cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cerebrospinal fluid and the choroid plexus during acute immune complex disease

Abstract During acute immune complex disease in the rabbit, immune deposits could be detected in the choroid plexus, as well as the kidney, in a majority of the animals sacrificed from 9 to 14 days after the injection of bovine serum albumin (BSA). During this time there was a good correlation between deposits in the choroid plexus and increases in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) albumin and IgG. A relatively unchanged CSF IgG to albumin ratio was observed, while the CSF to serum albumin level was increased, suggesting an alteration in the blood—CSF barrier permeability to serum proteins. In addition, the temporal appearance of BSA and anti-BSA in the CSF of these animals mirrored their appearance in the serum and in one animal immune complexes could be detected in the CSF. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to the pathogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) disease in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
A possible interface between autonomic function and pain control: opioid analgesia and the nucleus tractus solitarius

Opioid peptides appear to be important neurochemical mediators in central nervous system mechanisms of analgesia, cardiovascular control, and many endocrinological responses to stress. The nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), a brain region expressing all 3 opioid peptide families, is also associated with regulation of autonomic and endocrine functions. We now report that electrical stimulation of the NTS causes pronounced analgesia in rats. This analgesia appears to involve opioids and is pharmacologically dissociable from the hemodynamic changes elicited by NTS stimulation. These results suggest the NTS as a neural substrate for inter-relationships between stress, cardiovascular function, alterations in respiration, and pain sensitivity.
Possible inhibition of hepatic metabolism of quinidine by erythromycin

Objective To present and analyze a patient case illustrating a possible drug interaction between quinidine and erythromycin. Methods This is a case report of one hospitalized patient. The setting for this analysis was a university hospital. Through a MEDLINE search of all English medical literature (1966 to 1994) documenting possible interactions between quinidine and erythromycin, retrospective patient chart review, and analysis of the relationship between serum quinidine concentrations and significant clinical events, deduce the possibility of a quinidine and erythromycin pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction in this particular patient case. Results This case demonstrated a probable erythromycin-quinidine pharmacokinetic interaction that led to a decrease in quinidine apparent clearance, an increase in quinidine serum concentrations, and a possible quinidine toxicity. Conclusion Serum quinidine concentrations, electrocardiograms, and other factors that may predispose patients to torsades de pointes, such as hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia, should be monitored closely if quinidine is coadministered with erythromycin. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1995) 57, 89–94; doi:
Enzymatic properties and regulation of ZPU1, the maize pullulanase-type starch debranching enzyme

Starch debranching enzymes (DBE) are required for mobilization of carbohydrate reserves and for the normal structural organization of storage glucan polymers. Two isoforms, the pullulanase-type DBEs and the isoamylase-type DBEs, are both highly conserved in plants. To address DBE functions in starch assembly and breakdown, this study characterized the biochemical activity of ZPU1, a pullulanase-type DBE that is the product of the maize Zpu1 gene. Assays showed directly that recombinant ZPU1 (ZPU1r) expressed in Escherichia coli functions as a pullulanase-type enzyme, and 1H-NMR spectroscopy demonstrated that ZPU1r specifically hydrolyzes alpha(1-->6) branch linkages. Preferred substrates for ZPU1r hydrolytic activity were determined, as were pH, temperature, and thermal stability optima. Kinetic properties of ZPU1r with respect to two substrates, beta-limit dextrin and pullulan, were determined. ZPU1 activity was increased by incubation with thioredoxin h, and native activity was decreased in mutants that accumulate soluble sugars, suggesting potential regulatory mechanisms.
Kinetics of formation of anhydrovitamin A from vitamin A alcohol and its acetate

Of the several pathways by which vitamin A and its derivatives can degrade, the present study is concerned with those leading to the formation of anhydrovitamin A. Results indicate ( a ) anhydro formation does not occur readily with vitamin A alcohol in the absence of a strong catalyst such as hydrogen chloride, ( b ) the reaction proceeds at a significant rate for solutions of the acetate in both alcoholic and hydro-alcoholic systems, ( c ) the conversion of the acetate to the anhydro form is much more rapid in the presence of water than in its absence, and ( d ) formation from the acetate does not occur in ether or hydrocarbon solvent in the absence of catalytic agents. Catalytic behavior of hydrogen chloride, perchloric acid, and acetic acid were also studied. The results on experiments made with pyridine and sodium hydroxide as possible inhibitors are also presented.
Empirical and rank processes of observations and residuals

Empirical and rank processes of a sample are shown to converge under weak conditions. These results are then extended to analogous empirical and rank processes formed from the residuals of a linear model. Representations of the limiting processes are obtained by means of a special construction. The technicalities are honed to require few regularity conditions. On demontre la convergence du processus empirique et du processus de rang d'un echantillon sous des conditions tres generales. On etablit ensuite les memes resultats pour des processus analogues formes a partir des residus d'un modele lineaire. On determine la forme explicite des processus limites a l'aide d'une construction speciale. L'approche adoptee permet d'eviter l'usage excessif de conditions techniques.
A Disciplinary Immigrant. Alexander Smith at the University of Chicago, 1894-1911.

