cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Post-translation modifications.

The development of proteomics has been one of the great achievements in analytical chemical biology in the past ten years. The determination of the total protein constituents in biological samples has allowed new and unprecedented insights into cellular processes and diseases. To make proteomics routine and ubiquitous, significant improvements in mass spectrometry, bioinformatics, and separation science were realized through unprecedented international collaborative and competitive efforts. The next stage of this evolution is even more difficult as we face the issue of posttranslational modifications (PTMs). Proteomics approaches have often neglected PTMs not purposely but out of necessity. PTMs introduce a whole new level of analytical challenge due to the complexity presented. For example, a protein that is glycosylated at three sites with ten different glycans at each sight can result in 1000 different glycoforms of that protein. Glycosylation is only one form among of scores of different types of PTMs (Figure 1). In this issue we focus on emerging methods for the studies and analyses of specific PTMs ranging from glycosylation to lipidation. The analytical challenge of PTMs has inspired a wide variety of approaches to their study; These include incorporating new chemistry, such as in the mechanistic probes presented by Dr. Amy Barrios for profiling tyrosine phosphatases and the metabolic labels discussed by Dr. Howard Hang for protein lipidation. Creating new methods for in vivo tracking of PTMs, such as the fluorescent biosensors presented by Dr. Jin Zhang. The utilization of new methodologies for understanding the functions and signaling properties of PTMs and their binding proteins, such as the protein microarrays discussed by Dr. Gavin MacBeath and the glycan microarrays presented by Dr. Jeff Gildersleeve. and The development of new methods for comprehensive analysis, presented in reviews on phosphorylation by Dr. Albert Hect, and glycosylation analysis at both the site-specific and global levels (reviews by Dr. Carlito Lebrilla on mass spectrometry techniques and Dr. Lara Mahal on lectin microarray techniques, respectively). Clearly, there will be no single method for the analysis of all PTMs, but several methods each specific for the type of PTM. The reviews presented here illustrate not only the challenges of PTM analysis but also the significant progress in these areas. Figure 1 Posttranslational modifications for which analytical techniques are highlighted within this issue.
Flavanol-rich food for thought

A randomized clinical trial in older adults shows that high dietary intake of cocoa flavanols enhances memory performance and neural function in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, a region critical for learning and memory.
Peroxidation of mullet and rat liver lipids in vitro: effects of pyridine nucleotides, iron, incubation buffer, and xenobiotics.

Abstract 1. Lipid peroxidation was observed in homogenates of mullet and rat livers and was affected by the specific conditions used for the in vitro assays. 2. Lipid peroxidation was altered by the buffer used in the assays and was dependent on the amount of Fe added to the assay. 3. Lipid peroxidation was stimulated by both NADH and NADPH and by the xenobiotics, CCI 4 and DEM. 4. Lipid peroxidation was observed in microsomes of mullet livers and was inhibited by addition of cytosol.
Neuroethology deserves more study of evoked responses

Abstract Evoked potentials in humans and laboratory mammals have proven to be valuable not only in clinical applications and in correlations with behavioral and cognitive states, but as a reservoir of higher order physiological phenomena to be explained at the cellular level. Each of these domains suggests heuristic application to a range of zoological material, using species as a variable—animals with more primitive nervous systems, and those advanced species with special adaptations, or any species of ethological interest. Preliminary examples indicate the several kinds of questions for which evoked potentials have particular advantages. This commentary calls for exploitation of the wide array of electrophysiological recording methods for neuroethological studies. Modalities and submodalities of sensory reception and analysis, not readily demonstrated behaviorally, as well as quantification of sensitivity, of dynamic range, of discriminable stimuli, including natural or complex patterns, interactions among stimuli and states of the animal, the effects of conditioning events, masking, priming, hormonal, seasonal or circadian changes can be studied with evoked potentials. Physiological properties and bases of ethologically relevant potentials as well as anatomical structures and pathways can also be studied by these methods. An overview is provided of the methodological choices to be made, together with some practical considerations, from types of electrode placement to data processing.
Patients with Collagen Vascular Disease and Dyspnea: The Value of Gallium Scanning and Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Predicting Response to Steroid Therapy and Clinical Outcome

Patients with collagen vascular disease with or without pulmonary symptoms were studied to determine the value of gallium scan and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in predicting clinical outcome and response to steroid therapy. Thirty-six subjects, 20 with progressive dyspnea, were studied. Gallium uptake was seen in the lung in 17 of the 20 progressively dyspneic patients and none of the 16 nonprogressive patients (chi square=22.5, p
Amplitude and phase modulation in a 4 mu m-thick GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well modulator

The experimental results of a 4μm-thick GaAs/AlGaAs MQW modulator show an ∼10:1 on/off ratio with an applied voltage of 20 V (δα∼6 × 103/cm at E∼50kV/cm) and ∼0.4πrad of phase shift with an applied voltage of 10 V (δn ∼0.04 at E∼25kV/cm). Such high electro-optical modulations have previously been reported only in MQW optical waveguide modulators.
Measurement and analysis of non-uniformities in CdTe solar cells

