cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NIR fluorescent dyes: versatile vehicles for marker and probe applications

The use of the NIR spectral region (650-900 nm) is advantageous due to the inherently lower background interference and the high molar absorptivities of NIR chromophores. Near-Infrared (NIR) dyes are increasingly used in the biological and medical field. The binding characteristics of NIR dyes to biomolecules are possibly controlled by several factors, including hydrophobicity, size and charge just to mention a few parameters. Binding characteristics of symmetric carbocyanines and found that the hydrophobic nature of the NIR dye is only partially responsible for the binding strength. Upon binding to biomolecules significant fluorescence enhancement can be observed for symmetrical carbocyanines. This fluorescence amplification facilitates the detection of the NIR dye and enhances its utility as NIR reporter. This manuscript discusses some probe and marker applications of such NIR fluorescent dyes. One application discussed here is the use of NIR dyes as markers. For labeling applications the fluorescence intensity of the NIR fluorescent label can significantly be increased by enclosing several dye molecules in nanoparticles. To decrease self quenching dyes that have relatively large Stokes’ shift needs to be used. This is achieved by substituting meso position halogens with amino moiety. This substitution can also serve as a linker to covalently attach the dye molecule to the nanoparticle backbone. We report here on the preparation of NIR fluorescent silica nanoparticles. Silica nanoparticles that are modified with aminoreactive moieties can be used as bright fluorescent labels in bioanalytical applications. A new bioanalytical technique to detect and monitor the catalytic activity of the sulfur assimilating enzyme using NIR dyes is reported as well. In this spectroscopic bioanalytical assay a family of Fischer based n-butyl sulfonate substituted dyes that exhibit distinct variation in absorbance and fluorescence properties and strong binding to serum albumin as its sulfonic acid moiety is modified to less water soluble moiety was identified. In polar solvents, these water soluble compounds are strongly fluorescent, however form the less soluble aggregated species with virtual loss of fluorescence when the sulfonate groups are cleaved by enzymatic activity to form the corresponding straight chain alkyl aldehyde derivatives. To achieve this conversion in vitro photo-reduced riboflavin mononucleotide (FMN) with a glucose/ glucose-oxygenase oxygen scavenging system was utilized. The reduced FMN serves as a key substrate in the enzymatic desulfonation. Once the FMNH2 was produced the desulfonation reaction was characterized by using Laser Induced Fluorescence Capillary Zone Electropheresis (LIF-CZE). This method can be utilized as an assay to detect the enzyme activity in vitro with the possibilities of in vivo applications.
Identification and processing of career criminals: The police role

Abstract This article examines the development of a police mechanism for identifying and processing career criminals (or habitual offenders) in a medium-sized city. The article concludes that police departments have a vital role to play in this process and that integration of efforts with prosecuting agencies should be sought. Regional (or multijurisdictional) information systems are proposed as a necessary means for enhancing individual police-department capabilities and region-wide effectiveness for quickly and accurately identifying major offenders from throughout a metropolitan area.
The stereoselective formation of bicyclic enamines with bridgehead unsaturation via tandem C-H bond activation/alkenylation/electrocyclization.

Bridgehead bicyclic unsaturated enamines were prepared by a tandem rhodium-catalyzed C−H bond activation/alkenylation/electrocyclization of alkyne-tethered unsaturated imines. These strained bicyclic enamines exhibit unique reactivity: for example, they give N-alkylated products upon treatment with alkylating reagents and undergo double-bond isomerization to alleviate ring strain upon reduction.
Tumor-derived CCL5 does not contribute to breast cancer progression

Besides functioning as a chemotactic factor, CCL5 has been associated with progression of disease in women with breast cancer, immune modulation and metastasis. Here we asked whether CCL5 produced by tumor cells contributed to growth or metastasis of breast cancer. For this purpose, we used two murine mammary carcinomas, the 4T1 tumor which is metastatic and constitutively expresses CCL5, and the 168 tumor which is not metastatic and does not constitutively express CCL5. RNA interference was used to inhibit CCL5 expression from the 4T1 tumor, and a CCL5 transgene was used to express CCL5 by the 168 tumor. Six different clones of 4T1 that exhibited stable reduction in CCL5 expression, and three different clones of 168 that exhibited stable CCL5 expression were compared to the parental tumors and vector transfected controls. Significantly, in both models, tumor-derived CCL5 expression did not correlate with MHC expression, growth rate, or metastatic ability of the tumors. These results show that tumor-derived CCL5 expression alone does not make a significant contribution to breast cancer progression.
Vasoactivity of inosine in the rat

Summary Inosine increases the blood pressure in the rat independently of the autonomic nervous system. The mechanism of this hypertensive effect was investigated in 18 rats anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. Inosine (0.01 M) infused at 0.03, 0.06, and 0.08 ml/min into the external jugular vein consistently caused a sustained, dose-dependent rise in arterial blood pressure, a rise in total peripheral resistance, and no change in cardiac index or acceleration of blood flow. Hindquarter blood flow significantly decreased, and hindquarter vascular resistance showed a significant increase. The hindquarter vascular responses were not altered by pretreatment with 4 mg/kg of indomethacin. The data are consistent with a direct effect of inosine on the vascular smooth muscle.
Minimal-lesion nephrotic syndrome with early resistance to steroid therapy