Summary The publication in 1906 of Alexander Smith's Introduction to general inorganic chemistry inaugurated a decisive change in chemical pedagogy in the US, the effects of which are still evident. The nature and extent of Smith's innovations are described through a comparison of his text to its source material and contemporaries. His authoritative command of and whole-hearted commitment to the intellectual framework of Ionist physical chemistry set his text apart from its American competitors, while his efforts to make the tools of physical chemistry immediately useful to his readers distinguished it from its most immediate source material, Wilhelm Ostwald's Grundlinien der anorganischen Chemie. Smith's curricular innovations in chemistry were a practical expression of his radically restrictive view of the social role of collegiate education, which he conceived as solely of use for its ability to prepare students for professional life. During the fifteen years prior to the publication of his groundbreak...
Aging response of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu spray formed alloys and their metal matrix composites

Abstract The aging response of various Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys was compared with the reinforced counterpart. The effects of aging temperature and time on the mechanical properties of these alloys, was also determined. Moreover, the effects of quenching rate from solution temperature, time between quench and aging, and heating rate to precipitation temperature were investigated. The study was executed by selecting two different heat treatments for each of three different aging temperatures: one without prior straining, and the other with 2% straining prior to aging to relieve stress. Room temperature tensile testing was conducted to determine these variations of aging on the strength of the spray formed Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys. The presence of SiC particles accelerated the aging kinetics of the alloys compared to the unreinforced counterparts. This difference in time to peak aging decreased with decreasing aging temperature. At uniform temperatures, differences for time to peak aging between unreinforced and composite alloys also existed in both the prestrained and unstrained condition. The difference was not as great in the prestrained state. The tensile strengths increased slightly with prestraining, but not significantly. Alloys containing silver maintained high strengths over silver-free counterparts when rapidly heated to precipitation temperatures above 120 °C. At slow heating rates, however, the silver-free alloys matched or were slightly higher than the strength of silver alloys, with increasing heating rate.
Positional cloning of the human quantitative trait locus underlying taste sensitivity to phenylthiocarbamide

The ability to taste the substance phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) has been widely used for genetic and anthropological studies, but genetic studies have produced conflicting results and demonstrated complex inheritance for this trait. We have identified a small region on chromosome 7q that shows strong linkage disequilibrium between single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and PTC taste sensitivity in unrelated subjects. This region contains a single gene that encodes a member of the TAS2R bitter taste receptor family. We identified three coding SNPs giving rise to five haplotypes in this gene worldwide. These haplotypes completely explain the bimodal distribution of PTC taste sensitivity, thus accounting for the inheritance of the classically defined taste insensitivity and for 55 to 85% of the variance in PTC sensitivity. Distinct phenotypes were associated with specific haplotypes, which demonstrates that this gene has a direct influence on PTC taste sensitivity and that sequence variants at different sites interact with each other within the encoded gene product.
Quantitative Characterization of a Polystyrene/Poly(α-methylstyrene) Blend by MALDI Mass Spectrometry and Size-Exclusion Chromatography

The use of coupled size-exclusion chromatography and MALDI mass spectrometry for quantitative measurement of the composition of technical polymer blends at the molecular level is described. The method is illustrated with a model binary blend consisting of polystyrene and poly(α-methylstyrene), both polymers having similar molecular weights and polydispersities. The proposed MALDI data treatment allows determination of the chemical composition of the blend, the molecular weights of the constituents, and the distributions of the homopolymers.
Comparisons between observations and numerical simulations of Japan (East) Sea flow and mass fields in 1999 through 2001

Abstract The Princeton Ocean Model (POM), as implemented for the Japan (East) Sea (JES) with mesoscale-admitting resolution is driven by seasonal throughflow and synoptic atmospheric forcing for 1999 through 2001. Temperature and salinity profiles from shipborne and PALACE float CTDs, and horizontal velocities at 800 m from PALACE float trajectories, plus horizontal velocities at 15 m from WOCE surface drifters for 1988 through 2001, are used to assess the performance of the numerical simulations for a base case. General agreement exists in the circulation at 15 and 800 m and the horizontal and vertical structure of the upper ocean temperature and salinity fields. The mean observed flow at 15 m defines the two branches of the Tsushima Warm Current and hints at the existence of a large cyclonic gyre over the Japan Basin, which the simulations also produce. The mean observed flow at 800 m defines a large cyclonic recirculation gyre over the Japan Basin that validates the simulated flow pattern. Variances of the observed and simulated flows at 15 and 800 m have similar patterns. The main discrepancies are associated with the strength of the seasonal thermocline and halocline and the location of the Subpolar Front. When smoother topography and smaller lateral friction are used in other cases, the thermocline and halocline strengthen, agreeing better with the observed values, and when 80% of total outflow transport is forced to exit through Soya Strait, the Subpolar Front extends along the coast to the north of Tsugaru Strait, which is an observed feature absent in the base case.
Electromechanical behaviour of nanoporous metallic glass

