cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Competitive Homing Assays to Study Gut-tropic T Cell Migration

In order to exert their function lymphocytes need to leave the blood and migrate into different tissues in the body. Lymphocyte adhesion to endothelial cells and tissue extravasation is a multistep process controlled by different adhesion molecules (homing receptors) expressed on lymphocytes and their respective ligands (addressions) displayed on endothelial cells (1 2). Even though the function of these adhesion receptors can be partially studied ex vivo, the ultimate test for their physiological relevance is to assess their role during in vivo lymphocyte adhesion and migration. Two complementary strategies have been used for this purpose: intravital microscopy (IVM) and homing experiments. Although IVM has been essential to define the precise contribution of specific adhesion receptors during the adhesion cascade in real time and in different tissues, IVM is time consuming and labor intensive, it often requires the development of sophisticated surgical techniques, it needs prior isolation of homogeneous cell populations and it permits the analysis of only one tissue/organ at any given time. By contrast, competitive homing experiments allow the direct and simultaneous comparison in the migration of two (or even more) cell subsets in the same mouse and they also permit the analysis of many tissues and of a high number of cells in the same experiment. Here we describe the classical competitive homing protocol used to determine the advantage/disadvantage of a given cell type to home to specific tissues as compared to a control cell population. We chose to illustrate the migratory properties of gut-tropic versus non gut-tropic T cells, because the intestinal mucosa is the largest body surface in contact with the external environment and it is also the extra-lymphoid tissue with the best-defined migratory requirements. Moreover, recent work has determined that the vitamin A metabolite all-trans retinoic acid (RA) is the main molecular mechanism responsible for inducing gut-specific adhesion receptors (integrin a4b7and chemokine receptor CCR9) on lymphocytes. Thus, we can readily generate large numbers of gut-tropic and non gut-tropic lymphocytes ex vivoby activating T cells in the presence or absence of RA, respectively, which can be finally used in the competitive homing experiments described here.
Hybrid silicon free-space source with integrated beam steering

Free-space beam steering using optical phase arrays are desirable as a means of implementing Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and free-space communication links without the need for moving parts, thus alleviating vulnerabilities due to vibrations and inertial forces. Implementing such an approach in silicon photonic integrated circuits is particularly desirable in order to take advantage of established CMOS processing techniques while reducing both device size and packaging complexity. In this work we demonstrate a free-space diode laser together with beam steering implemented on-chip in a silicon photonic circuit. A waveguide phased array, surface gratings, a hybrid III-V/silicon laser and an array of hybrid III/V silicon amplifiers were fabricated on-chip in order to achieve a fully integrated steerable free-space optical source with no external optical inputs, thus eliminating the need for fiber coupling altogether. The chip was fabricated using a modified version of the hybrid silicon process developed at UCSB, with modifications in order to incorporate diodes within the waveguide layer as well as within the III-V gain layer. Beam steering across a 12° field of view with ±0.3° accuracy and 1.8°x0.6° beam width was achieved, with background peaks suppressed 7 dB relative to the main lobe within the field of view for arbitrarily chosen beam directions.
Wimax - Potential Commercial Off-The-Shelf Solution for Tactical Mobile Mesh Communications

The Army is evaluating the capabilities' of emerging technologies based on the IEEE 802.16 standard as a potential commercial off-the-shelf solution to support the communication requirements of the future warfighter. This paper evaluates the mesh mode defined in the IEEE 802.16d (fixed WiMax) standard to determine if it is technically feasible for WiMax to support mobile mesh networking by proposing adaptations to the MAC scheduler and the PHY layer profile as well as organizing the network into small clusters interconnected by a MANET routing protocol. The proposed adaptations are evaluated using system parameters defined in the context of a military scenario. Observations and findings warrant further research in integrating WiMax technology into the Army's communication architecture. Additionally, this paper includes the results of a mobility experiment using fixed WiMax equipment.
Asymptotic fields at interfaces using the finite element iterative method

Abstract The asymptotic fields of many complex singularity problems are analyzed using the Finite Element Iterative Method. Extension of the method to nonlinear fields and its convergence are discussed. Application to interface cracks in nonlinear hardening materials is also summarized. Finally, the results for three-dimensional surface interface cracks and cracks at corner wedges are presented.
Isotopic and Paleontologic Evidence for Correlating Three Volcanic Sequences in the Maine Coastal Volcanic Belt

The correlation of the Castine Volcanics, the Thorofare Andesite–Vinalhaven Rhyolite sequence, and the Cranberry Island Series of Shaler (1889), suggested by their similar lithologies, appearance, and structural histories, is supported by the results of Rb-Sr whole-rock isotopic analyses and by the faunal assemblages from old and new fossil localities in the Castine Volcanics, Ames Knob Formation, and Thorofare Andesite. The volcanic rocks are partly Late Silurian, but mostly Early Devonian in age and yield an average radiogenic age of 390 ± 5 m.y. The use of calcite-bearing volcanic samples for whole-rock Rb-Sr dating degrades the method by greatly increasing the uncertainty of the isochron and initial Sr 87 /Sr 86 . Lower to Middle Devonian granitic plutons have initial ratios of Sr 87 and Sr 86 similar to those in the volcanic formations. The Castine Volcanics and the Lower Devonian granite of Sedgwick may be comagmatic, but the time interval between the extrusion of the Vinalhaven Rhyolite and its intrusion by the Middle Devonian granite of Vinalhaven Island is too long to support the comagmatic hypothesis.
Electrical Conductivity of Olivine and the Lunar Temperature Profile

