cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glutathione, lactobionate, and histidine: cryptic inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases contained in university of wisconsin and histidine/tryptophan/ketoglutarate liver preservation solutions

UW solution and HTK solution are both used for cold preservation of liver allografts. Although they are about equally effective, their compositions are very different, and they were formulated using different rationales. The authors recently showed an important role for MMPs in liver preservation injury and consequently postulated that these preservation solutions contain cryptic inhibitors of MMP activity. To determine this possibility, the ability of these solutions to inhibit MMP activity was studied. The source of MMP2 and MMP9 was human liver effluents obtained at the time of liver transplantation or commercially available human recombinant MMP2 and MMP9. MMP2 and MMP9 showed gelatinolytic activity at 37 degrees C and also at 4 degrees C, although activity at 4 degrees C was reduced. Activity was inhibited by University of Wisconsin (UW) and Histidine/Tryptophan/ Ketoglutarate (HTK) solutions. Examination of individual ingredients disclosed that reduced glutathione (GSH) and lactobionate in UW solution and histidine in HTK solution were the cryptic inhibitors. HTK solution was a more effective inhibitor than UW solution. GSH inhibited the activity of both enzymes, but was a much more effective inhibitor of MMP9 than MMP2. Oxidized glutathione(GSSG) was a much less effective inhibitor of the enzymes. The inhibitor constants (K(i)) of GSH for MMP2 and MMP9 were 34 micromol/L and 3 micromol/L, respectively. The authors conclude that MMP inhibition is a cryptic property of both commonly used liver preservation solutions and contributes importantly to their action. Furthermore, GSH appears to be an effective inhibitor of gelatinases at concentrations at which it is normally present in extracellular fluid.
Overview of the XIX international AIDS conference.

The XIXth IAC concluded in late July after more than 5 days devoted to showcasing over 3600 poster and oral presentations. While no "major" breakthroughs were reported it was clear that progress has been made on multiple fronts. A true "cure" (i.e. complete eradication of HIV from the body) may be decades away but the premise no longer is dismissed as fantasy. Antiretroviral "scale-up" efforts have already had a positive impact on the health of HIV-infected persons in developing countries although death rates from TB in particular remain unacceptably high. Earlier initiation of therapy has decreased the rate of other infections and has shown promise as a strategy for reducing the transmission rate of HIV (i.e. "treatment as prevention"). Undoubtedly obstacles to more widespread success such as limited access to care and insufficient medication adherence still exist.Nevertheless the progress that has been made in 31 years truly is astounding. This years IAC did a fantastic job of communicating those achievements to a very engaged worldwide audience.
Campylobacter fetus ssp. jejuni: Recovery Methodology and Isolation from Lamb Carcasses

Campylobacter fetus ssp. jejuni has increasingly been implicated as the causative agent in human cases of gastroenteritis. The first account of C. jejuni isolation from red meats—lamb carcasses—is reported. Recovery of Campylobacter from meat surfaces was tested as follows: selective agar plates consisted of tryptic soy agar, 5% lysed defibrinated horse blood, 10 mg/L vancomycin, 2500 units/L polymyxin B, 5 mg/L trimethoprim lactate, and 15 mg/L cephalothin (Keflin; VPTK: plates). These VPTK plates were incubated at 35°C for 72 hr in a gas atmosphere of 5% O2, 10% CO2, and 85% N2. With these selective elements, recovery from meat surfaces inoculated with a calculated 32 Campylobacter cells per cm2 was accomplished in 5 of 5 replicate tests. At levels of 3.2 and 0.3 cells of Campylobacter per cm2, recoveries were accomplished in 2 of 5 replicate tests at each inoculum level.
Total PCBs, Dioxin–Furan TEQs, and Total Mercury Concentrations in Mink in and out of the Rochester Embayment Area of Concern Near and Inland from the Shore of Lake Ontario

In terms of reproductive and other adverse outcomes after exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and furans, the mink (Mustela vison) is one of the most sensitive mammals. Our objective was to determine if there are differences in the concentrations of total mercury (Hg), total PCBs, and dioxin–furan toxic equivalents (TEQs) between mink living in and out of the Rochester Embayment of Lake Ontario (RELO) Area of Concern (AOC) and between mink living near the shore of Lake Ontario and inland. Concentrations of total Hg in the brain, total PCBs and dioxin–furan TEQs in adipose, and total PCBs in liver were significantly higher for mink living near the shore of Lake Ontario than inland. For mink living in and out of the AOC, differences in total PCBs and dioxin–furan TEQs in adipose and the liver were substantial but not significant. Correlations among concentrations of total Hg, total PCBs, and dioxin–furan TEQs in mink were high. Our results suggest that contamination of mink living near the southern shore of Lake Ontario primarily comes from contact with the Lake Ontario food web, not from sources in the RELO AOC.
Effect of surface reaction stage on fibronectin-mediated adhesion of osteoblast-like cells to bioactive glass

