cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytoprotective effects of melatonin on C6 astroglial cells exposed to glutamate excitotoxicity and oxidative stress

To preserve the central nervous system (CNS) function after a traumatic injury, therapeutic agents must be administered to protect neurons as well as glial cells. Cell death in CNS injuries and diseases are attributed to many factors including glutamate toxicity and oxidative stress. We examined whether melatonin, a potent anti-oxidant and free radical scavenger, would attenuate apoptotic death of rat C6 astroglial cells under glutamate excitotoxicity and oxidative stress. Exposure of C6 cells to 500 microM L-glutamic acid (LGA) and 100 microm hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) for 24 hr caused significant increases in apoptosis. Apoptosis was evaluated by Wright staining and ApopTag assay. Melatonin receptor 1 appeared to be involved in the protection of these cells from excitotoxic and oxidative damage. Cells undergoing excitotoxic and oxidative stress for 15 min were then treated with 150 nM melatonin, which prevented Ca(2+)influx and cell death. Western blot analyses showed alterations in Bax and Bcl-2 expression resulting in increased Bax:Bcl-2 ratio during apoptosis. Western blot analyses also showed increases in calpain and caspase-3 activities, which cleaved 270 kD alpha-spectrin at specific sites to generate 145 kD spectrin breakdown product (SBDP) and 120 kD SBDP, respectively. However, 15-min post-treatment of C6 cells with melatonin dramatically reduced Bax:Bcl-2 ratio and proteolytic activities, decreasing LGA or H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis. Our data showed that melatonin prevented proteolysis and apoptosis in C6 astroglial cells. The results suggest that melatonin may be an effective cytoprotective agent against glutamate excitotoxicity and oxidative stress in CNS injuries and diseases.
Small angle X-ray scattering measurements of spatial dependent linewidth in dense nanoline gratings ☆

Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to characterize the cross section of nanoline gratings fabricated with electron beam lithography (EBL) patterning followed by anisotropic wet etching into a single crystal silicon substrate. SAXS results at normal incidence clearly bear the signature of positional dependent linewidth within the gratings; such non-uniformity is subsequently confirmed with scanning electron microscopy. The proximity effect of EBL is believed to be the cause of the spatial variations of linewidth. To quantitatively fit the SAXS results the linewidth near the periphery of the patterned field needs to be 80% greater than that in the central region, whereas the cross section of nanolines can be modeled as a simple rectangular shape, as expected from the anisotropic wet etching process.
A simple multi-chromosome genetic algorithm optimization of a Proportional-plus-Derivative Fuzzy Logic Controller

In this paper, a genetic algorithm is used to optimize the input and output fuzzy sets of a proportional-plus-derivative fuzzy logic controller (PDFLC). The center points of these sets are organized into "chromosomes," and then bred and mutated in a genetic algorithm to produce a population of offspring. The offspring are then put through a fitness algorithm to determine which of them survive to breed the next generation. This iterative process results in a solution optimized toward the definition of a "fit" design. This design method is illustrated with a numerical example.
A nonlinear multi-classification knowledge-based kernel machine

This paper presents a knowledge-based nonlinear kernel classification model for multi-category discrimination of sets or objects with prior knowledge. A kernel function is employed to find a nonlinear classifier capable of discriminating future points into an appropriate class. The prior knowledge is in the form of multiple polyhedral sets belonging to one or more categories or classes, and it is introduced as additional constraints into the formulation of the regularized nonlinear kernel least squares multi-class support vector machine model. The resulting formulation leads to a linear system of equations that can be solved using matrix methods or iterative methods. This work extends previous work (Oladunni et al. in ICCS 2006, Lecture notes in Computer Science, Part I, LNCS, vol 3991. Springer, Berlin, pp 188–195, 2006) that incorporated similar prior knowledge into a regularized linear least squares multi-class model. To evaluate the model, data and prior knowledge from the two-phase flow regimes in pipes were used to train and test the proposed formulation.
Comparative analysis of two different amide-to-ester bond mutations in the beta-sheet of 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase.

Here we describe the total chemical synthesis and biophysical characterization of two backbone-modified, ester bond-containing analogues of the homohexameric enzyme 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase (4OT). The amide-to-ester bond mutations in the two analogues in this study, (OI2)4OT and (OI7)4OT, were designed to effectively delete specific backbone−backbone hydrogen bonds in the β-sheet region of the native 4OT hexamer. The (OI2)4OT and (OI7)4OT analogues each contained one ester bond per monomer that effectively deleted 12 backbone−backbone hydrogen bonds per hexamer. The structural properties of each analogue were characterized by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), far-UV CD spectroscopy, and catalytic activity measurements, and they were found to be very similar to the structural properties of the wild-type enzyme. The results of equilibrium unfolding studies revealed that the (OI2)4OT and (OI7)4OT analogues were stabilized by 47.7 ± 2.5 and 45.0 ± 2.5 kcal/mol, respectively, under standard state condit...
Fluorescent tricyclic β-azavinamidine–BF2 complexes

