cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phylo-PFP: improved automated protein function prediction using phylogenetic distance of distantly related sequences.

Motivation Function annotation of proteins is fundamental in contemporary biology across fields including genomics, molecular biology, biochemistry, systems biology and bioinformatics. Function prediction is indispensable in providing clues for interpreting omics-scale data as well as in assisting biologists to build hypotheses for designing experiments. As sequencing genomes is now routine due to the rapid advancement of sequencing technologies, computational protein function prediction methods have become increasingly important. A conventional method of annotating a protein sequence is to transfer functions from top hits of a homology search; however, this approach has substantial short comings including a low coverage in genome annotation. Results Here we have developed Phylo-PFP, a new sequence-based protein function prediction method, which mines functional information from a broad range of similar sequences, including those with a low sequence similarity identified by a PSI-BLAST search. To evaluate functional similarity between identified sequences and the query protein more accurately, Phylo-PFP reranks retrieved sequences by considering their phylogenetic distance. Compared to the Phylo-PFP's predecessor, PFP, which was among the top ranked methods in the second round of the Critical Assessment of Functional Annotation (CAFA2), Phylo-PFP demonstrated substantial improvement in prediction accuracy. Phylo-PFP was further shown to outperform prediction programs to date that were ranked top in CAFA2. Availability and implementation Phylo-PFP web server is available for at http://kiharalab.org/phylo_pfp.php. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Phospholipid Bilayer Softening Due to Hydrophobic Gold Nanoparticle Inclusions.

Liposome–nanoparticle assemblies (LNAs) are vital in the context of novel targeted drug-delivery systems, in addition to investigating nanoparticle–lipid bilayer interactions. Quantifying membrane structural properties and dynamics in presence of nanoparticle inclusions provides a simple model to elucidate nanoparticle effects on membrane biophysical properties. We present experimental evidences of bilayer softening due to small hydrophobic gold nanoparticle inclusions. LNA structure has been investigated by a combination of cryo-transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and small-angle neutron scattering. Neutron spin echo spectroscopy demonstrated a remarkable ∼15% bending modulus decrease for LNAs relative to pure liposomes. Clear dependence of bending modulus on gold nanoparticle diameter and concentration was observed from our observations. Our findings point toward local bilayer fluidization by nanoparticle inclusions leading to an overall bilayer softening. These findings add valu...
A Distributed-Parameter Control System Using Electromagnetic Images Stimulation for Human-Machine Perception Interface

This article presents a new design of a distributed-parameter control system for human–machine perception interface, which is capable of precisely stimulating the neural systems with electromagneti...
Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 Cells: Experimental Models and Clinical Translation

Abstract Within the expanding universe of murine and human functional T-cell subsets remain the initial members, the CD4+ Th1/Th2 and CD8+ Tc1/Tc2 subsets. The biology of these subsets has been elucidated in great detail, with definitions morphing from simple cytokine secretion profiles to current definitions that emphasize cell fate transcription factor expression. Also, T-cell subset cross-regulation has shifted from cytokine cross-regulation to transcription factor modulation. Finally, it is now clear that the Th1/Th2 subsets, which were generally considered relatively stable, have a high degree of subset plasticity. Keeping pace with this new biology, experimental transplantation researchers have provided a relatively sophisticated understanding of the role of the Th1/Th2 subsets in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD; particularly, acute GVHD), graft-versus-tumor effects, and graft rejection. This information now forms the rationale for attempts to control the Th1/Th2 balance posttransplant as a strategy to permit beneficial transplantation responses without increased GVHD. In particular, ex vivo graft engineering to control the balance of Th1/Th2 effectors contained in the allogeneic T-cell inoculum represents a promising approach to improve transplantation outcome.
Prevalence of Bartonella spp. in Canine Cutaneous Histiocytoma.

Summary Canine cutaneous histiocytoma (CCH) is a common, benign neoplastic proliferation of histiocytes of Langerhans cell origin that often ulcerate, become secondarily infected and regress spontaneously. Bartonella is a fastidious genus of facultative intracellular pathogens that can be transmitted through arthropod bites and epidermal animal scratches and has been identified previously in the cytoplasm of histiocytes within granulomatous lesions and in skin biopsy samples of inflammatory pustules and papules. Based on the established inflammatory and oncogenic properties of Bartonella , we hypothesized that Bartonella spp. DNA could be amplified from CCH more often than from non-lesional skin and bacteria could be localized within skin tumours using indirect immunofluorescence (IIF). Paraffin wax-embedded surgical biopsy samples from dogs with CCH and non-neoplastic skin adjacent to osteosarcomas (control group selected due to wide surgical margins) were retrieved from the archive of the pathology service of North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. DNA was extracted and regions of the 16S–23S rRNA intergenic transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the pap 31 and glt A genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using Bartonella -specific primers. IIF was performed using a primary Bartonella henselae monoclonal antibody to localize B. henselae in tissues of PCR-positive dogs. Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii was amplified from 1/17 (5.8%) control tissues and B. henselae was amplified from 4/29 (13.8%) CCH tissues. The prevalence of B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii ( P = 0.37) or B. henselae ( P = 0.28) did not vary statistically between study groups. B. henselae could be visualized in 2/4 (50.0%) CCH tissues using IIF. Based on this study, Bartonella spp. are unlikely to cause CCH.
Ultralow Energy, Elevated Temperature Implants of High Doses of Helium into Silicon

