cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid, Activity-Independent Turnover of Vesicular Transmitter Content at a Mixed Glycine/GABA Synapse

The release of neurotransmitter via the fusion of transmitter-filled, presynaptic vesicles is the primary means by which neurons relay information. However, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms that supply neurotransmitter destined for vesicle filling, the endogenous transmitter concentrations inside presynaptic nerve terminals, or the dynamics of vesicle refilling after exocytosis. We addressed these issues by recording from synaptically coupled pairs of glycine/GABA coreleasing interneurons (cartwheel cells) of the mouse dorsal cochlear nucleus. We find that the plasma membrane transporter GlyT2 and the intracellular enzyme glutamate decarboxylase supply the majority of glycine and GABA, respectively. Pharmacological block of GlyT2 or glutamate decarboxylase led to rapid and complete rundown of transmission, whereas increasing GABA synthesis via intracellular glutamate uncaging dramatically potentiated GABA release within 1 min. These effects were surprisingly independent of exocytosis, indicating that prefilled vesicles re-equilibrated upon acute changes in cytosolic transmitter. Titration of cytosolic transmitter with postsynaptic responses indicated that endogenous, nonvesicular glycine/GABA levels in nerve terminals are 5–7 mm, and that vesicular transport mechanisms are not saturated under basal conditions. Thus, cytosolic transmitter levels dynamically set the strength of inhibitory synapses in a release-independent manner.
Intermittent Behavior of the Separated Boundary Layer Along the Suction Surface of a Low Pressure Turbine Blade Under Periodic Unsteady Flow Conditions

B. Ozturk, M. T. Schobeiri, David E. AshpisTurbomachinery Performance and Flow Research Laboratory National Aeronautics and space AdministrationTexas A&M University John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis FieldCollege Station, Texas Cleveland, OH 44135-3191ABSTRACTThe paper experimentally and theoretically studiesthe effects of periodic unsteady wake flow andaerodynamic characteristics on boundary layerdevelopment, separation and re-attachment along thesuction surface of a low pressure turbine blade. Theexperiments were carried out at Reynolds number of110,000 (based on suction surface length and exitvelocity). For one steady and two different unsteadyinlet flow conditions with the corresponding passingfrequencies, intermittency behavior were experimentallyand theoretically investigated. The current investigationattempts to extend the intermittency unsteady boundarylayer transition model developed in previously to theLPT cases, where separation occurs on the suctionsurface at a low Reynolds number.The results of the unsteady boundary layermeasurements and the intermittency analysis werepresented in the ensemble-averaged, and contour plotforms. The analysis of the boundary layer experimentaldata with the flow separation, confirms the universalcharacter of the relative intermittency function which isdescribed by a Gausssian function.NOMENCLATUREb intermittency wake widthc blade chord
New directions in dentistry--the role of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is one of 27 Institutes and Centers that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States (for additional information, visit http://www.nih.gov/icd/). The NIH mission is to uncover new knowledge that will lead to better health for all people. This mission is accomplished through conducting research in its own laboratories; supporting the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, dental schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the U.S. and abroad; helping in the training of research investigators; and fostering communication of medical information. With the simultaneous announcement of the draft sequence of the human genome in February 2001 from the public and private sectors,1,2 we have entered the postgenomic era of biomedical science. Regulatory networks that underlay the spatial and temporal expression of genes during development will be dissected;3 their recapitulation will afford new opportunities for tissue repair and replacement, particularly when merged with emerging principles of bioengineering.4 Whole genome analysis will become increasingly important to define host response to infectious disease.5 During this new era, analysis of the human proteome will offer new targets for pharmaceuticals.6 Therapeutics will become more individualized as genotypic variation7 is defined and fuels the emerging field of pharmacogenomics.8 Genetic diagnosis will be used increasingly to identify individuals most in need of interventions; for example, there is at least one genetic screening being used as a means to target surgical prevention of malignancy.9 Diagnostic procedures will increasingly be diverted from the hospital and laboratory to the community and the home. Pervasive computing will permit realtime monitoring of any number of physiological parameters and analytes. Where facile, “non-invasive” sampling is desired, saliva is the medium of choice.10 Many analytes can be measured in saliva and oral fluids including hormones, drugs of abuse, and antibodies (as a means to detect exposure to infectious agents such as human immunodeficiency virus). Whole-mouth fluids are also a facile source of host-derived DNA samples and have been used for both biomarker profiling and forensic identification. For example, mitochondrial DNA mutations found to be associated with primary tumors of the human bladder, head and neck, or lung can be detected in saliva.11 A recent report suggests that head and neck squamous cell carcinoma may be detected using microsatellite analysis of DNA derived from exfoliated oral mucosal cells sampled from saliva.12 This will catalyze the shift in a health care system concerned largely with disease diagnosis to health surveillance. With the advance of technology to monitor health in real time, perform genetic testing for susceptibility to disease, and determine efficacy of potential therapeutics comes the increased obligation to ensure that patients’ rights are maintained.13
Compositional Analysis of Lignocellulosic Feedstocks. 2. Method Uncertainties

