cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of incision direction on radial keratotomy outcome.

The goal of maximizing radial keratotomy results by using optical-zone-directed (centrally directed) incisions rather than limbus-directed (peripherally directed) incisions is evaluated in this prospective study. Five patients had bilateral radial keratotomy, with optical-zone-directed incisions in one eye and limbus-directed incisions in the other. The order of surgery and eye was randomly assigned. Patients were evaluated preoperatively, at one week, and at one month. There were no significant differences preoperatively between the two groups of eyes in spherical equivalent or keratometry. At one week postoperatively, however, there were significant group differences in spherical equivalent changes (P less than .010). Eyes with limbus-directed incisions were -2.2 diopters (D) myopic, on average, while eyes with optical-zone-directed incisions were near emmetropic, with a mean spherical equivalent of 0.10 D. Because of these results, we stopped randomizing cases at this point. The difference in surgical effect was still significant at three months (P less than .01); eyes with limbus-directed incisions had an average of 3.5 D less surgical effect than eyes with optical-zone-directed incisions.
Preparation of magnetic spinel ferrite core/shell nanoparticles: Soft ferrites on hard ferrites and vice versa

Abstract Hard/soft CoFe2O4/ZnFe2O4 and soft/hard ZnFe2O4/CoFe2O4 core/shell nanoparticles were prepared by combining high-temperature thermolysis of metal oxide precursors with seed-mediated growth. Magnetic properties of the core/shell nanoparticles were compared to those of individual CoFe2O4 and ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles of similar size prepared by the same method. The structure of the core/shell materials was established using a combination of X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Further evidence for core/shell structure was obtained from magnetic measurements using a SQUID magnetometer. Magnetization measurements as a function of temperature reveal that the core/shell nanoparticles display a single blocking temperature suggesting that the spins of the hard CoFe2O4 and the soft ZnFe2O4 are strongly coupled and respond jointly to changes of temperature and magnetic field. The blocking temperature increases according to the relative amount of hard magnetic material (CoFe2O4) in the nanoparticles in the range of 46–150 K. Magnetic measurements on the nanoparticles as pressed powders and as dispersions in paraffin wax indicate that interparticle interactions significantly influence magnetization and coercivity of the particles, and these must be taken into account before the magnetization behavior of the core/shell structures can be interpreted in terms of coupling between the soft and hard magnetic materials.
ARTIFICIAL INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDIZATION IN RUELLIA (ACANTHACEAE)

THIS REPORT is the fifth of a series in which the results of genetic and taxonomic investigations of North American species of Ruellia are considered. In the first paper hybridization experiments between R. caroliniensis and R. humilis were described (Long, 1961). Cross compatibility studies were part of a biosystematic investigation of South Florida populations of Ruellia, but few F1 hybrids were available for analysis (Long, 1964). The object of the present investigation was (1) to determine interspecific genetic relationships of a small group of taxa morphologically similar to R. caroliniensis by means of hybridization experiments, and (2) to examine their relationships with other species representative of different morphological groupings within the genus. Almost no experimental work has been done with Acanthaceae, probably because the family is largely tropical and the species relatively inaccessible. Few hybrids have been reported. Bailey (1900) described Jacobinia penrhosiensis as a hybrid of J. pauciflora X J. ghiesbrechtiana. Bowden (1941) obtained a sterile hybrid of Ruellia ciliosa X R. tuberosa. He concluded that species in Ruellia were well-defined since the majority of crosses failed. Grant (1953) performed hybridizations using seven species of Ruellia and obtained plump seeds in five different species combinations. No attempts were made to germinate the seeds. To my knowledge the present report is the first describing the production of numerous hybrids in the genus.
Current Management of Small Cell Lung Cancer

Confined to one side of the chest, limited stage small cell lung cancer is treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, yet has a long-term survival rate of only 15%. Extensive stage disease has initial response rates to chemotherapy exceeding 70%. However, the disease almost invariably progresses and becomes fatal. Many recent clinical trials have failed to show superiority of newer chemotherapeutics or targeted therapies compared with the standard chemotherapy backbone of platinum plus etoposide. Numerous promising targeted therapies and other agents are still in development.
Dermal toxicity: alternative methods for risk assessment.

