cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Senescent retinal pigment epithelial cells are more sensitive to vascular endothelial growth factor: implications for "wet" age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract Purpose: Senescence of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell layer has been implicated in the occurrence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The present study examines whether the ability of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to decrease the barrier function of RPE cells is enhanced in senescent RPE cells, which could contribute to the pathology of “wet” AMD. Methods: Low or high population doubling level (PDL) range ARPE-19 human RPE cells were cultured in 6-well plates on membrane-containing inserts. After 2 weeks, the cells were treated with either VEGF or its vehicle and their transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was measured. One week later, the cells were stained for senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SABG) activity. Results: VEGF was significantly more effective in reducing the TEER of the high PDL ARPE-19 cell layers than the low PDL layers (25% decrease vs. 6% decrease; t-test, P=0.0013). The low PDL cell layers had a modest uniform level of SABG staining. I...
ADHERENCE TO DISCRETE-TRIAL INSTRUCTION PROCEDURES BY RURAL PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders may not attempt treatment, even when effective treatment options are available. Little is known about how to improve frequency of attempts to implement treatment (‘treatment adherence’). We provided 32 rural parents of young children with autism spectrum disorders with either written or video training materials about how to implement discrete-trial instruction and compared parental adherence between the written (control) and video (experimental) groups. Parents who received video instructions adhered to the training procedures to a significantly greater extent than did parents who received written instructions, suggesting that instruction format is a predictor of training success. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glucocorticoid sensitisation in Mixed Lineage Leukaemia-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukaemia by the pan-BCL-2 family inhibitors gossypol and AT-101

Abstract Aim of the study Resistance to glucocorticoids (GCs) remains a major problem in the treatment of infants with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) carrying Mixed Lineage Leukaemia ( MLL ) translocations. Despite intensive research, the mechanism(s) underlying GC resistance remain poorly understood. Recent studies suggested an important role for the pro-survival BCL-2 family member MCL1 in GC resistance in MLL- rearranged ALL. Methods We exposed GC-resistant MLL- rearranged SEMK2 cells to potent MCL1-inhibiting agents, including gossypol, AT-101, rapamycin, SU9516 and obatoclax (GX15-070) and determined GC sensitisation using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Using Western blotting we analysed the protein expression of most BCL-2 family members in MLL- rearranged SEMK2 cells after treatment with potent MCL-1 inhibiting agents. Results Only gossypol and its synthetic analogue AT-101 induced GC sensitivity in MLL -rearranged ALL cells. Remarkably, the GC-sensitising effects of gossypol and AT-101 appeared not to be mediated by down-regulation MCL1 or other anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family members, but rather involved up-regulation of multiple pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family members, in particular that of BIM and BID. Concluding remarks In conclusion, gossypol and AT-101 induce GC sensitivity in MLL -rearranged ALL cells, most likely mediated by the activation of BID and BIM without the necessity to down-regulate anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family members like MCL1. Hence, co-administration of either gossypol or AT-101 during GC treatment of GC-resistant MLL -rearranged ALL patients may overcome GC resistance and improve prognosis in this high-risk childhood leukaemia.
Combining regression and spatial proximity for catchment model regionalization: a comparative study

AbstractSpatial error regression is employed to regionalize the parameters of a rainfall–runoff model. The approach combines regression on physiographic watershed characteristics with a spatial proximity technique that describes the spatial dependence of model parameters. The methodology is tested for the monthly abcd model at a network of gauges in southeast United States and compared against simpler regression and spatial proximity approaches. Unlike other comparative regionalization studies that only evaluate the skill of regionalized streamflow predictions in ungauged catchments, this study also examines the fit between regionalized parameters and their optimal (i.e. calibrated) values. Interestingly, the spatial error model produces parameter estimates that better resemble the optimal parameters than either of the simpler methods, but the spatial proximity method still yields better hydrologic simulations. The analysis suggests that the superior streamflow predictions of spatial proximity result from...
Energy Bands of VO

A tight-binding calculation of the energy bands of VO has been performed for several different atomic configurations using all the valence and core orbitals from vanadium and oxygen as bases. All tight-binding integrals are accurately evaluated and all sums carried to convergence. Energy bands are found to be sensitive to the particular core states included and to the degree of ionicity assumed. Results for the band structure indicate that $d$ bands are about 7 eV wide, lying below the vanadium $4s$ band, so that conductivity in VO is attributed primarily to $d$ electrons. The Fermi energy falls in the $d$ bands at a large peak in the density of states.
Glass Transition State Diagram of a Baked Cracker and Its Relationship to Gluten

The polymer science approach can be applied to the understanding of physical changes in foods such as loss of texture upon moisture gain. The glass transition temperature (T g ) of a commercial cracker was measured by Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) as a function of water content. The final state diagram showed that the cracker was plasticized by water with a glass transition temperature that decreased as water content increased. When compared with published glass transition data on cereal ingredients, gluten may be the main component responsible for the mechanical changes and loss of crispness of such products when moisture content is increased.
Parallelization with Multiplicative Algorithms for Big Data Mining