The most common procedures for characterizing the chemical components of lignocellulosic feedstocks use a two-stage sulfuric acid hydrolysis to fractionate biomass for gravimetric and instrumental analyses. The uncertainty (i.e., dispersion of values from repeated measurement) in the primary data is of general interest to those with technical or financial interests in biomass conversion technology. The composition of a homogenized corn stover feedstock (154 replicate samples in 13 batches, by 7 analysts in 2 laboratories) was measured along with a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reference sugar cane bagasse, as a control, using this laboratory's suite of laboratory analytical procedures (LAPs). The uncertainty was evaluated by the statistical analysis of these data and is reported as the standard deviation of each component measurement. Censored and uncensored versions of these data sets are reported, as evidence was found for intermittent instrumental and equipment problems. The censored data are believed to represent the “best case” results of these analyses, whereas the uncensored data show how small method changes can strongly affect the uncertainties of these empirical methods. Relative standard deviations (RSD) of 1−3% are reported for glucan, xylan, lignin, extractives, and total component closure with the other minor components showing 4−10% RSD. The standard deviations seen with the corn stover and NIST bagasse materials were similar, which suggests that the uncertainties reported here are due more to the analytical method used than to the specific feedstock type being analyzed.
Fluorescence of single ZnS overcoated CdSe quantum dots studied by apertureless near-field scanning optical microscopy

Abstract The fluorescence of single ZnS overcoated CdSe quantum dots (QDs) embedded in the evanescent optical field above a prism surface has been studied using an apertureless near-field scanning optical microscope (ANSOM). We demonstrate that the fluorescence intensity of an individual QD can be enhanced by as much as fivefold for a silicon (Si) probe located over the QD. Furthermore, the ratio of fluorescence intensity with the probe directly over versus adjacent to the QD is substantially greater (up to 90-fold). This higher contrast in the ANSOM images results from interference between direct and probe-scattered fluorescence for the adjacent-probe geometry. These optical enhancements are very sensitive to probe tip cleaning, while this has negligible effect on the topological images. The typical full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the ANSOM images is 30–40 nm, while the FWHM of the topographic image is ∼20 nm. While this optical FWHM is 10–20-fold below the optical diffraction limit, conversion from non-contact to intermittent contact mode is predicted to increase the enhancements and decrease the ANSOM FWHM by major factors.
Multiple-view modelling and meta-modelling of software product lines

A multiple-view modelling and meta-modelling approach for software product lines (SPLs) using the unified modelling language notation is described. A multiple-view model for an SPL defines the different perspectives of the product line, namely the use case model, static model, collaboration model, statechart model and feature model, including the commonality and variability. The meta-model for SPLs depicts the life-cycle phases, views within each phase and meta-classes within each view. The relationships between the different meta-model views are described. Consistency checking rules are specified based on the relationships among meta-classes in the meta-model. These rules, which are specified formally using the object constraint language, are used to resolve inconsistencies between multiple views in the same phase or different phases, and to define allowable mappings between multiple views in different phases. Finally, tool support for the approach is described.
A note on the relationship between outcrossing rate and gene flow in plants

The relationship between outcrossing rates, t, and the gene flow parameter, Nm, was studied in 32 species of plants. As expected, a significant positive relationship was found between these variables. The low coefficient of determination, however, suggested that outcrossing rate may underestimate gene flow levels in plant populations.
Smart health and wellbeing [Trends & Controversies]

In light of such overwhelming interest from governments and academia in adopting and advancing IT for effective healthcare, there are great opportunities for researchers and practitioners alike to invest efforts in conducting innovative and high-impact healthcare IT research. This IEEE Intelligent Systems Trends and Controversies (T&#x0026;C) Department hopes to raise awareness and highlight selected recent research that helps move us toward such goals. This department includes three articles on Smart Health and Wellbeing from distinguished experts in computer science, information systems, and medicine. Each article presents unique perspectives, advanced computational methods, and selected results and examples.
The impact of medication on falls

Medication can increase the risk of falls, which lead to around 14 000 deaths a year. Linda Nazarko provides information on reducing potential injuries.
Clindamycin, Metronidazole, and Chloramphenicol

Clindamycin, metronidazole, and chloramphenicol are three antimicrobial agents useful in the treatment of anaerobic infections. Clindamycin is effective in the treatment of most infections involving anaerobes and gram-positive cocci, but emerging resistance has become a problem in some clinical settings. Metronidazole is effective in the treatment of infections involving gram-negative anaerobes, but it is unreliable in the treatment of gram-positive anaerobic infections and is ineffective in treating aerobic infections. Additionally, metronidazole is often the drug of choice in treating infections in which Bacteroides fragilis is a serious concern. Chloramphenicol is effective in the treatment of a wide variety of bacterial infections, including serious anaerobic infections, but is rarely used in Western countries because of concerns about toxicity, including aplastic anemia and gray baby syndrome.
Stress Singularity in Composite Laminates by Finite Element Method