Conceptually, irritant contact dermatitis (irritation) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in man should provide the ideal platforms to launch in vitro toxicology into the pantheon of in vitro te...
Loss of PBRM1 and BAP1 expression is less common in non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma than in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Background Recurrent mutations in polybromo-1 ( PBRM1 , ~40%) and BRCA1-associated protein-1 ( BAP1 , ~10%) occur in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), but their prevalence in non-ccRCC or renal oncocytoma (RO) is unknown. We evaluated loss of PBRM1 and BAP1 staining in ccRCC, papillary RCC (pRCC), chromophobe RCC (chRCC), and RO tumors using an immunohistochemistry assay in which negative staining was associated with loss-of-function mutations. Methods We identified 458 patients treated surgically for ccRCC, pRCC, chRCC, and RO between 2004 and 2012. We performed immunohistochemistry assays to evaluate PBRM1 and BAP1 protein expression to classify tumors as PBRM1 or BAP1 negative. We compared loss of staining of these 2 proteins in ccRCC and non-ccRCC using the Fisher exact test. Results For the total cohort of 458 patients, we successfully stained both PBRM1 and BAP1 in 408 tumor samples. Consistent with the mutation rate, loss of PBRM1 and BAP1 staining occurred in 43% (80/187) and 10% (18/187) of ccRCC cases, respectively. However, loss of PBRM1 staining occurred in only 3% (2/59), 6% (1/17), and 0% (0/34) of pRCC, chRCC, and RO tumors, respectively ( P n = 61), chRCC ( n = 17), or RO ( n = 34) tumors, ( P = 0.00021). Conclusion Our data suggest that biallelic inactivation of PBRM1 or BAP1 is less common in non-ccRCC when compared with ccRCC tumors. These findings suggest that loss of PBRM1 or BAP1 are key events in ccRCC, whereas other pathways may support tumorigenesis in non-ccRCC subtypes.
On the nature of minds, or: truth and consequences

Are minds really dynamical or are they really symbolic? Because minds are bundles of computations, and because computation is always a matter of interpretation of one system by another, minds are necessarily symbolic. Because minds, along with everything else in the universe, are physical, and insofar as the laws of physics are dynamical, minds are necessarily dynamical systems. Thus, the short answer to the opening question is 'yes'. It makes sense to ask further whether some of the computations that constitute a human mind are constrained by functional, algorithmic, or implementational factors to be essentially of the discrete symbolic variety (even if they supervene on an apparently continuous dynamical substrate). I suggest that here too the answer is 'yes' and discuss the need for such discrete, symbolic cognitive computations in communication-related tasks.
Entrapment of Fishes on Intake Water Screens at a Steam Electric Generating Station

To investigate entrapment of fishes, traveling intake water screens were sampled monthly in 1969 and 1970 at a steam electric power station near Crystal River, Florida. Samples contained 73 species representing 41 families; the majority of individuals were juveniles or weak-swimming species. There was an inverse relationship between intake water temperature and catch. Highest mortalities occurred with the first cold temperatures of winter and later with lowest water temperatures. Comparison of catch-per-unit-effort during daylight and darkness in 1970 showed monthly catch-per-hour for dark sampling approximately equal to or greater than for light. Greatest disparities between day and night sampling occurred simultaneously with coldest water temperatures.
Lithographed spectrometers for tomographic line mapping of the Epoch of Reionization

The Tomographic Ionized carbon Mapping Experiment (TIME) is a multi-phased experiment that will topographically map [CII] emission from the Epoch of Reionization. We are developing lithographed spectrometers that couple to TES bolometers in anticipation of the second generation instrument. Our design intentionally mirrors many features of the parallel SuperSpec project, inductively coupling power from a trunk-line microstrip onto half-wave resonators. The resonators couple to a rat-race hybrids that feeds TES bolometers. Our 25 channel prototype shows spectrally positioned lines roughly matching design with a receiver optical efficiency of 15-20%, a level that is dominated by loss in components outside the spectrometer.
Mixed mode I/II fracture of 2024-T3 friction stir welds

Abstract For the first time, a series of mixed mode I/II fracture experiments have been performed on both base material and three families of friction stir welds (FSWs) in 6.4 mm thick, 2024-T351 aluminum plate; the FSW joints are designated hot, medium and cold due to the level of nominal weld energy input per unit weld length (specific weld energy) during the joining process. Results from the fracture tests indicate that the measured critical crack opening displacement (COD) at a fixed distance behind the crack tip properly correlates both load-crack extension response and microstructural fracture surface features for both the base metal and all FSWs, providing measure of a quantitative fracture toughness. The COD values also indicate that transition from mode I to mode II dominant crack growth occurs at lower loading angles for FSW joints having higher specific weld energy input, with a truly mixed mode I/II COD measured during crack growth in the medium FSW joint. Using results from recent detailed FSW metallographic studies, specific features in the fracture process are correlated to the FSW microstructure. Finally, the observed ductile crack growth path in all three welds tends to exit the under-matched FSW weld region as the far-field applied shear loading is increased, with the medium FSW being the only case where the flaw remained within the FSW region for all combinations of shear and tensile loading.
Why Computer Architecture Matters: Memory Access

The paper shows how applying knowledge about the underlying computer hardware to the code for a simple but computationally intensive algorithm can significantly improve performance. The paper also discusses how to rearrange code so that it accommodates the peculiarities of the memory system and consequently reduces execution time.
The Influence of pH and Acetonitrile on the High Performance size Exclusion Profile of Proteins

