cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic Reduction in Invariant NKT Cells following In Utero Vitamin D Deficiency in Mice

Vitamin D status changes with season, but the effect of these changes on immune function is not clear. In this study, we show that in utero vitamin D deficiency in mice results in a significant reduction in invariant NKT (iNKT) cell numbers that could not be corrected by later intervention with vitamin D or 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D 3 (active form of the vitamin). Furthermore, this was intrinsic to hematopoietic cells, as vitamin D-deficient bone marrow is specifically defective in generating iNKT cells in wild-type recipients. This vitamin D deficiency-induced reduction in iNKT cells is due to increased apoptosis of early iNKT cell precursors in the thymus. Whereas both the vitamin D receptor and vitamin D regulate iNKT cells, the vitamin D receptor is required for both iNKT cell function and number, and vitamin D (the ligand) only controls the number of iNKT cells. Given the importance of proper iNKT cell function in health and disease, this prenatal requirement for vitamin D suggests that in humans, the amount of vitamin D available in the environment during prenatal development may dictate the number of iNKT cells and potential risk of autoimmunity.
Oligonucleotides complementary to the Oxytricha nova telomerase RNA delineate the template domain and uncover a novel mode of primer utilization.

Abstract The telomerase reverse transcriptase uses an essential RNA subunit as a template to direct telomeric DNA synthesis. The 190-nucleotide Oxytricha nova telomerase RNA was identified by using an oligonucleotide probe complementary to the predicted CCCCAAAA template. This RNA displays extensive sequence similarity to the Euplotes crassus telomerase RNA and carries the same 5' CAAAACCCCAAAACC 3' telomeric domain. Antisense oligonucleotides were used to map the boundaries of the functional template and to investigate the mechanism of primer recognition and elongation. On the basis of their ability to inhibit or to prime telomerase, oligonucleotides were classified into three categories. Category 1 oligonucleotides, which extended 5' of residue 42 in the RNA, abolished elongation of (T4G4)3 and (G4T4)3 primers in vitro. In contrast, oligonucleotides terminating between residues 42 and 50 (categories 2 and 3), served as efficient telomerase primers. We conclude that the O. nova template comprises residues 42 to 50 in the 190-nucleotide RNA, a different set of nucleotides than are used by the E. crassus enzyme. Category 2 primer reactions amassed short products, and their abundance could be decreased by altering the 5' sequence of the primer, consistent with the two-primer-binding-site model for telomerase. Category 3 primers generated a bimodal distribution of short and long products, each having a unique elongation profile. The long-product profile is inconsistent with sequence-specific primer alignment. Rather, each primer was extended by the same register of TTTTGGGG repeats, suggesting shuttling to a default position within the template. The parallels between telomerase and RNA polymerase elongation mechanisms are discussed.
In vitro and in vivo secretion of human ISG15, an IFN-induced immunomodulatory cytokine.

ISG15, a 15-kDa protein of unique primary amino acid sequence, functions intracellularly as a ubiquitin homologue and a cytokine that induces production of IFN-gamma and augments NK/lymphokine-activated killer cell proliferation and function. ISG15 is secreted from monocytes and lymphocytes, and in this study we have characterized in vitro and in vivo production of ISG15 in response to IFN-alphabeta. Low levels of ISG15 were present constitutively in PBMCs; dose-dependent ISG15 synthesis was observed in response to IFN-alpha or IFN-beta, but not IFN-gamma. High m.w. conjugates, present in PBMC extracts constitutively, were enhanced after IFN-alpha or IFN-beta treatment. Metabolic labeling experiments demonstrated that IFN-beta-induced ISG15 was released from primary cultures of peripheral blood CD3+ (including both CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations). Furthermore, ISG15 was released from viable cell lines of monocyte, T lymphocyte, B lymphocyte, and epithelial origins. Since ISG15 was secreted in response to IFN treatment in vitro, its levels in the serum of healthy human volunteers treated with IFN-beta(ser) were quantitated by asymmetric sandwich ELISA. Both single and multiple doses of IFN-beta(ser) increased serum ISG15 levels significantly (p < 0.01) over baseline. A maximum 7.3-fold enhancement of serum ISG15 was obtained after multiple injections of 8 million units of IFN-beta(ser). Significant change was observed at 24 and 48 h of multiple 0.02-million-unit injections, yielding 1.2- and 1.7-fold increases over basal levels, respectively. These studies suggest that ISG15 is a novel member of the cytokine cascade that is synthesized and released in response to IFN-beta both in vitro and in vivo.
Review of Computational River Dynamics by Weiming Wu

