cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of Bi-2212 Films on Ag Substrate by Dip-Coating Method

In this study, Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox (Bi-2212) thick films on Ag substrate were fabricated using the dip-coating method. Firstly, the Bi-2212 powders were prepared by Sol-Gel process. Metal nitrates were used as starting materials and ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) was used as chelating agent. Secondly, the resulting powders were used as solute, and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) was used as solvent to prepare suspension via stirring and ultrasonic vibration. Then the suspension was dip-coated on Ag substrate. After heat treatments, the phase compositions of the samples were characterized using the XRD. The microstructure was observed using SEM. Experimental results show that the sintering temperature strongly influence the phase formation of Bi–2212.
In vitro construction of bacteriophage λ and plasmid DNA molecules containing DNA fragments from bacteriophage T4

Restriction endonucleases EcoRI and HindIII generated fragments of T4 cytosine-containing DNA were inserted into bacteriophage vector lambdagtSuIII and plasmid vectors pMB9 and pBR313. Resulting clones were screened for hybridization with 32P labeled T4 tRNA. Recombinant bacteriophages and plasmids were isolated which contained a T4 fragment coding for T4 RNA species 1 and 2 and T4 tRNA Arg. Selected lambda-T4 hybrid bacteriophages were grown to high titer and their DNA analyzed by gel electrophoresis.
False positive ECG response to exercise secondary to hyperventilation: cineangiographic correlation.

Abstract A patient with atypical precordial chest pain demonstrated segmental S-T-segment depression in response to treadmill exercise. Although this finding was very suggestive of the presence of ischemic heart disease, the reproducibility of these S-T-segment changes with hyperventilation and a normal coronary cineangiographic study supported our impression of a false positive response to exercise. Certain characteristic electrocardiographic features observed in patients mainifesting a false positive response to exercise due to hyperventilation are described.
Judging the value of additional information on the performance of intelligent agents in manufacturing control

In recent years we have seen the exploration of the use of multiagent systems to provide control of manufacturing systems. This paper provides a brief review of agent-based systems applied to manufacturing control discussing the principle factors that contribute to defining the uniqueness of their design. The question arises in the development of such systems as to how much information about present processing and predicted future processing should be used in the negotiation and generation of plans for use in routing parts through the system. This paper explores this issue by first discussing the details of the negotiation mechanism employed. Then the results of tests are presented that compare the performance of the manufacturing system when the controlling agents are provided with the different forms of information.
Correlates of recovery among older adults after major abdominal surgery.

" Background: Little research has examined the recovery patterns of older adults who have had major abdominal surgery. " Objective: To determine whether pain, depression, and fatigue are significant factors in the return of older adults who had major abdominal surgery to functional status and self-perception of recovery in the first 3 months after discharge from the hospital. " Methods: A correlational predictive study involved adults 60 years of age or older who had undergone major abdominal surgery. Data were collected during hospitalization (n = 192), then 3 to 5 days (n = 141), 1 month (n = 132), and 3 months after discharge to home (n = 126) using the Brief Pain Inventory, the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, the Modified Fatigue Symptom Checklist, the Enforced Social Dependency Scale, and the Self-Perception of Recovery Scale. " Results: Multiple regression analysis indicated that pain, depression, and fatigue are significantly related to patients' self-perception of recovery and functional status. Pain, depression, and fatigue explain 13.4% of the variation in functional status at 3 to 5 days, 30.8% at 1 month, and 29.1% at 3 months after discharge. These three factors also explain 5.6% of the variation in self-perception of recovery during hospitalization, 12.3% at 3 to 5 days, 33.2% at 1 month, and 16.1% at 3 months after discharge. " Conclusions: Pain, depression, and fatigue are important factors to consider in the provision of care to abdominal surgery patients with a relatively uncomplicated postoperative course. Specific interventions to reduce pain, depression, and fatigue need to be evaluated for their impact on the postoperative recovery of older adults.
The relation between sample and population characteristic vectors

Data are reported which show the statistical relation between the sample and population characteristic vectors of correlation matrices with squared multiple correlations as communality estimates. Sampling fluctuations were found to relate only to differences in the square roots of characteristic roots and to sample size. A principle for determining the number of factors to rotate and interpret after rotation is suggested.
Tight regulation and modulation via a C1-regulated promoter in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

We describe the development and analysis of a novel promoter system regulated by the bacteriophage P1 temperature-sensitive C1 repressor. Using transcriptional fusions to the lacZ reporter gene to monitor gene expression, we show that the ratio of induction/repression can be up to 1500-fold in Escherichia coli. The promoters exhibited extremely tight repression and could be modulated over a range of temperatures. The utility of the promoter system was tested in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. C1 effectively repressed transcription; however, only modest induction was achieved. To increase the levels of induction, the amount of c1 was modulated at the mRNA level by using a LacI-regulated promoter. This resulted in a 59-fold induction in gene expression under inducing conditions. As the promoter system was constructed in a broad-host range vector and utilized the C1 repressor from a broad-host range phage, the system will provide the potential for controlled gene expression in Gram-negative bacteria. >
Aposematism in Archips cerasivoranus Not Linked to the Sequestration of Host-derived Cyanide