The measured electrical conductivity of olivine has been shown to depend strongly on thePo2 in which the sample has been equilibrated. At the present time, no definite limits can be placed on temperatures in the lunar interior assuming a model composition of olivine. It is certain that such limits will be at least several hundred degrees above the original estimates.
New Device for Removing Oil Slicks from the Surface of Water

ABSTRACT With the sponsorship of SEACLEAN S.A., Luxembourg, the Geneva Research Centre of Battelle carried out an analytical study on devices designed to remove oil slicks floating on water. The conclusion was that the majority of existing devices are not easily adaptable to marine operation. To overcome this disadvantage, Battelle has conceived a new device described in this paper. The system is composed of a rotating, multi-thread screw in a casing. The oil and water enter the system at a given speed and are trapped between the threads. As the pitch of the threads progressively diminishes, the oil thickens and is removed by a pump from a chamber situated at the end of the screw, while the water is removed through an aperture below the screw casing. Disordered motion of the waves is absorbed by the last stage of the screw and the whole device follows the movement of the swell. This paper also describes the related laboratory development work and data on the performance of the device. The research team co...
On the size and chemical nature of the polypeptide chain of bovine liver rhodanese

Abstract Evidence from molecular weight studies and sequence analysis of bovine liver rhodanese indicates that the enzyme is a single polypeptide of molecular weight 35,200, and not a dimer of identical subunits half this size. The rhodanese molecule contains 317 amino acids including 5 methionines, 4 cysteines, and 5 tryptophans. As expected, six fragments were produced by cleavage with cyanogen bromide and these have been aligned in the enzyme with the aid of overlapping tryptic peptides isolated from a [ 14 C] carboxymethylmethionyl rhodanese derivative. The cyanogen bromide fragments account for all of the amino acid residues of the parent rhodanese molecule. Methionine residues are located at positions 72, 112, 214, 217, and 235 in the polypeptide chain and the active site cysteine is at position 251, in the carboxyl-terminal segment of the molecule.
THE EXPRESSIONS FOR THE SUPER-ALLOWED BETA-DECAY RATES IN THE CORIOLIS COUPLING MODEL: APPLICATION TO THE 1d5/2 SHELL NUCLEI

The expressions for super-allowed beta-decay transition rates have been derived within the context of the Coriolis coupling model. The derived expressions, valid for the beta-decay between any two mirror nuclei, have been applied to calculate super-allowed beta-decay transition rates of 21Na, 23Mg, 25Al, and 27Si. Without the use of any hindrance factor, the calculated rates agree well with the data and also with the calculations done using the shell model with configuration admixture.
Provisioning green energy for small cell BSs

Mobile base stations (BSs) can be powered by green energy in order to reduce the on-grid energy consumption, and subsequently reduce the carbon footprints. However, equipping a BS with a green energy system incurs additional capital expenditure (CAPEX) which is determined by the size of the green energy generator, the battery capacity, and other installation expense. In this paper, we introduce and investigate the green energy provisioning (GEP) problem which aims to minimize the CAPEX on deploying green energy powered BSs while achieving the capacity expansion and traffic offloading target. The GEP problem is challenging because it involves optimization over multiple time slots and across multiple BSs. We propose a heuristic green energy provisioning solution which decomposes the GEP problem into three sub-problems: the traffic load optimization problem, the active BS selection problem, and the green energy system sizing problem. We propose algorithms to solve the sub-problems and subsequently solve the GEP problem.
Postponing a Date with the Grim Reaper: Ceremonial Events and Mortality

Past research suggests that people are more likely to die after rather than before important ceremonial events (a death deferral effect). We replicated this finding in a sample based on more than 30 million decedents. In analyses in which we tracked deaths day by day, we analyzed four major events: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and participants' birthdays. People were more likely to die just after rather than just before all four events. In addition, whereas people were less likely than usual to die on the exact days of Thanksgiving and Christmas, people were more likely than usual to die on the exact days of New Year's Day and their birthdays. Moderator analyses suggested that these effects reflected a will to live. For instance, effects for both Christmas and the birthday were much stronger for children than for adults.
Review of "From Images to Surfaces: A Computational Study of the Human Early Visual System by William Eric Leifur Grimson"; MIT Press, 1981

This book describes what must be today's most widely known stereoscopic correspondence system --- one based on the Marr-Poggio theory of stereopsis ([Marr 1977]).
Partial urorectal septum malformation sequence: A report of 25 cases