The first time I discussed this book with my Ph.D. students, the immediate question was how many additional copies we should buy. The book contains the most extensive coverage of formulas for numerical modeling of sediment transport that I have seen. It is well written with readable English and informative figures. The topics cover most areas of numerical modeling of rivers, from the equations describing the water flow to discretization in 1, 2, and 3 dimensions. Of the twelve chapters, one discusses mathematical description of water and sediment flow, giving the basic formulas used. Another chapter covers fundamentals of numerical methods, with discretization principles and schemes, the finite difference and volume methods, coordinate transformation, pressurealgorithms and solvers. Then three chapters cover 1D, 2D, and 3D modeling, respectively, with special formulas used in each of the three approaches. In addition to the numerical methods, some necessary physics are described in separate chapters on classical sediment transport, cohesive sediments, vegetation effects and contaminant transport. These chapters cover special formulas for the physical processes and their inclusion into the numerical model. Experience has shown that the accuracy of the numerical models is often limited by the correct empirical formulas for the physical processes, so the inclusion of these chapters is therefore necessary. Sediment transport modeling has been given a particularly detailed coverage in the book. A separate chapter has also been given for dambreak modeling, covering special formulas and numerical algorithms for rapidly varying flows. Dr. Wu has also included a few examples in the book, where results of the numerical models are given. Computational river dynamics covers both numerical modeling and river physics. A complete coverage of the field including derivations of all formulas would produce a book with several thousand pages. The current book has only 494 pages, so Dr. Wu has had to make choices in what to present. He has included a fairly large number of formulas, in total 1,253, while most derivations have been omitted. Priority has been given to formulas and algorithms especially used in river engineering. The number of formulas and their complexity is still extensive and can easily scare novices. Beginners in this field should be advised that it is not necessary to be familiar with all the formulas in the book to be able to use numerical models in river engineering. Although the book covers a wide range of subjects, it does not contain the state of the art in all fields. This would not be possible in the huge scientific area of computational fluid dynamics CFD . The 3D CFD modeling chapters omits recent work on multigrid solvers, non-isotropic turbulence modeling, wetting/ drying algorithms, and complex nonorthogonal unstructured grid generation. A large part of the book is devoted to algorithms for 1D and 2D depth-averaged flow. Algorithms for 3D modeling
Spectroscopic optical coherence tomography

Summary form only given. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has recently emerged as a powerful imaging technique for biological tissue. OCT can perform real time, in situ imaging of tissue cross-sectional microstructure with micron resolution. The spatial resolution of OCT depends directly on the optical bandwidth and thus on the coherence length of the used light source. Using a femtosecond mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser as a low coherence source, in-vivo imaging of biological tissue has been demonstrated with a spatial resolution below 2 /spl mu/m. We report a spectroscopic OCT approach which detects the full interferometric fringe signal and extracts spectroscopic data from the measurement using Fourier signal processing.
Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in Bioenergy Double-Cropping Systems

Double-crop systems have the potential to generate additional feedstocks for bioenergy and livestock utilization, and also to reduce NO 3 -N leaching relative to sole-crop systems. Field studies were conducted near Ames, IA, during 2005-2007 to evaluate productivity and crop and soil nutrient dynamics in three prototypical bioenergy double-crop systems, and in a conventionally managed sole-crop corn system. Double-cropping systems evaluated in the study included fall-seeded forage triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack), succeeded by one of three summer-adapted crops: corn (Zea mays L.), sorghum-sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], or sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.). Total dry matter production by triticale/corn and triticale/sorghum-sudangrass was 25% greater than sole-crop corn, which in turn produced 21% more dry matter than triticale/sunn hemp. Potential ethanol yield was greatest for triticale/corn, which was estimated to have the capacity to produce 1080 L ha -1 more ethanol than sole-crop corn. Crop N uptake was greater in double-crop systems during April-June, greater in the sole-crop corn system during July-August, and greater again in double-crop systems during September-October. Relative to sole-crop corn, potentially leachable soil N was reduced in double-crop systems by 34 and 25%, respectively, in the spring (mid-April) and fall (late October). High nutrient density ofbiomass coupled with high productivity for triticale/corn and triticale/sorghum systems also resulted in the removal of 83, 41, and 177% more N, P, and K, respectively, compared with sole-crop corn. Sustained removal of large quantities of nutrient-dense biomass from double-cropping systems would necessitate increased fertilization or integration with nutrient recycling mechanisms.
Cinematographical Analysis of Movement Pathway Constraints in Rapid Target-Striking Tasks

Several features of the actual movement pathway in two rapid target-striking tasks were quantified by using high-speed cinematography, and whether the movement pathway is constrained as a function of the accuracy demands imposed by the size of the subtended angle was determined. Subjects (N = 16) first hit an 8-cm-diameter target located 10 cm to the left of a start position and then, depending on the condition, moved another 10 cm to hit either a 6-cm- or 1.5-cm-diameter target. Subtended angles were 17.1 and 4.3 degrees for the large and small second-target conditions, respectively. Fifty trials per condition were performed, the last 3 of which were filmed at 120 Hz. The vertical dimension of movement (peak height along the z-axis) was captured directly from the camera view, whereas the horizontal (y-axis) dimension, that is, the dimension orthogonal to the principal direction of motion, was captured through a mirror positioned above the target board. Reaction times and movement times were significantly longer in the small second-target condition, thus replicating the well-known response complexity effect. Kinematic analyses revealed that when the subtended angle was smaller, there was significantly less horizontal pathway deviation as well as significantly higher peak vertical displacement in the movement. Therefore, the accuracy demands imposed by a smaller subtended angle do constrain the actual movement pathway.
An expert system for dynamic re-coordination of distributed workflows

