cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assembly of multi-flavored two-dimensional colloidal crystals

We systematically investigate the assembly of binary multi-flavored colloidal mixtures in two dimensions. In these mixtures all pairwise interactions between species may be tuned independently. This introduces an additional degree of freedom over more traditional binary mixtures with fixed mixing rules, which is anticipated to open new avenues for directed self-assembly. At present, colloidal self-assembly into non-trivial lattices tends to require either high pressures for isotropically interacting particles, or the introduction of directionally anisotropic interactions. Here we demonstrate tunable assembly into a plethora of structures which requires neither of these conditions. We develop a minimal model that defines a three-dimensional phase space containing one dimension for each pairwise interaction, then employ various computational techniques to map out regions of this phase space in which the system self-assembles into these different morphologies. We then present a mean-field model that is capable of reproducing these results for size-symmetric mixtures, which reveals how to target different structures by tuning pairwise interactions, solution stoichiometry, or both. Concerning particle size asymmetry, we find that domains in this model's phase space, corresponding to different morphologies, tend to undergo a continuous “rotation” whose magnitude is proportional to the size asymmetry. Such continuity enables one to estimate the relative stability of different lattices for arbitrary size asymmetries. Owing to its simplicity and accuracy, we expect this model to serve as a valuable design tool for engineering binary colloidal crystals from multi-flavored components.
Antiproliferative effects of Hypericum Perforatum L. extract involve induction of p21CIP1 and inhibition of Rb expression in human bladder cancer cells.

3392 Bladder cancer is the fourth most common malignant disease in the United States. Hypericum perforatum L., also known as St. John’s wort, is an herb used to alleviate inflammation and infections, as well as pain in urinary interstitial cystitis. The polar methanolic fraction (PMF) of Hypericum perforatum L. (HPL) extract has recently been evaluated as a novel, natural photosensitizer for use in photodynamic therapy in cancer cells. The present study investigated mechanisms of growth-inhibitory effects of PMF on the human T24 human bladder cancer cell line that is derived from a high-grade metastatic cancer. Methods: PMF was prepared from dry HPL herb brewed in methanol, followed by extraction with ether and methanol (polar methanolic fraction, PMF). Stock solutions of the PMF extract were made in DMSO for cell culture use and stored in the dark. PMF contained 0.57 % hypericin and 2.52 % hyperforin. The T24 cell line was obtained from ATCC. DNA synthesis was measured by [3H]-thymidine incorporation, and cell cycle phase distribution by flow cytometry. Cell cycle regulatory proteins were assayed by Western immunoblot, and apoptosis detected by PARP cleavage as a measure of caspase-3 activation. Results: PMF inhibited DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner with a 90% inhibitory concentration (IC90) = 25 ug/ml. Flow cytometry analysis showed that PMF results in G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, with a 2-fold increase in G0/G1 cells concomitant with 50 % decrease in cells in both S and G2/M phases. Western blot analysis showed that PMF extract markedly increased levels of p21CIP1 , the major cell cycle inhibitory protein. In contrast, PMF significantly decreased levels of cyclins A, B and D, with an IC50 of 25 ug/ml for each protein. In addition, PMF produced parallel dose-related decreases in both Rb and phospho-Rb proteins. The inverse relationship between p21CIP1 and Cyclins A, B and D levels are evidence of a significant interference with cell cycle progression. While only a cystostatic effect was observed with PMF at 25 ug/ml, higher PMF concentrations and longer treatment times markedly decreased cell viability. Interestingly, no sub G0/G1 peak was detected by flow cytometry, nor was PARP cleavage observed with PMF 50 ug/ml for 3 days. Thus, apoptosis does not appear to be the mechanism of cell death promoted by PMF treatment. Conclusions: Low concentrations of a polar methanolic fraction of Hypericum Perforatum L. extract produced dose-dependent inhibition of DNA synthesis associated with G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and coordinate changes in key cell cycle regulatory proteins in human bladder cancer cells. Thus, PMF may be a potent and effective anti-proliferative agent for inhibition of urothelial carcinoma cells. (NIH Minority Research Program)
Coping Mechanisms for Strain and Delinquency

This chapter discusses Chinese urban youths’ ineffective coping mechanisms for dealing with strain, in terms of personality and social support, as a result of inadequate early socialization in the family, prevalence of a nuclear family household, emerging commodity residential communities, and lack of leisure activities. Driven by the great emphasis on academic success, there has been less support from parents, teachers, and peers available for those who do not do well in school. This chapter also discusses how the internet functions as a way of coping with life strains for urban adolescents and how internet addiction has a greatly adverse impact on them.
Investigating a possible "musician advantage" for speech-in-speech perception: The role of f0 separation

Does listeners' musical experience improve their ability to perceive speech-in-speech? In the present experiment, musicians and nonmusicians heard two sentences played simultaneously: a target and a masker sentence that varied in terms of fundamental frequency (f0) separation. Results reveal that accuracy in identifying the target sentence was highest for younger musicians (relative to younger nonmusicians). No such difference was observed between older musicians and nonmusicians. These results provide support for musicians' purported advantage for speech-in-speech – but the advantage is limited by listener age. This work is relevant to our understanding of cross-domain transfer of nonlinguistic experience on speech perception.
A narrative review of gait training after stroke and a proposal for developing a novel gait training device that provides minimal assistance.

