cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Technology of Manufacturing Integrated Circuits

Many of the technological achievements of the past two or three decades have been based on microelectronics. Microelectronic devices are at the heart of new products ranging from communication satellites to computers and space shuttles, to name but a few. The revolution in the electronic technology brought about by microelectronics has its roots in metallurgical techniques whose development started in the early 1950s.
Congressional redistricting using a TSP-based genetic algorithm

The drawing of congressional districts by legislative bodies in the United States creates a great deal of controversy each decade as political parties and special interest groups attempt to divide states into districts beneficial to their candidates. The genetic algorithm presented in this paper attempts to find a set of compact and contiguous congressional districts of approximately equal population. This genetic algorithm utilizes a technique based on an encoding and genetic operators used to solveTraveling Salesman Problems (TSP). This encoding forces near equality of district population and uses the fitness function to promote district contiguity and compactness.A post-processing step further refines district population equality. Results are provided for three states (North Carolina, South Carolina, and Iowa) using 2000 census data.
Perspectives on non-heme iron protein chemistry

Publisher Summary Non-heme iron proteins contain a magnificent assortment of iron sites having a multitude of chemical and structural properties. The catalog of iron centers is like the taxonomy of insects, a seemingly limitless variation of a few structural themes, yet each new form sufficiently different to define a new species. This chapter provides an overview of the major classes with an emphasis on proteins, for which a crystal structure is available— namely, mononuclear iron proteins, binuclear octahedral iron proteins, and tetrahedral iron Fe: S proteins. The chapter reviews the types of protein iron structures are surveyed and a discussion of some methods and problems associated with establishing the iron center type. The current status and recent developments for a limited number of proteins from the major iron classes are focused. The diversity of iron center structures and functions are emphasized. A summary of the protein crystallographic structures of non-heme iron centers and ligands is tabulated. Two types of iron prosthetic groups are classified by spectroscopic methods as having nominal octahedral coordination. The hypothesis of what protein structural constraints impose a specific type of Fe: S cluster can be tested by a combination of mutagenesis, spectroscopy, and crystallography of smaller Fe: S proteins.
2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1): Pathology and Pathogenesis of 100 Fatal Cases in the United States

In the spring of 2009, a novel influenza A (H1N1) virus emerged in North America and spread worldwide to cause the first influenza pandemic since 1968. During the first 4 months, over 500 deaths in the United States had been associated with confirmed 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) [2009 H1N1] virus infection. Pathological evaluation of respiratory specimens from initial influenza-associated deaths suggested marked differences in viral tropism and tissue damage compared with seasonal influenza and prompted further investigation. Available autopsy tissue samples were obtained from 100 US deaths with laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 virus infection. Demographic and clinical data of these case-patients were collected, and the tissues were evaluated by multiple laboratory methods, including histopathological evaluation, special stains, molecular and immunohistochemical assays, viral culture, and electron microscopy. The most prominent histopathological feature observed was diffuse alveolar damage in the lung in all case-patients examined. Alveolar lining cells, including type I and type II pneumocytes, were the primary infected cells. Bacterial co-infections were identified in >25% of the case-patients. Viral pneumonia and immunolocalization of viral antigen in association with diffuse alveolar damage are prominent features of infection with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus. Underlying medical conditions and bacterial co-infections contributed to the fatal outcome of this infection. More studies are needed to understand the multifactorial pathogenesis of this infection.
Progressive authentication: deciding when to authenticate on mobile phones

Mobile users are often faced with a trade-off between security and convenience. Either users do not use any security lock and risk compromising their data, or they use security locks but then have to inconveniently authenticate every time they use the device. Rather than exploring a new authentication scheme, we address the problem of deciding when to surface authentication and for which applications. We believe reducing the number of times a user is requested to authenticate lowers the barrier of entry for users who currently do not use any security. Progressive authentication, the approach we propose, combines multiple signals (biometric, continuity, possession) to determine a level of confidence in a user's authenticity. Based on this confidence level and the degree of protection the user has configured for his applications, the system determines whether access to them requires authentication. We built a prototype running on modern phones to demonstrate progressive authentication and used it in a lab study with nine users. Compared to the state-of-theart, the system is able to reduce the number of required authentications by 42% and still provide acceptable security guarantees, thus representing an attractive solution for users who do not use any security mechanism on their devices.
Advances in DNA electrophoresis in polymer solutions.

