cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous activity induced in rabbit Purkinje myocytes during coupling to a depolarized model cell.

Objective : The development of an “injury current” secondary to heterogeneous ion accumulation and cellular uncoupling across the ischemic border zone has been implicated as a trigger for arrhythmias arising during acute ischemia. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of injury current across the Purkinje–ventricular interface in the development of abnormal automaticity. Methods: Patch clamp and electronic cell coupling techniques were used to record action potentials from and to apply injury current to isolated rabbit Purkinje myocytes. Injury current was dependent upon: (1) a coupling resistance, which was varied to simulate different degrees of cellular uncoupling, and (2) the difference in Purkinje membrane potential and depolarized ischemic myocardium, which was represented by a passive resistor–capacitor circuit with initial voltages of −70, −60, or −50 mV. Results: During coupling to the moderately depolarized cell (−60 or −50 mV), Purkinje myocytes developed repetitive, spontaneous activity within a window of coupling resistances. This abnormal automaticity was dependent upon L-type calcium current, as cadmium or nifedipine completely suppressed coupling-induced spontaneous activity. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that injury current alone can induce spontaneous activity in normal Purkinje myocytes. The level of myocardial depolarization and the degree of cellular uncoupling required to induce this activity suggest spontaneous Purkinje activity induced by injury current as a potent trigger for acute ischemic arrhythmias.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CALCIUM AND INCREASED SENSITIVITY OF RABBIT AORTAE FOUR HOURS AFTER RESERPINE

Abstract 1 Four hours after reserpine, rabbit aortic strips were supersensitive to acetylcholine, isoprenaline and noradrenaline. The threshold concentration of the drugs necessary to induce a response was less and the maximum tension developed by the tissues was greater than in control strips. 2 Reserpine-treatment potentiated the contractile responses to CaCl2. 3 Reserpine-treatment resulted in an increase in calcium uptake and an increase in the slow component of 45Ca2+ efflux. 4 After resperine-treatment, the rate of relaxation from a potassium-induced contraction was decreased. 5 It is concluded that reserpine-induced supersensitivity is related to an enhanced ability of the tissue to retain and utilize calcium.
Removal of Penicillin G from Contaminated Milk by Ultrafiltration

Penicillin G purposedly added to whole raw milk at concentrations from .05 to .20 IU/ml was removed to undetectable levels by a combination of ultrafiltrations and permeate washes. After penicillin removal, whole milk 3:1 vol/vol concentrated retentates were reconstituted to milk with antibiotic-free permeate with little change in composition and with very good to excellent flavor. Washing 3:1 vol/vol concentrated retentates from penicillin-contaminated milks with water also removed penicillin to an undetectable level but changed the composition of product, which displayed a flat flavor.
Kinetics of the adsorption of O2 and of the desorption of SiO on Si(100): A molecular beam, XPS, and ISS study

We present a detailed study of the adsorption kinetics of O2 on Si(100) between temperatures of 120 and 800 K and oxygen coverages up to 2 monolayers, and of the desorption kinetics at both low and high oxygen coverages of volatile SiO between 975 and 1400 K. Both the initial sticking probability and the adsorption kinetics at nonzero coverage were found to depend strongly on temperature. The adsorption kinetics and separate ISS measurements indicated that population of above-surface sites diminishes at elevated temperature. Using modulated molecular beam, techniques, desorption of SiO was found to occur via a sequential two-step process above 1010 K, where the steady-state oxygen was below 0.03 monolayer. The activation energies and pre-exponetial factors for the two rate constants are 81 and 68 kcal/mol and 1019.5 and 1018.1 s−1, respectively. For oxygen coverages above 0.7 monolayers, the desorption rate constant obtained from time-resolved XPS measurements was orders of magnitude less. Decay of surface oxygen occurred exponentially in time for initial coverages of about one monolayer, but was more complex at higher coverages. The roles of different precursor and chemisorbed oxygen species and of the surface structure, and of surface heterogeneity in both the adsorption and desorption results are discussed.
“Open rest,” a new concept in the selection of the vertical dimension of occlusion

Abstract A new concept to determine the vertical dimension of occlusion for complete denture patients has been evaluated. It seems to be an improvement over other methods for determining this very elusive measurement.
Distribution of protein composition in bread wheat flour mill streams and relationship to breadmaking quality

ABSTRACTWheat protein quantity and composition are important parameters for wheat baking quality. The objective of this study was to use fractionation techniques to separate the proteins of flour mill streams into various protein fractions, to examine the distribution of these protein fractions, and to establish a relationship between protein composition and breadmaking quality. Nine break streams, nine reduction streams, and three patent flours obtained from three samples of Nekota (a hard red winter wheat) were used in this study. A solution of 0.3M NaI + 7.5% 1-propanol was used to separate flour protein into monomeric and polymeric proteins. The protein fractions, including gliadin, albumin+globulin, HMW-GS, and LMW-GS, were precipitated with 0.1M NH4Ac-MeOH or acetone. The fractions were statistically analyzed for their distribution in the mill streams. The quantities of total flour protein and protein fractions in flour were significantly different among mill streams. The ratio of polymeric to monom...
Hub structures of major US passenger airlines.

