cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recombinant Amphiphilic Protein Micelles for Drug Delivery

Amphiphilic block polypeptides can self-assemble into a range of nanostructures in solution, including micelles and vesicles. Our group has recently described the capacity of recombinant amphiphilic diblock copolypeptides to form highly stable micelles. In this report, we demonstrate the utility of protein nanoparticles to serve as a vehicle for controlled drug delivery. Drug-loaded micelles were produced by encapsulating dipyridamole as a model hydrophobic drug with anti-inflammatory activity. Murine studies confirmed the capacity of drug-loaded protein micelles to limit the in vivo recruitment of neutrophils in response to an inflammatory stimulus.
Antiferromagnetism in Re(Rh1−xIrx)4B4 compounds

The occurrence of an antiferromagnetic state in pseudoternary compounds RE(Rh1-x-Irx)4B4 is discussed through general survey of the relation between the rare earth-rare earth distance and the type of magnetic order. A simple but plausible model for the antiferromagnetic structure in the superconducting Ho(Rh1-xIrx)4B4 is proposed based on the neutron diffraction data of other rhodium borides. Metallographic evidence for the observed magnetic anisotropy of the arc-melted Ho(Rh0.3-Ir0.7)4B4 is also presented.
Degradation of pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide (PBAN) by hemolymph enzymes of the tobacco hornworm,Manduca sexta, and the corn earworm,Helicoverpa zea

The tritium-labeled bis-norleucine analog ofHelicoverpa zea pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide ([3H]NLPBAN) was incubated in vitro with hemolymph fromManduca sexta orH. zea adult females. The incubations resulted in the formation of several tritium-labeled degradation products. At a [3H]NLPBAN concentration of 0.9 μM the degradation proceeded at a very slow but physiologically plausible rate (2–10 fmol/min/μl hemolymph). The primary [3H]NLPBAN degradation reaction inM. sexta hemolymph was not inhibited by 20 μM leupeptin, 0.1 mM amastatin, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM EGTA, 1 mM 1,10-phenanthroline, or 2 mM 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzenesulfonyl fluoride; but secondary reactions may have been affected, as some of the inhibitors changed the radio-HPLC profile of the degradation products. It is concluded that hemolymph ofM. sexta andH. zea contains peptidase(s) capable of inactivating circulating PBAN.
Seizing the Moment: Talking about the “Undiscussables”:

Given the varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives among students and faculty in management education and organizational studies programs, often teachable moments present themselves around...
Estimate of electron-phonon coupling constant in high-Tc superconductors

Abstract In this work we quantitatively estimate the electron-phonon coupling constants, λ, in 214 and 123 oxide superconductors and they are found to be 0.13 and 0.03, respectively. The small values of λ indicate that the electron-phonon interactions are considerably reduced due to the highly correlated nature of the conduction electrons in these oxide superconductors.
Natural product defensive chemistry of Douglas‐fir, Western Spruce Budworm success, and forest management practices1

The effect of several natural plant products in the foliage of Douglas-fir was investigated in populations from Montana and New Mexico to determine their influence, if any, on western spruce budworm success. Trees from both sites were found to be resistant to the budworm mainly due to terpene chemistry, variation in budburst, and tree vigor. The terpene complement that was associated with resistant trees in Montana was different than that found in New Mexico. Agar diet studies indicated that bornyl acetate and beta-pinene, when present in high concentrations similar to those found in the foliage of resistant trees, increased larval stage duration and reduced dry weight production. Based on these data, several suggestions are explored as to the way in which defensive chemistry could be used in silvicultural practices. Zusammenfassung Wehrchemie der Inhaltsstoffe von Douglasie, Befallserfolg von Triebwickler und Einflus forstlicher Masnahmen Die Wirkung verschiedener Inhaltsstoffe in den Nadeln von Douglasie (Pseudotsuga menziesii) wurde an Herkunften aus Montana und New Mexico untersucht, um ihren moglichen Einflus auf den Befallserfolg des Triebwicklers Choristoneura occidentalis zu bestimmen. Baume von beiden Standorten zeigten Resistenzeigenschaften gegen den Triebwickler hauptsachlich aufgrund von Terpenchemismus, Schwankungen im Austreibetermin und ihrer Widerstandskraft. Die Terpenzusammensetzung resistenter Baume aus Montana war verschieden von solchen aus New Mexico. Bei Zuchtversuchen an Kunstfutter fuhrten hohe Konzentrationen von Bornylacetat und beta-Pinen, wie sie in den Nadeln resistenter Baume vorkommen, zu einer Verlangerung der Larven-dauer und Verringerung der Biomasseproduktion. Ausgehend von diesen Befunden werden verschiedene Ansatze zur Forderung der Wehrchemie durch waldbauliche Masnahmen diskutiert.
Structural Gene Sets Active in Embryos and Adult Tissues of the Sea Urchin

