cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plasma membrane Ca2+ transport: antagonism by several potential inhibitors.

Inside-out vesicles prepared from human red blood cells took up Ca2+ by an active transport process. Membranes from the same red blood cells displayed Ca2+-activated, Mg2+-dependent adenosine triphosphatase activity. Both the initial rate of Ca2+ transport and the (Ca2++Mg2+)-adenosine triphosphatase activity were increased approximately twofold by the calcium binding protein, calmodulin. Activities in the absence of added calmodulin were termed basal activities. Calmodulin-activated Ca2+ transport and adenosine triphosphatase activities could be antagonized in a relatively selective fashion by the phenothiazine tranquilizer drug, trifluoperazine. High concentrations of trifluoperazine also inhibited basal Ca2+ transport and adenosine triphosphatase activity. By contrast, calmodulin binding protein from beef brain selectively antagonized the effect of calmodulin on Ca2+ transport with no inhibition of basal activity. Ruthenium red antagonized calmodulin-activated and basal activity with equal potency. The results demonstrate that although phenothiazines can act as relatively selective antagonists of calmodulin-induced effects, other effects are possible and cannot be ignored. Calmodulin-binding protein may be a useful tool in the analysis of calmodulin functions. Ruthenium red probably interacts with Ca2+ pump adenosine triphosphatase at a site not related to calmodulin.
Mothers' resolution of their children's diagnosis: Organized patterns of caregiving representations

Dans cet article nous examinons les representations que font les meres d'une forme de trauma au systeme de mode de soin: l'experience du fait de recevoir un diagnostic d'une maladie chronique ou d'un handicap chez leur enfant. Un entretien et un systeme de classification ont ete utilises avec 91 meres d'enfants âges de 15-50 mois atteints de paralysie cerebrale ou d'epilepsie. Les meres ont ete classifiees en tant que resolues ou Non Resolues pour ce qui conceme le diagnostic de leur enfant, et regroupees en sous-categories au sein de ces principaux groupes. Environ la moitie de ces meres ont ete classifiees comme Non Resolues en ce qui conceme le diagnostic de leur enfant. Le type de diagnostic, la severite de l'etat, l'âge de developpement, et la periode ecoulee depuis le moment ou le diagnostic a ete fait n'etaient pas lies a la distribution des classifications Resolues/Non Resolues. Les pattems de resolution dans lesquels les strategies cognitives predominaient etaient la forme la plus frequente au sein de la classification Resolue. Les resultats soutiennent la nature d'organisation des representations de modes de soin et soutiennent egalement un nombre d'implications pour la pratique clinique.
Harvesting solar energy by means of charge-separating nanocrystals and their solids.

Conjoining different semiconductor materials in a single nano-composite provides synthetic means for the development of novel optoelectronic materials offering a superior control over the spatial distribution of charge carriers across material interfaces. As this study demonstrates, a combination of donor-acceptor nanocrystal (NC) domains in a single nanoparticle can lead to the realization of efficient photocatalytic1-5 materials, while a layered assembly of donor- and acceptor-like nanocrystals films gives rise to photovoltaic materials. Initially the paper focuses on the synthesis of composite inorganic nanocrystals, comprising linearly stacked ZnSe, CdS, and Pt domains, which jointly promote photoinduced charge separation. These structures are used in aqueous solutions for the photocatalysis of water under solar radiation, resulting in the production of H2 gas. To enhance the photoinduced separation of charges, a nanorod morphology with a linear gradient originating from an intrinsic electric field is used5. The inter-domain energetics are then optimized to drive photogenerated electrons toward the Pt catalytic site while expelling the holes to the surface of ZnSe domains for sacrificial regeneration (via methanol). Here we show that the only efficient way to produce hydrogen is to use electron-donating ligands to passivate the surface states by tuning the energy level alignment at the semiconductor-ligand interface. Stable and efficient reduction of water is allowed by these ligands due to the fact that they fill vacancies in the valence band of the semiconductor domain, preventing energetic holes from degrading it. Specifically, we show that the energy of the hole is transferred to the ligand moiety, leaving the semiconductor domain functional. This enables us to return the entire nanocrystal-ligand system to a functional state, when the ligands are degraded, by simply adding fresh ligands to the system4. To promote a photovoltaic charge separation, we use a composite two-layer solid of PbS and TiO2 films. In this configuration, photoinduced electrons are injected into TiO2 and are subsequently picked up by an FTO electrode, while holes are channeled to a Au electrode via PbS layer6. To develop the latter we introduce a Semiconductor Matrix Encapsulated Nanocrystal Arrays (SMENA) strategy, which allows bonding PbS NCs into the surrounding matrix of CdS semiconductor. As a result, fabricated solids exhibit excellent thermal stability, attributed to the heteroepitaxial structure of nanocrystal-matrix interfaces, and show compelling light-harvesting performance in prototype solar cells7.
Targeting glia to control clinical pain: an idea whose time has come