Understanding the electrical and mechanical behaviour of nanoporous materials is critical for their use in energy applications. A palladium-rich nanoporous film, 500 nm thick with pore size ranging from 10 to 50 nm, was obtained by electrochemical dealloying of a Ni–Pd–P–B metallic glass. Nanomechanical and electrical properties were measured simultaneously, as a function of depth, for the nanoporous structure as well as the unaltered metallic glass substrate. The elastic modulus for the nanoporous structure was found to be 22 GPa compared to 131 GPa for the metallic glass substrate. The ratio of moduli scales with the square of the relative density in agreement with linear elasticity models for cellular materials. The electrical resistivity of the nanoporous layer was found to be 2.2 times higher compared to the metallic glass substrate, which was attributed to the tortuosity of current path in cellular structures.
The characterization of some 3,4-methylenedioxycathinone (MDCATH) homologs

Abstract In the past 35 years, a wide variety of illicit drugs have appeared in the clandestine market. Many of these compounds are based on the structure of amphetamine (1-phenyl-2-aminopropane) to which various functional or structural groups have been added. Previous modifications to the amphetamine molecule include addition of a methylenedioxy bridge to give 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, and attachment of a β -keto oxygen to yield cathinone. A chemical synthesis integrating the salient functional/structural groups of these two classes of amphetamine analogs results in manufacture of methylenedioxycathinone (MDCATH). In each instance, N-alkylation of these analogs provides a series of homologs. Furthermore, many of these analogs/homologs meet several criteria which typically support the clandestine laboratory synthesis of novel illicit drugs (`designer drugs'). The MDCATH analogs represent a potentially new series of `designer drugs' whose chemical characteristics have not previously been reported. Appropriate selection of analytical, chemical and physical tests will enable rapid identification of these analogs by a comparative analysis using the data provided.
Thermal injury to the tongue from an operative laryngoscope

Objective To understand risk and possible mechanisms of thermal injury to the tongue during suspension laryngoscopy. Study Design and Setting Tongue injury was noted following suspension laryngoscopy in a cluster of cases; the findings raised suspicion for thermal injury. To characterize the potential for thermal injury, a lighted laryngoscope was placed in contact with samples of tongue. Tissue heating was recorded over time at fixed distances from the light carrier within a laryngoscope. Comparisons were made between two light sources and carriers. Results Maximal tissue heating using a newer-model light source and new carrier was 16.7°F immediately beneath the light carrier tip and 19.8°F at 1 cm distal to the carrier tip. Other combinations of an older source and carriers failed to raise temperatures. Heating up to 10.7°F occurred with the new source and an older carrier. Conclusion and Significance Tissue heating may occur from contact with operative laryngoscopes. This is an important patient safety issue in laryngology.
Extracting gluon fragmentation functions in hadron-hadron collisions

Two methods for extracting gluon fragmentation functions in π±p, and pp collisions are proposed. The only inputs are valence-quark distribution functions which we know much better than other structure functions and fragmentation functions. So better extraction of gluon fragmentation functions can be obtained.
The relationship of various tibia bone measurements in hens

Tibias from 50 Single Comb White Leghorn hens were used to study the relationships among various bone measurements. The bone ash (BA), length, wet bone volume (V), fat-free dry matter (FFDM), fat-free bone density (BD; mass per unit bone volume), and bone breaking force (BF) were measured, and the BA concentration (BA/V) and BA as a percentage of FFDM (BA/FFDM) were calculated. Bone ash was highly correlated with FFDM (r = 0.975). The BD was poorly correlated with any of the parameters measured in the present study. The BF was highly correlated with BA (r = 0.922) and FFDM (r = 0.918), but less well correlated with BA/FFDM (r = 0.496) and BA/V (r = 0.694). However, the inclusion of volume2 significantly improved the BF predicting models when BA/V was used as predictor (R2 = 0.855), indicating that BF is not only a function of BA density but also of bone size. The BF adjusted for V may better reflect treatment effect upon bone status than BF alone. The coefficient of variation of BA/FFDM and BD was smaller (0.007) than the CV with BA/V (0.026), which may indicate the BA/V is potentially a better indicator of bone status than BA/FFDM and BD. Bone length was poorly correlated with BA, FFDM, and BF, but highly correlated with V (r = 0.844). The volume of the same bone measured by the water weight change method gave the most consistent measurement. The data showed that BA/V may be a better measurement to reflect the bone status changes of hens than other measurements tested. When BA, FFDM, or BF are used in laying hen's bone status studies, the data analysis needs to be adjusted for V, an V is closely correlated with these variables.
To Boxplot or Not to Boxplot