This study addressed the question of how caterpillars of Archips cerasivoranus feeding upon Prunus virginiana cope with the cyanogenic compounds of their food. Analysis by ion chromatography showed that young and aged leaves of P. virginiana consumed by the caterpillars during spring have hydrogen cyanide potentials (HCN-ps) of 2,473 ± 130 ppm and 1,058 ± 98 ppm, respectively. Although less than 3% of the cyanide released as the caterpillars feed escapes into the atmosphere, the larva’s bright-yellow aposematic coloration and conspicuous activity can not be attributed to the sequestration of cyanide. Only six of 25 samples of the caterpillars’ defensive regurgitants collected from 12 field colonies contained cyanide (17.6 ± 6.54 ppm), less than 5% of the quantity previously reported to occur in the regurgitant of the tent caterpillar M. americanum. Only seven of 13 caterpillars assayed had detectable quantities of cyanide in their bodies (3.9 ± 0.9 ppm). The fecal pellets that encase the cocoon contained no cyanide, nor did the frass that litters the leaf shelters. The small quantities of cyanide that occur in the caterpillar compared to the HCN-p of ingested plant material appear attributable to paced bouts of feeding and the maintenance of a highly alkaline foregut that inhibits cyanogenesis.
Convergence of free boundaries in discrete obstacle problems

We show that a piecewise linear finite element approximation of the obstacle problem gives an approximate free boundary converges, in an appropriate distance, to the free boundary of the continuous problem under a stability condition on the obstacle.
Effects of Kraft-Mill Effluents on Benthic Macrophyte Assemblages in a Shallow-Bay System (Apalachee Bay, North Florida, USA)

A 14-month study was carried out to determine the impact of kraft-mill effluents on the offshore benthic macrophyte distribution in a shallow north Florida Bay (USA). A polluted river drainage system was compared to an adjoining (unpolluted) one. The affected area was characterized by elevated levels of color and turbidity. Inshore areas associated with high levels of KME were characterized by severely reduced benthic macrophyte biomass, reduced numbers of species/unit area, and altered species composition when compared to control stations. Areas of chronic impact also had reduced levels of biomass, although the total number of species taken were not significantly different from the controls. In polluted areas, red and brown algae were proportionately more abundant than chlorophytes and spermatophytes. Dominance generally was reduced in areas of the Bay affected by KME. Except for areas of acute impact, there was no significant difference in species diversity (H″) between polluted and unpolluted portions of the Bay. There were uniform increases in the total number of species on either side of the affected drainage system. Such areas were considered to be transition zones between the polluted and unpolluted parts of Apalachee Bay. Benthic macrophyte distribution, in terms of biomass and species (community) composition, was considered an important indicator of the impact of KME on the shallow coastal systems in question. The pattern of macrophyte species composition reflected various water-quality parameters. Species normally inhabiting deeper water were found in areas of increased turbidity and color. It was postulated that reduction of normal dominants such as Thalassia testudinum and Halimeda incrassata allowed the colonization of such areas by opportunistic species. This would explain the maintenance of comparable (total) numbers of species in polluted areas and the lack of effect of KME on species diversity even though biomass was severely restricted. These parameters were analogous to the epibenthic fish distribution in the respective drainage areas. Near-shore coastal systems in Apalachee Bay thus were affected by gradients in water quality in addition to natural (seasonal) fluctuations in key physical and chemical parameters. The benthic plant assemblages reflected variations in dominance, the occurrence of opportunistic species, and ecological diversity that resulted in a continuum of disturbance phenomena ranging from sparsely distributed groups in grossly polluted systems to well developed plant assemblages in areas that remain unaffected by KME.
Simple and efficient noise estimation algorithm

A simple algorithm is proposed for the estimation of noise in linear active filters. It is also applicable to noise analysis in delta-sigma modulator loops, and related structures. Its usefulness is demonstrated by using it to compare the noise performance of some commonly used filter structures.
Divergence and flutter instability of elastic specially orthotropic plates subject to follower forces

Abstract Divergence and flutter instabilities of a rectangular, specially orthotropic plate (simply supported on a pair of opposite sides) subject to follower forces are computationally analyzed. The effects of the tangential follower parameter ( η ) , aspect ratio ( λ ) , boundary condition (on the side opposite the loaded edge), and material orthotropy on the magnitude of the critical load and the mode (divergence or flutter) of instability are detailed. For the three boundary conditions considered (built in, simply supported, and free free—for the side opposite the loaded edge) and given material orthotropy, the λ – η plane is divided into regions corresponding to different governing instabilities. Both the number and size of these regions depend strongly upon the boundary condition considered as does the governing instability. For a given boundary condition the configuration of the stability regions is independent of material orthotropy. Material orthotropy affects only the buckling loads corresponding to the instabilities and the size of the regions.
Uncomplicated full term pregnancy after da Vinci-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy

Laparoscopic surgery with the assistance of the da Vinci robotic system has been recently introduced in gynaecology, as this new technology provides three-dimensional vision and easier suture capability. This study reports, for the first time, the case of an uncomplicated full term pregnancy after laparoscopic myomectomy with the assistance of the da Vinci robotic system. The patient was a 35-year-old woman presenting with secondary infertility and a single 3 cm, predominantly intramural, fundal myoma. Following surgery, she conceived with minimal intervention therapy and delivered a healthy term infant by Caesarean section. The successful outcome suggests that this advancement can restore reproductive capacity with improved suturing capability of the uterine wall. More studies are needed to establish indications and outcome of the technique according to the number, size and location of fibroids.
Gaining CIM's benefits

Abstract Despite all the money, energy, and time spent by companies trying to automate their factory, CIM is still an unfulfilled promise for many. Managers have continually struggled with the problem of successfully putting the pieces together to get the most out of CIM technology. CIM is not a quick fix program. It is a long term strategic bet that will involve lots of hard work. Successful integration requires proper planning and overcoming of several obstacles. This paper addresses barriers to factory automation and steps for successful implementation.
A Comparison of MCUSUM-based and MEWMA-based Spatiotemporal Surveillance Under Non-homogeneous Populations

Motivated by the application in health-care surveillance under non-homogeneous populations, this paper compares the performance of multivariate exponentially weighted moving average (MEWMA)-based methods with that of multivariate cumulative sum (MCUSUM)-based methods for spatiotemporal chronic disease surveillance. We perform the comprehensive simulation studies of the MEWMA-based methods for the selection of weight parameters. Under temporally or spatially non-homogeneous population trends, we compare the MEWMA methods with the MCUSUM methods, which are specific forms of the spatiotemporal scan statistics if the baseline rate is known. The performance of the MCUSUM methods has extreme variations depending on whether the change occurs on a small population or a large population. When the change occurs in the time period or within the spatial region with a small population, the weighted likelihood ratio-based MCUSUM has better detection speed, but worse identification of detection clusters than the likelihood ratio-based MCUSUM. On the other hand, when the change occurs in the time period or within the region with a large population, the weighted likelihood ratio-based MCUSUM has worse detection speed, but better identification than the likelihood ratio-based MCUSUM. Unlike the MCUSUM methods, the MEWMA-based methods show relatively stable and robust performance in terms of detection speed, and they show better identification than the MCUSUM-based methods under most cases. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The cost of gypsy moth sex in the city

Since its introduction in the 1860s, gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), has periodically defoliated large swaths of forest in the eastern United States. Prior research has suggested that the greatest costs and losses from these outbreaks accrue in residential areas, but these impacts have not been well quantified. We addressed this lacuna with a case study of Baltimore City. Using two urban tree inventories, we estimated potential costs and losses from a range of gypsy moth outbreak scenarios under different environmental and management conditions. We combined outbreak scenarios with urban forest data to model defoliation and mortality and based the costs and losses on the distribution of tree species in different size classes and land uses throughout Baltimore City. In each outbreak, we estimated the costs of public and private suppression, tree removal and replacement, and human medical treatment, as well as the losses associated with reduced pollution uptake, increased carbon emissions and foregone sequestration. Of the approximately 2.3 M trees in Baltimore City, a majority of the basal area was primary or secondary host for gypsy moth. Under the low outbreak scenario, with federal and state suppression efforts, total costs and losses were $5.540 M, much less than the $63.666 M estimated for the high outbreak scenario, in which the local public and private sectors were responsible for substantially greater tree removal and replacement costs. The framework that we created can be used to estimate the impacts of other non-native pests in urban environments.
Poland After the Shock

This paper analyzes Poland's economic performance following the introduction of shock therapy as compared to China's performance under its transformation policies. Both nation's economic policies are evaluated within the context of the goals, perceptions and performance criteria selected by Polish policymakers. Evidence indicates that shock therapy had mixed results and that ideology has influenced previous analyses of such policies. Since China's performance based upon the same criteria has been no less favorable, lessons from its transformation experience deserve attention from Central and East European policymakers comparable to that given Poland.
Humoral response of melanoma patients to two different tumor-associated antigens.