A persistent problem in the use of automated workflow management systems for inter-organizational workflows has been the need for manual redefinition of coordination points in the process models when either organization changes its processes. Coordinating communications between production-chain organizations are usually based on the notification of completion of tasks by one party which constitute pre-conditions for activity in another organization; autonomous task changes disrupt coordination. This paper describes a workflow re-coordination model and corresponding expert support system based on workflow goals which are more stable than the low-level machine, role and technique dependent activities which implement them. Following development of the model, we describe a set of three elementary disruption cases which span a large number of common workflow changes. Using these cases we demonstrate that common coordination disruption situations can be totally or partially repaired by use of an expert coordination subsystem.
Patterned assembly of colloidal particles by confined dewetting lithography.

We report the assembly of colloidal particles into confined arrangements and patterns on various cleaned and chemically modified solid substrates using a method which we term “confined dewetting lithography” or CDL for short. The experimental setup for CDL is a simple deposition cell where an aqueous suspension of colloidal particles (e.g., polystyrene spheres) is placed between a floating deposition template (i.e., metal microgrid) and the solid substrate. The voids of the deposition template serve as an array of micrometer-sized reservoirs where several hydrodynamic processes are confined. These processes include water evaporation, meniscus formation, convective flow, rupturing, dewetting, and capillary-bridge formation. We discuss the optimal conditions where the CDL has a high efficiency to deposit intricate patterns of colloidal particles using polystyrene spheres (PS; 4.5, 2.0, 1.7, 0.11, 0.064 μm diameter) and square and hexagonal deposition templates as model systems. We find that the optimization...
New insight into liquid electrolyte of rechargeable lithium/sulfur battery

Abstract The lithium/sulfur (Li/S) cell is a liquid electrochemical system, in which the dissolution of lithium polysulfide (PS, the series of the sulfur reduction intermediates) plays an essential role in the cell's performance. In solution, the PS undergo a series of complicated disproportionations, as described by a general equation of Li 2 S n → m /8S 8 + Li 2 S n − m , to form the less soluble sulfur and low-order PS, which become inactive once precipitated out of the liquid electrolyte or deposited into the pores of separator. Based on the hard and soft acids and bases (HSAB) theory, quaternary ammonium cations are expected to stabilize the PS anions through a chemical interaction between the soft acid and soft base. In this paper, we report a significant improvement in the capacity retention of a Li/S cell by introducing a tetrabutylammonium triflate (NBu 4 SO 3 CF 3 ) or an N-methyl-N-butylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (PYR 14 TFSI) into the liquid electrolyte. For example, by using an electrolyte of 0.25 mol kg −1 LiNO 3 –0.25 mol kg −1 PYR 14 TFSI dissolved in a 1:1 (wt.) mixture of dimethyl ether (DME) and 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), a Li/S cell with a cathode containing 77% sulfur and a 2 mg cm −2 sulfur loading exhibited an initial capacity of 1227 mAh g −1 and retained a capacity of 875 mAh g −1 after 40 cycles when cycled at 0.2 mA cm −2 between 1.7 V and 2.8 V. We contribute the improved performance to the stabilized PS anions by the added quaternary ammonium cations.
Sensor-based solution to contiguous and overlapping parts in vibratory bowl feeders

Abstract This paper discusses a vibratory bowl feeder with a computer-based sensor system that can recognize correctly oriented parts even when some are configuous or overlapping. Hardware consists of a vibratory bowl feeder, sensor system, control computer, and software development computer. The sensor system is a linear row of film optics in the side wall and track of the bowl. This configuration createsa 3-D silhouette of the part. An algorithm is developed to recognize parts in the orientation specified by the user. Test results show that the control program functions very well.
A modification to the sensitivity analysis algorithm for known target displacements

The purpose of this note is to show that a secant approximation of the displacement state can be obtained by a simple modification of the sensitivity analysis algorithm for static displacements and frequency responses, if the displacement state of the target design is known. When applied to the discretized equilibrium equations obtained by the finite element method, this new approximation contains the target design exactly, if the system matrices are linear functions of the design variables and all components of the displacement vector are known at the target design. Therefore, a single application of a numerical search process to this approximation will reach the target design.
A relative signalling model for the formation of a topographic neural map

The highly ordered wiring of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) neurons in the eye to their synaptic targets in the superior colliculus of the midbrain has long served as the dominant experimental system for the analysis of topographic neural maps1,2,3. Here we describe a quantitative model for the development of one arm of this map—the wiring of the nasal–temporal axis of the retina to the caudal–rostral axis of the superior colliculus. The model is based on RGC–RGC competition that is governed by comparisons of EphA receptor signalling intensity, which are made using ratios of, rather than absolute differences in, EphA signalling between RGCs4. Molecular genetic experiments, exploiting a combinatorial series of EphA receptor knock-in and knockout mice, confirm the salient predictions of the model, and show that it both describes and predicts topographic mapping.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM CANDIDIASIS IN AN INTENSIVE CARE NURSERY (ICN)