DNA electrophoresis in gels and solutions of agarose and polyacrylamide was objectively evaluated with regard to separation efficiency at optimal polymer concentrations. In application to DNA fragments, polyacrylamide gels were superior for separating fragments of less than 7800 bp, and agarose gels are the best choice for larger fragments. Agarose solutions are nearly as good as polyacrylamide gels for small DNA (< 300 bp). Agarose solutions have a higher efficiency than polyacrylamide solutions for DNA of less than 1200 bp. Separation efficiency sharply decreases with increasing length of DNA. Retardation in polyacrylamide solutions was found to depend on polymer length in a biphasic fashion. The choice of resolving polymer concentrations depends on the progressive stretching of DNA in proportion to polymer concentration. The rate of that stretching appears higher in polyacrylamide solution than in gels or in liquid or gelled agarose. Application of polymer solutions to capillary electrophoresis raises further problems concerning agarose plugs, DNA interactions with the polymers, operation at low field strength and long durations as well as detection sensitivity.
Routine amniotic fluid α-fetoprotein measurement in 34,000 pregnancies

Abstract Of 34,000 initial amniotic fluid samples, 0.7% had an α-fetoprotein level ≥+3 SD above the mean. The risk of an open neural tube defect or other serious fetal abnormality was 60% when α-fetoprotein levels measured ≥+3 and 86% for levels ≥+5 SD. In this series there were 72 open neural tube defects, and all were identified. The true false positive rate was 0.9 per 10,000 cases screened.
Aquaporins in the hepatobiliary system

The review focuses on the potential physiological and pathophysiological roles of aquaporins (AQPs), a family of water channel proteins, in the hepatobiliary system. Among 13 aquaporins (AQP0-AQP12) cloned in mammals, seven AQPs have been identified in the liver and biliary tree. Accumulating evidence suggests that AQPs are likely involved in canalicular and ductal bile secretion, gluconeogenesis and microbial infection and may have other novel roles that affect liver function.
Motion control of adaptive truss structures using fuzzy rules

: This note describes a design of the fuzzy control system for the kinematic maneuvers of an adaptive system consisting of a truss-type structure with several variable-length members. The deformations of the adaptive modules are coordinatively governed by fuzzy controllers according to the distance signals between the endpoint of the structure and the moving target. In addition, an adaptive gain tuning technique is investigated in this study. The advantages of applying adaptive gain tuning on motion control of adaptive truss structures are presented. The simulation results show that the application to this model is effective and can be easily implemented in the microcomputer.
The Lewis basicity of transition metals. Reactions of the group vib triphenylphosphonium (tricarbonylmetal)cyclopentadienylides with trifluoroacetic acid and boron trifluoride

Abstract The triphenylphosphonium (tricarbonylchromium)-, (tricarbonylmolybdenum)- and (tricarbonyltungsten)cyclopentadienylides dissolve readily in trifluoroacetic acid to give highly colored solutions. Their proton NMR spectra exhibit a high field line (τ 15–18) which is characteristic of the M-H + group. This line shifts upfield, and the multiplets for the C 5 H 4 ring shift downfield, with increasing metal atomic weight. These results suggest that an increasingly greater amount of electron density is shifted to the attached proton as the metal atomic weight increases; it is argued that this is indicative of the increasing Lewis basicity of the transition metals in these compounds. Boron trifluoride also reacts readily with the molybdenum and tungsten compounds and to some extent with the chromium compound. Although complicating factors were observed, elemental analyses and studies of the chemical and physical properties of the deep red solid products suggest that they are 1/1 Lewis acid-base adducts, Ph 3 PC 5 H 4 M(CO) 3 ·BF 3 ; it is thought that the metal is again acting as the basic site. Tensimetric titrations of the triphenylphosphonium(tricarbonylmetal)cyclopentadienylides, as well as qualitative observations, also suggest that the Lewis basicity of the transition metals increases in the order Cr 3 undergoes a 1/1 reaction with the Cr and Mo compounds, but diborane does not react with the Mo compound.
Chaotic attractors with the symmetry of a tetrahedron

Abstract Functions that are equivarian with respect to the symmetries of a tetrahedron are determined. Linear combinations of these functions that give rise to chaotic attractors are used to create images in 3-space of attractors with the symmetry of the tetrahedron. These attractors are visually appealing because of the tension between the pattern forced by their symmetry and the randomness arising from their chaotic behavior.
Pine resin midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Monterey pine plantations: control decisions and perception of aesthetic injury.

Two insecticides (dimethoate and fenpropathrin) applied monthly, every other month or every third month to plantation-grown Monterey pines, Pinus radiate D. Don, did not reduce the number of active feeding sites of a complex of pine resin midges during the 6-mo period when the insects were active. Trees that were wounded each month to simulate natural growth cracks were significantly more heavily infested than the insecticide-treated or untreated trees. A consumer preference study suggested that the aesthetic injury caused by the resin midges was not a factor in purchasing a choose-and-cut tree. Thus, although the insect damage was recognized by the producers, was difficult to reduce through applications of chemical insecticides, and was exacerbated by wounding, it may not be an economic problem during the short-term rotation of Christmas tree production because consumer choice is not adversely affected by injury caused by the insects.
Economic Analysis and Review of the Literature on Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction With and Without the Use of the Acellular Dermal Matrix

Background Use of the acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction has been widely adopted. Despite an increasing focus on health care costs, few reports have addressed the financial implications of ADM use. This study sought to examine the costs of the two-stage technique with and without ADM, concentrating on the direct variable costs of patient care during the expansion process.
Transnational Labor and Refugee Enclaves in a Central American Banana Industry

