cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Basalt-rhyolite volcanism by MORB-continental crust interaction: Nd, Sr-isotopic and geochemical evidence from southern San Joaquin Basin, California

The early miocene Tecuya volcanic center in the southern San Joaquin basin of California consists of flows and tuffs of basalt and rhyolite that erupted, closely spaced in time, in both submarine and subaerial conditions. The rhyolites are overlain by the basalts and constitute approximately 45% of a total of at least 180 km3 of the Tecuya volcanic rocks. The basalts have eNd(t) values of +2 to +6 and (87Sr/86Sr)i values between 0.7035 and 0.7052. These rocks show LREE enrichment [(La/Yb)N =2.4–5.5; La=28–150 times chondrite] and higher Th/U, Th/Ta, Rb/Ta, Ba/Ta, Cs/Rb but lower K/Rb ratios than MORB. Combined major- and trace-element, and Sr−Nd isotopic data suggest the involvement of subcontinental lithosphere, depleted upper mantle source (MORB), and local continental crust in the basalt petrogenesis. eNd(t) values in rhyolites vary from +1.5 to +3.7 while (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios range from 0.7051 to 0.7064. The rhyolites display LREE enrichment [(La/Yb)N=10; La=100 times chondrite] along with a distinct negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu*=0.75) and depletion of Ti and P. Mixing relations in (87/86Sr)i − eNd(t) space among basalts, rhyolites, and local continental crust indicate that the Tecuya rhyolites were produced by assimilation of variable amounts of continental crust by MORB-related magmas and subcontinental lithosphere-derived melts. This conclusion is supported by the synchroneity of Tecuya volcanism at 22 Ma with interaction of a segment of the East Pacific Rise along the southern California margin. The Tecuya volcanic rocks thus provide an example for the generation of rhyolitic melts owing to crustal assimilation by basaltic melts during mid-oceanic ridge-induced magmatism along a continental margin.
Electron microscopy and histochemistry of tail regression in the brachyury mouse.

Abstract The dominant Brachyury allele (T), nonlethal in the heterozygous condition, leads to a shortening of the mouse tail by resorption of distal structures and tissues in the caudal axis during development. Regressing Brachyury tail tissues of embryos prepared for conventional electron microscopy contained cells with numerous lysosome-like organelles and pseudopodal cytoplasmic extensions, but nonregressing tail tissues had few comparable structures. Such morphological evidence, when correlated with observations of high levels of acid phosphatase activity detected in resorbing Brachyury tail tissues with light microscope histochemistry, suggests that tail regression is mediated by considerable autophagy and/or phagocytosis.
Imaging (NIRI) and quantitation (NIRS) in tissue using time-resolved spectrophotometry: the impact of statistically and dynamically variable optical path lengths

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and near-infrared optical imaging (NIRI) are two medical techniques under development, respectively offering the ability to use light to noninvasively quantitate metabolite concentration and to image structure within the human body. Due to the dual effects of scattering and absorbance, quantitative measurement using NIRS and reconstruction of deep-tissue structure using NIRI have been problematic. Significant advances have occurred, however, over the past few years that have brought these measurements closer to reality. In this paper, we present several of the areas in which our laboratory has made progress, and discuss the relevance of these contributions in the light of work by other laboratories. With regard to NIR spectroscopy, it now appears both practical and necessary to take into account the length of the paths taken by light in order to derive deep-tissue estimates of pigment concentrations such as hemoglobin. With regard to NIR imaging, path corrected approaches offer improved resolution, and have been used successfully by our group and others to image phantoms, animals, and now humans. Different simplifications have been used in order to accomplish separately spectroscopy and imaging, but it is hoped that a common method will allow combination of the two techniques in order to achieve spatially resolved quantitative optical measurements.
Longitudinal changes in BMI and in an index estimating excess lipids among white and black adults in the United States.

Adult obesity prevalence is influenced by rates of weight gain or loss among individual persons, but few studies have measured individual weight change in large populations. Changes in weight may not coincide with changes in the lipid accumulation product (LAP), a continuous index derived from waist circumference and triglycerides concentration for estimating excess lipids. Descriptive report of longitudinal changes from US studies that included body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) and LAP. A total of 16 763 white and black adults studied between 1989 and 1996 in three observational cohorts (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults, Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study and Cardiovascular Health Study). The means of individual annual changes in BMI were positive for young adults, but the mean changes were reduced at older ages (P for linear trend 0.3). With increasing age, there was a greater proportion of persons whose positive LAP change was accompanied by simultaneous BMI change that was negative or zero. These longitudinal observations made during 1989–1996 suggest greater annual changes in BMI compared to an adult cohort studied during 1971–1984. As estimated by LAP, adults of all ages tended to accumulate excess lipids, including circumstances in which they lost weight.
Motion Planning for Dynamic Systems Using First-Order Logic

