cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment of porokeratosis of Mibelli with combined use of topical fluorouracil and calcipotriene.

Porokeratoses are precancerous keratinocyte proliferations with distinct hyperkeratotic rims called cornoid lamellae. The most common porokeratosis is disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis, characterized by multiple thin papules on the lower extremities. The second most common porokeratosis is porokeratosis of Mibelli (PM), which typically begins as one to a few small brown papules on the extremities that enlarge into plaques. Porokeratoses are prevalent in immunocompromised individuals, with reported incidences as high as 10% in transplant patients.1 Keratinocyte carcinomas show aggressive behavior in solid organ transplant recipients, leading to increased morbidity and mortality.1 Therefore, successful treatment of porokeratoses in this at-risk patient population may lead to better outcomes. Unfortunately, all forms of porokeratosis have been notoriously difficult to treat. Previously reported treatments include cryotherapy, topical agents (5-fluorouracil [5-FU], imiquimod, retinoids, calcipotriene, and cholesterol/lovastatin2), acitretin, photodynamic therapy,3 laser, and surgery. Surgery may not always be feasible depending on the size and location of the lesion, as well as the risk of scarring, while the risk of long-term systemic medications may not be warranted for treating a few lesions. To date, a consistently effective long-term topical treatment for porokeratoses remains to be identified. The combination of 5-FU/calcipotriene has been shown to have a synergistic effect in activating CD4+ T cell-mediated immunity against actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinomas, resulting in a sustained effect.4,5 We hypothesized that a similarly effective immune response may be seen in treating PM. Here we present a transplant patient who experienced complete clearance of his PM after application of topical 5-FU/calcipotriene.
Crystallographic analysis of nano-tendril bundle vs fuzz growth on tungsten exposed to helicon wave-coupled helium plasma

The propensity for nano-tendril bundle (NTB) vs widespread nano-tendril growth (i.e., fuzz) on polycrystalline W under varying ion energy modulation conditions, from DC to peak-to-peak energy modulation of 42 eV at 13.56 MHz, is correlated with the crystal orientation of the underlying grains. Grains that are vicinal to crystal orientations with high surface diffusivity (e.g., {101} for a body centered cubic crystal structure) exhibit NTB growth at lower ion energy modulation amplitude than grains that are vicinal to low surface diffusivity orientations, such as {100}. Adatom mobility considerations are presented to describe the experimental observations. These results support that surface diffusion or W adatom mobility enhanced by ion bombardment plays a key role in the surface morphology evolution of W under He irradiation.
A Summation of Series Involving Bessel Functions and Order Derivatives of Bessel Functions

In this note, we derive the closed-form expression for the summation of series $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}nJ_n(x)\partial J_n/\partial n$, which is found in the calculation of entanglement entropy in 2-d bosonic free field, in terms of $Y_0$, $J_0$ and an integral involving these two Bessel functions. Further, we point out the integral can be expressed as a Meijer G function.
Characterization of Chinese hamster ovary cell culture feed media precipitate.

Process intensification of monoclonal antibody production is leading to more concentrated feed media causing issues with precipitation of solids from the media solution. This results in processing problems since components in the precipitate are no longer in solution, changing the media composition and leading to variability in cell culture performance. The goal of this work is to characterize the feed media precipitate, and in particular to identify the precipitated components so that mitigation strategies can be developed. From the conducted analysis, the precipitate was predominately found to be organic and was analyzed with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) to identify the constituent components. Up to ten amino acids were identified with tyrosine (approximately 77 wt.%) and phenylalanine (approximately 4 wt.%) being the most prevalent amino acids. Elemental analysis with ICP-OES revealed that inorganic components were accounted for less than one weight percentage of the solid precipitate with metal sulfates being the predominant inorganic components.
An empirical test for bubbles in cryptocurrency markets

In an asset market without bubbles, meaning the strong efficient markets hypothesis is satisfied, the price and dividend should be cointegrated. However, standard unit root tests have low power against a class of Periodically Collapsing Rational Bubbles introduced by (Evans, Am Econ Rev 81:922–930, 1991), which are an intuitive model of speculative behavior. The cryptocurrency markets for bitcoin, ethereum, and ripple do not have dividends, so the tests are conducted using five different proxies for fundamentals. In most cases the price and fundamental data are integrated of order one, according to a minimum LM test for unit roots that allows for breaks. Using a robust test for cointegration that controls for the skewness and excess kurtosis that could arise with such bubbles, one cannot reject the presence of Period Collapsing Rational Bubbles in any of the cryptocurrency markets. The distribution of such tests is non-standard, so significance levels are determined with Monte Carlo experiments.
Evaluating Thresholds to Adopt Hypofractionated Preoperative Radiotherapy as Standard of Care in Sarcoma