Background: Gait impairment is common in stroke survivors. Recovery of walking ability is one of the most pressing objectives in stroke rehabilitation. Objectives: Of this report are to briefly rev...
Risk Factors for Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombisis in the past Five Years at Hahnemann University Hospital (P02.036)

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk factors, presenting symptoms, clinical findings and prognosis of patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis(CVST) in the past ten years at Hahnemann University Hospital (HUH). BACKGROUND: CVST is a rare but serious and treatable condition. It is an uncommon and often unrecognized type of stroke that affects approximately 5 people per million annually. DESIGN/METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients who presented to HUH in the past 10 years that were diagnosed with CVST during their hospitalization and reviewed their risk factors, clinical findings and prognosis. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients were identified. A female predominance of 2:1 with a mean age of 43 years was seen. A risk factor was identified in 83% of patients. The most common risk factor was systemic disease. The most common presenting symptom was headache, which was present in 60% of the patients. 33% of patients had a normal physical exam. Only 13% of patients had papilledema. The most common sinus involved was the transverse sinus, which was involved 43% of the time. 90% of the patients were discharged home. CONCLUSIONS: In our case series 83% of patients had at least one risk factor. In the largest case series, a risk factor was identified 80% of the time. Headache was the most common presenting symptom of CVST. 60% of our patients presented with headache as their chief complaint, which is consistent with the largest case series where 70% of patients presented with a headache. Although papilledema is often thought to be a common finding, only 13% of our patients had this finding. However, in the largest case series to date 30% of people had papilledema. CVST needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of headaches even in the absence of papilledema. Disclosure: Dr. Fayyaz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Venkatesh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Koenigsberg has nothing to disclose.
Effects of the Rincon Bayou Pipeline on salinity in the upper Nueces Delta

A pipeline to pump water from the Nueces River to the upper delta at Rincon Bayou was constructed to mitigate the reduction of inflow from impoundments. Pumping has restored ecological function to the Nueces Estuary by increasing inflow and decreasing salinity, and transitioned the marsh into a positive estuary (lower salinities upstream increasing downstream towards the bay). Pumping has decreased the occurrences of salinities greater than 35 practical salinity units during drought conditions; however the current pumping regime causes a disturbed environment by creating extreme fluctuations in salinities in a very short time period. Immediately after pumping salinity fluctuations at the pumping outfall commence from hypersaline to fresh. When pumping ceases, salinity fluctuates from fresh to hypersaline until the next pumping event. Pumping often occurs during rainfall and flooding events when reservoir levels meet certain capacities that trigger pass-through requirements. This strategy provides inflow when it is not needed, and inhibits pumping during drought conditions when inflow is needed to maintain the quality of the estuarine ecosystem. While the current pumping regime has restored estuary conditions to Rincon Bayou by increasing inflow and decreasing salinity, it also causes extreme fluctuations in salinity that act as a disturbance. A lower magnitude, longer duration pumping strategy would create a more stable environment by providing freshwater continuously and would be an improved hydrological restoration strategy.
Phospholipase D-catalyzed synthesis of novel phospholipid-phytosterol conjugates

In the present study, plant sterols were modified to form amphiphiles by synthesizing phospholipid derivatives from them so they could be formulated in different functional foods and possibly improve their effects as therapeutic agents. The new phosphatidyl derivatives, phosphatidyl-sitosterols, were synthesized by the transfer reaction of a phosphatidyl residue from PC to β-sitosterol by phospholipase D (PLD EC 3.1.4.4) from Streptomyces sp. in a biphasic medium.
Nonlinear Mechanisms in Molecular Energy Transfer

The anharmonic oscillator theory is applied to the nonuniformly doped, electrically conducting, trans-polyacetylene (CH)x chain, as well as the long Josephson junction with varying bias current. The variations in bias current determine the number of fluxons on the Josephson junction. As the soliton is the equivalent of the fluxon in trans-(CH)x, the average voltage on the (CH)x chain is demonstrated to be a function of propagation velocity and the number of solitons contained on it.
Behaviorial, Biochemical, and Morphological Effects of Methamphetamine in the Rhesus Monkey

This chapter is a review of our investigations of the toxicity associated with chronic methamphetamine administration in the rhesus monkey. Before proceeding, however, we would like to place these investigations within the larger context of our interests.
Optimizing Power @ Standby – Circuits and Systems

