cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Liquid oxygen cooling of hydrocarbon fueled rocket thrust chambers

Rocket engines using liquid oxygen (LOX) and hydrocarbon fuel as the propellants are being given serious consideration for future launch vehicle propulsion. Normally, the fuel is used to regeneratively cool the combustion chamber. However, hydrocarbons such as RP-1 are limited in their cooling capability. Another possibility for the coolant is the liquid oxygen. Combustion chambers previously tested with LOX and RP-1 as propellants and LOX as the coolant demonstrated the feasibility of using liquid oxygen as a coolant up to a chamber pressure of 13.8 MPa (2000 psia). However, there was concern as to the effect on the integrity of the chamber liner if oxygen leaks into the combustion zone through fatigue cracks that may develop between the cooling passages and the hot gas side wall. In order to study this effect, chambers were fabricated with slots machined upstream of the throat between the cooling passage wall and the hot gas side wall to simulate cracks. The chambers were tested at a nominal chamber pressure of 8.6 MPa (1247 psia) over a range of mixture ratios from 1.9 to 3.1 using liquid oxygen as the coolant. The results of the testing showed that the leaking LOX did not have a deleterious effect on the chambers in the region of the slots. However, there was unexplained melting in the throat region of both chambers, but not in line with the slots.
Monocyte trafficking to the brain with stress and inflammation: a novel axis of immune-to-brain communication that influences mood and behavior.

Psychological stressors cause physiological, immunological, and behavioral alterations in humans and rodents that can be maladaptive and negatively affect quality of life. Several lines of evidence indicate that psychological stress disrupts key functional interactions between the immune system and brain that ultimately affects mood and behavior. For example, activation of microglia, the resident innate immune cells of the brain, has been implicated as a key regulator of mood and behavior in the context of prolonged exposure to psychological stress. Emerging evidence implicates a novel neuroimmune circuit involving microglia activation and sympathetic outflow to the peripheral immune system that further reinforces stress-related behaviors by facilitating the recruitment of inflammatory monocytes to the brain. Evidence from various rodent models, including repeated social defeat (RSD), revealed that trafficking of monocytes to the brain promoted the establishment of anxiety-like behaviors following prolonged stress exposure. In addition, new evidence implicates monocyte trafficking from the spleen to the brain as key regulator of recurring anxiety following exposure to prolonged stress. The purpose of this review is to discuss mechanisms that cause stress-induced monocyte re-distribution in the brain and how dynamic interactions between microglia, endothelial cells, and brain macrophages lead to maladaptive behavioral responses.
Measurements of interfacial strengths in underfilled flip-chip electronic packages using Wedge Delamination Method (WDM)

In this work, a new wedge delamination technique for measurement of interfacial fracture strength is presented. This method can be implemented to assess the interfacial fracture behavior of underfill and silicon in flip-chip packages. Our method offers substantial advantages over traditional interfacial test methods which can be difficult to implement on brittle materials like silicon die. The efficacy of our method for interfacial strength measurements on multiple underfill-silicon interfaces will be shown in this work. A numerical framework for crack kinking at the silicon-underfill interface will also be presented. And finally, results from WDM experiments conducted at room temperature and corresponding numerical analysis will be used to compare the relative fracture strength between underfill and silicon at the flat-face and sidewall of a silicon die.
Optimized perturbation theory applied to factorization scheme dependence

We reconsider the application of the “optimization” procedure to the problem of factorization scheme dependence in finite-order QCD calculations. The main difficulty encountered in a previous analysis disappears once an algebraic error is corrected.
The pattern of cytokine messenger RNA expression in human aortic endothelial cells is different from that of human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Abstract Endothelial cells most readily available and most frequently used in investigations of alloimmunity and cytokine expression and function are derived from human umbilical veins. It is unclear whether cells derived from fetal venous tissue are relevant to phenomena related to the adult allograft, especially in areas such as cardiac allograft vasculopathy, a chronic rejection process directed against the coronary arteries. Human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were compared to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) for their constitutive expression of poly (A)+ RNA coding for a group of cytokines known to stimulate smooth muscle cell proliferation, including acidic fibroblast growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor α, transforming growth factor β, platelet-derived growth factor A-chain, platelet-derived growth factor B-chain and amphiregulin. Poly (A)+ RNA coding for basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming factor-β was consistently expressed by all nine isolates of HAECs, but platelet-derived growth factor A- and B-chain were expressed in only six of the nine isolates. In most cases this was related to the presence of transforming growth factor α expression. In contrast, HUVECs consistently expressed basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor-β, and both platelet-derived growth factor chains. Transforming growth factor α expression was never seen in the HUVEC isolates. No endothelial cell isolate expressed mRNA coding for acidic fibroblast growth factor or amphiregulin. There appear to be differences between cytokine gene expression patterns by endothelial cells from different vascular beds.
Imaging electrical dyssynchrony.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a revolutionary technique that is an important part of the standard of care for refractory heart failure in patients with cardiomyopathy and conduction delay. Because of its effect on the natural history of cardiomyopathy in the presence of interventricular
Grover's Disease: Clinicopathologic Review of 72 Cases