Bioactive glasses and ceramics enhance bone formation and bond directly to bone, and have emerged as promising substrates for bone tissue engineering applications. Bone bioactivity involves physicochemical surface reactions and cellular events, including cell attachment to adsorbed extracellular matrix proteins. The effects of fibronectin (Fn) adsorption and glass surface reaction stage on the attachment of osteoblast-like cells (ROS 17/2.8) to bioactive glass were analyzed. Bioactive glass disks were pretreated in a simulated physiologic solution to produce three reaction layers: unreacted glass (BG0), amorphous calcium phosphate (BG1d), and carbonated hydroxyapatite (BG7d). Synthetic hydroxyapatite (sHA) and nonreactive borosilicate glass (CG) were used as controls. A spinning disk device which applied a linear range of forces to attached cells while maintaining uniform chemical conditions at the interface was used to quantify cell adhesion. The number of adherent cells decreased in a sigmoidal fashion with applied force, and the resulting detachment profile provided measurements of adhesion strength. For the same amount of adsorbed Fn, cell adhesion was higher on surface-reacted bioactive glasses (BG1d and BG7d) than on BG0, CG, and sHA. For all substrates, cell attachment was primarily mediated by the RGD binding site of Fn, as demonstrated by blocking experiments with antibodies and RGD peptides. Cell adhesion strength increased linearly with adsorbed Fn surface density. Analysis of this fundamental relationship revealed that improved adhesion to reacted bioactive glasses resulted from enhanced cell receptor–Fn interactions, suggesting substrate-dependent conformational changes in the adsorbed Fn. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 40, 48–56, 1998.
pH measurement and a rational and practical pH control strategy for high throughput cell culture system

The number of therapeutic proteins produced by cell culture in the pharmaceutical industry continues to increase. During the early stages of manufacturing process development, hundreds of clones and various cell culture conditions are evaluated to develop a robust process to identify and select cell lines with high productivity. It is highly desirable to establish a high throughput system to accelerate process development and reduce cost. Multiwell plates and shake flasks are widely used in the industry as the scale down model for large-scale bioreactors. However, one of the limitations of these two systems is the inability to measure and control pH in a high throughput manner. As pH is an important process parameter for cell culture, this could limit the applications of these scale down model vessels. An economical, rapid, and robust pH measurement method was developed at Eli Lilly and Company by employing SNARF-4F 5-(-and 6)-carboxylic acid. The method demonstrated the ability to measure the pH values of cell culture samples in a high throughput manner. Based upon the chemical equilibrium of CO(2), HCO(3)(-), and the buffer system, i.e., HEPES, we established a mathematical model to regulate pH in multiwell plates and shake flasks. The model calculates the required %CO(2) from the incubator and the amount of sodium bicarbonate to be added to adjust pH to a preset value. The model was validated by experimental data, and pH was accurately regulated by this method. The feasibility of studying the pH effect on cell culture in 96-well plates and shake flasks was also demonstrated in this study. This work shed light on mini-bioreactor scale down model construction and paved the way for cell culture process development to improve productivity or product quality using high throughput systems.
“Power frequency fields promote cell differentiation coincident with an increase in transforming growth factor‐b1 expression”

Recent information from several laboratories suggest that power frequency fields may stimulate cell differentiation in a number of model systems. In this way, they may be similar to pulsed electromagnetic fields, which have been used therapeutically. However, the effects of power frequency fields on phenotypic or genotypic expression have not been explained. This study describes the ability of power frequency fields to accelerate cell differentiation in vivo and describes dose relationships in terms of both amplitude and exposure duration. No change in proliferation or cell content were observed. A clear dose relationship, in terms of both amplitude and duration of exposure, was determined with the maximal biological response occurring at 0.1 mT and 7–9 h/day. Because this study was designed to explore biological activity at environmental exposure levels, this exposure range does not necessarily define optimal dosing conditions from the therapeutic point of view. This study reports the stimulation by power frequency fields of transforming growth factor-β, an important signalling cytokine known to regulate cell differentiation. The hypothesis is raised that the stimulation of regulatory cytokines by electromagnetic fields may be an intermediary mechanism by which these fields have their biological activity. Bioelectromagnetics 20:453–458, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The effects of long-chain alcohols on membrane lipids and the (Na++K+)-ATPase.

Abstract The (Na+ + K+)-ATPase obtained from sheep kidney outer medulla is irreversibly denatured by long-chain aliphatic alcohols. The denaturation proceeds by causing a change in the structure of the membrane lipids rather than by binding directly to the protein. The alcohols decrease the ability of the membrane lipid bilayer to orient the spin label 3-(4′,4′-dimethyloxazolidinyl)-5α-androstan-17β-ol. For the low molecular weight alcohols the ability of the membrane to orient the label is completely lost while for alcohols with more than five carbons only partial loss of the orienting ability of the membrane occurs. The alcohol concentrations necessary to denature the enzyme correspond to the concentrations that produce the maximal change in the ability of the membrane to orient the label, and correlate well with the hydrophobicity of the alcohols as measured by their water-octanol partition coefficients.
Assessing parental attitudes toward genetic testing for childhood hearing loss: before and after genetic consultation.

