cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formation of air-stable supported lipid monolayers and bilayers.

We have devised a means of depositing planar, air-stable supported lipid adlayers on modified Au substrates. Using the phospholipid 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC), we form planar supported adlayer structures by vesicle fusion. Lipid bilayer formation proceeds on a hydroxythiol-terminated Au surface. Phospholipid monolayers form on hydroxythiol-terminated gold surfaces that have been treated with POCl3 and ZrOCl2(aq) prior to lipid deposition, providing an interface that interacts strongly with the DMPC phosphocholine headgroup. We use FTIR, cyclic voltammetry, optical ellipsometry, and water contact angle measurements to confirm the presence of lipid bilayers or monolayers on the modified Au substrates. For the zirconated surface, we observe the conversion of an initial partial lipid bilayer to a lipid monolayer, over a ca. 20 min time period, on the basis on ellipsometric thickness and contact angle data. 31P NMR measurements show the complexation of the phospholipid headgroup to a Zr...
Free energy landscapes for amyloidogenic tetrapeptides dimerization.

The oligomerization of four peptide sequences, KFFE, KVVE, KLLE, and KAAE is studied using replica-exchange molecular dynamics simulations with an atomically detailed peptide model. Previous experimental studies reported that of these four peptides, only those containing phenylalanine and valine residues form fibrils. We show that the fibrillogenic propensities of these peptides can be rationalized in terms of the equilibrium thermodynamics of their early oligomers. Thermodynamic stability of dimers, as measured by the temperature of monomer association, is seen to be higher for those peptides that are able to form fibrils. Although the relative high and low stabilities of the KFFE and KAAE dimers arise from their respective high and low interpeptide interaction energies, the higher stability of the KVVE dimer over the KLLE system results from the smaller loss of configurational entropy accompanying the dimerization of KVVE. Free energy landscapes for dimerization are found to be strongly sequence-dependent, with a high free energy barrier separating the monomeric and dimeric states for KVVE, KLLE, and KAAE sequences. In contrast, the most fibrillogenic peptide, KFFE, displayed downhill assembly, indicating enhanced kinetic accessibility of its dimeric states. The dimeric phase for all peptide sequences is found to be heterogeneous, containing both antiparallel β-sheet structures that can grow into full fibrils as well as disordered dimers acting as on- or off-pathway intermediates for fibrillation.
Development and calcium level changes in pre-implantation porcine nuclear transfer embryos activated with 6-DMAP after fusion

This study investigated the effect of treatment with 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) following fusion on in vitro development of porcine nuclear transfer (NT) embryos. Frozen thawed ear skin cells were transferred into the perivitelline space of enucleated oocytes. Reconstructed oocytes were fused and activated with electric pulse in 0.3 M mannitol supplemented with either 0.1 or 1.0 mM CaCl(2). In each calcium concentration, activated oocytes were divided into three groups. Two groups of them were exposed to either ionomycin (I + 6-DMAP or 6-DMAP alone. In experiment 2, fused NT embryos in 0.3 M mannitol containing 1.0 mM CaCl(2) were exposed to 6-DMAP either immediately or 20 min after fusion/activation. For 0.1 mM CaCl(2), oocytes activated with either I + 6-DMAP or 6-DMAP alone showed a higher (P < 0.05) developmental rate to the blastocyst stage than those activated with an electric pulse alone (26.7 and 22.5 vs. 12.5%). For 1.0 mM CaCl(2), oocytes activated with either I + 6-DMAP or 6-DMAP alone showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) developmental rate to the blastocyst stage (35.6 and 28.3 vs. 19.8%). Developmental rate to the blastocyst stage was (P < 0.05) increased in NT embryos activated with 6-DMAP 20 min after fusion. 6-DMAP made a higher and wider Ca(2+) transient compared to that induced by electric pulses (Fig. 3). The fluctuation lasted during the time that oocytes were cultured in 6-DMAP. Regardless of Ca(2+) concentration in fusion medium, activation with 6-DMAP following electric pulses supported more development of porcine NT embryos. Activation of NT embryos with 6-DMAP after fusion in the presence of 1.0 mM CaCl(2) could support better developmental rate to the blastocyst stage.
Nuclear power for the twenty‐first century

Improved nuclear reactor configurations that address major concerns of environmentalists and safety analysts are discussed. In addition to social acceptance, these new modes of power generation have economic potential to become the dominant producers of energy in the twenty‐first century. The class of power generation with this promise is the high temperature gas reactor (HTGR); the variant we focus on is the pebble‐bed modular reactor (PBMR). We also focus on using nuclear power as an energy source for desalinating seawater. Finally, the case is made that HTGR reactors are ideal for supplying the high‐temperature heat needed for manufacturing molecular hydrogen, a leading candidate for clean fuel consumption. These three themes are developed in a broad context with the objective of recommending policy actions dealing with global warming, public health, and economic opportunity.
Stigma Management among the Voluntarily Childless