Objective To report the clinicopathologic findings in patients with Grover's disease. Material and Methods We reviewed the medical records and biopsy specimens from 72 patients with transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover's disease) examined at Mayo Clinic Rochester. Hematoxylin-eosin-stained biopsy specimens (from all patients) were assessed. Immunohistochemistry stains BRST −2, CAM 5.2, and CD44 were used to stain eight specimens. Direct immunofluorescence reports were' reviewed. Selected specimens were stained by indirect immunofluorescence to detect major basic protein. Results Of the 72 patients, 63 (88%) were men, and the mean age was 48 years (range, 31 to 85). Lesions were distributed mainly on the trunk (in 71 patients) and proximal extremities (in 25). Heat and sweating frequently were exacerbating factors. Fifteen patients (21%) were bedbound. Concurrent nondermatologic malignant disease was present in 18 patients (25%). Two patients (3%) had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Follow-up in 28 patients (mean, 38 months; range, 3 months to 7 years) revealed that the disease had recurred in 13, persisted in 3, and resolved in 12. Review of the biopsy specimens showed that acantholysis was pemphigus vulgaris-like in 40 patients (56%), Darier's disease-like in 16 (22%), spongiotic in 12 (17%), pemphigus foliaceus-like in 2 (3%), and Hailey-Hailey disease-like in 2 (3%). A perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate of varied intensity in 64 specimens (89%) was associated with eosinophils in 16 (22%). In nine biopsy specimens with dermal eosinophilia stained for major basic protein, varied dermal cellular and extracellular deposition of major basic protein was present. Results of direct immunofluorescence studies, performed in 17 cases, were negative or nonspecific. CD44 stained acantholytic areas in addition to sweat glands in two of eight specimens (25%). Conclusion Further studies of the pathogenesis of Grover's disease are needed. The predisposing conditions, site of involvement, and relapsing nature of this disorder may implicate acrosyringeal dysfunction as the cause.
Monitoring Our Own: Suggested Additions to the IAMFC Code of Ethics

Ethical standards for instructors of marriage and family counselors have not been well defined in the International Association for Marriage and Family Counselors code of ethics. The inherent power...
Computation of high-temperature near-wall heat transfer using an enthalpy balancing scheme

Abstract The objective of this work is to analyze high-temperature, high heat-flux hydrogen flows under a variety of boundary conditions, in particular wall-heat flux boundary conditions. Both laminar and turbulent flows are investigated. An enthalpy balancing scheme is formulated and implemented allowing accurate, fast converging solutions of turbulent flows with high wall-heat flux boundary conditions. The solutions obtained are assessed along with several correlations proposed in the literature.
Demonstration of the Influence of Stimulus and Response Categories upon Difference Limens

Representative types of stimulus and response categories were used with the same subjects in determining the difference threshold for visual velocity discrimination. The observed interaction between these variables and difference limens was pronounced.
The Regulation of T Cell Growth: Requirements for the Activation and Replication of Antigen-Specific Interleukin 2 Producing T Cells

Abstract The antigenic requirements for stimulating the production of interleukin 2 (IL2) and the growth of IL2 producing T cells was evaluated using antigen-(Keyhole limpet hemocyanin) specific F1 T helper cell lines. The results demonstrate that both the induction and growth of these cells requires specific antigen and antigen-presenting cells of the correct I-A type. Evidence is presented that argues that soluble macrophage derived factors released as a result of T cell-macrophage interaction are insufficient, even in the presence of antigen, to promote growth of IL2 producing cells. We thus conclude that the direct interaction of IL2 producing cells with an antigen presenting cell is obligatory for activation and growth. These results suggest that T cell proliferation, and as a consequence the magnitude of T cell mediated immune responses, is limited by the availability of «appropriately» presented antigen to IL2 producing T cells. The requirement for antigen presenting cells in antigen-driven responses is in contrast with mitogen-induced T cell activation, in which soluble factors can substitute for the accessory cells.
Liquid wall inertial fusion energy power plants

Abstract Liquid walls interposed between the microexplosions and the chamber structural wall give an inertial fusion energy (IFE) power plant designer flexibility and result in profound advantages. For example, the fusion chamber walls behind the liquid can be made using existing materials (e.g. steel) and last as long as the plant itself without replacement while still meeting non-nuclear-grade construction standards and low level waste requirements. Development can be foreshortened and costs can be reduced by obviating the need for expensive neutron sources to develop first-wall materials. Over the last two decades the idea of using liquid wall protection has been employed in a number of laser, light-ion, and heavy-ion designs, for example, BLASCON, HYLIFE-I, HIBALL, Libra-SP, Cascade, Osiris, HYLIFE-II and others. The liquids found suitable are Li, Flibe (Li2BeF4), and Li17Pb83. The cost of electricity is lowered (depending on how many interior structures need periodic replacement, if any) by as much as 35%, and gives in one case 3.2¢ (kW h)−1 at 2 GW (electric) (4.4¢ (kW h)−1 at 1 GW (electric)). The evolution of ideas illustrated in the designs listed above is reviewed with an emphasis on heavy ion designs. New target designs permit one-sided illumination giving the power plant designer yet more flexibility. It is important to remember that a practical IFE power plant requires, in addition to liquid walls, development of ignition and sufficient gain in targets, low cost, efficient, rep-ratable drivers, and low cost targets.
Product solutions and asymptotic behavior for age-dependent, dispersing populations

