cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maternal cadmium, iron and zinc levels, DNA methylation and birth weight

Cadmium (Cd) is a ubiquitous and environmentally persistent toxic metal that has been implicated in neurotoxicity, carcinogenesis and obesity and essential metals including zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) may alter these outcomes. However mechanisms underlying these relationships remain limited. We examined whether maternal Cd levels during early pregnancy were associated with offspring DNA methylation at regulatory sequences of genomically imprinted genes and weight at birth, and whether Fe and Zn altered these associations. Cd, Fe and Zn were measured in maternal blood of 319 women ≤12 weeks gestation. Offspring umbilical cord blood leukocyte DNA methylation at regulatory differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of 8 imprinted genes was measured using bisulfite pyrosequencing. Regression models were used to examine the relationships among Cd, Fe, Zn, and DMR methylation and birth weight. Elevated maternal blood Cd levels were associated with lower birth weight (p = 0.03). Higher maternal blood Cd levels were also associated with lower offspring methylation at the PEG3 DMR in females (β = 0.55, se = 0.17, p = 0.05), and at the MEG3 DMR in males (β = 0.72, se = 0.3, p = 0.08), however the latter association was not statistically significant. Associations between Cd and PEG3 and PLAGL1 DNA methylation were stronger in infants born to women with low concentrations of Fe (p < 0.05). Our data suggest the association between pre-natal Cd and offspring DNA methylation at regulatory sequences of imprinted genes may be sex- and gene-specific. Essential metals such as Zn may mitigate DNA methylation response to Cd exposure. Larger studies are required.
Transform Analysis for Pricing American Options Under Low-Dimensional Stochastic Volatility Models

This paper presents a new transform-based approach for path-independent lattice construction for pricing American options under low-dimensional stochastic volatility models. We derive multidimensional transforms which allow us to construct efficient path-independent lattices for virtually all low-dimensional stochastic volatility models given in the literature including one volatility factor-based stochastic volatility (SV) models, two volatility factors-based SV models, stochastic volatility jump (SVJ) models with one and two jump factors in the asset returns, and SVJ models with jumps in both asset returns and volatility. The lattice-based approximations of the prices of European options converge rapidly to their true prices obtained using quasi-analytical solutions.
The Influence of Deformation Mechanisms on Rupture of AZ31B Magnesium Alloy Sheet at Elevated Temperatures

Gas-pressure bulge tests were conducted on Mg alloy AZ31B wrought sheet until rupture at temperatures from 250 to 450°C. The rupture orientation was observed to change with forming pressure, which controls the forming strain rate, at 350 to 450°C. This phenomenon is a result of associated changes in the mechanisms of plastic deformation. At slow strain rates (≤ 3 × 10−2 s−1), cavity interlinkage associated with grain boundary sliding (GBS) creep induced rupture along the sheet rolling direction (RD). At fast strain rates (≥ 3 × 10−2 s−1), flow localization (necking) associated with dislocation-climb-controlled (DC) creep induced rupture along the long-transverse direction (LTD), a result of mild planar anisotropy. Biaxial bulge specimens tested at 250 to 300°C ruptured explosively, hence preventing any further analysis.
A Philosophy for Smooth Contour Reconstruction

We propose an approach to the reconstruction of point samples into smooth models based upon the generation of isocurves, with concentration on contour data. We show how to build an isocurve through any point and how to choose which isocurves are computed. The isocurves are used to build a tensor product surface for each component of the model isomorphic to a cylinder.
The Ties That Bind: Forming Parasocial Relationships with 'The Boss'

For many, music provides a source of escape, connection, or some other emotionally gratifying experience. By using this medium to satisfy needs, users form mediated relationships with artists in the process. Utilizing the framework provided by uses and gratifications theory (Katz, Blumler, and Gurevitch 1974) along with relational maintenance strategies, this research examines the development of parasocial relationships between iconic artist Bruce Springsteen and his fans through the use of music, while also briefly considering the impact these relationships may have in the political arena.
Does Public Opinion Influence the Supreme Court? Possibly Yes (But We’re Not Sure Why)

Using qualitative data and historical methods, Barry Friedman asserts with confidence that “we the people” influence the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. Using quantitative data and statistical methods, political scientists are not so sure. Despite their best efforts to validate basic claims about the effect of public opinion on the Court, the evidence remains mixed at best.We enter this dialogue but in a voice distinct from existing political science work. Rather than explore the relationship between the public and the Court on a term-by-term basis, we analyze it at the level of the case. This allows us to exploit more nuanced public opinion data, as well as to attend to the many other case-level factors that may influence the Court’s decisions.Based on our analysis, we are prepared to say that Professor Friedman is on to something. When the “mood of the public” is liberal (conservative), the Court is significantly more likely to issue liberal (conservative) decisions. But why is anyone’s guess. Professor Friedman posits that the Justices will bend to the will of the people because the Court requires public support to remain an efficacious branch of government. Our analysis could be read to support this view, but it is equally consistent with another mechanism: that “the people” include the Justices. On this account, the Justices do not respond to public opinion directly, but rather respond to the same events or forces that affect the opinion of other members of the public. Our study proceeds as follows. In Part II, we briefly review the extant literature, emphasizing the similar methodology it invokes but the varying conclusions it reaches. Parts III and IV describe our methods and findings. We end, in Part V, with the implications of our statistical work for Professor Friedman’s claims, as well as for future research assessing the Court’s response to public opinion.
Not lost in translation: stepwise regulation of microRNA targets