During the 1980s, more than three million immigrants fled to other countries from the political and economic crises affecting Central America. The influx of displaced Central Americans has had major demographic and cultural effects in Belize, the only officially anglophone country of the region. This article assesses the origins and migration plans of immigrant workers in the Belizean banana industry. Despite diminishing conflict in their homelands, most immigrant workers do not intend to return home permanently. They nonetheless retain a transnational orientation through sustained contact with their native communities. Workers' immigration status, nationality, marital status, and length of residence in Belize are significant determinants of their settlement intentions. Policy recommendations are made that would alleviate the abusive conditions to which many immigrant workers are subjected.
Language in the two-year old

Abstract Two stages in the vocabulary development of two-year-olds are reported. In the earlier Receptive stage, the child says many fewer nouns than he understands and says no verbs at all although he understands many. The child then begins to close the comprehension/production gap, entering a Productive stage in which he says virtually all the nouns he understands plus his first verbs. Frequency and length of word combinations correlate with these vocabulary stages.
Factors influencing vegetable oil bleaching by adsorption

Vegetable oil bleaching by adsorption involves the removal of color particles which are either dissolved or colloidally dispersed in the oil. This type of adsorption follows an exponential relationship and the Freundlich equation was utilized in correlating the data. In utilizing this equation, the color of the oil was assumed proportional to the concentration of the color particles, and a color measurement system based on the Beer-Lambert Law was devised. This system involves a measurement of the transmittance of light of 475 millimicrons wave length through the oil. A Coleman, Model 11, Spectrophotometer was used for the transmittance measurements. Spectral transmittance curves for cottonseed and soybean oil, bleached and unbleached, are given.
Influence of Internal Cooling Configuration on Metal Temperature Distributions of Future Coal-Fuel Based Turbine Airfoils

Future advanced turbine systems for electric power generation systems, based on coal-gasified fuels with CO2 capture and sequestration, are aimed for achieving higher cycle efficiency and near-zero emission. Most promising operating cycles being developed are hydrogen-fired cycle and oxy-fuel cycle. Both cycles will likely have turbine working fluids significantly different from that of conventional air-based gas turbines. In addition, the oxy-fuel cycle will have a turbine inlet temperature target at approximately 2030K (1760°C), significantly higher than the current level. This suggests that aerothermal control and cooling will play a critical role in realizing our nation’s future fossil power generation systems. This paper provides a computational analysis in comparing the internal cooling performance of a double-wall or skin-cooled airfoil to that of an equivalent serpentine-cooled airfoil. The present results reveal that the double-wall or skin cooled approach produces superior performance than the conventional serpentine designs. This is particularly effective for the oxy-fuel turbine with elevated turbine inlet temperatures. The effects of coolant-side internal heat transfer coefficient on the airfoil metal temperature in both hydrogen-fired and oxy-fuel turbines are evaluated. The contribution of thermal barrier coatings (TBC) toward overall thermal protection for turbine airfoil cooled under these two different cooling configurations is also assessed.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Changes in enzyme levels accompanying differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells.

Abstract A method that enables the separation of cells of known ages from intestinal crypts and villi is described. The technique utilizes a newly designed planing apparatus and makes possible biochemical and physical analyses of cells in different stages of differentiation. Several enzymes involved in the metabolism of nucleic acid precursors have been assayed in differentiating intestinal epithelial cells. Thymidine kinase was found in young proliferating cells located in the crypts, while thymidylate phosphatase and adenylate deaminase were distributed uniformly from the crypts to the villus tips. Increases in adenosine deaminase, nucleoside phosphorylases and purine phosphoribosyltransferases were found to accompany the differentiation and migration of mucosal cells. The method provides a system for studying changes in macromolecular synthesis and the regulatory control of cell differentiation in the normal intestine.
Ideological centrism and the electoral fortunes of U.S. Senate candidates

Objective. The Downsian model of electoral competition with its individual-level assumption of proximity voting by individuals implies that candidates in two-party systems should perform better in elections when they adopt platforms more closely mirroring preferences of average constituents. Since extant analyses do not place candidates and constituents on a common ideological metric, they do not directly test the electoral consequences of proximity to voters. This study provides a direct test. Methods. I use the NES Senate Election Study to locate candidates and constituents on a common ideological metric and use ordinary least squares regression models to analyze the effects of candidate positioning on electoral outcomes. Results. Although stiff electoral competition may make it more likely that candidates gain votes by locating near average citizens, candidate proximity does not generally have a meaningful effect on Senate elections. Conclusions. Insignificant electoral benefits from ideological centrism may help explain candidate divergence in elections and has important implications for the nature of representation.
Some results on the BRST cohomology of the NSR string

Abstract We summarize some results obtained on the BRST cohomology of the NSR string: among them vanishing theorems for the full and relative complexes, extending the work of Frenkel, Garland, and Zuckerman for the bosonic string. Using these results we give simple proofs of the “no-ghost” theorems for both sectors.
Examination of a lens 'native' plasma membrane fraction and its associated crystallins.