Abstract The paper presents some population models, containing both age structure and diffusion, for which there are stable age distributions. This means distributions which are products of functions of age only with functions of space and time only. For these models a formal calculation is presented showing that the stable distributions will always be the large-time limits. Two kinds of diffusion are studied: random, and directed (which means diffusion to avoid crowding). The principal specialization of the age structure is that the death modulus can be decomposed into the sum of two terms. The first is a function of age only and represents deaths by natural causes, while the second is a function of total population only and represents environmental effects.
The preparation of a fully differentiated "multiwarhead" siderophore precursor.

A protected, fully differentiated siderophore analogue has been prepared so that “Trojan Horse”-like siderophore drug conjugates with different drugs can be synthesized. The key steps in the synthesis include controlled preparation of an unsymmetrical urea and its conversion to a fully differentiated isocyanurate by reaction with chloro(carbonyl) isocyanate.
Statistical techniques for sex and race determination. Some comments in defense.

A recent critique (Birkby, '66) of the multivariate discriminant function approach to determination of sex and race from skeletal material is examined from the point of view of the new evidence put forward by Birkby and the ultimate validity and use of such statistical techniques in human osteology.
Intestinal trefoil factor induces inactivation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase in intestinal epithelial cells

Intestinal trefoil factor (ITF), a small, compact protease-resistant peptide, is abundantly expressed in goblet cells of large and small intestine. Although several biological activities of ITF have been identified, including promotion of wound healing, stimulation of epithelial cell migration, and protection of intestinal epithelial barrier, little is known about signaling events through which ITF mediates its physiological function. In this study, the effects of exogenous ITF on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades were examined in IEC-6 cells, a nontransformed intestinal epithelial cell line that does not express endogenous trefoil peptides. Stimulation with ITF resulted in rapid decrease in extracellular signal-related protein kinase (ERK) activity and concomitant reduced ERK tyrosine phosphorylation. ITF also decreased activation of ERK activity induced by either transforming growth factor-α, which links extracellular stimuli to the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway via the epidermal growth factor receptor, or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, which activates Raf through protein kinase C. ITF-induced inhibition of ERK activity was blocked by an inhibitor of tyrosine and dual-specific phosphatases, sodium orthovanadate. In summary, ITF leads to inhibition of ERK and the MAPK pathway through activation of tyrosine or dual-specific phosphatase.
Asymmetric Behavior of an Oceanic Boundary Layer above a Sloping Bottom

Abstract The effects of stratification, planetary rotation and a sloping bottom combine to produce an asymmetric response in which the characteristics of an oceanic bottom boundary layer depend on the direction, in addition to the magnitude, of the along-isobath velocity in the inviscid interior. The asymmetric response is examined theoretically under idealized conditions in which the motion begins from rest, the flow is uniform in the along-isobath and cross-isobath directions, and the water column is initially uniformly stratified. The analysis is based on an integrated model, in which the bottom stress is determined from a quadratic drag law, and the height of the boundary layer is determined from a Pollard–Rhines–Thompson mixing criterion. The model indicates rapid mixing at the onset of forcing to a height limited by planetary rotation and interior stratification, followed by evolution in which the height of the boundary layer may either increase or remain fixed near its initial value, depending on t...
Pharmacotherapy Options in the Management of Phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive disorder related to a deficiency in the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), which converts phenylalanine to tyrosine. As a result, phenylalanine can accumulate in the bloodstream, potentially leading to severe neurologic sequelae. Traditionally, PKU management involves strict dietary phenylalanine restriction, although adherence to this diet is suboptimal, necessitating improved therapeutic options. Sapropterin (Kuvan®) is a synthetic form of tetrahydrobioterin (BH4), a cofactor for PAH, and offers promise for patients with residual enzyme production. In four pivotal phase 2 and 3 trials, as well as several smaller trials, sapropterin has demonstrated significantly improved plasma phenylalanine concentrations in patients with BH4-responsive PKU. Furthermore, data exist to support reduced dependence on a restricted phenylalanine diet. Sapropterin has a favorable safety profile, but further studies are warranted to evaluate its long-term effects. Sapropterin represents a significant advancement in PKU management, and its clinical role may continue to evolve as more data become available and clinicians gain experience with this novel pharmacologic agent.
Job Satisfaction among University Faculty: Individual, Work, and Institutional Determinants

We find that faculty members are more satisfied with their jobs when they perceive that their colleagues respect their research work and they are paid what they are worth. Women tend to be less satisfied, and the tenured are more satisfied. Industry and university research center affiliations do not predict job satisfaction.
6‐Methyl‐11a,12‐di­hydro‐6H‐quino­[3,2‐b][1,4]­benzo­thia­zine: an amidine formed under unusual conditions

