cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of Subspace Clustering in DNA Sequence Analysis.

Abstract Identification and clustering of orthologous genes plays an important role in developing evolutionary models such as validating convergent and divergent phylogeny and predicting functional proteins in newly sequenced species of unverified nucleotide protein mappings. Here, we introduce an application of subspace clustering as applied to orthologous gene sequences and discuss the initial results. The working hypothesis is based upon the concept that genetic changes between nucleotide sequences coding for proteins among selected species and groups may lie within a union of subspaces for clusters of the orthologous groups. Estimates for the subspace dimensions were computed for a small population sample. A series of experiments was performed to cluster randomly selected sequences. The experimental design allows for both false positives and false negatives, and estimates for the statistical significance are provided. The clustering results are consistent with the main hypothesis. A simple random muta...
Examining Watershed Processes Using Spectral Analysis Methods Including the Scaled‐Windowed Fourier Transform

Important characteristics of watershed processes can be extracted from hydrologic data using spectral methods. We extract quantitative information from precipitation, stream discharge, and groundwater head data from watersheds in northern-­lower Michigan using Fourier Transform (FT) methods. By comparing the spectra of these data using similar units, we graphically illustrate the hydrologic processes that link precipitation to stream discharge and groundwater levels including evapotranspiration. We also demonstrate how unit hydrographs can be efficiently and non-­parametrically derived using the FT in a manner that allows for a quantitative seasonal comparison of precipitation and the resulting stream discharge response. This analysis clearly illustrates the reduction in summer discharge levels due to canopy interception and evapotranspiration. We also develop a systematic application of the FT we call the Scaled-­Windowed Fourier Transform (SWFT), which extracts time-­varying spectral content using a similar approach to the wavelet transform. While computationally less efficient than the wavelet transform, the SWFT allows for embedded detrending and tapering. Application of this method clearly illustrates the non-­stationarities of spectral content within the three chosen data types, leading to a greater understand-­ ing of discharge-­generating processes.
Diphtheria toxin-related alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone fusion toxin. Internal in-frame deletion from Thr387 to His485 results in the formation of a highly potent fusion toxin which is resistant to proteolytic degradation.

We have previously reported the genetic construction and properties of a fusion protein which was composed of the enzymatically active and membrane translocation domains of the diphtheria toxin and the receptor-specific ligand alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) (Murphy, J.R., Bishai, W., Borowski, M., Miyanohara, A., Boyd, J., and Nagle, S. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83, 8258-8262). While this fusion toxin was found to be selectively toxic for MSH receptor-bearing cells in vitro, it was subject to profound proteolytic degradation in recombinant Escherichia coli making purification difficult. We now report that the deletion of diphtheria toxin fragment B sequences between Thr387 and His485 results in a protease-resistant form of the fusion toxin, DAB389-alpha-MSH. We show that DAB389-alpha-MSH is expressed in high yield in recombinant Escherichia coli, that it is readily purified from crude bacterial lysates by immunoaffinity and high performance liquid chromatography, and its cytotoxic activity toward both human and murine malignant melanoma cell lines is mediated through the MSH receptor.
Does age predict outcome after multiligament knee reconstruction for the dislocated knee? 2- to 22-year follow-up.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether age is a predictor of clinical and functional outcomes in patients who sustained a knee dislocation (KD) and underwent multiligament knee reconstruction. It was hypothesized that increasing age will negatively affect patient outcome. In total, 125 multiligament knee injuries (MLKI) associated with KD were surgically reconstructed between 1992 and 2013 and evaluated with IKDC and Lysholm scores at a median follow-up of 5 (range 2–22) years. Patient demographics including age were then analysed with respect to IKDC and Lysholm scores using rank sums and pair-wise rank sums analysis for continuous variables and Chi-square analysis for categorical variables. In total, 125 patients (96 males and 29 females) with a median age of 31 (range 11–62) years at the time of surgery were included. At final follow-up, patients ≤30 years old compared to >30 years old obtained higher IKDC (73.3 vs. 61.9; p = 0.01) and Lysholm scores (76.9 vs. 68.5; p = 0.04). No confounding variables including gender, injury mechanism, injury pattern, injuries to the peroneal nerve, popliteal artery, meniscus, or cartilage accounted for differences in outcome scores between the two groups. Based on current available literature, this study represents the largest cohort with the longest follow-up reported on MLKI to date. At intermediate- to long-term follow-up, patients >30 years of age that undergo multiligament knee reconstruction for KD have inferior IKDC and Lysholm scores compared to those ≤30 years of age. However, successful multiligament knee reconstruction can still be obtained in this age group. IV.
The Effect of Weight on the Femur: A Cross-Sectional Analysis*