We propose a nontrivial strategy to parallelize a series of data mining and machine learning problems, including 1-class and 2-class support vector machines, nonnegative least square problems, and $\ell_1$ regularized regression (LASSO) problems. Our strategy fortunately leads to extremely simple multiplicative algorithms which can be straightforwardly implemented in parallel computational environments, such as Map Reduce, or CUDA. We provide rigorous analysis of the correctness and convergence of the algorithm. We demonstrate the scalability and accuracy of our algorithms in comparison with other current leading algorithms.
Intimate Partner Violence Among Asian Americans and Their Use of Mental Health Services: Comparisons with White, Black, and Latino Victims

Studies have been conducted on intimate partner violence (IPV) among Asian Americans, but knowledge on their use of mental health services is limited. This study seeks to fill this gap by using a national sample to examine Asian victims' use of mental health services. We analyzed data from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys. The dependent variable was use of mental health services. The independent variables included race, employment, and the type of IPV. Results showed that Asian victims used the service less than other racial groups. The rates of use of mental health services were lower among older people and men. The lowest rate of mental health service use among Asian victims indicates a possible gap between their needs to be met and mental health services available to them. It is crucial to increase access to mental health services for ethnic minorities.
Early Electroencephalography (EEG) in Patients with New-Onset Seizures: Diagnostic Yield and Impact on Clinical Decision-Making (P07.120)

Objective: To assess the diagnostic yield of acute EEG performed in the emergency room (ER) and its impact on management in the outpatient setting. Background Adults who recover in the ER after isolated new-onset seizures are often discharged to the neurology clinic for further investigations. An EEG performed at that stage may be normal. We sought to assess the utility and yield of acute EEG in the ER setting, its impact on management plans and subsequent seizure recurrence. Design/Methods: A prospective study of patients attending the ER from January 2008 to January 2011 with uncomplicated first episodes of unprovoked convulsive seizures. All patients underwent routine 30-minute EEG in the ER prior to discharge and were reviewed in the neurology clinic within a fortnight of presentation. Management decisions were at the discretion of the treating neurologist. Seizure recurrence was assessed during a follow up period between 9 months to 3 years. Results: 142 patients were included in the study (95 males). Mean age was 32 years (range 16-73). 41 (28.9 %) had abnormal EEGs: 16 lateralized epileptiform discharges, 12 focal slowing, 10 generalized spike-wave discharges and 3 diffuse slowing. On multivariate analysis, patients with abnormal EEG (51 % vs 11%, p Conclusions: Following a new-onset uncomplicated seizure, acute EEG had a high diagnostic yield. Abnormal EEG and neuroimaging significantly affected decisions regarding treatment. Abnormal neuroimaging and abnormal EEG were associated with significantly higher risks of recurrence. The recurrence rates in those treated early likely reflects the high-risk nature of this group of patients. Disclosure: Dr. Paliwal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rathakrishnan has nothing to disclose.
Retinoblastoma protein complexes with C/EBP proteins and activates C/EBP-mediated transcription.

The retinoblastoma protein (RB) recruits histone deacetylase (HDAC) to repress E2F-mediated transactivation that plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation. RB is also involved in activation of expression of a number of tissue specific- and differentiation-related genes. In this study, we examined the mechanism by which RB stimulated the expression of a differentiation-related gene, the surfactant protein D (SP-D), which plays important roles in innate host defense and the regulation of surfactant homeostasis. We demonstrated that RB specifically stimulated the activity of human SP-D gene promoter. The RB family member, p107 but not p130, also increased SP-D promoter activity. Activation by RB was mediated through a NF-IL6 (C/EBP beta) binding motif in the human SP-D promoter, and this sequence specifically bound to C/EBP alpha, C/EBP beta, and C/EBP delta. RB formed stable complexes with all three C/EBP family members. RB small pocket (amino acid residues 379-792), but not the C-pocket (amino acid residues 792-928), was necessary and sufficient for its interaction with C/EBP proteins. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the complexes containing RB and C/EBP proteins directly interacted with C-EBP binding site on DNA. These findings indicate that RB plays a positive, selective, and direct role in the C/EBP-dependent transcriptional regulation of human SP-D expression.
CORONAL X-RAY BRIGHTNESS AND PHOTOSPHERIC MAGNETIC FIELD: A STUDY IN CORRELATIONS

