cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of lurcher Motif Mutations on NMDA Receptor Kinetics

The juxtamembrane domain, which connects the ligand-binding clamshell to transmembrane helices, is an important transduction element in the gating of glutamate-activated ion channels. In particular, residues in the lurcher motif, a highly conserved nine-residue sequence at the end of the M3 helix, have been implicated in controlling channel gating and proton sensitivity. It was reported that a single residue substitution in the GluN1 subunit, A652Y, results in increased gating and decreased proton inhibition. To investigate the mechanism(s) by which these changes in gating and modulation occur, we characterized the stationary gating kinetics of single NMDA receptors composed of GluN1(A652Y) and GluN2A subunits, denoted here A7Y, in cell-attached patches of HEK293 cells, with saturating concentrations of glutamate and glycine, at pH 8.0 and pH 6.5. We found that at pH 8.0, the A7Y substitution caused a 35% increase in Po. This potentiation was entirely due to ∼7-fold increase in open durations: wt, 8.3±1.1 ms (n=6); A7Y 56±12 ms (n=6), which offset a mild (∼3-fold) lengthening in closures. At pH 6.5, the A7Y mutation had a more drastic effect, but occurred through a similar mechanism: Po increased ∼140% mostly because of ∼16-fold longer openings: wt, 2.2±0.3 ms (n=6); A7Y, 37±3 ms (n=4), which offset a modest ∼3-fold increase in closed durations. These results suggest that the A7Y mutation causes receptors to remain open for substantially longer periods of time, regardless of proton concentration. In contrast, the receptor's proton sensitivity was only mildly affected by the mutation; increasing proton concentration from pH 8.0 to pH 6.5 caused a 70% reduction in Po for A7Y and 80% reduction for wt receptors. Based on these results we suggest that the A7Y mutation affects channel gating by a mechanism that is separate from proton sensitivity.
Fibroblasts probe substrate rigidity with filopodia extensions before occupying an area

Rigidity sensing and durotaxis are thought to be important elements in wound healing, tissue formation, and cancer treatment. It has been challenging, however, to study the underlying mechanism due to difficulties in capturing cells during the transient response to a rigidity interface. We have addressed this problem by developing a model experimental system that confines cells to a micropatterned area with a rigidity border. The system consists of a rigid domain of one large adhesive island, adjacent to a soft domain of small adhesive islands grafted on a nonadhesive soft gel. This configuration allowed us to test rigidity sensing away from the cell body during probing and spreading. NIH 3T3 cells responded to the micropatterned rigidity border similarly to cells at a conventional rigidity border, by showing a strong preference for staying on the rigid side. Furthermore, cells used filopodia extensions to probe substrate rigidity at a distance in front of the leading edge and regulated their responses based on the strain of the intervening substrate. Soft substrates inhibited focal adhesion maturation and promoted cell retraction, whereas rigid substrates allowed stable adhesions and cell spreading. Myosin II was required for not only the generation of probing forces but also the retraction in response to soft substrates. We suggest that a myosin II-driven, filopodia-based probing mechanism ahead of the leading edge allows cells to migrate efficiently, by sensing physical characteristics before moving over a substrate to avoid backtracking.
The mass spectrometry of 2-methylthio (glyco) oxazoline derivatives of pentoses and hexoses

The fragmentation of 2-methylthio(glyco)oxazolines under electron impact has been investigated by low- and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Field desorption was used in those cases where the molecular ion was weak or missing. Fragmentation pathways were determined by monitoring metastable transitions and through the use of labeled compounds. The results support the anticipated structure for these compounds and show the sensitivity of the mass spectra toward ring size.
Abstract C227: Blockade of tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells by inhibiting CSF-1 receptor overcomes tumor recurrence after radiation therapy.

Radiotherapy is one of the major frontline treatments for prostate cancer (PCa). However, a large proportion of patients suffer from tumor recurrence after radiotherapy. Tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells (TIMs), including CD11b+F4/80+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and CD11b+Gr-1+ myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs), play critical roles in promoting tumoral angiogenesis, tissue remodeling and immunosuppression. Recently several reports suggested that TIMs might play a critical role in mediating tumor regrowth after radiation therapy. Here, we showed that there is enhanced recruitment of both TAMs and MDSCs after 5 days of 3 Gy radiation treatment in subcutaneously implanted RM-1 syngeneic PCa model. Infiltration of two MDSC subsets, CD11b+Gr-1loLy6Chi mononuclear-MDSC (MO-MDSC) and CD11b+Gr-1hiLy6Clo polymorphnuclear-MDSC (PMN-MDSC), are both increased. Although treatment is localized to the tumor site, the effects of radiation are systematic. Dramatic increases of MDSCs and TAMs were also observed in the spleen, lymph nodes and peripheral blood. To better understand the mechanism of enhanced recruitment of myeloid cells to tumors, we performed RT-PCR analysis on tumor tissues for commonly known factors that mediate the recruitment of myeloid cells. Indeed, we found that macrophage colony stimulating factor 1 (M-CSF-1 or CSF-1) increases by 2 fold in irradiated tumors compared to non-irradiated tumors. In vitro migration assays using conditioned medium from irradiated tumor cells increases migration of RAW246.7 macrophages by 4 fold, and this increase is completely blocked by the very selective CSF1R inhibitor, GW2580. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the induction of TAMs and MDSC recruitment to tumors, and the effectiveness of GW2580 in blocking their infiltration. Most importantly, combination therapy using GW2580 with radiation synergistically suppressed tumor growth and recurrence. This data highlights the importance of CSF1/CSF1R signaling in the recruitment of TIMs post-radiation treatment and their significant role in promoting tumor re-growth. Moreover, our data could potentially provide a more effective and durable treatment strategy for PCa patients. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C227.
Prognostic indicators in patients with isolated local–regional recurrence of breast cancer

