cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selenium deficiency associated with cardiomyopathy: a complication of the ketogenic diet.

Summary: Purpose: The ketogenic diet (KD) is an efficacious treatment for intractable epilepsy, associated with infrequent side effects. The KD is known to be deficient in most vitamins and minerals and may be deficient in trace minerals. We report biochemical selenium deficiency in nine patients on the KD, including one who developed cardiomyopathy. Methods: A whole-blood selenium level was obtained on the symptomatic patient after noting the patient's poor appearance on physical examination. Children already treated and children beginning the KD were then evaluated prospectively for selenium status by measuring whole-blood or serum selenium as part of routine laboratory evaluation every 3 months. Results: The index case had no detectable whole-blood selenium. Cardiac physical examination and ECG were normal, but the echocardiogram revealed cardiomyopathy. Thirty-nine additional children had the selenium status evaluated. Eight had selenium levels below the normal range (six initially, and two developed low selenium levels on serial testing). They were referred for cardiology evaluations, which were normal. Selenium supplementation improved levels in all children. Low levels were seen in some children after only a few months of treatment. Conclusions: The nutrient adequacy of the currently used KD has not been fully evaluated. The nutrient content of KD with usual supplements may not meet Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for selenium and may not provide other trace minerals in adequate amounts. At our center, selenium deficiency was found in 20% of the patients evaluated. Screening for selenium deficiency is suggested if the patient KD regimen does not meet ≥75% of the RDA or if the child is symptomatic. Nutrient supplementation should provide adequate trace elements for children treated with the KD. The KD requires close monitoring of the overall nutritional status.
Measurement of subspeckle-size changes by laser-speckle photography

A simple method for the measurement of subspeckle-size lateral changes by double-exposure laser-speckle photography is described and practically demonstrated. It requires a known lateral movement of the subject (or the camera) orthogonal to that of the unknown movement. The orientation of Young’s fringes gives the unknown deformation. The method is time ordered and reasonably sensitive. The lower measurement range can easily be reduced to 1 order of magnitude of the usual limit.
A learning theory approach to noninteractive database privacy

In this article, we demonstrate that, ignoring computational constraints, it is possible to release synthetic databases that are useful for accurately answering large classes of queries while preserving differential privacy. Specifically, we give a mechanism that privately releases synthetic data useful for answering a class of queries over a discrete domain with error that grows as a function of the size of the smallest net approximately representing the answers to that class of queries. We show that this in particular implies a mechanism for counting queries that gives error guarantees that grow only with the VC-dimension of the class of queries, which itself grows at most logarithmically with the size of the query class.We also show that it is not possible to release even simple classes of queries (such as intervals and their generalizations) over continuous domains with worst-case utility guarantees while preserving differential privacy. In response to this, we consider a relaxation of the utility guarantee and give a privacy preserving polynomial time algorithm that for any halfspace query will provide an answer that is accurate for some small perturbation of the query. This algorithm does not release synthetic data, but instead another data structure capable of representing an answer for each query. We also give an efficient algorithm for releasing synthetic data for the class of interval queries and axis-aligned rectangles of constant dimension over discrete domains.
A General Model for the Shock Initiation of Explosives

A general model for the shock initiation of explosive reaction in chemical explosives is proposed. The model is based on the concepts of: (1) the kinetics of decomposition in which ions and free radicals produced by the shock wave shear forces initiate chain reactions that contribute to and accelerate the decomposition produced by the thermally activated molecules; (2) the formation of statistically random reaction sites whose number in a specific explosive is a direct function of the shock pressure as the shock transits the explosive; and (3) a critical- energy-fluence requirement for initiation. This model appears to apply to explosive reaction in gases, liquids, and solids.
A potassium-dependent inhibitory synaptic connection in leech segmental ganglia

Abstract 1. 1. In leech segmental ganglia, stimulation of the pressure (P) cells evoked 3–5 mV hyperpolarizing postsynaptic potentials (i.p.s.p.s) in a nearby neuron of unknown function (X cell). 2. 2. These i.p.s.p.s arose with a constant latency of 5–6 msec; their reversal potentials shifted 49 mV for tenfold changes in (K)o. 3. 3. Tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) 0.5 mM reversibly blocked transmission between P and X cells without affecting an excitatory synaptic connection between nociceptive (N) and X neurons. 4. 4. Following intracellular injection of HRP into P and X neurons synaptic contacts between impregnated processes were seen in electron micrographs.
Anti‐Predator Signals as Advertisements: Evidence in White‐Throated Magpie‐Jays