Human chronic pain fails to be effectively controlled by available drugs. A common feature of these drugs is that they were developed to target neurons, which was logical because neurons carry pain messages. However, glia have recently become recognized as key mediators in the creation and maintenance of pathological pain states. This new discovery provides a remarkable opportunity to improve pain control by developing therapeutics that target glial function.
Magic Angle Spinning NMR Investigation of Influenza A M218―60: Support for an Allosteric Mechanism of Inhibition

The tetrameric M2 proton channel from influenza A virus conducts protons at low pH and is inhibited by aminoadamantyl drugs such as amantadine and rimantadine (Rmt). We report magic angle spinning NMR spectra of POPC and DPhPC membrane-embedded M2(18-60), both apo and in the presence of Rmt. Similar line widths in the spectra of apo and bound M2 indicate that Rmt does not have a significant impact on the dynamics or conformational heterogeneity of this construct. Substantial chemical shift changes for many residues in the transmembrane region support an allosteric mechanism of inhibition. An Rmt titration supports a binding stoichiometry of >1 Rmt molecule per channel and shows that nonspecific binding or changes in membrane composition are unlikely sources of the chemical shift changes. In addition, doubling of spectral lines in all of the observed samples provides evidence that the channel assembles with twofold symmetry.
Potential roles of noncoding RNAs in environmental epigenetic transgenerational inheritance

"Epigenetic transgenerational inheritance" (ETI) has been defined as germline (sperm or egg) transmission of epigenetic information between generations in the absence of direct exposures or genetic manipulations. Among reported cases of ETI in mammals, the majority are induced by environmental factors, including environmental toxicants [e.g. agricultural fungicide vinclozolin, plastic additive bisphenol A, pesticide methoxychlor, dioxin, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, and hydrocarbons] and poor nutritional conditions. Although the ETI phenomenon is well established, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Putative epimutations, including changes in DNA methylation and histone modification patterns, have been reported, but it remains unclear how these epimutations are formed in the first place, and how they are memorized in the germline and then get transmitted to subsequent generations. Based on recent advances in our understanding of regulatory noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), I propose that ncRNAs are involved in ETI, during both the initial epimutation formation and the subsequent germline transmission of epimutations. ncRNAs can function at epigenetic levels by affecting DNA methylation and histone modifications, thereby changing gene transcriptional activities, which can lead to an altered mRNA transcriptome associated with a disease phenotype. Alternatively, novel or altered ncRNA expression can cause dysregulated post-transcriptional regulation, thus directly affecting the mRNA transcriptome and inducing a disease phenotype. Sperm-borne ncRNAs are potential mediators for epigenetic memory across generations, but they alone may not be sufficient for stable transmission of epimutations across generations. Overall, research on ncRNAs in the context of ETI is urgently needed to shed light on the underlying mechanism of ETI.
High temperature vibrational fluorescence of CN- ions in alkali halides

Abstract Infrared fluorescence from vibrational levels of matrix isolated CN - ions has been studied in the temperature range of 300 K to 600 K. At 300 K the variation in the fluorescence lifetime from host to host is compatible with a multiphonon decay mechanism, but the measured temperature dependence does not agree with thermally induced multiphonon decay.
Extending mode areas of single-mode all-solid photonic bandgap fibers.

Mode area scaling of optical fiber is highly desirable for high power fiber laser applications. It is well known that incorporation of additional smaller cores in the cladding can be used to resonantly out-couple higher-order modes from a main core to suppress higher-order-mode propagation in the main core. Using a novel design with multiple coupled smaller cores in the cladding, we have successfully demonstrated a single-mode photonic bandgap fiber with record effective mode area of ~2650µm2. Detailed numeric studies have been conducted for multiple cladding designs. For the optimal designs, the simulated minimum higher-order-mode losses are well over two orders of magnitudes higher than that of fundamental mode when expressed in dBs. To our knowledge, this is the best higher-order-mode suppression ever found in fibers with this large effective mode areas. We have also experimentally validated one of the designs. M2<1.08 across the transmission band was demonstrated.
A Review of the Characterization Techniques for the Analysis of Etch Processed Surfaces of HgCdTe and Related Compounds

HgCdTe is the material system of choice for many infrared sensing applications. Growth of this material can often be challenging. However, processing of this material system can be equally as challenging. Incorrect processing can cause shunting, surface inversion, or high surface recombination velocities that can be detrimental. In order to produce an effective device in HgCdTe, one needs to understand what happens to the HgCdTe surface. Factors like the chemical termination of the HgCdTe surface, surface roughness, and surface reconstruction after a process is performed can dramatically affect the performance of devices made with HgCdTe. We will review different surface characterization techniques and how these techniques can be used conventionally and unconventionally, and how different processes can affect the surfaces of HgCdTe and related compounds.
Distinct developmental regulatory mechanisms for two members of the aldolase gene family