We have identified 25 cases with what we are calling the partial urorectal septum malformation (URSM) sequence, which were seen in our institution over the past 27 years. The partial URSM sequence is defined as a single perineal/anal opening that drains a common cloaca in combination with an absent (imperforate) anus. In the 25 patients reported here, the partial URSM sequence was more common in females, with a female to male ratio of 18 to 7. Ambiguous genitalia were common in both sexes. Internal pelvic structures typically showed a cloaca with the bladder and rectum (and vagina in females) coalescing into a common canal that connected to the external surface in the perineal or anal area. Abnormalities of the internal genitalia were also common, with 12 females having a bifid or septate vagina and 11 having a bicornuate uterus. Renal anomalies were frequent in both sexes, with 10 of 25 patients having unilateral cystic renal dysplasia and 7 of 25 patients having unilateral renal agenesis. Twenty-one of 25 patients survived long term. By definition, the partial URSM sequence is a milder expression of the full URSM sequence, which is defined as having no perineal or anal openings and is typically associated with an internal cloaca. The URSM spectrum, which encompasses the partial and full URSM sequences, is believed to be caused by abnormalities of septation of the primitive cloaca. The URSM spectrum is distinct from the VATER association and conditions caused by sex hormone abnormalities, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
The health impact of common inorganic components of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in ambient air: a critical review.

Ambient air particulate matter (PM) originates as either primary particles emitted directly into the atmosphere from a specific source or as secondary particles produced from atmospheric chemical reactions between precursor gases or between these gases and primary particles. PM can derive from both natural and anthropogenic sources, resulting in a complex chemical mix. The “fine” size mode of ambient PM, designated as PM2.5, is defined as comprising those particles having aerodynamic diameters below 2.5 μm. While the total mass of PM2.5 has been associated with adverse human health outcomes, the relationship between these and specific chemical components has not been resolved. This article provides a perspective on the current state of the science concerning health effects from a major group of chemical species found within PM2.5, namely common inorganic constituents. The specific chemical classes discussed herein are secondary inorganic species, namely, sulfate, nitrate, and acidity, and generally crusta...
Body Practices and Brazilian Culture: Pedagogical Contributions to Physical Education Professionals☆

Abstract This work aims to analyze: 1) body practices, in particular the sport, and their relationships with Brazilian culture, 2) generate theoretical elements for physical education professionals to have an effective pedagogical action. The methodological procedure consisted of a qualitative bibliography research. As a result, we identified that it is fundamental for Physical Education professionals, working in schools and leisure places, to perform pedagogical actions that make possible for the subjects to gain access to systematized knowledge, so that they can understand the meanings attributed to body practices that circulate in Brazil.
An assessment of the effects of fluctuations on the severity of poisoning by toxic vapours

Les calculs de dosage conduisent a une sousestimation de la severite des effets toxiques produits par la liberation atmospherique de vapeurs toxiques
A prospective, randomized, controlled study to compare two doses of recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin in serum and follicular fluid in woman with high body mass index

This prospective, randomized, controlled study compares the efficiency of 250 μg or 500 μg of recombinant hCG in serum and follicular fluid (FF) levels and pregnancy rates (PR) in women with high body mass index (BMI) (≥26 kg/m 2 ) undergoing assisted reproduction treatment (ART). Treatment outcomes are similar between the two groups.
Prognostic implications of karyotype and morphology in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Clonal chromosome abnormalities were observed in 30 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; the type of lymphoma was characterized on the basis of the International Working Formulation. The 30 patients were classified into five groups according to the chromosome abnormality. There were 8 patients with t(14;18), 3 with t(8;14), 7 with a translocation to the long arm of chromosome 3 (a 3q+ chromosome), 5 with near-tetraploidy, and 7 with other abnormalities. Among the 8 patients with t(14;18), 5 had follicular small cleaved-cell lymphoma (FSC), I had follicular mixed cell lymphoma (FM), and 2 had diffuse large-cell lymphoma (DL); the diagnosis in these 2 patients was based on extranodal tissue. All 3 patients with t(8;14) had DL and B-cell markers. Except for 1 patient, all those with a 3q+ chromosome had DL; 4 of those who were tested had B-cell or pre-B-cell markers. Four of the 5 patients with near-tetraploidy had follicular mixed-cell lymphoma, and 2 of the 7 patients with other abnormalities had T-cell lymphoma. Thus, patients with a t(8;14), a 14q+ chromosome, or a 3q+ chromosome all tend to have diffuse large-cell lymphoma, usually of the non-cleaved type. On the other hand, our data suggest that patients with FSC generally have a t(14;18) whereas those with follicular and diffuse mixed small cleaved cells and large noncleaved cells have a different pattern with modal chromosome numbers in the tetraploid range. We added 17 previously reported patients to the 30 presented here and correlated the karyotype with survival. The 6 patients with near-tetraploidy had the longest median survival, 69 months, the 15 patients with t(14;18) had the next longest, 48 months. The 4 patients with t(8;14) had the shortest survival, 12 months, and the 9 with other abnormalities had the next shortest, 17 months. Intermediate survivals of 27 and 30 months were observed in patients with a 14q+ or a 3q+ chromosome, respectively. The median survival of these various categories differs and our data, thus, indicate that the karyotypic pattern of the malignant cell may be a significant independent prognostic feature influencing the survival of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Clinical improvement after ventricular aneurysm repair: Prediction by angiographic and hemodynamic variables