Calls and displays elicited by predators usually function as alarms or to inform predators of their detection. However, predator encounters may afford some individuals the opportunity to demonstrate quality or signal their availability. Here, I report on a class of vocal signals produced in predator-elicited displays that share many characteristics with sexually selected song. White-throated magpie-jays (Calocitta formosa) display at low-threat predators while producing ‘loud display calls’ (LDCs). I use this term because the calls occur primarily in two display contexts (see below) though occasionally in other contexts as well. Such calls and displays are primarily produced by males, and also occur in one other context, at dawn. Playback experiments showed that despite being elicited by predators, males were more likely than females to respond to LDCs, and more likely to respond when their mate was fertile. Over 134 different call types were produced in over 200 displays by 34 males; the largest minimum repertoire size was 67. Presentations of taxidermic raptor mounts elicited some LDCs, but fewer calls and lower diversity than at dawn or in predator approach displays. The male bias and high diversity suggest that LDCs are an outcome of intersexual selection, while their elicitation by predators suggests an alarm function. I propose that male magpie-jays use predator encounters as opportunities to advertise their presence and availability as mates; they use LDCs as songs. Such a communication system seems to have been favored by the unusual social system of magpie-jays, in which female groups defend territories and males have little opportunity to defend resources for mate attraction, forcing them to advertise when females are paying the most attention, during predator encounters.
Pattern avoidance in binary trees

This paper considers the enumeration of trees avoiding a contiguous pattern. We provide an algorithm for computing the generating function that counts n-leaf binary trees avoiding a given binary tree pattern t. Equipped with this counting mechanism, we study the analogue of Wilf equivalence in which two tree patterns are equivalent if the respective n-leaf trees that avoid them are equinumerous. We investigate the equivalence classes combinatorially. Toward establishing bijective proofs of tree pattern equivalence, we develop a general method of restructuring trees that conjecturally succeeds to produce an explicit bijection for each pair of equivalent tree patterns.
Polarization Energy on a Cluster of Multicores

Computing the polarization energy between a ligand (i.e., a small molecule such as a drug molecule) and a receptor (e.g., a virus molecule) is of utmost importance in drug design. We have designed and implemented distributed-memory and distributed-shared-memory parallel algorithms for approximating GB-polarization energy (e.g., polar part of free energy of hydration) of protein molecules. This is an octree-based hierarchical algorithm, built on Greengard-Rokhlin type near-far decomposition of data points (i.e., atoms and points sampled from the molecular surface) for calculating the polarization energy of protein molecules using the surface based r6-approximation of Generalized Born radii of atoms. We have shown that our implementations outperform state-of-the-art GB-polarization energy implementations, such as Amber 12, GBr6, Gromacs 4.5.3, NAMD 2.9 and Tinker 6.0. Using approximations, cache-efficient data structures and efficient load-balancing schemes, we achieve a speedup factor of ~ 400 w.r.t Amber with less than 1% error w.r.t. the naive exact algorithm using as few as 144 cores (i.e., 12 compute nodes with 12 cores each) for molecules with as many as half a million atoms.
The effect of skin grafting on the glycosidase activities and sulfated glycosaminoglycan content of healing wounds in rabbits

Application of full thickness skin autografts to granulating open wounds in rabbits 1 week after initial wounding results in a loss of both cellular and collagenous wound substate [9]. Although full thickness grafting hastens several events during healing, the process of wound contraction is inhibited. The collagen concentration of granulation tissue increases beneath grafts, but collagen per unit area shows a net and significant decrease [9], suggesting a greater resorption of noncollagenous granulation tissue components than of collagen. A loss of cells also occurs which can be seen histologically and is accompanied by decreased DNA content. After 1 week of healing, a fall in hyaluronic acid content is associated with the appearance of hyaluronidase actvity in the granulation tissue. This activity remains elevated through 19 days of healing and is unaffected by graft application [4]. Prolyl hydroxylase [5] and collagenolytic activities [9] in granulation tissue are inhibited by skin grafting. Activity of ,&glucuronidase and &D-N-acetylhexosaminase was compared in normally contracting open wounds and in wounds in which contraction was inhibited by the application of full thickness autogenous skin grafts. The sulfated glycosaminoglycan content of these two healing conditions was also determined.
Risk Factors for Infant Abuse and Neglect in Group-Living Rhesus Monkeys

This study investigated maternal abuse and neglect of offspring in a large population of rhesus monkeys over a period of 29 years. Abuse and neglect did not occur together and were associated with different risk factors. Infant abuse was concentrated in 8 of 57 families and among closely related females. Abuse was also repeated with successive offspring. In contrast, infant neglect was not affected by genealogical factors, was not repeated with successive offspring, and was displayed mostly by primiparous mothers. These results suggest that abuse and neglect may be different phenomena and that infant abuse in group-living monkeys could represent a good animal model for investigating the mechanisms underlying the intergenerational transmission of child maltreatment.
La formation des préférences du consommateur et l'avantage pionnier