CdTe and other thin-film polycrystalline solar cells have potential spatial non-uniformities in their photovoltaic response that can both lower their performance and complicate the analysis of their current-voltage curves. Polycrystalline cells have inherent non-uniformities associated with their grain structure, but there are a variety of other possibilities including thickness variations, local shunts, and weak-diode areas. Additionally, there are possible issues associated with the fabrication process due to cleaning residues, scratches, thermal variations, and particulate inclusions. The primary measurements described here to map the non-uniformities of CdTe cells are light-beam-induced current (LBIC), which gives a direct measure of the local PV response, and electroluminescence (EL), which is the inverse of the PV effect. The former is attractive, because it can be used to deduce the local current-voltage curve, but data collection is time consuming. The latter though the use of modern CCD cameras takes only a few seconds and is compatible with production-line screening.
Sulfur dioxide adsorption on—and desorption from teflon, tygon, glass, stainless steel and aluminium tubings

Abstract A feasibility study was undertaken to determine whether ambient levels of sulfur dioxide could be measured without adsorption or desorption through the 30.5 m of 1.27 cm (i.d.) tubings of teflon, tygon, glass, stainless steel and aluminium. Experimental parameters studied included: air flow rate through the tubing (1.4 l/min and 28.3 l/min), concentration of sulfur dioxide (1 to 100 pphm vol.), temperature (20 and 35°C) and r.h. (17–53 per cent). The West-Gaeke method and midget bubbler technique were used to monitor for sulfur dioxide at the beginning and at the end of the 30.5 m of tubing. It was found that after a relatively short period of conditioning, the tubings neither adsorbed nor desorbed sulfur dioxide under the experimental parameters tested. Teflon, glass and stainless steel did not need prior conditioning while tygon and aluminium did need conditioning.
Thermal Conductivity of Paramagnetic Salts at Low Temperatures

We present a simple theory of the effect of impurity-induced changes in atomic force constants and changes in atomic mass on the lifetime of coupled spin-phonon modes in paramagnetic crystals. The result is then employed to study the effect of impurity scattering, boundary scattering, and scattering of the coupled modes by longitudinal fluctuations in spin density on the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity, and the frequency distribution of the heat flux. The theory can account for the experimental data on MgO doped with ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{2+}$ reported recently by Challis, McConachie, and Williams and offers support for the interpretation of the data presented by these authors.
West Nile virus exposure in black bears of northeastern Wisconsin

Knowledge of the distribution and pathology of West Nile virus (WNV) in black bears is a necessary tool that allows wildlife managers to implement a management plan, set harvest quotas, and relocate nuisance bears. We studied the presence and significance of WNV titers in free-roaming black bears (Ursus americanus) in northeastern Wisconsin between February 2003 and March 2005. Serum neutralizing antibodies to WNV, with confirmation by plaque-reduction neutralization test to both WNV and Saint Louis encephalitis, identified exposure in 13 of 74 (17.6%) bears. This compares with a 6% infection rate in black bears in Virginia and 22% in European brown bears (Ursus arctos). Pathologic effects from exposure to WNV were not seen in any of the black bears studied.
Uniformly valid approximations for non-linear oscillations with small damping

Abstract A uniformly valid zeroth-order approximation is obtained for the general equation y + ϵH ( y ) y + M ( y ) y = 0, where ϵ is a small parameter. The notion of multiple scaling is utilized to set up a systematic approximation scheme. Examples are given for simple polynomials for H ( y ) and M ( y ), which lead to results involving elliptic integrals. Further restrictions allow progress to be made in terms of gamma functions.
Dynamic Modeling of Starting Aerodynamics and Stage Matching in an Axi-Centrifugal Compressor

A DYNamic Turbine Engine Compressor Code (DYNTECC) has been modified to model speed transients from 0-100% of compressor design speed. The impetus for this enhancement was to investigate stage matching and stalling behavior during a start sequence as compared to rotating stall events above ground idle. The model can simulate speed and throttle excursions simultaneously as well as time varying bleed flow schedules. Results of a start simulation are presented and compared to experimental data obtained from an axi-centrifugal turboshaft engine and companion compressor rig. Stage by stage comparisons reveal the front stages to be operating in or near rotating stall through most of the start sequence. The model matches the starting operating line quite well in the forward stages with deviations appearing in the rearward stages near the start bleed. Overall, the performance of the model is very promising and adds significantly to the dynamic simulation capabilities of DYNTECC.
Isotopic Age of the Nevadan Orogeny and Older Plutonic and Metamorphic Events in the Klamath Mountains, California

