cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sodium Salicylate and Yeast Heat Shock Gene Transcription

The anti-inflammatory drug sodium salicylate modulates the activity of specific transcription factors in humans. Here we show that salicylate and sorbate, another organic acid, stimulate DNA binding by yeast heat shock transcription factor (HSF) in vivo. Surprisingly, salicylate inhibits heat shock gene transcription even in cells induced by a prior heat shock. This inhibition of transcription occurs at a step after HSF and transcription factor IID binding but before promoter melting by RNA polymerase. Salicylate appears to generate a tight binding but activation-impotent HSF by cytoplasmic acidification, since inhibiting proton efflux from cells triggers this same DNA binding and inhibition of heat shock gene expression.
On-line computers in psychology: A laboratory course for advanced psychology majors

This course is structured as a series of increasingly difficult projects which involve students in all aspects of using computers for experimentation. Projects range from programming simple experiments utilizing monitor displays and keyboard responses to the use of hardware interfaces to connect complex peripherals. Students not only design and develop their projects, but also engage in data collection and analysis. The course provides experience with hardware and software as well as the intricacies of debugging the resulting project.
Dislocations in SrTiO3: easy to reduce but not so fast for oxygen transport.

The effect of dislocations on the chemical, electrical and transport properties in oxide materials is important for electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells and resistive switches, but these effects have remained largely unexplored at the atomic level. In this work, by using large-scale atomistic simulations, we uncover how a ⟨100⟩{011} edge dislocation in SrTiO3, a prototypical perovskite oxide, impacts the local defect chemistry and oxide ion transport. We find that, in the dilute limit, oxygen vacancy formation energy in SrTiO3 is lower at sites close to the dislocation core, by as much as 2 eV compared to that in the bulk. We show that the formation of a space-charge zone based on the redistribution of charged oxygen vacancies can be captured quantitatively at atomistic level by mapping the vacancy formation energies around the dislocation. Oxide-ion diffusion was studied for a low vacancy concentration regime (ppm level) and a high vacancy concentration regime (up to 2.5%). In both cases, no evide...
Experimental validation and CFD modeling study of biomass fast pyrolysis in fluidized-bed reactors

Abstract In this work, an Euler–Euler multiphase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, which couples a biomass particle pyrolysis model with a multi-fluid hydrodynamics model for gas–particle flow, is used to describe a biomass pyrolysis process, and model predictions are compared to experimental data produced in a lab-scale fluidized-bed reactor. A parametric study of operating conditions was also performed. The kinetic model is based on superimposed hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin reactions. General biomass feedstock can be represented through the initial mass composition with respect to the three components. The gas–particle flow is modeled with a multi-fluid description (gas, sand, biomass) derived from the kinetic theory of granular flows. The predicted product yields at the reactor outlet are presented and compared with the experimental measurements for both pure cellulose and red oak pyrolysis, and encouraging quantitative agreement is achieved. The model is then applied to investigate the effect of various operating conditions on the pyrolysis product yields in the reactor. Results indicate that biomass particle size and superficial gas velocity influence tar yield and residence time considerably with a fixed bed height. For the range of operating temperature studied, the model captures the trend of biomass decomposition versus temperature and shows an optimal temperature of about 500 °C for bio-oil production as reported in the literature. Different biomass feedstocks are also simulated and model shortcomings are discussed.
Experimental support for the lagging behavior in heat propagation

This work examines the lagging behavior for heat transport in small-scale and fast-transient processes. The experimental result by Qiu et al. for the femtosecond transient response in gold films and that by Bertman and Sandiford for the temperature pulse traveling through superfluid liquid helium are re-examined with emphasis on the lagging behavior. The model employing the phase-lag concept provides as competent or even better results when describing the special response observed in these experiments.
Atheroprone Flow Activation of the Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2 and Nod-Like Receptor Protein 3 Inflammasome Mediates Focal Atherosclerosis

Atheroprone flow promotes inflammation in endothelial cells, and this process is critical for pathogenesis of many chronic inflammatory conditions such as coronary and carotid artery atherosclerosis, as well as abdominal aortic aneurysm. Signal mediators activated by atheroprone (disturbed) flow that have been described include nuclear factor κB and protein kinase ζ, which is very different from atheroprotective (steady laminar) flow.1 In this issue of Circulation , an article from Xiao et al2 shows the critical role of sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2) on atheroprone flow–mediated Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation. In particular, they showed that atheroprone flow induced both mature form of SREBP2 (SREBP2-N) and SREBP2 mRNA induction, which transcriptionally increase NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) and NLRP3 expression, thereby leading to interleukin 1β (IL-1β) expression and endothelial inflammation (Figure 1). In this editorial, we briefly review the NLRP3 inflammasome and SREBP activation system, which play a key role in modulating atheroprone flow–mediated endothelial cell inflammation. We also discuss the following important considerations for the future: the role of local NLRP3 and IL-1β expression, mechanisms for two different types of flow (atheroprone flow versus atheroprotective flow) on SREBP2 activation, and other NLRP3 activators including thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). Figure 1. Scheme for sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2)-mediated Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation. IL indicates interleukin; Nox, NADPH oxidase; ROS, reactive oxygen species; and TXNIP, thioredoxin-interacting protein. Article see p 632 The inflammasome is a protein complex that serves as a platform for the maturation of caspase-1 subsequent activation, leading to proteolytic maturation and secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 (Figure 8 in Xiao et al2). Three essential components of inflammasome are a sensor protein, the adapter protein ASC, and the inflammatory protease caspase-1. As a sensor protein, Nod-like receptor (NLR) family (NLRP1, NLRP3, and …
Avoiding the bowel: a report of a mature cystic teratoma displaying fully developed intestinal tissue protruding from an ovarian tumor

