cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Research Article: The effects of conjugated linoleic acid on anuran early development

Abstract Embryos of Xenopus laevis (clawed frog) are an excellent model system to use in studying the effects of agents on cell division. To test the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on cell division, X. laevis embryos were exposed to various CLA concentrations. CLA is a dienoic fatty acid found in fats developed by ruminant animals. Previous studies on rodents have shown CLA to be effective in preventing cancer, particularly breast and prostate cancer. However, the exact method by which CLA produces its chemopreventive action is unknown. A 3% water-soluble solution of CLA (from PharmaNutrients) was diluted to produce 0.1%, 0.25%, and 0.5% solutions. The embryos were incubated in these solutions and developmental rates and any abnormalities were recorded. We found that CLA slowed down the rate of cell division, produced abnormal blastomeric pigmentation and morphology, and eventually stopped development altogether. Abnormalities were not observed in the 0.1% solution until 24 hours of exposure, a...
Aesthetic Rhinoplasty: My Perspectives

Many persons have contributed to the development and improvement of the rhinoplasty procedures used today. In this article I will review the changes in rhinoplasty techniques that I have observed and relate some of my experiences with the “giants” in this area of plastic surgery. Charles E. Horton, MD∗ ASAPS President, 1976–1977 My chief of plastic surgery was Kenneth Pickrell, MD, of Duke University. Dr. Pickrell trained at Johns Hopkins University with John Stage Davis, MD, who in 1919 wrote the first book on plastic surgery published in the United States.1 Chapter 14 of this book deals with surgery of the nose. Seventy pages of the chapter are devoted to reconstruction of the missing parts of the nose with external incisions and flaps. Only two sentences address aesthetic rhinoplasty: "Prominence of the nose may be reduced by trimming the bone and cartilage subcutaneously (Monks2 and Roe3) or by using the external method.“ Dr. Davis stated, ”My preference is for direct exposure through a midline or lateral incision." Dr. Pickrell, Davis' pupil, was an expert rhinoplasty surgeon who used an internal approach routinely with few if any external incisions. Joseph Dieffenbach, an important pioneer of plastic surgery and aesthetic rhinoplasty, introduced the first endonasal approach in 1845.4 Dieffenbach's internal nasal approach was the first giant step toward modern rhinoplasty. In 1898 Joseph refined this technique.5 My experience began with co-workers and pupils of the aforementioned physicians. In 1955, while at Duke University, I was awarded first prize and a traveling fellowship for best research from the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation (PSEF) of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. While overseas I observed rhinoplasties performed by Sir Harold Gilles and Sir Archibald Macindoe, and, closer to home, by Mario Gonzalez-Ulloa. In the United States I …
Effect of Intravitreal Methotrexate and Rituximab on Interleukin-10 Levels in Aqueous Humor of Treated Eyes with Vitreoretinal Lymphoma

Intraocular cytokines are promising diagnostic biomarkers of vitreoretinal lymphoma. Here, we evaluate the utility of IL-10, IL-6 and IL-10/IL-6 for discriminating lymphoma from uveitis and report the effects of intraocular methotrexate and rituximab on aqueous cytokine levels in eyes with lymphoma. This is a retrospective case series including 10 patients with lymphoma and 7 patients with uveitis. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney analysis was performed to determine statistical significance of difference in interleukin levels between lymphoma and uveitis. Compared to eyes with uveitis, eyes with lymphoma had higher levels of IL-10 (U = 7.0; two-tailed p = 0.004) and IL-10/IL-6 (U = 6.0; two-tailed p = 0.003), whereas IL-6 levels were more elevated, although insignificant, in those patients with uveitis than in lymphoma (U = 15.0; two-tailed p = ns). Using a receiver operating characteristic analysis to identify threshold values diagnostic for lymphoma, optimal sensitivity and specificity improved to 80.0% and 100%, respectively, for IL-10>7.025 pg/ml and 90.0% and 100.0%, respectively, for IL-10/IL-6>0.02718. In patients in whom serial interleukin levels were available, regular intravitreal treatment with methotrexate and rituximab was associated with reduction in IL-10 levels over time. In conclusion, optimal IL-10 and IL-10/IL-6 threshold values are associated with a diagnostic sensitivity ≥80% and specificity of 100%. Therefore, these cytokines may serve as a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of lymphoma. While negative IL-10 and IL-10/IL-6 values do not exclude a diagnosis of lymphoma, elevated levels do appear to be consistent with lymphoma clinically. Moreover, elevated levels of IL-10 in the setting of a clinically quiet eye may point to impending disease recurrence. Lastly, once lymphoma is diagnosed, IL-10 levels can be monitored over time to assess disease activity and therapeutic response.
LES/RANS Simulation of a Supersonic Reacting Wall Jet

