cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pre-Programmed Failure Behavior Using Biology-Inspired Structures

Core (filler) materials are key components of the sandwich panel and box-beams that are used in the design of lightweight structures. They perform a variety of elastic-range functions such as transferring and supporting working stresses and energy and collapse management. There is an increasing demand, however, for post-yield performance characteristics such as buckling control, impact toughness, and maintenance of component strength after damage. Low density is also an important consideration, as overall component mass is critical in most applications. These cellular solids need to perform well under normal working stress conditions, yet still resist damage from simple and unavoidable low velocity impacts. A new design approach is suggested by biological systems that have evolved for toughness and damage tolerance (bones, trees, plants, corals, etc.). These systems share the relatively low density cellular arrangements of common synthetic core materials, but also exhibit variable density gradients within the core. (Figures 1 and 2) This paper describes engineering design methods that are inspired by such biology. The result is that a design’s failure modes can be more effectively “designed-in”, controlling locations and amounts of failure.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Expression of HAND gene products may be sufficient for the differentiation of avian neural crest-derived cells into catecholaminergic neurons in culture.

Members of the basic helix-loop-helix family of DNA binding proteins have important roles in the development of subpopulations of neural crest-derived neurons. We have cloned the chicken homologues of dHAND (HAND2) and eHAND (HAND1), basic helix-loop-helix DNA binding proteins whose neuronal expression is restricted to sympathetic and enteric neural crest-derived ganglia. Transcripts encoding dHAND and eHAND are expressed in sympathetic ganglia beginning at Hamburger and Hamilton stage 17-18. Antisense blockade of transcripts encoding HAND genes in neural crest-derived cells in vitro results in a significant reduction in neurogenesis. Differentiation of catecholaminergic neurons is also reduced by 52% if the expression of transcripts encoding dHAND and eHAND is reduced using antisense oligonucleotide blockade. The effect on neurogenesis and phenotypic expression of neural crest-derived neurons is specific; blockade of HAND gene expression has no apparent influence on the differentiation in vitro of neural tube-derived neurons. Use of a replication-competent avian retrovirus to constitutively express HAND genes in neural crest-derived cells in vitro, under nonpermissive growth conditions in medium supplemented with 2% chick embryo extract (CEE), induced precocious catecholaminergic differentiation. Constitutive expression of HAND gene products resulted in a significant increase in catecholaminergic differentiation of cells grown in medium supplemented with 10% CEE, a permissive growth condition for catecholaminergic development. These results suggest that the expression by neural crest cells of dHAND and eHAND may be both sufficient and necessary for catecholaminergic phenotypic expression.
Software for 3-D Reconstruction from Images of Oblique Sections through 3-D Crystals

Oblique section reconstruction can produce a 3-D image from electron micrographs of a sectioned crystal when the orientation of the section plane is not aligned with the principal planes of the unit cell. We describe here the reconstruction protocol and the specialized computer software for a Fourier space method that can extract 3-D information from 2-D projection images of oblique sections. The protocol encompasses correction for image defects and image distortions, determination and refinement of reciprocal lattices, calculation of the crystal orientation in 3-D space, extraction of periodic information, alignment in Fourier space, determination and deconvolution of section thickness, and calculation of structure factors of the original crystal. A 3-D map of the unit cell can then be computed by standard crystallographic procedures. Oblique section reconstruction provides an alternative to tomography for 3-D imaging of crystalline objects with large unit cells. The method provides an excellent means of obtaining a 3-D transform using electron microscopy for comparison with X-ray diffraction data from native specimens.
Genetic and QTL analysis of resistance to Xiphinema index in a grapevine cross.