Sera of 8 stage II melanoma patients undergoing surgical adjunctive immunotherapy with bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) plus melanoma cell vaccine (MCV) were assayed for humoral response by the complement-dependent antibody cytotoxicity (CDAC) assay and by the microcomplement fixation (MCF) test. The patients developed high levels of cytotoxic (CTX) and complement-fixing (CF) antibodies to the UCLA-SO-M14 (M14) cells, one of the three melanoma cell lines in the MCV. Significant rises in CTX and CF antibodies occurred one month post-immunotherapy. While the level of CTX antibodies was maintained for 11 months thereafter, the titer of CF antibodies was sustained for seven months, then gradually declined. When the sera were absorbed with lymphoblastoid (ML14) cells which are autologous to the M14 cells, two residual peaks of CTX antibodies, one and four months postimmunotherapy and two peaks of CF antibodies, one and seven months postimmunotherapy, emerged. Two sera that exhibited high levels of CTX and CF antibodies one month postimmunotherapy were absorbed with ML14 cells and human fetal brain tissue. The reactivity of one serum in both the CDAC and MCF assays were abolished, whereas the reactivity of the other serum was not significantly diminished in either assay. These data indicate that the stage II post-surgical melanoma patients developed a humoral immune response to at least two distinct tumor antigens on the membrane of the M14 cells. One of these antigens appeared to be of fetal origin (OFA), the other M14-associated (TAA). Both antigens, OFA and TAA, were involved in complement-dependent antibody cytotoxic and complement fixation reactions in vitro.
Molecular cloning of Clostridium difficile toxin A gene fragment in λ gtll

Toxin A of Clostridium difficile has been purified and monospecific antiserum produced. A reliable procedure for isolation and restriction of C. difficile chromosomal DNA was developed which allowed for the construction of a genomic library in lambda gt11. Approx. 35,000 plaques were screened using anti-toxin A which resulted in the identification of one stable positive clone, lambda cd19. Verification of the immunological identity of the isolated toxin A gene fragment in lambda cd19 was determined by affinity purifying toxin A antibodies specific for lambda cd19 gene product, and using these selected antibodies to probe a Western blot of purified toxin A. The insert in lambda cd19 was demonstrated to be a 0.3 kb fragment by restriction digestion, and by hybridization of the clone to a chromosomal digest of C. difficile. The peptide coded for by the toxin A gene fragment in lambda cd19 was not cytotoxic for 3T3 mammalian tissue culture cells.
Mechanism of dropwise condensation

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 1963.
Role of apoptosis in ventricular remodeling

Cell loss is a common feature in the failing heart, and this contributes to the relentless progression seen in patients with heart failure. Apoptosis is one of the most common causes of cell loss in animals and humans with heart failure. There is increasing evidence that apoptosis, even while occurring in a low-grade manner, can mediate heart failure. Moreover, inhibiting apoptosis successfully prevents or attenuates heart failure in several animal models. More importantly, apoptosis is one of the few mechanisms that can be easily modulated using pharmacologic or gene therapy approaches. Animal data, obtained in the past few years, have proven the feasibility and success of this approach toward altering the natural history of heart failure. Human studies are pending, but a number of issues such as the type of inhibitor and its optimum timing/dose will need to be resolved before this becomes a reality. Nevertheless, these data will accrue over time, and antiapoptotic therapy is likely to emerge as an important form of heart failure therapy.
Human hepatocytes metabolizing ethanol generate a non-polar chemotactic factor for human neutrophils.

Abstract When human hepatocytes were incubated with low concentrations of ethanol they general chemotactic activity for human neutrophils. Generation of chemotactic activity was dependent upon duration of incubation and concentration of ethanol used. Production of chemotactic activity by ethanol-treated hepatocytes was inhibited completely in the presence of the alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor 4-methylpyrazole. PMN isolated from rats, in contrast, do not respond chemotactically to the factor released by homologous cells. Preliminary studies indicated that the chemotactic factor is non-polar in nature (perhaps related to leukotriene B 4 ). These results indicate that human hepatocytes, when exposed to ethanol, generate chemotactic factor(s) for human PMN. The occurence of this phenomenon may explain, in part, the PMN infiltrates observed in human liver during the course of acute alcoholic hepatitis.
Recent Outbreak of Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome in Iowa.

Sudden death syndrome (SDS) of soybean, caused by Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines, was first found in four Iowa counties in 1993 at low intensities. Following the first report of the disease, a statewide survey in 1994 and 1995 showed an overall low prevalence of the disease, mainly in eastern Iowa (2). In 1998, an epidemic of the disease occurred with drastic increases in prevalence and severity at regional, local, and field levels. The disease was found in 31 Iowa counties covering five out of the nine Iowa crop-reporting districts, with expansion in occurrence northward and westward. There were 12 SDS-affected counties in the North Central and Central districts, and 19 in the East Central, Southeast, and Northeast districts. To assess the extent of SDS increase at the local level, extensive surveys were conducted in 1998 in three areas where previous surveys were made in 1994 or 1995. In Washington County (Southeast District), the frequency of infestation has increased from 5% (2 of 40 fields surveyed)...
Design analysis of a composite L5-80 slit for x-ray beamlines at the Advanced Photon Source

White-beam slits are precision high-heat-load devices used on beamlines of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) to trim and shape the incoming x-rays beam before the beam is transmitted to other optical components. At the APS, the insertion devices that generate the x-ray are very powerful. For example, the heat flux associated with an x- ray beam generated by Undulator A will be on the order of 207 W/mm{sup 2} at the L5-80 slit location (about 27.5 m away from the insertion device) at normal incidence. The total power is about 5.3 kW. The optical slits with micron-level precision are very challenging to design under such heat flux and total power considerations. A novel three-metal composite slit has been designed to meet the diverse thermal, structural, and precision requirements. A closed form solution, and a commercial code, ANSYS, have been used for the analysis of the optimized design for the slit set.
Soybean isoflavones trigger a calcium influx in Phytophthora sojae.