Les pionniers sur un marche vendent plus que les entrants suivants, tant sur les marches de consommation que sur les marches industriels. Les barrieres a l'entree resultant d'un positionnement de preemption et les couts associes aux changements de marques pour les consommateurs sont les raisons avancees pour expliquer cette difference de parts de marche, appelee «avantage pionnier». Quoi qu'il en soit, les etudes empiriques montrent que les avantages pionniers existent meme dans les marches a maturite, dans lesquels le repositionnement des marques et les couts de changement de marques sont minimaux. Dans ces cas, les auteurs indiquent que l'avantage pionnier peut provenir du processus par lequel les consommateurs font leur apprentissage des marques et forment leurs preferences. Ce processus peut produire une structure de preference qui favorise le premier sur le marche, genant les entrants ulterieurs. Ces derniers, compte tenu de la structure de preference des consommateurs, auront du mal a s'affirmer sur...
The availability of state-level data on interstate cattle movements in the United States.

Knowledge about the patterns of animal movement--particularly feeder-cattle movement--within the USA is necessary in order to anticipate how diseases might be spread geographically. This study was conducted to explore the availability of interstate-level movement data which might be used to develop a more coherent national picture of interstate feeder-cattle movement. State Statistical Offices of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, 1996 (NASS) and Departments of Agriculture in all 50 states were contacted to determine the type of information collected regarding the import and export of feeder cattle. Eighteen of the 50 states contacted recorded updated import and export information by using certificates of veterinary inspection and (occasionally) entry permits for verification. The 18 states were: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Profiles of import and export data from Kansas, Texas, Colorado and Iowa (the primary receivers of 51% of total 1995 imports) were developed. These four states received at least 50% of their cattle imports from 50% of the exports from Kansas, Texas, Colorado, and Iowa go to < or = 3 states. This import and export information confirms conclusions of others that cattle tend to move toward the center of the USA. However, if more states kept comprehensive, up-to-date records of movement information, knowledge about cattle-movement patterns in the USA would be importantly increased. The lack of specific notations on certificates of veterinary inspection can lead only to perceived trends; the present records have limited value in tracking animal movement.
Isospin inversion and n–p pairing in self-conjugate nuclei A=58–98

Abstract Symmetry energy coefficients were obtained from the atomic mass evaluation Ame2003. Comparing the results for the ground states of self-conjugate even–even ( T = 0 ) and odd–odd ( T = 0 or T = 1 ) nuclei indicates isospin inversion. The dependence on isospin of the symmetry energy suggests mixing of correlated T = 0 and T = 1 n–p pairs near N = Z from about A = 76 to 96.
Runtime Management of Laser Power in Silicon-Photonic Multibus NoC Architecture

Silicon-photonic links have been proposed to replace electrical links for global on-chip communication in future many-core processors. Silicon-photonic links have the advantage of lower data-dependent power and higher bandwidth density, but the high laser power can more than offset these advantages. We propose a solution to manage laser power of silicon-photonic network-on-chip (NoC) in many-core system. We present a silicon-photonic multibus NoC architecture between private L1 caches and distributed L2 cache banks which uses weighted time-division multiplexing to distribute the laser power across multiple buses based on the runtime variations in the bandwidth requirements within and across applications to maximize energy efficiency. The multibus NoC architecture also harnesses the opportunities to switch OFF laser sources at runtime, during low-bandwidth requirements, to reduce laser power consumption. Using detailed system-level simulations, we evaluate the multibus NoC architecture and runtime laser power management technique on a 64-core system running NAS parallel benchmark suite. The silicon-photonic multibus NoC architecture provides more than two times better performance than silicon-photonic Clos and butterfly NoC architectures, while consuming the same laser power. Using runtime laser power management technique, the average laser power is reduced by more than 49% with minimal impact on the system performance.
Methods for Interconverting Aldehydes and Acetals

Abstract The conversion of an aldehyde (or ketone) to the corresponding acetal (or ketal) is not generally an obstacle in synthetic sequences. However some olefinic aldehydes undergo cyclization readily in the presence of mineral or Lewis acids (I, as an example),1 and in these cases (and for other extremely acid sensitive aldehydes) another method appeared desirable. We present here such an alternative, which may be of even more general applicability because of the high yields obtained and the short reaction times required.
Solidification instability of quantum fluids.