Intravenous Amphotericin B (IV AmB) is standard therapy for systemic candidiasis, but penetrates the central nervous system (CNS) poorly. From 1971-83, 22 infants in this ICN developed systemic candidiasis, defined by clinical signs of sepsis, blood and/or CSF cultures (19) or deep tissue histologic specimens positive for Candida (3), and failure to improve without antifungal therapy. Seven infants (31%) died of this infection. Fourteen of these 22 infants (64%) had culture or autopsy-proven evidence of Candida CNS infection - 10 had positive CSF cultures; 4 had cerebral or intramedullary cord abscesses at autopsy. Six of these 14 infants (43%) with CNS infection died - none of these 6 had received systemic antifungal therapy (culture results unavailable before death in 2 cases, isolate wrongly considered transient or contaminant in 3 cases, negative blood and CSF cultures in 1 case). Among the 8 treated survivors of CNS candidiasis, CSF was sterilized with IV AmB alone in only 2 cases. Four others required the addition of flucytosine (FC) which penetrates the CNS well, after 5,7,11 and 13 days respectively of IV AmB failed to sterilize CSF; one required intraventricular instillation of AmB after an unsuccessful 21 day course of IV AmB; one required FC only for CSF sterilization. These observations suggest that: 1) systemic candidiasis in ICN infants often involves the CNS; 2) blood/CSF cultures positive for Candida should be considered significant, until proven otherwise; 3) IV AmB alone is often inadequate to sterilize infected CSF and changes in medication or route of administration may be necessary.
Ten years at war: comprehensive analysis of amputation trends.

BACKGROUND: While multiple studies have examined amputations that have occurred during the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, none of these studies have provided an overarching characterization of all of these injuries. METHODS: A retrospective study of all major extremity amputations sustained by US Service Members from January 2001 through July 30, 2011, was performed. Data obtained from these amputees included amputation level(s), mechanism of injury, time to amputation, Injury Severity Score (ISS), age, rank, number of trauma admissions, and number of troops deployed. RESULTS: There were 1,221 amputees who met inclusion criteria. These amputees sustained a total of 1,631 amputations. The number of amputations performed each year has increased dramatically in 2010 (196) and the first half of 2011 (160) from 2008 (105) and 2009 (94). The number of amputations performed per every 100 traumatic admissions (3.5-14) and the number of amputations per 100,000 deployed troops (2-14) has also increased in 2010 and the first half of 2011. Most amputations occurred at the transtibial (683, 41.8%) and transfemoral (564, 34.5%) levels. Thirty percent of the amputees (366) sustained multiple amputations, and 14% of all amputations (228) performed involved the upper extremity. There were 127 amputees (10%) who underwent their amputation more than 90 days after the date of injury. CONCLUSION: The number of amputations occurring during the current Iraqi and Afghanistan conflicts has increased in 2010 and the first half of 2011. Most amputations involve the lower extremities, and there is a much higher percentage of amputees who have sustained multiple amputations during current operations than previous conflicts. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiologic study, level IV. Language: en
Analysis of the initiation of spontaneous monomorphic ventricular tachycardia by stored intracardiac electrograms

Abstract Objectives. This study was designed to analyze stored intracardiac electrograms generated during spontaneous monomorphic ventricular tachycardia to examine the possible mechanisms responsible for the initiation of ventricular tachycardia in a group of postinfarction patients. Background. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators capable of storing electrograms during an arrhythmic event provide an intracardiac electrogram analog to Holter ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring. Such electrograms are of value in arrhythmia diagnosis and in determining the appropriateness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy and may aid in understanding the initiation of ventricular arrhythmias. Methods. We studied 73 stored electrograms in 22 postinfarction patients with spontaneous monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. Premature depolarizations before tachycardia were classified by morphology and number. Electrogram morphology was compared with the morphology of the baseline rhythm and ventricular tachycardia. Prematurity was assessed by the coupling interval and a calculated prematurity ratio. Results. During baseline rhythm, ectopic activity was present in 30 (41%) of 73 stored episodes. Ventricular tachycardia was preceded by a short-long-short sequence in 14% of episodes and by a rapid ventricular rhythm in 5.5% of episodes. The onset of ventricular tachycardia was marked by single premature depolarizations in 33 episodes (45%), by pairs in 16 (22%) and by multiple complexes in 24 (33%). Morphology was similar to that of the ensuing tachycardia in 35 episodes (48%). The mean coupling interval was 364 ms, and the mean prematurity ratio was 0.56. In all 10 episodes (14%) where the prematurity ratio was Conclusions. In this select group of postinfarction patients with recurrent sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia treated with implanteble cardioverter-defbrillators, ventricular tachycardia was most often preceded by late-coupled premature depolarizations. Not infrequently, a short-long-short sequence occurred before tachycardia. Premature depolarizations with a morphology different from that of the tachycardia occurred earlier in the cardiac cycle than did those with a morphology similar to that of the tachycardia. These indings may reflect different mechanisms of ventricular tachycardia initiation.
Intrabreath analysis of carbon monoxide uptake during exercise in patients at risk for lung injury