Structural gene sequences active in a variety of sea urchin adult and embryo tissues are compared. A single-copy ^3H-DNA fraction, termed mDNA, was isolated, which contains sequences complementary to the messenger RNA present on gastrula stage polysomes. Gastrula message sequences are 50 fold concentrated in the mDNA compared to total single-copy DNA. mDNA reactions were carried out with excess mRNA from blastula, pluteus, exogastrula, adult ovary, tubefoot, intestine, and coelomocytes, and with excess total mature oocyte RNA. A single-copy ^3H-DNA fraction totally devoid of gastrula message sequences, termed null mDNA, was also reacted with these RNAs. Large differences in the extent of both mDNA and null mDNA reaction with the various RNAs were observed, indicating that in each state of differention a distinct set of structural genes is active, generally characterized by several thousand specific sequences. The complexity of gastrula mRNA was shown in previous work to be about 17 × 10^6 nucleotides. In units of 10^6 nucleotides, the complexities of the RNA sequence reacting with mDNA and with null mDNA in each tissue are, respectively, as follows: intestine mRNA; 2.1 and 3.7; coelomocyte mRNA: 3.5 and ≤1.4; tubefoot mRNA: 2.7 and ≤0.4; ovary mRNA: 13 and 6.7; oocyte total RNA: 17 and 20; blastula mRNA: 12 and 15; pluteus mRNA: 14 and ≤0.6; exogastrula mRNA: 14 and ≤0.6. The total complexity of each mRNA population is the sum of these values, as verified for several cases by reactions with total single-copy DNA. A relatively small set of mRNAs, the complexity of which is about 2.1 × 10^6 nucleotides, appears to be shared by several of the tissues studied.
Placental-specific expression from the mouse placental lactogen II gene promoter.

Abstract The gene for mouse placental lactogen II (mPL-II) has been isolated and characterized. This gene contains five exons, with a transcription start site 59 nucleotides upstream of the translation initiation ATG. Introduction of a DNA construct containing 2.7 kilobases of sequence upstream of the mPL-II transcription initiation site directed the synthesis of a linked coding region for the simian virus 40 large and small tumor antigens in placental trophoblast giant cells of transgenic mice. The pattern of simian virus 40 transgene expression in the placenta was indistinguishable from that of the endogenous mPL-II gene. In contrast, the first 569 base pairs upstream of the transcription start site proved insufficient to direct placental expression. Thus, one or more elements required for placental trophoblast giant cell expression have been localized to a region between -2700 and -569 of the mPL-II gene.
Immunological studies of propionyl CoA carboxylase in livers and fibroblasts of patients with propionic acidemia.

Abstract Antiserum prepared against homogeneous pig heart propionyl CoA carboxylase cross-reacted with human propionyl CoA carboxylase, and was used to demonstrate the presence of immunological cross-reacting material in extracts from the livers of three patients and from fibroblasts of four patients with propionic acidemia representing three major propionyl CoA carboxylasedeficient genetic complementation groups, pcc A, pcc C and bio . Since the quantity of cross-reacting material in the propionyl CoA carboxylase-deficient livers and enzyme-deficient fibroblast cell lines was comparable to that in normal tissues while showing less than five percent of the normal enzyme activity, these patients must synthesize normal or near-normal quantities of an enzymatically inactive propionyl CoA carboxylase protein. In addition, no appreciable change in the amount of cross-reacting material was found in the biotin-responsive bio fibroblasts after incubation with supplemental biotin despite a sixteenfold increase in enzyme activity suggesting that the defect in the bio mutant involves the activation rather than the synthesis of a pre-existing normal apoenzyme.
Electron and positron planar channeling radiation from diamond

Abstract Channeling-radiation spectra have been obtained from a diamond with ≈ 54.5 MeV electrons and positrons. Theoretical calculations are found to fit the experimental results well for electrons, but significant discrepancies exist between theoretical predictions and the positron data.
Aromatic annelation. I. Synthesis of pyridines.

Abstract The preparation of substituted pyridines from cycloalkanones by elaboration of an aromatic ring is described.
An experimental and numerical investigation of adhesive bonding strengths of polymer materials

Abstract We employed the Iosipescu shear specimens and butt-joint specimens to measure the shear and tensile strengths of five types of adhesive bonds for brittle poly(methyl methacrylate) and Homalite polymers. In order to examine the possible stress singularities due to property mismatch between the adhesives and polymers, and ensure uniform stress distributions along the bonded interfaces, two optical techniques, photoelasticity and coherent gradient sensing, were employed to record full field, in situ fringe patterns until specimens failed. Direct comparison of finite element analysis and experimental stress analysis of Iosipescu shear specimens showed that along the polymer/adhesive/polymer interface, only a very weak stress singularity existed. Consequently, the stress distributions were quite uniform. Butt-joint tensile experiments verified negligible stress singularities and uniform stress distributions along the interface. However, for some shear specimens with strong bonds, the final failure occurred in a tensile mode at the upper edge, rather than a shear failure mode in the gauge section. Hence, only the lower limits of the shear strength rather than the actual magnitude could be measured.
x-ray spectroscopic diagnostics of mix in high growth factor spherical implosions

