cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formation of Super Arrays of Periodic Nanoparticles and Aligned ZnO Nanorods - Simulation and Experiments

It had been demonstrated that large-scale honeycomb-like nanoparticle arrays could be fabricated inexpensively by the process of monolayer nanosphere self-assembly. Here we report that a double-layer masking procedure can be effectively used to overcome the restriction of honeycomb order in an array resulted from a monolayer mask. By varying the relative angle between the two layers, different arrangement of nanoparticles could be obtained. The relative angle can be directly controlled with the aid of diffraction patterns from illuminating the layers by a laser beam. Experimental results were fully confirmed by computer simulations. Using these nanoparticles as catalysts, we have grown arrays of aligned ZnO nanorods with various orders.
A characterization of the BALB/c λ and κ class antibodies to α(1,3) glycosidic linkages

Abstract The avidity relationships of κ and λ antibodies with specificity for the glucosyl-α(1,3)-glucose disaccharide epitope were compared using a solid-phase hapten inhibition assay. The κ class antibodies, induced by the T-cell-dependent antigen, nigerosyl-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (N-KLH), and the λ class antibodies, induced by the T-cell-independent antigen, Dextran B1355, were only marginally distinguishable (≅10-fold) on the basis of hapten inhibition using the free disaccharide, nigerose, as inhibitor. Analysis of the binding site sizes of antibodies induced by N-KLH through inhibition with oligosaccharides of different sizes showed that the disaccharide protein antigen did not select for antibodies with smaller binding site sizes. The cellular basis for these findings is discussed.
A Spectral Vanishing Viscosity Method for Large-Eddy Simulations

A new simulation approach for high Reynolds number turbulent flows is developed, combining concepts of monotonicity in nonlinear conservation laws with concepts of large-eddy simulation. The spectral vanishing viscosity (SVV), first introduced by E. Tadmor SIAM J. Numer. Anal.26, 30 (1989), is incorporated into the Navier?Stokes equations for controlling high-wavenumber oscillations. Unlike hyperviscosity kernels, the SVV approach involves a second-order operator which can be readily implemented in standard finite element codes. In the work presented here, discretization is performed using hierarchical spectral/hp methods accommodating effectively an ab initio intrinsic scale separation. The key result is that monotonicity is enforced via SVV leading to stable discretizations without sacrificing the formal accuracy, i.e., exponential convergence, in the proposed discretization. Several examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new approach including a comparison with eddy-viscosity spectral LES of turbulent channel flow. In its current implementation the SVV approach for controlling the small scales is decoupled from the large scales, but a procedure is proposed that will provide coupling similar to the classical LES formulation.
435 DEVELOPMENT OF STEROIDOGENIC ENZYMES IN PIG TESTES DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF LIFE

To evaluate androgen synthetic pathways in newborn pigs, we isolated microsomes from testes of 2, 6, 10 and 14 day old pigs. Microsomes were incubated with (7- 3H) pregnenolone and/or (4-14C) progesterone. After extraction with ethyl acetate products were identified by co-chromatography with authentic steroids. In contrast to rat and human testicular microsomes, the major products were 5, 16-androstadien-3B-ol (I) and 4, 16-androstadien-3-one (II) from pregnenolone and progesterone respectively. The ratio of I to II decreased with age indicating that 3B-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity had increased during the first 2 weeks of life. Other products included dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione, but not testosterone. Although 17-ketosteroid reductase was found in testicular microsomes from boars, it was not present in testicular microsomes from newborn pigs. Conclusion: The enzymes for the production of I and II are present in testes from newborn pigs. Thus these compounds, which represent 75% of the androgens produced by boars, can also be produced during the newborn period. The production of these compounds and the difference in subcellular localization of 17-ketosteroid reductase are two significant differences in the steroidogenic processes in the testes between piglets and boars or humans.
Photoperiod-temperature interactions on liver and plasma metabolites in the goldfish, Carassius auratus

Abstract 1. 1. Plasma and liver metabolites were measured in goldfish after 3 weeks acclimation to one of four different photoperiod-temperature regimes (16L/8D-22°C; 16L/8D-13°C; 8L/16D-22°C; 8L/16D-13°C) during September and April. Samples were taken at the mid-light and mid-dark point of each photoregime. 2. 2. Photoperiod altered levels of plasma protein and plasma cholesterol. 3. 3. Temperature affected the levels of liver glycogen, plasma glucose, organic bound phosphorus and protein. 4. 4. Time of sampling was important in assessing both photoperiod and temperature effects on metabolites. 5. 5. Interaction between photoperiod and temperature was observed in the levels of liver glycogen and plasma glucose. The interaction was dependent on sampling time. 6. 6. Seasonal differences were noted in the day-night variation of specific metabolites and of the photoperiod effects on plasma cholesterol levels.
Development of One-Group and Two-Group Interfacial Area Transport Equation

A dynamic approach employing the interfacial area transport equation is presented to replace the static flow regime dependent correlations for the interfacial area concentration. The current study ...
Effects of residual stress and orientation on the fatigue of injection molded polysulfone

The tensile fatigue behavior of unnotched injection molded polysulfone specimens has been investigated. The effects of orientation and residual stress were studied by comparing asmolded specimens with annealed or annealed and quenched specimens with a known residual stress pattern. The treatments are shown to have differing effects at high stresses, where failure is by shear yielding and necking, and at intermediate stresses, where failure is by fatigue crack propagation. The geometries of fatigue cracks are described for each case. An attempt is made to separate the effects of crack and craze initiation from crack propagation, and cyclic loading from cumulative time under load.
Policy watch: the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.