Resistance to the dagger nematode Xiphinema index has been an important objective in grape rootstock breeding programs. This nematode not only causes severe feeding damage to the root system, but it also vectors grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), the causal agent of fanleaf degeneration and one of the most severe viral diseases of grape. The established screening procedures for dagger nematode resistance are time consuming and can produce inconsistent results. A fast and reliable greenhouse-based system for screening resistance to X. index that is suitable for genetic studies and capable of evaluating breeding populations is needed. In this report, the dynamics of nematode numbers, gall formation, and root weight loss were investigated using a variety of soil mixes and pot sizes over a 52-week period. Results indicated that the number of galls formed was correlated with the size of the nematode population and with the degree of root weight loss. After inoculation with 100 nematodes, gall formation could be reliably evaluated in 4–8 weeks in most plant growth conditions and results were obtained 6 months more rapidly than past evaluation methods. This modified X. index resistance screening method was successfully applied to 185 of the 188 F1 progeny from a cross of D8909-15 × F8909-17 (the 9621 population), which segregates for a form of X. index resistance originally derived from Vitis arizonica. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was carried out on both parental genetic maps of 255 markers using MapQTL 4.0. Results revealed that X. index resistance is controlled by a major QTL, designated Xiphinema index Resistance 1 (XiR1), near marker VMC5a10 on chromosome 19. The XiR1 QTL was supported by a LOD score of 36.9 and explained 59.9% of the resistance variance in the mapping population.
8 Congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia type II (HEMPAS) and its molecular basis

Summary Congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia type II (CDA II) is a rare genetic anaemia in humans, inherited in an autosomally recessive mode. CDA II is also called HEMPAS as this disease is characterized by hereditary erythroblastic multinuclearity with positive acidified serum lysis test. Analyses of CDA II erythrocyte membranes showed that the band 3 glycoprotein is underglycosylated. An aberrant glycosylation pattern is seen in the polylactosamine carbohydrates which are normally attached to the band 3 and band 4.5 glycoproteins. The polylactosamines are, however, accumulated in the form of glycolipids. Therefore a genetic factor in CDA II appears to block the glycosylation of protein acceptors and shift these carbohydrates to the lipid acceptors. Structural analysis of CDA II band 3 carbohydrates identified truncated hybrid-type oligosaccharides and suggests that the Golgi glycosylation enzyme(s), α-mannosidase II or N-acetylglycosaminyl-transferase II is defective in CDA II. By using a cDNA probe for α-mannosidase II, one CDA II case has been identified as being defective in the gene encoding α-mannosidase II. At present, it is not clear whether CDA II is a genetically heterogenous collection of glycosylation deficiencies, or genetically homogenous but apparently heterogenous in phenotype expression. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy revealed that the band 3 glycoproteins are clustered in CDA II erythrocyte membranes. The abnormal distribution of band 3 might cause an unstable membrane organization. In CDA II erythroblasts, the membrane proteins might also be underglycosylated and abnormally distributed. When normal erythroblasts were cultured in vitro in the presence of swainsonine (α-mannosidase inhibitor) the erythroblasts became multinucleated. It is, therefore, quite possible that the enzymic defect of α-mannosidase II could cause various morphological anomalies including multinuclearity. Because the genes encoding glycosylation enzymes are housekeeping genes, the enzyme defect of CDA II is not restricted to erythroid cells and there is also an abnormal glycosylation of hepatocyte glycoproteins. On the other hand, there are many types of cells and tissues which appear not to be affected by the CDA II defect. A mechanism for the erythroid-specific manifestation of CDA II and its tissue specificity are also discussed.
Circular Plate on Multipoint Supports

Abstract Formulae are derived for the deflection surface of a symmetrically loaded circular plate having several points supports which are situated at equal distances apart on a single concentric circle. There is no restriction on the diameter of the support circle, which may be as large as the diameter of the plate itself. The results of this paper compare favorably with published experimental results. Numerical deflection coefficients for a uniformly loaded plate are provided, and these could be utilized for optimizing the positions and the number of concentrated supports.
Biomass and productivity of the subalpine Pinus albicaulis — Vaccinium scoparium association in Montana, USA

Natural resource management has been and remains a significant problem in the western United States of America. In at least some geographic areas, vegetation classification is a constructive precursor to effective management. The values of a classification lie, in part, in their applicability to estimation of 'site potential', i.e. the potential taxa, productivity and stability of specific com munities within the classificatory scheme. A significant portion of the Pacific Northwest's climax vegetation has recently been classified. Pfister (1976) lists all completed and on-going classifications (excepting Hickman 1976) in the western USA.
Some high accuracy difference schemes with a splitting operator for equations of parabolic and elliptic type