Abstract Since the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, the hub-and-spoke network model has been adopted by airlines as the primary strategy for organizing their route structures. The hub location models, however, have not been able to capture completely the realities of the hub network design problem for passenger airline networks. This study examines the hub structures of six major US airlines based on three different measures of the intensity of hubbing at network nodes. Implications of the analysis results for the hub location models are discussed.
Interaction of upstream stimulatory factor proteins with an E-box located within the human CYP1A2 5′-flanking gene contributes to basal transcriptional gene activation

Abstract Cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A2 is abundantly expressed in the liver of all vertebrate species. In most, its expression is restricted to the liver. Sequence analysis of the human CYP1A2 5′-flanking region from +3 to −3201 identified six E-box motifs within the 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) enhancer element (−1987 to −3201). The E-box motif is recognized by members of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family of transcription factors. Gel mobility shift and antibody supershift assays were used to examine each of the six upstream E-box motifs for their ability to bind nuclear proteins and to compete with the ubiquitously expressed bHLH protein, upstream stimulatory factor (USF), for binding. We found that USF-1 and USF-2 proteins bind to the upstream E-box motifs EB2, EB3, and EB4. Transient transfection assays in HepG2 cells were performed with different segments of the human CYP1A2 5′-flanking region linked to a luciferase reporter gene. Site-directed mutagenesis of one of the E-box motifs, EB2, resulted in a 60% reduction in basal reporter gene activity. Mutations in EB3 and EB4 had no effect. We found that transfection of expression vectors containing USF-1 or USF-2 cDNAs activated CYP1A2 reporter gene activity, while a dominant-negative USF-2 expression vector blocked such activity. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that the interaction of USF proteins with the CYP1A2 EB2 site occurs in vivo . These data support the role of USF as a constitutive transcriptional activator of human CYP1A2 .
Association Between Microbial Bioburden and Healing Outcomes in Venous Leg Ulcers: A Review of the Evidence.

Significance: Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are susceptible to microbial invasion, and serious complications can result without the timely control of infection. Diagnosis of wound infection is primarily based on subjective clinical characteristics and patient-reported symptoms, and the treatment with antimicrobials has not consistently shown improvement in healing outcomes. This is a review of studies using bacterial cultures and/or new molecular-based methods associating microbial bioburden with healing outcomes in VLU patients, with the goal of guiding future studies to better determine significant patterns of microbial involvement in chronic wounds. Recent Advances: Studies reviewed here use cultivation-based identification of bacteria and next-generation sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene to gain insight into microbial bioburden in VLUs. Further application of sophisticated DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses has the potential to revolutionize our ability to further discern, with high resoluti...
Fast phase reconstruction in white light diffraction phase microscopy

In off-axis interferometry, we usually have to deal with the unwrapping process, which is very computationally intensive and prevents us from real time phase reconstruction. The wrapping problem usually occurs when imaging thick objects, which introduce phase shifts of more than 2π radians. However, in off-axis interferometry, the nonzero angle of interference of the two beams creates a ramp in the phase across the image that can produce phase wrapping errors. In this paper, we propose a simple technique that avoids the need for the unwrapping step in reconstructing quantitative phase images in white light diffraction phase microscopy of thin samples. We show that this approach can improve significantly the phase reconstruction speed and allow high impact applications, such as real-time blood testing.
Propping Up Our Knowledge of G Protein Signaling Pathways: Diverse Functions of Putative Noncanonical Gβ Subunits in Fungi

Heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide–binding proteins, composed of Gα, Gβ, and Gγ subunits, are important mediators of fungal pheromone and nutrient signaling pathways. Most fungal genomes encode two or three functionally distinct Gα subunits but only a single canonical Gβ subunit, which does not bind multiple Gα subunits. Studies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae , Cryptococcus neoformans , and Schizosaccharomyces pombe have identified binding partners for Gα subunits, which are proposed to be "noncanonical Gβ subunits." This Perspective reviews these studies, summarizing the strengths and weaknesses of the claims to this designation for these four fungal proteins.
Solution-Focused Therapy as a Culturally Acknowledging Approach with American Indians

Limited literature is available applying specific theoretical orientations with American Indians. Solution-focused therapy may be appropriate, given the client-identified solutions, the egalitarian counselor/client relationship, the use of relationships, and the view that change is inevitable. However, adaption of scaling questions and the miracle question may be necessary. Hay una limitada cantidad de literatura disponible que aplique orientaciones teoricas especificas con indios americanos. La terapia centrada en soluciones puede ser apropiada, dadas las soluciones identificadas por los clientes, la relacion igualitaria entre consejero y cliente, el uso de relaciones y la vision de que el cambio es inevitable. Sin embargo, puede que sea necesario adaptar las preguntas de escala y la pregunta del milagro.
A framework for classification and segmentation of massive audio data streams