The problem of motion planning for a class of dynamic systems is considered in this study. A knowledge-based approach is used to determine the initial conditions that will yield a certain desired state of the dynamic system. The search space is limited by using a set of rules because reasoning about dynamic systems is basically searching an infinite space. In this study, first-order logic is used for knowledge representation and reasoning. The methodology is applied to playing a pool game. The dynamics of the motion of the balls are complicated and significant expertise is required to know how to strike the balls. Simulated results presented show how the rules help in finding the appropriate strategies for playing the game.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Adherence of organisms to silver-coated surfaces

Pure silver-, silver oxide- and silver chloride-treated surfaces in comparison to polypropylene inhibited both growth and adherence from saline of Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. These same organisms demonstrated enhanced adherence to an Ion-Beam-Assisted-Deposited silver surface followed by loss of viability. This type of surface in contrast to the other silver surfaces did not produce zones of inhibition in agar diffusion tests.
Complement receptor structure and function

Membrane complement receptors (CRs) are now recognized as important cell-bound components of the complement system and research into the structure and function of complement receptors is one of the main thrusts of current complement research.
Power spectral density analysis for damage identification and location

A method for both identification and localization of structural damage is proposed and implemented on a simply supported beam. The results are predicted with an analytical model and verified with an experimental test set-up consisting of an aluminum beam with one actuator and one sensor, both piezoelectrics. The method estimates the energy localized in bandwidth regions near resonance that are the most sensitive to damage. The energy is estimated by power spectral density analysis and quantified by means of its root mean square value. These values are combined with mode shapes to locate damage. The method is evaluated with small masses used to simulate damage and or small cuts to simulate damage and good agreement is obtained between experiments and analysis.
On the mechanism of subsurface hydrogen formation on Ni(111)

Abstract By combining ion implantation and thermal dosing of hydrogen and deuterium, we present evidence for population of a subsurface site on Ni(111) by activated migration from surface sites.
Electrical Conduction in Deformed Isotropic Materials

The current density in a deformed conductor is assumed to be a function of the electric field and the deformation gradients. The form of the relationship is restricted by invariance under changes in orientation of the physical system. Material symmetries impose further restrictions. The resulting form for isotropic materials is given. Simplifications are obtained in the cases of small deformation and large homogeneous deformation. Generalizations and further applications are pointed out.
Altering endoplasmic reticulum stress in a model of blast-induced traumatic brain injury controls cellular fate and ameliorates neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Neuronal injury following blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) increases the risk for neuropsychiatric disorders, yet the pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Blood-brain-barrier (BBB) disruption, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and apoptosis have all been implicated in bTBI. Microvessel compromise is a primary effect of bTBI and is postulated to cause subcellular secondary effects such as ER stress. What remains unclear is how these secondary effects progress to personality disorders in humans exposed to head trauma. To investigate this we exposed male rats to a clinically relevant bTBI model we have recently developed. The study examined initial BBB disruption using Evan’s blue (EB), ER stress mechanisms, apoptosis and impulsive-like behavior measured with elevated plus maze (EPM). Large BBB openings were observed immediately following bTBI, and persisted for at least 6 h. Data showed increased mRNA abundance of stress response genes at 3 h, with subsequent increases in the ER stress markers C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein 34 (GADD34) at 24 h. Caspase-12 and Caspase-3 were both cleaved at 24 h following bTBI. The ER stress inhibitor, salubrinal (SAL), was administered (1 mg/kg i.p.) to investigate its effects on neuronal injury and impulsive-like behavior associated with bTBI. SAL reduced CHOP protein expression, and diminished Caspase-3 cleavage, suggesting apoptosis attenuation. Interestingly, SAL also ameliorated impulsive-like behavior indicative of head trauma. These results suggest SAL plays a role in apoptosis regulation and the pathology of chronic disease. These observations provide evidence that bTBI involves ER stress and that the unfolded protein response (UPR) is a promising molecular target for the attenuation of neuronal injury.
PHOTOEFFECTS OF PIGMENTED LIPID MEMBRANES IN A MICROPOROUS FILTER

. The light-induced voltage and current generated by pigmented lipid membranes have been investigated. The membranes, separating two aqueous solutions, were formed in microporous filters with pore sizes ranging from 0.05 to 8μm in diameter and densities of 105 to 6 × 108 pores/cm2. The structure and some physicochemical properties of these membranes are described and compared with those of planar BLMs. Photopotentials up to 400 mV could be developed across these membranes having an effective current of 21μA-cm-2. These and other parameters (redox couples and lifetime) were studied over a period of days. The advantages of this membrane system such as long-term stability and manipulability are discussed.
Manipulation-resistant recommender systems through influence limits

In this letter, we outline a new approach to modeling, analyzing, and combating manipulative attacks on recommender systems.
Aromatic Carboxylate Superhalogens and Multiply Charged Anions