The initial and long-term clinical course of six children with steroid-resistant, minimal-lesion nephrotic syndromewas evaluated. All children experienced remission after two to five weeks of combined cyclophosphamide-prednisone therapy. Following cyclophosphamide treatment, three patients have relapsed and have become steroid sensitive. The clinical outcome was quite favorable. These data suggest: (1) cyclophosphamide may induce a prompt remission in patients with minimal glomerular lesions who have early resistance to corticosteroids; (2) relapses which occur after cyclophosphamide should be treated with prednisone alone, even though the patient was previously steroid resistant; (3) the ultimate outcome is related more to the nature of the histopathologic lesion than to a lack of steroid responsiveness.
Morphology of cochlear inner hair cells following outer hair cell destruction by kanamycin intoxication in the chinchilla

Abstract Inner hair cells were examined in cochlear regions of outer hair cell destruction caused by kanamycin intoxication. The majority of inner hair cells were ultrastructurally normal, except that some exhibited a slight increase in inclusion bodies in the region between the cell nucleus and the cuticular plate. Only in the extreme cochlear base, where kanamycin damage was maximal, were major changes in inner hair cell morphology seen: while many inner hair cells were normal in appearance, others showed extrusion of the cuticular plate from the reticular lamina, fusion and/or encapsulation of stereocilia, or distortion of cell body shape. Such damage appeared secondary to changes in structural cells of the organ of Corti.
Calculation of host nuclear relaxation in dilute Kondo alloys for T ⪡ Tk

Abstract We present a microscopic calculation of the host nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate as a function of impurity-host distance r for dilute Kondo alloy at T ⪡ Tk. The net relaxation rate involves two main parts. One, dependent up-on the local conduction electron density of states, exhibits kinematic oscillations which are due to resonant scattering. The other part, due to the impurity spin fluctuations, is shown to dominate the first mechanism allowing the Korringa relation to hold in systems with low Tk (such as Cu:Fe). In Aϑ:Mn both mechanisms are of equal importance, and the net host relaxation rate and the excess Knight shift do not satisfy a Korringa relation.
Optimizing Storage Performance for VM-Based Mobile Computing

This article investigates the transient use of free local storage for improving performance in VM-based mobile computing systems implemented as thick clients on host PCs. We use the term TransientPC systems to refer to these types of systems. The solution we propose, called TransPart, uses the higher-performing local storage of host hardware to speed up performance-critical operations. Our solution constructs a virtual storage device on demand (which we call transient storage) by borrowing free disk blocks from the host’s storage. In this article, we present the design, implementation, and evaluation of a TransPart prototype, which requires no modifications to the software or hardware of a host computer. Experimental results confirm that TransPart offers low overhead and startup cost, while improving user experience.
The cut flow index: an intraoperative predictor of the success of extracranial-intracranial bypass for occlusive cerebrovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE There has been a resurgence of interest in selective extracranial-intracranial bypass for revascularization of cerebrovascular occlusive disease. We evaluated the usefulness of intraoperative blood flow measurements in predicting graft success after extracranial-intracranial bypass. METHODS A retrospective review of 51 cases of extracranial-intracranial bypass for purposes of flow augmentation in the setting of cerebrovascular occlusive disease was performed. In all cases, free flow from the cut end of the donor vessel, termed cut flow, was measured. The cut flow index (CFI) (bypass flow [ml/min] / cut flow [ml/min]) was derived and correlated with bypass patency, postoperative bypass flow, cerebrovascular reserve testing, and clinical outcome. RESULTS The CFI was a significant predictor of bypass patency (P = 0.002). Using a CFI of 0.5 as a threshold, the bypass patency rate was 92% in cases with a CFI greater than 0.5 compared with 50% in cases with a CFI less than 0.5. Intraoperative bypass flow correlated well with postoperative measurements obtained from quantitative phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging. An analysis of cases with a poor CFI indicated that a logical interpretation of bypass function can be performed during surgery. CONCLUSION A poor CFI can alert surgeons to potential difficulties with the donor vessel, anastomosis, or recipient vessel during surgery. Furthermore, a CFI closely approximating 1.0 provides physiological confirmation of impaired cerebrovascular reserve in the recipient bed.
Association of caregiver health beliefs and parenting stress with medication adherence in preschoolers with asthma