Both the motile zoospores and the hyphal germ tubes of Phytophthora sojae respond chemotropically to the soybean isoflavones daidzein and genistein. The role of Ca(2+) in the cellular response to these host signals was investigated by using X-ray microanalysis of cells to monitor net changes in cellular levels of Ca(2+) and by quantifying the effects of exogenous Ca(2+) and daidzein on the developmental fate of encysted zoospores. Confirmation that isoflavones trigger a net influx of Ca(2+) into the cell was demonstrated by X-ray microanalysis of individual encysted zoospores. Zoospores exposed to 10 mM Ca(2+) and 1 microM daidzein at the time of encystment formed cysts that contained more Ca(2+) than zoospores exposed to Ca(2+) alone. The magnitude of internal Ca(2+) stores appears to be a determining factor affecting the developmental fate of P. sojae cysts.
Hiroshima and the King of Tyre

This paper—originally a sermon––addresses issues involved with nuclear idolatry from a biblical perspective. It utilizes psychological understanding and historical narrative as a context for theological reflection. It thus places depth psychological insight in service of social ethics. It was delivered at the Church of the Epiphany, Manhattan, New York, on August 14, 2005.
Insecticidal Control of the Clover Head Weevil and the Lesser Clover Leaf Weevil on Crimson Clover, and Effects of Control Measures on Honey Bees

Field experiments conducted at 2 locations in Alabama during 1958–60 involved dust and granular formulation treatments. Applications of dusts made at the prebloom, 10%, 50%, and 90% bloom stages were about equal in effectiveness for weevil control. Applications of dusts of DDT, endrin, Guthion® ( O-O -dimethyl S-(4-oxo-1,2,3-benzotriazin- 3(4 H )-ylmethyl) phosphorodithioate), heptachlor, ronnel, and malathion resulted in significant seed yield increases. The use of 1 lb/acre of granular aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, or heptachlor resulted in significant seed yield increase; Guthion, carbaryl, and malathion were less effective. Application of granular formulations at the prebloom stage resulted in a more consistent seed yield increase than when applied at other stages of bloom. One pound of granular formulation was as effective as 2 lb/acre. Direct application of insecticidal dusts and granular formulations to honey bees, Apis mellifera L., in the field resulted in very high bee mortality. Two hours after application of most treatments, blooms contained amounts of the toxicants lethal to worker bees. Twenty-four hours after application of the toxicants, no mortality was observed among worker bees caged on blooms. Worker bees in the field were repelled 60 hr after treatment by the DDT, granular heptachlor, and ronnel treatments.
Enhanced Growth of Human Embryonic Cells Infected with Adenovirus 12

Fibroblast-like cells from human embryonic lung were infected with adenovirus type 12, and they survived as an established line, with the characteristics of "transformation" following considerable cellular killing. Inclusion bodies disappeared and cells became resistant to reinfection with type 12 virus as they grew in thick multilayered strands, and giant and syncytial cells became commonplace. An induced new cell antigen demonstrable by complement-fixation and fluorescent-antibody studies persisted for at least 20 culture passages after infection.
The Effects of Premature Conclusion Upon the Acquisition of Understanding of a Person

(1952). The Effects of Premature Conclusion Upon the Acquisition of Understanding of a Person. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 133-152.
Crossing of identical solitary waves in a chain of elastic beads.

We consider a chain of elastic beads subjected to vanishingly weak loading conditions, i.e., the beads are barely in contact. The grains repel upon contact via the Hertz-type potential, V}d n , n.2, where d>0, d being the grain‐grain overlap. Our dynamical simulations build on several earlier studies by Nesterenko, Coste, and Sen and co-workers that have shown that an impulse propagates as a solitary wave of fixed spatial extent ~dependent only upon n! through a chain of Hertzian beads and demonstrate, to our knowledge for the first time, that colliding solitary waves in the chain spawn a well-defined hierarchy of multiple secondary solitary waves, which is ; 0.5% of the energy of the original solitary waves. Our findings have interesting parallels with earlier observations by Rosenau and colleagues @P. Rosenau and J. M. Hyman, Phys. Rev. Lett. 70, 564 ~1993!; P. Rosenau, ibid. 73, 1737 ~1994!; Phys. Lett. A 211, 265 ~1996!# regarding colliding compactons. To the best of our knowledge, there is no formal theory that describes the dynamics associated with the formation of secondary solitary waves. Calculations suggest that the formation of secondary solitary waves may be a fundamental property of certain discrete systems.
Comprehensive Cysteine-scanning Mutagenesis Reveals Claudin-2 Pore-lining Residues with Different Intrapore Locations