Abstract The concentration of the organic modifier, acetonitrile and pH were altered to measure their effects on the retention of various hydrophilic proteins and vitamin B12 using high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). The best separations were obtained with 0.1 or 0.2M sodium phosphate in the pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. In the absence of TFA, up to 25% acetonitrile did not dramatically influence the size exclusion profile of the protein components. Although 30 to 40% acetonitrile and 0.1% TFA for elution was not acceptable for the chromatography of hydrophilic proteins, hydrophobic apolipoproteins were nicely resolved under these conditions.
Influence of ionosphere conductivity on the ring current

[1] Using the Comprehensive Ring Current Model (CRCM), which self-consistently solves the kinetic equation of ring current protons and the closure of the electric current between the magnetosphere and ionosphere, we have studied how different changes in the ionospheric conductivity affect the strength of the ring current. The conductivity for F10.7 = 250 × 104 Janskys (Jy) (solar maximum condition) results in a ring current that is about 29% stronger than for F10.7 = 70 × 104 Jy (solar minimum condition). The conductivity at equinox results in a ring current that is about 5% stronger than at solstice because the two-hemisphere height-integrated conductivities at equinox are higher than at solstice. This would be a new mechanism for explaining the semiannual variation of Dst. Simulation with a realistic auroral conductivity estimated from the Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE)/Far Ultraviolet Imager (FUV) auroral imager data reveals the fact that auroral brightenings do not significantly change the intensity of the ring current. The overshielding condition is found to be produced when the auroral conductivity decreases abruptly near the Dst minimum, triggering a rapid decay of the ring current. The ring current is shown to be influenced not only by the interplanetary magnetic field and the solar wind but also by solar radiation and morphological features of the auroral electron precipitation as well.
Pseudo-outbreak of Bacillus species: Related to fibreoptic bronchoscopy

Summary In July and August 1980, Bacillus spp. were isolated with unusual frequency from bronchial washings obtained during bronchoscopy performed with fibreoptic equipment. Clinical disease in culture-positive patients was not apparent; but Bacillus spp. were recovered from one component of the bronchoscope, the automatic suction valve. It appeared that secretions became contaminated during passage through the valve en route to a collection device. After institution of controls directed primarily at proper storage and maintenance, the number of isolations of Bacillus spp. decreased significantly. Thus, investigation revealed a site for contamination not previously described and the results suggest that in future outbreaks, cultures of the component parts may permit localization of the site of contamination which may help focus control measures.
Formalizing the separability condition in Bell's theorem

Abstract The nonseparability of physical systems is often invoked in philosophical analyses of what has come to be known as Bell's theorem. Until recently, the formalization of the notion of separability was assumed to be unproblematic, equivalent to that of outcome independence (Jarrett incompleteness). Although this equivalence has been called into question, an alternative has not yet been specified with sufficient precision, leading to confusion as to what kinds of models should be considered separable. I identify four plausible candidates for the proper formalization of the separability condition, understood in terms of part–whole determination, and then discuss the relative merits of each. I show that three of these are, in fact, equivalent to outcome independence under most conditions, and that one is not, raising the possibility of a new decomposition of Bell locality. I also question whether part–whole determination should be considered sufficient for separability.
ℓ-Resonance effects in the νv5, 2ν5←ν5, and ν4 + ν5←ν4 bands of C2H2 and 13C12CH2 near 13.7 μm

Abstract An extension to the previous LSCD (lower state combination difference) determination of molecular parameters involving acetylene's ν 5 fundamental and the strongest one quantum hotbands, 2ν 5 ←ν 5 and ν 4 + ν 5 ←ν 4 [ J. Molec. Spectrosc. 146 , 389 (1991)] has been made. A novel iterative numerical diagonalization procedure was employed to fit the vibrational states involved in the seven one quantum hotbands. This method utilizes the Hellmann—Feynman theorem to calculate first derivatives and singular value decomposition (SVD) in its least-square procedure and permits the simultaneous evaluation of the effective dipole moment responsible for the l-type resonance effect upon IR intensities. A set of molecular parameters describing the rotation—vibration levels of the ground state, ν 5 , ν 4 , 2ν 5 and ν 4 + ν 5 for the major isotope and for 13 C 12 CH 2 are reported based upon FT-spectrometric data taken at the McMath Solar Telescope Observatory. The improved spectroscopic parameters retrieved from this investigation will serve as a database for modelling abundances of acetylene in various astrophysical sources.
Which Comes First in Fragile X Syndrome, Dendritic Spine Dysgenesis or Defects in Circuit Plasticity?:

The salient neuropathological defect in fragile X syndrome is the overabundance of immature dendritic spines in cortical pyramidal neurons. This review examines this anatomical synaptic defect in the context of other alterations in synaptic and circuit plasticity in fragile X mice. In theory, abnormal spines could lead to dysfunctional circuits and vice versa, so it is still not clear which problem comes first. Because of the tight structure-function relationships at the synapse, and given the significant overlap between signaling pathways that regulate spine shape/dynamics and long-term synaptic plasticity (both of which involve proteins regulated by fragile X mental retardation protein [FMRP]), it is argued that the two defects cannot be separated. It will be critical to determine whether neurons that lack FMRP and demonstrate alterations in long-term potentiation/depression also fail to undergo the expected enlargement/shrinkage of dendritic spines associated with those forms of synaptic plasticity or to establish clear links from FMRP signaling to either spine instability or defective synaptic plasticity, especially during critical periods of brain development. The resulting data will be vital in guiding translational research that can identify novel molecular targets for therapy in this devastating disorder.
The use of covert positive reinforcement in the treatment of a hyperactive child: An empirical case study.

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of covert positive reinforcement (CPR) on a 9-year old, third-grade student who was causing a classroom disturbance. CPR was conducted for six sessions over a 3-week period to reduce (a) out-of-seat behavior, (b) excessive noisemaking, and (c) rocking-in-chair behavior. There was an immediate improvements in three target behaviors following the implementation of CPR by the school psychologist. Only the rocking-in-chair behavior shows a trend in the direction of a reversal effect during a 6-day follow-up.
Manufacturing of WC–Co moulds using SLS machine

Abstract Tungsten carbide–cobalt composite is widely used as a wear-resistant material for cutting tools, molds and other applications. Its production by Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technique promises to combine the material properties of a composite with the flexibility of a production process. The present paper deals with SLS of a powder mixture of tungsten carbide and cobalt with an aim to make functional parts using a modified Rapid Prototyping (RP) machine (100 W DTM Sinterstation 2000). The associated manufacturing problems and their solutions are discussed. Various compositions of powders have been tried before being settled to a particular composition of WC–9 wt.% Co for making final parts. Bronze infiltration is done on laser sintered parts to enhance their mechanical properties. Fretting wear test is taken as a main characterizing test which is used for estimating the wear resistance of samples.
EXPERIENCE WITH 110 DETERMINATIONS OF RENAL BLOOD FLOW (RBF) IN CHILDREN USING 133XE

Renal blood flow has been measured in children of age 1½ to 16 years, by injecting 133Xe into the renal artery at the time of aortography or surgery. The rate of washout of radioactivity was monitored on magnetic tape and the resultant data analyzed by graphic analysis using a semi-automatic method of plotting and computing the rates and fraction of blood flow perfusing the outer and inner cortical regions of the kidney. The number, type, and results of the studies follows: 1) In 8 normal kidneys, RBF's were similar to adult values. 2) In 53 studies of RBF in children with congenital heart disease, RBF's were reduced in both cyanotic and acyanotic heart disease, were further reduced when heart failure was present (8 patients) and fell after angiography (19 patients). 3) Following renal biopsy drops in RBF may occur in intact kidneys, but not in the transplanted kidney (4 patients). 4)In chronic renal disease outer cortical blood flow is diminished. 5) 31 measurements of RBF in donor kidneys upon insertion and/or following transplantation suggest that this technique may have some value in predicting both the immediate and subsequent function of the graft. 6)In 5 patients with renal vascular hypertension, 133Xe measurements of RBF were helpful in determining secretory rates of renin in both kidneys. Supported NIH grants RR-75, RR-5624 and HE-12651.
Experimental Study of Design Parameters in Silicon Micropillar Array Solar Cells Produced by Soft Lithography and Metal-Assisted Chemical Etching

Solar cells, consisting of core-shell p-n junction silicon micropillars on a thin membrane fabricated using soft lithography and metal-assisted chemical etching, are studied as a function of geometrical designs. Significant enhancement in absorption rate is found without much dependence on the pillar diameters in the range of 0.5-2 μm. However, the short-circuit current increases continuously with diameter, which is inversely proportional to the total surface area for a fixed diameter/pitch pillar array. This study provides unambiguous evidence that surface recombination is the dominant loss mechanism in nanowire- or micropillar-based solar cells.
Evaluation of two algorithms for a network of coastal HF radars in the Mid-Atlantic Bight

