cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biodissolution and Cellular Response to MoO3 Nanoribbons and a New Framework for Early Hazard Screening for 2D Materials.

Two-dimensional (2D) high-aspect-ratio sheet-like materials are a broad class of synthetic ultra-thin sheet-like solids whose rapid pace of development motivates systematic study of their biological effects and safe design. A challenge for this effort is the large number of new materials and their chemical diversity. Recent work suggests that many 2D materials will be thermodynamically unstable and thus non-persistent in biological environments. Such information could inform and accelerate safety assessment, but experimental data to confirm the thermodynamic predictions are lacking. Here we propose a framework for early hazard screening of nanosheet materials based on biodissolution studies in reactive media, specially chosen for each material to match chemically feasible degradation pathways. Simple dissolution and in vitro tests allow grouping of nanosheet materials into four classes: A, potentially biopersistent; B, slowly degradable (>24–48 hours); C, biosoluble with potentially hazardous degradation products; and D, biosoluble with low-hazard degradation products. The proposed framework is demonstrated through an experimental case study on MoO3 nanoribbons, which have a dual 2D/1D morphology and have been reported to be stable in aqueous stock solutions. The nanoribbons are shown to undergo rapid dissolution in biological simulant fluids and in cell culture, where they elicit no adverse responses up to 100 μg ml−1 dose. These results place MoO3 nanoribbons in Class D, and assigns them a low priority for further nanotoxicology testing. We anticipate use of this framework could accelerate the risk assessment for the large set of new powdered 2D nanosheet materials, and promote their safe design and commercialization.
Metabolic Network Analysis of Microbial Methane Utilization for Biomass Formation and Upgrading to Bio-Fuels

The potent greenhouse gas methane presents a widely accessible resource, being the primary component in natural gas as well as in bio-gas from anaerobic digesters. Given its relatively low heating-value and several issues concerning its storage and transportation, methane upgrading to liquid fuels is of particular interest. Microbial methane conversion/utilization and upgrading is gaining increasing interest due to its high conversion efficiency. In this study we computationally compare aerobic and anaerobic microbial pathways for CH4 oxidation and discuss theoretically achievable biomass yields as well as the possibility for building synthetic biological production platforms for liquid fuels. Specifically, the presented in-silico work investigates the potential of microbial methane upgrading in a metabolic network analysis by means of elementary flux modes. Aerobic fixation of methane via conversion of methane to methanol by a methane monooxygenase (MMO) and different subsequent formaldehyde assimilation pathways (Serine-cycle, RuMP, XMP/DHA-pathway) is compared with anaerobic pathways for oxidation of methane (AOM) by means of reverse-methanogenesis or via a presumed glycyl-radical enzyme, which uses fumarate for activation of methane. The different pathways for aerobic and anaerobic methane oxidation are compared in different central carbon-metabolism envelopes in order to identify highest achievable carbon yields. The capability of efficient CO2 fixation, as well as energy preservation in form of reducing equivalents is identified as crucial to enable high yields, which ranged from 22% to 100%. The potential of the different microbes to grow on these gas streams is assessed by means of the maximum achievable biomass yield and the CO2/CH4 uptake ratio. CO2 co-utilisation, by transferring reducing power between the two co-substrates, is highest, when combining reverse-methanogenesis with the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, effectively replacing the need for H2 with CH4. Further, the possibility to upgrade methane into liquid (drop-in) bio-fuels is investigated. Established routes to methanol, ethanol, C4-alcoholes and farnesene are evaluated in the most promising substrate-pathway / organism combinations. Stoichiometric, thermodynamic and kinetic limitations are assessed and recommendations regarding potential industrial feasibility are given. The results presented here should guide future research efforts in search for feasible ways of (co)utilizing novel carbon substrates for sustainable production of fuels and chemicals.
Airway management of congenital pulmonary airway malformation resection in neonates and infants: A case cohort study.

Background Anesthestic management of congenital pulmonary airway malformation has not been well described in the literature. It is not clear whether one-lung ventialtion is indicated during thoracoscopic lobectomy and if so, what is the best technique achieve it. Aims We describe the variables with the two commonly performed surgical techniques, thoracoscopic lobectomy and open thoracotomy, from our institutional database to assess the role of lung isolation and the preferable method of lung isolation technique for congenital pulmonary airway malformation resections. Methods After institutional review board approval, fetal center records were reviewed retrospectively from January 2010 to July 2016 for patients who underwent congenital pulmonary airway malformation resection. The primary goal was to describe the anesthesia induction-airway management techniques with emphasis on one-lung ventilation techniques. Results Among the 65 resections, one-lung ventilation was performed in 30 resections (46%) and was primarily achieved by endobronchial intubation in most cases (80%). One-lung ventilation was performed in a greater number of resections with thoracoscopic lobectomy (96%) compared to open thoracotomies. Conclusion From our institution cohort, one-lung ventilation was more commonly used during thoracoscopic resections and was most commonly achieved with endobronchial intubation. Most patients were induced with inhalational anesthesia (sevoflurane), nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocker, and gentle positive pressure ventilation for intubation.
Use of Intracardiac Echocardiography During Transvenous Lead Extraction to Avoid a Catastrophic Injury.