This work presents results from large-eddy / Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (LES/RANS) simulations of the well-known Burrows-Kurkov supersonic reacting wall-jet experiment. Generally good agreement with experimental mole fraction, stagnation temperature, and Pitot pressure profiles is obtained for non-reactive mixing of the hydrogen jet with a non-vitiated air stream. A lifted flame, stabilized between 10 and 22 cm downstream of the hydrogen jet, is formed for hydrogen injected into a vitiated air stream. Flame stabilization occurs closer to the hydrogen injection location when a three-dimensional combustor geometry (with boundary layer development resolved on all walls) is considered. Volumetric expansion of the reactive shear layer is accompanied by the formation of large eddies which interact strongly with the reaction zone. Time averaged predictions of the reaction zone structure show an under-prediction of the peak water concentration and stagnation temperature, relative to experimental data and to results from a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes calculation. If the experimental data can be considered as being accurate, this result indicates that the present LES/RANS method does not correctly capture the cascade of turbulence scales that should be resolvable on the present mesh. Instead, energy is concentrated in the very largest scales, which provide an over-mixing effect that excessively cools and strains the flame. Predictions improve with the use of a low-dissipation version of the baseline piecewise parabolic advection scheme, which captures the formation of smaller-scale structures superimposed on larger structures of the order of the shear-layer width.
Making nice may not matter: The interplay of crisis type, response type and crisis issue on perceived organizational responsibility

Experimental findings suggest limited effects for corporate social responsibility (CSR) to inoculate a company prior to a crisis. CSR may be viewed as accommodative window dressing that diminishes resources to assure corporate competence. When an accident occurs, emphasis in crisis communication on corporate ability (CA) may be more effective than CSR, especially when corporate culpability is low.
Adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to cultured bovine mammary epithelial cells

Abstract Bovine mammary secretory cells, isolated at necropsy, were cultured in vitro and used as a model to study the mode of adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to mammary epithelium. Cultured cells were characterized by their morphology and physiology as secretory epithelial cells. Cells showed characteristic growth patterns when grown on polystyrene, fibronectin, laminin, collagen, and reconstituted basement membrane from the Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm murine sarcoma. Cells cultured on collagen formed confluent monolayers and were the most suitable for bacterial adherence studies. Cultured cells stained intensely for cytokeratin and for specific milk proteins, i.e., -casein, β -casein, α-lactalbumin, β -lactoglobulin, and lactoferrin. The effect of frozen storage for 10 mo on cell viability or presence of milk proteins was minimal. Staphylococcus aureus showed large affinity for extracellular matrix components, i.e., fibronectin, laminin, and collagen. Adherence to confluent cell monolayers was minimal. In preconfluent cell monolayers, most S. aureus adhered more readily to the exposed matrix than to the epithelial cells. Overnight exposure to staphylococcal α -toxin greatly increased adherence of S. aureus to confluent monolayers. However, whether bacteria adhered to α-toxin damaged cells or to exposed matrix is not clear. Unencapsulated S. aureus adhered in larger numbers than did encapsulated S. aureus.
Flow and heat transfer in microchannels using a microcontinuum approach

Heat and mass transfer in small channels has many important applications. Recent advances in electronic cooling technology have suggested the use of microchannels for cooling electronic components. The purpose of this note is to employ Eringen's theory to predict how heat transfer may be affected as the classical fluid model breaks down. Such predictions hold not only theoretical importance, but may serve useful in modeling heat transfer in microchannel, or arterioles where the theory has been widely applied.
Citrullinemia: Elevated serum citrulline levels in healthy siblings

Die Familienuntersuchung eines 3. Falles von Citrullinaemie spricht fur eine autosomal heterozygote Vererbung. Die Merkmalstrager konnen durch eine einfache Nuchternserum-Bestimmung des Citrullins von den nicht betroffenen Familienmitgliedern abgegrenzt werden.
COMPLEXES OF BISMUTH(III) CHLORIDE WITH OXYGEN DONOR LIGANDS. STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BICL3.3THF, BICL3.DIGLYME AND BICL3.DIETHYLCARBITOL

Abstract The bismuth(III) chloride ether complexes BiCl3·diglyme (1). BiCl3·diethylcarbitol (2) and BiCl3·3THF (3) (diglyme = bis(2-methoxy)ethyl ether; diethylcarbitol = bis(2-ethoxy)ethyl ether) have been prepared. Compounds 1 and 2 form dimers in the solid state and exhibit distorted pentagonal bipyramidal coordination around the bismuth centers, while complex 3 is monomeric in the crystal lattice and shows approximate octahedral coordination for bismuth.
Acoustic measures of temporal intervals across speaking rates : Variability of syllable- and phrase-level relative timing

It has been suggested previously that at least some levels of the temporal organization for speech production are characterized by proportional timing. The proportional timing model maintains that ...
Almost all triangle-free triple systems are tripartite

A triangle in a triple system is a collection of three edges isomorphic to {123,124,345}. A triple system is triangle-free if it contains no three edges forming a triangle. It is tripartite if it has a vertex partition into three parts such that every edge has exactly one point in each part. It is easy to see that every tripartite triple system is triangle-free. We prove that almost all triangle-free triple systems with vertex set [n] are tripartite. Our proof uses the hypergraph regularity lemma of Frankl and Rodl [13], and a stability theorem for triangle-free triple systems due to Keevash and the second author [15].
Gram-scale synthesis of silica nanotubes with controlled aspect ratios by templating of nickel-hydrazine complex nanorods.