The National High Frequency (HF) Surface Cur- rent Mapping Radar Network is being developed as a back- bone system within the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System. This paper focuses on the application of HF radar- derived surface current maps to U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue operations along the Mid-Atlantic coast of the USA. In that context, we evaluated two algorithms used to combine maps of radial currents into a single map of total vector currents. In situ data provided by seven drifter deployments and four bottom-mounted current meters were used to (1) evaluate the well-established unweighted least squares (UWLS) and the more recently adapted optimal interpolation (OI) algorithms and (2) quantify the sensitivity of the OI algorithm to varying decorrelation scales and error thresholds. Results with both algorithms were shown to depend on the location within the HF radar data footprint. The comparisons nearthecenteroftheHFradarcoverageshowednosignificant difference between the two algorithms. The most significant distinction betweenthe two was seen in the drifter trajectories. With these simulations, the weighting of radial velocities by distance in the OI implementation was very effective at reduc- ing both the distance between the actual drifter and the cluster of simulatedparticles as well asthescaleofthesearch areathat encompasses them. In this study, the OI further reduced the already improved UWLS-based search areas by an additional factor of 2. The results also indicated that the OI output was relatively insensitive to the varying decorrelation scales and error thresholds tested.
Ascorbic Acid Bioavailability in Foods and Supplements

The bioavailability of ascorbic acid from food has been assumed to be high, but little quantitative information has been available to substantiate this assumption because of the limited precision and low statistical power of previous studies. A recent depletion-repletion study with a more effective experimental design has shown clearly that ascorbic acid bioavailability is equivalent in ascorbic acid tablets (with and without iron), orange juice, whole orange sections, and cooked broccoli. The bioavailability of ascorbic acid in raw broccoli was 20% lower, although this difference would probably have little nutritional significance in typical mixed diets.
The Role of the Judiciary When the Agency Confirmation Process Stalls: Thoughts on the Two-Member NLRB and the Questions the Supreme Court Should Have, But Didn’t, Address in New Process Steel LLC v. NLRB

From January 2008 until March 2010 when two members received recess appointments, the National Labor Relations Board operated with only two of the five members that the National Labor Relations Act specifies for the Board. Although both President Bush and President Obama nominated members, the Senate declined to confirm them. Five members of the Supreme Court, along with one federal courts of appeals held that the NLRB may not operate with two members; four Justices and five courts of appeals held that it may. All of the reviewing courts relied mainly on dueling readings of the quorum and vacancy provisions of the NLRA. Showing that the statutory language, the legislative history and Chevron deference are insufficient to answer the question, this article calls for a functional analysis of what courts should do when a failure to nominate or confirm replacements threatens to render an agency incapable of enforcing the law.The Supreme Court’s decision in New Process Steel LLP v. NLRB was a lost opportunity for the Court to address some important questions about the role of reviewing courts when the nomination process stalls: Was the failure to Congress or the President to address the problem facilitated by the NLRB’s willingness to continue to operate with only two members? Would courts help the nomination process by forcing the Senate and the President to choose between confirming nominees and total shut-down? Or would allowing the failure of the confirmation to shut the agency down give a form of heckler’s veto that would ultimately damage the administrative state? Which is worse: agency shut-down or the formation of agency policy by a minority of the statutorily authorized members? To what extent is the risk of nominations stalling a problem unique to labor agencies or other highly-politicized agencies? To what extent has this problem gotten worse because of an increase in holds and filibusters? Does the ability to block a nomination, or the refusal to nominate a successor, allow the Senate or the President a kind of de facto repeal of the enabling statute? If so, is there anything wrong with that, or at least wrong enough that the courts should address it? These are the issues that the Court should have, but failed to, address in New Process Steel.
Effect of Postnatal Steroids on Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in Newborn Lambs. |[dagger]| 1150

Antenatal steroids given to enhance pulmonary maturity have been reported to exert a wide range of extrapulmonary effects including a reduction in the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage. Effects of perinatal steroids on the developing brain have not been well documented. We have recently shown that antenatal steroids decrease blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in ovine fetuses at 80% gestation. The effect of steroids on BBB function has not been evaluated in the newborn of any species. We hypothesize that postnatal steroids decrease BBB permeability in newborn lambs. Three groups were studied after birth: placebo and two dexamethasone (DEX) injected groups. DEX was given as either a low dose (LD), 0.02 mg/kg, selected to mimic the estimated fetal dose received in our previous work; or a high dose (HD), 0.5 mg/kg, chosen to simulate the doses used to attenuate bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Lambs were instrumented on day 2 of life and allowed to recover. Beginning on day 3 of life, four intramuscular doses were given every 12 hours for 48 hours. BBB permeability was measured in awake unanesthetized animals 12 hours after the final dose. Regional barrier permeability was quantified with the blood-to-brain transfer constant, Ki(μL/g Brain/min). Ki was measured using the integral technique with 14C-α-aminoisobutyric acid. Regional brain Ki values are summarized in the Table. The Ki values in the LD group were higher(*ANOVA, F=9.6, p<0.05) than that of the placebo and (+ F=5.7, p<0.05) that of the HD group. There was no difference (F=0.3, p=0.58) in Ki values between HD and placebo treated lambs. Steroid treatment did not reduce BBB permeability in newborn lambs. We conclude that effects of steroid pretreatment on BBB permeability in newborn lambs are unique and different from that of fetal sheep and adult rats, in which steroids reduce BBB permeability. We speculate that, during the early postnatal period, the BBB is highly sensitive to modulation by the adrenocortical axis by either endogenous or exogenous corticosteroids and that the stress of birth may modify the BBB's response to steroids. Table: Ki(M±SEM μL/g Brain/min).
857. Molecular Engineering of Factor VIII for rAAV Delivery