Summary The single exhalation analysis of carbon monoxide, acetylene, and methane allows the determination of intrabreath (regional) DL, pulmonary capillary blood flow and ventilation inhomogeneities during rest and exercise. We reasoned that this technique might be more sensitive in detecting regional pulmonary capillary abnormalities than resting single breath DL (DL sb ). We selected a group of breast cancer patients in high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) protocols who were at risk for pulmonary injury. We grouped the patients into pre-HDCT and post-HDCT, and used resting DL sb to further categorize the latter into those with and without pulmonary injury. We found that exercise DL increases were blunted in post-HDCT patients with low resting DL sb . More importantly, even in post-HDCT patients with normal resting DL sb , exercise DL response was reduced in the slowest emptying lung units along with evidence for ventilation inhomogeneities (increased methane slope). We conclude that exercise assessments of DL at low lung volumes and gas mixing properties may be sensitive indicators of lung injury.
Has the 2004 revision of the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation grading system improved the reproducibility of the diagnosis and grading of cardiac transplant rejection

We compared the interobserver reproducibility of the 1990 and 2004 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) grading system for cardiac rejection. The 2004 ISHLT grading system for cardiac allograft rejection did not improve reproducibility partly due to pathologists' disagreement in diagnosing Grades 1B/1R and 3A/2R rejection. To achieve better reproducibility, better criteria for defining 1B/1R vs. 3A/2R rejection and markers of myocyte injury are needed.
A grinding-based manufacturing method for silicon wafers: generation mechanisms of central dimples on ground wafers

Silicon wafers are the fundamental building blocks for most integrated circuits. The lapping-based manufacturing method currently used to manufacture the majority of silicon wafers will not be able to meet the ever-increasing demand for flatter wafers and lower prices. A grinding-based manufacturing method has been investigated experimentally to demonstrate its potential to manufacture flat silicon wafers at a lower cost. It has been demonstrated that the site flatness on the ground wafers (except for a few sites at the wafer center) could meet the stringent specifications for future silicon wafers. This paper, as a follow up, addresses one of the reasons for the poor flatness at the wafer center: central dimples on ground wafers. A finite element model is developed to illustrate the generation mechanisms of central dimples. Then, effects of influencing factors (including Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of the grinding wheel segment, dimensions of the wheel segment, grinding force, and chuck shape) on the central dimple sizes are studied. Pilot experimental results will be presented to substantiate the predicted results from the finite element model. This provides practical guidance to eliminate or reduce central dimples on ground wafers.
Quantifying quartz enrichment and its consequences for cosmogenic measurements of erosion rates from alluvial sediment and regolith

Abstract In-situ cosmogenic 26 Al and 10 Be record the residence time of quartz grains near the earth's surface, and thus can be used to measure whole-catchment erosion rates averaged over millennial time scales. Quartz is enriched in hillslope regolith by the dissolution of more soluble minerals; thus, its residence time will be longer than the regolith average. It has been noted that this introduces a bias into erosion rate estimates derived from cosmogenic nuclide concentrations in regolith or alluvium [Geomorphology 27 (1999) 131], but the magnitude of this bias has not previously been measured. The enrichment of quartz in regolith, and the resulting bias in cosmogenic erosion rate estimates, can be quantified using concentrations of immobile elements (such as zirconium) in bedrock and regolith. Here we show that the erosion rate bias introduced by regolith dissolution is less than 12%, across 22 granitic catchments that span a wide range of temperate climates. Except in extreme weathering environments, biases due to regolith dissolution will be a small component of the overall uncertainty in cosmogenic erosion rate measurements.
Nigericin insensitive post-illumination reduction in fluorescence yield in Dunaliella tertiolecta (chlorophyte).