Ab initio calculations employing electron propagator theory and many-body perturbation theory show that the benzoate anion is a superhalide with an electron detachment energy in excess of 4.4 eV. Final states associated with vertical electron detachment energies of the benzoate anion are reordered by correlation effects, and the holes associated with the lowest neutral states thereby have O-centered σ character instead of ring-centered π character. Geometry optimizations on the dianions produced by attaching two carboxylate groups to the benzene ring arrive at planar structures for the para and meta isomers, but in the ortho isomer, a C2 structure with twisted OCO groups is found. The most stable isomer is para, and the least stable is ortho. The lowest vertical detachment energies are at least 1.4 eV for the para and meta isomers, but the estimate for the ortho isomer is 0.8 eV. Corresponding Dyson orbitals exhibit ring-centered π character. Attempts to find bound trianions with three carboxylate groups ...
Natural killer cell function in the selenium deficient rat

Abstract Natural killer (NK) cell function was studied in rats following induction of aselenium deficient state. Although the selenium deficient rats had markedly reduced levels of plasma selenium and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase, there was no statistical difference in NK cell function between the selenium deficient rats and the control rats.
The efficacy of ECT in double depression

Evidence for the efficacy of antidepressant medications in populations with chronic or double depression has been encouraging. However, the efficacy of ECT in double depression has not been examined previously. One hundred patients met the Research Diagnostic Criteria for major depression; 75 patients had major depression only and 25 had major depression superimposed on intermittent or minor depression (double depression). Short-term clinical response to ECT and relapse rates were compared in the two groups. Overall, patients with double depression were as likely to respond to ECT as patients with major depression only and both groups showed the same percentage change in symptoms. This suggested that ECT was effective in the acute treatment of the double depressed. Symptom severity at baseline was unrelated to ECT outcome among patients with major depression alone. In contrast, double depressed patients who responded to ECT had particularly severe baseline symptomatology. However, double depressed responders had more residual symptoms immediately and one week following the ECT course compared to ECT responders with major depression only. There also were indications that relapse during the year following ECT was more likely in the double depressed. In general, these findings regarding the short-term and long-term efficacy of ECT in double depression parallel those reported for antidepressant medications. Depression 1:38–44 (1993). © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Mitigation of Obesity-Promoted Diseases by Nigella sativa and Thymoquinone

Obesity is closely associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, insulin resistance, and immune dysfunction, and thus obesity-mitigation strategies should take into account these secondary pathologies in addition to promoting weight loss. Recent studies indicate that black cumin (Nigella sativa) has cardio-protective, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and immune-modulatory properties. While black cumin and/or its major bioactive constituent, thymoquinone have demonstrated bioactivity in a variety of disease models, the mechanisms of action are largely unknown. Given the growing interest in and the use of functional foods and nutraceuticals, as well as the increase in obesity and chronic diseases worldwide, further research into the therapeutic/preventive effects of black cumin may be beneficial.
Spatial and temporal activation of spinal glial cells: Role of gliopathy in central neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury in rats

In the spinal cord, neuron and glial cells actively interact and contribute to neurofunction. Surprisingly, both cell types have similar receptors, transporters and ion channels and also produce similar neurotransmitters and cytokines. The neuroanatomical and neurochemical similarities work synergistically to maintain physiological homeostasis in the normal spinal cord. However, in trauma or disease states, spinal glia become activated, dorsal horn neurons become hyperexcitable contributing to sensitized neuronal-glial circuits. The maladaptive spinal circuits directly affect synaptic excitability, including activation of intracellular downstream cascades that result in enhanced evoked and spontaneous activity in dorsal horn neurons with the result that abnormal pain syndromes develop. Recent literature reported that spinal cord injury produces glial activation in the dorsal horn; however, the majority of glial activation studies after SCI have focused on transient and/or acute time points, from a few hours to 1 month, and peri-lesion sites, a few millimeters rostral and caudal to the lesion site. In addition, thoracic spinal cord injury produces activation of astrocytes and microglia that contributes to dorsal horn neuronal hyperexcitability and central neuropathic pain in above-level, at-level and below-level segments remote from the lesion in the spinal cord. The cellular and molecular events of glial activation are not simple events, rather they are the consequence of a combination of several neurochemical and neurophysiological changes following SCI. The ionic imbalances, neuroinflammation and alterations of cell cycle proteins after SCI are predominant components for neuroanatomical and neurochemical changes that result in glial activation. More importantly, SCI induced release of glutamate, proinflammatory cytokines, ATP, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and neurotrophic factors trigger activation of postsynaptic neuron and glial cells via their own receptors and channels that, in turn, contribute to neuronal-neuronal and neuronal-glial interaction as well as microglia-astrocytic interactions. However, a systematic review of temporal and spatial glial activation following SCI has not been done. In this review, we describe time and regional dependence of glial activation and describe activation mechanisms in various SCI models in rats. These data are placed in the broader context of glial activation mechanisms and chronic pain states. Our work in the context of work by others in SCI models demonstrates that dysfunctional glia, a condition called "gliopathy", is a key contributor in the underlying cellular mechanisms contributing to neuropathic pain.
Asymmetry of adatoms on Ge(111) observed by scanning tunneling microscopy: the clean c(2 × 8) and Sn-induced (7 × 7) structures