Several metamorphic and plutonic events have been recognized in the Klamath Mountains utilizing potassium-argon and rubidium-strontium mineral and whole-rock ages. The oldest known metamorphic event in the region produced the Abrams Mica Schist and the co-extensive Salmon Hornblende Schist. Strontium evolution diagrams indicate that the age of primary metamorphism of the Abrams Mica Schist is approximately 380 m.y. (Devonian). The Stuart Fork Formation of Davis and Lipman (1962), the schists of Condrey Mountain, and related schists were produced during a Middle and Late Jurassic metamorphic event. Granitic plutonic rocks are divided into four groups that are different in age and somewhat different in chemical characteristics. The oldest pluton, the Pit River stock, has a minimum age of 246 m.y. (Permian) and is grouped with the Castle Crags pluton. The other three plutonic groups are Middle and Late Jurassic and are characterized by the following ranges in isotopic age: 165 to 167 m.y., 145 to 155 m.y., and 127 to 140 m.y. The principal lode gold deposits in the California part of the Klamath Mountains seem to be related to the youngest group of plutons. If the Nevadan orogeny in this area is restricted to a Middle and Late Jurassic deformational, metamorphic, and plutonic event, the orogeny includes the emplacement of plutons of the three younger groups and the metamorphic development of the Stuart Fork Formation, schists of Condrey Mountain, and related schists.
Nonlinear feedback controllers and compensators: a state-dependent Riccati equation approach

State-dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) techniques are rapidly emerging as general design and synthesis methods of nonlinear feedback controllers and estimators for a broad class of nonlinear regulator problems. In essence, the SDRE approach involves mimicking standard linear quadratic regulator (LQR) formulation for linear systems. In particular, the technique consists of using direct parameterization to bring the nonlinear system to a linear structure having state-dependent coefficient matrices. Theoretical advances have been made regarding the nonlinear regulator problem and the asymptotic stability properties of the system with full state feedback. However, there have not been any attempts at the theory regarding the asymptotic convergence of the estimator and the compensated system. This paper addresses these two issues as well as discussing numerical methods for approximating the solution to the SDRE. The Taylor series numerical methods works only for a certain class of systems, namely with constant control coefficient matrices, and only in small regions. The interpolation numerical method can be applied globally to a much larger class of systems. Examples will be provided to illustrate the effectiveness and potential of the SDRE technique for the design of nonlinear compensator-based feedback controllers.
Custom open source solutions for DIII-D data acquisition and control systems

Abstract Computer based control and data acquisition systems have long played a critical role in fusion research in the development and operation of experiments such as the DIII-D tokamak in San Diego. These systems require great flexibility in being able to control and tie together the many diverse subsystems that make up a tokamak, including power, cryogenic, vacuum, electrical, water, heating and computers. For well over a decade the DIII-D control and data acquisition systems have been running on Linux-based commodity computing hardware. This has provided DIII-D with a continual path of improvement to computing performance and capability while maintaining the usefulness and productivity of numerous custom developed software applications written over the years. The flexibility provided by these Linux based systems has allowed DIII-D to continue to utilize and support legacy CAMAC hardware in addition to incorporating newer PLC and data acquisition hardware. A number of in-house developed tools and applications have made these systems highly customizable and easily expandable in being able to meet the specific and growing needs of the DIII-D research program. Among the latest improvements to these systems have been upgrades to user interfaces, development of new control capabilities and increases to data acquisition capabilities. This paper will describe in detail the present state of the DIII-D computer based control and data acquisition systems and recent improvements that have been made.
Tissue Culture Models of Myelination After Oligodendrocyte Transplantation

Studies of myelination after transplantation of mature oligodendrocytes to cerebellar cultures in which oligodendrocyte maturation and myelination had been irreversibly inhibited by exposure to cytosine arabinoside were reviewed. Transplanted oligodendrocytes were derived from three sources, including cerebellar explants treated with kainic acid, dissociated oligodendrocyte cultures, and optic nerve fragments. Oligodendrocytes from all sources migrated into the host explants and myelinated appropriate axons. The time of appearance of myelin and the percentage of host cultures myelinated differed for the three sources of oligodendrocytes, however. Myelin was visible earliest and in the highest percentage of host explants transplanted with cultured dissociated oligodendrocytes, which were presumably the most free to migrate into the host tissue, and latest and in the lowest percentage of host cultures transplanted with optic nerve, from which oligodendrocytes were presumably least free to migrate. Some myelin-like membranes unassociated with axons appeared in cerebellar cultures transplanted with cultured dissociated oligodendrocytes, and not in cerebellar explants transplanted with oligodendrocytes from other sources. The formation of such myelin-like membranes was interpreted as a manifestation of oligodendrocyte hyperreactivity induced by culture in isolation.
Open Design: A journey through Doha, Havana and New York

Open Design is part of the new design wave that sets project sharing as key to speed up innovation and widen access to design products; Open Design is a direct descendent of the Open Source movement and focuses on product design. The research investigates which social, economical and cultural contexts represent the ideal ground for the growth and development of Open Design seeds. Three cities have been recognized as the perfect locations to set the research ground: Doha, a place where money and resources are not a problem, research receives great attention and capital, and the desire for notoriety is at the top of the agenda; Cuba, still suffering from embargo restrictions, lacks resources and money, but possesses great creativity and social awareness; and New York City, with its state-of-the-art that serves as a litmus test for new trends and ideas. The analysis of each reality contributed to figure out the correct responses to the topic. This paper has been presented as part of the Tasmeem Exploration P...
Damping, cyclic strain buildup and fatigue of rocks a generalized Ramberg-Osgood approach