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, ∼22‐nucleotide‐long, noncoding RNAs that play critical roles in physiology and disease via mechanisms that remain obscure. Although numerous studies implicate miRNAs in repression of translation, more recent reports suggest that the major role of miRNAs is in reduction of target mRNA stability. Because mRNA translation and stability are intimately connected, it has been a challenge to establish whether miRNAs induce translational repression, mRNA decay, or both. If miRNAs reduce both mRNA translation and stability, the timing and contribution of each process to overall repression is unclear. Indeed, it has been debated whether mRNA decay is a cause or consequence of miRNA‐mediated translational repression. On the other hand, if these events are mutually exclusive, what determines which mechanism is used? In a recent issue of Science , Bazzini et al (2012) use genome‐wide ribosome footprinting and RNA sequencing (RNA‐Seq) to demonstrate that in developing zebrafish embryos, miR‐430 naturally represses translation initiation of target mRNAs, followed by their deadenylation and decay.
Singularly Perturbed Systems

The sections in this article are 1 Time-Scale Properties of the Standard Model 2 Examples 3 Stability Analysis 4 Composite Feedback Control 5 Applications to Large Power Systems 6 Further Reading Keywords: two-time-scale systems; model order reduction; slow manifold; boundary layer; relaxation oscillation; multiple time scales; singular perturbation; stability properties under perturbations
Business Cycles in Switzerland

Given its political neutrality stance and strategic geographic location, Switzerland plays an important role in both the political and economic stages in Europe. To maintain its sovereignty and neutrality, Switzerland has not joined the European Economic Community and the European Union.1 Despite its political neutrality, Switzerland has close economic ties with member countries of the European Union. As a non-member country of the major economic organizations in Europe, Switzerland has incurred substantial economic costs. For instance, Switzerland has to negotiate as a single country with the European Union on tariff and non-tariff barriers.2 Given the significant difference in market sizes, Switzerland’s bargaining power is essentially weak.
Periodic collision orbits in the elliptic restricted three-body problem

This article considers the two-dimensional elliptic restricted three-body problem, and in particular some of its aspects related to regularization and periodic collision orbits. The mechanism of regularization with Birkhoff coordinates and with theenergy differential equation is described. Then the initial conditions for collision orbits are established. The theory is illustrated with the description of a new family of symmetric periodic collision orbits. It is shown how this family is related to the work of Moulton, Darwin and Stromgren in the circular restricted problem, and also to the Earth-Moon mass ratio. In the high eccentricity ranges, some relations with the triple collision problem are pointed out. The differential corrections have been made with an automatic search technique which is described in the appendix.
Proximal muscle atrophy in adult celiac disease.

The finding of 2 patients with adult celiac disease and proximal muscle atrophy in whom malabsorption was not at first considered suggests that either malabsorption or adult celiac disease itself should be considered among the possible causes of proximal muscle atrophy. In proximal muscle atrophy of unknown cause, malabsorption should be routinely ruled out.
Nutritional aspects of soy protein products.

This paper is concerned with the nutritional properties of the soybean and of various food products derived from it. Although primary consideration is given to the protein, cognizance is made of other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Much of our knowledge concerning the nutritional properties of the soybean has been derived from experiments with animals, and such knowledge is frequently directly applicable to human nutrition. Nutritional experiments with human subjects pose special problems, the most difficult of which is acceptability. People will not eat a certain food simply “because it is good for them.” Thus, the most serious hurdle to be overcome in the development of products containing soybean proteins is frequently not a nutritional one but one of consumer acceptance.
Thermolysis of the polyyne C8H2 in hexane and methanol: Experimental and theoretical study

Abstract The mean lifetimes of polyyne C 8 H 2 in hexane were determined at 50, 60, 80, and 100 °C and in methanol at 60 °C. The reactions are second order at all temperatures: ln k 2 = 20.5 ± 1.5–10303 ± 520 T −1 and the corresponding activation energy is 85.7 ± 6.3 kJ mol −1 (7164 cm −1 ). Extrapolation suggests that solutions at 1 mM concentration are significantly unstable at room temperature. Quantum chemical calculations show that polyynes C m H 2 + C n H 2 ( m + n = 16) could be products, but these were not detected. Alternatively, C 16 H 2 isomers could form. IR spectra of the solid residues from hexane and methanol solutions were obtained.
Imaging system for creating 3D block-face cryo-images of whole mice