Keywords:forensic science;forensic anthropology;obesity;long bones;cross-section;bone functional adaptation Abstract: This study assessed whether obesity significantly affects femoral shape. Femora of 121 white men were divided into two weight classes based on body mass index (BMI) of the deceased. Five external anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) measurements were taken at consistent percentages of diaphyseal length. These were then subject to statistical tests. After controlling for age, multivariate statistics show a significant (p < 0.05) effect of BMI on the femur, with the greatest significance in ML measurements. T-tests confirm these dimensions are significantly larger in the overweight (p < 0.05). The effect of BMI on size-transformed and shape-transformed variables was also evaluated, with ANOVA results showing a significant BMI effect on ML size (p < 0.05), but not shape. Significant size-transformed ML variables were then subject to discriminate function analyses with a cross-validation correction. Results show a correct classification rate of 88% in normal weight and 77% in overweight individuals.
Experimental Spray Structure and Combustion of a Linearly-Arranged 5-Swirler Array

The presented work focuses on the experimental spray structure and the combustion of a linearly-arranged 5-swirler array. The aerodynamics and spray characteristics of a non-reacting single swirler are reported first as a baseline, followed by those of a 5-swirler array to investigate the effect of swirling flow interactions on aerodynamics and combustion. For the baseline single swirler, the smaller droplets follow the air flow more closely and further dispersed away at the exit of swirler. Thus, the mean diameter of droplet increases with the flow developing further downstream. However, in the central portion of a 5-swirler array, the droplet size remains similar. It is attributed to that swirling flow interactions might provide better air/fuel mixing and the additional shear stress to break up droplet continuously and is evident by the higher turbulent intensity in the aerodynamic measurement. Due to the influence of gas phase, the distribution of liquid phase in center toroidal recirculation zone (CTRZ) is non-uniform in a 5-swirler array. The center swirler of a 5-swirler array features a larger CTRZ which is accompanied by two smaller CTRZs from its neighbors. The flame anchored by the center swirler of a 5-swirler array is richer than the other two neighboring flames when the inter-swirler spacing is 2D, where D is the diameter of swirler exit diameter. However, when the inter-swirler spacing is increased to 2.5D, all swirlers feature a similar flame, which is different from what is expected from non-reacting flow studies reported previously. The unexpected result should be attributed to the difference in swirling strength between non-reacting and reacting flows.Moreover, the high speed imaging is employed to investigate the flame spreading during ignition process for a 5-swirler array. The high-speed movies show that the directional mechanism of flame spreading along lateral direction remains basically the same and is independent of the investigated test parameters including: two inter-swirler spacings, five fuel flow rates, five air pressure drops across swirlers, and five upstream air temperatures. An empirical correlation incorporating normalized inter-swirler spacing, air/fuel ratio, Reynolds number, and normalized air temperature is proposed and validated through a normalization procedure within around ± 10% error. The increase of Reynolds number and normalized air temperature has favorable impact on the flame spreading, which is stated by the empirical correlation.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Nanodevices and Maxwell's Demon

In the last twenty years there has been significant progress in our understanding of quantum transport far from equilibrium and a conceptual framework has emerged through a combination of the Landauer approach with the non-equilibrium Green function (NEGF) method, which is now being widely used in the analysis and design of nanoscale devices. It provides a unified description for all kinds of devices from molecular conductors to carbon nanotubes to silicon transistors covering different transport regimes from the ballistic to the diffusive limit. In this talk I use a simple version of this model to analyze a specially designed device that could be called an electronic Maxwell's demon, one that lets electrons go preferentially in one direction over another. My objective is to illustrate the fundamental role of contacts and demons in transport and energy conversion. The discussion is kept at an academic level steering clear of real world details, but the illustrative devices we use are very much within the capabilities of present-day technology. For example, recent experiments on thermoelectric effects in molecular conductors agree well with the predictions from our model. The Maxwell's demon device itself is very similar to the pentalayer spin-torque device which has been studied by a number of groups though we are not aware of any discussion of the possibility of using the device as a nanoscale heat engine or as a refrigerator as proposed here. However, my objective is not to evaluate possible practical applications. Rather it is to introduce a simple transparent model showing how out-of-equibrium demons suitably incorporated into nanodevices can achieve energy conversion.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a significant public health issue in the United States. This common and costly disease is a major cause of disability in elderly women. Although advances have been made in awareness, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, osteoporosis remains a silent and underdiagnosed disease for many women. However, osteoporosis is particularly underdiagnosed in women in racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States. Even though the opportunity for prevention is great, disparities in incidence, awareness, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes exist across racial and ethnic lines.
Comparative activity of gill ATPase in three freshwater teleosts exposed to cadmium

The comparative activity of gill ATPase was examined in the bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus), fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), and golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas). Basal Na/K ATPase activity was highest in bluegill sunfish (1.46 mumol Pi/mg protein/hr) and lowest in golden shiners (1.01 mumol Pi/mg protein/hr). While a stimulation of Na/K ATPase activity was observed at an exposure concentration of 1 micrograms Cd/liter in the bluegill sunfish and fathead minnows, an inhibition of enzymatic activity was observed at higher exposure concentrations (10 and 100 micrograms Cd/liter). Gill Na/K ATPase activity in golden shiners was not significantly influenced by cadmium exposure. The observed insensitivity of Na/K ATPase in golden shiners may, in part, be related to high background concentrations of cadmium in gill tissue. In all three species examined, gill residual ATPase activity was not significantly altered by cadmium exposure.
Cosmology: the Universe's skeleton sketched.