We have examined correlations between coronal X-ray emission from the Yohkoh Soft X-Ray Telescope (SXT) and photospheric magnetic field measurements from the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) on SOHO. Our data sets span a 521 day period beginning 1996 July 25, and we have averaged the data temporally into one bin per day and spatially into nine latitude bins, each spanning 15°. We find strong correlations between SXT and MDI data at all but extreme latitudes. Phase shifting one data set relative to the other shows that the correlation always peaks at zero shift, indicating that coronal X-ray emission is always most strongly related to the photospheric field at the same time (essentially, the same longitude). However, higher order peaks occur for phase shifts of the order of 1 solar rotation, and a detailed analysis shows that the exact phasing of these higher order peaks is consistent with differential rotation of persistent magnetic structures in the photosphere. Cross-correlation between SXT and MDI data from different latitude bins shows that the high-latitude coronal X-ray emission is most strongly correlated with the photospheric field at -30° and +30°. Although this correlation is probably due to projection effects, a less likely interpretation is that the coronal magnetic field, on average, spreads from the photosphere to higher latitudes in the corona. Finally, we compute actual X-ray energy fluxes from the SXT data and show that the correlation between X-ray flux and photospheric magnetic field is in reasonable quantitative agreement with a simple model for coronal heating based on the reconnection of magnetic elements in the chromospheric network.
Stroke Genetics Update: 2011

Although stroke remains a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide, recently there have been significant advances related to our understanding of the genetic basis of stroke. Ongoing research efforts put us on the cusp for major breakthroughs in the field. In this review, we present the substantial evidence for the contribution of genetic variation to the development of stroke, and the difficulties posed in the study of stroke given the numerous genetically driven risk factors and stroke subtypes. We emphasize recent findings implementing candidate gene and genome-wide association approaches. We then discuss how emerging knowledge is informing and reshaping our understanding of stroke biology and how, in the near term, genetics may be used clinically to identify individuals who are at risk of disease or who may derive benefit from specific treatment modalities. Lastly, we address ongoing and future approaches that will continue to improve our understanding of stroke genetics.
Reducing Aggression in Children with Autism toward Infant or Toddler Siblings.

Children with autism often lack appropriate means to communicate and may rely on aggression and other disruptive behaviors to express their needs. This may be a particularly serious problem when aggression occurs toward an infant or toddler, who could be severely injured by an older sibling. This study examined the use of functional assessment and individualized parent-implemented intervention plans in the home setting, including functional communication training with relevant ecological manipulations. Data were collected in the context of a multiple baseline design across three families. The results showed that after the intervention there were: (1) large reductions in the children's aggression toward their infant or toddler sibling, (2) increases in parent and child happiness level, and (3) increases in strangers' level of comfort with respect to interacting with the family. The results are discussed in terms of improving the overall quality of life for families of children with autism.
Influence of Aging on Nitrogen Accretion During Critical Illness

Background: Aging adversely affects nitrogen accretion during health, but its effect during critical illness is unknown. Nitrogen balance (NB) response to varying protein intakes was compared between critically ill, older and younger patients. Methods: Adult patients admitted to the trauma intensive care unit, given enteral or parenteral nutrition, and who had a NB determination within 5–14 days after injury were evaluated. Patients with renal or hepatic disease were excluded. Patients were categorized as older (≥60 years) or younger (18–59 years of age). Data are given as mean ± SD or median [interquartile range]. Results: Fifty-four older (69 [65, 77] years) and 195 younger (35 [27, 47] years) patients were evaluated. NB was blunted for the older patients with an observed trending improvement in NB from −13.5 ± 5.5 to −5.6 ± 8.8 g/d (P = NS) noted at 1.5−1.99 g/kg/d. NB improved from −22.2 ± 8.2 to −11.8 ± 9.9 g/d (P = .05) at 1–1.49 g/kg/d and modestly thereafter for each 0.5-g/kg/d increase in protein...
Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Role of Endovascular Therapy

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms historically have high mortality rates. Despite improvements in many open surgical techniques and perioperative care, these mortality rates have not significantly changed. Some of the reasons for the high mortality rates include the excessive blood loss and hypothermia that occur during open operative repair. The blood loss and hypothermia, combined with resuscitative dilutional coagulopathy, can lead to an irreversible spiraling coagulopathy that ultimately ends in the patient's demise. The availability of endovascular approaches to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms in the early 1990s offered an opportunity to substantially alter the treatment outcomes of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms. Endovascular repair offers many advantages, including rapid aortic control under local anesthesia, as well as an opportunity to limit the hypothermia and blood loss that occur with an open abdomen. This article will review the endovascular management of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms and describe the endovascular techniques for safe and effective treatment. Mt Sinai J Med 77:250-255, 2010. (c) 2010 Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
SENSORY ABNORMALITIES AND DYSAESTHESIAS IN THE ANTERIOR SPINAL ARTERY SYNDROME

We present three patients with a nontraumatic cervical anterior spinal artery syndrome, two of whom developed painful burning dysaesthesias below the level of spinal cord lesion, refractory to opiate, anticonvulsant and tricyclic antidepressant therapy. Quantitative sensory testing and neurophysiological assessment showed absence of pain and temperature sensation below the level of the lesion, with preservation of light touch, vibratory and position sensibilities and cortical somatosensory evoked potentials in all three patients. Dysaesthesias in both affected patients were exacerbated by somatosensory input attributed to intact posterior column function. Posterior column electrical stimulation worsened the dysaesthesias in one affected patient, and was ineffective in the other. Both patients affected with dysaesthesias showed significant improvement in motor function and developed clinical spasticity, while the third patient developed neither dysaesthesias nor spasticity, but remained flaccid without motor improvement, suggesting a more complete lesion of anterolateral spinal pathways. These cases illustrate that lesions of the anterolateral spinal cord may lead to the development of dysaesthesias, perhaps related in part to selective neospinothalamic deafferentation and preservation of the posterior columns.
REFINEMENTS IN THE ISMAIL‐LOUDERBACK STOCHASTIC CVP MODEL*

