cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Permeability properties of the subepithelial tissues of Necturus gallbladder

The permeability properties of the subepithelial connective tissue of Necturus gallbladder were evaluated by measurement of electrical resistance, dilution potentials and hydraulic water permeability. The gallbladder epithelial cells were removed by scraping and the underlying connective tissue placed in an Ussing chamber. The electrical resistance was 2.2 +/- 0.8 omega X cm2; the tissue was slightly cation selective relative to free solution. The subepithelial tissues restricted the rate of diffusion of small solutes to 50% of the free solution value. The hydraulic water permeability averaged 2.1 X 10(-2) cm/s per atm. We conclude that limitations of the area of subepithelium available for fluid movement are the most important factors in determining the restrictions to solute and water flow offered by the subepithelial tissues.
‘Vive la Résistance!’ – the PI3K–Akt pathway can determine target sensitivity to regulatory T cell suppression

CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T (Treg) cells have emerged as important regulators of immune responses but the mechanisms through which Treg cells mediate suppression are still unclear. Recently, several studies have identified murine models of spontaneous autoimmunity or genetically engineered mice in which the Treg cells function normally but the CD4 + CD25 − T effector (Teff) cells are resistant to Treg-mediated suppression. Here, we postulate that the activation status of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)–Akt pathway in Teff cells is a primary determinant of Teff cell sensitivity to Treg cell-mediated suppression, and that when the PI3K–Akt pathway is hyperactivated in Teff cells, these cells are resistant to Treg cell-mediated suppression. We further postulate that this paradigm can mechanistically link abnormalities in the PI3K–Akt pathway to the development of autoimmunity.
Multimodel Ensemble Reconstruction of Drought over the Continental United States

Abstract Retrospectively simulated soil moisture from an ensemble of six land surface/hydrological models was used to reconstruct drought events over the continental United States for the period 1920–2003. The simulations were performed at one-half-degree spatial resolution, using a common set of atmospheric forcing data and model-specific soil and vegetation parameters. Monthly simulated soil moisture was converted to percentiles using Weibull plotting position statistics, and the percentiles were then used to represent drought severities and durations. An ensemble method, based on an inverse mapping of the average of the individual model’s soil moisture percentiles, was also used to combine all models’ simulations. Major results are 1) all models and the ensemble reconstruct the known severe drought events during the last century. The spatial extents and severities of drought are plausible for the individual models although substantial among-model disparities exist. 2) The simulations are in more agreem...
Current ideas on the role of HLA molecules in human Diseases

Abstract RA and GCA have proven to be useful disease models for investigating the pathogenic contributions of HLA molecules ( Table 2 ). Both syndromes are associated with the HLA-DR4 haplotype. Detailed mapping of the disease linked polymorphisms indicates that RA is strongly associated with amino acid positions forming binding pocket 4 in the antigen binding groove of the HLA-DR molecule. GCA patients share the preferential expression of amino acid substitution important for the structure of binding pocket 9. Beyond the predicted role of distinct domains of the HLA-DR molecule, recent studies have emphasized that the exact pathogenic contribution of HLA-DR genes might be very distinct in both syndromes. The influence of HLA molecules in RA best fits the model of a disease modulator. Specifically, the tight association of HLA-DR alleles with disease severity and the association of different alleles with distinct clinical disease patterns suggest that HLA-DR molecules regulate disease progression and not disease initiation in RA. New intellectual concepts approaching the possible function of HLA-DR molecules as progression factors have to be designed. Alternative avenues of research are opened by recent reports that RA patients select a different repertoire of T cells in the thymus. This effect appears to be partially HLA-dependent and partially HLA-independent. A likely explanation is the inheritance of a non-HLA gene in RA patients that influences thymic selection. Accumulating data support the notion that disease mechanisms in GCA center around the recognition of a tissue residing antigen. Surprisingly, T cells reacting to antigen in the tissue account for a very small subset, and T cells with putative disease relevance are located distant from the site of pathology. The number of antigen reactive T cell clonotypes in the inflammatory infiltrates is limited, but nevertheless a different spectrum of T cells is recruited in each patient. We are proposing that HLA genes have multiple options to influence disease processes and that their contributions are likely to differ from syndrome to syndrome. Table 2 . Disease-Associated HLA Molecules Play a Different Role in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) RA GCA HLA-DR binding pocket Pocket 4 amino acid positions α9, and β13, 70, 71, 74, 78 Pocket 9 amino acid positions α69, 72, 73, 76 and β9, 57 Gene dosing Yes No HLA molecules as disease modulators Yes No evidence HLA molecules as severity markers Yes No HLA molecules as anchors for tissue residing antigen ? Good evidence for in situ antigen recognition Formation of the T cell receptor repertoire HLA dependent; additional HLA independent disease specific component Not examined
Effects of varying Reynolds number, blowing ratio, and internal geometry on trailing edge cutback film cooling