A retrospective review was undertaken of 129 patients with isolated local-regional recurrence of breast cancer following radical or modified radical mastectomy. The overall survival and disease-free survival for these patients five years from the time of local-regional recurrence was 36 and 13%, respectively. The clinical stage at initial diagnosis, the number of histologically positive nodes at mastectomy, menopausal status, and the location of the recurrence (chest wall vs. nodal) were all found to have no significant effect on survival or disease-free survival. On the other hand, the number of recurrences, the size of the largest recurrence, and the time interval between mastectomy and recurrence (disease-free interval) had definite prognostic significance. A single recurrence, the size of the largest recurrence being less than or equal to 1 cm, and a disease-free interval of longer than 24 months predicted a good prognosis; on the other hand, multiple recurrences, the size of the largest recurrence being greater than 1 cm, and a disease-free interval of less than 24 months predicted a bad prognosis. Eighty-one percent of the patients ultimately developed distant metastases; the incidence of distant metastases was the same for patients with factors predicting a good prognosis as it was for those with factors predicting a bad prognosis. The time to appearance of distant metastases, however, was significantly longer in the former group of patients than in the latter. The information from this analysis should be useful in designing future clinical trials involving patients with isolated local-regional recurrence of breast cancer.
The J-Curve Theory and the Black Urban Riots: An Empirical Test of Progressive Relative Deprivation Theory*

A time-series analysis of individual level, perceptual data disconfirms the J-curve theory of the black urban riots (i.e., that they arise because a period of progress was followed by a sharp decline) and suggests that ambiguities surrounding black people's perceptions of their economic situation probably led to the frustration that culminated in urban violence.The methodological component of the research deals with such problems of relative deprivation-based research as: (1) the substitution of aggregate, objective-level indicators for perceptual theoretical concepts; (2) the correspondences between objective and perceptual data on both a point-by-point basis and across time-series patterns; (3) the empirical implications of failing to look at important subgroup distinctions; and (4) the crucial assumption of all forms of relative deprivation theory that future expectations of need fulfillment, especially in the period of rising satisfactions, are a function of current levels of need fulfillment. The research calls for modifications in the structure and application of relative deprivation theory in light of the findings in these areas.
Flamenco history conference

The first conference in the United States to be devoted exclusively to flamenco was held June 13-15 at the University of New Mexico (UNM) in Albuquerque.1 As the culminating event of UNM's tenth Festival Flamenco Internacional, the conference was organized by Larry Lavender, head of the UNM Dance Program, and Eva Encifiias-Sandoval, director of the flamenco focus within that program. The Congress on Research in Dance (CORD), the newly established Instituto Flamenco of Albuquerque, and the New Mexico Endowment for the Humanities co-sponsored the conference. The University of New Mexico is unique among academic institutions in its development of a serious curriculum in flamenco dance2 and related studies. Encifiias-Sandoval, who comes from a family of flamenco artists, began teaching at UNM in 1976. Since the early 1980s the program (now offering the B.F.A. degree) has developed to include three levels of flamenco technique, flamenco repertoire, Spanish classical dance,3 escuela bolera,4 and the history of flamenco. As an adjunct to the academic year offerings, the Festival Flamenco Internacional is an intensive two-week summer program with classes and performances in dance, song, and guitar by leading flamenco artists. Until this year the festival has focused on training and performance. With the addition
Physical exam and ultrasound characteristics of right varicocoeles in adolescents with left varicocoeles

Summary The published incidence of bilateral varicocoeles in adults is much higher than among adolescents. We investigated our adolescent varicocoele database to determine (i) the presence of subclinical and palpable right varicocoele s in boys with a left varicocoele, (ii) the effect, if any, of right varicocoele on asymmetry measurements and (iii) the difference in duplex doppler ultrasound (DDUS) findings between left varicocoele s and contralateral right varicocoele s. Among 506 boys with a known left varicocoele who underwent DDUS, the incidence of right clinical and subclinical varicocoele s as well as the influence of Tanner stage, varicocoele grade, laterality, peak retrograde flow (PRF) and maximum vein diameter (MVD) on testicular volume and asymmetry was examined using univariate and multivariate linear regression. Right retrograde flow was detected in 204 of 506 (40.3%) boys. Varicocoele grades were subclinical in 89 (18%), grade I in 51 (10%), grade II in 63 (12%) and grade III in 1 (0.2%). In patients with bilaterally palpable varicocoele s, increasing left grade was associated with greater testicular asymmetry (p = 0.02) and increasing right grade was associated with less testicular asymmetry (p = 0.01). Mean PRF and MVD values were lower in right as compared to left varicocoele s. Contrary to common perception, both subclinical and palpable right varicocoele s are frequently associated with left varicocoele s in adolescents. Although the contribution of right varicocoele s to fertility is controversial, these right varicocoele s can influence clinically relevant parameters, particularly testicular asymmetry, and thus influence which left varicocoele s undergo surgery.
The Clinical Implications of the Oblique Retinacular Ligament