Introduction. Data supporting hypofractionated preoperative radiation therapy (RT) for patients with extremity and trunk soft tissue sarcoma (STS) are currently limited to phase II single-institution studies. We sought to understand the type and thresholds of clinical evidence required for experts to adopt hypofractionated RT as a standard-of-care option for patients with STS. Methods. An electronic survey was distributed to multidisciplinary sarcoma experts. The survey queried whether data from a theoretical, multi-institutional, phase II study of 5-fraction preoperative RT could change practice. Using endpoints from RTOG 0630 as a reference, the survey also queried thresholds for acceptable local control, wound complication, and late toxicity for the study protocol to be accepted as a standard-of-care option. Responses were logged from 8/27/2020 to 9/8/2020 and summarized graphically. Results. The survey response rate was 55.3% (47/85). Local control is the most important clinical outcome for sarcoma specialists when evaluating whether an RT regimen should be considered standard of care. 17% (8/47) of providers require randomized phase III evidence to consider hypofractionated preoperative RT as a standard-of-care option, whereas 10.6% (5/47) of providers already view this as a standard-of-care option. Of providers willing to change practice based on phase II data, most (78%, 29/37) would accept local control rates equivalent to or less than those in RTOG 0630, as long as the rate was higher than 85%. However, 51.3% (19/37) would require wound complication rates superior to those reported in RTOG 0630, and 46% (17/37) of respondents would accept late toxicity rates inferior to RTOG 0630. Conclusion. Consensus building is needed among clinicians regarding the type and threshold of evidence needed to evaluate hypofractionated RT as a standard-of-care option. A collaborative consortium-based approach may be the most pragmatic means for developing consensus protocols and pooling data to gradually introduce hypofractionated preoperative RT into routine practice.
Determination, comparison, and prediction of digestible energy, metabolizable energy, and standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in novel maize co-products and conventional distillers dried grains with solubles for swine

Abstract The objectives of this study were to determine and compare the digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and the coefficient of standardized ileal digestibility (CSID) of amino acids (AA) in novel maize co-products and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) for swine and to compare in vivo determined values with calculated values from published equations. Seven maize co-products were used including two sources of conventional DDGS (DDGS-A and DDGS-B), two sources of high protein distillers dried grains (HPDDG-A and HPDDG-B), two sources of high yeast and protein co-products (HYP-A and HYP-B), and one source of maize fiber and solubles (MFS). In Exp. 1, thirty-two barrows (initial body weight = 24.2 ± 3.4 kg) were housed individually in metabolism crates and randomly allotted to a maize-soybean meal basal diet or 1 of 7 diets, in which 300 g/kg of each co-product partially replaced a portion of maize and soybean meal, in a randomized two-period crossover design. Feces and urine were collected in two 7-d adaptation and 4-d collection periods. In Exp.2, sixteen ileal-cannulated barrows (initial body weight = 37.0 ± 3.8 kg) were housed in metabolism crates and assigned to a nitrogen-free diet or 1 of 7 diets containing 300 g/kg of each maize co-product as the sole crude protein (CP) source in a repeated 8 × 4 Youden square design to determine CSID of AA. Diets were fed for four consecutive 7-d periods (5-d adaptation and 2-d ileal digesta collection). Co-products contained 18.34–22.28 MJ/kg gross energy, 155.3–502.0 g/kg CP, 46.2–137.4 g/kg ether extract, 95.2–463.2 g/kg neutral detergent fiber, and 4.3–20.8 g/kg Lys on an as-fed basis. The HYP-A and HYP-B had the greatest DE (18.04 and 17.51 MJ/kg DM, respectively) and ME (17.24 and 16.63 MJ/kg DM, respectively) compared with other co-products (P
Therapeutic Silencing of Mutant Huntingtin by Targeting Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms: A Dissertation

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant, progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Invariably fatal, HD is caused by expansion of the CAG repeat region in exon 1 of the Huntingtin gene which creates a toxic protein with an extended polyglutamine tract. Silencing mutant Huntingtin messenger RNA (mRNA) is a promising therapeutic approach. The ideal silencing strategy would reduce mutant Huntingtin while leaving the wild-type mRNA intact. Unfortunately, targeting the disease causing CAG repeat expansion is difficult and risks targeting other CAG repeat containing genes. We examined an alternative strategy, targeting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Huntingtin mRNA. The feasibility of this approach hinges on the presence of a few common highly heterozygous SNPs which are amenable to SNP-specific targeting. In a population of HD patients from Europe and the United states, forty-eight percent were heterozygous at a single SNP site; one isoform of this SNP is associated with HD. Seventy-five percent of patients are heterozygous at least one of three frequently heterozygous SNPs. Consequently, only five allele-specific siRNAs are required to treat three-quarters of the patients in the European and U.S. patient populations. We have designed and validated siRNAs targeting these SNPs. We also developed artificial microRNAs (miRNAs) targeting Huntingtin SNPs for delivery using recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs). Both U6
Low-cost microfluidics-enabled tunable loop antenna using inkjet-printing technologies