We present a previously unreported case of a grossly visible, fully developed intestinal segment protruding from an ovarian teratoma.
Effects of experimental regional ischemia and levarterenol on the RS-T segment and baseline of ventricular surface electrocardiograms obtained by direct-coupled amplification

Conventional electrocardiographie equipment (capacitance-coupled amplification) cannot distinguish between RS-T segment and baseline shifts of the ventricular complex. The so-called RS-T segment displacement is the net difference between the undetermined levels of those components. Using direct-coupled amplification, the absolute changes of baseline and RS-T segment on the surface of the exposed left ventricle during levarterenol administration and during regional ischemia, and release-recovery were studied in dogs. Ten significant patterns of displacement were observed. These permitted clear differentiation of the effects of levarterenol injection and hyperperfusion from those of ischemia. The centers and borders of an ischemic area could be distinguished and the change with prolonged ischemia described. The relationship of these observations to the literature and pertinent studies of intracellular action potentials are discussed.
Glucose and acetate metabolism in alligator Mississippiensis

Abstract 1. 1. Metabolic studies were carried out with several small alligators to determine their metabolic rate, specific rate of oxidation of glucose and acetate, and utilization of carbon from these compounds for synthesis of amino acids. 2. 2. Under post-absorptive conditions and at enviromental temperatures between 25–30°C, the average metabolic rate of the alligators was equivalent to 0·034 mmole CO 2 /min per kg body weight. 3. 3. Carbon-14 was transferred to respired CO 2 much more rapidly and in much larger amounts from C 14 -acetate than from C 14 -glucose. 4. 4. The results indicatre that the alligator utilizes fatty acids to a greater extent than carbohydrates for metabolic energy. 5. 5. With the exception of arginine, the alligators synthesized the same amino acids from acetate and glucose carbon as do higher animals. 6. 6. The major pathway for utilization of carbon from glucose and acetate for synthesis of amino acids in the alligator is similar in several respects to the metabolic pathways known to function in mammals.
Effects of α1-Blockade on the Forearm Vascular Resistance Responses to Lower Body Negative Pressure in Young Borderline Hypertensives

To determine whether alpha1-blockade affects the forearm vascular resistance responses to lower body negative pressure (LBNP) in borderline hypertensives, six hypertensives (HTN; mean arterial pressure [MAP] = 109.9 +/- 1.7 mm Hg, mean +/- SE) and seven normotensives (NTN; MAP = 81.5 +/- 1.4 mm Hg) underwent exposures of LBNP at pressures of -10, -20, and -40 mm Hg during systemic alpha1-receptor blockade (BLK) and during placebo (PLA). Resting forearm vascular resistance (FVR) was greater in HTN than in NTN during PLA (34.8 +/- 5.4 v 17.5 +/- 3.1 units; P < .05), but not during BLK (28.1 +/- 5.2 v 25.3 +/- 9.9 units). When expressed as a percentage of resting FVR, LBNP evoked an increased FVR (P < .001) that did not differ significantly between BLK and PLA in either group. FVR was higher (P < .001) in HTN than in NTN throughout both trials; at -40 mm Hg of LBNP during BLK, the increase in FVR was greater (P < .05) in HTN than in NTN (131 +/- 42 v 48 +/- 15%). MAP (relative to resting) was maintained throughout LBNP during PLA but, at -40 mm Hg, was lower (P < .01) during BLK for both groups. HR was elevated in BLK and was increased at -40 mm Hg (P < .01) for each group in each trial. This increase was greater during BLK (P < .05). These data suggest that borderline hypertensives have a greater vasoconstrictor response to LBNP than do normotensives and alpha1-blockade does not appear to attenuate this response.
Determining mean and gradient residual stresses in thin films using micromachined cantilevers

A technique that provides a first approximation to the mean, , and gradient, , components of residual stress in a thin-film material is discussed. In this method, measurements are made on a single micromachined cantilever, as opposed to an array of structures as used in the related critical-length buckling approach, to find tensile, compressive and gradient stresses. The measured deflection profile of a cantilever is reduced to rotation and curvature components, which are shown to derive independently from and , respectively. Essential to this method is the observation that a micromachined structure with a `nominally-clamped' boundary undergoes subtle rotation at its junction with the portion of the thin film that remains bonded to the substrate but is contiguous with the structure. This boundary rotation effect occurs through in-plane expansion or contraction of the bonded film following relief of residual stress. Thus, the deformation of the micromachined cantilevers considered here and of more general bulk- or surface-micromachined devices, can be strongly influenced by the state of stress in the still-bonded film.
Comparative fecundity of morphs in a mixed monoclinous-andromonoecious population of Wurmbea dioica subsp. alba (Liliaceae) in Western Australia.