This paper presents results concerning the Ismail-Louderback stochastic cost-volume-profit model. For the case where demand is normally distributed, an analytic expression for the output that maximizes the probability of achieving specified profits is obtained and a new procedure for determining the output that maximizes the profits, given a target level of probability of their being achieved, is developed. If opportunity costs of lost sales are zero, then analytic expressions for both the above outputs are obtained for any demand distribution.
The Analysis of Multidimensional Contingency Tables: Stepwise Procedures and Direct Estimation Methods for Building Models for Multiple Classifications

For the m-way contingency table, we consider models that describe the possible multiplicative interactions among the m variables of the table, and we show how to select models that fit the data in the table, using methods that are, in part, somewhat analogous to the usual stepwise procedures in regression analysis. (The m variables here are dichotomous or, more generally, polytomous variables.) These methods can be applied to build models for any of the following situations: (a) the m variables are response variables and the mutual relationships among the variables are of interest; (b) one of the variables is a response variable and the other m – 1 variables are factors that may affect the response; (c) m′ of the variables are response variables (1 < m′ < m) and the other m-m′variables are factors that may affect the m′ variables and the mutual relationships among the m′ variables. For illustrative purposes, we analyze a 4-way table (actually, a 3 × 23 table), considering both linear and quadratic interac...
Inverse kinematics-based motion planning for underactuated systems

We study the problem of generating motion plans for kinematically controllable underactuated systems in environments cluttered with obstacles. We develop a computationally efficient motion planning algorithm that finds fast trajectories by exploiting closed-form inverse kinematics of the robot. The completeness property of the motion planning algorithm can be proven using appropriate metrics defined in the configuration space of the kinematically controllable systems. The snakeboard is used as an example of a kinematically controllable underactuated system to test the motion planning algorithm, and motion plans have been implemented on an experimental snakeboard.
Can religious beliefs combat negative peer influence during adolescence

The purpose of this study was to identify religiosity dimensions that might be efficacious in helping adolescents combat negative peer influence. In past studies, the protective elements of religiosity were small to non-existent once peer influence was considered. However, peer influence can take many forms and the relation between susceptibility to negative peer influence and religious beliefs is not clear. Two hundred and twenty high school students were surveyed on several dimensions of religiosity via the Attitude to Christianity Inventory, different forms of peer influence (i.e., peer conformity and perceptions of peer behaviours) and their own pro- and anti-social conduct. Through hierarchical regression analyses some religiosity dimensions (i.e., the Bible and social justice) were found to be more protective than others in predicting conduct in the context of peer conformity. Implications for intervention were addressed.
On the value of collaboration in anchorless robot self-localization

In this paper, we consider the value of collaboration in anchorless robot self-localization. Robots which rely solely on data from imperfect inertial measurement units become increasingly less certain of their locations over time. Without anchors or landmarks to help them regain their bearings, these robots reach a point at which they essentially have no idea of their locations. If, however, these robots are given the ability to communicate with one another, they can utilize additional information gained through collaboration to correct their beliefs and collectively improve their location estimates. In this work, we characterize how inter-robot collaboration impacts self-localization performance and discuss whether any additional information, such as an estimator confidence measure, may be gleaned from the resulting corrected beliefs.
Model for Microtubule-Actin Interactions in Growth Cone Motility

A growth cone is a motile structure on the tips of axons that guides axon extension to synaptic targets during nervous system development. In order to translate chemotactic signals into a mechanical response, the microtubule and actin filaments in the growth cone self-organize into a motile lamellipodial structure. A meshwork of actin filaments in the lamellipodium are continually transported inward by myosin-driven forces, at a speed that matches actin polymerization at the leading edge. This creates a stationary actin treadmill when actin adhesion to the substrate is low, and allows leading edge protrusion when actin adhesion increases in response to guidance cues. A population of highly dynamic microtubules that explore the P domain in stochastic bursts of growth and shrinking have also been shown to play an essential role in growth cone steering. Cooperation between these two filament systems is known to be essential for directed motility. We present initial results from a theoretical model of the growth cone cytoskeleton in the lamellipodium, testing the hypothesis that dynamic microtubules and actin work cooperatively to guide growth cone motility. We simulate dynamically unstable microtubules that transiently attach to actin retrograde flow, actin-myosin-adhesion force balance, and test several scenarios for feedback between microtubules and actin. Our theoretical work is guided by direct visualization of actin and microtubule dynamics during growth cone advance with fluorescent speckle microscopy.
Rural Students in Washington State: STEM as a Strategy for Building Rigor, Postsecondary Aspirations, and Relevant Career Opportunities