Circuits and Systems Slide 8.1 In Chapter 3, we observed that the optimal operation point in Energy–Delay space is a strong function of the activity – or, in other words, the operation mode of the circuit – and that there exists an optimal ratio between dynamic and static power dissipation. One special case is when there is no computational activity going on at all, that is, the standby mode. In an ideal world, this would mean that the dynamic power consumption should be zero or very small. Moreover (given the constant ratio), static power dissipation should be eliminated as well. Although the former can be achieved through careful management, the latter is becoming harder with advanced technology scaling. When all transistors are leaky, completely turning off a module is hard. In this chapter, we discuss a number of circuit and system techniques to keep both dynamic and static power in standby to an absolute minimum. As standby power is the main concern in memories (and as memories are somewhat special anyhow), we have relegated the discussion on them to Chapter 9.
Diabetic Nephropathy in Children and Adolescents

Diabetic nephropathy remains the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and dialysis in the Western world and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. Early phenotypes of DN, including elevated albumin excretion and renal hyperfiltration, are common in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Youth-onset T2D carries a higher risk of progressive DN than T1D and adult-onset T2D of equivalent diabetes duration. DN is characterized by a long clinically silent period without symptoms or signs of disease. Once clinical DN manifests, ESRD can often be postponed, but seldom prevented, by effective antihypertensive treatment and careful glycemic control. Accordingly, a major challenge in preventing DN is the difficulty in identifying high-risk patients at an early stage. This chapter focuses on pathophysiologic mechanisms of DN, predictors of risk for early DN, and early intervention strategies in youth with T1D and T2D.
OVERT SPEECH RETRIEVAL FROM NEUROMAGNETIC SIGNALS USING WAVELETS AND ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS

Speech production involves the synchronization of neural activity between the speech centers of the brain and the oral-motor system, allowing for the conversion of thoughts into meaningful sounds. This hierarchical mechanism is hindered due to partial or complete paralysis of the articulators for patients suffering from locked-in-syndrome. These patients are in dire need of effective brain-communication interfaces (BCIs), which can at least provide a level of communication assistance. In this study, we tried to decode overt (loud) speech directly from the brain via non-invasive magnetoen-cephalography (MEG) signals to build the foundation for a faster, direct brain to text mapping BCI. A shallow Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was trained with wavelet features of the MEG signals for this objective. Experimental results show that a direct speech decoding is possible from MEG signals. Moreover, we found that the jaw motion and MEG signals may have complimentary information for speech decoding.
Developing narrow-band tunable laser sources for deep UV Raman spectroscopy (Conference Presentation)

Deep UV Raman spectroscopy is an exquisite tool for chemical sensing and imaging, which provides superior sensitivity and specificity, while allowing Raman measurements to be performed in a bright room with no residual fluorescence background, which can potentially corrupt the useful signal. However, the lack of appropriate laser sources limits the field of applications and penetration of this advanced spectroscopic technique. In this report, I will present our outgoing efforts to develop versatile laser sources in the wavelength range from 200 to 260 nm for fast and reliable deep UV Raman spectroscopy. I will provide with the outline of three different configurations we have developed and will illustrate the power of deep UV Raman spectroscopy with several practical examples.
The Interior Structure of the Sun as Gleaned from the Various Explanations of the Null Solar Neutrino Experiment Results

The experiment of R. Davis, Jr., designed to detect neutrinos from the Sun, was planned as a quantitative test of the conventional ideas of solar evolution, the resulting model of the present Sun deduced therefrom and the corresponding theories of energy generation by nuclear processes. Although a positive counting rate would have been proof of the nuclear processes, the pre-1968 predictions would not have established a unique model for the interior structure of the Sun. Now, however, the null solar neutrino results that have been obtained from the fall of 1967 to the present bring into question all three aspects of the problem. Since several explanations for the null results have been put forth during the past five years, it is of interest to review these explanations and to determine what, if anything, can be gleaned about the interior structure of the Sun. For each published explanation we take this point of view: “if true, what is unambiguously implied about the interior of the Sun ?” The various explanations of the null solar neutrino experiment can be divided into five groups, viz., (1) solar neutrinos oscillate or decay; (2) solar neutrinos lose energy through photon or electron scattering before emerging from the Sun; (3) energy generation in the Sun is periodic or is in a transient phase; (4) actual cross sections for the absorption of solar neutrinos by 37C1 are less than the standard cross sections; and (5) measured cross sections for some of the nuclear reactions of the pp-chain are in error when extrapolated to the energies of interest for standard solar models. Any ambiguities regarding the solar interior implicit in any explanation will be discussed with comments on the additional needed to derive a unique model.
Visible Light Communication Using Deep Learning Techniques

Deep learning (DL) techniques have the potential of making communication systems more efficient and solving many problems in the physical layer. In this paper, an optical wireless communications (OWC) system based on visible light communications (VLC) technology is implemented using an autoencoder (AE). The proposed system is tested in different scenarios using various AE parameters and applied on an indoor VLC model. Bit error rate (BER) is evaluated with respect to the signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) values at different locations within the room. To validate the proposed system, theoretical results are compared to the simulated values. The bit-error performance demonstrates the viability of DL techniques in VLC systems.
A novel DNA sequence motif in human and mouse genomes

