cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mammary Development in Gilts at One Week Postnatal Is Related to Plasma Lysine Concentration at 24 h after Birth, but Not Colostrum Dose.

Perinatal nutrition affects future milk production. The number of mammary epithelial cells affect milk production capacity. Therefore, it was hypothesized that the level of colostrum intake affects the proliferation rate and the total number of mammary epithelial cells in the gland. The ratio of newly synthesized protein to newly synthesized DNA reflects the relative amount of cellular differentiation to cell division. The study objective was to determine the relationship between the level of colostrum intake and 24 h-level of circulating amino acid, glucose and insulin with mammary parenchyma histological features, cell division and protein synthesis over the first week postnatal. One of two standardized doses of a homogenate colostrum sample, 10% (n = 8) and 20% (n = 8) of birth bodyweight, was fed to gilts over the first 24 h postnatal. Gilts were administered deuterium oxide immediately after birth and daily to label newly synthesized DNA and proteins. Gilts were euthanized on postnatal day seven, and DNA and protein were isolated from mammary parenchyma. DNA and protein fractional synthesis (f) and fractional synthetic rate (FSR) were calculated using mass isotopomer distribution analysis. The ratio of protein f and FSR to DNA f and FSR were calculated and used to indicate the relative amounts of differentiation to cell division. Mammary morphological development was also analyzed by measuring the parenchymal epithelial area and the stromal and epithelial proliferation index on postnatal day seven. Colostrum dose was not related to any of the variables used to evaluate mammary development. However, plasma lysine levels at 24 h postnatal were positively related to average daily gain (ADG; r = 0.54, p = 0.05), DNA f (r = 0.57; p = 0.03) and DNA FSR (r = 0.57; p = 0.03) in mammary parenchyma. Plasma lysine was inversely related to the ratio of protein to DNA f and FSR (r = −0.56; p = 0.04). ADG was related to the parenchymal epithelial area and DNA and protein f and FSR (p < 0.05). These relationships support the idea that the nutritional environment affects early mammary development and that higher lysine levels in the perinatal period favored a greater degree of cell division versus differentiation in mammary of neonatal pigs and thus, warrant further investigations.
Dual-Mode Polymer-Based Temperature Sensor by Dedoping of Electrochemically Doped, Conjugated Polymer Thin Films

Polymer temperature sensors are important for applications in food packaging, air conditioning, wearable devices, and biomedicine. However, the sensing range of these sensors is narrow, and the mod...
The 2012 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science presented to Sean B. Carroll

Abstract Sean B. Carroll was chosen for a Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science for proposing and, demonstrating that the diversity and multiplicity of animal forms is mainly a result of changes in regulation of gene transcription rather than mutation of the genes themselves.
Principal Components Analysis

We study principal components analysis for two reasons, first because the ideas in it are central to much of multivariate analysis and secondly as a data reduction technique. By the latter we mean that we start with a relatively large number of variables and hope to wind up with a smaller number of variables that include most of what was in the larger set of variables. It is sometimes said that principal components analysis and factor analysis reveal the structure of a set of observations.
Enhancing graph matching techniques with ontologies

Ontologies are being used increasingly in fusion applications, particularly for higher-level fusion, where data must often be understood relationally. This research presents a methodology for utilizing ontologies to enhance the process of graph matching in fusion applications, particularly those associated with soft data (e.g., linguistic data existing in things such as intelligence messages). This paper presents some of the considerations and challenges associated with merging the technologies of ontologies and graph matching, as well as some preliminary research findings that show the effectiveness of using ontologies to enhance the matching capabilities of target graphs (as relational items of interest) against larger data graphs.
Low temperature IC-compatible wafer-to-wafer bonding with embedded micro channels for integrated sensing systems

In this work, a low temperature wafer-to-wafer bonding technique is demonstrated. The technology can be implemented on a variety of materials serving as planar substrates in the microelectronics industry. As an integral part of this technique, one of the wafers to be bonded contains a patterned micro molded layer on the surface with a thickness range of 2 /spl mu/m to 250 /spl mu/m. The patterned layer serves three important purposes. First, the surface of the layer represents the bonding surface to which the second wafer is bonded. Second, the patterned areas serve as integral components of the micromachined sensor/actuator (e.g. dielectric spacers, diaphragm spacers, micro channels, reservoirs). Third, the open channels are needed as part of the fabrication sequence for the bonding process. The bonding layer on each wafer consists of a polyimide material. The patterned layer is a photosensitive polyimide material defined using conventional photolithographic techniques. The bonding layer on the second wafer is a thin film (0.5 /spl mu/m -2.0 /spl mu/m) of polyimide material. The polyimide layers are cured to specific degrees and aligned together before final cure and bonding. The bonding technique can be utilized in the fabrication of micromachined sensors/actuators as well as a post processing step to integrated circuit fabrication. Therefore, micromachined systems can be realized utilizing micro sensors/actuators and the integrated circuits required for signal processing, communication, and control.
How the Literature is Used A View Through Citation and Usage Statistics of the ADS