AbstractObjective: This study examined the associations of parenting stress and caregiver negative health beliefs with medication adherence in a sample of preschool-aged children with asthma.Methods: Participants included 43 caregivers and their child with asthma, aged 2–5 years, who were prescribed a preventative or controller medication. Assessment included parent report of parenting stress associated with parental characteristics and difficult child behavior, health-related beliefs, and adherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Pharmacy refill records were reviewed to measure medication adherence objectively. Statistical analyses included paired samples t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficients.Results: Parent-report and objective measures of adherence to ICS were significantly different, with parents reporting significantly higher rates of medication adherence (p < 0.001). Also, increased caregiver negative health beliefs, but not parenting stress, were significantly and negatively associated wi...
Log-gamma regression modeling 'through regression trees

This paper investigates a method for fitting piecewise log-gamma regression models to censored survival data. Partitioning is performed using analysis of the distributions of residuals and cross-validation estimates of average squared error. Instead of evaluating the maximum likelihood estimates simultaneously for all the parameters, the regression coefficients and scale parameter are estimated for different fixed values of the shape parameter in each stratum. Likelihood ratio tests for discovering the best parametric regression model among the parametric families of lifetime distributions is performed in each stratum. Thus, the proposed method can identify the model for each subsample if the whole sample consists of subsamples having different regression models. The proposed method is illustrated with real and simulated data
Synthesis and crystal structure of a tubular sexithiophene.

The synthesis of a rigid, tubular sexithiophene is reported. Close intermolecular Cl···Cl interactions play a significant role in defining the crystal structure.
Low-Temperature Growth of Epitaxial Semiconductor Nanostructures and Films

The growth of epitaxial semiconductor nanostructures and films at low temperatures is important for semiconductor technology because it allows the possibility of monolithically integrating different high-performance single-crystalline semiconductor structures directly onto low cost technologically important substrates. At sufficiently low temperatures this can enable, for example, Si or Ge device fabrication on flexible substrates such as plastics. We have studied the reduced-temperature liquid-mediated growth of Ge nanostructures and films on crystalline template layers on non-single-crystalline substrates in a low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) system. The heteroepitaxial process is implemented by the Au seeded vapor-liquidsolid (VLS) catalytic growth technique with germane below 400 oC. Crystalline template layers were prepared with ion-beam-assisted-deposition (IBAD) texturing and electron-beam evaporation on glass substrates. A thin layer of e-beam evaporated Au forms the catalyst layer, upon which we grew Ge films at 386 oC. Scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction results indicated that both Ge islands and nanowires grew heteroepitaxially on the crystalline template layers on glass substrates with good alignment over large areas.
Skeletal low-magnesium calcite in living scleractinian corals.

The skeletons of living specimens of the scleractinian coral Porites lobata have been found to contain up to 46 ± 5 percent low-magnesium calcite even though free of gross detrital inclusions and boring or encrusting organisms. The calcite crystals occur in the interior of skeletal structures, have dimensions of 20 micrometers or less, and are surrounded by typical aragonite needles. Biogenic deposition seems to be the most likely source of the calcite, although the evidence does not rule out diagenesis of metastable.
Correlation of pulmonary hypertension severity with metrics of comorbid sleep-disordered breathing

We performed nocturnal polysomnography in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) of varying etiologies to determine the association of metrics describing sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) with measures of PH severity. Consecutive patients referred for evaluation of dyspnea on exertion and elevated pulmonary arterial pressure >30 mmHg on echocardiography, who underwent right and left heart catheterization and polysomnography, were included. Patients were not pre-selected for symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing. Twenty-eight patients including 22 females and six males with a mean age of 55.2 ± 11.9 years were evaluated. Etiologies of PH were idiopathic (32%) and PH associated with other diseases (68%). Most were World Health Organization (WHO) Functional class II (39%) and III (39%). The group mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) was 40.9 ± 15.1 mmHg. Diurnal resting and exercise arterial oxygen saturations (SaO2) were 94.9 ± 3.7% and 88.3 ± 8.9%. The mean apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) was 11.4 ± 19.8/h; 50% of all patients had an AHI ≥ 5/h; 30.6 ± 36.0% of total sleep time was spent with SaO2 < 90% (T90%); 66% of subjects with an AHI ≥ 5/h of sleep reported snoring, and 60% noted daytime somnolence; however, only 29% had an Epworth Sleepiness Scale ≥10. Right atrial pressure and mPAP were significantly correlated with AHI and T90%. The best predictive model relating PH severity to metrics of SDB was a highly significant association (p = 0.005) between mPAP and a linear combination of AHI and T90%. SDB comprised of obstructive apneas, hypopneas, and nocturnal hypoxemia is prevalent in PH and cannot be accurately predicted by sleep apnea signs and symptoms or diurnal rest and exercise SaO2. The association of AHI and T90% with mPAP suggests a potential relationship between the pathophysiology of sleep-disordered breathing and PH.
Finding Optimal-Path Maps for Path Planning Across Weighted Regions