Top of pageAbstract Protein replacement therapy for hemophilia A is very costly and has a potential side effect of developing inhibitors. Gene therapy, on the other hand, can potentially prevent these limitations of current treatments. Although recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors are promising for delivering factor VIII gene, applying AAV vector technology to Hemophilia A lagged behind other genetic diseases because of this size constraint (limited to |[sim]|5kb). Dual AAV vectors have been developed to deliver large genes. Current strategy utlilizing intron mediated DNA concatemerization is inefficient because it is limited by the amount of input rAAV genomes. To overcome this limitation, we have developed a novel strategy to split factor VIII gene into two halves. The split factor VIII genes can then be packaged into two AAV vectors independently along with their own promoters and poly A sequences. Because Intein mediated trans splicing reaction is an autocatalytic reaction which does not require other cellular enzymes and cofactors, intein mediated factor VIII regeneration is highly efficent. When the plasmids containing intein split factor VIII gene were transfected into 293 or COS cells, single chain factor VIII were detected by Western Blot. Hydrodynamic injection of these plasmids into hemophilia mouses led to the correction of aPTT time to the normal level. The amount of functional factor VIII expression reached 3-6 units/ml at peak. The specific activity of factor VIII secreted was about half of B-domain deleted factor VIII plasmid level, which is about 5 fold better than the strategy expressing factro VIII heavy chain and light chain separately. We conclude that intein based factor VIII expressing system uses amplified translation products as the substrate, which is the key to its enhanced performance over the intron mediated dual vector systems. Intein-split factor VIII gene was also utilized for studing factor VIII secretion. By spliting factor VIII genes at various positions, we investigated the role of factor VIII light chain in factor VIII secretion. Without light chain elements, factor VIII heavy chain was about 100 fold less efficient in secretion. This is the main reason causing the chain imbalance for the strategy expressing the heavy chain and the light chain separately.The effect of light chain in facilicating heavy chain secretion can only function in cis. Further analysis of factor VIII mutants suggested that elements in A3 domain were essential for factor VIII secretion while the sequences in the C-terminus of factor were dispensible. These results led to the improved the heavy chain expression vector. The performance of these novel AAV-FVIII expression vectors is currently evaluated in the hemophilia mouse model.
Are variations in the 37Cl experiment interpretable as solar matter exclusions

Abstract It has been suggested that variations in the solar neutrino rate measured by the 37 Cl experiment that appear to be anti-correlated with the solar cycle phenomena could be explained in terms of an MSW mechanism by solar matter displacement. These matter displacements might be brought about by magnetic fields in the sun's convection zone. However, such inside displacements result in solar surface displacements. The observed limits of solar radius variations constrain the inside changes. Using these constraints together with calculations based on the MSW mechanism, we show that the corresponding neutrino rate variations are very much too small to explain any experimental observations.
Elimination of lead dislodgement by the use of tined transvenous electrodes.

Pacemaker lead dislodgement has accounted for a large proportion of the postoperative complications seen after transvenous pacemaker insertion. Ninety-two patients underwent implantation of a tined transvenous electrode over a three-year period without a single dislodgement. Excellent thresholds were obtained and no difficulties related to electrode insertion were encountered. Tined transvenous pacemaker leads are preferred for routine use at this time. (PACE, Vol. 5, July-August, 1982)
Stationary phase deletions in Escherichia coli. II. Mutations which stimulate stationary phase deletions in plasmid pMC874.