High accuracy alternating direction implicit difference schemes for the heat equation, LAPLACE's equation and the biharmonic equation are considered. In addition to surveying the existing methods, several new methods are introduced. Sequences of iteration parameters are obtained for the elliptic problems and a numerical example is given.
A covalent adduct between the uracil ring and the active site of an aminoacyl tRNA synthetase

A covalent adduct of an aminoacyl tRNA synthetase and uracil nucleoside has been isolated. The enzyme adduct is catalytically inactive; one nucleoside is bound per catalytic site. The release of uridine restores enzyme activity. The nucleoside attaches to a protein segment required for tRNA interaction. The findings add support to concepts of a covalent component for some protein-nucleic acid complexes.
Pioneers in the development of transsphenoidal surgery: Theodor Kocher, Oskar Hirsch, and Norman Dott

✓ The development of new scientific concepts and techniques is usually the result of a progressive evolution. The transsphenoidal approach to pituitary lesions is no exception. Several pioneers contributed to its development and its eventual and nearly unconditional acceptance. In this historical vignette, the contributions of three master surgeons, Theodor Kocher, Oskar Hirsch, and Norman Dott, are reviewed.
Study of the Conformational Changes of Chlorophylla(Chla) Colloids with the Atomic Force Microscope

Abstract Atomic force microscopic (AFM) images of chlorophyll a (Chl a ) colloids deposited onto mica and Au(111) present two different shapes. The colloids appear as clouds on mica and as large chains on Au(111). This difference in topography is attributed to different interactions between the colloids and the substrate. The real-time changes occurring during the electrodeposition of the colloids are also monitored. For an applied electric field intensity varying between 5 × 10 3 and 25 × 10 4 V/m, the colloids are opened and flattened relative to a deposition in the absence of an electric field and the drop method. However, when these films are exposed to ethanol vapors, disaggregation occurrs. These changes indicate that the association of Chl a dimers can form nanocrystals with large size distribution: 45–100 nm. Arrangement of nanocrystals in colloids is a characteristic feature of microcrystalline Chl a. The interaction between the colloids and H 2 O can also provoke aggregate dissociation.
Efficiency and equity as goals for contemporary U.S. immigration policy.

As the United States has entered its postindustrial stage of economic development, mass immigration has again become a distinguishing feature of the U.S. economy. In all of its diverse forms, immigration presently accounts for anywhere from one-quarter to one-third of the annual growth of the U.S. labor force. By the turn of the 21st century, it could conceivably comprise all of such growth.
Effect of thymectomy on transplantation resistance induced by polyoma tumour homografts.

POLYOMA virus will induce neoplasms in most strains of newborn mice but not usually in mice older than 2 weeks1,2. Adult mice infected with polyoma virus are relatively more resistant to challenge of syngeneic polyoma-type tumours3. Such resistance can also be induced by homografts of polyoma tumours4. This resistance is not dependent on circulating viral antibodies and can apparently be transferred to normal recipients by lymphoid cells from immunized mice. To interpret these findings, Habel5 and Sjogren et al.6 proposed that polyoma virus transforms normal cells to neoplastic cells in the newborn and in the adult mouse, and that the transformed cells now contain a new foreign cell antigen which will provoke an immune response in the adult but not in the newborn animal. Thus, ordinarily, neoplasms will arise in newborn animals, whereas adult animals are capable of rejecting tumour cells containing foreign antigen. This tumour antigen is apparently common for most polyoma tumours induced by the same strain of virus7. This concept is supported by the finding that thymectomy during the immediate postnatal period—known to effect maturation of immunological faculty–can alter the course of polyoma virus oncogenesis. Thymectomy at 3 days of age rendered normally highly resistant (C57BL) mice susceptible to the oncogenic action of polyoma virus8. The same effect was found when the virus was injected into mice 1 month old9. Mice thymectomized when 3 days old and then infected with polyoma virus were unable to develop transplantation resistance against a challenge of syngeneic polyoma tumour cells10. Additional evidence is now reported that C57BL mice, thymectomized at 3 days of age and then immunized with homografts of polyoma tumour cells when 1 month old, are unable to develop resistance against challenge by syngeneic polyoma tumour cells.
Diver's full face mask head-up display system using waveguide optical display technology OSJ — 140214–001