We report a novel DNA sequence motif in human and mouse genomes. This motif has several interesting features indicating that it is highly likely to be an unknown functional sequence element. The motif is highly enriched in promoter regions. Locations of the motif sites in the genome have strong tendency to be clustered together. Motif sites are associated with increased phylogenetic conservation as well as elevated DNase I hypersensitivity (DHS) in ENCODE cell lines. Clustered motif sites are found in promoter regions of a substantial fraction of the protein-coding genes in the genome. All together, these indicate that the motif may have important functions associated with a large number of genes.
Prognostic Value of the Echocardiographic Probability of Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

The prognostic value of pulmonary hypertension (PH) estimated by echocardiography in unselected patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is poorly studied. Between November 2014 and September 2018, 657 patients were recruited in a prospective registry of ADHF (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02444416). The probability of pulmonary hypertension was based on European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for echocardiographic evaluation. The median survival without all-cause mortality or readmission was 7 months. During the median follow-up period of 15 months, there were 450 events including 185 deaths. In multivariate analysis, the hazard ratio (HR) of all-cause mortality or readmission for patients with a high probability of PH was 1.67 (95% CI 1.29–2.17, p < 0.001) as compared to patients with a low or intermediate probability. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and right ventricular function (RVF) were not associated with the primary outcome—HR 1.02 (95% CI 0.81–1.29; p = 0.84) and 0.96 (95% CI 0.76–1.23; p = 0.77) respectively. In patients admitted for ADHF, a high probability of PH as evaluated by echocardiography provided the highest independent prognostic value for mortality and readmission, whereas LVEF and RVF were not associated with prognosis. The identification of patients at high risk of PH by non-invasive measurement conveys important prognostic information and may guide management.
Justifying Bad Deals

In the past decade, psychological and behavioral studies have found that individual commitment to contracts persists beyond personal relationships and traditional promises. Even take-it-or-leave it consumer contracts get substantial deference from consumers — even when the terms are unenforceable, even when the assent is procedurally compromised, and even when the drafter is an impersonal commercial actor. Indeed, there is mounting evidence that people import the morality of promise into situations that might otherwise be described as predatory, exploitative, or coercive. The purpose of this Article is to propose a framework for understanding what seems to be widespread acceptance of regulation via unread terms. I refer to this phenomenon as “term deference” — the finding that people defer to the term, even when the assent is perfunctory, and even when the term is unfair. The framework I propose is a motivated reasoning explanation: when it feels better to believe that contracts are fair and that assent is reliable, people are more likely to hold those beliefs. In order to predict when contractual fairness will be especially psychologically urgent, I draw on an extensive body of psychological literature on the preference for believing in a just world, or for being satisfied with the status quo. When a phenomenon or a system appears implacable and unavoidable, it is psychologically less stressful to believe that the system is good. “System justification” is a well-documented psychological phenomenon that predicts when individuals will be motivated to hold beliefs that support the status quo, even when the status quo redounds to their own disadvantage. The two studies reported here manipulate the pressure to support the status quo — to believe that firms are reasonable and contract law is fair — by varying the term’s enforceability, its consequences, and its history. The findings show the predicted patterns, that increased psychological pressure to support the status quo increases beliefs that the status quo is good and fair. These results also align with the prediction that pressure to justify the status quo is not only a psychological state, but also a trait. That trait, highly associated with political conservatism, is reflected in the results suggesting a stronger motivation to justify the status quo among subjects who report that they are more politically conservative. The results here have implications not only for contract law, but also for how we understand self-interest in legal decision-making, and for the legal understandings of consent and compliance.
Inferred genetic architecture underlying evolution in a fossil stickleback lineage.

Inferring the genetic architecture of evolution in the fossil record is difficult because genetic crosses are impossible, the acquisition of DNA is usually impossible and phenotype–genotype maps are rarely obvious. However, such inference is valuable because it reveals the genetic basis of microevolutionary change across many more generations than is possible in studies of extant taxa, thereby integrating microevolutionary process and macroevolutionary pattern. Here, we infer the genetic basis of pelvic skeleton reduction in Gasterosteus doryssus, a Miocene stickleback fish from a finely resolved stratigraphic sequence that spans nearly 17,000 years. Reduction in pelvic score, a categorical measure of pelvic structure, resulted primarily from reciprocal frequency changes of two discrete phenotypic classes. Pelvic vestiges also showed left-side larger asymmetry. These patterns implicate Pitx1, a large-effect gene whose deletion generates left-side larger asymmetry of pelvic vestiges in extant, closely related Gasterosteus aculeatus. In contrast, reductions in the length of the pelvic girdle and pelvic spines resulted from directional shifts of unimodal, continuous trait distributions, suggesting an additional suite of genes with minor, additive pelvic effects, again like G. aculeatus. Similar genetic architectures explain shared but phyletically independent patterns across 10 million years of stickleback evolution. The authors infer that pelvic skeleton reduction in a fossil sequence of the Miocene stickleback fish, Gasterosteus doryssus, proceeds through the same gene of large effect and a similar suite of genes of small effect as in a closely related extant species, Gasterosteus aculeatus.
Natural disasters and the relational study of the family: A 2-decade scoping review