The deepest and clearest maps yet of the Universe's skeleton of dark-matter structure present a picture broadly in concord with favoured models — although puzzling discrepancies remain. The cover shows part of the first map of the large-scale distribution of 'dark matter' in the Universe, constructed using images obtained in the largest ever survey with the Hubble Space Telescope. Dark matter is a mysterious substance that dominates the mass of the Universe, but neither emits nor reflects light, so is consequently invisible. It can be detected indirectly via gravitational lensing, the deflection of light from distant galaxies by any foreground concentrations of mass. The new map depicts a network of dark matter filaments that have grown over time and are separated by huge voids. Ordinary 'baryonic' particles (which account for only a sixth of the total mass in the Universe) subsequently build all stars, galaxies and planets inside this underlying scaffold of dark matter, during a process of gravitationally induced structure formation. (Cover image: NASA/ESA/R. Massey.)
Radiotracking Hybrid Striped Bass in Spring Lake, Illinois, to Determine Temperature and Oxygen Preferences

Abstract Twelve hybrid striped bass (striped bass Morone saxatilis ♀ x white bass M. chrysops ♂) in 101-hectare Spring Lake, Illinois, had temperature-sensitive radio transmitters implanted in April and May 1985 to determine their temperature and oxygen preferenda. Tagged fish, which were monitored weekly from April 25 to September 30, 1985, ranged widely during most of the tracking period. Overall average movements were greater than 25 m/h 56% of the time. During summer stratification, however, fish concentrated in the deeper section of the lake between the old and new dams and moved only 27 m/h during this time, as opposed to 61 m/h before it. During stratification, the fish were confined to a narrow layer of water just above the zone of oxygen depletion, where water temperatures were consistently 2-3°C cooler than near the surface. Fish appeared to prefer oxygen concentrations above 2 mg/L, which often forced them into water temperatures as high as 27°C.
On the Scaling Laws for Air Clearing in Water-Type Pressure Suppression Systems

A set of scaling laws is derived for the small-scale simulation of the air clearing phase of a loss-of-coolant accident in a nuclear powerplant with a water-type pressure suppression system. The laws are a refinement of those suggested by F. J. Moody. This paper discusses the assumptions underlying their derivation and deals with the problem of scaling the vent flow.
Dense-Gas Fractionation and MALDI Characterization of Carbonaceous Pitches

The combination of multistage, dense-gas extraction (DGE) and matrix-assisted, laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) was investigated for the fractionation and characterization of an oligomeric model pitch synthesized via the thermal polymerization of anthracene. Our approach was shown to be effective both for elucidating the molecular properties of the anthracene pitch and for generating narrow molecular weight (MW), oligomeric cuts that can serve as MW standards. DGE was used to fractionate 10- to 15-g charges of anthracene pitch into relatively pure, gram- and decigram-sized cuts containing 99+% monomers, 90+% dimers, and 80+% trimers, respectively. The multistage, semi-batch DGE process was carried out in two steps with toluene being used as the dense-gas solvent at both subcritical and supercritical conditions. In the first step, lower-MW species were stripped off as the overhead; for the second step, the remaining residue was extracted, yielding the desired oligomeric cuts as overhead. Computer process simulation was used to guide the experimental work and demonstrated the effect of column temperature gradient on the liquid reflux ratio and, as a result, product purity. MALDI-MS played a critical role in guiding the selection of DGE operating conditions, yielding absolute MW information on the fractions that were produced.
Studies of coagulation and platelet functions in heparin-free hemodialysis.

Hematologic and coagulation studies were carried out during 12 heparin-free hemodialyses in 9 maintenance hemodialysis patients. Treatment employed a C-DAK 4000 cellulose acetate membrane hemodialyzer
Stimulus control of behavior and limbic lesions in rats

Abstract Rats with hippocampal lesions or sham operations learned a tone discrimination significantly faster than rats with amygdala lesions. Relative tone generalization gradients were significantly steeper for the animals with hippocampal lesions than for the other two groups. Performance on a light discrimination by the animals with hippocampal lesions was impaired, compared to the sham animals, when the tone (former S+) was present but irrelevant. The behavior of the amygdala animals was interpreted as being due to an inability to inhibit responding. The behavior of the animals with hippocampal lesions was interpreted as being due to an inability to shift attention from one stimulus to another.
UTP-bound and Apo structures of a minimal RNA uridylyltransferase.