A compact finite element formulation based on singularity transformation is presented and is used to analyze the stress singularity at the boundary-layer of an interface between adjacent layers in a laminated composite. The composite is subjected to uniform axial ex tension in the plane of the layers. For illustration, results from few elements are shown to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the present approach. Excellent agreement between the present results and the analytical solutions is obtained.
Heavy-flavor effects in soft gluon resummation for electroweak boson production at hadron colliders

We evaluate the impact of heavy-quark masses on transverse momentum (${q}_{T}$) distributions of $W$, $Z$, and supersymmetric neutral Higgs bosons at the Tevatron and LHC. The masses of charm and bottom quarks act as non-negligible momentum scales at small ${q}_{T}$ and affect resummation of soft and collinear radiation. We point out inconsistencies in the treatment of heavy-flavor channels at small ${q}_{T}$ in massless and fixed-flavor number factorization schemes, and formulate small-${q}_{T}$ resummation in a general-mass variable flavor number factorization scheme. The improved treatment of the quark-mass dependence leads to non-negligible effects in precision measurements of the $W$ boson mass at the LHC and may cause observable modifications in production of Higgs bosons and other particles in heavy-quark scattering.
High Temperature Phases in Montmorillonites

The formation of siliceous phases in montmorillonites at temperatures up to 1500°C has been studied by high temperature continuous x-ray diffraction techniques. Oriented clay aggregates on platinum slides are heated in a small platinum-wire resistor furnace placed on an x-ray spectrometer unit. The intensity of the main diffraction lines of each phase is noted versus the temperature. The nature and the temperature of formation of the different phases are closely related to the structure and composition of the sample. The important role of some cations in exchange position is emphasized.
Shock temperatures in silica glass: Implications for modes of shock‐induced deformation, phase transformation, and melting with pressure

Gray body temperatures and emittances of silica glass under shock compression between 10 and 30 GPa are determined. Observed radiative temperatures are higher than computed continuum temperatures for shock-compressed silica glass; however, below ∼26 GPa observed emittances are <0.02. This suggests that fused quartz deforms heterogeneously in this shock pressure range as has been observed in other minerals. Between 10 and 16 GPa, radiative temperatures decrease from 4400 K to 3200 K, whereas above 16–30 GPa, gray body temperatures of ∼3000 K with low emittances are observed. The emittances increase with pressure from 0.02 to 0.9. The pressure range from 10 to 16 GPa coincides with the permanent densification region, while the 16–30 GPa range coincides with the inferred mixed phase region along the silica glass Hugoniot. The differing radiative behaviors may relate to these modes of deformation. Based upon earlier shock recovery experiments and a proposed model of heterogeneous deformation under shock compression, the temperatures associated with low emittances in the mixed phase region probably represent the melting temperature of the high-pressure phase, stishovite, which can be expected to crystallize from a melt in hot zones. Above 20 GPa the melting temperature of stishovite would therefore be 3000 K±200 K and almost independent of pressure to 30 GPa. The effects of pressure on melting relations for the system SiO_2–Mg_2SiO_4 are considered together with the proposed stishovite melting curve and suggested maximum solidus temperatures within the mantle of ∼2370 K at 12.5 GPa and ∼2530 K at 20.0 GPa. Using the proposed stishovite melting temperatures Tm and estimates of upper mantle temperatures T, the effective viscosity, which can be considered a function of the homologous temperature T/T_m, appears to remain nearly constant from 200 to 600 km depth in the Earth.
On improving the productivity of numerically controlled punch presses

Abstract Numerically Controlled (NO) machines have in recent years revolutionized the production process, but their productivity may yet be increased by the application of new theory to the controlling computer software. This paper describes the improvement in productivity of a class of NC punch presses which operate from either an off-line computer prepared tape or under direct numerical control. The problem of tool selection and table motion during the manufacture of a product by punching an array of holes in a metal sheet with a sequence of various size and shape tools is formulated as a travelling salesman problem (TSP). Two TSP heuristics, one old and one proposed by the authors, are employed in a comparison test with the.NC press manufacturer's heuristic. Both TSP heuristics generally outperform the manufacturer's heuristic by 10% or more.
Electronic cigarettes: The road ahead