Abstract A generalization of the Ramberg-Osgood model three dimensional cyclic loading was formulated for rocks in the previous paper [1] using discretized kinematic hardening concepts. Here, material functions are interpreted and calibrated. Perfect hysteresis, cyclic strain accumulation and fatigue are analyzed for typical loading histories.
The Fallacy of Using Long-Run Cost for Peak-Load Pricing

The author challenges an earlier article in which W. John Jordan argues that long-run marginal cost is a reasonable basis for pricing in multiproduct operations, using an airplane part as illustration, but with possible application to utilities. Vicery counters that this analysis confuses economic capacity in terms of output per week with technical capability and ignores the manner and sequence in which pricing decisions are made. The analysis confuses the incremental cost imposed by a class of users and the marginal cost imposed by an additional individual user. The marginal cost of the output that will be affected by the pricing decision over the period for which that decision is to be considered not subject to possible revision. 1 reference.
Photochemically reactive polymers. Identification of the products formed in the photochemical degradation of polyurethanes that contain (C5H4R ) (CO )3Mo -Mo (CO )3 (C5H4R) units along their backbones

A photochemically degradable polyurethane with Mo−Mo bonds along its backbone (I) was synthesized by reacting the isocyanate-capped poly(ethylene glycol) prepolymer Hypol 2000 with the Mo−Mo-bond-containing diol (η5-C5H4CH2CH2OH)2Mo2(CO)6. A copolymer (II) that contained poly(ethylene glycol) in addition to Hypol 2000 and (η5-C5H4CH2CH2OH)2Mo2(CO)6 was also synthesized. The backbones of both polymers can be photochemically cleaved, because the Mo−Mo bonds homolyze when irradiated with visible light. A net photochemical reaction only occurs in the presence of a radical trap, such as oxygen in the air; no net photochemical reaction occurs in the absence of radical trap. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that the Mo oxidizes during the photochemical reaction in air, initially to Mo(V) and then to Mo(VI). Both products are likely oxide species. Infrared spectroscopy confirms the release of CO when the polymers are irradiated. A polyurethane copolymer (III) that photochemically degrades in the absence of ...
The prevention of carotid artery rupture with isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate.

Carotid artery exposure and rupture is one of the most feared complications of head and neck surgery. The ideal method for preventing rupture of an exposed artery should be easy to perform, safe, effective and should spare local and regional flaps for later use in reconstruction. Isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate (Bucrylate®) is a commercially available compound that appears to meet these criteria. Test animals were divided into two groups. The carotid arteries of 12 dogs (group A) were exteriorized bilaterally and coated with Bucrylate® unilaterally. Group B (four dogs) underwent the same procedure except that the vessels were bilaterally coated. Wounds were dressed twice daily with moist-to-dry gauze. No antibiotics were given. Nine of the 12 unprotected arteries in group A ruptured within 2 weeks, and one unprotected artery ruptured on postoperative day (POD) 29. Two dogs healed over both, vessels. In group B, three dogs ruptured their arteries within 2 weeks. One dog healed over both vessels. Gross and histologic examination of the arteries showed a striking difference between coated and uncoated vessels. We believe that Bucrylate® and cyanoacrylate adhesives hold promise in the clinical protection of exposed carotid arteries.
Reciprocal cholinergic and GABAergic modulation of the small ventrolateral pacemaker neurons of Drosophila's circadian clock neuron network

The relatively simple clock neuron network of Drosophila is a valuable model system for the neuronal basis of circadian timekeeping. Unfortunately, many key neuronal classes of this network are ina...
Management of the Aortic Root in Adult Patients With Conotruncal Anomalies

Conotruncal anomalies such as tetralogy of Fallot, double outlet right ventricle, truncus arteriosus, and transposition of the great arteries are a group of congenital heart defects with abnormalities of the outflow tracts and great vessels. It is common for the ascending aorta and aortic root to be significantly dilated following initial repair of the conotruncal anomaly, and little information is available on the management of this increasing problem. Although there are few case reports of aortic dissection and rupture in the literature, it appears to be rare in the setting of a conotruncal anomaly and may be related to the absence of hypertension and smoking in many of these patients. The timing of operation with regard to the size of the aortic root is difficult. In the absence of a family history of aortic dissection or aneurysm, or documented rapid growth of the ascending aorta, we proceed with replacement of the ascending aorta when the size is ≥ 55 mm. When the size of the ascending aorta is 5.0-5.5, treatment is individualized depending on the associated anomalies that need to be addressed, patient comorbidities, and life expectancy. In this group of patients we consider a simple reduction ascending aortoplasty. We generally proceed with root replacement and coronary reimplantation when there is effacement of the sinotubular junction, or when there is severe dilatation of the aortic root with an intact sinotubular junction. If the ascending aorta is ≥ 55 mm with an intact sinotubular junction and the sinuses are ≤ 4 cm, then we use a supracoronary tube graft.
The development of bioartificial nerve grafts for peripheral-nerve regeneration

