cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PLATINUM AND FUEL CELLS

Platinum requirements for fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) have been identified as a possible problem with FCV market penetration. Platinum is a necessary component of the electrodes of fuel cell engines. It is deposited on porous electrodes, where it serves as the electrocatalyst to promote the rate of electrochemical reactions required to encourage H2 to release electrons and become H2 ions. Because there could be potentially millions of FCVs added to the US fleet in the next 30 or so years, the availability of platinum as a limited global commodity could be an issue. Using projected US market penetration of fuel cell vehicles out to the years 2030 and 2035, as based on US Department of Energy’s Office of Transportation Technologies Vehicle Size/Consumer Choice (VSCC) model and Argonne National Laboratory’s All Modular Industry Growth Assessment (AMIGA) model, respectively, the yearly platinum requirements for different scenarios were estimated. Sales of FCVs for the various scenarios yielded peak US platinum consumed at levels ranging from 60 to 200 Mg/year. Except for the most aggressive market penetration cases (those with the fastest and largest ramp-up of FCV sales), estimated yearly platinum demand does not appear to be a limiting factor for long-term sales of FCVs. In all cases yearly demand was small in regard to total world reserves.
Impact of immunosuppression on the development of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) viremia after pediatric liver transplantation

Abstract Objectives Pediatric liver transplant (OLT) patients are at risk of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This study examined the impact of induction and immunosuppression on EBV viremia. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on 197 pediatric patients and induction regimen, immunosuppression levels, and EBV viremia were documented for 1 year post-OLT. Logistic regression models determined associations between induction, immunosuppression, and EBV. Results Fifty six percent of patients developed EBV viremia. Incidence of EBV viremia was 73% with antithymocyte globulin (ATG), 63% with daclizumab, and 39% for neither, though the trend was not significant [ATG: odds ratio (OR) 0.19; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.024–1.58; P = .125; daclizumab OR; 1.07; 95% CI 0.270–4.23; P = .925]. Tacrolimus immunosuppression levels were supratherapeutic 28.7% of the time; however, only supratherapeutic tacrolimus levels between 0 and 2 weeks increased EBV viremia at 2 to 4 weeks post-OLT (OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.10–2.94; P = .02). Three patients developed PTLD. Conclusions The use of ATG and daclizumab induction likely does not play a role in the development of EBV viremia. Supratherapeutic tacrolimus levels 0 to 2 weeks post-OLT impact the development of EBV viremia at 2 to 4 weeks. The incidence of PTLD was low, suggesting better EBV and immunosuppression monitoring plays an important role in reducing PTLD.
Sketching for knowledge capture: a demonstration

Many concepts and situations are best explained by sketching. This demonstration will show the key ideas underlying sKEA, the sketching knowledge entry associate, a system we have built for knowledge capture via sketching. In particular, we will demonstrateHow glyph bars and blob semantics are used to sidestep the need for recognition of visual symbols. The use of qualitative spatial reasoning to provide richer visual and conceptual understanding of what is being communicatedHow arrows are used to express domain relationshipsThe use of layers to express within-sketch segmentation, including a meta-layer to express subsketch relationships themselves via sketchingUsing analogical comparison to explore similarities and differences between sketched concepts.
The nucleotide sequence of POX18, a gene encoding a small oleate-inducible peroxisomal protein from Candida tropicalis.

Abstract We report the molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of the nuclear gene, POX18, encoding an oleate-inducible peroxisomal protein from the yeast Candida tropicalis. POX18 has a single open reading frame of 381 nucleotides (nt), which encodes a protein of 127 amino acids. The predicted Mr of this protein is 13 792. Codon usage in the expression of POX18 is non-random, and shows a pattern similar to that used for other peroxisomal genes from C. tropicalis and highly expressed genes from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Northern analysis of total RNA from oleate-grown cells determined that POX18 mRNA is approximately 750 nt in length. The POX18 gene was expressed in vitro, which resulted in a single translation product that co-migrated in denaturing polyacrylamide gels with an abundant peroxisomal protein (apparent mass of 16 kDa) and was immunoprecipitated by an antiserum against peroxisomal protein.
Drumming Behavior in Four North American Perlodidae (Plecoptera) Species

Drumming is described for the first time in three species of Perlodidae, Isoperla namata, Chernokrilus misnomus , and Pictetiella expansa . Signals of Isoperla signata are further described. Males of I. namata and I. signata produced monophasic calls of 10.0 ± 3.3 and 5.3 ± 1.0 beats, respectively, sometimes without stopping to a fixed position. Several pairs were tested, but females never answered male calls. C. misnomus and P. expansa exhibited two-way communication, with male/female signals overlapping in C. misnomus . Males of these two species called with modes of 9 and 13 beats, respectively. Male/female signal characteristics were species specific, when compared with those known for eight other species in the family. Age-related effects on drumming in C. misnomus and P. expansa are discussed. As in Perlidae, basic patterns of drumming and signal characteristics in the Perlodidae are highly diverse.
Free vibration and buckling of symmetric cross-ply laminated plates by an exact method