We have developed a robust method for the synthesis of silica nanotubes with controlled aspect ratios on a large scale by templating against rod-like nanocrystals. Crystalline nanorods of a nickel–hydrazine complex are first formed in reverse micelles by surfactant capping on side facets, and subsequent silica coating and selective etching give rise to silica nanotubes of high uniformity and yield. The length of the silica nanotubes is tunable in the range 37–340 nm and can reach as long as micrometers. Control of the length is conveniently achieved by tuning the hydrazine/nickel ratio, which affects the growth kinetics of the nanocrystal templates. The inner diameter of the silica nanotubes can be adjusted in the range 10–20 nm by choosing different surfactants. This method is unique in utilizing reverse micelles as discrete nanoscale reactors for the growth of nanocrystals, allowing for precise control of the features of the nanotubes and opening up new opportunities in the synthesis of novel anisotropi...
The Na+/H+ Exchanger NHE6 Modulates Endosomal pH to Control Processing of Amyloid Precursor Protein in a Cell Culture Model of Alzheimer Disease

Early intervention may be key to safe and effective therapies in patients with Alzheimer disease. Endosomal dysfunction is an early step in neurodegeneration. Endosomes are a major site of production of Aβ peptide from the processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by clipping enzymes (β- and γ-secretases). The β-secretase enzyme BACE1 requires acidic lumen pH for optimum function, and acid pH promotes Aβ aggregation. The Na(+)/H(+) exchanger NHE6 provides a leak pathway for protons, limiting luminal acidification by proton pumps. Like APP, NHE6 expression was induced upon differentiation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and localized to an endosomal compartment. Therefore, we investigated whether NHE6 expression altered APP localization and processing in a stably transfected cell culture model of human APP expression. We show that co-expression with NHE6 or treatment with the Na(+)/H(+) ionophore monensin shifted APP away from the trans-Golgi network into early and recycling endosomes in HEK293 cells. NHE6 alkalinized the endosomal lumen, similar to monensin, and significantly attenuated APP processing and Aβ secretion. In contrast, Aβ production was elevated upon NHE6 knockdown. We show that NHE6 transcript and protein levels are lowered in Alzheimer brains relative to control. These findings, taken together with emerging genetic evidence linking endosomal Na(+)/H(+) exchangers with Alzheimer disease, suggest that proton leak pathways may regulate Aβ generation and contribute to disease etiology.
The effects of precipitation and soil type on three invasive annual grasses in the western United States

Multiple species of annual grasses are invading sagebrush-steppe communities throughout the western United States. Most research has focused on dominant species such as Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass), yet other, less studied annual grasses such as Taeniatherum caput-medusae (medusahead) and Ventenata dubia (ventenata) are spreading rapidly. Future precipitation regimes are expected to have less frequent but more intense rain events, which may affect soil moisture availability and favor these ‘newer’ invasives over cheatgrass. We conducted a full factorial, growth chamber study examining the effects of two watering regimes (small/frequent, large/infrequent rain pulses) across nine soil types on the growth of cheatgrass, medusahead and ventenata. We tested a hypothesis that medusahead or ventenata would have greater growth than cheatgrass with larger/infrequent rain events. The two watering regimes had relatively strong effects on soil water content, but generally did not impact plant growth. In contrast, variation in soil properties such as clay content, pH and soil N correlated with a two- to four-fold change in plant growth. The three invasive grass species generally respond similarly to changes in precipitation regimes and to edaphic factors. Nevertheless, medusahead had 30–40% overall greater root growth compared to the other species and a 15% increase in root growth in response to the large/infrequent watering treatment. Our findings reveal that 1) greater biomass allocation to roots and 2) greater responsiveness of root growth to differing precipitation regimes of medusahead may favor its ecological success over other invasive annuals under future climate scenarios.
Fine mapping of mutations in the fusion-inducing MP strain of herpes simplex virus type 1

Abstract Previous studies [W. T. Ruyechan, L. S. Morse, D. M. Knipe, and B. Roizman (1979) J. Virol. 29 , 677–697] have shown that multiple mutations are responsible for the mutant phenotypes of herpes simplex virus type 1, strain MP, and have indicated that these mutations may be located on the genome between map coordinates 0.70 and 0.83. Strain MP produces large syncytial (Syn) plaques on many cell types and does not express glycoprotein C (gC − ), whereas a sibling strain mP produces wild-type, small, nonsyncytial (Syn + ) plaques and is gC + . Cloned DNA fragments from strains MP and mP (and strain F) were used in marker transfer and marker rescue experiments to map more precisely the mutations in MP. It was found that a 680-bp fragment from MP DNA (map coordinates 0.735 to 0.740) could transfer a Syn marker to mP and that, conversely, an overlapping fragment from mP DNA (map coordinates 0.728 to 0.744) could rescue the Syn mutation of MP. Recombinant viruses obtained in these experiments differed from the donor of the cloned DNA fragment in plaque size, however, indicating that mutation(s) at other regions of the MP genome cause enlarged plaques, in which the infected cells are less rounded than in wild-type plaques. A fragment of MP DNA from map coordinates 0.60 to 0.64 transferred a mutation causing the gC − phenotype to strain mP, and a fragment of F DNA from map coordinates 0.62 to 0.64 rescued the gC − mutation of MP. These results, coupled with data published by Frink et al. [(1983) J. Virol. 45 , 643-467], indicate that the mutation responsible for the gC − phenotype of MP may be in the structural gene for gC.
Binding of a structured D-RNA molecule by an L-RNA aptamer.