Military, public safety and science divers conduct operations in what can be one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet characterized by extreme temperature, pressure, and extremely poor visibility. Handheld displays and gauges can be virtually useless in an environment frequently characterized by zero visibility, and this has been a serious limitation to underwater manned diving operations [1]. Waveguide optical display technology has the potential to radically transform diver visual display systems by enabling the diver's face mask itself to become a see-through head-up display, similar to something from an Iron Man or Star Trek movie. Under a recent international government sponsored program, the Naval Surface Warfare Center-Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) developed a concept prototype binocular see-through head-up display inside a diver's full face mask using waveguide optical display technology. This paper will describe diver visual display systems, waveguide optical display technology, development of the concept prototype, results of diver evaluations, and recommendations for follow-on research and development.
Plasma levels of mephenesin, mephenesin carbamate, guaiacol glyceryl ether, and methocarbamol (AHR‐85) after oral and intravenous administration in the dog

A modification of the chromotropic acid method for mephenesin has been used to determine the plasma concentrations of mephenesin, mephenesin carbamate, guaiacol glyceryl ether, and a new compound, methocarbamol (AHR-85), 3-( o -methoxyphenoxy)-1, 2-propanediol monocarbamate. The rate of absorption of all of these compounds in the dog has been measured by plasma concentration determinations following oral administration. Also, the rate of disappearance from the plasma of guaiacol glyceryl ether and AHR-85 has been measured following intravenous administration. The oral absorption curves demonstrate a prolongation of elevated plasma concentrations for the two carbamates. The absence of free guaiacol glyceryl ether in the plasma after oral AHR-85 administration indicates that the intact molecule of this carbamate is the active agent in the dog.
736–6 Economic Impact of Advancing Implantable Cardloverter Defibrillator Technologies: Decreased Monetary Costs and Earlier Hospital Discharge

The recent advances in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) technologies allow ICDs with non-thoracotomy leads (NTL), obviating the need for open chest surgery; smaller generator volumes allow prepectoral implant of NTL-ICDs, obviating the need for abdominal surgery. To formally assess the economic impact of these improvements, the physician and hospitalization charges, (implant to discharge) for 36 patients who received ICD systems (same manufacturer; 9/92 – 1/94) were determined. Nine patients received the ICD epicardial without other cardiac surgery (EPI); 15 received an NTLICD subrectus (NTL AB); 12 received a smaller volume NTL-ICD prepectoral (NTL PP). [P-values are EPI vs NTL AB/NTL AB vs NTL PP]. EPI NTLAB NTL PP p-value Age (Vrs) 66 ± 9 64 ± 15 66 ± 10 ns/ns LVEF (%) 38 ± 16 33 ± 17 35 ± 14 ns/ns Post-op hosp. (d) 8 ± 5 5 ± 3 3 ± 2 0.04/001 Charges ($1,000) 24 ± 9 21 ± 4 13 ± 4 ns/0.004 The prepectoral implant approach for NTL ICDs led to less postoperative hospitalization and at least a 35% lower cost as compared to abdominal NTL or epicardial lCD implant approaches. ICD technology evolution is associated with lower health care resource utilization per patient. This is an example of progress in health technology associated with less monetary costs.
Applications of Bis(1-R-imidazol-2-yl)disulfides and Diselenides as Ligands for Main-Group and Transition Metals: κ2-(N,N) Coordination, S−S Bond Cleavage, and S−S/E−E (E = S, Se) Bond Metathesis Reactions

Bis(1-R-imidazol-2-yl)disulfides, (mimR)2 (R = Ph, But), and diselenides, (seimMes)2, serve as bidentate [N,N]-donor ligands for main group and transition metals. For example, [κ2-(mimBut)2]MCl2 (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Zn), [κ2-(mimPh)2]MCl2 (M = Co, Zn), [κ2-(mimBut)2]CuX (X = Cl, I) and [κ2-(seimMes)2]MCl2 (M = Fe, Co, Ni) are obtained by treatment of (mimBut)2 or (seimMes)2 with the respective metal halide, and have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. On the other hand, the zerovalent nickel complex Ni(PMe3)4 effects cleavage of the disulfide bond of (mimBut)2 to give square planar trans-Ni(PMe3)2(mimBut)2 in which the (mimBut) ligands coordinate via nitrogen rather than sulfur, a most uncommon coordination mode for this class of ligands. Although [κ2-(mimR)2]MCl2 (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Zn) are not subject to homolytic cleavage of the S-S bond because the tetravalent state is not readily accessible, the observation that [κ2-(mimPh)2]CoCl2 and [κ2-(mimBut)2]CoCl2 form an equilibrium mixture with the asymmetric disulfide [κ2-(mimPh)(mimBut)]CoCl2 indicates that S-S bond cleavage via another mechanism is possible. Likewise, metathesis between disulfide and diselenide ligands is observed in the formation of [κ2-(mimBut)(seimMes)]CoCl2 upon treatment of [κ2-(mimBut)2]CoCl2 with [κ2-(seimMes)2]CoCl2.
Adsorption, Oxidation, And Bioaccessibility of As(III) in Soils