We generalize the classical-fluid-instability calculation of Kirkwood and Monroe and Ramakrishnan and Yussouff to the quantum-mechanical case by focusing on the trial wave function for the ground state and exploiting the similarity between the trial wave function and the partition function of a classical fluid. For $^{4}\mathrm{He}$, we find that Lindemann's ratio becomes three times the classical value consistent with experimental observations.
Bob Metcalfe: Ethernet at Forty

Bob Metcalfe describes how the Ethernet local area network was created 40 years ago at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center. The first Web extra at http://youtu.be/rLhoFp2YIgU is an audio recording of Charles Severance's Computing Conversations column, in which he discusses his interview with Bob Metcalfe about how the Ethernet local area network was created 40 years ago at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center. The second Web extra at http://youtu.be/m_agCPNGOzU is a video interview with Bob Metcalfe about the creation of the first Ethernet local area network 40 years ago at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center.
Directed attention and the recognition of pictures

In previous research, Weaver and Stanny (1978) found that immediate recognition memory for one of several pictorial stimuli was facilitated when the target for a forced-choice recognition test was preceded by an attentional cue. In the present experiment, improved recognition for cued stimuli was obtained for stimuli in several serial positions and over filled retention intervals of several minutes. However, no support was obtained for a hypothesis that allocation of additional effort to one stimulus requires termination of processing for other stimuli in the study sequence. Specifically, on trials in which a cue was presented, recognition of targets presented prior to the cue was no poorer than that for targets in analogous study sequences in the absence of a cue.
Analysis of epileptic activity in a system of interconnected neurons. A biological criticality theory.

In this theoretical study of epileptiform activity, the onset of self-sustained activity in a system of interconnected cells is explored using (a) analytical models, and (b) computer simulations. An approximate analytical model demonstrates that the system can be either stable, with self-sustained activity impossible, or potentially unstable, with the possibility of going into self-sustained activity if the firing rate is driven beyond a critical level. The approximations made in this initial model led to substantial discrepancies when the analytical criticality condition was tested against computer simulations in relatively small networks of neurons. Therefore, using a refined analytical model, a numerically more accurate, although computationally cumbersome, criticality condition was derived which agrees well with the simulation results. Two simulation models are used: a deterministic simulation in which the average number of cells firing at each simulation step is calculated and a probabilistic simulation in which the stimulation and firing of each individual neuron is followed. Comparison between the behavior of the probabilistic and deterministic simulations near criticality demonstrates that random fluctuations can force the system toward either self-sustained activity or decay.
Indian Ocean Variability in the GFDL Coupled Climate Model

The interannual variability of the Indian Ocean, with particular focus on the Indian Ocean dipole/ zonal mode ( IODZM), is investigated in a 250- yr simulation of the GFDL coupled global general circulation model ( CGCM). The CGCM successfully reproduces many fundamental characteristics of the climate system of the Indian Ocean. The character of the IODZM is explored, as are relationships between positive IODZM and El Nino events, through a composite analysis. The IODZM events in the CGCM grow through feedbacks between heat- content anomalies and SST- related atmospheric anomalies, particularly in the eastern tropical Indian Ocean. The composite IODZM events that co- occur with El Nino have stronger anomalies and a sharper east - west SSTA contrast than those that occur without El Nino. IODZM events, whether or not they occur with El Nino, are preceded by distinctive Indo- Pacific warm pool anomaly patterns in boreal spring: in the central Indian Ocean easterly surface winds, and in the western equatorial Pacific an eastward shift of deep convection, westerly surface winds, and warm sea surface temperature. However, delayed onsets of the anomaly patterns ( e. g., boreal summer) are often not followed by IODZM events. The same anomaly patterns often precede El Nino, suggesting that the warm pool conditions favorable for both IODZM and El Nino are similar. Given that IODZM events can occur without El Nino, it is proposed that the observed IODZM - El Nino relation arises because the IODZM and El Nino are both large- scale phenomena in which variations of the Indo- Pacific warm pool deep convection plays a central role. Yet each phenomenon has its own dynamics and life cycle, allowing each to develop without the other. The CGCM integration also shows substantial decadal modulation of the occurrence of IODZM events, which is found to be not in phase with that of El Nino events. There is a weak, though significant, negative correlation between the two.
Intravascular carbon dioxide monitoring using micro-flow colorimetry

An intravascular carbon dioxide sensor is investigated which employs continuous perfusion of micro-quantities of reagent through silicone membrane tubing in contact with blood. Blood is sampled from a vessel by periodic withdrawal-reinfusion through a catheter and passes by the sensor membrane tubing integrated into the catheter system. Blood CO2 equilibrates across the silicone membrane causing a color change in the reagent micro-flow stream that is detected by an optical cell external to the vessel. In vivo trials on pigs demonstrate a stable sensor response, a fast response time, and high signal-to-noise ratios. The sensor also exhibits an immunity to temperature changes, reduced intravascular blood flow, photobleaching, and leaching. It has a 2 min response time, a +/-2 mmHg resolution, and minimal drift over a 12 h duration. Using a pig model, measured values compared with true values indicate a 0.998 correlation coefficient, a 1.3 mmHg precision, and a 1.7 mmHg bias.
Association of calmodulin with isolated nuclei from rat hepatocytes.