Abstract Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is used to study two types of structures formed on Ge(111): clean c(2 × 8) and the Sn-induced (7 × 7). For the clean annealed Ge(111) surface, we have found for the first time co-existent symmetric and asymmetric c(2 × 8) structures in separate domains with typical sizes of 400 A. Exposure to submonolayer amounts of Sn at high temperatures is found to form both (7 × 7) and (5 × 5) structures with domain sizes of 300 A. Empty-state images of the (7 × 7) reveal strong asymmetry among the adatoms in the dimer-adatom-stacking fault (DAS) model: the inner adatoms tend to form twelve-member rings around the corner holes, suggesting preferential Sn adsorption in these rings. The relationship of these observations to previous structural and spectroscopic studies of these surfaces is discussed.
The analysis of lipids via HPLC with a charged aerosol detector.

Because most lipid extracts are a mixture of saturated and unsaturated molecules, the most successful strategies for the quantitative analysis of lipids have involved the use of so-called “mass” or universal detectors such as flame ionization detectors and evaporative light scattering detectors. Recently a new type of HPLC “mass” detector, a charge aerosol detector (CAD), was developed and is now commercially available. This detection method involves nebulizing the HPLC column effluent, evaporating the solvents charging the aerosol particles, and measuring the current from the charged aerosol flux. In the present study, the CAD was evaluated with several normal phase and reverse phase HPLC methods commonly used for the quantitative analysis of lipid classes and lipid molecular species. The CAD detected common lipids such as triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, glycolipids, phospholipids, and sterols. Lower molecular weight lipids such as free FA had smaller peak areas (50–80% lower). FAME were not detected by the CAD, probably because they were completely evaporated and did not form aerosol particles. The minimum limits of detection of the CAD with lipids varied with different mobile phase solvents. Using solvent systems that were predominantly hexane, the minimum limits of detection of triacylglycerols, cholesterol esters, and free sterols were about 1 ng per injection and the mass-to-peak area ratio was nearly linear from the range of about 1 ng to about 20 mg per injection. Three other solvents commonly used for HPLC lipid analysis (methanol, isopropanol, and acetonitrile) caused higher levels of background noise and higher minimum limits of detection. These experiments indicate that the CAD has the potential to become a valuable tool for the quantitative HPLC analysis of lipids. Long-term studies are needed to evaluate full instrument performance.
Modeling and Simulation of Pregnant Workers

This Research proposes to answer the question: “Can a pregnancy simulator worn by non-pregnant females of childbearing years replicate the pregnant condition closely enough to yield comparable, correlating results to a preexisting study done using pregnant subjects”? To address the legitimacy of modeling pregnancy using a pregnancy simulator, a study of working surface heights by Paul, Frings-Dresen, Salle & Rozendal (1995) is being closely replicated. Non-pregnant women of child bearing years wearing “The Empathy Belly” pregnancy simulator (U.S. Patent 4,531,919) will be used as research subjects instead of pregnant women. In this study, each volunteer will select the preferred standing working surface height to perform manual work - once while wearing the pregnancy simulator and once without it. These self selected comfortable working surface heights will be recorded along with anthropometric and demographic information from each volunteer. A comparison will be made between this new data with the curren...
Structure and Salt Tectonics of Northwest Gulf of Mexico Banks: ABSTRACT

Members of the Oceanography Department at Texas AM (2) circular domes modified by faulting more or less parallel with the shelf edge; and (3) circular domes with radial and/or annular fa lt patterns. The majority of the banks, particularly types two and three, show some evidence of collapse, probably a result of dissolution of salt. Based on the variety and regional setting of the observed structures, evolutionary models have been developed. Ubiquitous local topographic trends associated with the banks occur along the shelf edge and upper slope. They strike roughly northwest-southeast and may reflect structures formed during the early tectonic history of the Gulf of Mexico. End_of_Article - Last_Page 623------------
The Effects of the Establishment of Adult Faces and/or Voices as Conditioned Reinforcers for Children with ASD and Related Disorders