A bovine lens “native” plasma membrane fraction containing its full compliment of extrinsic proteins was prepared by sucrose density centrifugation of the water insoluble fraction. The major membrane fraction was found at the 25/45% sucrose interface. This fraction contained 73% of the total water insoluble phospholipid, 74% of the total water insoluble cholesterol and 58% of the total urea-insoluble protein. Only 9% of the total urea-soluble protein was membrane associated (extrinsic protein), most (75%) was recovered from the pellet. The major intrinsic protein (8 M-urea-insoluble) of the membrane fraction was MIP28, with lesser amounts of MP17. Extrinsic proteins (8 M-urea-soluble) were examined by SDS-PAGE, isoelectric focusing, immunoblotting and amino acid composition analysis. Approximately 70% of the total extrinsic protein appeared to be αA-crystallins and modified αA-crystallins. About 20% of the extrinsic protein was apparently β - and γ-crystallins. The remainder contained presumed cytoskeleta...
Outpatient endometrial resection and ablation of a large uterus

To determine if a large uterus will shrink after fibroid resection and ablation, 32 women with hypermenorrhea underwent fibroid resection and a minimum of 9 months' follow-up (mean 9 mo-3.5 yrs). Uterine measurements were determined by bimanual examinations before and after the procedure. The women's perceptions of menstrual flow and dysmenorrhea were compared at those time points. After a minimum of 6 months' follow-up, the uterine cavity size decreased by 3 to 8 weeks in 79% of women, menstruation was reduced to either amenorrhea or hypomenorrhea in 88%, and pain was relieved in 76%. Outpatient endometrial resection and ablation is an effective procedure to decrease uterine size and relieve the associated sign of hypermenorrhea.
Interlibrary Loan Assessment: Assessing Services in a Small Private College Library's Interlibrary Loan Department

Assessment is a required component of strategic planning and decision making in any library. Interlibrary loan surveys can provide data regarding user satisfaction levels for accuracy, thoroughness, convenience, and turnaround time. As interlibrary loan librarians at D'Youville College, we believed that our patrons were satisfied and impressed with the library's recent service improvement initiatives. However, we did not have any concrete data that would help drive future strategic decisions. We were short on staff time and resources and wondered how a small library staff could create an assessment tool and then analyze the results.
Case of the month: a newborn with tachypnoea and consolidation of the right lung

A 5-day-old male infant was admitted to hospital with a history of poor feeding and fever. He was born at term to a 22-year-old woman (gravida 1, para 0). The delivery took place at home and was uncomplicated. The birth weight was 3300 g. On admission, a child with mild respiratory distress and tachypnoea was seen. The rectal temperature was 37.5 ~ C. There was an oxygen demand of 25%. Laboratory tests included haemoglobin 12.5 mmol/1, haematocrit 0.60 1/1, platelet count 306 x 109/1, WBC count 10.9 x 109/1 with 8% band forms, 33% neutrophils and 58% lymphocytes, serum CRP level 56 rag/1 and capillary blood gas analysis pH 7.28, PCO2 9 kPa, bicarbonate 32.1 mmol/l, base-excess +3.3 retool/1. A chest radiograph showed a lobar infiltrate in the right upper lobe. Bacteriological cultures of blood, sputum and CSF remained negative. The infant was treated with intravenous ampicillin and cefotaxim. When his clinical condition did not improve intravenous erythromycin was added. A new chest radiograph at day 11 showed complete consolidation of the right lung (Fig. 1). The child was subsequently transferred to our hospital. On admission a moderately ill child was seen with tachypnoea (respiratory rate: 60/min) and oxygen demand (46%). The rectal temperature was 36.7 ~ C. Auscultation of the right lung revealed decreased breathsounds and rhonchi. Laboratory results included haematocrit 0.52 1/1, platelet count 79 x 109/1, WBC count 14.6 x 109/1 and CRP level 56 rag/1. Capillary blood gas analysis revealed pH 7.39, PCO2 7.3 kPa, base-excess +7 mmol/1. CSF analysis showed 12 cells/3 mm 3, glucose and protein levels 2.5 mmol/1 and 84 mg/100 ml respectively. A bronchoscopy with broncho-alveolar lavage was performed on day 11. Purulent secretion was seen in the right upper lobe. Treatment was started with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (25/2.5 mg/kg qid), tobramycin (3 mg/kg once daily) and erythromycin (5 mg/kg qid) intravenously. At the age of 14 days the patient developed an erythematous rash, which disappeared spontaneously after 1 day. Bacterial cultures remained negative. On day 19 results of viral cultures were obtained.
Novel features of radiation-induced segregation and radiation-induced precipitation in austenitic stainless steels