A population ofWurmbea dioica subsp.alba in Western Australia contained monoclinous and andromonoecious individuals in roughly equal proportions. The average number of flowers per inflorescence for the former was 2.6 and for the latter 2.9, with its terminal flower staminate. Ovule number and seed production per perfect flower of both morphs decreased progressively from lower to upper flowers in the inflorescence. Two-flowered monoclinous individuals had a greater percentage of ovules maturing to seed than did threeflowered ones, but seed production of the latter exceeded that of the former. No differences in percent seed set or in seed production were noted for similar individuals of andromonoecious individuals. Although monoclinous and andromonoecious plants apparently contributed equally to the pollen pool, seed production of the former exceeded that of the latter. Thus, the energetic costs of monocliny exceed those of andromonoecy in this population.
Fatty acid binding protein 4 regulates intracellular lipid accumulation in human trophoblasts.

Context: Maternal obesity, gestational diabetes (GDM), or type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is associated with altered lipid metabolism and fetal overgrowth. Objective: The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia regulate lipid content and expression of lipid-trafficking proteins in human placental trophoblasts. Study Design: Pregnant women were prospectively enrolled for clinical specimens collection, and cultured human trophoblasts were used for experiments. Setting: This was a translational study conducted at an academic biomedical research center. Patients or Other Participants: Normal weight, obese, or obese with gestational diabetes or type 2 diabetes pregnant women (n = 10 in each group) undergoing scheduled cesarean delivery at term were enrolled. Interventions: Cultured primary human trophoblasts, exposed to insulin (10 nm) and/or fatty acids mix (1200 μm) in the absence or presence of an fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) inhibitor or after small interfe...
Health-promoting alliances

Abstract This paper explores how nations can save on prophylactic costs by allying to forestall the spread of a pathogen. Our study represents an alternative to noncooperative approaches, where the relative wealth of a nation is more important than its strategic location. The distribution of cost savings among participants is shown to depend on the configuration of nations and the pathway of the pathogens. In some cases, a country's position and size matter, while in other cases, they do not affect its relative share. Alternative ethical considerations may additionally alter the distribution of cooperative benefits. The analysis demonstrates why a country such as the US may be motivated to underwrite the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
A multi-objective feedback approach for evaluating sequential conceptual building design decisions

Abstract Conceptual design decision-making plays a critical role in determining life-cycle environmental impact and cost performance of buildings. Stakeholders often make these decisions without a quantitative understanding of how a particular decision will impact future choices or a project's ultimate performance. The proposed sequential decision support methodology provides stakeholders with quantitative information on the relative influence conceptual design stage decisions have on a project's life-cycle environmental impact and life-cycle cost. A case study is presented showing how the proposed methodology may be used by designers considering these performance criteria. Sensitivity analysis is performed on thousands of computationally generated building alternatives. Results are presented in the form of probabilistic distributions showing the degree to which each decision helps in achieving a given performance criterion. The method provides environmental impact and cost feedback throughout the sequential building design process, thereby guiding designers in creating low-carbon, low-cost buildings at the conceptual design phase.
A high-performance aromatic polyimide fibre: 1. Structure, properties and mechanical-history dependence

Abstract A new segmented rigid-rod polyimide has been synthesized from 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and 2,2′-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4,4′-diaminobiphenyl (PFMB). This polyimide is soluble in hot m-cresol, allowing fibres to be spun from an isotropic solution using a dry-jet wet spinning method. The as-spun fibres have low tenacities and low moduli, but they can be drawn at high temperatures (> 380°C) under tension to large draw ratios (up to 10 times), which produces a remarkable increase in strength and modulus. Drawn fibres display a tensile strength of about 25 g den−1 (3.2 GPa) and an initial modulus higher than 1000 g den−1 (130 GPa). BPDA-PFMB fibres show excellent thermal stability and retain relatively high strength and modulus at elevated temperatures. Annealed BPDA-PFMB fibres display distinct wide-angle X-ray patterns, from which a monoclinic unit cell has been determined. Furthermore, changes in crystallographic c-axis, apparent crystal sizes, degree of crystallinity, crystal orientation and thermomechanical properties have been observed with different draw ratios.
Programming for efficient planning against non‐normal risk

A planning methodology is developed based on Monte Carlo sampling of plans and sorting out inefficient plans according to the rules of stochastic dominance. Illustrations and methodological comparison are made in a context of farm planning under risk, and an application in income stabilization research is indicated.
Differences in radiographic features of knee osteoarthritis in African-Americans and Caucasians: the Johnston county osteoarthritis project.