The crystal structure determination of the title compound, C16H14N2S, confirms the amidine nature of this reaction product. In N,N′-di­phenyl­amidines both phenyl groups are nearly orthogonal with the N—C(—C)=N grouping, whereas in this constrained amidine the benzene groups are substantially less twisted [C—C—N—C torsion angles = −17.2 (7) and 38.1 (6)°]. The result is a slightly cupped mol­ecule with the ring-fused benzene rings appearing like the extended wings of a butterfly. The S—C distances of 1.807 (4) and 1.760 (5) A are significantly different, with the shorter distance representing the S—C bond to a benzene ring.
The effects of conceptual salience and perceptual distinctiveness on conscious recollection

Two experiments were conducted to examine the hypothesis that recollective experience is influenced by the manipulation of salient or distinctive dimensions of the encoded stimuli (Rajaram, 1996). In Experiment 1, the conceptual dimension of the to-be-remembered homographs (bank) was manipulated by requiring subjects to encode the dominant (money-BANK) or the nondominant (river-BANK) meanings. In Experiment 2, the perceptual dimension was manipulated by presenting orthographically distinctive (subpoena) or orthographically common (sailboat) words. An advantage for conceptually salient (dominant meaning) items and perceptually distinctive (orthographically distinctive) items was selectively observed inremember responses. These results support the hypothesis that processing of distinctive or salient attributes boosts the recollective component of explicit memory.
Kant's Concept of Genius: Its Origin and Function in the Third Critique

Paul W. Bruno: Kant's Concept of Genius: Its Origin and Function in the Third Critique. London: Continuum, 2010, pp. 176. $120.00 (hb.). ISBN 978-1-441-13911-5. Kant's theory of genius has always b...
Postpartum toxemia: Hypertension, edema, proteinuria and unresponsiveness in an unknown female

Eclampsia, or toxemia of pregnancy, is a disorder of pregnancy characterized by seizures associated with hypertension, edema, and proteinuria. Toxemia of pregnancy carries significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Eclampsia most commonly occurs in the antepartum period. A minority of cases, however, may initially manifest in the postpartum period. We present the case of a 28-year-old female with postpartum eclampsia presenting to the Emergency Department with altered mental status. A review of the literature concerning postpartum toxemia and a discussion of appropriate management strategies follows.
Reduction photolithography using microlens arrays: applications in gray scale photolithography.

This paper describes the application of reduction photolithography, using arrays of microlenses and gray scale masks, to generate arrays of micropatterns having multilevel and curved features in ph...
Polynucleotide attachment to ribosomes.

Each 70 s Escherichia coli ribosome has one site where it binds poly U in the presence of magnesium ions. Poly C binds to ribosomes under the same conditions as poly U. Poly U can completely displace poly C from ribosomes. The ribosome thus appears to have a single site for binding polynucleotides of several types. The Mg 2+ optimum of the interaction is 10 −2 M . No binding is seen at 10 −3 M -Mg 2+ and the binding at 2×10 −2 M is no greater than the binding at 10 −2 M . Magnesium ions are not specifically required for the interaction. Ca 2+ and Mn 2+ at 10 −2 M and spermidine at 10 −3 M are equivalent to 10 −2 M -Mg 2+ . Attempts are made to demonstrate a supernatant enzyme and/or a sRNA requirement for polynucleotide binding. No such requirement can be demonstrated.
Dynamic reoptimization of a fed-batch fermentor.

Traditionally, fed-batch biochemical process optimization and control use complicated models and off-line optimizers with no on-line model adaptation and re-optimization. This work demonstrates the applicability, effectiveness, and economic potential, of a simple phenomenological model for modeling, and a novel optimizer for on-line re-optimization and control of an aerobic fed-batch fermentor.
Model Checking Security Pattern Compositions

Security patterns capture best practice on secure software design and development. They document typical solutions to security problems. To ensure security, large software system design may apply many security patterns to solve different problems. Although each security pattern describes a good design guideline, the compositions of these security patterns may not be consistent and encounter problems and flaws. In this paper, we present an approach to model checking the compositions of security patterns. In this way, the properties of the security patterns can be checked by a model checker when they are composed. Composition errors and problems can be discovered early in the design stage. We also use a case study to illustrate our approach and show the detection of several errors.
Effects of recombinant human relaxin on pregnant rat uterine artery and myometrium in vitro

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of recombinant human relaxin on the uterine artery and myometrial contractility in pregnant rats. Study Design: Uterine artery and myometrial rings from mid and term pregnant rats were used. Relaxin effect was studied on phenylephrine-induced contraction in the presence or absence of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, Nω- nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, 1H-oxadiazolo-quinoxaline-1-one, or adenylate cyclase inhibitor, SQ-22,536. The myometrial inhibitory effect of relaxin was studied on spontaneous and oxytocin- or protein kinase C activator-induced contractions. Results: Uterine artery relaxation by relaxin was greater at mid pregnancy compared with term. Relaxin effect was decreased by SQ-22,536, 1H-oxadiazolo-quinoxaline-1-one and Nω- nitro-l-arginine methyl ester at mid pregnancy. Relaxin inhibited spontaneous contractions at mid pregnancy but not at term. Relaxin had no effect on oxytocin- or indolactam-V-induced contractions. Conclusion: Relaxin effect is mediated by nitric oxide, soluble guanylate cyclase, and adenylate cyclase in mid pregnant uterine artery. Relaxin inhibits spontaneous uterine activity at mid pregnancy. Relaxin effect decreased at term gestation in both tissues. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;188:1468-76.)
LASAGNA-Search 2.0: integrated transcription factor binding site search and visualization in a browser.