An l-RNA aptamer was developed that binds the natural d-form of the HIV-1 trans-activation responsive (TAR) RNA. The aptamer initially was obtained as a d-aptamer against l-TAR RNA through in vitro selection. Then the corresponding l-aptamer was prepared by chemical synthesis and used to bind the desired target. The l-aptamer binds d-TAR RNA with a Kd of 100 nM. It binds d-TAR exclusively at the six-nucleotide distal loop, but does so through tertiary interactions rather than simple Watson–Crick pairing. This complex is the first example of two nucleic acids molecules of opposing chirality that interact through a mode of binding other than primary structure. Binding of the l-aptamer to d-TAR RNA inhibits formation of the Tat-TAR ribonucleoprotein complex that is essential for TAR function. This suggests that l-aptamers, which are intrinsically resistant to degradation by ribonucleases, might be pursued as an alternative to antisense oligonucleotides to target structured RNAs of biological or therapeutic i...
Relationship of physical appearance of individual mold-damaged cottonseed to aflatoxin content

Over 700 individual aflatoxin-suspect cottonseed were hand-selected from a heterogenous stockpile of ginned seed. The seed were categorized on the basis of (a) bright greenish-yellow, fluorescence termed cateye, on the linter fibers under ultraviolet light; (b) partially bald seed with part of the linter fibers removed by ginning; (c) a combination of cateye and balding; (d) thin and discolored lint; and (e) bluish, not cateye, fluorescence. Aflatoxin assays on each of the 771 selected seed showed that 142 out of 771 (18%) were contaminated by aflatoxin (B1+B2) in the range of 150 ppb—5.75 million ppb. Some 93% of the aflatoxin-contaminated seed was concentrated in categories (a), (b), and (c), with the highest concentration, 61%, in category (b). Eight seed in these three categories contained over 1 million ppb of aflatoxins. The data suggest that removal of cateye and partially bald seed from contaminated lots of cottonseed should be more effective for controlling aflatoxin contamination in cottonseed than removal of cateye seed alone.
New Product Distribution: An Analysis of Supermarket Buyer Decisions

This article explores the relationship between 18 variables and a supermarket buyer's decision to accept or reject a new product. One hundred twenty-four new products are analyzed by multiple discr...
Racism in a "Raceless" Society: The Soviet Press and Representations of American Racial Violence at Stalingrad in 1930

In late August 1930, two white American workers from the Ford Motor Company in Detroit were tried for attacking a black American laborer at one of the Soviet Union's prized giants of socialist industry, the Stalingrad Traktorostroi. Soviet trade-union authorities and all-union editors used the near month-long campaign to bring the two assailants to “proletarian justice,” in order to cultivate the image that workers in the USSR valued American technical and industrial knowledge in the construction of the new socialist society, but vehemently rejected American racism. They reinforced this image in publications by juxtaposing visual depictions of Soviet citizens' acceptance of black Americans as equals against those which portrayed the lynching of black workers in the United States.
Use of gelatin/plasma coated flasks for isolating human peripheral blood monocytes

A simple and efficient technique to purify human peripheral blood monocytes is described. This technique is based on the fact that monocytes have high affinity for fibronectin immobilized on a gelatin coated surface. Cell preparations obtained by the method described are more than 90% monocytes. The phenotype of these adherent cells was characterized with monoclonal antibodies.
Therapeutic adherence to oral medication regimens by adolescents with cancer. II. Clinical and psychologic correlates.

The focus of our study was to identify specific demographic, treatment, and psychologic factors that may differentiate patients who complied with cancer therapy from those who did not. In a companion study, bioassay techniques revealed frequent nonadherence to oral medication regimens among 50 adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemla or Hodgkin disease. In this sample, compliers and noncompliers did not differ with respect to either demographic variables (age, gender) or treatment variables (treatment duration, continuity, complexity, or parental involvement). Psychologic variables were assessed in 34 patients. Patients who adhered poorly to the therapeutic regimen had significantly less developed concepts of the illness (specifically, concepts of causality and prognosis), less perceived vulnerbility (especially as related to subclinical disease), higher levels of denial as a psychologic defense, and less cohesive future orientation. The perceived health locus of control was not a significant factor. The results suggest that patients construct their own subjective view of the illness and its treatment, which then has implications for adherence to medication regimens.
Feasibility of protecting rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, by immunizing against the eye fluke, Diplostomum spathaceum

Rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, were immunized with sonicated metacercarial antigens from the eye fluke, Diplostomum spathaceum. Immunization increased survival times in rainbow trout by about 4 months when compared with unimmunized controls. Survival time increased with both size of the fish and strength of the antigen dose.
Acetate reduces microglia inflammatory signaling in vitro

