cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular mechanism of dominant expression in 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency.

Most enzyme deficiencies in humans are inherited as autosomal recessive traits. The term dominant negative is applied to mutant alleles in which a mutant protein interferes in one way or another with the function of the normal protein being produced from the wild-type allele in a heterozygote. Such a dominant negative effect usually involves homomeric or heteromeric proteins. 3-Methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (MCC) is a heteromeric mitochondrial enzyme comprised of biotin containing MCCα subunits and smaller MCCβ subunits, encoded by the genes MCCA and MCCB, respectively. Mutations in these genes cause isolated MCC deficiency, an autosomal recessive disorder with a variable phenotype ranging from severe neonatal to asymptomatic adult forms. Patients with MCC deficiency have a characteristic organic aciduria with greatly increased excretion of 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid (3-HIVA) and 3-methylcrotonyl-glycine (3-MCG). Here, two patients with elevated excretion of 3-MCG and 3-HIVA and partial deficiency of MCC are discussed, one of them with severe neurological symptoms. Both showed evidence of biotin responsiveness and were heterozygous for the missense mutation MCCA-R385S. Evidence is presented that MCCA-R385S is a dominant negative allele leading to biochemical abnormalities and clinical symptoms in heterozygous individuals and that it is responsive to pharmacological doses of biotin in vivo.
An Introduction to the Use of Airborne Technologies for Watershed Characterization in Mined Areas

Airborne geophysical and imagery technologies can be used to rapidly characterize watersheds. Frequency domain electromagnetics (FDEM) and thermal infrared (TIR) imagery are being used to map surface and subsurface hydrologic features. FDEM is being used to map water-filled fractures and voids that serve as groundwater conduits; TIR is being used to identify locations where groundwater discharges to the surface. The benefits of airborne reconnaissance include: significant cost savings through large-scale data collection, reduced landowner-access issues, improved watershed management practices, efficient targeting of costly, high resolution ground investigations, and superior techniques for locating drilling sites. The papers that follow this overview provide detailed descriptions of the application of these technologies on a case study basis.
Novel unsymmetrically hyperbranched polythiophenes with conjugation gradient

Novel hyperbranched polythiophenes containing unsymmetrically substituted thiophene units have been synthesized. These materials are designed to have conjugation gradient in their structure and be capable of light harvesting. Study of their optical properties shows a broad-band absorption, strong fluorescence, and an effective intramolecular energy transfer. They are potentially useful for the preparation of efficient photovoltaic as well as light-emitting devices.
Fuzzy linear systems

A general fuzzy linear system is investigated using the embedding approach. Conditions for the existence of a unique fuzzy solution to n × n linear system are derived and a numerical procedure for calculating the solution is designed. The applicability of the proposed model is illustrated with examples.
Multinational corporations and regional integration: Some preliminary reflections

In 1970, the worldwide affiliates of mutlinational corporations (MNCs), headquartered in Europe and the USA, numbered 27,300. Inevitably, they have had a significant effect on regional integration—economic, social, and political. Economically, production and marketing patterns of MNCs have tended to aid regional integration in developed regions. However, they have had a limited impact in the Third World. The presence of MNCs in pluralistic societies will probably further social integration by first fostering a regionally oriented elite; this orientation may then spread to the populace at large. In the Third World, however, MNCs may actually widen the elite‐masses gap. Social integration also has political overtones, as the socialization process will inevitably enhance attitudinal integration. The more MNC facilities in a region, the more will decision‐making powers and activities tend to be transferred from national units to regional institutions (institutional integration), and the more governments withi...
Potential therapeutic application of gold nanoparticles in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (BCLL): Enhancing apoptosis

B-Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is an incurable disease predominantly characterized by apoptosis resistance. We have previously described a VEGF signaling pathway that generates apoptosis resistance in CLL B cells. We found induction of significantly more apoptosis in CLL B cells by co-culture with an anti-VEGF antibody. To increase the efficacy of these agents in CLL therapy we have focused on the use of gold nanoparticles (GNP). Gold nanoparticles were chosen based on their biocompatibility, very high surface area, ease of characterization and surface functionalization. We attached VEGF antibody (AbVF) to the gold nanoparticles and determined their ability to kill CLL B cells. Gold nanoparticles and their nanoconjugates were characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). All the patient samples studied (N = 7) responded to the gold-AbVF treatment with a dose dependent apoptosis of CLL B cells. The induction of apoptosis with gold-AbVF was significantly higher than the CLL cells exposed to only AbVF or GNP. The gold-AbVF treated cells showed significant down regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins and exhibited PARP cleavage. Gold-AbVF treated and GNP treated cells showed internalization of the nanoparticles in early and late endosomes and in multivesicular bodies. Non-coated gold nanoparticles alone were able to induce some levels of apoptosis in CLL B cells. This paper opens up new opportunities in the treatment of CLL-B using gold nanoparticles and integrates nanoscience with therapy in CLL. In future, potential opportunities exist to harness the optoelectronic properties of gold nanoparticles in the treatment of CLL.
Intrapleural fibrinolytic treatment of multiloculated thoracic empyemas

