cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytochromes P-450scc, P-45017α, Adrenodoxin, and Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate-Cytochrome P-450 Reductase in Bovine Follicles and Corpora Lutea. Changes in Specific Contents during the Ovarian Cycle*

To investigate the basis for the pattern of ovarian steroid production during the bovine estrous cycle, the tissue concentrations of major steroidogenic enzymes, 17 alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450 and cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P-450 (cytochrome P-450scc), and their respective electron donors, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and adrenodoxin, were estimated and compared with those of the nonsteroidogenic enzymes, cytochrome c oxidase and F1-ATPase. The levels of these enzymes were estimated in medium sized (9-11 mm) and large (14-18 mm) follicles after removal of follicular fluid by centrifugation, and corpora lutea from the early, early-mid late-mid, and late stages of the luteal phase (n = 5 per group). The specific contents of all enzymes and electron donors were determined by immunoblot analysis, except for cytochrome c oxidase, which was quantified by determination of specific activity. The specific (per microgram of tissue homogenate protein) and total (per follicle or corpus luteum) tissue contents of 17 alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450 increased 0.5- and 5-fold respectively from medium sized to large follicles, but then decreased to undetectable levels in corpora lutea in the early luteal phase, and remained undetectable throughout the luteal phase. In contrast, the specific content of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase was similar between follicles and corpora lutea. The specific contents of cytochrome P-450scc, adrenodoxin and cytochrome c oxidase in follicles were similar to those of corpora lutea of the early luteal phase. However, by the early-mid luteal phase the specific contents of luteal cytochrome P-450scc (490 +/- 46 vs. 5709 +/- 982 cpm/micrograms protein) and adrenodoxin (44 +/- 15 vs. 705 +/- 229 cpm/micrograms protein) were increased, by 12- and 15-fold, respectively (P less than 0.05). In contrast, cytochrome c oxidase activity (29.1 +/- 10.1 vs. 108.6 +/- 20.7 nmol/mg tissue protein X min) and the specific content of F1-ATPase increased only 3- to 4-fold reflective of an increase in numbers of mitochondria. The levels of these enzymes remained elevated until the late luteal phase when they declined markedly. It is concluded that the induction of synthesis of P-450scc and adrenodoxin after ovulation is specific and does not merely reflect biogenesis of mitochondria during luteinization. Moreover the changes in the types of steroids produced by the ovarian compartments throughout the estrous cycle are a reflection of changes in the tissue content of steroidogenic enzymes.
Small-Signal Modeling of Open-Loop PWM Z-Source Converter by Circuit-Averaging Technique

This paper presents the ac small-signal modeling of the power stage of pulsewidth-modulated Z-source converter in continuous conduction mode by the circuit-averaging technique. The small-signal models used to derive the open-loop power-stage input voltage-to-capacitor voltage, input voltage-to-inductor current, control-to-capacitor voltage, and control-to-inductor current transfer functions are derived. Open-loop power-stage transfer functions corresponding to the capacitor voltage loop and inductor current loop are derived. The transfer functions derived take into account the equivalent series resistances of the inductors and capacitors. Experimental validation of the derived small-signal models is presented for a laboratory prototype. The theoretical predictions are in good agreement with the experimental results.
Design Equations and Example for FRP Deck–Steel Girder Bridge System

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge decks have been increasingly used in both rehabilitation and new constructions because of their many advantages. However, the design process is not in a code format, and individual decks and bridges are designed on a job-by-job basis. The development of standards and guidelines is needed to promote wider acceptance of FRP decks. Extensive research has been conducted by the authors and collaborators on modeling, optimization, and stiffness and strength evaluations of FRP decks; shear connectors for FRP deck to steel girders; and bridge system concepts, in terms of both experimental investigations and analytical solutions. Based on these research findings, this paper proposes a set of design guidelines considering the strength of the FRP deck subjected to out-of-plane compression, out-of-plane shear, and bending; static and fatigue strengths of the deck-to-girder shear connector; and effective flange width of the bridge system. A design example is provided to illustrate the use of the proposed design guidelines.
The New York City mayoral abortion training initiative at public hospitals.

Abstract Background We set out to describe and understand the first-ever abortion training political initiative on the provision of abortion services and abortion residency training. Study Design We completed in-depth interviews with 22 participants (response rate of 92%) who have knowledge of abortion training and services in the New York City (NYC) public hospital system before and/or after the initiative. We used grounded theory to describe the initiative's effects. Results Respondents identified strategies that helped achieve renovation of abortion facilities, updating of abortion services and protocols, and training of abortion providers. Respondents also identified public health impacts including improvement of abortion services, empowerment of abortion providers, and legitimization of abortion training and services. Conclusion This NYC political initiative can be a model for other city governments to influence obstetrics and gynecology resident training and the provision of abortion services.
Strategies for electron correlation calculations on large molecular systems

