cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Subset of Pemphigus Foliaceus Patients Exhibits Pathogenic Autoantibodies Against Both Desmoglein-1 and Desmoglein-3

In pemphigus vulgaris the major pathogenic antibody binds desmoglein-3, and mediates mucosal disease. Development of cutaneous disease is associated with acquisition of antibodies to desmoglein-1. In pemphigus foliaceus, and its endemic form, fogo selvagem by contrast, the major pathogenic antibody recognizes desmoglein-1 and mediates cutaneous disease only. In this study, we sought to determine the prevalence of antibodies to desmoglein-3 in patients with pemphigus foliaceus and fogo selvagem. We produced recombinant desmoglein-1 and desmoglein-3, and used them in highly sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, as well as immunoprecipitation assays. We detected antibodies to desmoglein-3 in 19 of 276 patients with pemphigus foliaceus and fogo selvagem, who had cutaneous disease only. We showed that these antibodies to desmoglein-3 could be absorbed in a concentration-dependent manner by desmoglein-3 but not by desmoglein-1. Also antibodies to desmoglein-1 could be absorbed in a concentration-dependent manner by desmoglein-1 but not desmoglein-3. This suggests that two separate species of antibody are present rather than one antibody capable of cross-reacting with both desmoglein-1 and desmoglein-3. Finally, it was shown that affinity-purified antibodies to desmoglein-3 from patients with pemphigus foliaceus and fogo selvagem induced a pemphigus vulgaris-like skin disease in mice by passive transfer. These results suggest that a subset of patients with pemphigus foliaceus and fogo selvagem have antibodies to desmoglein-3 that may be involved in the pathogenesis of their cutaneous disease.
Reduction of 8-iso-Prostaglandin F2α in the First Week After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Obesity is associated with increased markers of oxidative stress. We examined whether oxidative stress is reduced within the first week after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery and could be related to changes in adipose tissue depots. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) marker 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α) and activity of antioxidant glutathione peroxidases (GPX) in plasma were compared before and ~1 week after RYGB. The effects of RYGB on subcutaneous adipose tissue and interstitial fluid 8-iso-PGF2α levels and subcutaneous adipose tissue expression of GPX-3 were also assessed. Levels of 8-iso-PGF2α in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue were determined. Plasma 8-iso-PGF2α levels decreased (122 ± 75 to 56 ± 15 pg/ml, P = 0.001) and GPX activity increased (84 ± 18 to 108 ± 25 nmol/min/ml, P = 0.003) in the first week post-RYGB. RYGB also resulted in reductions of 8-iso-PGF2α in subcutaneous adipose tissue (1,742 ± 931 to 1,132 ± 420 pg/g fat, P = 0.046) and interstitial fluid (348 ± 118 to 221 ± 83 pg/ml, P = 0.046) that were comparable to plasma (26–33%, P = 0.74). Adipose GPX-3 expression was increased (6.7 ± 4.7-fold, P = 0.004) in the first postoperative week. The improvements in oxidative stress occurred with minimal weight loss (2.4 ± 3.4%, P = 0.031) and elevations in plasma interleukin-6 (18.0 ± 46.8 to 28.0 ± 58.9 pg/ml, P = 0.004). Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues express comparable 8-iso-PGF2α levels (1,204 ± 470 and 1,331 ± 264 pg/g fat, respectively; P = 0.34). These data suggest that RYGB affects adipose tissue leading to the restoration of adipose redox balance within the first postoperative week and that plasma 8-iso-PGF2α is primarily derived from subcutaneous adipose tissue.
Biological and social correlates of stature among children in the slums of Lima, Peru.

A study of a sample of children with constrasting stature from the slums of Lima, Peru showed that the short children were more likely to have shorter mothers, who had had more pregnancies, less years of schooling, and a greater number of marriages. The results, reported here, suggest that although differences in stature might reflect differences in nutritional background, they are also likely to reflect differences in other important biosocial factors.
Efficient analytical integration of symmetric Galerkin boundary integrals over curved elements: Thermal conduction formulation

Abstract Substantial improvements are reported in the computational efficiency of Galerkin boundary element analysis (BEA) employing curved continuous boundary elements. A direct analytical treatment of the singular double integrations involved in Galerkin BEA, adapting a limit to the boundary concept used successfully in collocation BEA, is used to obviate significant computation in the determination of the Galerkin coefficient matrices. Symbolic manipulation has been strategically employed to aid in the analytical evaluation of the singular contributions to these double integrals. The analytical regularization procedure separates the potentially singular Galerkin integrands into an essentially singular but simple part, plus a regular remainder that can be integrated numerically. The finite contribution from the simplified singular term is then computed analytically. It is shown that the key to containing the explosive growth in the length of the formulae associated with such a hybrid analytical/numerical integration scheme is the strategic timing of when to take the limit to the boundary. This regularization also isolates the contribution from the curvature of the boundary element, thus facilitating enhanced computational efficiency in problems with many straight elements. Example problems are presented to quantify the performance of this approach. It is concluded that with these techniques, Galerkin symmetric BEA can be more efficient than its collocation-based counterpart.
An empirical user rating of popular search engines using RankPower