We report on the development of a Genetic Attitude Assessment Tool (GAAT) to measure parental attitudes in contemplating genetic testing for childhood hearing loss, and to examine the differences in assessments made before and after genetic counseling. The GAAT tool was administered to a convenient sample of 119 parents of children with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The respondents completed the survey either before (n = 77) or after (n = 42) genetic counseling. Exploratory Factor Analysis was applied to identify and quantify the underlying psychosocial structure. Our results showed the validated 54-item GAAT instrument contains six subscales: (1) “test intention,” (2) “beliefs in non-genetic causes of hearing loss,” (3) “deferral of decision to undergo genetic testing,” (4) “appropriate use of genetic testing results,” (5) “beliefs in the benefits,” and (6) “concerns about stigma.” The respondents who answered the survey after genetic counseling had higher “test intention” (P = 0.017) and endorsed to a greater extent “beliefs in the benefits” (P < 0.001). They believed to a lesser extent that childhood hearing loss was due to “non-genetic causes” (P < 0.001) and were less inclined to prefer “decision deferral” (P = 0.031). Respondents who themselves had a hearing loss expressed a significantly weaker belief in “non-genetic causes” of hearing loss (P < 0.0001). In conclusion the validated GAAT instrument is responsive to changes in parental attitudes after genetic counseling. The GAAT may be used to monitor parental attitudes serially, to further understand how parental attitudes change from pre genetic counseling, post genetic counseling, to post test result disclosure. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Computational Mechanistic Studies on Reactions of Transition Metal Complexes with Noninnocent Pincer Ligands: Aromatization–Dearomatization or Not

The development of green chemistry has attracted chemists’ attentions in recent years. Among them, Milstein and co-workers have discovered a new mode of metal–ligand cooperation in complexes in which an aromatization–dearomatization process of the pyridine- or acridine-based PNP and PNN “pincer” ligands appears to be a key element. These complexes were reported to lead to unusual X–H (X = H, C, O, N, and B) activation reactions and to environmentally benign catalysis involving dehydrogenative coupling reactions and hydrogenation reactions, representing an important development in green chemistry. This review provides a summary of theoretical studies on the mechanisms of the reactions mediated by transition metal complexes with noninnocent pincer ligands synthesized by Milstein and co-workers. The aromatization–dearomatization process of the pyridine- or acridine-based PNP and PNN “pincer” ligands were found to play important roles in some reactions, while other reactions do not involve the aromatization–d...
Determination of Reaction Heat : A Comparison of Measurement and Estimation Techniques

The heat of reaction is an important parameter in the safe, successful scale-up of chemical processes. Reaction heat data is used to calculate the potential adiabatic temperature rise of the desire...
Autoradiographic studies of selective amino acid uptake by neural and nonneural elements in the gerbil cochlea

The cochlea is well suited for studies of the uptake properties of auditory neurons and nonneuronal supporting cells. Probe concentrations of radioisotopically labeled amino acids, including putative neurotransmitters and their precursors, breakdown products, and blockers, can be introduced via the natural, fluid-filled channels of the inner ear. Uptake patterns can be mapped at cellular and intracellular levels using light and electron microscopic autoradiographic methods. The procedures for introduction of label, fixation, plastic embedment, and light and electron microscopic autoradiography are described with special reference to the cochlea. Labeling patterns observed with over 20 amino acids are summarized for hair cells, spiral ganglion neurons, efferents, and nonneural elements of the stria vascularis, limbus, and modiolus. Limitations on the interpretation of results and their implications for the general usefulness of the methods are discussed.
Mixed convection in an isothermally heated horizontal pipe

Abstract A theoretical investigation is made into the laminar flow of a large-Prandtl-number fluid through an isothermally heated horizontal pipe. A detailed analytical solution is obtained which shows, in leading approximation, that the fractional bulk-temperature rise is solely a function of (L/aR)(G/P 3 ) sol1 4 . The theory is found to agree very well with available experimental results and to be a marked improvement over existing empirical correlations.
The Goal of Reunification: An Adlerian Approach to Working for Therapeutic Change Within the Foster Care System

The system of foster care that is currently in operation throughout the United States can present many challenges for counselors as they work with families toward positive outcomes. This article will endeavor to describe common issues and struggles currently facing children and families experiencing foster care and how these difficulties might influence the counseling process, as it relates to the goal of reunification from an Adlerian theoretical perspective. One of the most complex issues facing families and counselors is the commonly sought goal of reunifying children with family members following a placement in foster care. An Adlerian family counseling model will be presented to provide a framework to assist counselors in facilitating this delicate and sometimes capricious process.
A Contemporary Study Correlating Prostate Needle Biopsy and Radical Prostatectomy Gleason Score

Purpose: We determined whether contemporary practice patterns of Gleason grading for prostate needle biopsy and radical prostatectomy have evolved.Materials and Methods: We correlated needle biopsy (assigned at Johns Hopkins Hospital and other institutions) and radical prostatectomy Gleason score for 1,455 men who underwent radical prostatectomy at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 2002 to 2003, and compared the results with those of a 1994 study of similar design.Results: Outside institutions diagnosed Gleason score 2–4 in 1.6% (23 of 1,455) of needle biopsies vs 22.3% (87 of 390) in 1994. Of needle biopsies labeled Gleason score 2–4, 30.4% revealed radical prostatectomy Gleason score 7–10. In 2002 to 2003 no Johns Hopkins Hospital needle biopsy was assigned Gleason score 2–4. Needle biopsies designated Gleason score 6 or less had 80.0% accuracy with regard to radical prostatectomy Gleason score vs 63% accuracy in older data. For needle biopsy Gleason score 7 or greater, 35.5% (outside institution) and 24.8% (...
In-situ control of chemical vapor deposition for fiber coating