Cells of the green alga Dunaliella tertiolecta grown in a light/dark cycle were exposed to high light for about 15 min. In light, energy-dependent quenching reduced fluorescence emission and decreased PS II efficiency. Within 3 minutes after darkening fluorescence quenching largely relaxed. However, PS II fluorescence emission decreased again after further darkening. Fo and Fm decreased to the same relative extent and the PS II efficiency was not reduced. This Reduction in Fluorescence yield in Darkness, termed RFD for the purpose of this paper, lasted about 20 min. The deepoxidation state of xanthophylls remained unchanged during and after the 15-min exposure to high light. We show that RFD is insensitive to the uncoupler nigericin and thus unrelated to energy-dependent quenching. RFD correlated with a reduction of the PQ pool after darkening and low levels of far red or blue light (430 nm more than 460 nm) prevented RFD. This is in contrast to observations in higher plants, where a post-illumination reduction of the PQ pool causes and increase in Fo (Groom et al. (1993) Photosynth Res 36: 205–215). Changes in the adenylate energy charge were not correlated with RFD. Antimycin A and cyanide, both inhibitors of the PQ-oxidase, caused an increase in RFD whereas SHAM, an inhibitor of the chloroplastic glycolate-quinone oxidoreductase, caused a decrease. Low CO2 concentrations, known to increase the oxygenase activity of Rubisco and to generate glycolate and P-glycolate in light, caused an increase in RFD. We propose that accumulated glycolate and P-glycolate reduce the PQ pool in darkness, leading to the formation of RFD. During RFD, 77 K fluorescence emission from PS II was more reduced than that from PS I, thus resembling a state I, state II transition. However, the reduction in fluorescence yield during RFD is much larger than the reduction previously attributed to state transitions and it is unclear whether RFD and state transitions are identical. The formation and relaxation of RFD increased with higher temperatures and the extent of RFD was largest at the growth temperature (25°C). RFD has to be taken into account when fluorescence is measured after darkening as it may be mistaken for energy-dependent quenching.
Handwashing compliance: what works?

UNLABELLED Health care personnel--particularly physicians--do a poor job of complying with national handwashing guidelines, yet handwashing is the cornerstone of infection control. New products designed to increase compliance are available, such as automated handwashing machines, but their clinical benefits have not been fully studied. The best solution for now may be to continue awareness campaigns and education programs, ensure access to sinks and appropriate antiseptic products, and promote the use of alcohol disinfectants when handwashing is not possible. KEY POINTS Antiseptic products are now preferred over handwashing with plain soap, which does not reliably prevent transmission of bacteria. Because 100% compliance may not be realistic, interventions that improve compliance, such as the use of alcohol sanitizing products when handwashing is not possible, may be the best solution. A number of barriers deter compliance, including lack of access to handwashing stations and lack of time. Gloves are not a substitute for handwashing because they are not fully protective.
Parallel architecture for a multiple-input fuzzy logic controller

A hardware accelerator that performs fuzzy learning, fuzzy inference, and defuzzification strategy computations is presented. The hardware is based on two-valued logic. A universal space of 25 elements with five levels each is supported. To achieve a high processing rate for real-time applications, the basic units of the accelerator are connected in a four-level pipeline. The accelerator can receive two parallel fuzzy data as inputs. A flag will be set if the fuzzy model R(u,w), constructed in a learning process, exhibits the property as follows: for all (u,w) belonging to the set UXW, R(u,w) equals 1. At a clock rate of 20 MHz, the accelerator can perform more than 1,400,000 fuzzy logic inferences per second on multi- dimensional fuzzy data.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Anesthetic neurotoxicity in babies.

I tis estimated that 4millionAmerican childrenundergo general anesthesia for a variety of surgical procedures and imaging studies every year. Perioperativemortality and morbidity for children have steadily improved over the last few decades, with a reported mortality rate of one per hundred thousand anesthetics with a tenfold higher rate for young infants. More than 20 years ago, it was demonstrated that inadequate anesthesia in young infants undergoing cardiac surgery could lead to an increase in morbidity and mortality due to activation of the surgical stress response. Pediatric anesthesiologists since then have strived to give safe, stress-reducing general anesthetics even to their youngest patients. However, recent animal studies have conclusively shown that most common general anesthetics can induce an increase in neuroapoptosis in juvenile animals. This has led to concerns that general anesthesia administered during the first few years of life may be deleterious for the long-term neurologic development in humans. The implicated anesthetic agents include those that are N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists (eg, ketamine and nitrous oxide), and gamma amino butyric acid agonists (eg, midazolam, thiopental, propofol, and volatile anesthetics, including sevoflurane): all have been linked with an increase in neuroapoptosis and learning deficits in immature mice, rats, guinea pigs, and rhesus monkeys. The mammalian animal models show an increase in neuroapoptosis only during a specific period during development that corresponds to the animal’s period of rapid brain growth. In addition, general anesthetics have been shown to cause altered dendrite formation, decreased number of glial cells, and decreased neurogenesis in juvenile animals even beyond the period of maximal brain growth. However, there is great difficulty in determining the period of susceptibility to general anesthetic–induced neurotoxicity in humans. The period of maximal brain growth occurs from the last trimester of fetal development to 24 months of age. Although humans have traditionally been considered an altricial species because of their motor immaturity at birth, there is considerable evidence using neuroinformatic tech-
Subwavelength based Components for Beam Shaping Applications

We present novel subwavelength based 2-D diffractive optical elements (DOEs) for beam shaping applications. We also demonstrate some their unique properties e.g. polarization selective reconstruction and diffraction efficiency exceeding the well-known scalar upper bound. Computer simulations and experimental results are provided.
“Pyroxene”—Ilmenite xenoliths from the stockdale pipe, kansas: Chemistry, crystallography, and origin

Abstract Comparison of serpentine-ilmenite xenoliths from the Stockdale kimberlite pipe, Kansas, with pyroxene-ilmenite xenoliths from African kimberlite pipes indicates both physical and chemical similarity. The intergrown phases are largely single crystals with the ilmenite plates parallel to the crystallographic basal plane of ilmenite. Orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene are oriented such that the b crystallographic axes are parallel to h0h0 of ilmenite. The results of textural and crystallographic studies do not definitively answer whether these intergrowths have formed by eutectic crystallization, discontinuous precipitation or eutectoid transformation.
Modeling synchronization in networks of delay-coupled fiber ring lasers.