Abstract Understanding consequences of natural disasters for family systems is of paramount importance. The aim of the current scoping review was to broadly define the content of research topics, methodological features and findings of studies published in the last 2 decades (1997–2019) examining family systems in the wake of a specific natural disaster(s) using data from more than one family member. Systematic searching of selected databases as well as handsearching were employed to identify 56 studies which met inclusion criteria for the study. All studies were about specific natural disaster events and included data from more than one family member. Studies were coded to extract several features including research questions. Study questions were then examined for methodological and topical themes. Six primary areas of topical and methodological prominence were identified including studies focused on 1) youth outcomes, 2) qualitative inquiry, 3) trauma symptoms and prevalence, 4) couples and mental health, 5) family interactions, and 6) documenting and testing of interventions for disaster affected families. Our review of these studies’ findings broadly supports the interdependence of family member experience and outcome in the wake of disaster experiences. However, further relational research is acutely needed to better establish and clarify intra-couple and family processes following disaster.
A Dynamic Timing Enhanced DNN Accelerator With Compute-Adaptive Elastic Clock Chain Technique

This article presents a deep neural network (DNN) accelerator using an adaptive clocking technique (i.e., elastic clock chain) to exploit the dynamic timing margin for the 2-D processing element (PE) array-based DNN accelerator. To address two major challenges on exploiting dynamic timing margin for modern deep learning accelerators (i.e., diminishing dynamic timing margin on a large array and strong timing dependence on runtime operands), in this work, we proposed an elastic clock chain scheme to provide a flexible multi-domain clock management scheme for in situ compute adaptability. More specifically, a total of 16 clock domains have been created for the 2-D PE array with the clock periods dynamically adjusted based on both runtime instructions and operands. The multi-domain clock sources are generated from a multi-phase delay-locked loop (DLL) and delivered by a global clock bus. The clock offsets between neighboring domains are deliberately managed to maintain the synchronization among clock domains. A 16 $\times \,\,8$ PE array that supports different DNN dataflows and bit-precisions was fabricated using a 65-nm CMOS process. The measurement results on MNIST and CIFAR-10 data sets showed that the effective operating frequency was improved by up to 19% for a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) data flow by enabling the operation of the proposed elastic clock chain. The performance improvement was converted into up to 34% energy saving. Compared with SIMD data flow, the systolic dataflow shows reduced performance improvement of up to 11% due to the consideration of all in-flight operand values.
Cryopreservation of Pooled Sperm Samples

Cryopreservation of sperm cells is currently the most efficient tool for managing large and small collections of valuable genetic resources. Cryopreservation minimizes expenses for animal and facility maintenance such as personnel, water, power, and space. It extends the time offspring can be produced from individual organisms, reduces the need to maintain live populations, provides flexibility for planning future experiments and research projects, and can prevent catastrophic loss of irreplaceable research lines. In this chapter, we present the sperm collection, dilution, cryopreservation, thawing, and in vitro fertilization procedures used at the Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC).
Obsolete to Useful to Obsolete Once Again: A History of Section 507 of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

Section 507 of the FDCA regulated antibiotic approval and production for decades. This paper explores the provision’s history and places it into the context of the history of antibiotic development. The paper also addresses the perhaps central paradox to Section 507: On the one hand, as one of FDA’s first forays into regulating effectiveness, Section 507 helped foster acceptance of broader pharmaceutical regulation. On the other, advances in medicine and science rendered the enactment anachronistic. In fact, FDA repurposed the program to facilitate generic development and drug testing, potentially delaying the provision’s eventual repeal in 1997. Posted with permission of FDLI.
Chemistry and Nutritional Value of Soybean Components

The soybean is one of the most economical and valuable agricultural commodities because of its unique chemical composition. Among cereal and other legume species, it has the highest protein content (around 40%); other legumes have a protein content between 20% and 30%, whereas cereals have a protein content in the range of 8-15%. The soybean also contains about 20% oil, the second highest content among all food legumes. (The highest oil content is found in peanut, which is about 48% on dry matter basis. The third highest oil content is chickpea, which is about 5%. The remaining food legume species have oil contents in the range of 1-3.6%) (Salunkhe et al. 1983). Other valuable components found in soybeans include phospholipids, vitamins, and minerals. Furthermore, soybeans contain many minor substances, some of which, such as trypsin inhibitors, phytates, and oligosaccharides, are known to be biologically active. Others, such as isoflavones, are just being recognized for their powerful ability to prevent human cancers and other diseases (Messina et al. 1994, Chapter 10 of this book). In this chapter the chemical components of soybeans are discussed with respect to their occurrences, properties, nutritional value, physiological roles, and assay methodology.
Detection of deletions and cryptic translocations in Miller-Dieker syndrome by in situ hybridization