Abstract Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is a widely used process for the application of thin films. In this case, CVD is being used to apply a thin-film interface coating (LaAl11O18) to single-crystal, monofilament sapphire fibers for the production of ceramic matrix composites. Traditionally, CVD fiber coating has been hampered by problems such as poor coating uniformity, thickness, and chemistry control. To attempt to rectify these problems, a fully-instrumented CVD processing apparatus has been constructed. In addition to more standard sensors such as thermocouples, pressure transducers, and flow meters, sensors capable of monitoring the coating and gas phase properties of interest have been used. Specifically, a quadrupole mass spectrometer and Raman spectrometer are being used to monitor both the gas phase reactants and the coating quality. A fuzzy-logic controller has been developed to control the O2 flow rate, based on in situ temperature measurements. Mass spectrometer data and corresponding improved temperature control for a deposition are presented. Raman spectra which were taken off-line are also presented.
Oral contraceptives and cervical cancer.

To the Editor. —Irwin et al 1 recently reported that women who used oral contraceptives had no increased risk of invasive cervical cancer compared with women who had never used oral contraceptives in a case-control study in Costa Rica. We recently concluded a case-control investigation of invasive cervical cancer in Maryland, 2 which demonstrates that oral contraceptive use is protective against invasive disease (relative risk, 0.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.22 to 0.95). We conclude that rather than there being a biologically plausible association between oral contraceptives and invasive cervical cancer, the protective effect reflects increased screening among those seeking contraceptives, as others have suggested. 3,4 Further, our data demonstrate that lifetime use of any type of contraceptive leads to protection from invasive disease (relative risk, 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.20 to 0.72), with diaphragm use (relative risk, 0.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.12 to 0.67) and vaginal spermicides (relative risk, 0.28;
A Daoist Theory of Chinese Thought: A Philosophical Interpretation

This book represents an ambitious attempt to remove the stumbling blocks that stand in the way of a dialogue between Chinese and world philosophy. Hansen's main goal is to present a unified theory of Classical Chinese thought. What makes his attempt very different from innumerable previous efforts is that he uses Daoism, not Confucianism, as the central and unifying principle.
Uniqueness of continuum one-dimensional Gibbs states for slowly decaying interactions

We consider one-dimensional grand-canonical continuum Gibbs states corresponding to slowly decaying, superstable, many-body interactions. Absence of phase transitions, in the sense of uniqueness of the tempered Gibbs state, is proved for interactions with an Nth body hardcore for arbitrarily large N.
New Data on Cellulose Space Lattice

IN previous investigations made to determine the space lattice of cellulose, the material used was in the form of minute fibres. Due to the cylindrical form of the fibres, it was not possible to determine directly by experiment the relations that exist between the planes which are parallel to the long axis of the fibre. Several attempts were made to construct a lattice which would fit the diffraction data, but no common agreement was attained.1 The principal difficulty was in the interpretation of the reflections which appeared on the ‘equator’ in spot diagrams when the X-ray beam was perpendicular to the long axis of the fibres; and which appeared in the line diffraction patterns whenever the beam was parallel to the long axis. In both cases the planes were evidently parallel to the long axis, but no experimental evidence was available to show how they were situated with respect to one another.
Direct measurement of ingress and egress latency on 1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet links

Any error in a physical layer's asymmetry corrections for egress and ingress latency can result in uncorrectable timing error. These asymmetries increase the timing inaccuracy of any PTP system. A technique to directly measure the ingress and egress latencies of a 1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet physical layer is presented.
Third party mediation over Kashmir: A modest proposal

An enduring rivalry coupled with an internal insurgency define the current state of the conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. The circumstances are now in place to give a third party the opportunity to act as mediator in the long‐standing conflict, as well as in the dispute between India and the Kashmiri insurgency. International mediation theory is not sufficient to apply to this conflict. Emerging and established theories of mediation regarding both international and internal aspects of the conflict are considered. The progress and status of the dispute, as well as the dynamics of the triadic relationship between India and Pakistan and the US are examined and reveal that the interests inherent in the US‐India and the US‐Pakistan relationships are converging. Strategic and economic interests which facilitate third party intervention are each considered in turn. The role of the US as mediating party is then brought into focus against a background of geo‐political change and bilateral stalemate...
Science Policy: Using Your Voice to Inform and Inspire

In recent decades, scientific research that addresses complex and critical global issues, such as climate change, has become increasingly politicized, leaving many scientists feeling as though they cannot directly engage decision makers and simultaneously preserve the integrity of their work. Now at a time when policy makers and the public struggle to understand the technical nature of these issues, scientists who want to communicate their findings clearly and effectively can turn to science policy to better understand how to engage in this process.
Hepatitis C recurrence is not adversely affected by the use of donation after cardiac death liver allografts.