Abstract We tested the effects of the establishment of conditioned reinforcement for observing human faces and/or voices on the rate of learning, observing responses, and verbal operant emissions for four children, ages 4-5 years, with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and related disorders. We used a non-concurrent, delayed probe design across participants with pre and post-intervention measures. The intervention included a conjugate stimulus-stimulus pairing procedure. Results demonstrated that as a function of the intervention, faces were conditioned for three out of three participants and voices were conditioned for two out of two participants for whom either was lacking respectively prior to the intervention (both faces and voices were conditioned for one participant). Post-intervention probes demonstrated increases in rate of learning, observing responses, and verbal operants for all four participants.
Systematic Review of Text-Messaging Interventions to Promote Healthy Behaviors in Pediatric and Adolescent Populations: Implications for Clinical Practice and Research

BACKGROUND: Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors are major public health problems. Promoting positive behavior change is an ongoing challenge that warrants innovative solutions. Mobile phone use is becoming widespread across populations and merits further exploration as a strategy to promote wellness and reduce health disparities. AIMS: The purpose of this paper is to review the evidence using text messaging as a tool to deliver healthy lifestyle behavior intervention programs in pediatric and adolescent populations. The following question was used to guide the systematic review "In pediatric and adolescent populations how does the use of text-message-based interventions versus control or comparison interventions affect healthy lifestyle behaviors?" METHODS: A systematic search for relevant literature was conducted in the following databases: MEDLINE PubMed Google Scholar Cochrane Library and PsycINFO and by hand-searching bibliographies. Evidence was compiled from experimental studies in peer-reviewed journals published from 2004 to May 15 2011. Data were extracted using guidelines set forth by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. RESULTS: Thirty-seven articles were identified from the comprehensive search. Eight articles representing seven studies (two articles were published describing different aspects of the outcomes from one study) met inclusion for this review. Mean age of participants in the study ranged from 8.7 to 17.9 years of age. Differences between groups on healthy lifestyle behaviors were significant in five studies. CONCLUSIONS: This review supports previous literature suggesting that mobile phones are uniquely positioned to bridge gaps in health disparities and reach across demographics. Interventions using short messaging service may be most effective as a reminder system to support disease management behaviors. Existing recommendations for tailored interactive and family-centered care are supported with mobile technology recommended to augment clinical practice and health behavior change efforts. However more rigorous theory-based intervention research using mobile technology is warranted in pediatric and adolescent populations. (c)2012 Sigma Theta Tau International.
The Meaning of the Global City: Jacques Ellul's Continued Relevance to 21st-Century Urbanism.

Jacques Ellul’s book, The Meaning of the City, widely recognized as one of the most important twentieth century theological reflections on the city, was also one of his most controversial scholarly contributions. Many urbanists interpreted the book as demeaning the city and diminishing the importance of urban policy, planning, design, architecture, and activism at a time when cities around the world had experience profound crises. This article reexamines The Meaning of the City and its relevance to twenty-first century urbanism.
The activated hepatic glucocorticoid-receptor complex: A simple one-step method for its separation from nonactivated complex

Abstract Protamine sulfate was found to precipitate completely the nonactivated [ 3 H]-dexamethasone-receptor complex of rat liver. This observation was then used as the basis of a method to separate activated from nonactivated complex. Thus, addition of 10 mg/ml of protamine sulfate to the rat hepatic cytosol [ 3 H]dexamethasone-receptor complex, incubated at 0–4°C for 2 hr, resulted in the complete precipitation of [ 3 H]dexamethasone-receptor complex. The remaining supernatant obtained on centrifugation at 800 g was unable to bind either to nuclei or to DNA-cellulose. An increase in temperature to 25°C or the addition of 10 m m CaCl 2 to the cytosol resulted in the appearance of activated [ 3 H]dexamethasone-receptor complex in the supernatant obtained by addition of protamine sulfate. This was determined by characteristic binding to nuclei or DNA cellulose and by p I . Protamine sulfate could not affect the separation of activated [ 3 H]dexamethasone-receptor complex at salt concentrations above 100 m m NaCl. This procedure therefore had to be carried out under conditions of relatively low ionic strength. Finally, a one-step rapid method is described for the separation of activated [ 3 H]dexamethasone-receptor complex from nonactivated receptor complex. The homogeneous population of activated complex thus obtained should have considerable applicability in studies of the mechanisms of in vitro glucocorticoid-receptor activation.
Instability, Sensitivity, and Degeneracy of Discrete Exponential Families.