The data holdings, usage and citation records of the NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS) form a unique environment for bibliometric studies. Here we will highlight one such study. Using the citation and usage statistics from the NASA Astrophysics Data System, we study the impact of offering a paper as an electronic pre-print (“e-print”) on the arXiv e-print repository, prior to its publication in a scholarly journal. We will address the following questions for astronomy: are people reading the e-prints from arXiv instead of the journal articles? Are e-prints read in a different way than journal articles? What is the impact of offering a paper as e-print prior to its publication in a scholarly journal? We will show that in astronomy, the e-prints are not being read instead of the journal article. As soon as the journal article is published, users prefer to read the article. Our analysis confirms that journal articles which were submitted as e-print on arXiv, prior to their publication, show higher citation rates than journal articles that were not submitted as e-print.
Photonic bandgap materials: design, fabrication, and characterization

We have developed a novel ceramic processing technique to fabricate photonic crys­ tals with close-packed lattices of air pores in a dielectric background. The ordering of colloidal spheres and incorporation of the titania is performed simultaneously, in contrcist to other approaches. Excellent ordering of the lattice of eiir pores is achieved over domains extending over 100 fx. The photonic crystals exhibit a uniform color and a cor­ responding sharp peak in the reflectivity at the wavelength of the first stop band. The position of the reflectivity peak scales very well with the size of the air pores, providing strong evidence for photonic crystal effects.
Measurement of Bmax and Kd with the glycine transporter 1 radiotracer ¹⁸F-MK6577 using a novel multi-infusion paradigm.

Glycine is a co-agonist of glutamate at the NMDA receptor. Glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) inhibitors are reported to be potential therapeutic agents for schizophrenia. 18F-MK6577 is a new positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer useful for imaging brain GlyT1 and its occupancy in humans. We devised a novel multi-infusion paradigm of radiolabeled and unlabeled compound and an iterative linear/nonlinear alternating fitting method to allow for the determination of in vivo affinity (Kd) and target concentration (Bmax) images, constraining Kd to be uniform across the brain. This paradigm was tested with 18F-MK6577 in baboons. Voxel-based analysis produced high quality Bmax images and reliable Kd estimates, and also suggested that the nondisplaceable distribution volume (VND) is not uniform throughout the brain. In vivo GlyT1 Kd was estimated to be 1.87 nmol/L for 18F-MK6577, and the rank order of GlyT1 distribution measured in the baboon brain was: high in the brainstem (133 nmol/L), medium in the cerebellum (83 nmol/L), and low in the cortex (30 nmol/L). These in vivo Kd and Bmax values agreed well with those determined in vitro, thus validating our novel multi-infusion approach.
On Reformulating Planning as Dynamic Constraint Satisfaction

In recent years, researchers have reformulated STRIPS planning problems as SAT problems or CSPs. In this paper, we discuss the Constraint-Based Interval Planning (CBIP) paradigm, which can represent planning problems incorporating interval time and resources. We describe how to reformulate mutual exclusion constraints for a CBIP-based system, the Extendible Uniform Remote Operations Planner Architecture (EUROPA). We show that reformulations involving dynamic variable domains restrict the algorithms which can be used to solve the resulting DCSP. We present an alternative formulation which does not employ dynamic domains, and describe the relative merits of the different reformulations.
Polynominal Approximation of Functions of Matrices and Its Application the the Solution of a General System of Linear Equations

During the process of solving a mathematical model numerically, there is often a need to operate on a vector v by an operator which can be expressed as f(A) while A is NxN matrix (ex: exp(A), sin(A), A sup -1). Except for very simple matrices, it is impractical to construct the matrix f(A) explicitly. Usually an approximation to it is used. In the present research, an algorithm is developed which uses a polynomial approximation to f(A). It is reduced to a problem of approximating f(z) by a polynomial in z while z belongs to the domain D in the complex plane which includes all the eigenvalues of A. This problem of approximation is approached by interpolating the function f(z) in a certain set of points which is known to have some maximal properties. The approximation thus achieved is almost best. Implementing the algorithm to some practical problem is described. Since a solution to a linear system Ax = b is x= A sup -1 b, an iterative solution to it can be regarded as a polynomial approximation to f(A) = A sup -1. Implementing the algorithm in this case is also described.
Circulation Training in an Integrated Library System: A Case Study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Library participated in the statewide conversion to a new integrated library system in the summer of 2002. Prior to the system's implementation, various local and statewide committees coordinated efforts to train their staffs so as to ensure a seamless transition. This case study analyzes, in detail, the successes and limitations of the training program at the UIUC Library, with respect to the circulation module. The program can serve as a model for libraries needing to train a large staff body in a short amount of time.
Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines: lessons from the past.