In recent years, the proliferation of VOIP data has created a number of applications in which it is desirable to perform quick online classification and recognition of massive voice streams. Typically such applications are encountered in real time intelligence and surveillance. In many cases, the data streams can be in compressed format, and the rate of data processing can often run at the rate of Gigabits per second. All known techniques for speaker voice analysis require the use of an offline training phase in which the system is trained with known segments of speech. The state-of-the-art method for text-independent speaker recognition is known as Gaussian Mixture Modeling (GMM), and it requires an iterative Expectation Maximization Procedure for training, which cannot be implemented in real time. In this paper, we discuss the details of such an online voice recognition system. For this purpose, we use our micro-clustering algorithms to design concise signatures of the target speakers. One of the surprising and insightful observations from our experiences with such a system is that while it was originally designed only for efficiency, we later discovered that it was also more accurate than the widely used Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM). This was because of the conciseness of the micro-cluster model, which made it less prone to over training. This is evidence of the fact that it is often possible to get the best of both worlds and do better than complex models both from an efficiency and accuracy perspective.
A system to distribute Navy Coastal Ocean Model data using the open Geospatial consortium's Web Map Service protocol

A method for disseminating Navy Ocean Coastal Model (NCOM) data as imagery over the Internet via the Web Map Service (WMS) protocol is presented. NCOM data are provided in multidimensional numerical data files. Distribution of NCOM data via the WMS protocol requires the data be rendered into an image. The multidimensional properties of the NCOM data allow the plotted data images to be grouped into layers based on dimensions. The NCOM WMS supports optional functionalities provided by the WMS protocol, allowing users to obtain detailed information about map images created by the NCOM WMS. By serving NCOM data via the WMS protocol, clients can access the data using common geographic information system (GIS) client software.
A preliminary comment on the inversion of chromatid segments.

Abstract In rare occasions, cancer cells have chromatids with segments stacked in inverted order vis-a-vis their normal counterparts. The paper discusses a mechanism for these anomalies as well as for their statistical incidences. The proposed mechanism and its telenomic implications have been adapted from ideas discussed in a preceding note (3).
Academic Motherhood for Counselor Educators: Navigating Through the Academic Pipeline

Recent research has suggested that children are a hindrance for female faculty members in making tenure, due partially to reproduction and the quest for tenure timelines being incompatible (Mason and Goulden 2004; Young and Wright 2001). This article presents an emerging profile of 70 counselor educator mothers as they navigate their way through the academic pipeline towards tenure. Results indicate a significant difference between non-tenured and tenured faculty’s perceptions of balance between work and family life. Implications for educators and future research are presented.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Wall Effects on Phase Stability and Homogeneous Nucleation in Nanochannels Containing Superheated Liquid

Rapid heating or sudden depressurization can create highly superheated liquid conditions in stationary or flowing liquid in nanochannels. In these situations, the phase stability of the liquid and the conditions for the onset of bubble nucleation are important factors in the fluid behavior and heat transfer in applications. In the investigation summarized here, a statistical thermodynamics analysis is used to derive a modified version of the Redlich-Kwong fluid property model that accounts for attractive forces between the solid wall surface atoms and liquid molecules in the fluid within a high aspect ratio (parallel plate) nanochannel. In this model, the wall–fluid attractive forces are quantified in terms of Hamaker constants, which makes it possible to assess the effect of wall–fluid force interactions on the spinodal conditions for a variety of fluid and surface material combinations. At large channel widths the fluid properties exhibit wall effects very near each wall, with bulk fluid property values...
Sisseton Wahpeton College Student Internship – Learning About Water Quality Assessment, Geospatial Technologies, Landuse Classification and Statistical Analysis

Three student interns from Sisseton Wahpeton College and their advisor Karla Witt worked with researchers from South Dakota State University to explore the hypothesis that satellite imagery could be used as a tool to evaluate water quality in lakes on the Sisseton Wahpeton Reservation. Interns constructed their own Secchi disks and used them to measure transparency in lakes and mark the locations with a global positioning system (GPS) on days when satellite imagery was available. A geographic information system (GIS) was used to relate field measurements to satellite images. The students also conducted monthly water quality sampling on Pickerel, Enemy Swim and Clear Lakes to determine current trophic state. Existing land use maps for Pickerel Lake were updated, ground truthed and compared to satellite imagery. Satellite imagery was then used to classify land use for portions of the Clear Lake watershed. The students also learned data analysis and presentation techniques by working with satellite imagery, water quality measurements, and climate and hydrologic data. The students contributed to the knowledge base that will eventually allow researchers to relate land use to water quality in lakes on the Sisseton Wahpeton Reservation.
ADSORPTION OF AU ATOMS ON STOICHIOMETRIC AND REDUCED TIO2 (1 1 0) RUTILE SURFACES: A FIRST PRINCIPLES STUDY

