cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Litterfall Mercury in Two Forested Watersheds at Acadia National Park, Maine, USA

Litterfall can be an important flux of mercury (Hg) to soils in forested landscapes, yet typically the only available data to evaluate Hg deposition is from precipitation Hg monitoring. Litterfall was collected at 39 sampling sites in two small research watersheds, in 2003 and 2004, and analyzed for total Hg. Four vegetation classes were designated in this study as hardwoods, softwoods, mixed and scrub. The mean litter Hg concentration in softwoods (58.8 ± 3.3 ng Hg g−1 was significantly greater than in mixed (41.7 ± 2.8 ng Hg g−1 and scrub (40.6 ± 2.7 ng Hg g−1, and significantly lower than in hardwoods (31.6 ± 2.6 ng Hg g−1. In contrast, the mean weighted litter Hg flux was not significantly different among vegetation classes. The lack of a significant difference in litter Hg flux between hardwoods and softwoods was attributable to the large autumnal hardwood litter Hg flux being balanced by the higher softwood litter Hg concentrations, along with the higher chronic litterfall flux throughout the winter and spring in softwoods. The estimated annual deposition of Hg via litterfall in Hadlock Brook watershed (10.1 μg m−2 and Cadillac Brook watershed (10.0 μg m−2 was greater than precipitation Hg deposition and similar to or greater than the magnitude of Hg deposition via throughfall. These results demonstrate that litterfall Hg flux to forested landscapes can be at least as important as precipitation Hg inputs.
A Comparison of Two Banded, Heavy Snowstorms with Very Different Synoptic Settings

Abstract Two banded, heavy snowstorms that occurred over the northern mid-Atlantic region are compared and contrasted. On 6–7 January 2002, a narrow, intense band of heavy snow was observed, along with several other weaker bands, embedded within a large area of moderate snow. On 19–20 January 2002, a single, broader band of heavy snow was observed, embedded within a broken area of light snow. The synoptic-scale settings associated with these two storms were strikingly dissimilar. In the first case, strong quasigeostrophic (QG) forcing for ascent was present just to the south of the heavy snowfall area. A highly amplified longwave trough was located over the Mississippi River valley, while a compact shortwave trough moved northward, up the east side of the longwave trough. The result was robust cyclogenesis off of the mid-Atlantic coast. In the second case, the relatively weaker QG forcing for ascent was located much farther southwest of the snowband. The flow aloft was much less amplified, with weaker cyc...
Phosphonium cation-containing polymers: From ionic liquids to polyelectrolytes

Abstract Phosphonium cation-based ionic liquids (ILs) are a readily available family of ILs that often offer superior properties compared to ammonium cation-based ILs. Recently investigated applications include extraction solvents, electrolytes in batteries and super-capacitors, and corrosion protection. At the same time, the range of cation–anion combinations available commercially has also increased in recent years. Polymerized ionic liquids and polyelectrolytes play major roles in a broad range of biological applications including antimicrobials, non-viral gene delivery, synthetic enzymes, metal chelation, and drug delivery. Ammonium- and phosphonium-containing macromolecules will be reviewed with a focus on structure–property relationships of these polyelectrolytes and ionic liquids. Phosphonium-containing macromolecules often display enhanced performance compared to ammonium analogs.
Instrumental conditioning of leg position in chronic spinal frog: before and after sciatic section

Abstract The leg position of 12 pairs of chronic spinal frogs ( Rana catesbeiana ) was instrumentally conditioned using the yoked-control paradigm devised by Horridge. In 11 of 12 pairs, the frog receiving position-contingent shock showed a greater change in leg position than its yoked control. These differences were not seen when the leg was isolated from central nervous control by sciatic section.
PHYSICALLY INDUCED PEMPHIGUS AFTER COSMETIC PROCEDURES

Background. Pemphigus is a vesiculobullous autoimmune disease characterized by acantholysis due to antibodies against epidermal antigens. Case Reports. We report the first two cases of pemphigus in which lesions appeared in areas traumatized by cosmetic procedures. In one case, the patient had a history of pemphigus under excellent control; pemphigus lesions appeared only in her surgical scars 2 months after a reduction mammoplasty and facelift. The other patient presented with an outbreak of pemphigus 4 weeks after a chemical peel. Conclusions. Physical agents including infrared and ionizing radiation as well as ultraviolet light are known triggers of pemphigus. We suggest that cosmetic procedures can initiate pemphigus and that this change must be differentiated from postoperative wound infections and other reasons for poor wound healing.
Isoform- and Species-Specific Proteolysis of Cardiac Pacemaker Channels