The Committee on Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics attempts to provide "guidelines that complement the physician9s clinical judgment and facilitate the making of well reasoned decisions. Unanswered scientific questions, the complexity of medical practice, new information, and inevitable differences of opinion between experts result in inherent limitations"1 in this process. With regard to the first-generation Haemophilus b polysaccharide vaccines (HBPV or PRP), the Committee issued a statement on Nov 13, 1987 (PedComm: AAP Member Alert), in which its concern regarding the preliminary efficacy estimates derived from "case-control" studies performed by several investigative groups in various areas in the United States was expressed.
A performance modeling and analysis environment for reconfigurable computers

In many of the various layers of software supporting reconfigurable architectures such as compilers, operating systems, synthesis tools, and so forth, a primary objective is to deliver the performance, power, cost, and other advantages of reconfigurable architectures to a target application. Inherent to these tools are various estimation procedures for such performance metrics as throughput time, power, reliability, cost, and so on. Analysis of Reconfigurable Computers (ARC) is a comprehensive analysis and modeling tool we are developing that can be used to calculate these and other performance metrics.
Organizational Ethics Programs and the Need for Stakeholder Discourse

More than ever, businesses are called upon to manage organizational ethics programs. There are, as of yet, no internationally accepted guidelines for doing so. Some find in the U.S. Federal Sentencing Guidelines a framework that fits this need (Palmer & Zakhem, 2001; Izraeli & Schwartz, 1998; Jackson, 1997). As they stand, the Guidelines offer little insight as to what constitutes “ethical conduct.” This in itself is not a problem. Indeed, the question of what business ethics demand is for the most part an “open” question and one that should be regularly revisited to better understand and properly act on changing stakeholder demands (Freeman, 2008). What does constitute a problem, however, is that the Guidelines offer no suggestions as to how an organization ought to work through, in a morally acceptable way, inevitable stakeholder conflict over what is good and right. Following Jurgen Habermas’s insights on discourse ethics, this paper states that the lack of a substantive and discursive procedural ethic threatens ethics program effectiveness. This article expands upon these claims and offers some thoughts about the mutually beneficial role that discourse ethics can and ought to play in effective ethics program management.
Density perturbations due to the inhomogeneous discrete spatial structure of space-time

We demonstrate that if space time admits an inhomogeneous discrete spatial structure due to varying gravitational fields or a foam-like structure of space-time, then thermodynamic reasoning implies that matter-density perturbations will arise in the early universe.
Glutamatergic Synapses: Molecular Organization

Glutamatergic synapses, which comprise the majority of excitatory synapses in the mammalian central nervous system, function by presynaptic release of glutamate onto postsynaptic glutamate receptors. At the postsynaptic site, the molecular interactions between glutamate receptors and various intracellular proteins suggest an intimate relationship between synaptic structure and function, and may provide insight into the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity that underlie learning and memory. Keywords: NMDA; AMPA; postsynaptic density; PDZ domain; long-term potentiation
Gender and Transformation in Africa

Sarah C. Brett-Smith. The Making of Bamana Sculpture: Creativity and Gender. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994. xx. 352 pp. (Honorable Mention, Victor Turner Prize for Ethnographic Writing, 1995) Eugenia Herbert. Iron, Gender and Power: Rituals of Transformation in African Societies. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1993. xii. 277 pp. Peter R. Schmidt. ed. The Culture and Technology of African Iron Production. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 1996. xvii. 338 pp.
Two cultures of science: the limits of positivism*

In the nineteenth century, science was inseparably identified with progress. This optimism has given way to a pandemic mistrust of science by all sorts of elites. Yet this by no means reproduces the traditional opposition between science and the humanities. On the contrary, it reflects a clash within the culture of science itself. From a positivist perspective, knowledge goes with certainty. The destructive power of modern science, even in democratic societies, along with epistemological shifts within scientific practice itself, have favoured the emergence of a different and valuable conception of the relation between science and society, one that entails a certain tentativeness with respect to recommending policy and evaluating the need for new areas of investigation. In a democracy, the view of scientific knowledge as ethically indeterminate is both philosophically shaky and pragmatically indispensable.
Role of genetic testing in hereditary melanoma

. Dermatologists are on the front lines of addressing patient ques-tions and concerns about genetic testing. With this article we will provide a con-cise review of the genetics of melanoma, criteria for identifying appropriate can-didates for genetic testing, the genetic testing process and implications of test result reporting.
The Effects of Interaction with Gay Persons on Attitudes Toward Homosexuality

This investigation focused on the influence of exposure to and interaction with gay persons on heterosexual self-reported attitudes of comfort with homosexuality. A group-administered questionnaire, including a 25-item scale by Hudson and Ricketts to measure the perceived degree of dread or discomfort of contact with homosexuals, was used in human sexuality classes at a southeastern metropolitan university during 1983. Findings taking into account the total scale scores, as well as the 25 individual item scores. suggested that exposure to and interaction with homosexuals results in a self-reported attitude of reduction in discomfort with homosexuals.
Metabolic deficiencies in protozoa induced by thalidomide.