We present in this paper the effectiveness and the feasibility of measuring search engine efficiency using RankPower, a single value measurement. RankPower rates the search engines by computing the number and the rank of relevant URLs among the returned results. This is different from traditional performance measures of information retrieval systems using the precision and recall rates. The RankPower is much more easier to compute and much more intuitive for ordinary Web search users. The conclusions are supported by a set of empirical results collected from the experiments that the authors designed and carried out.
Academic Planning and Organizational Design: Lessons From Leading American Universities

The emerging competitive environment of higher education, both within and between countries, is requiring universities in Europe and other pans of the world to emulate American institutions by becoming corporate entities with an independent capacity to make strategic choices among academic programmes and activities. A number of the leading American universities have developed comprehensive planning processes that offer suggestive guidance for managing in this new environment. These processes have emphasized: clarifying and articulating norms essential to the legimacy of planning; grouping and consolidating functions; promoting reciprocal communication; encouraging the development of a planning capacity within each strategic unit; and increasing direct communication and the sharing of information among members of the academic community. Essentially these universities have conceived of comprehensive planning as a problem of organizational design, systematically seeking means of promoting integration in a highly differentiated organization. The specific mechanisms by which this integration has been accomplished are reviewed.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of single doses of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and CFC-Free cromolyn sodium for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

Abstract The objective of this study was to compare the protective effects of a single dose of either cromolyn sodium containing chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) as a propellant or CFC-free cromolyn sodium containing hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) as a propellant with those of placebo. Seventeen patients with documented exercise-induced bronchoconstriction received a single dose of each of the 2 formulations and placebo with washout periods between phases in a randomized, double-blind, 3-way crossover study. Exercise challenge was performed using a cycloergometer to achieve ≥70% of the predicted maximum heart rate. The highest of 3 pre-exercise measurements of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) was recorded for analysis. Postexercise FEV 1 was measured at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes after completion of the challenge. The mean maximum percent decrease in FEV 1 after exercise and the percent protection index were calculated for each treatment. The mean maximum percent decrease in postexercise FEV 1 was significantly lower ( P 1 was noted betwwen the active treatments. The mean percent protection index was 58.7% and 58.0% for the CFC and HFA formulations, respectively. Results of this study suggest that HFA- and CFC-containing cromolyn sodium inhalation aerosols are equivalent in the prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
Polarimetry of nacre in iridescent shells

We investigate the light transmitted or reflected from nacre (mother of pearl) taken from the iridescent shell of the bivalve Pinctad a fucata. These nacre surfaces have a rich structure, composed of aragonite crystals arranged as tablets or bricks, 5 μm wide and 400-500 nm thick, surrounded by 30nm thick organic mortar. The light reflected from these shell surfaces, or transmitted through thin polished layers, is rich in its polarization content, exhibiting a space dependent variation in the state of polarization with a high density of polarization singularities. Our goal is to use the polarization information to infer the structure of the biominerals and the role of the organic layer in determining the orientation of the crystals. In the experiments we send the light from a laser with a uniform state of polarization onto the shell, and analyze the light that is either transmitted or reflected, depending on the type of experiment, imaging it after its passage through polarization filters. We use the images from distinct filters to obtain the Stokes parameters, and hence the state of polarization, of each image point. We also construct the Mueller matrix for each imaged point, via 36 measurements. We do this for distinct physical and chemical treatments of the shell sample. Preliminary data shows that the organic layer may be responsible for organizing a multi-crystalline arrangement of aragonite tablets.
Dermo-distortive urticaria: An autosomal dominant dermatologic disorder

A new hereditary physical urticaria, dermo-distortive urticaria (DDU), is described in a Christian Lebanese family. DDU is characterized by the appearance of pruritic, erythematosus, edematous, cutaneous swelling confined to the stimulated area in response to stimuli that vibrate or stretch the skin in a repetitive manner. The lesions appear within several minutes after stimulation and disappear within an hour. Extensive stimulation causes not only local urticaria but also a systemic response of faintness, headache, and facial erythema. Other than these annoying reactions, no other morbidity is associated with this disorder. While this disorder is certainly uncommon and its manifestations are more annoying than life threatening, it may be an important example of a heritable defect of inflammation control mechanisms. Although the mediator for the urticaria and systemic response was not isolated, a likely candidate is histamine. Computer analysis of the phenotype of 219 relatives in 6 generations shows that DDU is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait with high penetrance. DDU is clinically distinct from hereditary angioneurotic edema, pressure urticaria, and dermographia. It is similar to vibratory angioedema (VA), but sufficient evidence to prove that DDU and VA are identical is not available.
The implications of working set analysis on supercomputing memory hierarchy design