Abstract 3′-Uridylylation of RNA is emerging as a phylogenetically widespread phenomenon involved in processing events as diverse as uridine insertion/deletion RNA editing in mitochondria of trypanosomes and small nuclear RNA (snRNA) maturation in humans. This reaction is catalyzed by terminal uridylyltransferases (TUTases), which are template-independent RNA nucleotidyltransferases that specifically recognize UTP and belong to a large enzyme superfamily typified by DNA polymerase β. Multiple TUTases, recently identified in trypanosomes, as well as a U6 snRNA-specific TUTase enzyme in humans, are highly divergent at the protein sequence level. However, they all possess conserved catalytic and UTP recognition domains, often accompanied by various auxiliary modules present at the termini or between conserved domains. Here we report identification, structural and biochemical analyses of a novel trypanosomal TUTase, Tb TUT4, which represents a minimal catalytically active RNA uridylyltransferase. The Tb TUT4 consists of only two domains that define the catalytic center at the bottom of the nucleoside triphosphate and RNA substrate binding cleft. The 2.0 A crystal structure reveals two significantly different conformations of this TUTase: one molecule is in a relatively open apo conformation, whereas the other displays a more compact TUTase–UTP complex. A single nucleoside triphosphate is bound in the active site by a complex network of interactions between amino acid residues, a magnesium ion and highly ordered water molecules with the UTP's base, ribose and phosphate moieties. The structure-guided mutagenesis and cross-linking studies define the amino acids essential for catalysis, uracil base recognition, ribose binding and phosphate coordination by uridylyltransferases. In addition, the cluster of positively charged residues involved in RNA binding is identified. We also report a 2.4 A crystal structure of Tb TUT4 with the bound 2′ deoxyribonucleoside, which provides the structural basis of the enzyme's preference toward ribonucleotides.
Split-Course Radiation Therapy: Effects on Pulmonary Function in Patients with Bronchogenic Carcinoma

Pulmonary function studies were made in 15 patients with unresectable bronchogenic carcinoma treated by split-course megavoltage radiation. Forced vital capacity and forced respiratory volume per second were measured before starting each of the first and second phases of the split-course therapy, and at 2 weeks and 12 weeks after completion of treatment. Improvement in ventilatory functions was noted in more than half of the patients. Adverse effects on lung function appeared to be minimal.
Primary trabeculectomy in young adults.

Background: Younger patients are thought to have a poor surgical prognosis after trabeculectomy. The authors investigate the surgical outcome of young adult patients after primary trabeculectomy. Methods: The authors reviewed the charts of all patients 15 to 40 years of age who had undergone primary trabeculectomy without the use of antimetabolites between January 1985 and January 1992 at Wills Eye Hospital. Failure was defined before the data collection as intraocular pressure (IOP) more than 25 mmHg without medication, IOP more than 21 mmHg with medication, or when further glaucoma surgery was indicated. Patients in whom preoperative IOPs were 21 mmHg or lower were classified as successes when the IOP was reduced by at least 33% of the preoperative measurement. Results: After a mean follow-up of 36.8 ± 21.8 months, among the 31 patients with uncomplicated glaucomas (juvenile, pigmentary, low tension, chronic angle closure), 26 (83.9%) were considered successes. After a mean follow-up of 42.3 ± 26.5 months, among the 11 patients with other types of glaucoma (inflammatory, traumatic, associated with irido-corneal endothelial syndrome or mesodermal dysgenesis), 7 (63.6%) were considered successes. Conclusions: The success rate of the uncomplicated group compares favorably with the 75% to 90% success rates of trabeculectomy commonly cited for primary glaucomas in older patients. Primary trabeculectomy in young adults may have a favorable outcome despite no antimetabolite therapy.
The turbulent boundary layer on a porous plate: Experimental skin friction with variable injection and suction

Abstract Experimental skin friction results from constant free-stream velocity boundary layers are reported for a variety of constant and slowly varying injection and suction wall conditions. A description is given of the flow characteristics of these air experiments. The uniform injection results are in good agreement with the results of Kendall and the Stevenson, Rotta, and Kinney results from the Mickley-Davis data. For all turbulent flows examined, C f 2 is found to be a a function of local Reθ and B. The friction factor ratio C f C fo |Reθ is found to be a function of B alone, and is given as an empirical function of B. Of seven theories examined, the theories of Rubesin and of Torii et al. are in best agreement with all of the results when considered on a local Ree and B basis. A simple calculation method of C f 2 vs. Rex is suggested for slowly varying Vw(X).
Electronic fetal monitoring as a public health screening program: the arithmetic of failure

Electronic fetal monitoring has failed as a public health screening program. Nevertheless, most of the four million low-risk women giving birth in the United States each year continue to undergo this screening. The failure of this program should have been anticipated and thus avoided had the accepted principles of screening been considered before its introduction. All screening tests have poor positive predictive value when searching for rare conditions such as fetal death in labor or cerebral palsy. This problem is aggravated when the screening test does not have good validity as is the case with electronic fetal monitoring. Because of low-prevalence target conditions and mediocre validity, the positive predictive value of electronic fetal monitoring for fetal death in labor or cerebral palsy is near zero. Stated alternatively, almost every positive test result is wrong. To avoid such costly errors in the future, the prerequisites for any screening program must be fulfilled before the program is begun.
Concordance analysis of an in vitro micronucleus screening assay and the regulatory chromosome aberration assay using pharmaceutical drug candidates.