Surgical repair of a left ventricular aneurysm is associated with significant perioperative mortality and substantial mortality in the first 2 years after operation. In a retrospective review of 42 patients undergoing repair of an anteroapical aneurysm, two cardiac catheterization variables were identified that predicted a good surgical outcome, defined as perioperative survival and improved functional status. Specifically, patients with an ejection fraction of the contractile section (nonaneurysmal) of the left ventricle of 35% or greater and a left ventricular end-diastolic pressure of 25 mm Hg or less had a low perioperative mortality rate (6.5%), experienced no late mortality and had sustained clinical improvement of at least one New York Heart Association functional class (93.5%). In contrast, patients with a contractile section ejection fraction of less than 35% or a left ventricular end-diastolic pressure greater than 25 mm Hg had a higher perioperative mortality rate (27.3%), experienced a substantial late mortality rate (27.3%) or had no significant functional class improvement (9%); only 36.4% had sustained clinical improvement. This study suggests that the postoperative results of left ventricular aneurysm repair are dependent on the hemodynamic status of the nonresected left ventricle.
Inhibition of palmitoyl Co-enzyme a hydrolase in mitochondria and microsomes by pharmaceutical organic anions

Rat microsomes and mitochondria were isolated and incubated with selected pharmaceutical organic anions at concentrations of 0, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2 mM. Activity of palmitoyl CoA hydrolase (PCAH) was shown to be reduced in a dose-dependent manner in microsomes by ibuprofen, valproate, acetyl salicylate, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4-D), and 4-pentenoate, but not salicylate. Mitochondrial PCAH activity was inhibited by clofibrate, ibuprofen, valproate, and 2,4-D. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was impaired or uncoupled by each of the mitochondrial PCAH inhibitors. The inhibition of PCAH by some of these agents may lead to fatty acyl CoA accumulation. Very low concentrations of fatty acyl CoA are known to cause mitochondrial uncoupling and increase permeability. This action may play a role in the mitochondrial injury caused by some of these agents or related disease processes.
Status report on X-ray lithography

Abstract The need to use X-ray lithography for the large-scale manufacture of future generations of integrated circuits is discussed and an overview of world efforts to develop the necessary technologies is presented. The emphasis is on synchrotron radiation from electron storage rings as the light source. The work of the Wisconsin Center for X-Ray Lithography at the University of Wisconsin Synchrotron Radiation Center is discussed, including recent results in the areas of exposure stations, X-ray resists, masks and computer-aided process modeling.
Birth Order and Intelligence: An Immunological Interpretation:

The literature indicates that the IQs and school performance of children tend to decline with increasing order of birth. A hypothesis is here presented that the effect of birth order upon intellectual performance may result from an increasing probability of maternal immune attack upon the fetal brain in utero with order of parity. In support of this hypothesis, evidence is adduced from the literature that the fetal brain is antigenic, that fetal antigens may reach the immune system of the mother, that the incidence of maternal sensitization to fetal antigens increases with parity, that antibodies may readily cross the placenta and reach the fetal brain, that antibodies can be highly teratogenic, and that certain antibodies may damage, in a lasting way, the structure, function, and learning capacity of brains in experimental animals and human infants.
A target-unrelated peptide in an M13 phage display library traced to an advantageous mutation in the gene II ribosome-binding site

Screening of the commercially available Ph.D.-7 phage-displayed heptapeptide library for peptides that bind immobilized Zn2+ resulted in the repeated selection of the peptide HAIYPRH, although binding assays indicated that HAIYPRH is not a zinc-binding peptide. HAIYPRH has also been selected in several other laboratories using completely different targets, and its ubiquity suggests that it is a target-unrelated peptide. We demonstrated that phage displaying HAIYPRH are enriched after serial amplification of the library without exposure to target. The amplification of phage displaying HAIYPRH was found to be dramatically faster than that of the library itself. DNA sequencing uncovered a mutation in the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence for gIIp, a protein involved in phage replication, imparting to the SD sequence better complementarity to the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Introducing this mutation into phage lacking a displayed peptide resulted in accelerated propagation, whereas phage displaying HAIYPRH with a wild-type SD sequence were found to amplify normally. The SD mutation may alter gIIp expression and, consequently, the rate of propagation of phage. In the Ph.D.-7 library, the mutation is coincident with the displayed peptide HAIYPRH, accounting for the target-unrelated selection of this peptide in multiple reported panning experiments.
Observation of fractional revivals in the evolution of a Rydberg atomic wave packet.

