorder on the Average Li Intercalation Voltage of Transition-Metal Oxides

Cation disorder is a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly important for the design of high-energy lithium transition-metal oxide positive electrodes (LiMO2) for Li-ion batteries. Disordered Li-excess rocksalts have recently been shown to achieve high reversible capacity, and in operando cation disorder (i.e., disorder induced by electrochemical cycling) has been observed in a large class of ordered materials. Despite the growing importance of cation disorder in the Li-ion battery field, very little is known about the effect of cation disorder on the average voltage (i.e., energy density) of lithium transition metal oxides. In this study, we use first-principles methods to demonstrate that, depending on the transition metal species, cation disorder can lead to an increase or a decrease of the average voltage of lithium transition metal oxides. We further demonstrate that the Ni3+/4+ redox can be high in disordered compounds, so that it may be preceded by oxygen activity. Finally, we establish rules for...
Effect of Sulfonylureas and NPH on β-Cells' Function of Patients with "LADA"

Objective:To observe the changes of the autoantibodies and β-cell' function of patients with "LADA" treating by NPH or Sulfonylureas(SU).Methods:We treated 103 "LADA" patients with NPH or SU respectively for 8 weeks at the same condition(e.g.the similar life-style and same dosage of other antihyperglycemics).To observe and compare all patients' metabolic indexes of glucose and lipid and uric acid,and their GAD-Ab and ICA levels and glycemia curves and c-peptide curves after standard meal at two treatment stages(e.g.NPH and SU).Results:Both NPH and SU could ameliorate all patients' metabolic indexes of glucose and lipid and uric acid combining with similar life-style and same dosage of other antihyperglymics (P0.01).The patients' serum GAD-Ab titre and ICA positive at SU stage was higher than those at NPH stage(P0.05).And their c-peptide curve at SU stage was lower than that at NPH stage(P0.05),but there was no difference at their glycemia curves between two stage (P0.1).Conclusion:SU can control the hyperglycemia of patients with "LADA",but may be harmful to the function of their β-cells.NPH is also effective to treat their hyperglycemia and maybe favorable to prevent their β-cells from immunological lesion.