The in vitro micronucleus assay is under consideration by regulatory agencies as a suitable alternative to the in vitro chromosome aberration (CA) assay. At Pfizer, we utilized a non-Good Laboratory practices cytokinesis-block in vitro micronucleus (CBMN) assay in CHO cells as a screen to predict the regulatory outcome of the human lymphocyte CA assay, and we have retrospectively analyzed a highly select set of 112 internal drug candidates to measure concordance. Overall, our exploratory CBMN correctly classified 97 of 112 (86.6%) compounds in the CA assay. Specificity was high with 87 of 92 (94.6%) CA negative compounds correctly classified by CBMN. Sensitivity was low at 50% with 10 of 20 CA positive compounds correctly classified by CBMN; this may be attributed to the low number of CA positives in the select set. In an attempt to improve sensitivity, we increased the number of CA positives by combining our internal set with an industrial data set previously published (Miller B et al. 1997: Mutat Res 392:45-59). When combined, concordance was 86.7% (143/165), specificity was 91.2% (114/125), and sensitivity increased to 72.5% (29/40). Because cytotoxicity is considered a confounding factor of in vitro test systems, we also examined, within the Pfizer data set, the influence of cytotoxicity in the CBMN assay, and the results indicated that seemingly low ( 70%) levels of cytotoxicity did not significantly alter predicted CA outcome. These collective analyses contribute to growing evidence that the CBMN assay is a suitable regulatory option in the standard battery of genetic toxicology tests.
Dirac single particle wave functions in inelastic electron scattering

We formulate inelastic electron scattering using Dirac single particle wavefunctions to describe the nuclear states. The lower components of these wavefunctions are much larger than those obtained assuming a free space relation with the upper component taken to be a Schroedinger single particle wave function. We note that the impulse approximation to the nuclear current operator is ambiguous in the present case. However, one of the two possible forms yields an explicitly conserved current in the single particle limit. We identify an inelastic amplitude which is linear in the lower components and is therefore very sensitive to the relativity of the bound nucleons. This amplitude is found to be dominant for transverse isoscalar transitions. 34 references.
The Emergence of Sex Differences in Risk for Disordered Eating Attitudes During Puberty: A Role for Prenatal Testosterone Exposure

Research suggests that prenatal testosterone exposure may masculinize (i.e., lower) disordered eating (DE) attitudes and behaviors and influence the lower prevalence of eating disorders in males versus females. How or when these effects become prominent remains unknown, although puberty may be a critical developmental period. In animals, the masculinizing effects of early testosterone exposure become expressed during puberty when gonadal hormones activate sex-typical behaviors, including eating behaviors. This study examined whether the masculinizing effects of prenatal testosterone exposure on DE attitudes emerge during puberty in 394 twins from opposite-sex and same-sex pairs. Twin type (opposite sex vs. same sex) was used as a proxy for level of prenatal testosterone exposure because females from opposite-sex twin pairs are thought to be exposed to testosterone in utero from their male co-twin. Consistent with animal data, there were no differences in levels of DE attitudes between opposite-sex and same-sex twins during pre-early puberty. However, during mid-late puberty, females from opposite-sex twin pairs (i.e., females with a male co-twin) exhibited more masculinized (i.e., lower) DE attitudes than females from same-sex twin pairs (i.e., females with a female co-twin), independent of several "third variables" (e.g., body mass index [BMI], anxiety). Findings suggest that prenatal testosterone exposure may decrease DE attitudes and at least partially underlie sex differences in risk for DE attitudes after mid-puberty.
The remarkable properties of amyloid-β derived from human Alzheimer's disease brain: swinging the streetlight.

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Highly potent soluble amyloid-β seeds in human Alzheimer brain but not cerebrospinal fluid’ by Fritschi et al. (doi: 10.1093/brain/awu255). Despite many years of intensive study, the specific amyloid-β species in the human brain responsible for the pathophysiological processes underlying Alzheimer’s disease have yet to be identified. In part, this may be because we have been ‘searching under the streetlight’: examination of other sources of amyloid-β such as synthetic preparations, material derived from the brains of transgenic animals, and amyloid-β recovered from human CSF after lumbar puncture has been much more convenient than direct evaluation of human brain-derived material. However, telltale signs over the last several years have indicated that amyloid-β derived from human brain may have properties or constituents that are qualitatively and quantitatively different from those of amyloid-β from other sources. The paper by Fritschi et al. (2014) from Mathias Jucker’s group in this issue of Brain is a major contribution to this line of investigation. Notably, the paper provides perhaps the most definitive evidence yet that human brain-derived amyloid-β has fundamentally dissimilar properties to human CSF-derived material. Specifically, Fritschi et al. demonstrate that <1 …
Genetic transformation of plants by protoplast electroporation