Individuals who choose not to be parents are viewed in terms of negative stereotypes and experience social pressures to alter or jus- tify their status. Data were collected from in-depth interviews with twenty-four voluntarily childless women and men and a focus group that included seven of the interviewed individuals. Inductive analysis discov- ered the techniques that individuals used, in self-interaction and social interactions with various audiences, to manage stigmatized identity and preserve a good self. Strategies included passing, identity substitution, condemning the condemnors, asserting a right to self-fule llment, claiming biological dee ciency, and redee ning the situation. Primarily defensive, reactive techniques accepted pronatalist norms, intermediate techniques challenged conventional ideologies, and proactive techniques redee ned child- lessness as a socially valuable lifestyle. Use of these strategies was part of the " identity work" that individuals engaged in to reject discreditable iden- tities as voluntarily childless individuals.
Direct‐Write Fabrication of Pb(Nb,Zr,Ti)O3 Devices: Influence of Paste Rheology on Print Morphology and Component Properties

Lead niobium zirconate titanate (PNZT) pastes with tailored rheological properties have been developed for direct-write fabrication of thick-film capacitor elements in highly integrated, multifunctional electroceramic devices. Such pastes exhibited pseudoplastic behavior with a low shear apparent viscosity of roughly 1 10 6 cP. On aging, the degree of shear thinning and the low shear apparent viscosity decreased. Pastes prepared from as-received powders attained printable, steady-state viscosities of 2 10 5 cP after 50 days of aging. In contrast, pastes prepared from dispersant-coated powders showed no measurable rheological changes after 1 day of aging. Square elements were patterned on dense alumina substrates or Teflon sheets. Leveling behavior as a function of time for single line prints, and the resulting surface topographies of dried PNZT films were measured by laser profilometry. PNZT layers sintered at varying temperatures between 950° and 1050°C fo r5hi neither air or a lead-rich atmosphere yielded porous microstructures as revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Such layers exhibited dielectric constants (K) of 1400 –1570 at 1 kHz with dissipation factors (D )o f less than 4.1%.
Gene Signature Distinguishes Patients with Chronic Ulcerative Colitis Harboring Remote Neoplastic Lesions

Background Individuals with ulcerative colitis (UC) are at increased risk for colorectal cancer. The standard method of surveillance for neoplasia in UC by colonoscopy is invasive and can miss flat lesions. We sought to identify a gene expression signature in non-dysplastic mucosa without active inflammation that could serve as a marker for remote neoplastic lesions.
Finite-element analysis of secant pile wall installation

A common practice in the USA for excavation support system design is to assume that the complete support system is 'wished in place'. This implies that the construction of the in situ wall component and the installation of the supports do not cause any movements or changes in the in situ stress state. However, the installation can cause appreciable changes in the in situ soil stress conditions, which result in significant movements in the surrounding ground. This paper presents the results of efforts to evaluate the factors that influence movements associated with excavation support wall installation, using a series of three-dimensional finite-element models. These analyses demonstrated that soil responses and the processes that produce them are three-dimensional in nature. Thus it can be concluded that fully three-dimensional analyses are required to provide insight into these complex relationships.
BIS(TRIPHENYLPHOSPHINE)PALLADIUM CYCLOHEPTADIENYNYLIUM TETRAFLUOROBORATE :A PALLADIUM COMPLEX OF TROPYNE

Palladium complexes of cyclohepta-3,5-dien-1-yne (4) and cyclohepta-1,5-dien-3-yne (5) have been prepared and converted to a palladium complex of tropyne (6) by treatment with triphenylcarbenium tetrafluoroborate.
Specificity of phosphotungstic acid used as a section stain to visualize surface coats of cells.

Phosphotungstic acid (PTA) at low pH has been used as a section stain to visualize surface coats of ductal epithelial cells within human breast biopsies in the electron microscope. For this purpose, tissue was fixed in glutaraldehyde and embedded in the water-soluble plastic glycol methacrylate. Since there is some uncertainty regarding the chemical nature of material within embedded tissue that is stained by PTA under acidic conditions, cytochemical studies were performed. Sections were incubated with Pronase, trypsin, α-amylase, hyaluronidase, and neuraminidase and then stained with PTA. Sections were also exposed to reagents which are known either to remove most of the carbohydrate groups from glycoprotein or just terminal sialic acid residues. Results are compatible with the view that much of the staining of surface material by acidic PTA could be due to the presence of sialic acid residues within surface coat glycoprotein.
Buckling of Aligned Carbon Nanotubes as Stretchable Conductors: A New Manufacturing Strategy

A new manufacturing strategy for buckling of aligned carbon nanotubes is developed, which does not involve prestretching the substrate but relies on the interface interaction between the nanotubes and the substrate. More specifically, upon stretching the substrate the nanotubes slide on the substrate, but upon releasing the nanotubes buckle. Following this manufacturing strategy, stretchable conductors based on aligned carbon nanotubes are demonstrated.
Initial investigation using an iPod-based speech-generating device shows promise for increasing functional communication skills for individuals with severe and multiple disabilities

This review provides a summary and appraisal commentary on the treatment review by Van der Meer, L., Kagohara, Achmadi, D., Green, V. A., Herrington, C., Sigafoos, J., O’Reilly, M., Lancioni, G., Lang, R., & Rispoli, M. (2011). Teaching functional use of iPod-based speech generating device to individuals with developmental disabilities. Journal of Special Education Technology 26, 1–11. Source of funding and disclosure of interest: No source of funding reported, and no conflicts of interest reported by the original authors of this research report. Because Dr. Sigafoos is a co-author, this manuscript was handled by Drs. Schlosser and Koul.
EKMAN SPIRALS FOR EXPONENTIAL THERMAL WIND

The equations for a family of wind spirals are derived with the assumption that the thermal wind in the friction layer decreases exponentially with increasing height. The results are discussed with reference to the flow in the planetary boundary layer over the Antarctic Plateau.
Gene-gene-sex interaction in cytokine gene polymorphisms revealed by serum interferon alpha phenotype in juvenile dermatomyositis.