The first extracellular loop (ECL1) of claudins forms paracellular pores in the tight junction that determine ion permselectivity. We aimed to map the pore-lining residues of claudin-2 by comprehensive cysteine-scanning mutagenesis of ECL1. We screened 45 cysteine mutations within the ECL1 by expression in polyclonal Madin-Darby canine kidney II Tet-Off cells and found nine mutants that displayed a significant decrease of conductance after treatment with the thiol-reactive reagent 2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl methanethiosulfonate, indicating the location of candidate pore-lining residues. Next, we stably expressed these candidates in monoclonal Madin-Darby canine kidney I Tet-Off cells and exposed them to thiol-reactive reagents. The maximum degree of inhibition of conductance, size selectivity of degree of inhibition, and size dependence of the kinetics of reaction were used to deduce the location of residues within the pore. Our data support the following sequence of pore-lining residues located from the narrowest to the widest part of the pore: Ser68, Ser47, Thr62/Ile66, Thr56, Thr32/Gly45, and Met52. The paracellular pore appears to primarily be lined by polar side chains, as expected for a predominantly aqueous environment. Furthermore, our results strongly suggest the existence of a continuous sequence of residues in the ECL1 centered around Asp65–Ser68 that form a major part of the lining of the pore.
Selenium: deterrence, toxicity, and adaptation.

Introduction The element selenium (Se), named after the moon (Greek selene), has long been known for its toxicity. In 1295, Marco Polo was the 1st to describe the typical symptoms of selenosis in his pack animals. Centuries later, selenosis may have played a role in the demise of General Custer in the battle of Little Big Horn. Still today, chronic or acute Se poisoning is responsible for the loss of thousands of head of livestock every year in the western United States, where Se is prevalent in soils. Due to its chemical similarity to sulfur, Se in excess will nonspecifi cally replace sulfur in proteins, leading to the observed toxicity. At low levels, however, Se is also an essential trace element for many organisms, including humans, as a component of specifi c selenoproteins that often play a role in cancer prevention. Selenosis in animals mostly is due to ingestion of Se hyperaccumulator plants, commonly termed “locoweeds” by ranchers. These plants can accumulate Se to around 1% of their dry weight, 100-fold higher levels than those found in surrounding vegetation, and 1,000-fold higher than soil Se. Selenium hyperaccumulator species mainly occur in the genera Astragalus (Fabaceae) and Stanleya (Brassicaceae), and predominantly are found on Se-rich soils as seen in the western United States. Several hypotheses exist for the functional signifi cance of the intriguing phenomenon of hyperaccumulation. We currently study the elemental defense hypothesis, which proposes that the accumulated Se protects the plants from herbivory or microbial infection. We also are interested in how accumulated Se in plants affects local ecological interactions (Pilon-Smits and Freeman 2006; Fig. 1A). In this paper, we give an overview of our fi ndings so far, followed by an overall discussion of their implications with respect to the evolution of hyperaccumulator plants and the management of Se-rich plants in natural and agricultural settings.
Reconciling quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus with X-ray-based measurements of the central skeleton.

Osteoporosis is frequently undiagnosed before fracture because of the lack of availability of instruments to quantitate bone mass. To evaluate the utility of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of the calcaneus to diagnose osteoporosis, we determined bone mineral density (BMD) of the posterior-arterior spine, total hip, and femoral neck by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and QUS in 312 women aged 50 years and older. A risk factor assessment (simple calculated osteoporosis risk estimation [SCORE]) also was quantitated in all women. Ninety-four of the 312 women were diagnosed as osteoporotic based on T scores ≤ −2.5 at the spine, total hip, and/or femoral neck. The sensitivity of the individual central sites for the diagnosis of osteoporosis was 49% at the spine (46 of 94 women), 32% at the total hip (30 of 94 women), and 81% at the femoral neck (76 of 94 women). At a QUS T score ≤ −1, the peripheral technique had a sensitivity of 62% and a specificity of 72%. Combining a QUS T score of ≤ −1 followed by a risk factor assessment of women with a QUS T score ≥ −0.99 using a cut point of 11 increased sensitivity to 81% (comparable with femoral neck DXA) but decreased specificity to 58%. If peripheral QUS measurements and risk factor assessment are the only tools employed before initiation of therapy, the benefits of increased ease of diagnosis will need to be balanced against potentially unnecessary treatment in some normal patients and lack of treatment in some osteoporotic patients.
Structure of cephalic abnormalities in Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Abstract Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were utilized in studying the cephalic abnormalities of the tu-h strain of Drosophila melanogaster . Abnormalities, appearing as protuberances (growths) of different shapes and sizes, were observed only on or in close proximity to receptor cites. Compound eyes of some flies, besides having such protuberances, either had modified corneal lenses or were absent altogether. Cuticles of the growths were thinner than that of the normal surrounding layer. The epidermal cells associated with setae on the growths or underlying modified corneal lenses remained undifferntiated. Both setae and growths lacked innervation. The receptor portions (retinular sensory cells and secondary pigment cells) of the abnormal compound eye, where the dioptric portions were replaced by protuberances or remained undifferentiated, were unaffected by the mutation. Nuclei of several cells, including oenocytes and fat bodies, close to or underlying epidermal cells of abnormalities, were large and contained compact nucleoli without nucleonemas. Viruslike particles were observed in several nuclei of growth cells. It was concluded from the present study that the alterations induced by the mutation can be only a localized phenomenon restricted to at least several cephalic epidermal cells and/or their derivatives.
Rollinicin and isorollinicin, cytotoxic acetogenins from Rollinia papilionella