The aldolase isozyme family is composed of three members, A, B, and C, which are encoded by separate genes. The proteins are expressed in a tissue-restricted manner during development and in the adult. To elucidate the regulation of aldolose mRNA in the mouse liver, we analyzed its expression by a number of methods including Northern blot, RNA dot blot, and nuclear run-on assays. Our experiments demonstrate that the expression of aldolase A in the liver is primarily regulated by post-transcriptional control. In contrast, we found that changes in the level of aldolase B mRNA are due to changes in the rate of initiation of transcription. In addition, we examined the regulation of aldolase expression in the adult kidney. We found that although the kidney has eight times more aldolase B than the live, the rate of initiation of transcription is similar in both tissues. Also, the rate of initiation of transcription of aldolase A is the same in the adult kidney and liver although there is 40 times more steady state aldolase A mRNA in the kidney than in the liver. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Glucose-induced Resistance to Gamma-rays in Escherichia Coli

SummarySome strains of Escherichia coli, when grown to stationary phase in nutrient broth which has been enriched with glucose, become more resistant to radiation (glucose-induced resistance, GIR) than when grown in nutrient broth without glucose. Various repair-deficient strains of E. coli were examined for GIR. GIR was present in cells which were rec+ and lon+ and absent in cells which were either rec− or lon−. Host-cell reactivation in these cells and the effects of caffeine, acriflavine, and ultra-violet light exposure on the sensitivity to gamma-rays of cells grown in glucose-enriched nutrient broth are all consistent with the hypothesis that, at low gamma-ray doses, glucose enhances the type of recovery controlled by the rec+ loci.
Nutritional equivalency evaluation of transgenic maize grain from event DP-Ø9814Ø-6 and transgenic soybeans containing event DP-356Ø43-5: Laying hen performance and egg quality measures

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to compare the nutritional performance of laying hens fed maize grain from event DP-O9814O-6 (98140; gat4621 and zm-hra genes) and processed soybean meal from soybeans containing event DP-356O43-5 (356043; gat4601 and gm-hra genes), individually or in combination, with the performance of hens fed diets containing nontransgenic maize and soybean meal. Healthy pullets (n = 216) placed in cages (3 hens/cage) were randomly assigned to 9 dietary treatments (8 cages/treatment): nontransgenic controls 1, 2, and 3 (comparable genetic background controls for 98140, 356043, and 98140 + 356043, respectively); reference 1, reference 2, and reference 3 (commercially available nontransgenic maize-soybean meal sources); and 98140 (test 1), 356043 (test 2), and 98140 + 356043 (test 3). The experiment was divided into three 4-wk phases (24 to 28 wk, 28 to 32 wk, and 32 to 36 wk of age), during which time hens were fed mash diets. Performance (BW, feed intake, and egg production) and egg quality data were collected. Data were analyzed using a mixed model ANOVA; differences between the control and respective test group means were considered significant at P
Specification of Realizable Service Conversations Using Collaboration Diagrams

Specification, modeling and analysis of interactions among peers that communicate via messages are becoming increasingly important due to the emergence of service oriented computing. Collaboration diagrams provide a convenient visual model for specifying such interactions. An interaction among a set of peers can be characterized as a conversation, the global sequence of messages exchanged among the peers, listed in the order they are sent. A collaboration diagram can be used to specify the set of allowable conversations among the peers participating to a composite web service. Specification of interactions from such a global perspective leads to the realizability problem: Is it possible to construct a set of peers that generate exactly the specified conversations? In this paper we investigate the realizability of conversations specified by collaboration diagrams. We formalize the realizability problem by modeling peers as concurrently executing finite state machines and we give sufficient realizability conditions for a class of collaboration diagrams.
Correlation between I–V slope and TDDB voltage acceleration for Cu/low-k interconnects

In this paper, a correlation between the I–V slope at low fields and TDDB voltage acceleration is demonstrated for the first time, based on a wide range of data from 32nm to 130nm node hardware. The data supports the √E model, which is based on electron fluence (leakage current) driven, Cu catalyzed, low-k dielectric breakdown. Using this correlation, a fast wafer level screen method was also implemented for process improvement and TDDB reliability monitoring.
RIP Links TLR4 to Akt and Is Essential for Cell Survival in Response to LPS Stimulation

Receptor-interacting protein (RIP) has been reported to associate with tumor necrosis–associated factor (TRAF)2 and TRAF6. Since TRAF2 and TRAF6 play important roles in CD40 signaling and TRAF6 plays an important role in TLR4 signaling, we examined the role of RIP in signaling via CD40 and TLR4. Splenocytes from RIP−/− mice proliferated and underwent isotype switching normally in response to anti-CD40–IL-4 but completely failed to do so in response to LPS–IL-4. However, they normally up-regulated TNF-α and IL-6 gene expression and CD54 and CD86 surface expression after LPS stimulation. RIP−/− splenocytes exhibited increased apoptosis and impaired Akt phosphorylation after LPS stimulation. These results suggest that RIP is essential for cell survival after TLR4 signaling and links TLR4 to the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase–Akt pathway.
Accelerating the convergence of random search methods for discrete stochastic optimization