Objective To detect genetic polymorphisms associated with high serum interferon alpha (IFN-α) levels in juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) and explore interactions in associated polymorphisms. Study design Eighty-five children of European ancestry with definite/probable JDM were studied. Selected genetic polymorphisms that were associated with high IFN-α levels in 12 untreated patients with newly diagnosed JDM were genotyped in a validation cohort of 73 children with JDM and analyzed for gene-gene and gene-sex interactions. Results Untreated children with newly diagnosed JDM carrying both the osteopontin (OPN) rs28357094G and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-308 A alleles had significantly increased serum IFN-α levels. These 2 polymorphisms were genotyped in the validation cohort, and the OPN rs28357094G allele was more common in female subjects with JDM (odds ratio=3.97, P = .012). This OPN allele was most strongly enriched in female carriers of TNF-α -308A as compared with male carriers of TNF-α -308A (odds ratio >9.0; P = 7.2 x 10 −3 ). Conclusion These data support a complex gene-gene-sex interaction between the OPN and TNF-α promoter regions in JDM, defining a high serum IFN-α subgroup within JDM. This suggests pathogenic synergy between the OPN and TNF-α loci in female subjects with JDM, which may underlie some of the increased incidence of this condition in girls.
Thickness dependence of the superconducting transition temperature of YBCO

Abstract We have performed detailed structural and superconducting studies of YBCO single layers, YBCO/PrBCO/YBCO tri-layers, and YBCO/PrBCO superlattices. The results for single layers indicate that a nominally one unit cell thick YBCO film sandwiched between PrBCO layers is not superconducting. However, a superlattice with nominally one unit cell thick YBCO layers has a measurable superconducting temperature onset ( T c o ). These apparently contradictory results are reconciled by experiments on YBCO/PrBCO/YBCO tri-layers which, due to coupling across the PrBCO insulating layer, exhibit superconductivity for PrBCO thicknesses below 200 A. Structural studies show that the length scale of the superconductive coupling is much larger than the length scale of the step disorder and interdiffusion present in the film.
Optimization of reduced-dose MDCT of thoracic aorta using iterative reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the contribution of iterative reconstruction on image quality of reduced-dose multidetector computed tomography of the thoracic aorta. METHODS A torso phantom was scanned using two tube potentials (80 and 120 kVp) and five different tube currents (110, 75, 40, 20, and 10 mAs). All images were reconstructed with both filtered back projection (FBP) and iterative reconstruction. Aortic attenuation, image noise within the thoracic aorta, signal-to-noise ratio, and sharpness of the aortic wall were quantified in the phantom for the two reconstruction algorithms. Data were analyzed using paired t test. A value of P 0.05). Image noise level was lower (P < 0.0001), and image sharpness was higher (P = 0.046) with iterative reconstruction. Signal-to-noise ratios were higher with iterative reconstruction compared with those with FBP (P < 0.0001). Signal-to-noise ratio at 80 kVp with iterative reconstruction (9.8 ± 4.4) was similar to the signal-to-noise ratio at 120 kVp with FBP (8.4 ± 3.3) (P = 0.196). CONCLUSIONS Less image noise and higher image sharpness may be achieved with iterative reconstruction in reduced-dose multidetector computed tomography of the thoracic aorta.
Cyclic AMP Resets the Circadian Clock in Cultured Xenopus Retinal Photoreceptor Layers