Summary Objective To examine racial differences in tibiofemoral joint (TFJ) and patellofemoral joint (PFJ) radiographic osteoarthritis in African-American (AA) and Caucasian men and women. Method Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate cross-sectional associations between race and tibiofemoral osteoarthritis (TF-OA) and the presence, severity and location of individual radiographic features of tibiofemoral joint osteoarthritis [TFJ-OA] (osteophytes, joint space narrowing [JSN], sclerosis and cysts) and patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis (PFJ-OA) (osteophytes, JSN and sclerosis), using data from the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Proportional odds ratios (POR) assessed severity of TF-OA, TFJ and PFJ osteophytes, and JSN, adjusting for confounders. Generalized estimating equations accounted for auto-correlation of knees. Results Among 3187 participants (32.5% AAs; 62% women; mean age 62 years), 6300 TFJ and 1957 PFJ were included. Compared to Caucasians, AA men were more likely to have TF-OA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.36; 95% CI, 1.00–1.86); tri-compartmental TFJ and PFJ osteophytes (aOR=3.06; 95%CI=1.96–4.78), and TFJ and PFJ sclerosis. AA women were more likely than Caucasian to have medial TFJ and tri-compartmental osteophytes (aOR=2.13; 1.55–2.94), and lateral TFJ sclerosis. AAs had more severe TF-OA than Caucasians (adjusted cumulative odds ratio [aPOR]=2.08; 95% CI, 1.19–3.64 for men; aPOR=1.56; 95% CI, 1.06–2.29 for women) and were more likely to have lateral TFJ JSN. Conclusions Compared to Caucasians, AAs were more likely to have more severe TF-OA; tri-compartmental disease; and lateral JSN. Further research to clarify the discrepancy between radiographic features in OA among races appears warranted.
Synthesis of surfactant-associated glycoprotein A by rat type II epithelial cells. Primary translation products and post-translational modification.

Abstract Surfactant-associated glycoproteins A, 38 (A3), 32 (A2) and 26 (A1) kDa, pI (4.2–4.8), were identified as related proteins present in surfactant isolated from rat lung lavage fluid. Differences in size and charge among surfactant-associated glycoproteins A were related to differences in glycosylation as determined by reduction of the larger forms (38 and 32 kDa) to 26 kDa by endoglycosidase F and by increased isoelectric points of the glycosylated forms after treatment with nuraminidase. Synthesis and secretion of surfactant-associated glycoproteins A and precursors were demonstrated in purified rat Type II epithelial cells by immunoprecipitation of [35S]methionine-labelled proteins with anti-surfactant-associated glycoprotein A antisera. In pulse-chase experiments, labelled proteins 26–34 kDa, appeared within 10 min and smaller forms co-migrated with surfactant-associated glycoprotein A from alveolar lavage. The relative abundance of the larger molecular mass forms (30–34 kDa, pI 4.8) increased at later times up to 3 h. More acidic mature forms, which co-migrated with surfactant-associated glycoproteins A2 and A3 in surfactant (38 and 32 kDa), were readily detectable in the media, but were not abundant forms in lysates of labelled Type II cells after 1–3 h of incubation. Primary translation products of surfactant-associated glycoprotein A were immunoprecipitated with monospecific anti-surfactant-associated glycoprotein A antiserum after in vitro translation of poly(A)+ mRNA isolated from adult rat lung. The immunoprecipitated translation product migrated at 26 kDa, pI 4.8, and migrated slightly faster than surfactant-associated glycoprotein A1 from surfactant. Treatment of surfactant-associated glycoprotein A with bacterial collagenase resulted in proteolytic fragments 23-20 kDa,pI 4.2–4.8, which no longer underwent sulfhydryl-dependent cross-linking, suggesting that the collagen-like domain was required for the sulfhydryl-dependent oligomerization. Surfactant-associated glycoproteins A are synthesized by rat Type II epithelial cells as pre-proteins, 26–34 kDa. Larger forms result primarily from N-linked glycosylation of the 26 kDa primary translation product. Mature, more acidic forms result from further addition of sialic acid.
Atrial Activity and Systemic Blood Pressure during Anesthesia in Man

Atrial contribution to ventricular performance was evaluated during halothane anesthesia in man by a method whereby atrioventricular dissociation is readily induced. Three conditions are outlined that facilitate production of this arrhythmia in man: general anesthesia with a halothane-oxygen mixture by use of an average inspired halothane concentration of 0.5 per cent; controlled ventilation following muscle paralysis with d-tubocurare; and an exogenous stimulus, most easily provided by the onset of surgery. The last factor is probably mediated via direct sympathetic stimuli to the heart. The change from sinoatrial to atrioventricular nodal rhythm was associated with a fall in arterial pressure and a rise in central venous pressure; the heart rate remained unaltered. The changes in the systemic and central venous pressures were attributed to failure of atrial systole to contribute to ventricular filling during diastole. It is suggested that tricuspid regurgitation may occur during nodal rhythm, since synchronous atrioventricular contraction is required for adequate closure of the atrioventricular valve. Further studies of this problem in anesthetized man with this particular pharmacologic tool are indicated.
Perinatal survival of a fetus with intestinal volvulus and intussusception: a case report and review of the literature.