The two main problems in applying common methods for electron correlation to large systems are (1) the steep dependency of the computational task with the size of the system and (2) the large and often prohibitive number of two-electron integrals that must be stored and retrieved during the calculation. The direct local correlation method eliminates both these problems. This method is a combination of the local correlation method that eliminates the steep computational dependency with the size of the system and extension of the direct SCF approach to electron correlation methods. The latter method eliminates external storage of the electron repulsion integrals. In this review, the direct local correlation approach and its computer implementation will be described in detail, including computational examples and comparisons to similar methods developed in other groups. The feasibility of future applications to extended systems is discussed.
Chemo-electrical energy conversion of Adenosine triphosphate in a Biological Ion Transporter

Ion transport across cell membranes happens through protein channels and pumps expending concentration gradients, electrical gradients and energy from chemical reactions. Ion exchange in cell membranes is responsible for nutrient transport from production sites to where they are broken down to release energy. Sucrose transport is vital for growth in higher plants and recent research has led to the discovery of a class of sugar carriers called SUT4. The SUT4 transporter is a low affinity, high capacity proton-sucrose transporter that participates in long distance sucrose transport in higher plants. We demonstrated the possibility to use purified SUT4 transporter proteins — with the genetic code from Arabidopsis thaliana expressed on yeast cells — for fluid transport driven by pH gradient and from exergonic ATP hydrolysis reaction in the presence of ATP-ase enzyme. The SUT4 proteins were reconstituted on a planar bilayer lipid membrane formed from 1-Palmitoyl-2-Oleoyl-sn-Glycero-3-[Phospho-L-Serine] (Sodium Salt) (POPS), 1-Palmitoyl-2-Oleoyl-sn-Glycero- 3-Phosphoethanolamine (POPE) phospholipids on a porous substrate. This article builds upon our previous work to harness energy from the ATP-ase reaction using SUT4 to produce a proton current through SUT4 and demonstrates the technical feasibility to generate electrical current in an external circuit. The results from our characterization experiments on a single cell demonstrate that the power source behaves like a constant current power source with an internal resistance of 10-22 kΩ and produces a peak power of 150 nW.
Helicopter Noise Reduction By Actively Controlled Flaps

A detailed computational study was conducted to evaluate actively-controlled trailing-edge flaps as a noise reduction device. The helicopter noise problem is first introduced, noting that active control of blade-vortex interaction (BVI) noise is a relatively new field for computational research. Two structural models are considered for the present study; the first is a modal approach suitable for four-bladed hingeless rotors. The second is a finite element approach that is used to consider a five-bladed bearingless rotor. First, open-loop control is implemented with actively-controlled flaps (ACFs) and with conventional root-actuated individual blade control. The effectiveness of both techniques at noise reduction, vibration reduction, and rotor power reduction are considered in BVI descent flight. Subsequently, the BVI noise directivity in the near-field and far-field are examined for baseline and dual ACF noise control cases. Finally, reduction of noise and vibration is successfully demonstrated with a single plain flap configuration on a five-bladed bearingless rotor resembling that of the MD-900.
Diagnosis of the Initial and Forecast Errors in the Numerical Simulation of the Rapid Intensification of Hurricane Emily (2005)

Abstract A diagnostic study is conducted to examine the initial and forecast errors in a short-range numerical simulation of Hurricane Emily’s (2005) early rapid intensification. The initial conditions and the simulated hurricane vortices using high-resolution grids (1 and 3 km), generated from the Advanced Research version of the Weather Research and Forecasting (ARW) model and its three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) systems, are compared with the flight-level data acquired from the U.S. Air Force C-130J aircraft data. Numerical simulation results show that the model fails at predicting the actual rapid intensification of the hurricane, although the initial intensity of the vortex matches the observed intensity. Comparing the model results with aircraft flight-level data, unrealistic thermal and convective structures of the storm eyewall are found in the initial conditions. In addition, the simulated eyewall does not contract rapidly enough during the model simulation. Increasing the ...
Molecular evolution of human adenoviruses

The recent emergence of highly virulent human adenoviruses (HAdVs) with new tissue tropisms underscores the need to determine their ontogeny. Here we report complete high quality genome sequences and analyses for all the previously unsequenced HAdV serotypes (n = 20) within HAdV species D. Analysis of nucleotide sequence variability for these in conjunction with another 40 HAdV prototypes, comprising all seven HAdV species, confirmed the uniquely hypervariable regions within species. The mutation rate among HAdV-Ds was low when compared to other HAdV species. Homologous recombination was identified in at least two of five examined hypervariable regions for every virus, suggesting the evolution of HAdV-Ds has been highly dependent on homologous recombination. Patterns of alternating GC and AT rich motifs correlated well with hypervariable region recombination sites across the HAdV-D genomes, suggesting foci of DNA instability lead to formulaic patterns of homologous recombination and confer agility to adenovirus evolution.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT COST PERFORMANCE PREDICTION BASED ON PROJECT BID CHARACTERISTICS