We developed a cryomicrotome/imaging system that provides high resolution, high sensitivity block-face images of whole mice or excised organs, and applied it to a variety of biological applications. With this cryo-imaging system, we sectioned cryo-preserved tissues at 2-40 μm thickness and acquired high resolution brightfield and fluorescence images with microscopic in-plane resolution (as good as 1.2 μm). Brightfield images of normal and pathological anatomy show exquisite detail, especially in the abdominal cavity. Multi-planar reformatting and 3D renderings allow one to interrogate 3D structures. In this report, we present brightfield images of mouse anatomy, as well as 3D renderings of organs. For BPK mice model of polycystic kidney disease, we compared brightfield cryo-images and kidney volumes to MRI. The color images provided greater contrast and resolution of cysts as compared to in vivo MRI. We note that color cryo-images are closer to what a researcher sees in dissection, making it easier for them to interpret image data. The combination of field of view, depth of field, ultra high resolution and color/fluorescence contrast enables cryo-image volumes to provide details that cannot be found through in vivo imaging or other ex vivo optical imaging approaches. We believe that this novel imaging system will have applications that include identification of mouse phenotypes, characterization of diseases like blood vessel disease, kidney disease, and cancer, assessment of drug and gene therapy delivery and efficacy and validation of other imaging modalities.
Ultrastructural studies on the inner and outer membranes of an unsaturated fatty acid auxotroph of Escherichia coli

Isopycnic banding by ultracentrifugation in preformed discontinuous sucrose density gradients has been used to resolve the outer and inner (cytoplasmic) membranes from lysed, lysozymeEDTA spheroplasts of an unsaturated fatty acid auxotroph of Escherichia coli. Readily detectable differences were observed with these two membranes fractions. The outer membrane had higher reactivity with lead stain and a greater tendency to vesiculate, but the vesicles were smaller and had a lesser tendency to form open sheets after storage at −70°C than did inner membrane vesicles. The outer membrane also preferentially bound phage T4. Substitution of a trans-unsaturated fatty acid (elaidic acid) for a cis-unsaturated one (oleic acid) in the growth medium led to numerous changes in cell physiology; minor morphological changes were also detected in thin sections of these cells. The outer membrane of elaidate-grown cells was comparatively more convoluted than that of oleate-grown cells. Freeze-fracture replicas of cells grown with an elaidic acid supplement at 37°C and quenched rapidly from 37°C for freeze fracture had a patched distribution of particles in the inner membrane, but a dispersed particle distribution was observed throughout the inner membrane of the oleate-grown cell. Gel electrophoretic analysis of the inner and outer membrane fractions from 30E cells grown with either elaidate, oleate, bromostearate, or linoleate supplements indicated no discernible differences in the protein composition of these fractions as a function of the fatty acid supplement employed for growth.
Probability Theory, an Analytic View

This second edition of Daniel W. Stroock's text is suitable for first-year graduate students with a good grasp of introductory, undergraduate probability theory and a sound grounding in analysis. It is intended to provide readers with an introduction to probability theory and the analytic ideas and tools on which the modern theory relies. It includes more than 750 exercises. Much of the content has undergone significant revision. In particular, the treatment of Levy processes has been rewritten, and a detailed account of Gaussian measures on a Banach space is given. The first part of the book deals with independent random variables, Central Limit phenomena, and the construction of Levy processes, including Brownian motion. Conditioning is developed and applied to discrete parameter martingales in Chapter 5, Chapter 6 contains the ergodic theorem and Burkholder's inequality, and continuous parameter martingales are discussed in Chapter 7. Chapter 8 is devoted to Gaussian measures on a Banach space, where they are treated from the abstract Wiener space perspective. The abstract theory of weak convergence is developed in Chapter 9, which ends with a proof of Donsker's Invariance Principle. The concluding two chapters contain applications of Brownian motion to the analysis of partial differential equations and potential theory.
Analysis of ovarian teratomas for isochromosome 12p: Evidence supporting a dual histogenetic pathway for teratomatous elements

Teratomas are the most common germ cell tumor (GCT) of the ovary and include several types with a range of clinical behavior. As in testicular teratomas, they may be benign, malignant or a component of a mixed GCT. In the testis, data support separate pathogeneses for prepubertal and postpubertal teratomas, with derivation of the former from a nontransformed germ cell and the latter from differentiation of a nonteratomatous, malignant GCT. The absence of cytogenetic abnormalities (including isochromosome 12p (i(12p)) in mature ovarian teratomas suggests that they may be analogous to prepubertal testicular teratomas, but there are no data regarding genetic changes in the teratomatous components of ovarian mixed GCTs. We therefore studied the teratomatous components of six mixed GCTs of the ovary using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for i(12p). Six mixed GCTs of the ovary occurred in patients 4-33 years of age; all had teratomatous and yolk sac tumor components and three also contained foci of embryonal carcinoma. Using FISH with 12p telomeric and 12 centromeric probes, five of six (83%) cases had detectable i(12p) in their nonteratomatous components, and four of six (66%) in the teratomatous component. One of the two cases without demonstrable i(12p) in the teratomatous portion of the mixed GCT also did not have identifiable 12p abnormalities in other elements of the mixed GCT. By comparison, five pure, mature ovarian teratomas and three pure, immature ovarian teratomas showed no evidence of either i(12p) or other forms of 12p amplification. These findings support that teratoma in mixed ovarian GCTs has a different pathogenesis compared to pure teratoma of the ovary. Furthermore, the findings of i(12p) in both the teratomatous and nonteratomatous components of ovarian mixed GCTs supports that the teratoma derives from other components, similar to the situation in the testis.
Magnetic and electrical transport properties of CaCrO3