Summary: LASAGNA-Search 2.0 is an integrated webtool for transcription factor (TF) binding site search and visualization. The tool is based on the LASAGNA (Length-Aware Site Alignment Guided by Nucleotide Association) algorithm. It eliminates manual TF model collection and promoter sequence retrieval. Search results can be visualized locally or in the University of California Santa Cruz Genome Browser. Gene regulatory network inference based on the search results offers another way of visualization. A list of TFs and target genes is all a user needs to start using the tool. LASAGNASearch 2.0 currently offers 1792 TF models and supports 15 species for automatic promoter retrieval and visualization in the University of California Santa Cruz Genome Browser. It is a user-friendly tool designed for non-bioinformaticians and is suitable for research and teaching. We describe important changes made since the initial release. Availability and implementation: LASAGNA-Search 2.0 is freely available without registration at http://biogrid.engr.uconn.edu/ lasagna_search/.
Antioxidant Diet Supplementation Starting 24 Hours after Exposure Reduces Radiation Lethality

Abstract Antioxidants mitigate radiation-induced lethality when started soon after radiation exposure, a delivery time that may not be practical due to difficulties in distribution and because the oral administration of such agents may require a delay beyond the prodromal stage of the radiation syndrome. We report the unexpected finding that antioxidant supplementation starting 24 h after total-body irradiation resulted in better survival than antioxidant supplementation started soon after the irradiation. The antioxidant dietary supplement was l-selenomethionine, sodium ascorbate, N-acetyl cysteine, α-lipoic acid, α-tocopherol succinate, and co-enzyme Q10. Total-body irradiation with 8 Gy in the absence of antioxidant supplementation was lethal by day 16. When antioxidant supplementation was started soon after irradiation, four of 14 mice survived. In contrast, 14 of 18 mice receiving antioxidant supplementation starting 24 h after irradiation were alive and well 30 days later. The numbers of spleen colo...
An Inference Methodology for Life Tests With Complete Samples or Type-II Right Censoring

We present a methodology for gaining statistical inference during the actual conduct of a life test experiment that can reduce time on test and cost. The method relies on properties of conditional order statistic distributions to convert censored data into i.i.d. uniform variates. A secondary result presents a new test for uniformity based on the convolution of these i.i.d. uniform random variables that is higher in power than the benchmark Anderson-Darling statistic in certain cases.
Refinement of medical knowledge bases: a neural network approach

One important issue in designing medical knowledge-based systems is the management of uncertainty. Among the schemes that have been developed for this purpose, probability and CF (certainty factor) are the most widely used. If rules are organized according to a connectionist model, then neural network learning suggests a promising solution to this problem. When most rules are correct, semantically incorrect rules can be recognized if their associated certainty factors are weakened or change signs after training with correct samples. The techniques for rule base refinement are examined under this approach. The concept has been implemented and tested in an actual medical expert system. >
Dynamic Regulation of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase-γ Activity and β-Adrenergic Receptor Trafficking in End-Stage Human Heart Failure

Background— Downregulation of β-adrenergic receptors (βARs) under conditions of heart failure requires receptor targeting of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)–γ and redistribution of βARs into endosomal compartments. Because support with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) results in significant improvement of cardiac function in humans, we investigated the effects of mechanical unloading on regulation of PI3Kγ activity and intracellular distribution of βARs. Additionally, we tested whether displacement of PI3Kγ from activated βARs would restore agonist responsiveness in failing human cardiomyocytes. Methods and Results— To test the role of PI3K on βAR endocytosis in failing human hearts, we assayed for PI3K activity in human left ventricular samples before and after mechanical unloading (LVAD). Before LVAD, failing human hearts displayed a marked increase in βAR kinase 1 (βARK1)–associated PI3K activity that was attributed exclusively to enhanced activity of the PI3Kγ isoform. Increased βARK1-coupled ...
Evidence supporting dissimilatory and assimilatory lignin degradation in Enterobacter lignolyticus SCF1

Lignocellulosic biofuels are promising as sustainable alternative fuels, but lignin inhibits access of enzymes to cellulose, and by-products of lignin degradation can be toxic to cells. The fast growth, high efficiency and specificity of enzymes employed in the anaerobic litter deconstruction carried out by tropical soil bacteria make these organisms useful templates for improving biofuel production. The facultative anaerobe Enterobacter lignolyticus SCF1 was initially cultivated from Cloud Forest soils in the Luquillo Experimental Forest in Puerto Rico, based on anaerobic growth on lignin as sole carbon source. The source of the isolate was tropical forest soils that decompose litter rapidly with low and fluctuating redox potentials, where bacteria using oxygen-independent enzymes likely play an important role in decomposition. We have used transcriptomics and proteomics to examine the observed increased growth of SCF1 grown on media amended with lignin compared to unamended growth. Proteomics suggested accelerated xylose uptake and metabolism under lignin-amended growth, with up-regulation of proteins involved in lignin degradation via the 4-hydroxyphenylacetate degradation pathway, catalase/peroxidase enzymes, and the glutathione biosynthesis and glutathione S-transferase (GST) proteins. We also observed increased production of NADH-quinone oxidoreductase, other electron transport chain proteins, and ATP synthase and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. This suggested the use of lignin as terminal electron acceptor. We detected significant lignin degradation over time by absorbance, and also used metabolomics to demonstrate moderately significant decreased xylose concentrations as well as increased metabolic products acetate and formate in stationary phase in lignin-amended compared to unamended growth conditions. Our data show the advantages of a multi-omics approach toward providing insights as to how lignin may be used in nature by microorganisms coping with poor carbon availability.
Developmental Regulation of bicoid mRNA Stability Is Mediated by the First 43 Nucleotides of the 3′ Untranslated Region