Proteolysis of cardiac pacemaker channels affects biophysical properties of functional channels. Hyperpolarization-activated channels HCN2 and HCN4 can form homomeric or heteromeric functional pacemaker channels in cardiac ventricles. Employing Western blot and immunoprecipitation techniques with antibodies against N- or C- terminus of HCN2 or HCN4, respectively, we investigated protein expression patterns of endogenous HCN2 and HCN4 in cardiac ventricles of small (mouse, rat) and large (sheep, canine) animals and human. Using an antibody against N-terminus of HCN2, more full length protein at 100kD and less cleaved bands around 50kD were detected in small than in large animals. An additional cleaved band around 60kD was exclusively expressed in human. HCN2 C-terminal antibody could not detect any full length protein in all species tested. A 75kD cleaved band was detected in mice, rat, canine and substantially higher in sheep heart ventricles. A 60kD band was observed in human only. Using an N-terminal HCN4 antibody, the full length protein signals (at 160kD) were present in sheep and canine only. The cleaved bands near 100kD predominated in small animals but absent in large animals. With a C-terminal HCN4 antibody, the full length protein was observed in mice, barely detectable in rat, and clearly present in sheep, canine and human. A cleaved band around 100kD predominated in all animals. A minor cleaved band around 50kD appeared in all tested species except human. Overall, there was less HCN2 and more HCN4 proteolysis in small than in large animal cardiac ventricles. Endogenous myocardial HCN2 and HCN4 underwent intensive proteolysis at both N- and C- termini in an isoform- and species-specific pattern. In conclusion, results obtained from HCN2 and HCN4 protein expression in small animals may not be directly applied to large ones including human.
The Sevenfold Way of PKC Regulation

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of enzymes that are physiologically activated by 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) and other lipids. To date, 11 different isozymes, alpha, betaI, betaII, gamma, delta, epsilon, nu, lambda(iota), mu, theta and zeta, have been identified. On the basis of their structure and activators, they can be divided into three groups, two of which are activated by DAG or its surrogate, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). PKC isozymes are remarkably different in number and prevalence in different cell lines and tissues. When activated, the isozymes bind to membrane phospholipids or to receptors that are located in and anchor the enzymes in a subcellular compartment. Some PKCs may also be activated in their soluble form. These enzymes phosphorylate serine and threonine residues on protein substrates, perhaps the best known of which are the myristoylated, alanine-rich C kinase substrate and nuclear lamins A, B and C. The enzymes clearly play a role in signal transduction, and, because of the importance of PMA as a tumor promoter, they are thought to affect some aspect of cell cycling. How PKC takes part in the regulation of cell transformation, growth, differentiation, ruffling, vesicle trafficking and gene expression, however, is largely unknown.
Internal Pair Conversion in Mg 24

The positron spectra from the internal pair conversion of the two $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-rays following the ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ decay of ${\mathrm{Na}}^{24}$ have been observed, and the internal pair conversion coefficients found to be 7.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ in the case of the 2.758-Mev $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray and 0.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ in the case of the 1.380-Mev $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray. The value of the coefficients and the shape of the spectra lead to the conclusion that both $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-rays are electric quadrupole transitions.
Acebutolol in essential hypertension: Results of two multicenter studies against placebo and propranolol

Two double-blind multicenter studies compared acebutolol with placebo (acebutolol, N = 121; placebo, N = 116) and with propranolol (acebutolol, N = 186; propranolol, N = 190) in essential hypertension. Acebutolol significantly reduced mean sitting diastolic blood pressure from 99.2 +/- 0.3 mm Hg at baseline to 89.1 +/- 0.9 mm Hg at the end of dose titration (p = 0.001). Significantly more acebutolol patients (65%) achieved therapeutic goal than did placebo patients (28%, p less than 0.01). The reduction in heart rate in acebutolol-treated patients (9.2 bpm) was greater than in placebo-treated patients (1.2 bpm, p = 0.001). The incidence of side effects and the number of patients discontinued because of side effects did not significantly differ between acebutolol and placebo. Acebutolol and propranolol produced comparable reductions in diastolic, systolic, and mean arterial blood pressures (p less than 0.001). At equipotent doses the 13% decrease in heart rate in patients receiving acebutolol was significantly less than the 17% decrease in propranolol patients (p = 0.02). The number of patients experiencing central nervous system (CNS) side effects while receiving acebutolol (N = 50) was significantly less than with propranolol (N = 75, p = 0.001), and significantly fewer acebutolol patients (N = 11) were discontinued because of side effects compared with propranolol patients (N = 29, p less than 0.01). Laboratory, ECG, or chest X-ray results did not differ for acebutolol, placebo, or propranolol. Acebutolol appears to be safe and effective in the management of mild to moderately severe essential hypertension and is better tolerated than propranolol in terms of CNS side effects, with a significantly lesser effect on heart rate.
Laboratory and clinical comparison of the “antihistaminic” effect of Hydryllin and four experimental compounds☆☆☆

Abstract 1.1. Histamine electrophoresis in human subjects was used to determine the antihistaminic effect of Hydryllin and four experimental compounds. The results show that Hydryllin is a more effective antihistaminic drug than any of the experimental compounds. 2.2. Clinical effectiveness of Hydryllin was superior to that of the four experimental compounds. 3.3. Histamine electrophoresis appears to be a useful method for screening antihistaminic compounds.
Exploring the relationship between IC success and company performance