Abstract Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) instability of the pusher-fuel interface occurring upon acceleration and deceleration of the pusher is of major concern for current and future ICF experiments. One common diagnostic technique for measuring pusher-fuel mix in spherical implosion experiments involves placing spectroscopic dopants both in the capsule fuel region and the innermost region of the capsule wall adjacent to the fuel. As the degree of pusher-fuel mix is increased the pusher dopant x-ray emission increases relative to that of the fuel dopant. Spherical implosion experiments of this type using Ar and Ti dopants in the fuel and pusher, respectively, are being carried out on Nova. We first show that the Ti He-α Ar He-β line ratio shows promise as a mix diagnostic for high growth factor targets. We then discuss some of the important physical processes underlying Ar and Ti spectral line formation in these targets and discuss how these processes affect the calculation of simulated spectra. The importance of radiative transfer as well as high-density plasma phenomena such as continuum lowering and Stark broadening is demonstrated. The simulated spectra are also observed to be sensitive to assumptions regarding the treatment of electron thermal conduction in the mix region. Spectral postprocessing of 2-D hydrodynamic simulations using detailed line transfer methods has been carried out and implies that simple escape factor treatments must be tested carefully before they can be relied upon. Preliminary comparisons of experimental data with simulation are presented. It is shown that the computed spectra is sensitive to the laser energy and pusher temperature. These comparisons to data also imply that the inclusion of convective effects in computing the electron temperature profile through the mix region is necessary in order to satisfactorily model experimental spectra.
MO‐G‐BRA‐02: Investigation of a Method for Generating Synthetic CT Models from MRI Scans for Radiation Therapy

Purpose: MRI is advantageous for treatment planning, given that MRI can support dose calculations and image‐guidedradiotherapy. This study investigates initial methods to derive synthetic CTimages from MRI scans that support these needs. Methods: The framework involves a) acquiring multiple MRIimage volumes each presenting different tissue/material contrasts, and b) implementing a classification scheme that identifies these materials with sufficient accuracy to assign relative attenuation properties for generating CTimages. Six images, consisting of two echoes from ultra‐short TE acquisition (0.07 and 3.7 ms echoes to image cortical bone), T1 GRE, T2 FSE, and fat and waterimages (from a two‐point Dixon technique), were tested as inputs. Signal intensities of manually‐defined tissues were measured, and used to determine the ability of various image combinations to uniquely classify tissue types. To classify tissue using these images, a fuzzy classification algorithm was used to define membership functions of material types. Assigning attenuation properties to classified tissues yielded synthetic CTimage volumes. Results: While subsets of T1, T2, and water/fat image volumes demonstrated statistical significance in identifying fat, solid tissue, and water, the 0.07 ms TE data (UTE1) was necessary to significantly separate bone and air from these tissues. The classification algorithm was able to robustly extract the various material types using subsets of three of the image volumes (T1/UTE1/water). Example CTimages and resulting digitally reconstructed radiographs were generated based on attenuation properties applied to the tissue segments. Conclusions: These investigations demonstrated that MRI presents sufficient differential contrasts to separate tissues of interest, and identified the minimum necessary imagecontrasts for synthetic CT generation using robust classification methods. Further investigations using MRI and CT on subjects undergoing radiotherapy, as well as phantoms, will validate the accuracy of this technique.
The responses of mammalian spinal axons to an applied DC voltage gradient

We have imposed a steady, rostrally negative, weak (ca 0.4 mV/mm) voltage gradient across transections of ascending white matter tracts in the adult guinea pig using an implanted stimulator and electrodes for about 1 month. We have evaluated the projections of these axons relative to the transection approximately 2 months postinjury by anterograde transport of injected tetramethylrhodamine-conjugated dextran and the use of an indwelling marker device which locates the plane of the original transection. Tract tracing was accomplished with conventional epifluorescence microscopy and confocal laser microscopy. Sham-treated control spinal cords contained well-filled lateral and dorsal column ascending tracts terminating caudal to the lesion which formed at the level of the hemisection. Electric field-treated spinal cords contained similarly labeled columns of axons that penetrated the lesion within the caudal segment of the spinal cord, branched within it, and in some cases such branches projected across the plane of transection. Ascending axons also passed around the lesion through undamaged parenchyma, branched repeatedly at the plane of the hemisection, and passed into the rostral segment of the spinal cord. Spear-shaped endings typical of growth cones were found at the terminals of these processes which often branched again within the rostral segment. Centrally projecting fibers, their processes, and the overall level of branching in these projections was not observed in our previous studies using high molecular weight horseradish peroxidase tracers.
Electrochemical Preparation of Platinum Nanocrystallites with Size Selectivity on Basal Plane Oriented Graphite Surfaces

Platinum nanocrystals were deposited on basal plane oriented graphite surfaces from dilute (1.0 mM) PtCl62--containing electrolytes using a pulsed potentiostatic method. The deposition of platinum nanocrystals occurred via an instantaneous nucleation and diffusion-limited growth mechanism which resulted in narrow particle size distributions (relative standard deviation <35%) for mean crystallite diameters smaller than 40 A. The number of particles per unit area on these surfaces was 109−1010 cm-2. Noncontact atomic force microscopy images reveal that platinum nanocrystals nucleated both at defect sitessuch as step edgesand on apparently defect-free regions of the atomically smooth graphite basal plane. Using electron transparent graphite surfaces, selected area electron diffraction analyses revealed that the structure of deposited platinum nanocrystals was fcc with a lattice constant that was indistinguishable from bulk fcc platinum. Platinum nanocrystals were not epitaxially oriented on the graphite basa...
Neonatal androgen and adult sexual behavior in the golden hamster