At As-contaminated sites, where the ingestion of soil by children is typically the critical human-health exposure pathway, information on the bioavailability of soil-bound As is often limited. The influence of various soil physical and chemical properties (iron and manganese oxides, pH, cation exchange capacity, total inorganic and organic carbon, and particle size) on As(III) adsorption, sequestration, bioaccessibility (as a surrogate for oral bioavailability), and oxidation was investigated in 36 well-characterized soils by use of a physiologically based extraction test (PBET). These results were compared to an earlier published study with As(V) on the same set of soils. The properties of the soils were able to explain >80% of the variability in the adsorption and sequestration (as measured by the reduction in bioaccessibility over time) of As(III) in these soils. The initial bioaccessibility of As(III) was significantly higher than the initial bioaccessibility of As(V) on the same set of soils. However...
Coronary artery bypass grafting with or without surgical ventricular restoration: a comparison.

Background Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is an effective treatment for ischemic cardiomyopathy. However, patients with ventricular enlargement are known to have inferior outcomes. We assessed whether surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) with CABG (SVR + CABG) leads to improved outcomes versus CABG alone for patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and ventricular enlargement. Methods We conducted a case-control study comparing patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and ejection fraction less than 0.35 who underwent SVR + CABG versus CABG alone from June 2002 to December 2005. Patients who underwent SVR + CABG were compared with control patients who met criteria for SVR + CABG by ventriculogram or echocardiogram but received CABG alone. End points included survival, rehospitalization for heart failure, and New York Heart Association class. Results During the study period 120 patients underwent SVR + CABG (n = 62) versus CABG alone (n = 58). Patients in the SVR + CABG group were younger (60 versus 64 years; p = 0.04) and more likely to be New York Heart Association class III or IV preoperatively (98% versus 86%; p = 0.01). Operative mortality was similar between groups (6.4% versus 5.2%; p = 1.00). Ejection fraction was similar preoperatively (0.22 versus 0.24; p = 0.31) and postoperatively (0.34 versus 00.32; p = 0.40). The SVR + CABG patients experienced fewer rehospitalizations for heart failure (24% [13 of 54] versus 55% [24 of 44]; p = 0.006) but had similar 4-year survival ( p = 0.60). At follow-up, 80% (50 of 62) of SVR + CABG versus 57% (27 of 47) of CABG alone patients improved to New York Heart Association class I or II ( p = 0.01). Conclusions Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and ventricular enlargement experience similar early survival after SVR + CABG or CABG alone. However, SVR + CABG resulted in fewer rehospitalizations and better improvements in New York Heart Association class. Surgical ventricular restoration with CABG should be offered to eligible patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and ventricular enlargement.
Identification of sites of Cu accumulation and turnover by stable isotopic ratio analysis

Abstract Stable isotopic analyses of Cu by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) have been used to identify sites of Cu turnover, mobilization and accumulation in the tissues of the marine prosobranch mollusc Littorina littorea. Animals were exposed for 30 days to NTA buffered seawater spiked with 63Cu to give a 63:65 Cu isotopic ratio of 375:1 and free ion activity of 10−10 m . Comparisons of the concentrations of 65Cu in control and exposed animals indicate minimal loss of Cu from pre-existing stores in the animal. However, increased concentrations of 65Cu were noted in the cytoplasm of the visceral complex which were apparently derived from the mobilization of pre-existing, non-cytosolic stores of the metal. Significant increases were noted in the 63:65 Cu isotopic ratios of the animals and component tissues after exposure. The highest ratios were observed in the visceral complex cytosol identifying this compartment as a major site of accumulation of extrinsic, as well as intrinsic, Cu in Cu polluted environments.
Morphological analysis of the carpal tunnel.