Rydberg atomic wave packets have demonstrated striking classical properties. In particular, the wave packets display regions in which they evolve like classical atoms. However, between these regions the wave packet is dispersed and its evolution departs from the classical model. In these nonclassical regions, the wave packet can either be dispersed or coalesced into a number of equally spaced sub-wave-packets. The regions in which the sub-wave-packets appear have come to be known as fractional revivals. This paper reports the observation of these fractional revivals and discusses their implications.
The effect of starting pattern on descriptions of perceived temporal patterns

Ss listened to and then described continually repeating sequences of nine tones presented at the rate of three tones/second. Each tone was either 275 Hz (high) or 250 Hz (low). The major independent variable was starting pattern (where E began the continually repeating sequence). The major dependent variable was S’s description. The results showed that the “better” the starting pattern, the more often it was accepted and used as the description. “Better” starting patterns were also learned more quickly.
Oil supply diversification: a panacea for energy vulnerabilities?

Abstract The diversification of sources of imported oil has been suggested as one strategy to reduce the vulnerability of many western states to manipulation or disruption of those supplies for political or economic ends. For a variety of reasons — the limited number of oil exporters, levels of importer dependence, anticipated future shortages, and supplier interests among them—diversification strategies will have little impact on vulnerability reduction. Moreover if a large number of petroleum importers engage in diversification strategies, competition among those importers may lead to negative consequences. On the plus side, previously unknown resources may be found, contributing to global hydrocarbon reserves.
Synthesis and cytokinin activity of some N6-acylaminopurines☆

Abstract The preparation and properties of five 6-acylaminopurines (acyl groups; acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, valeryl and benzoyl) and of N 6 -benzoyladenosine-5′-phosphate are described. In general these substances have good cytokinin activity in the tobacco and soybean tissue culture assays; 6-benzoylaminopurine was almost as effective as 6-benzylaminopurine.
The essential spectrum of Neumann Laplacians on some bounded singular domains

In the present paper we consider Neumann Laplacians on singular domains of the type “rooms and passages” or “combs” and we show that, in typical situations, the essential spectrum can be determined from the geometric data. Moreover, given an arbitrary closed subset S of the non-negative reals, we construct domains Ω = Ω(S) such that the essential spectrum of the Neumann Laplacian on Ω is just this set S.
Airborne observations of aircraft aerosol emissions I: Total nonvolatile particle emission indices

We report airborne measurements of total and nonvolatile (at T < 290°C) fine and ultrafine aerosol emission indices (EI's) generated hy a variety of jet aircraft. The data were obtained using an instrumented jet aircraft, flown repeatedly through aircraft wakes. These aircraft were observed to produce 0.5 - 10 x 10 15 nonvolatile particles kg -1 of fuel burned. Their numbers varied as a function of aircraft type, age, and engine operating parameters, but less with atmospheric conditions. Large numbers of volatile aerosols were measured in all cases. Volatile EI's ranged from 0.1 to 40 x 10 16 kg -1 fuel burned. The observed soot emissions are estimated to have only a minor impact on atmospheric aerosol loading. hut a future fleet producing such high concentrations of implied sulfate aerosols could perturb cloud formation and heterogeneous chemical processes in the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere.
Canonical inhibitor-like interactions explain reactivity of alpha1-proteinase inhibitor Pittsburgh and antithrombin with proteinases

The serpin antithrombin is a slow thrombin inhibitor that requires heparin to enhance its reaction rate. In contrast, α1-proteinase inhibitor (α1PI) Pittsburgh (P1 Met → Arg natural variant) inhibits thrombin 17 times faster than pentasaccharide heparin-activated antithrombin. We present here x-ray structures of free and S195A trypsin-bound α1PI Pittsburgh, which show that the reactive center loop (RCL) possesses a canonical conformation in the free serpin that does not change upon binding to S195A trypsin and that contacts the proteinase only between P2 and P2′. By inference from the structure of heparin cofactor II bound to S195A thrombin, this RCL conformation is also appropriate for binding to thrombin. Reaction rates of trypsin and thrombin with α1PI Pittsburgh and antithrombin and their P2 variants show that the low antithrombin-thrombin reaction rate results from the antithrombin RCL sequence at P2 and implies that, in solution, the antithrombin RCL must be in a similar canonical conformation to that found here for α1PI Pittsburgh, even in the nonheparin-activated state. This suggests a general, limited, canonical-like interaction between serpins and proteinases in their Michaelis complexes.
Preparing for clinical NP practice in an emergency care setting.