Abstract Rollinicin and isorollinicin, two new linear acetogenins bearing bistetrahydrofuran moieties and an α,β-unsaturated-γ-lactone, were isolated from roots of Rollinia papilionella. The structure elucidation of rollinicin and isorollinicin was achieved through interpretation of the 1H NMR, 13C NMR and high resolution mass spectra.
Measurement of 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid in urine from marginally biotin-deficient humans by UPLC-MS/MS

Measurement of 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid (3HIA) in human urine has been shown to be a useful indicator of biotin status for a variety of clinical situations, including pregnancy. The work described herein presents a novel UPLC-MS/MS method for accurate and precise quantitation of urinary 3HIA. This method utilizes sample preparation prior to quantitation that has been simplified compared to the previous GC-MS method. To demonstrate the suitability of the UPLC-MS/MS method for human bio-monitoring, this method was used to measure 3-HIA in 64 human urine samples from eight healthy adults in whom marginal biotin deficiency had been induced experimentally by egg white feeding. 3HIA was detected in all specimens; the mean concentration [±standard deviation (SD)] was 80.6 ± 51 μM prior to inducing biotin deficiency. Mean excretion rate for 3HIA (expressed per mol urinary creatinine) before beginning the biotin-deficient diet was 8.5 ± 3.2 mmol 3HIA per mol creatinine and the mean increased threefold with deficiency. These specimens had been previously analyzed by GC-MS; the two data sets showed strong linear relationship with a correlation coefficient of 0.97. These results provide evidence that this method is suitable for bio-monitoring of biotin status in larger populations.
Unclocklike behaviour of biological clocks

The mechanisms which could underlie circadian rhythms fall naturally into groups with qualitatively different responses to disruption. Experiments designed to distinguish between these mechanisms seem to exclude all of them. It may be that multicellular organisms keep time, not by one ‘clock’ but by averaging many independent circadian oscillators.
Sequential metabolic changes in rat brain following middle cerebral artery occlusion a 2-deoxyglucose study

The distribution and time course of altered cerebral metabolism following permanent focal ischemia was studied in rat using the 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) technique. Increased 2DG uptake preceded decreased 2DG uptake and infarction in the caudate putamen and cortex. Decreased 2DG uptake without infarction was observed for 72 h in thalamus and for 24 h in hippocampus (areas remote from the ischemic zones). This study supports the concept of cell excitation as a pathophysiologic process in permanent focal ischemia. The time course of increased metabolism may demarcate the time window of opportunity for the previously demonstrated attenuation of stroke size with inhibition of cell excitation by pharmacologic blockade of excitatory amino acid neurotransmission.
Universally optimal structurally balanced row–column designs with some empty nodes

Abstract In this paper, we present two methods of construction of a class of universally optimal b 1 × b 2 row–column designs with b 2 - k 1 > 0 empty nodes in each row and b 1 - k 2 > 0 empty nodes in each column. The number of treatments under consideration is of the form s + 1 where s is an odd prime power number. The designs constructed here are structurally balanced in the sense that every pair of columns is used in an equal number of rows. The proposed designs can also be used as universally optimal two-factor orthogonal main-effect plans arranged in incomplete blocks which are also equivalent to orthogonal pairs of balanced incomplete block designs, balanced incomplete block designs for two sets of treatments, and two stage experiments in incomplete blocks with different numbers of treatments for the two stages.
LED Driver With Self-Adaptive Drive Voltage

This paper presents an LED driver circuit consisting of multiple linear current regulators and a voltage preregulator with adaptive output voltage. In the proposed driver, the output voltage of the preregulator is always self-adjusted so that the voltage across the linear current regulator of the LED string with the highest voltage drop is kept at the minimum value that is required to maintain the desired string current. Because the linear current regulators in this driver operate with the minimum voltages, the driver efficiency is maximized. The performance of the proposed driver was experimentally verified on a four-string LED setup with eight white LEDs in each string. The measured efficiency improvement of the linear current regulators was approximately 15% compared to the corresponding implementation with a constant preregulator voltage.
“You Looked Better on MySpace”: Deception and authenticity on the Web 2.0

This paper examines Social Network Site (SNS) users’ criticism of a popular style of SNS profile picture referred to as “MySpace Angles.” Reactions to this style of portraiture label the display of these photographs “deceptive,” alleging that MySpace Angles fool users into believing that the subject is more attractive than they actually are. This case study approach utilizes a close reading analysis of the MySpace Angle commentary, revealing three main themes in users’ critique of MySpace Angles: 1) users who post these photographs are conforming to a social trend at the expense of their individuality; 2) the presentation of these photographs is narcissistic; and, 3) these photographs purposefully conceal the body. This case study displays a shift in the conception of deception online; on the social Web populated by SNSs, theories of deception and authenticity are called into question as users are increasingly anchored to their bodies and expected to effortlessly present an online self mirroring the off-line self.
Soup-can Pendulum