Supercomputer architects strive to maximize the performance of scientific applications. Unfortunately, the large, unwieldy nature of most scientific applications has lead to the creation of artificial benchmarks, such as SPEC-FP, for architecture research. Given the impact that these benchmarks have on architecture research, this paper seeks an understanding of how they relate to real-world applications within the Department of Energy. Since the memory system has been found to be a particularly key issue for many applications, the focus of the paper is on the relationship between how the SPEC-FP benchmarks and DOE applications use the memory system. The results indicate that while the SPEC-FP suite is a well balanced suite, supercomputing applications typically demand more from the memory system and must perform more "other work" (in the form of integer computations) along with the floating point operations. The SPEC-FP suite generally demonstrates slightly more temporal locality leading to somewhat lower bandwidth demands. The most striking result is the cumulative difference between the benchmarks and the applications in terms of the requirements to sustain the floating-point operation rate: the DOE applications require significantly more data from main memory (not cache) per FLOP and dramatically more integer instructions per FLOP.
Examining the Use of a Visual Analytics System for Sensemaking Tasks: Case Studies with Domain Experts

While the formal evaluation of systems in visual analytics is still relatively uncommon, particularly rare are case studies of prolonged system use by domain analysts working with their own data. Conducting case studies can be challenging, but it can be a particularly effective way to examine whether visual analytics systems are truly helping expert users to accomplish their goals. We studied the use of a visual analytics system for sensemaking tasks on documents by six analysts from a variety of domains. We describe their application of the system along with the benefits, issues, and problems that we uncovered. Findings from the studies identify features that visual analytics systems should emphasize as well as missing capabilities that should be addressed. These findings inform design implications for future systems.
Edward Beasley, The Victorian Reinvention of Race: New Racisms and the Problem of Grouping in the Human Sciences

The Victorian Reinvention of Race: New Racisms and the Problem of Grouping in the Human Sciences Edward Beasley New York: Routledge, 2010 247. ISBN 978-0-415-88125-8 (hb) Edward Beasley's The Victo...
Contemporary surgical management of borderline ovarian tumors: a survey of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists.

Abstract Objective. The objective of this study was to review the current practice patterns regarding the surgical management of borderline ovarian tumors. Methods. A one-page survey was mailed to the members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO), using the directory of the Society. The survey addressed the demographics of the respondent and the recommended staging procedure for presumed early-stage disease. Results. Of the 660 surveys mailed, 274 (42%) were returned. Ninety-seven percent (267/274) of respondents advocate surgical staging. Of this group, 96% (257/267) perform peritoneal washings, 97% (259/267) sample the omentum, and 92% (245/267) submit random peritoneal biopsies. Eighty-eight percent (235/267) perform lymph node sampling: paraaortic biopsies by 89% (210/235) and pelvic biopsies by 97% (228/235). Of this latter group, 91% sample the external iliac chain, 82% submit hypogastric nodal tissue, and 70% remove obturator lymph nodes. Conclusion. Diversity exists in the surgical management of borderline ovarian tumors among members of the SGO who responded to this survey. Efforts to ensure a consistent approach to the management of borderline ovarian tumors are warranted.
iRhoms: ERADicating the messenger in growth control signaling.

iRhoms are inactive rhomboid-like pseudoproteases that lack essential catalytic residues. Although iRhoms are highly conserved in metazoan species, little is known about their function. In a recent issue of Cell, Zettl et al. (2011) show that iRhoms regulate growth factor signaling through endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein degradation (ERAD).
Multi-Modal Contrast Agents: A First Step

Intravenous encapsulated microbubble contrast agents have become an established clinical tool for enhancing medical diagnostic ultrasound and Doppler sensitivity. Most systemic contrast agents described to date function to enhance the appearance of the blood pool and to define its distribution and integrity. The interaction of encapsulated microbubble contrast agents with ultrasound is complex. The microbubble response relative to a driving acoustic pressure can be divided into three categories – (1) Linear scattering, (2) Non-linear scattering and (3) Cavitation/Destruction. Microbubbles produce linear scattering with low acoustic driving pressures and produce non-linear scattering with moderate acoustic driving pressures. At moderate acoustic driving pressures microbubbles exhibit pressure peaks at the compressional phases of the source thereby providing both harmonic and subharmonic energy greater than the surrounding medium. At high acoustic driving pressures microbubbles cavitate or destruct as a result of fragmentation and deflation and thus create an associated acoustic emission signal. The absolute values for low, moderate and high acoustic driving pressures are not well defined and depend upon not only the acoustic parameters of the ultrasonic source but also the constituent physical properties of the microbubbles themselves as well as the fluid surrounding them. To address the need for an increase in the plasma halflife of medical ultrasonic contrast agents three different strategies have been employed 1) strengthening the structure of the encapsulating shell [1,2], 2) employing different substances for the encapsulating shell, or 3) pegylation [3]. Another strategy could be employed to increase the echogenicity and the half-life of medical ultrasound contrast agents embedding high density particulate matter on the inner wall of an encapsulated microsphere.
Transition metal binding to cod otolith proteins