Boron trifluoride reacted with dipyrid-2-ylamine 6, its N-methyl and 6,6′-dimethyl derivatives 8 and 10, and 3,3′,5,5′-tetraphenyl-6-azapyrromethene 13 to give fluorescent β-azavinamidine (1,3,5-triazapenta-1,3-diene) dyes: 10-azapyridomethene–BF2 complex 5 (λf 422 nm, λlas 426 nm), its quaternary 10-methyl tetrafluoroborate and 4,6-dimethyl derivatives 9 (λf 362 nm) and 11 (λf 416 nm), and 1,3,5,7-tetraphenyl-8-azapyrromethene–BF2 complex 17 (λf 696 nm). Treating 3,3′,4,4′-tetraphenyl-5,5′,6-trimethylpyrromethene (prepared in situ from ethyl 3,4-diphenyl-5-methylpyrrole-2-carboxylate in a reaction with acetyl chloride) with boron trifluoride gave 1,2,6,7-tetraphenyl-3,5,8-trimethylpyrromethene–BF2 complex 21. Absorption for the vinamidine chromophore differed from that for the β-azavinamidine chromophore by a hypsochromic shift of 86 nm in a comparison of pyridomethene–BF2 complex 3 with its 10-aza derivative 5 and by a bathochromic shift of 105 nm in a comparison of the pyrromethene–BF2 complex 20 with the 8-azapyrromethene–BF2 complex 17.
What are the most important donor and recipient factors affecting the outcome of related and unrelated allogeneic transplantation

Several recipient and donor risk factors affect outcome after transplantation with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells. The most important recipient risk factors are patient age, comorbidity, performance status, cytomegalovirus (CMV) status, and disease considerations, such as diagnosis, stage, and cytogenetic risk. Prior chemotherapy regimens, patient race, and IL10 promoter polymorphism also appear to have some impact, but to a lesser extent. The most important donor factor is the level of HLA mismatch. Donor gender, relation, age, and KIR genotype also affect outcome. Donor CMV serology, parity, and race do not appear to affect outcome. These factors must all be considered in relation to one another when selecting whether to recommend patients for transplant.
Transient cerebral ischemia: definition and natural history.

N considering cerebral &hernia and infarction there are so many interrelating clinical and pathophysiologic phenomena that a standard set of definitions or reference language should be used and understood by practicing clinicians and clinical investigators alike. When the term “transient ischemic attack” (TIA) is used, does it, for instance, mean only symptoms of a focal neurologic deficit, or does it include symptoms of diffuse cerebral ischemia (syncope), and does it include common complaints such as dizziness and vertigo? Precision in definition is all important in defining the natural history of the disorder to determine if TIAs are a high risk factor in the stroke-prone profile. The difficulties are emphasized by the report in 1964 of one clinical investigator’ who found a stroke rate of 2% in patients with transient ischemic attacks who were observed for 45 mo. The next year the same investigator’ reported a stroke rate of 43% in 158 patients with TIA observed for 60 mo. This important difference in the two
Water management in proton exchange membrane fuel cells using integrated electroosmotic pumping

Recent experimental and numerical investigations on proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) emphasize water management as a critical factor in the design of robust, high efficiency systems. Although various water management strategies have been proposed, water is still typically removed by pumping air into cathode channels at flow rates significantly higher than required by fuel cell stoichiometry. Such methods are thermodynamically unfavorable and constrain cathode flow channel design. We have developed proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) with integrated planar electroosmotic (EO) pumping structures that actively remove liquid water from cathode flow channels. EO pumps can relieve cathode design barriers and facilitate efficient water management in fuel cells. EO pumps have no moving parts, scale appropriately with fuel cells, operate across a wide range of conditions, and consume a small fraction of fuel cell power. We demonstrate and quantify the efficacy of EO water pumping using controlled experiments in a single channel cathode flow structure. Our results show that, under certain operating conditions, removing water from the cathode using integrated EO pumping structures improves fuel cell performance and stability. The application of EO pumps for liquid water removal from PEMFC cathodes extends their operational range and reduces air flow rates.
The Impact of Information Technology on the Temporal Optimization of Supply Chain Performance

The objective of this paper is to suggest a systematic means by which the timing and focus of information technology policies can be used to optimize supply chain performance and reduce production times. This is done by extending an earlier statistical physics model for quasi-static situations to examine temporal phenomena in manufacturing supply chains. A simple model is considered in which the product manufacturing process in a supply chain resembles the flow of a fluid in a pipe. At each position in the pipe, value is added to the fluid to produce the finished product at the exit orifice. Following the statistical physics model, information technology policy impacts the rate of change of the flow velocity by the action of a statistical physics-derived effective force. It is found that wave phenomena naturally occur in the inventories in supply chains. A simple quasilinear analysis of the phenomena shows that information technology policy can be used to adjust timing and position issues to allow the chain to resonate with the propagating waves, in a manner that most effectively in reduces overall production times. This is the first step in an analytical mathematical approach that allows the evaluation of information technology architectures and topologies that optimize production outputs and minimize production disruptions
The use of echocardiography in congenital heart surgery and intervention