This paper presents the results of a series of regression analyses of a data set of two dozen completed public sector projects procured using the traditional public contracting code low bid process. All projects are from the same multi-billion dollar school construction program and have been completed in the last two years. The work correlates construction cost performance measured through change orders (as a percentage of bid value) against the bid characteristics of the same project, measured as: (1) Bid (as a % of Bid Budget), (2) Number of bidders, (3) Bid Date, (4) Date since last bid, (5) Bid Cost per Square Foot, (6) Bid Amount ($). Based on the results of these analyses, conclusions to the paper suggest project success factors / guidelines for future bids within this program in order to improve bid / construction cost performance. The paper also includes suggestions for future research, particularly in the areas of follow up work as additional data becomes available and expansion of this research to include construction schedule and quality performance measures.
Preservation of the pylorus during pancreaticoduodenectomy — Evolution and current indications

The Whipple procedure has been improved by preservation of afunctioning pylorus. A functioning pylorus is important because marginal ulceration is avoided and, compared to the standard Whipple procedure with hemigastrectomy, more patients can gain weight postoperatively. The most common indications for this procedure are severe complication of chronic pancreatitis and periampullary tumors. In patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the pylorus-preserving variety results in equal or better survival rates than those of the standard Whipple procedure with hemigastrectomy. Surgery alone is not sufficient to improve survival rates in patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Improved imaging modalities are required to diagnose the disease earlier. The most likely combination of treatment to prolong survival time is a combination of resection for cure in a patient with an early diagnosis plus an aggressive adjuvant chemoradiotherapy protocol. This protocol is most likely to be completed if a patient has preserved endocrine, exocrine, and digestive ability. A radical (R1) pylorus-preserving Whipple procedure would have the following advantages to result in the best survival rates — the patients can gain weight and thereby withstand the chemoradiotherapy protocol while, at the same time, the weakest aspect of the radical resection is addressed, i.e., the retroperitoneal margin of the pancreatic head.
Life Cycle Energy Demand and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from an Amonix High Concentrator Photovoltaic System

With a growing demand for renewable energy, attention is drawn to concentrator photovoltaic (PV) systems, which require minimal amount of high efficiency solar cell materials. We investigate select life cycle environmental metrics for the 24 kW Amonix concentrator PV system. The results show that this system pays back the initial energy investment for its production in 1.3 yrs and generates life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 38 g CO2 -eq/kWh for Phoenix, AZ. In contrast with flat-plate systems which generate most GHG emissions during the production of solar cells, the concentrator frames and the tracker are the most important sources of energy use and emissions while the cell materials contribute negligible effects
Nonsense-containing mRNAs that accumulate in the absence of a functional nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway are destabilized rapidly upon its restitution.

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a conserved proofreading mechanism that protects eukaryotic cells from the potentially deleterious effects of truncated proteins. Studies of Saccharomyces cerevisiae imply that NMD is a predominantly cytoplasmic decay pathway, while studies of mammalian systems suggest that decay of most substrate mRNAs may occur while they are still associated with the nucleus, possibly during a round of translation that occurs during their export to the cytoplasm. Complete entry of the latter mRNAs into the cytoplasm appears to render them immune to further NMD; i.e., they escape further susceptibility to this decay pathway. To determine if yeast cytoplasmic nonsense-containing mRNAs that evade decay are subsequently immune to NMD, we examined the consequences of placing each of the three UPF/NMD genes under the control of a galactose-inducible promoter. The decay kinetics of ADE2 and PGK1 nonsense-containing mRNAs were then analyzed when expression of UPF1, NMD2, or UPF3 was either repressed or subsequently induced. Results from these experiments demonstrated that activation of NMD caused rapid and immediate degradation of both substrate transcripts, with half-lives of both stable mRNA populations shortened to approximately 7 min. These findings make it unlikely that yeast nonsense-containing mRNAs can escape degradation by NMD and indicate that such mRNAs are available to this decay pathway at each round of translation.
Investigation of active interrogation techniques to detect special nuclear material in maritime environments: Boarded search of a cargo container ship

Abstract The detonation of a terrorist nuclear weapon in the United States would result in the massive loss of life and grave economic damage. Even if a device was not detonated, its known or suspected presence aboard a cargo container ship in a U.S. port would have major economic and political consequences. One possible means to prevent this threat would be to board a ship at sea and search for the device before it reaches port. The scenario considered here involves a small Coast Guard team with strong intelligence boarding a container ship to search for a nuclear device. Using active interrogation, the team would nonintrusively search a block of shipping containers to locate the fissile material. Potential interrogation source and detector technologies for the team are discussed. The methodology of the scan is presented along with a technique for calculating the required interrogation source strength using computer simulations. MCNPX was used to construct a computer model of a container ship, and several search scenarios were simulated. The results of the simulations are presented in terms of the source strength required for each interrogation scenario. Validation measurements were performed in order to scale these simulation results to expected performance. Interrogations through the short (2.4 m) axis of a standardized shipping container appear to be feasible given the entire range of container loadings tested. Interrogations through several containers at once or a single container through its long (12.2 m) axis do not appear to be viable with a portable interrogation system.
Information structures in language directed architectures