We study the onset of synchronization in a network of N delay-coupled stochastic fiber ring lasers with respect to various parameters when the coupling power is weak. In particular, for groups of three or more ring lasers mutually coupled to a central hub laser, we demonstrate a robust tendency toward out-of-phase (achronal) synchronization between the N – 1 outer lasers and the single inner laser. In contrast to the achronal synchronization, we find the outer lasers synchronize with zero-lag (isochronal) with respect to each other, thus forming a set of N – 1 coherent fiber lasers.
Abstract 1026: Correlation of complex signaling pathway interactions with cell migration in a combined phosphorylation-cell migration assay

The acquisition of the ability of a cell to migrate, a process critical to tumor progression, is dependent on the activation of key cell signaling pathways. Screening assays that simultaneously quantify cell migration and the activity of the underlying signaling kinases may facilitate more efficient drug development. We report here an assay that allows simultaneous assessment of cell migration and pathway activity. The assay was performed in a commercially available microtiter plate and used near-infrared detection to achieve high sensitivity and reproducible results. The quality of the assay as determined by Z-factor analysis was 0.7 for migration and 0.58 for detection of phosphorylation. To model the drug screening process, we examined the effects of inhibitors of IGF-1R, PDGFR, and EGFR on cell migration and phosphorylation of AKT and ERK. An IGF-1R inhibitor strongly decreased both cell migration and phosphorylation of AKT and ERK. A PDGFR inhibitor showed a similar effect, but to a lesser degree. Inhibitors of PI-3 kinase/AKT and MEK also decreased cell migration but had surprising effects on the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK. Inhibition of MEK reduced phosphorylation of ERK to undetectable levels, yet did not completely abolish cell migration. Instead, AKT phosphorylation increased significantly. Likewise, inhibition of AKT decreased but did not abolish migration and increased ERK phosphorylation. The combination assay effectively assessed both migration and pathway activity as well as pathway crosstalk, a feature that should be useful for drug development. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1026. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1026
Space Shuttle’s orbital environment

Variations with the solar cycle of chemical composition, density and temperature of the orbital environment of the Space Shuttle are reviewed; micrometeoroid fluxes, ionizing radiation, photon fluxes and cosmic ray bombardment to which the Shuttle will be subjected are also mentioned. In addition, gases arising from offgassing and outgassing of contaminants (at about 300 K) from the Shuttle are considered, and particulates ejected during rocket firings or from the leakage of pressurized vessels (i.e., the cabin) are taken into account.
Heterotrophic growth and lipid production of Chlorella protothecoides on glycerol

During the production of biodiesel, a significant amount of glycerol is generated which currently has little commercial value. A study on the growth and lipid production of Chlorella protothecoides using glycerol as the carbon source was performed to demonstrate the utility of recycling crude glycerol created during biodiesel production. Glycerol was examined as both the sole carbon source and in combination with glucose. Algae cultures grown on only glycerol in shake flasks showed a specific growth rate and final lipid yield of 0.1/h and 0.31 g lipid/g substrate, respectively. The values were similar to those observed on pure glucose, 0.096/h and 0.24 g lipid/g substrate. When the media contained a mixture of glycerol and glucose, simultaneous uptake of the two substrates was observed. Due to the difference in rates of lipid storage, lipid production was 0.077 g lipid/(l h) during growth on glycerol, while growth on glucose had a productivity of 0.096 g lipid/(l h). During growth on the 9:1 mixture of both glucose and glycerol, lipid productivity was 0.098 g lipid/(l h). In order to simulate the use of waste glycerol from biodiesel production the experiments were repeated and similar growth rates, yields, and lipid productivities were achieved. Therefore, we have demonstrated the promise for simultaneous high growth rates and lipid yields of C. protothecoides heterotrophically grown on mixtures of glycerol.
Mentors for Gifted Underachieving Males: Developing Potential and Realizing Promise:

The literature focusing on mentorships arnd underachieving gifted young men is almost nonexistent. To address this need, the researchers examined the mentorship experiences of three students who characterized various aspects of giftedness -and underachievement in males. The findigs of the study revealed a single core category with three attendant subcategories. The influence of a significant adult on a young person was the dominant category. Several related subcategories reinforced the importance of the mentor: mentors' open-minded and nonjudgmental characteristics; consistent and personalized social/emotional support and advocacy; and strength and interest based strategies for intervention to reverse underachievement. These results underscore the critical effectiveness of mentorships on underachievement regardless of age, environment, and socioeconomic background. Implications of the findings are presented that highlight the successful features of the mentor-protege relationship.
Ischemia-Reperfusion of Rat Myocardium Activates Nuclear Factor-κB and Induces Neutrophil Infiltration Via Lipopolysaccharide-Induced CXC Chemokine