Echocardiography has revolutionized the management of pediatric and adult heart disease, especially in the diagnosis of congenital heart defects. Although the early methods of echocardiography (M-mode and Doppler imaging) were limited in their ability to define the defect in question, the advent of 2D, and now 3D, imaging have clearly equaled or surpassed traditional methods of diagnosis (e.g., noninvasively obtained plain chest radiographs and electrocardiograms) and invasive tests (e.g., cardiac catheterization and angiography). Confidence in the images obtained using echocardiography has continued to increase, with many patients referred for corrective or palliative surgery on the basis of echocardiographic imaging alone. Echocardiography has eliminated the need, decreased the frequency, or improved the timing or performance of invasive studies in other patients. Specifically, it is used to definitively diagnose a cardiac defect and any associated lesions. It will also provide quantitative information ...
Quantum crystallography, a developing area of computational chemistry extending to macromolecules

We describe the concept of quantum crystallography (QCr) and present examples of its potential as a technique for facilitating computational chemistry, particularly, applications of quantum mechanics. Structural information has been used to facilitate quantum-mechanical calculations for several decades. Recent advances in theory and computational facilities have led to research opportunities that could be considered only in the past several years. We focus on the feasibility of applications of quantum mechanics to macromolecules. The approach used involves the concept of calculations based on fragments of molecules. The method for constructing fragments, their composition, and how they are assembled to form a projector matrix are discussed without the introduction of mathematical detail. Papers that provide the theoretical basis for QCr and our method for making fragment calculations are referenced, and some initial calculations are described here.
The oxygen-18 isotope approach for measuring aquatic metabolism in high productivity waters

We examined the utility of d18O2 measurements in estimating gross primary production (P), community respiration (R), and net metabolism (P : R) through diel cycles in a productive agricultural stream located in the midwestern U.S.A. Large diel swings in O2 (6200 mmol L21) were accompanied by large diel variation in d18O2 (610%). Simultaneous gas transfer measurements and laboratory-derived isotopic fractionation factors for O2 during respiration (ar) were used in conjunction with the diel monitoring of O2 and d18O2 to calculate P, R, and P : R using three independent isotope-based methods. These estimates were compared to each other and against the traditional ‘‘open-channel diel O2-change’’ technique that lacked d18O2. A principal advantage of the d18O2 measurements was quantification of diel variation in R, which increased b yu p to 30% during the day, and the diel pattern in R was variable and not necessarily predictable from assumed temperature effects on R. The P, R, and P : R estimates calculated using the isotope-based approaches showed high sensitivity to the assumed system fractionation factor (ar). The optimum modeled ar values (0.986–0.989) were roughly consistent with the laboratory-derived values, but larger (i.e., less fractionation) than ar values typically reported for enzyme-limited respiration in open water environments. Because of large diel variation i nO 2, P : R could not be estimated by directly applying the typical steady-state solution to the O2 and 18O-O2 mass balance equations in the absence of gas transfer data. Instead, our results indicate that a modified steady-state solution (the daily mean value approach) could be used with time-averaged O2 and d18O2 measurements to calculate P : R independent of gas transfer. This approach was applicable under specifically defined, net heterotrophic conditions. The diel cycle of increasing daytime R and decreasing nighttime R was only partially explained by temperature variation, but could be consistent with the diel production/consumption of labile dissolved organic carbon from photosynthesis. Gross primary production (P) and community respiration (R) are central regulators of biogeochemical turnover in aquatic environments on local to regional scales (del
A DLL Design for Testing I/O Setup and Hold Times

A built-in self-test (BIST) circuit has been designed to test setup and hold times of I/O registers or buffers for memory interfaces. This method enables independent testing of setup and hold times without using an external tester, except to generate the reference clock. The circuit uses a delay-locked loop (DLL) to generate delayed clocks. It has been implemented with a 0.18-mum TSMC process (CM018). The accuracy in delay generation is within 40 ps, for delay measurements ranging from 300 to 700 ps. In order to achieve high accuracy, the BIST circuit requires frequency adjustment during test, combined with averaging over multiple test cycles. To do this in an efficient manner, the DLL in the BIST circuit has been designed for a wide lock range, from 150 to 400 MHz, and achieves lock in less than 0.05 mus. This paper describes the design in detail and evaluates its performance, together with test time and accuracy. It also shows how to use a low-resolution DLL to achieve high accuracy through frequency adjustment and averaging over multiple test cycles.
Ethanol modulates apolipoprotein B mRNA editing in the rat.