Abstract Otolith microchemistry can be very useful in identifying fish populations and reconstructing fish movements. Recent attempts have been made to evaluate otoliths as proxies of ambient levels of transition metals, but findings have been inconsistent. Some of the difficulty with obtaining a definitive answer stems from an incomplete understanding of the biological control of transition metal speciation in otoliths. Metals may be incorporated as part of the calcium carbonate phase, trapped in interstitial spaces within the crystal, or associated with the protein matrix. Metal binding to the protein phase may be inferred from its structural and biochemical properties but has not been observed previously. Inherent difficulties with the extraction of metal-binding proteins in their native state from the calcium carbonate phase make them extraordinarily difficult to measure. We have developed a method that facilitates the extraction of otolith proteins without total disruption of transition metal binding. Chelating agents such as EDTA, used in the decalcification of otoliths, can demetallate the proteins if allowed to reach equilibrium; however, if the reaction is halted prior to equilibration, intact metal–protein complexes can be obtained. Using such an approach, we have confirmed the presence of copper and zinc in the soluble portion of the protein matrix of cod otoliths, and we have established that between 70% and 100% of copper and 40% to 60% of zinc found in whole otoliths are associated with the soluble part of the protein matrix. Manganese was not observed to be associated with the protein, indicating that it is either weakly bound or that no binding is present. Our results, combined with an understanding of the biological control of these metals, suggest that otoliths are not likely to be reliable indicators of copper and zinc exposure, but they may provide useful insight into fish growth and physiological development.
On lunar asymmetries 1. Tilted convection and crustal asymmetry

[1] It is proposed that lunar crustal asymmetries are the result of convective processes acting early in the Moon's history, during the magma-ocean phase and after synchronous rotation was established. Buoyant anorthositic crystals were transported to the farside by a large-scale circulation, called tilted convection, known to occur spontaneously in chaotic convective systems. The circulation was oriented toward the farside of the Moon by a small temperature contrast produced by radiative thermal shielding due to the proximity of Earth. Crustal thickening near the equator resulted from the modification of tilted convection by the Coriolis force. The anorthosite that was transported to the farside and equator may be a major cause of the observed crustal asymmetries and of the associated offset of the center of figure from the center of mass and bimodal hyposgram. The selective transport may have resulted in a nearside excess of incompatible elements, leading to the formation of the Procellarium KREEP terrane.
Microstructural observations in rapidly-solidified and heat-treated Ni3Al-Cr alloys

The microstructural development following heat treatments of several rapidly-solidified Ni3Al-Cr and Ni3Al-Cr-B alloys is presented. Depending on composition, the as-solidified samples were either 100 percent gamma-prime phase - in the form of fine antiphase domains (APD) - or a mixture of gamma-prime (APDs) and beta phases. Upon annealing, the as-solidified microstructures transform to either APD-free gamma-prime or mixtures of gamma and gamma-prime phases. For those compositions where the quenched microstructures were 100 percent gamma-prime it was observed that APD coarsening followed conventional grain-growth kinetics, but when gamma phase precipitated on the APD boundaries the rate constant changed abruptly while the time exponent remained unaffected. It was also found that alloys containing critical amounts of chromium and boron are susceptible to precipitation of the boride Cr5B3.
Iron Tris(bipyridine) PEG Hydrogels with Covalent and Metal Coordinate Cross-Links

Spontaneous gel formation of iron(II) tris(bipyridine)-centered poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate ([Fe{bpy(PEG-MA)2}3]2+) was observed without the addition of a cross-linking agent. BpyPEG2 macroligands were first modified with methacrylate groups using methacrylic anhydride and then combined with FeSO4 to produce [Fe{bpy(PEG-MA)2}3]SO4. End group analysis by 1H NMR spectroscopy verified quantitative methacrylation of the PEG hydroxyl chain ends. A series of experiments and control reactions were performed to investigate the conditions required for gel formation. Hydrogels of [Fe{bpy(PEG-MA)2}3]SO4 were produced both in the presence and in the absence of a photoinitiator. Controls using MA-PEG-MA also formed hydrogels in the presence of [Fe(bpy)3]2+; however, the addition of a radical scavenger, TEMPO, prevented formation of a polymer network, suggesting radical involvement. Treatment of preformed hydrogels of bpy(PEG-MA)2 with aqueous solutions of FeSO4, CuBr2, and CoCl2 also produced materials with col...
Theoretical analysis of bubble dynamics for an artificially produced vapor bubble in a turbulent stream

Abstract A mathematical model is given for an artificially produced vapor bubble growing on a surface and into a turbulent subcooled stream flowing parallel to the surface. This model was tested for steam injection through a 0·0135 in. hole in a stainless steel plate and into a water stream with Reynolds numbers from about 0·9 × 10 4 to 2·0 × 10 5 , inlet bulk temperatures from 80 to 140°F, and near atmospheric pressure. Under these conditions, about 4000 bubbles per s were formed with a 0·02-0·03 in. radius. Heat transfer per bubble varied from about 1 × 10 5 to 5 × 10 5 Btu, Basic considerations of bubble dynamics for this model are discussed. Condensation at the bubble vapor-turbulent stream interface is a major component of this model. Subsequent diffusion of the associated latent heat into the turbulent stream was also important. Mathematical equations are given, and the method of solution is indicated. Agreement with experimental results demonstrates the validity of this model and the method of solution.
Hydrodynamics of polar liquid crystals.