We discuss the choice of the estimation of the optimal solution when random search methods are applied to solve discrete stochastic optimization problems. At the present time, such optimization methods usually estimate the optimal solution using either the feasible solution the method is currently exploring or the feasible solution visited most often so far by the method. We propose using all the observed objective function values generated as the random search method moves around the feasible region seeking an optimal solution to obtain increasingly more precise estimates of the objective function values at the different points in the feasible region. At any given time, the feasible solution that has the best estimated objective function value (largest one for maximization problems; the smallest one for minimization problems) is used as the estimate of the optimal solution. We discuss the advantages of using this approach for estimating the optimal solution and present numerical results showing that modifying an existing random search method to use tnhis approach for estimating the optimal soluation appears to yield improved performance. We also present sereval rate of convergence results for random search methods using our approach for estimating the optimal solution. One these random search methods is a new variant of the stochastic comparison method; in addition to specifying the rate of convergence of this method, we prove that it is guaranteed to converge almost surely to the set of global optimal solutions and present a result that demonstrates that this method is likely to perform well in practice.
The top-scoring ‘N’ algorithm: a generalized relative expression classification method from small numbers of biomolecules

Relative expression algorithms such as the top-scoring pair (TSP) and the top-scoring triplet (TST) have several strengths that distinguish them from other classification methods, including resistance to overfitting, invariance to most data normalization methods, and biological interpretability. The top-scoring ‘N’ (TSN) algorithm is a generalized form of other relative expression algorithms which uses generic permutations and a dynamic classifier size to control both the permutation and combination space available for classification. TSN was tested on nine cancer datasets, showing statistically significant differences in classification accuracy between different classifier sizes (choices of N). TSN also performed competitively against a wide variety of different classification methods, including artificial neural networks, classification trees, discriminant analysis, k-Nearest neighbor, naive Bayes, and support vector machines, when tested on the Microarray Quality Control II datasets. Furthermore, TSN exhibits low levels of overfitting on training data compared to other methods, giving confidence that results obtained during cross validation will be more generally applicable to external validation sets. TSN preserves the strengths of other relative expression algorithms while allowing a much larger permutation and combination space to be explored, potentially improving classification accuracies when fewer numbers of measured features are available.
A comparison of accurate mass techniques for the structural elucidation of fluconazole

Mass spectrometry plays a major role in the structural elucidation and characterisation of drug candidates and related substances. Accurate mass data allow the mathematical prediction of molecular formula of both precursor and fragment ions. In this paper, a comparison of the accurate mass data obtained for the fragmentation of fluconazole, an antifungal drug, by three different methods is made: electron ionisation (EI) using a magnetic sector instrument; electrospray ionisation (ES) using a Fourier transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometer (FTICRMS); and ES using a quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer (Q-ToF). It is clear from the data obtained that mass accuracy is not simply a function of instrument resolution. The subtle differences observed between collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) and sustained off-resonance collisionally activated dissociation (SORI-CAD) spectra are explained as a consequence of the excitation process. The advantages and disadvantages of the three techniques are discussed within the context of structural elucidation.
Peer-to-peer streaming of stored media: the indirect approach

We present Π-Stream, a system which enables fast realtime media-streaming that allows clients to take advantage of multiple servers, when available, as well as allows peer-topeer style collaborations between such clients for improved performance This is in contrast to current commercially available media-streaming players such as RealPlayer or Quicktime are limited to downloading from a single server. Our work is motivated by the continued increase in available network access capacity in recent years, that has led to proliferation of rich multimedia content over the Internet. In many cases, this has moved the Internet path bottlenecks from access links to intra-AS and peering links [1]. Π-Streamproposes to circumvent these bottlenecks by exploiting opportunities for parallel downloads from multiple servers and client peers — an approach that has gained popularity today for large file transfers, e.g., in BitTorrent (see www.bittorrent.org). While the principle driving BitTorrent and Π-Streamare fairly similar, the algorithmic solution and implementation requirements of these two systems are fundamentally different due to differences in objectives of the respective applications. A file transfer application is primarily latency-insensitive. Hence, an efficient peer-to-peer file transfer mechanism needs to answer the question of what ‘block’ of data needs to be downloaded from which peer. In contrast, a media streaming application is latency-sensitive, and needs to answer the question of when to download an individual data block in addition to the what and which questions. A key design objective in Π-Stream has been the following requirement: a user of Π-Stream should be able to use any existing (commercially deployed and widely available) media-streaming client software and get the above benefits. In doing so, the user should not need to make any changes to the client software itself. Π-Stream achieves this objective by incorporating a Local Proxy Stream Server or LPSS between a set of servers and peers and the client (we will henceforth refer to down-
Correlative study of regional left ventricular histology and contractile function