In rural settings, leaving for college can mean a young person's first step in leaving home forever (Sherman & Sage, 2011). That presents a serious challenge for college recruiters as they ask parents from Indian reservations or close-knit Hispanic or rural farming communities to allow their children to consider postsecondary opportunities. In this article, the authors discuss impediments to college-going that rural students face and shine a light on several efforts in central Washington State that help students connect to job opportunities in fast-growing, lucrative STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers in the region. Beyond inviting STEM professionals to job fairs, these efforts can expand opportunities for collaboration between STEM professionals and rural schools and teachers. Such opportunities might include enriching the K–12 curriculum with locally relevant problems of science, using local STEM professionals to collaborate on learning projects, and possibly engaging stude...
Building retinal connectomes

Understanding vertebrate vision depends on knowing, in part, the complete network graph of at least one representative retina. Acquiring such graphs is the business of synaptic connectomics, emerging as a practical technology due to improvements in electron imaging platform control, management software for large-scale datasets, and availability of data storage. The optimal strategy for building complete connectomes uses transmission electron imaging with 2 nm or better resolution, molecular tags for cell identification, open-access data volumes for navigation, and annotation with open-source tools to build 3D cell libraries, complete network diagrams and connectivity databases. The first forays into retinal connectomics have shown that even nominally well-studied cells have much richer connection graphs than expected.
Assessing Weather, Environment, and Loop Data for Real-Time Freeway Incident Prediction:

Weather, environment, and loop data conditions are promising indicators for real-time freeway incident prediction. The ability to predict the likelihood of selected incident types by using weather and environment data was examined. Loop detector data were analyzed for conditions useful for in-lane incident prediction. Nonnested and nested multinomial logit models were estimated with data from selected freeways in Austin, Texas. The estimation results revealed that factors such as visibility, time of day, and lighting condition are significant determinants of incident type, whereas 5-min average occupancy and coefficient of variation in speed are strong predictors of in-lane freeway accidents.
Maxwell–Cartesian spherical harmonics in multipole potentials and atomic orbitals

The nature of the Maxwell–Cartesian spherical harmonics S (n) K and their relation to tesseral harmonics Y nm is examined with the help of “tricorn arrays” that display the components of a totally symmetric Cartesian tensor of any rank in a systematic way. The arrays show the symmetries of the Maxwell–Cartesian harmonic tensors with respect to permutation of axes, the traceless properties of the tensors, the linearly independent subsets, the nonorthogonal subsets, and the subsets whose linear combinations produce the tesseral harmonics. The two families of harmonics are related by their connection with the gradients of 1/r, and explicit formulas for the transformation coefficients are derived. The rotational transformation of S (n) K functions is described by a relatively simple Cartesian tensor method. The utility of the Maxwell–Cartesian harmonics in the theory of multipole potentials, where these functions originated in the work of Maxwell, is illustrated with some newer applications which employ a detracer exchange theorem and make use of the partial linear independence of the functions. The properties of atomic orbitals whose angular part is described by Maxwell–Cartesian harmonics are explored, including their angular momenta, adherence to an Unsold-type spherical symmetry relation, and potential for eliminating an angular momentum “contamination” problem in Cartesian Gaussian basis sets.
Role of the Papadakis estimator in one- and two-dimensional field trials

Abstract : Field trials when observations are correlated with those in neighboring or nearby plots in one and two dimensions are analyzed using simultaneous autoregressive models. The relationships between the maximum likelihood solutions and the corresponding well-known Papadakis estimators are clarified and it is shown that the maximum likelihood solutions are, for specific types of designs, easier to obtain directly then by iterating on the Papadakis estimator as has been suggested. A simulation study compares the different models and methods for one and two dimensions. (Author)
CEREBRAL PROTON MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY ( 1 H-MRS) OF A NEONATE WITH THE ZELLWEGER CEREBROHEPATORENAL SYNDROME 1730

CEREBRAL PROTON MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY ( 1 H-MRS) OF A NEONATE WITH THE ZELLWEGER CEREBROHEPATORENAL SYNDROME 1730
Isolation and identification of alternative riboflavin-binding proteins from human plasma.

Abstract A number of riboflavin-binding proteins have been purified from human blood using faavinyl affinity chromatography materials with biospecific elution by riboflavin. Repeated extraction of plasma with flavinyl agarose beads yields a maximum of 6.5 mg of protein from 100 ml of plasma. These proteins have been identified as IgGs by: (i) electrophoretic mobilities corresponding to plasma γ-globulins on cellulose acetate; (ii) electrophoretic mobilities in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels which indicate molecular weights of 155,000 for the parent molecule and 55,000 and 25,000 for the subunits (obtained by reduction with β-mercaptoethanol); (iii) quantitative binding to Protein A-Sepharose CL-4B (Pharmacia), which is specific for IgG and some subclasses of IgA; and (iv) reaction with antisera to human IgG (but not antisera to human IgA) upon Ouchterlony double diffusion analysis. A fraction of the IgG molecules (approximately 20%) bind [2-14C]riboflavin with KD ≤ 4 μ m , as estimated by equilibrium dialysis. Similar proteins have been obtained from the plasma of male, female, and pregnant female donors and fetal (cord) blood. Fetal blood, however, also yielded small quantities (approximately 25 μg 15 ml ) of protein which binds riboflavin even more tightly. These findings help establish that human blood, like that of other animals, contains proteins which may serve an accessory or auxiliary role to albumin in the utilization of this vitamin, especially during pregnancy.
Effect of chronic renal failure on nitric oxide metabolism