Abstract Deletions in the plasmid pMC874 take place in resting cells incubating on McConkey’s or minimal lactose agar and are time rather than generation dependent. These deletions join the km r promoter to a promoterless lac operon giving rise to Lac + papillae on McConkey’s lactose agar, and can occur in the absence of sequence homologies such as direct or inverted repeats. Using this as a selective screen we isolated 31 mutants designated dli (for deletion increase), which enhanced to different extents the frequency of this unusual class of deletions. Six of these were characterized by phenotypic tests and their ability to stimulate other deletion events such as the excision of Tn 10 from various chromosomal sites and the loss of cloned fragments between two EcoR1 sites in the gene for chloramphenicol resistance ( cat ) of plasmid pBR325. Two of them showed contrasting phenotypes and were studied further: one ( dli1 ) stimulated Lac + deletions in pMC874 in resting cells but not Tn 10 excision from chromosomal locations in log phase cells, and the other one ( dli2 ) did exactly the reverse, i.e. it enhanced Tn 10 excision but not Lac + deletion incidence. Mapping and complementation tests showed that dli1 is a null mutation in recC and was renamed recC2251 . This is strong evidence that resting phase deletions in pMC874 are stimulated by the absence of a functional RecBCD enzyme. The dli2 mutation was identified by mapping and phenotypic tests as a mutation in uvrD , the gene for helicase II, and it was tentatively designated uvrD − dli2 . These results show that (1) pMC874 is an excellent system to select mutants for genetic functions involved in the generation of resting phase deletions, and (2) there are at least two major deletion pathways in E. coli, one active in resting and the other in actively dividing cells.
Effects of aluminum on tau proteins in human neuroblastoma cells.

The presence of the trivalent metallic cations, aluminum and boron, in the culture medium of differentiated human LAN-5 neuroblastoma cells results in increased amounts of specific isomers of microtubule-associated tau proteins. The cells were differentiated to a neuronal phenotype by the addition of retinoic acid. Six-day exposures of the differentiated cells to a 1-mM dose of aluminum or boron yielded increases in tau protein immunoreactivity to the monoclonal antibodies Tau-1 and Alz-50. Significant increases in immunoreactivity were seen at treatment levels of aluminum down to 100 μM. The increases in tau proteins were independent from increases in levels of total cell protein. Control cultures treated with the divalent cations zinc and iron showed no increases in levels of tau proteins.
Request for Information: Benchmarks and Metrics for Major Highway Projects

AbstractA request for information (RFI) is a formal written procedure initiated by the contractor seeking additional information or clarification for issues related to design, construction, and other contract documents. Large numbers of RFIs along with slow responses to RFIs are frequently cited as a metric for poor project performance. Implementation of an RFI process is an integral part of successful project management for construction projects that improves communication between the construction, design, and project management teams. The use of RFIs is common in vertical construction, but is just gaining use and acceptance in the delivery of transportation infrastructure projects. The purpose of this paper is to benchmark the RFI process and develop benchmarks and metrics to aid project teams in assessing the performance of a transportation infrastructure project and to provide best practices for improving the overall RFI process. Data on RFIs were collected from major highway construction projects in ...
Obstetric Emergency In Situ Simulation: Practice Leads to Change

Outcomes have been positive. Challenges encountered involved staff participation and a need for a more formalized communication teaching format. The culture of safety survey was compared over a 2-year period, during which critical event team training was implemented, and scores dramatically increased from the baseline. Response times from incision to decision improved. The use of quantitative measuring tools and postpartum hemorrhage kits has now become the standard in postpartum hemorrhage events. Praise by the staff participants has greatly increased participation since initial implementation of the program. The staff also has demonstrated taking on a more serious attitude and acceptance to simulation participation since it began. Staff surveys are favorable and reflect a sense of increased teamwork and skill competency. Multidisciplinary participation during critical event team training also has increased.
Laparoscopic gastric bypass results in decreased prescription medication costs within 6 months.

The prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions. The treatment of obesity-related health conditions is costly. Although laparoscopic gastric bypass is expensive, health care costs in obese patients should decrease with subsequent weight loss and overall improved health. Specifically, monthly prescription medication costs should decrease quickly after surgery. Fifty consecutive laparoscopic gastric bypass patients at a university-based bariatric surgery program were enrolled in the study. Medication consumption was prospectively recorded in a database. Patients’ monthly prescription (not over-the-counter) medication costs before surgery and 6 months postoperatively were calculated. Retail costs were determined by a query to drugstore.com, an online pharmacy. Generic drugs were selected when appropriate. Costs for diabetic supplies and monitoring were not included in this analysis. Patients were mostly female (86%). Mean body mass index preoperatively was 51 kg/m2. Mean excess weight loss at 6 months was 52%. Patients took an average of 3.7 prescription medications before surgery compared with 1.7 after surgery (P < 0.05). All patients took nonprescription nutritional supplements, including multivitamins, oral vitamin B12, and calcium postoperatively. Laparoscopic gastric bypass resulted in a significant improvement in comorbid health conditions as early as 6 months after surgery. In an unselected group of patients, this led to a substantial overall mean monthly prescription medication cost savings, especially in those with gastroesophageal reflux disease, hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia.
Hierarchical porous gold electrodes: Preparation, characterization, and electrochemical behavior