Three-dimensional mean velocity and concentration fields have been measured for a water flow in a pressure side cutback trailing edge film cooling geometry consisting of rectangular film cooling slots separated by tapered lands. Three-component mean velocities were measured with conventional magnetic resonance velocimetry, while time-averaged concentration distributions were measured with a magnetic resonance concentration technique for flow at two Reynolds numbers (Re) differing by a factor of 2, three blowing ratios, and with and without an internal pin fin array in the coolant feed channel. The results show that the flows are essentially independent of Re for the regime tested in terms of the film cooling surface effectiveness, normalized velocity profiles, and normalized mean streamwise vorticity. Blowing ratio changes had a larger effect, with higher blowing ratios resulting in surface effectiveness improvements at downstream locations. The addition of a pin fin array within the slot feed channel made the spanwise distribution of coolant at the surface more uniform. Results are compared with transonic experiments in air at realistic density ratios described by Holloway et al. (2002a).
Instructed rehearsal strategies' influence on deaf memory processing.

Congenitally deaf subjects were compared with normal-hearing subjects on short-term retention accuracy and correct response latency. The subjects paced themselves through serial lists of consonant ...
Rip up new Olympic sex test rules

Elite female athletes with naturally raised testosterone levels face new sex testing rules which are scientifically flawed and manifestly unjust, say Katrina Karkazis and Rebecca Jordan-Young
Prevention of Clostridium difficile -induced ileocecitis with Bacteriophage

Abstract A bacteriophage specific for Clostridium difficile was examined for its ability to prevent ileocecitis in a hamster model. This species- and strain-specific bacteriophage was isolated from a lysogenic strain of C. difficile . Hamsters were maintained in sterile isolation cages to prevent the acquisition of C. difficile from the environment. Bicarbonate neutralization of gastric acidity was necessary for bacteriophage survival in the hamster's gastrointestinal tract. Bacteriophage recovery from the hamster cecum was 2×10 4 plaque forming units/mL of cecal contents 24 h after orogastric challenge with 10 8 plaque forming units/mL of bacteriophage. However, there was no bacteriophage recovery 48 h post challenge, indicating dissipation of bacteriophage from the hamster intestinal tract within this time frame. Twenty-four hours after being challenged with clindamycin, one group of hamsters was challenged with C. difficile followed by a single dose of bacteriophage (10 8 plaque forming units/mL). Two additional groups of hamsters received phage doses immediately after C. difficile challenge and subsequently thereafter every 8 h up to 48 and 72 h, respectively. The gastric acidity was neutralized with bicarbonate buffer preceding every bacteriophage treatment. Control animals that received only clindamycin and C. difficile died within 96 h after challenge while the majority of bacteriophage treated hamsters survived. Two weeks after stopping bacteriophage treatment, the surviving hamsters were re-challenged with clindamycin and C. difficile . All the hamsters died within 96 h indicating susceptibility of the surviving hamsters to C. difficile disease in the absence of bacteriophage treatment.
Developing methods to measure healthcare team performance in acute and chronic care settings

Effective teamwork is one of the most important aspects of providing care in today’s healthcare system. Human factors researchers and practitioners alike are regularly asked to evaluate and improve teamwork within many complex and varied care settings. This invited symposium will include experts in teamwork theory and clinical application within different care environments, with the specific goal of discussing methods to better understand teams and their functions for both research and quality improvement. Methods include validated behavioural rating systems, data mining from electronic medical records, interviews, augmented hierarchical task analysis, and video analysis, all of which have been used to better understand team performance in various clinical tasks. In addition, the symposium will focus on work outside of the operating room, and in other areas of acute care, specifically the post-anaesthesia care unit, the trauma bay, the intensive care unit, and outpatient clinic settings.
Robust control of hyperbolic PDE systems

In the previous chapter, we addressed the control of hyperbolic PDE systems without accounting explicitly for the presence of uncertainty (i.e., presence of mismatch between the model used for controller design and the actual process model) in the design of the controller. This chapter focuses on systems of quasi-linear first-order hyperbolic PDEs with uncertainty for which the manipulated variables and the controlled variables are distributed in space. The objective is to develop a framework for the synthesis of distributed robust controllers that handle explicitly time-varying uncertain variables and unmodeled dynamics. For systems with uncertain variables, the problem of complete elimination of the effect of uncertainty on the output via distributed feedback is initially considered; a necessary and sufficient condition for its solvability, as well as explicit controller synthesis formulas, is derived. Then, a distributed robust controller is derived that guarantees boundedness of the state and achieves asymptotic output tracking with arbitrary degree of asymptotic attenuation of the effect of uncertain variables on the output of the closed-loop system
Synthesis and Characterization of a New Structural Type of Diruthenium(III) Complex