Abstract The preparation of crystalline CaCrO 3 and some of its magnetic and electrical properties are reported. The electrical resistivity is metal like. The high-temperature susceptibility is Curie-Weiss paramagnetic with θ = −920°K, indicative of antiferromagnetic interactions; a break in the susceptibility at about 325°K suggests antiferromagnetic ordering at that temperature. A first-order transition occurs at 90°K accompanied by the appearance of a very small ferromagnetic moment and a discontinuity in the resistivity. X-ray data indicate that this is an 0-orthorhombic → 0′-orthorhombic crystallographic transformation. The low temperature state is probably a canted antiferromagnet.
A Proposed Earth Science Collaboratory for Remote Sensing Data Analysis

The past decade has seen many advancements in data management of remote sensing data, with much of the data available online. However, while the data access problem is largely (though not completely) solved, remote sensing data is still sometimes difficult to find, in part because of the myriad data sources. Data can also be difficult to use, especially for first-time users of a particular data set, due to complex data structures and data formats, as well as the need to understand how ancillary and quality information should be used in analysis. We propose the development of an Earth Science Collaboratory (ESC), which would be a rich science data analysis environment available to the community. The ESC would integrate tools and services with datasets and facilitate the sharing of the related knowledge.
Rabbit Blood Lymphocytes May Be T Cells with Surface Immunoglobulins

Rabbit peripheral blood lymphocytes and thymus cells do not respond to lipopolysaccharide mitogen in vitro, whereas spleen cells do. Soluble concanavalin A consistently stimulates 80 to 90 percent of rabbit peripheral blood lymphocytes, and the morphologic changes associated with such transformation may be observed within 18 hours after stimulation. Approximately 80 percent of rabbit peripheral blood lymphocytes have demonstrable immunoglobulin markers. These and other observations suggest that most rabbit peripheral blood lymphocytes are T cells with surface immunoglobulins.
ABSENCE OF GOLDSTINO DECOUPLING IN HIERARCHICAL SUPERUNIFIED MODELS

It is shown that there exists a class of hierarchical supersymmetric unified models in which the Goldstino field does not decouple from the light states. We illustrate this with an SU N model. The phenomenology and cosmology of such models is discussed. In supersymmetric gauge theories with O'Raifeartaigh-type supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking it is generally the case that the vacuum expectation value (VEV) of the scalar super partner of the Goldstino field is not determined in the tree approximation [ 1 ]. It was suggested by Witten that the vacuum expectation value (VEV), (G) might be determined by radiative corrections to be much larger than any mass parameter present in the original superpotentiai [2], Such mass parameters we will denote by m. Subsequent analysis showed that (G) is indeed determined from a renormalization-group improved, one-loop calculation of the effective potential ,t [3-5]. While in Witten's original model a degree of fine tuning is required [6] to produce G >> m, the possibility remains that in general a large hierarchy ("inverted hierarchy") may be produced in this way. In Witten's original model it is the case that, if (G) >> m, then only supermultiplets of mass O((G)) suffer SUSY breaking in the tree approximation; states of mass m or zero remain in degenerate supermult~lets, and gain SUSY breaking corrections of O(mZ/(G)) throu~a radiative corrections. Thus one is led to identify mZ/(G) with the weak scale, m with some intermediate scale O(1011 GeV) and (G) with some grand unification (or Planck?) scale [5,7]. This decoupling phenomenon is in fact perfectly general in O'Raifeartaigh-type models as long as G is
Hydrodechlorination of chlorinated benzenes in a continuous microwave reactor

An expeditious hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzenes is observed over 0.5% Pd/Al2O3 catalyst by conducting the reaction under microwave irradiation conditions. Even though the loss of active metal surface area is substantial and identical in both microwave and conventional heating reactions, the higher rate and sustainability of the microwave reaction may be due to the selective and rapid absorption of microwaves by the polar chlorinated substrates that facilitates their relatively easy removal from the catalyst surface. It is also speculated that the rate of desorption of the products (especially the poisonous HCl) is more critical in sustaining the catalyst activity. The experiments also reveal a significant reduction in power consumption under the microwave reaction than the reaction conducted using conventional heating.
INFLATION, UNEMPLOYMENT AND EXTERNAL DEFICIT: THEORETICAL OBSERVATIONS AND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

Students of balance of payments theory are undoubtedly familiar with the various discussions concerning the use of monetary‐fiscal policies to attain internal and external balance. The seminal contributions to this particular branch of balance of payments theory are commonly associated with R.A. Mundell [1960, 1961, 1962, 1963], though it might be noted, in passing, that the problem had received attention even earlier from W.M.Corden [1960], T.W.Swan [1955], and others. Mundell's efforts, in turn, stimulated during the 1960's a considerable body of literature on the subject, a representative sample of which includes contributions by Fleming [1962], H.G. Johnson [1966], Krueger [1967], Levin [1968], Ott and Ott [1968], and Sohmen [1967]. That the subject continues to command interest is evidenced by such recent papers as those of Argy [1971], Fausten [1971], Leighton [1970], Wrightsman [1970], and Zelder, Ross, and Collery [1972]. Moreover, it is quite apparent that this interest is further reinforced by the current preoccupation with the implications of the proposed European monetary unification for the domestic policies of the individual EEC countries.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome with asystole requiring permanent pacemaker: a case report