Summary The lower quartile is the median of all of the values to the left of the median of the whole set of data; the upper quartile is the median of all of the values to the right of the median of the whole set of data.
Polymer-Based Lanthanide Luminescent Sensor for Detection of the Hydrolysis Product of the Nerve Agent Soman in Water

The techniques of molecular imprinting and sensitized lanthanide luminescence have been combined to create the basis for a sensor that can selectively measure the hydrolysis product of the nerve agent Soman in water. The sensor functions by selectively and reversibly binding the phosphonate hydrolysis product of this agent to a functionality-imprinted copolymer possessing a coordinatively bound luminescent lanthanide ion, Eu3+. Instrumental support for this device is designed to monitor the appearance of a narrow luminescence band in the 610-nm region of the Eu3+ spectrum that results when the analyte is coordinated to the copolymer. The ligand field shifted luminescence was excited using 1 mW of the 465.8-nm line of an argon ion laser and monitored via an optical fiber using a miniature spectrometer. For this configuration, the limit of detection for the hydrolysis product is 7 parts per trillion (ppt) in solution with a linear range from 10 ppt to 10 ppm. Chemical and spectroscopic selectivities have be...
Cancer Cell Imaging and Photothermal Therapy in the Near-Infrared Region by Using Gold Nanorods

Due to strong electric fields at the surface, the absorption and scattering of electromagnetic radiation by noble metal nanoparticles are strongly enhanced. These unique properties provide the potential of designing novel optically active reagents for simultaneous molecular imaging and photothermal cancer therapy. It is desirable to use agents that are active in the near-infrared (NIR) region of the radiation spectrum to minimize the light extinction by intrinsic chromophores in native tissue. Gold nanorods with suitable aspect ratios (length divided by width) can absorb and scatter strongly in the NIR region (650−900 nm). In the present work, we provide an in vitro demonstration of gold nanorods as novel contrast agents for both molecular imaging and photothermal cancer therapy. Nanorods are synthesized and conjugated to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) monoclonal antibodies and incubated in cell cultures with a nonmalignant epithelial cell line (HaCat) and two malignant oral epithelial ...
Lack of association of a common polymorphism of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene with coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction☆

OBJECTIVES The study was done to assess whether the common polymorphic allele (4G) of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) gene is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) or myocardial infarction (MI). BACKGROUND Impaired fibrinolytic function has been associated with CAD and MI. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 plays a central role in intravascular thrombosis and thrombolysis; the common insertion/deletion polymorphism (4G/5G) of PAI-1 has been correlated with altered PAI-1 levels and proposed as a coronary risk factor. METHODS Blood was drawn and DNA extracted from 1,353 consenting patients undergoing coronary angiography. The 4G and 5G alleles of PAI-1 were amplified using specific primers. Amplified products were visualized by staining with ethidium bromide after electrophoresis in 1.5% agarose. RESULTS Patient age averaged 63.5 (SD 11.7) years; 70% were men, 28% had a history of MI, 66% had severe CAD (>60% stenosis), and 23% had no CAD or MI. Overall, the frequency of the 4G allele was 54.2%, and 78% of patients were 4G carriers. Genotypic distributions were: 4G/4G = 30.1%, 4G/5G = 47.9%, and 5G/5G = 21.8%. Neither carriage of 4G (CAD odds ratio [OR] = 1.08 [0.80 to 1.46], MI OR = 1.11 [0.83 to 1.49]) nor 4G/4G homozygosity (CAD OR = 1.07, MI OR = 0.98) was associated with CAD or MI. In multivariate analyses, risk factors associated with CAD were (in order): gender, age, smoking, diabetes, cholesterol, and hypertension; for MI, they were gender, smoking, and cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS A common PAI-1 polymorphism (4G) was not importantly associated with angiographic CAD or history of MI in a Caucasian population. Modest risk (i.e., OR <1.5), especially for MI, or risk in association with other factors, cannot be excluded.
Antigenic relationships in calf thymus and human leukemic cell terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase.

Abstract Antibody to purified terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (nucleosidetriphosphate: DNA deoxy-nucleotidylexotransferase, E.C. 2.7.7.31) from calf thymus was prepared in rabbits using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase crosslinked to bovine serum albumin. These antibodies, partially purified by 60% ammonium sulfate precipitation and Sephadex G-200 column chromatography, produced one precipitation band with calf thymus terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase on immunodiffusion. This antibody preparation also inhibited the in vitro activity of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase from calf thymus, acute leukemic lymphoblasts and Molt-4 cells but not that of DNA polymerases α, β and γ from these cells.
Biogeochemistry in a shortgrass landscape: control by topography, soil texture, and microclimate.