The synthesis and characterization of a new structural type of diruthenium(III) complex is reported. The investigated compound is represented by Ru2(F4Oap)(F5ap)3Cl where F5ap is the 2-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoroanilino)pyridinate ion and F4Oap is 2-(3,4,5,6-tetrafluoro-2-oxoanilino)pyridinate dianion, a ligand which derives from F5ap by substitution of an oxygen for a fluorine atom at the ortho position of the pentafluorophenyl ring. Ru2(F4Oap)(F5ap)3Cl was characterized by room temperature magnetic susceptibility, X-ray single-crystal diffraction, electrochemistry, and mass spectrometry and is the first example of a diruthenium(III) derivative having a tridentate dianionic ligand bound to the two metal centers.
Dissipation Mechanisms and the Importance of Eddies in Model Ocean Energy Budgets

Abstract The importance of mesoscale eddies in the basin energy budgets of closed-basin numerical model oceanic systems that attempt to resolve such motions varies greatly from calculation to calculation. In existing calculations, eddy importance has been found to depend strongly on the dissipation mechanism(s) selected. These energy budget results can be understood by examination of how eddy and mean flow kinetic energy are dissipated in the long-time mean in the different regions of the model flow. Scale analysis arguments are presented, assuming that the characteristics of the flows satisfy certain mild quasi-oceanic constraints, to investigate these dissipation terms. From these scale. estimates it appears that many of the model ocean results can he understood in terms of a nondimensional parameter that measures the relative importance of horizontal and bottom friction dissipation. When horizontal friction dissipation dominates, eddies can only be of modest importance in basin energy budgets, but when...
Optimization of quantum computer architecture using a resource-performance simulator

The hardware technology characterized by the device parameters (DPs) often drives the architectural optimization in a novel computer design such as the quantum computer. We highlight the role of DPs by quantifying the performance of a fully error-corrected 1024-bit quantum carry look-ahead adder on a modular, reconfigurable architecture based on trapped ions. We develop a simulation tool that estimates the performance and resource requirements for running a quantum circuit on various quantum architectures as a function of the underlying DPs. Using this tool, we found that (1) the latency of the adder circuit execution due to slow entanglement generation process for qubit communication can be adequately eliminated with a small increase in entangling qubits, and (2) the failure probability of the circuit is ultimately determined by the qubit coherence time, which needs to be improved in order to reliably execute the adders comprising core of the Shor's algorithm.
Environmental impacts from the installation and operation of large-scale solar power plants

a b s t r a c t Large-scale solar power plants are being developed at a rapid rate, and are setting up to use thousands or millions of acres of land globally. The environmental issues related to the installation and operation phases of such facilities have not, so far, been addressed comprehensively in the literature. Here we identify and appraise 32 impacts from these phases, under the themes of land use intensity, human health and wellbeing, plant and animal life, geohydrological resources, and climate change. Our appraisals assume that electricity generated by new solar power facilities will displace electricity from traditional U.S. generation technologies. Altogether we find 22 of the considered 32 impacts to be beneficial. Of the remaining 10 impacts, 4 are neutral, and 6 require further research before they can be appraised. None of the impacts are negative relative to traditional power generation. We rank the impacts in terms of priority, and find all the high-priority impacts to be beneficial. In quantitative terms, large-scale solar power plants occupy the same or less land per kW h than coal power plant life cycles. Removal of forests to make space for solar power causes CO2 emissions as high as 36 g CO2 kW h−1, which is a significant contribution to the life cycle CO2 emissions of solar power, but is still low compared to CO2 emissions from coal-based electricity that are about 1100 g CO2 kW h−1.
The fold test; an eigen analysis approach

Abstract We combine eigen analysis and parameter estimation techniques for a newly constituted, more versatile fold test. The method is automatic, requiring no assumptions about the polarity or distribution of data, and gives confidence limits on the degree of unfolding required to produce the tightest grouping of data. We illustrate the method using several published data sets that show the tightest data groupings before, after and during correction for bedding tilt. The latter case is usually ascribed to acquisition of remanence during folding, but we show that this behavior can also arise from undetected multiple rotations. In our simulation, the beds undergo rotation about a vertical axis as well as a horizontal one, a case likely to occur in nature. These data, when rotated back to horizontal around what would be the observed strike, exhibit a peak in concentration at about 60% unfolding, very like the behavior of many published data sets. Thus, the origin of remanence in many such cases may not be syn-folding at all, but the behavior may purely be the result of an artifact of structural complications.
Catalytic control and coupling efficiency of the Escherichia coli FoF1 ATP synthase: influence of the Fo sector and epsilon subunit on the catalytic transition state.