Helium implantation into silicon may offer the ability to alter the point-defect population of silicon in favor of vacancies. Helium can stabilize small vacancy clusters into He m V n complexes below the threshold for cavity formation. This work characterizes the effects of helium implantation in a unique range that has not been studied before. Transmission electron microscopy shows that cavity formation is suppressed at lower energies for elevated temperature implantation. However, extended defects are visible at low energies for a range of doses. Thermal helium desorption spectrometry shows that ~98% of the helium dose dynamically desorbs during the implant and confirms the presence of small sub-microscopic He m V n clusters. Finally, positron Doppler broadening spectroscopy indicates the presence of additional vacancy clusters.
Was That a Scream? Listener Agreement and Major Distinguishing Acoustic Features

Human screams have been suggested to comprise a salient and readily identified call type, yet few studies have explored the degree to which people agree on what constitutes a scream, and the defining acoustic structure of screams has not been fully determined. In this study, participants listened to 75 human vocal sounds, representing both a broad acoustical range and array of emotional contexts, and classified each as to whether it was a scream or not. Participants showed substantial agreement on which sounds were considered screams, consistent with the idea of screams as a basic call type. Agreement on classifications was related to participant gender, emotion processing accuracy, and empathy. To characterize the acoustic structure of screams, we measured the stimuli on 27 acoustic parameters. Principal components analysis and generalized linear mixed modeling indicated that classification as a scream was positively correlated with 3 acoustic dimensions: one corresponding to high pitch and roughness, another corresponding to wide fundamental frequency variability and narrow interquartile range bandwidth, and a third positively correlated with peak frequency slope. Twenty-six stimuli were agreed upon by > 90% of participants to be screams, but these were not acoustically homogeneous, and others evoked mixed responses. These results suggest that while screams might represent a salient and possibly innate call type, they also exhibit perceptual and acoustic gradation, perhaps reflecting the wide range of emotions and contexts in which they occur.
Autologous stem cell transplant in older patients with multiple myeloma (MM): Analysis of the nationwide inpatient sample (NIS).

e18551 Background: Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) improves survival in MM patients <65 years and is applied to select patients ≥ age 65. We hypothesized that comorbidities (CM) are associat...
Are we ready for bundled payments for major bowel surgery

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced a new voluntary episode payment model for major bowel surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the financial impact of bundled payments for major bowel surgery. An institutional database was retrospectively queried for all patients who underwent major bowel surgery between July 2016 and June 2018. Procedures were categorized using MS-DRG coding: MS-DRG 329 (with MCC, major complications and comorbidity), MS-DRG 330 (with CC, complications and comorbidity), and MS-DRG 331 (without CC/MCC). A total of 745 patients underwent 798 procedures, with mean age 62.1 years and BMI 29.2 kg/m2. The median LOS was 4.0 days, with 12.5% of patients being discharged to a post-acute care facility for an average of 38.5 days. The mean hospital cost was $18,525. The mean payment to a post-acute care facility was $423 per day. The 90-day readmission rate was 8.6% at an average cost of $12,859 per readmission. Patients with major complications and comorbidity (MS-DRG 329) had higher CMS Hierarchical Condition Categories scores, longer LOS, higher costs, more required home health services or post-acute care facilities, and had higher 90-day readmissions. In a fee-for-service model, hospital reimbursements resulted in a negative margin of − 8.2% for MS-DRG 329, − 2.6% for MS-DRG 330, but a positive margin of 2.8% for MS-DRG 331. In a bundled payment model, the hospital would incur a loss of − 13.1%, − 11.1%, and − 1.9% for MS-DRG 329, 330, and 331, respectively. Patients undergoing major bowel surgery are often a heterogeneous population with varied pre-existing comorbid conditions who require a high level of complex care and utilize greater hospital resources. Further study is needed to identify areas of cost containment without compromising the overall quality of care.
Implications of neuroendocrine tumor and diabetes mellitus on patient outcomes and care: A matched case control study.