The oblique retinacular ligament originates from the flexor tendon sheath, courses past the proximal interphalangeal joint, and merges with the lateral extensor tendon. There has been disagreement regarding the contribution of the oblique retinacular ligament to coordinated movements between the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints. Landsmeer postulated that it acts as a dynamic tenodesis that tightens with proximal interphalangeal joint extension, causing obligatory distal interphalangeal joint extension. However, studies have shown that the oblique retinacular ligament is variably present and often attenuated, which diminishes its presumed role in finger movement. Despite this, the concept of a checkrein linking interphalangeal joint motion heralded the development of effective and reproducible surgical interventions for swan-neck and mallet deformities. This article examines the controversy regarding the existence of the oblique retinacular ligament, its plausible functionality, and clinical implications in the practice of hand surgery.
Ocular argyrosis after long-term self-application of eyelash tint.

Purpose To report cases of ocular argyrosis that developed after long-term self-application of commercially available eyelash tint. Design Observational case series. Methods Case review, clinicopathologic analysis, and literature review. Results Three patients developed ocular argyrosis after the long-term self-application of Revlon Professional Roux Lash and Brow Tint (Colomer USA Corp, New York, New York, USA). Clinical evaluation revealed various degrees of silver deposition on the upper eyelid, lid margin, caruncle and conjunctiva, and diffuse Descemet's membrane deposits. In one case, histologic examination demonstrated silver deposition in the basement membrane and superficial substantia propria of the conjunctiva. Conclusions Argyrosis can occur after long-term application of readily available eyelash tints, and the deposition of silver may be permanent. In certain circumstances, conjunctival argyrosis may simulate benign and malignant lesions, including conjunctival melanoma. These products should only be applied by trained cosmetologists.
Emergency power source for an ion vacuum pump

This note describes a simple high‐voltage dc generator which serves as an emergency power source for an ion vacuum pump during power interruptions, or failure of the main supply.
Synthesis and structural characterization of a polar Os(II, III) complex, Os2(fhp)4Cl

Abstract The title compound was prepared by prolonged reaction of Os2(CH3COO)4Cl2 with Hfhp (Hfhp = 6-fluoro-2-hydroxypyridine) in refluxing toluene in the presence of LiCl. The product, Os2(fhp)4Cl (1), is a result of ligand displacement with a concomitant core reduction of Os26+ to Os25+. Crystals were grown by slow diffusion of hexane into a dichloromethane solution of 1. Crystallographic data are as follows: tetragonal crystal system, space group I4mm (No. 107), a = b = 11.000(3) A, c = 13.142(2) A, V= 1590(1) A3, Z = 2. The molecule possesses crystallographic 4mm symmetry, with the OsOs bonds lying along the four-fold axes. The four fhp ligands are arranged in a polar fashion around the diosmium core, blocking one axial site. The second axial position is occupied by a chloride ion. The principal distances in 1 are: Os(1)Os(2) = 2.341(1) A, Os(1)N = 2.027(12) A, Os(2)O = 2.014(5) A, Os(2)Cl = 2.487(7) A. The title compound was also investigated by several physical methods. The electrochemistry as determined by cyclic voltammetry revealed two processes: a reversible, one-electron reduction at Eox = −0.63 V in dichloromethane and an irreversible oxidation at Eox = +0.95 V in dichloromethane vs Ag-AgCl at room temperature. The electronic spectrum shows strong bands at 413 nm (e = 4290 M−1 cm−1), 309 nm (e = 23,560 M−1 cm−1) and at 294 nm (e = 26,500 M−1 cm−1) as well as shoulders at 334 and 261 nm.
Vicarious trial and error following amygdaloid lesions in rats.

Abstract Rats with amygdaloid lesions showed increased Vicarious Trial and Error (VTE) behavior and errors during the acquisition and reversal of a position discrimination. These results suggest that amygdala of the rat, as well as that of the monkey, is vitally involved in attention-directing behavior. More than one-half of the amygdaloid rats refused to make a choice in the apparatus during the experiment and were discarded. Two possible interpretations of this finding are discussed.
Selection of Injector Synchrotron Parameters to Minimize Cost of the 200-BeV Accelerator