Abstract As the importance of end-user computing continues to grow, so does the importance of supporting and managing the related end-user activities. To accomplish this, many organizations have established Information Centers. The major hypothesis in this study is that there is a direct relationship between IC effectiveness or performance level, and two major dependent variables: (1) the benefits or payoffs that the organization has derived from end-user computing activities and (2) the organization's business performance. A sample of 252 internal auditing directors provided strong evidence for these relationships; further, the results suggest that the payoffs from end-user computing vary widely among companies and that there is much organizations can do to improve performance in this important area.
Rigorous proof and the history of mathematics: Comments on Crowe

Duhem's portrayal of the history of mathematics as manifesting calm and regular development is traced to his conception of mathematical rigor as an essentially static concept. This account is undermined by citing controversies over rigorous demonstration from the eighteenth and twentieth centuries.
Birth Order, Sibling Investment, and Fertility among Ju/’hoansi (!Kung)

Birth order has been examined over a wide variety of dimensions in the context of modern populations. A consistent message has been that it is better to be born first. The analysis of birth order in this paper is different in several ways from other investigations into birth order effects. First, we examine the effect of birth order in an egalitarian, small-scale, kin-based society, which has not been done before. Second, we use a different outcome measure, fertility, rather than outcome measures of social, psychological, or economic success. We find, third, that being born late in an egalitarian, technologically simple society rather than being born early has a positive outcome on fertility, and fourth, that number of older siblings and sibling set size are even stronger predictors of fertility, especially for males.
Deficiency analysis of coastal buildings toward storm damage reduction

Engineering services provided by one of the writers to property owners, insurance companies, attorneys, and others have resulted in a compilation of case studies, based on more than 1,000 site inspections, suitable to generate a database regarding various aspects of building performance. The scope of those services typically included identifying the cause and origin of damage to residential and commercial structures, as well as an estimation of the magnitude of damage sustained by those structures. The majority of those damaged structures was located in proximity to a coastal region and experienced recent exposure to a storm or other weather event. Compilation of data from those case studies allowed identification and ranking of the occurrence of chronic building problems. It has become apparent that building-related deficiencies often exist as a common feature in similar structures. Some of those recurring deficiencies could be eliminated with alternate building design, better construction practices, or proper routine maintenance procedures. Where applicable, proposed remedial solutions are presented for specific building deficiencies or problems identified.
Conservative Churches and Fertility Innovation: A Cultural-Ecological Approach to the Second Demographic Transition Among Nonblacks in the United States

This article investigates whether the prevalence of conservative churches, which has been associated with variation in demographic patterns in Western Europe (Lesthaeghe and Neels 2002), can explain geographic differences in family demographic patterns-specifically fertility-in the U. S. nonblack population. Lesthaeghe and Neels find that a second demographic transition (SDT)-characterized by increasing prevalence of nontraditional family and household structure-is hindered by the presence of strong conservative religious institutions. The high religiosity of the United States compared with Western Europe makes it an interesting test case for the theory. This article analyzes the relationship between nonblack fertility and rates of membership in conservative Protestant and Latter Day Saint churches (conservative churches) among nonblacks in U.S. counties and shows that conservative church membership indeed is an independent factor in geographic differences in family demographic patterns-especially with regard to the timing of parenting, but less so with regard to nonmarital childbearing.
Nekton community change along estuarine salinity gradients: Can salinity zones be defined?

Organisms tend to inhabit predictable portions of estuaries along salinity gradients between the ocean inlets (salinity > 35 psu) and the freshwater tributaries (salinity = 0). Previous studies have suggested that the continuous change in biological community structure along this gradient is relatively rapid at certain salinities. This is the basis for estuarine salinity zonation schemes similar to the classic Venice System (i.e., 0-0.5, 0.5-5, 5-18, 18-30, 30-40, > 40). An extensive database (n > 16,000 samples) of frequency of occurrence of nekton was used to assess evidence for estuarine salinity zones in two southwest Florida estuaries: Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. Rapid change in nekton community structure occurred at each end of the estuarine salinity gradient, with comparatively slow (but steady) change in between. There was little strong evidence for estuarine salinity zones at anything other than low salinities (0.1-1). As previously suggested by other authors, estuaries may be regarded as ecoclines, because they form areas of relatively slow but progressive ecological change. The ends of the estuarine salinity gradient appear to be ecotones (areas of rapid change) at the interfaces with adjacent freshwater and marine habitats. This study highlights the rapid change that occurs in nekton community structure at low salinities, which is of relevance to those managing freshwater inflow to estuaries.
The stability of the demand for fossil fuels by electric utilities

Abstract The view that the regional demand for fossil fuels by electric utilities in the United States is characterized by stable relationships is subjected to an objective statistical test. The test utilizes a statistic which equals the ratio of the sum of squared residuals of one period prediction from the k + 1 period to the r th period to the sum of squared residuals of one period prediction from the k + 1 to the T th period, where k is the number of estimated coefficients in the model and T is the sample size. The results suggest for the period 1973 through 1978, that the fossil fuel demand functions in Region II and Region VIII and the coal demand function in Region X became unstable around 1977. For the other regions, the results indicate no appreciable (statistically significant) change in the relative importance of the underlying determinants of the demand for fossil fuels.
Carbon monoxide production from hydroxocobalamin by bacteria.