Acetate supplementation increases brain acetyl-CoA and histone acetylation and reduces lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroglial activation and interleukin (IL)-1β expression in vivo. To determine how acetate imparts these properties, we tested the hypothesis that acetate metabolism reduces inflammatory signaling in microglia. To test this, we measured the effect acetate treatment had on cytokine expression, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, histone H3 at lysine 9 acetylation, and alterations of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in primary and BV-2 cultured microglia. We found that treatment induced H3K9 hyperacetylation and reversed LPS-induced H3K9 hypoacetylation similar to that found in vivo. LPS also increased IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) mRNA and protein, whereas treatment returned the protein to control levels and only partially attenuated IL-6 mRNA. In contrast, treatment increased mRNA levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and both IL-4 mRNA and protein. LPS increased p38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylation at 4 and 2–4 h, respectively, whereas treatment reduced p38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylation only at 2 h. In addition, treatment reversed the LPS-induced elevation of NF-κB p65 protein and phosphorylation at serine 468 and induced acetylation at lysine 310. These data suggest that acetate metabolism reduces inflammatory signaling and alters histone and non-histone protein acetylation.
Agrin Expression during Synaptogenesis Induced by Traumatic Brain Injury

Interaction between extracellular matrix proteins and regulatory proteinases can mediate synaptic integrity. Previously, we documented that matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) expression and activity increase following traumatic brain injury (TBI). We now report protein and mRNA analysis of agrin, a MMP-3 substrate, over the time course of trauma-induced synaptogenesis. Agrin expression during the successful synaptic reorganization of unilateral entorhinal cortical lesion (UEC) was compared with expression when normal synaptogenesis fails (combined fluid percussion TBI and bilateral entorhinal lesion [BEC]). We observed that agrin protein was increased in both models at 2 and 7 days postinjury, and immuohistochemical (IHC) co-localization suggested reactive astrocytes contribute to that increase. Agrin formed defined boundaries for sprouting axons along deafferented dendrites in the UEC, but failed to do so after combined insult. Similarly, Western blot analysis revealed greater increase in UEC agrin protein relative to the combined TBI+BEC model. Both models showed increased agrin transcription at 7 days postinjury and mRNA normalization by 15 days. Attenuation of synaptic pathology with the NMDA antagonist MK-801 reduced 7-day UEC agrin transcript to a level not different from unlesioned controls. By contrast, MK-801 in the combined insult failed to significantly change 7-day agrin transcript, mRNA levels remaining elevated over uninjured sham cases. Together, these results suggest that agrin plays an important role in the sprouting phase of reactive synaptogenesis, and that both its expression and distribution are correlated with extent of successful recovery after TBI. Further, when pathogenic conditions which induce synaptic plasticity are reduced, increase in agrin mRNA is attenuated.
Palliation of thoracic malignancies.

Summary The sequelae of advanced malignancies of the chest, whether primary or metastatic, can be severely debilitating. In this review, we discuss the advances in palliative treatment for several intrathoracic complications of malignancy. The treatment of malignant pleural and pericardial effusions now includes a range of chemical sclerosants and percutaneous or surgical interventions. A new generation of promising stent and ablation technologies allows for the treatment of intrinsic or extrinsic airway obstruction. Similar techniques are being explored for esophageal obstruction, while the possible benefit of palliative radiation and chemotherapy continues to be investigated. Although their symptoms are often severe, patients with advanced thoracic malignancies have a growing number and variety of palliative treatment options to improve their quality of life.
Does the user interface make interruptions disruptive?: a study of interface style and form of interruption

This experiment examined the influence of the style of the computer user interface on the extent to which performance was decreased by task interruption. Performance on data entry of a personnel database was compared using two different styles of interfaces, under three different forms of interruption. Ten subjects were given a graphical user interface with a mouse and screen buttons; and ten were given a character-based interface with tab and function keys. Interruptions came at unexpected times. Each subject was interrupted three times, once with each form of interruption: telephone call, visitor, and on-screen message. During each interruption, the subject was asked to answer a simple question. The number of fields entered minus the number of fields in error, per minute, was measured during the two-minute post-interruption period. Eye motion data was analyzed in terms of the amount of time and the average durations of eye fixations on the screen. An exit questionnaire solicited the subjects' perceptions of their performance.Compared to the control, the screen interruption was disruptive, the telephone interruption was not, and the walk-in visitor interruption produced intermediate performance. Performance was worse in the first minute than in the second minute immediately following the interruptions. Lower performance was directly related to looking more at the screen. The duration of the interruption was weakly correlated to the performance. Subjects' perceptions of their performance did not correlate with performance measures.The disruptive effect of the screen interruption compared to the lack of disruption after the telephone interruption was a surprise. This result is contrary to the commonly held belief that telephone interruptions are a problem to computer users. It may be important to avoid disruption caused by screen windows popping up in design of multi-window user interfaces. Trends in office automation have the screen being used for more and more functions, with demands on screen displays being further aggravated by information available through integrated networks.The disruption of the screen interruption may be due to the abruptness of the on-set of the interruption which prohibited the subject from completing the current action. The message box locked out the main task until the subject responded to the question. This differed from the onset of the walk-in and telephone interruptions which did not lock out interaction with the main task. Another possible explanation for the disruption of the screen interruption compared to the telephone interruption may be the similarity in sense modality. This work is seen as preliminary to further study.
Spiroalkanedithiol-Based SAMs Reveal Unique Insight into the Wettabilities and Frictional Properties of Organic Thin Films