Optimal-path maps tell robots or people the best way to reach a goal point from anywhere in a known terrain area, eliminating most of the need to plan during travel. The authors address the construction of optimal-path maps for two-dimensional polygonal weighted-region terrain, terrain partitioned into polygonal areas such that the cost per unit of distance traveled is homogeneous and isotropic within each area. This is useful for overland route planning across varied ground surfaces and vegetation. The authors propose a new algorithm that recursively partitions terrain into regions of similar optimal-path behavior, and defines corresponding “path subspaces” for these regions. This process constructs a piecewise-smooth function of terrain position whose gradient direction is everywhere the optimal-path direction, permitting quick path finding. The algorithm used is more complicated than the current path-caching and wavefront-propagation algorithms, but it gives more accurate maps requiring less space to r...
On-Line Musical Beat Tracking with Phase-Locked-Loop (PLL) Techniique

An on-line beat tracking algorithm based on the digital phase-locked-loop (PLL) technique is proposed in this work, which estimates both the music tempo and the position of beat pulses in real time. In addition to a detailed description of the proposed algorithm, we show that the PLL-technique is effective in its tracking performance and simple to implement.
Casein hydrolysate. III. Some functional properties of hydrophobic peptides synthesized from hydrolysate

Abstract Two different kinds of ‘plastein type’ peptide preparations, one dispersible (yield 97%, w/w of total casein) and the other indispersible (yield 3% w/w of total casein) in water, were synthesized by treating casein hydrolysate with papain. These preparations gave similar elusion patterns by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gave large aggregates with electrophoretic mobility, comparable to that of non-modified casein by non-SDS—PAGE. These aggregates were dissociated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), indicating non-covalent interaction. Oil holding capacity of both peptide preparations was significantly improved compared to casein or its hydrolysate. The dispersible peptide preparation was highly soluble at neutral pH and was more thermostable than casein. Emulsion activity and stability of both preparations were decreased.
Flame spectra of the rare-earth elements

Abstract The rare-earth elements, including scandium and yttrium, emit intense line spectra when absolute ethanol solutions of rare-earth halide or perchlorate salts are aspirated into fuel-rich, oxy-acetylene flames. Recordings of the spectra are given, along with the exact wavelengths of about 1200 of the strongest lines. A discussion of the analytical utility of the stronger lines and excitation processes which may account for the appearance of these spectra is included.
Dual high-gain-based adaptive output-feedback control for a class of nonlinear systems†

We propose an adaptive output-feedback controller for a general class of nonlinear triangular (strict-feedback-like) systems. The design is based on our recent results on a new high-gain control design approach utilizing a dual high-gain observer and controller architecture with a dynamic scaling. The technique provides strong robustness properties and allows the system class to contain unknown functions dependent on all states and involving unknown parameters (with no magnitude bounds required). Unlike our earlier result on this problem where a time-varying design of the high-gain scaling parameter was utilized, the technique proposed here achieves an autonomous dynamic controller by introducing a novel design of the observer, the scaling parameter, and the adaptation parameter. This provides a time-invariant dynamic output-feedback globally asymptotically stabilizing solution for the benchmark open problem proposed in our earlier work with no magnitude bounds or sign information on the unknown parameter being necessary. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychopathy in the workplace: The knowns and unknowns

The influx of attention regarding psychopathy in the workplace by media and scholars alike has increased dramatically over the last two decades. Nevertheless, this attention has greatly outstripped the scientific evidence, and strong claims regarding the toxic effects of workplace psychopathy in the absence of research continue unabated. The present article for the first time brings together the diverse and growing scientific literature on the implications of business psychopathy for (a) occupational and academic differences, (b) workplace aggression and counterproductive behavior, (c) ethical decision-making in the corporate world, (d) white-color crime, and (e) leadership. Across these domains, there is preliminary evidence that psychopathy is tied to at least some negative outcomes in the workplace, although there are also scattered suggestions of some positive outcomes. Nevertheless, because of numerous methodological limitations, definitive statements regarding the adverse and adaptive correlates of psychopathy in the workplace are premature. We conclude with 10 recommendations for future scholarship in the budding field of business psychopathy.
Mutagenesis by Near-Visible Light

Mutants resistant to bacter iophage T5 were produced both in continuous and in stationary cultures of Escherichia coli by near-visible light, 320 to 400 millimicrons, at rates greatly exceeding spontaneous rates in the ab sence of light. Aerobic mutation rates were about twice anaerobic rates, which shows that mutations were induced in either of at least two different proces ses. Mutations induced by near-visible light involve different photochemical processes than those induced by ul traviolet light.
Radiopharmaceuticals for CNS receptor imaging with SPECT.