A low-cost and disposable loop antenna is proposed, which consists of a microfluidics-enabled tunable square loop and a microfluidics-enabled tunable balun to guarantee a similar radiation pattern over a reconfigurable “liquid-controlled” frequency range. By inserting different fluids over partial sections of the loop and the balun, the proposed antenna can achieve a frequency range of 2.28 GHz for water filled channel to 2.45 GHz for empty channel. The proposed antenna is fabricated in a low-cost and non-cleanroom process by integrating inkjet-printing with laser-etching techniques. This antenna can be used as a fluid sensor for biomedical or chemical assay, as well as a tunable antenna for communication applications. The microfluidics-enabled tunable embedded balun can be applied independently as a wideband balun for various communication, sensing and biomonitoring applications.
Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration: Transcystic Duct Approach

Common bile duct (CBD) stones are present in 10% of patients who have gallstones. In the era of open cholecystectomy, surgeons were expected to clear the CBD in 90% of those cases. When laparoscopic techniques for cholecystectomy were developed in the early 1990s, the “conventional” wisdom in the general surgical community was that this “gimmick” would never allow proper intraoperative evaluation and treatment of CBD stones. By 1991, however, 20 years ago, a variety of techniques to perform laparoscopic intraoperative cholangiograms (LIOC) and laparoscopic CBD exploration were developed to answer this challenge. Disturbingly, surgeons in the early laparoscopic era appeared to abandon the CBD, referring patients for postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and sphincterotomy (ERCP + S) instead. That approach results in additive potential morbidity and actually doubles the cost of treating CBD stones. This chapter describes the least invasive laparoscopic techniques to perform LIOC and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCDE) and CBD stone extraction using a transcystic duct approach that has been shown to be successful in over 90% of cases.
Feature Interaction Detection in Active Networks

This paper presents the results of experiments with an active gatekeeper for VoIP. Problems arising with supplementary service programs uploaded by users: such as event conversion and detection of feature interactions between the programs, are presented and their solutions are proposed. The VoIP gatekeeper (GK) and the validation server, based on architecture, proposed by the authors at IWAN2000 and called STAR, were implemented and evaluated. With the proposed GK, the uploaded program is described using a declarative language ESTR instead of using a procedural language, such as Java. Unlike most conventional architectures, here, one common execution environment is used for execution with all up-loaded programs. 12 service programs were tested to evaluate the proposed systems. Results show that the proposed GK and validation server were reasonable. . . .
Corneal Trabeculectomy without Conjunctival Incision: Extended Follow-up and Histologic Findings

Background: Corneal trabeculectomy, a guarded filtration procedure without conjunctival incision but with an iridectomy, was developed in 30 eyebank and 20 rabbit eyes before being applied to humans. Methods: Corneal trabeculectomy was performed in one eye and conventional trabeculectomy in the contralateral eyes of six rabbits. Sequential postoperative histologic examinations were performed on these eyes at various times after surgery. Corneal trabeculectomy also was performed in 20 eyes of 18 patients with glaucoma for control of their intraocular pressure (IOP). Results: Results of histologic examination on these rabbit eyes showed less subconjunctival inflammation and fibrosis after corneal trabeculectomy than conventional trabeculectomy. In the eight patients with glaucoma who had had their surgery at least 1 year previously, the mean IOP decreased from 31 mmHg (preoperatively) to 14 mmHg. Eighty-eight percent have IOPs less than or equal to 18 mmHg without medications or revision. Conclusion: Extended follow-up shows that corneal trabeculectomy is a low-tech, relatively atraumatic filtration procedure without conjunctival incision, which produces diffuse and persistent blebs and controls IOP. Results of sequential postoperative histologic examination in rabbit eyes suggest that corneal trabeculectomy may incite less subconjunctival inflammation than conventional trabeculectomy.
A Skin Cancer Virus

High-throughput DNA sequencing has identified a new human virus in a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer.
Size effect on ductile-to-brittle transition in Cu-solder-Cu micro-joints

We report tensile properties of intermetallic compound (IMC)-based solder joints. A systematic study of the mechanical properties of solder joint covering a broad size spectrum from BGA (ball grid array), flip chip joint, to microbump, which are key components used in 3D IC packaging, has been performed. We found that when the size of solder joint is smaller than 70 µm, brittle fracture tends to occur due to IMC embrittlement. When the solder joint size is greater than 70 µm, ductile fracture within solder itself is dominant. The brittleness for microbump in 5–20 µm in diameter used for 3D IC packaging will be a long term mechanical reliability issue as IMC-based solder joint is highly susceptible to brittle fracture. Besides focusing on strengthening for solder, more of research effort should be paid on how to increase the fracture toughness of the intermetallics for sub-20 µm micro-joints. Four different fracture mechanisms are also summarized in this paper for the mechanical failure of solder joints.
Nonlinear piezo-thermoelastic shell theory applied to control of variable-geometry shells