A 57-year-old man previously treated with radiation therapy to the chest for Hodgkin lymphoma underwent biventricular pacemaker (BiV) (Valitude U128, Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Massachusetts) implantation via the right subclavian vein for complete heart block 10 months before presentation. He
Visual Motion and Form Integration in the Behaving Ferret

Abstract Ferrets have become a standard animal model for the development of early visual stages. Less is known about higher-level vision in ferrets, both during development and in adulthood. Here, as a step towards establishing higher-level vision research in ferrets, we used behavioral experiments to test the motion and form integration capacity of adult ferrets. Motion integration was assessed by training ferrets to discriminate random dot kinematograms (RDK) based on their direction. Task difficulty was varied systematically by changing RDK coherence levels, which allowed the measurement of motion integration thresholds. Form integration was measured analogously by training ferrets to discriminate linear Glass patterns of varying coherence levels based on their orientation. In all experiments, ferrets proved to be good psychophysical subjects that performed tasks reliably. Crucially, the behavioral data showed clear evidence of perceptual motion and form integration. In the monkey, motion and form integration are usually associated with processes occurring in higher-level visual areas. In a second set of experiments, we therefore tested whether PSS, a higher-level motion area in the ferret, could similarly support motion integration behavior in this species. To this end, we measured responses of PSS neurons to RDK of different coherence levels. Indeed, neurometric functions for PSS were in good agreement with the behaviorally derived psychometric functions. In conclusion, our experiments demonstrate that ferrets are well suited for higher-level vision research.
Descriptive Statistics From Published Research: A Readily Available Alternative to Raw Data to Assess Analytic Reproducibility and Robustness:

The ProblemMeta-science literature calls for data to be made openly available so that scholars and scholar-practitioners can validate published findings, a foundational step in the reproducibility ...
Determinants and Prognostic Implications of Left Heart Filling Pressures in Tetralogy of Fallot

Abstract Background Elevated pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) is the hallmark of left-heart failure and is responsible for heart failure symptoms and mortality. Although PAWP typically correlates with right atrial pressure (RAP), it is primarily dependent on left-heart myocardial properties and volume status. As right-heart disease can occur in the absence of left-heart disease in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), we hypothesized that RAP was the primary determinant of PAWP in this population. Methods A cohort study of adults with TOF that underwent right-heart catheterization at Mayo Clinic Rochester (1990 to 2017) to determine the relationship among RAP, PAWP, and mortality. Results Among 213 patients (male 105; age 37 ± 14 years), the mean PAWP was 14 ± 5 mm Hg, and RAP was 11 ± 5 mm Hg. RAP was the strongest predictor of PAWP (β = 0.68, standard error = 0.06, P Conclusions The current study showed that RAP was the primary determinant of PAWP and accounts, to some extent, for the mortality in patients with TOF and high PAWP. The data provide new insight in the pathophysiology of disease progression for symptomatic patients with TOF.
Effect of Acaromyces Ingoldii Secondary Metabolites on the Growth of Brown-Rot (Gloeophyllum Trabeum) and White-Rot (Trametes Versicolor) Fungi.

We investigated the antifungal activities of an endophytic fungus identified as Acaromyces ingoldii, found on a loblolly (Pinus taeda L.) pine bolt in Louisiana during routine laboratory microbial ...
Repression of Wnt signaling inhibits prostate cancer cell proliferation

2342 Mounting evidence has demonstrated an important role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the development and progression of cancer, although the therapeutic potential of small molecules that target this pathway for prostate cancer remains largely unknown. In the present study, we found that the human prostate cancer cell lines PC-3, LNCaP and DU 145 exhibited higher levels of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and were more sensitive to Wnt3a stimulation compared with the non-cancerous prostate cell lines, PZ-HPV-7 and PWR-1E. The androgen-independent PC-3 and DU 145 lines exhibited the highest level of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and displayed the most significant increase of Wnt/β-catenin signaling after Wnt3A stimulation compared with the androgen-dependent LNCaP line. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug sulindac sulfide, the COX-2 selective inhibitor, celecoxib and the nitric oxide-donating aspirin derivative, NO-ASA reduced the level of cytosolic free β-catenin and blocked the expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling targets, Axin2 and Cyclin D1, in PC-3 cells. These effects occurred at concentrations comparable to those required to inhibit proliferation, indicating that the inhibitory effect of NO-ASA, celecoxib and sulindac sulfide on PC-3 cell proliferation may involve the suppression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Finally, we showed that a small molecule inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, PKF118 310 inhibited PC-3 cell proliferation. Together, these results suggest that small molecules that inhibit Wnt/β-catenin signaling have therapeutic potential for the prevention or treatment of prostate cancer.
Continuous extraction of phenol and cresols from advanced pyrolysis oils