One of the interesting features of the central nervous system (CNS) is the interaction of neurotransmitters and receptors. Releasing of chemical messengers such as dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine, etc. from specific neurons, enables neurons to communicate with other neurons or with target cells. The binding of neurotransmitters and receptors is a key process in the CNS. The receptors are specialized protein complexes that are present in the membranes. There are two classes of receptors, one that mediates changes in membrane conductance and another that mediates changes in the metabolic machinery of the postsynaptic cell. Both processes are essential in neuronal function of the brain (Schwartz, 1985). Eckelman et al. reported in 1979: “Radiotracers that bind to receptors appear to be a potential source of radiopharmaceuticals that could give important information about the changes in receptor concentration or the appearance of receptors as a function of a specific pathologic state” (Eckelman et al., 1979). Indeed, a number of successful receptor binding agents for various receptors have been developed in the past 10 years. Potential CNS receptor imaging agents labeled with radioactive iodine for SPECT imaging have been reported. However, the clinical potential for these agents for measuring changes of receptor concentration in humans remains to be investigated. Basic requirements for a CNS receptor imaging agent are the following:
PTPROt-mediated regulation of p53/Foxm1 suppresses leukemic phenotype in a CLL mouse model.

The gene encoding PTPROt (truncated isoform of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor-type O) is methylated and suppressed in chronic lymphocytc leukemia (CLL). PTPROt exhibits in vitro tumor-suppressor characteristics through the regulation of B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling. Here we generated transgenic (Tg) mice with B-cell-specific expression of PTPROt. Although lymphocyte development is normal in these mice, crossing them with TCL1 Tg mouse model of CLL results in a survival advantage compared with the TCL1 Tg mice. Gene expression profiling of splenic B-lymphocytes before detectable signs of CLL followed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that the most prominently regulated functions in TCL1 Tg vs non-transgenic (NTg) and TCL1 Tg vs PTPROt/TCL1 double Tg are the same and also biologically relevant to this study. Further, enhanced expression of the chemokine Ccl3, the oncogenic transcription factor Foxm1 and its targets in TCL1 Tg mice were significantly suppressed in the double Tg mice, suggesting a protective function of PTPROt against leukemogenesis. This study also showed that PTPROt-mediated regulation of Foxm1 involves activation of p53, a transcriptional repressor of Foxm1, which is facilitated through suppression of BCR signaling. These results establish the in vivo tumor-suppressive function of PTPROt and identify p53/Foxm1 axis as a key downstream effect of PTPROt-mediated suppression of BCR signaling.
MicroRNA in cutaneous wound healing: a new paradigm.

Repair of a defect in the human skin is a highly orchestrated physiological process involving numerous factors that act in a temporally resolved synergistic manner to re-establish barrier function by regenerating new skin. The inducible expression and repression of genes represents a key component of this regenerative process. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ∼22-nucleotide-long endogenously expressed non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of gene products by inhibition of translation and/or transcription in animals. miRNAs play a key role in skin morphogenesis and in regulating angiogenesis. The vascular endothelial growth factor signaling path seems to be under repressor control by miRNAs. Mature miRNA-dependent mechanisms impair angiogenesis in vivo. It is critically important to recognize that the understanding of cutaneous wound healing is incomplete without appreciating the functional significance of wound-induced miRNA. Ongoing work in our laboratory has led to the observation that the cutaneous wound ...
Ratliver cells in culture: Effect of storage, long-term culture, and transformation on some enzyme levels

Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) activities were determined in rat liver cell lines after frozen storage, long-term culture, and transformation in vitro. Levels of AHH activity after 17 months in frozen storage were comparable to levels prior to freezing. During long-term culture the AHH levels of the cell lines tended to decrease. Transformed lines had variable levels of AHH activity. Cell lines retained measurable TAT activity following long-term culture and frozen storage. TAT activity of transformed cells was comparable to that of normal lines. Prolonged frozen storage did not induce transformation up to one year.
Research-Focused Undergraduate Laboratory Exercises in Biomechanics

Undergraduate laboratory exercises in core engineering courses do not always subscribe to the Problem Based Learning approaches advocated by the educational community [1–3]. Common shortcomings include “cookie cutter” labs where students are not engaged in experimental design as well as a general detachment from the “real world” application of the laboratory exercise. Soft skills like proper documentation during experiments as well as scientific writing may also be overlooked in lab curricula. This is unfortunate, as the undergraduate laboratory experience is a perfect opportunity to develop essential research skills as well as inspire and excite students about their chosen field.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Federal Roadblocks: The Constitution and the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact

The National Popular Vote (NPV) interstate compact proposes to change the presidential election system from a state-based federal system to a national popular vote system. NPV proponents contend states can implement the compact without federal governmental authorization. This article addresses the constitutional questions of whether the NPV must obtain Congress's approval and whether Congress has the constitutional authority to grant such approval. In addressing these questions, I review U.S. Supreme Court precedents and constitutional history and find the NPV is the type of compact the Supreme Court would conclude requires congressional approval. Most importantly, I contend Congress is constitutionally unable to grant approval of this compact and the Supreme Court will play an integral role in making this determination.
Time-resolved imaging of oil droplets in highly scattering soil solution

The spatial distribution of small oil droplets inside a 50-mm thick soil solution was imaged with a picosecond time and spatial gated Kerr-Fourier imaging system at a signal level of approximately 10(superscript -11 of the incident illumination intensity.
YinYang bipolar atom and quantum cellular automation — A unification

The concept of YinYang bipolar atom is introduced as a mathematical model for quantum cellular automation. It is shown that the new model provides a springboard to an equilibrium-based interpretation of particle-wave complementarity and a potential unification of matter, antimatter, relativity and quantum mechanics. The impact of this work on the unification of TCM with Western medicine is discussed.
THE GENUS GYMNOASCUS BARANETZKY.