Acute multiloculated thoracic empyemas incompletely drained by tube thoracostomy alone usually require operation. To avoid a thoracotomy yet treat this difficult problem, intrapleural fibrinolytic agents were employed. Between April 1, 1990, and April 1, 1993, 13 consecutive patients presenting with a fibrinopurulent empyema were demonstrated to have incomplete drainage. To facilitate drainage, streptokinase, 250,000 units in 100 mL 0.9% saline solution (3 patients), or urokinase, 100,000 units in 100 mL 0.9% saline solution (10 patients), was instilled daily into the chest tube, and the tube was clamped for 6 to 12 hours followed by suction. This routine was continued daily for a mean of 6.8 +/- 3.7 days (range, 1 to 14 days) until resolution of the pleural fluid collection was demonstrated by computed chest tomography and clinical indications. This regimen was completely successful in 10 of 13 patients (77%), who had resolution of the empyema, eventual withdrawal of chest tubes, and no recurrence. Two patients, both pediatric liver transplant patients, had an initial good response but eventually required decortication. One patient with a good radiographic response became increasingly febrile during streptokinase therapy and underwent a thoracotomy, but no significant undrained fluid was found. This patient's continued fever was believed to be a streptokinase reaction. Urokinase was used subsequently. No treatment-related mortalities or complications occurred. Intrapleural fibrinolytic agents, especially urokinase, are safe, cost-effective means of facilitating complete chest tube drainage, thereby avoiding the morbidity of a major thoracotomy for 77% of a group of multiloculated empyema patients who traditionally would have required open surgical therapy.
A look into the future of wireless mobile communication technologies

The number of wireless mobile communication service subscribers reached 4.6 billion worldwide in 2009, and mobile revenues are expected to be over US$1 trillion around 2012 according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). A significant number of studies have been made to forecast the growing market and evaluate the new generation technology, the ‘beyond 3rd generation’ (B3G). However, there is no study that forecasts when any of these new technologies will be commercialised. This paper presents a technical framework for forecasting the commercialisation timeline of B3G technologies and provides insight on technology trajectories from 1G to 4G. The results show that a combination of technical parameters can explain heterogeneous wireless mobile communication technologies. Three parameters selected include channel bandwidth, channel bit rate and data capacity for technical framework.
Cryosurgery of rhesus monkey skin--evaluation of epidermal thickening and effect on elastic component.

Summary The skin of the rhesus monkey was subjected to one and two-cycle freezing with liquid nitrogen spray. Temperatures of –40 to –60°C were used and the sites were evaluated from 7 to 182 days. Overall healing was excellent. Long-term specimens showed a consistent increase in epidermal thickness at the site of the freeze. This was quantified by use of computer-assisted image analysis. In addition, the elastic component of the skin, seldom studied in repair following skin surgery, did not regenerate.
Management of an unusually large adenomatoid odontogenic tumor

Summary The present case is a rare report of an adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) in the maxilla of a 12-year-old African-American male involving an impacted canine and bicuspid and its subsequent management.
Soil quality index of a crosby silt loam in central Ohio

Abstract Soil quality index (SQI) assessment is an important tool for evaluating land use and soil management practices in agroecosystems. Thus, the objectives of this research were to assess SQI using the scoring function analysis for different agricultural management practices, and to evaluate the effects of tillage and drainage systems on SQI of a crosby silt loam in central Ohio. Treatments included two tillage: no-till (NT), chisel tillage (CT), and two drainage factors: drainage ( D ) and no-drainage (ND). Three main steps were followed for the SQI assessment: (1) identification of the minimum data set of indicators, (2) indicator interpretation, and (3) integration of all indicator scores into one SQI value. The data showed that saturated hydraulic conductivity ( K sat ) and soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration were the most discriminating and key indicator for SQI assessment. The SQI was not significantly affected by subsurface drainage treatment ( D = 0.69 and ND = 0.70, P = 0.763). The results imply that long-term NT and subsurface drainage may not significantly alter the SQI because of the effects of weather condition, crop rotation, and weed-control. The SQI was significantly correlated with corn yield ( R = 0.62, P n = 12), suggesting that the SQI is an effective and useful tool for assessing the agronomic productivity. The SQI computed by the method described is a useful tool to synthesize the soil and agronomic information.
Issues in the management of resistant bacteria in long-term-care facilities

The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the long-term-care setting and the risk to nursing home residents is still unknown. Few studies have been done in community-based nursing homes, and most have focused on colonization rather than infection rates. Concerns about methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci have been expressed most often, while relatively scant attention has been paid to the problem of antibiotic resistance in gram-negative bacilli. Antibiotic resistance precautions need to be developed for nursing homes that are simple, effective, inexpensive, and recognize the unique rehabilitative and long-term custodial missions of chronic-care facilities.
Pyramid Linking Algorithms For Image Segmentation On The Connection Machine(Tm)