Starting from a microscopic definition of an alignment vector proportional to the polarization, we discuss the hydrodynamics of polar liquid crystals with local ${C}_{\ensuremath{\infty}v}$ symmetry. The free energy for polar liquid crystals differs from that of nematic liquid crystals $({D}_{\ensuremath{\infty}h})$ in that it contains terms violating the $\mathbf{n}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{-}\mathbf{n}$ symmetry. First we show that these ${\mathcal{Z}}_{2}$-odd terms induce a general splay instability of a uniform polarized state in a range of parameters. Next we use the general Poisson-bracket formalism to derive the hydrodynamic equations of the system in the polarized state. The structure of the linear hydrodynamic modes confirms the existence of the splay instability.
Spatial resolution for two-beam spectroscopy: a new mechanism

With the help of interference effects, two-beam and multiple-beam spectroscopy detect in the pairs of beams (bundles of rays selected by the optical system) phase correlations due to certain fluctuations in optically thin distributions of incoherent light sources. Originally spatial resolution along the line of sight was expected for multiple-beam spectroscopy because of the limited region of intersection for pairs of beams. Here more general analysis shows another mechanism of spatial resolution allowing use of broader overlapping beams. Thus a simpler two-beam spectroscopy configuration (to be discussed in more detail elsewhere) capable of making more efficient use of emitted light proves to offer the same localized measurement of spatially harmonic fluctuations in the appropriate light source distributions.
The high-temperature enthalpy of liquid lanthanum by levitation calorimetry

Abstract A levitation calorimetry technique was used to measure the enthalpy of liquid lanthanum from 1250 to 2420 K. Lanthanum samples ranging from 0.5 to 2 g were levitated and melted in an inert atmosphere using a 15 kV A, 450 kHz radio-frequency generator. The results, in the temperature range 1250 to 2420 K, were fitted by the following equation where the indicated errors were obtained from the average deviation of the results from the values predicted by the equation: {H(T)−H(298.15 K )} J mol −1 = (32.77±0.18)(T K)−(2289±343) Convection and radiation heat losses during the fall of the sample from the levitation chamber into the calorimeter amounted to 0.5 to 2.0 per cent and 2 to 5 per cent of the total enthalpy respectively. The levitation calorimetry method is estimated to have a maximum error of ±2.5 per cent.
It doesn't happen here: eating disorders in an ethnically diverse sample of economically disadvantaged, urban college students.

The bulk of eating disorder studies have focused on white, middle-upper class women, excluding ethnically and economically diverse women and men. Accordingly, our knowledge of prevalence rates and risk factors is reliant on this narrow literature. To expand upon the current literature, we examined eating disorders in ethnically diverse low-income, urban college students. We surveyed 884 incoming freshmen during an orientation class to assess the frequency of eating disorder diagnosis and the risk factors of child physical abuse and sexual abuse before and after age 13. We found 10% of our sample received an eating disorder diagnosis, 12.2% of the women and 7.3% of the men. The majority of these students were Latino/a or “other,” with White women receiving the fewest diagnoses. For all women, both child physical abuse and both indices of sexual abuse contributed equally to the development of an eating disorder. For men only the sexual abuse indices contributed to an eating disorder diagnosis. These results...
Drugs and Placebos: Effects of Instructions upon Performance and Mood under Amphetamine Sulphate and Chloral Hydrate with Younger Subjects

This is a brief report of the third experiment using a new design to study the effects of drugs and placebos upon human performance and mood. The earlier studies, using older male Ss, had demonstrated significant effects attributable to differences in drugs and in expectations arising from instructions given. The present study, with younger Ss, did not yield significant results. Possible explanations are discussed.
A Test of Converse's Theory of Party Support

Converse's (1969) explanation of party support, whose main components are a life cycle process resulting from social learning, and an intergenerational transmission process based on father's partisanship, is one of political science's most elegant theories--but one with an aura of controversy. Thanks to Converse's own defense, the theory survived early challenges from critics who argued that party support results from generation, not life-cycle change. More recently, the theory has been challenged by critics whose tests fail to support it in new electorates and, indirectly, by revisionists who reconceptualized partisanship. This paper provides clear and consistent support for the theory, using U.S. data. It estimates a model in three time periods, using a specification that is truer to Converse's than previous tests; and it extends the analysis to 1990 with available data. The results are discussed in light of tests of new electorates and revisionist models of partisanship.
IMPLICATIONS OF TRANSIENT MODE DURATION FOR SPATIALLY DISAGGREGATED HIGH-RESOLUTION EMISSION INVENTORY STUDIES

