cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Natural Killer Cells in Allogeneic Transplantation: Effect on Engraftment, Graft- versus-Tumor, and Graft-versus-Host Responses

Natural killer (NK) cells are effectors of the innate immune system and recognize cells transformed by viruses or neoplasia. Their response to "missing self" signals was described 3 decades ago, but the recent discovery of a panoply of activating receptors has made it clear that NK cell reactivity arises from a combination of inhibitory and activating signals. Successful clinical exploitation of NK cell reactivity was demonstrated in allogeneic transplantation for acute myelogenous leukemia from HLA-haploidentical donors when matched donors were not available. Multiple clinical studies have since attempted to use NK reactivity in the setting of both HLA-matched and -mismatched transplantation, with varying results. This review summarizes the heterogeneous clinical results and explains them based on a succinct description of NK cell biology.
Cryoprotectant-treated myocardium evaluation.

Abstract Whole excised rat hearts were treated with 5, 10, or 15% ( v v ) dimethyl sulfoxide/glycerol and then some were frozen in liquid nitrogen while the balance remained unfrozen. Freezing and thawing rates were approximately 30 °C/min. Ventricular tissue was examined for histological damage, glycogen depletion, and enzyme sites, using histological, histochemical, and electron microscopy techniques. Early signs of cellular degeneration and ischemia were observed in all unfrozen groups; depletion of glycogen reserves, fuchsinophilic staining, vacuolization and granulation of the sarcoplasm were noted. Results from frozen groups were similar, but ultrastructural damage was more severe and extensive. Alkaline phosphatase and succinic dehydrogenase sites were abundant in unfrozen specimens and absent or markedly reduced in frozen specimens which also exhibited widespread nonspecific staining throughout intercellular spaces.
Individuality and stability of isolation peeps in squirrel monkeys

Isolation peeps (IP's) made by captive squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) of both the Gothic and Roman type have been analysed by spectrographic and statistical methods designed to quantify the degree of individuality found in utterances from single individuals. Clustering analysis confirmed that in both groups of monkeys individually distinct combinations of acoustic features characterize the IP and that such unique combinations persist over periods of several years. Differences between the Gothic and Roman form of the IP were found in more aspects of acoustic structure than had previously been known. The evidence suggests that information about the identity of the vocalizer is contained in the the IP.
Generation of 21-fs millijoule-energy pulses by use of Ti:sapphire

We have demonstrated the generation of 21 ± 2 fs duration pulses, with an energy of 0.5 mJ, a bandwidth of 44 nm, and a repetition rate of 10 Hz, using a chirped-pulse amplification scheme in Ti:sapphire. We use 11-fs, 5-nJ pulses from a Ti:sapphire oscillator as the input for an eight-pass Ti:sapphire amplifier. A broadband, low-dispersion chirped-pulse stretcher-and-amplifier design was used for propagation and amplification of the ultrashort pulses. By the addition of a prism pair to the stretcher, both the second- and third-order dispersions are minimized, permitting us to generate near-transform-limited amplified pulses at a duration near the theoretical limit imposed by gain narrowing in Ti:sapphire.
Nanosecond all-optical gain switching of an erbium-doped fibre amplifier

Abstract Optical gain switching of an erbium-doped fibre amplifier (EDFA) with short pulses at wavelengths within the amplifier bandwidth is demonstrated. Gain compression of 20 dB in 40 ns was experimentally obtained. Theoretical modelling agrees well with experimental results and concludes that gain compression is determined by pulse energy. Optimization of fibre length as well as signal and switching wavelengths predicts that 10 dB nanosecond switching can be obtained with sub-picojoule switching pulse energy. Theory also shows that a pump pulse can accelerate recovery to microseconds. The proposed switching scheme offers optical gain control many orders of magnitude faster than the fluorescence lifetime of erbium ions in a glass host, which limits the switching speed of an EDFA controlled by pump power modulation alone.
Comparison of Canonical Variate and Principal Component Analyses of Wine Descriptive Analysis Data

Cabernet Sauvignon wines from four regions and Chardonnay wines from three vintages were evaluated by descriptive analysis. The sensory ratings were evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA) and by canonical variate analysis (CVA) using wines (CVA-Wine) and using regions or vintages (CVA-Group) as classification variables. PCA and CVA-Wine analyses provides similar results for both data sets. Whereas, the CVA-Group analyses demonstrated significant differences among regions or vintages, the variable configuration differed from the other two methods, reflecting the differences among groups rather than among the wines overall. To understand the structure of the data, CVA-Wine and PCA tests were superior to CVA-Group.
Lung Retention in Mice exposed to Airborne Micro-organisms