The rate-limiting transition state of steady-state ATP hydrolysis and synthesis reactions in the FoF1 ATP synthase involves the rotation of the γ, e, and c subunits. To probe the role of the transport and coupling mechanisms in controlling catalysis, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of ATP hydrolysis were determined for enzymes in the presence of the detergent lauryldimethylamine oxide (LDAO), which uncouples active transport and disables the inhibitory effect of the e subunit. At 5 mM LDAO or greater, the inhibitory effects of e subunit are abrogated in both purified F1 and membranous FoF1. In these conditions, LDAO solubilized FoF1 has a higher kcat for ATP hydrolysis than F1. These results indicate an influence of Fo on F1 even though catalysis is uncoupled from transport. The α3β3γ complex free of the e subunit is activated at a lower concentration of 0.5 mM LDAO. Significantly, the γY205C mutant enzyme is similarly activated at 0.5 mM LDAO, suggesting that the mutant enzyme lacks e inhibition. Th...
Geographic Data Sources for the Study of Regional Foods in the United States

Geographers emphasize place when they study foodways, especially why people in one region eat differently from those in another. Quantitative data that can be mapped are useful to explore these issues, but, unfortunately, such information is scarce for large-scale projects. We know a lot about American food production through the censuses of agriculture, but little about who eats those products. Much of the existing data for food consumption is the result of proprietary marketing research done for food companies and is, therefore, inaccessible; other surveys involve sample sizes too small to determine regional patterns. More recently, geographers have begun to explore symbolic and other more qualitative issues related to food, place, and culture. They also have turned their attention from national to more local studies such as comparing restaurant menus across a hypothesized regional boundary or the persistence of ethnic dishes in a multicultural community. Useful data sources related to regional and ethn...
An unusual case of footdrop: anterior disc herniation mimicking a nerve sheath tumor.

OBJECTIVE Extreme lateral disc herniations are described. Usually, the herniated disc is described as being at the lateral edge of the neural foramen. Herniated discs that lodge beyond this location need to be included in the differential of retroperitoneal lesions impinging on nerve roots. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 76-year-old woman presented with left leg radicular symptoms, including footdrop and a retroperitoneal lesion. Given the location of the lesion and its distance from the edge of the neural foramen, the differential diagnosis favored a nerve sheath tumor. INTERVENTION An anterior retroperitoneal approach was taken. At the time of surgery, the lesion proved to be a herniated disc arising from the anterior surface of the L5-S1 disc space, medial to the psoas muscle. The disc herniation resulted in severe compression of the L5 nerve root as the root joined the lumbosacral plexus. This type of even more extreme lateral disc herniation is not widely reported. At this location, there are reports of clinicians confusing discs for tumors and occasionally tumors for discs. Given that some disc herniations are no longer visually adjacent to the foramen, perhaps extreme lateral disc herniation is not an ideal term. This individual case report is supplemented with a review of the literature on this rare condition with specific searches for disc, retroperitoneal, anterior herniation. CONCLUSION Using the term anterior disc herniation will aid clinicians in including herniated disc fragments in the differential diagnosis for lesions affecting nerve roots anterior to the spine in this retroperitoneal location.
ACTIVATION OF A NOVEL FORM OF PHOSPHOLIPASE A2 DURING LIVER REGENERATION

Activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) occurs following mitogenic stimulation of cells. This study examined PLA2 activation during liver regeneration. Increased activity was detected within 1 h after partial hepatectomy, was maximal by 6 h, and returned to control levels by 24 h. Fractionation of cell-free extracts revealed multiple peaks of PLA2 activity. One peak appeared identical to the previously described cPLA2, and was modestly stimulated during regeneration. A higher molecular weight form (hPLA2) was stimulated ∼5-fold during regeneration. This enzyme was Ca 2+-dependent and selective for arachidonoylphosphatidylethanolamine. The activation of this novel form of PLA2 represents an early event in liver regeneration, and is likely to contribute to the proliferative response.
Derivatization, Separation and Direct Quantification of Monohydroxy-Eicosatetraenoic Acids Using Reversed Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract A new method for the separation and quantification of monohydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acids has been developed. The 5-, 12-, and 15-hydroxylated acids were esterified with p-(9-anthroyloxy) phenacyl bromide and subjected to reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. 12-HETE and 15-HETE were readily separated. 5-HETE eluted in 2 peaks, the second co-eluting with 15-HETE. Sensitivity of the assay was 2.81 nM for both the 12- and 15-hydroxylated acids, and 6.25 nM for the 5-hydroxylated acid. This technique lends itself to analysis of biological samples.
Symbolic computation in system simulation and design

This paper examines some of the roles that symbolic computation plays in assisting system- level simulation and design. By symbolic computation, we mean programs like Mathematica that perform symbolic algebra and apply transformation rules based on algebraic identities. At a behavioral level, symbolic computation can compute parameters, generate new models, and optimize parameter settings. At the synthesis level, symbolic computation can work in tandem with synthesis tools to rewrite cascade and parallel combinations on components in sub- systems to meet design constraints. Symbolic computation represents one type of tool that may be invoked in the complex flow of the system design process. The paper discusses the qualities that a formal infrastructure for managing system design should have. The paper also describes an implementation of this infrastructure called DesignMaker, implemented in the Ptolemy environment, which manages the flow of tool invocations in an efficient manner using a graphical file dependency mechanism.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Social skills and attitudes associated with substance use behaviors among young adolescents.