Abstract Three stainless steel alloys, high-purity 304 (HP304), high-purity 304 with high Si (HP304 + Si) and commercial purity 304 (CP304), were irradiated with 2 MeV protons to a dose of 5 dpa at 360 °C and subsequently examined using atom probe tomography (APT) and scanning transmission electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (STEM–EDS). Several novel features of radiation-induced segregation and radiation-induced precipitation were observed. There is a significant variation in the composition of enriched and depleted elements in the grain boundary plane and along the dislocation loop core. Boron segregation to the grain boundary prior to irradiation is not affected by the irradiation. Phosphorus segregation is enhanced by irradiation. Carbon depletes at the grain boundary and may be affected by co-segregation with Cr. APT and STEM–EDS measurements are in excellent agreement for almost all the elements studied. The segregation behavior of elements at dislocations mirrors that at the grain boundary, but at a lower magnitude, except for Si. Ni/Si-rich clusters formed in irradiated HP304 + Si and CP304 are probably the precursors of γ ′ or other Si- and Ni-rich phases. Copper depletion was observed at both the grain boundary and the dislocation loops. Regions adjacent to the depleted zones were sites for Cu cluster formation, which were also spatially correlated with Ni/Si-rich clusters.
Bis­(di­methyl­ammonium) 1,4‐phenyl­enediacryl­ate

The title compound, 2 C2H8N+·C12H8O42−, crystallizes as a salt in space group P21/n, the anion being located on an inversion center. The di­methyl­ammonium cations link neighboring carboxyl­ate anions via two N+—H⋯O hydrogen bonds [H⋯O = 1.72 (3) and 1.84 (3) A, N⋯O = 2.671 (2) and 2.726 (2) A, and N—H⋯O = 178 (3) and 173 (2)°] resulting in molecular ribbons.
Analysis of electric machines and drive systems for Unmanned Ground Vehicle applications

The integration of electric machines and drive systems into Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) applications depends largely on meeting requirements of drive power and speed control with the limited space of an in-wheel design. In addition, UGV drive systems must operate efficiently under all conditions so as to minimize the power consumption from limited power source. The concern for energy consumption and space limitations in UGV applications suggests the need for application specific motors and control systems that are integral part of the vehicle design. The performance of a design specific electric motor and control system for a UGV application in a simulated environment and on a laboratory test bench would provide much information about the motor's operating parameters and allow for optimization of the drive system for the specific UGV application. The parameters of concern here are the output power and torque of the motor over the speed range of interest and the overall efficiency of the drive system. The effects of speed control algorithms on motor performance are also of importance in determining the capabilities of the motor and control system as an integrated unit. This paper presents the development and initial testing of an integrated UGV drive system in the Power Electronics Lab (PEL) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) in a joint effort with Utah State University (USU). The UGV drive system employs a custom designed axial-gap permanent magnet synchronous motor (AGPMSM) with scalar control.
Substrate metabolism during basal and hyperinsulinemic conditions in adolescents and young-adults with Barth syndrome

Barth syndrome (BTHS) is a rare X-linked disorder that is characterized by mitochondrial abnormalities, infantile or childhood onset of cardioskeletal myopathy, and high mortality rates. It is currently unknown if BTHS related mitochondrial dysfunction results in substrate metabolism abnormalities and thereby contributes to cardioskeletal myopathy in patients with BTHS. Adolescents and young adults with BTHS (n = 5, 20 ± 4 yrs) and age and activity matched healthy controls (n = 5, 18 ± 4 yrs) underwent an hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp procedure with stable isotopically labeled tracers for measurement of lipolysis, fatty acid oxidation, glucose disposal, and whole-body proteolysis rates; dual energy x-ray absorptiometry for measurement of body composition and 2-D and strain echocardiography for measurement of left ventricular function. Participants with BTHS had lower fat-free mass (FFM) (BTHS: 31.4 ± 6.9 vs. Control: 46.7 ± 5.3 kg, p < 0.005), lower systolic function (strain, BTHS: -15.2 ± 2.4 vs. Control: −19.0 ± 2.4 %, p < 0.05), greater insulin-stimulated glucose disposal rate per kg FFM (BTHS: 96.5 ± 16.3 vs. Control: 67.4 ± 17.6 μmol/kgFFM/min, p < 0.05), lower basal (BTHS: 4.6 ± 2.7 vs. Control: 11.9 ± 4.4 μmol/kgFM/min, p < 0.05) and hyperinsulinemic (BTHS: 1.6 ± 0.4 vs. Control: 3.6 ± 1.6 μmol/kgFM/min, p < 0.05) lipolytic rate per kg fat mass (FM), and a trend towards higher basal leucine rate of appearance per kg FFM (BTHS: 271.4 ± 69.3 vs. Control: 193.1 ± 28.7 μmol/kgFFM/hr, p = 0.07) compared to controls. Higher basal leucine rate of appearance per kg FFM (i.e. whole-body proteolytic rate) tended to be associated with lower left ventricular systolic strain (r = −0.57, p = 0.09). Whole-body fatty acid, glucose and amino acid metabolism kinetics when expressed per unit of body composition are altered and appear to be related to cardioskeletal myopathy in humans with BTHS. Further studies examining myocardial substrate metabolism and whole-body substrate metabolism during increased energy demands (e.g., exercise) and their relationships to skeletal and cardiac function are recommended.
Delineation of the Key Amino Acids Involved in Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor Binding to the I-domain Supports a Mosaic Model for the Capacity of Integrin αMβ2 to Recognize Multiple Ligands