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using two cosmid probes (41A and P13) from the Miller-Dieker syndrome (MDS) critical region in 17p13.3 was performed in a blinded comparison of three MDS patients with submicroscopic deletions and in four normal relatives used as controls. The controls showed both chromosome 17 homologues labeled in 85%-95% of cells, while each patient showed only one homologue labeled in 75%-80% of cells. Two MDS patients with cryptic translocations were also studied. In one case, a patient and her mother had the same der(17) (p+), but the reciprocal product of the translocation could not be identified in the mother by G-banding (i.e., it was a "half-cryptic" translocation). FISH revealed a 3q;17p translocation. The other case involved a patient with apparently normal karyotype. Because a large molecular deletion was found, a translocation involving two G-negative telomeres (i.e., a "full-cryptic" translocation) was postulated. FISH studies on her father and normal brother showed an 8q;17p translocation. These studies demonstrate that in situ hybridization is an efficient method for deletion detection in Miller-Dieker syndrome. More important, parental studies by FISH on patients demonstrating molecular deletions and a normal karyotype may identify cryptic translocation events, which cannot be detected by other molecular genetic strategies. Similar in situ strategies for deletion detection can be developed for other microdeletion syndromes, such as Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome or DiGeorge syndrome.
Simultaneous Model Identification and Control of a Semi-batch Chemical Reactor

A commercially useful dehydrohalogenation reaction is controlled by manual addition of a strong base to a semibatch chemical reactor. Because overaddition of base incurs a severe economic penalty, accurate knowledge of process parameters is essential for any automatic control scheme. This investigation uses a sequential parameter estimation/optimal control algorithm to minimize the time to reach the desired composition while providing the desired assurance that excess base was not added.
Morphology and chemistry of microspheres from proteinoid.

Microsphere used as cell model, when produced by solution and condensation of proteinoid, for understanding of cellular life origin
Parameter adaptive control-the end...or the beginning?

Gives an anecdotal historical account of adaptive control, and one person's opinion of the status of the field today and its prospects for the future. >
Ribonucleic Acid Synthesis and Glutamate Excretion in Escherichia coli

Cultures of Escherichia coli excreted glutamate into the medium when protein synthesis was blocked in RC rel strains or when it was blocked with chloramphenicol in either RC str or RC rel strains. Both of these conditions resulted in continued ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis in the absence of protein synthesis. Glutamate was also excreted by both RC str and RC rel strains when RNA synthesis was inhibited by uracil starvation or by treatment with actinomycin D. It is proposed that, in each of these cases, glutamate excretion resulted from an increase in the permeability of the cell membrane.
Faith, chemistry and extraterrestrial life

Bruce Gibb wonders whether our faith in chemistry — and what it can teach us about the Universe beyond our Earthly bounds — will have a role to play in the search for alien life.
A numerical solution of whole plant nutrient uptake for soil-root systems with root hairs

Root hairs increase phosphorus, P, uptake over that due to the plant root alone. A mechanistic model using 16 parameters was developed to describe this process. The model was verified with an experiment using six species that varied widely in root hair length, density and radius. A sensitivity analysis was conducted and the results are included to illustrate the situations where root hairs contribute significantly to P uptake. Length of root hair, root hair density and root hair radius all influenced predicted P uptake with root hair length being particularily significant.
A theoretical study of P 4 O 6 : vibrational analysis and infrared and Raman spectra

Abstract The normal mode frequencies and the corresponding vibrational assignments of tetraphosphorus hexoxide (P 4 O 6 ) in T d symmetry are examined theoretically using the gaussian 94 set of quantum chemistry codes at the HF/6-31G ∗ , MP2/6-31G ∗ and DFT/B3LYP/6-31G ∗ levels of theory. By comparison to experimental normal mode frequencies deduced by Chapman [A.C. Chapman, Spectrochim. Acta A 24 (1968) 1687–1696] correction factors for predominant vibrational motions are determined and compared. Normal modes were decomposed into three nonredundant motions {P–O–P wag, P–O–P bend, and P–O stretch}. Standard deviations found for the DFT and MP2 corrected frequencies compared to experiment are particularly noteworthy yielding values of 15 and 11 cm −1 , respectively.
Long-term results of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty for mitral stenosis: a follow-up study to 11 years in 202 patients.