PURPOSE: To examine how adolescents' attitudes and social skills affect current substance use and intentions to use substances in the future. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was administered to 2646 seventh graders in their classrooms. The questionnaire was developed to measure the frequency of tobacco, alcohol, and other substance use, anticipated use, positive attitudes toward drug use, self-efficacy to say "no," decision-making skills, advertising-viewing skills, anxiety-reducing skills, communication skills, drug-resistance skills, perception of peer substance use, and weapon-carrying behavior. Ethnicity classified respondents as "white" or "students of color" and family structure indicated one vs. two-parent families. Data were analyzed with Spearman's r, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of students were minority, 50.6% female, over 90% were either 12- or 13-year-olds, and 69.9% lived in two-parent families. A multiple linear regression model demonstrated that self-efficacy to say "no, positive attitudes toward drug use, perception of peer substance use, male gender, weapon-carrying, and fighting accounted for 51% of the variation in the current use multiple substance scale. Anticipated substance use during the subsequent year was significantly associated with current substance use, positive attitudes toward drug use, self-efficacy to say "no, drug-resistance skills, weapon-carrying, and fighting behavior. This model accounted for 73.9% of the variance in anticipated substance use. CONCLUSIONS: In today's world, where drug use is common, building adolescents' drug-resistance skills and self-efficacy, while enhancing decision-making capacity, may reduce their use of illegal substances. Language: en
Identification of glycoconjugates which are targets for anti-Gal(β1-3)GalNAc autoantibodies in spinal motor neurons

Abstract Human IgM anti-Gal(β1-3)GalNAc antibodies which bind to GM1 and GD1b, are implicated in the pathogenesis of predominantly motor neuropathy or motor neuron disease. By immunofluorescence microscopy, the human antibodies immunostain the surface of motor neurons from bovine spinal cord. The motor neurons are also immunostained by cholera toxin (CT), which is specific for GM1. Glycolipid analysis using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and immunostaining reveals that the relative concentration of GM1 and GD1b in motor neurons is greatly reduced in comparison to whole spinal cord, and that other motor neuron gangliosides are unreactive with the anti-Gal(β1-3)GalNAc antibodies. By Western blot analysis, the antibodies react with several protein bands in motor neuron extracts, and many of the same proteins are also recognized by PNA. These data suggest that both glycoproteins and glycolipids might be targets for anti-Gal(β1-3)GalNAc antibodies in spinal motor neurons.
Prevalence and characteristics of anergia (lack of energy) in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Anergia, a commonly occurring syndrome in older adults and patients with cardiovascular diseases, is associated with functional and clinical limitations. To date, the prevalence and clinical–demographic characteristics of anergia in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have not been elucidated. We examined the prevalence and clinical–demographic characteristics of anergia in a multiethnic sample of patients with ACS. Hospitalized patients with ACS (n = 472), enrolled in the Prescription Usage, Lifestyle, and Stress Evaluation (PULSE) prospective cohort study, completed assessments of demographic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics within 7 days of hospitalization for an ACS event. Current depressive disorder was ascertained using a structured psychiatric interview 3 to 7 days after discharge. Anergia was assessed at baseline and defined using patients' binary responses (yes/no) to 7 items related to energy level. At least 1 complaint of anergia was reported by 79.9% of patients (n = 377) and 32% of patients (n = 153) met criteria for anergia. In a multivariable logistic regression model, anergia was independently associated with being a woman, being white (compared to black), having bodily pain, participating in exercise, having current depressive disorder, and having higher values on the Charlson Co-morbidity Index. In conclusion, anergia is a highly prevalent syndrome in patients with ACS. It is distinct from depression and is associated with modifiable clinical factors such as participation in exercise and bodily pain that may be appropriate targets for intervention.
Investigations on the applicability of superheated drop detectors in neutron dosimetry

Abstract Superheated drop detectors (SDD) made of four different liquids have been tested at the US National Bureau of Standards to study their response under irradiation by neutrons ranging in energy from fast to thermal. A comparison of responses and features of SDDs with the “ideal” neutron dosimeter and other currently used dosimeters has been made. The results, among other observations, show that the SDD made of refrigerant 12 (CC1 2 F 2 ), du Pont Trade Name Freon 12, is promising candidate for use in neutron dosimetry.
Aspergillus fumigatus antigen exposure results in pulmonary airway resistance in wild-type but not in IL-4 knockout mice.