Abstract Chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and a strong propensity for arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Nitric oxide (NO) is an endogenous modulator with diverse biological functions. Chronic inhibition of NO synthases (NOS) has been shown to cause hypertension and vasculopathy. In light of these considerations, numerous studies have explored the effect of CRF on NO metabolism with the assumption that NO deficiency may be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and other consequences of uremia. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief overview of the effect of CRF on (1) the bioavailability of NO substrate, L-arginine; (2) the expression of NOS isoforms in the relevant organs; (3) the interaction of NO with reactive oxygen species that are known to be increased in CRF, and (4) the accumulation of uremic inhibitors of NOS. © 2001 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
Lattice defects in YBa2Cu3O7(1−δ)☆

Abstract A model for charge compensation of oxygen ion vacancies in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7(1−δ) by neighboring lattice defects predicts that the Cu +3 ion is located in the corrugated planes around the Y ion, that its concentration is independent of the concentration of oxygen ion vacancies, and that the nature of the charge compensation changes at 7(1− δ ) = 6.5.
Dynamic Stark effect of exciton and continuum states in CdS

The first observation of the optical Stark effect of electron-hole continuum states in addition to the bound-exciton states is reported under femtosecond excitation conditions chosen to minimize the generation of real carriers. The experimental results agree well with calculations using the generalized semiconductor Bloch equations. The theory shows that the commonly used adiabatic approximation is correct only for pulses which are longer than the coherence decay time. For shorter pulses coherent dynamic effects strongly influence the spectral changes.
Prolonged Total Liquid Ventilation in Premature Lambs. ♦ 1064

Liquid ventilation with continuous tidal movement of oxygenated perfluorochemical (PFC) liquid (total liquid ventilation: TLV) has been shown to improve lung mechanics and provide effective gas exchange in animal models with respiratory failure. We hypothesize that premature lambs can be safely and adequately ventilated for a prolonged period of time with TLV. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the physiological, histological, and biochemical profile in 9 preterm lambs (132 day gestation; 2.7-4.7 kg) who were supported up to 72 hours with a time-cycled, pressure-limited liquid ventilator (PFC: LiquiVent®Alliance Pharm. Corp. Temp. = 36°C, FiO2 = 0.48-1.0, rate = 4/min, I:E = 1:3, TV = 19-26 ml/kg). Lambs were anesthetized and instrumented with tracheal. carotid, and venous cannulae. Arterial blood samples were obtained for PFC uptake and blood gas measurements. PFC analysis was done by electron capture and flame ionization gas chromatography and expressed in mcg of PFC/gm of blood or PFC gm/tissue. Compliance was calculated using stop-flow alveolar pressure determinations. Tissues were obtained for histologic and biochemical analysis. Animals were time killed at 4, 24, and 72 hours. By 15 min of TLV, PFC levels were 5.1 ± 0.93 and stayed within an average of 7.5 ± 0.30 over 24 hours. The gas exchange and cardiovascular profiles (harmonic mean ± SE) were; pH = 7.34± 0.004, pCO2 =44.3±0.45, pO2 = 177 ± 5.8, compliance = 1.75± 0.04 ml/cmH2O/kg, mean blood pressure = 51± 0.62, heart rate = 189 ± 1.78. Histology demonstrated well-expanded gas exchange spaces without evidence of edema, exudate, or cellular debris. Tissue and blood biochemical analyses are ongoing. These data demonstrate that prolonged TLV can support gas exchange, and provide cardiovascular stability for up to 72 hours with minimal accumulation of PFC in blood in premature lambs.
Octupole state properties in 168 Er and the two-neutron \{[521 (1/2)][633 (7/2)]\} configurational pair

Detailed spectroscopy measurements have been made of the gamma rays that follow the deexcitation of $^{168}\mathrm{Er}$ levels populated in the electron capture decay of $^{168}\mathrm{Tm}$. These results, when combined with a reanalysis of Coulomb excitation and inelastic scattering data, provide level lifetime information and support octupole-state Coriolis-coupling calculations. The {[521 (1/2)][633 (7/2)]} two-neutron configurational pair deexcitation rates are compared and some evidence for K mixing among the octupole bands is presented.
Surgical Management of Acute Intracranial Hemorrhage, Surgical Aneurysmal and Arteriovenous Malformation Ablation, and Other Surgical Principles