Abstract Using ab initio quantum mechanical methods (DFT-GGA/LDA, pseudopotentials) we have investigated the adsorption properties of Au atoms on stoichiometric and reduced TiO2(1 1 0) rutile surfaces. This study predicts that the most stable adsorption site for the Au atom on the stoichiometric surface is on the fourfold hollow position over the fivefold-coordinated Ti and in-plane and bridging O atoms, indicated as the H2 site. At the H2 site, it is likely that the covalent and ionic bonding interactions with the fivefold-coordinated Ti and the bridging O, respectively, contribute synergistically to the Au adsorption. For Au adsorption over a neutral Fs0 center on the reduced surface, there is rather strong ionic bonding between the Au and surrounding sixfold-coordinated Ti atoms. The Au adsorption energy at the defect site is affected significantly by the presence of oxygen vacancies nearby along the [0 0 1] direction. Our DFT-GGA results clearly show that the binding of Au to an oxygen vacancy site is substantially stronger than to the stoichiometric surface.
Effects of ant mounds on soil chemistry and vegetation patterns in a Colorado montane meadow

The vegetation and soil chemistry of 15 abandoned mounds of Formica canadensis were compared to control quadrats in a meadow at 2900 m near Gothic, Colorado, USA. Principal Components Analysis indicated the mound vegetation was relatively homogeneous and distinct from nonmound vegetation. Discriminant Analysis indicated that mounds were characterized by Bromus polyanthus and Achillea millefolium, and nonmounds by Poa interior. A parallel analysis of 15 soil chemicals indicated some statistically significant chemical differences between mounds and nonmounds. Several micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn), were lower in mounds but were unlikely to be deficient. Ant—dispersed plants (myrmecochores) were almost entirely restricted to nonmound quadrats. See full-text article at JSTOR
Reconstruction algorithms for nonstandard CT scanner designs

Data collected by a CT scanner provide estimates of line integrals of the X-ray attenuation distribution in a cross section of the human body. The lines along which integrals are collected are determined by the positions of the source-detector pairs during the data collection. Since only the lines are important (and not the positions of the source and the detector on the line), essentially the same data may be collected by scanners of very different design. In this article we illustrate that in certain situations the problem of reconstruction from data collected by a CT scanner of a new (and nonstandard) design can be “reduced” to the problem of reconstruction from data collected by a CT scanner for which the problem has already been solved. The “reduction” involves identifying values of free parameters in the old design (such as the radius of the circle in which the source rotates), which would make the geometry of data collection essentially identical to that of the proposed new design. Since reconstruction algorithms for the old design already exist, they can be applied without any change to the data collected by the new scanner. In other words, the problem of finding a reconstruction algorithm for a nonstandard mode of data collection can sometimes be solved by describing a (virtual) machine of standard design whose reconstruction algorithms are immediately applicable to the data collected by the nonstandard machine. The method is demonstrated on a recently proposed concept for transforming a radiotherapy simulator into a CT scanner.
Personal history: locked in or locked out?

Even more personally devastating to a physician than having no therapeutic strategy to help a patient is losing communication with that patient. As I drove to the nursing home that Saturday morning, I was cognizant that my last visit with Craig had not gone the way I wished. Craig, 36, totally paralyzed, with both a gastrostomy and a tracheostomy, has been a patient of mine since I first diagnosed his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 1995. In all my previous encounters with Craig, we had interacted easily, but that all changed when his voice failed. Now unable to move his limbs, write, or talk, Craig in neurologic terms was “locked in.” From the first time I met Craig, 8 years ago, and had to tell him and his family that he had ALS, I felt an instant bond. He was so upbeat and warm. We talked freely about everything—everyday events as well as his illness. With each visit to my office, he relentlessly grew weaker, progressively needing assistance in walking, dressing, and eating. At the same time, his ability and desire to navigate gradually constricted, so that even transferring in and out of a wheelchair became burdensome. Unimaginable as it may seem to those who walk effortlessly, Craig found it most trouble-free to spend much of his time in his bed. Eventually, it was no longer practical for him to come to my office. I missed him and relied on frequent reports from his parents, who visit him daily, as well as from therapists and a family physician who manage his care. These days Craig spends almost all his waking hours immobile in a small room while attendants and a few visitors provide him comfort and companionship. Before my last visit, during the turbulent time when he was experiencing constant …
Single Image Super-Resolution Based on Support Vector Regression

Motivated by the success of support vector regression (SVR) in blind image deconvolution, we apply SVR to single-frame super-resolution. Initial results show that even when trained on as little as a single image, SVR is able to learn a generally applicable model that can super-resolve dissimilar images.
MOBILITY PATTERNS OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF OLDER PERSONS