Biogeochemistry of terrestrial ecosystems is controlled by interactions among factors operating at several spatial and temporal scales. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative importance and interaction of relatively static landscape factors and more dynamic factors in a shortgrass steppe landscape. The landscape factors examined were topographic position, and soil texture. The dynamic factors studied were seasonal climate and the localized effects of individual plants on soils. Patterns were evaluated by sampling soil between and under individual Bouteloua gracilis plants in paired upland (erosional) and lowland (depositional) plots at eight locations at the Central Plains Experimental Range (CPER), Colorado. We quantified five organic C and N pools (total, fine and coarse particulate organic matter [POM], mineral-associated organic matter [MAOM], and potentially mineralizable C and N), and we estimated seasonal patterns of in situ N dynamics with three methods (extractable inorganic N, ne...
Matching biochemical and functional efficacies confirm ZIP as a potent competitive inhibitor of PKMζ in neurons

Abstract PKMζ is an autonomously active, atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) isoform that is both necessary and sufficient for maintaining long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term memory. The myristoylated ζ-pseudosubstrate peptide, ZIP, potently inhibits PKMζ biochemically in vitro, within cultured cells, and within neurons in hippocampal slices, and reverses LTP maintenance and erases long-term memory storage. A recent study ( Wu-Zhang et al., 2012 ), however, suggested ZIP was not effective on a PKMζ fusion protein overexpressed in cultured cells. Chelerythrine, a redox-sensitive PKC inhibitor that inhibits PKMζ and disrupts LTP maintenance and memory storage, was also reported by Wu-Zhang et al. (2012) not to inhibit the expressed PKMζ fusion protein. However, the efficacy of inhibitors on endogenous enzymes in cells may not be adequately assessed in expression systems in which levels of expression of exogenous enzymes greatly exceed those of endogenous enzymes. Thus, we show, biochemically, that when PKMζ reaches a level beyond that necessary for substrate phosphorylation such that much of the enzyme is excess or ‘spare’ kinase, ZIP and chelerythrine do not effectively block substrate phosphorylation. We also show that the cellular overexpression techniques used by Wu-Zhang et al. (2012) increase kinase levels ∼30–40 fold above normal levels in transfected cells. Using a mathematical model we show that at such level of overexpression, standard concentrations of inhibitor should have no noticeable effect. Furthermore, we demonstrate the standard concentrations of ZIP, but not scrambled ZIP, inhibit the ability of PKMζ to potentiate AMPAR responses at postsynaptic sites, the physiological function of the kinase. Wu-Zhang et al. (2012) had also claimed that staurosporine, a general kinase inhibitor that does not effectively inhibit PKMζ biochemically in vitro, nonetheless indirectly blocked the PKMζ fusion protein overexpressed in cultured cells by inhibiting phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1). However, here we show that staurosporine does not affect PDK1 phosphorylation of the endogenous PKMζ in hippocampal slices. Thus, the biochemical in vitro effects of PKMζ inhibitors correspond with their intracellular effects, and ZIP and chelerythrine, together with scrambled ZIP and staurosporine as controls, are effective tools to examine the function of PKMζ in neurons. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘Cognitive Enhancers’.
Routing algorithms for urban rapid transit

Abstract A basic routing algorithm is presented for finding optimal routes for cars in a rapid transit system. The algorithm uses predicted path cost, depth-first search, and threshold acceptance to minimize computation cost. It is applicable to synchronous, cycle-synchronous, and trans-synchronous control strategies, and will minimize either departure time, transit time, or arrival time as may be needed. Extensions of the algorithm to allow finding empty cars to answer service requests, to dynamically reroute cars in the system, and to handle multistation routes are presented.
Climatic controls on carbon storage in seasonally frozen soils

When soil goes through an annual freeze-thaw cycle, the expansion and shrinkage of underground water causes a second cycle, one of heaving and sinking, that can produce unusual geometric patterns on the surface. Known as cryoturbation, this process drives buried boulders to the surface and lets fine particles settle in the holes left behind. In some regions, cryoturbation gives rise to circles on the surface (some a few meters wide): patches of bare soil ringed by rocks. In others, such as a site in northern Sweden analyzed by Becher et al., cryoturbation creates nonsorted circles: bare soil surrounded by trees or shrubs. The churning soil is inhospitable for the plants’ roots, and if anything, only a light dusting of moss or lichen covers the centers of the circles.
Effect of puromycin on hepatic glycogen phosphorylase activity.