A number of discrete exponential family models for dependent data, first and foremost relational data, have turned out to be near-degenerate and problematic in terms of Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation and statistical inference. I introduce the notion of instability with an eye to characterize, detect, and penalize discrete exponential family models that are near-degenerate and problematic in terms of MCMC simulation and statistical inference. I show that unstable discrete exponential family models are characterized by excessive sensitivity and near-degeneracy. In special cases, the subset of the natural parameter space corresponding to nondegenerate distributions and mean-value parameters far from the boundary of the mean-value parameter space turns out to be a lower-dimensional subspace of the natural parameter space. These characteristics of unstable discrete exponential family models tend to obstruct MCMC simulation and statistical inference. In applications to relational data, I show that d...
The kernel semi-least squares method for sparse distance approximation

We extend the semi-least squares problem defined by Rao and Mitra 1971 to the kernel semi-least squares problem. We introduce subset projection, a technique that produces a solution to this problem. We show how the results of subset projection can be used to approximate a computationally expensive distance metric.
Effect of an Interactive Surface on the Equilibrium Contact Angles in Bilayer Polymer Films

Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy, and photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) were used to obtain the three-dimensional concentration profiles and the late-stage morphology of liquid bilayer thin films of the two imiscible polymers polystyrene (PS) and (polybromostyrene) (PBrx=0.79S), where x = fraction of monomers brominated) as a function of the lower PS film thickness. The results showed that the apparent contact angle at the polymer/air interface decreases exponentially with increasing PS film thickness with a constant that scales with the PS radius of gyration (Rg). In contrast, the Neuman angle, as determined from the PBrS STXM images, increases with substrate thickness. NEXAFS and PEEM data show that the droplets consist of a PBrS core fully encapsulated by PS for substrate thicknesses greater than Rg. Only partial encapsulation is seen for substrates less than Rg. These results could not b...
Murine lymphotactin: Gene structure, post-translational modification and inhibition of expression by CD28 costimulation

Abstract The production of lymphokines by T cells is dependent on TCR signalling and is enhanced by costimulatory signals through CD28. In IL-2-producing T cell clones (Th1 cells), TCR signalling in the absence of costimulatory signals renders these cells unable to produce IL-2-in response to subsequent stimulation through the TCR and CD28. Using a differential screening approach to subsequent stimulation through the TCR and CD28. Using a differential screening approach we independently cloned murine lymphotactin from a cDNA library produced from an unresponsive Th1 cell. Resting Th1 clones and freshly isolated CD8 + T cells produced lymphotactin mRNA maximally in response to TCR stimulation alone and expression was surprisingly inhibited by CD28 costimulation, at least early after activation. In addition, Th1 cells made unresponsive by prior TCR stimulation, produced lymphotactin but not IL-2 mRNA when restimulated through the TCR and CD28. Sequence analysis of the lymphotactin gene and mapping of the transaction initiation sites have delineated the promoter region and the boundaries of exons and introns. Studies on post-translational modification of lymphotactin demonstrate the cleavage of the signal peptide containing the first two cysteine residues in the predicted amino acid sequence and suggests that the secreted lymphotactin is an O-glycosylated protein.
Synthesis of lanthanide and lanthanide-silicate aerogels

In this paper we report on the preparation of mixed lanthanide-silicate and pure lanthanide aerogels from the chlorides of erbium, praseodymium, and neodymium. A two-step sol-gel method is described for preparing the mixed aerogels, using a sub-stoichiometric amount of water in the first step to prepare a partially condensed silica-lanthanide precursor. The pure lanthanide aerogels are prepared directly from the chlorides using propylene oxide as a scavenger for reaction generated hydrochloric acid. The aerogel microstructures vary from colloidal for the pure lanthanide and high weight percent lanthanide-silicate aerogels to polymeric for the low weight percent lanthanide-silicate aerogels. This change in microstructure is also indicated by the BET analyses, which show that the surface areas decrease with increasing lanthanide concentrations. In general, we measured reductions of lanthanide contents during the supercritical drying step due to insufficient linking and subsequent “washing out” of the lanthanides from the gels. Also, the retention efficiency for the lanthanide improves with higher silica concentrations, making quantitative doping by this method practical only for the lower lanthanide concentrations.
Translating the Marseillaise': biblical republicanism and the emancipation of jews in revolutionary France

En 1791, l'Assemblee Constituante decide d'emanciper les juifs francais et de les integrer dans la citoyennete. A cette occasion, les juifs celebrent a travers une fete civique leur nouveau statut. La version hebraique de la Marseillaise chantee par les juifs aux soldats republicains dans la synagogue de Metz est un temoignage remarquable de la mentalite des juifs francais. A travers elle, on comprend la force des idees republicaines d'indivisibilite, de fraternite et de regeneration ainsi que leur capacite a penetrer dans le monde du judaisme orthodoxe. Il s'agit en meme temps que d'epouser les valeurs du liberateur, de conserver l'identite religieuse traditionnelle
Value of computed tomography of the lung in the management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Abstract The treatment of patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax remains controversial, since recurrence and the ultimate need for thoracostomy cannot be predicted. In the current study, computed tomography (CT) of the lung was performed prospectively on 26 consecutive patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax to determine whether the size and/or the number of apical blebs would correlate with recurrence and/or need for thoracostomy. Both the number of blebs and the bleb score (calculated by the number of blebs multiplied by a numeric value assigned a range of bleb sizes) of the affected lung was significantly greater in patients with a history of recurrent pneumothorax and/or ultimate need for thoracostomy as treatment. CT of the lung may be useful in predicting the natural history of pneumothorax.
Quantifying Hazardous Electromagnetic Fields: Scientific Basis and Practical Considerations