Mobility patterns of the next generation of older people may be significantly different from today's older persons. And it is likely that more older people may depend on automobiles for their daily activities. While the types of traffic safety-related problems associated with older drivers are fairly well defined, the questions that remain are about the magnitude: Will large numbers of older drivers self-test off the system? or Will many more older persons driving more often and longer distances produce even more serious safety-related problems? Differences between mobility patterns of today's older people and those predicted for the next generation of older people are examined. The overall finding is that as the older population continues to shift to rural areas, small cities, and suburbs, there is likely to be increased per capita travel (i.e., higher exposure), even though the number of trips may be lower. It seems likely that a considerable percentage of this travel will be on the least safe parts of ...
Development of an illustrated medication schedule as a low-literacy patient education tool

Objective: Patients with low health literacy have difficulty understanding prescription drug labels and other medication instructions. This article describes the development, implementation, and preliminary evaluationof an illustrated medication schedule (a‘‘pill card’’) that depicts a patient’s daily medication regimen using pill images and icons. Methods: Participants in a randomized controlled trial whowere assigned to receive the pill card intervention described their use of thecard and its perceived effectiveness. Responses were analyzed by level of patient literacy and other characteristics. Results: Among the 209 respondents, 173 (83%) reported using the pill card when they initially received it, though use declined to 60% approximately 3 months later. Patients with inadequate or marginal literacy skills, less than high school education, or cognitive impairment were most likely to refer to the card on a regular basis initially and at 3 months (p < 0.05). Most pill card users (92%) rated the tool as very easy to understand, and 94% found it helpful for remembering important medication information, such as the name, purpose, or time of administration. Conclusion: Nearly all patients considered an illustrated medication schedule to be a useful and easily understood tool to assist with medication management. Patients with limited literacy skills, educational attainment, or cognitive function referred to the aid with greater frequency. Practice implications: Picture-based instructions promote better understanding of prescription medications, particularly among patients with limited literacy skills or cognitive impairment, and should be used more widely in practice. # 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Structure of the cleaved CaCO3(101̄4) surface in an aqueous environment

Abstract The surface structure of the cleaved (1014) face of calcite single crystal in an aqueous environment has been studied using atomic force microscopy. Force images acquired under different solutions and forces show structures consistent with only slight relaxation of the structure of the terminated bulk crystal. Atomic scale images are interpreted in terms of the 1 × 1 symmetry from the top-lying surface oxygen atoms. A variation of atomic corrugations within the surface unit cell suggests different relaxations of carbonate groups on the surface.
Patterns of dog gastrointestinal contractile activity monitored in vivo with extraluminal force transducers.

p REVIOUS WORK 1'~, 14 has established that the extraluminal [orce strain-gauge transducer is a reliable method for assessing contractile activity of gastrointestinal longitudinal and circular muscle separately and simultaneously in vivo. The transducer was modified so that compared to previous models an increased life expectancy and transducer sensitivity was obtained. The present study was concerned with obtaining and analyzing control patterns of dog gastrointestinal (stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon) contractility so as to develop baseline control values [or future investigations. Patterns of contractile activity were obtained during the 2 physiological control states--digestiv e and interdigestive. In-vivo physiologic correlations of simultaneous contractility of various areas of the gastrointestinal tract are presented. Advantages of using the method to study drug action on the gastrointestinal tract are also presented.
SURFACE ENTHALPY OF GOETHITE

High-temperature oxide-melt solution calorimetry and acid-solution calorimetry were used to determine the heat of dissolution of synthetic goethite with particle sizes in the range 2–75 nm and measured surface areas of 30–273 m2/g (27–240 × 103 m2/mol). Sample characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the Brunauer, Emmett and Teller method and thermogravimetric analysis. Water content (structural plus excess water) was determined from weight loss after firing at 1100°C. Calorimetric data were corrected for excess water assuming this loosely adsorbed water has the same energetics as bulk liquid water. The enthalpy of formation was calculated from calorimetric data using enthalpies of formation of hematite and liquid water as reference phases for high-temperature oxide-melt calorimetry and using enthalpy of formation of lepidocrocite for acid-solution calorimetry. The enthalpy of formation of goethite can vary by 15–20 kJ/mol as a function of surface area. The plot of calorimetric data vs. surface area gives a surface enthalpy of 0.60±0.10 J/m2 and enthalpy of formation of goethite (with nominal composition FeOOH and surface area = 0) of −561.5±1.5 kJ/mol. This surface enthalpy of goethite, which is lower than values reported previously, clarifies previous inconsistencies between goethite-hematite equilibrium thermodynamics and observations in natural systems.
Precursor pools and RNA synthesis in preimplantation mouse embryos