Many factors can worsen a recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after liver transplantation (LT). We sought to determine whether the use of donation after cardiac death (DCD) livers affects HCV recurrence. From January 2000 to June 2008, 37 HCV patients underwent LT with DCD allografts. The outcomes and severity of HCV recurrence were analyzed along with those for 74 matched control patients with HCV who received donation after brain death (DBD) livers. The 2 groups had similar donor and recipient characteristics, immunosuppression regimens, rates of acute cellular rejection (ACR), and HCV profiles. DCD patients had a higher incidence of primary nonfunction (19% versus 3%, P = 0.006) and significantly higher peak aspartate aminotransferase levels in comparison with DBD subjects, suggesting a greater degree of ischemia/reperfusion injury. Although the survival rates were not significantly different, DCD recipients had lower 1- and 5-year patient survival rates (83% and 69% versus 84% and 78%, respectively, P = 0.75) and graft survival rates (70% and 61% versus 82% and 74%, respectively, P = 0.24). Three hundred fourteen protocol and clinically indicated liver biopsy procedures were performed within 6 years after transplantation, and mixed modeling analysis showed that fibrosis progression rates were similar for the 2 groups (0.6 fibrosis units/year according to the Ishak modified staging system). The rates of severe HCV recurrence (retransplantation or death due to recurrent hepatitis C and/or the development of stage 4/6 fibrosis or worse within 2 years) were similar [3 DCD patients (8%) versus 11 DBD patients (15%), P = 0.38], and cytomegalovirus infection (hazard ratio = 7.9, P = 0.002, 95% confidence interval = 2.1-28.9) and ACR (hazard ratio = 6.2, P = 0.002, 95% confidence interval = 2.0-19.7) were the only independent risk factors for severe recurrence. In summary, although there was a trend of poorer overall outcomes in DCD patients, the use of DCD livers did not appear to adversely affect HCV recurrence after LT. Liver Transpl 16:1288-1295, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Broadband pulse signals and the characterization of shallow water oceanic properties

The new normal-mode method SWAMP (shallow water acoustical mode propagation) is used to investigate the high-frequency sound propagation in oceanic waveguides with pronounced ducts. Both the monochromatic and pulse signals are considered. It is shown that the time domain maps representing the arrived signal intensity relative to time and depth contain information to reconstruct the vertical sound velocity profile, source location, and bottom properties.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
What history reveals about Forge River pollution on Long Island, New York’s south shore

Fifty years ago, the Forge River and Moriches Bay, of Long Island's south shore lagoonal system, achieved notoriety when their polluted conditions were alluded to in a report of the US President's Science Advisory Committee (1965). The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution investigated the bay throughout the 1950s, identifying duck farming as the cause of "objectionable", "highly contaminated" conditions of these waters. Much has changed: duck farming declined; the river was dredged to remove polluted sediments, improve navigation; and barrier island inlets stabilized. Yet, the river remains seasonally eutrophic. Why? This paper reviews what occurred in the Forge River watershed. While governments aggressively curtailed the impacts of duck pollution, they failed to manage development and sewage pollution. The Forge experience indicates that watershed management is a continuing governmental responsibility as development accelerates. Otherwise, we will always be looking for that instantaneous remediation that is usually not affordable and is socially contentious.
Infrastructure and vocation: field, calling and computation in ecology

HCI studies of computational change in the sciences have made important design and analytic contributions, to other fields of science and to HCI itself. But some of the longer-term effects and complexities of infrastructural change in the sciences aren't easily captured under short-term, design- or artifact-centered accounts. Drawing on extended ethnographic study of computational development in ecology, this paper explores the relationship between new computational infrastructure and the nature of ecology as a vocation: roughly, the deeply held sense of what it means to 'be' an ecologist, and to 'do' ecology. We analyze in particular the nature of the field and field work as a central site of ecological practice and identity; how new computational developments are remediating this crucial relation; and the emergent vocational values that new and more computationally-intensive forms of ecology may give rise to.
Teaching Bayesian statistics to undergraduate students through debates

This paper describes a lecturer’s approach to teaching Bayesian statistics to students who were only exposed to the classical paradigm. The study shows how the lecturer extended himself by making use of ventriloquist dolls to grab hold of students’ attention and embed important ideas in revealing the differences between the Bayesian and classical paradigms. The results show that the dolls were vital and novel to the lecturer in bringing out the differences between the paradigms and the students found them interesting, funny and helpful in regard to their understanding.
Impact of portal venous pancreas graft drainage on kidney graft outcome in simultaneous pancreas-kidney recipients reported to UNOS.