Abstract Two experiments assessed the influence of neonatal hormones on adult sexual behavior in the golden hamster. In Experiment 1 males were castrated or sham-operated on Day 1, 6 or 25 post partum. Sham-operated males were castrated at 40 days of age. Males castrated on Day 1 following birth and receiving adult testosterone propionate (TP) injections failed to show increased mounting toward a receptive stimulus female, while males castrated at later ages (6 days of age or older) responded to adult TP with an augmented mount frequency. Day 1 male castrates were also significantly more responsive to injections of exogenous ovarian hormones (estradiol benzoate and progesterone) than were males castrated at 6 days of age or older. In a second experiment males and females received neonatal injections of either TP or oil and were tested as adults for both masculine and feminine behavior patterns. Females receiving TP on either Day 2 or 4 post partum showed low levels of feminine response patterns (lordosis) and increased mounting behavior. Females receiving TP on Day 10 or oil on Day 2, 4 or 10 post partum showed high levels of lordosis and did not mount. Cyclicity was absent in TP Day 2 and some TP Day 4 females but the remaining females showed 4-day vaginal and behavioral cycles. Both masculine and feminine behaviors in response to exogenous adult hormones were depressed in males receiving TP on Day 2 or 4.
Study of linear wave motions using FFT and its potential application to non-destructive testing

Abstract The dispersive characteristics of longitudinal, flexural and surface waves in beams, plates and thick blocks are constructed by applying the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to the measured transient waves. The so-constructed dispersion curves of various types of waves are in good agreement with the analytical predictions. An iterative method for estimating the material properties of the medium using the dispersive characteristics of the waves is also developed. The method provides a reasonable estimation on the properties of the medium.
Application of a source apportionment model in consideration of volatile organic compounds in an urban stream

Position-dependent concentrations of trichloroethylene and methyl-tert-butyl ether are considered for a 2.81-km section of the Aberjona River in Massachusetts, USA. This river flows through Woburn and Winchester (Massachusetts, USA), an area that is highly urbanized, has a long history of industrial activities dating to the early 1800s, and has gained national attention because of contamination from chlorinated solvent compounds in Woburn wells G and H. The river study section is in Winchester and begins approximately five stream kilometers downstream from the Woburn wells superfund site. Approximately 300 toxic release sites are documented in the watershed upstream from the terminus of the study section. The inflow to the river study section is considered one source of contamination. Other sources are the atmosphere, a tributary flow, and groundwater flows entering the river; the latter are categorized according to stream zone (1, 2, 3, etc.). Loss processes considered include outflows to groundwater and water-to-atmosphere transfer of volatile compounds. For both trichloroethylene and methyl-tert-butyl ether, degradation is neglected over the timescale of interest. Source apportionment fractions with assigned values αinflow, α1, α2, α3, etc. are tracked by a source apportionment model. The strengths of the groundwater and tributary sources serve as fitting parameters when minimizing a reduced least squares statistic between water concentrations measured during a synoptic study in July 2001 versus predictions from the model. The model fits provide strong evidence of substantial unknown groundwater sources of trichloroethylene and methyl-tert-butyl ether amounting to tens of grams per day of trichloroethylene and methyl-tert-butyl ether in the river along the study section. Modeling in a source apportionment manner can be useful to water quality managers allocating limited resources for remediation and source control.
Positronium quenching via collisions with triplet states of photomagnetic molecules

We have studied positronium quenching resulting from collisions with the triplet states of benzaldehyde, oxygen, benzophenone, and bromonaphthalene. Positronium pick-off decay rates are presented as functions of triplet populations via uv irradiation of benzaldehyde-ethane, benzaldehyde-helium, and oxgyen-ethane gaseous mixtures and of benzophenone and bromonaphthalene adsorbed porous silicas. Our results show that the cross sections for positronium quenching in collisions with excited triplet states are not as high as reported previously. The oxygen data suggest reactions between hot'' (nonthermal) positronium and oxygen molecules.
The Entropic Cost of Protein-Protein Association: A Case Study on Acetylcholinesterase Binding to Fasciculin-2

Protein-protein association is accompanied by a large reduction in translational and rotational (external) entropy. Based on a 15 ns molecular dynamics simulation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in complex with fasciculin 2 (Fas2), we estimate the loss in external entropy using quasiharmonic analysis and histogram-based approximations of the probability distribution function. The external entropy loss of AChE-Fas2 binding, ∼30 cal/mol K, is found to be significantly larger than most previously characterized protein-ligand systems. However, it is less than the entropy loss estimated in an earlier study by A. V. Finkelstein and J. Janin, which was based on atomic motions in crystals.
Differential effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine1A selective drugs on the 5-HT behavioral syndrome