This article describes an optimized protocol for the electroporation of tobacco mesophyll protoplasts together with notes and data on the effects of various parameters and suggestions for work with protoplasts of other species. In this protocol, electroporation is achieved by means of electrical pulses from a high-voltage, capacitive-discharge unit. Procedures are described for measurement of protoplast viability with Evan's blue, the detection of transient expression of CAT and GUS gene plasmid constructs, and for the recovery of stable transformants based on selection for kanamycin resistance.
Routine repeat head CT for minimal head injury is unnecessary.

Background: Patients with MHI and a positive head computed tomography (CT) scan frequently have a routine repeat head CT (RRHCT) to identify possible evolution of the head injury requiring intervention. RRHCT is ordered based on the premise that significant injury progression may take place in the absence of clinical deterioration. Methods: In a Level I urban trauma center with a policy of RRHCT, we reviewed the records of 692 consecutive trauma patients with Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 13-15 and a head CT (October 2004 through October 2005). The need for medical or surgical neurologic intervention after RRHCT was recorded. Patients with a worse and unchanged RRHCT were compared, and independent predictors of a worse RRHCT were identified by stepwise logistic regression. Results: There were 179 patients with MHI and RRHCT ordered. Of them, 37 (21%) showed signs of injury evolution on RRHCT and 7 (4%) required intervention. All 7 had clinical deterioration preceding RRHCT. In no patient without clinical deterioration did RRHCT prompt a change in management. A Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 15 (13 or 14), age higher than 65 years, multiple traumatic lesions found on first head CT, and interval shorter than 90 minutes from arrival to first head CT predicted independently a worse RRHCT. Conclusions: RRHCT is unnecessary in patients with MHI. Clinical examination identifies accurately the few who will show significant evolution and require intervention.
Viewpoint: Reversible nature of platelet binding causing transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) syndrome may explain dyspnea after ticagrelor and elinogrel

There may be a universal mechanism explaining dyspnea after ticagrelor and elinogrel, namely, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). Indeed, recent clinical trials with ticagrelor (DISPERSE, DISPERSE-II, and PLATO), and elinogrel (INNOVATE PCI) revealed double-digit rates of dyspnea after novel reversible antiplatelet agents. In contrast, dyspnea is not associated with conventional non-reversible agents such as aspirin, or thienopyridines (ticlopidine, clopidogrel, or prasugrel) suggesting distinct mechanism of shortness of breath after ticagrelor and elinogrel. The adenosine hypothesis has been offered to explain such adverse association. However, despite obvious similarity between ticagrelor and adenosine molecules, the chemical structure of elinogrel is entirely different. In fact, ticagrelor is a cyclopentyl-triazolo-pyrimidine, while elinogrel is a quinazolinedione. Since both agents cause dyspnea, the adenosine hypothesis is no longer valid. In contrast, the reversible nature of platelet inhibition attributable to both ticagrelor and elinogrel causing premature cell ageing, apoptosis, impaired turnover due to sequestration of overloaded, exhausted platelets in the pulmonary circulation are among potential autoimmune mechanism(s) resulting in the development of a TRALI-like reaction, and frequent dyspnea. Despite expected benefit for better bleeding control, further development of reversible antithrombins is severely limited due to the existence of a potentially universal serious adverse event, such as TRALI-syndrome with dyspnea as a predominant clinical manifestation. Since TRALI is an established number one contributor to mortality after blood transfusions, ticagrelor death “benefit” in PLATO is challenged further.
Management of Chronic Facial Pain

Pain persisting for at least 6 months is defined as chronic. Chronic facial pain conditions often take on lives of their own deleteriously changing the lives of the sufferer. Although much is known about facial pain, it is clear that those physicians who treat these conditions should continue elucidating the mechanisms and defining successful treatment strategies for these life-changing conditions. This article will review many of the classic causes of chronic facial pain due to the trigeminal nerve and its branches that are amenable to surgical therapies. Testing of facial sensibility is described and its utility introduced. We will also introduce some of the current hypotheses of atypical facial pain and headaches secondary to chronic nerve compressions and will suggest possible treatment strategies.
The infrared spectra of saturated aliphatic mononitriles in the 667−250 cm−1 region

Abstract The infrared spectra of a number of normal and branched-chain aliphatic mononitriles have been recorded and studied in the range 667−250 cm−1. The discussion is focused on the CCN out-of-plane bending and the CCC angle bending vibrations. Assignments of CCC bending frequencies to particular conformations we made on the basis of band intensities, low-temperature spectra, and steric factors involved. Mizushima's system of nomenclature for conformational isomers is found useful.
Synthesis and Reaction Chemistry of Layered Oxides with Perovskite Related Structures