Abstract Hierarchical porous gold films with a well-defined bimodal architecture have been made by electrodepositing gold at a constant current around a close-packed assembly of raspberry-like latex spheres (1200/60 nm) followed by template removal. Electrodeposition was stopped when the gold was either ½ layer or 1½ layer thick as evident from oscillations in the potential vs time traces. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show the hierarchical pore structure with an ensemble of small ∼20 nm openings located in a large ∼1200 nm diameter macropore. Prior to electrochemical characterization, the electrodes were cleaned either chemically and/or via UV radiation and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to evaluate the presence of residual polystyrene. Of the three cleaning methods investigated, sonication in chloroform–acetone followed by UV radiation proved best. The surface area of the hierarchical porous gold electrodes, determined by integrating the area under the gold oxide peak, was 4× larger than a bare gold electrode and 2× larger than a macroporous gold electrode prepared using unimodal, 1200 nm diameter latex spheres as the template. The electrochemical performance of the electrodes relative to the macroporous gold and flat gold was undertaken using cyclic voltammetry. The results show that the non-Faradaic current scales linearly with electrode area while the Faradaic current of a diffusing electrochemically reversible redox probe (ferrocene methanol) does not. For an adsorbed redox couple (ferrocene hexanethiol), the voltammetric wave shapes and surface coverage were different for the different electrodes.
A Field Validated Model of a Vanadium Redox Flow Battery for Microgrids

The vanadium redox flow battery (VRB) is well-suited for applications with renewable energy devices. This paper presents a practical analysis of the VRB for use in a microgrid system. The first part of the paper develops a reduced order circuit model of the VRB and analyzes its experimental performance efficiency during deployment. The model parameters of the various VRB system components were estimated from experimental field data. The parasitic losses of the circulation pumps power consumption were predicted during different operating situations. The second part of the paper addresses the implementation issues of the VRB application in a photovoltaic-based microgrid system. Commercially available chargers designed for lead-acid battery systems were shown to be non-optimal for VRB systems and a new dc–dc converter control was proposed to provide improved charging performance. The system model was validated with field-obtained experimental data.
Corn stubble height and residue placement in the northern US Corn Belt

Abstract Crop residue management systems are yet needed in the northern Corn Belt of the USA that hasten sowing and early establishment of crops in the spring. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of corn stubble height and residue placement on the soil microclimate and associated development of wheat in early spring. Treatments were established after corn harvest in the autumn of 1993–1995 and included 60 cm stubble, 30 cm stubble, 30 cm stubble with adjacent interrows devoid of and covered with prostrate residue (30 cm stubble with banded residue), 0 cm stubble, and 0 cm stubble without prostrate residue. Five rows of wheat were sown by hand into one corn interrow on 12 April 1994, 3 April 1995, and 24 April 1996. Leaf development on the main stem was assessed twice weekly until late May. Net and reflected global radiation, soil temperature, and soil water content were measured in each treatment throughout the spring. Vegetative development of wheat was hastened in soils with little residue cover (0 cm stubble without residue treatment and the bare interrow of the 30 cm with banded residue treatment). Averaged across years, the phyllochron ranged from 75 °C day per leaf for treatments with little residue cover to 92 °C day per leaf for the residue interrow of the 30 cm stubble with banded residue treatment. Vegetative development in treatments with little residue cover was hastened by soil temperatures that were at least 1 °C higher throughout spring than those of the residue interrow of the 30 cm stubble with banded residue treatment. The 0 cm stubble without residue treatment was warmer because of a smaller albedo (at least 0.03) and greater net radiation (at least 0.5 MJ m −2 per day) compared with all other treatments. Little difference in soil water content was found among treatments, although treatments with little residue cover were wetter in two of the three springs. Based on the results of this study, one can conclude that soils with little residue cover or that have taller stubble on the surface will absorb more radiation and thereby enhance soil warming and early development of plants in the northern Corn Belt of the USA.
CHFR binds to and regulates MAD2 in the spindle checkpoint through its cysteine-rich domain

CHFR has been implicated as a tumor suppressor in a multitude of cancers. It was originally identified as a major component of the antephase checkpoint. Recently, CHFR was reported to interact with MAD2, an important component of the spindle assembly checkpoint, where CHFR knockdown resulted in mislocalization of MAD2 and disruption of the MAD2/CDC20 interaction. To further understand how CHFR interacts with MAD2, we deleted key functional domains of CHFR, and investigated the effect on MAD2 binding and function. Here we show that deletion of the cysteine-rich domain of CHFR is required for the CHFR/MAD2 interaction as well as proper localization of MAD2 in the cell. Furthermore, the cysteine-rich domain deletion exhibits impaired ability to promote the MAD2/CDC20 interaction, leading to an increase in mitotic defects relative to wild type CHFR. These data support a critical role for CHFR in the MAD2 spindle checkpoint. Furthermore, these data establish the cysteine-rich domain of CHFR as the essential domain for the CHFR/MAD2 interaction and for promoting interaction between MAD2 and CDC20 to inhibit the anaphase-promoting complex.