This article describes recent, significant scientific advances leading to the development of the bioartificial nerve graft. Schwann cells, which play an active role in the repair and function of peripheral nerves, are used to seed a synthetic, often resorbable conduit, which is then used to bridge and repair nerve gaps caused by injury or disease. By enhancing the rate and extent of regeneration, the bioartificial nerve graft holds great promise for improving recovery in the peripheral (and central) nervous system.
Shape Recovery and Mechanical Properties of Shape Memory Composites

As the need for deployable space structures continues to increase, a deeper understanding of the mechanical properties and the responses of shape memory composites will be needed. Past research efforts have been focused on woven (0/90) carbon fiber composites which limit the shape memory capabilities due to the brittle nature of this fiber. The current work not only utilizes a synthetic fiber which allowed for a greater versatility in the composite, but also investigates the effects of angle plies and fiber volume fraction on the attainable bend ratio of the laminates. Four types of laminates were made to test the effects of laminate thickness, angle-plies, and fiber volume fraction. The specimens from these laminates were placed in both bending and tensile tests to investigate the effect of the fiber reinforcement on the polymer’s stiffness, strength and recovery. Testing revealed that the thicker specimens demonstrated improved recovery over the thinner samples, and that the angle-ply specimens recovered better than the (0/90) specimens. The recovery of the (0/90) specimens was improved by increasing the fiber volume fraction. Most significantly, the specimens were able to achieve smaller bend ratios than in previous studies without fiber microbuckling or fiber breakage. The tensile test data revealed that the bending cycles had little to no affect on the material properties of the composite. Only the modulus of the 5-ply (0/90) was seen to slightly decrease as the bending ratio decreased.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Sustainable Development: Challenges to Profession of Agricultural Economics

Fundamentally, "sustainable development" is a notion of discipline... disciplining our current consumption. This sense of "intergenerational responsibility" is a new political principle, a virtue that must now guide economic growth. The industrial world has already used so much of the planet's ecological capital that the sustainability of future life is in doubt. That can't continue. -Brundtland, page 5
A brief behavioral activation treatment for depression

A time-limited behavioral treatment of depression is described, based upon the matching law, targeting both environmental factors maintaining depressive behaviors and factors limiting the occurrence of more healthy behaviors. This treatment is designed to reduce depression by way of a gradual increase in desired, healthy activity. Three case studies using this intervention are provided, with marked improvement evidenced in each case. Although considerably more work is necessary to establish the clinical utility of this treatment, it appears to be a parsimonious and useful approach that may help to shed light on the active ingredients of the successful treatment of depression.
Fusion of multi-exposure images

A method for fusing multi-exposure images of a static scene taken by a stationary camera into an image with maximum information content is introduced. The method partitions the image domain into uniform blocks and for each block selects the image that contains the most information within that block. The selected images are then blended together using monotonically decreasing blending functions that are centered at the blocks and have a sum of 1 everywhere in the image domain. The optimal block size and width of the blending functions are determined using a gradient-ascent algorithm to maximize information content in the fused image.
Prevalence of antibodies to West Nile virus and other arboviruses among Crested Caracaras (Caracara cheriway) in Florida.

We documented the antibody prevalence to three arboviruses, St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), and West Nile virus (WNV), in Crested Caracaras (Caracara cheriway; n=80) in Florida from 2007 to 2008. Antibody prevalence to WNV was higher (9%) than for the other viruses. Most seropositive birds were adults (≥3 yr of age), with 55% of adults testing positive for antibodies to at least one virus. Adults were significantly more likely to have antibodies to WNV than nonadults (P<0.001). Prevalence of SLEV and EEEV antibodies among Crested Caracaras was 3% for each virus, and three adult caracaras had indistinguishable anti-flavivirus antibodies. The susceptibility of Crested Caracaras to adverse effects of WNV, SLEV, or EEEV infection remains unknown; however, we observed that some free-ranging individuals survived infection and successfully fledged young. Knowledge of arboviral infection among Florida’s Crested Caracara, which is both state and federally threatened, ...
Test of the bank lending channel: the case of US consumer loans

Based on a simultaneous-equation model incorporating potential substitution of credit card loans for conventional consumer loans, this article finds that the demand for conventional consumer loans is negatively affected by the personal loan rate and positively associated with the credit card rate and real per capita disposable income and that the supply of conventional consumer loans is positively affected by the personal loan rate and bank deposits and negatively impacted by the federal funds rate and the real effective exchange rate. Hence, the bank lending channel for conventional consumer loans is confirmed as monetary easing to reduce the federal funds rate or increased deposits/reserves is expected to increase loan supply.
Progression of chondrogenesis in C3H10T1/2 cells is associated with prolonged and tight regulation of ERK1/2