Fetal intestinal volvulus is a rare life-threatening condition. Late diagnosis of volvulus contributes to high rate of morbidity and mortality. It has variable degrees of presentation and survival. Intrauterine volvulus may be complicated by intestinal atresia due to ischemic necrosis. To our knowledge, there are three reported cases of term fetal demise. We report a case of fetal intestinal volvulus with perinatal survival of the largest term infant described with this complication to date. The volvulus was associated with type 3A jejunal atresia and intestinal pathology was noted on prenatal ultrasound. The infant was born via urgent cesarean delivery at 376/7 weeks of gestation and underwent emergent exploratory laparotomy with resection of small bowel and primary end-to-end anastomosis. Intrauterine intestinal volvulus may be suspected on prenatal ultrasound but only definitively diagnosed postnatally. Signs of fetal distress and volvulus are rarely associated with reports of survival in the term fetus. We review reported cases of prenatally suspected volvulus in infants documented to survive past the neonatal period. As fetal volvulus and most intestinal atresias/stenoses manifest during the third trimester, we recommend that the limited fetal anatomical survey during growth ultrasounds at 32 to 36 weeks routinely include an assessment of the fetal bowel.
Defining the terms acute and chronic in orthopaedic sports injuries: a systematic review

Background:Although many authors report on acute injuries and chronic injuries in the orthopaedic literature, the actual terms are seldom explicitly defined.Hypothesis:Much of the literature pertaining to sports injuries that are acute or chronic does not define these terms. It is believed that definitions will provide clarity and specificity in future literature.Study Design:Systematic review.Methods:A systematic review of 116 articles was conducted to determine whether and how the terms acute and chronic were defined as they pertain to several commonly treated conditions: Achilles tendon rupture, distal biceps tendon rupture, pectoralis major tendon rupture, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, anterior shoulder instability, and acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation. Articles were isolated from various databases and search engines by use of keywords to identify relevant literature.Results:This study determined that the terms acute and chronic for each injury are defined, respectively, as follows: A...
Microwave ablation for hepatic malignancies: a call for standard reporting and outcomes

Abstract Background Clinical standards of reporting microwave ablation outcomes have not been defined with regard to ablation success, 90-day morbidity, local recurrence after ablation, and nonablation hepatic recurrence. We propose recommendations for microwave ablation reporting and quality standards. Methods Literature review of clinical studies focusing on microwave ablation of primary and metastatic hepatic tumors was reported. Results Ablation success remains the highest quality reporting standard with variations in nomenclature, but with a universal agreement of complete destruction of the target lesion within 1 month after initial microwave ablation. Local recurrence after ablation remains highly variable, with reports as low as 2.2% to as high as 22%; standards lack a common, clearly defined distance from the initial target ablated lesion and the requirement that the target lesion be defined as an ablation success before it can be called a recurrence. Nonablation hepatic recurrence, nonhepatic recurrence, and 90-day morbidity and mortality remain limited in the current literature. Conclusions Standardization of hepatic microwave ablation reporting standards are proposed. Current reporting standards in microwave ablation of hepatic malignancies are suboptimal and lack standardization for comparison across institutions.
The General Electric coal-fueled diesel engine program (1982--1993): A technical review

In the early 1980s, General Electric-Transportation Systems (GE-TS), a manufacturer of locomotive diesel engines, announced plans to develop a coal-fueled locomotive due to the availability and low cost of coal. In 1985 and 1988, the General Electric Company (GE) was awarded major contracts from the Department of Energy, Morgantown Energy Technology Center, to continue the research and development of a coal-fueled diesel engine. This paper is a review of the technical accomplishments and discoveries of the GE coal-fueled diesel engine research and development program during the years 1982--1993. The results of an economic assessment completed by GE-TS indicated the merits for the development of a coal-fueled diesel engine for locomotive applications and therefore, GE-TS embarked on an ambitious program to develop and commercialize a coal-fueled diesel engine. Among the major accomplishments of this program were the development of specialized fuel injection equipment for coal-water slurries, diamond compact inserts for the nozzle tips for wear resistance, and an integrated emissions control system. Over 500 hours of engine operation was accumulated using coal fuel during the duration of this program. A major milestone was attained when, during November and December 1991, a coal-fueled diesel engine powered a locomotive on the General Electricmore » test track.« less
Determination of Three-Bond1H3′–31P Couplings in Nucleic Acids and Protein–Nucleic Acid Complexes by QuantitativeJCorrelation Spectroscopy