Abstract The effects of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeODMT), buspirone and isapirone were examined at 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A (5-HT 1A ) binding sites and on the 5-HT behavioral syndrome in the rat. 8-OH-DPAT, 5-MeODMT, buspirone and isapirone are all potent inhibitors of 3 H-8-OH-DPAT binding to rat brain membranes (K i values = 1.9–13 nM). However, these drugs have differential effects on the 5-HT behavioral syndrome. 8-OH-DPAT, 5-MeODMT and buspirone induce hindlimb abduction, flattened body posture and Straub tail. Isapirone induces only a slight flattening of body posture. By contrast, 8-OH-DPAT and 5-MeODMT, but not buspirone and isapirone, also induce forepaw treading, head-weaving and tremor. However, both buspirone and isapirone antagonize the induction of these three behaviors by 8-OH-DPAT or 5-MeODMT. These data show that 8-OH-DPAT and 5-MeODMT are “full agonists” in relation to six components of the 5-HT behavioral syndrome. Buspirone and isapirone, on the other hand, act as “antagonists” in relation to forepaw treading, head-weaving and tremor. Therefore, these data suggest that specific components of the 5-HT behavioral syndrome are mediated by 5-HT 1A receptors.
Switching overvoltage analysis and air clearance design on the KEPCO 765 kV double circuit transmission system

This paper presents the results of the air clearance design on the KEPCO 765 kV double circuit transmission system. At first the authors performed the switching overvoltage study. The switching overvoltage was analyzed by EMTP (Electro-Magnetic Transient Program) and TNA (Transient Network Analyzer). The full scale test for the air insulation strength of 765 kV double circuit transmission towers was performed by a 4 MV outdoor impulse generator. The simultaneous fault clearing case of a single line-to-ground fault at each circuit was considered because the probability of simultaneous single line-to-ground fault at each circuit is very high. However, the reclosing overvoltages with preinsertion resistor are lower than the simultaneous fault clearing overvoltages when the transmission line is short (about 170-180 km). The maximum phase to ground switching overvoltage in the simultaneous fault clearing case is 1.9 p.u. and the maximum switching overvoltage between phase to phase is 3.3 p.u. The required air clearance in a tower at the altitude of below 1000 m is 4950 mm to endure the maximum switching overvoltage of 1.9 p.u. The standard deviation of 5% in switching surge flashover voltage was verified from the full scale test.
Carbothermal synthesis of titanium oxycarbide as electrocatalyst support with high oxygen evolution reaction activity

Carbothermal reduction of semiconducting TiO2 into highly conductive titanium oxycarbide (TiOxCy) was investigated. The thermally produced uniform carbon layer on TiO2 (Degussa P25) protects the TiO2 nanoparticles from sintering and, at the same time, supplies the carbon source for doping TiO2 with carbon. At low temperatures (e.g., 700 °C), carbon only substitutes part of the oxide and distorts the TiO2 lattice to form TiO2−xCx with only substitutional carbon. When the carbon-doped TiO2 is annealed at a higher temperature (1100 °C), x-ray diffraction and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed that TiOxCy, a solid solution of TiO and TiC, was formed, which displays different diffraction peaks and binding energies. It was shown that TiOxCy has much better oxygen revolution reaction activity than TiO2 or TiO2−xCx. Further studies showed that the TiOxCyobtained can be used as a support for metal electrocatalyst, leading to a bifunctional catalyst effective for both oxygen reduction and evolution reactions.
Colorama: Architectural Support for Data-Centric Synchronization

With the advent of ubiquitous multi-core architectures, a major challenge is to simplify parallel programming. One way to tame one of the main sources of programming complexity, namely synchronization, is transactional memory (TM). However, we argue that TM does not go far enough, since the programmer still needs nonlocal reasoning to decide where to place transactions in the code. A significant improvement to the art is data-centric synchronization (DCS), where the programmer uses local reasoning to assign synchronization constraints to data. Based on these, the system automatically infers critical sections and inserts synchronization operations. This paper proposes novel architectural support to make DCS feasible, and describes its programming model and interface. The proposal, called Colorama, needs only modest hardware extensions, supports general-purpose, pointer-based languages such as C/C++ and, in our opinion, can substantially simplify the task of writing new parallel programs
Cerebral oximetry and cerebral blood flow monitoring in 2 pediatric survivors with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest☆

In pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (POHCA), cardiovascular monitoring tools have improved resuscitative endeavors and cardiovascular outcomes but with still poor neurologic outcomes. Regarding cardiac arrest in patients with congenital heart disease during surgery, the application of cerebral oximetry with blood volume index (BVI) during the resuscitation has shown significant results and prognostic significance. We present 2 POHCA patients who had cerebral oximetry with BVI monitoring during their arrest and postarrest phase in the emergency department and its potential prognostic aspect.Basic procedures include left and right cerebral oximetry with BVI monitoring at every 5-second interval during cardiac arrest, resuscitation, and postarrest in 2 POHCA patients in the pediatric emergency department.Regional cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (rSo2) with BVI readings in these 2 POHCA survivors demonstrated interesting cerebral physiology, blood flow, and potential prognostic outcome. In 1 patient, the reference range of cerebral rSo2 with positive blood flow during arrest and postarrest phases consistently occurred. This neurologic monitoring had its significance when the resuscitation effectiveness was used and end-tidal CO2 changes were lost. The other patient's cerebral rSo2 with simultaneous BVI readings and trending showed the effectiveness of the emergency medical services (EMS) resuscitation.Cerebral oximetry with cerebral blood flow index monitoring in these POHCA survivors demonstrates compelling periarrest and postarrest cerebral physiology information and prognostication. Cerebral oximetry with cerebral BVI monitoring during these arrest phases has potential as a neurologic monitor for the resuscitative intervention's effectiveness and its possible neurologic prognostic application in the pediatric OCHA patients.
The effects of physical aging in polycarbonate

The effects of physical aging below the glass transition temperature on selected properties of polycarbonate have been studied. Changes in tensile yield strength, post yield stress drop, and fracture toughness as a result of annealing at 120°C for 240 h have been measured and are related to changes in free volume as measured by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. The free volume concentration remains constant during the aging heat treatment at 120°C but decreases after cooling due to aging. The relationship between free volume changes and physical property changes is discussed in terms of molecular conformations and fracture mode. The effect of aging on fracture morphology is presented to aid interpretations of fracture mode.
Selective esterification to produce microalgal biodiesel and enrich polyunsaturated fatty acid using zeolite as a catalyst

Microalgae can be both a promising biofuel feedstock and a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). This paper reports a novel integrated process that simultaneously produces biodiesel and enriches PUFA. It was accomplished by using zeolite as a selective catalyst that preferentially converts shorter-chain fatty acids (SCFA) into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) (86% conversion for S. limacinum and 65% conversion for N. salina) and enriches high-value PUFA (70% for S. limacinum and 78% for N. salina) in the unreacted free fatty acid (FFA) stream. The esterification reaction rate was affected by acid strength and pore size, while the selectivity of zeolite increased as pore size of zeolite decreased. This approach allows production of high quality biodiesel and efficient PUFA enrichment. The unreacted PUFA can be further refined for nutraceutical or other applications to improve economic viability of microalgal biodiesel production.
Metabolites accumulating in potato tubers following infection and stress

A broad spectrum of secondary plant metabolites are found in healthy, infected, and stressed potato tuber tissue. These include: chlorogenic, caffeic, vanillic, p-hydroxybenzoic, and salicylic acids, scopolin, scopoletin, α-solanine, α-chaconine, solanidine, α-solarnarine, β-solamarine, rishitin, rishitinol, phytuberin, and lubimin. Infection and stress qualitatively and quantitatively influence these constituents. Chlorogenic and caffeic acids, scopolin, scopoletin, α-solanine, α-chaconine, and solanidine rapidly accumulate in injured tubers at or close to the sites of injury. In the 22 cultivars of potato studied α- and β-solamarine were only found to accumulate in foliage or injured tubers of the cultivar Kennebec. Infection of tubers with Phytophthora infestans, the incitant of late blight, or a number of other fungi and bacteria causes accumulation at the site of infection of chlorogenic and caffeic acids, scopolin and scopoletin, rishitin, rishitinol, phytuberin, and at times lubimin. These compounds accumulate at levels that are fungitoxic and they appear part of the mechanism of disease resistance of the potato tuber. Resistant tubers infected with P. infestans accumulate more than 200 times the rishitin and related terpenoids found in uninfected tubers. Chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid, scopolin, scopoletin, α-solanine, α-chaconine, and solanidine are normal constituents of potato peel, and their concentration in the peel can be equal to that in injured peeled tubers. Freshly peeled healthy tubers contain little or none of the compounds. The danger of introducing substances potentially toxic to humans into food crops is suggested by tne occurrence of α- and β-solamarine in aged tuber slices of the cultivar Kennebec. These substances might arise from the use of mutants or crosses with wild inedible species in breeding programs.
Comparison of hematologic and serologic profiles of broiler birds with normal and severe degrees of white striping in breast fillets

Abstract White striping is the white striation occasionally observed parallel to the direction of muscle fibers in broiler breast fillets and thighs at the processing plant. Broiler breast fillets can be categorized as normal (NORM), moderate (MOD), or severe (SEV) based on the degree of white striping. Histologically, SEV fillets are characterized by the highest degree of degeneration of muscle fibers along with fibrosis and lipidosis when compared with NORM. The present study was undertaken to compare the hematologic and serologic profiles of broilers with NORM and SEV degrees of white striping to get more information on the systemic changes associated with the condition. Day-old male broiler chicks of a commercial strain were grown on the same diet in 6 replicate pens (n = 32 birds/pen). Blood samples (5 mL) were collected from the wing vein of each bird on the day before processing for analyzing hematologic and serologic profiles. At 63 d, the birds were weighed and processed in a commercial inline processing system. Weight of the butterfly fillets, liver, and abdominal fat pad were recorded. Left-side fillets were scored to obtain the degree of white striping for each bird. Representative samples for NORM (n = 24) and SEV (n = 17) categories were selected to compare the hematologic and serologic profiles. The SEV birds had greater (P
Article reviewed: Entrainment of free-running circadian rhythms by melatonin in blind people.