High resolution emission inventory studies, such as urban air-shed modeling, often use spatially disaggregated emission parameters in the form of link-specific emissions. A key input variable that influences operating mode mix on highway links is the transient mode duration (TMD) in which start-related emissions occur. The TMD variable also establishes the emission rates to be embedded in emission factor models. The basic emission rates built into the MOBILE model are based on a TMD of 505 seconds, which was based on the federal test procedure (FTP). For newer vehicles, it is indicated that the TMD is much less than 505 seconds. This study examines the effects of variations in TMD on the distribution of cold and hot transient VMT on network links, as well as their effect on overall emissions. A network assignment model developed to track operating modes of vehicles on network links was used on a large California city network. The MOBILE model was used to derive bag-specific emission rates. The experiment ...
Advances in Alginate Gel Microencapsulation of Therapeutic Cells

Rapid developments in the therapeutic applications of genetically engineered cells and stem cell research have increased the possibilities of addressing some pathologies by grafting therapeutic cells. Immunoprotective encapsulation of such therapeutic cells is often essential for their survival and function. Hydrogels provide a bioteolerable matrix for cellular encapsulation and support subsequent graft survival and function. The naturally occurring marine polysaccharide, alginate, is the hydrogel of choice for most applications. However, long-term graft survival is affected by the mechanical instability of alginate and adverse immune reaction to its grafting. So, a variety of modifications have been developed to enhance the physicochemical properties and biotolerance of alginate hydrogels. We highlight the developments in alginate hydrogel microencapsulation of therapeutic cells.
Formation of a Metallic Amorphous Layer During the Sliding Wear of Ti/TiN Nanolaminates

This paper describes experimental studies of metallic/ceramic nanolaminate performance under sliding contact and identifies the formation of an amorphous layer between the nanolaminate and counterface. Nanolaminates used for this study had either 20- or 100-nm-thick alternating layers of Ti and TiN, resulting in a total thickness of ~1-μm films. The structure of the Ti and TiN layers was confirmed using X-ray diffraction [(111)TiN and (002)Ti], and compositions were determined using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS)—Ti and TiN0.7. Variation of the individual layer thicknesses within Ti/TiN nanolaminates was shown to influence both the deformation observed through the nanolaminate thickness and also the friction coefficient between the nanolaminate and 440C steel counterface during linear reciprocating wear. During sliding, the 100-nm-layered nanolaminate had a lower coefficient of friction (0.25 ± 0.01) than the 20-nm-layered nanolaminate (0.56 ± 0.06). An amorphous titanium layer developed during sliding at the interface between the 100-nm nanolaminate and steel counterface. EELS confirmed that this layer did not contain any nitrogen and recrystallization occurred near the in-contact surface. While phase changes under compressive loading have been reported for other systems, this is the first report to indicate this response within a titanium layer.
The Undecidability of in the Prologue To Job and Beyond1

In his treatment of the Platonic dialogue, the Phaedrus, Jacques Derrida teases out the striking way in which the dialogue pivots around the undecidability of the word pharmakon, which can (and does) simultaneously carry the two antithetical meanings of "poison" and "cure." In the book of Job, we find a similarly curious phenomenon with the Hebrew root The accepted primary meaning of is "to bless." Four occurrences of in the prologue to Job (1:5, 11; 2:5, 9), however, are commonly taken as euphemisms and rendered in the antithetical sense of "to curse." The assured rhetoric and virtual unanimity of interpreters indicates that they have experienced little difficulty in determining its euphemistic sense in these cases. On closer examination we find that the apparent ease with which the meaning of is settled in these instances is illusory. To begin with, the control group of "euphemistic" uses of outside the book of Job consists only of two occurrences in 1 Kings 21, which prove to be as much a result of narrative artistry as scribal piety. Likewise, in reconsidering the four occurrences in Job, we discover that each may indeed be translated in the primary sense of "to bless" and make sense in the narrative. The point of this exercise in counter-reading is not to prove that always means "to bless" in the prologue to Job, but rather that it is the site of conflicted meaning in each occurrence. Too hastily resorting to "euphemisms"-thereby settling the semantic undecidability - results in an under-reading of the prologue and of the book as a whole. Instead, we find that the faultline within runs much deeper than a single word, extending throughout the book and evincing a fundamental ambivalence about the character of God.
Evidence for differing leukotriene receptors in gastric mucosa.