Elda G. Ramirez, Houston Chapter, is Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing and Interim Division Head of Emergency Care, School of Nursing, Frank L. Cole, Houston Chapter, is Professor of Nursing, Interim Assistant Dean & Department Chair of Acute and Continuing Care, and Director of Emergency Nurse Practitioner Education, School of Nursing, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Tex. For reprints, write: Elda G. Ramirez, MSN, RN, CEN, FNP, 501 W 25th St, Houston, TX 77008; E-mail: Elda.G.Ramirez@uth.tmc.edu. J Emerg Nurs 2004;30:176-8. Copyright n 2004 by the Emergency Nurses Association. doi:10.1016/j.jen.2004.02.006
Components-of-variance models for random-effects ROC analysis: the case of unequal variance structures across modalities.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives Several of the authors have previously published an analysis of multiple sources of uncertainty in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) assessment and comparison of diagnostic modalities. The analysis assumed that the components of variance were the same for the modalities under comparison. The purpose of the present work is to obtain a generalization that does not require that assumption. Materials and Methods The generalization is achieved by splitting three of the six components of variance in the previous model into modality-dependent contributions. Two distinct formulations of this approach can be obtained from alternative choices of the three components to be split; however, a one-to-one relationship exists between the magnitudes of the components estimated from these two formulations. Results The method is applied to a study of multiple readers, with and without the aid of a computer-assist modality, performing the task of discriminating between benign and malignant clusters of microcalcifications. Analysis according to the first method of splitting shows large decreases in the reader and reader-by-case components of variance when the computer assist is used by the readers. Analysis in terms of the alternative splitting shows large decreases in the corresponding modality-interaction components. Conclusion A solution to the problem of multivariate ROC analysis without the assumption of equal variance structure across modalities has been provided. Alternative formulations lead to consistent results related by a one-to-one mapping. A surprising result is that estimates of confidence intervals and numbers of cases and readers required for a specified confidence interval remain the same in the more general model as in the restricted model.
Changes in endogenous abscisic acid of plants exposed to nitrogen dioxide

Abstract Soybean ( Glycine max L. Merrill) cv. Williams and black turtle bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cv. Domino plants were exposed to 0.0, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 μ1 −1 nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) in a controlled environment. The amount of abscisic acid (ABA) in leaves was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. At 0.025 μl NO 2 there was no change in ABA levels, however, on exposure to 0.05 and 0.10 μl 1 −1 NO 2 , a significant increase in ABA was observed. No foliar injury took place at any level of exposure. Photosynthesis of black turtle leaves increased but stomatal resistance was reduced on exposure to 0.10μl 1 −1 NO 2 .
Cancer stem cells in multiple myeloma

Several key observations providing evidence for the cancer stem cell hypothesis and insights into the unique biology of these cells have come from the study of multiple myeloma. These include evidence that cancer cells may be functionally heterogeneous in spite of their genetic homogeneity and that malignant progenitors share many biological features with normal adult stem cells including drug resistance and regulatory processes governing self-renewal. We review studies that have examined clonogenic cells in multiple myeloma, highlight controversies regarding the cell of origin in multiple myeloma, and discuss potential targeting strategies.
A classification of interdomain actions

This paper contributes to the recent discussion on unmet information security challenges for operating system designers. It focusses on the problem that in order to meet these challenges operating systems must be capable of supporting a multitude of information domains, each domain defined by its own and individual security policy. In such multi-domain systems, the interoperability between different information domains constitutes a major problem. While the security policies of the system control the interactions within their domains, it is an unsolved problem how interactions between different domains can be made secure.In order to provide a precise foundation for the discussion of secure interdomain actions as well as for the development of concepts for their implementation, the paper proposes a classification of interdomain actions that clearly identifies two major types of interdomain actions: interactions that cause conflicts between the involved security policies and interactions for which none of the involved policies can provide any security rule. The paper concludes that in order to support multiple information domains, operating systems must be capable of classifying interdomain actions, and they must support new types of interdomain security policies that mediate security conflicts in interdomain actions and complete the set of security rules for interdomain actions. The paper concludes with a discussion of the computational complexity of interdomain action classification.
NMR studies of organic solvent denatured yeast phenylalanyl transfer RNA at 220 MHZ a.

Summary Computer averaged proton magnetic resonance studies at 220 MHz of purified yeast tRNA phe denatured with dimethylsulfoxide have shown that protons of most of the modified nucleosides may be located and tentatively identified. The “melting” behavior of the modified nucleosides does not indicate that they are in more flexible regions of the tRNA secondary structure as it exists in water. Segments containing 5-methylcytidine and ribothymidine are most resistant to denaturation.
Differential geometry of the cortical surface

The cortical fold is one of the most striking features of the brain and it plays a tremendously important role in understanding brain function. In this paper we build a precise mathematical representation of a typical cortical surface. This representation will allow us to make statements about the geometry of the surface and will enable us to compute intrinsic geometrical properties such as the Mean and the Gaussian curvature of the surface.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
X-Ray Attenuation Coefficients from 13 to 80 Mev for Hydrogen, Carbon, Water, and Aluminum

The x-ray attenuation coefficients for hydrogen, carbon, water, and aluminum have been measured in the energy range from 13 to 80 Mev by placing varying lengths of attenuators in a 90-Mev bremsstrahlung beam in a good geometry experiment using a large sodium-iodide total-absorption spectrometer as the detector. In the hydrogen case, a difference method employing cyclohexane (${\mathrm{C}}_{6}$${\mathrm{H}}_{12}$) and graphite was used. The theoretical attenuation coefficients were calculated using selected Compton and triplet cross sections in addition to the small quasi-deuteron cross sections. A pair cross-section increase of 2.25% was required for carbon, water, and aluminum to bring the total calculated coefficients into agreement with the measured coefficients in the 60-Mev region. The difference between these calculated cross sections and the measured cross sections in the 13-to 50-Mev region has been ascribed to the giant resonance nuclear absorption. A larger high-energy tail to this absorption than predicted by ($\ensuremath{\gamma}, p$) and ($\ensuremath{\gamma}, n$) experiments is indicated.
EPA SITE demonstration of the BioTrol soil washing process.