612Background: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on survival in neuroendocrine tumor and the impact of neuroendocrine tumor on glycemic control in DM. Method...
A satellite-driven hydro-economic model to support agricultural water resources management

Abstract The management of water resources among competing uses presents a complex technical and policy challenge. Integrated hydro-economic models capable of simulating the hydrologic system in irrigated and non-irrigated regions including the response of farmers to hydrologic constraints and economic and policy incentives, provide a framework to understand biophysical and socioeconomic implications of changing water availability. We present a transformative hydro-economic model of agricultural production driven by multi-sensor satellite observations, outputs from regional climate models, and socioeconomic data. Our approach overcomes the limitations of current decision support systems for agricultural water management and provides policymakers and natural resource managers with satellite data-driven, state-wide, operational models capable of anticipating how farmers allocate water, land, and other resources when confronted with new climate patterns, policy rules, or market signals. The model can also quantify how farming decisions affect agricultural water supplies. We demonstrate the model through an application in the state of Montana.
Ethical considerations for protecting the options of subjects in primary epidemic vaccine trials

The recent review by Monrad1 presents several issues about secondary vaccine trials. It lays out the case in which a vaccine has been tested through phases I–III and is being deployed. Subsequently (emphasis added), consideration is being given to conducting ‘trials for another vaccine for the pathogen’. Monrad states: ‘In summary, we may say that researchers have strong prima facie reasons not to conduct a secondary vaccine trial.’ Monrad discusses several factors meriting careful consideration about the need for developing and testing more than one vaccine: relative efficacy, length of immunity, adverse reactions (reactogenicity), ease of storage and administration, economic and logistical factors. What is not addressed are the ethical duties that exist when there are competing phase III vaccine candidates for COVID-19. We have serious concerns about potential ethical inadequacies about these ongoing trials and those …
Novel TiO2-based catalysts employed in photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis for effective degradation of pharmaceuticals (PhACs) in water: A short review

The quality of water bodies is continuously threatened by the growing human activities and the consequent release of different classes of contaminants, known to be recalcitrant to elimination in conventional wastewater treatment plants. These pollutants named contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) may have a strong impact not only on the environment but also on human health due to long-term exposure. Currently, most of the research activities in the field of wastewater treatment are oriented toward the development of innovative technologies with enhanced performance in terms of efficiency and applicability in full scale for the removal of CECs. This review focuses on the recent progress in syntheses and applications of novel TiO2 nanocomposite photocatalysts for the effective degradation of pharmaceuticals (PhACs) in water matrices, known to be a wide class of CECs. The development of ultraviolet response and visible-light response of immobilized TiO2 on different supports were reviewed and the application of photocatalysis, also combined with electrochemical processes (photoelectrocatalysis, PEC) in the removal of PhACs were summarized.
Educating future landscape professionals about climate change and climate-wise design: current status, priorities, and information needs

While climate change is increasingly being viewed as one of the most critical issues affecting the landscape design and horticultural industries today, research indicates that many current professi...
Government as a Market Player to Improve Consumer Access to Lifesaving Drugs for a Healthy Budget and Healthy Care

Monopolistic pricing by pharmaceutical patentees and a lack of price controls over lifesaving drugs is one of the major reasons that health care is expensive in the United States. With a goal of improving consumer access to lifesaving drugs, this Dissertation characterizes lifesaving drugs as essential commodities for human survival and highlights how the government could act as a market-player to lower drug prices. This Dissertation discusses the federal government’s exclusive authority over the pharmaceutical industry and patentees to bring price transparency and promote fair pricing standards. It also argues for removal of the “noninterference clause” from the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 by incorporating the contract principles of undue influence and unconscionability and recognizing the trustee and beneficiary relationship between the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance and Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Funds and the people insured by Medicare. Finally, the Dissertation accentuates the importance of appreciating and balancing the need for cheaper pharmaceutical products against patentees’ intellectual property rights so that the patentees can earn a reasonable return on their investments. The Dissertation proposes subjecting government imposed patent regulations and price controls on the pharmaceutical patentees and the pharmaceutical companies to a balancing test that promotes new drug inventions at affordable prices.
The Movement of Tn3-Like Elements: Transposition and Cointegrate Resolution

This chapter discusses the organization of Tn3-family transposons and their transposition (the formation and resolution of the cointegrate intermediate). The bulk of the chapter, however, is concerned with the process of cointegrate resolution as performed by the resolvase (serine recombinase) class of site-specific recombinases, since this is both the most novel feature of Tn3-family transposons and the feature about which we know the most. While initial studies failed to identify the resolvase, they led to the proposal that cointegrates were an intermediate in the complete transposition pathway and that an internal site, deleted in this subset, was needed for the conversion of cointegrates to simple insertions. This proposal was subsequently proved correct, and it became apparent that Tn3 intermolecular transposition proceeded in two distinct and separable steps: formation of a cointegrate, involving the combined action of the transposase and the host cell replication machinery, followed by cointegrate resolution using the distinct site-specific recombination activity of resolvase. Taking a slightly different perspective (from that of the resolution systems), two transposons with very similar resolvases, Tn5501 and Tn(pTF5), have dramatically different transposases, suggesting that two different transposons capture the same resolvase system. Finally, despite their similar organization, two TnpI-encoding transposons, Tn4430 and Tn5401, have transposases and TnpI recombinases that are so diverged that independent origins seem highly likely.
Maimonides’ Use of (Aristotelian) Dialectic