Background—Mechanisms by which neutrophils are attracted to the myocardium in ischemia/reperfusion are not fully defined. Lipopolysaccharide-induced CXC chemokine (LIX), cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (KC), and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) are rodent chemokines with potent neutrophil-chemotactic activity. The goals of the present study were to evaluate the roles of these chemokines in a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion and to examine the mechanisms of chemokine induction by oxidative stress and cytokines in cultured cardiomyocytes. Methods and Results—Male Wistar-Kyoto rats underwent 45 minutes of ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, followed by reperfusion for various periods. Compared with sham-operated controls, myocardium from reperfused animals had higher levels of free radicals, increased neutrophil infiltration evidenced histologically and by elevated myeloperoxidase activity, and increased nuclear factor (NF)-κB DNA binding activity. Ischemia-reperfu...
A study of spelling in aphasia

Abstract To secure systematic information on spelling abilities following damage to the dominant hemisphere, a test probing performance in three modalities of response was administered to a group of aphasic patients. Except for a predictable deficit among anterior aphasics in oral spelling, anterior and posterior aphasics exhibited comparable performances on the measures of spelling. However, anterior and posterior aphasics differed from one another on the kinds of words they most accurately spelled, the errors they were prone to make, and certain strategies which they characteristically adopted. These results suggest two alternative approaches to spelling: one approach, common in posterior aphasics, entails choosing letter combinations on the basis of their customary sounds; a second approach, common among anterior aphasics, appears to rely on a partially preserved image of the word's appearance.
Sodium-Losing Nephropathy and Nephrocalcinosis After Transplantation

Severe, prolonged sodium-wasting (up to 38% FENa) occurred in a man after he received a cadaveric-donor kidney. Posttransplantation supplementation with large amounts of saline and/or salt tablets was mandatory. Fludrocortisone had no clinically apparent effect. Plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentration were markedly increased. As chronic rejection progressed, the syndrome ameliorated. Renal biopsy showed cellular rejection and nephrocalcinosis.
Educational research and the philosophy of context

(2012). Educational Research and the Philosophy of Context. Educational Philosophy and Theory: Vol. 44, No. 8, pp. 793-800.
Constrained reconstruction: a superresolution, optimal signal-to-noise alternative to the Fourier transform in magnetic resonance imaging.

Many problems in physics involve imaging objects with high spatial frequency content in a limited amount of time. The limitation of available experimental data leads to the infamous problem of diffraction limited data which manifests itself by causing ringing in the image. This ringing is due to the interference phenomena in optics and is known as the Gibbs phenomenon in engineering. Present tehniques to cope with this problem include filtering and regularization schemes based on minimum norm or maximum entropy constraints. In this paper, a new technique based on object modeling and estimation is developed to achieve superresolutionreconstruction from partial Fourier transform data. The nonlinear parameters of the object model are obtained using the singular value decomposition (SVD)‐based all‐pole model framework, and the linear parameters are determined using a standard least squares estimation method. This technique is capable, in principle, of unlimited resolution and is robust with respect to Gaussian white noiseperturbation to the measured data and with respect to systematic modeling errors. Reconstruction results from simulated data and real magnetic resonance data are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed method.
The structure of the metal-nucleotide complex substrate for yeast hexokinase

Abstract A comparison has been made of the kinetic parameters obtained with yeast hexokinase using Mg 2+ or Ni 2+ as metal ion activator and ATP or tubercidin-5′-triphosphate as nucleotide substrate. It is concluded that the relative specificity of the enzyme for MgATP 2− does not involve a contribution arising from an interaction of the metal ion with the purine ring of the nucleotide.
Hin recombinase bound to DNA: the origin of specificity in major and minor groove interactions

The structure of the 52-amino acid DNA-binding domain of the prokaryotic Hin recombinase, complexed with a DNA recombination half-site, has been solved by x-ray crystallography at 2.3 angstrom resolution. The Hin domain consists of a three-alpha-helix bundle, with the carboxyl-terminal helix inserted into the major groove of DNA, and two flanking extended polypeptide chains that contact bases in the minor groove. The overall structure displays features resembling both a prototypical bacterial helix-turn-helix and the eukaryotic homeodomain, and in many respects is an intermediate between these two DNA-binding motifs. In addition, a new structural motif is seen: the six-amino acid carboxyl-terminal peptide of the Hin domain runs along the minor groove at the edge of the recombination site, with the peptide backbone facing the floor of the groove and side chains extending away toward the exterior. The x-ray structure provides an almost complete explanation for DNA mutant binding studies in the Hin system and for DNA specificity observed in the Hin-related family of DNA invertases.