SummaryLiver glycogen phosphorylase activity was studied in mice at early times subsequent to in vivo administration of puromycin, and following puromycin addition to incubations of rat liver slices. No effect of puromycin on phosphorylase could be detected following injection of unanesthetized mice. Puromycin treatment of pentobarbital-anesthetized mice, however, resulted in an enhancement of the phosphorylase activity as compared to control values. Phosphorylase activity in rat liver slices incubated with puromycin was greater than those incubated without puromycin. These results indicate that puromycin can elevate liver phosphorylase activity, a finding consistent with the hepatic glycogenolytic action of the antibiotic in vivo.
Differential gene expression in the kidney of sickle cell transgenic mice: upregulated genes

The S+S-Antilles transgenic mouse used in this study has renal defects similar to those seen in sickle cell anemia patients: congested glomeruli, medullary fibrosis, renal enlargement, vasoocclusion, and a urine concentrating defect. We used gene expression microarrays to identify genes highly up-regulated in the kidneys of these mice and validated their expression by real-time PCR. Kidney hypoxia, as demonstrated by the presence of deoxyhemoglobin, was detected by blood oxygen dependent magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI). Some of the up-regulated genes included cytochrome P450 4a14, glutathione-S-transferase alpha-1, mitochondrial hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA synthase, cytokine inducible SH-2 containing protein, retinol dehydrogenase type III, arginase II, glycolate oxidase, Na/K ATPase, renin-1, and alkaline phosphatase 2. An increase in enzyme activity was also demonstrated for one of the up-regulated genes (arginase II). These genes can be integrated into several different pathophysiological processes: a hypoxia cascade, a replacement cascade, or an ameliorating cascade, one or all of which may explain the phenotype of this disease. We conclude that microarray technology is a powerful tool to identify genes involved in renal disease in sickle cell anemia and that the identification of various metabolic pathways may open new avenues for therapeutic interventions.
Use of Experimental Data for an Efficient Description of Turbulent Flows

The proper orthogonal decomposition (POD), also called Karhunen-Loeve expansion, which extracts ‘coherent structures’ from experimental data, is a very efficient tool for analyzing and modeling turbulent flows. It has been shown that it converges faster than any other expansion in terms of kinetic energy (Lumley 1970). First, the POD is applied to the chaotic solution of the Lorenz equations. The dynamics of the Lorenz attractor is reconstructed by only the first three POD modes. In the second part of this paper, we show how the POD can be used in turbulence modeling. The particular case studied is the wall region of a turbulent boundary layer. In this flow, the velocity field is expanded into POD modes in the normal direction and Fourier modes in the streamwise and spanwise directions. Dynamical systems are obtained by Galerkin projections of the Navier Stokes equations onto the different modes. Aubry et al. (1988) applied the technique to derive and study a ten dimensional representation which reproduced qualitatively the bursting event experimentally observed. It is shown that streamwise modes, absent in Aubry et al.’s model, participate to the bursting events. This agrees remarkably well with experimental observations. In both examples, the dynamics of the original system is very well recovered from the contribution of only a few modes.
The Great Escape: The Unaddressed Ethical Issue of Investor Responsibility for Corporate Malfeasance.

Corporate governance scholarship focuses on executive malfeasance, specifically its antecedents and consequences. Academic efforts primarily focus on prevention while practitioners are often left to hold firms and executives (including directors) accountable through a variety of sanctions. Even so, executive malfeasance still occurs even in the face of the vast resources used to monitor, control, and penalize firms and executives. In this paper, we posit equity markets do not adequately penalize firms for inaccurate earnings reports. Using a sample of 129 firms identified by the U.S. General Accounting Office for reporting fraudulent earnings in 10K filings, we found support for our assertion. Consequently, the one party who may benefit but escape accountability is firm shareholders. Moreover, we find little empirical evidence that the subset of firms sanctioned by the SEC is penalized more heavily than the full sample by markets at the time they report and correct their 10K filings. Our results raise serious questions whether such managerial opportunism can be eradicated given the apparent lack of consequences in equity markets for investors. We also question whether the SEC is able to discern between fraud and error in financial reporting and its implications.
MCH−/− Mice Are Resistant to Aging-Associated Increases in Body Weight and Insulin Resistance

Ablation of the hypothalamic peptide, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), leads to a lean phenotype and resistance to diet-induced obesity. Observation of MCH −/− mice at older ages suggested that these effects persist in mice >1 year old. Leanness secondary to caloric restriction is known to be associated with improved glucose tolerance as well as an overall increase in life span. Because the MCH −/− model represents leanness secondary to increased energy expenditure rather than caloric restriction, we were interested in determining whether this model of leanness would be associated with beneficial metabolic effects at older ages. To assess the effects of MCH ablation over a more prolonged period, we monitored male and female MCH −/− mice up to 19 months. The lean phenotype of MCH −/− mice persisted over the duration of the study. At 19 months, MCH −/− male and female mice weighed 23.4 and 30.8% less than their wild-type counterparts, a result of reduced fat mass in MCH −/− mice. Aged MCH −/− mice exhibited better glucose tolerance and were more insulin sensitive compared with wild-type controls. Aging-associated decreases in locomotor activity were also attenuated in MCH −/− mice. We also evaluated two molecules implicated in the pathophysiology of aging, p53 and silent inflammatory regulator 2 (Sir2). We found that expression of the tumor suppressor protein p53 was higher in MCH −/− mice at 9 and 19 months of age. In contrast, expression of Sir2 was unchanged. In aggregate, these findings suggest that MCH ablation improves the long-term outcome for several indicators of the aging process.
Widely distributed noncoding purifying selection in the human genome