This short feature describes the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP), which provides health insurance benefits to active and retired federal employees and their dependents. The article discusses the FEHBP as a touchstone for research on employment-based health insurance and as a touchstone for health policy reform.
An Improved Method for Recording Tail Skin Temperature in the Rat Reveals Changes During the Estrous Cycle and Effects of Ovarian Steroids

In the rat, tail skin vasomotion is a primary heat loss mechanism that can be monitored by changes in tail skin temperature (TSKIN). Previous studies showed that ovariectomy and estrogen replacement modify TSKIN in the rat. Based on these findings, the ovariectomized (OVX) rat has been used as a model to study the mechanisms and treatment of menopausal hot flushes. It is not known, however, if TSKIN changes across the estrous cycle in intact rats. Here, we describe an improved method for monitoring TSKIN in freely moving rats using a SubCue Mini datalogger mounted on the ventral surface of the tail. This method is noninvasive, cost-effective, and does not require restraints or tethering. We observed a distinct pattern of TSKIN across the estrous cycle characterized by low TSKIN on proestrous night. To determine whether this pattern was secondary to secretion of ovarian steroids, we monitored the thermoregulatory effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) and E2 plus progesterone, administered via SILASTIC capsules to ...
Experiments to determine the force of gravity on single electrons and positrons.

Gravitational force measurement on electrons and positrons in free fall through vertical metal tubes at low temperatures
Predicting inhibition of dehydroquinate synthase

Abstract Computational molecular superimposition studies predicted that a carbaphosphonate would be a likely inhibitor of 3-dehydroquinate synthase prior to the molecule's synthesis. Mechanistic implications of the enzyme inhibition subsequently observed are discussed.
Competitive Exclusion in Forest Trees

AYALA1 demonstrated experimentally that two species of Drosophila competing for limited food and space can coexist. Based on this evidence, he rejected the principle of competitive exclusion (Gause's principle), which states that two species cannot coexist indefinitely if they compete for the same limited resources; that is, if they occupy the same ecological niche. He suggests that competitive coexistence in Drosophila is allowed by (1) differences between the two species in competitive fitness of the larval and adult stages, and (2) the inverse dependency of each species' competitive ability on its relative frequency or population density2. In his two articles, Ayala reviews and cites the literature pertaining to competitive exclusion in animals.
Effects of fluorine substitution on the edge-to-face interaction of the benzene dimer.

To gain some insight into the effects of fluorination on the aromatic−aromatic interactions found in protein−ligand complexes, like those observed in the set of N-(4-sulfamylbenzoyl)benzylamine (SBB) inhibitors bound to Human Carbonic Anhydrase II (HCAII), we have produced potential energy curves for the edge-to-face interactions of a set of fluorinated benzene dimer compounds. All calculations were carried out at the MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ level of theory using the counterpoise method of Boys and Bernardi (Boys, S. F.; Bernardi, F. Mol. Phys. 1970, 19, 553) to account for the basis set superposition error. Fluorine substitutions are made onto the face molecule of the edge-to-face benzene dimer. As one might expect, the substitution of additional fluorines into this system generally resulted in a decrease of the binding energy. It was also found that the positioning of the fluorine substituents on isosubstituted compounds has a large effect on the total binding energy of these types of systems. More specifically...
Microfluidic platforms for RNA interference screening of virus–host interactions

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool for functional genomics with the capacity to comprehensively analyze host-pathogen interactions. High-throughput RNAi screening is used to systematically perturb cellular pathways and discover therapeutic targets, but the method can be tedious and requires extensive capital equipment and expensive reagents. To aid in the development of an inexpensive miniaturized RNAi screening platform, we have developed a two part microfluidic system for patterning and screening gene targets on-chip to examine cellular pathways involved in virus entry and infection. First, a multilayer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based spotting device was used to array siRNA molecules into 96 microwells targeting markers of endocytosis, along with siRNA controls. By using a PDMS-based spotting device, we remove the need for a microarray printer necessary to perform previously described small scale (e.g. cellular microarrays) and microchip-based RNAi screening, while still minimizing reagent usage tenfold compared to conventional screening. Second, the siRNA spotted array was transferred to a reversibly sealed PDMS-based screening platform containing microchannels designed to enable efficient cell loading and transfection of mammalian cells while preventing cross-contamination between experimental conditions. Validation of the screening platform was examined using Vesicular stomatitis virus and emerging pathogen Rift Valley fever virus, which demonstrated virus entry pathways of clathrin-mediated endocytosis and caveolae-mediated endocytosis, respectively. The techniques here are adaptable to other well-characterized infection pathways with a potential for large scale screening in high containment biosafety laboratories.
Learned illness behavior and adjustment to arthritis.