In 110 patients with documented coronary artery disease, transmural biopsy of the anteroapical region of the left ventricle was performed during aortocoronary bypass grafting. Biopsy specimens were semiquantitatively graded microscopically for myocardial fibrosis as an indicator of chronic ischemic damage. Preoperatively, systolic wall motion of the region from which the biopsy specimen was taken was semiquantitatively graded as showing normal motion, hypokinesia, akinesia or dyskinesia on ventriculography. Wall motion-histologic correlations, taking into account both electrocardiographic evidence of anterior infarction and ST-T abnormalities, were then established. Overall, there was fair agreement (72 percent) between functional and histologic assessment of the left ventricular region evaluated, both qualitatively (normal versus abnormal, 72 percent agreement) and quantitatively (degree of abnormality, correlation coefficient 0.66, P = 0.005). The 22 patients with electrocardiographic evidence of anterior infarction had various degrees of abnormal regional motion and myocardial fibrosis. Discordance between wall motion and histologic findings was most common (50 percent of instances) in the 34 patients with anterior ST-T changes without infarction and generally was manifest as abnormal motion with normal histologic features. By contrast, normal motion and abnormal histologic features represented the most common type of discordance (22 percent of instances) in the 54 patients without either anterior infarction or ST-T deviation. These data provide a basis for inference of myocardial morphologic features (fibrosis) from assessment of ventriculographic wall motion and the electrocardiogram. They may thus be useful in predicting the potential functional benefits of bypass grafting of coronary arteries supplying abnormally contractile segments of the left ventricle.
Glioma-astrocyte interactions on white matter tract-mimetic aligned electrospun nanofibers.

Gliomas are highly invasive forms of brain cancer comprising more than 50% of brain tumor cases in adults, and astrocytomas account for ∼60-70% of all gliomas. As a result of multiple factors, including enhanced migratory properties and extracellular matrix remodeling, even with current standards of care, mean survival time for patients is only ∼12 months. Because glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells arise from astrocytes, there is great interest in elucidating the interactions of these two cell types in vivo. Previous work performed on two-dimensional assays (i.e., tissue culture plastic and Boyden chamber assays) utilizes substrates that lack the complexities of the natural microenvironment. Here, we employed a three-dimensional, electrospun poly-(caprolactone) (PCL) nanofiber system (NFS) to mimic some features of topographical properties evidenced in vivo. Co-cultures of human GBM cells and rat astrocytes, as performed on the NFS, showed a significant increase in astrocyte GFAP expression, particularly in the presence of extracellular matrix (ECM) deposited by GBM cells. In addition, GBM migration increased in the presence of astrocytes or soluble factors (i.e., conditioned media). However, the presence of fixed astrocytes acted as an antagonist, lowering GBM migration rates. This data suggests that astrocytes and GBM cells interact through a multitude of pathways, including soluble factors and direct contact. This work demonstrates the potential of the NFS to duplicate some topographical features of the GBM tumor microenvironment, permitting analysis of topographical effects in GBM migration. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:1406–1415, 2015
Incarceration and Learned Helplessness

This study examined whether incarceration, which involves prolonged exposure to an uncontrollable aversive environment, results in the development of a more helpless attributional style. Thirty recently incarcerated male inmates and 30 male inmates who had been incarcerated for at least 5 years completed two measures of attributional style. Inmates who had been incarcerated for at least 5 years reported a more internal, stable, and global attributional style for negative events than did the recently incarcerated inmates, even when controlling for age and length of sentence. These findings suggest that prolonged exposure to an uncontrollable situation may have an influence on attributional style.
Cigarette sales in pharmacies in the USA (2005–2009)

Background Several US jurisdictions have adopted policies prohibiting pharmacies from selling tobacco products. Little is known about how pharmacies contribute to total cigarette sales. Methods Pharmacy and total cigarette sales in the USA were tabulated from AC Nielsen and Euromonitor, respectively, for the years 2005–2009. Linear regression was used to characterise trends over time, with observed trends extrapolated to 2020. Results Between 2005 and 2009, pharmacy cigarette sales increased 22.72% (p=0.004), while total cigarette sales decreased 17.43% (p=0.015). In 2005, pharmacy cigarette sales represented 3.05% of total cigarette sales, increasing to 4.54% by 2009. Extrapolation of these findings resulted in estimated pharmacy cigarette sales of 14.59% of total US cigarette sales by 2020. Conclusions Cigarette sales in American pharmacies have risen in recent years, while cigarette sales nationally have declined. If current trends continue, pharmacy cigarette market share will, by 2020, increase to more than four times the 2005 share.
Desulfovibrio africanus sp. n., a New Dissimilatory Sulfate-reducing Bacterium