Complexity of multi-field opto-thermo-electromechanical coupling always poses many challenging research issues. Recently due to a rapid development in smart structures and structronic systems, multi-field coupling and control of distributed structronic systems also raises variety of new research, development, and system integration issues. This paper presents a generic nonlinear piezo(electric)-thermoelectromechanical shell theory for a piezoelectric double-curvature shell continuum with admissible boundary conditions. Applications of the generic theory to other shell and non-shell continua based on four system parameters are also demonstrated. Detailed sensing and control electromechanical characteristics are further investigated in a series of shells of various curvatures. The results show that the membrane sensing/control component dominates the lower natural modes of deep shells and the bending sensing/control component dominates the natural modes of shallow shells. Electromechanical characteristics and effectiveness of distributed sensors and actuators are evaluated.
IP-Centric Methodology and Specification Language

In this paper, we demonstrate the application of the specify-explore-refine (SER) paradigm for an IP-centric codesign of embedded systems. We describe the necessary design tasks required to map an abstract executable specification of the system to the architectural implementation model. We also describe the final and intermediate models generated as a result of these design tasks. The executable specification and its refinements should support easy insertion and reuse of IPs.
The Development of Selective Attention Orienting is an Agent of Change in Learning and Memory Efficacy

The present study examined whether the developmental transition from facilitation-based orienting mechanisms available very early in life to selective attention orienting (e.g., inhibition of return, IOR) promotes better learning and memory in infancy. We tested a single age group (4-month-olds) undergoing rapid development of attention orienting mechanisms. Infants completed a spatial cueing task designed to elicit IOR, in which cat or dog category exemplars consistently appeared in either the cued or noncued locations. Infants were subsequently tested on a visual paired comparison of exemplars from these cued and noncued animal categories. As expected, infants showed either facilitation-based orienting or the more mature IOR-based orienting during spatial cueing/encoding. Infants who demonstrated IOR-based orienting showed memory for both specific exemplars and broader category learning, whereas those who showed facilitation-based orienting showed weaker evidence of learning. Attention orienting also interacted with previous pet experience, such that the number of pets at home influenced learning only when infants engaged facilitation-based orienting during encoding. Learning in the context of IOR-based orienting was stable regardless of pet experience, suggesting that selective attention serves as an online learning mechanism during visual exploration that is less sensitive to prior experience.
The category of constraint systems is Cartesian-closed

A general definition of constraint systems utilizing Gentzen-style sequents is given. Constraint systems can be regarded as enriching the propositional Scott information systems with minimal first-order structure: the notion of variables, existential quantification, and substitution. Approximate maps that are generic in all but finitely many variables are taken as morphisms. It is shown that the resulting structure forms a category (called ConstSys). Furthermore, the structure of Scott information systems lifts smoothly to the first-order setting. In particular, it is shown that the category is Cartesian-closed, and other usual functors over Scott information systems (lifting, sums, Smyth power-domain) are also definable and recursive domain equations involving these functors can be solved. >
Demonstration of high-Q mid-infrared chalcogenide glass-on-silicon resonators

We demonstrated high-index-contrast, waveguide-coupled As2Se3 chalcogenide glass resonators monolithically integrated on silicon fabricated using optical lithography and a lift-off process. The resonators exhibited a high intrinsic quality factor of 2×10(5) at 5.2 μm wavelength, which is among the highest values reported in on-chip mid-infrared (mid-IR) photonic devices. The resonator can serve as a key building block for mid-IR planar photonic circuits.
Study of preparative reversed-phase chromatography by application of kinetic and equilibrium models of column overload

Abstract Currently, there are three fundamental models of column overload which lead to closed-form equations for the peak profile. All use some simplifying assumption(s) to make the mathematics tractable, while at the same time retaining important features of the non-linear chromatographic behavior. In this work, the kinetic model based on the work of Thomas and the equilibrium models of Houghton, and Haarhoff—Van der Linde are used to study overload processes in reversed-phase chromatography. By adjustment of the parameters, all three models can be made to closely match the experimental peak shapes under conditions of moderate overload (up to 2.5% of the column capacity), but for higher overloads the Haarhoff—Van der Linde model fails to reproduce the experimental peak shape. All of the models involve a set of three physico-chemical parameters. These parameters are related to retention (capacity factor, k′) and peak width under dilute conditions, and to the degree of isotherm overload. Experimental results show that only the parameter related to k′ is essentially independent of the solute concentration and flow-rate. In principle, for all three models the peak width parameter should be independent of solute concentration, but in all cases this parameter was found to vary such that the intrinsic peak width increased with concentration. Given that all three models display this same trend, even at moderately low overloads where we feel the mathematical approximations are reasonable, we believe that the change in the peak width parameters shows an as yet unknown additional band broadening phenomenon which is related to the degree of overload and independent of flow-rate. The solute loading capcity, in terms of the adsorption site density, can be calculated from the isotherm overload parameter. The capacity is independent of flow-rate for all three models, but only that from the kinetic model is also independent of the amount of sample loaded onto the column. The adsorption site density derived from the kinetic model for a number of different mobile phases and solutes is consistent with results from more traditional isotherm studies. For chemically simple solutes such as the benzyl alkanols, a site density about 3–4 μmol/m2 was obtained.
The Family FIRO Model: Exploring Relationship Needs of “At-Risk” Families