Guillain-Barre syndrome is an acute demyelinating disorder of the peripheral nervous system that results from an aberrant immune response directed at peripheral nerves. Autonomic abnormalities in Guillain-Barre syndrome are usually transient and reversible. We present a case of Guillain-Barre syndrome requiring a permanent pacemaker in view of persistent symptomatic bradyarrhythmia. An 18-year-old Caucasian female presented with bilateral lower limb paraesthesias followed by bilateral progressive leg weakness and difficulty in walking. She reported an episode of an upper respiratory tract infection 3 weeks prior to the onset of her neurological symptoms. Diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome was considered and a lumbar puncture was performed. Cerebrospinal fluid revealed albuminocytologic dissociation (increased protein but normal white blood cell count) suggestive of Guillain-Barre syndrome and hence an intravenous immunoglobulin G infusion was started. Within 48 hours, she progressed to complete flaccid quadriparesis with involvement of respiratory muscles requiring mechanical ventilatory support. Whist in the intensive care unit, she developed multiple episodes of bradycardia and asystole requiring a temporary pacemaker. In view of the persistent requirement for the temporary pacemaker for more than 5 days, she received a permanent pacemaker. She returned for follow-up three months after discharge with an intermittent need for ventricular pacing. Guillain-Barre syndrome can result in permanent damage to the cardiac conduction system. Patients with multiple episodes of bradycardia and asystole in the setting of Guillain-Barre syndrome should be evaluated and considered as potential candidates for permanent pacemaker implantation.
Effect of buoyancy on laminar fully developed flow in a vertical annular passage with radial internal fins

Abstract Laminar fully developed flow in an internally finned vertical concentric circular annular duct has been numerically analysed. The fins are radial and affixed on the outside of the inner tube. The outer wall is insulated, while a uniform heat input is applied at the inner tube (buoyancy aiding the flow). It is found that buoyancy increases both the friction and the heat transfer. The effect, compared relative to the no buoyancy case, is stronger when the number of fins is small or the fins are short. Accounting for the buoyancy effects, a finned passage appears to be an even more effective heat exchange device.
Cancer as an epigenetic disease: DNA methylation and chromatin alterations in human tumours.

Cancer is an epigenetic disease at the same level that it can be considered a genetic disease. In fact, epigenetic changes, particularly DNA methylation, are susceptible to change and are excellent candidates to explain how certain environmental factors may increase the risk of cancer. The delicate organization of methylation and chromatin states that regulates the normal cellular homeostasis of gene expression patterns becomes unrecognizable in the cancer cell. The genome of the transformed cell undergoes simultaneously a global genomic hypomethylation and a dense hypermethylation of the CpG islands associated with gene regulatory regions. These dramatic changes may lead to chromosomal instability, activation of endogenous parasitic sequences, loss of imprinting, illegitimate expression, aneuploidy, and mutations, and may contribute to the transcriptional silencing of tumour suppressor genes. The hypermethylation-associated inactivation affects virtually all of the pathways in the cellular network, such as DNA repair (hMLH1, BRCA1, MGMT, em leader), the cell cycle (p16(INK4a), p14(ARF), p15(INK4b), ...), and apoptosis (DAPK, APAF-1, ...). The aberrant CpG island methylation can also be used as a biomarker of malignant cells and as a predictor of their behaviour, and may constitute a good target for future therapies.
PEG/clay nanocomposite hydrogel: a mechanically robust tissue engineering scaffold

Nanocomposite hydrogels with enhanced mechanical properties could have tremendous biomedical applications. Here we describe synthesis and characterizations of biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA)/Laponite nanocomposite (NC) hydrogels that can support both two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) cell cultures. The PEGDA/Laponite NC hydrogels with enhanced mechanical properties were developed by harnessing the ability of PEGDA oligomers to simultaneously form chemically crosslinked networks while interacting with Laponite nanoparticles through secondary interactions. Incorporation of Laponite nanoparticles significantly enhanced both the compressive and tensile properties of PEGDA hydrogels, which were dependent on both the molecular weight of PEG, and concentrations of Laponite nanoparticles. Unlike PEGDA hydrogels, PEGDA-NC hydrogels supported cell adhesion and their subsequent spreading in a 2D culture. In addition to supporting the 2D cell growth, the PEGDA NC hydrogels supported 3D cell encapsulation similar to that of widely used PEGDA hydrogel systems. Such nanocomposite hydrogels with enhanced mechanical properties could have potential applications as 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering. Additionally, the ability of PEGDA NC hydrogels to support 3D culture of encapsulated cells makes them an ideal injectable system with minimally invasive strategies for in vivo applications.
A Single Residue Differentiates between Human Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle Na+ Channel Slow Inactivation