Campbell, L. Leon (University of Illinois, Urbana), Mary A. Kasprzycki, and John R. Postgate. Desulfovibrio africanus sp. n., a new dissimilatory sulfate-reducing bacterium. J. Bacteriol. 92:1122-1127. 1966.-The strains Benghazi and Walvis Bay can be distinguished from 40 strains of Desulfovibrio and from D. gigas on the basis of morphological and immunological studies. Electron microscopy revealed polar lophotrichous flagellation similar to that of D. gigas but different from the characteristic single polar flagellum of the 40 strains of Desulfovibrio. Immunological evidence shows that the two strains are related to members of the genus Desulfovibrio but possess several common antigenic components not present in the other strains tested. The deoxyribonucleic acid of both strains has a buoyant density of 1.724 g/cc and a guanine plus cytosine content of 60.2%. Cell-free extracts of both organisms show absorption bands of cytochrome c(3) and desulfoviridin, characteristic for Desulfovibrio. The two organisms carry out the sulfate-linked lactate fermentation and neither will grow in the absence of sulfate. Both strains contain the enzymes of the dissimilatory pathway of sulfate reduction. Therefore, these studies have demonstrated that the Benghazi and Walvis Bay strains should be regarded as taxonomically distinct from other species of Desulfovibrio.
Reading Room Geographies of Late-Victorian London: The British Museum, Bloomsbury and the People’s Palace, Mile End

By the 1880s, the Reading Room of the British Museum in Bloomsbury provided opportunities for networking, writing, and reading among many middle-class women including Amy Levy, Eleanor Marx, and Clementina and Constance Black. Attempting to promote a similar egalitarian space for acquiring knowledge for working-class ‘rough readers’ was Walter Besant’s People’s Palace Library in Mile End. This essay explores the library work of Constance Black [Garnett] at the People’s Palace where collisions across class reveal the challenges of East End reform in contrast to the celebration of a democratic reading room at the British Museum celebrated by Levy in her 1889 essay.
The effect of temperature on the autofluorescence of scattering and non‐scattering tissue

Background and Objectives With the increasing use of fluorescence in medical applications, a comprehensive understanding of the effect of temperature on tissue autofluorescence is essential. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of temperature on the fluorescence of porcine cornea and rat skin and determine the relative contributions of irreversible changes in optical properties and in fluorescence yield. Study Design/Materials and Methods Fluorescence, diffuse reflectance, and temperature measurements were acquired from excised porcine cornea and rat skin over a temperature range of 0–80°C. A dual excitation system was used with a 337 nm pulsed nitrogen laser for the fluorescence and a white light source for the diffuse reflectance measurements. A thermal camera measured tissue temperature. Optical property changes were inferred from diffuse reflectance measurements. The reversibility of the change in fluorescence was examined by acquiring measurements while the tissue sample cooled from the highest induced temperature to room temperature. Results The fluorescence intensity decreased with increasing tissue temperature. This fluorescence change was reversible when the tissue was heated to a temperature of 45°C, but irreversible when heated to a temperature of 80°C. Conclusion Auto-fluorescence intensity dependence on temperature appears to be a combination of temperature-induced optical property changes and reduced fluorescence quantum yield due to changes in collagen structure. Temperature-induced changes in measured fluorescence must be taken into consideration in applications where fluorescence is used to diagnose disease or guide therapy. Lasers Surg. Med. 44: 712–718, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CGS4: A Breakthrough Instrument

CGS4 was the fourth in a series of Cooled Grating Spectrometers built for the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT). This paper reviews the impact of CGS4 on the scientific productivity of UKIRT, examines the origins of this success and concludes with a few personal science highlights.
The renegade fact

Renegade facts are those phenomena that are known to exist, but that deviate from common knowledge, result, or process for unknown reasons. Often narrow in scope and limited in practice, they are, nonetheless, factual and can be relied upon, in most instances, to produce a desired effect. Such is the case with nonoperative treatment of aortic injury. The accepted and well-proven treatment of blunt aortic injury is operative repair [1]. This has been the standard of care for the past 30 years. Major discussions in the
Modeling Autonomous-System Relationships

The development of realistic topology generators that produce faithful replicas of Internet topologies is critical for conducting realistic simulation studies of Internet protocols. Despite the volume of research in this area the last several years, current topology generators fail to capture an inherent aspect of the autonomous-system (AS) topology of the Internet, namely the fact that AS links reflect business agreements between competing entities, which impose restrictions on how traffic is routed between ASs. These restrictions result in inflated AS paths and generally in suboptimal routing in the Internet. In this work, we first evaluate the importance of modeling AS relationships when conducting accurate and realistic simulation studies. We demonstrate that ignoring AS relationships produces different simulation results than modeling AS relationships based on known relationships between Internet Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Then, we introduce a framework for generating synthetic AS topologies annotated with realistic relationships. In addition to modeling the degree distribution of a network, which is the property that most existing topology generators model, our framework also models new properties that capture the characteristics of AS relationships. Finally, we propose a novel algorithm for generating synthetic graphs, annotated with AS relationships, that reproduce these AS relationships-aware propertie
Suffix Trees for Partial Words and the Longest Common Compatible Prefix Problem