Only recently has the design of computer architectures deviated from the Von Neumann style. Most architectures based on the Von Neumann architecture suffer from what is called 'the semantic gap'. This means that the objects and operations in a high level language (HLL) are not closely related to the objects and operations in the architectures that execute the HLL [1]. This paper addresses the issues involved in the semantic gap problem, by formulating a framework based on 'information structures' that would aid in the design of HLL architectures. First digital computers are defined based on 'information structures'. Execution of a program in an HLL is defined in terms of transformations on information structures. An architecture design methodology is proposed and some comments about performance are made. Finally different ways of implementing information structures are considered.
Pose Machines: Articulated Pose Estimation via Inference Machines

State-of-the-art approaches for articulated human pose estimation are rooted in parts-based graphical models. These models are often restricted to tree-structured representations and simple parametric potentials in order to enable tractable inference. However, these simple dependencies fail to capture all the interactions between body parts. While models with more complex interactions can be defined, learning the parameters of these models remains challenging with intractable or approximate inference. In this paper, instead of performing inference on a learned graphical model, we build upon the inference machine framework and present a method for articulated human pose estimation. Our approach incorporates rich spatial interactions among multiple parts and information across parts of different scales. Additionally, the modular framework of our approach enables both ease of implementation without specialized optimization solvers, and efficient inference. We analyze our approach on two challenging datasets with large pose variation and outperform the state-of-the-art on these benchmarks.
Convergent carotid sinus nerve and superior laryngeal nerve afferent inputs to neurons in the NTS

A population of 43 neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) was identified in pentobarbital sodium anesthetized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated cats that received convergent inputs from carotid sinus nerve (CSN) and superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) afferents. In 21 neurons, electrical stimulation of the CSN and SLN each evoked an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP; mean onset latency +/- SE of CSN-evoked input = 7.2 +/- 0.8 ms, range 2.1-14.1 ms; of SLN-evoked input = 10.3 +/- 2.1 ms, range 2.8-46.8 ms). In 22 neurons, electrical stimulation of either the CSN or SLN evoked an EPSP/ inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) sequence (CSN-evoked input = 6.7 +/- 0.6 ms, range 2.1-12.2 ms; SLN-evoked input = 8.4 +/- 0.8 ms, range 3.0-19.4 ms). Spatial interactions (facilitation, summation, occlusion) and time-dependent inhibitory interactions were observed between the convergent inputs. Natural stimulation of specific receptors indicated that 14 cells received a convergent excitatory input from carotid sinus baroreceptors and laryngeal mechanoreceptors, 10 received a convergent excitatory input from carotid body chemoreceptors and laryngeal mechanoreceptors, and 5 received a convergent excitatory input from baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and laryngeal mechanoreceptors. The interactions and various patterns of convergence suggest a significant integration of convergent inputs from disparate afferent sources by these neurons.
Reply to Michael Froehner, Rainer Koch, Manfred P. Wirth's Letter to the Editor re: Grace L. Lu-Yao, Peter C. Albertsen, Dirk F. Moore, Yong Lin, Robert S. DiPaola, Siu-Long Yao. Fifteen-year Outcomes Following Conservative Management Among Men Aged 65 Years or Older with Localized Prostate Cancer. Eur Urol 2015;68:805–11

Froehner et al raise an important point when interpreting the graphs published in our paper [1]. The study cohort includes only thosemenwhowere diagnosed during the era 1992–2009 with localized tumor and who, for whatever reason, did not receive a local treatment intervention such as surgery or radiation. Readers should recognize that an analytic approach that relies on retrospective review of data is subject to selection biases. First, a reader must ask how these men were identified and why did they not receive treatments. Since all of these menwere diagnosedwith localized disease, presumably the treating physician felt that they were likely to survive at least 10 yr. If not, a biopsy probably would not have been performed. These men, however, did not receive local interventions. Possibly they had significant comorbidities such as heart disease or other chronic conditions that increased the risks associated with surgery or radiation. A more likely scenario is that they had relatively small quantities of disease and lower prostate-specific antigen values compared with men who opted for surgery or radiation. Second, men in the cohort studied were diagnosed with Gleason 5–7 tumors between 1992 and 2009. The Gleason scoring system has changed significantly since then [2]. Contemporary men classified with Gleason 6 disease in 2015 are likely to have lower prostate cancer–specific mortality than is depicted in the graphs, whereas men with Gleason 7 disease, especially those with Gleason 4 + 3 disease, are likely to have worse prostate cancer–specific survival. Finally, men who are considering intervention must weigh the threat posed by their disease, as estimated by the
Optimization of CO2 Capture Process with Aqueous Amines—A Comparison of Two Simulation–Optimization Approaches