During the transition from the maternal to the zygotic developmental program, the expression of genes important for pattern formation or cell cycle regulation changes dramatically. Rapid changes in gene expression are achieved in part through the control of mRNA stability. This report focuses on bicoid, a gene essential for formation of anterior embryonic structures in Drosophila melanogaster. bicoid mRNA is synthesized exclusively during oogenesis. Here, we show that bicoid mRNA stability is regulated. While bicoid mRNA is stable in retained oocytes, in unfertilized eggs, and during the first 2 h of embryogenesis, specific degradation is activated at cellularization of the blastoderm. To identify cis-acting sequences required for bicoid mRNA’s regulated stability, fusions between bicoid and genes producing stable mRNAs were introduced into the Drosophila germ line by P-element-mediated transformation. The analysis of the fusion mRNAs identified a bicoid instability element (BIE) contained within a 43-nucleotide sequence immediately following the stop codon. The BIE is sufficient to destabilize the otherwise-stable ribosomal protein A1 mRNA and is separable from the previously identified bicoid mRNA localization signals and from the “nanos response element.” Similar mechanisms may regulate a class of developmentally important maternal genes whose mRNA has a temporal profile similar to that of bicoid.
Variability of Voice Fundamental Frequency in Elderly Female Speakers

Abstract Three groups of women, of mean age 21, 72, and 84 yr. (ns = 34, 17, 17), were tape-recorded while describing the "Cookie Thief" picture of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Test. Voice fundamental frequency (fo) was measured for a 30-sec. sample from the middle of their descriptions. Analysis showed that the two elderly groups' mean fo was significantly lower than the younger females', but no differences between means were significant for the older groups. Similar findings were obtained for variability of performance. Also, the older groups were more restricted in their vocal maneuvering below their average fo. Compared to past findings showing greater fo variability during reading, the current data suggest that the magnitude of variability of fo in elderly women is dependent upon both the vocal parameters measured and the method used to obtain the data.
The effect of in-room registration on emergency department length of stay

Study objective Length of stay is a measure of efficiency of delivery of care and is an important determinant of patient satisfaction in a pediatric emergency department (ED). Although length of stay is affected by many unmodifiable factors, changes in care processes may lead to improvements in throughput. Evaluating the success of such changes, however, requires an understanding of the effect of other determinants. We determine the factors associated with ED length of stay and estimate the effect of an in-room registration process on throughput time. Methods This was a before-and-after study at an academic pediatric ED with annual census of 45,000 visits. The study period was January 2, 2000, through December 31, 2003. In June 2003, an in-room registration process was initiated so that patients were placed directly into a room after triage, and the registration process was completed after physician evaluation. Weekly data were obtained on average length of stay and the following possible confounders: average daily ED census, hospital admissions from the ED, hospital occupancy rate, hours of physician staffing, and month of the year. An autoregressive integrated moving-average time series model was used to determine the effect of each variable on length of stay. Results Data were obtained for 209 weekly intervals during the study period; average length of stay ranged from 2.2 to 3.8 hours. All factors were highly associated with length of stay except for the number of hours of physician staffing ( P =.71). The presence of in-room registration led to an estimated average decrease in length of stay of 15.0 minutes (95% confidence interval 6.3 to 33.4 minutes), or 9.3%. Conclusion In-room registration leads to a statistically significant and practically meaningful improvement in total length of stay in the pediatric ED. Throughput time can be largely explained by a limited number of factors; our predictive model may facilitate the evaluation of other interventions.
Comparison of cardiac amyloidosis due to wild-type and V122I transthyretin in older adults referred to an academic medical center.

Aims: In the USA, transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis usually results from ‘wild-type’ transthyretin (senile cardiac amyloidosis [SCA]) or the V122I variant. Patients & methods: We compared presentations and outcomes among SCA and V122I patients referred to the Center for Advanced Cardiac Care at Columbia University Medical Center (NY, USA) between 2001 and 2012. Results: V122I patients were younger (mean: 71 years, standard deviation [SD]: 7) than SCA patients (mean: 77, SD: 6; p = 0.0002) and 96% were black compared with 3% of SCA patients (p < 0.0001). Average ejection fraction was lower among V122I patients (mean: 25% [SD: 12] vs mean: 47% [SD: 15]; p = 0.0001), as was mean cardiac index. Median time to death or orthotopic heart transplant was 36.4 months for V122I patients and 66.5 for SCA patients (p = 0.09). Conclusion: In this study of patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis, V122I patients presented to a tertiary academic medical center at a younger age than SCA patients but had higher leve...
Prenatal exposure to second hand smoke and adverse perinatal outcomes

Commentary on: JM Crane, M Keough, P Murphy, et al.. Effects of environmental tobacco smoke on perinatal outcomes: a retrospective cohort study.BJOG2011;118:865–71.
Changes in the U.S. Primary Standards for the Air Kerma From Gamma-Ray Beams.