Production of value-added chemicals will ultimately enable commercialization of biofuels. While bio-oils contain phenolic compounds, their separation has generally been difficult due to very wide product distributions. Advances in pyrolysis have produced oils with low oxygen and narrow product distributions that have made separation processes possible. We have demonstrated the continuous extraction of phenolic compounds from fast pyrolysis oils from switchgrass, produced using catalytic and/or tail-gas reactive pyrolysis, which enables distillation due to the absence of unstable oxygenated compounds. Having successfully distilled the bio-oil, the distillate was first subjected to batch extraction with 10 M KOH in varying ratios, and the yields of phenol and cresols were measured. Extraction yields of 15–20 wt% produced extracts where the proportion of measured phenolics consisted of > 50% phenol (i.e. “phenol selectivity”), an increase from 36% in the starting distillates. Washing the distillates with sodium bicarbonate before phenolic extraction helped to reduce excessive acid contamination. Countercurrent continuous extraction experiments using a Vigreux column attained steady-state after only a few minutes, although the phenol selectivity continued to increase for the duration of most experiments. Extraction yields ranged from 15 to 40 wt%.
Analogue of Dynkin’s Formula (ADF) for Multiplicative Operator Functionals (MOF), RE and SES

We investigate the characteristic operator and equations for resolvent and potential of multiplicative operator functionals (MOF) of Markov processes We also obtain an analogue of Dynkin’s formula (ADF) for MOF, Markov and semi-Markov random evolutions (RE) Applications of these formulae are considered for such stochastic evolutionary systems (SES) as traffic, storage and diffusion processes in random media [130, 132].
Smart building management system: Performance specifications and design requirements

Abstract In a smart building, physical and computational elements are integrated to create an environment that is energy-efficient, comfortable, and safe for its occupants. The design and development of smart buildings is a complicated task. Every smart building is a unique structure from the requirements and characteristics standpoints. Therefore, achieving reliability and real-time adaptation to environmental conditions are some of the challenges involved in smart building development. Resolving these issues requires deep insights into control theory, machine learning, system specifications, and design requirements. To address this need, this paper proposes a real-time management system for controlling various aspects of smart buildings (indoor conditions, comfort criteria, security, safety, and costs), and also presents the performance specifications, design requirements, and operating constraints for these systems. The study aims to address two less-attended problems in the related literature of building management and control. First, only a few studies have attempted to include real-time learning of buildings' subjective parameters in the model-based control design. Second, to the best of the authors' knowledge, smart building management studies are primarily focused on optimizing thermal or visual aspects of buildings, and little attention is given to the simultaneous management of all building subsystems and objectives; i.e., considering buildings' physical models, environmental conditions, comfort specifications, and occupants’ preferences and safety in the design. Accordingly, in this paper, we combine machine learning with model-based control approaches to incorporate subjective environmental parameters into the building management structure. In addition, another benefit of this study is that it integrates model-based and learning-based control schemes in a unified management structure for controlling various aspects of building performance. The proposed building management system can be applied to a variety of smart buildings in which the building parameters can be monitored and self-tuned using a well-defined set of control inputs.
Price Competition Under Mixed Multinomial Logit Demand: Sufficiency Conditions for Validating the Model

This study is motivated by a fundamental question among researchers: do price data correspond to a pure strategy Nash equilibrium of an estimated econometric model of Bertrand competition? The affirmative answer to this question is essential for validating the estimated model. Despite the extensive empirical applications of Bertrand competition over the last three decades, answering the question remains a daunting task for the researchers. This study takes a step to fill this gap, identifying a set of easy‐to‐verify and easy‐to‐interpret conditions under which, by checking how closely the price data fit the system of first‐order conditions, one can easily obtain an answer to the question.
Can cannabinoids still play a role as pain medications

Cannabinoids have been in use for millennia for the treatment of various illnesses, particularly pain. However, cannabinoids as an accepted medicine remain controversial given their Schedule I subs...
Histological features, pathogenesis, and long-term effects of viral oophoritis

Abstract Oophoritis, or inflammation of the ovaries, occurs as a result of certain viral infections and may impair ovarian function. Oophoritis has been attributed to cytomegalovirus, mumps virus, Zika virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus due to isolation of these viruses from the ovaries, histological evidence of ovarian inflammation, and/or signs of ovarian dysfunction in infected people or animal models. These viruses cause inflammation of the ovaries by hematogenous spread, ascending infection of the female reproductive tract, or vascular changes in the ovary, including virus-induced vasculitis. Viral oophoritis has been studied as a potential cause of irregular menstruation, premature menopause, infertility, and ovarian cancer, though evidence of these associations remains limited and inconclusive. Risk factors for developing oophoritis with resultant ovarian dysfunction have also been investigated and may include sexual transmission, infection during pregnancy, and peri-pubertal infection depending on the virus. Despite the potential adverse effects of viral oophoritis, relatively little research has been done on this condition, perhaps due to its rarity and underdiagnosis. This review summarizes the current literature regarding the most common histological features of viral oophoritis, its pathogenesis, and its reported or suspected consequences on reproductive function. Furthermore, it highlights gaps in knowledge and areas requiring deeper investigation in order to inform future research.
Magnetoelectric Antenna for Miniaturized Acoustic Noise Dosimetry Applications