Clinical data on the potential immunologic impact of portal (PD) vs. systemic (SD) venous pancreas graft drainage on outcome remains controversial. We reviewed the UNOS database to study the effect of PD vs. SD on the incidence of kidney graft rejection and survival in first cadaveric simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) recipients transplanted 1994–2001. We studied three groups: all SPK (n = 6629, 13% PD) (group I), SPK on tacrolimus (n = 3563, 17% PD) (group II), and SPK on tacrolimus performed at centers with significant PD experience (n = 948, 46% PD) (group III). The cumulative kidney graft rejection incidence for PD vs. SD was only significantly different in group I (for PD vs. SD, respectively: at 6 months, 31% vs. 36%[p = 0.015]; at 1 year, 37% vs. 43%[p = 0.006]). Kidney graft survival was similar in all groups for PD vs. SD. Multivariate analysis of group III showed only transplantation during the earlier era (1994–96), but not SD, to be an independent risk factor for kidney graft rejection. Portal venous pancreas graft drainage does not affect kidney graft rejection and survival in SPK recipients on tacrolimus. Our data suggests that the efficacy of current immunosuppressive protocols and increasing center experience are clinically much more relevant than any potential immunologic advantage of portal venous drainage in SPK recipients.
Application of watershed analyses and ecosystem modeling to investigate land–water nutrient coupling processes in the Guadalupe Estuary, Texas

Abstract Estuarine nutrient enrichment is thought to be controlled by land use patterns in coastal watersheds. Hence, the objective of this work was to conduct a watershed analysis in two adjacent river basins with different land use characteristics to determine their influence on estuarine ecosystem response in the Guadalupe Estuary, Texas, U.S.A. All data sources for this study were available electronically on the Internet; the data were mined, managed, analyzed and transformed to simulate the estuarine ecosystem response to watershed-derived nutrient loads. Between 1992 and 2001, developed land use/land cover increased the most while forest cover decreased the most in both basins. Two hydrologic units nearest the coast were responsible for the greatest change in land cover. Nutrient concentrations and loads were significantly higher in the San Antonio River Basin than in the Guadalupe River Basin. Both river basins exhibited the highest flows ever recorded in 1992, however the magnitude of difference in loads between the two coastal hydrologic units for a wet and dry year was much greater in the Guadalupe River Basin (GRB) than in the San Antonio River Basin (SARB); this difference supports the concept that the GRB is a nonpoint source dominated system and SARB is a point source dominated system. There was a strong correlation between developed land use and nutrient concentrations in river water; the GRB had less developed land use and lower nutrient concentrations while the SARB had more developed land use and higher nutrient concentrations. Estuarine ecosystem response differed in the timing, duration and magnitude of DIN, phytoplankton and zooplankton when nitrogen loads from the Lower Guadalupe River were used as opposed to the Lower San Antonio. The two basins studied differ in their fundamental characteristics, i.e. precipitation, flow, human population density, etc., resulting in different drivers of nitrogen loading, point sources in the San Antonio River Basin and nonpoint sources in the Guadalupe River Basin, therefore, differing estuarine ecosystem responses.
Effect of Deposition Temperature on the Mobility of Matrix-Isolated Species: HBr in Xenon

FTIR spectroscopy has been used to probe the mobility of matrix-isolated species by monitoring the formation of dimers and higher-order multimers in a 1:1600 HBr doped xenon matrix as a function of both the initial deposition temperature and subsequent annealing treatment. Upon subsequent annealing, matrices initially deposited at lower temperatures produce larger concentrations of multimeric HBr species compared to matrices formed by initial deposition at higher temperatures. These results are interpreted in the context of the effect of the microscopic morphology of a matrix on the mobility of matrix-isolated species. Time-resolved studies of the formation of multimers allow an approximate diffusion coefficient to be determined for HBr at 50 K. These results are consistent with HBr mobility in these rare gas matrices being defect mediated, which is enhanced in more amorphous matrices formed at lower deposition temperatures.
Nonparametric Spirometry Reference Values for Hispanic Americans

Recent literature sites ethnic origin as a major factor in developing pulmonary function reference values. Extensive studies established reference values for European and African Americans, but not for Hispanic Americans. The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey defines Hispanic as individuals of Spanish speaking cultures. While no group was excluded from the target population, sample size requirements only allowed inclusion of individuals who identified themselves as Mexican Americans. This research constructs nonparametric reference value confidence intervals for Hispanic American pulmonary function. The method is applicable to all ethnicities. We use empirical likelihood confidence intervals to establish normal ranges for reference values. Its major advantage: it is model free, but shares asymptotic properties of model based methods. Statistical comparisons indicate that empirical likelihood interval lengths are comparable to normal theory intervals. Power and efficiency studies agree with previously published theoretical results.
Effect of the Interparticle Pair Potential on the Rheological Behavior of Zirconia Powders: II, The Influence of Chem‐Adsorbed Silanes