In choosing the type of injector system and in optimizing the parameters of any given type of system, we must consider relative cost advantages as well as relative technical advantages eventually entering into the arguments. In this paper we shall discuss a method of determining the cost of accelerator systems and give some examples that arose in the selection of an injector system for the proposed 200-GeV accelerator.1 The cost of the injector system cannot be considered apart from the total accelerator cost because the aperture of the main ring depends upon the energy and emittance of the beam transferred from the injector. Since the main ring is relatively much larger and more expensive than the injector system, a change which lowers injector cost can cause a much larger increase in main ring cost.
Farside deep moonquakes and deep interior of the Moon

[1] An effort to find farside deep moonquakes among the recently discovered nests of deep moonquakes has identified about 30 nests that are likely to be on the farside. Although only a few of them are locatable with currently available data and those few provide little new information about the deep interior of the Moon, the inferred distribution of the rest of these nests indicates that either the region of the Moon's deep interior within about 40 degrees from the antipode of the Moon is nearly aseismic or, alternatively, the very deep interior of the Moon severely attenuates or deflects seismic waves. Since this has important bearing on the origin and evolution of the Moon, future missions to the Moon need to be oriented toward resolving this uncertainty. Some limited data favor the attenuation/deflection hypotheses.
An optimization approach to gene stacking

Abstract We present a multi-objective integer programming model for the gene stacking problem, which is to bring desirable alleles found in multiple inbred lines to a single target genotype. Pareto optimal solutions from the model provide strategic stacking schemes to maximize the likelihood of successfully creating the target genotypes and to minimize the number of generations associated with a stacking strategy. A consideration of genetic diversity is also incorporated in the models to preserve all desirable allelic variants in the target population. Although the gene stacking problem is proved to be NP-hard, we have been able to obtain Pareto frontiers for smaller sized instances within one minute using the state-of-the-art commercial computer solvers in our computational experiments.
Persistence of Lagrangian Trajectories in Rotating Two-Dimensional Turbulence.

Abstract The normal temperature two-dimensional turbulent flow associated with the inviscid advection of a set of vortices of like sign and strength consists of random clusters of vorticity that orbit about a common center of rotation along random tracks. This flow has similarities with the extratropical atmospheric circulation, including an ω−3 spectral region, enhanced scale-dependent diffusion, and a time-averaged azimuthal velocity variation with distance from the rotation axis similar to that of the zonal wind field. Power-law correlations between the fluctuations in the individual vortex orbit radii are present; specifically, the orbit radii spectrum has an ω−⅓ low-frequency asymptote, and an autocorrelation function with a t−⅔ tail. The slow asymptotic decay of the tail implies long-time memory and the feasibility of extended range statistical forecasting based on causal autoregression methods. Test forecasts of the fluctuations in the vortex orbit radii are in agreement with the expectations of au...
A temporal cross section specification of the demand for gasoline using a random coefficient regression model

Abstract This paper uses a random coefficient regression approach to estimate the demand for gasoline by pooling cross-sectional (state level) and time series data. The analysis proceeds by estimating two alternative models, namely a stock adjustment model and a flow adjustment model. The two models are estimated using state level data on gasoline consumption, gasoline price, income and the stock of automobiles. The random coefficient specification of each demand model is estimated assuming heteroskedastic disturbances across states, autocorrelated disturbances over time and variable intercept and slope coefficients across states. The resultant price and income elasticities are compared and inferences concerning the ability of the flow adjustment model to approximate the underlying demand function are made.
Binding specificities of actinomycin D to self-complementary tetranucleotide sequences -XGCY-

Binding of actinomycin D (ACTD) to self-complementary decamers d(ATA-XGCY-TAT), where XGCY = TGCA, AGCT, CGCG, and GGCC, has been investigated by equilibrium, kinetic, and thermal denaturation studies. The results indicate that despite the presence of a GC dinucleotide sequence, -GGCC- exhibits a much weaker binding affinity toward ACTD than the other three tetranucleotide sequences. Binding constants estimated from Scatchard plots indicate that binding to the -GGCC- site is at least an order of magnitude weaker than binding to -CGCG- and -AGCT-, which in turn is only slightly weaker than binding to the -TGCA- sequence. At 18.5 degrees C and 1% SDS, ACTD dissociates from d-(ATA-TGCA-TAT) with a slow characteristic time of 3300 s, roughly 4 times slower than dissociation from those containing -CGCG- and -AGCT- sequences and more than 2 orders of magnitude slower than that from -GGCC-. An 18.2 degrees C increase in the melting temperature is observed for the -TGCA-containing decamer upon binding of the ACTD, whereas increases of 10.3, 6.7, and 2.0 degrees C are observed for the -CGCG-, -AGCT-, and -GGCC-containing decamers, respectively. The effects observed by changing the adjacent base pair (sequence) may occur as a result of differential stacking and/or peptide ring-DNA groove interactions. Base sequence alterations adjacent to the ACTD binding site may result in differences in the minor groove environment and/or subtle conformational alterations at the intercalation site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Patency of Blalock-Taussig shunt assessed by Doppler colour flow imaging

A neonate with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum underwent a modified right sided Blalock-Taussig shunt. Following the procedure, the patient developed a right sided haemothorax, which required drainage. A murmur was not audible subsequently. Echocardiography with colour flow imaging enabled identification of patency of the right sided shunt. It was then possible to discontinue intravenous prostaglandin medication.
The Iron and Steel Industry of Europe

(1928). The Iron and Steel Industry of Europe. Journal of Geography: Vol. 27, No. 7, pp. 247-262.
Functional localization of avian intrapulmonary CO2 receptors within the parabronchial mantle.