We examine several image segmentation methods that are well-suited for implementation on SIMD computers. The pyramid segmentation algorithm of Burt, Hong, and Rosenfeld [1,2,3] was implemented two different1 ways on the Connection Machine System. Timing results and comparisons of the methods are presented. Another algorithm which makes better use of the data parallelism available on the CM is discussed. This algorithm was implemented on an ordinary serial machine and its performance is compared with the pyramid algorithm of Cibulskis and Dyer [4] and with optimum thresholding.
Emergency therapy: penetrating trauma to the chest, heart and great vessels

Summary Let me try to summarize briefly today's discussion. An ability to insert a chest tube and a good CVP line properly and quickly in any patient with a chest wound would appear to be important. Both may be indicated, on clinical grounds alone, in situations involving a penetrating wound. Hypovolemic shock following severe hemorrhage may be followed by a cardiac arrest that will rarely, if ever, respond to closed chest resuscitation. Cardiac arrest in these patients does respond to open cardiac compression which can be accomplished after an emergency thoracotomy. The procedure is not complex and will also permit temporary control of an exsanguinating internal hemorrhage. While there may be several bedside criteria for consideration of a pericardial tap for tamponade, a central venous pressure rise seems to give the best indication. Use of a subxiphoid approach is fairly safe and the procedure may be lifesaving; but it should not deter arrangements for definite surgical repair of the wound. Penetrating wounds of the heart and great vessels are extremely lethal. Unless we can find a way to get help out to some of these patients faster, five out of six of those brought to the hospital emergency department will be pronounced dead. Among those still alive, and among those with other less lethal chest injuries, the patients with injuries in the mid-chest area between the second and fifth intercostal spaces, must have a diagnosis of a penetrating wound of the heart or great vessels seriously considered. Emergency physicians are likely to be the first physicians to see patients with such injuries alive. Hopefully, with the aid of the discussion we have had today, they will not be the last.
Dissociation dynamics of noble-gas dimers in intense two-color IR laser fields

We numerically model the dissociation dynamics of the noble-gas dimer ions He${}_{2}^{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}+}$, Ne${}_{2}^{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}+}$, Ar${}_{2}^{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}+}$, Kr${}_{2}^{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}+}$, and Xe${}_{2}^{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}+}$ in ultrashort pump and probe laser pulses of different wavelengths. Our calculations reveal a distinguished ``gap'' in the kinetic energy spectra, observed experimentally for the Ar${}_{2}$ dimer [J. Wu et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 033005 (2013)], for all noble-gas dimers for appropriate wavelength combinations. This striking phenomenon can be explained by the dissociation of dimer ions on dipole-coupled Born-Oppenheimer adiabatic potential curves. Comparing pump-probe-pulse-delay-dependent kinetic-energy-release spectra for different noble-gas dimer cations of increasing mass, we discuss increasingly prominent (i) fine-structure effects in and (ii) classical aspects of the nuclear vibrational motion.
Daily scheduling of multi-pass lots at assembly and test facilities

In semiconductor manufacturing, wafers are grouped into lots and sent to a separate facility for assembly and test before being shipped to the customer. This paper investigates the daily scheduling of such lots in a re-entrant flow environment where it is necessary to plan for several passes of the same lot through the system. Up to a dozen operations are required during assembly and test and many are performed by the same equipment. Work in process lots that have more than a single step remaining in their route are referred to as multi-pass lots. The scheduling problem is to determine machine setups, lot assignments, and lot sequences to achieve optimal output, as measured by four objectives related to key device shortages, throughput, machine utilisation, and makespan, in that order. When more than a single pass is considered, it is not possible to develop an efficient mathematical model to represent the decision process. To find solutions, we take a multi-stage approach, first applying a reactive greed...
Electron capture into Rydberg states according to the Born approximation: Correction of an error

A general expression is derived for the Born amplitude for electron capture into high principal, and arbitrary angular momentum, quantum numbers, n and l, by bare nuclei from hydrogenic atom targets. Cross sections for capture into high n and l = 0,1 are given in analytic forms. The limiting values of the ratios of the Born over OBK cross sections for n >> 1 and l = 0,1 are found, and shown that they confirm the empirical law of Jackson and Schiff only approximately. For high angular momenta, it is shown that the Born cross section approaches the OBK cross section. An error in a previous publication by the author has been corrected.
Spontaneous rupture of the membranes, functional dystocia, oxytocin treatment, and the route of delivery

Abstract The detaiis of clinical management were examined in 96 nulliparous patients with functional dystocia who had spontaneous rupture of the membranes before admission and were treated with oxytocin in the first stage of labor. It was our hypothesis that if the allegedly “high” rate of cesarean sections was the result of mediocre or flawed practices, these should be most evident in patients delivered abdominally. A group of 59 patients delivered vaginally were compared with 37 patients delivered by cesarean section. The means of many variables were not statistically different. The cesarean section group was characterized by smaller stature, a lesser cervical dilatation rate both before and after oxytocin administration, a larger maximum oxytocin dose, a longer period of oxytocin administration, more frequent cessation of oxytocin administration or dose reduction because of hypercontractility or an abnormal fetal heart rate or both, and a higher incidence of intra-amniotic infection. We conclude that the decision to perform cesarean section in nulliparous women with functional dystocia arises from disabilities of the patient and not from differences in the application of our management principles, services, or treatments.
Quality of Life in the African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension: Effects of Blood Pressure Management