The genusGymnoascusBaranetzky is monographed and found to include five valid species including one previously recognized species,G. reessii, one new combination,G. johnstoni, two new species,G. longitrichus andG. corniculatus, and a species originally described as aGymnoascus but included inMyxotrichum since 1893,G. uncinatus. Twenty species previously described as belonging toGymnoascus are excluded from the genus or are considered as doubtful representatives.
An improved procedure for utilizing terminal transferase to add homopolymers to the 3′ termini of DNA

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (E.C.2.7.7.3.1.) from calf thymus was used to add homopolymer tails to duplex DNA with 3' protruding, even, or 3' recessive ends. A gel electrophoresis method was employed to analyze the tail length and the percent of DNA with tails. In all the tailing reactions, dA, dT, and dC tails from CoCl2-containing buffer were longer than those from MnCl2 - or MgCl2 - containing buffers, whereas dG tails from MnCl2 -containing buffer were the longest. By varying the ratio of dNTP over DNA terminus and the concentration of terminal transferase, optimal conditions were found for adding dG or dC tails of 10-25 nucleotides in length and dA and dT tails of 20-40 nucleotides in length to duplex DNA with all types of 3' termini.
Neutrophilic Fe-Oxidizing Bacteria Are Abundant at the Loihi Seamount Hydrothermal Vents and Play a Major Role in Fe Oxide Deposition

A number of hydrothermal vent sites exist on the summit of the Loihi Seamount, a shield volcano that is part of the Hawaiian archipelago. The vents are 1,100 to 1,325 m below the surface and range in temperature from slightly above ambient (10°C) to high temperature (167°C). The vent fluid is characterized by high concentrations of CO2 (up to 17 mM) and Fe(II) (up to 268 μM), but there is a general paucity of H2S. Most of the vents are surrounded by microbial mats that have a gelatinous texture and are heavily encrusted with rust-colored Fe oxides. Visually, the Fe oxides appeared homogeneous. However, light microscopy revealed that the oxides had different morphologies, which fell into three classes: (i) sheaths, (ii) twisted or irregular filaments, and (iii) amorphous oxides. A morphological analysis of eight different samples indicated that the amorphous oxides were overall the most abundant; however, five sites had >50% sheaths and filamentous oxides. These latter morphologies are most likely the direct result of microbial deposition. Direct cell counts revealed that all of the oxides had abundant microbial populations associated with them, from 6.9 × 107 to 5.3 × 108 cells per ml of mat material. At most sites, end point dilution series for lithotrophic Fe oxidizers were successful out to dilutions of 10−6 and 10−7. A pure culture was obtained from a 10−7 dilution tube; this strain, JV-1, was an obligate, microaerophilic Fe oxidizer that grew at 25 to 30°C. A non-cultivation-based molecular approach with terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism also indicated the common presence of Fe-oxidizing bacteria at Loihi. Together, these results indicate that Fe-oxidizing bacteria are common at the Loihi Seamount and probably play a major role in Fe oxidation. A review of the literature suggests that microbially mediated Fe oxidation at hydrothermal vents may be important globally.
Declarative Network Monitoring with an Underprovisioned Query Processor

Many of the data sources used in stream query processing are known to exhibit bursty behavior. We focus here on passive network monitoring, an application in which the data rates typically exhibit a large peak-to-average ratio. Provisioning a stream query processor to handle peak rates in such a setting can be prohibitively expensive. In this paper, we propose to solve this problem by provisioning the query processor for typical data rates instead of much higher peak data rates. To enable this strategy, we present mechanisms and policies for managing the tradeoffs between the latency and accuracy of query results when bursts exceed the steady-state capacity of the query processor. We describe the current status of our implementation and present experimental results on a testbed network monitoring application to demonstrate the utility of our approach
Studying brain function with near-infrared spectroscopy concurrently with electroencephalography

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used for functional brain imaging by employing properly designed source-detector matrices. We demonstrate that by embedding a NIRS source-detector matrix within an electroencephalography (EEG) standard multi-channel cap, we can perform functional brain mapping of hemodynamic response and neuronal response simultaneously. In this study, the P300 endogenous evoked response was generated in human subjects using an auditory odd-ball paradigm while concurrently monitoring the hemodynamic response both spatially and temporally with NIRS. The electrical measurements showed the localization of evoked potential P300, which appeared around 320 ms after the odd-ball stimulus. The NIRS measurements demonstrate a hemodynamic change in the fronto-temporal cortex a few seconds after the appearance of P300.
Insomnia is frequent in schizophrenia and associated with night eating and obesity.