THE respiratory minute volume of mice can be obtained from Guy ton's1 paper; but this does not tell us how much particulate material is retained in the lungs, a measurement of importance in calculating doses in respiratory infectivity experiments with micro-organisms. Harper and Morton2 found a mean lung retention of 2.7 ml./min when mice weighing 20–22 g were exposed to clouds of single-cell particles of Bacillus globigiispores labelled with phosphorus-32. The exposure method used at thattime was unsatisfactory in that it involved considerable restriction of the mice by neck yokes. Later (1956, unpublished work) a few tests using less restrictive methods indicated a lung retention value of approximately 7.5 ml./min.
A novel cisplatin mediated apoptosis pathway is associated with acid sphingomyelinase and FAS proapoptotic protein activation in ovarian cancer

Platinum-based anticancer drugs, including cisplatin and carboplatin, have been cornerstones in the treatment of solid tumors. We report here that these DNA-damaging agents, particularly cisplatin, induce apoptosis through plasma membrane disruption, triggering FAS death receptor via mitochondrial (intrinsic) pathways. Our objectives were to: quantify the composition of membrane metabolites; and determine the potential involvement of acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) in the FAS-mediated apoptosis in ovarian cancer after cisplatin treatment. The resulting analysis revealed enhanced apoptosis as measured by: increased phosphocholine, and glycerophosphocholine; elevated cellular energetics; and phosphocreatine and nucleoside triphosphate concentrations. The plasma membrane alterations were accompanied by increased ASMase activity, leading to the upregulation of FAS, FASL and related pro-apoptotic BAX and PUMA genes. Moreover FAS, FASL, BAX, PUMA, CASPASE-3 and -9 proteins were upregulated. Our findings implicate ASMase activity and the intrinsic pathways in cisplatin-mediated membrane demise, and contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms by which ovarian tumors may become resistant to cisplatin.
Identification of the Major Site of O-Linked β-N-Acetylglucosamine Modification in the C Terminus of Insulin Receptor Substrate-1

Signal transduction from the insulin receptor to downstream effectors is attenuated by phosphorylation at a number of Ser/Thr residues of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) resulting in resistance to insulin action, the hallmark of type II diabetes. Ser/Thr residues can also be reversibly glycosylated by O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) monosaccharide, a dynamic posttranslational modification that offers an alternative means of protein regulation to phosphorylation. To identify sites of O-GlcNAc modification in IRS-1, recombinant rat IRS-1 isolated from HEK293 cells was analyzed by two complementary mass spectrometric methods. Using data-dependent neutral loss MS3 mass spectrometry, MS/MS data were scanned for peptides that exhibited a neutral loss corresponding to the mass of N-acetylglucosamine upon dissociation in an ion trap. This methodology provided sequence coverage of 84% of the protein, permitted identification of a novel site of phosphorylation at Thr-1045, and facilitated the detection of an O-GlcNAc-modified peptide of IRS-1 at residues 1027–1073. The level of O-GlcNAc modification of this peptide increased when cells were grown under conditions of high glucose with or without chronic insulin stimulation or in the presence of an inhibitor of the O-GlcNAcase enzyme. To map the exact site of O-GlcNAc modification, IRS-1 peptides were chemically derivatized with dithiothreitol following β-elimination and Michael addition prior to LC-MS/MS. This approach revealed Ser-1036 as the site of O-GlcNAc modification. Site-directed mutagenesis and Western blotting with an anti-O-GlcNAc antibody suggested that Ser-1036 is the major site of O-GlcNAc modification of IRS-1. Identification of this site will facilitate exploring the biological significance of the O-GlcNAc modification.
Separating chemical and excluded volume interactions of polyethylene glycols with native proteins: Comparison with PEG effects on DNA helix formation.

Small and large PEGs greatly increase chemical potentials of globular proteins (μ2), thereby favoring precipitation, crystallization, and protein–protein interactions that reduce water-accessible protein surface and/or protein-PEG excluded volume. To determine individual contributions of PEG-protein chemical and excluded volume interactions to μ2 as functions of PEG molality m3, we analyze published chemical potential increments μ23 = dμ2/dm3 quantifying unfavorable interactions of PEG (PEG200-PEG6000) with BSA and lysozyme. For both proteins, μ23 increases approximately linearly with the number of PEG residues (N3). A 1 molal increase in concentration of PEG -CH2OCH2- groups, for any chain-length PEG, increases μBSA by ∼2.7 kcal/mol and μlysozyme by ∼1.0 kcal/mol. These values are similar to predicted chemical interactions of PEG -CH2OCH2- groups with these protein components (BSA ∼3.3 kcal/mol, lysozyme ∼0.7 kcal/mol), dominated by unfavorable interactions with amide and carboxylate oxygens and counterions. While these chemical effects should be dominant for small PEGs, larger PEGS are expected to exhibit unfavorable excluded volume interactions and reduced chemical interactions because of shielding of PEG residues in PEG flexible coils. We deduce that these excluded volume and chemical shielding contributions largely compensate, explaining why the dependence of μ23 on N3 is similar for both small and large PEGs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 103: 517–527, 2015.
Three-dimensional wavelet coding of video with global motion compensation