A novel acoustic noise dosimeter is presented in this letter to investigate and measure the sound noise level that damages human hearing. A miniaturized magnetoelectric (ME) antenna is utilized to sense the sound noise level through the nonlinear antenna modulation around the operating acoustic resonance frequency of 63.6 MHz. Applied noise level of 102 dBA at two different 300 kHz and 1 kHz frequencies results in 33.8 dB and 28.7 dB signal to noise ratio. In addition, the fabricated antenna provides a high frequency of resonance of 2.49 GHz for energy harvesting and communications.
Valorization of bioactive compounds in fruit pomace from agro-fruit industries: Present Insights and future challenges

Abstract: The pomace produced by the agro-fruit industry causes a severe environmental burden and results in high economic losses if not efficiently utilized. Fruit pomaces possess various valuable bioactive compounds such as dietary fiber, carbohydrate, phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, phytochemicals, natural antioxidants and several other health-promoting nutrients, thus leading to the improved cellular and metabolic activities in human health due to their anti-inflammation, antioxidant, anti-allergenic, anti-carcinogenic and several other biological activities of fruits by-products. Summarizing the proximate composition of pomace from commonly consumed fruit sources (apples, grapes, citrus, and mango), this review discusses the green extraction technologies and biological activities present in fruit pomace. This review also describes and summarizes the comprehensive utilization of fruit pomace for the production and supplementation of food and non-food-based products, which is also a present research hotspot that aims to keep the agro-fruit industry sustainable. Further studies are employing a one-step high-shear wet-milling system to produce fruit pomace ‘slurry’ that would allow for a more economically attractive method while improving polyphenol contents and functionalizing the pomaces' lingo-cellulosic matrix.
Radiolabeled Compounds for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer

Nuclear medicine was recognized as a potential medical field a long time ago when 131I was used in thyroid cancer patients [...].
The Mean Ozone Distribution from Several Series of Rocket Sounding to 52 Km at Latitudes from 58 Deg S to 64 Deg N

The results of 21 rocket flights of Arcas optical ozonesondes were combined to produce estimates of the mean ozone distribution and its variability; these estimates apply to a broad range of latitudes. The flights were launched from sites near the equator to 58 S and to 64 N, in the years from 1965 to 1971. The local-noon mean ozone densities in molecules/cubic centimeter are 7.0 to the 10th power at 50 km, 6.7 x 10 to the 11th power at 40 km, 3.1 x 10 to the 12th power at 30 km, and 3.1 x 10 to the 12th power at 20 km. The range of observed densities is about + or - 30 percent of the mean value at 50 km; + or 40 percent at 40 km; + or - 40 percent at 30 km; and +200 percent, -66 percent at 20 km. The variabilities in this set of observations are much smaller than those indicated by previous measurements.
The Promise and Limits of Online Learning: Reexamining Authority in the Classroom

Addressing the challenges of higher education today, Louis Menand notes, “there is always a tension between the state of knowledge and the system in which learning actually takes place. The state of knowledge changes much more readily than the system.” The rapid expansion of knowledge and global networks of learning powerfully impact the traditional system of instruction. In this context, many sense a shift today in the culture of education, borne on the tide of technologically mediated forms of learning. The shift, which centers on the rapidly expanding universe of learning opportunities that exist online, carries the promise of deep changes in the system of classroom-based instruction.
Red cell microparticle enumeration: validation of a flow cytometric approach.

Background and Objectives There is growing interest in the clinical application of red blood cell (RBC) microparticle (MP) enumeration as they have been postulated to be effectors of coagulation and inflammation following transfusion and in sickle cell disease. No uniform approach in MP enumeration exists and a key limitation is the lack of an internal validation process. We present and validate a flow cytometric approach where an internal standard is utilized. Materials and Methods Glycophorin A+ Annexin V+ events were enumerated using MPs isolated from RBC units or plasma samples obtained from volunteers. A mixture of absolute counting (7·6 μm) and calibration beads (0·5, 0·9 and 3 μm) at a fixed ratio was added to each sample. Results RBC MPs were initially selected based upon a fluorescence threshold, and the 0·5- and 0·9-μm beads defined the upper and lower light scatter distribution of MPs. The ratio of 7·6:3-μm bead events was used as an internal standard to validate the precision of MP enumeration across samples (coefficient of variation = 2·5–7·2%) and remained constant in both platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-free plasma (PFP). RBC MP counts increased in both PRP and PFP obtained from whole blood stimulated with ionophore and increasing calcium concentrations, with PRP showing higher MP counts than PFP at every concentration studied. Conclusion This method is a useful strategy to detect RBC MP counts across bio-samples provided that the flow cytometer can reliably discriminate the size of the calibration beads.
Navigating a Collision Course: Clinical Ethics vs. Business Ethics