Abstract: The Xenopus retinal photoreceptor layer contains a circadian oscillator that regulates melatonin synthesis in vitro. The phase of this oscillator can be reset by light or dopamine. The phase-response curves for light and dopamine are similar, with transitions from phase delays to phase advances in the mid-subjective night. Light and dopamine each can inhibit adenylate cyclase in retinal photoreceptors, suggesting cyclic AMP as a candidate second messenger for entrainment of the circadian oscillator. We report here that treatments that increase intracellular cyclic AMP reset the phase of the photoreceptor circadian oscillator, and that the phase-response curves for these treatments are 180° out of phase with the phase-response curves for light and dopamine. Activation of adenylate cyclase by forskolin during the late subjective day or early subjective night caused phase advances. The same treatment during the late subjective night or early subjective day caused phase delays. Similar phase shifts were induced by 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor) or 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)cyclic AMP. All of these treatments also acutely increased melatonin release. Forskolin and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine increased the accumulation of intracellular cyclic AMP, but not cyclic GMP, in photoreceptor layers. The results indicate that cyclic AMP-dependent pathways regulate the photoreceptor circadian oscillator and suggest that a decrease in cyclic AMP may be involved in circadian entrainment by light and/or dopamine.
Inflammatory Leukocyte Phenotypes Correlate with Disease Progression in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by progressive deposition of extracellular matrix, worsening dyspnea and eventual mortality. Pathogenesis of IPF is poorly understood and the role inflammation and activated leukocytes play in the disease process is controversial. Previous studies demonstrated that activated leukocyte subsets characterize IPF patients. We sought to validate this observation in a well-defined cohort of 35 IPF patients and to correlate the observed leukocyte phenotypes with robust parameters of disease progression. We demonstrate that in univariate and multivariate analyses, increases in the CD14hi, CD16hi subset of monocytes measured at baseline correlated with disease progression, with a threshold value greater than 0.5% of the total peripheral blood mononuclear cells being a significant predictor for worse outcome. In addition, several T cell subsets, including CD25 expressing CD4 cells, and CXCR3 expressing CD4 and CD8 subsets correlated with disease progression when found in increased percentages in the peripheral blood of IPF patients when sampled at baseline. Somewhat surprising in comparison to previous literature, the CD4 T cells did not appear to have lost expression of the co-stimulatory molecule, CD28, but the CD8 T cells did. Taken together, these results are consistent with the presence of an inflammatory process in IPF patients who eventually progress. However, when longitudinal measurements of these same markers were examined, there was significant heterogeneity of expression and these biomarkers did not necessarily remain elevated in IPF patients with progressive disease. We interpret this heterogeneity to suggest that IPF patients experience episodic inflammatory events, that once triggered, may lead to disease progression. This longitudinal heterogeneity in biomarker analyses may explain why such markers are not consistently measured in all IPF cohorts.
Charge Transfer Chemical Doping of Few Layer Graphenes: Charge Distribution and Band Gap Formation

The properties of few layer (one layer (1 L) to four layer (4 L)) graphenes doped by adsorption and intercalation of Br2 and I2 vapors are investigated. The Raman spectra of the graphene G vibrations are observed as a function of the number of layers. There is no evidence for chemical reaction disrupting the basal plane π electron conjugation. Adsorption of bromine on 1 L graphene creates a high doped hole density, well beyond that achieved by electrical gating with an ionic polymer electrolyte. In addition, the 2D Raman band is completely quenched. The 2 L bilayer spectra indicate that the doping by adsorbed I2 and Br2 is symmetrical on the top and bottom layers. Br2 intercalates into 3 L and 4 L graphenes. The combination of both surface and interior doping with Br2 in 3 L and 4 L creates a relatively constant doping level per layer. In contrast, the G spectra of 3 L and 4 L with surface adsorbed I2 indicate that the hole doping density is larger on the surface layers than on the interior layers and tha...
1393 THE EFFECTS OF MATERNAL COUNSELLING ON BREASTFEEDING PATTERNS OF HIGH RISK NEONATES

Breast milk has been recommended for feeding high risk neonates due to the psychological, nutritional and immunological advantages of breastfeeding (BF). In order to assess the influence of maternal counselling, we studied the BF pattern of 503 mothers of infants admitted to the neonatal ICU for 2 periods of 6 months prior to and following initiation of counselling. A special group of certified counsellors, who successfully breastfed their own sick neonates, were available by phone to all mothers. With counselling there was a significant increase in the number of mothers who engaged in BF (32/242=13.2% to 92/261=34.8%, p<0.001) and significant decrease in the number of mothers who stopped BF during infant's hospitalization (9/23=39.3% to 8/94=8.5%) (p < 0.001). Duration of BF after hospital discharge was similar pre and post counselling (mean ± SEM 9.8 ± 5.4 vs. 10.1 ± 6.5 months) (NS), and higher than national rates of BF reported for full term infants. Demographic data were comparable for both study groups and showed that BF mothers were predominantly white (95 and 93%), privately insured (87.5 and 78%) and in the age range of 20 to 30 years (98 and 92.5%). The results of this study demonstrate that special counselling can effectively increase the rate of BF among mothers of high risk neonates and that special efforts in counselling mothers of younger ages and lower social economic groups is presently needed.
Phosphorylation of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor and eukaryotic initiation factor 2 by casein kinase II regulates guanine nucleotide binding and GDP/GTP exchange.

In mammalian cells, chain initiation factor (eIF) 2 and guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) play a major role in the regulation of polypeptide chain initiation. Since guanine nucleotide exchange is the rate-limiting step in the recycling of eIF-2, we examined the effects of phosphorylation of GEF and eIF-2 on guanine nucleotide binding and the rate of GDP/GTP exchange. Phosphorylation of the 82-kDa subunit of GEF in vitro by casein kinase (CK) II results in the stimulation of guanine nucleotide exchange [Dholakia, J. N., & Wahba, A. J. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85, 51-54]. CK-II also phosphorylates the beta-subunit of eIF2, but the significance of this phosphorylation has not previously been investigated. In this study we demonstrate that treatment of CK-II-phosphorylated GEF or eIF-2 with alkaline phosphatase specifically removes more than 85% of the phosphate incorporated into the factors and alters guanine nucleotide binding to these proteins. In the presence of 1 mM Mg2+, the amount of GTP bound to dephosphorylated GEF is reduced 3.8-fold as compared to that of the CK-II-phosphorylated GEF. Rephosphorylation with CK-II restores GTP binding and increases 4-5-fold the activity of GEF in the exchange of eIF-2-bound GDP for free GTP. On the other hand, the extent of GDP binding to dephosphorylated eIF-2 is increased 2.3-fold as compared to that to the isolated eIF-2. The rate of GEF-catalyzed exchange of dephosphorylated eIF-2-bound GDP for GTP is approximately 2-fold slower than that with the isolated eIF-2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Multi-Material Freeform Fabrication of Active Systems