Three-dimensional (2D+T) wavelet coding of video using SPIHT has been shown to outperform standard predictive video coders on complex high-motion sequences, and is competitive with standard predictive video coders on simple low-motion sequences. However, on a number of typical moderate-motion sequences characterized by largely rigid motions, 3D SPIHT performs several dB worse than motion-compensated predictive coders, because it is does not take advantage of the real physical motion underlying the scene. We introduce global motion compensation for 3D subband video coders, and find 0.5 to 2 dB gain on sequences with dominant background motion. Our approach is a hybrid of video coding based on sprites, or mosaics, and subband coding.
Carbon overcoats with controlled properties: non-destructive ellipsometry evaluation

Abstract Hard carbon thin films have been prepared on fused silica substrates by r.f. plasma deposition and magnetron sputtering using mixtures of argon and methane gases. By controlling the deposition power and gas pressure amorphous carbon films with optical energy gaps ranging from zero to above 2.0 eV were prepared and characterized by variable-angle-of-incidence spectroscopic ellipsometry (VASE). A parametric model was developed based on the measured optical constants as function of optical energy gap which allows the measurement of the thickness and optical constants of thin carbon films on opaque substrates with the VASE technique only. Applications of this model to the characterization of carbon overcoats on magnetic disk structures are presented as well.
Complications Associated with Posterior Lumbar Surgery

Complications associated with posterior lumbar surgeries include pseudarthrosis, loss of fixation, instrumentation malposition, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage. An understanding of the associated risk factors and their incidences can help to reduce the likelihood of complications. Adhering to meticulous operative technique is also essential. Once complications occur, establishing the diagnosis and tailoring treatment to each individual patient can help to reduce the risk for progression of symptoms and can limit additional complications.
Effect of gestational age on pulmonary metabolism of prostaglandin E1 & E2

Abstract The fetus and prematurely delivered newborn lamb have high concentrations of circulating PGE 2 that may play a hormonal role, particularly in maintaining the patency of the ductus arteriosus. We studied the ability of the isolated, perfused lung from immature (100 ± 150 days) lamb fetuses to metabolize PGE 2 as a function of PGE 2 concentration in the perfusate. After an intra-arterial infusion of 3 H-PGE 2 and 14 C-inulin (to act as a marker of extracellular space), the bulk of the 14 C-inulin was rapidly cleared through the isolated lung and the majority of the 3 H activity appeared after the 14 C activity had fallen to negligible values. The 3 H activity that was retained longer in the lung was primarily associated with the 15-keto prostaglandin E 2 and 15-keto-13,14 dihydro prostaglandin E 2 metabolites. Lungs from immature fetal lambs metabolized 25% less PGE 2 than did lungs from animals near term. This is consistent with our prior observation that premature lambs have decreased plasma clearance rates (in vivo) and elevated circulating concentrations of PGE 2 when compared with term newborn lambs.
Chemical Protective Clothing Breakthrough Time: Comparison of Several Test Systems

This study compared chemical permeation data obtained with a photo-ionization detector in both open- and closed-loop test systems. Also, chemical permeation data obtained at two flow rates with an infrared detector in a closed-loop test system were compared. Breakthrough times for acetone-neoprene were obtained using all systems. Results were evaluated and determined to be system dependent.
Reduction in plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and urinary mevalonic acid by lovastatin in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

Abstract The effects of lovastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG CoA reductase), on 24-hour urinary excretion rates of mevalonic acid (an intermediate in cholesterol biosynthesis) and plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were evaluated in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The mean rates of urinary mevalonate excretion of 28 FH patients were initially higher (2.95 ± 0.29 (±SEM) μmol/d) than in 17 control subjects (1.82 ± 0.12 μmol/d). Patients with FH were treated with sequentially increasing doses of lovastatin (10, 20, 40, and 80 mg daily, taken as a twice daily dosage) for a period of 6 weeks on each dose. When compared to baseline, LDL cholesterol levels fell by 22%, 26%, 30%, and 35% respectively, on these different doses. The mean daily urinary mevalonate excretion decreased from baseline by 19% after 4 weeks on 10 mg daily of lovastatin, 35% on 20 mg, and 31% on 40 mg and 80 mg daily. Similar decreases in urinary mevalonate excretions were observed when patients with FH were treated directly with 40 mg (20 mg twice daily) or 80 mg (40 mg twice daily) mg of lovastatin daily. The magnitude of decrease in LDL cholesterol did not show any significant correlation with the changes in urinary excretion of mevalonic acid. Lovastatin therapy decreases rates of urinary mevalonate excretion (which has previously been shown to reflect rates of cholesterol synthesis) by up to 35% at doses of 20 to 80 mg/d; such a decrease seems unlikely to compromise other important cellular requirements for mevalonate.
Single-Molecule Studies of Fork Dynamics in E. coli DNA Replication