A pilot-scale soil washing process, patented by BioTrol, Inc., was demonstrated on soil contaminated by wood treating waste, primarily pentachlorophenol (PCP) and creosote-derived polynuclear aroma...
Properties of Intramolecular Proton Transfer in Carbonic Anhydrase III

We investigated the efficiency of glutamic acid 64 and aspartic acid 64 as proton donors to the zinc-bound hydroxide in a series of site-specific mutants of human carbonic anhydrase III (HCA III). Rate constants for this intramolecular proton transfer, a step in the catalyzed dehydration of bicarbonate, were determined from the proton-transfer-dependent rates of release of H2 18O from the enzyme measured by mass spectrometry. The free energy plots representing these rate constants could be fit by the Marcus rate theory, resulting in an intrinsic barrier for the proton transfer of deltaG0++ = 2.2 +/- 0.5 kcal/mol, and a work function or thermodynamic contribution to the free energy of reaction wr = 10.8 +/- 0.1 kcal/mol. These values are very similar in magnitude to the Marcus parameters describing intramolecular proton transfer from His64 and His67 to the zinc-bound hydroxide in mutants of HCA III. That result and the equivalent efficiency of Glu64 and Asp64 as proton donors in the catalysis by CA III demonstrate a lack of specificity in proton transfer from these sites, which is indirect evidence of a number of proton conduction pathways through different structures of intervening water chains. The dominance of the thermodynamic contribution or work function for all of these proton transfers is consistent with the view that formation and breaking of hydrogen bonds in such water chains is a limiting factor for proton translocation.
Effects of eyestalk removal in crabs: Relation to normal premolt

Thirty-six measured variables were compared in crabs de-eye-stalked (DE) for 24 hours to 45 days and with normal animals well advanced in the premolt stage of the molting cycle. DE crabs generally differed from premolts in water and ion composition of carapace and blood, but not in organ water content, and differences were independent of time after DE. Furthermore, acute (24-hour) DE animals displayed 30-fold higher uptake of cholesterol-14C in Y-organs (four to fivefold higher in hepatopancreas and hypodermis) than premolts; uptakes dropped to premolt levels in long-term DE animals. It is concluded that acute and long-term de-eyestalking induce abnormalities in several physiological parameters but also induce changes in cholesterol processing suggestive of normal early and late premolt stages, respectively.
Falling down a Hole through the Earth

(2004). Falling down a Hole through the Earth. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 77, No. 3, pp. 171-189.
Impact of Mechanical Shear on the Survival of Listeria monocytogenes on Surfaces

: The impact of mechanical surface shear on microbial viability is rarely a subject for exploration in food processing. The objective of this research was to investigate the impact of mechanical shear on the survival of Listeria monocytogenes on surfaces. Mechanical shear created by slicing a model food was explored to investigate the viability of L. monocytogenes. Cell injury/death was readily demonstrated in fluorescence images by confocal microscopy in which the live and dead cells were fluorescently stained green and red, respectively, with a viability dye kit. Images showed that a large percentage of dead cells appeared after slicing, and they were readily transferred from the slicer blade onto the surfaces of sliced agar, indicating that surface shear may cause the lethal effect on L. monocytogenes. Surface transfer results also showed that viable cell counts on agar slices (in a slicing series) followed a consistently decreasing pattern. The cell counts initially at 5 to 6.5 log CFU/slice (slices 1 to 6), decreased to 3 to 4 log CFU/slice (slices 8 to 30), then to 2 to 3 log CFU/slice (slices 31 to 40), and counts would be expected to further decrease if slicing continued. The overall cell recovery (survival) ratio was about 2% to 3% compared to the initial 8.4 log CFU/blade on a 10 cm2 edge area. The impact of shear on microbial viability during slicing may contribute 99% of viable cell count reduction. This study provides clear evidence that surface shear can kill foodborne pathogens and reduce cross-contamination. The lethal effects of surface shear may further enhance food safety.
An atypical appearance of a posterior dislocation of the shoulder with a fracture of the proximal humerus

Posterior dislocations of the glenohumeral joint are rare, and posterior dislocations associated with a displaced fracture of the proximal humerus appear to be even less common.3,5,8,9,13,15 These injuries are often missed at the initial presentation, with the potential for debilitating longterm effects.1,3,4,8,13,15 We present a case of an acute posterior dislocation of the glenohumeral joint with an atypical shear fracture of the proximal humerus. This injury was treated with prompt closed reduction of the dislocation and percutaneous screw fixation of the fracture.
Energy Drink–Induced Acute Kidney Injury:

Objective To report a case of acute renal failure possibly induced by Red Bull. Case summary A 40-year-old man presented with various complaints, including a recent hypoglycemic episode. Assessment revealed that serum creatinine was elevated at 5.5 mg/dL, from a baseline of 0.9 mg/dL. An interview revealed a 2- to 3-week history of daily ingestion of 100 to 120 oz of Red Bull energy drink. Resolution of renal dysfunction occurred within 2 days of discontinuation of Red Bull and persisted through 10 months of follow-up. Rechallenge was not attempted. Discussion Energy-drink-induced renal failure has been reported infrequently. We identified 2 case reports via a search of MEDLINE, one of which occurred in combination with alcohol and the other of which was not available in English. According to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Adverse Event Reporting System, between 2004 and 2012, the FDA has received 166 reports of adverse events associated with energy drink consumption. Only 3 of the 166 (0.18%) described renal failure, and none were reported with Red Bull specifically. A defined mechanism for injury is unknown. Assessment of the Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale indicates a probable relationship between the development of acute renal failure and Red Bull ingestion in our patient. Conclusions Acute kidney injury has rarely been reported with energy drink consumption. Our report describes the first English language report of acute renal failure occurring in the context of ingestion of large quantities of energy drink without concomitant alcohol.
Silicon photomultiplier: Detector for highly sensitive detection of fluorescence signals

We demonstrate use of silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) in single photon counting mode for detection of very weak laser induced fluorescence (LIF). Detection of LIF in DNA-sequencing has been performed with three different commercially available SiPMs.
Reproductive abnormalities in glyphosate-resistant cotton caused by lower CP4-EPSPS levels in the male reproductive tissue

Abstract Glyphosate treatments to glyphosate-resistant (GR) cotton have been associated with poor pollination and increased boll abortion. Anatomical studies were conducted to characterize the effect of glyphosate treatments on the development of male and female reproductive organs of cotton flowers at anthesis. In comparison with nontreated plants, glyphosate applied at both the four-leaf stage postemergence (POST) and at the eight-leaf stage POST directed inhibited the elongation of the staminal column and filament, which increased the distance from the anthers to the receptive stigma tip by 4.9 to 5.7 mm during the first week of flowering. The increased distance from the anthers to the stigma resulted in 42% less pollen deposited on stigmas of glyphosate-treated plants than in nontreated plants. Moreover, pollen from glyphosate-treated plants showed numerous morphological abnormalities. Transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of large vacuoles, numerous starch grains, and less organized po...
Resiliency of linear system consensus in the presence of channel noise

This paper presents multi-agent based control of networked linear time invariant systems in a noisy environment. The control protocol is based on output information received from other subsystems through the communication channel, which imparts noise to the sensor data. We show that the sum of the mean square state errors between various subsystems converges to a small bound for the multi-agent system. It is apparent that a higher controller gain tends to make the networked system arrive at a consensus faster, while at the same time has the detrimental effect of enlarging the radius of consensus. Resilience of consensus is demonstrated in that the controller maintains collective stability in the event of communication or subsystem failures.
Effects of photoperiod on food intake, activity and metabolic rate in adult neutered male cats

With the continued rise in feline obesity, novel weight management strategies are needed. To date, strategies aimed at altering physical activity, an important factor in weight maintenance, have been lacking. Photoperiod is known to cause physiological changes in seasonal mammals, including changes in body weight (BW) and reproductive status. Thus, our objective was to determine the effect of increased photoperiod (longer days) on voluntary physical activity levels, resting metabolic rate (RMR), food intake required to maintain BW, and fasting serum leptin and ghrelin concentrations in adult cats. Eleven healthy, adult, neutered, male domestic shorthair cats were used in a randomized crossover design study. During two 12-week periods, cats were exposed to either a short-day (SD) photoperiod of 8 h light: 16 h dark or a long-day (LD) photoperiod of 16 h light: 8 h dark. Cats were fed a commercial diet to maintain baseline BW. In addition to daily food intake and twice-weekly BW, RMR (via indirect calorimetry), body composition [via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)] and physical activity (via Actical activity monitors) were measured at week 0 and 12 of each period. Fasting serum leptin and ghrelin concentrations were measured at week 0, 6 and 12 of each period. Average hourly physical activity was greater (p = 0.008) in LD vs. SD cats (3770 vs. 3129 activity counts/h), which was primarily due to increased (p < 0.001) dark period activity (1188 vs. 710 activity counts/h). This corresponded to higher (p < 0.0001) daily metabolizable energy intake (mean over 12-week period: 196 vs. 187 kcal/day), and increased (p = 0.048) RMR in LD cats (9.02 vs. 8.37 kcal/h). Body composition, serum leptin and serum ghrelin were not altered by photoperiod. More research is needed to determine potential mechanisms by which these physiological changes occurred and how they may apply to weight management strategies.