Electronic cigarettes (e-cig) are proliferating in the world's lucrative nicotine delivery market at an alarmingly fast pace. E-cig are aggressively marketed as an alternative to conventional tobacco cigarettes, although very little is known about the health consequences of e-cig use. Chemical analysis of e-cig vapor/liquid has shown that many toxicants and carcinogens present in cigarette smoke are also found, albeit generally in lower concentrations, in a wide range of e-cig products. Notwithstanding the presence of toxicants and carcinogens in e-cig products, the biological effects of exposure to these contaminants have not been determined in e-cig users. The ongoing research and future investigations on e-cig initiation, use, perceptions, dependence, and toxicity are expected to provide empirical evidence that can be used to inform the general public, scientific community, and regulatory authorities of the health risks/benefits associated with e-cig use. This information will help stimulate scientists in the field of tobacco research, as well as assist the regulatory agencies in making scientifically based decisions on the development and evaluation of regulations on tobacco products to protect the public's health. Finding the scientific underpinnings for the health risks/benefits of e-cig use can impact millions of people who are increasingly turning to e-cig as a replacement for or complement to conventional tobacco cigarettes.
Tissue-engineered pro-angiogenic fibroblast scaffold improves myocardial perfusion and function and limits ventricular remodeling after infarction.

Objective Microvascular malperfusion after myocardial infarction leads to infarct expansion, adverse remodeling, and functional impairment. Native reparative mechanisms exist but are inadequate to vascularize ischemic myocardium. We hypothesized that a 3-dimensional human fibroblast culture (3DFC) functions as a sustained source of angiogenic cytokines, thereby augmenting native angiogenesis and limiting adverse effects of myocardial ischemia. Methods Lewis rats underwent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery to induce heart failure; experimental animals received a 3DFC scaffold to the ischemic region. Border-zone tissue was analyzed for the presence of human fibroblast surface protein, vascular endothelial growth factor, and hepatocyte growth factor. Cardiac function was assessed with echocardiography and pressure–volume conductance. Hearts underwent immunohistochemical analysis of angiogenesis by co-localization of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule and alpha smooth muscle actin and by digital analysis of ventricular geometry. Microvascular angiography was performed with fluorescein-labeled lectin to assess perfusion. Results Immunoblotting confirmed the presence of human fibroblast surface protein in rats receiving 3DFC, indicating survival of transplanted cells. Increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor in experimental rats confirmed elution by the 3DFC. Microvasculature expressing platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule/alpha smooth muscle actin was increased in infarct and border-zone regions of rats receiving 3DFC. Microvascular perfusion was also improved in infarct and border-zone regions in these rats. Rats receiving 3DFC had increased wall thickness, smaller infarct area, and smaller infarct fraction. Echocardiography and pressure–volume measurements showed that cardiac function was preserved in these rats. Conclusions Application of a bioengineered 3DFC augments native angiogenesis through delivery of angiogenic cytokines to ischemic myocardium. This yields improved microvascular perfusion, limits infarct progression and adverse remodeling, and improves ventricular function.
Some energy relations for RC networks

Abstract The class of RC two-port networks whose impulse responses contain no impulse functions is considered. Certain relations are established on some energy functions for these networks. The subclass of networks for which these relations assume an optimum form is then sought. It is found that this subclass consists of the compact RC networks whose open-circuit impedance parameters have residues that possess the same ratios at corresponding poles.
Generation of DNA fragments by enzymatic cleavage at sites sensitive to denaturation

Abstract Fragments of bihelical bacteriophage Φ80 DNA have been generated by enzymatic cleavage at denaturation-sensitive sites. The DNA is exposed to subcritical denaturation conditions which are known to result in the generation of small single-stranded loops (Inman, R. B. (1967) J. Mol. Biol. 28, 103–116), presumably at loci enriched for A · T base pairs. The loops are “fixed” by reaction with formaldehyde. In rapid succession the unreacted formaldehyde is removed and the DNA is digested with the single strand-specific endonuclease from Neurospora crassa . Polyacrylamide agarose gel electrophoresis is used to monitor the reaction or isolate the DNA fragments. This procedure provides one approach to studying the chromosomal distribution of regions that are strongly biased toward A · T or G · C base pairs and also afford a flexible complement to the site-specific endonucleases in isolating and studying specific regions of the chromosome.
Orthogonal drawings and crossing numbers of the Kronecker product of two cycles

An orthogonal drawing of a graph is an embedding of the graph in the plane such that each edge is representable as a chain of alternately horizontal and vertical line segments. This style of drawing finds applications in areas such as optoelectronic systems, information visualization and VLSI circuits. We present orthogonal drawings of the Kronecker product of two cycles around vertex partitions of the graph into grids. In the process, we derive upper bounds on the crossing number of the graph. The resulting upper bounds are within a constant multiple of the lower bounds. Unlike the Cartesian product that is amenable to an inductive treatment, the Kronecker product entails a case-to-case analysis since the results depend heavily on the parameters corresponding to the lengths of the two cycles.
Basic fibroblast growth factor and local injury protect photoreceptors from light damage in the rat.