We present single-molecule studies of the Escherichia coli replication machinery. We visualize individual E. coli DNA polymerase III (Pol III) holoenzymes engaging in primer extension and leading-strand synthesis. When coupled to the replicative helicase DnaB, Pol III mediates leading-strand synthesis with a processivity of 10.5 kb, 8-fold higher than that of primer extension by Pol III alone. Addition of the primase DnaG causes a 3-fold reduction in the processivity of leading-strand synthesis, an effect dependent upon the DnaB-DnaG protein-protein interaction rather than primase activity. A single-molecule analysis of the replication kinetics with varying DnaG concentrations indicates that a cooperative binding of 2-3 DnaG monomers to DnaB halts synthesis. Modulation of DnaB helicase activity through the interaction with DnaG suggests a mechanism that prevents leading-strand synthesis from outpacing lagging-strand synthesis during slow primer synthesis on the lagging strand.
The emission of BrCl: Analysis of the D′ → A′ and E → B transitions

Abstract The emission spectrum of BrCl in Ar is studied using Tesla discharge sources containing single isotopomers of BrCl. The D′(2 3P2) → A′ (3Π2) and E(0+3P2) → B(3Π0+) transitions are identified and analyzed, yielding the following values (cm−1) for the fundamental constants of the new states: A′:Te≈14700, ωe=232, Re=2.55 A; D′: Te≈48400, ωe=197.9, Re=3.113 A; E: Te=48760, ωe=196, Re≈3.05 A.
The Redesign and Simulated Test of a Small Closed Brayton Cycle Turbine-Compressor Set for Nuclear Application

The closed cycle (AK process) gas turbine power plant has been under development in Switzerland since 1940. Since the early 1950’s, within the United States, conceptual ideas have been forming around the use of this process for use within a compact, mobile nuclear power plant. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers is a leading proponent of this concept. Today, any research and development activity concerned with closed cycle turbomachinery development is faced with one tremendous obstacle. This is true whether the activity is a private contractor or a government agency. This obstacle is the availability of a closed cycle test loop which allows the test turbine to be tested for extended periods of time under proper conditions prior to delivery to the customer. In the past, all of the Army vehicles were fabricated by contractors and, at most, tested open cycle (with compressor inlet pressure at sea level conditions) prior to shipment and installation in the closed cycle facilities in existence at only two Army locations. This has positively limited the total progress made within the closed cycle technology across the board. With the successful completion of this method of open cycle testing at closed cycle conditions (120 psia compressor inlet), this obstacle is in the process of being partially removed. Because of contamination occurring within the open cycle testing as used here, it is much more desirable to test within a true closed cycle loop. However, test data obtained in the manner described here are almost directly applicable and need almost no extrapolation.Copyright © 1969 by ASME
Sequential chemical extractions and metal partitioning in hydrous MnFe-oxide coatings: Reagent choice and substrate composition affect results

Abstract Composite samples, prepared to simulate hydrous coatings of Mn- and Fe-oxide on stream alluvium, were used to compare the efficiency and specificity of three sequential extraction schemes. Each extraction procedure has been previously used to determine the partitioning of metal in sediment or hydrous coatings among exchangeable ions, Mn- and Fe-oxides, and organics. Metal extraction from coating substrates (rock surfaces) was also determined using the final and most aggressive reagent in each procedure as well as certain other reagents. None of the extraction procedures tested are completely specific or efficient for individual coating phases; therefore, each produces some error in a determination of metal partitioning relationships. Reagents which were found to be the most specific and efficient were further tested by determining the partitioning of Zn, Mn and Fe in coatings on stream pebbles. Two sample sets, each consisting of six coated pebbles, were collected from separate 0.25-m 2 areas of a stream bed. Results show that the partitioning of Fe and Zn among coating phases can be highly variable. One sample set was analyzed a second time using the same sequential procedure to determine if substrate composition influences interpretations of metal partitioning relationships. Results show that considerably more Fe and Zn is extracted from amphibole gneiss pebbles than quartzite pebbles. At least some of the variability in metal partitioning found to exist in hydrous coatings appears to be due to variations in substrate composition.
Pilot Study of Discussion Groups for "Worried Well" Patients in an Ambulatory Care Setting

Two pilot discussion groups were conducted for patients who met selected criteria indicating they were worried well patients (not requiring conventional medical care services). The objective of the groups was to explore and demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing an educational approach conducted by pamprofessional personnel, under physician supervision, for helping to meet the needs of such patients, thereby reducing utilization of more expensive physician resources. The findings indicated that 50 pencent of the patients reduced the number of visits to the physician, and 60 percent perceived the experience as helpful.
Caenorhabditis elegans: effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan and dopamine on behavior and development.