Abstract Calmodulin plays an important role in regulating cell proliferation and intranuclear processes (J. Biol. Chem. 265: 18595, 1990). Therefore we studied the association of 125I-calmodulin with highly purified rat hepatocyte nuclear preparations which were characterized by marker enzymes and electron microscopy. Steady-state association of 125I-calmodulin was reached within 5 minutes. Half-maximal binding was achieved at approximately 7.1 μM. This association was partially Ca2+-dependent, but was not influenced by ATP, GTP or wheat germ agglutinin. Ultrastructural autoradiography showed specific association of 125I-calmodulin with peripheral and non-peripheral heterochromatin, nuclear membranes, and nucleoli. Specific binding (ratio of the grain density of 125I-calmodulin to Na125I) was greatest in the regions of the nucleoli and non-peripheral heterochromatin. The data indicate that exogenous calmodulin can associate with specific nuclear components in an energy-independent and Ca2+-dependent manner.
Influence of autochthonous dissolved organic carbon and nutrient limitation on alachlor biotransformation in aerobic aquatic systems.

Much work has suggested that the rate of attenuation of water-soluble organic contaminants in aerobic aquatic systems is dependent on the level of secondary nutrients in the water column. For example, the decay rate of alachlor, a common herbicide, was over 10 times higher under hypereutrophic compared with oligotrophic water conditions. It has been presumed that higher water column nutrient levels produce larger microbial communities, resulting in higher rates of alachlor cometabolism. However, most earlier field studies only assessed alachlor fate in systems with full light exposure (FLE). Therefore, new experiments were performed to assess how variations in light level affect alachlor cometabolism in such systems. Twelve tank mesocosms were maintained using identical nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) supply conditions: four units with full light exposure (100% FLE), four with partial shading (19.3% FLE), and four with near complete shading (0.5% FLE). Alachlor half-lives were found to vary broadly, from...
Response of Circuits to Steady-State Pulses

A method of calculating the steady-state response of circuits to repeated pulses is given using the method of the steady-state operational calculus. A short table of transforms which have been found useful in these calculations is also presented. The response of several basic circuits to these pulses is obtained and shown as calculated curves, and the calculated curves are then compared with curves obtained experimentally. These curves have been found to be very useful in adjusting circuits to be used with pulses. Several other possible applications are discussed.
NEOCLASSICAL MONETARY THEORY

THIS IS A STUDY of the monetary writings of the great neoclassical economists, dating from the early 1870's, and their significance for the development of monetary theory. Two deductive approaches to the quantity theory characterized neoclassical monetary theory. One was a utility analysis of the demand for money. This was generally heuristic, with little recognition on a formal level of the crucial proposition that holding money yields a utility of its own, as distinct from the goods and services that the money can buy. This proposition, however, does emerge, if only from the context of a clumsy exposition, hampered by the vestiges of an antimercantilist view of money. Moreover, neoclassicists provided specific rationalizations for holding cash balances. Several recognized that money is held at the sacrifice of interest. Marshall and Von Mises pointed out that the benefits of cash balances must be balanced against those from a commodity, business, or financial asset. However feeble one may regard these attempts, they imply that the demand for money is not a result of frictions or institutional considerations alone but of a decision-making process; and this is the essence of the utility approach. The second deductive approach to the quantity theory assumes initially an excess of actual over demanded real balances caused, say, by an increase in the supply of money. This sets in motion an attempt to dispose of the excess of cash balances by an expansion in in the demands for commodities and for bonds. If only the increased demand for commodities occurs, prices rise, which lowers! actual real balances until brought into equilibrium with demanded real balances. This equilibrating process was described by Wicksell, Fisher, and Von Mises. Neither Marshall nor Walras spelled it out, although it would have been analogous to what they did in their price theory. Marshall expounded an adjustment process in terms of the credit market and the discount rate that left out reference to any cash-balance mechanism, even in the bond market. A blurred distinction between bank deposits and bank credit contributed to
Thermodynamically consistent hydrodynamic computational models for high-Knudsen-number gas flows

In high-Knudsen-number flows nonequilibrium effects become dominant and the use of Navier–Stokes–Fourier equations becomes questionable since they are based on small deviation from local thermodynamic equilibrium. In this paper new hydrodynamic computational models are proposed for modeling gases in the transition regime. They are based on Eu’s generalized hydrodynamic equations and it turns out that they apply in all Mach numbers and satisfy the second law of thermodynamics to every order of approximation. In order to learn more about the new equations a model equation similar to the Burgers’ equation is studied. From this analysis new insight into constitutive relations of various hydrodynamic equations has been gained. In addition, a convergent iterative method for solving the highly nonlinear constitutive equations is developed. Finally, the shock structure and slip flow problems are computed by using high resolution numerical schemes and issues of extending the one-dimensional solver to multidimensional problems are discussed.
Experience-Dependent Neuropsychological Recovery and the Treatment of Alcoholism