It is well known that the Falāsifa (Aristotelian philosophers) and Maimonides in their wake had a low opinion of the Mutakallimūn, the practitioners of “dialectical (rational) theology.”1 But this does not mean that they spurned dialectic (jadal) per se. There is a world of difference between dialectic as practiced by the theologians and dialectic as employed by the philosophers. The philosophers claimed that the theologians were blind to the inferior cognitive status of dialectic and to the superiority of scientific discourse, and consequently abused dialectic. If so, the Mutakallimūn were neither philosophers nor even proper dialecticians. In the view of the philosophers, following Aristotle, dialectic has a useful, indeed vital, function when employed for the right purpose and directed to the appropriate audience.
Contego: capability-based access control for web browsers

Over the last two decades, the Web has significantly transformed our lives. Along with the increased activities on the Web come the attacks. A recent report shows that 83% of web sites have had at least one serious vulnerability. As the Web becomes more and more sophisticated, the number of vulnerable sites is unlikely to decrease. A fundamental cause of these vulnerabilities is the inadequacy of the browser's access control model in dealing with the features in today's Web. We need better access control models for browsers. Today's web pages behave more and more like a system, with dynamic elements interacting with one another within each web page. A well-designed access control model is needed to mediate these interactions to ensure security. The capability-based access control model has many properties that are desirable for the Web. This paper designs a capability-based access control model for web browsers. We demonstrate how such a model can be beneficial to the Web, and how common vulnerabilities can be easily prevented using this model. We have implemented this model in the Google Chrome browser.
Metastatic Extra‐Axial Neoplasia

The role of MRI imaging in the metastatic work-up is to detect the spread of tumor to the brain parenchyma, and define the location. Intravenous contrast (gadolinium-DTPA) provides the greatest sensitivity for detecting brain lesions and is almost always indicated except when there is no intravenous access. This unit presents a Basic Protocol for imaging intra-axial brain metastases and specific modifications are discussed for the case of metastatic brain tumors demonstrating evidence of hemorrhage. The sequences described in this unit are based on 1.5 T scanner (Echospeed GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, Wisconsin), but can be expected to be equally applicable to other field strengths and scanners from other manufacturers.
Will increased photosynthetic efficiency lead to increased yield in rice

Plant mass is primarily derived from photosynthesis and so it is surprising that final plant mass (yield) and photosynthetic rate of leaves are often not well correlated. The rate of plant respiration and loss of plant matter through detachment also influence yield. The lack of correlation also reflects the fact that photosynthate availability is just one of many signals that affect plant growth and development. Plants grown in elevated carbon dioxide normally have increased yield, which tells us that increasing the availability of photosynthate is likely to increase yield, though perhaps not as much as might be expected. In redesigning photosynthesis for increased yield, we can focus on the inputs, fundamental mechanisms, or outputs. Given the importance of the relationship between photosynthesis and plant growth, this chapter focuses on the outputs of photosynthesis and their immediate use, especially the enzyme sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS). Plants that are transformed to express more sucrose-phosphate synthase sometimes have higher yields than untransformed plants. Two hypotheses were tested to explain this variability in response: (1) Does expression of the gene in nonphotosynthetic tissue affect yield? (2) Is there an optimum level of SPS that should be sought? It was found that expression in nonphotosynthetic tissue was not important but that there was an optimum level of SPS activity. Too much or too little of this enzyme results in lowered yield and it may be that most plants have a level appropriate to the preindustrial atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration or a level that results in a more conservative strategy than is required for crop plants.
Gradients of salinity stress, environmental stability and water chemistry as a templet for defining habitat types and physiological strategies in inland salt waters

The search for pattern in the geographic occurrence of salt lake flora and fauna often reveals strong associations of specific taxa with certain types of water chemistry. Solute composition, along with salinity and habitat stability, may provide a templet shaping the distribution of many organisms inhabiting saline lakes. A review of studies demonstrating habitat associations, specific solute tolerance, and ionic and osmotic adaptations provide evidence of fidelity to particular conditions of environmental chemistry across a wide taxonomic spectrum. Under low salinity conditions, some species show osmoregulatory adaptability to varied solute composition but the capacity for such flexibility is reduced with increased salinity and only certain taxa are found in hypersaline waters dominated by a particular solute. Anionic ratios of chloride, bicarbonate–carbonate, and sulfate appear to be especially important determinants of distribution. Specific solute tolerance presents an alternative explanation to disrupted hydrographic connections in describing how biogeographic distributions may be restricted to certain aquatic habitats in arid regions. Physiological adaptations to chemistry, exemplified in the brine fly genus Ephydra, may be an integral part of the evolution, ecology and diversification of saline water organisms.
Abstract 11027: The Paracrine Factors Released From Mesenchymal Stem Cells Rejuvenate Cardiomyocytes Through Transfer of miRs and Regulation of Pten/ Akt Signaling Pathway