Abstract 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) was introduced iontophoretically into the vulva region of Caenorhabditis elegans to examine behavioral responses to this putative neurotransmitter. Responses in esophageal basal bulb pulsation and/or vulval contractions occurred. Little relation was observed between dosage and behavioral response. Similar behavioral responses followed topical applications of 5-HTP. An inverse relationship between the rates of esophageal pumping and vulval contraction was recorded following both iontophoretic injection and topical application. Following iontophoretic application, young nematodes resumed body movement sooner than old nematodes did. Growth significantly increased when 5-HTP or dopamine was added to the culture medium, but neither chemical influenced fecundity or life span.
Narrowing of sex differences in infant mortality in Massachusetts

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether the improved survival of preterm infants has influenced the known male excess in infant mortality. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed sex-specific infant mortality using linked birth and death certificates for all 619,811 live born infants in Massachusetts between 1989 and 1995. RESULTS: Between 1989 and 1995 the male excess in infant mortality decreased by 50%, from 1.6/1000 to 0.8/1000 live births (LB). This narrowing resulted primarily from a more rapid decline in neonatal mortality among male infants (1.5/1000 LB) than among female infants (0.9/1000 LB). The largest declines in the male excess in neonatal mortality occurred among very premature infants (GA ≤ 30 weeks) and resulted primarily from a more rapid decrease in male deaths from respiratory distress syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The narrowing of the sex difference in mortality between 1989 and 1995 suggests that newer treatments like antenatal steroids, and surfactants may have differentially benefited male infants.
Existence, uniqueness and asymptotic stability of time periodic traveling waves for a periodic Lotka―Volterra competition system with diffusion

We study the existence, uniqueness, and asymptotic stability of time periodic traveling wave solutions to a periodic diffusive Lotka-Volterra competition system. Under certain conditions, we prove that there exists a maximal wave speed c(*) such that for each wave speed c ≤ c(*), there is a time periodic traveling wave connecting two semi-trivial periodic solutions of the corresponding kinetic system. It is shown that such a traveling wave is unique modulo translation and is monotone with respect to its co-moving frame coordinate. We also show that the traveling wave solutions with wave speed c c(*).
Midlife and late-life obesity and the risk of dementia: cardiovascular health study.

Background While high adiposity in middle age appears to be related to greater dementia risk, studies exploring this association in the elderly are conflicting. Objective To evaluate associations between midlife and late-life obesity and risk of dementia. Design Prospective study with mean follow-up of 5.4 years (1992-1994 through 1999). Setting Community-dwelling sample in 4 US sites recruited from Medicare eligibility files. Participants A total of 2798 adults without dementia (mean age, 74.7 years; 59.1% women) participating in the Cardiovascular Health Study who underwent magnetic resonance imaging were measured for height and weight at baseline at age 65 years or older (late life), and self-reported weight at age 50 years (midlife). Body mass index (BMI) (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) was calculated at both times. Main Outcome Measures Dementia, Alzheimer disease, and vascular dementia classified by a multidisciplinary committee using standardized criteria. Results Classification resulted in 480 persons with incident dementia, 245 with Alzheimer disease (no vascular dementia), and 213 with vascular dementia (with or without Alzheimer disease). In evaluations of midlife obesity, an increased risk of dementia was found for obese (BMI >30) vs normal-weight (BMI 20-25) persons, adjusted for demographics (hazard ratio [HR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.87) and for cardiovascular risk factors (1.36; 0.94-1.95). The risk estimates were reversed in assessments of late-life BMI. Underweight persons (BMI 25-30) was not associated (0.92; 0.72-1.18) and being obese reduced the risk of dementia (0.63; 0.44-0.91) compared with those with normal BMI. Conclusion These results help explain the “obesity paradox” as differences in dementia risk across time are consistent with physical changes in the trajectory toward disability.
Paleoanthropology in the 1990s: Current foci and future directions

Jones, Steve, Robert Martin and David Pilbeam, eds. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Human Evolution. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992. xiii + 504 pp. including appendices, further reading, and index. $34.95 paper. Walker, Alan, and Richard Leakey, eds. The Nariokotome Homo erectus Skeleton. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1993. 457 pp. including references and index. $125.00 cloth.
Effects of short-term and long-term metformin treatment on menstrual cyclicity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the frequency of menstrual cyclicity between two groups of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: women who were followed while on metformin for 3-6 months and those who were followed for >6 months. The results showed that metformin is highly effective in normalizing menstrual cyclicity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (the overall response rate was 69%, with 88% of responders achieving normal cyclicity), especially with a treatment duration of 6 months or longer (the response rate was 40% higher for women who were treated with metformin for >6 months vs. 3-6 months, 77% vs. 55%).
Enzyme specific activity in functionalized nanoporous supports.