Abstract An exact mathematical tool to analyze the free vibration and buckling of symmetric cross-ply laminated plates is developed. The procedure, based on a generalized Levy type solution considered in conjunction with the state space concept, enables one to solve exactly the equations governing the laminated anisotropic plate theory as considered by Reddy [3,4]. Combinations of simply supported, clamped and free boundary conditions are considered. Comparisons with other higher order, first order and classical plate theories are made.
Non‐specific encoding of threat in social phobia and panic disorder

This study employs a release of proactive interference technique to explore encoding‐related processes in social phobia. Twenty‐six individuals with social phobia and 24 individuals with panic disorder participated in the memory task. Significant release of proactive interference was found when neutral and threat dimensions were encoded, but not when social and physical threat dimensions, or when positive and threat dimensions were presented. Threat was therefore differently encoded depending on the active encoding context in which semantic processing occurred. Individuals with social phobia or panic disorder did not differ in the release of proactive interference. The present experiment consequently yields little support for the specificity hypothesis in memory of anxious individuals. Instead, the findings generally demonstrate that threat encoding is similar for people with social phobia and those with panic disorder.
Understanding the dynamics of the pharmaceutical market using a social marketing framework

Purpose – The objectives of this paper are to describe the “affordable drugs movement” and present a social marketing framework to place major developments within a meaningful theoretical context.Design/methodology/approach – Specific examples are used to illustrate the framework and its utility in understanding the complexities of the pharmaceutical market. Methods to research the dynamics of the market are also presented.Findings – Provides referenced descriptions and examples of forces causing change within the pharmaceutical market. Classifies forces into six conditions influencing successful social movements: structural conduciveness, structural strains, growth of generalized beliefs, precipitating events, mobilization for action, and utilization of social control by opponents. Suggests social research methodologies to study the conditions in greater depth.Research limitations/implications – This is a descriptive framework that has not been validated for its use in the pharmaceutical market.Practical...
MOS crystal oscillator design

The operation of MOS crystal oscillators is investigated assuming near-sinusoidal AC voltages at gate and drain. It is shown that the circuit operation depends basically on only two normalized parameters. Computer solution is used to produce a series of normalized curves allowing oscillator design for prescribed start-up conditions, steady-state amplitude, and operating current. The theoretical predictions agree closely with measurements on sample circuits.
Th and U partitioning between monazite and felsic melt

Abstract We present experimental measurements of monazite/melt partition coefficients (K monz/melt ) for thorium (Th) and uranium (U) in haplogranitic Na 2 O–Al 2 O 3 –SiO 2 melts (with 6–10 wt.% H 2 O) at 900 °C–1100 °C and 1 GPa pressure. Our results show the following trends: (1) K Th and K U in felsic melts are strongly dependent on melt Al/Na. Both partition coefficients reach maxima in mildly peraluminous region and decrease toward strongly peraluminous (Al/Na > 1) and peralkaline (Al/Na Th and K U vary by 2 orders of magnitude for Al/Na in the range of 0.4 to ~ 2. (2) For identical melt compositions, the effect of temperature on K U is pronounced: A 200 °C increase in temperature results in a 6-fold decrease in K U . In contrast, the same temperature change results in only 50% decrease of the less temperature-sensitive K Th . (3) One experiment with 10 wt.% H 2 O added does not change K, which may suggest little dependence of K upon water content from 6 to 10 wt.%. (4) K Th is much larger than 1 at all natural magmatic temperature, so the removal of monazite during fractionation crystallization or its retention as a residual phase during partial melting has a significant effect on the content of Th in the coexisting melt phase. (5) U is much less compatible than Th, and could even behave incompatibly at high temperatures (e.g., at 1000 °C, K U is 0.01 for melts containing 75 wt.% SiO 2 and Al/Na ~ 0.4).
Benchmarking Next-Generation Transcriptome Sequencing for Functional and Evolutionary Genomics

Next-generation sequencing has opened the door to genomic analysis of nonmodel organisms. Technologies generating long-sequence reads (200-400 bp) are increasingly used in evolutionary studies of nonmodel organisms, but the short-sequence reads (30-50 bp) that can be produced at lower cost are thought to be of limited utility for de novo sequencing applications. Here, we tested this assumption by short-read sequencing the transcriptomes of the tropical disease vectors Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae, for which complete genome sequences are available. Comparison of our results to the reference genomes allowed us to accurately evaluate the quantity, quality, and functional and evolutionary information content of our "test" data. We produced more than 0.7 billion nucleotides of sequenced data per species that assembled into more than 21,000 test contigs larger than 100 bp per species and covered approximately 27% of the Aedes reference transcriptome. Remarkably, the substitution error rate in the test contigs was approximately 0.25% per site, with very few indels or assembly errors. Test contigs of both species were enriched for genes involved in energy production and protein synthesis and underrepresented in genes involved in transcription and differentiation. Ortholog prediction using the test contigs was accurate across hundreds of millions of years of evolution. Our results demonstrate the considerable utility of short-read transcriptome sequencing for genomic studies of nonmodel organisms and suggest an approach for assessing the information content of next-generation data for evolutionary studies.
Superfluid density of 3 He measured by fourth sound

Superfluid density of3He has been measured using fourth sound in two superleaks: “confined,” packed powder and “open,” parallel channels. The superleak pore size has little effect on the superfluid density near the melting pressure, but it has surprisingly large effects at lower pressures. The open, parallel channel superleak results show an unexpected pressure dependence of “strong coupling” effects and an unexpectedly small superfluid density change at the B→A transition.
Restriction endonuclease mapping of three plasmids from Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis

Restriction endonuclease cleavage site maps have been constructed of plasmids pTX14-1, pTX14-2, and pTX14-3 from Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti).
Mass Media and Fear of Crime

Charges that the mass media create unwarranted levels of fear of crime are almost as old as the media themselves. Researchers entered the fray in large numbers in the 1960s, documenting the effects...
Estradiol potentiation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone responsiveness in the anterior pituitary is mediated by an increase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors

In order to investigate the mechanism by which 17 beta-estradiol potentiates the action of gonadotropin-releasing hormone on the anterior pituitary in vitro, cultured pituitary cells from immature female rats were used as the model system. Cultures exposed to estradiol at concentrations ranging from 10(-10) to 10(-6) mol/L exhibited a significant augmentation of luteinizing hormone release in response to a 4-hour gonadotropin-releasing hormone (10 mumol/L) challenge at a dose of 10(-9) mol/L compared to that of control cultures. The estradiol augmentation of luteinizing hormone release was also dependent on the duration of estradiol exposure. When these cultures were incubated with tritium-labeled L-leucine, an increase in incorporation of radiolabeled amino acid into total proteins greater than that in controls was observed. A parallel stimulatory effect of estradiol on iodine 125-labeled D-Ala6 gonadotropin-releasing hormone binding was observed. Cultures incubated with estradiol at different concentrations and various lengths of time showed a significant increase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone binding capacity and this increase was abrogated by cycloheximide. Analysis of the binding data showed that the increase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone binding activity was due to a change in the number of gonadotropin-releasing hormone binding sites rather than a change in the affinity. These results suggest that (1) estradiol treatment increases the number of pituitary receptors for gonadotropin-releasing hormone, (2) the augmentary effect of estradiol on luteinizing hormone release at the pituitary level might be mediated, at least in part, by the increase in the number of binding sites of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and (3) new protein synthesis may be involved in estradiol-mediated gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor induction.
Burnout Among Female Indoor Sex Workers

This study examined levels of "burnout" and associated factors among a sample of female indoor sex workers in the Netherlands (N=96). Levels of burnout on 3 dimensions (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal competence) were assessed. Only sex workers' mean score on depersonalization was significantly higher than that of a comparison group of female nurses and comparable to those of another comparison group of patients with work-related psychological problems. Evidence was provided for the importance of experiential and context-related factors in burnout among indoor sex workers. For instance, 42% of the variance in depersonalization was explained by not working by choice, negative social reactions, experiences of violence, and lack of control in interaction with clients. Depersonalization may be a strategy to cope with negative conditions and experiences in sex work, but was significantly related to indicators of stress and emotional exhaustion. More than half (53%) of the variance in emotional exhaustion was explained by lack of management support, negative social reactions, not working by choice, and negative working motivation. Personal competence was highest among sex workers with a professional attitude, who started sex work at a relatively older age, and who were well supported by colleagues and management. It is concluded that burnout is not as much associated with sex work per se, but with sex work under certain conditions, among which stigma (notably negative social reactions) and stigma-related experiences (such as role conflict, experiences with violence, and lack of a worker-supportive organizational context) are important.
THA with Highly Cross-linked Polyethylene in Patients 50 Years or Younger

Highly cross-linked polyethylene has been associated with low in vitro wear, but also has decreased in vitro ultimate yield strength. We therefore asked whether highly cross-linked polyethylene would result in lower outcome scores, wear, or early failure in a young patient population. Seventy THAs in 64 patients were performed using a highly cross-linked (electron beam-irradiated to 9 Mrads) acetabular liner and a cobalt-chrome femoral head. The average age of the patients at surgery was 41 years (range, 19–50 years). The minimum followup was 2.4 years (average, 4 years; range, 2.4–6.5 years). We recorded demographic and clinical data, including Harris hip score. Polyethylene wear measurements were analyzed with a validated, computer-assisted, edge detection method. The average Harris hip score improved from 53 to 92 at last followup. There was no evidence of acetabular or femoral loss of fixation, subsidence, or loosening. Linear wear was undetectable at this followup interval. No patient experienced catastrophic failure or underwent revision surgery. These data show low polyethylene wear rates and no catastrophic failures at early followup in a young patient cohort.
Circular dichroism of aggregated deoxyhemoglobin S and the effect of amino acids

Abstract It is well known that deoxyhemoglobin S (deoxy Hb S) aggregates at 37 °C and that it disaggregates at 1–5 °C. In this study solutions of pure Hb S at concentrations of 20–22 g/100 ml exhibit a normal circular dichroic spectrum in the range 250–650 nm at the temperature 1 °C. However, by the proper manipulation of the following parameters: temperatures of 1, 24 and 37 °C as well as the times required to change temperature and periods of maintaining at a certain temperature, five stages with different circular dichroic spectra can be produced. Not only the dichroic spectra of these stages are different but the kinetic behavior and stability of each of these stages are different. The evidence suggests that the mechanism of aggregation is similar to crystallization; that is, it exhibits a period of nucleation followed by growth. The overall kinetics of circular dichroic changes are described. At representative solution conditions the circular dichroic changes have been compared and found to parallel gel formation with pure Hb S. Also, the effect of certain anti-sickling amino acids (Sophianopoulos, A. J., et al. (1974) Clin. Biochem.7, 112–118) on the minimum Hb S concentration at which circular dichroic changes occur has been studied, and arginine chloride and arginine aspartate were found to raise this minimum concentration appreciably.
Synthesis and characterization of mono- and μ6-sulfato hexanuclear zinc complexes of a new symmetric dinucleating ligand