This paper reviews the relationship between cognitive status and treatment outcome in chronic alcoholics, the natural history of recovery, and the role of cognitively oriented remediation programs in facilitating recovery. Seven studies of experience-dependent recovery are described in which behavioral improvement was noted. Various recommendations for treatment over the course of recovery are made, guided by anticipated changes in capacity to process complex information over time.
On the Role of Graphene in Polymer-Based Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells

As a new material, graphene is considered to have great potential in photovoltaic applications, due to its superior physical and electronic properties. In this manuscript, the behavior of graphene nanosheets prepared by different processing methods were investigated in order to probe their applicability in polymer-based bulk heterojunction optoelectronic devices. Raman spectroscopy was employed to study the formation of interfaces between the conjugated polymer and graphene, while photoluminescence quenching was used to investigate charge transfer from P3HT to graphene. The current-voltage characteristics of fabricated cells were investigated to elucidate the role of graphene in their performance. We demonstrate that the addition of small quantities of graphene promotes exciton dissociation and charge transport in P3HT:PCBM BHJ devices, leading to a novel paradigm for organic solar cells.
Purification and stabilization of ricin B from tobacco hairy root culture medium by aqueous two-phase extraction

Ricin B (RTB), the non-toxic lectin subunit of ricin, is a promising mucosal adjuvant and carrier for use in humans. RTB fusion proteins have been expressed in tobacco hairy root cultures, but the secreted RTB component of these proteins was vulnerable to protease degradation in the medium. Moreover, castor bean purified RTB spiked into tobacco hairy root culture media showed significant degradation after 24 h and complete loss of product after 72 h. Aqueous two-phase extraction (ATPE) was tested for fast recovery of RTB not only to partially purify the protein but also to improve its stability. Two different polyethylene glycol (PEG)/salt/water systems including PEG/potassium phosphate and PEG/sodium sulfate, were studied. RTB was shown to be favorably recovered in PEG/sodium sulfate systems. Statistical analysis indicated that the ionic strength of the system and the sodium sulfate concentration were important in optimizing the partition coefficient of RTB. A selectivity of almost three could be achieved for RTB in optimized systems, and RTB partitioned in the PEG-rich phase exhibited extended stability. Therefore, ATPE was shown to be effective in initial recovery/purification and stabilization of RTB and may hold promise for other unstable secreted proteins from hairy root culture.
Nutrient media for plant parasitic nematodes. I. Axenic cultivation of Aphelenchoides sp.

Abstract After having tested media used for the cultivation of tissues, cells, and other nematodes, a nutrient solution of defined components designated M-2 was developed that supported growth, development, maturation, and limited reproduction of the stylet-bearing nematode, Aphelenchoides sp. An additional increment of maturation and reproduction occurred when ficoll activated growth factor was included.
Management of cervical metastases in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the base of tongue.

Objective To clarify the role of neck dissection following primary radiotherapy for treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the base of tongue. Design Case series. Setting Academic, tertiary care medical center. Patients or Other Participants A consecutive series of 45 patients with biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma of the base of tongue and cervical metastases treated with primary radiotherapy at The University of California, San Francisco, was examined. Patients with a prior history of neck irradiation, neck dissection, or head and neck cancer within 5 years were excluded. Main Outcome Measures Overall survival and regional control. Results Of the 45 patients treated with definitive radiotherapy, 25 (56%) achieved a complete response, 13 (29%) achieved a partial response, 4 (9%) were nonresponders, and 3 (7%) did not complete radiotherapy. Two thirds of the complete responders had N2 or N3 disease; 3 had recurrences in the neck, 1 of which was an isolated neck recurrence. Of the 13 partial responders, 5 had isolated persistence of disease, with 4 undergoing neck dissections. The only long-term survivors among the partial responders were those 4 who underwent a neck dissection. Overall survival was 50% at 3 years and 32% at 5 years. Regional control for complete responders was 84% at 5 years. Conclusions The low rate of isolated regional recurrence in patients with a complete response to radiotherapy supports the practice of surveillance alone in such patients. Patients with less than a complete response appear to benefit from prompt surgical salvage.
An Algorithm for Reducing the Size of Finite Element Closed-Form Source Code Files

Closed-form solutions, as opposed to numerically integrated solutions, can now be obtained for many problems in engineering. In the area of finite element analysis, researchers have been able to demonstrate the efficiency of closed-form solutions when compared to numerical integration for elements such as straight-sided triangular [1] and tetrahedral elements [2, 3]. With higher order elements, however, the length of the resulting expressions is excessive. When these expressions are to be implemented in finite element applications as source code files, large source code files can be generated, resulting in line length/ line continuation limit issues with the compiler. This paper discusses a simple algorithm for the reduction of large source code files in which duplicate terms are replaced through the use of an adaptive dictionary. The importance of this algorithm lies in its ability to produce manageable source code files that can be used to improve efficiency in the element generation step of higher order finite element analysis. The algorithm is applied to Fortran files developed for the implementation of closed-form element stiffness and error estimator expressions for straight-sided tetrahedral finite elements through the fourth order. Reductions in individual source code file size by as much as 83% are demonstrated.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Evaluation of air handling in a new generation neonatal oxygenator with integral arterial filter.