Thalidomide inhibits growth of some protozoa. This inhibition was counteracted by nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and vitamin K1. The mechanism of toxicity may be an interference of cellular oxidation. A protozoan test system is useful for studying the potential "side actions" of drugs in higher animals and man.
A characterization of a bivariate geometric distribution

Abstract In this paper a characterization of a bivariate geometric distribution is obtained. The results are based on the discrete analogue of Cox's conditional failure rate.
Codependency: An interpersonal phenomenon

An alternative perspective to the clinical model of codependency is that codependency is contextual and reflects inequality within a relationship. This study examined whether the evaluation of codependent behavior depends on the context of the relationship, i.e., the reciprocity of the person’s partner, and the gender of the stimulus person (SP). College students (N=302, 46% non-Caucasian) read one of six scenarios in which the codependent SP’s behavior was held constant but the reciprocity of the partner and the gender of the SP were varied. The stimulus person and her/his relationship were rated significantly more healthy in the reciprocal condition than in the nonreciprocal or control conditions, but a better partner in the nonreciprocal condition. Codependent female SPs were judged less healthy but better partners than codependent male SPs. Judgments of codependent behavior and persons are contextual in nature, may reflect inequality within relationships, and to some extent, depend upon the gender of the codependent person.
Incremental propagation of discrete compaction bands: Acoustic emission and microstructural observations on circumferentially notched samples of Bentheim

[1] To simulate how compaction localization may develop from structural and stress heterogeneity, we studied in the laboratory the influence of a stress concentration due to a V-shaped circumferential notch in a cylindrical sample of Bentheim sandstone. Conventional triaxial experiments at confining pressure of 300 MPa were conducted. Acoustic emission activity was recorded, and each sample was deformed to a different stage and subsequently retrieved for microstructural observations. Our data indicate that compaction bands initiated from the notch tips and propagated by sequential increments as “anti-cracks”. The transverse propagation of a compaction band was inferred to be faster than the axial displacement rate by 2 orders of magnitude. Energy dissipated for compaction band formation was estimated to be comparable to the shear fracture energy for shear band propagation.
The effect of gamma-ray competition in statistical-model calculations of isomer yield ratios

Abstract The distributions in angular momentum in the formation of compound nuclei in 4 He ion bombardments and in their de-excitation by particle or gamma-ray emission were investigated in a compound-statistical model calculation of excitation functions and particle evaporation spectra. The calculation was performed by the Monte Carlo technique and from the distributions in angular momentum in the reaction products, isomer yield ratios were calculated and compared with experiment. The importance of gamma-ray emission in competition with particle evaporation is discussed in detail. It is shown that the effect of the preferred population of the higher angular momentum states in the (α, n) reaction product over that for the (α, 2n), termed “spin fractionation”, depends critically on the strength on the gamma-ray competition. Agreement with experimental isomer ratios is obtained with model parameters which are consistent with the predictions of the Fermi gas model and which give agreement between calculated and experimental excitation functions.
Multiple Modulation Pathways of Calcium Channel Activity by a β Subunit DIRECT EVIDENCE OF β SUBUNIT PARTICIPATION IN MEMBRANE TRAFFICKING OF THE α1C SUBUNIT

Abstract In order to study the precise mechanisms of α1 subunit modulation by an auxiliary β subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels, a recombinant β3 subunit fusion protein was produced and introduced into oocytes that express the human α1C subunit. Injection of the β3 subunit protein rapidly modulated the current kinetics and voltage dependence of activation, whereas massive augmentation of peak current amplitude occurred over a longer time scale. Consistent with the latter, a severalfold increase in the amount of the α1C subunit in the plasma membrane was detected by quantitative confocal laser-scanning microscopy after β3subunit injection. Pretreatment of oocytes with bafilomycin A1, a vacuolar type H+-ATPase inhibitor, abolished the increase of the α1C subunit in the plasma membrane, attenuated current increase, but did not affect the modulation of current kinetics and voltage dependence by the β3 subunit. These results provide clear evidence that the β subunit modifies the calcium channel complex in a binary fashion; one is an allosteric modulation of the α1 subunit function and the other is a chaperoning of the α1 subunit to the plasma membrane.
Differential expression of MUC2 and MUC5AC mucin genes in primary ovarian and metastatic colonic carcinoma