Current Solid Freeform Fabrication (SFF) technologies can manufacture, directly from digital data, end-use mechanical parts in an increasingly wide variety of engineering materials. However, commercial SFF systems remain costly, complex, proprietary, and are limited to working with one or two proprietary materials during the course of building a part, hindering their broader application and the impact of the technology. The work we present here demonstrates (1) that SFF systems can employ many materials and multiple processes during the course of building a single object, (2) that such systems can produce complete, active, electromechanical devices, rather than only mechanical parts, and (3) that such multi-material SFF systems can be made accessible to, and are of interest to the general public. We have developed a research-oriented, multi-material SFF system and employed it to produce not only mechanical parts, but complete and functional Zn-air batteries, electrical wiring, flexible circuit boards, strain-gages, electromagnets, electroactive polymer actuators, organic-polymer transistors, and electromechanical relays. We have also developed and published the Fab@Home Model 1 open-source, multi-material, freeform fabrication system design. The Fab@Home project has received broad public and media attention, and more than 100 Model 1 machines have been built by individuals around the world.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Analysis of induction of hsc70, hsp82 and juvenile hormone esterase genes by heat shock in Trichoplusia ni

A cDNA clone for a hsc70 family member of Trichoplusia ni has been isolated and its sequence contains a full-length open reading frame of 661 amino acids, with extensive homology to the Drosophila melanogaster heat shock cognate 4 gene. High stringency genomic southern blot analysis detected a single copy of the gene for this hsc70 family member. Northern blot analysis showed that the transcript abundance is increased 2–3 fold when heat shocked at 37 and 42 °C on day three of the final larval stadium. In comparison, northern blot analysis of expression of hsp82 transcript, using as a probe a cDNA for T. ni hsp82, revealed that on day three of the final stadium larvae of T. ni respond to heat shock at 37 and 42 °C by increasing hsp82 transcript abundance greater than 100 fold. Northern blot analysis also showed that the JHE transcript abundance is increased by heat shock.
Maturational changes in brain water and electrolytes in rhesus monkey with some implications for electrogenesis.

Summary Five regions of rhesus monkey brain were sampled for their water and electrolyte contents at various stages of development from the end of the first trimester of pregnancy through adult life. All brain tissues exhibit progressively smaller water contents with age. The potassium content (mEquiv./l of tissue water) increases through time while the sodium and chloride contents diminish. Calculations based on the present data and on previous determinations of extracellular space and extracellular potassium concentrations suggest that fetal brain tissues contain large quantities of intracellular potassium, quantities likely comparable to those occuring in adult brains. This supports the concept that the initiation of spontaneous neuronal electrical activity during ontogeny does not depend on a sudden development of ion pump mechanisms.
Participant modeling and self-verbalization training in the reduction of spider fears

Abstract Modeling, behavior rehearsal and self-verbalization training were evaluated in reducing fears of spiders. Two levels of modeling (modeling, no-modeling) were combined with three levels of rehearsal (overt, covert, no-rehearsal). Some of the subjects in the modeling plus overt rehearsal, and the no-treatment groups also were instructed to repeated counter-phobic self-verbalizations. Both modeling and self-verbalization training contributed to changes in behavioral scores, while the latter procedure also consistently effected changes in self-report measures of anxiety. Little change occurred as a result of rehearsal, whether covert or overt.
Chronic intermittent cold stress sensitizes neuro-immune reactivity in the rat brain

Chronic stress contributes to many neuropsychiatric disorders in which the HPA axis, cognition and neuro-immune activity are dysregulated. Patients with major depression, or healthy individuals subjected to acute stress, present elevated levels of circulating pro-inflammatory markers. Acute stress also activates pro-inflammatory signals in the periphery and in the brain of rodents. However, despite the clear relevance of chronic stress to human psychopathology, the effects of prolonged stress exposure on central immune activity and reactivity have not been well characterized. Our laboratory has previously shown that, in rats, chronic intermittent cold stress (CIC stress, 4°C, 6h/day, 14 days) sensitizes the HPA response to a subsequent novel stressor, and produces deficits in a test of cognitive flexibility that is dependent upon prefrontal cortical function. We have hypothesized that CIC stress could potentially exert some of these effects by altering the neuro-immune status of the brain, leading to neuronal dysfunction. In this study, we have begun to address this question by determining whether previous exposure to CIC stress could alter the subsequent neuro-immune response to an acute immunological challenge (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) or an acute heterologous stressor (footshock). We examined the response of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL1β and IL6, the enzyme cyclooxygenase 2, and the chemokines, CXCL1 and MCP-1 in plasma, hypothalamus and prefrontal cortex. There was no effect of CIC stress on basal expression of these markers 24h after the termination of stress. However, CIC stress enhanced the acute induction of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL1β and particularly IL6, and the chemokines, CXCL1 and MCP-1, in plasma, hypothalamus and prefrontal cortex in response to LPS, and also sensitized the hypothalamic IL1β response to acute footshock. Thus, sensitization of acute pro-inflammatory responses in the brain could potentially mediate some of the CIC-dependent changes in HPA and cognitive function.
Clinical outcomes after withdrawal of anti–tumor necrosis factor α therapy in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: A twelve‐year experience