Prime volume of the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit may lead to significant hemodilution and the potential need for blood products for all patients, but may be more critical in the pediatric and, specifically, the neonatal patient. We report on the first use of the Terumo® CAPIOX® FX05 (Baby-FX™) oxygenator with integral arterial filter, prime volume 43 ml, evaluating performance and air-handling of six Baby-FX™ versus thirteen Baby-RX™ oxygenators. The Terumo Baby-FX™ primes and performs as easily as the Baby-RX™ series. A significant prime component in the neonatal CPB circuit can be the arterial line filter (ALF). Removal of the ALF may lead to significant reduction in prime volume, decreased exposure to foreign surfaces with subsequent reduction in inflammation, and potential elimination or reduction in blood product exposures.
Economic fluctuation revisited

This study discusses the various short-, medium- and long-term cycle theories and focuses on the long-term Kondratiev cycle and its Schumpeterian interpretation. It gives a summary on the economic fluctuation in the 20th century and its impact on structural transformation and regional rearrangements. The problem of â€˜peripheral structural crisisâ€™ â€“ the destruction without creation in the relatively backward regions of Europe â€“ is introduced.
Fungal diversity and deterioration in mummified woods from the ad Astra Ice Cap region in the Canadian High Arctic

Non-permineralized or mummified ancient wood found within proglacial soil near the ad Astra Ice Cap (81°N, 76°W), Ellesmere Island, Canada was investigated to ascertain the identification of the trees, current morphological and chemical characteristics of the woods and the fungi within them. These woods, identified as Betula, Larix, Picea and Pinus, were found with varying states of physical and chemical degradation. Modern microbial decomposition caused by soft rot fungi was evident and rDNA sequencing of fungi obtained from the samples revealed several species including Cadophora sp., Exophiala sp., Phialocephala sp., as well as others. Analytical 13C-labeled tetramethylammonium hydroxide thermochemolysis showed the lignin from the ancient wood was in a high degree of preservation with minor side chain alteration and little to no demethylation or ring hydroxylation. The exposure of these ancient woods to the young soils, where woody debris is not usually prevalent, provides carbon and nutrients into the polar environment that are captured and utilized by unique decay fungi at this Arctic site.
Chaos: a real phenomenon in power electronics

An introductory tutorial on chaotic behavior in DC-DC convertors is presented. Chaos is characterized by an emipirical spectrum which has a continuous component, and may even have no discrete components. Chaotic behavior frequently occurs when a power converter operates in a protective mode such as in a short-circuit or overload condition. Chaotic behavior in power converters is described in terms of phase-plane (state-space) trajectories. A description is given of a particular form of buck regulator circuit without PWM (pulse-width modulation) drive and without current sensing, i.e. a form of ripple-regulator. Simulation and experimental data for the circuit are presented and discussed. Two other similar circuits exhibiting chaotic behavior are also considered. >
Systematic Identification of Novel, Essential Host Genes Affecting Bromovirus RNA Replication

Positive-strand RNA virus replication involves viral proteins and cellular proteins at nearly every replication step. Brome mosaic virus (BMV) is a well-established model for dissecting virus-host interactions and is one of very few viruses whose RNA replication, gene expression and encapsidation have been reproduced in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Previously, our laboratory identified ∼100 non-essential host genes whose loss inhibited or enhanced BMV replication at least 3-fold. However, our isolation of additional BMV-modulating host genes by classical genetics and other results underscore that genes essential for cell growth also contribute to BMV RNA replication at a frequency that may be greater than that of non-essential genes. To systematically identify novel, essential host genes affecting BMV RNA replication, we tested a collection of ∼900 yeast strains, each with a single essential gene promoter replaced by a doxycycline-repressible promoter, allowing repression of gene expression by adding doxycycline to the growth medium. Using this strain array of ∼81% of essential yeast genes, we identified 24 essential host genes whose depleted expression reproducibly inhibited or enhanced BMV RNA replication. Relevant host genes are involved in ribosome biosynthesis, cell cycle regulation and protein homeostasis, among other cellular processes. BMV 2aPol levels were significantly increased in strains depleted for a heat shock protein (HSF1) or proteasome components (PRE1 and RPT6), suggesting these genes may affect BMV RNA replication by directly or indirectly modulating 2aPol localization, post-translational modification or interacting partners. Investigating the diverse functions of these newly identified essential host genes should advance our understanding of BMV-host interactions and normal cellular pathways, and suggest new modes of virus control.
Introduction to Endocrinology