Background: The African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension was a multicenter trial comparing the effects of 2 levels of blood pressure control (usual or low goal) and initial therapy with metoprolol, ramipril, or amlodipine. We examined effects of treatment-group assignment on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures and reported symptoms during 4 years of follow-up. Methods: HRQOL was assessed at baseline and annually by using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) and a symptom checklist. Using a 2-slope model, treatment effects were evaluated for change from baseline to year 1 and for average change during the first 4 years of follow-up. Results: A total of 1,094 participants were randomly assigned. Average age was 55 years, 61% were men, and the mean of the first glomerular filtration rate in the study was 46 mL/min/1.73 m2 (0.76 mL/s). No significant differences in HRQOL were seen between the low- and usual-blood-pressure groups. Reported side effects also were similar between blood-pressure groups. Mean Physical Health Component (PHC) and Mental Health Component (MHC) scores had a significantly smaller decrease in the ramipril than metoprolol group in both the initial period from baseline to year 1 (PHC, 2.08 ± 0.56; MHC, 1.89 ± 0.62) and during the first 4 years of follow-up (PHC, 1.60 ± 0.44; MHC, 1.48 ± 0.48). The MHC also had a slightly smaller decrease during the first 4 years in the ramipril group than amlodipine group (1.20 ± 0.61). Conclusion: Aggressive blood pressure control is well tolerated in African Americans with hypertensive kidney disease, measured by using the SF-36 and reported symptoms. The clinical significance of smaller decreases in PHC and MHC scores in the ramipril compared with metoprolol group is not clear.
Anemia in the Elderly: How Should We Define It, When Does It Matter, and What Can Be Done?

Anemia signifies an underlying disease and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. In elderly patients, in whom anemia has a high prevalence (>10%), neither the hemoglobin threshold for concern nor the identity of the anemia-causing disease is easily established. This is an important shortfall, because even mild anemia can compromise patients’ well-being and survival, regardless of the underlying cause. This review discusses definitions of “normal” hemoglobin levels in adults, common causes of anemia in people aged 65 years and older (eg, nutritional deficiency, renal insufficiency, inflammatory disorders, and myelodysplastic syndrome), and potential consequences of anemia in elderly patients (eg, poorer cognitive status, increased frailty, and an elevated risk of hospitalization and of complications during hospitalization). We also outline a practical initial diagnostic approach that helps determine appropriate treatment, and we weigh therapeutic options in light of new safety concerns regarding erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.
Single-reactor process for sequential aldol-condensation and hydrogenation of biomass-derived compounds in water

Abstract A bifunctional Pd/MgO-ZrO 2 catalyst was developed for the single-reactor, aqueous phase aldol-condensation and hydrogenation of carbohydrate-derived compounds, furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), leading to large water-soluble intermediates that can be converted to liquid alkanes. The cross aldol-condensation of these compounds with acetone results in formation of water-insoluble monomer (C 8 –C 9 ) and dimer (C 13 –C 15 ) product species, which are subsequently hydrogenated in the same batch reactor to form water-soluble products with high overall carbon yields (>80%). After a cycle of aldol-condensation followed by hydrogenation, the Pd/MgO-ZrO 2 catalyst undergoes a loss in selectivity by 18% towards heavier product (dimer) during subsequent runs. However, the catalytic activity and dimer selectivity are completely recovered when the catalyst is recycled with an intermediate calcination step at 873 K. The optimum temperatures for aldol-condensation of furfural with acetone and for condensation of HMF with acetone are 353 and 326 K, respectively, representing a balance between dimer selectivity and overall carbon yield for the process. The product selectivity can be controlled by the molar ratio of reactants. When the molar ratio of furfural-acetone increases from 1:9 to 1:1, the selectivity for the formation of dimer species increases by 31% and this selectivity increases further by 12% when the ratio increases from 1:1 to 2:1. It is likely that this active, stable, and heterogeneous catalyst system can be applied to other base and/or metal catalyzed reactions in the aqueous phase.
Reduction of out-of-band power and peak-to-average power ratio in OFDM-based cognitive radio using alternating projections

Non-contiguous OFDM technique can be used for the cognitive radio systems. The sidelobes of the OFDM-modulated tones cause the out-of-band power which can induce large interference to the incumbent communication systems. Another major drawback of OFDM-based systems is the high peak-to-average power ratio. In this paper, we propose a scheme to jointly reduce the out-of-band power and the peak-to-average power ratio of the OFDM transmission. A subset of the frequency tones do not carry any data but are weighted and the time-domain OFDM symbol is expanded at both edges with a few adjusting chips. The joint reduction scheme is developed based on the low-complexity method of alternating projections onto convex sets. In a few iterations, the transmitter removes the large peaks of the time-domain OFDM signal and reduces the out-of-band power. The receiver detects the data on the subcarriers with little performance degradation.
Camptothecin-20-PEG ester transport forms: the effect of spacer groups on antitumor activity