Aqueous amine is a solvent considered for carbon dioxide (CO2) recovery from the flue gas of a refinery gas turbine by chemical absorption/desorption process. The performance and the economics of this process depend on the choice of the amine absorbent, the concentration of the amine absorbent, the number of stages in the absorber and stripper columns, and the operating conditions. We used response surface methodology (RSM)—a simulation–optimization technique, which uses local searches to estimate an appropriate direction to reduce the objective function—to optimize the amine-based CO2 capture process in a previous work [Nuchitprasittichai and Cremaschi Comput. Chem. Eng. 2011, 35, 1521–1531]. However, RSM does not provide any information about the quality of the obtained solution. In this paper, the RSM results are compared to those obtained by optimizing a global surrogate model of the system over the whole decision space with a global solver. We used an artificial neural network (ANN) as the global sur...
Human health risks arising from nitrate in potatoes consumed in Iran and calculation nitrate critical value using risk assessment study

ABSTRACTBecause of the low amount of nitrogen and organic matter in most soils of Iran, it is recommended to use nitrogen fertilizers in potato fields. Nitrate accumulates in plants naturally and if it enters into the human body it can threaten human health. There is not enough information about nitrate distribution in potatoes in Iran and a scientific value of critical level of nitrate in potatoes in Iran. The objective of this study, then, is to: determine the amount of nitrate in potatoes produced in different parts of Iran, assess the human health risks arising from potatoes nitrate, and calculate the critical concentration of nitrate in potato, using a risk assessment study and Iranian food basket. Two hundred and seventy-seven samples were collected from main provinces producing potatoes in Iran. Concentration of nitrate was measured in all samples. Results showed that Kerman province has more nitrate pollution and non cancer risk arising from nitrate. The most sensitive group to nitrate was boys 7–...
Against the conditional correctness of scepticism

Stroud has argued for many years that scepticism is conditionally correct. We cannot, he claims, both undergo a Cartesian-style examination of the extent of our knowledge as well as avoid scepticism. One reason Stroud's position appears quite plausible is the so-called ‘totality condition’ imposed for this kind of examination: as enquiring philosophers we are called upon to assess all of our knowledge, all at once. However, in this paper I argue that Stroud's apparent understanding of the totality condition is mistaken. Evidently, Stroud thinks that honouring the totality condition amounts to imposing the strong requirement that we initially assume that we do not know anything about external reality. However, there is a weaker requirement available: that we initially not assume that we know anything about external reality. I argue i) that the weaker conception of the totality condition is most suitable for the kind of philosophical examination that Stroud seems to have in mind; and ii) that according to t...
Analytical solution of the ideal model of chromatography for a bi-Langmuir adsorption isotherm.

The (closed-form) analytical solution of the ideal model of chromatography was derived in the case of a bi-Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. This explicit solution provides the sample concentration as a function of the elution time as the unique real and positive root of a quartic polynomial equation. Using this analytical solution, we could calculate the parameters of the bi-Langmuir adsorption model for phenol on a column packed with Poroshell 120 C18 core–shell particles, eluted with a mixture of methanol and water, and operated under high inlet pressure using the retention time method. The method permitted a rapid, economical determination of the best adsorption isotherm parameters for phenol. It required less than 32 mg of sample, 50 mL of eluent, and less than 4 h to complete the measurement of 20 adsorption data points. The relative precisions of the isotherm parameters were 5% for the equilibrium constant and 9% for the saturation capacity of the strong adsorption sites and 24% for the equilibri...
Storage of Lithium in Hydrothermally Synthesized GeO2 Nanoparticles

Amorphous GeO2 nanoparticles were prepared via a surfactant-assisted hydrothermal process. The effect of the reaction temperature and the surfactant concentration on the morphology of GeO2 particles were investigated. Particles of less than 300 nm were obtained when using 1,2-diaminopropane surfactant in a synthesis carried out at 180(◦)C. The synthesized germanium oxide nanoparticles were evaluated for their utility as the active anode material in Li-ion batteries. The electrode prepared with this material exhibited a stable capacity ∼600 mAh g(-1) at 0.2 C rate for up to 150 cycles in a conventional electrolyte containing ethylene carbonate (EC). The cyclability of the GeO2 nanoparticle electrode was further improved by using a fluorinated ethylene carbonate (FEC) based electrolyte, which showed capacities greater than 600 mAh g(-1) and retained more than 96% of their capacity after 500 cycles at 0.2 C rate. The effect of different electrolyte systems was studied by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electron microscopy.
Delayed Initiation in a Model Energetic Material