The purpose of this paper is to present a teaching tool that can be used in a variety of courses to examine ethical issues that have emerged in the turbulent health services environment of the United States. More specifically, we describe a structured discussion on the collision between traditional medicine and business practice. We examine six ethical dilemmas and frame them according to the major stakeholders in each situation. We describe these dilemmas in the form of double binds, unattainable situations, conflicts of interest, and countervailing incentives existing between the stakeholders. We analyze the roles that various players have in maintaining the integrity and ethical foundations of health care in the United States. Finally, in light of the increasing industrialization of medicine, we use evidence from the business ethics literature to provide an additional perspective on these relevant health care issues.
Autonomous motion vision

Earlier, the author (1991) introduced a direct method called fixation for the recovery of shape and motion in the general case. The method uses neither feature correspondence nor optical flow. Instead, it directly employs the spatio-temporal gradients of images brightnesses. The present paper reports the experimental results of applying some of the fixation algorithms to a sequence of real images where the motion is a combination of translation and rotation. Techniques for autonomous choice of parameters which result in good estimates for important motion parameters are also described. >
Advances in single-cell approaches in the study of foodborne pathogens

Abstract: Traditionally, populations of microbes have been characterized rather than individual cells. Methods for examining individual cells have long been available but there were technological barriers. The rapidity and ease of growing microbes to large numbers has limited the motivation to study them individually and terminology reinforced the belief that cell populations comprise assemblages of identical cells. Recognition of the heterogeneity of individual cells, coupled with technology capable of resolving discrete differences has driven single-cell microbiology, enabling the high-resolution study and physical manipulation of individual microbes – even allowing detection and tracking of single molecules within living cells. The list of single-cell techniques or their refinements is growing.
Polycapillary Kumakhov optics: a status report

ABSTRACT The Center for X-Ray Optics at the University at Albany, founded to pursue the development ofcapillaiy x-ray and neutron optics, has grown rapidly since its establishment less than four years ago.Quantitative characterization ofthese optics from 1 keV to 45keVwas reported here in 1993. In thisreport, a summaiy ofthe current status ofthis effort will be described in the context ofactivities at theCenter for X-Ray Optics. INTRODUCTION Polycapillary x-ray and neutron optics were invented by Muradin A. Kumakhov ofthe KurchatovInstitute ofAtomic Energy in Moscow in the mid 1980'S.1,2,3 November 1990 the Center for X-RayOptics (CXO) was established by Walter M. Gibson at The University at Albany as part ofan agreementwith Kumakhov tojointly develop the new technology. At the same time the Institute for RoentgenOptical Systems (IROS) was formed in Moscow to carry on the work there, and a company, X-Ray OpticalSystems, Inc. (XOS) was formed to commercialize the new technology. In a series ofagreements thatinvolved the Kurchatov Institute, where much of the initial work was carried out, and Soviet, Russian, andMoscow city governmental bodies, IROS became part of the Moscow branch of the World Laboratoiy4 inorder to facilitate movement of people and materials between the three collaborating bodies and also toallow existing and future intellectual property to be protected by patents inside and outside Russia In thelight of subsequent events and turmoil in the former Soviet Union, these arrangements have proven to bepropitious.Establishment of collaborations with leaders in a varieiv of aunlication areas has provided an
Hospital 2000: The Interface of Radiology within a Combined "Complementary-Allopathic" Medicine Framework

The field of radiology can play a crucial role in the movement beyond allopathic and complementary medicine to a true combination approach. Radiologists are proponents of minimal invasiveness and are familiar with the overreliance on diagnostic imaging tests. Their experience can be used to design appropriate applications for technology and to plan research methods to explore the questions raised by a combination medicine paradigm.
On micro-cracking, inelastic dilatancy, and the brittle-ductile transition in compact rocks: A micro-mechanical study

Abstract This work introduces a micro-mechanical grain-aggregate model and numerical simulation capability to study the combined effects of grain-boundary slip and separation, as well as grain-interior plasticity on the overall deformation of compact rocks. Two major conclusions can be drawn from our simulation study: (i) At sufficiently low confining pressures, the widely-observed inelastic dilatant response in compact rocks under compression is attributable to the geometrically-mismatched grain-boundary sliding and concomitant formation of triple-junction cracks which result in an increase in volume. Failure patterns change from splitting-fracture at low confining pressures, to distributed micro-cracking in macroscopic “shear”-bands as the confining pressure increases. (ii) When the confining pressure increases to an amount such that grain-boundary sliding is suppressed due to frictional effects, the inelastic dilatancy effects disappear, and isochoric grain-interior plasticity takes over to accommodate the imposed external deformation, and this is the major cause of the brittle-ductile transition in these materials.
Pleistocene Perspectives on Coral Reef Community Structure