Zinc complexes of a new symmetric dinucleating ligand, N,N′-Bis[2-carboxybenzomethyl]-N,N′-Bis[carboxymethyl]-1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol (H5ccdp) with mixed donating groups, have been studied in the solid state as well as in solution. In methanol, the reaction of stoichiometric and substoichiometric amounts of Zn(ClO4)2·6H2O and the ligand H5ccdp, in the presence of K2CO3 or Et3N, afforded a mononuclear zinc complex, [Zn(H2O)6][Zn(H2ccdp)(H2O)2]2·12H2O (1). The solid state structure of 1 contains two units of the zinc-ligand anion, [Zn(H2ccdp)(H2O)2]−, and one [Zn(H2O)6]2+ counter cation. The Zn(II) center of the anion is in a distorted octahedral geometry. However, in methanol, the reaction of ZnSO4·7H2O and the ligand H5ccdp in the presence of NaOH afforded a unique μ6-sulfato hexanuclear zinc complex, Na6[Zn6(ccdp)3(μ6-SO4)](OH)·10.5H2O (2). The structure of 2 contains a [ZnII6(μ6-SO4)] core unit which is held together by three heptadentate bridging ligands, ccdp5−. Three of the Zn(II) centers are in highly distorted square pyramidal geometry, the other three Zn(II) centers are in a distorted octahedral geometry.
RF Acceleration with Harmonic Number Jump

We have recently considered acceleration of protons and heavy ions in a fixed-field alternating-gradient accelerator with nonscaling lattice and linear field profile. To avoid the problem of frequency modulation for acceleration of low-energy beams over a too short period of time, and to boost the acceleration rate, the method of harmonic number jump (HNJ) was proposed. This method allows the use of constant frequency acceleration, for instance using superconducting cavities, despite the fact that the beam velocity may vary considerably. Of course in this case the accelerating voltage and rf phase will need to be programmed accordingly as we shall show. We shall study first the motion of synchronous particles, and then of those with deviating initial conditions. We estimate the area and height of the rf buckets that are to contain the beam bunches with the added condition of the HNJ. We finally investigate methods to allow the program of energy gain as required by the HNJ method, including the effect of the cavity transit time factor.
The Effect of Dietary Protein Depletion on Hepatic 5-Fluorouracil Metabolism L. E. DAVIS, R. E. LENKINISKI, M. A. SHINKWIN, ET AL CANCER 72:3715-3722, 1993

This study investigated the mechanism of protein depletion and its effect on host toxicity to 5-fluorouracil. The effects of protein malnutrition on the hepatic metabolism of 5-fluorouracil were examined using 19F-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, pharmacokinetic disposition of 5-fluorouracil, and hepatic dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity. Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats were given 5-fluorouracil (150 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection after receiving normal (21.5%) or low (2.5%) protein diets for 19 to 30 days (mean, 25 days). Toxicity was assessed by weight loss, lymphocyte count, and survival. Hepatic fluorine spectra were used to evaluate the time to achieve maximum 5-fluorouracil concentration, apparent hepatic 5-fluorouracil half-life, duration of detectable 5-fluorouracil concentrations, and time to reach peak fluoro-β-alanine concentration (the main 5-fluorouracil degradation product). Parallel experiments determined the pharmacokinetic disposition of 5-fluorouracil and the hepatic dihyd...
Investigation of Radiation Induced Electrical Degradation in Alumina Under ITER-Relevant Conditions

Abstract An in-situ experiment investigating the radiation induced electrical degradation (RIED) effect in polycrystalline alumina is described. A Wesgo AL-995 polycrystalline alumina sample has been irradiated with fission neutrons to 1.4 displacements per atom (dpa) at 340–365°C with no evidence of RIED. The implications of these and previous results are discussed in terms of their impact on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), with the conclusion that RIED will be of no consequence during the basic performance phase of the machines operation.
Effect of injection site on in situ implant formation and drug release in vivo.

In situ forming drug delivery implants offer an attractive alternative to pre-formed implant devices for local drug delivery due to their ability to deliver fragile drugs, simple manufacturing process, and less invasive placement. However, the clinical translation of these systems has been hampered, in part, by poor correlation between in vitro and in vivo drug release profiles. To better understand this effect, the behavior of poly(D,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) in situ forming implants was examined in vitro and in vivo after subcutaneous injection as well as injection into necrotic, non-necrotic, and ablated tumor. Implant formation was quantified noninvasively using an ultrasound imaging technique. Drug release of a model drug agent, fluorescein, was correlated with phase inversion in different environments. Results demonstrated that burst drug release in vivo was greater than in vitro for all implant formulations. Drug release from implants in varying in vivo environments was fastest in ablated tumor followed by implants in non-necrotic tumor, in subcutaneous tissue, and finally in necrotic tumor tissue with 50% of the loading drug mass released in 0.7, 0.9, 9.7, and 12.7 h respectively. Implants in stiffer ablated and non-necrotic tumor tissue showed much faster drug release than implants in more compliant subcutaneous and necrotic tumor environments. Finally, implant formation examined using ultrasound confirmed that in vivo the process of precipitation (phase inversion) was directly proportional to drug release. These findings suggest that not only is drug release dependent on implant formation but that external environmental effects, such as tissue mechanical properties, may explain the differences seen between in vivo and in vitro drug release from in situ forming implants.
Forensic psychological mindset of a terrorist: More questions than answers for public safety threat risk assessments