Monte Carlo photon-electron transport calculations have been done to derive new wall corrections for the six NBS-NIST standard graphite-wall, air-ionization cavity chambers that serve as the U.S. national primary standard for air kerma (and exposure) for gamma rays from (60)Co, (137)Cs, and (192)Ir sources. The data developed for and from these calculations have also been used to refine a number of other factors affecting the standards. The largest changes are due to the new wall corrections, and the total changes are +0.87 % to +1.11 % (depending on the chamber) for (60)Co beams, +0.64 % to +1.07 % (depending on the chamber) for (137)Cs beams, and -0.06 % for the single chamber used in the measurement of the standardized (192)Ir source. The primary standards for air kerma will be adjusted in the near future to reflect the changes in factors described in this work.
Fetal monkey absorption of 55Fe from amniotic fluid.

A single dose of 0.5 mCi radioiron (55Fe) was injected directly into the amniotic cavity of each of four pregnant monkeys near term. At 6 or 24 hours after 55Fe administration, samples of fetal jejunum, ileum, blood, spleen, liver, lung and fetal membranes were taken for radioautography and scintillation counts. Counts were also made on corresponding maternal tissues. Intestinal radioiron levels and localization indicated that fetuses swallowed and absorbed 55Fe within 6 to 24 hours after injection. Silver grains over the meconium bodies of fetal ileum suggested that intestinal epithelium retained at least some of the absorbed radioiron. However, elevated 55Fe levels in fetal blood and hematopoietic organs indicated that transport of radioiron to the circulation had occurred, presumably through fetal intestine, extraembryonic membranes and/or fetal lungs. Transfer of 55Fe across the placenta from fetus to mother occurred at a slow rate, i.e., samples of maternal organs obtained at 24 hours gave low counts.
Reductive generation of stable, five-membered N,N′-diamidocarbenes

The synthesis of the first stable, five-membered N,N′-diamidocarbenes (DACs), including a differentially N-substituted derivative, was achieved via the reduction of a geminal dichloride precursor using potassium. Key differences between the reactivity of the five-membered DACs and their six-membered congeners were observed, including an ability to insert into electron-rich C–H bonds.
Gr-1+ Myeloid Cells Derived from Tumor-Bearing Mice Inhibit Primary T Cell Activation Induced Through CD3/CD28 Costimulation

Activation of T cells is a necessary step in the development of a specific antitumor immune response. In the present study, we evaluated the ability of Gr-1 + myeloid cells, derived from the bone marrow or spleen of tumor-bearing mice, to inhibit CD3/CD28-mediated T cell activation. Using flow cytometry, we found that growth of a murine colon carcinoma (MCA-26) induces a significant increase in the number of Gr-1 + and Gr-1 + /Mac-1 + myeloid cells in both bone marrow and spleen of the tumor host. The proliferative response of T cells was dramatically decreased when naive T cells were activated by anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 Abs in the presence of a myeloid-enriched cell fraction derived from spleen or bone marrow of tumor-bearing mice vs the bone marrow of naive mice. Reversal of the inhibitory effect could be achieved by adding a combination of MnTBAP (manganese [III] tetrakis [4-benzoic acid]) porphyrin and l-NMMA ( N G -monomethyl-l-arginine), a superoxide dismutase mimetic and inducible NO synthase inhibitor, respectively, or by depletion of the Gr-1-positive cells. IFN-γ, which is endogenously produced by CD3/CD28-stimulated naive T cells, is involved in induction of the inhibitory activity of myeloid cells. Importantly, when T cells pre-activated with anti-CD3 Abs were used as responder cells, the bone marrow- or spleen-derived Gr-1 + myeloid cells were unable to suppress CD3/CD28-induced T cell proliferation. Our findings suggest that one mechanism by which an increased number of immune suppressive Gr-1 + cells can induce T cell unresponsiveness or immune tolerance in tumor hosts could be through peroxynitrite production upon primary T cell activation.
Modeling search response time

Modeling the response time of search engines is an important task for many applications such as resource selection in federated text search. Limited research has been conducted to address this task. Prior research calculated the search response time of all queries in the same way either with the average response time of several sample queries or with a single probability distribution, which is irrelevant to the characteristics of queries. However, the search response time may vary a lot for different types of queries. This paper proposes a novel query-specific and source-specific approach to model search response time. Some training data is acquired by measuring the search response time of some sample queries from a search engine. Then, a query-specific model is estimated with the training data and their corresponding response times by utilizing Ridge Regression. The obtained model can be used to predict search response times for new queries. A set of empirical studies are conducted to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Selection on a Sexually Dimorphic Trait in Ecotypes within the Hyalella azteca Species Complex (Amphipoda: Hyalellidae)