Inhalation of Aspergillus fumigatus, a ubiquitous fungus, results in the development of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, a disabling allergic lung disease. For better patient management early diagnosis is essential, and understanding of the immune mechanism is important in achieving this goal. Although animal model studies have contributed to the understanding of the disease mechanism, details on the immunopathogenesis are still lacking. In the present study, we have developed an allergic aspergillosis model in wild-type and IL-4 knockout mice and studied the immune and airway responses. The results indicate that the immune response, pulmonary pathology, and airway reactivity comparable to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis are reproducible in wild mice. IL-4 knockout mice showed similar pulmonary pathology, but no increase in airway resistance, suggesting that IgE and hence IL-4 may be important in eliciting the airway response, while other factors may be involved in the inflammatory process.
Effect of side-chain structures on gene transfer efficiency of biodegradable cationic polyphosphoesters

Cationic polyphosphoesters (PPEs) with different side-chain charge groups were designed and synthesized as biodegradable gene carriers. Poly(N-methyl-2-aminoethyl propylene phosphate) (PPE-MEA), with a secondary amino group (-CH(2)CH(2)NHCH3) side chain released DNA in several hours at N/P (amino group of polymer to phosphate group of DNA) ratios from 0.5 to 5; whereas PPE-HA, bearing -CH(2)(CH2)(4)CH(2)NH(2) groups in the side chain, did not release DNA at the same ratio range for 30 days. Hydrolytic degradation and DNA binding results suggested that side chain cleavage, besides the polymer degradation, was the predominant factor affected the DNA release and transfection efficiencies. The side chain of PPE-MEA was cleaved faster than that of PPE-HA, resulting poor cellular uptake and no transgene expression for PPE-MEA/DNA complexes in COS-7 cells at charge ratios from 4 to 12. In contrast, PPE-HA/DNA complexes were stable enough to be internalized by cells and effected gene transfection (3400 folds higher than background at a charge ratio of 12). Interestingly, gene expression levels mediated by PPE-MEA and PPE-HA in mouse muscle following intramuscular injection of complexes showed a reversed order: PPE-MEA/DNA complexes mediated a 1.5-2-fold higher luciferase expression in mouse muscle as compared with naked DNA injection, while PPE-HA/DNA complexes induced delayed and lowered luciferase expression than naked DNA. These results suggested that the side chain structure is a crucial factor determining the mechanism and kinetics of hydrolytic degradation of PPE carriers, which in turn influenced the kinetics of DNA release from PPE/DNA complexes and their transfection abilities in vitro and in vivo.
Preparation and Characterization of Sol-Gel Thin Films of KTIOPO4

In this paper we describe a novel route for the formation of thin films of potassium titanyl phosphate (KTiOPO4 KTP) via a sol-gel route. The ability to form films of high optical quality depends upon the precursor chemistry developed. Formation of stoichiometric films is especially challenging in three component systems and a number of precursors have been investigated. The basic chemistry, processing and resulting microstructure will be described. Transparent, dense and continuous films have been prepared with grain sizes typically of 0.3μm or less depending upon the processing conditions. Some textured growth patterns are observed although the films are essentially polycrystalline. Using the prism coupling technique the films have been found to exhibit waveguiding.
An electride with a large six-electron ring

ELECTRIDES are crystalline salts that contain complexed alkali metal cations whose charge is balanced by trapped electrons1. Theory2,3 and experiment4,5 indicate that the excess electron distribution is concentrated in cavities and channels formed by close-packing of the large complexed cations. Thus electrides might serve as models of a confined electron gas. Only three electrides have been structurally characterized previously6–8. Here we report the structure of a new electride, [Cs + (15C5) (18C6).e-]6.(18C6), where 15C5 and 18C6 represent crown ethers with five and six oxygen atoms respectively. The unit cell has threefold symmetry, with a central 18C6 molecule surrounded by six Cs+ cations, each sandwiched between a 15C5 and 18C6 molecule. The six electrons released from the Cs/crown ether interaction seem to be trapped in six cavities which form a puckered ring, three above and three below the plane of the central 18C6 molecule. The ground state is diamagnetic. This ring-like distribution of electrons contrasts with the chain-like connections between electron cavities observed in other electrides6–8. Polycrystalline samples of this new electride have an electrical conductivity about a million times greater than those of the electrides Cs+ (15C5)2.e- and Cs+ (18C6)2.e-. The size, shape and connectivity of the electron-containing cavities and channels evidently exert a critical influence on the properties of electrides.
The Spectra of Near-Vertical Structures on the Solar Disk

Bright emission arches in the spectra of Hα and the Ca II (H and K lines) are identified as the spectroscopic picture of the chromospheric network as it appears near the solar limb. Analysis of the geometrical properties of these spectroscopic arches indicates that the average network is a diverging sheet with a divergence angle of ∼ 50°. This sheet extends to 2600 km and 2000 km as an opaque emission feature in Hα and the Ca II (H and K) lines, respectively.
Self-development groups among women in recovery: client perceptions of satisfaction and engagement.