The influence of two bifunctional aminosilanes, N-(triethoxysilylpropyl)-O-polyethylen oxid urehtan (PEG-silane) and N-(3-triethyoxsilylpropyl) gluconamid (Glucol-silane), on the rheological behavior of aqueous zirconia (solid solution with 3 mol% Y2O3) powder slurries and consolidated bodies was investigated. Adsorption of the silanes was determined with viscosity measurements. The influence of tetramethylammonium (TMA) chloride added to dispersed slurries to produce weakly attractive particle networks, formulated with the aminosilane reacted powders was investigated. Bodies were consolidated by filtration at different applied pressures. Viscosity vs shear rate behavior, and consolidated body rheology, were determined for slurries formulated at different pH values and different salt contents. The Glucol-silane coated powder had a different isoelectric point (pH ∼8.5) relative to the unreacted (pH ∼7.5) and PEG-silane coated powders (pH ∼7). Dispersed slurries with Newtonian behavior could be formulated for the following conditions: unreacted powder = pH 11, PEG-silane coated powder = pH 10, and Glucol-silane coated powder = pH 6. Bodies with the highest relative density (∼51%) were produced from dispersed slurries (uncoated and coated); their relative density was nearly pressure insensitive. The relative density of consolidated bodies produced from slurries with an attractive particle network (formulated either at the isoelectric point or dispersed with added salt) was pressure sensitive. Bodies consolidated with the weakly attractive particle networks exhibited a critical relative density that separated the body's plastic and brittle behavior. The highest critical relative density (47%) was achieved for bodies consolidated with salt-added, dispersed slurries formulated with the longest aminosilane molecule, which produced the weakest attractive particle network. Bodies that exhibited a claylike flow stress (∼0.1 MPa) could be formulated with the shorter aminosilane molecule, whereas the longer aminosilane molecule produced a fluidlike body without a significant yield stress.
Effect of carbonation on the nitrogen BET surface area of hardened portland cement paste

Abstract The progressive decrease in the nitrogen BET surface area of dried hydrated portland cement paste during storage in plastic vials was found to be caused by carbonation, a reaction between the C-S-H phase and carbon dioxide in the air. A strong correlation between the surface area and the amount of carbonation as measured by thermogravimetric analysis was found. Historically, nitrogen BET values of surface area have shown great variability and low reproducibility, which has limited the value of this useful technique. The results of this work suggest that carbonation may have contributed to this problem.
Growing Large Nanostructured Superlattices by Sequential Activation of Self-Assembly

We propose a mechanism to grow a large superlattice of phase domains from a continuum homogenous binary film by sequential activation of self-assembly. Self-assembly was initiated in a small mobile region, where atoms could diffuse, to form a seed pattern, Then the mobile region was shifted gradually. This process led to the formation of a long-rang ordered superlattice, regardless whether the seed was perfect or not. The pattern quickly improved to a perfect superlattice along with the sequential activation. We found that the scanning velocity can effectively control the domain pattern when the system is in a bistable state, which refers to a window of average concentration where two different superlattices can both stabilize. We demonstrated two schemes for large-scale high speed fabrication: alternation between scanning directions, using the superlattice created in each previous step as a large seed; and two dimensional growth.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Calcite strains, kinematic indicators, and magnetic flow fabric of a Proterozoic pseudotachylyte swarm, Minnesota River valley, USA

Abstract Near Granite Falls, Minnesota sub-parallel pseudotachylyte, mafic dikes, and calcite veins crosscut Archean granulite facies rocks in the Minnesota River valley adjacent to the north-dipping Yellow Medicine Shear Zone (YMSZ; N80°E) that separates the Montevideo and Morton tectonic terranes. The docking of these two Archean terranes occurred prior to intrusion of the 2.067 Ga Kenora-Kabetogama dike swarm as demonstrated by aeromagnetic anomalies (correlated with field exposures) that cross the YMSZ without offset. Tectonic adjustments along the YMSZ associated with the Penokean Orogeny (∼ 1.8 Ga) are likely responsible for pseudotachylyte formation. Pseudotachylyte is exposed in 22 sub-parallel veins (∼ N80°E, 90°) each less than 2 cm wide across an outcrop width of 45 m. The pseudotachylyte matrix is commonly banded, and contains crystal fragments (quartz, plagioclase, amphibole, rutile, apatite, ilmenite, ulvospinel), magnetite microlites, flow banding swirls, amygdules (filled with calcite, ankerite and siderite), collapsed vesicles, and abundant lithic clasts. Pseudotachylyte formed in a number of phases. Kinematic reconstruction is complex, utilizing winged porphyroclasts, S-C structures in the country rock, and fault drag indicators along the pseudotachylyte zones. Dextral motion along the YMSZ is the most common observation. Mechanically twinned calcite within amygdules in the pseudotachylyte preserves horizontal shortening normal to the pseudotachylyte strike. Calcite veins are apparently contemporaneous with the pseudotachylyte; one set preserves twinning strains identical to the calcite amygdule strains, and the second set contains a horizontal, vein-parallel (N70°E) shortening strain. The pseudotachylyte contains a flow fabric, as determined by AMS techniques, that is a proxy for vertical flow (Kmax is vertical). The Kenora-Kabetogama dikes, identified geochemically, are locally parallel to the pseudotachylyte and the adjacent YMSZ tectonic suture and preserve a vertical-to-horizontal, dike-parallel AMS fabric from east (Franklin) to west (Granite Falls). Hornblende andesite dikes (055°, 1.8 Ga) are not found south of the suture, are not associated with pseudotachylyte and have a different paleopole and AMS fabric.
A single-shot imaging magnetometer using cold atoms.

We demonstrate a technique for imaging magnetic fields using velocity-selective two-photon resonances in a cold atom cloud. Freely expanding 85Rb atoms released from a magneto-optical trap are exposed to a brief (≈1 ms), off-resonant, retro-reflected laser pulse in a lin-perp-lin configuration. Two-photon resonance between magnetic sublevels occurs only for atoms in narrow velocity classes dependent on the magnetic field strength. The momentum of resonant atoms is altered by the pulse, and this two-photon momentum change is easily visible after further ballistic expansion. When the momentum pulse is applied to an atom cloud with finite size, magnetic field variations across the sample result in position-dependent features in images of the expanded cloud. We demonstrate the technique by imaging magnetic field variations over ≈5 mm with ≈250µm spatial resolution.
Synaptotagmin: a calcium-sensitive inhibitor of exocytosis?