Colonic adenocarcinoma, the most common tumor metastatic to the ovary, may closely mimic primary ovarian adenocarcinoma, especially that of mucinous or endometrioid histology. The differential diagnosis is important for therapeutic considerations. Mucin gene expression is relatively organ-specific and may therefore have use in distinguishing between colonic carcinomas metastatic to the ovary and primary ovarian tumors. In this study, we compared the expression of MUC2 and MUC5AC apomucins in 10 colonic adenocarcinomas metastatic with the ovary, 10 ovarian endometrioid carcinomas (4 primary, 6 metastatic), and 32 primary mucinous ovarian tumors (12 cystadenomas, 10 borderline tumors, and 10 cystadenocarcinomas). Monoclonal antibodies CCP58 and 45M1 were used for immunostains of MUC2 and MUC5AC apomucin, respectively. All but 1 of the 10 metastatic colon adenocarcinomas expressed MUC2, whereas none expressed MUC5AC. None of the 10 endometrioid carcinomas expressed MUC2, and only 2 showed weak immunoreactivity with MUC5AC. All 32 primary mucinous ovarian tumors expressed MUC5AC. The percentages of MUC2-positive immunostaining for cystadenomas, borderline tumors, and cystadenocarcinomas were 0% (0/12), 50% (5/10), and 70% (7/10) respectively. These studies show that MUC2 and MUC5AC are useful markers in the distinction between colonic carcinoma metastatic to the ovary and primary ovarian carcinoma.
Extraskeletal osteochondromas of the wrist

Extraskeletal osteochondromas of the wrist are described in two patients. They both had painless, slow-growing wrist masses, one palmar and one dorsal. Radiographs demonstrated the presence of an extraskeletal, radiopaque mass. Excisional biopsy showed extraskeletal, firm, calcified masses. Histologic examination revealed mature hyaline cartilage, with extensive ossification consistent with the diagnosis of extraskeletal osteochondroma. The ambiguous nomenclature for this cartilage lesion and the differential diagnosis of extraskeletal calcification are reviewed.
Selective recognition of an alkali halide contact ion-pair.

For more than 30 years there has been an active and continued effort to develop synthetic receptors for anions and cations in organic solvents.1 We2 and others3 have shown that if both of the counterions in a target salt have localized charges then the consequent ion-pairing of the salt can dramatically lower receptor/ ion binding affinities and alter binding selectivities. One way to counter this problem is to develop ditopic receptors that can simultaneously bind both of the counterions.4 Recently, we investigated the salt binding properties of receptor 1 and found that the presence of 1 molar equiv of Na+ or K+ ion increases the 1/Classociation constant by slightly less than ten.5 An X-ray crystal structure showed that receptor 1 binds NaCl as a solvent separated ion-pair. We felt that the binding cooperativity would be improved if the salt were bound to the receptor as a contact ion-pair. Thus, we designed macrobicyclic receptor 2 as a saltbinding analogue of 1 but with a smaller distance between the anion and cation binding sites.6 Using NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography we find that 2 is the first example of a ditopic salt-receptor that binds a contact ion-pair in solution more strongly than either of the free ions.
Alternative approach for cavitation damage study utilizing repetitive laser pulses

Cavitation is a common phenomenon in fluid systems that can lead to dramatic degradation of solid materials surface in contact with the cavitating media. Study of cavitation damage has great significance in many engineering fields. Current techniques for cavitation damage study either require large scale equipments or tend to introduce damages from other mechanisms. In this project, we utilized the cavitation phenomenon induced by laser optical breakdown and developed a prototype apparatus for cavitation damage study. In our approach, cavitation was generated by the repetitive pressure waves induced by high-power laser pulses. As proof of principal study, stainless steel and aluminum samples were tested using the novel apparatus. Surface characterization via scanning electron microscopy revealed damages such as indentation and surface pitting, which were similar to those reported in the literature using other state-of-the-art techniques. These preliminary results demonstrated the new device was capable of generating cavitation damages and could be used as an alternative method for cavitation damage study.
Surface plasmon resonance biosensor studies of human wild-type and mutant lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase interactions with lipoproteins.

Binding of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) to lipoprotein surfaces is a key step in the reverse cholesterol transport process, as the subsequent cholesterol esterification reaction driv...
Functional genomic analysis identifies indoxyl sulfate as a major, poorly dialyzable uremic toxin in end-stage renal disease.

Background Chronic renal failure is characterized by progressive renal scarring and accelerated arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease despite what is considered to be adequate hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. In rodents with reduced renal mass, renal scarring has been attributed to poorly filtered, small protein-bound molecules. The best studied of these is indoxyl sulfate (IS). Methods We have attempted to establish whether there are uremic toxins that are not effectively removed by hemodialysis. We examined plasma from patients undergoing hemodialysis, employing global gene expression in normal human renal cortical cells incubated in pre- and post- dialysis plasma as a reporter system. Responses in cells incubated with pre- and post-dialysis uremic plasma (n = 10) were compared with responses elicited by plasma from control subjects (n = 5). The effects of adding IS to control plasma and of adding probenecid to uremic plasma were examined. Plasma concentrations of IS were measured by HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography). Results Gene expression in our reporter system revealed dysregulation of 1912 genes in cells incubated with pre-dialysis uremic plasma. In cells incubated in post-dialysis plasma, the expression of 537 of those genes returned to baseline but the majority of them (1375) remained dysregulated. IS concentration was markedly elevated in pre- and post-dialysis plasma. Addition of IS to control plasma simulated more than 80% of the effects of uremic plasma on gene expression; the addition of probenecid, an organic anion transport (OAT) inhibitor, to uremic plasma reversed the changes in gene expression. Conclusion These findings provide evidence that hemodialysis fails to effectively clear one or more solutes that effect gene expression, in our reporter system, from the plasma of patients with uremia. The finding that gene dysregulation was simulated by the addition of IS to control plasma and inhibited by addition of an OAT inhibitor to uremic plasma identifies IS as a major, poorly dialyzable, uremic toxin. The signaling pathways initiated by IS and possibly other solutes not effectively removed by dialysis may participate in the pathogenesis of renal scarring and uremic vasculopathy.
Thermoplastic elastomers with composite crystalline-glassy hard domains and single-phase melts