Objective To evaluate the effects of parents' avoidant illness behaviors on their adult children's adjustment to arthritis. Methods Men and women attending a rheumatology clinic completed arthritis health status questionnaires and described how their parents generally responded to their own minor illnesses. Some participants rated their parents as never avoiding routine activities when confronting minor illness and were assigned to the non-avoidant group. Participants in the avoidant group reported that their parents avoided routine activities in response to minor illness. Those in the mixed group rated one parent as avoidant and the other parent as non-avoidant. Results Relative to the non-avoidant group, participants in the avoidant group reported more behavioral restrictions, helplessness, and depression. All groups were similar with respect to disease severity. Conclusion Even after the passage of several decades, early observations of parents' illness behaviors appear to affect adjustment to arthritis.
Agammaglobulinemia and absent B lineage cells in a patient lacking the p85α subunit of PI3K

Whole exome sequencing was used to determine the causative gene in patients with B cell defects of unknown etiology. A homozygous premature stop codon in exon 6 of PIK3R1 was identified in a young woman with colitis and absent B cells. The mutation results in the absence of p85α but normal expression of the p50α and p55α regulatory subunits of PI3K. Bone marrow aspirates from the patient showed <0.1% CD19+ B cells with normal percentages of TdT+VpreB+CD19− B cell precursors. This developmental block is earlier than that seen in patients with defects in the B cell receptor signaling pathway or in a strain of engineered mice with a similar defect in p85α. The number and function of the patient’s T cells were normal. However, Western blot showed markedly decreased p110δ, as well as absent p85α, in patient T cells, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. The patient had normal growth and development and normal fasting glucose and insulin. Mice with p85α deficiency have insulin hypersensitivity, defective platelet function, and abnormal mast cell development. In contrast, the absence of p85α in the patient results in an early and severe defect in B cell development but minimal findings in other organ systems.
Effects of harvest and selected cartilage repair procedures on the physical and biochemical properties of articular cartilage in the canine knee

This study utilizes a canine model to quantify changes in articular cartilage 15-18 weeks after a knee joint is subjected to surgical treatment of isolated chondral defects. Clinical and experimental treatment of articular cartilage defects may include implantation of matrix materials or cells, or both. Three cartilage repair methods were evaluated: microfracture, microfracture and implantation of a type-II collagen matrix, and implantation of an autologous chondrocyte-seeded collagen matrix. The properties of articular cartilage in other knee joints subjected to harvest of articular cartilage from the trochlear ridge (to obtain cells for the cell-seeded procedure) were also evaluated. Physical properties (thickness, equilibrium compressive modulus, dynamic compressive stiffness, and streaming potential) and biochemical composition (hydration, glycosaminoglycan content, and DNA content) of the cartilage from sites distant to the surgical treatment were compared with values measured for site-matched controls in untreated knee joints. No significant differences were seen in joints subjected to any of the three cartilage repair procedures. However, a number of changes were induced by the harvest operation. The largest changes (displaying up to 3-fold increases) were seen in dynamic stiffness and streaming potential of patellar groove cartilage from joints subjected to the harvest procedure. Whether the changes reported will lead to osteoarthritic degeneration is unknown, but this study provides evidence that the harvest procedure associated with autologous cell transplantation for treatment of chondral defects may result in changes in the articular cartilage in the joint.
Lessons learned from Miki.

Characteristics of the increasing effect for the concentration of intracellular calcium ions ([Ca2+]i) by high-KCl application were investigated in the neuroblastoma×glioma hybrid NG108-15 cell line (NG108-15 cells). The present study confirmed that the increasing effect of [Ca2+]i by high-KCl application in single NG108-15 cells, differentiated with dibutyryl cAMP (Bt2cAMP), was significantly enhanced, compared to undifferentiated cells. The following observations were made at first: (1) The response to high-KCl application, in both undifferentiated and differentiated cells, was significantly inhibited by calciseptine (CaS), an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, but not by N-, P- and R-type Ca2+ channel blockers. The IC50 values for CaS in both undifferentiated and differentiated cell was almost identical. (2) The inhibitory effect of CaS was irreversible. (3) The increasing effect for [Ca2+]i by high-KCl application was completely dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium ions. (4) The increased [Ca2+]i by high-KCl application under a plateau concentration was quickly decreased to basal levels when the high-KCl solution was exchanged for a high-KCl solution containing EGTA (without CaCl2). Together, these results suggest that the enhancement of the response effect of [Ca2+]i by high-KCl application in differentiated single NG108-15 cells was mainly due to the quantitative increase of L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCCs), which were irreversibly inhibited by CaS.
An Investigation of Low-Impedance Low-Voltage Shocks