In these studies, a vegetable can containing fluidwas swung as a pendulum by supporting its end-lipswith a pair of knife edges. The motion was measuredwith a capacitive sensor and the logarithmic decrementin free decay was estimated from computer-collectedrecords. Measurements performed with nine differenthomogeneous liquids, distributed through six decadesin the viscosity η, showed that the damping ofthe system is dominated by η rather than externalforces from air or the knife edges. The log decrementwas found to be maximum (0.28) in the vicinity ofη = 0.7 Pa s and fell off more than 15 fold(below 2 × 10-2) for both small viscosity(η 1 × 103 Pa s). A simple modelhas been formulated, which yields reasonable agreementbetween theory and experiment by approximating therelative rotation of can and liquid.
Validated retrieval in case-based reasoning

We combine simple retrieval with domain-specific validation of retrieved cases to produce a useful practical tool for case-based reasoning. Based on 200 real-world cases, we retrieve between three and six cases over a wide range of new problems. This represents a selectivity ranging from 1.5% to 3%, compared to an average selectivity of only 11% from simple retrieval alone.
MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric typing of single nucleotide polymorphisms with mass-tagged ddNTPs

A matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry based method has recently been reported for the typing of single nucleotide polymorphisms using single nucleotide primer extension. This method is limited in some cases by the resolution of the mass determination, as the mass difference between nucleotides can be as little as 9 Da (the difference between A and T). A variation of this method is described here in which a mass-tagged dideoxynucleotide is employed in the primer extension reactions in place of the unmodified dideoxynucleotide. The increased mass difference due to the presence of the mass-tags substantially improves the accuracy and versatility of the procedure.
The Creeds of Nicea and Constantinople Reexamined

Even the most casual reader will be wrenched up short by the title of Giuseppe Luigi Dossetti's superb book, ll Simbolo [!] di Nicea e di Costantinopoli. How is it possible to speak as if Christendom's first two ecumenical councils produced the same creed? One automatically expects i simboli, but Dossetti insists that he means what he says, and, while he relies upon the works of Lebon, Kelly and Ritter for the primary exposition of the theory, he makes his critical edition of the texts and witnesses to the creeds of Nicea and Constantinople go far to support his title's contention.
Spiral-based data dissemination in sensor networks

Data dissemination is a key problem that bottlenecks the wide application of Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). In this paper, a novel data dissemination scheme - Logarithmic Spiral Data Dissemination (LSDD) - is proposed. In LSDD, data advertisements are disseminated following a spiral-like path, which involve only a small fraction of nodes in a sensor network. By exploiting nice features of spiral, this scheme scales well for large sensor networks while prolonging the network lifetime. In numerical analysis and simulations, we show the distinct merits of LSDD as follows: lower dissemination cost (O√n) compared to that of flooding-based schemes (O√n), controllable topology by spiral parameters, excellent scalability, and good fault tolerance. We evaluate the extra delay caused by LSDD as a trade-off for its advantages, which is shown to be within a tolerable range.
P210 and P190(BCR/ABL) induce the tyrosine phosphorylation and DNA binding activity of multiple specific STAT family members.

The products of the Philadelphia chromosome translocation, P210 and P190BCR/ABL, are cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases that share the ability to transform hematopoietic cytokine-dependent cell lines to cytokine independence but differ in the spectrum of leukemia induced in vivo. We have analyzed the Janus kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways in hematopoietic cells transformed by Bcr/Abl. STAT5 and, to a lesser extent, STATs 1 and 3 were constitutively activated by tyrosine phosphorylation and induction of DNA binding activity in both P210 and P190BCR/ABL-transformed cells, but P190 differed in that it also prominently activated STAT6. There was low level tyrosine phosphorylation of JAKs 1, 2, and 3 in Bcr/Abl-transformed cells, but no detectable complex formation with Bcr/Abl, and activation of STAT5 by P210 was not blocked by two different dominant-negative JAK mutants. These results suggest that P210 and P190BCR/ABL directly activate specific STAT family members and may help explain their overlapping yet distinct roles in leukemogenesis.
Physical assembly for analog compilation of high voltage ICs

A description is given of the aspects of mixed analog and digital physical assembly relevant to analog silicon compilation. The approach addresses system-level analog design automation through silicon compilation; currently this consists of the synthesis of analog and predesigned digital blocks. The compilation is based on successive decompositions of high-level specifications and physical assembly requirements into those of lower level subblocks and devices. The driving applications are high-voltage application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Details of analog and system level physical assembly to satisfy a set of mixed analog, digital, and high-voltage requirements are presented together with the results from an implementation of the compiler. >