We studied the first 202 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) who underwent percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) with the Inoue balloon catheter for a follow-up (FU) period of 5–11 years. Pre- and post-PBMV and at FU, the mean left atrial pressure was 21.3 ± 7.4, 10.2 ± 5.6, and 11.2 ± 4.1 mm Hg; mean diastolic mitral gradient was 18.4 ± 7.3, 2.9 ± 3.2, and 5.1 ± 4.3 mm Hg; and mitral valve area was 1.0 ± 0.3, 2.1 ± 0.6, and 1.7 ± 0.5 cm2. Functional status improved from New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV in 3, class III in 119, and class II in 80 pre-PBMV to class I in 163, class II in 37, and class III in 2 post-PBMV, and was class I in 146, class II in 39, and class III in 17 patients at FU. In the 17 patients with NYHA class III at FU, mitral restenosis was the culprit; 4 underwent repeat PBMV, 12 had mitral valve replacement for severe mitral calcification and subvalvular fusion, and 1 refused further intervention. Thus PBMV using the Inoue balloon catheter is an effective method of relieving MS with excellent long-term results in patients without severe mitral calcification and subvalvular fusion. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 43:132–139, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sensitive Electrochemical High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Assay for the Simultaneous Determination of Haloperidol and Reduced Haloperidol

An electrochemical HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of haloperidol and reduced haloperidol in plasma is presented. Chlorohaloperidol serves as the internal standard. A cyanopropyl bond elut column was used for sample preparation. The eluate was evaporated and reconstituted with mobile phase and injected onto a nitrile bonded column. The chromatographic system consisted of an ESA Coulochem detector operated in the screen mode. Intra- and interassay coefficients of variation for both compounds were <7%, with a sensitivity limit of 20 pg on the column. A plasma level–time profile is presented to illustrate the sensitivity and applicability of this assay in small animal and human pharmacokinetic studies.
Hemianopic offsets in the visual field of patients with glaucoma

In 359 glaucoma patients (600 eyes), we measured the peripheral field with kinetic targets and the central 30° field of vision with static testing, using the Field-master-5000 automated perimeter to evaluate the prevalence and significance of step-like visual-field defects along the vertical midline (a hemianopic offset). In all, 129 eyes of 121 patients had a hemianopic offset. In 108 eyes the offsets (involving either the peripheral or the central field or both) were associated with other glaucomatous field changes, whereas 21 eyes showed a peripheral offset as an isolated finding. Of the 8 cases of offsets found in both eyes, 7 were binasal and 1 occurred bitemporally but in separate hemifields. This study suggests that hemianopic offsets occur commonly in glaucoma patients but have limited diagnostic value because most are associated with other glaucomatous field changes. However, these findings help in distinguishing glaucomatous offsets from those caused by neurological lesions.
Retention of cyclic AMP response to TSH in a cloned human thyrocyte/ T cell hybridoma (HY 2–15)

Our observation of a human T cell leukemia cell (Molt 4) demonstrating low affinity thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) responses, as evidenced by generation of cyclic AMP, led us to test Molt 4 cells as a suitable partner for immortalizing high affinity TSH receptors present on human thyroid cells. Therefore, we generated a hybridoma (HY 2–15) by a fusion between thyroid monolayer cells from a patient with Graves' disease, and a hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine (HAT)-sensitive variant of this human T cell leukemia line, Molt 4–8 AGR. The hybrid nature of HY 2–15 was confirmed by DNA histograms using propidium iodide and flow cytometry. Karyotyping showed the HY 2–15 cells to have five sets of chromosomes and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I determination revealed the presence of an additional HLA class I antigen (A2) not present on the Molt 4 partner cells. The established, cloned, hybridoma cells showed a > 30-fold increase in cyclic AMP release after stimulation with bovine TSH (bTSH, 1 mU/ml) with a minimum detectable stimulating dose of < 10 μU/ml bTSH. However, no other thyroid-specific functions could be detected. Furthermore, HY 2–15 cells failed to express HLA class II antigens either constitutively or in response to recombinant human gamma Interferon (IF) and a variety of other stimuli, data similar to the Molt 4 partner cells but in contrast to human thyroid cells which show high sensitivity to gamma IF. The preservation of highly sensitive TSH responsiveness in a proliferating cell offers a unique approach to the study of human TSH receptor function
The influence of thermal, hydrologic, and snow deformation mechanisms on snow water equivalent pressure sensor accuracy

A 5 year field study was conducted to determine the mechanisms that cause snow water equivalent (SWE) pressure sensor measurement errors. The objective is to establish design and installation criteria to develop an accurate electronic SWE pressure sensor that minimizes errors. We monitored a 3 m snow pillow and installed three prototype electronic SWE sensors of our own design to examine how SWE errors occur. We also measured the heat flux through the prototype sensors and the soil, snow temperature, soil moisture content, and soil thermal conductivity. The SWEs of snow cores were used to assess the accuracy of the snow pillow and prototype sensors. Experimental results indicate that SWE measurement errors occur only when the snow-SWE sensor and/or the snow-soil interfaces are at the melting temperature. The magnitude of SWE errors is related to the diameter of the sensor and the difference in heat flux through the sensor and the surrounding soil. SWE over-measurement errors occur when the heat flux through the sensor is less than through the surrounding soil, producing a snowmelt rate on the sensor that is less than on the adjacent soil. SWE under-measurement errors occur when the heat flux through the sensor is greater than through the surrounding soil. The most severe SWE measurement errors occur during the transition from winter to spring, when the snow cover first reaches an isothermal condition causing a maximum difference in snowmelt rate between an SWE sensor and the surrounding soil. SWE measurement errors are reduced by increasing the SWE sensor diameter, matching the thermal properties of the soil and SWE sensor, allowing water to flow through the sensor, and using a surface cover to diffuse heat into the adjacent soil. SWE measurement errors relax through snow creep mechanisms that redistribute the snow load equally between the sensor and surrounding soil. Published in 2002 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Near-infrared Optical-resolution Photoacoustic Microscopy