This research investigates the conceptualization and application of the family fundamental interpersonal relations orientation(FIRO) model to an at-risk family population. The relationships between the family FIRO domains of inclusion, control, and intimacy and family functioning indices, as measured by the Family Assessment Device (FAD) subscales, were explored. An at-risk family population ( N = 43 primary caretakers) was assessed at four time intervals, using an ex post facto design with multiple linear regression model testing. The results indicated significant relationships between FIRO model domains and FAD subscales. A case example further explored the application of the family FIRO model with at-risk families.
Hydrologic landscapes on the Delmarva Peninsula - Part 2: Estimates of base-flow nitrogen load to Chesapeake Bay

: Base-flow samples were collected from 47 sampling sites for four seasons from 1990–91 on the Delmarva Peninsula in Delaware and Maryland to relate stream chemistry to a “hydrologic landscape” and season. Two hydrologic landscapes were determined: (1) a well-drained landscape, characterized by a combination of a low percentage of forest cover, a low percentage of poorly drained soil, and elevated channel slope; and (2) poorly drained landscape, characterized by a combination of an elevated percentage of forest cover, an elevated percentage of poorly drained soil, and low channel slope. Concentrations of nitrogen were significantly related to the hydrologic landscape. Nitrogen concentrations tended to be higher in well-drained landscapes than in poorly drained ones. The highest instantaneous nitrogen yields occurred in well-drained landscapes during the winter. These yields were extrapolated over the part of the study area draining to Chesapeake Bay in order to provide a rough estimate of nitrogen load from base flow to the Bay and its estuarine tributaries. This estimate was compared to an estimate made by extrapolating from an existing long-term monitoring station. The load estimate from the stream survey data was 5 ± 106 kg of N per year, which was about four times the estimate, made from the existing long-term monitoring station. The stream-survey estimate of base flow represents about 40 percent of the total nitrogen load that enters the Bay and estuarine tributaries from all sources in the study area.
Changes in the properties of human erythrocyte membrane protein after solubilization by butanol extraction.

1. 1.|Human erythrocyte membrane protein is readily solubilized and freed of most of the membrane lipid after a single extraction of an aqueous suspension of hemoglobin-free ghosts with n-butanol. The technique yields a mean recovery of 83.1% ± 3.8 (S.D., n = 10) of the membrane protein in the butanol-saturated water phase. 2. 2.|The mean amount of lipid present in the water phase after a single extraction is 4.8% ± 3.9 (S.D., n = 6) of the weight of protein. Loss of lipid is symmetrical except that a relatively high proportion of phosphatidyl serine remains. Analysis of the chemical composition of the protein indicates that it is a glycoprotein, which contains hexose, hexosamine, fucose and sialic acid. Carbohydrates account for about 9% of the protein by weight. 3. 3.|Approximately 98% of the protein has a single electrophoretic mobility and appears as a single peak in the void volume after gel column chromatography. Ultracentrifugal analysis, however, demonstrates heterogeneity of the protein. The protein is soluble at neutral pH in salt-containing aqueous media and has an isoelectric point between pH 4.0 and 5.0. 4. 4.|Solubilization of membrane protein by treatment with n-butanol results in a minimal (5%) increase in p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonate titratable SH− groups. 5. 5.|The cation-independent nucleosidetriphosphatase and alkaline monoester phosphydrolase activities of intact stroma were recovered to the extent of 73% to 107% in the solubilized protein. Recoveries of acid phosphohydrolase were 40% at pH 7.0 and 30% at pH 6.0. 6. 6.|The prominent cation activation of both nucleosidetriphosphatase and acid phosphohydrolase activities in stroma was virtually lost on solubilization of the protein. In the case of nucleosidetriphosphatase the concentration of butanol necessary for loss of activation by Mg2+ or by Mg2+, Na+ and K+ was sufficiently high (above 500 mM) to cause disintegration of structure.
Bindings of RNAse to denatured and native deoxyribonucleic acids

The binding of pancreatic ribonuclease-A by denatured DNA, native DNA, poly-dA, and poly-dT, has been studied by a gel filtration method. With denatured DNA at pH 7.5, ionic strength 0.053M, there is one binding site per 12 nucleotides and the equilibrium binding constant per site is 9.7 × 104 l./mole. The binding constant increases by a factor of 8 as the pH is decreased from 8 to 7. The strength of the binding of denatured DNA increases with decreasing ionic strength. At pH 7.5, native DNA binds about ⅛ as strongly as does denatured DNA. The binding affinity increases in the order poly-dA, denatured DNA, and poly-dT. These results support the view that the binding of denatured DNA involves both electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged polynucleotide and the positively charged protein, and an interaction of the protein with a pyrimidine residue of the denatured DNA, and thus that the binding is basically similar to that between RNAse and its substrate RNA.
Effect of trace contaminants on cold soak filterability of canola biodiesel