We have studied the rat ethanol-liquid diet model for chronic ethanol modulation of lipid homeostasis, apolipoprotein (apo) B production and apoB mRNA editing. Male Wistar rats were fed one of three diets: i) regular chow, ii) an isocaloric liquid diet, or iii) isocaloric ethanol-liquid diet where ethanol accounts for 35.5% of the total calories, for up to 40 days. There was no difference in body weight or liver/body weight ratio among the three groups of animals at the end of the feeding period. Hepatic and plasma triglycerides were elevated in the ethanol-treated animals only, correlated with an accumulation of lipid particles in the liver of these animals. By DNA excess hybridization, the steady state mRNA levels of apoB and apoB mRNA-editing protein relative to actin were not significantly altered. The proportion of edited apoB mRNA; i.e., apoB-48 mRNA/(apoB-48 + B-100) mRNA, increased in a time-dependent manner from approximately 50% to 100% in the ethanol-treated group. It remained unchanged in the chow- and liquid diet-fed animals. The proportion of apoB-48/apoB-100 protein synthesis was determined by [35S]methionine labeling followed by specific immunoprecipitation and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amount of newly synthesized apoB-48 increased from 30-50% to > 99% of the total apoB (apoB-48 + apoB-100). This increase in apoB-48 biosynthesis is reflected by an increase in circulating plasma apoB-48 from barely detectable to approximately 50% of total plasma apoB. Fractionation of plasma lipoproteins by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) indicates that the ethanol-induced hypertriglyceridemia is completely accounted for by an increase in plasma very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). The proportion of apoB-48 as a percent of total apoB in the VLDL fraction increased from approximately 50% in controls to > 90% in ethanol-treated animals. Furthermore, there is a strong correlation between plasma triglyceride concentration and proportion of edited apoB-mRNA in the liver of ethanol-treated rats, but no direct correlation of the latter with intrahepatic triglyceride content. Ethanol-treated rats represent a new model for studying the regulation of apoB mRNA editing by dietary factors in vivo.
Motor Development: Activity Matters After All

Developing spinal networks are constructed through the integration of local microcircuits and the ongoing incorporation of later-developing neurons. This process is dependent on neuronal activity prior to synaptogenesis.
Communicability, Racial Discourse, and Disease

AbstractThis review proposes a model for analyzing the power of ideologies of communication in producing subjectivities, organizing them hierarchically, and recruiting people to occupy them. By way of illustration, it compares this productive capacity, which is herein termed communicability, with schemes of racialization and medicalization. The argument draws on critical discourse analysis, conversational analysis, post-Habermasian research on publics, Bakhtin, Bourdieu, Foucault, and work on language ideologies to synthesize a framework for studying spheres of communicability. The concept is then used in exploring how constructions of race and health intersect in some of the most powerful spheres of communicability—those associated with colonial medicine, HIV/AIDS, severe accute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Alzheimer’s, genetics, clinical trials, “race-based medicine,” organ transplant, and biostatistics. The review attempts to connect linguistic anthropology and discourse analysis more productively to m...
Recent experimental results in near-field antenna measurements

Recent experimental results on determination of antenna pattern and power gain from near-field measurements are described. Two new antenna measurement theorems were applied. Measurements were made on an electrically large horn lens, a standard-gain horn and a nominal duplicate of the measuring antenna. Some comparisons with direct far-field measurement results were made.
EXPRESSION OF THE SIALOSYL-Tn EPITOPE ON CD45 DERIVED FROM ACTIVATED PERIPHERAL BLOOD T CELLS

The cell surface protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45 is a major target of IgM anti-T cell autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The autoreactive determinants on CD45 are O-linked glycans expressed on activated T cells and certain T cell lines, rather than linear or conformational polypeptide epitopes or N-linked glycans. To identify oligosaccharide structures that may play a role in the functional interactions of CD45 or are candidate target epitopes of SLE anti-CD45 autoantibodies, autoreactive CD45 purified from Jurkat T cells and non-autoreactive CD45 purified from CLL B cells were tested by ELISA for expression of mucin-type O-glycan structures. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against blood group A, type 1 H chains, type 2 H chains, T, Le(a), sialylated-Le(a), Le(b), sialylated-Le(c), Le(x), sialylated-Le(x), multi-fucosylated Le(x), Le(y), and sialylated-extended Le(v) failed to react with CD45 from either B cells or T cells. However, mAbs directed against Tn (galNAcalpha1-->O-ser/thr) or sialosyl-Tn (neuNAcalpha2-6gaINAcalpha1-->O-ser/thr) structures reacted with CD45 derived from Jurkat T cells, but not from CLL B cells. Anti-Tn mAbs also reacted in western blotting procedures with CD45 isolated from Jurkat T cells, but did not react with CD45 isolated from CEM, MOLT-3, or PEER T cells; Daudi, Raji, or CLL B cells; or resting or Con A-activated PBL. However, anti-sialosyl-Tn mAbs stained blots of CD45 isolated from Jurkat and CEM T cells and Con A-activated PBL, a pattern of reactivity similar to that of the anti-CD45 autoantibodies. Flow cytometric analyses demonstrated that the sialosyl-Tn epitopes are expressed on a subpopulation of CD4 +/CD8- T cells.
Nuclear matter with Brown–Rho-scaled Fermi liquid interactions