The earliest bacterial fossil dates back about 3 billion years. This was a simpler time! Communications between cells were more modest than those required to maintain a multicellular organism and were probably focused on the ability to signal the presence of beneficial substances (food) or deleterious substances (toxins) in the local environment.
FOB or Uniform Delivered Prices: Strategic Choice and Welfare Effects

In spatial markets firms typically use either FOB (mill) or uniform delivered (UD) pricing. What competitive factors motivate this choice and what are the welfare implications of the choice? We study these questions in a duopsony market, where farmers with unit elastic supply curves sell to processing firms. In results that differ considerably from prior work, we show that the equilibrium price policy depends upon the extent of competition in the market, with FOB pricing emerging under very competitive structures and UD pricing emerging under less competition. Mixed FOB-UD pricing may also emerge in equilibrium. In most cases welfare is higher under UD than FOB pricing.
Systematic desensitization under two conditions of induced expectancy.

Abstract Two groups of 10 snake-avoidant Ss were exposed to identical routines of semi-automated desensitization after hearing different instructions about the anticipated outcome of treatment. One group was led to anticipate a reduction of snake-fear, while the other was led to not expect a reduction. Pretreatment to post-treatment reductions in snake-avoidance for the two desensitization groups were compared with each other and with pseudotherapy controls. Results indicated that the expectancy manipulation had no impact on the efficacy of experimental desensitization.
Modeling melody recognition using a sequence recognition neural network with meta-level processes

This research models human performance in the Dalla Bella, Peretz, and Aronoff melody recognition study. They compared performance between musicians and nonmusicians in the recognition (and perception) of melodies. They used a gating task to identify three events in the melody perception/recognition process. These were the familiarity emergence point (FEP), the isolation point (IP), and the recognition point (RP). We develop a simulation to model hypothesized cognitive processes underlying these events. The IP is modeled using a winner-take-all connectionist network adapted to operate with temporal input sequences. Meta-level processes examine the dynamic state of the recognition network to model the FEP and the RP.
The poly(C)-binding proteins: a multiplicity of functions and a search for mechanisms.

The poly(C) binding proteins (PCBPs) are encoded at five dispersed loci in the mouse and human genomes. These proteins, which can be divided into two groups, hnRNPs K/J and the aCPs (aCP1-4), are linked by a common evolutionary history, a shared triple KH domain configuration, and by their poly(C) binding specificity. Given these conserved characteristics it is remarkable to find a substantial diversity in PCBP functions. The roles of these proteins in mRNA stabilization, translational activation, and translational silencing suggest a complex and diverse set of post-transcriptional control pathways. Their additional putative functions in transcriptional control and as structural components of important DNA-protein complexes further support their remarkable structural and functional versatility. Clearly the identification of additional binding targets and delineation of corresponding control mechanisms and effector pathways will establish highly informative models for further exploration.
Single-vessel flow measurements indicate scalariform perforation plates confer higher flow resistance than previously estimated.

During vessel evolution in angiosperms, scalariform perforation plates with many slit-like openings transformed into simple plates with a single circular opening. The transition is hypothesized to have resulted from selection for decreased hydraulic resistance. Previously, additional resistivity of scalariform plates was estimated to be small – generally 10% or less above lumen resistivity – based on numerical and physical models. Here, using the single-vessel technique, we directly measured the hydraulic resistance of individual xylem vessels. The resistivity of simple-plated lumens was not significantly different from the Hagen–Poiseuille (HP) prediction (+6 ± 3.3% mean deviation). In the 13 scalariform-plated species measured, plate resistivity averaged 99 ± 13.7% higher than HP lumen resistivity. Scalariform species also showed higher resistivity than simple species at the whole vessel (+340%) and sapwood (+580%) levels. The strongest predictor of scalariform plate resistance was vessel diameter (r2 = 0.84), followed by plate angle (r2 = 0.60). An equation based on laminar flow through periodic slits predicted single-vessel measurements reasonably well (r2 = 0.79) and indicated that Baileyan trends in scalariform plate evolution maintain an approximate balance between lumen and plate resistances. In summary, we found scalariform plates of diverse morphology essentially double lumen flow resistance, impeding xylem flow much more than previously estimated.
A model of international communication media appraisal:: Phase IV, generalizing the model to film☆

Abstract This study constitutes the fourth phase of a programmatic research effort designed to develop and to test a model of international communication media exposure and appraisal. The model posits that three variables, editoral tone, communication potential, and utility, have positive determinant effects on these dependent variables. This research was conducted in the Philippines on film audiences. The results of the audience film tests suggested that the model, which was previously supported with research on magazines in various countries, can be generalized to other media as well and has important implications for intercultural relations.