A large class of perovskite related oxides with layer structures can be represented by the general composition Mm[An-1BnO3n+1], where the contents of the brackets corresponds to the composition of the perovskite related layers and Mm represents either interlayer cations or a second type of metal oxide layer which regularly alternates with the perovskite layers. Compounds where B is niobium or a mixture of titanium and niobium, M is an alkali metal cation and m = 1, 2 can be synthesized for 2≤n≤7. The layer structures show both ion exchange and acid base intercalation chemistry which is independent of the layer thickness up to the maximum observed value of 22A.
Pharyngeal Stasis of Secretions in Patients with Zenker Diverticulum

Objective. To determine whether patients with Zenker diverticulum are more likely to have stasis of secretions in the left piriform sinus, on in-office endoscopy, than patients with nonspecific dys...
Experimental and Computational Analysis of Brain Deformations in Linear Head Impact

In this study two-dimensional physical and finite element models of human head under linear deceleration were developed. 5% gelatin was used as the brain substitute material with similar viscoelastic properties. The experimental strains and pressure during 55G impacts were measured to validate the element formulations used in the computational models. The Lagrangian and Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) formulations were used in the FE models. It was shown that without Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), the Lagrangian strains passed the 10% threshold of axonal injury. At the presence of CSF, no significant strain was observed while 6 to 8 times increase in the intracranial pressure was recorded. The FE models showed similar trends for strain, stress, and pressure but were generally more aggressive than the experimental results. The ALE model was more stable and its effective damping was more consistent with the experimental data.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
An Experimental Test of the Seismic Behaviors of Antispila Nysaefoliella (Lepidoptera: Heliozelidae) to Vibrational Stimuli

This study tested the sensitivity of the tupelo leafminer, Antispila nysaefoliella, to vibrational cues and whether their unique behaviors, first reported by Low (2008), may be elicited by the frequencies matching those of parasitic wasps. In the tick behavior, a larva ticks its abdomen back and forth rhythmically, and in the rattle behavior, the larva rattles its abdomen in short rapid pulses. To test the specificity of these behaviors to vibrational cues, computer-generated signals of pure tone frequencies ranging from 1-6 kHz were played to the entire leaf of solitary larvae through airborne signal transmission. The experiment demonstrated that the larvae of A. nysaefoliella responded to all frequencies with wriggling movements, but ticked only in response to the frequencies that matched those generated by parasitoid probing activity. Rattling behavior was rarely elicited.
Measurements of the contact angle between R134a and both aluminum and copper surfaces

Abstract Measurements of quasi-static advancing contact angles of refrigerant R134a on copper and aluminum surfaces are reported over a temperature range from 0 °C to 80 °C. The metal surfaces tested were aluminum (alloy 3003) and copper (alloy 101) plates. Measurements were done using a direct optical observation technique where the liquid meniscus at the surface of a vertical plate was captured using a high magnification camera system. The contact angle of solid–liquid interface was deduced by enhancing and manipulating the digital image using solid modeling software by drawing a tangent line to the meniscus at the intersection location of the solid, liquid and vapor. Values of the contact angle were found to vary between 8.3° and 5.6° for aluminum and between 5.1° and 6.5° for copper when the temperature rose from 0 °C to 80 °C. Maximum standard deviation amongst the measured values of contact angles was 1.3°.
Solid polymer electrolyte water electrolysis

Studies have been made on electrocatalysts and their plating methods to solid polymer electrolyte (SPE). Perfluorosulfonic acid polymer membranes (Dupont manufactured Nafion) were used as SPE. Noble metals and their alloys were directly attached to both sides of the membrane without a binder by special metal plating methods developed by the present authors. The methods, utilizing reactions of a metal salt solution with a reducing agent on the membrane surface, made it possible to increase the adhesive strength of electrocatalysts to the membrane and also to eliminate, almost perfectly, the resistance of electrocatalyst/SPE interface. Pretreatments of the membrane were also investigated in order to improve the adhesive property. It was found that hydrothermal treatment and gas plasma treatment were more effective. The constituents of cell voltage, i.e. anodic and cathodic overvoltages and ohmic drop, were measured for five noble metals and their alloys. The anodic overvoltages were a major constituent of voltage losses and depended distinctly on the kinds of electrocatalysts used. The anodic overvoltage increased in the following order: Ir < Rh < Rh/Pt < Pt/Ru < Pt < Pd. Pure Ru had high initial activity. However, it was corroded during oxygen evolution. The electrodes based on Ir-Ir alloys were the best electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution and had a Tafel slope of 40–60 mV decade−1. The effects of the operating temperature on the cell performance were also studied. The cathode and anode were a thin layer of Pt and similar layer of Ir alloy, respectively. The cell voltage decreased with an increase in temperature. At a current density of 500 mA cm−2 and at 90°C, the cell voltage was 1.56–1.59 V corresponding to a thermal efficiency (based on ΔH) of 93–95%.
Effect of the excluded volume on specific rate of combination reactions between polymer radicals

The specific rate kD for reaction between polymer radicals is formulated when the potential of average force on the basis of the excluded volume affects the motion of the polymer radicals. This rate is given by where kS is specific rate of reaction between radical chain ends and α is the average expansion of the polymer arising from the long-range effects. The effect of the excluded volume reduces kD. F depends on the degree of polymerization of the polymer radical when α ≠ 1. These results are discussed in terms of the experimental data for very low polymer concentrations.
Teaching Self-Advocacy to Students with Disabilities.