Abstract Exogenously administered LTD 4 was found to increase pepsin secretion from and decrease the transgastric electrical potential difference across the stomachs of anesthetized cats. The former response was completely blocked by prior administration of a new and selective LTD 4 antagonist, L-649,923, while the potential difference response was unaffected. This result, coupled with previous evidence of a difference leukotriene potency order for the two responses, suggests the presence of functionally different leukotriene receptor subtypes in the gastric mucosa.
Shape analysis using hybrid learning

Abstract This paper is concerned with hybrid learning and it describes how to combine evolution and symbolic learning for shape analysis. The methodology introduced in this paper integrates genetic algorithms (GAs) characteristic of evolutionary learning with empirical inductive generalization characteristic of symbolic learning. GAs evolve operators that discriminate among image classes comprising different shapes, where the operators are defined as variable morphological structuring elements that can be sequenced as program forms. The optimal operators evolved by GAs are used to derive discriminant feature vectors, which are then used by empirical inductive learning to generate rule-based class description in disjunctive normal form (DNF). The GA constitutes the data-driven, performance-oriented part of the shape analysis system, while the empirical inductive generalization is the model-driven part of the system. The rule-based descriptions are finally optimized by removing small disjuncts in order to enhance the robustness of the shape analysis system. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the feasibility of our novel methodoloy for discriminating among classes of different shaped objects and for learning the concepts of convexity and concavity.
Immune Regulation: What Immunodeficiency Disease Has Taught Us

"Immune regulation: what immunodeficiency disease has taught us" is reviewed by discussing three immunodeficiency disorders. Hypogammaglobulinemia, the first documented primary immunodeficiency disorder, has a well defined and uniform clinical presentation which reflects a variety of underlying abnormalities involving the B cell, T cell, and monocyte. X-linked hypogammaglobulinemia, transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy common variable immunodeficiency, and their pathogenesis are discussed. Combined immunodeficiency with adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency first led to the now accepted concept that a biochemical abnormality may result in immunodeficiency. The clinical presentation, possible biochemical abnormalities resulting in the observed immunodeficiency, relative selectivity of the defect for the immune system, and potential applications of knowledge gained from the study of ADA deficiency are presented. Acquired immunodeficiency (AIDS) has resulted in the concept that a virus is cytopathic for a specific population of T cells and that this, at least in part, results in the immunodeficiency seen in AIDS.
Some aspects of the distribution of biochemicals in geologic environments

Abstract Recent research on the distribution of biochemicals in soil is discussed in relation to the solution of problems in geochemistry. Consideration is given to the factors affecting the preservation of biochemicals in natural deposits. The results of a Chromatographic study of the amino acids in soils are given. A new concept is presented concerning the nature of the nitrogen in sedimentary and igneous rocks.
Wild nodules can be broken: proteomics of Frankia in field-collected root nodules

With the genomes of three Frankia strains available, high-throughput proteomics methods can be used to reveal the set of proteins expressed by these bacteria in symbiosis with plants. A question we address is the degree to which the known genomes can be used to study proteomes of uncharacterized frankiae growing in field-collected root nodules. To this end, we have characterized the symbiotic proteomes of Frankia from three plant species, Alnus incana subsp. rugosa, Ceanothus americanus, and Elaeagnus angustifolia. Root nodule proteins were identified using two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS) of trypsin-digested protein samples. We identified 1300 Frankia proteins in A. incana nodules using the Frankia alni ACN14a genome and 1100 proteins from E. angustifolia nodules using the EAN1pec genome. In addition, over 100 proteins were identified from C. americanus nodules using a more limited one dimensional LC MS/MS analysis. Many of the most abundant proteins identified are involved in energy and nitrogen metabolism. The enzyme nitrogenase and the nitrogenase iron protein were among the most abundant proteins, reflecting the major process occurring in symbiosis. Several hundred plant proteins were also identified. We highlight the power of proteomics to uncover the physiology of symbiotic Frankia in the environment using heterologous genome information.
The Perception of Androgyny and Physical Attractiveness Two is Better than One

The present investigation examines the effects of sex role and attractiveness information of subjects' perceptions of a stimulus person (SP). Male and female SPs who were attractive, moderately attractive, or unattractive were made to appear masculine, feminine, or androgynous by their response to the Short Form of the Bem Sex Role Inventory. The sex and sex role of subject raters were also considered. Results indicated that androgynous persons were favorably perceived on the gender-linked dimensions of instrumentality and expressivity, and in sex neutral desirable traits. They were regarded as better adjusted, more likeable, and as having an advantage in the occupational domain, compared to masculine and feminine persons. Contrary to predictions derived from Bem's (1981) gender schema theory, the subject raters's sex role did not influence SP evaluations.
Postoperative clostridial sepsis of the abdominal wall.