Here we reveal that enzyme specific activity can be increased substantially by changing the protein loading density (P(LD)) in functionalized nanoporous supports so that the enzyme immobilization efficiency (I(e), defined as the ratio of the specific activity of the immobilized enzyme to the specific activity of the free enzyme in solution) can be much higher than 100%. A net negatively charged glucose oxidase (GOX) and a net positively charged organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) were entrapped spontaneously in NH(2)- and HOOC-functionalized mesoporous silica (300 A, FMS) respectively. The specific activity of GOX entrapped in FMS increased with decreasing P(LD). With decreasing P(LD), I(e) of GOX in FMS increased from 150%. Unlike GOX, OPH in HOOC-FMS showed increased specific activity with increasing P(LD). With increasing P(LD), the corresponding I(e) of OPH in FMS increased from 100% to>200%. A protein structure-based analysis of the protein surface charges directing the electrostatic interaction-based orientation of the protein molecules in FMS demonstrates that substrate access to GOX molecules in FMS is limited at high P(LD), consequently lowering the GOX specific activity. In contrast, substrate access to OPH molecules in FMS remains open at high P(LD) and may promote a more favorable confinement environment that enhances the OPH activity.
Lexical Characteristics of Expressive Vocabulary in Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Purpose Vocabulary is a domain of particular challenge for many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent research has drawn attention to ways in which lexical characteristics relate to vocabulary acquisition. The current study tested the hypothesis that lexical characteristics account for variability in vocabulary size of young children with ASD, applying the extended statistical learning theory of vocabulary delay in late talkers (Stokes, Kern, & Dos Santos, 2012) to toddlers with ASD. Method Parents reported the words produced by toddlers with ASD (n = 57; age 21–37 months) or toddlers without ASD (n = 41; age 22–26 months) on the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories. The average phonological neighborhood density, word frequency, and word length of each toddler's lexicon were calculated. These lexical characteristics served as predictors of vocabulary size. Results Findings differed for toddlers with and without ASD and according to subsamples. Word length was the most consi...
Heat content and heat capacity of a Pu/1 wt % Ga delta-stabilized alloy at elevated temperatures

Abstract The heat content and heat capacity of a nominalpurity Pu/1 wt% Ga δ-stabilized alloy were determined between 0 and 685 °C using an ice calorimeter. The experimental curve for enthalpy as a function of temperature exhibited, in the δ region (0 to 510 °C), a positive deviation from linearity. Consequently, the calculated specific heat at constant pressure, C p , increased with increasing temperature from a value of 7.63 cal/g · atom · °C at 0 °C to a value of 10.36 cal/g · atom · °C at 500 °C. Enthalpy as a function of temperature in the narrow e region (584 to 640 °C) was linear, yielding a constant specific heat of 8.10 cal/g · atom · °C; this value is comparable to the specific heat of unalloyed plutonium in the e phase. It is felt that the relatively high heat capacities of both the δ and e phases are a result of a high electronic specific heat contribution. The decrease in going from the δ to the e phase may be a result of a negative anharmonic contribution for the e phase. The increase with temperature within the δ field may be due to a steep density-of-states curve and enhanced interband transitions.
Riemann-Cartan type gravitational theories satisfying Birkhoff's theorem

Abstract In the class of nine-parameter Riemann-Cartan type gravitational theories we find two theories that are unitary and satisfy a generalized Birkhoff's theorem: In the absence of matter, Schwarzschild metric with vanishing torsion is the unique spherically symmetric solution to the field equations.
Precise Modal Decomposition in Multimode Optical Fibers by Maximizing the Sum of Modal Power Weights

We determine accurate modal power weights of the optical field in multimode fibers without precise knowledge of fiber or imaging system parameters by maximizing the sum of modal power weights. Experimental results will be reported.
Affiliations of Computer Self-Efficacy and Attitudes with Need for Learning Computer Skills

This study investigated relationships concerning computer efficacy, attitudes toward computers, and need for learning computer skills. A total of 296 undergraduate students from a regional state university participated in this study in 1996. Three research questions were measured by Attitudes toward Computer Technologies and Confidence and Desired Knowledge with Computer Technologies. Statistical analyses consisted of simultaneous multiple regression, ANOVA and Tukey's HSD. ANOVA revealed that students from computer classes had more need for learning computing skills than students from a non-computer class. Multiple regression revealed that attitudes toward computers, and computer self-efficacy, were significant predictors of the need for learning computing skills between two groups of students, although students from computer classes demanded a higher level of computing skills than those from a non-computer class.
Image segmentation as the search for the best description in terms of primitives

A new paradigm is presented for the segmentation of images into piecewise continuous patches. Data aggregation is performed via model recovery in terms of variable-order bi-variate polynomials using iterative regression. All the recovered models are potential candidates for the final description of the data. Selection of the models is achieved through maximization of a quadratic Boolean problem. The major novelty of the approach is in combining model extraction and model selection. >
Management of hypertension controls postoperative neurologic disorders after renal transplantation in cats.