Low voltages (0 to 240 volts) shock hazards and biological fibrillation thresholds are reviewed from the standpoint of improving the existing data base. The principal uncertainties with existing data are the impedances of the human body under low-voltage low-impedance source shock conditions, and the relationships between lethal thresholds observed in animal tests and the scaling of this observed data to humans.
A case study of long-term Delphi accuracy

Abstract We evaluated the long-term accuracy of predictions from a Delphic poll of the future of the mental health profession [1]. Six hundred participants provided predictions about the likely occurrence and probable time courses for 18 scenarios that could possibly have occurred over the 30-year interval between 1981 to present. Each of the panelists was polled twice with distributional feedback from the first poll provided on the second poll questionnaires. The data from the second polling was used to make predictions regarding the future of various issues that may have affected the mental health profession over the forecast interval. It has now been 30 years since the original poll was conducted; the purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the original group predictions. Results indicated that the Delphi panelists correctly predicted the occurrence of 14/18 scenarios. For those scenarios that did occur, the time course predictions were accurate within approximately 1–5 years.
Thermoelastic theory for the response of materials functionally graded in two directions

A recently developed micromechanical theory for the thermoelastic response of functionally graded composites with nonuniform fiber spacing in the through-thickness direction is further extended to enable analysis of material architectures characterized by arbitrarily nonuniform fiber spacing in two directions. In contrast to currently employed micromechanical approaches applied to functionally graded materials, which decouple the local and global effects by assuming the existence of a representative volume element at every point within the composite, the new theory explicitly couples the local and global effects. The analytical development is based on volumetric averaging of the various field quantities, together with imposition of boundary and interfacial conditions in an average sense. Results are presented that illustrate the capability of the derived theory to capture local stress gradients at the free edge of a laminated composite plate due to the application of a uniform temperature change. It is further shown that it is possible to reduce the magnitude of these stress concentrations by a proper management of the microstructure of the composite plies near the free edge. Thus by an appropriate tailoring of the microstructure it is possible to reduce or prevent the likelihood of delamination at free edges of standard composite laminates.
Design of a fast mass dependent trigger

Abstract For a recent Fermilab experiment on the production of muon pairs with hadron beams, we constructed a fast processor based on ECL integrated circuits to calculate the invariant mass of a pair of muons within 100 ns after an event. This provided a trigger which rejected low mass events (
Capsaicin-sensitive vagal afferents contribute to gastric acid and vascular responses to intracisternal TRH analog

Abstract Central injection of TRH or its stable analog, RX77368, produces a vagal cholinergic stimulation of gastric acid secretion, mucosal blood flow and motor function. In the present study, we have investigated the contribution of capsaicin-sensitive vagal afferent fibers to the gastric responses to intracisternal injection of RX77368. Gastric acid secretion, measured in acute gastric fistula rats anesthetized with urethane,in response to intracisternal injection of RX77368 (3–30 ng) was reduced by 21–65% by perineural pretreatment of the vagus nerves with capsaicin 10–20 days before experiments. The increase in gastric mucosal blood flow measured by hydrogen gas clearance induced by intracisternal injection of RX77368 (30 ng) was also reduced by 65% in capsaicin-pretreated rats. In contrast, increases in gastric motor function measured manometrically or release of gastric luminal serotonin in response to intracisternal injection of RX77368 (3–30 ng) were unaltered by capsaicin pretreatment. The mechanism by which vagal afferent fibers contribute to the secretory and blood flow responses to the stable TRH analog is unclear at present, but it is possible that the decrease in gastric mucosal blood flow by lesion of capsaicin-sensitive vagal afferents limits the secretory response.
Electron bremsstrahlung from neutral atoms

The complete energy spectrum for electron bremsstrahlung has been obtained, by using a numerical calculation in partial waves with numerical potentials corresponding to neutral atoms. Sample spectra are presented for electrons of kinetic energy 50 keV incident on Au and Al. The connections between elastic electron scattering and the low-frequency region of the bremsstrahlung spectrum and between photoeffect and the high-frequency region of the bremsstrahlung spectrum are demonstrated.
A dynamic regular data broadcasting plan in wireless mobile environment

The broadcast problem including the plan design is considered. The data are inserted and numbered into customized size relations at a predefined order. The server ability to create a full, regular Broadcast Plan (RBP) with single and multiple channels after some data transformations is examined. The Basic Regular Algorithm (BRA) prepares an RBP and enables the users to catch their items avoiding energy waste of their devices. The Binary Grouping Dimensioning Algorithm (BGDA), based on integrated relations, can guarantee the discrimination of services with a minimum number of channels. Both of these algorithms provide static solutions to the RBP problem. The Partition Value Algorithm (PVA) works with more parameters and builds the grouping under the multiplicity constraint providing dynamic solutions with minimum number of channels as well. This last property, in addition to the self-monitoring, and self-organizing, can be offered by servers today providing also channel availability and lower energy consumption by using smaller number of channels. The RBP offers advantages over the flat design and discrimination of services. Simulation results are provided.
Aggressive behavior among girls and boys during middle childhood: predictors and sequelae of trajectory group membership