Our previous studies indicate that mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) overexpressing GATA-4 (MSCGATA-4) reduce infarction size and improve cardiac function in the myocardial ischemia via protecting cardiomyocytes (CM). In this study, we hypothesized that the paracrine factors of MSC rejuvenate CM through exosoemes (EXO) release resulting transferring bioactive factors and regulating the related signaling pathways. 1) We investigated the role of EXO on long-term culture-induced senescence. Primary neonatal CM were cultured in DMEM with 10% FBS for 3 days. The medium was replaced with serum free medium containing either EXO or 1% BSA. After 3 weeks, most CM displayed a senescent phenotype and a decreased beating frequency. While administration of EXO reduced significantly the percentage of SA β-gal positive CM and well restored the beating frequency of CM, particular EXOGATA-4 group showed a better Effect (Fig. A & B); 2) Two proliferation markers, Ki67 and Brdu, were examined in CM cultured for 7 days. EXO treat...
On self-triggered full-information H-infinity controllers

A self-triggered control task is one in which the task determines its next release time. It has been conjectured that self-triggering can relax the requirements on a real-time scheduler while maintaining application (i.e. control system) performance. This paper presents preliminary results supporting that conjecture for a self-triggered real-time system implementing full-information H∞ controllers. Release times are selected to enforce upper bounds on the induced L2 gain of a linear feedback control system. These release times are treated as requests by the system scheduler, which then assigns actual release times using Buttazzo's elastic scheduling algorithm. Preliminary experimental results from a Matlab stateflow simulink model demonstrated a remarkable robustness to scheduling delays induced by real-time schedulers. These results show that self-triggered controllers are indeed able to maintain acceptable levels of application performance during prolonged periods of processor overloading.
The loophole in logic test: mixed signal ASIC

The author surveys test-related loopholes that could limit mixed signals. All the loopholes are related to one or more of three fundamental environmental characteristics. First, mixed-signal ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) components lack the controllability and observability seen at old component/card test levels. Second, there is much closer interaction between the logic and analog portions of a design. Third, design and product life cycles are being compressed to the point where existing card and component test methodologies and processes no longer meet requirements. He shows that the key development that will lead to significant improvements in mixed signal test methodologies is the most recent generation of mixed-signal, digital signal processor (DSP)-based tester/work stations. Particularly important is computer-automated design software that these systems provide, which may establish a better environment for design-for-test and test generation development. >
Necessary But Not Sufficient Sexual Assault Information on College and University Websites

The objective of our study was to investigate the availability, location, and content of sexual assault information presented on college and university websites. A random sample of 102 accredited, non-profit, bachelors-granting U.S. colleges and universities was selected for webcoding. Websites were coded for the availability and location of sexual assault information, including what resources and information were provided and whether topics such as date rape, consent, and victim blaming were addressed. Ninety (88.2%) of the 102 colleges and universities in our sample had sexual assault information available in their domains. University policy (83.3%) and contact information for law enforcement (72.2%) and other resources (56.7–82.2%) were often included, but most websites failed to provide information on issues related to sexual assault, such as discouraging victim blaming (35.6%) and encouraging affirmative consent (30.0%). Colleges and universities should consider updating the sexual assault informatio...
Medical Image Processing, Analysis and Visualization in clinical research

Imaging has become an essential component in many fields of medical and laboratory research and clinical practice. Biologists study cells and generate 3D confocal microscopy data sets; virologists generate 3D reconstructions of viruses from micrographs; radiologists identify and quantify tumors from MRI and CT scans; and neuroscientists detect regional metabolic brain activity from PET and functional MRI scans. Analysis of these diverse image types requires sophisticated computerized quantification and visualization tools. Until recently, 3D visualization of images and quantitative analysis could only be performed using expensive UNIX workstations and customized software. Today, much of the visualization and analysis can be performed on an inexpensive desktop computer equipped with the appropriate graphics hardware and software. This paper introduces an extensible, platform-independent, general-purpose image processing and visualization program specifically designed to meet the needs of an Internet-linked medical research community. The application, named MIPAV (Medical Image Processing, Analysis and Visualization), enables clinical and quantitative analysis of medical images over the Internet. Using MIPAV's standard user interface and analysis tools, researcher and clinicians at remote sites can easily share research data and analyses, thereby enhancing their ability to study, diagnose, monitor and treat medical disorders.
The Lambda and P22 Phage Repressors