In 2012, a team of US air marshals forced a Delta Airlines overseas flight to return and evacuate because two passengers were thought to be working as a terrorist team, which proved to be false after investigation. This incident plus two other on-plane psychological meltdowns of in-flight personnel are alarming reminders of the snap decisions that are currently made without much guidance to inform such threat assessments. Preflight security measures have addressed many of the post-9/11 threats of terrorism. Nonetheless, successful and thwarted acts of terrorism and reconnaissance response probes have fueled a growing need for homeland security, military and public safety personnel's reflexive instincts to engage, ‘what if’ as a guiding principle in threat assessments. There is an elusive nexus between timely intelligence gathering, acts of terror and understanding the mindset of a terrorist. An internalized homeland security decision-making approach to ‘think like a terrorist’ is instructive in coming up with actionable information for many contraterrorism efforts. This article raises several issues related to the mindset of a terrorist. Such mindset is reviewed from two traditional theoretical frameworks (that is, criminological and psychological theories). The article also explores the applicability of these theories to public safety from a risk assessment perspective. The article concludes with implications for public safety research, practice and training.
Sodium Channel β2 Subunits Regulate Tetrodotoxin-Sensitive Sodium Channels in Small Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons and Modulate the Response to Pain

Voltage-gated sodium channel (Na(v)1) beta2 subunits modulate channel gating, assembly, and cell-surface expression in CNS neurons in vitro and in vivo. beta2 expression increases in sensory neurons after nerve injury, and development of mechanical allodynia in the spared nerve injury model is attenuated in beta2-null mice. Thus, we hypothesized that beta2 modulates electrical excitability in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in vivo. We compared sodium currents (I(Na)) in small DRG neurons from beta2+/+ and beta2-/- mice to determine the effects of beta2 on tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-S) and tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) Na(v)1 in vivo. Small-fast DRG neurons acutely isolated from beta2-/- mice showed significant decreases in TTX-S I(Na) compared with beta2+/+ neurons. This decrease included a 51% reduction in maximal sodium conductance with no detectable changes in the voltage dependence of activation or inactivation. TTX-S, but not TTX-R, I(Na) activation and inactivation kinetics in these cells were slower in beta2(-/-) mice compared with controls. The selective regulation of TTX-S I(Na) was supported by reductions in transcript and protein levels of TTX-S Na(v)1s, particularly Na(v)1.7. Low-threshold mechanical sensitivity was preserved in beta2-/- mice, but they were more sensitive to noxious thermal stimuli than wild type whereas their response during the late phase of the formalin test was attenuated. Our results suggest that beta2 modulates TTX-S Na(v)1 mRNA and protein expression resulting in increased TTX-S I(Na) and increases the rates of TTX-S Na(v)1 activation and inactivation in small-fast DRG neurons in vivo. TTX-R I(Na) were not significantly modulated by beta2.
Acoustic and visual surveys for bowhead whales in the western Beaufort and far northeastern Chukchi seas

Abstract Two types of passive-acoustic survey were conducted to investigate the seasonal occurrence of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) in the western Beaufort and far northeastern Chukchi seas: (1) an over-winter (2003–04) survey using autonomous recorders deployed northeast of Barrow, Alaska, and (2) a summertime dipping-hydrophone survey along the 2005 NOAA Ocean Exploration (OE) cruise track northwest of Barrow. The longest continuous sampling period from the over-winter survey was 3 October 2003 to 12 May 2004. During that period, bowhead whale calls were recorded from 3 to 23 October, intermittently on 6–7 and 22–23 November, then not again until 25 March 2004. Bowhead calls were recorded almost every hour from 19 April to 12 May 2004, with a call rate peak on 30 April (ca. 9400 calls) and a few instances of patterned calling (or, “song”) detected in early May. Bowhead whale calls were never detected during the NOAA OE cruise, but calls of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) were recorded at 3 of 16 acoustic stations. Opportunistic visual surveys for marine mammals were also conducted during the NOAA OE cruise from the ship (65 h) and helicopter (7.8 h), resulting in single sightings of bowhead whales (3–5 whales), beluga (16–20 whales), walrus (1), polar bear (2=sow/cub), and 17 sightings of 87 ringed seals from the ship and 15 sightings of 67 ringed seals from the helicopter.
Rarity of autoantibodies to a major autoantigen, thyroid peroxidase, that interact with denatured antigen or with epitopes outside the immunodominant region