Compared with visible light (380–700 nm), near-infrared light (700–1400 nm) undergoes weaker optical attenuation in biological tissue; thus, it can penetrate deeper. Herein, we demonstrate near-infrared optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (NIR-OR-PAM) with 1046 nm illumination. A penetration depth of 3.2 mm was achieved in chicken breast tissue ex vivo using optical fluence within the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) limit (100 mJ/cm^2). Beyond ∼0.6 mm deep in chicken breast tissue, NIR-OR-PAM has shown finer resolution than the visible counterpart with 570 nm illumination. The deep imaging capability of NIR-OR-PAM was validated in both a mouse ear and a mouse brain. NIR-OR-PAM of possible lipid contrast was explored as well.
Quantification of the major urinary metabolite of prostaglandin D2 by a stable isotope dilution mass spectrometric assay

Abstract Prostaglandin D 2 (PGD 2 ) has been found to be an important pathophysiological mediator in a number of human disorders. Thus a means to assess the endogenous production of PGD 2 is of considerable clinical value. To accomplish this goal, we developed a method for the quantification of the major urinary metabolite of PGD 2 , 9α, 11β-dihydroxy-15-oxo-2,3,18,19-tetranorprost-5-ene-1,20-dioic acid, by gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. This metabolite was chemically synthesized and converted to an 18 O 4 -labeled derivative for use as an internal standard. Novel derivatization and purification procedures were incorporated in the assay taking advantage of the ability of the lower side chain of this molecule to undergo cyclization at acidic pH to form a hemiketal, γ-lactone, and uncyclization with methoximation. Precision of the assay is ±7% and accuracy is 96%. The lower limit of sensitivity is approximately 50 pg. Normal levels for the urinary excretion of this metabolite in 18 normal adults was found to be 1.08 ± 0.72 ng/mg creatinine (mean ± 2SD). Substantial elevations in the urinary excretion of the metabolite were found in clinical situations in which prostaglandin D 2 has been shown to be released in increased quantities. Thus, this assay provides a sensitive and accurate method to assess endogenous production of prostaglandin D 2 as a means to explore the pathophysiological role of prostaglandin D 2 in human disease.
Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor is an early response gene to chemotherapy and contributes to chemotherapy resistance.

Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor is an early response gene to chemotherapy and contributes to chemotherapy resistance
Illegible ethnicity and the invention of Scots-Irish narratives on the stages of Belfast and Appalachia

Theatrical stages have long been home to performances of identity, creating and sustaining legible visions of various peoples and groups for their audiences. Indeed, in the nineteenth century, the playwright/actor Dion Boucicault popularised the “stage Irishman” for Irish and American audiences alike, thus contributing to the invention of “Irish-America”. This paper examines a similar attempt in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries to query the definition of a distinct group of Irish-Americans: the Scots-Irish. Productions from Belfast, Northern Ireland, as well as from the southern Appalachian Mountains, demonstrate how the illegibility of the Scots-Irish – in other words, their status as a non-recognisable, incoherent segment of the white population in the USA – allows for narratives about this group to be highly malleable. Contemporary productions of the Scots-Irish story demonstrate the ways in which ethnic identities emerge as constructions of past and present, memory and history, and ...
Porous Silicon-Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Complexes and Impact on Negative Contrast Enhancement in MRI

Purpose: Encapsulation of contrast agent within a nanoporous matrix has been shown to enhance contrast performance. Previous investigators have shown an up to 40-fold increase in T1 image contrast enhancement of gadolinium with encapsulation in carbon nanotubes. In this study we examined silicon encapsulation as a means of contrast enhancement in superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) using a particle-agarose phantom. Methods: 1μm discoidal pSi particles were loaded with 30 nm SPIONs through capillary action. Loaded particle preparations along with free SPION controls were homogeneously distributed within an agarose substrate and imaged using a 7-tesla small-bore MRI. ICP-AES was used to determine the concentration of free elemental iron in sample preparations. Results: Silicon encapsulation of 30nm SPIONs did not result in a clinically significant enhancement of negative contrast (T2 and T2*) in MRI. However, it is unclear the extent to which limited diffusion of water protons, both through silicon encapsulation and the use of an agarose substrate, counteracts the theoretical increase in relaxivity due to aggregation.Copyright © 2013 by ASME