Injection of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) into the eye, intravitreally or subretinally, delays photoreceptor degeneration in inherited retinal dystrophy in the rat, as does local injury to the retina (Faktorovich et al., 1990). To determine whether this heparin- binding peptide or local injury is effective in any other form of photoreceptor degeneration, we examined their protective roles in light damage. Albino rats of the F344 strain were exposed to 1 or 2 weeks of constant fluorescent light (115–200 footcandles), either with or without 1 microliter of bFGF solution (1150 ng/microliters in PBS) injected intravitreally or subretinally 2 d before the start of light exposure. Uninjected and intravitreally PBS-injected controls showed the loss of a majority of photoreceptor nuclei and the loss of most inner and outer segments after 1 week of light exposure, while intravitreal injection of bFGF resulted in significant photoreceptor rescue. The outer nuclear layer in bFGF-injected eyes was two to three times thicker than in controls, and the inner and outer segments showed a much greater degree of integrity. Following recovery in cyclic light for 10 d after 1 week of constant light exposure, bFGF-injected eyes showed much greater regeneration of photoreceptor inner and outer segments than did the controls. bFGF also increased the incidence of presumptive macrophages, located predominantly in the inner retina, but the evidence suggests they are not directly involved in photoreceptor rescue. Subretinal injection of bFGF resulted in photoreceptor rescue throughout most of the superior hemisphere in which the injection was made, with rescue extending into the inferior hemisphere in many of the eyes. Remarkably, the insertion of a dry needle or injection of PBS into the subretinal space also resulted in widespread photoreceptor rescue, extending through 70% or more of the superior hemisphere, and sometimes into the inferior hemispheres. This implicates the release and widespread diffusion of some endogenous survival-promoting factor from the site of injury in the retina. Our findings indicate that the photoreceptor rescue activity of bFGF is not restricted to inherited retinal dystrophy in the rat, and that light damage is an excellent model for studying the cellular site(s), kinetics, and molecular mechanisms of both the normal function of bFGF and its survival- promoting activity. Moreover, the injury-related rescue suggests that survival-promoting factors are readily available to provide a protective role in case of injury to the retina, presumably comparable to those that mediate the “conditioning lesion” effect in other neuronal systems.
Barn with Magic Clouds

This is two images, the barn and Queen Anne's lace with a blank sky and a cloud picture, both taken near Caseville, Michigan. Each image …
Carotenoid content impacts flavor acceptability in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).

BACKGROUND: Tomatoes contain high levels of several carotenoids including lycopene and β-carotene. Beyond their functions as colorants and nutrients, carotenoids are precursors for important volatile flavor compounds. In order to assess the importance of apocarotenoid volatiles in flavor perception and acceptability, we conducted sensory evaluations of near-isogenic carotenoid biosynthetic mutants and their parent, Ailsa Craig. RESULTS: The carotenoid contents of these tomatoes were extremely low in the r mutant, increased in lycopene in old gold, and higher in tetra-cis-lycopene and ζ-carotene in tangerine. The volatiles derived from these carotenoids (β-ionone, geranylacetone and 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one) were proportionally altered relative to their precursors. Fruits were also analyzed for soluble solids, sugars, acids and flavor volatiles. Consumer panels rated the r mutant lowest for all sensory attributes, while Ailsa Craig was generally rated highest. Old gold and tangerine were rated intermediate in two of the three harvests. CONCLUSIONS: Several chemicals were negatively correlated with at least one of the hedonic scores while several others were positively correlated with tomato flavor acceptability. The results permitted identification of positive and negative interactions of volatiles with tomato flavor. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Gene expression profiling of choroid plexus in Alzheimer's disease reveals important implications of CSF dynamics

(entorhinal and temporal cortices, and hippocampus) assembled in tissuemicroarray (TMA), immunohistochemistry was performed to examine the expression patterns of Rb in the following groups: 1) asymptomatic AD elderly individuals with AD-related pathology, but no clinical evidence of dementia (Braak IV-VI, CERAD B or C, CDR 0); 2) symptomatic AD elderly individuals with AD-related pathology and dementia (Braak IV-VI, CERAD B or C, CDR 1⁄4 2); and 3) healthy normal individuals (controls) (Braak I-III, CERAD 0 or A, CDR 0). Results: The nuclear staining was low in all groups, although in the group of normal individuals the number of positive nucleus was higher than in the Alzheimer’s groups. However, there also was cytoplasmatic staining with a stronger immunoreactivity in the normal group and a progressive decrease of reactivity in the asymptomatic and symptomatic AD groups, respectively. Conclusions: Our results show a progressive lost of Rb expression in AD patient’s brain, mainly in the cytoplasm. This shift at the subcellular localization of several makers implicated with cell cycle has been shown in AD, but the real biological significance of this change is still unclear. Considering that Rb function as a cell cycle suppressor, this expression lost could facilitate the cell cycle re-entry and neuronal death. In asymptomatic AD individuals, the Rb expression level higher than in symptomatic AD subjects could be helping, together with other mechanisms, the keeping of their normal cognitive function.
Molecular analysis of immunoglobulin genes reveals frequent clonal relatedness in double monoclonal gammopathies