The lambda cI repressor and the P22 c2 repressor contain two structural domains. In both proteins, the N-terminal domains mediate operator recognition and positive control of transcription, and the C-terminal domains mediate subunit oligomerization and recognition of the recA protein. In some cases, structural, biochemical, and genetic studies implicate particular repressor side chains in these processes.
Effect of sample preparation on the δ18o-value of fine-grained calcite☆

Experiments indicate that the oxygen isotopic composition of carbonate particles with size in the range of a few micrometers or smaller can be significantly affected when carbonate-distilled water mixtures are dried in air at temperatures < 60°C. Simple isotopic exchange between the carbonate and the distilled waters used, at the temperatures of the experiments, would have resulted in decreases in the 180/180 ratios of the carbonates. On the contrary, in all cases examined, the 180/180 ratio of the carbonate increased. No isotopic shift is observed when the same carbonate is heated with the same water in a sealed ampoule and then washed thoroughly with acetone prior to drying. The data suggest that carbonate dissolves in the distilled water, and that during the drying process it reprecipitates from water which has been enriched in 18O during evaporation as a result of a Rayleigh distillation process.
Captopril-induced reduction of serum levels of transforming growth Factor-β1 correlates with long-term renoprotection in insulin-dependent diabetic patients

The renoprotective effect of captopril on progression of diabetic nephropathy was demonstrated by the Collaborative Study Group Captopril Trial and might be independent of blood pressure. Because angiotensin II is known to stimulate the prosclerotic cytokine, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), we postulated that the renoprotective effect may be due to inhibition of TGF-beta1 production. TGF-beta1 levels were measured in serum at baseline and 6 months from patients in the captopril trial. TGF-beta1 analyses were performed on all available patient sera. Analysis was performed between the percent change in TGF-beta1 levels during the first 6 months versus the percent change in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the subsequent 2 years. TGF-beta1 levels increased by 11% (P = 0. 003) in the placebo group (n = 24), whereas there was a decrease of 14% (P = 0.01) in the captopril group (n = 34). There was an inverse correlation between the percent change in TGF-beta1 levels during the first 6 months and the percent change in GFR over the ensuing 2-year period in patients from both the placebo (r = -0.55, P = 0. 005) and captopril groups (r = -0.45, P = 0.008). In patients with initial GFR below 75 mL/min, there was an even stronger correlation in percent change in TGF-beta1 levels and percent change in GFR in both placebo (n = 9, r = -0.69, P = 0.03) and captopril groups (n = 21, r = -0.73, P = 0.0001). Our data suggest that captopril decreases TGF-beta1 levels in diabetic nephropathy and that changes in TGF-beta1 levels may predict the course of diabetic nephropathy.
Sequential analysis for quality control in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Abstract Objective: This article describes a novel application of a statistical technique for continuous quality assurance in the NICU. Methods: We used prospective analysis of rates of survival to 28 days of life, without major IVH in ELBW infants in a single tertiary NICU, before and after the introduction of an evidence-based treatment protocol. By using the CUSUM function, each infant's results were sequentially plotted, and significant changes in outcomes were noted when the plot crossed predetermined boundary lines. Results: Significant changes in outcomes were evident with this method sooner than traditional analyses on the basis of year-end or other arbitrary intervals. The introduction of the ELBW protocol was temporally associated with significant improvement in intact short-term survival. Conclusion: Sequential analysis techniques are useful tools for ongoing quality assurance; deviations in outcomes may be detected more quickly, which should assist in the identification of improvements or decrements in performance of the NICU. (J Pediatr 2001;139:778–84)
Radiosonde Humidity Retrieval by Simultaneous Radiation Measurements

Abstract A radiometric method for the retrieval of moisture data at altitudes above the radiosonde hygristor cutoff region or in situations where a malfunction of the hygristor occurs is described. The method was applied to BOMEX radiation soundings. Regardless of the exact moisture profile, the method is designed to radiometrically infer the average decrease of moisture through the entire atmospheric column through a solution of the radiative transfer equation. This enables recovery of the total mass of atmospheric water vapor. In at least 25% of all BOMEX radiometersonde ascents, humidity retrieval did produce a more realistic moisture profile and total mass of precipitable water vapor. In these cases, the radiosonde hygristor humidity deficiencies averaged from −45% at 800 mb to −30% at 600 mb. For such pressure levels, the optical mass of water vapor retrieved for the soundings discussed averaged 1.68 gm cm−2. This represents 56% of the hygristor-measured optical mass. Above 400 mb the optical mass re...
Eastern U.S. crustal structure