Close contact of mesenchymal cells in vivo and also in super dense micromass cultures in vitro results in cellular condensation and alteration of existing cellular signaling required for initiation and progression of chondrogenesis. To investigate chondrogenesis related changes in the activity of ubiquitous cell signaling mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinase), we have compared the effect of cell seeding of pluripotent C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal cells as monolayers (non-chondrogenic culture) or high density micromass cultures (chondrogenic) on the regulation and phosphorylation state of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and also on regulation of ERK1/2 nuclear targets, namely, activation protein-1 (AP-1) and serum response factor (SRF). Increasing cell density resulted in reduced DNA binding as well as activity of AP-1. SRF activity, on the other hand, was up-regulated in confluent monolayer cultures but like AP-1 was inhibited in micromass cultures. Low levels of PD 98059 (5 microM), a specific inhibitor of ERK1/2, resulted in delayed induction of AP-1 and SRF activity whereas higher concentrations of this inhibitor (10-50 microM) conferred an opposite effect. Increasing concentrations of the PD 98059 inhibitor in long term monolayer or micromass cultures (2.5 day) resulted in differential regulation of c-Fos and c-Jun protein levels as well as total expression and phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2. PD 98059 treatment of C3H10T1/2 micromass cultures also resulted in up-regulation of type IIB collagen and Sox9 gene expression. While high expression of aggrecan and type IIB collagen genes were dependent on BMP-2 signaling, ERK inhibition of BMP-2 treated micromass cultures resulted in reduced activity of both genes. Our findings show that the activity of ERK1/2 in chondrogenic cultures of C3H10T1/2 cells is tightly controlled and can cross interact with other signaling activities mediated by BMP-2 to positively regulate chondrogensis.
Complications of warfarin therapy monitored by the international normalized ratio versus the prothrombin time ratio

The objective of our study was to determine the rates of bleeding complications and thromboembolic events in patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy monitored with the prothrombin time (PT) ratio versus therapy monitored with the International Normalized Ratio (INR) using a retrospective time-series study design. Over 650 patients enrolled in a large anticoagulation clinic were studied during two time periods corresponding to the use of the PT ratio versus the INR to guide anticoagulant therapy, with over 400 patient-years of follow-up for each time period. The rate of bleeding complications using the PT ratio to guide therapy was 6.7% (1.2% major, 5.5% minor) per patient-year, compared with 2.9% (0% major, 2.9% minor) using the INR (p = 0.02). The rate of thromboembolic complications was 1.0% using the PT ratio, compared with 0.2% using the INR (p = NS). Therapy monitored with the INR required 19.8 visits per year, compared with 20.7 visits per year using the PT ratio. We conclude that the INR should be used to monitor oral anticoagulant therapy in an effort to reduce bleeding complications while maintaining an acceptable rate of thromboembolic events.
Spatial Equilibrium with Entry

This paper examines spatial equilibrium in political competition when established parties choose their platforms competitively while rationally anticipating entry of a vote-maximizing third party. The resulting equilibrium is substantially different from the Hotelling "median" equilibrium. Established parties are spatially separated and third parties will generally lose the election. This provides one theoretical explanation for the stability of two-party systems. Namely that non-cooperative behavior between established parties can effectively prevent third parties from winning.
Jet fuel ignition delay times: Shock tube experiments over wide conditions and surrogate model predictions

Abstract Ignition delay times were measured for gas-phase jet fuel (Jet-A and JP-8) in air behind reflected shock waves in a heated high-pressure shock tube. Initial reflected shock conditions were as follows: temperatures of 715–1229 K, pressures of 17–51 atm, equivalence ratios of 0.5 and 1, and oxygen concentrations of 10 and 21% in synthetic air. Ignition delay times were measured using sidewall pressure and OH* emission at 306 nm. Longer ignition delay times at low temperatures (715–850 K) were accessed by utilizing driver-gas tailoring methods. Also presented is a review of previous ignition delay time measurements of kerosene-based fuels and recent work on surrogate fuel and kinetic mechanism development. To our knowledge, we report the first gas-phase shock tube ignition delay time data for JP-8, and our measurements for Jet-A are for a broader range of conditions than previously available. Our results have very low scatter and are in excellent agreement with the limited previous shock tube data for Jet-A. Although JP-8 and Jet-A have slightly different compositions, their ignition delay times are very similar. A simple 1 / P dependence was found for ignition delay times from 874 to 1220 K for the pressure range studied for both fuels. Ignition delay time variations with equivalence ratio and oxygen concentration were also investigated. The new experimental results were compared with predictions of several kinetic mechanisms, using different jet fuel surrogate mixtures.
Sub-100 micron fast dissolving nanocomposite drug powders