Monoclonal gammopathies (MGs) are hematological diseases characterized by high levels of a monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) or M-protein. Within this group are patients with more than one M-protein, referred to as double MGs (DMGs). The M-proteins in DMG patients may have different heavy chain (HC) isotypes that are associated with different light chains (LCs), or different HCs that are LC matched. In this study, we examined the clonal relatedness of the M-proteins in the latter type in a cohort of 14 DMG patients. By using PCR, we identified 7/14 DMG patients that expressed two Ig HC isotypes with identical Ig HC variable (IGHV), diversity (IGHD), joining (IGHJ), and complementarity determining region (HCDR3) sequences. Two additional DMG patients had two Ig transcripts using the same IGHV, IGHD and IGHJ genes but with slight differences in variable region or HCDR3 mutations. LC analysis confirmed that a single LC was expressed in 3/7 DMG patients with identical HC transcripts and in the two DMGs with highly similar transcripts. The PCR findings were confirmed by immunofluorescence for HC and LC expression. Clonally related HC-dissimilar/LC-matched DMGs may occur often and defines a new subtype of MG that may serve as a tool for studies of disease pathogenesis.
Differences Among Groups

Statistical techniques are used for describing and finding relationships among variables, as we discussed in Chapters 6 and 7. They are also used to detect differences among groups. The latter are most frequently used for data analysis in experimental and quasi-experimental research. They enable us to evaluate the effects of an independent [cause or treatment or categorical variables (gender, age, race, etc.)] variable on a dependent variable (effect, outcome).
A Targeted Strategy to Wipe Out Clostridium difficile

This study evaluated daily cleaning with germicidal bleach wipes on wards with a high incidence of hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The intervention reduced hospital-acquired CDI incidence by 85%, from 24.2 to 3.6 cases per 10,000 patient-days, and prolonged the median time between hospital-acquired CDI cases from 8 to 80 days.
Investigation of X-ray imaging of vapor–liquid contactors. 1. Studies involving stationary objects and a simple flow system

Abstract X-ray computed tomography was used to image two experimental systems containing vapor, liquid, and stainless steel. The first system consisted of a set of test objects designed to incorporate interfaces between the phases at multiple angles. The second system was a film-flow apparatus designed to operate with a film of water in the range of 0.2– 0.4 mm thick. The amount of liquid present at selected elevations of both experimental systems was measured from the X-ray transmission data. Less than ten percent variation from expected values was measured for both the stationary objects and the film-flow apparatus. The tomography systems used included a high-energy scanner and a low-energy scanner. The size of a pixel in the reconstructed image ranged from 0.15 to 0.40 mm . The measurement noise was identified as an important factor of the imaging system. The second article in this series will include experimental X-ray CT results for a vapor–liquid contactor and results of the analysis of images produced from simulations of X-ray CT.
Experimental Measurements of Velocity, Potential, and Temperature Distributions in Liquid Aluminum During Electromagnetic Stirring

An experimental technique has been developed to measure both axial and transverse velocities and temperature distribution in molten aluminum. Couette flow of liquid aluminum, lead, tin, and low melting alloy in cylindrical container was chosen for calibration of the experimental technique and the magnetic probe. Velocity and temperature profiles for liquid aluminum rotating in cylindrical container at different angular velocities are obtained for two different values of the depth. We determined that the velocity values increase with magnetic induction.
The steady and unsteady state analysis of a simple gas centrifuge

The operating theory of the gas centrifuge is developed under both steady and unsteady state behavior. It is shown that countercurrent flow patterns in a gas centrifuge enhance the possible separation. The effect of self-diffusion of the gaseous mixtures is shown to be significant with low molecular weight gases but of less significance with heavy gases such as uranium isotopes. The time required to develop steady state pressure and concentration profiles is in the order of minutes, even with no net flow to and from the machine.
Mesonlike baryons and the spin-orbit puzzle

The author describes a special class of meson-like {Lambda}{sub Q} excited states and present evidence supporting the similarity of their spin-independent spectra to those of mesons. He then examine spin-dependent forces in these baryons, showing that predicted effects of spin-orbit forces are small for them for the same reason they are small for the analogous mesons: a fortuitous cancellation between large spin-orbit forces due to one-gluon-exchange and equally large inverted spin-orbit forces due to Thomas precession in the confining potential. In addition to eliminating the baryon spin-orbit puzzle in these states, this solution provides a new perspective on spin-orbit forces in all baryons.
RNA-seq analysis of gene expression and alternative splicing by double-random priming strategy.