The Fifth Friends of Aeromagnetic Mapping (FOAM) Workshop was convened April 28–29, 1987, at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Center (Reston, Va.) by Isidore Zietz (George Mason University, Fairfax, Va.), Jeff Phillips (USGS, Reston, Va.), and Bob Hatcher (University of Tennessee, Knoxville/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn.). The purpose of this workshop was to discuss the crustal structure of the Appalachian region, including elements onshore covered by Coastal Plain sediments, as well as the continental shelf, slope, and rise offshore. The meeting was structured to maximize discussion. As in earlier FOAM workshops, the emphasis was upon thorough integration of potential field data, with seismic reflection, surface geology, and other data sets. The opening lecture by Hatcher outlined a block structure for the U.S. and Maritime Appalachians based primarily upon potential field data. Possible origins of the Appalachian gravity gradient, as a suture or post-Paleozoic extensional feature, were mentioned, and it was noted that the Ouachitas have a similar gravity gradient. Hatcher also discussed the Late Paleozoic collisional tectonics of the Appalachians, which produce the huge Blue Ridge-Piedmont thrust sheet, with 200-500 km of displacement. The idea that the bend in the central Appalachians resulted from the collision of a promontory of Africa prior to the main collision during the late Paleozoic Alleghanian event was shown to be supported by evidence for large-scale dextral motion along faults in the Southern Appalachians. Questions remain on the timing of motions and the continuity of deformation.
An improved method for muscle force assessment in neuromuscular disease.

We describe here the reliability and validity of methods to quantify involuntary muscle torque induced by non-invasive nerve stimulation. A rigid apparatus was used to hold the subject's limb in a predetermined position and confine movement to a specific direction (i.e. ankle dorsiflexion or thumb adduction). An incorporated strain gauge was used to measure isometric torque, and all data were recorded by a data acquisition program. The innervating nerves were stimulated by surface electrodes, using either single stimuli to generate a twitch, or short trains of stimuli to produce tetanic contraction of the individual muscle under study. The average peak tetanic torque generated by the dorsiflexor muscles in healthy control was 20.4 +/- 3.8 Nm and varied by 3.7% with repeated testing. The mean torque generated by the adductor pollicis muscle in controls was 1.5 +/- 0.4 Nm and varied by 4.6% with repeated testing. In patient populations significant changes in activated torque were readily quantified, and the effects of treatment can be easily assessed. Furthermore, several specific parameters of recorded isometric contractions were measured; e.g. time between stimulus and torque onset, peak rate of torque development, time to peak torque, half-relaxation time, and others (none of which are measurable when using voluntary contraction of muscle). Compared to current assessment methods, monitoring muscle torque generated by nerve stimulation improves objectivity, reliability, and quantitative capabilities. The presented method has significant potential both in diagnosing neuromuscular disorders and determining treatment efficacy.
Beta-1 adrenergic receptors mediate noradrenergic facilitation of purkinje cell responses to gamma-aminobutyric acid in cerebellum of rat

Abstract Norepinephrine (NE) may have a major role in modulating the responsiveness of Purkinje cells to the actions of other neurotransmitters in the cerebellum. Specifically, the catecholamine has been shown to enhance inhibitory responses of Purkinje cells to microiontophoretically applied gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA). This noradrenergic facilitation of GABA has been shown recently to be mediated by beta-adrenergic receptors. The aim of this study was to characterize further the subtype of the beta-receptor involved. The results indicate that practolol, a selective beta-1 blocker, antagonized the NE- induced augmentation of Purkinje cell inhibitory responses to GABA. Zinterol, a selective beta-2 agonist, did not mimic the potentiating effect of NE. Furthermore, the noradrenergic facilitation of GABA-induced inhibition remained unaltered in cerebella subjected to neonatal X-irradiation. This procedure resulted in a decrease in the total cerebellar beta-receptor population yet left unchanged both the number of beta-1 receptors per cerebellum and the radio-resistant Purkinje cells. Together, the data presented here support the hypothesis that the noradrenergic facilitation of GABA-induced inhibition of Purkinje cells is mediated by the activation of cerebellar beta-1 adrenergic receptors located on the Purkinje cells.
Coupling of flame geometry and combustion instabilities based on kilohertz formaldehyde PLIF measurements