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were prepared by the adsorption of a series of 2,2-dialkylpropane- 1,3-dithiols (1-5) and 2-pentadecylpropane-1,3-dithiol (6) onto the surface of gold. These SAMs were characterized by ellipsometry, contact angle goniometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The studies demonstrate that a systematic variation in the structure of RRC(CH2SH)2 from symmetrical (1 ;R ' ) R) to progressively more unsymmetrical (2-6 ;R ' * R) can be used to provide control over the conformational order and interchain packing of the hydrocarbon tail group assembly. The tail group conformation and packing were found to influence profoundly both the wettability and the tribological properties of the SAMs. Assemblies of well-ordered, well-packed hydrocarbon tail groups yielded interfaces that exhibited low wettabilities and low frictional responses when compared to assemblies of disordered, loosely packed hydrocarbon tail groups. The trends in wettability and friction were rationalized by considering the magnitude of the van der Waals interactions between the hydrocarbon film and the contacting probe liquid and AFM tip, respectively.
Elongation factor-dependent affinity labeling of Escherichia coli ribosomes☆

Abstract Elongation factor-dependent affinity labeling of Escherichia coli ribosomes was obtained using a functional analogue of aminoacyl-tRNA. Since elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) screens both the modified aminoacyl-tRNAs and the ribosomal complexes for active particles, only functional macromolecular complexes are examined. This approach also provides an unequivocal identification of the transfer RNA binding site from which affinity labeling occurs. N e -bromoacetyl-Lys-tRNA was prepared by covalently attaching an electrophilic group to the side-chain of the amino acid. This chemical modification did not interfere with function, since the ϵBrAcLys-tRNA participated successfully in EF-Tu and poly(rA)-dependent binding to ribosomes, peptide bond formation, and elongation factor G (EF-G)-mediated translocation. Affinity labeling of ribosomal RNA was observed only in those incubations which contained both EF-Tu and EF-G. The crosslinking of ϵBrAcLys-tRNA to 23 S rRNA was found even if fusidic acid was added to the incubation before EF-G. The dependence of the covalent reaction on EF-G demonstrates, unambiguously, that a reactive residue of 23 S rRNA is located adjacent to the 3′ end of the functionally defined P site. Similarly, the affinity labeling of proteins L13/14/15, L2, L32/33, and L24 required EF-G-dependent translocation of ϵBrAcLys-tRNA into the P site. Protein L27 was alkylated following the EF-Tu-dependent binding of ϵBrAcLys-tRNA to the ribosome, and the extent of affinity labeling was stimulated by the addition of EF-G to the incubation. Double-label dipeptide experiments confirmed that affinity labeling occurred from functional tRNA binding sites by demonstrating that the same ϵBrAcLys-tRNA which reacted covalently with 23 S rRNA or a ribosomal protein could also participate in peptide bond formation. Finally, the ribosome affinity labeling obtained with ϵBrAcLys-tRNA · EF-Tu · guanylylimidodiphosphate differed little from that obtained with ϵBrAcLys-tRNA · EF-Tu · GTP. This work constitutes the first direct examination of the aminoacyl ends of the EF-Tu-dependent conformational states of the ribosomal complex, and demonstrates the potential value of functional Lys-tRNA analogues with different probes attached to the lysine side-chain.
ECG morphological variability in beat space for risk stratification after acute coronary syndrome.

Background-—Identification of patients who are at high risk of adverse cardiovascular events after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a major challenge in clinical cardiology. We hypothesized that quantifying variability in electrocardiogram (ECG) morphology may improve risk stratification post-ACS. Methods and Results-—We developed a new metric to quantify beat-to-beat morphologic changes in the ECG: morphologic variability in beat space (MVB), and compared our metric to published ECG metrics (heart rate variability [HRV], deceleration capacity [DC], T-wave alternans, heart rate turbulence, and severe autonomic failure). We tested the ability of these metrics to identify patients at high risk of cardiovascular death (CVD) using 1082 patients (1-year CVD rate, 4.5%) from the MERLIN-TIMI 36 (Metabolic Efficiency with Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome—Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 36) clinical trial. DC, HRV/low frequency–high frequency, and MVB were all associated with CVD (hazard ratios [HRs] from 2.1 to 2.3 [P<0.05 for all] after adjusting for the TIMI risk score [TRS], left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF], and B-type natriuretic peptide [BNP]). In a cohort with low-to-moderate TRS (N=864; 1-year CVD rate, 2.7%), only MVB was significantly associated with CVD (HR, 3.0; P=0.01, after adjusting for LVEF and BNP). Conclusions-—ECG morphological variability in beat space contains prognostic information complementary to the clinical variables, LVEF and BNP, in patients with low-to-moderate TRS. ECG metrics could help to risk stratify patients who might not otherwise be considered at high risk of CVD post-ACS. (J Am Heart Assoc. 2014;3:e000981 doi: 10.1161/JAHA.114.000981)
Theoretical and Experimental Comparisons for Damping Coefficients of a Short-Length Open-End Squeeze Film Damper