Treatment was either placebo or 10 mg melatonin taken orally each night of the treatment phases about one hour before the subject's preferred bedtime. Circadian phase was determined by the ®rst time plasma melatonin concentration exceeded 10 pg/ml (43 pmol/liter). Circadian period before treatment was determined by linear regression of phase for three determinations taken about 2 weeks apart. Treatment was initiated when phase was determined to have melatonin onset at about 21:00. The treatment was continued until the subject's previously determined free-running cycle length would be 12 h out of phase (expected melatonin onset at about 09:00), a length determined for each subject by the subject's previously measured circadian period length. The repeat treatment occurred when the phase cycled back to the 21:00 melatonin onset. Polysomnograms were obtained at baseline and at the beginning, middle and end of each treatment cycle (timing depended on the subject's period length). Evaluation was made for phase, period length, total sleep time, sleep latency, sleep ef®ciency, and time spent awake after sleep onset (WASO). Only the project director and the principal investigator knew the placebo vs. treatment condition. The patients and all other staff were blind to treatment condition. About 3 months later three of the subjects that had been successfully entrained by melatonin were again treated with nightly doses of 10 mg melatonin in an open-phase of treatment. After being re-entrained to the 24-h cycle the dose of melatonin was gradually reduced to 0.5 mg each night to determine an estimate of the minimally effective dose to maintain entrainment. Sleep Medicine 2 (2001) 167±168
Improved Dynamic Cardiac Phantom Based on 4D NURBS and Tagged MRI

We previously developed a realistic phantom for the cardiac motion for use in medical imaging research. The phantom was based upon a gated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cardiac study and using 4D non-uniform rational b-splines (NURBS). Using the gated MRI study as the basis for the cardiac model had its limitations. From the MRI images, the change in the size and geometry of the heart structures could be obtained, but without markers to track the movement of points on or within the myocardium, no explicit time correspondence could be established for the structures. Also, only the inner and outer surfaces of the myocardium could be modeled. We enhance this phantom of the beating heart using 4D tagged MRI data. We utilize NURBS surfaces to analyze the full 3D motion of the heart from the tagged data. From this analysis, time-dependent 3D NURBS surfaces were created for the right (RV) and left ventricles (LV). Models for the atria were developed separately since the tagged data only covered the ventricles. A 4D NURBS surface was fit to the 3D surfaces of the heart creating time-continuous 4D NURBS models. Multiple 4D surfaces were created for the left ventricle (LV) spanning its entire volume. The multiple surfaces for the LV were spline-interpolated about an additional dimension, thickness, creating a 4D NURBS solid model for the LV with the ability to represent the motion of any point within the volume of the LV myocardium at any time during the cardiac cycle. Our analysis of the tagged data was found to produce accurate models for the RV and LV at each time frame. In a comparison with segmented structures from the tagged dataset, LV and RV surface predictions were found to vary by a maximum of 1.5 mm's and 3.4 mm's respectively. The errors can be attributed to the tag spacing in the data (7.97 mm's). The new cardiac model was incorporated into the 4D NURBS-based Cardiac-Torso (NCAT) phantom widely used in imaging research. With its enhanced abilities, the model will provide a useful tool in the study of cardiac imaging and the effects of cardiac motion in medical images.
Communication: A Cultural System of Meaning and Value

Communication is seldom what it appears to be. The critical heartland for the understanding of communication is not what is visible but rather what is invisible and hidden. Form and messages are secondary to pre-defined meanings within the organization. Namely, the embedded culture pre-sets communication among people and gives meaning to any messages which are communicated within the organization. Therefore, the hidden and symbolic elements give meaning to the visible communication process.
Corrosiveness of Residential Thermal Insulation Materials under Simulated Service Conditions

The corrosiveness of various residential thermal insulation materials was tested under simulated field conditions in a test wall structure. The test was conducted under controlled conditions typical of winter in the absence of a vapor barrier to create relatively severe moisture transport and possible condensation. The house-wall simulation was achieved by constructing a test panel containing 50 compartments into which various insulation materials were installed. The panel was located in an environmental chamber. The test samples included various cellulosic, glass fiber and rockwool insulations as well as sterile cotton as a control. Steel and copper coupons together with water-cooled copper pipes were embedded in the insulation and exposed for six months. It was found that moisture absorption by the insulation was the primary factor in causing corrosion but required that chemical activity from insulation components also be present. No corrosion occurred in the absence of insulation or in rockwool and glassfiber insulation. All cellulose insulations caused some corrosion; mostly this was minimal, but in a few cases severe pitting resulted. Such behavior of the cellulose did not correspond to previous laboratory test results in saturated insulation or leachants made from the insulation. However, laboratory testing of leachants made from some of the cellulose after the simulated wall test showed a change in pitting tendency, suggesting that time and/or exposure to moisture can change the corrosiveness. This should be further explored.
CD19 Function in Early and Late B Cell Development: I. Maintenance of Follicular and Marginal Zone B Cells Requires CD19-Dependent Survival Signals