Abstract To determine the location of avian intrapulmonary CO2 receptors, we changed the CO2 stimulus at different regions within the parabronchial mantle and measured the resulting changes in breathing pattern. Three procedures were used to vary the CO2 stimulus: (1) reverse the direction of pulmonary perfusion; (2) stop pulmonary ventilation while maintaining perfusion; and (3) stop pulmonary perfusion while maintaining ventilation. Right and left lungs of adult, anesthesized White Leghorn type chickens were independently, unidirectionally ventilated. The right lung was used to maintain the bird while the left pulmonary artery and vein were cannulated and connected to an extracorporeal gas exchanger, thereby isolating this lung's perfusion. The innervation to both lungs remained intact. When left pulmonary perfusion was reversed, the bird's breathing remained unchanged. The change in breathing pattern that resulted from stopping left pulmonary ventilation was the same during forward perfusion (pulmonary artery to pulmonary vein) as during backward perfusion (pulmonary vein to pulmonary artery). The change in breathing pattern that resulted from stopping forward perfusion was the same as that resulting from stopping backward perfusion. The results indicate that CO2 receptors are not concentrated on the peripheral side of teh parabronchial mantle, where venous blood would influence them, or on the luminal side of the mantle, where arterialized blood whould influence them. The CO2 receptors are either distributed symmetrically between the peripheral and luminal sides of the mantle or located in the epithelial lining of the parabronchial lumen.
Controlling the Oligomeric Composition of Carbon-Fiber Precursors by Dense-Gas Extraction

Dense-gas extraction of M-50 petroleum pitch with the solvent toluene was carried out in a continuous, countercurrent-flow, packed column at temperatures from 330° to 380°C, pressures from 42 to 84 bar, and a solvent-to-pitch ratio of 5:1. Both one- and two-column configurations were used to fractionate raw pitches into top and bottom cuts of controlled oligomeric distribution. Using matrix-assisted laser desorption–ionization mass spectroscopy for absolute molecular weight determination, the effect of changes in pitch oligomeric distribution on both the softening point and the degree of anisotropy (i.e., isotropic–mesophase equilibrium) was established. For example, pitch fractions rich in dimer and trimer species, and with essentially all monomer removed, exhibit the anisotropic microstructure typically found in precursors for high-performance carbon fibers.
Molecular cloning and functional expression of a skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptor from Rana catesbeiana.

In skeletal muscle the dihydropyridine receptor is the voltage sensor for excitation-contraction coupling and an L-type Ca2+ channel. We cloned a dihydropyridine receptor (named Fgα1S) from frog skeletal muscle, where excitation-contraction coupling has been studied most extensively. Fgα1S contains 5600 base pairs coding for 1688 amino acids. It is highly homologous with, and of the same length as, the C-truncated form predominant in rabbit muscle. The primary sequence has every feature needed to be an L-type Ca2+ channel and a skeletal-type voltage sensor. Currents expressed in tsA201 cells had rapid activation (5–10 ms half-time) and Ca2+-dependent inactivation. Although functional expression of the full Fgα1S was difficult, the chimera consisting of Fgα1S domain I in the rabbit cardiac Ca channel had high expression and a rapidly activating current. The slow native activation is therefore not determined solely by the α1 subunit sequence. Its Ca2+-dependent inactivation strengthens the notion that in rabbit skeletal muscle this capability is inhibited by a C-terminal stretch (Adams, B., and Tanabe, T. (1997)J. Gen. Physiol. 110, 379–389). This molecule constitutes a new tool for studies of excitation-contraction coupling, gating, modulation, and gene expression.
Hypoplastic left heart in a patient with 45,X/46,XX/47,XXX mosaicism

Recurrence risks for primary congenital heart lesions are well defined. An infant with hypoplastic left heart syndrome is observed to have a short neck with a full skin fold on the right side, unilateral single palmar crease, and whorls on all ten fingers. She was found to have the Ullrich-Turner syndrome with mosaicism 45,X/46,XX/47,XXX. We believe the cardiac malformation was secondary to her aneuploidy. This could have important implications for prediction of recurrence risks to the parents. Chromosomal tests may be indicated for infants were severe congenital cardiac lesions, based on subtle clinical findings.
Structural Characteristics and Swelling Mechanism of Two Commercial Nitrile-Butadiene Elastomers in Various Fluids