Abstract This study focuses on the preparation of sub-100 μm freely flowing yet fast dissolving core–shell nanocomposite powders via fluidized bed (FB) coating of poorly water-soluble drug nanosuspensions onto fine carrier particles (sub-50 μm). This is in contrast to conventional FB coating processes that utilize carrier particles as large as 850 μm resulting in much larger final nanocomposites. Fluidization and subsequent FB processing of sub-50 μm, Geldart group C powders, is a major technological barrier, which can be overcome by either increasing the body weight of the powders, or decreasing their cohesion. Here, the latter is considered as a practical way to enhance fluidization, accomplished through applying a discrete, fairly uniform layer of nano-sized silica particles onto the surface of the cohesive host particles dry coating. Fenofibrate was considered as a model poorly water-soluble drug, and was wet-milled in a stirred media mill and stabilized via an optimized polymer and surfactant combination. The nanoparticle suspensions were then coated onto hydrophilic nano-silica (M5P) coated sub-50 micron lactose (Granulac® 200) or potato starch carrier particles in a FB process. Their coating with drug particle nanosuspensions was achieved without appreciable agglomeration, which is a major novelty of this work. In spite of having a median particle size well under 100 μm, the resulting final composite powders were freely flowing, had high bulk density, and allowed for fast dissolution of a poorly water-soluble drug in comparison to either micronized or nano-milled drug along with the same excipients in physical mixtures.
A high-throughput assay for measurement of multidrug resistance protein-mediated transport of leukotriene C4 into membrane vesicles

This study investigated a high-throughput assay to measure multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1)-mediated uptake into membrane vesicles. Typically, a rapid filtration technique using a 12-filter vacuum manifold is used. We report here the development of a 96-well microtiter dish assay. MRP1-transfected HeLa cells (HeLa-T5) were used for the membrane vesicle preparations. The uptake of 50nM [3H]leukotriene C(4) (LTC(4)) was measured in a 96-well microtiter dish with rapid filtration onto a Perkin Elmer unifilter GF/B plate using a Perkin Elmer Filtermate 196. Counting of the isotype was conducted with a Perkin Elmer Top Count NXT. Uptake was adenosine 5'-triphosphate-dependent and linear over a 120-s time course. Uptake was inhibited by the leukotriene D(4) antagonist, MK 571, with a k(i) of 0.67 microM, and by the anti-MRP1 monoclonal antibody QCRL-3 but not by QCRL-1. Inhibition by estradiol-17-beta-glucuronide was 35-fold greater than inhibition by estradiol-3-beta-glucuronide. The kinetic parameters for LTC(4) uptake were determined to be a K(m) of 157nM with a V(max) of 344pmol/min/mg protein. The properties of MRP1-mediated transport of LTC(4) are consistent with those previously reported. The microtiter dish assay is a more expedient method for measuring transport into membrane vesicles and will have applications to other transporters.
Circadian rhythm of locomotor activity and susceptiblity to methyl parathion of adult Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

In adult males and females of the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L., held under a 12-hour-dark 12-hourlight photoperiod, susceptibility to methyl parathion is highest at the onset of both the light and dark phases, with greatest resistance occurring 3 hours after the dark phase begins. Combined data for beetles of the 2 sexes show that the mean mortality rate at the beginning of the dark phase was 83% and at the beginning of the light phase was 85%. The mean dropped to 26% at 3 hours into the dark phase. Even though the daily fluctuation patterns were similar for the sexes, a substantial difference was seen between the sexes in the susceptibility throughout the cycle. Females were found to be continuously less susceptible to the toxicant. Locomotor activity for each sex was monitored and found to occur exclusively during the dark period.
Mass Spectrometry of Atmospheric-Pressure Ball Plasmoids

Abstract Ball lightning is a naturally occurring atmospheric event that has perplexed researchers for centuries, and there is to date no complete explanation (chemical, physical, or otherwise) as to why ball lightning behaves the way that it does. There has been considerable effort to try to both produce and measure the properties of ball lightning type discharges over recent years, and this collected work has begun to reveal some interesting physical and chemical phenomena. We are able to produce water-based plasma ball discharges using high-voltage equipment, and these self-contained plasmoids are considered to be similar to natural ball lightning. In this article we present the first mass spectrometric analysis of water-based ambient ball plasmoids. Using an extremely simple sampling technique, we were able to detect several chemical species within the interior of the plasmoid. Several molecules that are common to plasmas generated in air were observed in the mass spectra, such as [NO 2 ] + and [NO 3 ] + . More interestingly, we observed the protonated water clusters [(H 2 O) 2 H] + and [(H 2 O) 3 H] + , ammonia (NH 3 ) as a component of a copper cluster, and several anions. Furthermore, many species observed in the mass spectra are in the form of hydrated clusters.
Interactions of cadmium and selenium in rat plasma in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract 75 Se and 109 Cd tracers were used to study the binding of Se and Cd to plasma proteins at various SeO 3 2− doses and times up to 24 h after the simultaneous subcutaneous administration of SeO 3 2− and CdCl 2 to adult male rats. The simultaneous injection of CdCl 2 and SeO 3 2− markedly increased both Se and Cd plasma levels over that in control animals. Gel permeation chromatography of plasma indicated that at all times up to 24 h Cd and Se were bound in an atomic ratio of approx. 1 : 1 in 330 000 and 130 000 dalton fractions. From 4 to 24 h, Cd and Se appeared in the 420 000 dalton fraction, also with an atomic ratio of approx. 1 : 1. The 330 000 dalton molecules appeared to have a maximal binding capacity for the Cd-Se complex at a concentration of approx. 30 μmol/ml of plasma, while the 130 000 and 420 000 dalton molecules show a higher binding capacity. Studies in vitro revealed that SeO 3 2− does not interact directly with Cd and plasma proteins. It is metabolized by erythrocytes to a form that interacts in an atomic ratio of 1 : 1 with Cd to form a protein-bound complex of 130 000 daltons.
About second order sliding mode control, relative degree, finite-time convergence and disturbance rejection