In light of the potentially devastating effects of hemorrhagic stroke, it is critical that an effective treatment paradigm be defined. This report briefly reviews the various subtypes of hemorrhagic stroke, considers the indications for surgery, and discusses specific surgical treatment options.
Application of the NO/O 3 chemiluminescence technique to measurements of reactive nitrogen species in the stratosphere

The NO/O3 chemiluminescence technique provides selectivity and high sensitivity for the measurement of NO in a flowing system. The technique requires the addition of reagent O3, produced by electric discharge in O2, and the detection of photons near 1 micrometers wavelength with a photomultiplier tube. The technique has been used extensively in measurements of reactive nitrogen species in the atmosphere with detection limits reaching as low as a few parts per trillion by volume (pptv) for NO. With a gold catalyst, other oxides of nitrogen can be converted to NO and detected, thereby providing a measurement of the sum of reactive nitrogen species, designated NOy. An instrument that measures NO or NOy on board the NASA high altitude ER-2 aircraft will be described. Missions of this aircraft have addressed stratospheric ozone depletion in both polar regions in recent years. The polar data provides evidence for the condensation of reactive nitrogen species on aerosol particles and for the removal of reactive nitrogen through the sedimentation of aerosol particles. These processes facilitate the destruction of ozone through catalytic cycles involving reactive chlorine species. In the future, similar instruments will address the chemical impact of proposed supersonic aircraft for civilian transport.
Tracheobronchial amyloidosis managed with multimodality therapies

Amyloidosis is a systemic disease involving abnormal extracellular deposition of amyloid and autologous fibrillar protein material in β-pleated sheets. Accumulation of this abnormal protein leads to organ dysfunction, although respiratory tract involvement is rare. We present two cases of tracheobronchial amyloidosis successfully treated with surgery and radiation.
Limits of detection and decision. Part 3

Abstract It has been shown that the MARLAP (Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory Analytical Protocols) for estimating the Currie detection limit, which is based on ‘critical values of the non-centrality parameter of the non-central t distribution’, is intrinsically biased, even if no calibration curve or regression is used. This completed the refutation of the method, begun in Part 2. With the field cleared of obstructions, the true theory underlying Currie's limits of decision, detection and quantification, as they apply in a simple linear chemical measurement system (CMS) having heteroscedastic, Gaussian measurement noise and using weighted least squares (WLS) processing, was then derived. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations were performed, on 900 million independent calibration curves, for linear, “hockey stick” and quadratic noise precision models (NPMs). With errorless NPM parameters, all the simulation results were found to be in excellent agreement with the derived theoretical expressions. Even with as much as 30% noise on all of the relevant NPM parameters, the worst absolute errors in rates of false positives and false negatives, was only 0.3%.
Vertical Distribution of Horn Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Larvae in Response to Manure Pat Temperature Gradients

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the response of 3rd-instar larvae of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.), to laboratory-simulated bovine manure pat temperature gradients. Significant differences were found to exist between distributions of larvae in pats with uniform and gradational temperature profiles. Larvae exhibited a positive thermotaxis toward warmer, but nonlethal, temperatures in the upper strata of the pat from 0800 to 1000 h; however, between 1400 and 1800 h, a negative thermotactic response to potentially lethal temperatures occurred as larvae were recovered primarily from the comparatively cooler, lower strata of the pat.
Kinetics and Mechanism of Cyclopropanation of Cyclooctene by [Fe(η5-C5H5)(CO)2CH2SPh2]BF4

The kinetics of reaction of [Fe(η5-C5H5)(CO)2CH2SPh2]BF4 with cyclooctene in CH2Cl2 solution have been studied under pseudo-first-order conditions at room temperature. The variation of kobs is nonlinear in both cyclooctene and added Ph2S. The results are interpreted in terms of a two-step reaction in which the cation [Fe(η5-C5H5)(CO)2CH2SPh2]+ undergoes reversible, dissociative loss of Ph2S followed by competitive capture of the methyleneiron complex by cyclooctene to produce bicyclo[6.1.0]nonane. The methyleneiron intermediate is 4−5 times more reactive toward diphenylsulfide than cyclooctene. In the absence of added Ph2S, millimolar solutions of the iron complex react with cyclooctene at room temperature with a half-life of about 36 min to give >85% yields of bicyclo[6.1.0]nonane after 3 h, and it is thus more reactive than the dimethyl- and methylphenylsulfonium salt analogues.
Determination of mycophenolic acid glucuronide in microsomal incubations using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Abstract A sensitive and specific HPLC–MS/MS method was developed for the analysis of mycophenolic acid glucuronide (MPAG) in incubations with human liver microsomes. Incubation samples were processed by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. MPAG and the internal standard phenolphthalein glucuronide were chromatographed on a C18 Synergi Fusion-RP column (100 mm × 2 mm, 4 μm) using gradient elution with a mixture of 1 mM acetic acid in deionized water and 1 mM acetic acid in acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.22 mL/min. The mass spectrometer was operated with negative electrospray ionization and analysis was carried out in the single reaction monitoring (SRM) mode using the mass transitions of m / z 495 → 319 and m / z 493 → 175 for MPAG and phenolphthalein glucuronide, respectively. The MPAG calibration curve was linear over the concentration range of 1.0–20 μM. The within-day and between-day relative standard deviations ranged from 1.1 to 7.9% and accuracy was within 8%. The simple and reproducible method is suitable for measuring mycophenolic acid glucuronidation in microsomal incubations.
Attenuation of Infrared Radiation by Fogs