Abstract The increase in incorporation of uridine into RNA between days 2 and 3 of preimplantation mouse embryo development has previously been shown to be accompanied by a parallel increase in the uptake of the precursor by the embryos, and similar results are also obtained with adenosine. However, when guanine or adenine are used as precursors, the changes in uptake and incorporation into RNA are no longer coordinate, demonstrating that the change in incorporation is not merely a reflection of changes in precursor uptake. The relationship of the uptake of adenine and adenosine to the incorporation into RNA, at different concentrations of the substrates in the incubation medium, was investigated in day 3 embryos. The results indicated that the internal precursor pool was approaching saturation at the highest substrate concentrations used and allowed for calculation of a corrected value for precursor incorporation into RNA. Since the measured ATP content of the embryos was considerably greater than the total amount of precursor estimated to be present as ATP in the day 3 embryos, it is concluded that much of the embryonic ATP is not available for RNA synthesis. With guanine as precursor on day 3 and with all precursors on day 2, no evidence was obtained for saturation of the internal precursor pools, thereby precluding calculation of the actual amount of precursor incorporated into RNA. However, taking into account the measured incorporation of precursors into RNA and the nature of the pools which the precursors are entering, it is concluded that RNA synthesis per cell between days 2 and 3 of embryo development either remains constant or, at most, increases by only a modest amount.
Identification and quantification of host cell protein impurities in biotherapeutics using mass spectrometry.

Abstract Residual host cell proteins (HCPs) in biotherapeutics can present potential safety risks to patients or compromise product stability. As such, their levels are typically monitored using a multicomponent HCP enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to ensure adequate removal. However, it is not possible to guarantee ELISA coverage of every possible HCP impurity, and the specific HCPs remaining following purification are rarely identified. In the current study, we characterized the ability of an advanced two-dimensional liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry platform (2D–LC/MS E ) to identify and quantify known low-level spiked protein impurities in a therapeutic peptide Fc fusion protein. The label-free quantification procedure based on the “top 3” intensity tryptic peptides per protein was applied and improved on for this application. Limits of detection for unknown HCPs were approximated from the spiked protein data along with estimates for the quantitative accuracy of the method. In all, we established that most protein impurities present at 13 ± 4 ppm can be identified with a quantitative error of less than 2-fold using the more sensitive of two tested method formats. To conclude the study, we characterized all detectable Escherichia coli proteins present in this Fc fusion protein drug substance and discuss future applications of the method.
Binge-like acquisition of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) self-administration and wheel activity in rats

Lack of access to conventional sources of reinforcement has been proposed as a risk factor for substance abuse in lower socioeconomic populations. There is laboratory evidence that behavioral alternatives (enrichment or exercise) and alternative reinforcers (e.g., sweetened solutions) can reduce self-administration of a variety of drugs. The objective of this study is to determine if drug self-administration could devalue wheel activity in an animal model. Male Wistar rats were trained to self-administer 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV; “bath salts”), 0.05 mg/kg/infusion, i.v., with concurrent access to a running wheel that was either locked (LW) or unlocked (UW). MDPV intake steadily increased across the 20-session acquisition interval but did not differ significantly between UW and LW groups. Mean wheel rotations declined significantly across the acquisition interval in the UW group. Of the rats that acquired self-administration, 60 % engaged in a binge-like behavior at the initiation of acquisition; intake was limited only by post-reinforcement time-out. The binge rats had higher post-acquisition levels of drug intake (even after excluding the binge session), and the UW binge rats showed a precipitous post-acquisition drop in wheel activity that was not observed in the UW no-binge rats. These data confirm that MDPV is a powerful reward/reinforcer and show that a relatively high rate of intake at the onset of drug taking can devalue natural rewards (wheel activity) and can predict higher subsequent drug intake levels. Thus, limiting the intensity of initial drug exposure may attenuate subsequent drug abuse/addiction by preventing the devaluation of natural alternative rewards/reinforcers.
Usability of SQL and menus for database query

Experiments which compared the usability of menus to that of SQL for database query showed that first-time users generally performed better with SQL and considered it easier to use than menus. Some specific problems with both SQL and menu systems were revealed. New users of SQL experienced difficulty in using proper syntax and in choosing the appropriate table. Users of the menu system, IBM's MAPICS, complained about crowded screens, and found it hard to interpret some of the menu choices. Operators of menu systems performed better when provided with a system directory.
Testing of Radio Frequency Identification and Parameter Analysis Based on DOE

The maximum read range of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system depends on a number of factors. In this paper, the maximum read ranges of an RFID system with a handheld RFID reader and another RFID system with a fixed RFID reader were tested when a tag was attached to different materials. Distinguishing factors that influence the maximum read range is important. A design of experiments (DOE) method was used to understand and quantify the relative influence of three factors (the antenna number, the tagged material, and the RF interference) on the maximum read range of the RFID system with a fixed RFID reader. The influences of the three factors and their interaction effects were classified by an order of importance. The methods in this paper also apply to the study of other RFID systems and determining the relative influences of other selected factors or parameters as well as other materials. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijece.v4i1.5103
Hanford tank residual waste – Contaminant source terms and release models