Squeeze film dampers (SFD) provide load isolation and attenuate rotor vibrations in high speed turbomachinery. Operating parameters such as whirl frequency, amplitude of journal motion, and value of external pressure supply determine the SFD dynamic force response and its dissipation of mechanical energy. Measurements of pressure fields and fluid film forces in a fully submerged open-end squeeze film damper are presented for tests with rotor speeds to 5,000 cpm and low supply pressures. The damper has a clearance of 381 {micro}m (0.015 in.) and the journal describes circular centered orbits of amplitudes ranging from 30 to 50% of the bearing clearance. Experimental film pressures depict a vapor cavitation (close to zero absolute pressure) zone increasing in extent as the whirl frequency increases. Estimated fluid film forces from the measured pressure profiles are found to be proportional to whirl speed and lubricant viscosity. Test cross-coupled damping coefficients (C{sub rt}) are smaller than predicted values based on the short-length bearing model with a {pi} film cavitation assumption. The direct damping coefficients (C{sub tt}) are larger than theoretical values, especially at low frequencies where the dynamic cavitation region has not grown to half the circumferential flow extent. The experiments demonstrate the viscous charactermore » of the fluid film forces in a SFD test apparats where fluid inertia effects are minimal (squeeze film Reynolds number less than one). On the other hand, the extent of the cavitation zone appears to be dominant on the generation of fluid film forces.« less
Treatment Motivation and Therapeutic Engagement in Prison-Based Substance Use Treatment

Studies of community-based substance use treatment show that motivation for treatment is critical for clients becoming therapeutically engaged. Little research, however, has been conducted on therapeutic engagement in corrections-based substance use treatment. The current study examines the association between internal treatment motivation and therapeutic engagement for a sample of 220 male substance-using offenders enrolled in a corrections-based treatment program. Findings showed that problem recognition and desire for help were associated with cognitive indicators of therapeutic engagement, specifically confidence in and commitment to treatment. Increased focus on internal motivation for treatment may lead to more effective treatment for substance-using offenders. Pretreatment motivational interventions therefore are recommended for substance-using offenders with low internal motivation for treatment.
Pulmonary vascular pressures of exercising Thoroughbred horses with and without endoscopic evidence of EIPH

Manohar, Murli, and Thomas E. Goetz. Pulmonary vascular pressures of exercising Thoroughbred horses with and without endoscopic evidence of EIPH. J. Appl. Physiol.81(4): 1589–1593, 1996.—Exercise-i...
Identifying survival associated morphological features of triple negative breast cancer using multiple datasets.

Background and objective Biomarkers for subtyping triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) are needed given the absence of responsive therapy and relatively poor prediction of survival. Morphology of cancer tissues is widely used in clinical practice for stratifying cancer patients, while genomic data are highly effective to classify cancer patients into subgroups. Thus integration of both morphological and genomic data is a promising approach in discovering new biomarkers for cancer outcome prediction. Here we propose a workflow for analyzing histopathological images and integrate them with genomic data for discovering biomarkers for TNBC. Materials and methods We developed an image analysis workflow for extracting a large collection of morphological features and deployed the same on histological images from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) TNBC samples during the discovery phase (n=44). Strong correlations between salient morphological features and gene expression profiles from the same patients were identified. We then evaluated the same morphological features in predicting survival using a local TNBC cohort (n=143). We further tested the predictive power on patient prognosis of correlated gene clusters using two other public gene expression datasets. Results and conclusion Using TCGA data, we identified 48 pairs of significantly correlated morphological features and gene clusters; four morphological features were able to separate the local cohort with significantly different survival outcomes. Gene clusters correlated with these four morphological features further proved to be effective in predicting patient survival using multiple public gene expression datasets. These results suggest the efficacy of our workflow and demonstrate that integrative analysis holds promise for discovering biomarkers of complex diseases.
Filamentous Phage Displaying the Extracellular Domain of the hLH/CG Receptor Bind hCG Specifically

We have expressed the extracellular binding domain of the human LH/CG receptor as a fusion with the cpIII filamentous phage coat protein. These fusion phage are able to specifically bind ELISA plates coated with hCG. Preincubation of the phage with hCG before exposure to the coated plates inhibited binding of phage, whereas human FSH had no effect. Furthermore, addition of anti-hLH/CG receptor antisera inhibited binding of phage to the plates. We have also tested the effect of monoclonal antibodies to hCG on phage binding. Monoclonal antibodies that can bind hCG when it is bound to native receptor do not inhibit phage binding. These include B105 and A109 Alternatively, B107 and B109 have an inhibitory effect on phage binding. They cannot bind hCG when it is bound to receptor and are likely directed against epitopes at or near the receptor binding interface. Therefore, these fusion phage exhibit the same binding specificity as the wild-type receptor and likely display the extracellular domain of the hLH/CG receptor on their surface in the native conformation. Phage display is a potentially useful tool for studying the hLH/CG receptor structure and in screening for synthetic compounds that compete with hormone for receptor binding.
Diagnostic/Prognostic Experiments for Capacitor Degradation and Health Monitoring in DC-DC Converters