We report the synthesis and characterization of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) containing both crystalline and glassy hard segments, with the aim of capturing the mechanical properties of conventi...
Immunomodulating effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea: mechanisms and applications

Consuming green tea or its active ingredient, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), has been shown consistently to benefit the healthy functioning of several body systems. In the immune system specifically, accumulating evidence has revealed an immunomodulating effect of green tea/EGCG. Several types of immune cells in both the innate and adaptive immune systems are known to be affected in varying degrees by green tea/EGCG. Among them, the dramatic effect on T cell functions has been repeatedly demonstrated, including T cell activation, proliferation, differentiation, and production of cytokines. In particular, dysregulated T cell function with respect to different subsets of CD4+ T cells is a critical pathogenic factor in the development of autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have shown that EGCG affects the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into different effector subsets in a way that would be expected to favorably impact autoimmunity. Consistent with these findings, studies using animal models of autoimmune diseases have reported disease improvement in animals treated with green tea/EGCG. Altogether, these studies identify and support the use of EGCG as a potential therapeutic agent in preventing and ameliorating T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. Given the paucity of information in human studies, the translational value of these findings needs to be verified in future research.
Influence of soil properties on the uptake of hexachlorobiphenyls by rats

Abstract Uniformly 14C-labeled 2,4,5,2′,4′,5′- and 2,3,5,2′,3′,5′-hexachlorobiphenyls (HCB) were adsorbed to soils with high concentrations of sand, clay, or organic matter. The treated soils were added to normal rat diets at a 5% rate using HCBs added to soil-free diets as positive controls. Short-term balance studies were conducted at 5 days and 6 months after soils treatment. Quantities of 14C excreted in feces and concentrations of 14C in body fat were the criteria used for evaluating retention. About 75 to 80% of the ingested activity was retained in all experiments. No differences between soils and control, among soil types, between compounds, and between degrees of aging were statistically significant.
Structural, Electrical, and Thermal Behavior of Graphite‐Polyaniline Composites with Increased Crystallinity

Conductive materials are at the forefront of materials science research because of the large number of applications that have been developed around their interesting and unique properties. This work reports for the first time a correlation between the structural, electrical, and thermal behavior of novel graphite-polyaniline (G-PANI) composites with electrical conductivities greater than either of the individual components. The G:PANI mass ratio was varied during synthesis of the composites (90:10, 95:5, 96:4, 97:3, and 98:2 G:PANI mass ratios) and the highest electrical conductivity was determined for the composite having a G:PANI mass ratio of 96:4. The structural changes related to this increase in electrical conductivity were clearly reflected by the Raman spectra of the new composites, which indicated an improved crystallinity through a better stacking along the c-axis of graphite when PANI was present (as evidenced by the G and 2 × D modes at 1582 and 2684 cm−1). X-ray diffraction data showed a slight increase in the (0 0 2) graphite crystal plane distance that was associated with a dilute stage intercalation or a possible “pseudo-intercalation” of the polymer species between the graphite layers facilitating charge transfer in the composites. It is proposed that polyaniline acts as a charge transfer component between basal planes of graphite. Thermogravimetric analyses of the samples showed similar trends for the thermal stability in accordance with the electrical conductivity, the Raman and X-ray diffraction data. The potential impact of this work is evident in the many areas that utilize graphite as conductive filler in electrically conducting materials. The composites can be used for a large number of applications in nanoelectronics, electromagnetic interference shielding, rechargeable batteries or as other advanced nanocomposite materials with improved electrical, structural, and thermal properties.
Integrating goal modeling and execution in adaptive complex enterprises

Complex Enterprises consistently struggle with successfully gaining benefits from Enterprise Architecture (EA) initiatives for a variety of reasons, one of them being an end-to-end integration between enterprise goals and operations that links goals to the dynamic operations of the organization. In this paper we describe (a) our conceptualization of the Adaptive Complex Enterprise (b) our integrative notation and semantics for goal modeling and linking for such organizations and their operations and (c) an example drawn from an embedded industry project.
Is the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene a depigmenting agent in man

Because of the allegation that butylated hydroxytoluene produced depigmentation in man, a prospective study was performed. Sixteen adult darkly pigmented males received daily occlusive applications for 60 days. Depigmentation was not observed.
Anomalous Erosional Topography in Victoria Land, Antarctica.