Sergey V. Popov and Mu-ming Poo Department of Biological Sciences Columbia University New York, New York 16927 The basic steps of excitation-secretion coupling at the presynaptic nerve terminal are well established. Transmit- ters are stored in synaptic vesicles, some of which are docked at specialized sites along the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane. An action potential arriving at the nerve terminal opens Ca*+ channels in the plasma mem- brane and results in a local and transient elevation of cyto- solic Ca*+ concentration near the membrane, which in turn triggers the exocytosis of docked synaptic vesicles and the release of transmitters. While rapid advances have been made in the biochemical characterization and clon- ing of various presynaptic proteins (Siidhof and Jahn, 1991; Bennett and Scheller, 1993) our understanding of the functional role of these proteins has lagged. A case in point is an integral membrane protein of synaptic vesicles, synaptotagmin (~65). Recent findings have provided seemingly contradictory evidence for its functional impor- tance in transmitter secretion. This review aims to summa- rize these findings and to search for a model that may resolve the issue. Synaptotagmin as a Docking and Fusion Protein Synaptotagmin is an abundant synaptic vesicle protein in neurons and some endocrine cells (Matthew et al., 1961). It has a single transmembrane domain with the amino ter- minus on the intravesicular side. In vitro biochemical find- ings suggest that synaptotagmin may interact with plasma membrane components. Antibodies to synaptotagmin co- precipitate N-type Ca*+ channels (Leveque et al., 1992). Synaptotagmin also interacts with the plasma membrane proteins syntaxin and neurexin, and syntaxin binds N-type Ca2+ channels (Ushkaryov et al., 1992; Bennett et al., 1992). These findings suggest that synaptotagmin may play a role in the docking of synaptic vesicles at presynap- tic release sites. The cytoplasmic carboxyl terminus of synaptotagmin has two domains (C2 repeats), which are highly conserved among all species from which synaptotagmin has been cloned. Similar domains in protein kinase C and in phos- pholipase A2 are responsible for Ca*dependent binding of these proteins to acidic phospholipids, phosphatidylser- ine in particular. Synaptotagmin also binds through C2 repeats to phosphatidylserine upon elevation of Ca*‘ . Such direct interaction with membrane lipids prompted the suggestion that synaptotagmin may be a Ca2+-dependent fusion protein (Brose et al., 1992). Taken together, these studies suggest an attractive model for the function of synaptotagmin: Synaptotagmin docks synaptic vesicles in the vicinity of Ca2+ channels (by binding either directly or indirectly through syntaxin) and promotes exocytotic fusion upon local elevation of cytosolic Caw. Synaptotagmin thus plays both docking
Synthesis and Characterization of Thiol-Derivatized Porphyrins and Metalloporphyrin complexes

A series of thiol-derivatized porphyrins and the corresponding cobalt and zinc complexes were synthesized from 5-(p-aminophenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin (H2TPP-NH2), and 5α,15α-bis(o-aminophenyl)porphyrin (H2DPE- (NH2)2). These derivatized porphyrins have a different number of thiol appendages attached via amide linkages at different locations. The thiol-derivatized porphyrins made from H2TPP-NH2, H2TPP-NHC(O)(CH2)nSH (n = 2, 4, 5, 10), have one alkyl-thiol appendage attached to the porphyrin through an amide linkage on the p-aminophenyl position. The derivatives made from H2DPE-(NH2)2 have two alkyl-thiol appendages attached to the porphyrin through amide linkages on the o-aminophenyl positions on the same face of the porphyrin ring. These thiol-derivatized porphyrins are important adsorbates for the preparation of thiol–porphyrin monolayers on gold.
Survey and Phenology of Cutworms (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Infesting Field Corn in the Midwest

Cutworm populations in field corn were sampled from 1979 to 1981 in Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa. The black cutworm (BCW), Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), and the dingy cutworm (DCW), Feltia ducens Walker, were the most abundant species, followed by the claybacked cutworm (CBCW), Agrotis gladaria (Morrison), and the bristly cutworm (BRCW), Lacinipolia renigera (Stephens). Variegated cutworms, Peridromia saucia (Hubner), spotted cutworms, Xestia spp., sandhill cutworms, Euoxa detersa (Walker), and Euoxa spp. were also captured. The relationship between larval cutworm population maturity of DCW, CBCW, BRCW, and BCW and cumulative degree-days from 1 January was quantified. Both BCW and DCW were slightly aggregated in distribution. The coefficient of association for pairs of BCW, DCW, CBCW, and BRCW were all positive, although only DCW and CBCW, and CBCW and BRCW, were significantly associated.
How T cells 'find' the right dendritic cell.

Naive T cells can spend hours 'sampling' dendritic cells before making a stable conjugate with a single dendritic cell. It is the antigen 'dose' that determines how long this process takes.