Residual waste is expected to be left in 177 underground storage tanks after closure at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hanford Site in Washington State (USA). In the long term, the residual wastes represent a potential source of contamination to the subsurface environment. Residual materials that cannot be completely removed during the tank closure process are being studied to identify and characterize the solid phases and estimate the release of contaminants from these solids to water that might enter the closed tanks in the future. As of the end of 2009, residual waste from five tanks has been evaluated. Residual wastes from adjacent tanks C-202 and C-203 have high U concentrations of 24 and 59 wt%, respectively, while residual wastes from nearby tanks C-103 and C-106 have low U concentrations of 0.4 and 0.03 wt%, respectively. Aluminum concentrations are high (8.2 to 29.1 wt%) in some tanks (C-103, C-106, and S-112) and relatively low (<1.5 wt%) in other tanks (C-202 and C-203). Gibbsite is a common mineral in tanks with high Al concentrations, while non-crystalline U-Na-C-O-P±H phases are common in the U-rich residual wastes from tanks C-202 and C-203. Iron oxides/hydroxides have been identified in all residual waste samples studiedmore » to date. Contaminant release from the residual wastes was studied by conducting batch leach tests using distilled deionized water, a Ca(OH)2-saturated solution, or a CaCO3-saturated water. Uranium release concentrations are highly dependent on waste and leachant compositions with dissolved U concentrations one or two orders of magnitude higher in the tests with high U residual wastes, and also higher when leached with the CaCO3-saturated solution than with the Ca(OH)2-saturated solution. Technetium leachability is not as strongly dependent on the concentration of Tc in the waste, and it appears to be slightly more leachable by the Ca(OH)2-saturated solution than by the CaCO3-saturated solution. In general, Tc is much less leachable (<10 wt% of the available mass in the waste) than previously predicted. This may be due to the coprecipitation of trace concentrations of Tc in relatively insoluble phases such as Fe oxide/hydroxide solids.« less
A cascading Sp(2N+2M)×Sp(2N) gauge theory

We study the N=1 Sp(2N+2M)×Sp(2N) cascading gauge theory on a stack of N physical and M fractional (half) D3-branes at the singularity of an orientifolded conifold. In addition to the D3-branes and an O7-plane, the background contains eight D7-branes, which give rise to matter in the fundamental representation of the gauge group. The moduli space of the gauge theory is analyzed and its structure is related to the brane configurations in the dual type IIB theory and in type IIA/M-theory.
In Vivo Measurement of Real-Time Aortic Segmental Volume Using the Conductance Catheter

The goal of this investigation was to determine if the conductance catheter technique for chamber volume measurement could be applied in vivo to determine real-time phasic aortic segmental volume. A four-electrode conductance catheter was used to measure time-varying resistance of the descending thoracic aorta in open-chest, anesthetized dogs. Resistance was converted to segmental volume and the slope correction factor (α) and parallel conductance volume (VP) were determined. The results showed excellent linear correlation between conductance and sonomicrometric segmental volume. The correction factors α and VP were found to be empirically related to average vessel diameter. The relatively high values for the slope correction factor (α=4.59±0.17 SEM) were found to be primarily related to low-resistivity shunt paths probably originating in the periadventitial aortic wall and to a lesser extent to changes in flow-induced increases in blood resistivity, hematocrit, catheter position, and other adjacent tissue resistivity. The results demonstrate that correction factors empirically derived from measurements of mean aortic diameter could be used to determine absolute real-time phasic segmental volume, cross-sectional area, or diameter. The conductance technique may possess the same potential for determining aortic mechanical properties which has already been demonstrated for determining ventricular mechanical properties.
Reduction and immobilization of hexavalent chromium by microbially reduced Fe-bearing clay minerals

Abstract Hexavalent chromium (Cr 6+ ) is a major contaminant in the environment. As a redox-sensitive element, the fate and toxicity of chromium is controlled by reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions. Previous research has shown the ability of structural Fe(II) in naturally present and chemically reduced clay minerals to reduce Cr 6+ to Cr(III) as a way of immobilization and detoxification. However, it is still poorly known whether or not structural Fe(II) in biologically reduced clay minerals exhibits a similar reactivity and if so, what the kinetics and mechanisms of Cr 6+ reduction are. The objective of this study was to determine the kinetics and possible mechanisms of Cr 6+ reduction by structural Fe(II) in microbially reduced clay minerals and the nature of reduced Cr(III). Structural Fe(III) in nontronite (NAu-2), montmorillonite (SWy-2), chlorite (CCa-2), and clay-rich sediments from the Ringold Formation of the Hanford site of Washington State, USA was first bioreduced to Fe(II) by an iron-reducing bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens with acetate as the sole electron donor and anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) as electron shuttle in synthetic groundwater (pH 7). Biogenic Fe(II) was then used to reduce aqueous Cr 6+ at three different temperatures, 10, 20, and 30 °C, in order to determine the temperature dependence of the redox reaction between Cr 6+ and clay-Fe(II). The results showed that nontronite and montmorillonite were most effective in reducing aqueous Cr 6+ at all three temperatures. In contrast, most Fe(II) in chlorite was not reactive towards Cr 6+ reduction at 10 °C, though at 30 °C there was some reduction. For all the clay minerals, the ratio of total Fe(II) oxidized to Cr 6+ reduced was close to the expected stoichiometric value of 3. Characterization of the Cr-clay reaction product with scanning electron microscopy with focused ion beam and transmission electron microscopy with electron energy loss spectroscopy revealed that reduced chromium was possibly in the form of sub-nanometer Cr 2 O 3 in association with residual clay minerals as micro-aggregates. This textural association was expected to minimize the chance of Cr(III) reoxidation upon exposure to oxidants. These results are important for our understanding of how various clay minerals may be used to reductively immobilize the heavy metal contaminant Cr in the environment.
Developing and validating measures of facets of customer-based brand equity