An area of some 18 square kilometers at the head of Wright Dry Valley displays an erosional terrain of unique characteristics—a labyrinthine complex of erratic, interconnecting channels cut to depths of more than 100 meters in bedrock. It is interpreted as a result of catastrophic fluvial erosion, probably analogous to that which produced the Channeled Scabland of eastern Washington, though on a greatly reduced areal scale.
Determination of picomole quantities of acetylcholine and choline in physiologic salt solutions.

Abstract An assay capable of detecting tens-of-picomole quantities of choline and acetylcholine in milliliter volumes of a physiological salt solution has been developed. Silica column chromatography was used to bind and separate 10–3000 pmol [ 14 C]choline and [ 14 C]acetylcholine standards made up in 3 ml of a bicarbonate-buffered Krebs-Ringer solution. The silica columns bound 95–98% of both choline and acetylcholine. Of the bound choline 84–87% was eluted in 1.5 ml of 0.075 n HCl, whereas 95–98% of the bound acetylcholine was eluted in a subsequent wash with 1.5 ml of 0.030 n HCl in 10% 2-butanone. Vacuum centrifugation of the eluants yielded small white pellets with losses of choline and acetylcholine of only 1%. Dried pellets of unlabeled choline and acetylcholine standards were assayed radioenzymatically using [γ- 32 P]ATP, choline kinase, and acetylcholinesterase. The net disintegrations per minute of choline[ 32 P]phosphate product was proportional to both the acetylcholine (10–3000 pmol) and choline (30–3000 pmol) standards. The “limit sensitivity” was 8.5 pmol for acetylcholine and 11.4 pmol for choline. Cross-contamination of the choline assay by acetylcholine averaged 1.3%, whereas contamination of the acetylcholine assay by choline averaged 3.1%.
Expression of an array of photoreceptor genes in chick embryonic retinal pigment epithelium cell cultures under the induction of neuroD

Coaxing plastic, non-neuronal cells to transdifferentiate into a particular type of neurons might have clinical applications. Previously we reported that neuroD induces transdifferentiation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells derived from day-6 chick embryos into cells that resemble young photoreceptor cells. These cells also express visinin, a gene expressed early during cone photoreceptor differentiation. Further characterization showed that the transdifferentiated cells express a number of photoreceptor genes, including interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein, the α-subunit of phosphodiesterase, and opsin genes encoding rhodopsin, the red, the green, and the blue visual pigments. Our data demonstrate that neuroD can reprogram RPE to become photoreceptor cells with substantial differentiation, and suggest the possibility of generating photoreceptor cells from RPE using neuroD as a molecular trigger.
NIPBL rearrangements in Cornelia de Lange syndrome: evidence for replicative mechanism and genotype-phenotype correlation

NIPBL rearrangements in Cornelia de Lange syndrome: evidence for replicative mechanism and genotype–phenotype correlation
Strategies and data precision requirements for the mass spectrometric determination of structures from combinatorial mixtures.

Mass spectrometric data can be obtained for compounds in bead-bound combinatorial mixtures by several techniques. However, little specific information is available regarding (1) how well these data differentiate between candidate structures in large combinatorial pools, (2) what precision of data is required to achieve adequate specificity in these analyses, and (3) what are the best strategies for applying these data. In this work, computer modeling is used to address these questions. Strategies employing multiple filters (i.e., those that differentiate possible structures using more that one measured mass spectral parameter) are found to provide better specificity and to be more robust (that is, the specificity is less dependent on the precision of the data) than discrete filters. With moderate precision data (e.g., 50 ppm mass precision, 10% isotope ratio precision), multiple filter strategies are found to give unequivocal results for ∼80% of the populations of combinatorial mixtures with most of the r...
An implicit, almost-Lagrangian algorithm for magnetohydrodynamics

Abstract An implicit numerical algorithm for the solution of transient, two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic flows is presented. The algorithm is formulated for an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian computation mesh. This allows the use of variable resolution meshes and reduces computational diffusion of the magnetic field so that flows with a magnetic Reynolds number of the order of hundreds may be calculated. In addition, the implicit formulation makes possible the efficient calculation of low speed flows. Sample calculations illustrating the properties of the algorithm are presented.
Monotonic sequences for image enhancement and segmentation