Loss of membrane-bound Ig results in the rapid onset of apoptosis in recirculating B cells. This observation implies that a competent B cell receptor (BCR) is not only required for Ag-dependent differentiation, but also for continued survival in the peripheral immune system. Expression of the B cell coreceptor, CD19, is likewise essential for key B cell differentiative events including the formation of B-1, germinal center, and marginal zone (MZ) B cells. In this study, we report that CD19 also exerts a role before Ag encounter by promoting the survival of naive recirculating B cells. This aspect of CD19 signaling was first suggested by the analysis of mixed bone marrow chimeras, wherein CD19-/- B cells fail to effectively compete with wild-type B cells to reconstitute the peripheral B cell compartment. Consistent with this observation, Bromodeoxyuridine- and CFSE-labeling studies reveal a shorter in vivo life span for CD19-/- B cells vs their wild-type counterparts. Moreover, we find that CD19 is necessary for propagation of BCR-induced survival signals and thus may contribute to homeostatic mechanisms of tonic signaling. To determine whether provision of a constitutive survival signal could compensate for the loss of CD19 in vivo, Bcl-2-transgenic mice were bred onto the CD19-/- background. Here, we observe an increase in follicular B cell numbers and selective recovery of the MZ B cell compartment. Together these findings suggest that maintenance of the follicular and MZ B cell compartments require CD19-dependent survival signals.
Yellow-bellied marmots discriminate between the alarm calls of individuals and are more responsive to calls from juveniles

Unlike individually distinctive territorial calls, contact calls, or calls that aid in the recognition of young by their parents, the function or functions of individually distinctive alarm calls (vocalizations produced in response to predators) is not immediately apparent. Yellow-bellied marmots, Marmota flaviventris, ground-dwelling sciurid rodents, produce individually distinctive alarm calls. Using an habituation–recovery playback protocol, we show that marmots can perceive differences between the calls of different adult females. We further show that marmots are able to discriminate between at least one broad age–sex category. In contrast to what has been reported in other species, playback of calls from juveniles elicited a greater response (i.e. marmots increased vigilance and suppressed foraging) than did playback of calls from adult females. No other age–sex category led to responses significantly different from adult females. Future studies will seek to understand why individual discriminative abilities exist, but we have shown that individuals are able to identify when young, and presumably vulnerable, marmots are calling, and to respond by engaging in vigilance.
Toward a new synthesis: major evolutionary trends in the angiosperm fossil record.

Abstract Angiosperm paleobotany has widened its horizons, incorporated new techniques, developed new databases, and accepted new questions that can now focus on the evolution of the group. The fossil record of early flowering plants is now playing an active role in addressing questions of angiosperm phylogeny, angiosperm origins, and angiosperm radiations. Three basic nodes of angiosperm radiations are identified: (i) the closed carpel and showy radially symmetrical flower, (ii) the bilateral flower, and (iii) fleshy fruits and nutritious nuts and seeds. These are all coevolutionary events and spread out through time during angiosperm evolution. The proposal is made that the genetics of the angiosperms pressured the evolution of the group toward reproductive systems that favored outcrossing. This resulted in the strongest selection in the angiosperms being directed toward the flower, fruits, and seeds. That is why these organs often provide the best systematic characters for the group.
The effect of spanwise flexibility on the propulsion performance of an oscillating pectoral fin

The pectoral fin is a major source of thrust generation for fish utilizing median or paired fins (MPF) mode. Along with the pectoral fin, spanwise flexibility plays a major role in the generation of thrust. This paper investigates the effect of spanwise flexibility on propulsion performance using theoretical and experimental studies. For this study, the kinematic model of oscillating pectoral fin is first established based on the mechanism of active/passive flexible deformation. The dynamic model of the oscillating pectoral fin is developed based on the blade element theory. The influence of spanwise flexibility on propulsion performance is analyzed theoretically. Experiments have also been carried out to study the propulsion performance of the bionic pectoral fin by changing spanwise flexibility. Both calculated results and experiment results show that the propulsion performance of the bionic pectoral fin can be enhanced with the certain degree of spanwise flexibility.
An interactive graphics information system for familial data.

Abstract GRIFFIN, an interactive graphics system for studying familial information, facilitates viewing of complex databases and introduces graphical representations of multivariate scalar data into a conventional pedigree display format.
The composition of dried vegetables with special reference to their nitrogen and calcium content

Some of the common vegetables have been dried on steam-heated radiators at 65° C. to 70° C. The loss of water by this method of drying has been found to correspond to the water content of these materials as determined by Atwater and Bryant. Detailed analyses of these will soon be published.Such dried green vegetables as swiss chard, beet tops, and celery have a high content of inorganic constituents, particularly calcium. Their content in mineral components decidedly preponderates over that of such plant products as carrots, cabbage, sweet potatoes, and potatoes. Attention is called to the possible loss of mineral constituents in preparing vegetables for drying when they are first cooked in water which is discarded.