Abstract Background Sleep difficulties are common in schizophrenia, however these complaints are often overshadowed by more prominent clinical concerns. The point prevalence of insomnia in this population is not well documented. Poor sleep is associated with lower quality of life, impaired cognition, and weight gain. Objectives The objectives of this study are to evaluate the prevalence of insomnia in schizophrenia and to explore the relationship of sleep to cognition, quality of life, and clinical variables. Method 175 outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were assessed for insomnia. Participants were evaluated for sleep difficulties, sleep patterns, body mass index, and psychiatric symptoms. Participants were also administered a brief cognitive assessment of processing speed. Results 44% of the sample currently met the criteria for clinical insomnia. An additional 4% were successfully treated with medications. Insomnia was associated with depression and was an independent predictor of lower quality of life. Insomnia was also associated with high rates of night eating and patients with severe insomnia were significantly more obese. The type of antipsychotic did not account for the difference in body mass index. No difference between group means in cognition was detected, although those with severe insomnia did perform least well. Conclusion Clinical insomnia in outpatients with schizophrenia is highly prevalent and has a negative impact on quality of life and psychiatric symptoms. This study offers additional support to the association between poor sleep and higher weight, as well as indicating a potential link to night eating in this population. Assessment for sleep difficulties should be a routine part of clinical care.
Output Strategies for English‐Language Learners: Theory to Practice

Language production, or output, is not simply a product to demonstrate learning but part of the learning process. The output hypothesis, a theoretical model of second-language acquisition, proposes that second-language learners must produce the language they are learning in order to obtain a level of proficiency similar to that of native speakers. The purpose of this article is to apply the principles of the output hypothesis to language and literacy instruction for English-language learners (ELLs). A brief review of literature related to the input and output hypotheses is presented and is followed by application of the output theory to several common classroom practices. Emphasis is placed on the importance of moving beyond providing input for ELLs and intentionally targeting children's language production. Hypothetical examples of teacher talk and teaching strategies that encourage output are provided.
Endogenous, Tissue-Specific Short Interfering RNAs Silence the Chalcone Synthase Gene Family in Glycine max Seed Coats

Two dominant alleles of the I locus in Glycine max silence nine chalcone synthase (CHS) genes to inhibit function of the flavonoid pathway in the seed coat. We describe here the intricacies of this naturally occurring silencing mechanism based on results from small RNA gel blots and high-throughput sequencing of small RNA populations. The two dominant alleles of the I locus encompass a 27-kb region containing two perfectly repeated and inverted clusters of three chalcone synthase genes (CHS1, CHS3, and CHS4). This structure silences the expression of all CHS genes, including CHS7 and CHS8, located on other chromosomes. The CHS short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) sequenced support a mechanism by which RNAs transcribed from the CHS inverted repeat form aberrant double-stranded RNAs that become substrates for dicer-like ribonuclease. The resulting primary siRNAs become guides that target the mRNAs of the nonlinked, highly expressed CHS7 and CHS8 genes, followed by subsequent amplification of CHS7 and CHS8 secondary siRNAs by RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Most remarkably, this silencing mechanism occurs only in one tissue, the seed coat, as shown by the lack of CHS siRNAs in cotyledons and vegetative tissues. Thus, production of the trigger double-stranded RNA that initiates the process occurs in a specific tissue and represents an example of naturally occurring inhibition of a metabolic pathway by siRNAs in one tissue while allowing expression of the pathway and synthesis of valuable secondary metabolites in all other organs/tissues of the plant.
A twin study of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and chronic widespread pain

Previous studies of the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic widespread pain (CWP) or fibromyalgia have not examined the role of familial or genetic factors. The goals of this study were to determine if symptoms of PTSD are related to CWP in a genetically informative community-based sample of twin pairs, and if so, to ascertain if the association is due to familial or genetic factors. Data were obtained from the University of Washington Twin Registry, which contains 1042 monozygotic and 828 dizygotic twin pairs. To assess the symptoms of PTSD, we used questions from the Impact of Events Scale (IES). IES scores were partitioned into terciles. CWP was defined as pain located in 3 body regions lasting at least 1 week during the past 3 months. Random-effects regression models, adjusted for demographic features and depression, examined the relationship between IES and CWP. IES scores were strongly associated with CWP (P < 0.0001). Compared to those in the lowest IES tercile, twins in the highest tercile were 3.5 times more likely to report CWP. Although IES scores were associated with CWP more strongly among dizygotic than among monozygotic twins, this difference was not significant. Our findings suggest that PTSD symptoms, as measured by IES, are strongly linked to CWP, but this association is not explained by a common familial or genetic vulnerability to both conditions. Future research is needed to understand the temporal association of PTSD and CWP, as well as the physiological underpinnings of this relationship. 2006 International Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Atomistic Simulation Study of Interfaces in Nanophase Silicon