An improved synthesis of the hindered PEG-camptothecin diester transport form has been achieved using the Mukaiyama reagent. We have also assessed the effect of changing the electronic configuration of the (d-position of PEG-camptothecin transport forms on the rates of hydrolysis of the pro-moiety, and attempted to correlate these differences to efficacy in two animal models. In addition to the simple substitution of N for O, other synthetic modifications of these atoms were accomplished by employing heterobifunctional linker groups. The half lives by disappearance (rates of hydrolysis) of the transport forms in buffer and rat plasma were determined. It was established that anchimeric assistance to hydrolytic breakdown of the pro-moiety occurs in a predictable manner for some of these compounds. Results for the new derivatives in a P388 murine leukemic model and HT-29 human colorectal xenograft study are also presented. The use of a glycine linker group was found to provide similar efficacy in rodent models to that of simple camptothecin 20-PEG ester, and displayed enhanced pharmacokinetics.
Transdiaphragmatic ventriculoperitoneal shunting: technical case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: This report describes an important technical modification in ventriculoperitoneal shunting. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A young woman presented with shunt malfunction caused by occlusion of the peritoneal catheter. Conventional sites for placement of distal catheter were unavailable or had been used up. INTERVENTION: After the installation of a ventriculopleural shunt resulted in pleural effusion, it was converted to a transdiaphragmatic ventriculoperitoneal shunt, resulting in an excellent clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: The suprahepatic subdiaphragmatic space can be directly accessed in some selected patients with extensive peritoneal adhesions, resulting in successful ventriculoperitoneal shunting.
The acetylation of 2-methyl-Δ2-thiazoline☆☆☆

Abstract Some of the products of the reaction of 2-methyl-Δ2-thiazoline with acetyl chloride in anhydrous acetonitrile are N,S-diacetylcysteamine 6 (30–35%), the dimer 1 (16%) and the cyclic trimer 3 (7%). Inclusion of small amounts of water in the reaction solvent diverts the course of the reaction to the exclusive production of diacetylcysteamine. The transient formation of the reactive N-acetylthiazolinium ion 5 is proposed to account for these observations.
Invariant imbedding and time-dependent diffuse reflection of a pencil of radiation by a finite inhomogeneous flat layer—I

The principle of invariant imbedding is used to obtain integral equations for the scattering function of a pencil of radiation by a finite, plane- parallel, inhomogeneous, nonemitting, and isotropically scattering atmosphere with mono-directional illumination of the lower surface, allowing for the incident Dirac delta-function and unit stepfunction, time-dependent, net fluxes. Finally, the Laplace transform of the integral equation for the s-function is derived. (auth)
Dihydrogen with Frequency of Motion Near the 1H Larmor Frequency. Solid-State Structures and Solution NMR Spectroscopy of Osmium Complexes trans-[Os(H··H)X(PPh2CH2CH2PPh2)2]+ (X = Cl, Br)

A high-yield route to the new complexes OsBr2(dppe)2 and trans-OsHBr(dppe)2 starting from (NH4)2[OsBr6] is described. The new 5-coordinate complexes [OsX(dppe)2]PF6 (X = Cl (8Os) and X = Br (9Os)) are prepared by reaction of cis-OsX2(dppe)2 with NaPF6. Complexes 8Os and 9Os consist of distorted trigonal bipyramidal cations with “Y”-shaped equatorial planes. They react in CH2Cl2 with H2 or HD (1 atm) to give complexes trans-[Os(H··H)X(dppe)2]PF6 (X = Cl (1OsPF6), X = Br (2OsPF6)) or trans-[Os(H··D)X(dppe)2]PF6, respectively. The last complexes have J(H,D) = 13.9 and 13.7 Hz, respectively. The BF4- salts of these complexes, 1OsBF4 and 2OsBF4, respectively, are prepared by reacting trans-OsHX(dppe)2 with HBF4·Et2O or DBF4·Et2O. These complexes are characterized by NMR, IR, and FAB MS. The single-crystal X-ray and neutron diffraction studies of 1OsPF6 revealed an elongated H··H ligand with dHH = 1.11(6) (X-ray) or 1.22(3) A (neutron) occupying one site in an octahedral complex. The X-ray diffraction study of ...
Biological fabrication of nanostructured silicon-germanium photonic crystals possessing unique photoluminescent and electroluminescent properties

Diatoms are single-celled algae which possess silica shells called "frustules" that contain periodic submicron scale features. A diatom cell culture process was used to fabricate a two-dimensional photonic crystal slab of Ge-doped biosilica that possessed 120 nm holes, 330 nm lattice constant, and dielectric constant of 8.5. This material was integrated into an electroluminescent (EL) device by spin coating of the frustules onto indium tin oxide, followed by atomic layer deposition of 400 nm hafnium silicate. No photonic band gap was predicted. However, the EL spectrum possessed resonant UV line emissions that were consistent with photonic band calculations. An EL band gap between 500-640 nm was also observed between blue and red EL line emissions. These EL characteristics have not been observed previously, and are unique to the diatom photonic crystal. This study represents a first step towards the realization of optoelectronic devices which utilize nanoscale components fabricated through cell culture.
Radiofrequency for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a socially disabling disorder that affects a large population of women around the world. Surgical treatments for SUI typically seek to recapitulate the support of the endopelvic fascia and reduce urethral hypermobility or improve urethral compressive forces. Radiofrequency energy is a potent tool for such treatment, as it is in other medical specialties. The development of transurethral approach techniques affords a major advantage because this nonsurgical procedure can be performed in an office setting with the use of an oral sedative and local anesthesia. The data collected to date suggest that radiofrequency treatment of SUI has promising efficacy and entails a minimal risk of adverse events. Further randomized studies with longer follow-up are needed to assess the ultimate role of this procedure in future urology practice.
Incomplete restoration of colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) function in CSF-1-deficient Csf1op/Csf1op mice by transgenic expression of cell surface CSF-1