Objectives To determine the prevalence and describe the management of hypertension and central nervous system (CNS) complications after renal transplantation in cats. We also compared the prevalence of CNS complications between cats monitored and treated for postoperative hypertension and a previously described, historical control group of cats not monitored or treated for postoperative hypertension. Study Design Retrospective clinical study. Animals or Sample Population A total of 34 client-owned cats that received renal allografts for the treatment of end-stage renal failure. Methods Medical records were reviewed. Data obtained included preoperative and postoperative systolic blood pressures, antihypertensive therapy, response to treatment, neurologic signs, and clinical outcome. The results were compared with a historical control group of feline renal allograft recipients that were neither monitored nor treated for postoperative hypertension. Results Severe postoperative hypertension occurred in 21 of 34 of cats. Hypertension was treated in all 21 cats with subcutaneously administered hydralazine which reduced systolic blood pressure to less than 170 mm Hg in 15 minutes in 20 of 21 cats; hydralazine produced hypotension in one cat and failed to control hypertension in 1 cat. After transplantation, seizures were observed in one cat and other neurologic complications (stupor, ataxia, and central blindness) were observed in three cats. The prevalence of seizures and neurologic complication-related deaths after transplantation was significantly reduced with treatment of postoperative hypertension. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Hypertension is a major contributing factor to postoperative seizure activity after renal transplantation in cats; treatment of hypertension reduces the frequency of neurologic complications.
The role of scaling laws in upscaling

In this work the process of coarse-graining in complex subsurface hydrologic systems is discussed, with a particular effort made to examine the difference between the mathematical process of averaging as distinct from the process of upscaling. It is possible to show that the process of averaging itself is not sufficient to reduce the number of degrees of freedom required to describe a complex heterogeneous system. The reduction of the number of degrees of freedom is accomplished entirely by the subsequent scaling laws that one assumes are valid filters for eliminating redundant (or low value) information in the system. A specific example is given for the upscaling of the effective dispersion tensor in a randomly heterogeneous porous medium. It is shown that: (1) generally, an averaged description can be developed, but the system does not contain any less information than the original problem; (2) by adopting a number of scaling laws, a nonlocal in time and in space formulation can be obtained that is identical to results obtained previously, and (3) by making one additional assumption, a local macroscale transport equation can be obtained.
Crosstalk through finite ground

Crosstalk for the case that signals are separated by finite ground is intuitively explored using a set of very simple but effective models, based on the concept of transmission line theory. Both single-ended and differential cases are discussed with the principle of superposition.
Apparent cooperative effects in acetylcholine receptor-mediated ion flux in electroplax membrane preparations

The kinetics of acetylcholine receptor-mediated flux of 22sodium ions from microsacs has been measured in the presence of activators (carbamylcholine and decamethonium) and an inhibitor (d-tubocurarine) of neural transmission. The dependence of the first-order rate constant, kobs, for 22sodium ion efflux on either decamethonium or carbamylcholine concentration does not exhibit cooperativity. The apparent cooperativity observed by Kasai and Changeux in dose-response curves for 22sodium flux from the same preparation is adequately accounted for by the contribution which efflux from non-excitable microsacs, the main component of the preparation, makes to the measurements. d-Tubocurarine was found to be a non-competitive inhibitor of decamethonium-activated 22sodium efflux. The results of the kinetic measurements are in agreement with equilibrium measurements of the interaction of decamethonium with the same microsac preparation, i.e. adherence to a classic Langmuir binding isotherm and separate binding sites for activators and inhibitors of neural activity. The results indicate a direct relationship between ligand binding and receptor-mediated ion flux. How these two processes contribute to electrophysiological measurements is not apparent.
Post-translational protein modification as the substrate for long-lasting memory.

Prevailing models of memory identify mRNA translation as necessary for long-lasting information storage. However, there are enough instances of memory storage in the virtual absence of protein synthesis to prompt consideration of alternative models. A comprehensive review of the protein synthesis literature leads us to conclude that the translational mechanism is exclusively a permissive, replenishment step. Therefore, we propose that post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins already at the synapse is the crucial instructive mechanism underlying long-lasting memory. A novel feature of this model is that non-random spontaneous (or endogenous) brain activity operates as a regulated positive-feedback rehearsal mechanism, updating network configurations by fine-tuning the PTM state of previously modified proteins. Synapses participating in memory storage are therefore supple, a feature required for networks to alter complexity and update continuously. In analogy with codons for amino acids, a long-lasting memory is represented by a ‘degenerate code’ ‐ a set of pseudo-redundant networks that can ensure its longevity.
Utility of Prostaglandin in the Identification of Discontinuous Pulmonary Arteries by Echocardiography

We describe two distinct cases in which discontinuous pulmonary arteries were identified by echocardiography and color Doppler imaging. In both cases, perfusion of one or both pulmonary arteries was dependent on a patent ductus arteriosus. Establishment of the source of perfusion and the anatomy of the discontinuous pulmonary arteries were evident only after an infusion of prostaglandin had been initiated, thus demonstrating that its use was a key component in the identification of this disease entity.
Non-suppressible secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic progressive renal disease.