We present a simulation studying the initiation of a model energetic molecular solid. For low-velocity, massive flyer-plate impact, the model detonation initiates behind a compaction shock. This detonation front subsequently overtakes the compaction shock exhibiting a behavior qualitatively similar to that observed in experminental studies of homogeneous initiation and delayed detonation from low velocity impact.This work was supported in part by the ONR through NRL, the ONR Physics Division and a grant of computer resources from NRL. DHR acknowledges a NRC-NRL Postdoctoral Research Associateship.
Nanoscale Growth and Patterning of Inorganic Oxides Using DNA Nanostructure Templates

We describe a method to form custom-shaped inorganic oxide nanostructures by using DNA nanostructure templates. We show that a DNA nanostructure can modulate the rate of chemical vapor deposition of SiO2 and TiO2 with nanometer-scale spatial resolution. The resulting oxide nanostructure inherits its shape from the DNA template. This method generates both positive-tone and negative-tone patterns on a wide range of substrates and is compatible with conventional silicon nanofabrication processes. Our result opens the door to the use of DNA nanostructures as general-purpose templates for high-resolution nanofabrication.
Enolase exists in the fluid phase of cytoplasm in 3T3 cells.

We have investigated the intracellular distribution and mobility of the glycolytic enzyme enolase, using functional fluorescent analogs labeled with the succinimidyl esters of carboxyfluorescein (F1-enolase) and carboxytetramethylrhodamine (Rh-enolase) In contrast to aldolase, neither native enolase nor labeled enolase gelled filamentous actin (F-actin), as measured by falling-ball viscometry, indicating a lack of interaction between enolase and F-actin. Fluorescence redistribution after photo-bleaching (FRAP) measurements of the diffusion coefficient (D) of F1-enolase in aqueous solutions gave a value of D37,aq = 6.08 × 10(−7) cm2s-1, and no immobile fraction, consistent with a native molecular weight of 90,000. These values were not significantly different with Rh-enolase, or in the presence of F-actin, 2-phosphoglycerate or F-actin-aldolase gels, demonstrating that neither F1-enolase nor Rh-enolase binds to F-actin or aldolase in vitro. FRAP measurements of F1- and Rh-enolase microinjected into living Swiss 3T3 cells revealed spatial differences in the diffusion coefficient, but not the mobile fraction. In the perinuclear cytoplasm, we measured an apparent diffusion coefficient of 1.1 × 10(−7) cm2s-1, compared to 7.1 × 10(−8) cm2s-1 in the peripheral cytoplasm, with approximately 100% mobility of F1- or Rh-enolase in both regions. Imaging of cells co-injected with Rh-enolase and size-fractionated FITC-dextran (FD-90) revealed that Rh-enolase entered the nucleus, while FD-90 was excluded. Ratio imaging showed a relatively high nuclear ratio of Rh-enolase/FD-90, and a uniform cytoplasmic ratio, with no indication of increased concentration of enolase around stress fibers. These data demonstrate that Rh- and F1-enolase do not bind to F-actin in vitro, and are 100% mobile in vivo. Together with our recent finding that a significant fraction of aldolase binds to F-actin in vitro and is immobile in vivo, these data suggest a correlation between actin-binding activity and cytoplasmic mobility of glycolytic enzymes.
Follow-up of the Use of Local Health Department Clinics for Preventive Care Among Young Children

We followed 18,490 infants from their first visit to a county child health clinic (CHC) in Maryland through visits through their third year of age to investigate whether their continued use of the CHCs was related to their characteristics or to the services they were provided as an infant. We classified as provided services immunization, an Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program (EPSDT) recommended screening, and number of visits. Immunization was associated with an increased percentage of infants who returned to the CHCs at two and three years of age. Half of the children, on the other hand, never returned to the clinics if they were not immunized as infants. These findings persisted, regardless of race, Medicaid status, completion of a screening, or number of visits in the first year of life. One-fifth of infants did not receive an immunization during one or more visits to CHCs in their first year. Failure to administer an immunization to infants appears to impede subsequent use of public health clinics for well child care.
Compressing heap data for improved memory performance: Research Articles

We introduce a class of transformations that modify the representation of dynamic data structures used in programs with the objective of compressing their sizes. Based upon a profiling study of data value characteristics, we have developed the common-prefix and narrow-data transformations that respectively compress a 32 bit address pointer and a 32 bit integer field into 15 bit entities. A pair of fields that have been compressed by the above compression transformations are packed together into a single 32 bit word. The above transformations are designed to apply to data structures that are partially compressible, that is, they compress portions of data structures to which transformations apply and provide a mechanism to handle the data that is not compressible. The accesses to compressed data are efficiently implemented by designing data compression extensions (DCX) to the processor's instruction set. We have observed average reductions in heap allocated storage of 25p and average reductions in execution time and power consumption of 30p. If DCX support is not provided the reductions in execution times fall from 30p to 18p. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
10 – Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Diseases Associated with Known Etiologic Agents