Abstract Results on the structural characteristics and swelling mechanisms of two commercial elastomers, viz. N0674-70 and peroxide cured N0741-75, in a variety of fluids (toluene, o-xylene, p-xylene, mesitylene, HISOL-15, n-hexane, ethanol, tert-butyl alcohol, acetone, JP-8, S-8 and blends of S-8 plus HISOL-15 and S-8 plus toluene) are reported. Both changes in mass and volume of rectangular test pieces were monitored as a function of time. Structural characterization of the elastomers was done using x-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy. Time dependence of the recovery of swelling after the elastomers were taken out of the fluids was monitored by x-ray diffraction and changes in mass. In general, swelling of the peroxide cured N0741-75 was less than that of N0674-70, percentage changes in mass were less than those in volume, and the swelling is strongly fluid dependent. For initial times, the swelling is interpreted in terms of diffusion of the fluid into the elastomer. However, diffusion is not strictly Fickian since the exponent, varying between 0.4 and 0.6 for different fluids, differs from 0.5 expected for Fickian diffusion. It is shown that the results of maximum swelling can be interpreted in terms of compatibility of the Hansen solubility parameters δT of the fluid and the elastomer, swelling decreasing on a Gaussian curve as δT of the fluid deviates from that of the elastomer. Also, swelling is determined by the polybutadiene component of the elastomer. In HISOL-15, a commercial aromatic solvent, nitriles swell by about 55%, and mixing of HISOL-15 with S-8 produces swelling linearly proportional to the % of HISOL-15. The observed few percent decrease in swelling on long-term exposure may be related to loss of material from the elastomers.
Religion, Social Capital, and Health

Religion’s association with better physical health has been partially explained by health behaviors, psychosocial variables, and biological factors; but these factors do not fully explain the religion–health connection. In concert with the religion and health literature, a burgeoning literature has linked social capital with salubrious health outcomes. Religious organizations are recognized in the social capital literature as producers and facilitators of social capital. However, few studies have examined the potential mediating role of social capital in the religion–health relationship. Thus data from the 2006 Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey were analyzed for 10,828 adults. The composite unstandardized indirect effect from religion to social capital onto health was significant (β = 0.098; p < 0.001). The unstandardized direct pathway from religion to self-reported health (β = 0.015; p = 0.336) indicated that social capital is a mediator in the religion–health relationship. Among the demographic variables investigated, only age and income had a significant direct effect on self-reported health.
SSWAP: A Simple Semantic Web Architecture and Protocol for semantic web services.

SSWAP (S imple S emantic W eb A rchitecture and P rotocol; pronounced "swap") is an architecture, protocol, and platform for using reasoning to semantically integrate heterogeneous disparate data and services on the web. SSWAP was developed as a hybrid semantic web services technology to overcome limitations found in both pure web service technologies and pure semantic web technologies. There are currently over 2400 resources published in SSWAP. Approximately two dozen are custom-written services for QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci) and mapping data for legumes and grasses (grains). The remaining are wrappers to Nucleic Acids Research Database and Web Server entries. As an architecture, SSWAP establishes how clients (users of data, services, and ontologies), providers (suppliers of data, services, and ontologies), and discovery servers (semantic search engines) interact to allow for the description, querying, discovery, invocation, and response of semantic web services. As a protocol, SSWAP provides the vocabulary and semantics to allow clients, providers, and discovery servers to engage in semantic web services. The protocol is based on the W3C-sanctioned first-order description logic language OWL DL. As an open source platform, a discovery server running at http://sswap.info (as in to "swap info") uses the description logic reasoner Pellet to integrate semantic resources. The platform hosts an interactive guide to the protocol at http://sswap.info/protocol.jsp , developer tools at http://sswap.info/developer.jsp , and a portal to third-party ontologies at http://sswapmeet.sswap.info (a "swap meet"). SSWAP addresses the three basic requirements of a semantic web services architecture (i.e., a common syntax, shared semantic, and semantic discovery) while addressing three technology limitations common in distributed service systems: i.e., i) the fatal mutability of traditional interfaces, ii) the rigidity and fragility of static subsumption hierarchies, and iii) the confounding of content, structure, and presentation. SSWAP is novel by establishing the concept of a canonical yet mutable OWL DL graph that allows data and service providers to describe their resources, to allow discovery servers to offer semantically rich search engines, to allow clients to discover and invoke those resources, and to allow providers to respond with semantically tagged data. SSWAP allows for a mix-and-match of terms from both new and legacy third-party ontologies in these graphs.
Age and growth of southern flounder in Texas waters, with emphasis on Matagorda Bay.

Abstract Estimates of age and growth of southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma from Matagorda Bay, Texas, were made by analyzing thin sections of sagittal otoliths from 892 specimens collected along the Texas coast from May 1992 to January 1995. Marginal increment analysis showed that a single annulus completed formation between January and March. The maximum age differed by bay systems, but it ranged from 0 to 4 years for both males and females. Males were generally smaller than females and exhibited asymptotic growth at an earlier age. The von Bertalanffy growth model equations for both females and males coastwide were L t = 660.45[1 − e −0.208 (t+1.317)] and L t = 308.67[1 − e −0.701 (t+0.421)], respectively.
Muon fluxes from dark matter annihilation