It is widely assumed that human noncoding sequences comprise a substantial reservoir for functional variants impacting gene regulation and other chromosomal processes. Evolutionarily conserved noncoding sequences (CNSs) in the human genome have attracted considerable attention for their potential to simplify the search for functional elements and phenotypically important human alleles. A major outstanding question is whether functionally significant human noncoding variation is concentrated in CNSs or distributed more broadly across the genome. Here, we combine wholegenome sequence data from four nonhuman species (chimp, dog, mouse, and rat) with recently available comprehensive human polymorphism data to analyze selection at single-nucleotide resolution. We show that a substantial fraction of active purifying selection in human noncoding sequences occurs outside of CNSs and is diffusely distributed across the genome. This finding suggests the existence of a large complement of human noncoding variants that may impact gene expression and phenotypic traits, the majority of which will escape detection with current approaches to genome analysis.
Supporting User-Defined Subsetting and Aggregation over Parallel NetCDF Datasets

While dissemination of scientific data is becoming crucial for facilitating scientific discoveries, a key challenge being faced by these efforts is that the dataset sizes continue to grow rapidly. Coupled with the fact that wide area data transfer bandwidths and disk retrieval speeds are growing at a much slower pace, it is becoming extremely hard for scientists to download, manage, and process scientific datasets. We have developed a light-weight data management tool, which allows server-side sub setting and aggregation on scientific datasets stored in a native format. While our approach is more general, this paper describes an implementation specific to NetCDF, which is one of the most popular scientific data formats. To support a variety of queries efficiently, our tool generates code for pre-filtering and post-filtering, and parallelize selection and aggregation queries efficiently using novel algorithms. We have extensively evaluated our implementation and compared its performance and functionality against Open DAP. We demonstrate that even for sub setting queries that are directly supported in Open DAP, the sequential performance of our system is better. In addition, our system is capable of supporting a larger variety of queries, scaling performance by parallelizing the queries, and reducing wide area data transfers through server-side data aggregation.
Residual Stress Control to Optimize Pzt Mems Performance

Flexing piezoelectric membranes can be used to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. The overall deflection of individual membranes is impacted by the residual stress in the system. Membranes comprised of silicon dioxide, Ti/Pt, lead- zirconate- titanate (PZT), and TiW/Au layers deposited on a micromachined boron doped silicon wafer were examined for both morphology and residual stress. By characterizing the membrane residual stress induced during processing with x-ray diffraction, wafer curvature, and bulge testing and identifying methods to reduce stress, the membrane performance and reliability can be optimized. For Zr:Ti ratios of 52:48, the residual stress in the PZT was 350 MPa tensile, with an overall effective stress in the composite membrane of 150 MPa. A reduction of stress was accomplished by changing the PZT chemistry to 40:60 Zr:Ti in the PZT to obtain a stress in the PZT of 160 MPa tensile and an overall effective membrane stress of 100 MPa. The crystallization of the 52:48 PZT film at 700 °C causes a 28% reduction in the thickness of the film.
Displacement Synthesis of Cu Shells Surrounding Co Nanoparticles

Copper shells were fabricated by a displacement method around Co nanoparticles (3.2 ′ 0.6 nm) at room temperature in a copper-citrate aqueous electrolyte. The nanoparticles were synthesized by a wet chemical approach using the surfactant sulfobetaine, dodecyldimethyl (3-sulfopropyl) ammonium hydroxide (98%) in tetrahydrofuran. X-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis confirmed that cobalt oxide was not present in the nanoparticles upon exposure to air, consistent with a shell formation. Additionally, the presence of the shell resulted in an increase of the blocking temperature of the core-shell nanoparticles, stabilizing the ferromagnetic behavior up to 235 K.
Microfluidics: The no-slip boundary condition

The no-slip boundary condition at a solid-liquid interface is at the center of our understanding of fluid mechanics. However, this condition is an assumption that cannot be derived from first principles and could, in theory, be violated. In this chapter, we present a review of recent experimental, numerical and theoretical investigations on the subject. The physical picture that emerges is that of a complex behavior at a liquid/solid interface, involving an interplay of many physico-chemical parameters, including wetting, shear rate, pressure, surface charge, surface roughness, impurities and dissolved gas.
The sugar-insensitive1 (sis1) mutant of Arabidopsis is allelic to ctr1.