The primary macrophage growth factor, colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), is expressed as a secreted glycoprotein or proteoglycan found in the circulation or as a biologically active cell surface glycoprotein (csCSF-1). To investigate the in vivo roles of csCSF-1, we created mice that exclusively express csCSF-1, in a normal tissue-specific and developmental manner, by transgenic expression of csCSF-1 in the CSF-1-deficient osteopetrotic (Csf1(op)/Csf1(op)) background. The gross defects of Csf1(op)/Csf1(op) mice, including growth retardation, failure of tooth eruption, and abnormal male and female reproductive functions were corrected. Macrophage densities in perinatal liver, bladder, sublinguinal salivary gland, kidney cortex, dermis, and synovial membrane were completely restored, whereas only partial or no restoration was achieved in adult liver, adrenal gland, kidney medulla, spleen, peritoneal cavity, and intestine. Residual osteopetrosis, significantly delayed trabecular bone resorption in the subepiphyseal region of the long bone, and incomplete correction of the hematologic abnormalities in the peripheral blood, bone marrow, and spleens of CSF-1-deficient mice were also found in mice exclusively expressing csCSF-1. These data suggest that although csCSF-1 alone is able to normalize several aspects of development in Csf1(op)/Csf1(op) mice, it cannot fully restore in vivo CSF-1 function, which requires the presence of the secreted glycoprotein and/or proteoglycan forms.
Silencing of VAMP3 inhibits cell migration and integrin-mediated adhesion

Abstract Integrins are transmembrane receptors for cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix. In cell migration, integrins are endocytosed from the plasma membrane or the cell surface, transported in vesicles and exocytosed actively at the cell front. In the present study, we examined the roles of VAMP3, a SNARE protein that mediates exocytosis, in cell migration and integrin trafficking. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-induced silencing of VAMP3 inhibited chemotactic cell migration by more than 60% without affecting cell proliferation. VAMP3 silencing reduced the levels of β1 integrin at the cell surface but had no effect on total cellular β1 integrin, indicating that VAMP3 is required for trafficking of β1 integrin to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, VAMP3 silencing diminished cell adhesion to laminin but not to fibronectin or collagen. Taken together, these data suggest that VAMP3-dependent integrin trafficking is crucial in cell migration and cell adhesion to laminin.
Well-Posedness of a Semilinear Heat Equation with Weak Initial Data

This article mainly consists of two parts. In the first part the initial value problem (IVP) of the semilinear heat equation $$\begin{gathered} \partial _t u - \Delta u = \left| u \right|^{k - 1} u, on \mathbb{R}^n x(0,\infty ), k \geqslant 2 \hfill \\ u(x,0) = u_0 (x), x \in \mathbb{R}^n \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ with initial data in\(\dot L_{r,p} \) is studied. We prove the well-posedness when $$1< p< \infty , \frac{2}{{k(k - 1)}}< \frac{n}{p} \leqslant \frac{2}{{k - 1}}, and r =< \frac{n}{p} - \frac{2}{{k - 1}}( \leqslant 0)$$ and construct non-unique solutions for $$1< p< \frac{{n(k - 1)}}{2}< k + 1, and r< \frac{n}{p} - \frac{2}{{k - 1}}.$$ In the second part the well-posedness of the avove IVP for k=2 with μ0ɛHs(ℝn) is proved if $$ - 1< s, for n = 1, \frac{n}{2} - 2< s, for n \geqslant 2.$$ and this result is then extended for more general nonlinear terms and initial data. By taking special values of r, p, s, and u0, these well-posedness results reduce to some of those previously obtained by other authors [4, 14].
Flavonoids: Dietary occurrence and biochemical activity

Flavonoids are plant phytochemicals that cannot be synthesized by humans. The six classes of flavonoids (flavanones, flavones, flavonols, isoflavonoids, anthocyanins, and flavans) vary in their structural characteristics around the heterocyclic oxygen ring. Flavanones occur predominantly in citrus fruits, flavones in herbs, isoflavonoids in legumes, anthocyanins and catechins in fruits and flavonols in all fruits and vegetables. Food preparation and processing of fresh fruits and vegetables may decrease flavonoid content by 50% owing to leaching into water or removal of portions of the plant that are rich in them. Grains and oils seeds have flavonoids, but processing removes or reduces them. Other plant food groups contain differing amounts of flavonoids. Honey, chocolate, and sweets that contain some plant constituents have flavonoids. Flavonoids are not present in animal foods. Dietary intake estimates vary from 23 mg/day to 1000 mg/day but the number of compounds and classes assessed vary, and all estimates currently are incomplete. In vitro and animal studies have demonstrated that flavonoids have antioxidant and antimutagenic activities. Case control studies suggest that flavonoids may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Flavonoid classes vary in their absorption and their metabolism is still obscure. They are conjugated in the liver or kidney and excreted into bile or urine. Colonic bacteria split the heterocyclic ring and degrade the flavonoids to phenyl acids which may be absorbed, conjugated, and excreted or metabolized further by colonic bacteria.
Temperature-dependent structure of methyltributylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide: X ray scattering and simulations