Using longitudinal data spanning early elementary through middle school, aggression behavior trajectory groups were identified for boys and girls. Early elementary school predictors of trajectory group membership were examined as well as whether trajectory group predicted physical aggression, covert delinquency, and substance use in 9th grade. Semiparametric group modeling identified aggression behavior trajectory groups. We identified four aggression trajectory groups for both genders described as "not involved," "low," "moderate," and "high." Attention problems, family conflict, and low school commitment and attachment were predictors of membership in higher aggression groups for both boys and girls. Low family involvement and low parental education predicted membership in higher aggression groups for boys; while depression, low-income status, and having a single parent predicted higher aggression group membership for girls. For both boys and girls, few risk predictors distinguished between the moderate and high aggression trajectories except that low school commitment and having a teen mother were significant predictors of being in the high group for girls, and low parental education and income were significant predictors of being in the high group for boys. Membership in the higher aggression trajectory groups predicted involvement in violent behaviors, covert delinquency, and substance use in 9th grade. Findings suggest that children who display an early trajectory of high levels of aggressive behavior are more likely to continue involvement in later problem behaviors. Second-grade predictors suggest commonality of risk across genders and provide evidence of modifiable targets for preventive interventions. Language: en
Failure Investigation of LiFePO4 Cells under Overcharge Conditions

The failure mechanism of commercial A123 18650 LiFePO4 battery in the overcharge failure process at 1C and 110% SOC has been studied. It has been shown the battery failed quickly after 11 cycles with an increasing surface temperature. The battery surface temperature and capacity were monitored and analyzed during overcharge testing. A special home-designed three-electrode A123 18650 LiFePO4 cell with Li metal as reference electrode was made to monitor the voltage of anode, cathode and full cell respectively in the 10% overcharge process. It was found that, during the normal cycle, the anode and cathode voltages were from -0.25 V to 0.25 V and 2.60 V to 4.50 V respectively, while in the 10% overcharge process, the anode voltage was between -0.4V to 0.22V (vs. Li/Li + ) and the cathode voltage changed from 2.20 V to 4.86 V (vs. Li/Li + ). The overcharge failure was studied using SEM and EDX. It was found that coding spots appeared in the anode side. Fe, Ni and Ge were found only in the coding spots by performing EDX, indicating the micro shorting by metal dendrite is the main reason of the failure of battery during the 10% overcharge process. It could be concluded from the results of High Energy Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction (HESXRD) that Fe was not from the decomposition of LiFePO4. A half cell cyclic voltammograms experiment was also carried out for further understanding of the behavior of iron corrosion. The potential of Fe/Fe 2+ oxidation/reduction pair in the LiPF6/EC-EMC electrolyte system was found to be 2.2 V/2.7 V. It was concluded that Fe cations could not only be reduced on the surface of graphite, but also at the cathode side during the overcharge process. Compared with normal cycle, under the overcharge process, the impurities containing iron in the raw material was more conducted to dendrite formation leading to micro-shorting because of the wider reduction voltage range in the overcharge process.
Histone Acetylation and Gene Expression Analysis of Sex lethal Mutants in Drosophila

The evolution of sex determination mechanisms is often accompanied by reduction in dosage of genes on a whole chromosome. Under these circumstances, negatively acting regulatory genes would tend to double the expression of the genome, which produces compensation of the single-sex chromosome and increases autosomal gene expression. Previous work has suggested that to reduce the autosomal expression to the female level, these dosage effects are modified by a chromatin complex specific to males, which sequesters a histone acetylase to the X. The reduced autosomal histone 4 lysine 16 (H4Lys16) acetylation results in lowered autosomal expression, while the higher acetylation on the X is mitigated by the male-specific lethal complex, preventing overexpression. In this report, we examine how mutations in the principal sex determination gene, Sex lethal (Sxl), impact the H4 acetylation and gene expression on both the X and autosomes. When Sxl expression is missing in females, we find that the sequestration occurs concordantly with reductions in autosomal H4Lys16 acetylation and gene expression on the whole. When Sxl is ectopically expressed in Sxl(M) mutant males, the sequestration is disrupted, leading to an increase in autosomal H4Lys16 acetylation and overall gene expression. In both cases we find relatively little effect upon X chromosomal gene expression.
Can Die Configuration Influence Field‐Assisted Sintering of Oxides in the SPS Process?