Abstract In the past, flame geometry was found to play an important role in determining when strong pressure fluctuations associated with a combustion instability occur in a gas turbine model combustor. The goals of this study were to use flame surface area as a more accurate way to quantify the flame shape and the heat release rate, in lieu of chemiluminescence; to accurately resolve both the spatial structure and the time history of the heat release fluctuations, and to show that kilohertz formaldehyde planar laser-induced fluorescence provides a new way to achieve these goals. The dual-swirl burner, developed at DLR Stuttgart by Meier et al. was operated using dimethyl ether (DME) to study fluctuations in the flame surface area, flame brush, flame length, and heat release rate. To understand the instability, accurate measurements are needed of the correlation between heat release rate fluctuations and pressure fluctuations. Thus heat release rate must be recorded as a function of time and space. However conventional chemiluminescence offers only a line-of-sight measurement. High-speed CH2O PLIF was applied to study the motion of flame surfaces in response to the pressure oscillations. Results show that the flame surface density fluctuated at the acoustic frequency (typically 320 Hz). The frequency of the combustion instability was found to increase as either the gas velocity or the flame speed was increased. These trends are consistent with previous n-τ theories that model the convective time delay. Strong pressure oscillations occur for conditions when the flame is nearly flat; the instability disappears when the flame becomes V-shaped. The explanation is that all points on a flatter flame have the same convective time delay but this is not true for the V-flame geometry.
Antiphospholipid antibodies and sub-clinical atherosclerosis in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) cohort.

Objective and design Antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) have been associated with clinical cardiovascular disease, but it remains unclear whether APA are associated with sub-clinical atherosclerosis. This study examined the relationship between APA and sub-clinical atherosclerosis, measured as coronary artery calcification (CAC), in participants from the prospective Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study.
Clinical and social predictors of application for social security disability insurance by workers' compensation claimants with low back pain.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify clinical and social predictors of application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in workers’ compensation claimants with low back pain. Methods: Archival and interview data were analyzed for 1372 Missouri claimants who were, on average, nearly 42 months postinjury. Results: Two hundred sixty-five (19.3%) claimants were receiving SSDI (8.0%) or had applied for SSDI (11.3%). Logistic regression indicated that black race, older age, herniated disc diagnosis, surgery, and longer time since injury were associated with increased odds of SSDI. Higher preinjury wage, more education, and higher satisfaction with medical treatment and/or treatment by employer were associated with decreased odds of SSDI. Conclusions: Application for SSDI among claimants with occupational low back pain is associated with social factors like race, satisfaction, and socioeconomics as well as clinical factors like diagnosis and surgery.
Device for removal of solid impurities from liquid nitrogen

Abstract A device made of pyroelectric crystals is used to remove ice crystals and other particles from liquid nitrogen. The method of construction is described. Objects weighing several hundred grams are attracted to and manipulated with this device at 77 K.
Bottom Soil and Water Quality Management in Shrimp Ponds

ABSTRACT Marine shrimp farming has become an important component of aquaculture. Water and soil conditions have a great influence on the efficiency of shrimp production, and a review of water quality and bottom soil management will be provided. After a shrimp pond has been drained for harvest, organic carbon analyses can indicate if organic matter concentrations are too low ( 3 or 4%). Bottoms should be dried for 2 to 3 weeks to enhance oxidation of organic matter and other reduced substances. Soil pH should be measured and agricultural limestone applied to acidic pond bottoms. In soil with excessive organic matter, nitrogen fertilizers may be applied at 200 to 400 kg/ha to enhance microbial activity. Nitrate nitrogen is especially effective as a nitrogen source for treating pond bottoms because it also is a soil oxidant. Empty pond bottoms also may be tilled to 5 to 10 cm depth with a disk harrow to encourage oxidation. Once ponds have been filled with water, chemical fertilizer con...
On the Use of Monolayers to Reduce Evaporation From Stationary Water Pools

An experimental investigation has been conducted to quantify the extent by which monolayers of fatty alcohols can reduce evaporation from a deep stationary water pool within a controlled environment. Octadecanol (stearyl alcohol), C 17 H 35 -CH 2 -OH, was chosen as the surface film and ethanol was selected to be the spreading agent. Evaporation suppression of 60 percent was achieved at a water temperature of 25 o C with an air temperature of 20 o C and a relative humidity of 70 percent. The experimental techniques and data have been validated by comparing the measured evaporation rates for film-free water with earlier data published by other investigators
Children's nonverbal responses to a physically disabled person

A male, who either was wearing a leg brace and carrying a metal crutch or was nondisabled, conducted interviews outside a discount store with 120 children accompanied by their parents and ranging in age from three to 15. A hidden observer recorded aspects of each child's nonverbal behavior and his or her parent's distance from the child-interviewer interaction. When the interviewer was disabled, the youngest children engaged in less self-manipulatory behavior, children of all ages stood closer to him and looked more at his leg and body, and parents stood closer to their children at the start of the interview. It is argued that these findings suggest interest in rather than aversion toward disability. The fact that no major developmental changes or sex differences were detected raises questions about previous findings suggesting that attitudes toward disabled persons become more positive with age and are more positive among girls than among boys. Findings based on obtrusive measures of verbally expressed attitudes may not generalize to situations in which nonverbal responses are unobtrusively observed.
Let's speak Ilokano

Let's Speak Ilokano takes a new and lively approach to language learning. Lessons are learned in the context of simulated real-world experiences that are acted out in the classroom.