As commonly recognized, the problem of quantifying hazardous electromagnetic (EM) fields is difficult and has not yet been satisfactorily solved. Essentially, this is because people are often exposed to emanations from powerful sources of EM fields at points close to the sources and at points where arbitrary polarization and multipath interference exist. However, the accepted concepts, standards, and most measuring instrumentation are based on simple plane-wave field propagation and so are inadequate for complicated fields. The complications and problems of quantifying hazardous EM fields involving source-subject coupling, reactive near-field components, multipath components, and arbitrary polarization are examined in some detail General discussion of dosimetric measurements and hazard survey measurements is given, and also some basic considerations for the design of field probes for these measurements. Recommendations are given for suitable parameters for quantifying complicated EM fields, and essential and desirable characteristics for hazard survey meters are stated. Several recently designed hazard survey probes are capable of measuring these recommended parameters in many complicated fields of interest, and improved instruments are anticipated.
Cassini imaging science subsystem

The Cassini imaging science subsystem uses two separate camera designs to satisfy the scientific objectives of the Cassini mission. The first is a narrow angle camera (NAC) design which obtains high resolution images of the target of interest. The second is a wide angle camera (WAC) design which provides a different scale of image resolution and more complete coverage spatially. Each camera is a framing charge coupled device (CCD) imager. They differ primarily in the design of the optics: the NAC has a focal length of 2000 mm and the WAC has a focal length of 200 mm. Both cameras have a focal plane shutter of the Voyager/Galileo type, and a two-wheel filter changing mechanism derived from the Hubble Space Telescope Wide-Field/Planetary Camera. The detector is cooled to suppress dark current and is shielded from space radiation. The electronics for each camera are identical and contain the signal chain and CCD drivers, the Engineering Flight Computer, command and control compressor, and a lossy compressor. The CCD detector design is a square array of 1024 X 1024 pixels. Each pixel is 12 micrometers on a side. The detector uses three phases, front side illuminated architecture, with a coating of lumogen phosphor to enhance ultraviolet response. This paper will describe the ISS in detail, review the technologies involved, and the design challenges with these cameras.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Accounting for the missing carbon-sink with the CO2-fertilization effect

A terrestrial-biosphere carbon-sink has been included in global carbon-cycle models in order to reproduce past atmospheric CO2, 13C and 14C concentrations. The sink is of large enough magnitude that its effect on projections of future CO2 levels should not be ignored. However, the cause and mechanism of this sink are not well understood, contributing to uncertainty of projections. The estimated magnitude of the biospheric sink is examined with the aid of a global carbon-cycle model. For CO2 emissions scenarios, model estimates are made of the resulting atmospheric CO2 concentration. Next, the response of this model to CO2-emission impulses is broken down to give the fractions of the impulse which reside in the atmosphere, oceans, and terrestrial biosphere - all as a perturbation to background atmospheric CO2 concentration time-profiles that correspond to different emission scenarios. For a biospheric sink driven by the CO2-fertilization effect, we find that the biospheric fraction reaches a maximum of roughly 30% about 50 years after the impulse, which is of the same size as the oceanic fraction at that time. The dependence of these results on emission scenario and the year of the impulse are reported.
Application of near-IR time-resolved spectroscopy and frequency response analysis for deep vein thrombosis detection

Frequency response analysis is applied to analyze NIR-TRS spectra in a tissue model with a simulated thrombus. The value changes in parameters obtained from frequency response analysis are correlated with heterogeneity position in three dimensions. The goal of this research is to noninvasively localize deep vein thrombosis in the human leg through the use of this novel combination.
Molecular characterization of the murine Slc26a6 anion exchanger: functional comparison with Slc26a1.

We report the molecular and functional characterization of murine Slc26a6, the putative apical chloride-formate exchanger of the proximal tubule. The Slc26a6 transcript is expressed in several tiss...
Cost-effectiveness of intravenous acetaminophen for pediatric tonsillectomy