Abstract Microbial CO formation from vitamin B 12 analogues was investigated, since CO is a catabolic product of some other metal-containing cyclic tetrapyrroles. CO was evolved during aerobic incubation of hydroxocobalamin with either Bacillus cereus or α-hemolytic Streptococcus mitis . The reaction resembles heme catabolism by these microbes in that CO was not formed under anaerobic conditions nor by a nonhemolytic strain of S. mitis . Cyanocobalamin partially inhibited CO formation from hydroxocobalamin.
Use of MULTDOS for Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Ethosuximide Data during Repetitive Administration of Single or Divided Daily Doses

MULTDOS, a computer method to curve fit data obtained on multiple dosing, was used with either the 1969 or 1974 version of the NONLIN program to compare the pharmacokinetic parameters of ethosuximide during repetitive administration of single or divided daily doses. Elimination rate constants, excretion rate constants, and apparent volumes of distribution were similar between the two dosing regimens and essentially identical between the two nonlinear regression programs.
Telomerase, telomere length, and coronary artery calcium in black and white men in the CARDIA study.

Abstract Objective To evaluate whether telomerase activity, measured in circulating blood leukocytes, might be associated with prevalent atherosclerosis, or predict future coronary artery disease risk. Methods and results We examined associations of telomerase activity levels measured at year 15 in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study with prevalent coronary artery calcium (CAC), progressive CAC at year 20, and incident CAC between years 15 and 20, in 440 black and white men aged 33–45 years. Telomere length was also measured in a subset of participants ( N =129). In multivariate-adjusted analysis, higher quartiles of telomerase were cross-sectionally associated with greater odds of prevalent CAC at year 15 (quartile 2: OR=1.32, 95% CI: 0.54–3.23; quartile 3: OR=1.40, 95% CI: 0.60–3.30; quartile 4: OR=3.27, 95% CI: 1.39–7.71 compared with quartile 1, p -continuous=0.012) and progressive CAC at year 20, but telomerase was not significantly associated with incidence of newly detectable CAC. Higher telomerase activity levels predicted greater CAC progression at year 20 among persons with short telomere length; low telomerase and short TL predicted less CAC progression. Conclusion Telomerase activity in leukocytes was associated with calcified atherosclerotic plaque, and was also a predictor of advancing plaque among persons with short telomeres.
Research Spotlight: Model suggests path to ending the ongoing Haitian cholera epidemic

[1] Since early November 2010 a deadly cholera epidemic has been spreading across the Caribbean nation of Haiti, killing thousands of people and infecting hundreds of thousands. While infection rates are being actively monitored, health organizations have been left without a clear understanding of exactly how the disease has spread across Haiti. Cholera can spread through exposure to contaminated water, and the disease travels over long distances if an infected individual moves around the country. Using representations of these two predominant dispersion mechanisms, along with information on the size of the susceptible population, the number of infected individuals, and the aquatic concentration of the cholera-causing bacteria for more than 500 communities,Bertuzzo et al. designed a model that was able to accurately reproduce the progression of the Haitian cholera epidemic. (Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1029/2011GL046823, 2011)
The effects of environmental conditioning on tensile properties of high performance aramid fibers at near-ambient temperatures

Aramid and aramid copolymer fibers are used in a wide variety of military and civilian applications; however, the long-term effects of environmental exposure on tensile properties are still not well understood. The current effort investigates the effect of hygrothermal conditioning on the tensile properties of Kevlar® KM2 ®, Twaron®, and the newly available Russian copolymer, Armos® high performance fibers. Moisture uptake studies show that at room temperature, water diffuses more slowly into the copolymer Armos ® (D = 8.7 × 10-13 cm2/s) compared to the Kevlar® KM2® and Twaron® homopolymers (D = 2.16 × 10-12 cm2/s and D = 1.8 × 10 -12 cm2/s, respectively). Tensile properties have been measured for these aramid fibers that have been conditioned in water at 40°C, 60°C, 80°C, and 100°C for periods of 17 and 34 days. For both aramid and aramid copolymer fibers, hygrothermal conditioning did not significantly change fiber tensile properties below 80°C. At the most extreme condition of 100°C, 34 days, aramid fi...
Regulation of Hh signal transduction as Drosophila eye differentiation progresses

Differentiation of the Drosophila retina occurs as a morphogenetic furrow sweeps anteriorly across the eye imaginal disc, driven by Hedgehog secretion from photoreceptor precursors differentiating behind the furrow. A BTB protein, Roadkill, is expressed posterior to the furrow and targets the Hedgehog signal transduction component Cubitus interruptus for degradation by Cullin-3 and the proteosome. Clonal analysis and conditional mutant studies establish that roadkill transcription is activated by the EGF receptor and Ras pathway in most differentiating retinal cells, and by both EGF receptor/Ras and by Hedgehog signaling in cells that remain unspecified. These findings outline a circuit by which Hedgehog signal transduction is modified as Hedgehog signaling initiates retinal differentiation. A model is presented for regulation of the Cullin-3 and Cullin-1 pathways that modifies Hedgehog signaling as the morphogenetic furrow moves and the responses of retinal cells change.
THE INTESTINAL UPTAKE OF PROTEASES AND NEONATAL HEPATITIS