The nature of the autoantibody repertoire to the dominant autoantigen in human autoimmune thyroid disease is controversial. There is evidence that autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPO) interact with overlapping conformational epitopes in an immunodominant region and binding to denatured (DN) protein is decreased. Contrary data demonstrate TPO autoantibody reactivity with DN-TPO or polypeptide fragments. However, none of the TPO-specific, human monoclonal autoantibodies isolated to date preferentially recognize denatured autoantigen. We therefore searched an immunoglobulin gene phage display library for human autoantibodies that bind TPO denatured by reduction and alkylation (DN-TPO). Thyroid-infiltrating B cells from a typical TPO autoantibody-positive patient were the source of mRNA for library construction. Surprisingly, the library enriched after panning on DN-TPO, as well as a panel of individual clones, preferentially bound native (N)-TPO. Of 13 clones selected using DN-TPO or N-TPO, 12 clones recognized the TPO immunodominant region. Moreover, regardless of selection with N-TPO or DN-TPO, their heavy and light chains were encoded by similar VDJ and Vκ combinations. One clone (DN4), isolated using DN-TPO, did not interact with the TPO immunodominant region and its H chain derives from a different VH gene. Although DN4 binds specifically to TPO, its affinity is low, unlike the high affinities of other human TPO autoantibodies. In conclusion, human monoclonal autoantibodies that preferentially recognize denatured TPO could not be isolated from an immunoglobulin gene library despite selection with denatured protein. Our findings demonstrate the bias of the human B cell repertoire towards recognition of an immunodominant region on the conformationally intact form of a major thyroid autoantigen.
Sedimentology of subaqueous volcaniclastic sediment gravity flows in the Neogene Santa Maria Basin, California

Subaqueous tuff deposits within the lower Miocene Lospe Formation of the Santa Maria Basin, California, are up to 20 m thick and were deposited by high density turbidity flows after large volumes of ash were supplied to the basin and remobilized. Tuff units in the Lospe Formation include a lower lithofacies assemblage of planar bedded tuff that grades upward into massive tuff, which in turn is overlain by an upper lithofacies assemblage of alternating thin bedded, coarse grained tuff beds and tuffaceous mudstone. The planar bedded tuff ranges from 0.3 to 3 m thick and contains 1-8 cm thick beds that exhibit inverse grading, and low angle and planar laminations. The overlying massive tuff ranges from 1 to 10 m thick and includes large intraclasts of pumiceous tuff and stringers of pumice grains aligned parallel to bedding. The upper lithofacies assemblage of thin bedded tuff ranges from 0.4 to 3 m thick; individual beds are 6-30 cm thick and display planar laminae and dewatering structures. Pumice is generally concentrated in the upper halves of beds in the thin bedded tuff interval. The association of sedimentary structures combined with semi-quantitative analysis for dispersive and hydraulic equivalence of bubble-wall vitric shards and pumice grains reveals that particles in the planar bedded lithofacies are in dispersive, not settling, equivalence. This suggests deposition under dispersive pressures in a tractive flow. Grains in the overlying massive tuff are more closely in settling equivalence as opposed to dispersive equivalence, which suggests rapid deposition from a suspended sediment load. The set of lithofacies that comprises the lower lithofacies assemblage of each of the Lospe Formation tuff units is analogous to those of traction carpets and subsequent suspension sedimentation deposits often attributed to high density turbidity flows. Grain distributions in the upper thin bedded lithofacies do not reveal a clear relation for dispersive or settling equivalence. This information, together with the association of sedimentary features in the thin bedded lithofacies, including dewatering structures, suggests a combination of tractive and liquefied flows. Absence of evidence for elevated emplacement temperatures (e.g. eutaxitic texture or shattered crystals) suggests emplacement of the Lospe Formation tuff deposits in a cold state closely following pyroclastic eruptions. The tuff deposits are not only a result of primary volcanic processes which supplied the detritus, but also of processes which involved remobilization of unconsolidated ash as subaqueous sediment gravity flows. These deposits provide an opportunity to study the sedimentation processes that may occur during subaqueous volcaniclastic flows and demonstrate similarities with existing models for sediment gravity flow processes.
Characteristics of pathogens causing urinary tract infections in hospitals in North America: results from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program, 1997

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is common and involves pathogens with changing susceptibility patterns. The SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program evaluates international pathogen incidence patterns to detect and manage the emergence of resistant strains. We describe the antimicrobial resistance patterns among 1617 pathogens recovered from UTIs during the third-quarter of 1997 in North America (United States and Canada), as part of this worldwide program. The isolates were tested against more than 50 antimicrobial agents (20 reported) by reference broth microdilution methods, and selected isolates were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and automated ribotyping. The five most frequently isolated species were Escherichia coli (48.6%), Enterococcus spp. (13.7%), Klebsiella spp. (12.0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.2%), and Enterobacter spp. or Proteus mirabilis (3.8% each). For each nation, imipenem and cefepime produced the widest spectrum of coverage among the beta-lactams and amikacin was best among the aminoglycosides. For Gram-negative species, high resistance among beta-lactam antimicrobial agents was noted especially for various penicillins against E. coli (37.9% to 42.8%) and for the cephalosporins tested against enterococci (99.4% and 100%). Approximately 7.0% of enterococci in the USA were vancomycin-resistant (88% with Van A). P. aeruginosa provided the most consistent levels of resistance, but the following agents were most active against these organisms: amikacin (96.6 to 97.4% susceptible), tobramycin (89.5 to 100.0%), piperacillin/tazobactam (89.5 to 100.0%), piperacillin (89.5 to 96.6%), imipenem (89.7 to 92.1%), cefepime (77.6 to 89.7%), and ceftazidime (82.9 to 86.2%). E. coli (2.2 to 2.7%), K. pneumoniae (6.2 to 6.4%), and a single Enterobacter cloacae strain produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamases; and five other Enterobacter spp. were likely to have expressed chromosomally mediated (Amp C) Stably derepressed cephalosporinases with associated resistance to ceftazidime (16.7 to 21.2% resistance). These data demonstrated that several UTI isolates in SENTRY hospitals have high levels of resistance to various classes of antimicrobial agents with little evidence of clonal dissemination.
Tests of Lenzer’s model of intracranial reinforcement