A new sensitive two-dimensional quantitative J correlation experiment is described for measuring 3JH3'-P couplings in nucleic acids and protein-nucleic acid complexes. The method is based on measuring the change in intensity of the 1H-1H cross peaks in a constant-time 1H-1H COSY experiment which occurs in the presence and absence of 3JH3'-P dephasing during the constant-time evolution period. For protein-nucleic acid complexes where the protein is 13C-labeled but the nucleic acid is not, 12C-filtering is readily achieved by the application of a series of 13C purge pulses during the constant time evolution period without any loss of signal-to-noise of the nucleic acid cross peaks. The method is demonstrated for the Dickerson DNA dodecamer and a 19 kDa complex of the transcription factor SRY with a 14mer DNA duplex. The same approach should be equally applicable to numerous other problems, including the measurement of JH-Cd couplings in cadmium-ligated proteins, or 3JCH couplings in other selectively enriched compounds.
Mobility study on RIE etched silicon surfaces using SF/sub 6//O/sub 2/ gas etchants

A methodology for the measurement of the inversion layer mobility on trench gate structures, which allows independent measurement of the sidewall and bottom surface mobilities, is described. Using this method, the inversion layer mobility has been experimentally studied for trenches formed using the SF/sub 6//O/sub 2/ method on diffused base regions of power UMOSFETs. The effect of several post RIE surface treatments on the surface mobility is reported. The measured sidewall mobilities have been found to be comparable to those previously reported for other RIE etchants. These results are of interest for the design of devices using the trench gate (UMOS) technology. >
Germanium In Situ Doped Epitaxial Growth on Si for High-Performance $\hbox{n}^{+}/\hbox{p}$ -Junction Diode

We demonstrate an abrupt and box-shaped n+/p junction in Ge with a high level of activation of n-type-dopant phosphorus (P) using in situ doping during epitaxial growth. The temperature dependence of dopant activation was investigated associated with the shallower and abrupt junction formation. In addition, we have fabricated high-performance Ge n+/p-junction diodes at 400degC-600degC, based on the in situ doping technique. Excellent diode characteristics having a 1.1 times 104 on/off ratio and a high forward current density (120 A/cm2 at 1 V) are obtained in an n+/p diode at 600-C in situ doping.
ELPAT Program Report

(1997). ELPAT Program Report. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal: Vol. 58, No. 11, pp. 768-771.
Increased Plasma Aldosterone Concentration In Response to Hemodialysis In Nephrectomized Man

The nephrectomized patient maintained on intermittent hemodialysis while awaiting renal transplantation provides an excellent model for studying the influence of factors other than the renal renin-angiotensin system that play a role in the regulation of plasma aldosterone concentration. Peripheral plasma aldosterone concentrations were determined using a sensitive radioimmunoassay method in nine anephric patients in the recumbent position immediately before and after hemodialysis. Average patient weight fell 1.5 kg following 12 hours of dialysis on the Kiil dialyzer. Plasma sodium concentration decreased from 137 ± 1 (SE) to 132 ± 1 mEq/liter, plasma potassium concentration decreased from 4.8 ± 0.3 to 3.2 ± 0.1 mEq/liter, and the ratio of sodium to potassium increased from 31.3 ± 1.9 to 41.7 ± 0.9. Plasma aldosterone concentration increased from 9.7 ± 1.6 ng/100 ml plasma before dialysis to 17.9 ± 2.1 ng/100 ml plasma after dialysis despite the lack of kidneys to produce renin. Plasma cortisol concentration did not change significantly (17.5 ± 2.0 µg/100 ml plasma to 14.8 ± 1.9 µg/100 ml plasma). These results show that plasma aldosterone concentration increased in anephric patients in response to hemodialysis. This increase occurred without a concomitant increase in plasma cortisol levels, suggesting absence of an adrenocorticotropic hormone response, and was independent of the renal reninangiotensin system.
A New Network Topology Evolution Generator Based on Traffic Increase and Distribution Model

Following traffic increase near to network backbone capacity in a domain network, the evolution of backbone topology takes place. In this paper, three main types of evolution methods: link upgrading only method (upgrade link capacity only), node upgrading method (add nodes and links with the same link capacity), and the combinations of previous two are explored. To shunt the saturated traffic efficiently, we propose several node upgrading generators - Adapting Traffic Evolution Topology gEnerators (ATETEs). ATETEs consider traffic distribution and node burden conditions and select the congested link as the main shunting object. The difference among ATETEs lies that they have diverse strategies to choose a node in the congested link as the second shunting aim. Simulation shows that: the type of ATETEs which picks the burdened node in the saturated link as another shunting object has the most effective shunting result. Compare with most of current topology generators such as [BRITE] in [1] which consider little about traffic increase distribution, ATETEs are more efficient to satisfy traffic increase.
Perspective: Does medical education promote professional alexithymia? A call for attending to the emotions of patients and self in medical training

Emotions--one's own and others'--play a large role in the lives of medical students. Students must deal with their emotional reactions to intellectual and physical stress, the demanding clinical situations to which they are witness, as well as patients' and patients' family members' often intense feelings. Yet, currently few components in formal medical training--in either direct curricular instruction or physician role modeling--focus on the emotional lives of students. In this article, the author examines patients', medical students', and physician role models' emotions in the clinical context, highlighting challenges in all three of these arenas. Next, the author asserts that the preponderance of medical education continues to address the emotional realm through ignoring, detaching from, and distancing from emotions. Finally, she presents not only possible theoretical and conceptual models for developing ways of understanding, attending to, and ultimately "working with" emotions in medical education but also examples of innovative curricular efforts to incorporate emotional awareness into medical student training. The author concludes with the hope that medical educators will consider making a concerted effort to acknowledge emotions and their importance in medicine and medical training.
Leo Strauss: Man of Peace