Composition and zonation of coral reef communities are unstable on the scale of human lifetimes, but stable on average over thousands to hundreds of thousands of years. Traditional small-scale ecological studies can miss community patterns which are obscured by the noise of short-term change. Tests for stability require monitoring of populations over many generations—millenia for long-lived corals and forest trees. The only recourse is the fossil record.
Regulation of the Akt kinase by interacting proteins

Ten years ago, it was observed that the Akt kinase is activated by phosphorylation via a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI-3K)-dependent process. This discovery generated enormous interest because it provided a link between PI-3K, an enzyme known to play a critical role in cellular physiology, and its downstream targets. Subsequently, it was shown that the activity of the core components of the 'PI-3K/Akt pathway' is modulated by a complex network of regulatory proteins and pathways. Some of the Akt-binding partners modulate its activation by external signals by interacting with different domains of the Akt protein. This review focuses on the Akt interacting proteins and the mechanisms by which they regulate Akt activation.
Application of tree rings (dendrochemistry) for detecting historical trends in air Hg concentrations across multiple scales

Tree rings are a useful long term monitor of climate change indicators and certain atmospheric constituents. Since we have no long-term historical record of air mercury (Hg) concentrations, and previous research demonstrates atmospheric uptake of Hg into vegetative biomass, we hypothesized that tree rings would be a useful archive for monitoring changes in local, regional, and global air Hg concentrations. We developed and tested a method for measurement of Hg in tree rings, and then investigated our hypothesis using species within the genus Pinus. Mercury concentrations declined along a coast-to-interior (California-to-Nevada, USA) gradient with highest mean concentrations (5.7 ng/g) at the coast, and lowest (<1.2 ng/g) at inland locations. Tree ring Hg concentrations recorded the impact of local sources and indicate increasing global concentrations over time. The data also indicate that concentrations are higher in areas impacted by marine air, and this suggests that the atmospheric chemistry is influencing assimilation. Future research should address species- and age-specific variation in the sensitivity of tree-ring samples as proxy data for atmospheric Hg concentrations. Tree rings show great potential as passive recorders of atmospheric Hg for long time periods (centuries to millennia) at time steps of ≤5 years.
Nitric Oxide Emissions during Coal and Coal/Biomass Combustion under Air-Fired and Oxy-fuel Conditions

Nitric oxide (NO) emissions are measured during the combustion of sub-bituminous Powder River Basin coal and coal/sawdust mixtures under air-fired and oxy-fuel conditions in a once-through laboratory-scale (30 kWth) unpiloted combustor. In this system, flame attachment to the burner appeared to be the most important parameter for obtaining the lowest possible NO emissions. Oxy-coal conditions in which air was replaced with a 30% O2/70% CO2 mixture in both the primary and secondary oxidizer streams resulted in a 20% reduction in NO. When the O2 concentration in the primary and secondary streams was varied, an optimum set of conditions resulting in minimal NO formation was found. Varying the adiabatic flame temperature by altering the secondary oxidizer gas composition had little effect on NO emissions, provided that the temperature was sufficient to maintain a burner-attached flame. Sawdust co-firing in one scenario resulted in flame instability and increased NO formation. When stable flame conditions were...
Couple VCT clients in Ethiopia: a heterogeneous HIV risk group.

Abstract Studies show reduced HIV risk behaviors after couple voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), either resulting from the couple counseling process or the type of people it attracts. A total of 1858 sexually active individual VCT clients in partnerships were compared to 866 sexually experienced couple VCT participants with multilevel logistic regression. Sexually experienced couple VCT clients were also compared to those couple VCT clients who never had sex. Among sexually experienced participants in partnerships, women, non-premarital testers, and those who felt at risk for HIV were less likely to attend couple VCT than individual VCT. Among couple VCT clients, sexually inexperienced individuals were more likely to be: testing for the first time, premarital testers, and more educated than those who were sexually experienced. Couple VCT's effectiveness might partly result from who it attracts. Addressing the diverse needs of a heterogeneous testing population is a programmatic challenge for couple V...
Correlation Between Summer Hail Patterns in Illinois and Associated Climatological Events

Abstract Correlation and regression analyses were employed to evaluate the relation between summer hail patterns in Illinois and the climatological distribution of other meteorological elements, after dividing the state into sections with similar climatological characteristics. The distributions of thunderstorms, rainfall, maximum air temperature, dew-point temperature, and synoptic weather fronts were related to the hail distribution. Relatively strong association was found between the hail distribution and the combination of these five climatological elements, when multiple correlation analysis was performed and regression equations developed. The results of the study indicate that in a region of minor topographic influences, such as Illinois, the hail distribution can be explained largely by relating it to the multiple effects of other climatic events, whose distributions are determined by atmospheric conditions which are related to hail development. The Illinois study suggests that the frontal distrib...
Digital Beamforming Synthetic Aperture Radar (DBSAR) polarimetric operation during the Eco3D flight campaign

The Digital Beamforming Synthetic Aperture Radar instrument demonstrated its first polarimetric polarization operation during the Eco-3D flight campaign, on board the NASA P3 aircraft in the summer/fall 2011. The measurements acquired during the campaign are currently being used to demonstrate DBSAR's science utility by providing critical information on vegetation structure needed to estimate vegetation biomass in order to advance our understanding of the carbon cycle.
Library science: The word on our archival future