The paper deals with twisting and super-twisting along with the discussion about the concept of “High Order Sliding Mode Control”. Lyapunov function is designed to demonstrate, first, asymptotic stability and then finite time convergence for the systems with bounded disturbances.
A Nonlinear Acoustic Resonator

An acoustic resonator of Helmholtz type with a membrane attached to one of its ends is studied in this work. A membrane possesses a geometric nonlinearity of cubic type. This work examines that when attached to the resonator, a membrane can be exploited to attenuate vibrations for a variable frequency range in an acoustical system. This can be viewed as a parallel to vibration absorption for the structural systems. The coupled nonlinear mathematical model of Helmholtz resonator with a membrane attachment is investigated by applying a perturbation technique to obtain a set of second order differential equations. These equations are then numerically solved. The simulations of system frequency response show that the vibration suppression could be achieved for a wide frequency range.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Initiative bridges gap among humanities, science, and society

The environmental challenges we face today are inherently cross-disciplinary in nature. Addressing questions of global climate change, damaged mine lands, or the restoration of urban landscapes requires the integration of scientific information with ethical, historical, and cultural perspectives. But how can society better approach the challenge of usefully combining such values with the insights of science for effective decision-making? New Directions in the Earth Sciences and the Humanities focuses on this question. Launched in the spring of 2001 with a $15,000 grant from the Colorado School of Mines, New Directions consists of a series of projects based on the premise that the humanities represent a largely untapped resource for helping the Earth sciences relate more effectively to society.
Modeling resident error-making patterns in detection of mammographic masses using computer-extracted image features: preliminary experiments

Providing high quality mammography education to radiology trainees is essential, as good interpretation skills potentially ensure the highest benefit of screening mammography for patients. We have previously proposed a computer-aided education system that utilizes trainee models, which relate human-assessed image characteristics to interpretation error. We proposed that these models be used to identify the most difficult and therefore the most educationally useful cases for each trainee. In this study, as a next step in our research, we propose to build trainee models that utilize features that are automatically extracted from images using computer vision algorithms. To predict error, we used a logistic regression which accepts imaging features as input and returns error as output. Reader data from 3 experts and 3 trainees were used. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was applied to evaluate the proposed trainee models. Our experiments showed that, for three trainees, our models were able to predict error better than chance. This is an important step in the development of adaptive computer-aided education systems since computer-extracted features will allow for faster and more extensive search of imaging databases in order to identify the most educationally beneficial cases.
The Role of Keratinocyte Growth Factor in Stretch-Activated Fetal Lung Development • 1761

Fluid distension is necessary for normal fetal lung development. The resulting cellular deformation, or “stretching”, triggers differentiation of epithelial and mesenchymal cells through coordinated growth factor pathways. For example, stretching of either whole lung or cultured alveolar type II (TII) cells increases expression of Parathyroid Hormone-related Protein (PTHrP), which stimulates fibroblast maturation through a G-protein -linked receptor pathway, culminating in the production of unidentified soluble growth factors which stimulate TII surfactant synthesis(Rubin et al, BBA, 1994). Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF) is produced by lung fibroblasts and stimulates surfactant synthesis by fetal lung explants. Since KGF stimulates fluid formation and epithelial tight junctions in fetal lungwe hypothesized that KGF increases surfactant synthesis through stretch-dependent mechanisms. When fetal rat isolated TII cells were cultured in the presence of KGF there was no effect on surfactant phospholipid synthesis. In contrast, when fetal rat lung explants were treated with KGF(200ng/ml) surfactant phospholipid synthesis was increased by 33± 10%/24 hours, p=.01. The stimulatory effect of KGF on surfactant synthesis was blocked by co-incubation of explants with a competitive PTHrP receptor antagonist (50 μg/ml), suggesting that the KGF effect on surfactant synthesis is PTHrP-dependent. Stretching of TII cells makes them competent to respond to KGF in culture, indicating that both stretch and KGF are necessary for this effect. We are currently examining the developmental co-regulation of KGF, PTHrP, and their receptors in static and stretched lung fibroblasts and TII cells. This information will help to elucidate the mechanisms involved in stretch-activated fetal lung development.