We introduce a monotonic sequence based thresholding in image decomposition.We propose of sequence or weighted thresholding based image enhancement.We propose the Fibonacci thresholding in image enhancement.The presented thresholding-based enhancement out-performs competing algorithms. Both image enhancement and image segmentation are important pre-processing steps for various image processing fields including autonomous navigation, remote sensing, computer vision, and biomedical image analysis. Both methods have their merits and their short comings. It then becomes obvious to ask the question: is it possible to develop a new better image enhancement method which has the key elements from both segmentation and image enhancement techniques? The choice of the threshold level is a key task in image segmentation. There are other challenges of image segmentation. For example, it is very difficult to perform the image segmentation in poor data such as shadows and noise. Recently, a homothetic curves Fibonacci-based cross sections thresholding has been developed for the de-noising purposes. Is it possible to develop a new image cross sections thresholding method, which can be used for both segmentation and image enhancement purposes? This paper a) describes a unified approach for signal thresholding, b) extends cross sections concept by generating and using a new class of monotonic, piecewise linear, sequences (slowly or faster growing than Fibonacci numbers) of numbers; c) uses the extended sections concept to the image enhancement and segmentation applications. Extensive experimental evaluation demonstrates that the newly proposed monotonic sequences have great potential in image processing applications, including image segmentation and image enhancement applications. Moreover, study has shown that the generalized cross techniques are invariant under morphological transformations such as erosion, dilation, and median, able to be described analytically, can be implemented by using the look up table methods.
Geometric Optics Applied to Rough Surfaces Coated with an Absorbing Thin Film

The geometric optics approximation in which the interference effects are neglected has been shown to accurately predict surface reflection from random rough surfaces over a large domain of geometric parameters. In this work, the geometric optics approximation is extended to rough surfaces coated with an absorbing thin film. Multiple reflections and the effects of interference within the thin film are considered. The thin film model predictions are compared with the experimental findings for an aluminum surface coated with a thin aluminum-oxide composite film. Such comparisons made at a variety of incident angles and wavelengths indicate that the geometric optics thin film model is accurate. The approximate solutions also indicate that a significant amount of energy is absorbed by the thin film, leading to a decrease in the reflected energy. The model is used to demonstrate the strong influence of optical constants and film thickness on the reflection distribution.
Effects of Albumin on the Radio‐immune Assay for Determining the Anti‐Rho(D) Content of Rho(D) Immune Globulin

Bovine serum albumin is used as a diluent component in the radio-immune assay for the determination of the Anti-Rho(D) content of Rho(D) Immune Globulin preparations. The radio-immune assay appears to be more sensitive than other serological assays in the response to differences among albumin preparations; lack of duplication of data and results due to nonspecific binding of immunoglobulin may be pronounced. The effects of bovine and human serum albumin from two commercial sources each were studied. Differences were demonstrated by ultracentrifugal analysis, electrophoresis and serological methods. In addition to monomers and polymers of albumin which are common to both preparations one contained other components. Data presented clearly demonstrate that the choice of albumin preparation is especially critical if the single dilution assay is employed as opposed to the multiple dilution assay.
Reliable reference electrodes for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract Despite the high attention drawn to the lithium-ion batteries by the scientific and industrial community, most of the electrochemical characterization is carried out using poor reference electrodes or even no reference electrode. In this case, the performances of the active material are inaccurate, especially at high current densities. In this work we show the error committed in neglecting the polarizability of lithium counter electrodes, and we propose two reference electrodes to use in organic electrolytes based on lithium salts, namely Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 and LiFePO 4 . In particular, it was observed that, the polarizability of the metallic lithium counter electrode has a relevant stochastic component, which renders measurements at high current densities (above 1 mA·cm − 2 ) in two electrode cells non reproducible.
INTERACTIONS OF PEROXIDASES AND CATALASES BETWEEN PHASEOLUS VULGARIS AND PSEUDOMONAS PHASEOLICOLA (HALO BLIGHT OF BEAN).

THE increased activity of oxidative enzymes in plants caused by fungi, viruses or other organisms has been known for many decades1. It has also been suggested that the resistance of plants to micro-organisms was due to compounds, probably phenolics, which were formed after the invasion of the pathogen2. Since then in many cases correlations between higher activities of phenol oxidases or peroxidases and resistance have been reported3. In the case of halo blight of beans, it was suggested that peroxidases play a part in resistance4. In fungus-infected beans the appearance of a ‘phytoalexin’ which induced resistance has been reported5, but recent investigations showed that it was difficult to explain all resistant reactions in bean plants with only the phytoalexin concept6. It is not known if a specific compound induces resistance against the halo blight organism or if a general enhancement of oxidative processes (hypersensitive reaction) is the primary cause of resistance.
On the Applicability of the Method of Averaging in Solid Rocket Stability Analysis

Abstract The applicability of the Method of Averaging (MOA) in the analysis of nonlinear axial combustion instabilities in solid propellant rocket motors is investigated. An approximate technique utilizing the Galerkin Method was first developed in order to reduce the computer time and core storage required to perform the stability calculations, which involve solving the conservation equations describing the two-phase unsteady flow of gases and particles in solid rocket combustors. At the expense of additional approximations, further reductions in computation time were obtained by using the MOA to solve the Galerkin equations. Solutions obtained with both the Galerkin Method and the MOA are compared with the “exact” numerical calculations for the simple case of the linear attenuation of small amplitude waves in a gas-particle mixture in a closed-ended chamber. For this simple problem, a one-mode approximation was used in the Galerkin and MOA analyses, and heat transfer between the gas phase and the partic...