Abstract We present a description of symmetric nuclear matter within the framework of Landau Fermi liquid theory. The low momentum nucleon–nucleon interaction V low - k is used to calculate the effective interaction between quasiparticles on the Fermi surface, from which we extract the quasiparticle effective mass, the nuclear compression modulus, the symmetry energy, and the anomalous orbital gyromagnetic ratio. The exchange of density, spin, and isospin collective excitations is included through the Babu–Brown induced interaction, and it is found that in the absence of three-body forces the self-consistent solution to the Babu–Brown equations is in poor agreement with the empirical values for the nuclear observables. This is improved by lowering the nucleon and meson masses according to Brown–Rho scaling, essentially by including a scalar tadpole contribution to the meson and nucleon masses, as well as by scaling g A . We suggest that modifying the masses of the exchanged mesons is equivalent to introducing a short-range three-body force, and the net result is that the Brown–Rho double decimation [G.E. Brown, M. Rho, Phys. Rep. 396 (2004) 1] is accomplished all at once.
Dissociable recruitment of rostral anterior cingulate and inferior frontal cortex in emotional response inhibition

The integrity of decision-making under emotionally evocative circumstances is critical to navigating complex environments, and dysfunctions in these processes may play an important role in the emergence and maintenance of various psychopathologies. The goal of the present study was to examine the spatial and temporal dynamics of neural responses to emotional stimuli and emotion-modulated response inhibition. High-density event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were measured as participants (N=25) performed an emotional Go/NoGo task that required button presses to words of a "target" emotional valence (i.e., positive, negative, neutral) and response inhibition to words of a different "distractor" valence. Using scalp ERP analyses in conjunction with source-localization techniques, we identified distinct neural responses associated with affective salience and affect-modulated response inhibition, respectively. Both earlier (approximately 300 ms) and later (approximately 700 ms) ERP components were enhanced with successful response inhibition to emotional distractors. Only ERPs to target stimuli differentiated affective from neutral cues. Moreover, source localization analyses revealed right ventral lateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) activation in affective response inhibition regardless of emotional valence, whereas rostral anterior cingulate activation (rACC) was potentiated by emotional valence but was not modulated by response inhibition. This dissociation was supported by a significant Region x Trial Type x Emotion interaction, confirming that distinct regional dynamics characterize neural responses to affective valence and affective response-inhibition. The results are discussed in the context of an emerging affective neuroscience literature and implications for understanding psychiatric pathologies characterized by a detrimental susceptibility to emotional cues, with an emphasis on major depressive disorder.
First experimental demonstration of signal performance improvement by the Walsh-Hadamard transform for the super-channel transmission

We show application schemes of the Walsh-Hadamard transform method to mitigate optical filtering and polarization dependent loss effects. Conducted experiments demonstrate for the first time that the method effectively improves overall performances of super-channel transmission.
Unstiffened Pipe Riser Clamps

Photoelastic and strain gage techniques are employed in the study of a riser clamp used to support piping in power plants. Finite element analysis with isoparametric solid elements is used to verify the experimental results. The investigation shows that due to nonuniform torsion, high normal stresses exist along the entire length of the clamp. In the vicinity of the band, normal as well as shear stresses are high, and as a consequence premature yielding in this region may occur.
An In Situ Characterization for the Bioleaching Process of Natural Pyrite Using Electrochemical Noise Technique

An in situ characterization has been carried out for several active systems (sulfuric acid, ferric iron, 9k medium and bioleaching solutions) to investigate the bioleaching process of natural pyrite using electrochemical noise (ECN) technique. Spectral noise impedance spectra obtained from power spectral density (PSD) plots for the different systems were compared. It has been observed that the bioleaching system obtained the lowest noise resistance Rsn 0.101MΩ. The reaction mechanism was proposed based on experimental data analysis. The bioleaching process of natural pyrite has been identified as the main function of bio-battery reactions, which distinguishes from the chemical oxidation reaction for the ferric ion and 9k solutions.
Sharing the Burdens of Pollution in New York: Whose Environment Are We Protecting, and Who Decides?