Abstract 1. 1. The diagnosis of clostridial sepsis after abdominal operation is difficult prior to the development of signs and wound infection. Hypotension, fever, tachycardia out of proportion to the fever, jaundice, renal failure, or mental changes may precede signs of wound infection. 2. 2. A review of the literature reveals that the average time between operation and the first indication of wound infection was twenty-four to forty-eight hours (ranging from four hours to eighteen days). The over-all mortality of clostridial infection of the abdominal wall is 60 per cent; in the presence of peritonitis (20 to 36 per cent of cases) the mortality is 86 per cent. 3. 3. Wound crepitus is a late sign not essential for the diagnosis of clostridial sepsis. 4. 4. A high index of suspicion is required to make the diagnosis of clostridial sepsis before obvious signs of wound infection occur. Once the diagnosis is suspected, the wound must be opened and inspected and material obtained for gram stain and culture. 5. 5. Despite reluctance to undertake unnecessary radical excision of a wound, treatment must be instituted rapidly if the clinical picture is compatible with the diagnosis and if organisms resembling Clostridia are present on gram stain. Treatment should consist of antibiotics and radical debridement with or without hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
The interaction of disrupted type II neuregulin 1 and chronic adolescent stress on adult anxiety- and fear-related behaviors.

Abstract The incidence of anxiety, mood, substance abuse disorders and schizophrenia increases during adolescence. Epidemiological evidence confirms that exposure to stress during sensitive periods of development can create vulnerabilities that put genetically predisposed individuals at increased risk for psychiatric disorders. Neuregulin 1 ( NRG1 ) is a frequently identified schizophrenia susceptibility gene that has also been associated with the psychotic features of bipolar disorder. Previously, we established that Type II NRG1 is expressed in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis neurocircuitry. We also found, using a line of Nrg1 hypomorphic rats ( Nrg1 Tn ), that genetic disruption of Type II NRG1 results in altered HPA axis function and environmental reactivity. The present studies used the Nrg1 Tn rats to test whether Type II NRG1 gene disruption and chronic stress exposure during adolescence interact to alter adult anxiety- and fear-related behaviors. Male and female Nrg1 Tn and wild-type rats were exposed to chronic variable stress (CVS) during mid-adolescence and then tested for anxiety-like behavior, cued fear conditioning and basal corticosterone secretion in adulthood. The disruption of Type II NRG1 alone significantly impacts rat anxiety-related behavior by reversing normal sex-related differences and impairs the ability to acquire cued fear conditioning. Sex-specific interactions between genotype and adolescent stress also were identified such that CVS-treated wild-type females exhibited a slight reduction in anxiety-like behavior and basal corticosterone, while CVS-treated Nrg1 Tn females exhibited a significant increase in cued fear extinction. These studies confirm the importance of Type II NRG1 in anxiety and fear behaviors and point to adolescence as a time when stressful experiences can shape adult behavior and HPA axis function.
N-[3-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-2-methyl-1h-indol-5-yl]-4-fluorobenzamide: A potent, selective, and orally active 5-HT1F receptor agonist potentially useful for migraine therapy

Recent studies have demonstrated that selective 5-HT(1F) receptor agonists inhibit neurogenic dural inflammation, a model of migraine headache, indicating that these compounds may be effective therapies for the treatment of migraine pain. This communication describes the synthesis and discovery of a novel compound, N-[3-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl]-4-fluorobenzamide (4), which possesses high binding affinity and selectivity at the 5-HT(1F) receptor relative to more than 40 other serotonergic and nonserotonergic receptors examined.
Exercise training attenuates increases in lumbar sympathetic nerve activity produced by stimulation of the rostral ventrolateral medulla

Exercise training (ExTr) has been associated with blunted activation of the sympathetic nervous system in several animal models and in some human studies. Although these data are consistent with th...
In situ characterization of the martensitic transformation temperature of NiTi shape memory alloys via instrumented microindentation

A novel, instrumented microindentation technique was successfully used to measure the temperature associated with the martensitic transformation leading to the recovery of plastic strain in a Nickel–Titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloy. Following a standard indentation cycle, the indenter was partially unloaded such that a good contact was maintained between indenter and specimen surface. The onset and finish temperature of the martensitic transformation, the associated volume contraction, and the amount of the recovered plastic deformation were determined by quantifying the indenter displacement as a function of temperature. These experiments were compared to conventional measurements of the transformation temperature by differential scanning calorimetry and compression testing.
Switching Voltage in a Carbon Nanotube Memory Device

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) have stable elastic properties over a wide range of deformation amplitudes and their high polarizability is conducive to efficient bending in the inhomogeneous electric field close to patterned electrodes. We simulate the static switching properties of the MWNT using a custom NEMS simulation package. The MWNT is modeled as a solid cylinder with Young's modulus taken in a range consistent with recent experimental data in the literature. The polarizability of the MWNT is obtained from empirical expressions in the literature. The static equilibrium equations for the bending of the MWNT in an electric field are solved for realistic geometry of the electrodes. The spatial distribution of electric field distribution in the vicinity of the tubes and the electrodes is obtained from a finite element solution of the Poisson equation. A Monte Carlo approach yields the switching voltage as a function of MWNT mechanical properties and electrode geometry, where a Gaussian distribution is assumed for the parametric variations.