Transcriptome analysis by deep sequencing, more commonly known as RNA-seq is, becoming the method of choice for gene discovery and quantitative splicing detection. We published a double-random priming RNA-seq approach capable of generating strand-specific information [Li et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 105:20179–20184, 2008]. Poly(A) + RNA from a treated and an untreated sample were utilized to generate RNA-seq libraries that were sequenced on the Illumina GA1 analyzer. Statistical analysis of approximately ten million sequence reads generated from both control and treated cells suggests that this tag density is sufficient for quantitative analysis of gene expression. We were also able to detect a large fraction of reads corresponding to annotated alternative exons, with a subset of the reads matching known and detecting new splice junctions. In this chapter, we provide a detailed, bench-ready protocol for the double-random priming method and provide user-friendly templates for the curve-fitting model described in the paper to estimate the tag density needed for optimal detection of regulated gene expression and alternative splicing.
Emergence of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 Genotype as a Major Cause of Health Care—Associated Blood Stream Infections

Background Whether community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) genotypes (e.g., USA300) are a major cause of bloodstream infections (BSIs) and health care-associated infections has been poorly defined. Methods Consecutive MRSA isolates recovered from patients with BSIs were prospectively collected at an urban public hospital. Molecular typing studies were performed. Prevalence and risk factors for the MRSA USA300 genotype were assessed. Results One hundred thirty-two cases of MRSA BSI were documented over 7.5 months in 2004 (incidence, 6.79 per 1000 admissions); 116 isolates were available for genotyping. Characteristics of the 116 evaluable cases included: a mean age 47 years; 62% were male, 82% were African American, and 22% were HIV seropositive. The crude in-hospital mortality rate was 22%. In 107 cases (92%), there was contact with a health care facility within the year prior to infection, and a nosocomial infection (defined as positive blood culture results obtained >48 h after admission) occurred in 49 cases (42%). PFGE demonstrated that 39 (34%) of the 116 isolates were the MRSA USA300 genotype; 34 (29%) were USA100; 42 (36%) were USA500; and 1 (1%) was USA800. MRSA USA300 accounted for 28% of health care-associated BSIs and 20% of nosocomial MRSA BSIs. In multivariate analysis, isolation of the USA300 genotype was associated with injectiondrug use (OR, 3.67; 95% CI, 1.10-12.28) and skin and soft tissue infection (OR, 4.26; 95% CI, 1.08-16.84). Patients who resided in long-term care facilities (OR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.01-0.82) and those who were treated with antimicrobials in the prior year were less likely to have MRSA USA300 genotype recovered (OR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.02-0.49). Conclusions MRSA USA300 genotype, the predominant cause of community-associated MRSA infections in our area (Atlanta, GA), has now emerged as a significant cause of health care-associated and nosocomial BSI. MRSA USA300 as a nosocomial pathogen presents new challenges to infection control programs.
Plant Limitations to Fiber Digestion and Utilization

Energy availability from forages is limited by fiber concentration because fiber is slowly and incompletely digested, whereas cell solubles are almost completely digested. Thus, the proportion of fiber to cell solubles is a major determinant of energy availability in forages. Grasses normally have more fiber than legumes, especially in leaves. Grass fiber is more digestible than that of legumes, but that of legumes digests at a faster rate. Ruminants digest 40-50% of legume fiber and 60-70% of grass fiber. Some fiber cannot be digested no matter how long it remains in the rumen. Lignin is thought to interfere with microbial degradation of fiber polysaccharides by acting as a physical barrier and by being cross-linked to polysaccharides by ferulate bridges. In addition to the effects of lignin, physical and structural barriers may limit fiber digestibility. Because the middle lamella and primary wall of thick-walled cells are so highly lignified, many cells can be digested only from the interior of the cell. For many cells, access to cell interiors is limited because of large particle sizes. Forage digestibility could be improved by reducing the amount of lignified cells or by developing improved cultivars so that lignified cells are more digestible.
Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalopathy associated with influenza A (H1N1) virus

Background Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalopathy (AHLE) is a rare condition associated with H1N1. In this condition the infection triggers an autoimmune response which results in perivascular demyelination and hemorrhage in the brain parenchyma.
Evidence of Interaction Between PPARG2 and HNF4A Contributing to Variation in Insulin Sensitivity in Mexican Americans