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) is a high current, low voltage process. Nevertheless, the system voltage (3–10 V) can be large enough to produce significant fields across a thin, insulating sample. A lumped circuit model is analyzed to estimate the magnitude of this field in terms of the die geometry. Normalizing the sample voltage with respect to the system voltage, and the die wall thickness to the punch radius preserves generality of the results. It is predicted that if the latter ranges from 0.15 to 0.25, then 30% of the system voltage may be expressed across the sample. Thus, a sample thickness of about 1–2 mm may experience a field of 10–30 V/cm, which would be large enough to induce field-assisted sintering in yttria-stabilized zirconia. The results are corroborated with finite element analysis. The contact resistance is assumed to be negligible; finite values of the contact resistance would lead to fields that are higher than predicted.
THE IMPORTANCE OF 99m-Tc DMSA RENAL SCINTIGRAPHY IN EVALUATION OF RENAL LESIONS IN CHILDREN WITH ACUTE PYELONEPHRITIS

Urinary tract infection (UTI) may lead to irreversible changes in renal parenchyma. Early diagnosis using scintigraphy with technetium-99 m -labeled dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan and early treatment may decrease or prevent development of renal parenchymal lesions. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of renal parenchymal lesion in children admitted with a first-time symptomatic UTI and to evaluate the relation between renal parenchymal damage and severity of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). A total of 102 children with first time acute pyelonephritis (APN) were enrolled in the study. All children studied with DMSA scan and ultrasonography (US). Voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) was performed in 98 children when urine culture became negative. Changes on the DMSA scan and US were found in 178 (88%) and 5 (2.4%) out of 203 renal units during the acute phase, respectively. All abnormal renal units on US showed severe parenchymal involvement on DMSA. We also found significant correlation between severity of VUR and abnormal US results on kidneys. Of 40 kidneys with reflux, 38 (95%) were found to have abnormal renal scan. Among 155 kidneys with non-refluxing ureters 132 (85.2%) revealed parenchymal changes on renal cortical scintigraphy. Kidneys with moderate to severe reflux were more likely to have severe renal involvement. We found a high incidence of renal parenchymal changes in children with APN. Additionally, renal involvement was significantly higher in children with moderate to severe reflux. When there are high-grade VUR and female gender, the risk of renal parenchymal involvement is higher.
Pseudo-pilot OFDM scheme for 802.11a and R/A in DSRC applications

A pseudo-pilot scheme is proposed for 802.11a and 802.11R/A (roadside applications version) in DSRC (dedicated short range communication) applications. The scheme overcomes the shortcomings of the original IEEE 802.11a standard by substituting pilots in selected data slots for channel equalization; at the receiver, the pilots are removed and random data inserted. It is shown that the technique is very effective in addressing the high mobility DSRC environment with minor changes to the 802.11a and R/A physical layer.
Earnings and Pension Compensation: The Effect of Eligibility

Pension compensation is shown to rise with age and tenure until the worker becomes eligible to receive benefits. At this point, pension compensation drops sharply. If workers are paid their marginal product in each period, earnings grow at a lower rate prior to eligibility but must increase when the worker reaches the age of eligibility. This hypothesis is tested using data from the Retirement History Study, and earnings are found to rise significantly after eligibility. This finding supports the concept of spot market compensation and is in direct conflict with the predictions of Lazear-type lifetime contracts.
Features of the Java commodity grid kit.

SUMMARY In this paper we report on the features of the Java Commodity Grid Kit. The Java CoG Kit provides middleware for accessing Grid functionality from the Java framework. Java CoG Kit middleware is general enough to design a variety of advanced Grid applications with quite different user requirements. Access to the Grid is established via Globus protocols, allowing the Java CoG Kit to communicate also with the C Globus reference implementation. Thus, the Java CoG Kit provides Grid developers with the ability to utilize the Grid, as well as numerous additional libraries and frameworks developed by the Java community to enable network, Internet, enterprise, and peer-to-peer computing. A variety of pr ojects have successfully used the client libraries of the Java CoG Kit to access Grids driven by the C Globus software. In this paper we also report on the efforts to develop serverside Java CoG Kit components. As part of this research we have implemented a prototype pure Java resource management system that enables one to run Globus jobs on platforms on which a Java virtual machine is supported, including Windows NT machines.
Multiple Structural Maintenance of Chromosome Complexes at Transcriptional Regulatory Elements

Transcription factors control cell-specific gene expression programs by binding regulatory elements and recruiting cofactors and the transcription apparatus to the initiation sites of active genes. One of these cofactors is cohesin, a structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) complex that is necessary for proper gene expression. We report that a second SMC complex, condensin II, is also present at transcriptional regulatory elements of active genes during interphase and is necessary for normal gene activity. Both cohesin and condensin II are associated with genes in euchromatin and not heterochromatin. The two SMC complexes and the SMC loading factor NIPBL are particularly enriched at super-enhancers, and the genes associated with these regulatory elements are especially sensitive to reduced levels of these complexes. Thus, in addition to their well-established functions in chromosome maintenance during mitosis, both cohesin and condensin II make important contributions to the functions of the key transcriptional regulatory elements during interphase.
Large eddy simulation study of turbulent flow around smooth and rough domes