To gain insight into the mechanism by which the alpha(M)I-domain of integrin alpha(M)beta(2) interacts with multiple and unrelated ligands, the identity of the neutrophil inhibitory factor (NIF) recognition site was sought. A systematic strategy in which individual amino acid residues within three previously implicated segments were changed to those in the alpha(L)I-domain, which is structurally very similar but does not bind NIF, was implemented. The capacity of the resulting mutants, expressed as glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins, to recognize NIF was assessed. These analyses ultimately identified Asp(149), Arg(151), Gly(207), Tyr(252), and Glu(258) as critical for NIF binding. Cation binding, a function of the metal ion-dependent adhesion site (MIDAS) motif, was assessed by terbium luminescence to evaluate conformational perturbations induced by the mutations. All five mutants bound terbium with unaltered affinities. When the five residues were inserted into the alpha(L)I-domain, the chimera bound NIF with high affinity. Another ligand of alpha(M)beta(2), C3bi, which is known to use the same segments of the alpha(M)I-domain in engaging the receptor, failed to bind to the chimeric alpha(L)I-domain. Thus, the alpha(M)I-domain appears to present a mosaic of exposed amino acids within surface loops on its MIDAS face, and different ligands interact with different residues to attain high affinity binding.
Dscam2 mediates axonal tiling in the Drosophila visual system

Sensory processing centres in both the vertebrate and the invertebrate brain are often organized into reiterated columns, thus facilitating an internal topographic representation of the external world. Cells within each column are arranged in a stereotyped fashion and form precise patterns of synaptic connections within discrete layers. These connections are largely confined to a single column, thereby preserving the spatial information from the periphery. Other neurons integrate this information by connecting to multiple columns. Restricting axons to columns is conceptually similar to tiling. Axons and dendrites of neighbouring neurons of the same class use tiling to form complete, yet non-overlapping, receptive fields. It is thought that, at the molecular level, cell-surface proteins mediate tiling through contact-dependent repulsive interactions, but proteins serving this function have not yet been identified. Here we show that the immunoglobulin superfamily member Dscam2 restricts the connections formed by L1 lamina neurons to columns in the Drosophila visual system. Our data support a model in which Dscam2 homophilic interactions mediate repulsion between neurites of L1 cells in neighbouring columns. We propose that Dscam2 is a tiling receptor for L1 neurons.
Classifying a novel brain malformation

In this issue of Brain, Barth et al . present four case histories of children with a constellation of symptoms representative of a new brainstem malformation and associated syndrome, calling it ‘pontine tegmental cap dysplasia’ (PTCD: Barth et al ., 2007; p. 2258). This new malformation appears to be part of the ‘molar tooth’ family of brainstem anomalies, although with some unique characteristics that differentiate PTCD from inclusion in the Joubert spectrum of disorders for which the molar tooth sign has been considered a pathognomonic finding. Thus it is worth considering that PTCD may be a novel category within the classification of midbrain and hindbrain malformations, as recently proposed (Parisi and Dobyns, 2003; Table 1). View this table: Table 1 Classification scheme for malformations of mid-hindbrain development (adopted from Parisi and Dobyns, 2003) The four children profiled in the paper were unrelated to each other and none were the products of consanguineous unions. Their malformations were all discovered as part of routine referral to paediatric neurology. MRI performed on all four children revealed the molar tooth malformation, vermal hypoplasia, absent inferior olivary prominences, near-absence of the middle cerebral peduncles, flattening of the ventral pons and peaking of the pontine tegmentum (referred to as the ‘cap’ in the name for this malformation). Despite all four children having these findings, their neurological examination seemed to vary widely. Two were able to ambulate: three used sign language; and one had no purposeful movement and was severely delayed. All four children failed hearing tests, interpreted as indicating cranial nerve VIII involvement. There was variable involvement …
Partisan Differences in Opinionated News Perceptions: A Test of the Hostile Media Effect

The proliferation of opinion and overt partisanship in cable news raises questions about how audiences perceive this content. Of particular interest is whether audiences effectively perceive bias in opinionated news programs, and the extent to which there are partisan differences in these perceptions. Results from a series of three online experiments produce evidence for a relative hostile media phenomenon in the context of opinionated news. Although, overall, audiences perceive more story and host bias in opinionated news than in non-opinionated news, these perceptions—particularly perceptions of the host—vary as a function of partisan agreement with the news content. Specifically, issue partisans appear to have a “bias against bias,” whereby they perceive less bias in opinionated news with which they are predisposed to agree than non-partisans and especially partisans on the other side of the issue.
Linear variational methods and adaptive grids

Abstract The construction of two- and three-dimensional computational grids using linear variational methods is analyzed. The generating equations include aspect ratios to prevent grid folding and stretching transformations to distribute grid points. Control functions for adaptive grids can also be included. In all cases, the grid points are determined by solving a diagonally dominant linear system of equations.
Removal of Proximal IG Domains of Titin in Soleus Muscle Results in Differential Splicing of Titin MRNA