Trypsin and other intestinal proteases may be taken up in increased amounts early in life and contribute to hepatic inflammation. To test this hypothesis, we gavaged newborn (n=9) and 4 week-old weaned rabbits (n=10) with 200 mg bovine trypsin/100 gm body weight. Four hrs later, serum tryptic activity, as determined by a functional assay, was significantly increased in newborn (p<0.001) but not weaned animals. A radioimmunoassay was used to detect immunoreactive-trypsin (i-trypsin) in serum samples. The concentrations of i-trypsin in the serum of newborn and weaned animals 4 hrs after gavage were 603 ± 97 ng/ml and 40 ± 13 ng/ml respectively (p<0.001). Serum i-trypsin in blood of weaned animals obtained at timed intervals up to 16 hrs after the trypsin feeding did not exceed the 40 ng/ml value. Sephadex G-200 gel filtration was performed on the serum samples. Tryptic activity was detected only in the excluded volume (trypsin bound to α2-macroglobulin), and i-trypsin was detected only in the included volume (trypsin bound toαl-antitrypsin); no free trypsin was detected. In vitro experiments demonstrated that large amounts of trypsin were required to overwhelm the normal serum inhibitors. In small-for-gestational age infants, however, there may be complete or partial deficiencies of serum inhibitors. In these infants, trypsin and other proteases may be taken up from the intestinal lumen into blood, circulate to the liver and induce hepatitis.
Challenges posed by extracellular vesicles from eukaryotic microbes

Extracellular vesicles (EV) produced by eukaryotic microbes play an important role during infection. EV release is thought to benefit microbial invasion by delivering a high concentration of virulence factors to distal host cells or to the cytoplasm of a host cell. EV can significantly impact the outcome of host–pathogen interaction in a cargo-dependent manner. Release of EV from eukaryotic microbes poses unique challenges when compared to their bacterial or archaeal counterparts. Firstly, the membrane-bound organelles within eukaryotes facilitate multiple mechanisms of vesicle generation. Secondly, the fungal cell wall poses a unique barrier between the vesicle release site at the plasma membrane and its destined extracellular environment. This review focuses on these eukaryotic-specific aspects of vesicle synthesis and release.
Linear third-order discrete system stability under parameter variations

The letter presents a necessary and sufficient condition for the stability of discrete systems up to third-order under parameter variations.
Seeing the Forest and the Trees: Balancing Functional and Integrative Knowledge Using Large-Scale Simulations in Capstone Business Strategy Classes

The purpose of capstone classes in business administration is to integrate prior coursework into a solid foundation from which to begin business careers. This study assesses the extent to which a large-scale simulation pedagogy results in students’ acquisition of an integrative perspective by the end of the course. The authors empirically test three hypotheses that specifically involve the use of either a functional or an integrative lens. The results provide promising evidence that the large-scale simulation approach is effective in helping students recognize the importance of integrating functional knowledge and developing an integrative lens.
Biological and physical aspects of a coastal upwelling event observed during March-April 1974 off northwest Africa☆

Abstract A description of the time scales of the physical and biological fields of a coastal upwelling event observed during March and April 1974 near 21°40′N off the coast of Mauritania is given from concurrent measurements of wind, current, temperature, salinity,chlorophyll- a , primary productivity, and nutrients. At a mid-shelf site the time lag between the onset of strong, equatorward winds and a significant increase in the offshore component of the near-surface currents was about 1 day. Nutrient-rich surface water was observed near the coast about 4 days after the initiation of the wind event, but because of the rates associated with the biological measurements, the time scale for the occurrence of large quantities of nutrient in the surface layer might have been less than 4 days. Despite the high nutrient concentrations in the nearshore region, the primary productivity remained low until the strength of the winds decreased about 10 days after the event began. The strong winds and offshore currents combined to produce a mixed layer considerably deeper than the euphotic zone. When the intensity of the equatoward winds and the offshore component of the near-surface current decreased, the upper ocean became stratified, the nutrients diminished, and the primary productivity increased. The productivity remained high for 2 to 3 days.
A high-performance transcutaneous battery charger for medical implants

As new functionality is added to the implantable devices, their power requirements also increase. Such power requirements make it hard for keeping such implants operational for long periods by non-rechargeable batteries. This result in a need for frequent surgeries to replace these batteries. Rechargeable batteries can satisfy the long-term power requirements of these new functions. To minimize the discomfort to the patients, the recharging of the batteries should be as infrequent as possible. Traditional battery charging methods have low battery charging efficiency. This means they may limit the amount of charge that can be delivered to the device, speeding up the depletion of the battery and forcing frequent recharging. In this paper, we evaluate the suitability of a state-of-the-art general purpose charging method called current-pumped battery charger (CPBC) for implant applications. Using off-the-shelf components and with minimum optimization, we prototyped a proof-of-concept transcutaenous battery charger based on CPBC and show that the CPBC can charge a 100 mAh battery transcutaneously within 137 minutes with at most 2.1°C increase in tissue temperature even with a misalignment of 1.3 cm in between the coils, while keeping the battery charging efficiency at 85%.
Molecular Recognition of Watson–Crick-Like Purine–Purine Base Pairs

we have explored the interaction of several nucleicacid intercalators with DNA purine–purine duplexes. Here, wedemonstrate the ability of some small molecules to bind du-plexes containing guanine–isoguanine and adenine–inosinebase pairs (Scheme 1A) with selectivity over duplexes withWatson–Crick base pairs (Scheme 1B), and vice versa. This se-lectivity is consistent with the structural differences expectedbetween these two classes of duplexes, which arise from differ-ences in base-pair size and shape and helix groove geometry.This study represents, to the best of our knowledge, the firstdemonstration of selective binding of small molecules to an in-formational, but non-Watson–Crick, duplex.Ethidium, proflavine, and ellipticine are three classical inter-calators of Watson–Crick DNA.
Assessing the Impact of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Research Collaborations