Objective To estimate the length of time to disease flare and the likelihood of achieving clinical remission after discontinuation of treatment with tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) blockers in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review in a cohort of patients with JIA treated with TNFα inhibitors between January 1, 1998 and November 1, 2009. Demographic information, laboratory data, and medication exposure were extracted using a standardized tool. Outcomes of interest were based on preliminary criteria for remission in JIA. Results One hundred seventy-one patients with 255 discrete episodes of anti-TNFα treatment were reviewed. The median duration of patient observation was 59.7 months (range 5.8-211.2 months). Among patients in whom disease was inactive after discontinuation of anti-TNFα therapy, 50% had persistently inactive disease at 6 months, and 33% had clinical remission at 12 months. The median duration of anti-TNFα therapy after inactive disease was obtained was 6.1 months (range 0-67.9 months). No significant association was observed between the time to disease flare after cessation of treatment with TNFα antagonists and the length of time from the diagnosis of JIA to the initiation of anti-TNFα therapy, the duration of therapy following the onset of inactive disease, or the total duration of treatment with TNFα antagonists prior to discontinuation. The category of JIA, sex, and age at diagnosis were not associated with the risk of relapse. Conclusion One-third of patients with JIA can successfully undergo withdrawal of treatment with TNFα antagonists and be spared the cost and potential morbidity of treatment for at least 12 months. Further studies are needed to identify factors to accurately identify these patients.
DsbA is required for stability of the type IV pilin of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli

The periplasmic Escherichia coli enzyme DsbA catalyses the efficient formation of disulphide linkages in numerous extracytoplasmic proteins. Enteropathogenic E. coli, a major cause of infantile diarrhoea worldwide, expresses a type IV fimbria known as the bundle-forming pilus that promotes adherence to tissue-culture cells. In this study, we report that transposon insertions in the dsbA locus abolish adherence and dramatically reduce the level of bundlin, the major structural subunit of the pilus encoded by the bfpA locus. Adherence and bundlin levels are restored by complementation with the cloned dsbA gene. DsbA has no effect on bfpA transcription as measured with bfpA-lacZ fusions. Replacement of either cysteine codon 129 or 179 of bfpA with a serine codon results in reduced levels of bundlin, similar to the effect of the dsbA mutation. As is the case with dsbA mutants, this decreased level of bundlin is not due to decreased transcription. The half-life of bundlin as detected by pulse-chase experiments is dramatically reduced in a dsbA mutant in comparison to the wild type. The effect of DsbA on bundlin oxidation is independent of signal-peptide processing. Thus, we demonstrate that the DsbA enzyme is critical for the biogenesis of a type IV fimbria because of the essential role of a disulphide bond in the stability of the major structural subunit. These data illuminate the early steps in the biogenesis of type IV fimbriae by demonstrating that newly synthesized prepilin is a transmembrane protein accessible to periplasmic and cytoplasmic processing enzymes.
PROTEIN COMPOSITION OF SPINACH CHLOROPLASTS AND THEIR PHOTOSYSTEM I AND PHOTOSYSTEM II SUBFRAGMENTS

— The proteins of spinach chloroplasts and their subfragments containing photosystem I and photosystem II, obtained by Triton X-100 treatment or French-pressure rupture, were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-acrylamide electrophoresis at pH 7·0 in phosphate buffer. The individual protein bands were identified where possible by comparing them with known, isolated and characterized proteins from chloroplasts, and their molecular weights were determined. The protein composition of the chloroplast fragments were correlated to the functional properties of these fragments. Distinct patterns were obtained for photosystem I and photosystem II particles. The major protein of photosystem II is expressed in the 23 kilodalton range and photosystem I proteins seem to be clustered mainly in the 50–70 kilodalton range.
A molecular dynamics simulation study of water structure and adsorption states at talc surfaces

Abstract A preliminary molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) study regarding interfacial phenomena at talc surfaces is reported. The use of computer methodology in the development of mineral processing technology has long been of interest to Professor R. P. King and, in this regard, it is appropriate that such a computer study of flotation chemistry be included in this special IJMP volume. Simulation results show that due to the absence of hydrogen bonding sites, the hydrophobic talc basal plane is not in close contact with water molecules, thus leaving a 3 A void space at the basal plane. As expected from the previous laboratory studies the hydrophobic chains of the cationic surfactant dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB) preferentially adsorb at the talc basal plane surface through hydrophobic interactions. On the other hand, the breakage of Si–O and Mg–O bonds provides the talc edge surface with many hydrogen bonding sites which facilitates the formation of strong hydrogen bonds with water dipoles. Thus, water wets the hydrophilic edges, and, in contrast to the face surface, simulation results reveal that the DTAB cationic surfactant adsorbs at the talc edge surface through electrostatic interactions. Finally, when a model dextrin molecule is considered, the simulation results suggest that the hydrophobic interaction between the talc basal plane surface and the hydrophobic moieties in the dextrin molecule plays a significant role in dextrin adsorption at talc surfaces. Whereas, at the talc edge surface the dextrin molecule is not able to displace water molecules at the edge surface.
Preparation of 3‐methyl‐4‐vinyl‐1,2,5‐oxadiazole and 3‐methyl‐4‐vinyl‐1,2,5‐thiadiazole