With a focus on New York State, this paper addresses how various official policies, well intending elected officials and bureaucrats, and existing environmental regulations have, to some degree, all failed to ensure that environmental justice communities are given sufficient opportunities to be involved in the regulatory process. The failure to include minority and lower-income communities in the regulatory process is only highlighted by the recent increased inclusion of New York’s rural, mostly white, communities in decision-making processes addressing environmental and quality of life issues. Specifically in the context of the ongoing hydrofracking debate, rural communities most directly affected by the controversial drilling process have enjoyed a unique – and in some ways unprecedented – role in the regulatory process. The wide public support in pushing back against local environmental burdens and the acceptance of a level of authority to decide if, when, and how those same burdens should or should not exist have rarely, if ever, been enjoyed by urban, mostly lower-income and minority communities facing similarly important environmental and quality of life issues. That is, the voices being heard most often are those of mostly white, sparsely populated areas of the state. Voices of similarly concerned citizens in more urban, minority, and lower-income communities are rarely heard as often, or as clearly, in the face of significant environmental health concerns.
Cross Section of the C 12 ( p , γ ) N 13 Reaction at Low Energies

The efficiency of the nuclear reaction ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma}){\mathrm{N}}^{13}$ has been measured over the energy range from 125 kev to 200 kev, with results which are in good agreement with those recently published by Hall and Fowler. The cross section ranges from 1.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}33}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ at 128 kev to 23\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}33}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ at 194 kev. The thick-target yield of the reaction was measured, by detecting the ${\mathrm{N}}^{13}$ positron activity with an absolutely calibrated counter, and the cross sections were obtained by differentiation of the thick-target yield curve.
HAMLeT Architecture for Parallel Data Reorganization in Memory

3D-stacked integration of DRAM and logic layers using through-silicon via (TSV) technology has given rise to a new interpretation of near-data processing (NDP) concepts that were proposed decades ago. However, processing capability within the stack is limited by stringent power and thermal constraints. Simple processing mechanisms with intensive memory accesses, such as data reorganization, are an effective means of exploiting 3D stacking-based NDP. Data reorganization handled completely in memory improves the host processor's memory access performance. However, in-memory data reorganization performed in parallel with host memory accesses raises issues, including interference, bandwidth allocation, and coherence. Previous work has mainly focused on performing data reorganization while blocking host accesses. This article details data reorganization performed in parallel with host memory accesses, providing mechanisms to address host/NDP interference, flexible bandwidth allocation, and in-memory coherence.
Sequential Operation of Three Distinct Misfit Dislocation Introduction Mechanisms in an Epitaxial Bilayer Film

Mismatch stress relaxation mechanisms in bilayer films of (In, Al)As on InAs on GaP have been examined. Initial edge (90°) misfit dislocations at the InAs/GaP interface appear to be introduced directly at island edges during initial stages of growth. The incomplete mismatch compensation is taken up by later introduction of glissile (60°) dislocations, usually in pairs which combine to form edge dislocations. The edge dislocations in the interface then move laterally to equalize their spacings. The upper (In, Al)As capping layer, which is tensile strained to match the relaxed InAs, exhibits a different mechanism of misfit dislocation introduction. Threading dislocations move by climb, directly introducing sessile edge dislocations at the buried interface. It is believed this is the first time that this mechanism has been observed.
Culture Areas and Interaction Spheres: Contrasting Approaches to the Emergence of Civilization in the Maya Lowlands

Recently several models have been proposed for the origin and evolution of lowland Maya civilization. These models share a basic spatial framework, the culture area, which is logically tied to a particular theoretical approach to the emergence of lowland Maya civilization. The culture area approach rests on the premise that sociocultural innovation occurs as a localized response to local natural and social conditions. Such innovation subsequently diffuses outside the local area through successful competition with alternatives. The empirical archaeological expectations of models based upon this approach are not satisfied at the site of Cerros, a Late Preclassic center on the coast of northern Belize. An alternative approach, the interaction sphere, better accommodates the evidence from Cerros and other Preclassic sites in the Maya Lowlands. The culture area models, the evidence from Cerros, and the interaction sphere approach and its theoretical ramifications are discussed.
Effects of surfactant apolipoproteins on liposome structure: implications for tubular myelin formation

Tubular myelin is one of several forms of lung surfactant and may play an important role in its surface activity. To determine possible mechanisms of tubular myelin formation, we studied the effects of purified surfactant proteins (SP-A, SP-B, and SP-C) on large unilamellar dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine-egg phosphatidylglycerol (7/3; wt/wt) liposomes. We studied different types of membrane interaction induced by the apolipoproteins and correlated these with the observed changes in ultrastructure. Aggregation was assessed by measurement of light absorbance, lysis, and fusion by measurement of the fluorescence emitted by water-soluble and lipid-soluble probes, respectively. Mixtures of the apolipoproteins and liposomes were examined in ultrastructural studies by negative staining and by thin sectioning. We found that each protein had a pronounced and distinct effect on liposome structure. SP-A caused aggregation, whereas SP-B and SP-C also caused extensive leakage of liposome contents (lysis) and some degree of lipid mixing (fusion). The disruptive effects of SP-B and to a lesser extent those of SP-C were correlated by negative staining with the appearance of bilayer disks, which tended to aggregate into large sheets. There was a marked synergy between SP-A and SP-B in the process of membrane fusion in the presence of calcium, which correlated with an early (10 min) and extensive rearrangement of the structures seen by electron microscopy followed by a delayed (24 h) appearance of small amounts of tubular myelin.
Beyond the brain: Optogenetic control in the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system