Rats were fixed with chronically indwelling electrodes to test Lenzer’s model of positive intracranial reinforcement. The model stresses the associative bonding supposedly occurring between stimuli of the brain stimulation and stimuli of the environment where self-stimulation can occur. Rats ran an alley just as efficiently when the opportunities for associative bonding were maximized as when they were minimized. Therefore, it was concluded that the model was not confirmed. It was shown, again, that sodium amytal decreased running time for brain stimulation, a finding that is also incompatible with the model.
Irreversible inactivation of the flavoenzyme alcohol oxidase with acetylenic alcohols

Summary Alcohol oxidase is irreversibly inactivated by the acetylenic substrates propargyl alcohol and 1,4-butynediol. In both cases, inactivation results from affinity labeling of amino acid residues in the active site of the enzyme by propynal and 4-hydroxy-2-butynal, the electrophilic products of the oxidation of these alcohols. The inactivation by 4-hydroxy-2-butynal occurs with the aldehyde bound in the active site of the enzyme in the orientation which is opposite to that in which it had been produced. Alcohol oxidase is inactivated by acetylenic substrates in a fundamentally different manner than are the formally similar flavin-dependent α-hydroxy acid oxidases.
Dynamic Modeling of an Overhead Valve Engine CAM-Follower System Using a Resistive Companion Dynamic Simulation Solver

A computer simulation model of the valve train of a Honda GX30 engine was modeled using Virtual Test Bed (VTB), a resistive companion dynamic simulation solver. Traditionally VTB has been exclusive to solving electrical system models but using the resistive companion equivalence of through and across variables, it can be applied to mechanical systems. This paper describes a dynamic simulation of an overhead valve engine cam-follower system using the VTB software application. The model was created to show valve train position, velocity and acceleration to aid in development of a camless engine being developed at the University of South Carolina. The mathematical model was created using governing dynamic equations. Using C++ programming, the mathematical model was transformed into a Virtual Test Bed model. The VTB model successfully shows valve train component position, velocity and acceleration. The significance of this work is its novelty in using the Virtual Test Bed environment to handle dynamic modeling of mechanical systems, whereas to date, VTB has been primarily focused on resistive companion modeling of power electronic systems. This work provides the foundation for using VTB to tackle more complex mechanical models.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Effect of bovine growth hormone on rat liver plasma membranes as studied by circular dichroism and fluorescence using the extrinsic probe 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene

Abstract Conformational changes produced by in vitro bovine growth hormone addition to plasma membranes of hypophysectomized rat liver proteins and lipids have been studied by circular dichroism as well as intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence. 7,12-Dimethylbenzanthracene has been used as a fluorescent probe of changes in membrane structure. The exposure of membranes to bovine growth hormone produced a change in membrane negative ellipticity. Dimethylbenzanthracene at concentrations similar to those employed in fluorescence studies had no effect on the membrane circular dichroism spectrum. Its presence did, however, prevent a response to growth hormone. There was a decrease in peak fluorescence intensity and a peak shift when bovine growth hormone (0.5 · 10 −12 M) was added to liver membranes. The addition of dimethylbenzanthracene (1.6 · 10 −6 M) to membranes resulted in a decrease in the intensity of the protein fluorescence peak at 335 nm and the appearance of two peaks at 430 and 407 nm, assignable to the probe. The addition of bovine growth hormone (0.5 · 10 −12 M) produced a decrease in fluorescence at 335 nm and also in the peaks at 407 and 430 nm. These data are consistent with the conclusion that bovine growth hormone produces a conformational change in rat liver plasma membrane proteins and lipids.
SCN10A Rare Variants Associated with Atrial Fibrillation and Slow Ventricular Rates Reveal Increased Late Sodium Current