Titin is the largest protein known that functions as a molecular spring in striated muscle. Its elastic properties are acquired through differential splicing of spring-like domains of titin including the immunoglobuline-like (IG) and PEVK. Our lab has recently created a novel mouse model in which nine of the proximal IG domains (titin exons 30-38, 90kDa reduction in protein size) have been deleted (IG KO). Surprisingly in the skeletal muscles from IG KO mice, titin was found to undergo additional differential splicing to yield smaller titin isoforms. These changes in splicing were found to be developmentally regulated and occur to different extents in various muscles. Most prominently, in the adult soleus muscle, two smaller titin isoforms were present in the IG KO (3.42MDa ± 0.008 and 3.24MDa ± 0.027 respectively) as compared to one larger isoform found in wild-type mice (3.61MDa ± 0.057). Titin microarray analysis revealed IG KO mice had significant downregulation of exons in the PEVK region in addition to the lack of exons 30-38 as compared to wild-type. Consistent with a decrease in titin size, IG KO soleus muscles produced an increased passive tension (19%, p=0.02) at 20% above slack length of the muscle as probed by intact mechanics. However, maximal active tension in the soleus and other muscles were not significantly different in the wildtype as compared to IG KO. Two titin binding proteins were found to be differentially expressed by Affymetrix Array, CARP (7.23 fold increased in IG KO, p<0.001) and myomesin (2.13 fold decreased in IG KO, p<0.001). The reason for the differential expression of titin binding proteins and the muscle specific changes in alternative splicing need to be further studied.
Olfactory receptor neurons express D2 dopamine receptors.

The role of the dopamine (DA) in the olfactory bulb (OB) was explored by determining which of the potential target cells express dopamine receptors (DARs). Previously, it was reported that D2-like DAR (D2, D3, and D4 subtypes) radioligand binding is restricted to the outer layers of the OB. The neuronal elements present only in these layers are the axons of the olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) and the juxtaglomerular (JG) neurons of the glomerular layer. Based on this pattern of D2-like ligand binding, it was suggested that D2-like receptors might be located presynaptically on ORN terminals. The present study was undertaken to investigate this hypothesis. In the outer bulb layers of rats in which the ORNs were destroyed by nasal lavage with ZnSO4, D2-like radioligand binding was reduced severely. The receptor subtype D2 mRNA, but not D3 mRNA, was detected in adult rat olfactory epithelial tissue. By using in situ hybridization, this D2 mRNA was located preferentially in epithelial layers that contain ORN perikarya. D2 mRNA was eliminated after bulbectomy, a manipulation known to cause retrograde degeneration of the mature ORNs. Taken together, the surgical manipulations indicate that mature ORNs express D2 DARs and are consistent with the hypothesis that functional receptors are translocated to their axons and terminals in the bulb. This suggests that dopamine released from JG interneurons could be capable of presynaptically influencing neurotransmission from the olfactory nerve terminals to OB target cells through the D2 receptor. J. Comp. Neurol. 411:666–673, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Using mixture models to characterize disease-related traits

We consider 12 event-related potentials and one electroencephalogram measure as disease-related traits to compare alcohol-dependent individuals (cases) to unaffected individuals (controls). We use two approaches: 1) two-way analysis of variance (with sex and alcohol dependency as the factors), and 2) likelihood ratio tests comparing sex adjusted values of cases to controls assuming that within each group the trait has a 2 (or 3) component normal mixture distribution. In the second approach, we test the null hypothesis that the parameters of the mixtures are equal for the cases and controls. Based on the two-way analysis of variance, we find 1) males have significantly (p < 0.05) lower mean response values than females for 7 of these traits. 2) Alcohol-dependent cases have significantly lower mean response than controls for 3 traits. The mixture analysis of sex-adjusted values of 1 of these traits, the event-related potential obtained at the parietal midline channel (ttth4), found the appearance of a 3-component normal mixture in cases and controls. The mixtures differed in that the cases had significantly lower mean values than controls and significantly different mixing proportions in 2 of the 3 components. Implications of this study are: 1) Sex needs to be taken into account when studying risk factors for alcohol dependency to prevent finding a spurious association between alcohol dependency and the risk factor. 2) Mixture analysis indicates that for the event-related potential "ttth4", the difference observed reflects strong evidence of heterogeneity of response in both the cases and controls.
Surgical management for overactive bladder

The majority of patients with overactive bladder can be managed with office-based techniques. When medical therapy fails as treatment for overactive bladder, surgical intervention ranging from electrical stimulation administered in the office to extensive procedures, such as augmentation or urinary diversion, may be needed. Any surgical intervention should be tailored to the patient with consideration of the degree of his or her discomfort, underlying pathology, general health, and obviously the patient’s own motivation.
Response of the Explosive Destruction System Containment Vessel to Internal Detonations

The Explosive Destruction System (EDS) is a transportable system used by the Army to destroy recovered, explosively configured, chemical munitions. The system uses shaped charges to detonate the burster explosives and to cut the munition and access the agent, all inside of a sealed, stainless-steel, containment vessel. Sandia has built four EDS systems. The largest system, with an internal volume of about 620 liters, was designed to handle munitions as large as 8-inch artillery shells. This paper presents an overview of the system with emphasis on the response of the cylindrical vessel to internal detonations. The vessel response was determined through a combination of full-scale testing, sub-scale testing, and computer simulation. Tests with both bare charges and munitions have been conducted in seven vessels ranging in diameter from 19 to 91 centimeters. The paper discusses dynamic strain measurements on the vessel wall and scaling relationships associated with different sized vessels and different quantities of explosives.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Age, sex, causal and injury patterns in tarsometatarsal dislocations: a literature review of over 2000 cases