PURPOSE. We examined engagement in and satisfaction with occupational therapy self-development groups among women in a residential facility for substance dependence. METHOD. We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of 1,488 Likert-scale surveys completed anonymously between 2006 and 2010. Descriptive statistics were used to examine client satisfaction in self-development groups. Differences in engagement by content focus and activity process were also examined by analyzing the median scores of eight self-development questions using the Kruskal–Wallis test of medians. RESULTS. Of those who completed surveys, 73.6% strongly agreed and 23.4% agreed (collectively, 97%) that they were satisfied with the group. No significant differences (p > .05) were found in the median scores of the questions by content focus or activity process. CONCLUSION. Self-development activity groups with salient recovery themes conceptualized within a person–environment–occupation model appear to be a satisfactory and engaging intervention for women in recovery from substance abuse
Complex subcellular distributions of enzymatic markers in intestinal epithelial cells

Current procedures for isolating intestinal epithelial cell surface and intracellular membranes are based on the assumption that each organelle is marked by some unique constitutent. This assumption seemed inconsistent with the dynamic picture of subcellular organization emerging from studies of membrane turnover and recycling. Therefore, we have designed an alternative fractionation which is independent ofa priori marker assignments. We subjected mucosal homogenates to a sequence of separations based on sedimentation coefficient, equilibrium density, and partitioning in aqueous polymer twophase systems. The resulting distributions of protein and enzymatic markers define a total of 17 physically and biochemically distinct membrane populations. Among these are: basal-lateral membranes, with Na,K-ATPase enriched 21-fold; brush-border membranes, with alkaline phosphatase enriched as much as 38-fold; two populations apparently derived from the endoplasmic reticulum; a series of five populations believed to have been derived from the Golgi complex; and a series of five acid phosphatase-rich populations which we cannot identify unequivocally. Each of the five enzymatic markers we have followed is associated with a multiplicity of membrane populations. Basallateral, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi membranes contain alkaline phosphatase at the same specific activity as the initial homogenate. Similarly, Na,K-ATPase appears to be associated branes at specific activities two-to seven-fold that of the initial homogenate.
Palmar-plantar hyperkeratosis and concomitant periodontal destruction (Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome)

Abstract A case of palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis and concomitant periodontosis in a 10-year-old child is presented, complete with an 11-year re-evaluation. Criteria are established for the diagnosis of this syndrome, and a discussion of its two main features is presented. A differential diagnostic table relative to premature exfoliation of teeth in children is included.
Treatment of patients with hepatitis C and cirrhosis.

Recommendations for treatment of hepatitis C in patients with cirrhosis are difficult. Few prospective studies have focused on treatment of patients with advanced disease, and response rates appear to be lower and serious side effects more frequent in patients with cirrhosis. In patients with compensated cirrhosis, combination therapy with interferon alfa (3 million units [MU] 3 times a week) and ribavirin (1,000 or 1,200 mg/d) results in a sustained virological response (SVR) in 33% to 41% of patients. Responses to combination therapy are not significantly higher using peginterferon alfa 2a (180 μg/wk; 43%) or peginterferon alfa 2b (1.5 μg /kg/wk; 44%) compared with standard interferon. In using peginterferon in combination therapy, the benefits of once weekly dosing need to be weighed against the higher risks of cytopenias and greater costs with the pegylated formulations. Combination therapy results in some degree of histological improvement even in patients who are virological non-responders. These findings provide the scientific basis for ongoing studies of maintenance therapy with peginterferon to prevent complications of cirrhosis in non-responder patients with hepatitis C. Recommendations for management of decompensated cirrhosis and of recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation are difficult because of limitations of data, most of which are derived from uncontrolled case series. Combination therapy is poorly tolerated in both groups and rates of response are low. Thus, while the medical need is great, treatment of patients with decompensated cirrhosis or with recurrent hepatitis C after transplantation should be undertaken cautiously and only within the confines of prospective clinical trials.
Optimality Considerations In Modified Matched Spatial Filters

General expressions are derived for the degradation in signal to noise ratio (SNR) as a function of rotation and scale distortions for modified matched spatial filters (MSFs). These are numerically evaluated for an image class with Gaussian shaped spectral densities to understand the effects of training set size, input noise level and image space bandwidth product (SBWP) on the resulting SNR.
Superconducting transitions in ultrathin, amorphous, metallic multilayers.