Suffix trees, introduced by Weiner in 1973, are powerful data structures used to solve many problems on words such as searching for patterns in biological sequences, data compression, text processing, etc. Although they have fallen out of favor in the past years to the more space-efficient suffix arrays, suffix trees are useful for modelling partial words by allowing paths to meet whilst keeping them acyclic through directedness (a partial word may have don’t care symbols or holes, which are compatible with any letter of the alphabet over which it is defined). We extend suffix trees to partial words by introducing a suffix directed acyclic graph, with compatibility links, that exhibits all the suffixes while preserving the longest common compatible prefix, lccp, between suffixes. We give an optimal O(n 2) time and space algorithm for constructing the suffix dag of a given partial word w with an arbitrary number of holes of length n over a fixed alphabet by modifying Weiner’s algorithm. Our algorithm also computes the lccp array between suffixes of w starting with holes and all other suffixes of w. It possesses the invariant that after the suffix at position i has been processed, the lccp between any suffix starting at or after position i with any suffix starting with a hole can be computed in constant time. As a result, with O(n 2) preprocessing time, finding the lccp of two given suffixes of w requires constant time.
Metric, Banach, and Hilbert Spaces

In this introductory chapter, we collect the basic background on metric, Banach, and Hilbert spaces needed in the sequel. The exposition is self-contained, with a wealth of illustrative examples. Proofs of some of the most important results are given including that of the Banach fixed-point theorem.
Building a Rapid Learning Health Care System for Oncology: Why CancerLinQ Collects Identifiable Health Information to Achieve Its Vision

The ever-increasing volume of scientific discoveries, clinical knowledge, novel diagnostic tools, and treatment options juxtaposed with rising costs in health care challenge physicians to identify, prioritize, and use new information rapidly to deliver efficient and high-quality care to a growing and aging patient population. CancerLinQ, a rapid learning health care system in oncology, is an initiative of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and its Institute for Quality that addresses these challenges by collecting information from the electronic health records of large numbers of patients with cancer. CancerLinQ is first and foremost a quality measurement and reporting system through which oncologists can harness the depth and power of their patients' clinical records and other data to assess, monitor, and improve the care they deliver. However, in light of privacy and security concerns with regard to collection, use, and disclosure of patient information, this article addresses the need to collect protected health information as defined under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 to drive rapid learning through CancerLinQ.
Exploring Design Thinking Practices in Evaluation

Background: Design thinking is the process by which the core principles of design are used to problem solve and identify innovative solutions that enahance user experience. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to introduce the concept of design thinking and explore the basic principles of design thinking within the context of the evaluation. Setting: The design thinking process has been used in various fields to enhance innovation and consumer experience. This article explores how the concepts of design thinking can enhance evaluation practice. Intervention: This article did not require an intervention Research Design: Not applicable Data Collection and Analysis: Not applicable Findings: We present ideas for adopting design thinking principles into everyday evaluation practice
Heavy Metals in Colorado and Chinese Oil Shale Semicoke: Disposal Issues, Impediments to Byproduct Conversion

Oil shale, a fine-grained sedimentary rock, contains a proportionally large amount of kerogen, which can be converted into oil by thermal degradation of the compacted rock. The primary byproduct of current oil shale oil extraction processes is semicoke. Its landfill deposition presents a possible threat to the environment and represents a waste of a potentially useable byproduct. In this work, we explore the heavy metal content of oil shale semicoke pyrolyzed at 500 and 1000 °C to better understand the risks posed by disposal of oil shale processing waste on the nearby environment, as well as impediments to potential byproduct conversion. The greatest potential obstruction to byproduct conversion and the greatest environmental risk posed by open air disposal of oil shale semicoke is likely due to relatively high arsenic concentrations; using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, we find arsenic concentrations in semicoke (pyrolyzed at 500 °C) ranging from 25 ppm for Chinese oil shale from the Huadian mine (cla...
State regionalism in New Mexico

dealing with immigrants has related to Americanization, literacy, social delinquency, etc., and has given little consideration to the economic contributions made by immigrants to our society. It is also worth noting that with present immigration restrictions, America will henceforth have to rear its own productive citizens, rather than recruit them after they have been reared at the expense of other countries. This of course is what any country should plan to do, when considered from the longrange point of view. When one considers, however, the proportion of our productive citizenry which has been made up of immigrants, even during recent decades, the economic significance of the future problem of nurture combined with education becomes apparent.
Recombinant human stem cell factor stimulates differentiation of mast cells from dispersed human fetal liver cells