Leo Strauss is known to many people as a thinker of the right, who inspired hawkish views on national security and perhaps advocated war without limits. Moving beyond gossip and innuendo about Strauss's followers and the Bush administration, this book provides the first comprehensive analysis of Strauss's writings on political violence, considering also what he taught in the classroom on this subject. In stark contrast to popular perception, Strauss emerges as a man of peace, favorably disposed to international law and skeptical of imperialism - a critic of radical ideologies who warns of the dangers to free thought and civil society when intellectuals ally themselves with movements that advocate violence. Robert Howse provides new readings of Strauss's confrontation with fascist/Nazi jurist Carl Schmitt, his debate with Alexandre Kojeve about philosophy and tyranny, and his works on Machiavelli and Thucydides and examines Strauss's lectures on Kant's Perpetual Peace and Grotius's Rights of War and Peace.
Pharmacogenetic Perturbations in Humans as a Tool to Generate Mechanistic Insight

The field of human genetics has witnessed tremendous acceleration in the last decade, driven in part by the advent of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) (1,2). However, novel insights have not kept pace. In most cases, the specific DNA sequences that cause the molecular changes leading to type 2 diabetes (T2D) have not been identified, and robust signals of association are often initially opaque with regard to a plausible functional mechanism (3,4). Thus, although GWAS constitute a powerful approach to rapidly and systematically uncover associations that may open new windows into T2D pathophysiology, they do not circumvent the need to refine the associated loci to find the precise “causal” DNA sequences—causal in the sense that altering these sequences would eliminate the clinical phenotype (5,6). We therefore need complementary strategies that both identify the genes of interest within each associated region and illuminate their function. The integration of physiological and pharmacogenetic information with genetic discoveries can provide such a path. By perturbing a live human with a drug that targets a given gene and assessing the response to this perturbation, one may be able to “close the loop” and demonstrate that the gene is indeed involved in producing the phenotype of interest. In a reciprocal fashion, drugs that modulate a specific limb of the glucose homeostatic system (e.g., insulin secretion, central or peripheral insulin sensitivity), if shown to elicit differential responses depending on genotype, may serve to prioritize genes in a given associated region. The article by ‘t Hart et al. (7) in this issue illustrates this approach. The authors used the Metabochip to identify genetic variants that influence glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)–induced insulin secretion in 232 nondiabetic participants from two separate Dutch and German cohorts who were treated with a hyperglycemic clamp. The Metabochip is …
MISUSE OF DATA FROM MIST-NET CAPTURES TO ASSESS RELATIVE ABUNDANCE IN BIRD POPULATIONS

Capture data from mist nets are used frequently to quantify the relative abun- dance of birds. In spite of obvious confounding variables, most of which have been mentioned previously in the literature, relative capture of birds typically is equated directly to relative abundance. Through modeling, we quantify the potential magnitude of the effect of those variables among species and between age/sex categories of the same species. We demonstrate that differences in proportional use of vertical-height categories, including differences below the resolving power of visual estimates, can produce substantial differences in the capture rates of birds with identical abundance. To simulate capture on the horizontal plane, we designed a computer program that models how frequently birds strike nets with respect to home-range size and overlap, number of flights, and mean flight distance. The quantitative results of these simulations show that differences in spacing system, flight distance, and flight frequency have strong effects on capture rates. We also list additional problems with inter- pretation of differences in capture data. We think that these influences on capture data combine to preclude quantitative comparisons of relative abundance of birds, either among species or within species in different habitats, by use of mist-net capture data under most current research protocols. Although our analyses refer directly only to birds and mist nets, the outcomes of the analyses are relevant to any method that estimates relative abundance from captures of mobile organisms by stationary traps during brief sampling periods. Received
Potential Role for Extracellular Glutathione-Dependent Ferric Reductase in Utilization of Environmental and Host Ferric Compounds by Histoplasma capsulatum

The mammalian host specifically limits iron during Histoplasma capsulatum infection, and fungal acquisition of iron is essential for productive infection. H. capsulatum expresses several iron acquisition mechanisms under iron-limited conditions in vitro. These components include hydroxamate siderophores, extracellular glutathione-dependent ferric reductase enzyme, extracellular nonproteinaceous ferric reductant(s), and cell surface ferric reducing agent(s). We examined the relationship between these mechanisms and a potential role for the extracellular ferric reductase in utilization of environmental and host ferric compounds through the production of free, soluble Fe(II). Siderophores and ferric reducing agents were coproduced under conditions of iron limitation. The H. capsulatum siderophore dimerum acid and the structurally similar basidiomycete siderophore rhodotorulic acid acted as substrates for the ferric reductase, and rhodotorulic acid removed Fe(III) bound by transferrin. The mammalian Fe(III)-binding compounds hemin and transferrin served both as substrates for the ferric reductase and as iron sources for yeast-phase growth at neutral pH. In the case of transferrin, there was a correlation between the level of iron saturation and efficacy for both of these functions. Our data are not consistent with an entirely pH-dependent mechanism of iron acquisition from transferrin, as has been suggested to occur in the macrophage phagolysosome. The foreign siderophore ferrioxamine B also acted as a substrate for the ferric reductase, while the foreign siderophore ferrichrome did not. Both ferrioxamine and ferrichrome served as iron sources for yeast- and mold-phase growth, the latter presumably by some other acquisition mechanism(s).
RELIABILITY-BASED SHAPE OPTIMIZATION OF TRUSS STRUCTURES