Abstract A cold soak filtration test (CSFT; ASTM D 7501-09b) was included in B100 specifications under ASTM D 6751-09, bringing new challenges to biodiesel producers and researchers investigating B100 quality. For a plant breeding program evaluating canola biodiesel quality traits, rapid assessment of biodiesel quality is important. Typically, a limited amount of seed from new canola lines is available; therefore, obtaining the required volume of biodiesel for evaluating cold soak filterability (300 mL) is not possible. In order to rapidly screen canola breeding lines for B100 quality, cold soak filterability must be assessed with reduced volumes of biodiesel. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of saturated monoglycerides, glycerin, and soap on cold soak filterability. Biodiesel filtration time rapidly escalated when the SMG concentration was above 0.28%. The influence of saturated monoglycerides (0.04–0.46% w/w) on biodiesel precipitate formation was also evaluated. A regression model was generated to predict the filterability of biodiesel against the concentrations of trace contaminants. The results will be instrumental to scaling down biodiesel CSFT for a canola breeding program.
Release of oxytocin in the cow during milking.

Jugular vein oxytocin concentrations were determined at 15-s intervals on 10 Holstein cows during milking. Oxytocin ranged from .5 muU/ml plasma prior to udder washing to 652.7 muU/ml plasma at 1 min after application of teat cups. The results indicate a gradually increasing release of oxyctocin after stimulation and a maximal oxytocin release 1.5 min after start of udder washing and 1 min after teat cup application.
Imaging phenotypes of major depressive disorder: genetic correlates

Imaging techniques are a potentially powerful method of identifying phenotypes that are associated with, or are indicative of, a vulnerability to developing major depressive disorder (MDD). Here we identify seven promising MDD-associated traits identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET). We evaluate whether these traits are state-independent, heritable endophenotypes, or state-dependent phenotypes that may be useful markers of treatment efficacy. In MDD, increased activity of the amygdala in response to negative stimuli appears to be a mood-congruent phenomenon, and is likely moderated by the 5-HT transporter gene (SLC6A4) promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR). Hippocampal volume loss is characteristic of elderly or chronically-ill samples and may be impacted by the val66met brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene variant and the 5-HTTLPR SLC6A4 polymorphism. White matter pathology is salient in elderly MDD cohorts but is associated with cerebrovascular disease, and is unlikely to be a useful marker of a latent MDD diathesis. Increased blood flow or metabolism of the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC), together with gray matter volume loss in this region, is a well-replicated finding in MDD. An attenuation of the usual pattern of fronto-limbic connectivity, particularly a decreased temporal correlation in amygdala-anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) activity, is another MDD-associated trait. Concerning neuroreceptor PET imaging, decreased 5-HT(1A) binding potential in the raphe, medial temporal lobe, and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been strongly associated with MDD, and may be impacted by a functional single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region of the 5-HT(1A) gene (HTR1A: -1019 C/G; rs6295). Potentially indicative of inter-study variation in MDD etiology or mood state, both increased and decreased binding potential of the 5-HT transporter has been reported. Challenges facing the field include the problem of phenotypic and etiological heterogeneity, technological limitations, the confounding effects of medication, and non-disease related inter-individual variation in brain morphology and function. Further advances are likely as epigenetic, copy-number variant, gene-gene interaction, and genome-wide association (GWA) approaches are brought to bear on imaging data.
Vertical deformation of the Japanese islands, 1996–1999

[1] The interseismic vertical deformation field of the Japanese islands is derived from the Global Positioning System (GPS) data between 1996 and 1999. Although vertical components of the GPS velocities have rarely been used as important information because of their higher noise level, information on the vertical deformation field will enable us to separate rigid plate motions from deformation due to interplate coupling because horizontal displacements contain both effects, whereas vertical displacements contain only the interplate coupling effect. The results show that (1) the precision of the vertical velocity is generally better than 2 mm/yr, (2) the existence of clear uplift peaks of about 8 mm/yr in the Shikoku and Tokai regions is consistent with strong coupling with a gradual brittleplastic transition zone at the Nankai and the Suruga trough, respectively, (3) clear uplift peaks do not seem to exist in the Tohoku region because the Japan trench plate boundary is too far oceanward from the GPS sites, (4) significant uplift is obtained in the western part of Hokkaido, which may be associated with the long-term postseismic deformation due to the 1983 Japan Sea and the 1993 Hokkaido-nansei-oki (M = 7.6) earthquakes, and (5) uplift in northeastern Japan along the Japan Sea coast is apparently associated with distributed compression due to incipient subduction.
Can fuel-reduction treatments really increase forest carbon storage in the western US by reducing future fire emissions?