Nanophase silicon was investigated using atomistic simulation. The simulations employed a modified Stillinger-Weber potential appropriate for crystalline and amorphous silicon. Computer “samples” of nanophase material were formed by compressing together three grains of several hundred atoms each, using Fletcher-Powell minimization and external pressures of 0.5 to 13.5 GPa. Relative densities obtained in the samples ranged from 65% to 98% as compared to the perfect crystal. The nanophase materials maintained crystalline order up to the interfaces and no highly disordered interfaces were observed. Calculated bulk moduli exhibited a linear dependence with respect to density, with no significant dependence on structure. The calculated thermal expansion coefficients were up to twice as large as that in the perfect crystal and were structure dependent.
Multiplexed Nanoflares: mRNA Detection in Live Cells

We report the development of the multiplexed nanoflare, a nanoparticle agent that is capable of simultaneously detecting two distinct mRNA targets inside a living cell. These probes are spherical nucleic acid (SNA) gold nanoparticle (Au NP) conjugates consisting of densely packed and highly oriented oligonucleotide sequences, many of which are hybridized to a reporter with a distinct fluorophore label and each complementary to its corresponding mRNA target. When multiplexed nanoflares are exposed to their targets, they provide a sequence specific signal in both extra- and intracellular environments. Importantly, one of the targets can be used as an internal control, improving detection by accounting for cell-to-cell variations in nanoparticle uptake and background. Compared to single-component nanoflares, these structures allow one to determine more precisely relative mRNA levels in individual cells, improving cell sorting and quantification.
Serum biomarker panels for the discrimination of benign from malignant cases in patients with an adnexal mass

Abstract Objectives. The diagnosis of an adnexal mass is a prevalent issue among women in the United States, although current methods of identifying those at high risk of malignancy remain insufficient. Ineffective triage of women with malignant masses is associated with delayed or inappropriate treatment and a negative effect on disease outcome. Methods. We performed an evaluation of 65 ovarian cancer-related biomarkers in the circulation of women diagnosed with an adnexal mass. Our subject group consisted of women diagnosed with benign masses and early- and late-stage ovarian cancer. Results. More than half of the biomarkers tested were found to differ significantly between benign and malignant cases. As individual markers, HE4 and CA-125 provided the greatest level of discrimination between benign and malignant cases, and the combination of these two biomarkers provided a higher level of discriminatory power than either marker considered alone. Multivariate statistical analysis identified several multimarker panels that could discriminate early-stage, late-stage, and combined ovarian cancers from benign cases with similar or slightly improved SN/SP levels to the CA-125/HE4 combination; however, these larger panels could not outperform the 2-biomarker panel in an independent validation set. We also identified a 3-biomarker panel with particular utility in premenopausal women. Conclusions. Our findings serve to advance the development of blood-based screening methods for the discrimination of benign and malignant ovarian masses by confirming and expanding upon the superior utility of the CA-125/HE4 combination.
Direct effect of insulin on the synthesis of specific plasma proteins: biphasic response of hepatocytes cultured in serum- and hormone-free medium

Abstract Monolayers of chicken embryo hepatocytes. cultured in chemically defined medium, retain the ability to synthesize a wide spectrum of plasma proteins for several days in the absence of added hormones. Addition of insulin to the medium elicited a biphasic stimulation of plasma protein synthesis: a rapid response of the synthesis of a limited number of plasma proteins (e.g., albumin and alpha 1-globulin "M"), then, after prolonged exposure to the hormone, the involvement of additional plasma proteins (e.g., fibrinogen and lipoproteins). Synthesis of transferrin and a few other plasma proteins was not affected by the presence of insulin. The degree of stimulation for the most response plasma proteins ranged between 2- to 4-fold during the early phase and 10- and even 30-fold during the late phase of the cells' response t insulin. Stimulated synthesis in the early phase was detected within 1 hr and was rapidly reversible. Plasma protein synthesis in culture was sensitive to concentrations of insulin below 0.35 nM, well within the physiological range. The delayed response was elicited only at higher hormone levels. Parallels between the control of synthesis of plasma proteins in this system and that observed in diabetic animals suggest that the embryonic chicken hepatocytes may be a useful model for studying liver function in diabetes as well as insulin action in general.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis: a review and update on therapeutic developments

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic, cholestatic, idiopathic liver disease characterized by fibro-obliterative inflammation of the hepatic bile ducts. In a clinically significant proportion of patients, PSC progresses to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and in some cases, cholangiocarcinoma. Despite clinical trials of nearly 20 different pharmacotherapies over several decades, safe and effective medical therapy, albeit critically needed, remains to be established. PSC is pathogenically complex, with genetic, immune, enteric microbial, environmental and other factors being potentially involved and, thus, not surprisingly, it manifests as a clinically heterogeneous disease with a relatively unpredictable course. It is likely that this complexity and clinical heterogeneity are responsible for the negative results of clinical trials, but novel insights about and approaches to PSC may shift this trend. The authors herein provide a review of previously tested pharmacologic agents, discuss emerging fundamental concepts and present viewpoints regarding how identifying therapies for PSC may evolve over the next several years.