Michael Lesk assesses a work on the fate of the library at a time of economic and technological upheaval.
A comparison of RAPD and isozyme analyses for determining the genetic relationships among Avena sterilis L. accessions

Isozyme analysis is a valuable tool for determining genetic relationships among breeding lines and populations. The recently developed DNA technologies which can assay a greater proportion of the plant genome are providing a plentiful array of additional genomic markers. The objective of this research was to compare random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) versus isozyme-based estimation of relationships among 24 accessions of a hexaploid wild oat, Avena sterilis L. The accessions were evaluated for variation in 23 enzyme systems and by 21 10-mer primers. A total of 77 polymorphic isozyme bands and 115 polymorphic RAPD bands were observed. Two matrices of genetic distances were estimated based on band presence/ absence. These matrices were subsequently utilized in cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis. Both isozymes and RAPDs were proficient at distinguishing between the 24 accessions. The correspondence between the elements of both distance matrices was moderate (r=0.36**). Nevertheless, the overall representation of relationships among accessions by cluster analysis and ordination was in considerable agreement. The two techniques contrasted most notably in pair-by-pair comparisons of relationships. RAPD analysis resulted in a more definitive separation of clusters of accessions. The most significant impact of the DNA-based markers probably will be the more accurate determination of relationships between accessions that are too close to be accurately differentiated by isozymes.
The synthesis of acidic chromosomal proteins during the cell cycle of HeLa S-3 cells. I. The accelerated accumulation of acidic residual nuclear protein before the initiation of DNA replication.

The synthesis and accumulation of acidic proteins in the tightly bound residual nuclear fraction goes on throughout the cell cycle of continuously dividing populations of HeLa S-3 cells; however, during late G1 there is an increased rate of synthesis and accumulation of these proteins which precedes the onset of DNA synthesis. Unlike that of the histones, whose synthesis is tightly coupled to DNA replication, the synthesis of acidic residual nuclear proteins is insensitive to inhibitors of DNA synthesis. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of acidic residual nuclear proteins shows different profiles during the G1, S, and G2 phases of the cell cycle. These results suggest that, in contrast to histones whose synthesis appears to be highly regulated, the acidic residual proteins may have a regulatory function in the control of cell proliferation in continuously dividing mammalian cells.
Reversal of SR 141716A-induced head-twitch and ear-scratch responses in mice by Δ9-THC and other cannabinoids

Abstract Recently, we have shown that cannabinoids of diverse structure block the ability of the selective 5-HT 2A/C agonist DOI to produce the head-twitch response (HTR) and the ear-scratch response (ESR) in mice. The cannabinoid CB 1 antagonist/inverse agonist SR 141716A also induces these behaviors in mice. The purposes of the present study were: (1) to investigate whether Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 -THC) and other cannabinoids HU-210 and WIN 55, 212-2 can prevent SR 141716A-induced HTR and ESR and (2) to evaluate any correlation between the ID 50 potency order of the cited cannabinoids in blocking SR 141716A-induced HTR and ESR and their ED 50 order of potency in reducing spontaneous locomotor activity and rearing behavior. For the SR 141716A reversal study, different groups of mice were injected intraperitoneally with either vehicle or varying doses of the following cannabinoids: Δ 9 -THC (2.5–20 mg/kg), Δ 8 -THC (5-20 mg/kg), HU-210 (0.05–0.5 mg/kg), CP 55, 940 (0.5–2.5 mg/kg) and WIN 55, 212–2 (2.5–10 mg/kg). Thirty minutes later, each mouse received SR 141716A (2.5 mg/kg ip) and the frequencies of the induced behaviors (mean±S.E.M.) were recorded for the next 30 min. The effects of the cited doses of cannabinoids were also examined on spontaneous locomotor activity and rearing frequency for a 20-min duration 10 min after cannabinoid injection. The tested cannabinoids reduced the frequencies of HTR and ESR in SR 141716A-injected mice. These agents also attenuated the cited naturally occurring repertoire of motor parameters in mice. Although large potency differences were observed among the cited cannabinoids, each tested cannabinoid was relatively equipotent in preventing locomotor parameters and SR 141716A-induced behaviors. The ID 50 potency order of cannabinoids in blocking SR 141716A-induced HTR and ESR were similar (HU-210>CP 55, 940>WIN 55, 212-2≥Δ 9 -THC=Δ 8 -THC), and are comparable with: (1) their ED 50 potency order in attenuating both spontaneous locomotor activity and rearing behavior (HU-210>CP 55, 940>WIN 55, 212-2>Δ 9 -THC=Δ 8 -THC) and (2) their published ED 50 potency order for producing the tetrad of behaviors in mice as well as their rank order of binding affinities for cannabinoid CB 1 receptors. The present data show that cannabinoids of diverse structure prevent SR 141716A-induced HTR and ESR, and inhibition of these behaviors by cannabinoids could be used as a new index of cannabimimetic activity.
On the ac Signal Transmission Errors of MOSFET Switches