Abstract Background The causes and mechanisms of tarsometatarsal (TMT) dislocations are poorly characterized. Unfortunately, the rarity of these injuries makes it difficult and costly to gather the epidemiological data needed to better understand the populations at risk and the circumstances under which injury is most likely to occur. Methodology To address this issue, literature reports of TMT dislocations were identified and analyzed to generate statistical descriptions of the common causes of injury, the age and sex of those injured, and the pattern of injury. Over 2000 injuries were identified from 187 articles. Results The analysis reveals that over 40% of injuries were related to traffic accidents. Based on the Hardcastle classification system, more than 60% of TMT dislocation were partial (type B) injuries. Over 55% of the injured were between 15 and 35 years of age, and males were injured more than twice as frequently. Conversely, the victims of falls tended to be older and represented a larger proportion of females. The age and sex of those injured by TMT dislocations vary by cause. Conclusion An improved understanding of the epidemiologic patterns will benefit research into the mitigation and prevention of these injuries.
Proof that Ertel's vorticity theorem holds in average for any medium suffering no tangential acceleration on the boundary

TheErtel vorticity theorem in its usual local form is not valid for viscous fluids. By a purely kinematical analysis it is shown, however, that the theorem continues to hold in mean over any volume on whose bounding surface the acceleration is wholly normal, for an arbitrary continuous medium.
Naxos or Classical: Which Music Library is Best for You?

ABSTRACT Naxos Music Library and Classical Music Library are two of the premier databases licensing and streaming audio of classical and other genres of music to library patrons. In this paper, a scorecard system provides the framework with which to compare these databases.
Failed Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Total knee arthroplasty is one of the most successful interventions for reducing knee pain and for improving function and quality of life. Advances in implant materials and design as well as surgical technique have increased the longevity of prostheses and have decreased the rate of revision surgery to <5% within ten years1. In light of the rapidly growing demand for knee arthroplasty, especially in younger and more active patients, the number of revision procedures is projected to grow sevenfold, from 38,000 in 2005 to 270,000 by 20302,3. Understanding the causes of failure is essential for guiding future strategies to optimize safety and outcome as well as the utilization of healthcare resources. The failure of total knee arthroplasty presents clinical challenges to orthopaedic surgeons and their patients. A systematic evaluation is crucial for identifying the mechanism of failure and for developing an appropriate treatment protocol. Once the diagnosis has been established, the treatment can then be divided into operative and nonoperative options. The failure of total knee arthroplasty does not necessarily imply the need for revision surgery. It is important to avoid surgical intervention before a diagnosis is made, even in cases of pain with no clear etiology4,5. The modes of failure of total knee replacement can be classified as intra-articular or extra-articular, as biological or mechanical, as early or late, or according to the predominant symptom, …
The temperature dependence of bytownite feldspar dissolution in neutral aqueous solutions of inorganic and organic ligands at low temperature (5–35°C)

Abstract The temperature dependence of silica release from bytownite, a Ca–Al-rich feldspar, was determined in solutions of inorganic and organic ligands at neutral pH from 5°C to 35°C. The apparent activation energy of dissolution in the inorganic (distilled water and KNO 3 ) solutions was approximately 10 kcal/mol. The rates and temperature dependence of dissolution in acetate solutions were indistinguishable from those in the inorganic solutions. In contrast, both oxalate and gluconate enhanced the dissolution of the feldspar framework relative to the KNO 3 and distilled water controls, presumably by catalyzing Al release from the mineral surface. The apparent activation energy of Si release from feldspar in the oxalate and gluconate solutions was approximately 7 kcal/mol and is due primarily to the larger enhancement of dissolution rates at low temperature. While the catalytic impact of complexing organic ligands on mineral dissolution is clear, this mechanism alone cannot be responsible for the observed biotic enhancement of weathering in field situations.
Interaction of Herbs and Glibenclamide: A Review

Herbs and herbal products are considered to be safer and people mix it often with the oral hypoglycemic agent in diabetes therapy. But numerous reports say that every combination of herbs and drugs is not safe. Some combinations may be beneficial and some may be harmful also. So before taking any herbal remedies with oral hypoglycemic agent, patient should consult physician. In this paper we are summarizing the reports available on the interaction of herbal remedies to one of the oral hypoglycemic agents (glibenclamide) and categorizing the effect of the combination is beneficial and harmful.
Shoreland zoning in maine

Abstract Maine's Shoreland Zoning Project provides technical assistance to the towns, cities and plantations of the state to enable them to prepare local plans and ordinances needed to comply with the 1971 Shoreland Zoning Law. The Shoreland Zoning Guidelines are also reproduced. The Guidelines have proved workable and are widely used by local governments within the state.