The paper presents results of numerical experiments designed to investigate the efficiency of a number of reliability-based optimization (RBO) techniques in the shape optimization of truss structures. The efficiency is measured in terms of computational effort and the ability to locate the true optimum. The competing RBO strategies include three different techniques of evaluating the reliability of a structure: Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS); mean-value first-order reliability method (MVFO); and Hasofer-Lind Rackwitz-Fiessler firstorder reliability method (HLRF). (Sensitivity information from HLRF analyses are used to facilitate design optimization.) These techniques are coupled with a sequential quadratic programming (SQP) optimization algorithm to obtain the optimal geometry of a truss structure. Uncertainty is introduced into the design problem via a random load and material property. The structure is optimized for minimum weight with reliability constraints using nodal coordinates and truss element cross-sectional areas as design variables. A discussion of the various RBO strategies' ability to efficiently find a robust design is presented.
Analytical solution to transient heat conduction in polar coordinates with multiple layers in radial direction

Abstract Closed form analytical double-series solution is presented for the multi-dimensional unsteady heat conduction problem in polar coordinates (2-D cylindrical) with multiple layers in the radial direction. Spatially non-uniform, but time-independent, volumetric heat sources are assumed in each layer. Separation of variables method is used to obtain transient temperature distribution. In contrast to Cartesian or cylindrical ( r , z ) coordinates, eigenvalues in the direction perpendicular to the layers do not explicitly depend on those in the other direction. The implication of the above statement is that the imaginary eigenvalues are precluded from the solution of the problem. However, radial (transverse) eigenvalues are implicitly dependent on the angular eigenvalues through the order of the Bessel functions which constitute the radial eigenfunctions. Therefore, for each eigenvalue in the angular direction, corresponding radial eigenvalues must be obtained. Solution is valid for any combination of homogenous boundary condition of the first or second kind in the angular direction. However, inhomogeneous boundary conditions of the third kind are applied in the radial direction. Proposed solution is also applicable to multiple layers with zero inner radius. An illustrative example problem for the three-layer semi-circular annular region is solved. Results along with the isotherms are shown graphically and discussed.
Ca2+ oscillations, Ca2+ sensitization, and contraction activated by protein kinase C in small airway smooth muscle.

Protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in the regulation of smooth muscle cell (SMC) contraction and may contribute to airway hyperresponsiveness. Here, we combined optical and biochemical analyses of mouse lung slices to determine the effects of PKC activation on Ca2+ signaling, Ca2+ sensitivity, protein phosphorylation, and contraction in SMCs of small intrapulmonary airways. We found that 10 µM phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate or 1 µM phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate induced repetitive, unsynchronized, and transient contractions of the SMCs lining the airway lumen. These contractions were associated with low frequency Ca2+ oscillations in airway SMCs that resulted from Ca2+ influx through L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and the subsequent release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores through ryanodine receptors. Phorbol ester stimulation of lung slices in which SMC intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was “clamped” at a high concentration induced strong airway contraction, indicating that PKC mediated sensitization of the contractile response to [Ca2+]i. This Ca2+ sensitization was accompanied by phosphorylation of both the PKC-potentiated PP1 inhibitory protein of 17 kD (CPI-17) and the regulatory myosin light chain. Thrombin, like the phorbol esters, induced a strong Ca2+ sensitization that was inhibited by the PKC inhibitor GF-109203X and also potentiated airway contraction to membrane depolarization with KCl. In conclusion, we suggest that PKC activation in small airways leads to both the generation of Ca2+ oscillations and strong Ca2+ sensitization; agents associated with airway inflammation, such as thrombin, may activate this pathway to sensitize airway smooth muscle to agonists that cause membrane depolarization and Ca2+ entry and induce airway hyperresponsiveness.
CMOS amplifier design with enhanced slew rate and power supply rejection

The performance of several types of analog VLSI circuits is limited by the settling behavior and power supply rejection of CMOS amplifiers. Three novel techniques in MOS amplifier design, including nonsaturated input differential pair, improved cascode structure, and biasing circuitry, are described. A two-stage amplifier using these techniques has been fabricated in the MOSIS scalable 2- mu m CMOS technology, and achieves 80-V/ mu s slew rate and 57-dB power-supply rejection ratio (PSRR) at 50 kHz with DC power dissipation of 1 mW. >