Abstract Slow inactivation determines the availability of voltage-gated sodium channels during prolonged depolarization. Slow inactivation in hNa V 1.4 channels occurs with a higher probability than hNa V 1.5 sodium channels; however, the precise molecular mechanism for this difference remains unclear. Using the macropatch technique we show that the DII S5-S6 p-region uniquely confers the probability of slow inactivation from parental hNa V 1.5 and hNa V 1.4 channels into chimerical constructs expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to test whether a specific region within DII S5-S6 controls the probability of slow inactivation. We found that substituting V754 in hNa V 1.4 with isoleucine from the corresponding position (891) in hNa V 1.5 produced steady-state slow inactivation statistically indistinguishable from that in wild-type hNa V 1.5 channels, whereas other mutations have little or no effect on slow inactivation. This result indicates that residues V754 in hNa V 1.4 and I891in hNa V 1.5 are unique in determining the probability of slow inactivation characteristic of these isoforms. Exchanging S5-S6 linkers between hNa V 1.4 and hNa V 1.5 channels had no consistent effect on the voltage-dependent slow time inactivation constants [ τ (V)]. This suggests that the molecular structures regulating rates of entry into and exit from the slow inactivated state are different from those controlling the steady-state probability and reside outside the p-regions.
IRON IN THE LEAVES AND CHLOROPLASTS OF SOME PLANTS IN RELATION TO THEIR CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT.

That lime-induced chlorosis can be alleviated by the application of iron salts has been recognized for a hundred years. As early as 1845, Gris (8) treated chlorotic plants with iron and obtained positive results ; his experiments have been repeatedly confirmed. Opinions differ widely, however, as to the comparative amount and state of iron in chlorotic leaves. Various investigators have presented evidence indicating that more, the same, or less iron is present in chlorotic than in green leaves. Those who have reported the first two conditions have, in general, explained chlorosis as an immobilization or inactivation of iron which occurs mainly, or at least to a greater extent, in chlorotic leaves than in green ones. Of the more recent workers, Wallace (20) and Vidal (19) found no relation between total iron and chlorophyll content in lime-induced chlorosis, but Gil? and Carrero (5) and Chapman (2) did. Olsen (13) was unable to relate total iron to chlorophyll content in plants grown in iron-deficient culture solution whereas Scholz was able to find such a relationship. Both Moore (12) and Griessmeyer (7) demonstrated the qualitative presence of iron in chloroplasts by employing staining reactions. Leibich (10) found up to 82 per cent, of the leaf iron in the chloroplasts of spinach. Hill and Lehmann (9) found the isolated chloroplasts of Claytonia to contain four times as much iron as would be expected were the iron equally distributed throughout the leaf. That the iron in the leaf is not all in the same chemical combination and
Cyclophosphamide in combination with tumor lysate and TLR9 ligand regresses murine neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer of neural crest origin that accounts for 12% of all pediatric cancer deaths. Despite improved survival in patients that receive standard care plus anti-GD2 immune therapy, there remains a 40% mortality rate in high-risk patients. This high mortality emphasizes the need for continued testing of immune-based therapies for the treatment of refractory neuroblastoma. Using a murine model, we previously observed a cell-mediated immune response resulting in elimination of established neuroblastoma when mice were given a whole-cell tumor vaccine expressing CD80, CD86, CD54 and CD137L. Given the anti-tumor efficacy of this immune-based therapy, we designed and tested a more clinically translatable protocol for the treatment of established neuroblastoma. In this study, unmodified tumor cell lysate and the TLR9 ligand, CpG-ODN 1826 (CpG), was given as immune therapy in combination with cyclophosphamide (CY). To establish tumor burden, mice were inoculated subcutaneously (s.c.) with 10E5 live neuroblastoma cells. Four and five days following tumor inoculation mice received 100 mg/kg intravenous cyclophosphamide. Nine 16, 23, and 30 days following tumor inoculation some mice received the tumor cell lysate and CpG immune therapy. When only CY was administered, all mice succumbed to tumor. When tumor lysate and CpG were added to the CY treatment protocol, tumors regressed and there was 60% survival. Immune cell analysis revealed an increase in activated mature (I-Ak+CD11c+) dendritic cells in the spleen and draining lymph nodes of mice that received CY, CpG and tumor lysate. We also found evidence of an adaptive immune response. Mice treated with CY, CpG and tumor lysate had an increase in the percentage of Ki67+ proliferating splenic CD4 and CD8 T cells. In addition, there was an increase in T effector memory (CD44hiCD62Llo) cells in the spleens of mice treated with Cy, lysate and CpG. Splenic T cells harvested from these mice produced interferon gamma (IFN-γ) when exposed to neuroblastoma tumor cells. Of great importance for clinical translation, when either autologous or allogeneic lysate was given in combination with CY and CpG, IFN-γ was produced in tumor-specific splenic CD8 T cells. Survival curves were similar regardless of administration of autologous or allogeneic tumor lysate. We are continuing to explore the treatment-related immune mechanisms that promote tumor regression with hope for clinical translation of this protocol.
Electrochemical oxidation of 5,6-diaminouracil an investigation by thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry

Abstract The electrochemical oxidation of 5,6-diaminouracil has been studied by thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry at a gold minigrid electrode. It has been found that 5,6-diaminouracil is electrooxidized to a diimine intermediate which can be detected by means of its u.v. absorption spectrum. The kinetics of hydrolysis of the diimine species has been measured and the process is a first order reaction. The solution rate constant over the range of pH from 4 to 6 has been measured. The results of these kinetic studies by thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry confirm the results obtained by purely electrochemical methods. This study also indicates the potential utility of thin-layer spectroelectrochemical techniques for the investigation of the electrooxidation reactions of biologically important purines.
Unusual magnetic field effects in organic solids

Abstract Magnetic field effects on triplet-triplet fusion and related phenomena in organic solids, under conditions of magnetic energies small compared to thermal energies, are reviewed.
Vocal register effects on vowel spectral noise and roughness: Findings for adult females

This study was the second in a series designed to investigate the effects of vocal register (vocal, fry, modal, and falsetto) on the perceived roughness and spectral noise level of isolated test vowels. The first study (reported previously) was concerned with such effects on the phonations of adult females; in this study the phonations of adult males were investigated. Each of 15 male subjects produced at a controlled intensity each of two test vowels (/u/ and /ae/) in each of three vocal registers. Eleven listeners subsequently rated the test samples for roughness on a 5-point equal-appearing intervals scale. The criterion measure of roughness for each sample was the median of listener ratings (MRR). Each sample was also analyzed to produce its 3-Hz bandwidth acoustic spectrum from which measures of vowel spectral noise were obtained. The criterion measure of spectral noise level (SNL) for each test sample was the mean of 25 measures taken in the frequency range from 100 to 2600 Hz. The major finding was that the MRR and SNL for productions of both test vowels diminished significantly across vocal registers; i.e., from fry, to modal, to falsetto. In general, the present findings for males appeared consistent with those we reported earlier for phonations by adult females.
Analytical investigation of electrical performance of metal-insulator-III–V semiconductor field-effect transistors

Abstract A two-dimensional analytical model for the drain current characteristics and related properties of an n -channel MISFET is developed. Taking the carrier diffusion and velocity saturation in the channel into account, the current resulting from applied drain and gate biases is modeled. The model is used to calculate the electrical properties of GaAs and InGaAs MISFETs. For both of these MISFETs Si 3 N 4 is used as an insulator layer. In order to highlight the advantages of III–V semiconductor MISFETs over Si MOSFETs theoretical results are also obtained for Si MOSFETs. For these MOSFETs SiO 2 is used as an oxide layer. The calculated results strongly demonstrate the superiority of InGaAs and GaAs MISFETs over Si MOSFETs.
Evaluation of the mixed interaction between apolipoproteins A-II and C-I by equilibrium sedimentation

Abstract The mixed interaction between human apolipoproteins C-I and A-II, each of which self-associate in aqueous solution, has been evaluated by sedimentation equilibrium measurements. In order to simplify data analysis apoC-I and apoA-II were modified by treatment with 2-nitrophenylsulfenyl chloride and tetranitromethane respectively. The molecular properties of the resulting derivatives, S-apoC-I and N-apoA-II, each of which have appreciable extinction coefficients above 350 run, were indistinguishable from the corresponding unmodified species. Sedimentation equilibrium data were obtained with mixtures of S-apoC-I and native apoA-II, N-apoA-II and native apoC-I, and native apoC-I and native apoA-II. Mixed complex formation was detected readily with all mixtures investigated. The combined results were most consistent with a single mixed oligomer containing 2 molecules of apoA-II and 4 molecules of apoC-I. The corresponding equilibrium constant was 31 248 ± 890 ( XXX gm ) 5 .
Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration for Mediastinal Lymph Node Staging in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Mediastinoscopy is the gold standard for mediastinal lymph node (MLN) staging for non-small cell lung cancer patients; however, mediastinoscopy is invasive and allows access to a limited number of American Thoracic Society MLN stations (1, 2, 3, 4, and 7). Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is emerging as a useful, less invasive staging technique that offers access to a wider range of MLN stations (2, 3, 4, 7, 10, and 11). Although EBUS-TBNA has excellent sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy, an alternative MLN biopsy technique (i.e., mediastinoscopy or thoracoscopy) is required to confirm negative cytology findings, especially after induction therapy. Additionally, an experienced cytopathologist is critical to establishing an effective EBUS-TBNA program.
Critical behavior of global demons and hybrid Monte Carlo in the XY model

Abstract We study global demon dynamics, which introduces global variables to generate a non-local, non-hamiltonian “canonical” dynamics, as a method for simulating lattice regularized field theories. Comparison to several implementations of hybrid Monte Carlo is made in the XY model, supporting the conjecture that HMC with trajectory length 1 has poor critical behavior. Dynamical critical exponents are estimated in the various approaches.
A Computational Investigation of Murray’s Law Using 3-D Navier Stokes Solutions and Derivative-Free Optimization