Abstract This article presents four studies that develop measures of “core/primary” facets of customer-based brand equity (CBBE). Drawing from various CBBE frameworks, the facets chosen are perceived quality (PQ), perceived value for the cost (PVC), uniqueness, and the willingness to pay a price premium for a brand. Using numerous advocated scale developmental procedures, the measures of these facets showed evidence of internal consistency and validity over 16 different brands in six product categories. Results also suggest that PQ, PVC, and brand uniqueness are potential direct antecedents of the willingness to pay a price premium for a brand, and that willingness to pay a price premium is a potential direct antecedent of brand purchase behavior.
The Coupling of Electromagnetic Waves Through Long Slots

The problem of a plane wave incident upon one or more long, parallel slots in an infinite plane screen is treated by the method of moments. A Galerkin's solution with triangular expansion and weighting functions is used. The complete solution for aperture fields, transmission coefficients, near and far fields is formulated and programmed. Arbitrary polarization and arbitrary angles of incidence are treated. Where comparison is possible, there is good agreement with classical results. Wide slots, and multiple slots, which cannot be treated by classical methods, are readily handled by the method of moments procedure. Two separate computer programs have been prepared for a) single slot and b) double slots. The theory is outlined; the computer program is described briefly, and representative examples are given.
Detection rates of the MODIS active fire product in the United States

MODIS active fire data offer new information about global fire patterns. However, uncertainties in detection rates can render satellite-derived fire statistics difficult to interpret. We evaluated the MODIS 1 km daily active fire product to quantify detection rates for both Terra and Aqua MODIS sensors, examined how cloud cover and fire size affected detection rates, and estimated how detection rates varied across the United States. MODIS active fire detections were compared to 361 reference fires (≥ 18 ha) that had been delineated using pre- and post-fire Landsat imagery. Reference fires were considered detected if at least one MODIS active fire pixel occurred within 1 km of the edge of the fire. When active fire data from both Aqua and Terra were combined, 82% of all reference fires were found, but detection rates were less for Aqua and Terra individually (73% and 66% respectively). Fires not detected generally had more cloudy days, but not when the Aqua data were considered exclusively. MODIS detection rates decreased with fire size, and the size at which 50% of all fires were detected was 105 ha when combining Aqua and Terra (195 ha for Aqua and 334 ha for Terra alone). Across the United States, detection rates were greatest in the West, lower in the Great Plains, and lowest in the East. The MODIS active fire product captures large fires in the U.S. well, but may under-represent fires in areas with frequent cloud cover or rapidly burning, small, and low-intensity fires. We recommend that users of the MODIS active fire data perform individual validations to ensure that all relevant fires are included.
Modulation of 5-HT3 Receptor-mediated Response and Trafficking by Activation of Protein Kinase C

Modulation of neurotransmitter-gated membrane ion channels by protein kinase C (PKC) has been the subject of a number of studies. However, less is known about PKC modulation of the serotonin type 3 (5-HT3) receptor, a ligand-gated membrane ion channel that can mediate fast synaptic transmission in the central and peripheral nervous system. Here, we show that PKC potentiated 5-HT3 receptor-mediated current in Xenopus oocytes expressing 5-HT3A receptors and mouse N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells. In addition, using a specific antibody directed to the extracellular N-terminal domain of the 5-HT3A receptor, treatment with the PKC activator, 4β-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), significantly increased surface immunofluorescence. PKC also increased the amount of 5-HT3A receptor protein in the cell membrane without affecting the amount receptor protein in the total cell extract. The magnitude of PMA potentiation of 5-HT3A receptor-mediated responses is correlated with the magnitude of PMA enhancement of the receptor abundance in the cell surface membrane. PMA potentiation is unlikely to occur via direct phosphorylation of the 5-HT3A receptor protein since the potentiation was not affected by point mutation of each of the putative sites for PKC phosphorylation. However, preapplication of phalloidin, which stabilizes the actin polymerization, significantly inhibited PMA potentiation of 5-HT-activated responses in both N1E-115 cells and oocytes expressing 5-HT3A receptors. On the other hand, latrunculin-A, which destabilizes actin cytoskeleton, enhanced the PMA potentiation of 5-HT3A receptors. The observations suggest that PKC can modulate 5-HT3A receptor function and trafficking through an F-actin-dependent mechanism.