Background Recent genome-wide association studies suggested that SCN10A common variants modulate PR and QRS duration. SCN10A encodes the sodium channel NaV1.8, initially cloned from dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons but more recently identified in the heart. We identified 3 rare variants (417delK, A1886V, R814H) that associated with lone atrial fibrillation and slow ventricular rates. We hypothesized that these mutations affect NaV1.8 biophysics, thus providing a mechanism for the associated disease. Here we functionally characterized these variants. Methods Site-directed mutagenesis was used to generate the mutants and whole-cell patch-clamp experiments were performed to study the biophysics of the variants transiently expressed in ND7/23 cells. Whole-cell currents were recorded 48 hours after transfection at 37°C. Results Compared with wild-type (WT) channel, A1886V displayed a larger peak INa (103 ± 16.6 pA/pF vs 43 ± 4.8 pA/pF, P Conclusions All 3 variants studied showed significantly increased INa-L, which supports the idea that they are causative for the variable cardiac conduction. Partially rescued 417delK INa after incubation at 28°C might be explained by rescue of a trafficking defect that prevented delivery of the channel to plasma membrane. Additional parameters for SCN10A WT and rare variants Additional parameters for SCN10A WT and rare variants WT (37°C) WT (28°C) 417delK (37°C) 417delK (28°C) A1886V (37°C) R814H (37°C) Peak INa (pA/pF) –43 ± 4.8 –41 ± 3 –7.5 ± 1.4 (P –21 ± 3.1 (P –103 ± 16.6 (P –187.1 ± 22.6 (P Voltage-to-peak INa (mV) +3.6 ± 1.4 +5 ± 3.4 +6.2 ± 1.8 +3.8 ± 1.4 +7.5 ± 1.6 +15.9 ± 1.2 (P Late INa (INa-L) (% INa) 6.1 ± 0.9 6 ± 1 17.5 ± 4.1 (P 8.7 ± 0.4 (P 13.9 ± 1.9 (P 13.3 ± 1.1 (P τ fast (ms) 2.8 ± 0.1 3 ± 0.2 2 ± 0.2 (P 2.3 ± 0.2 5 ± 0.5 (P 3 ± 0.2 τ slow (ms) 22.4 ± 2.3 20 ± 1.7 11.5 ± 2.1 (P 17.9 ± 2.7 32.2 ± 3.9 18.1 ± 1.7 V1/2 activation (mV) –8 ± 1 –7 ± 1.6 — 9.1 ± 1.1 –16 ± 1.9 –14 ± 1.1 K activation (mV) 5.3 ± 0.3 5.6 ± 0.5 — 6.1 ± 0.4 5.8 ± 0.4 6.3 ± 0.4 V1/2 inactivation (mV) –79.9 ± 2.4 –74.9 ± 4 — –78.6 ± 2.1 –79.4 ± 4 –84.7 ± 1.4 K inactivation (mV) 11.7 ± 1.5 12 ± 2.1 — 13 ± 1 16.4 ± 1.8 14 ± 1.7
Nifedipine, diltiazem, bepridil and verapamil uptakes into cardiac and smooth muscles

Abstract Vogel et al., (1979; J Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 210, 378) reported that one calcium antagonist, bepridil, exerted an effect internally as well as its effect on blocking Ca 2+ entry in cardiac muscle. Therefore, the uptakes of tritiated nifedipine, diltiazem, bepridil, and verapamil by cat ileal smooth muscle, chick embryonic ventricular muscle, and rabbit papillary muscle were investigated. It was found that the uptakes of verapamil and bepridil by the muscle were much higher than those of nifedipine and diltiazem. The uptake of bepridil was substantially greater than that of verapamil; thus, the order of uptake was: bepridil > verapamil > > nifedipine > diltiazem. The cardiac muscles accumulated at least 2-fold greater amount of calcium antagonists that the smooth muscle. The amount of a given calcium antagonist accumulated by a muscle was not a function of the ability of that calcium antagonist to inhibit Ca 2+ uptake into the muscle, since nifedipine and diltiazem were more potent in depressing Ca 2+ uptake, but had the smallest uptakes. The calcium antagonists were more effective in depressing Ca 2+ uptake into smooth muscle than into cardiac muscle. Calculation indicates that internal drug concentration at steady state for both cardiac and smooth muscles was either equal to (diltiazem) or much higher than the drug concentration in the medium (bepridil and verapamil). It is concluded that bepridil and verapamil enter and accumulate in the muscle cells, whereas nifedipine and diltiazem permeate more slowly into muscles. The ability of all four drugs to enter the muscle cells confers the possibility that these calcium antagonists may exert secondary actions on internal sites of the muscle, such as the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Looking the other Way: Athletes' Perceptions of Coaches' Responses to Hazing

Framed within the psychosocial context of the sport ethic and social-approval goal orientation, this study qualitatively investigated athletes' perceptions of their coaches' involvement in hazing, as well as the role coaches should assume if hazing occurs. Twenty-one athletes volunteered from a number of classes associated with a Midwestern university's health, physical education, and leisure services division. The athletes participated in interviews regarding their involvement in hazing. Data analysis identified a variety of perceptions by participants associated with the coaches' role and actual involvement in team hazing experiences, including taking a proactive stance against hazing and accepting hazing. Implications of these findings to future research relate to the sport ethic, team building, social cohesion, and leadership in the athletic setting.
Use of Scanning Microphotometer to Determine the Evaporative Heat Transfer Characteristics of the Contact Line Region

A scanning microphotometer was used to measure in situ the profile of an evaporating decane meniscus in the contact line region on a smooth inclined silicon substrate as a function of the evaporative heat flux. The use of this new experimental design to determine the effect of heat flux on the profile in the contact line region is discussed. The results support the hypothesis that fluid flow in the contact line region of an evaporating thin film results from a change in the thin film thickness profile.