A variety of known etiologic agents can cause diffuse parenchymal lung disease, also referred to as interstitial lung disease. These include inorganic dusts (the pneumoconioses), organic antigens (the cause of hypersensitivity pneumonitis), drugs, and radiation to the thorax. The most common of the disorders classified as pneumoconioses include silicosis, coal worker's pneumoconiosis, asbestosis, and berylliosis. Some of these disorders involve toxicity to, or activation of macrophages, whereas beryllium induces a hypersensitivity reaction that clinically mimics sarcoidosis. Many organic antigens can induce a hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which can have a presentation ranging from an acute illness with transient pulmonary infiltrates to a chronic diffuse parenchymal lung disease. A wide range of drugs are now known to be associated with parenchymal lung disease, with the most important categories being cancer chemotherapeutic agents and a variety of newer biological drugs, but a number of other miscellaneous drugs have also been implicated. Finally, radiation therapy directed to the thorax, most commonly for breast cancer, lung cancer, or Hodgkin disease, can be associated with an acute inflammatory process in the lungs (radiation pneumonitis) or a more chronic fibrotic process (radiation fibrosis).
Surveillance Practice Patterns after Curative Intent Therapy for Stage I Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in the Medicare Population

Abstract Objectives Recurrence after treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is common, and routine imaging surveillance is recommended by evidence-based guidelines. Little is known about surveillance patterns after curative intent therapy for early stage NSCLC. We sought to understand recent practice patterns for surveillance of stage I NSCLC in the first two years after curative intent therapy in the Medicare population. Materials and methods Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database we selected patients diagnosed with stage I NSCLC between 1998 and 2008. We studied adherence to surveillance guidelines based on specialty society recommendations for chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) scanning. We also tracked the use of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans, which are not recommended for surveillance. We calculated the percent of patients who received guideline–adherent surveillance imaging and used logistic regression to determine associations between patient and provider factors and guideline adherence. Results Overall, 61.4% of patients received guideline-adherent surveillance during the initial 2 years after treatment. Use of CT scans in the first year after treatment increased from 47.4% in 1998–78.5% in 2008, and PET use increased from 5.8% to 28.9%. Adherence with surveillance imaging was associated with younger age, higher income, more comorbidities, access to primary care, and receipt of SBRT as the primary treatment. Conclusions Adherence to specialty society guidelines for surveillance after treatment for stage I NSCLC was poor in this population of Medicare beneficiaries, with less than two-thirds of patients receiving recommended imaging, and almost 30% receiving non-recommended PET scans.
Conversion of Glycerol to Hydrocarbon Fuels via Bifunctional Catalysts

Utilization of byproduct glycerol improves biodiesel production in terms of both economics and sustainability. Conversion of glycerol to hydrocarbon (GTH) fuels is among the promising options, which provides additional renewable energy besides biodiesel and contributes further to independence from fossil fuels. In the present work, bifunctional catalysts (Pt/H-ZSM-5 and Pd/H-ZSM-5) were selected, prepared, characterized, and tested for GTH conversion. The addition of noble metals enhances aromatics’ yield, and both catalysts convert GTH fuels effectively. On the basis of the experimental observations and prior literature, it is proposed that GTH conversion follows sequential hydrodeoxygenation and aromatization steps. Under optimized conditions, ∼90% glycerol conversion and ∼60% yield of aromatic hydrocarbons were achieved over the Pd/H-ZSM-5 catalyst.
Congressional Capitulation: War Power and the United States Congress

The question of who should utilize the war power has been debated from the founding of the republic and the core issues while couched in different terms, and while war has become much more technologically advanced, remain the same. The fundamental question is one of what the President can do, and what Congress should do. I attempt to primarily address the question of what Congress should do with regard to the war powers rather than what the President can do because the scope of presidential war powers has been extensively researched and written about in the scholarly literature. Instead I address what from an institutional structure and policy perspective Congress ought to do with relation to the war powers and their execution.
Management of Endometriosis Involving the Urinary Tract

Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility and disabling pelvic pain in reproductive age women. The most widely accepted theory of its pathogenesis is the retrograde flow of menstrual products, although extra-abdominal and extrapelvic diagnoses have been made. After the pelvic peritoneum and gynecologic structures, the most commonly affected sites are the lower gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. When the urinary tract is involved, the bladder is the predominant site, followed by the ureters. The focus of this seminar will thus be these two anatomic sites. Delayed diagnosis is unfortunately common for endometriosis as a whole, but more so when extrapelvic sites are involved. While the first-line therapy for endometriosis is medical management, urinary tract involvement often represents advanced stage of the disease, thereby requiring surgical intervention. With timely diagnosis and intervention by skilled gynecologic or urologic surgeons, favorable outcomes can be attained.
Mercury Bioaccumulation in Estuarine Fishes: Novel Insights from Sulfur Stable Isotopes.