Short and high yielding preparations of 3-Methyl-4-vinyl-1,2,5-oxadiazole (6a) and 3-Methyl-4-vinyl-1,2,5-thiadiazole (6b) are described.
Hypertrophy, gene expression, and beating of neonatal cardiac myocytes are affected by microdomain heterogeneity in 3D.

Cardiac myocytes are known to be influenced by the rigidity and topography of their physical microenvironment. It was hypothesized that 3D heterogeneity introduced by purely physical microdomains regulates cardiac myocyte size and contraction. This was tested in vitro using polymeric microstructures (G′ = 1.66 GPa) suspended with random orientation in 3D by a soft Matrigel matrix (G′ = 22.9 Pa). After 10 days of culture, the presence of 100 μm-long microstructures in 3D gels induced fold increases in neonatal rat ventricular myocyte size (1.61 ± 0.06, p < 0.01) and total protein/cell ratios (1.43 ± 0.08, p < 0.05) that were comparable to those induced chemically by 50 μM phenylephrine treatment. Upon attachment to microstructures, individual myocytes also had larger cross-sectional areas (1.57 ± 0.05, p < 0.01) and higher average rates of spontaneous contraction (2.01 ± 0.08, p < 0.01) than unattached myocytes. Furthermore, the inclusion of microstructures in myocyte-seeded gels caused significant increases in the expression of beta-1 adrenergic receptor (β1-AR, 1.19 ± 0.01), cardiac ankyrin repeat protein (CARP, 1.26 ± 0.02), and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase (SERCA2, 1.59 ± 0.12, p < 0.05), genes implicated in hypertrophy and contractile activity. Together, the results demonstrate that cardiac myocyte behavior can be controlled through local 3D microdomains alone. This approach of defining physical cues as independent features may help to advance the elemental design considerations for scaffolds in cardiac tissue engineering and therapeutic microdevices.
The new cinema of India

(1983). The new cinema of India. Quarterly Review of Film Studies: Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 47-61.
Interaction of hyperhydricity-preventing Pseudomonas sp. with oregano (Origanum vulgare) and selection of high phenolics and rosmarinic acid-producing clonal lines

Abstract Phenolic metabolites from oregano and related species in the family Lamiaceae are important sources of antimicrobials and antioxidants. The content of phenolic metabolites in oregano and related species are highly variable due to genetic heterogeneity. This genetic heterogeneity is due to the breeding character being influenced by natural cross‐pollination. In order to develop gene pools to improve ingredient quality and quantity genetically uniform shoot‐based clonal lines were isolated using plant tissue culture techniques. Clonal lines were generated from multiple shoots induced by 1 mg/1 benzylaminopurine in standard Murashige and Skoog medium with 3 % sucrose. Under these optimum conditions 7–10 shoots per explant were generated for further clonal propagation or regeneration of plants. Shoot‐inducing hormones like thidiazuron and adenine sulfate did not improve multiple shoot‐forming ability. Individual shoots of several individual clonal lines with each originating from a single heterozygou...
Multiscale stochastic modeling for tractable inference and data assimilation

We consider a class of multiscale Gaussian models on pyramidally structured graphs. While such models have been considered in the past, very recent advances in inference methods for graphical models not only yield additional motivation for this class of models but also bring techniques that lead to new and powerful algorithms. We provide a brief summary of these recent advances – including so-called walk-sum analysis, methods based on Lagrangian relaxation, and a new method for “low-rank,” wavelet-based, unbiased estimation of error variances – and then adapt and apply them to problems of estimation for pyramidal models. We demonstrate that our models not only capture long-range dependencies but that they also have the property that conditioned on neighboring scales, the correlation behavior within a scale is dramatically compressed. This leads to algorithms resembling multipole methods for solving partial differential equations in which we alternate computations across-scale (using an embedded tree in the pyramidal graph) with local updates within each scale. Not only are these algorithms guaranteed to converge to the correct answers but they also lead to new, adaptive methods for choosing embedded trees and subgraphs to achieve rapid convergence. This approach also leads to a solution to the so-called re-estimation problem in which we seek to update an estimate rapidly after local changes are made to the prior model or to the available data. In addition, by using a consistent probabilistic model across as well as within scales, we are able both to exploit low-rank variance estimation methods and to develop efficient iterative algorithms for parameter estimation.
Treatment of macroreentrant ventricular tachycardia with radiofrequency ablation of the right bundle branch

Abstract Reentry within bundle branches may be the cause of ventricular tachycardia in some patients. 1 A clinical syndrome of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, intraventricular conduction defects and macroreentrant ventricular tachycardia has recently been described, 2 in which the patients were successfully treated with direct-current shock ablation of the right bundle branch. There has been a preliminary report of radiofrequency current for ablation of the bundle branches in patients with macroreentrant ventricular tachycardia. 3 To our knowledge, this study is the first detailed description of a patient with ventricular tachycardia due to bundle branch reentry treated with catheter ablation of the right bundle branch using radiofrequency energy.
Inhibition by taurine of the phosphorylation of specific synaptosomal proteins in the rat cortex: effects of taurine on the stimulation of calcium uptake in mitochondria and inhibition of phosphoinositide turnover.