We report the combined results of computational and x ray scattering studies of amorphous methyltributylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide as a function of temperature. These studies included the temperature range for the normal isotropic liquid, a deeply supercooled liquid and the glass. The low q peaks in the range from 0.3 to 1.5 A−1 in the structure function of this liquid can be properly accounted for by correlations between first and second nearest neighbors. The lowest q peak can be assigned to real space correlations between ions of the same charge, while the second peak arises mostly from nearest neighbors of opposite charge. Peaks at larger q values are mostly intramolecular in nature. While our simulated structure functions provide an excellent match to our experimental results and our experimental findings agree with previous studies reported for this liquid, the prior interpretation of the experimental data in terms of an interdigitated smectic A phase is not supported by our simulations. In this work, we introduce a set of general theoretical partitions of real and reciprocal space correlations that allow for unambiguous analysis of all intra- and interionic contributions to the structure function and coherent scattering intensity. We find that the intermolecular contributions to the x ray scattering intensity are dominated by the anions and cross terms between cations and anions for this ionic liquid.
Site Selectivity in Electrophilic (H+, CH3+) Abstraction on Os(H)2X2(PiPr3)2

While protonation (HBF4 or HO3SCF3 = HOTf) or methylation (MeOTf) of Os(H)2X2L2 (L = PiPr3, X = Cl, Br) abstracts halide and causes aggregation to form (L2OsH2)2(μ-X)3+, protonation of Os(H)2I2L2 forms a species whose −7.5 ppm 1H NMR chemical shift has a short T1min characteristic of an H2 complex (or short H/H contact). This is also supported by a significant isotopic perturbation of resonance for OsH3I2L2+, although no J(HD) is observed in OsHD2I2L2+. In contrast, Os(H)2I2L2 is converted by MeOTf into L2Os(H)2(OTf)I, then L2Os(H)2(OTf)2, a non-octahedral Lewis acid which binds H2O to form the intramolecularly hydrogen bonded L2Os(H)2(OTf)2(H2O), whose intramolecular fluxionality has been characterized (1H and 31P NMR). The complexes L2Os(H)2(ORf)2 (ORf = OCH2CF3 and OCH(CF3)2) are synthesized from L2Os(H)2Cl2 and TlORf. The X-ray structure of L2Os(H)2(OCH2CF3)2 shows evidence for O→Os π-donation. Protonation of L2Os(H)2(ORf)2 (Rf = CH(CF3)2) with HBF4 forms (L2OsH2)2(μ-F)3+, which is also inefficiently ...
The Electron Microscopic Immunolocalization of a Copper‐Zinc Superoxide Dismutase in Association with Collagen Fibers of Periodontal Soft Tissues

Periodontal soft tissues were cleaved from freshly extracted human teeth. Tissues were then prepared for subsequent biochemical and morphological studies according to the following plan: 1) immediate immersion in liquid nitrogen for the biochemical assay of Superoxide dismutase (SOD); 2) immediate fixation prior to routine preparation for routine transmission electron microscopy; 3) immediate fixation prior to preparation for electron microscopic immunohistochemistry. Biochemical analysis showed that the human periodontal ligament contained about twice as much SOD activity as human skin (dermis), but considerably less enzyme activity than that seen in red blood cells. Interestingly, periodontal SOD activity appeared to decrease with age. Immunohistochemistry localized enzyme activity to the periphery of matrix collagen fibrils and to the glycocalyx of tissue fibroblasts. The pathophysiology of this enzyme regarding inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis is discussed. J Periodontol 1991; 62:413†420.
Investigations of the nonlinear LMC Cepheid period-luminosity relation with testimator and Schwarz information criterion methods

In this paper, we investigate the linearity versus nonlinearity of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) Cepheid period-luminosity (P-L) relation using two statistical approaches not previously applied to this problem: the testimator method and the Schwarz Information Criterion (SIC). The testimator method is extended to multiple stages for the first time and is shown to be unbiased, and the variance of the estimated slope can be proved to be smaller than the standard slope estimated from linear regression theory. The Schwarz Information Criterion (also known as the Bayesian Information Criterion) is more conservative than the Akaike Information Criterion and tends to prefer lower order models. By using simulated data sets, we verify that these statistical techniques can be used to detect intrinsically linear and nonlinear P-L relations. These methods are then applied to independent LMC Cepheid data sets from the OGLE and MACHO projects. Our results imply that there is a change of slope in longer period ranges for all of the data sets. This strongly supports previous results obtained from independent statistical tests, which show that the observed LMC P-L relation is nonlinear, with a break period at or around 10 days.
Lazy decision trees