Large eddy simulation of turbulent flow around smooth and rough hemispherical domes was conducted. The roughness of the rough dome was generated by a special approach using quadrilateral solid blocks placed alternately on the dome surface. It was shown that this approach is capable of generating the roughness effect with a relative success. The subgrid-scale model based on the transport of the subgrid turbulent kinetic energy was used to account for the small scales effect not resolved by large eddy simulation. The turbulent flow was simulated at a subcritical Reynolds number based on the approach free stream velocity, air properties, and dome diameter of 1.4 × 105. Profiles of mean pressure coefficient, mean velocity, and its root mean square were predicted with good accuracy. The comparison between the two domes showed different flow behavior around them. A flattened horseshoe vortex was observed to develop around the rough dome at larger distance compared with the smooth dome. The separation phenomenon...
An equivalence principle-based plane wave excitation in time/envelope-domain finite-element analysis

A rigorous approach is proposed to excite plane waves in time/envelope domain finite-element methods with perfectly matched layer (PML) termination. The essential idea is to apply the equivalence principle on an inner boundary. The radiation of the equivalent electrical and magnetic current sources forms plane wave incidence inside the boundary and zero field outside the boundary. It provides a concise, computationally efficient, and physically clear way to implement plane wave incidence for electromagnetic scattering problems.
Solution spinning and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol)/soybean protein blend fibers

Soybean protein/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) blend fibers were processed using wet spinning, after modifying the protein solution by thermal denaturation without alkali. Dynamic mechanical properties as well as scanning electron microscopy studies suggest compatibility between PVA and soybean protein. The effect of crosslinking agent, crosslinking time, and heat-treatment temperature on the mechanical properties of blend fibers was studied. The soybean protein fibers or the blend fibers containing less than 40% PVA were unoriented amorphous, whereas the blend fibers containing more than 40% PVA exhibited the crystalline structure of PVA. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 716–721, 2003
Phase II metabolic pathways of spectinamide antitubercular agents: a comparative study of the reactivity of 4-substituted pyridines to glutathione conjugation

Spectinamides are promising new semisynthetic anti-tubercular agents that are modified with a pyridyl side chain, which blocks native efflux from the tuberculosis cell. This study, describes the stability of an advanced panel of spectinamide analogs, with varying substitutions to the pyridyl side chain, to Phase-II conjugative metabolism by glucuronosyl transferase, sulfotransferase and glutathione-S-transferase enzymes using both human and rat S9 enzyme fractions. All solely 5-substituted pyridyl spectinamides exhibited complete stability towards Phase II conjugative enzymes. However, 4-chloro substituted pyridyl spectinamides were susceptible to glutathione conjugation with rates dependent on other substitutions to the pyridine ring. Electron donating 5-substitutions increased the propensity for glutathione conjugation and conversely the introduction of an electron withdrawing 5-fluoro group blocked all observed glutathione conjugation. Based on these Phase II metabolism studies, lead spectinamides 1329, 1445, 1599, 1661 and 1810 were found to have favorable properties for potential lead compounds with no Phase II liabilities.
Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment of Verrucae Vulgares

A report is presented on the use of the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser for the removal of recalcitrant warts of hands and feet of 27 patients. Of the 27 patients 22 (81%) required only one laser treatment to eradicate warts and remain free of lesions at the 6-month follow-up visit. The other patients required up to 3 retreatments with the laser during the first 6 months to remain free of lesions at a 6-month follow-up. The CO2 laser provided a bloodless surgical field, accurate control, minimal postoperative pain, and decreased postoperative infection. The authors conclude that, while the CO2 laser is not without its disadvantages, it should be considered an important adjunct in the treatment of difficult, widespread, or recalcitrant verrucae.
Protection of gerbils from amebic liver abscess by immunization with the galactose-specific adherence lectin of Entamoeba histolytica.

Abstract No protective antigens from Entamoeba histolytica have been previously defined. We tested the ability of the galactose-specific adherence lectin of E. histolytica to elicit a protective immune response in conjunction with Freund's incomplete and complete adjuvants. The gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) model of an experimental amebic liver abscess was used. Gerbils were immunized intraperitoneally or subcutaneously with 10 micrograms of the affinity-purified lectin in complete Freund's adjuvant and then at 2 and 4 weeks with 10 micrograms of the lectin in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. All of the immunized animals developed antilectin antibody titers of greater than 1/1,024 as measured by a radioimmunoassay. The gerbil antilectin antibodies were shown by Western immunoblotting to be directed to the heavy subunit but not the light subunit of the lectin. Immune gerbil sera inhibited amebic adherence by 100% at a 1/10 dilution. Immune and control gerbils were challenged at 6 weeks by the intrahepatic injection of 5 x 10(5) E. histolytica trophozoites. Four independent trials demonstrated complete protection from amebic liver abscess formation in 67% of lectin-immunized gerbils. Unexpectedly, liver abscess weights were significantly higher in the gerbils that failed to become immune than in the control animals. Our results demonstrate that the galactose lectin is a protective antigen and provide an immune-animal model to study the mechanisms of protection and potential disease exacerbation conferred by the antilectin immune response.
Bimanual gesture keyboard