The Information Services Office (ISO) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) conducted a study to assess the impact of NIST research collaborations by analyzing the NIST papers coauthored with other researchers external to NIST. This request from NIST senior management focused on the number of unique non-NIST coauthors on NIST-authored papers and the number of unique institutions and countries with which NIST collaborated on publications for the past five years. This article describes the methodology used to assess the impact of NIST’s publication collaborations and shares the results of ISO’s study.
Asymmetric or symmetric? Cytosolic modulation of human erythrocyte hexose transfer

(1) The Michaelis-Menten parameters for hexose transfer in erythroctes, erythrocyte ghosts and inside-out vesicles at 20°C were determined using the light scattering method of Sen and Widdas ((1962) J. Physiol. 160, 392–403). (2) The external Km for infinite-cis exit of d-glucose in cells and ghosts is 3.6 ± 0.5 mM. (3) Dilution of cellular solute (up to × 90 dilution) by lysing and resealing cells in varying volumes of lysate is without effect on the Vm for net d-glucose exit. The Km for net exit, however, falls from 32.4 ± 3.7 mM in intact cells to 12.9 ± 2.3 mM in ghosts. This effect is reversible. (4) Infinite-cis net d-glucose uptake measurements in cells and ghosts reveal the presence of a low Km, high affinity internal site of 5.9 ± 0.8 mM. The Vm for net glucose entry increases from 23.2 ± 3.7 mmol/l per min in intact cells to 55.4 ± 6.3 mmol/l per min in ghosts. (5) The external Km for infinite-cisd-glucose exit in inside-out vesicles is 6.8 ± 2.7 mM. The kinetics of zero-transd-glucose exit from inside-out vesicles are changed markedly when cellular solute (obtained by lysis of intact cells) is applied to either surface of inside-out vesicles. When solute is present externally, the Km and Vmax for zero-trans exit are decreased by up to 10-fold. When solute is present at the interior of inside-out vesicles, Vmax for zero-trans exit is reduced; Km for exit is unaffected. In the nominal absence of cell solute, transfer is symmetric in inside-out vesicles. The orientation of transporter in the bilayer is unaffected by the vesiculation procedure. (6) External application of cellular solute to ghosts reduces Vmax for d-glucose exit but is without effect on the external Km for infinite-cis exit. (7) The inhibitory potency of cell lysate on hexose transfer is lost following dialysis indicating that the factors responsible for transfer modulation are low molecular weight species. (8) We consider the hexose transfer in human erythrocytes is intrinsically symmetric and that asymmetry of transfer is conferred by interaction of the system with low molecular weight cytosolic factors.
Accurate and efficient methods for modeling colloidal mixtures in an explicit solvent using molecular dynamics

Most simulations of colloidal suspensions treat the solvent implicitly or as a continuum. However as particle size decreases to the nanometer scale, this approximation fails and one needs to treat the solvent explicitly. Due to the large number of smaller solvent particles, such simulations are computationally challenging. Additionally, as the ratio of nanoparticle size to solvent size increases, commonly-used molecular dynamics algorithms for neighbor finding and parallel communication become inefficient. Here we present modified algorithms that enable fast single processor performance and reasonable parallel scalability for mixtures with a wide range of particle size ratios. The methods developed are applicable for any system with widely varying force distance cutoffs, independent of particle sizes and independent of the interaction potential. As a demonstration of the new algorithm's effectiveness, we present results for the pair correlation function and diffusion constant for mixtures where colloidal particles interact via integrated potentials. In these systems, with nanoparticles 20 times larger than the surrounding solvent particles, our parallel molecular dynamics code runs more than 100 times faster using the new algorithms.
A Comparison of User Preference for Mouse and Touchpad with Windows 8 Interaction

The Windows 8 operating system is noticeably different from prior Windows operating systems and contains features that are designed with a touch interface in mind. The current study investigates user preference for PC indirect input devices when using the Windows 8 operating system without an available direct touch interface. Subjects first completed a performance task (Winfitts) with each input device. Subjects were trained on how to use Windows 8 edge-swipe features with both input devices. After training, subjects were asked to complete a task list of Windows 8 specific gesture tasks using either a laptop touchpad or a mouse. After completing the tasks with both input devices, users completed Likert scale ratings about their interaction with each input device. Finally, subjects were asked which input device they would overall prefer when using windows 8. We hypothesize that there will be a preference for the touchpad over the mouse. Contrary to the hypothesis, results showed a significant user preferen...
Casualties of War — Military Care for the Wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan

As of November 9, 2004, a total of 10,153 service members had suffered war injuries. Dr. Atul Gawande writes about a military medical system that has made fundamental and effective changes in the strategies and systems of battle care.
Zinc inhibition of t-[3H]butylbicycloorthobenzoate binding to the GABAA receptor complex.