Optogenetics offers promise for dissecting the complex neural circuits of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system and has therapeutic potential for addressing unmet clinical needs. Much progress has been made to enable optogenetic control in normal and disease states, both in proof-of-concept and mechanistic studies in rodent models. In this Review, we discuss challenges in using optogenetics to study the mammalian spinal cord and peripheral nervous system, synthesize common features that unite the work done thus far, and describe a route forward for the successful application of optogenetics to translational research beyond the brain.
Study on the Forming Cause of Shixiakou Landslide at Jiuzhou,Lanzhou City,in 2009 and Stability of Its Western Neighbouring High Slope

A landslide disaster happened at the hill west to Shixiakou district in Jiuzhou,Lanzhou city,on May 16,2009,which caused great life and property lose.A systematic research on the characteristics and forming cause of Shixiakou landslide is achieved in this paper.It is considered that the key factors of the landslide are unreasonable false virescence irrigation,the high and steep topography in landslides region,and poor rock and soil mass engineering geological properties.Based on the cause analysis of Shixiakou landslide,research on Stability of its western neighbouring high slope is done.The safety coefficient and the potential failure surface are evaluated by strength reduction FEM.As a comparison,limit equilibrium method is executed.The calculation results show that the safety factor calculated by the strength reduction FEM is fairly close to the that calculated by the traditional limit equilibrium method,which ensured the reliability of the result.
Comparing plasma, serum and whole blood indium concentrations from workers at an indium-tin oxide (ITO) production facility

Objective Occupational exposure to indium compounds including indium-tin oxide (ITO) can result in potentially fatal indium lung disease. We compared plasma, serum and whole blood indium concentrations (In P , In S and In B ) from workers at a single ITO production facility to assess the comparability of these matrices used for biological monitoring of indium exposure. Method In P , In S and In B were measured using inductively coupled mass spectrometry from consenting workers at an ITO production facility with specimen collection occurring during June−July 2014. Matched pairs from workers were assessed to determine the matrix relationships using the Pearson correlation, paired t-tests, per cent difference, linear regression and κ statistics. Results Indium matrices were collected from 80 workers. Mean (SD) In P , In S and In B were 3.48 (3.84), 3.90 (4.15) and 4.66 (5.32) mcg/L, respectively. The In S −In P difference was 14%; In S was higher in all but two workers. In P and In S were highly correlated (r=>0.99). The In B −In S difference was 19%; In B was higher in 85% of workers. The In B −In P difference was 34%; In B was higher in 66% of workers. In B was highly correlated with both In P and In S (r=0.97 and 0.96, respectively). κ Statistics were 0.84, 0.83 and 0.82 for In P , In S and In B , respectively, for individuals with each matrix ≥1 mcg/L (p Conclusions While all matrices were highly correlated, we encourage the use of In P and In S to reliably compare studies across different populations using different matrices. The higher per cent difference and increased variability of In B may limit its utility in comparisons with In P and In S in different populations.
The Effects of Processing on Gluten from Wheat, Rye, and Barley, and its Detection in Foods

Abstract Gluten, a group of heterogeneous storage proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley, provides body and texture to various baked products. The amount and type of gluten (e.g., polymeric or monomeric) define the final food use. Gluten-containing foods undergo a combination of both thermal and non-thermal processing to achieve desirable characteristics. However, food processing can affect gluten structure and its properties. Gluten may be present unintentionally in foods causing serious health concerns to sensitive individuals. Various analytical methods are available to detect the presence of gluten ensuring that the food is safe for these individuals. This chapter covers select examples of thermal and non-thermal processing methods that affect gluten and its detection in foods.
Transitioning from Targeted to Comprehensive Mass Spectrometry Using Genetic Algorithms

Targeted proteomic assays are becoming increasingly popular because of their robust quantitative applications enabled by internal standardization, and they can be routinely executed on high performance mass spectrometry instrumentation. However, these assays are typically limited to 100s of analytes per experiment. Considerable time and effort are often expended in obtaining and preparing samples prior to targeted analyses. It would be highly desirable to detect and quantify 1000s of analytes in such samples using comprehensive mass spectrometry techniques (e.g., SWATH and DIA) while retaining a high degree of quantitative rigor for analytes with matched internal standards. Experimentally, it is facile to port a targeted assay to a comprehensive data acquisition technique. However, data analysis challenges arise from this strategy concerning agreement of results from the targeted and comprehensive approaches. Here, we present the use of genetic algorithms to overcome these challenges in order to configure hybrid targeted/comprehensive MS assays. The genetic algorithms are used to select precursor-to-fragment transitions that maximize the agreement in quantification between the targeted and the comprehensive methods. We find that the algorithm we used provided across-the-board improvement in the quantitative agreement between the targeted assay data and the hybrid comprehensive/targeted assay that we developed, as measured by parameters of linear models fitted to the results. We also found that the algorithm could perform at least as well as an independently-trained mass spectrometrist in accomplishing this task. We hope that this approach will be a useful tool in the development of quantitative approaches for comprehensive proteomics techniques. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.
Single crystal SiC capacitive pressure sensor at 400/spl deg/C