It has been suggested that thinning trees and other fuel-reduction practices aimed at reducing the probability of high-severity forest fire are consistent with efforts to keep carbon (C) sequestered in terrestrial pools, and that such practices should therefore be rewarded rather than penalized in C-accounting schemes. By evaluating how fuel treatments, wildfire, and their interactions affect forest C stocks across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales, we conclude that this is extremely unlikely. Our review reveals high C losses associated with fuel treatment, only modest differences in the combustive losses associated with high-severity fire and the low-severity fire that fuel treatment is meant to encourage, and a low likelihood that treated forests will be exposed to fire. Although fuel-reduction treatments may be necessary to restore historical functionality to fire-suppressed ecosystems, we found little credible evidence that such efforts have the added benefit of increasing terrestrial C stocks.
Slowdown of light signals and registration of phase modulation in semiconductor crystals of CdTe at room temperature in infrared

We have developed model that describe transformation of time modulated optical signals by the double optical and electrical interferometer: beam coupling and holographic current in the semiconductor crystals. We consider non-local response, when dominant mechanism of the space charge formation is diffusion or drift in a high external electric field. Both phase and amplitude modulation is considered (linear ramp phase modulation, sinusoidal modulation, step-like modulation). For the sinusoidal amplitude modulation slow-down of optical signal is described. Experimental results on CdTe crystal with IR CW laser (P=100mW, wavelength 1064 nm) are in agreement with theoretical predictions. Effective group velocity was slow-downed to 555 cm/s for the modulated signal with period of 8ms.
Pituitary adenomas immunocytochemical study of 150 tumors with clinicopathologic correlation

Retrospective immunocytochemical study of prolactin, growth hormone, ACTH, TSH and gonadotropins was performed on 150 pituitary adenomas from 142 patients and the results were correlated with clinical manifestations. There were 60 prolactin-positive tumors, 13 growth hormone-positive tumors, nine ACTH-positive tumors and seven gonadotropin-positive tumors. Seven tumors showed positivity for both prolactin and growth hormone, one tumor was positive for prolactin and ACTH and another was positive for prolactin and TSH. Fifty-two tumors were negative for all the hormones. In the hormone secreting tumors, the results of immunocytochemical study correlated very well with clinical manifestations, while most of the hormone-negative tumors were nonfunctioning clinically. This study demonstrates the reliability of the immunocytochemical method in clinicopathologic study of pituitary adenomas.
Application of a Signal Technique to the Source–Receptor Relationship in Three-Dimensional Tracer Simulations

Abstract Identifying pollutant sources that contribute to downstream locations is important for policy making and air-quality control. In this study, a computationally economic signal technique was implemented into a three-dimensional nonhydrostatic atmospheric model to help to identify source–receptor relationships. An idealized supercell case and a semireal air-pollution case in Turkey were used to investigate the potential of the technique. For each pollutant, signals with various frequencies were emitted from different source locations and added into that particular type of emitted pollutants. The time series of pollutant concentration collected at receptors were then projected onto frequency space using the Fourier transform and short-time Fourier transform methods to identify the source locations. During the model integration, a particular tracer was also emitted from each pollutant source location (i.e., a conventional method to study the source–receptor relationship) to validate and evaluate the s...
Dimensions Of Consumer Satisfaction/Dissatisfaction With Services: The Case Of Electric Utilities:

This paper reports the results of research designed to explore the dimensions of consumer satisfaction/dissatisfaction with various aspects of electric utility company performance and to develop psychographic, demographic, political orientation and media usage profiles of these satisfied/dissatisfied persons. Distinct differences between the two groups emerged which are not totally consistent with previous findings about consumers dissatisfied with tangible products. Directions for future research are suggested.
Autonomous exploration using rapid perception of low-resolution image information

We present a technique for mobile robot exploration in unknown indoor environments using only a single forward-facing camera. Rather than processing all the data, the method intermittently examines only small 32×24 downsampled grayscale images. We show that for the task of indoor exploration the visual information is highly redundant, allowing successful navigation even using only a small fraction of the available data. The method keeps the robot centered in the corridor by estimating two state parameters: the orientation within the corridor, and the distance to the end of the corridor. The orientation is determined by combining the results of five complementary measures, while the estimated distance to the end combines the results of three complementary measures. These measures, which are predominantly information-theoretic, are analyzed independently, and the combined system is tested in several unknown corridor buildings exhibiting a wide variety of appearances, showing the sufficiency of low-resolution visual information for mobile robot exploration. Because the algorithm discards such a large percentage of the pixels both spatially and temporally, processing occurs at an average of 1000 frames per second, thus freeing the processor for other concurrent tasks.
The polypyrimidine/polypurine motif in the mouse mu opioid receptor gene promoter is a supercoiling-regulatory element