Multilayers of ultrathin superconducting a-${\mathrm{Mo}}_{79}$${\mathrm{Ge}}_{21}$ and normal Ge-rich a-${\mathrm{Mo}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ge}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ were prepared to study the effects of disorder on superconductivity in reduced dimensions. The superconducting transition temperatures of the multilayers as a function of composition and thickness of the normal metal show a systematic enhancement over the single film ${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{c}}$. This effect can be attributed to a crossover from 2D single-film behavior to 3D bulk behavior as electron diffusion between individual superconducting layers increases. The nature of this crossover sheds light on the microscopic mechanisms reducing ${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{c}}$.
When, what, and why? psychopharmacotherapy and other treatments in schizophrenia

Abstract Quantified assessments using the Design-Relevance Scale (described in a previous paper) are summarized to examine the implications of the findings from the controlled studies of various treatments for pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy in schizophrenia. (These should not be generalized to the treatment of other disorders.) There is considerable evidence to emphasize the importance of combining drug therapy with outpatient psychotherapy, psychotherapeutic management, and psychosocial programs. The evidence also strongly suggests that psychotherapeutic intervention in schizophrenia should be goal-directed and aimed particularly at developing and promoting social and occupational skills and at elliciting cooperation with appropriate drug treatment and monitoring its progress. In the past, unfortunately, much treatment effort has been in the wrong place at the wrong time, concentrated precisely where controlled research shows the least evidence of effectiveness. It would be more likely to be cost-effective if the available manpower could be channelled into providing genuine continuity of care by the same treatment team and into integrating psychotherapeutic and psychosocial interventions into an adequate system to provide and monitor appropriate drug therapy. Relevant factors in the interfaces between pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and psychosocial strategies are discussed. It is concluded that the effectiveness of treatment programs for the schizophrenic patient would be improved greatly by simply applying the knowledge that we now have.
Evaluation of solubility data useful for phase solubility determination of azathioprine

Summary Azathioprine and related 6-thiopurines are inadequately soluble in common organic solvents for determinations based on phase solubility and for liquid—liquid extraction from aqueous specimens. The solubility of azathioprine in twelve organic solvents and water was studied, and the linear relationship between log (solubility) and log (solvent dipole moment) showed lowest correlation in the cases of pyridine and pyrrole. The latter two solvents form induced dipoles with 6-thiopurines, thereby resulting in large positive deviations from the solubilities predicted by permanent dipole—dipole solvation. Based on the solubility data, the feasibility of phase solubility determination of azathioprine in a (1 + 1) mixture of pyridine and ethanol was established.
PREVENTION AND DECONTAMINATION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 ON RAW BEEF CARCASSES IN COMMERCIAL BEEF ABATTOIRS

There are an estimated 76 million cases of foodborne illnesses in the U.S.A. every year, resulting in $5–17 billion in economic and productivity losses annually. Over 5000 deaths a year are caused by foodborne illnesses, one-third of which can be attributed to meat and poultry products. Over the last 10 years, efforts have been made to ensure better meat safety and to control Escherichia coli O157:H7 contamination in beef carcasses and products. The classification of E. coli O157:H7 as an adulterant in raw beef products has prompted the investigation into better processing aids and intervention strategies to ensure meat safety. The vast majority of slaughter contamination originates from contact with fecally soiled hides during the dehiding process. There are many decontamination methods available to beef processors, and others are being investigated for their efficacy at inactivating pathogens. These include hide-on decontamination, knife trimming, steam vacuuming, spray chilling and washing, lactoferricin B, steam pasteurization and irradiation. Organic acid spray washes remain to be among the most popular methods for beef carcass decontamination. However, acid tolerance may eventually render these sanitizers ineffective against E. coli O157:H7. Research shows that hide-on decontamination may be better suited for preventing carcass contamination from soiled hides. Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) has had great success in laboratory and pilot plant studies for reducing contamination to carcasses during dehiding. Although CPC is not approved for use inside beef processing plants, its success in the laboratory and in the poultry industry provides the potential for its approval for application for beef. The overall reductions of any given decontamination method must be weighed against the cost of the method. Cost/benefit analysis shows that multihurdle methods of decontamination may be the most cost-effective methods when compared to using a single intervention to achieve the same level of reductions. Irradiation, which has the highest inactivation rate of E. coli O157:H7 (5.2 log cfu/cm2), also incurs the highest costs in operation and installation fees. Therefore, using knife trimming in combination with another decontamination method is the most cost-effective method at achieving food safety.
Is neotropical conservation sold-short: Diminishing returns for birding suggest ecolodges could encourage longer stays

Abstract Bird tours are a multi-million dollar business in North America and Europe and birding destinations across the world. A typical professionally-led bird trip (operated by a European or North American bird tour company) to Ecuador today costs between $289–$363/day and lasts between 10–15 days and visits several destinations. The typical neotropical rainforest tour package offered by ecolodges aimed at bird tour groups is a three-day, three-night package. Assuming birders and bird tour groups seek to maximise the number of new bird species observed each day a Monte Carlo simulation of diminishing returns using birder's lists available at www.Birding.com suggests diminishing returns occur only on the fifth day. We conclude that ecolodges throughout Ecuador are underselling themselves and should promote longer stays for birders and bird tour groups at their lodges.