Single crystal 3C-SiC capacitive pressure sensors are proposed for high-temperature sensing applications. The prototype device consists of an edge-clamped circular SiC diaphragm with a radius of 400 /spl mu/m and a thickness of 0.5 /spl mu/m suspended over a 2 /spl mu/m sealed cavity on a silicon substrate. The fabricated sensor demonstrates a high-temperature sensing capability up to 400/spl deg/C, limited by the test setup. At 400/spl deg/C, the device achieves a linear characteristic response between 1100 torr and 1760 torr with a sensitivity of 7.7 ff/torr, a linearity of 2.1%, a hysterisis of 3.7%, and a sensing resolution of 9.1 torr (12 mbar).
The influence of age, antral follicle count and diestrous ovulations on estrous cycle characteristics of mares.

Reproductive aging must be well understood to optimize the reproductive management of older mares and to predict their reproductive life-span. The objectives of this study were to: 1) examine age-related differences in follicular dynamics, endocrine profiles, and primordial follicle counts, 2) evaluate the influence of antral follicle count (AFC) on age-related changes in follicular parameters, and 3) determine the influence of diestrous ovulations on the estrous cycle. Young (3-8yr; n = 10), middle-aged (9-18 yr; n = 16), and old (>18 yr; n = 19) light horse mares were examined with transrectal ultrasonography to monitor follicular growth over two consecutive estrous cycles. Jugular blood samples were taken and plasma progesterone and FSH concentrations were determined by an enzyme immunoassay and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Both interovulatory intervals and follicular phases were longer and the day of follicle deviation occurred later in aged mares. Furthermore, older mares had a tendency to ovulate smaller follicles. Neither follicular growth rate, the number of ovulations nor the length of luteal phase was influenced by mare age. Interestingly, as mare age increased, mares with low AFC had longer interovulatory intervals and follicular phases than mares with medium or high AFC. In addition, the number of primordial follicles declined with an increase in mare age but varied considerably between mares of the same age. Progesterone concentrations were positively influenced by age, whereas FSH concentrations were not, despite that FSH concentrations appeared higher in aged mares during the follicular phase. Estrous cycles with a diestrous ovulation had a longer interovulatory interval as well as a longer follicular and luteal phase while day of deviation occurred later. Progesterone concentrations were significantly higher on day 14 and 16 in estrous cycles with a diestrous ovulation than without a diestrous ovulation. In conclusion, aging in mares is associated with changes in follicular parameters which in turn are closely linked to differences in antral follicle count suggesting a relationship with ovarian reserve. Therefore, determination of antral follicle counts in aged mares can provide valuable information about the reproductive aging process. Finally, diestrous ovulations have a significant influence on different estrous cycle parameters.
Editorial: A Case Demonstrating the Need to Emphasize Wellness as a Treatment Focus for Substance Abuse Disorders

The relationship between mood disorders and alcohol use/abuse is well documented in the extant literature. The patient may not view drinking as a relevant etiology of their mood complaints, and may not always appreciate alcohol use as a self-medicating “treatment” and cause of depressed mood. This situation is compounded by being in social or occupational organizations where drinking is an accepted (and expected) part of the “culture,” such as sports, certain business roles, and the military. Over the past few decades, significant advances have been made in gaining a better understanding of the etiology and treatment of alcohol and substance use disorders. As neuroscience continues to provide new data to better explain the etiology and treatment of these disorders, the need for clinicians to not forget the critical role of healthy living and wellness must not be neglected. This case report highlights the role of wellness strategies and an integrated approach in the treatment of substance use disorders.
Anatomy and injuries of the pediatric wrist: beyond the basics

Ligamentous injuries of the pediatric wrist, once thought to be relatively uncommon, are increasingly recognized in the context of acute high-energy mechanism trauma and chronic axial loading, including those encountered in both recreational and high-performance competitive sports. Recent advances in MR-based techniques for imaging the pediatric wrist allow for sensitive identification of these often radiographically occult injuries. Detailed knowledge of the intrinsic and supportive extrinsic ligamentous complexes, as well as normal developmental anatomy and congenital variation, are essential to accurately diagnose injuries to these structures. Early identification of ligamentous injury of the pediatric wrist is essential within the conservative treatment culture of modern pediatric orthopedics because treatment of these lesions often necessitates surgery, and outcomes often depend on early and sometimes aggressive intervention. In this article, we review MR arthrogram technique and pediatric wrist anatomy, and correlate appearances on MR and selected ligamentous pathologies of the pediatric wrist.