: The effect of Zn2+ on t-[3H]butylbicycloorthobenzoate ([3H]TBOB) binding to the GABAA receptor complex was studied autoradiographically in rat brain. Zn2+ inhibited [3H]TBOB binding in a dose-dependent manner at physiological concentrations. Saturation analysis revealed noncompetitive inhibition in various brain regions. The inhibitory effect of Zn2+ had regional heterogeneity; regions showing the greatest inhibition of [3H]TBOB binding were cortical laminae I–III, most areas of hippocampus, striatum, septum, and cerebellar cortex. Regions with relatively less inhibition of [3H]TBOB binding included cortical laminae V–VI, thalamus, superior colliculus, inferior colliculus, and central gray matter. The effect of Zn2+ and those of other GABAA ligands, such as benzodiazepines, bicuculline, isoguvacine, and picrotoxin, on [3H]TBOB binding seemed to be additive. Ni2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+ also inhibited [3H]TBOB binding with a regional heterogeneity similar to that produced by Zn2+. These results are consistent with Zn2+ acting at the previously detected recognition site on the GABAA receptor complex, distinct from the picrotoxin, GABA, and benzodiazepine sites. The regional heterogeneity of the Zn2+ effect may reflect differential regional distribution of GABAA receptor subtypes among brain regions. Other divalent cations probably act at the Zn2+ binding site.
Education for the Gifted, Talented—Charting Its Growth and Development:

Is education for the gifted now a permanent part of the school program? This question and others are explored here by the author who describes what has happened through the years in gifted education and what its status is today.
College students' perceptions of barriers to career development

Abstract The present study examined the types of career-related barriers perceived by college students and gender differences in perceptions of barriers. Subjects ( N = 48, 50% of each sex) responded to a free-response, thought-listing instrument containing five stimulus statements representing common career-related experiences, plus a sixth statement eliciting “special concerns for women.” The resultant responses ( N = 1098) were sorted into categories within each stimulus topic, and categories were further coded as social/interpersonal, attitudinal, or interactional barriers, based on a modification of previous classification systems. Results of the categorization indicated that (a) subjects did perceive the existence of barriers in each of the six stimulus topics with some topical variation in the number of barriers listed, (b) the number of initial categories within topics ranged from 17 to 19, with several categories that were common across topics, and (c) interactional barriers were more frequent than attitudinal barriers, which in turn were more frequent than social/interpersonal barriers. A repeated-measures MANOVA indicated significant topic × category differences; no significant gender differences were observed.
Organophosphate-induced changes in the PKA regulatory function of Swiss Cheese/NTE lead to behavioral deficits and neurodegeneration

Organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN) is a Wallerian-type axonopathy that occurs weeks after exposure to certain organophosphates (OPs). OPs have been shown to bind to Neuropathy Target Esterase (NTE), thereby inhibiting its enzymatic activity. However, only OPs that also induce the so-called aging reaction cause OPIDN. This reaction results in the release and possible transfer of a side group from the bound OP to NTE and it has been suggested that this induces an unknown toxic function of NTE. To further investigate the mechanisms of aging OPs, we used Drosophila, which expresses a functionally conserved orthologue of NTE named Swiss Cheese (SWS). Treating flies with the organophosporous compound tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate (TOCP) resulted in behavioral deficits and neurodegeneration two weeks after exposure, symptoms similar to the delayed effects observed in other models. In addition, we found that primary neurons showed signs of axonal degeneration within an hour after treatment. Surprisingly, increasing the levels of SWS, and thereby its enzymatic activity after exposure, did not ameliorate these phenotypes. In contrast, reducing SWS levels protected from TOCP-induced degeneration and behavioral deficits but did not affect the axonopathy observed in cell culture. Besides its enzymatic activity as a phospholipase, SWS also acts as regulatory PKA subunit, binding and inhibiting the C3 catalytic subunit. Measuring PKA activity in TOCP treated flies revealed a significant decrease that was also confirmed in treated rat hippocampal neurons. Flies expressing additional PKA-C3 were protected from the behavioral and degenerative phenotypes caused by TOCP exposure whereas primary neurons were not. In addition, knocking-down PKA-C3 caused similar behavioral and degenerative phenotypes as TOCP treatment. We therefore propose a model in which OP-modified SWS cannot release PKA-C3 and that the resulting loss of PKA-C3 activity plays a crucial role in developing the delayed symptoms of OPIDN but not in the acute toxicity.
Measurements of identified particle anisotropic flow in Cu+Au and U+U collisions by PHENIX experiment