We calculate the muon flux from annihilation of the dark matter in the core of the Sun, in the core of the Earth and from cosmic diffuse neutrinos produced in dark matter annihilation in the halos. We consider model-independent direct neutrino production and secondary neutrino production from the decay of taus produced in the annihilation of dark matter. We illustrate how muon energy distribution from dark matter annihilation has a very different shape than muon flux from atmospheric neutrinos. We consider both the upward muon flux, when muons are created in the rock below the detector, and the contained flux when muons are created in the (ice) detector. We contrast our results to the ones previously obtained in the literature, illustrating the importance of properly treating muon propagation and energy loss. We comment on neutrino flavor dependence and their detection.
Virtual Circuit Tree Multicasting: A Case for On-Chip Hardware Multicast Support

Current state-of-the-art on-chip networks provide efficiency, high throughput, and low latency for one-to-one (unicast) traffic. The presence of one-to-many (multicast) or one-to-all (broadcast) traffic can significantly degrade the performance of these designs, since they rely on multiple unicasts to provide one-to-many communication. This results in a burst of packets from a single source and is a very inefficient way of performing multicast and broadcast communication. This inefficiency is compounded by the proliferation of architectures and coherence protocols that require multicast and broadcast communication. In this paper, we characterize a wide array of on-chip communication scenarios that benefit from hardware multicast support. We propose Virtual Circuit Tree Multicasting (VCTM) and present a detailed multicast router design that improves network performance by up to 90\% while reducing network activity (hence power) by up to 53%.Our VCTM router is flexible enough to improve interconnect performance for a broad spectrum of multicasting scenarios,and achieves these benefits with straightforward and inexpensive extensions to a state-of-the-art packet-switched router.
Low-energy femoral fractures associated with long-term bisphosphonate use in a rehabilitation setting: a case series.

Bisphosphonate therapy for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis is common, with more than 22 million prescriptions for alendronate (Merck) alone in 2005. The safety of this class of medications has been supported by long-term trials [1,2]. However, during the last several years multiple small case series link the long-term use of bisphosphonates to unusual complications such as avascular necrosis of the jaw and low-energy nonvertebral fractures that in some cases surprisingly demonstrate severely suppressed bone turnover [3] .I t may be that the suppressed turnover prevents effective repair of stress fractures. Recently reported cases of nonvertebral fractures include multiple small series describing an unusual fracture of the femur, either subtrochanteric or diaphyseal, in patients taking long-term alendronate [4-7]. This fracture may be preceded by vague complaints of pain in the thigh in the setting of “low or no trauma.” There may be local cortical thickening and a fracture pattern that is simple and horizontally situated [4]. Biopsies in some of these patients have demonstrated a frozen bone pattern [3]. This pattern reveals depression of bone formation. At the authors’ freestanding rehabilitation hospital in the last 7 years, 1 male and 3 postmenopausal female patients with 5 atypical low-impact or no-impact femoral fractures were identified. One was subtrochanteric and 4 were diaphyseal. Two of these patients were receiving extended alendronate therapy; one had received zoledronic acid infusions as an adjunctive therapy for multiple myeloma. One patient was found to be hypogonadal and osteopenic. These cases add to the data that suggest the long-term use of bisphosphonates is associated with a risk of low-energy femoral fractures. CASE 1 A 53-year-old white man with a history of osteoporosis, hypertension, coronary artery disease, gastroesophageal reflux, asthma, psoriatic arthritis, and obsessive-compulsive disorder complained of right-sided hip and knee pain. While walking, he felt a sudden pain in his right leg and fell to the floor. He was taken for immediate plain radiographs, which revealed a right transverse mid-femur fracture. He underwent an intramedullary nailing. He was transferred to acute inpatient rehabilitation and then discharged home without an assistive device. Endocrine consultation revealed a testosterone level of less than 50 ng/dL (normal 212-755 ng/dL) and a luteinizing hormone level of less than 0.1 mIU/mL (normal 20-140 U/mL). He was diagnosed with hypogonadism, which was thought to contribute to his insufficiency fracture. He was treated with topical androgen (Solvay) for his hypogonadism and alendronate for his osteopenia. A DEXA scan obtained at the time of the fracture had a T score of the spine of 0.98, and the hip T score was 0.3 (the lower limit of normal). This fracture did not achieve a primary union, and required a reoperation to achieve a union.
Flagellar Motility Contributes to Cytokinesis in Trypanosoma brucei and Is Modulated by an Evolutionarily Conserved Dynein Regulatory System

The flagellum of Trypanosoma brucei is a multifunctional organelle with critical roles in motility and other aspects of the trypanosome life cycle. Trypanin is a flagellar protein required for directional cell motility, but its molecular function is unknown. Recently, a trypanin homologue in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was reported to be part of a dynein regulatory complex (DRC) that transmits regulatory signals from central pair microtubules and radial spokes to axonemal dynein. DRC genes were identified as extragenic suppressors of central pair and/or radial spoke mutations. We used RNA interference to ablate expression of radial spoke (RSP3) and central pair (PF16) components individually or in combination with trypanin. Both rsp3 and pf16 single knockdown mutants are immotile, with severely defective flagellar beat. In the case of rsp3, this loss of motility is correlated with the loss of radial spokes, while in the case of pf16 the loss of motility correlates with an aberrant orientation of the central pair microtubules within the axoneme. Genetic interaction between trypanin and PF16 is demonstrated by the finding that loss of trypanin suppresses the pf16 beat defect, indicating that the DRC represents an evolutionarily conserved strategy for dynein regulation. Surprisingly, we discovered that four independent mutants with an impaired flagellar beat all fail in the final stage of cytokinesis, indicating that flagellar motility is necessary for normal cell division in T. brucei. These findings present the first evidence that flagellar beating is important for cell division and open the opportunity to exploit enzymatic activities that drive flagellar beat as drug targets for the treatment of African sleeping sickness.
The Ternary Phase Diagram for Au-Ga-As Using the Flow Chart Technique