Gesture keyboards represent an increasingly popular way to input text on mobile devices today. However, current gesture keyboards are exclusively unimanual. To take advantage of the capability of modern multi-touch screens, we created a novel bimanual gesture text entry system, extending the gesture keyboard paradigm from one finger to multiple fingers. To address the complexity of recognizing bimanual gesture, we designed and implemented two related interaction methods, finger-release and space-required, both based on a new multi-stroke gesture recognition algorithm. A formal experiment showed that bimanual gesture behaviors were easy to learn. They improved comfort and reduced the physical demand relative to unimanual gestures on tablets. The results indicated that these new gesture keyboards were valuable complements to unimanual gesture and regular typing keyboards.
Cerulein hyperstimulation decreases AMP-activated protein kinase levels at the site of maximal zymogen activation

The premature activation of digestive enzyme zymogens in the pancreatic acinar cell is an important initiating event in acute pancreatitis. We have previously demonstrated that vacuolar ATPase (vATPase) activity is required for zymogen activation. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulates vATPase function in kidney and epididymal clear cells. To determine whether AMPK could affect pancreatitis responses, its effects were first examined in a cellular model of pancreatitis, cerulein-hyperstimulated (100 nM) pancreatic acini. This treatment caused a prominent increase in trypsin and chymotrypsin activities. Pretreatment with AICAR or metformin (AMPK activators) or compound C (an AMPK inhibitor) reduced or increased cerulein-induced zymogen activation, respectively. The association of the vATPase E subunit with membranes, a marker of its activation, tended to be inversely related to AMPK activity (assessed by AICAR and compound C treatments). Cerulein treatment did not change AMPK (α and β) levels but did lead to an increase in its activation (phosphorylation of Thr172) and induced the time-dependent translocation of the enzyme to a Triton-insoluble compartment. Basal in vivo studies showed that AMPK was widely distributed between membrane and soluble fractions generated by differential centrifugation. After cerulein hyperstimulation, AMPK levels selectively decreased in fractions containing the highest levels of active zymogens. These studies suggest that AMPK activity has a protective role in the pancreatic acinar cell that inhibits zymogen activation in the basal state, and this AMPK effect is reduced during pancreatitis. Therapies that prevent the selective reduction of AMPK in compartments that support zymogen activation could reduce injury during pancreatitis.
Genetic ablation of PKC epsilon inhibits prostate cancer development and metastasis in transgenic mouse model of prostate adenocarcinoma

Protein kinase C epsilon (PKCe), a novel PKC isoform is over-expressed in prostate cancer (PCa) and correlates with disease aggressiveness. However, the functional contribution of PKCe to development or progression of PCa remained to be determined. Here we present the first in vivo genetic evidence that PKCe is essential for both the development and metastasis of PCa in the transgenic mouse model of prostate adenocarcinoma (TRAMP). Heterozygous or homozygous genetic deletions of PKCe in FVB/N TRAMP inhibited on PCa development and metastasis as analyzed by CT-PET scanning, tumor weight determinations and histopathology. We also examined biomarkers associated with tumor progression in this model, including markers of survival, proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation, and metastatic progression. To find clues about the genes regulated by PKCe and linked to the Stat3 signaling pathway, we performed focused PCR arrays of JAK/STAT signaling in excised PCa tissues from PKCe wild type and nullizygous TRAMP mice. Notably, PKCe loss was associated with significant down-regulation in tumors of proliferative and metastatic genes C/EBP-β, C-reactive protein, CMK, EGFR, CD64, JunB, and gp130. Taken together, our findings offer first genetic evidence of the link of PKCe in PCa development and metastasis. PKCe may be potential target for prevention and/or treatment of PCa.
Activity detection for information access to oral communication

Oral communication is ubiquitous and carries important information yet it is also time consuming to document. Given the development of storage media and networks one could just record and store a conversation for documentation. The question is, however, how an interesting information piece would be found in a large database. Traditional information retrieval techniques use a histogram of keywords as the document representation but oral communication may offer additional indices such as the time and place of the rejoinder and the attendance. An alternative index could be the activity such as discussing, planning, informing, story-telling, etc. This paper addresses the problem of the automatic detection of those activities in meeting situation and everyday rejoinders. Several extensions of this basic idea are being discussed and/or evaluated: Similar to activities one can define subsets of larger database and detect those automatically which is shown on a large database of TV shows. Emotions and other indices such as the dominance distribution of speakers might be available on the surface and could be used directly. Despite the small size of the databases used some results about the effectiveness of these indices can be obtained.