Non-suppressible secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic progressive renal disease.Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a frequent, and almost universal, concomitant of advancing chronic renal disease.When renal failure is of long standing, the degree of secondary hyperparathyroidism may be quite marked.Under such circumstances, short-term elevation of serum calcium concentration does not lead to a decrease in radioimmunoassayable parathyroid hormone to normal levels or to an increase in tubular reabsorption of phosphate (TRP) to normal levels.However, in the majority of patients sustained elevation of serum calcium for periods in excess of two weeks will lead to an increase in TRP to values in excess of 80%.A minority of patients, however, will not respond to phosphate depletion and elevation of serum calcium in the typical manner.Such patients fall into the category of so-called "autonomous" or "tertiary" hyperparathyroidism.The present studies demonstrate that patients with non-suppressible or poorly suppressible secondary hyperparathyroidism become readily suppressible following removal of approximately 80% of their parathyroid tissue.That the same tissue present in smaller amounts could be suppressed by a stimulus which had proved ineffectual when the larger mass of gland was present suggests that autonomy may be apparent rather than real and may relate to the mass of the parathyroid hormone secreting tissue present.
Observations of underwater volcanic acoustics at Bárcena Volcano, San Benedicto Island, Mexico, and in Shelikof Strait, Alaska

Magnetic tape recorders and sonobuoy equipment have made possible a practical approach to the study of underwater volcanic acoustics. Underwater audio energy originating from Barcena Volcano on San Benedicto Island, Mexico, was studied from plane and ship between November, 1952, and May, 1955, and tape recorded on four different occasions. The recorded sounds are of two kinds: a rumble with a pitch of approximately 125 cycles, and a higher frequency hiss. These sounds, unlike any of known biological or other origin, are discussed and a frequency analysis of the rumble is given. In order to determine the source of audio energy produced from Barenca a triangulation method was devised by making an effectively simultaneous time and frequency analysis of selected portions of the acoustic spectrum from pairs of strategically placed sonobuoys. This technique was successfully used from shipboard in November, 1953. An unsuccessful attempt was made in August, 1953, to determine if audio energy generated from the active volcano Mt. Trident, in the Katmai National Monument, could be received in Shelikof Strait. The attempt is described to illustrate the technique used.
Polling to Govern: Public Opinion and Presidential Leadership

Presidents spend millions of dollars on public opinion polling while in office. Critics often point to this polling as evidence that a "permanent campaign" has taken over the White House at the expense of traditional governance. But has presidential polling truly changed the shape of presidential leadership? Diane J. Heith examines the polling practices of six presidential administrations-those of Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton-dissecting the poll apparatus of each period. She contends that while White House polls significantly influence presidential messages and responses to events, they do not impact presidential decisions to the extent that observers often claim. Heith concludes that polling, and thus the campaign environment, exists in tandem with long-established governing strategies.
EFFECTS OF SOIL MANAGEMENT HISTORY ON THE RATE OF ORGANIC MATTER DECOMPOSITION

Abstract In a sustainable agriculture farming systems experiment, soils managed under organic farming practices had greater microbial abundance and activity, and higher numbers of bacterial-feeding nematodes during crop growth, than those managed under conventional farming practices. We tested rates of organic matter decomposition in the two soils and monitored the abundance and activity of soil biota during the decomposition process. Differences in soil biology between soils from organic and conventional farming systems did not persist when soils were amended with organic matter and maintained under similar conditions. Microbial communities in soil from the conventional system were sufficient and active enough to respond to organic inputs. There were minimal differences in the ability of the microbial communities of the two soils to decompose organic residues. However, when soils were removed from the field at different times, cover crop decomposition rates were more consistent in the organic soils, suggesting a greater abundance and diversity of the microbial community in those soils. Microbial activity was most suppressed when field soils were dry but responded to organic matter amendment very rapidly when favorable moisture contents were restored. The pattern of microbial activity in both organic and conventional soils following organic matter incorporation consisted of a 100 h activity phase and then a gradual decline to a relatively constant stasis phase.
MapReduce with communication overlap (MaRCO)

MapReduce is a programming model from Google for cluster-based computing in domains such as search engines, machine learning, and data mining. MapReduce provides automatic data management and fault tolerance to improve programmability of clusters. MapReduce's execution model includes an all-map-to-all-reduce communication, called the shuffle, across the network bisection. Some MapReductions move large amounts of data (e.g., as much as the input data), stressing the bisection bandwidth and introducing significant runtime overhead. Optimizing such shuffle-heavy MapReductions is important because (1) they include key applications (e.g., inverted indexing for search engines and data clustering for machine learning) and (2) they run longer than shuffle-light MapReductions (e.g., 5x longer). In MapReduce, the asynchronous nature of the shuffle results in some overlap between the shuffle and map. Unfortunately, this overlap is insufficient in shuffle-heavy MapReductions. We propose MapReduce with communication overlap (MaRCO) to achieve nearly full overlap via the novel idea of including reduce in the overlap. While MapReduce lazily performs reduce computation only after receiving all the map data, MaRCO employs eager reduce to process partial data from some map tasks while overlapping with other map tasks' communication. MaRCO's approach of hiding the latency of the inevitably high shuffle volume of shuffle-heavy MapReductions is fundamental for achieving performance. We implement MaRCO in Hadoop's MapReduce and show that on a 128-node Amazon EC2 cluster, MaRCO achieves 23% average speed-up over Hadoop for shuffle-heavy MapReductions.