Abstract It has been previously observed that taurine inhibits PKC-activated phosphorylation of specific proteins including a ∼ 20k Mr protein in rat cortical synaptosomes. In the present study, the mechanism of the above effects of taurine were investigated. In an intrasynaptosomal cytosol fraction obtained by subcellular fractionation, taurine did not have inhibitory effects on protein phosphorylation. However, taurine did inhibit the phosphorylation of the ∼ 20k Mr protein in a reconstituted preparation containing intrasynaptosomal cytosol and mitochondria. Experiments measuring calcium uptake demonstrated that taurine increased the accumulation of45Ca2+ in the mitochondrial fraction in incubation systems both in the absence and presence of added ATP. In addition, taurine inhibited the accumulation of32P-labeled phosphatidic acid in synaptosomes indicative of a reduction in the levels of diacylglycerol. These results suggest that taurine may inhibit specific protein phosphorylation both by reducing cytosolic calcium levels and by inhibiting the turnover of phosphoinositides. These effects of taurine on the signal transduction cascade involving PKC and phosphoinositide metabolism indicate a potential biological role for taurine in the nervous system.
Curli biogenesis: Order out of disorder

Many bacteria assemble extracellular amyloid fibers on their cell surface. Secretion of proteins across membranes and the assembly of complex macromolecular structures must be highly coordinated to avoid the accumulation of potentially toxic intracellular protein aggregates. Extracellular amyloid fiber assembly poses an even greater threat to cellular health due to the highly aggregative nature of amyloids and the inherent toxicity of amyloid assembly intermediates. Therefore, temporal and spatial control of amyloid protein secretion is paramount. The biogenesis and assembly of the extracellular bacterial amyloid curli is an ideal system for studying how bacteria cope with the many challenges of controlled and ordered amyloid assembly. Here, we review the recent progress in the curli field that has made curli biogenesis one of the best-understood functional amyloid assembly pathways. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Protein trafficking and secretion in bacteria. Guest Editors: Anastassios Economou and Ross Dalbey.
Copper uptake by the water hyacinth

Abstract Factors affecting Cu+2 uptake by the water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) were examined. Two phases of copper uptake were observed throughout the uptake range (1–1000 mg/1). An initial rapid uptake phase of 4 hours followed by a slower, near linear uptake phase extending past 48 hours was observed. Stirring the solution enhanced uptake, suggesting copper removal is partially diffusion limited. Variations in pH over the range of 3 to 10 did not significantly affect uptake. Increasing the root mass of the plant increased the amount of copper taken up. As solution volume was increased more copper was removed. The presence of complexing agents during the uptake phase reduced copper uptake. The inability of complexing agents to recover all copper initially removed by a plant suggests a migration to sites within the plant.
Integration of cytogenetic assays with toxicology studies.

This report is a summary of presentations on the topic of integration of cytogenetics assays with toxicology studies; these presentations were given at a workshop on in vivo cytogenetics at the 25th Annual Meeting of the Environmental Mutagen Society on May 8, 1994. The purpose of these topical presentations was to evaluate the need for in vivo cytogenetics data for safety assessment of chemical entities and to assess the extent to which available technology permits such data to be3 obtained as part of the routine toxicological evaluation of chemicals in laboratory animals and in human clinical or epidemiology studies. 68 refs., 2 figs.
Using hydrogen peroxide or ozone to enhance the incineration of volatile organic vapors

Abstract The destruction of certain hazardous Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) by incineration requires high temperatures and long residence times. This oxidation process occurs by a complex series of chemical reactions, initiated and propagated by the reactive radicals: hydroxyl (OH), oxygen atoms (O), hydrogen atoms (H), and hydroperoxyl (HO 2 ). It was postulated that the addition of radical sources—such as hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) or ozone (O 3 )—to a heated stream of VOCs in air, would enhance the kinetics of the thermal oxidation. In practice, addition of enhancers to post-flame gases in a real incinerator should result in lower incineration temperatures or shorter residence times to obtain the required destruction and removal efficiency (DRE). In this work, the VOCs studied include n -heptane, chlorobenzene, and isopropanol; less extensive experiments were also conducted on trichloroethylene and heptane/chlorobenzene mixtures. The reactor was a 200 cm long, 6 mm diameter quartz tube, externally heated in a Lindberg tube furnace. The experiments were run isothermally for temperatures from 637°C to 750°C with residence times varying from 0.25 to 1.0 seconds at four or five different concentrations of H 2 O 2 or O 3 . The results of these experiments show that the introduction of H 2 O 2 clearly enhances the destruction of the VOCs tested. Ozone was these to be less versatile than hydrogen peroxide because it was effective in the incineration of the alkane but not on the other compounds.