Using the equivalent circuit that represents single MOSFET usage in A/D and D/A converters and multiplexers, the error caused by the on resistance of the switch in the transmission of ac signals is derived in a straightforward, practical manner, without resorting to complex manipulations.
The origin of the exothermic peak in the thermal decomposition of basic magnesium carbonate

Abstract The thermal analysis of basic magnesium carbonate has been investigated by thermogravimetry (TGA), derivative thermogravimetry (DTGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The end product was magnesium oxide formed from the decomposition of magnesium carbonate. The composition of the samples studied varied, but the general formula that represented them was xMgCO3·yMg(OH)2·zH2O. In the present study, the thermal analysis of such magnesium carbonates in nitrogen, carbon dioxide and air was carried out at different heating rates and the origin of the exothermic peak was studied. Generally, the decomposition peaks were endothermic, but a persistent exothermic peak was noted, always accompanied by a very sharp drop in the TG curve, and the weight loss in this region may be significant. The exothermic DTA peak was found to be strongly influenced by the rate at which the samples were heated, sample size and atmospheric conditions.
Free convection in an air-water vapor boundary layer

Abstract This paper describes an experimental investigation, supported by analysis, of free convection in an air-water vapor boundary layer at the stagnation point of a horizontal cylinder. A two-component boundary layer is created by the effusion of water vapor from the porous surface of the cylinder; the ambient gas is pure air. The results of both experiment and analysis indicate that the heat transfer decreases as the surface mass-transfer rate increases. At moderate blowing rates, there is good agreement between the experimentally- and analytically-determined Nusselt numbers. At higher mass-transfer rates, the data lie above the analytical predictions by about 25 per cent. This departure is attributed to a fluctuating motion in the boundary layer.
The Effects of Hylan G-F 20 Surface Modification on Gliding of Extrasynovial Canine Tendon Grafts In Vitro

Purpose Studies have shown that a lubricant exogenously applied on extrasynovial tendon surfaces can reduce the gliding resistance after flexor tendon repair; however, the reagents that have been tested are solely for experimental testing and are not available for clinical use. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exogenously applied hylan G-F 20, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved hyaluronic acid for the treatment of osteoarthritis, on extrasynovial tendon gliding resistance in an in vitro canine model. Methods Twenty-four canine peroneus longus (PL) tendons and proximal pulleys of the ipsilateral paws were treated with 1 of 3 solutions: saline, carbodiimide derivatized hylan G-F 20, or unmodified hylan G-F 20. The gliding resistance of each tendon preparation was then measured over 1000 cycles in a saline bath. Results After 1,000 cycles, the gliding resistance of the PL tendons treated with unmodified hylan G-F 20 decreased significantly compared with the saline-treated tendons. The gliding resistance of the PL tendons treated with modified hylan G-F 20 increased significantly compared with the saline group. Conclusions The PL tendons treated with pure hylan G-F 20 showed a positive effect on the gliding resistance. Clinical relevance The results of this in vitro canine study suggest that exogenously applied hylan G-F 20 improves gliding of the extrasynovial tendon graft. This material may be capable of reducing friction over flexor tendon repair sites and flexor tendon grafts.
Single cell activity in the auditory cortex of rhesus monkeys: Behavioral dependency

The response to repetitive stimulation of single cells in the auditory cortex of the monkey is dependent upon behavioral performance and training of the subject in a simple auditory discrimination task. In the trained, performing animal, single cells are more responsive than in the animal that is trained but not performing in the task. In the naive monkey, evoked responses are labile and are maintained only with nonrepetitive auditory stimuli.
The Study of Left Ventricular Function in Man by Increasing Resistance to Ventricular Ejection with Angiotensin

The performance of the left ventricle was studied in 18 patients by determining the effects of increasing the resistance to left ventricular ejection with graded infusions of angiotensin. By this means, left ventricular function curves, i.e., the relationship between ventricular end-diastolic pressure and stroke work, were constructed. In patients without left ventricular disease the ventricular function curves exhibited steep ascending limbs, large increases in stroke work occurring with small elevations of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure; in contrast, in patients with cardiac disease, the ventricular function curves were either flat, i.e., small changes in stroke work occurred with large elevations in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, or the function curves exhibited descending limbs. Prior to the infusion of angiotensin many patients with and without depression of their left ventricular function curves had comparable values of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and stroke work. Thus...
Churchland's metamers

Paul Churchland proposed a conceptual framework for translating reflectance profiles into a space he takes to be the color qualia space. It allows him to determine color metamers of spectral surface reflectances without reference to the characteristics of visual systems, claiming that the reflectance classes that it specifies correspond to visually determined metamers. We advance several objections to his method, show that a significant number of reflectance profiles are not placed into the space in agreement with the qualia solid, and produce two sets of counterexamples to his claim for metamers.