Prior to entering college, most students with disabilities are taught to rely on parents, teachers, doctors, and others to arrange for educational accommodations. In college, the job is theirs. What is the disability educator's role in helping students manage this frequently difficult transition?
Cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide clearance in nonimmune mice.

Clearance of cryptococcal polysaccharide (CP) from tissues and body fluids of nonimmune mice was studied. Mice were injected intravenously one time only with one mg of purified CP, and serum, urine and tissues were obtained from each animal at various intervals for a period of 84 days. Tissue extracts, serum and urine were tested for CP content by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and latex agglutination. High concentrations of CP were detected by both assays one-half hour after injection in blood (serum), liver, spleen, kidney and lung (extracts). The duration of ELISA detectable CP was longest (70 days) in liver and spleen and shortest (14 days) in lung extract. By 14 days after injection, concentration of CP in the blood fell below that found in the liver and spleen. CP remained detectable (titers 32–64) after all other extracts became negative. These results indicate that CP is stored in tissues (binding mechanism and site unknown), and that the liver and spleen possess greater storage capacity than other tissues. Antibody (IgM) to CP appeared in low titer on the 14th day and thereafter.
Precipitation hardening in rapidly quenched TiZrB alloys

Abstract A significant amount of boron beyond the solid solubility limit can be dissolved in titanium matrix by rapid solidification. As a result, it is anticipated that precipitate reactions and age hardening in the quenched titanium alloys will occur upon heat treatment. Binary TiB and ternary TiZrB alloys were processed into thin foils and ribbons by rapid solidification techniques. A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study showed that very fine microstructures without precipitates were present in the as-quenched titanium alloys containing up to 6 at.% b. The precipitation reaction was identified in the annealed Ti 84 Zr 10 B 6 alloys after heat treatment for various durations in the temperature range of 500–600 °C. The precipitates were indexed to be zirconium borides from the electron diffraction patterns. The effects of boron and annealing on the age hardening in these alloys were studied by hardness measurements.
Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of CVD diamond growth—Interlay among growth, etching, and migration

Abstract Diamond films are of interest to many practical applications but the technology of producing high-quality, low-cost diamond is still lacking. To reach this goal, it is necessary to understand the mechanism underlying diamond deposition. Most reaction models advanced thus far do not consider surface diffusion, but recent theoretical results, founded on quantum-mechanical calculations and localized kinetic analysis, highlight the critical role that surface migration may play in growth of diamond films. This study reports three-dimensional time-dependent Monte Carlo simulations of diamond growth that considers adsorption, desorption, lattice incorporation, surface migration, as well as filling atom-size voids. The reaction probabilities are founded on the results of quantum-chemical and transition-state-theory calculations. The analysis includes film growth rate, surface roughness, reaction frequencies, and the evolving film morphology upon varying intrinsic model parameters, like domain size, and growth environment variables, like surface temperature and gaseous precursor concentrations. The kinetic Monte Carlo simulations show that starting with an ideal [{100} − (2 × 1) : H] reconstructed diamond surface the model is able to produce continuous film growth, with the simulated behavior mimicking experiment.
Children's attitudes toward elderly individuals: a comparison of two ethnic groups.

The present study investigated the attitudes of Indian and American children toward elderly people. The “Children's Attitudes Toward the Elderly” questionnaire was used to measure how children perc...
Kinematic broadening in two-body collisions at relativistic energies

Abstract Kinematic broadening is studied for two-body collisions in which the kinetic energies of the interacting particles are large enough to require relativistic analysis. Three overlapping categories of problems are treated. For each category, a formula is derived which can be used in the calculation of kinematic broadening. The first category includes collisions in which the kinetic energies of the particles may be of the same order of magnitude as their rest-mass energies. The formula which is derived for this category is very general and may be used regardless of the energies of the interacting particles. The second category consists of ultrarelativistic collisions. Here it is assumed that the kinetic energies of the incident and emitted particles are considerably larger than their rest-mass energies. Finally, the third category includes collisions which are only slightly relativistic in the sense that the kinetic energies of the interacting particles are considerably smaller than their rest-mass energies. Each of the formulas derived is an expansion in the small angular deviations from the mean direction of emission of the observed particles. These formulas may be applied to problems in atomic, nuclear and high-energy physics. Their use is demonstrated by means of three numerical examples.