Optical transmission has been measured in fogs for wavelengths from 1–11 μ. The results, together with the data of Arnulf, Bricard, Cure, and Veret, are analyzed under the assumption that particle sizes in natural aerosols follow the distribution law proposed by Junge: n(r)=Cr−p, where n(r)dr is the number of particles per cm3 with radii between r and r+dr, and C and p are some constants. The dependence of transmission on wavelength in fogs is of several forms, yet the theory accounts satisfactorily for each of them. Particle size measurements, when made, were in accord with the distribution law, and the values of p so obtained agree with the values inferred from optical transmission measurements.
Coronal holes at 11.5 and 21 cm observed with the Arecibo radio telescope

CORONAL holes have been seen in several regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Observations have been made in the X-ray and UV (ultraviolet) regions by several groups1,2. These observations, however, can be made only from space and are not always available. Coronal holes have also been identified from spectroheliograms made from the ground3 at the 10,830 A line of He. The 10,830 A spectroheliograms are now obtained on a regular basis at Kitt Peak. In the radio domain several groups have attempted to identify coronal holes. These include observations at 80 and 160 MHz with the Culgoora radio heliograph4, at 10.7 GHz with the Bonn 100m antenna5, and at 85 GHz with the NRAO 11 m antenna6. Our observations reported here made at 1,420 and 2,600 MHz with the 1,000ft Arecibo radio telescope show the presence of coronal holes very clearly and provide for the first time an excellent matching of coronal hole images obtained from decimetre solar radio maps and 10,830 A spectroheliograms.
Tillage Influence on Soluble Salt Movement in Silt Loam Soils Cropped to Paddy Rice

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) produced in a dry-seeded, delayed-flood system common to the southern USA is extremely sensitive to excessive accumulation of soluble salts during the seedling growth stage. Recent observations have been made by producers, county agents, and researchers that the use of conservation tillage systems, particularly no-till systems, may increase the level of salinity in the rice root zone in dry-seeded, delayed-flood systems during the 4- to 6-wk period prior to permanent flood establishment. With the use of conservation tillage practices for rice production steadily increasing in the southern USA, it is important to determine if these practices increase potential for accumulation of soluble salts, to determine the mechanisms involved, and to develop management strategies to overcome the problem. A 2-yr study was initiated in the fall of 1994 to monitor salt distribution within the soil profile under different tillage regimes. A conventional system, a para-till operation, a chisel plow operation, and a no-till system were implemented in the fall and Br - was applied to monitor salt movement. 'Kaybonnet' rice was seeded during 1995 and 1996 and soil samples were collected from each plot at the two-to three-leaf growth stage. Salt accumulation at the rice seedling growth stage near the soil surface was higher in the no-till treatment than in any of the other tillage treatments based on higher electrical conductivity, Cl - concentration, and NO 3 - concentration in the top 2.5-cm depth. At this depth, the electrical conductivity was 30 to 40% greater, the Cl - concentration was 30 to 160% greater, and the NO 3 - concentration was 10 to 160% greater in the no-till treatment than in the other tillage treatments. Salt distribution within the profile was similar for all treatments beyond the 2.5-cm depth. The data suggest that tillage does tend to reduce the potential for salt accumulation in the root zone.
Thermal Characterization of the Interaction of Silanes with a Dihydroxy Vulcanized Fluoroelastomer

Abstract The reactivity of aminosilane and vinylsilane with a dihydroxy (Bisphenol AF) crosslinkable fluoroelastomer containing only vinylidene fluoride (VF2) and hexafluoropropylene (HFP) was monitored using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The DSC results showed that the introduction of an aminosilane, or a combination of aminosilane and vinylsilane solutions, to the cure system of the fluoroelastomer resulted in a peak shift. This shift indicates that crosslinking in fluoroelastomer-silane system occurs at a lower temperature when aminosilane is present. Results also confirm that the organofunctional group on the silane reacts with the elastomer. XPS analysis of the silane-coated fluoroelastomer heated at 120 °C, 160 °C and 200 °C reveals that dehydrofluorination of the polymer is one of the steps in the reaction. It is our hypothesis that the amine group on the aminosilane is a contributor to the dehydrofluorination of the fluoroelastomer.
Efficiency of core light injection from sources in the cladding: bulk distribution

The behavior of the power efficiency of an optical fiber with bulk distribution of sources in its cladding is analyzed. Marcuse's (1988) results for weakly guiding cylindrical fibers with fluorescent sources uniformly distributed in the cladding are confirmed for the bulk distribution case. It is found that power efficiency increases with wavelength and with difference in refractive indices. A new independent variable for the bulk distribution is found, and it is shown that the power efficiency does not always increase with the V number.