Degradation of the Au/GaAs interface during heating is a problem which limits device reliability. The “flow chart” method was used to construct the ternary Au-Ga-As phase diagram and determine the equilibrium reactions which are responsible for interfacial degradation. Interfacial degradation was correlated with the removal of As x from the interface, which lowered the liquidus temperature and enhanced the dissolution of GaAs. The dissolution proceeds by a series of class II reactions within the Au-AuGa-GaAs ternary system and results in the incorporation of Ga into the Au phase, and growth of several Au x Ga y phases. However, when the processing is accomplished in a manner which prevents the interface from being depleted in As, no interfacial degradation is expected.
A simplified 2-D analytic model for the threshold-voltage of fully depleted short gate-length Si-SOI MESFET's

We present a simplified form of the exact solution of the 2-D Poisson equation of fully depleted Si-SOI MESFET's by Hou and Wu (1995). The major improvement is that the Fourier coefficient of the electric displacement at the Si-SiO/sub 2/ interface is given in (finite) closed form, rather than infinite series. Their 2-D analytic model for the threshold-voltage can be simplified accordingly.
Social Utility and Decision Making in Interpersonal Contexts

Three studies examined preferences for outcomes to self and a codisputant. Studies I and 2 estimated social utility functions from judgments of satisfaction with alternative outcomes. Comparing functional forms, we found that a utility function, including terms for own payoff and for positive and negative discrepancies between the parties' payoffs (advantageous and disadvantageous inequality), provides a close fit to the data. The typical utility function is steeply increasing and convex for disadvantageous inequality and weakly declining and convex for advantageous inequality. We manipulated dispute type (personal, business) and disputant relationship (positive, neutral, or negative) and found that both strongly influence preferences for advantageous but not disadvantageous inequality. A third study contrasted implications of the social utility functions with predictions of individual utility theories. People care about the outcomes of others. We sacrifice our own interests to help loved ones or harm adversaries. Participants withdraw from profitable participation in a laboratory experiment if they perceive inequity in remuneration (Schmitt & Marweli, 1972). Players in two-person ultimatum games (in which one player proposes a distribution of a fixed amount of money that the other has the option of either accepting or rejecting) frequently reject a positive but inequitable offer even though the alternative is no gain at all (Guth, Schmittberger, & Schwarze, 1982). Negotiations between parties often collapse when one party becomes incensed with the other and attempts to "maximize his opponent's displeasure rather than his own satisfaction" (scigel & Fouraker, 1960, p. 100). In general, disputants are concerned not only with the outcomes they receive, but also with the outcomes of their opponents (Pruitt & Rubin, 1986).
The performance analysis of linux networking - Packet receiving

The computing models for high-energy physics experiments are becoming ever more globally distributed and grid-based, both for technical reasons (e.g., to place computational and data resources near each other and the demand) and for strategic reasons (e.g., to leverage equipment investments). To support such computing models, the network and end systems, computing and storage, face unprecedented challenges. One of the biggest challenges is to transfer scientific data sets - now in the multi-petabyte (10^1^5 bytes) range and expected to grow to exabytes within a decade - reliably and efficiently among facilities and computation centers scattered around the world. Both the network and end systems should be able to provide the capabilities to support high bandwidth, sustained, end-to-end data transmission. Recent trends in technology are showing that although the raw transmission speeds used in networks are increasing rapidly, the rate of advancement of microprocessor technology has slowed down. Therefore, network protocol-processing overheads have risen sharply in comparison with the time spent in packet transmission, resulting in degraded throughput for networked applications. More and more, it is the network end system, instead of the network, that is responsible for degraded performance of network applications. In this paper, the Linux system's packet receive process is studied from NIC to application. We develop a mathematical model to characterize the Linux packet receiving process. Key factors that affect Linux systems' network performance are analyzed.
Parse's Research Methodology and the Nurse Researcher-Child Process:

The Parse research method is a human science based nursing research methodology which views young children as partners in research about universal lived experiences. To view children in this way requires a considerable revision of the view of children assumed in many traditional theories of childhood and in research with children. In the human science paradigm, persons of all ages are viewed as human beings who make choices and assign meaning. In accord with the assumptions of the Parse research method, children are considered the experts about their health and capable of contributing to nurses' understanding of the human-universe-health process. The remarkable variation of children's thoughts, feelings and actions testifies to the complex and open nature of human becoming at all ages. Children's thoughts, feelings, and imaginings are made more accessible with the aid of art, stories, and play when offered in true presence.