Murray’s law has been the subject of continual investigation since its derivation in 1926. In his original work Murray solved a simple analytical optimization problem to minimize power requirements, balancing flow rate and metabolic function to find the optimal relationship between the radius of a parent and daughter vessel in a bifurcation along with the bifurcation angle. The cost function used in his work was the sum of a pressure loss term and a metabolic cost term. Minimizing this cost function, Murray derived the following relationship between parent and daughter vessels, Display Formularpα=rd1α+rd2α and an angle between the branches of 37.5°.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Infection control in home healthcare: an exploratory study of issues for patients and providers

The number of home healthcare clinicians who have acquired an infection as the direct result of patient care is not known. How clinicians practice infection prevention and control in home healthcare is also unknown. To describe infection prevention and control policies and practices in the home healthcare setting, an exploratory study in the form of a 22-question survey was conducted. Findings confirm the presence of occupationally acquired infections among home healthcare clinicians and that infection prevention and control practices vary widely across agencies.
Homogeneous phase synthesis of cellulose carbamate silica hybrid materials using 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid medium

Abstract Cellulose carbamate silica hybrid materials can be prepared in 78–84% yield using the homogeneous phase reaction of 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate with cellulose dissolved in 1- n -butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid and then using NH 4 OH catalyzed hydrolysis of triethoxysilyl groups and the sol–gel process. New cellulose carbamate silica hybrid materials produced were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, and TG-DTA. The hydrophilic affinity of these materials is shown to decrease with the degree of substitution of the cellulose hydroxyl groups with carbamate groups.
An N-Person Pure Bargaining Game

Abstract We propose an n -person pure bargaining game which generalizes Rubinstein′s two-person bargaining game, and show that there exists a unique perfect equilibrium outcome. The solution approaches the n -person Nash solution, as defined by Chae ["The n -person Nash bargaining solution with time preference," Econ. Lett. 41 (1993), 21–24] in the time preference framework, as the time lapse between bargaining rounds goes to 0. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Number: C78.
Systematic variation of rare earths in monazite

Abstract Ten monazites from widely scattered localities have been analyzed for La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Y and Th by means of a combined chemical and emission spectrographic method. The analytical results, calculated to atomic percent of total rare earths (thorium excluded), show a considerable variation in the proportions of every element except praseodymium, which is relatively constant. The general variation trends of the elements may be calculated by assuming that the monazites represent different stages in a fractional precipitation process, and by assuming that there is a gradational increase in the precipitability of rare earth elements with decreasing ionic radius. Fractional precipitation brings about an increase in lanthanum and cerium, little change in praseodymium, and a decrease in neodymium, samarium, gadolinium, and yttrium. Deviations from the calculated lines of variation consist of a simultaneous, abnormal increase or decrease in the proportions of cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium with antipathetic decrease or increase in the proportions of the other elements. These deviations are ascribed to abnormally high or low temperatures that affect the precipitability of the central trio of elements (Ce, Pr, Nd) relatively more than that of the other elements. The following semiquantitative rules have been found useful in describing the composition of rare earths from monazite: 1. 1. The sum of lanthanum and neodymium is very nearly a constant at 42 ± 2 atomic percent. 2. 2. Praseodymium is very nearly constant at 5 ± 1 atomic percent. 3. 3. The sum of Ce, Sm, Gd, and Y is very nearly a constant at 53 ± 3 atomic percent. No correlation could be established between the content of Th and that of any of the rare earth elements.
The study of surface polaritons by transition radiation

Abstract An experimental method for the study of surface polaritons by the use of of transition radiation is proposed. It is found that the placement of a prism close to the surface of a crystal allows one to study the decaying surface modes that are excited by a geam of charged particles travelling perpendicular to the surface of the crystal. Analytic and numerical results for the energy radiated per unit solid angle per unit frequency interval by a single charged particle over its complete trajectory are presented for the phonon form of the dielectric onstant for the crystal GaP. It is found that the predicted effects should be observable experimentally.
Selection of a strain of Aedes aegypti susceptible to Dirofilaria immitis and lacking intracellular concretions in the Malpighian tubules.

Abstract In the process of selecting strains of Aedes aegypti refractory and susceptible to Dirofilaria immitis , we coselected for mosquitoes in the susceptible strain that lacked intracellular concretions in the cells of the Malpighian tubules. Using light and electron microscopy we were able to show that the cells lack both the crystals and the vacuoles surrounding them which are characteristic of the primary cells in the Malpighian tubules. Electron-probe microanalysis of whole tubules demonstrates that the tubules lacking crystals are also depleted in calcium, magnesium, manganese and phosphorus, compared to tubules from the refractory strain which contain crystals. Tests with larvae from these strains were unable to demonstrate increased mortality in larvae lacking intracellular crystals, either in media low in free calcium and magnesium, or in media high in zinc, manganese and magnesium. The genetic basis for the lack of crystals and the relationship of this trait to the susceptible condition are not yet known.
Unguarded comments on the administration of New South Wales, 1839–46: The Gipps‐La Trobe private correspondence∗

(1959). Unguarded comments on the administration of New South Wales, 1839–46: The Gipps‐La Trobe private correspondence. Historical Studies: Australia and New Zealand: Vol. 9, No. 33, pp. 30-45.