Estuaries are transitional habitats characterized by complex biogeochemical and ecological gradients that result in substantial variation in fish total mercury concentrations (THg). We leveraged these gradients and used carbon (δ13C), nitrogen (δ15N), and sulfur (δ34S) stable isotopes to examine the ecological and biogeochemical processes underlying THg bioaccumulation in fishes from the San Francisco Bay Estuary. We employed a tiered approach that first examined processes influencing variation in fish THg among wetlands, and subsequently examined the roles of habitat and within-wetland processes in generating larger-scale patterns in fish THg. We found that δ34S, an indicator of sulfate reduction and habitat specific-foraging, was correlated with fish THg at all three spatial scales. Over the observed ranges of δ34S, THg concentrations in fish increased by up to 860% within wetlands, 560% among wetlands, and 291% within specific impounded wetland habitats. In contrast, δ13C and δ15N were not correlated w...
Device Simulation Augmented by the Monte Carlo Method

This paper describes applications which combine Monte Carlo methods with other techniques to model semiconductor devices. These procedures can produce more effective means to describe the behavior of device structures requiring detailed physical descriptions and increased computational efficiency. Applications presented in this paper include: (a) simulation of transport across hetero-barriers with quasi-ballistic effects; (b) simulation of metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors in which parasitic circuit effects are important; and (c) generation of transport parameters for use in drift-diffusion (and hydrodynamic) models while negating assumptions about the nature of the particle velocity distribution function.
Can the Response of the Iris to Light be Used to Break the Code of the Second Cranial Nerve in Man

The sphincture muscle of the vertebrate iris develops tension causing the aperture stop of the eye to become small in the light, and loses tension making it expand in the dark. In this way, the light available to the sensory retina can alternatively be diminished when the world is too bright and increased when it is too dim. This elegant servomechanism is a textbook example, so we are told, of a homeostatic mechanism maintaining the exquisite sensitivity of the vertebrate retina constant while environmental light fluctuates. Nonsense! The maintenance of good retinal sensitivity over a range of 10,000,000,000,000 fold from the one extreme near the theoretical limit of detection to the other extreme at which the light becomes so intense that the retina starts to burn, is no doubt a prize achievement of Mother Nature as a bioengineer, but the photopupillary response has precious little to do with it. The small fluctuations of pupil area available (about 1.2 log10 units, for example, for the human eye) is trivial in this context.
The Influence of a TiN Film on the Electronic Contribution to the Thermal Conductivity of a TiC Film in a TiN-TiC Layer System

TiC and TiN films were deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering on Si substrates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization of the microstructure and interface structure have been carried out and the stoichiometric composition of TiC is determined. Thermal conductivity and interface thermal conductance between different layers in the films are evaluated by the transient thermo reflectance (TTR) and three-omega (3-ω) methods. The results showed that the thermal conductivity of the TiC films increased with temperature. The thermal conductivity of TiC in the absence of TiN is dominated by phonon contribution. The electronic contribution to the thermal conductivity of TiC in the presence of TiN is found to be more significant. The interface thermal conductance of the TiC/TiN interface is much larger than that of interfaces at Au/TiC, TiC/Si, or TiN/Si. The interface thermal conductance between TiC and TiN is reduced by the layer formed as a result of interdiffusion.
Enhanced incentive motivation in obesity-prone rats is mediated by NAc core CP-AMPARs

Studies in humans suggest that stronger incentive motivational responses to Pavlovian food cues may drive over-consumption leading to and maintaining obesity, particularly in susceptible individuals. However, whether this enhanced incentive motivation emerges as a consequence of obesity or rather precedes obesity is unknown. Moreover, while human imaging studies have provided important information about differences in striatal responsiveness between susceptible and non-susceptible individuals, the neural mechanisms mediating these behavioral differences are unknown. The Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) mediates cue-triggered reward seeking and activity in the NAc is enhanced in obesity-susceptible populations. Therefore here, we used selectively-bred obesity-prone and obesity-resistant rats to examine intrinsic differences in incentive motivation, and the role of NAc AMPARs in the expression of these behaviors prior to obesity. We found that obesity-prone rats exhibit robust cue-triggered food-seeking (Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer, PIT). Using intra-NAc infusion of AMPAR antagonists, we show that this behavior is selectively mediated by CP-AMPARs in the NAc core. Additionally, biochemical data suggest that this is due in part to experience-induced increases in CP-AMPAR surface expression in the NAc of obesity-prone rats. In contrast, in obesity-resistant rats PIT was weak and unreliable and training did not increase NAc AMPAR surface expression. Collectively, these data show that food cues acquire greater incentive motivational control in obesity-susceptible populations prior to the development of obesity. This provides support to the idea that enhanced intrinsic incentive motivation may be a contributing factor, rather than a consequence of obesity. In addition, these data demonstrate a novel role for experience-induced up-regulation of NAc CP-AMPARs in PIT, pointing to potential mechanistic parallels between the processes leading to addiction and to obesity.