SummaryObjective The primary outcome of this study was to examine the cost-effectiveness of the intraoperative combination of intravenous (IV) acetaminophen and IV opioids, versus IV opioids alone, as a part of an inhalational anesthetic technique for tonsillectomy in children. Methods We used Decision Maker® software to construct and analyze a decision analytic model. Base-case and sensitivity analyses were performed. We studied the use of rescue analgesics in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), adverse effects of acetaminophen and opioids, and costs associated with adverse effects. Costs were in 2013 US dollars, and effectiveness was measured as frequency of avoiding the need for rescue analgesics. Direct medical costs included medication, equipment, supplies, and labor associated with the treatment of adverse events from pain medications. Medication costs assumed single-dose vials. Results In the base case, IV acetaminophen in combination with opioids was both less costly ($17.12) and more effective (3.3% fewer rescue events). In sensitivity analyses, the combination strategy remained cost-effective as long as the frequency of rescue analgesic administration was less than that in the opioid-alone strategy. Although medication costs of the combination strategy were higher, the overall costs were less than the competing strategy due to reduced adverse effects and reduced time spent in PACU. Conclusions The routine use of IV acetaminophen as an adjuvant to IV opioids for tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy in children aged <17 years should be considered as a means to reduce the need for rescue analgesia and in turn reduce costs.
Importin 7 May Be Dispensable for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection of Primary Macrophages

In an in vitro assay employing reconstituted nuclei, importin 7 (IPO7) has been implicated in nuclear translocation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) cDNA. Using RNA interference technology, we inhibited expression of IPO7 by 80 to 95% in primary macrophages and in HeLa cells and monitored their ability to support HIV-1 and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) cDNA synthesis, nuclear translocation, and infection efficiency. Marked IPO7 deficiency did not alter the rate or extent of HIV-1 or SIV cDNA synthesis or nuclear translocation. The infection efficiency of HIV-1 was similarly unaltered. Therefore, in natural, nondividing targets of HIV-1, IPO7 may be dispensable for infection.
Standardization in immunohistochemistry: the role of antigen retrieval in molecular morphology.

Molecular morphology seeks to integrate the traditional morphologic criteria of surgical pathology with immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization techniques that allow demonstration of a variet...
Activating Notch1 mutations in mouse models of T-ALL.

Recent studies have demonstrated that most patients with T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (T-ALL) have activating mutations in NOTCH1. We sought to determine whether these mutations are also acquired in mouse models of T-ALL. We sequenced the heterodimerization domain and the PEST domain of Notch1 in our mouse model of TAL1-induced leukemia and found that 74% of the tumors harbor activating mutations in Notch1. Cell lines derived from these tumors undergo G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis when treated with a γ-secretase inhibitor. In addition, we found activating Notch1 mutations in 31% of thymic lymphomas that occur in mice deficient for various combinations of the H2AX, Tp53, and Rag2 genes. Thus, Notch1 mutations are often acquired as a part of the molecular pathogenesis of T-ALLs that develop in mice with known predisposing genetic alterations. (Blood. 2006;107:781-785)
Effect of propagule pressure on recovery of a California grassland after an extreme disturbance

Questions How is natural regeneration of a patchy landscape affected by within-patch species interactions and among-patch dispersal after an extreme disturbance? Do landscape dispersal processes facilitate the invasion of native-dominated patches by exotic species in adjacent patches? Location Irvine Ranch Natural Landmark, Irvine, California, USA. Methods We monitored plant community composition in paired grassland patches that were initially dominated by native or exotic grasses at eight sites. We followed recovery of native and exotic grassland species over time, starting in a record drought year prior to an intense fire, and then for 3 yr with more typical rainfall patterns after the fire. Additionally, we compared seed rain of native and exotic species across native and exotic patches, quantifying how seed rain influenced species abundance in the following year. Multivariate and regression analyses were used to assess the potential homogenization of the landscape. Results Following the extreme drought/fire disturbance, the exotic annual grasses quickly recovered in abundance in patches that they dominated prior to the disturbance. However, the native grass, Stipa pulchra, was not able to recover in the patches it once dominated. As the exotic grasses gradually increased in the native patches, the paired patch types became more similar in composition over time. Exotic grasses produced up to 28 times more seed than the native dominant grass, Stipa; even in the patches initially dominated by Stipa, exotic seed rain was equivalent or greater than the native. Seed rain was positively correlated with the following year's abundance for both exotic and native species. Conclusions After an extreme disturbance, recovery of native patches can be stalled by an influx of propagules from neighbouring exotic patches. This exotic seed rain can allow the invasion of areas once dominated by natives, thus inhibiting regeneration. The matrix surrounding remnant native stands can be a critical factor in determining whether an extreme disturbance enhances native diversity vs. increasing its susceptibility to invasion.
An implementation of F-channels

An F-channel can permit as much concurrency as a non-first-in-first-out (FIFO) communication channel and yet retain the properties of a FIFO channel that lead to simplicity of reasoning in design and proofs of the correctness of distributed algorithms. The author presents an implementation of an F-channel on top of a non-FIFO channel that derives its non-FIFO nature from a message taking any of the alternate paths from the source to the destination in the underlying network in which each channel is either an F-channel implemented using some other implementation or recursively using the implementation presented or a FIFO channel. The correctness of the implementation is proven. >