Soluble sugar levels affect a diverse array of plant developmental processes. For example, exposure to high levels of glucose or sucrose inhibits early seedling development of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. Media-shift experiments indicate that Arabidopsis seedlings lose their sensitivity to the inhibitory effects of high sugar levels on early development within approximately two days after the start of imbibition. The sugar-insensitive1 (sis1) mutant of Arabidopsis was isolated by screening for plants that are insensitive to the inhibitory effects of high concentrations of sucrose on early seedling development. The sis1 mutant also displays glucose and mannose resistant phenotypes and has an osmo-tolerant phenotype during early seedling development. The sis1 mutant is resistant to the negative effects of paclobutrazol, an inhibitor of gibberellin biosynthesis, on seed germination. Characterization of the sis1 mutant revealed that it is allelic to ctr1, a previously identified mutant with a constitutive response to ethylene.
The Response of an ENSO Model to Climate Noise, Weather Noise and Intraseasonal Forcing

The response of an intermediate coupled model of the tropical Pacific to different forms of stochastic wind forcing is studied. An estimate of observed Pacific wind variance that is unrelated to Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) has a red spectrum, inconsistent with standard definitions of “weather noise”. The reddening is likely due to SST outside the basin; we propose a definition of “climate noise” for such reddened variance. Effects are compared for (i) red climate noise; (ii) the corresponding white weather noise estimate; (iii) intraseasonal and interannual components of the white noise (to test frequency response); and (iv) a noise product with extra power in the 30–60 day range. Power is not effectively channeled from subannual frequencies to the frequencies associated with ENSO in this model. This suggests that ENSO impacts of the Madden-Julian oscillation are largely restricted to the low-frequency tail rather than the 30–60 day spectral peak. Interannual climate noise originating outside the tropical Pacific appears important.
The intracellular Ca2+ transient and tension in frog skeletal muscle fibres measured with high temporal resolution.

1. The purpose of this study was to determine, with high temporal resolution, the relationship between the intracellular Ca2+ transient (ICT) and the mechanical responses of intact, single skeletal muscle fibres of frogs following stimulation by a single, brief depolarization. 2. The time course of the ICT was monitored using the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dyes mag-fura-2 (furaptra) and mag-fura-5. The mag-fura dyes have a low affinity for Ca2+ and have been shown to track the ICT with no appreciable kinetic delay. Continuous records of mag-fura fluorescence, tension and stiffness responses were obtained simultaneously at high time resolution at a sarcomere length of 2.9 microns. Experimental temperature was 3 degrees C. 3. When a delay of 0.4 ms due to the low-pass filter associated with the photodetector was included, the onset of the fluorescence response preceded the onset of latency relaxation (the small fall in tension that precedes positive tension generation) by 3.1 +/- 0.2 ms (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 8). After its onset, the mag-fura fluorescence signal continued to change rapidly (indicating increasing intracellular [Ca2+]) to an extreme level that occurred 1.5 +/- 0.5 ms (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 7) before tension had recovered to its resting level following latency relaxation. The time delay from the extreme of the fluorescence signal to the peak of the tension signal was 239 +/- 27 ms (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 6).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Multisensor integration for underwater scene classification

A new approach is developed for automated classification of seafloor scenes using sonar sensors and optical imagery. The sonar image yields backscatter estimates, while the optical stereo imagery yields surface roughness parameters. This information is combined and used in a composite roughness model of high-frequency bottom backscattering phenomenon. The model provides estimates of material density ratio and sound velocity ratio for the seafloor. These parameters serve as physically meaningful features and enable classification of the seafloor. Experiments on real data illustrate the classification of imaged seafloor as sandy sediment or sediment rich in manganese nodules. >
DISCOGRAPHY AND EPIDUROGRAPHY FOR EVALUATION OF THE LUMBOSACRAL JUNCTION IN DOGS WITH CAUDA EQUINA SYNDROME

Cauda equina syndrome in the dog is a common neurologic disorder caused by compression of the spinal cord, nerve roots and spinal nerves caudal to the fifth lumbar vertebra. This paper describes the clinical signs, radiographic findings of discography and/or epidurography, and comparison with surgery or necropsy of 21 dogs with cauda equina syndrome. Discograms were performed by using a 20- or 22-gauge spinal needle introduced in a sagittal plane into the lumbosacral (LS) disc space under fluoroscopic guidance. Epidurograms were performed following discography by injecting contrast medium after repositioning the tip of the needle into the ventral epidural space at the level of the LS junction. Direct examination of the LS junction was performed in all dogs by surgical exploration and/or necropsy. On survey radiographs, the most common findings were spondylosis, malalignment of the sacrum to the last lumbar vertebra, collapse of the LS disc space, stenosis of the vertebral canal at the LS junction, and transitional vertebral segments. Discography was considered of diagnostic quality in 19/21 (90%) of the dogs, showing disc protrusion in 14/21 (67%). Epidurography was of diagnostic quality in 18/18 (100%) dogs, showing abnormal findings in 14/18 (78%). No adverse reaction was noted to the radiographic procedure when dogs were allowed to recover from anesthesia before surgery. Based on macroscopic findings, combination of survey radiographs and disco-epidurography was correctly positive in 16/18 dogs (89%). It is concluded that discography associated with epidurography is a valuable procedure for evaluation of the LS junction in the dog. A combination of both procedures reduces the possibility of technical artifacts by outlining both sides of the compressive lesion, i.e., the disc and the epidural space.