Lazy learning algorithms, exemplified by nearest-neighbor algorithms, do not induce a concise hypothesis from a given training set; the inductive process is delayed until a test instance is given. Algorithms for constructing decision trees, such as C4.5, ID3, and CART create a single "best" decision tree during the training phase, and this tree is then used to classify test instances. The tests at the nodes of the constructed tree are good on average, but there may be better tests for classifying a specific instance. We propose a lazy decision tree algorithm--LAZYDT--that conceptually constructs the "best" decision tree for each test instance. In practice, only a path needs to be constructed, and a caching scheme makes the algorithm fast. The algorithm is robust with respect to missing values without resorting to the complicated methods usually seen in induction of decision trees. Experiments on real and artificial problems are presented.
Modeling of Water Quality and Greenhouse Emissions of Proposed South American Reservoirs

Water quality and hydrodynamic models of proposed hydroelectric projects in Guyana and in Peru were developed to help evaluate the environmental impacts on water quality and greenhouse emissions of these new reservoirs. The public domain 2-dimensional (longitudinal-vertical) hydrodynamic and water quality model, CE-QUAL-W2, was chosen for these projects. Modeled state variables included water surface elevation, velocities, temperature, dissolved oxygen, labile/refractory dissolved organic matter, labile/refractory particulate organic matter, CBOD, algae, PO4-P, NH3-N, NO3-N+NO2-N, suspended solids, pH, alkalinity, Total inorganic C, dissolved CO2, and sediments. CO2 fluxes from the reservoirs were also estimated. New state variables, methane (CH4) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) constituents were added to the model including the processes of anaerobic release from the sediments and reaeration. Water quality model simulations were conducted for low, average, and high flow years and included the river systems downstream of the proposed reservoirs. The impacts of reservoir upon dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen sulfide, temperature, algae, and carbon loads were evaluated. Atmospheric emissions of carbon dioxide were predicted for the reservoir and river
Parallel language activation and cognitive control during spoken word recognition in bilinguals

Accounts of bilingual cognitive advantages suggest an associative link between cross-linguistic competition and inhibitory control. We investigate this link by examining English-Spanish bilinguals' parallel language activation during auditory word recognition and nonlinguistic Stroop performance. Thirty-one English-Spanish bilinguals and 30 English monolinguals participated in an eye-tracking study. Participants heard words in English (e.g., comb) and identified corresponding pictures from a display that included pictures of a Spanish competitor (e.g., conejo, English rabbit). Bilinguals with higher Spanish proficiency showed more parallel language activation and smaller Stroop effects than bilinguals with lower Spanish proficiency. Across all bilinguals, stronger parallel language activation between 300-500ms after word onset was associated with smaller Stroop effects; between 633-767ms, reduced parallel language activation was associated with smaller Stroop effects. Results suggest that bilinguals who perform well on the Stroop task show increased cross-linguistic competitor activation during early stages of word recognition and decreased competitor activation during later stages of word recognition. Findings support the hypothesis that cross-linguistic competition impacts domain-general inhibition.
Seasat over-land scatterometer data. II. Selection of extended area and land-target sites for the calibration of spaceborne scatterometers

For pt.I see ibid., vol.27, no.5, p.592-605 (1989). The post-launch performance verification for future scatterometers can use extended area land targets to calibrate antenna gain patterns and to verify and monitor deployment configurations. For the Ku-band Seasat scatterometer, a region of tropical rain forest in the Amazon basin was used as a homogeneous extended-area land target. As this region is continuously being deforested, other regions are investigated for calibrating scatterometers. The global backscatter coefficients ( sigma /sup 0/) are compared to classifications of natural vegetation and cultivation intensity and the variability with the time during the three-month mission is studied. The statistical variability of sigma /sup 0/ is compared with prior estimates resulting from the known variability of the instrument parameters and communication noise. Data from selected forested regions with relatively homogeneous sigma /sup 0/ and little time-dependence are presented. >
The role of twist during palate development.

In palatogenesis, the MEE (Medial Edge Epithelium) cells disappear when palates fuse. We hypothesize that the MEE cells undergo EMT (Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition) to achieve mesenchyme confluence. Twist has an important role in EMT for tumor metastasis. The purpose of this study was to analyze Twist function during palatal fusion. Twist protein was expressed in palatal shelves and MEE both in vivo and in vitro just prior to fusion. Twist mRNA increased in chicken palates 3 and 6 hr after TGF3 treatment. Palatal fusion was decreased when cultured palatal shelves were treated with 200 nM Twist siRNA and the subcellular localization of -catenin was altered. Twist mRNA decreased in palatal shelves treated with TGF3 neutralizing antibody or LY294002, a specific phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3K) inhibitor. In summary, Twist is downstream of TGF3 and PI-3K pathways during palatal fusion. However, decreasing Twist with siRNA did not completely block palate fusion, indicating that the function of Twist may be duplicated by other transcription factors. Developmental Dynamics 237:2716 –2725, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.