Abstract Many amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda) exhibit sexual dimorphism in the size of a paired chelate appendage, the gnathopods. As with sexually dimorphic weapons and ornaments in other taxa, little is known of the evolutionary processes underlying species variation in the dimorphism. In this study I examined males of two ecotypes of freshwater amphipods in the genus Hyalella to determine (1) the degree and form of reproduction-mediated selection acting on gnathopod size, (2) the importance of fluctuating asymmetry in gnathopods for mating success and (3) differences between ecotypes in gnathopod size. I examined sexual selection arising from differential success in forming mating pairs and natural selection due to success in mating with larger, more fecund females. The two ecotypes differed in the pattern of selection acting on gnathopod size. The small-bodied ecotype did not experience significant selection on gnathopod size in either selection episode. In contrast, the large-bodied ecotype experien...
Stability of the two dimensional jet

The Orr-Sommerfeld equation can be written in the form $$({{D}^{2}} - {{\alpha }^{2}})({{D}^{2}} - {{\omega }^{2}})\Phi = i\alpha R[(w{{D}^{2}} - {{\alpha }^{2}})\Phi - \omega ''\Phi ]$$ (1) where ω 2 = α2−i α R c, D=d/dy, ω = ω (y) = sech2 y and otherwise the notation is standard (cf. Lin’s book). Vanishing velocity components at y = ± ∞ give for boundary conditions $$\alpha \Phi (\pm \infty ) = \Phi '(\pm \infty ) = 0$$ (2) and we are interested here in even eigenfunctions Ф (y). By regarding the right-hand side of (1) as an inhomogeneous term, one can solve the constant-coefficients differential equation that remains, using (2), to get a representation of Ф in terms of the right-hand side of (1). The term in Ф″ can be reduced by some integration by parts, again using (2), to one in Ф alone, and in this way one converts the original problem into the following integral equation (Re ω ≥ 0) $$\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {\Phi \left( y \right) = i\alpha R\int\limits_{{ - \infty }}^{\infty } {\left\{ { - \tfrac{1}{{2\omega }}{{e}^{{ - \omega |y - y'|w\left( {y'} \right)}}} + } \right.} } \\ {\left. { + \frac{1}{{{{\omega }^{2}} - {{\alpha }^{2}}}}\left( {{{e}^{{\alpha |y - y'|}}} - {{e}^{{ - \omega |y - y'|}}}} \right)\frac{{|y - y'|}}{{\left( {y - y'} \right)}}\omega '\left( {y'} \right)} \right\}\Phi \left( {y'} \right)dy'.} \\ \end{array}$$ (3)
CoCF3+ Is Really (FCo+···F2C)

Gas-phase ion chemistry studies and density functional calculations reveal that the structure of CoCF3+ is really a [FCo+···F2C] ion−dipole complex with electrostatic bonding between FCo+ and CF2. The reactions of CoCF3+ with C3−C7 alkanes, alkenes, and other reagents, such as benzene, water, and acetonitrile, yield predominantly CF2 displacement products. This represents the first case of gas-phase C−F activation by bare cobalt ions.
Comparison of syncytiotrophoblast generated from human embryonic stem cells and from term placentas

Human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) readily commit to the trophoblast lineage after exposure to bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) and two small compounds, an activin A signaling inhibitor and a FGF2 signaling inhibitor (BMP4/A83-01/PD173074; BAP treatment). During differentiation, areas emerge within the colonies with the biochemical and morphological features of syncytiotrophoblast (STB). Relatively pure fractions of mononucleated cytotrophoblast (CTB) and larger syncytial sheets displaying the expected markers of STB can be obtained by differential filtration of dispersed colonies through nylon strainers. RNA-seq analysis of these fractions has allowed them to be compared with cytotrophoblasts isolated from term placentas before and after such cells had formed syncytia. Although it is clear from extensive gene marker analysis that both ESC- and placenta-derived syncytial cells are trophoblast, each with the potential to transport a wide range of solutes and synthesize placental hormones, their transcriptome profiles are sufficiently dissimilar to suggest that the two cell types have distinct pedigrees and represent functionally different kinds of STB. We propose that the STB generated from human ESCs represents the primitive syncytium encountered in early pregnancy soon after the human trophoblast invades into the uterine wall.
BIOSYNTHESIS OF TESTOSTERONE BY RABBIT TESTIS: HOMOGENATE V SLICES.

SummaryICSH in vitro has been shown to increase the production of testosterone by slices of rabbit testis. Homogenate of testis produces approximately the same amount of testosterone as slices stimulated maximally by ICSH when the comparison is made on the same weight of tissue from the same rabbit incubated for the same time. It is considered that these observations support a hypothesis originally proposed for ACTH and its action on the adrenal, namely that a homogenate behaves as though it were stimulated.
MOOCs and Persistence: Definitions and Predictors.

The chapter argues for redefining the term “persistence” as it relates to MOOCs and considers how different measures produce different results in the research; it closes with a review of research on persistence in MOOCs.