The mu opioid receptor (MOR) is the principle molecular target of opioid analgesics. The polypyrimidine/polypurine (PPy/u) motif enhances the activity of the MOR gene promoter by adopting a non-B DNA conformation. Here, we report that the PPy/u motif regulates the processivity of torsional stress, which is important for endogenous MOR gene expression. Analysis by topoisomerase assays, S1 nuclease digests, and atomic force microscopy showed that, unlike homologous PPy/u motifs, the position- and orientation-induced structural strains to the mouse PPy/u element affect its ability to perturb the relaxation activity of topoisomerase, resulting in polypurine strand-nicked and catenated DNA conformations. Raman spectrum microscopy confirmed that mouse PPy/u containing-plasmid DNA molecules under the different structural strains have a different configuration of ring bases as well as altered Hoogsteen hydrogen bonds. The mouse MOR PPy/u motif drives reporter gene expression fortyfold more effectively in the sense orientation than in the antisense orientation. Furthermore, mouse neuronal cells activate MOR gene expression in response to the perturbations of topology by topoisomerase inhibitors, whereas human cells do not. These results suggest that, interestingly among homologous PPy/u motifs, the mouse MOR PPy/u motif dynamically responds to torsional stress and consequently regulates MOR gene expression in vivo.
Nanostructures and porous silicon: activity and phase transformation in sensors and photocatalytic reactors

Porous interfaces are being transformed within the framework of nanotechnology to develop highly efficient sensors, nanostructure modified microreactors, and active battery electrodes. We demonstrate the rapid and reversible sensing of HCl, NH3, CO, SO2, H2S, and NOx at or below the ppm level. Gold and tin-based nanostructured coatings are introduced to improve the detection of NH3, CO, and NOx as these coatings form the initial basis for introducing significant selectivity. These sensor suites are being extended to develop microreactors, with a goal to introduce quantum dot (QD) based photocatalysts within the porous interface structure. Highly efficient, visible light absorbing, anatase TiO2-xNx nanophotocatalysts have been formed in seconds at room temperature via the direct nitridation of anatase TiO2 nanocolloids. A tunability throughout the visible is found to depend upon the degree of nanoparticle agglomeration and upon the ready ability to seed these nanoparticles with metal (metal ions) including Pt, Co, and Ni. This metal ion seeding also leads to unique efficient phase transformations, including that of anatase to rutile TiO2, at room temperature. The visible light absorbing photocatalysts readily photodegrade methylene blue and gaseous ethylene. They can be transformed from liquids to gels and, in addition, can be placed on the surfaces of sensor and microreactor based configurations 1) to produce an improved photocatalytically induced solar based sensor response, and 2) with a goal to facilitate catalytically induced disinfection of airborne pathogens. In contrast to the nitridation process which is facile at the nanoscale, we find little or no direct nitridation of micrometer sized anatase or rutile TiO2 powders at room temperature. Thus, we illustrate an example of how a traversal to the nanoscale can vastly improve the efficiency for producing important submicron particles.
An Improved Approach to Non-Force-Free Coronal Magnetic Field Extrapolation

We develop an approach to deriving the three-dimensional non-force-free coronal magnetic field from vector magnetograms. Based on the principle of minimum dissipation rate, a general non-force-free magnetic field is expressed as the superposition of one potential field and two constant-α (linear) force-free fields. Each is extrapolated from its bottom boundary data, providing the normal component only. The constant-α parameters are distinct and determined by minimizing the deviations between the numerically computed and measured transverse magnetic field at the bottom boundary. The boundary conditions required are at least two layers of vector magnetograms, one at the photospheric level and the other at the chromospheric level, presumably. We apply our approach to a few analytic test cases, especially to two nonlinear force-free cases examined by Schrijver et al. (Solar Phys.235, 161, 2006). We find that for one case with small α parameters, the quantitative measures of the quality of our result are better than the median values of those from a set of nonlinear force-free methods. The reconstructed magnetic-field configuration is valid up to a vertical height of the transverse scale. For the other cases, the results remain valid to a lower vertical height owing to the limitations of the linear force-free-field solver. Because our method is based on the fast-Fourier-transform algorithm, it is much faster and easy to implement. We discuss the potential usefulness of our method and its limitations.
“gag” polyprotein precursors of rauscher murine leukemia virus

Abstract The major polyprotein precursors of the four internal structural proteins of Rauscher murine leukemia virus, designated p30, p15, p12, and p10 (collectively termed “gag” proteins), have been characterized. Tryptic peptide sequences and antigenic determinants of the gag proteins are contained in precursor polyproteins Pr3 (≅80,000) and Pr4 (≅65,000 daltons). Two minor precursor polyproteins have also been identified and partially characterized. They are designated Pr5 (≅55,000) and Pr6 (≅45,000 daltons). Pr5 contains peptide sequences of p30, p15, and p12; Pr6 contains sequences of p30 and p12 but lacks p15 sequences. The presence or absence of p10 sequences in Pr5 and Pr6 remains to be established. The major pathway for formation of the gag proteins appears to be via synthesis and processing of Pr3. Antigenic determinants of the gag proteins (and p30 peptide sequences) are also contained in a polyprotein precursor termed Prl a +b (molecular weight, ≅200,000). The latter has also been shown to share antigenic determinants with the reverse transcriptase [ Jamjoom, G. A., Naso, R. B., and Arlinghaus, R. B. (1977) . Virology 78, 11-341.