Studying and analyzing the ageing mechanisms of electronic components avionics in systems such as the GPS and INAV are of critical importance. In DC-DC power converter systems electrolytic capacitors and MOSFET’s have higher failure rates among the components. Degradation in the capacitors under varying operating conditions leads to high ripples output voltages and currents affecting downstream components leading to cascading faults. For example, in avionics systems where the power supply drives a GPS unit, ripple currents can cause glitches in the GPS position and velocity output, and this may cause errors in the Inertial Navigation (INAV) system, causing the aircraft to fly off course The work in this paper proposes a detail experimental and systematic study on analyzing the degradation phenomenon is electrolytic capacitors under high stress operating conditions. The output degradation is typically measured by an increase in ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) and decrease in the capacitance value. . We present the details of our accelerated ageing methodology along with analysis and comparison of the results.
Incorporating Auxiliary Geophysical Data into Ground‐Water Flow Parameter Estimation

The incorporation of auxiliary data into ground-water flow parameter estimation is a challenging task which can ultimately result in a better site characterization. In this study a maximum likelihood estimation procedure has been applied to the joint identification of the parameters of the aquifer transmissivity random field, and the parameters of the linear regression between the logarithm of transmissivity and the logarithm of the electrical transverse formation factor (TF), determined from surface geoelectrical methods (Vertical Electrical Sounding or V.E.S.). This approach is basically a co-kriging technique applied to the transmissivity and transverse formation factor random fields, but it avoids the independent estimation of the cross-covariances and the secondary variable covariance. The procedure needs some direct well data for transmissivity and a (usually larger) number of V.E.S. measurements which have to be in part at a distance from the well locations in order to provide useful information. The algorithm determines the characteristics of the local (site dependent) transmissivity-transverse formation factor relationship and utilizes this auxiliary information for a geostatistical transmissivity field estimation. The methodology is tested on a real field scenario: a fractured aquifer impacted by landfill leachate contamination. The use of the formation factor in place of the raw resistivity of the subsoil layers accounts for possible effects of clay and contaminant concentration on pore-water resistivity. The information provided by the V.E.S. can add, to some extent, to the understanding of the aquifer characteristics and vulnerability. However, the specificity of each site has to be fully understood for an effective application of the present procedure. It seems unlikely that geoelectric data can differentiate between transmissivity values differing by less than two or three orders of magnitude.
Habenular lesions and avoidance learning deficits in albino rats

Albino rats were given either habenular lesions or control operations and evaluated postsurgically during one-way active avoidance and passive avoidance training. Rats with habenular lesions, particularly those with damage in the posterior aspects of the habenular complex, were significantly impaired during acquisition of the active avoidance task. No significant differences existed between the two groups on either of two passive avoidance measures. The results are discussed in conjunction with the findings of other research, and hypotheses of either reduced fearfulness or impairment in motor inhibition mechanisms are suggested as frameworks for future research.
Viscous flow lobes in central Taylor Valley, Antarctica: Origin as remnant buried glacial ice

Abstract Viscous flow lobes are common throughout the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) of Antarctica. These features have been described as rock glaciers, gelifluction lobes, solifluction lobes, talus mobilized by pore ice and/or segregation ice, and debris-covered glaciers. We investigate the origin, modification, and flow of a 2-km-long lobe (East Stocking Lobe or ESL) along the north wall of central Taylor Valley using field mapping techniques, shallow seismic surveys, time-dependent displacement surveys, and isotopic analyses of buried-ice samples. On the basis of these integrated analyses, we show that the ESL is cored with remnant glacier ice, most probably derived from an advance of nearby Stocking Glacier ∼ 130 kyr BP. Seismic data, coupled with results from ice-flow modeling assuming plastic flow of clean ice, suggest that the buried core of glacier ice is ∼ 14- to 30-m thick. Near its terminus, the ESL flows at a rate of ∼ 2.4 to 6.7 mm a − 1 . The loose drift that caps the buried ice (typically δ D vs. δ 18 O graph), well below the local meteoric water line of 7.75, suggesting modification by freeze/thaw processes and evaporation/sublimation. Measured air and soil temperatures show that intermittent melting is most likely possible during summer months where buried ice is ≤ 35 cm below the ground surface. Morphological comparisons with ice-cored deposits in upland regions of the Dry Valleys, e.g., Mullins and Beacon Valleys (30 km inland and ∼ 500 m higher in elevation), and near the coast (40 km distant and ∼ 500 m lower) reveal marked contrasts in the style of near-surface ice degradation and cryoturbation. From these morphological comparisons, we infer that buried-ice deposits in the stable upland zone have not experienced the relatively warm climate conditions now found at the ESL and at lower elevations in the Dry Valleys region (e.g. sustained summertime temperatures of ≥−4 °C) for the last several million years.