We have previously shown the development in vitro of tryptase+ human mast cells from fetal liver cells cocultured with murine 3T3 fibroblasts. In this study, recombinant human stem cell factor (rhuSCF), the ligand for the c-kit proto-oncogene product called Kit, stimulated the growth and differentiation primarily of mast cells from dispersed fetal liver cells, whereas recombinant human interleukin-3 (rhuIL-3) stimulated the differentiation of basophils along with other cell types. Cultures of fetal liver cells were initiated and maintained in the presence of rhuSCF or rhuIL-3 for up to 6 weeks. Metachromatic cells in cytospins were identified as mast cells primarily on the basis of tryptase expression, and as MCT or MCTC by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies against tryptase and chymase, whereas basophils were metachromatic, polymorphonuclear, and lacked these proteases. Levels of tryptase and histamine were measured by radioimmunoassay, tryptase and chymase activities by peptide hydrolysis, and cell surface Kit by flow cytometry with the monoclonal antibody YB5.B8. The predominant presence of mast cells occurred only in the cultures supplemented with rhuSCF. The percentage and total number of mast cells increased over time with increasing concentrations of rhuSCF and reached a plateau at 55 ng/mL. At this concentration of rhuSCF, mast cells first appeared by day 7; by day 42, 106% of the starting number of cells were present and 85% of these were tryptase+, 31% being weakly chymase+. These mast cells appeared immature by ultrastructural criteria; most cells were mononuclear, but some had nuclei with deeply divided lobes. DNA synthesis in tryptase+ mast cells at days 21 and 28 of culture with rhuSCF was demonstrated by incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine. Calculated levels of histamine (1.2 pg/mast cell) and tryptase (0.9 pg/mast cell) were similar to those determined previously in coculture experiments with murine 3T3 fibroblasts. Chymase activity was undetectable in most cell extracts. On day 0, 4% to 20% of fetal liver cells expressed cell surface Kit. In the presence of rhuSCF, the percentages and total numbers of Kit+ cells and the apparent concentration of Kit per cell increased along with the number of tryptase+ cells. In the presence of rhuIL-3, toluidine blue+, tryptase- cells first and maximally appeared at day 14 (11% +/- 2.5%). The percentage of these toluidine blue+ cells then declined to about 6% by days 21 and 35, while the total number of positive cells declined over 10-fold. Kit+ cells in the presence of rhuIL-3 declined from 9% on day 3 to 2% on day 35.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Construction and primary application of a TAQMAN PCR detection method for detection of Escherichia coli O_(157)H_7

[Objective] To establish a rapid sensitive and specific detection method of Escherichia coli O157∶H7 with TaqMan PCR. [Methods] To design a pair of primers and probe depending on rfbE gene by way of target sequence of Escherichia coli O157∶H7,and apply Escherichia coli O157∶H7 of standard bacterium strain for template to appraise Escherichia coli O157∶H7.The best Mg2+ concentration.primer and probe ratio were optimized.Specificity,sensitivity and stability analysis test were performed by Escherichia coli O157∶H7 and 10 other associated bacteria strains. [Results] The best Mg2+ concentration was 4mmoL/L.Concentretion of primers and probe was 0.6μmoL/L and 0.8μmoL/L.Tests showed that the probe were highly conservative and specific.The results of all 10 bacterial strains were negative except of strain of Escherichia coli O157∶H7.The quantitative detection limit of the method was 17cfu/mL in pure broth culture.Stability test showed that coefficient variables were all less than 5% in 4 different concentrations.The results showed that real-time PCR method was more sensitive,easier and faster than conventional culture method for detection of Escherichia coli O157∶H7. [Conclusion] Real-time PCR method has high sensitivity and specificilty.The real-time PCR is a handy and rapid method.It can be used in examination of microorganisms in food and has great value in practical work.
Organochlorines in black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) eggs reflect persistent contamination in northeastern US estuaries.

Colonially nesting aquatic birds can indicate site-specific contamination because they are high-level predators and dependent upon local resources during the breeding season. We compared persistent organochlorine concentrations in black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) eggs collected in 1992–93 among areas of known contamination (New York Harbor, Boston Harbor, Cape Cod, and Delaware Bay) and a reference site (Nantucket Island) in the northeastern United States (7–16 eggs/site). Total PCBs, p,p′-DDE, oxychlordane, heptachlor epoxide, and trans-nonachlor were detected in most eggs and were significantly higher in New York Harbor compared to all other sites (ANOVA on factor scores from the first principal component, which accounted for 75% of data variance, p < 0.0001). New York also had the highest contamination index (the number of Superfund sites within 20 km of the colony) among the sites. Nantucket, the reference site, had consistently low contamination in eggs, and the lowest contamination index. We conclude that black-crowned night heron eggs are useful indicators of site-specific persistent organochlorine contamination, as indexed by the number of nearby Superfund sites.