OBJECTIVE— We hypothesized that interaction between PPARG2 Pro12Ala and variants in the promoter region of HNF4A are associated with type 2 diabetes–related quantitative traits in Mexican-American families of a proband with previous gestational diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— The BetaGene project genotyped PPARG2 Pro12Ala and nine HNF4A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 473 individuals in 89 families. Members of the proband generation had fasting glucose RESULTS— Neither PPARG2 Pro12Ala nor any of the nine HNF4A SNPs were independently associated with type 2 diabetes–related quantitative traits. However, the interaction between PPARG2 Pro12Ala and HNF4A rs2144908 was significantly associated with both insulin sensitivity ( S I ) (Bonferroni P = 0.0006) and 2-h insulin (Bonferroni P = 0.039). Subjects with at least one PPARG2 Ala allele and homozygous for the HNF4A rs2144908 A allele had 40% higher S I compared with individuals with at least one G allele. S I did not vary by rs2144908 genotype among PPARG2 Pro/Pro. The interaction result for S I was replicated by the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Family Study ( P = 0.018) in their San Antonio sample ( n = 484) where subjects with at least one PPARG2 Ala allele and homozygous for the HNF4A rs2144908 A allele had a 29% higher S I compared with individuals with at least one G allele. However, the interaction was not replicated in their San Luis Valley sample ( n = 496; P = 0.401). CONCLUSIONS— Together, these results suggest that variation in PPARG2 and HNF4A may interact to regulate insulin sensitivity in Mexican Americans at risk for type 2 diabetes.
Medial Canthotomy and Cantholysis in Eyelid Reconstruction

Combined medial canthotomy and cantholysis is a quick, technically simple, single-stage reconstructive technique for use in the reconstruction of the upper or lower eyelid. This technique, which transects one lacrimal canaliculus, provides up to 20% of the horizontal eyelid dimension for closure. Medial canthotomy and cantholysis is most frequently used in combination with other eyelid reconstructive techniques for difficult reconstructions, which would otherwise require more extensive surgical procedures. The surgical technique is readily performed with the patient under general anesthesia and entails the transection of one lacrimal canaliculus, lysis of one crus of the medial canthal tendon, and lateral advancement of the medial eyelid stump. We used medial canthotomy and cantholysis in the reconstruction of 29 eyelid defects (21 upper eyelids and eight lower eyelids) over a 12-year period with adequate reconstructive results in all cases. Eleven of the patients underwent simultaneous lateral canthotomy and cantholysis. Complications of the medial canthotomy and cantholysis technique include anterior displacement of the medial portion of the eyelid, epiphora, notching of the medial portion of the eyelid, medial ectropion, and blepharoptosis. If used with appropriate case selection, this technique allows an optimal reconstructive result to be achieved with a minimum of operative time and morbidity.
Rhythmic groups and subjective chunks in memory for melodies

Memory for brief melodic phrases was tested using a short-term recognition-memory paradigm. The five-note phrases were rhythmically separated from each other and presented in lists four phrases in length. A single five-note test item followed each list and either corresponded rhythmically to one of the phrases as presented in the list (within items) or to the last three notes of one phrase and the first two notes of the next (across items). Within items were easier than across items. Slow presentation (3 notes/sec) was slightly easier than fast (6 notes/see). The J-shaped serial position curve typical of short-term memory for verbal material was obtained. The results support the position that rhythmic grouping of input determines subjective chunking and memory storage, facilitating the recognition of test items chunked in the same way as list items.
DRY DOWN IMPACTS ON APPLE SNAIL (POMACEA PALUDOSA) DEMOGRAPHY: IMPLICATIONS FOR WETLAND WATER MANAGEMENT

Florida apple snails (Pomacea paludosa Say) are prey for several wetland-dependent predators, most notably for the endangered Florida snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis Vieillot). Management concerns for kites have been raised regarding the impacts of wetland dry downs on snails, but little data exists to validate these concerns. We simulated drying events in experimental tanks, where we observed that snail survival patterns, regardless of hydrology, were driven by a post-reproductive die off. In contrast to earlier reports of little to no dry down tolerance, we found that 70% of pre-reproductive adult-sized snails survived a 12-week dry down. Smaller size classes of snails exhibited significantly lower survival rates (< 50% after eight weeks dry). Field surveys showed that 77% of egg production occurs in April–June. Our hydrologic analyses of six peninsular Florida wetlands showed that most dry downs overlapped a portion of the peak snail breeding season, and 70% of dry downs were ≤ 12 weeks in duration. Dry down timing can affect recruitment by truncating annual egg production and stranding juveniles. Dry down survival rates and seasonal patterns of egg cluster production helped define a range of hydrologic conditions that support robust apple snail populations, and illustrate why multiple characteristics of dry down events should be considered in developing target hydrologic regimes for wetland fauna.
Software tools for computer-aided lecturing

This paper describes the concepts used to design a computer-aided lecturing software package and presents its functionalities. It does not present another authoring system used to create didactic materials, but rather a set of tools to increase the efficiency of the professor. This software package, called EOP (Editor-Outliner-Projector), allows professors to effectively structure concepts found in lectures and draw their associated transparencies. In classrooms equipped with a personal computer and a projection system, EOP allows professors to present topics, explain difficulties, emphasize details, and illustrate contents of lessons. This software package has been in use for five years in different course topics. >