Abstract In this paper, new measurements of anisotropic flow ( v 1 , v 2 ) for identified particles such as pions and protons in Cu + Au collisions at s N N = 200 GeV and U + U collisions at s N N = 193 GeV are reported. The anisotropic flow is studied as a function of p T and centrality in these two collision systems. In ultra-central U + U collisions (0–2% centrality), v 2 of protons shows a weak p T dependence for p T 1.0 GeV/c . A positive v 1 for charged pions is observed for p T > 1 GeV/c with respect to the first-order event plane, the angle of which is determined by the Au-going spectators. The scaling of identified particle v 2 with the number of valence quarks ( n q ) has been observed in these two collision systems, with the transverse kinetic energy.
EFFECT OF AN ORAL ELEMENTAL DIET ON NITROGEN BALANCE AND PLASMA AMINO ACIDS

Five infants between 7 and 16 weeks of age with severe intractable diarrhea were fed an oral elemental diet (VivonexR) consisting of crystalline amino acids, glucose, electrolytes and vitamins for 4 weeks by continuous NG drip. Each infant received a “low” nitrogen diet (LND) supplying 2.25gm of protein/Kg/day for 2 weeks and a “high” nitrogen diet (HND) supplying 4.58gm of protein/Kg/day for 2 weeks. Each diet supplied 110cal/Kg/day. The weight gain on the LND averaged 17.0 ± 14.7 gm/day and on the HND 28.6±13.5gm/day. Concomitantly, the nitrogen balance on the LND averaged +163±75mgm/Kg/day and on the HND +332±82mgm/Kg/day. The plasma levels of 22 amino acids were measured before beginning the diet, during the feeding of each diet and after the cessation of treatment. Pretreatment levels were normal except for decreased proline (-58%) and threonine (-36%). On the LND there was no appreciable change in the amino acid levels. On the HND the plasma levels of 6 amino acids increased more than 2 times the upper limits of normal (ULN): methionine (6.5×ULN), glycine (2.6×ULN), tryosin (2.4×ULN), phenylalanine (2.2×ULN), threonine (2.2×ULN) and ornithine (2.1×ULN). The oral elemental diet proved effective in controlling severe intractable diarrhea and resulted in weight gain and positive nitrogen balance proportional to the amount of protein supplied.
Olanzapine–fluoxetine combination for the treatment of bipolar depression

Introduction: Olanzapine–fluoxetine combination is one of only two products currently approved by the US FDA for the acute treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Areas covered: This treatment evaluation reviews double-blind randomized controlled trials of olanzapine–fluoxetine combination for bipolar depression. A total of three primary study reports are found in the peer-reviewed literature. Additional data regarding the trials are obtained from study synopses disclosed on the internet by the manufacturer and from product labeling. Expert opinion: Number needed to treat for antidepressant response for olanzapine–fluoxetine combination versus placebo in the 8-week trials was 4 (95% CI 3 – 8), and that for remission was 5 (95% CI 3 – 8). Single-digit numbers needed to harm (NNH) values were observed for the treatment-emergent adverse events of weight gain (NNH 7, 95% CI 5 – 16) and diarrhea (NNH 9, 95% CI 5 – 30). NNH versus placebo for weight gain ≥ 7% from baseline was 6 (95% ...
Aluminum: new recognition of an old problem

The aluminum problem is now over 25 years old, but has remained a neglected concern. Data indicate that aluminum contaminates much of the raw material used to manufacture solutions used for intravenous nutritional support of hospitalized and ambulatory patients, and that pharmaceutical manufacturers have only recently obtained the technology necessary to detect aluminum contamination of their products. As a result, aluminum bypassed normal barriers and entered the blood, accumulating in tissues such as bone, liver and the central nervous system with toxic consequences. Now that the FDA has finally issued a rule governing aluminum contamination in these solutions, manufacturers will need to develop methods to minimize such contamination; scientists should also realize that when data they obtain indicate a serious problem in the manufacturing sector they should be sure that the problem is properly addressed.
Predictors of residual disease in repeat excisions for lumpectomies with margins less than 0.1 cm.

Abstract Purpose This study sought to identify factors that would predict the presence of residual disease (RD) in repeat-excision specimens following an initial breast-sparing excision procedure in which the margins of resection were free of tumor but in which tumor was very close to ≥ 1 margins. Patients and Methods Ninety-one lumpectomies with close but not transected margins and their subsequent repeat-excision specimens were analyzed for tumor type near margin in the primary excision, presence of RD, type of RD, stage of infiltrating carcinoma (IC) in the primary excision, extent of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and grade of IC and/or DCIS. Results Nineteen of 91 patients had DCIS only; 15 had IC only; and 57 had IC with DCIS in their primary excisions. Thirty-five cases (38%) contained RD in their subsequent repeat-excision specimens. Residual DCIS and/or IC was present in 58% of patients whose primary tumors were DCIS only or invasive carcinoma 2 = 16.27; P P Conclusion The extent of DCIS in the primary specimen, DCIS near ≥ 1 margins, and size of infiltrating tumor were related to the presence of RD.
Improvements in speech perception by children with profound prelingual hearing loss: Effects of device, communication mode, and chronological age

The present investigation expanded on an earlier study by Miyamoto, Osberger, Todd, Robbins, Karasek, et al. (1994) who compared the speech perception skills of two groups of children with profound...