Although carpal tunnel release is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the USA, the morphology of the carpal tunnel as determined previously in the literature has been questioned. Previous methodology has been questioned for accuracy by recent studies. The purpose of this study was to perform a morphological analysis of the carpal tunnel and correlate carpal tunnel and hand dimensions. The carpal tunnels of ten cadaveric specimens were emptied of their contents and a silicone cast of the carpal tunnel was then created. This cast was then digitized, and the dimensions of the carpal tunnel were calculated. These dimensions were compared with the measured hand dimensions of the specimens. The width, depth, tilt angle, length, cross-sectional area, and volume of the carpal tunnel were 19.2 ± 1.7 mm, 8.3 ± 0.9 mm, 14.8 ± 7.8°, 12.7 ± 2.5 mm, 134.9 ± 23.6 mm2, and 1,737 ± 542 mm3, respectively. Width, depth, and cross-sectional area did not change significantly along the length of the carpal tunnel, but tilt angle did. The width of the palm strongly correlates with the width of the carpal tunnel. Other dimensional correlations did not reach statistical significance. The carpal tunnel is of uniform dimension along its length. The long axis of the carpal tunnel in cross-section rotates volarly from the radial side of the hand increasingly with distal progression along the carpal tunnel. Based on our analysis of ten cadaveric specimens, the width of the carpal tunnel may be estimated by the width of the palm using the equation: \( {\text{Widt}}{{\text{h}}_{\text{CT}}} = 1.285 + 0.236 \times {\text{Widt}}{{\text{h}}_{\text{palm}}} \).
Respiration-induced Deformations of the Superior Mesenteric and Renal Arteries in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Abstract Purpose To quantify respiration-induced deformations of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), left renal artery (LRA), and right renal artery (RRA) in patients with small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Materials and Methods Sixteen men with AAAs (age 73 y ± 7) were imaged with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography during inspiratory and expiratory breath-holds. Centerline paths of the aorta and visceral arteries were acquired by geometric modeling and segmentation techniques. Vessel translations and changes in branching angle and curvature resulting from respiration were computed from centerline paths. Results With expiration, the SMA, LRA, and RRA bifurcation points translated superiorly by 12.4mm ± 9.5, 14.5mm ± 8.8, and 12.7mm ± 6.4 ( P P P P −1 ± 0.01, 0.01mm −1 ± 0.01, and 0.01mm −1 ± 0.01 in the SMA, LRA, and RRA, respectively ( P P Conclusions With expiration, the SMA, LRA, and RRA translated superiorly and posteriorly as a result of diaphragmatic motion, inducing upward angling of vessel branches and increased curvature. In addition, the SMA exhibited rightward translation with expiration. The RRA was significantly more tortuous, but deformed less than the other vessels during respiration.
The dynamics of low‐β plasma clouds as simulated by a three‐dimensional, electromagnetic particle code

A 3D electromagnetic and relativistic particle simulation code is used to investigate the dynamics of low-beta plasma clouds moving perpendicular to an ambient magnetic field in vacuum and in a background plasma. The simulations show the formation of the space charge sheaths at the sides of the cloud with the associated polarization electric field which facilitate the cross-field propagation, as well as the sheaths at the front and rear end of the cloud caused by the larger ion Larmor radius, which allows ions to move ahead and lag behind the electrons as they gyrate. It is found that, in a background plasma, electron and ion sheaths expand along the magnetic field at the same rate, whereas in vacuum the electron sheath expands much faster than the ion sheath. Sheath clouds are accelerated up to relativistic energies, which indicates that artificial plasma clouds released in the ionosphere or magnetosphere may generate optical emissions as energetic sheath electrons scatter in the upper atmosphere.
Biophysical Properties of Calcium Homeostasis Modulator 1 (CALHM1) Ion Channel

CALHM1 was identified recently as a membrane protein expressed in the hippocampus and linked to late onset Alzheimer's disease (Cell,133:1149(2008)). Here, we demonstrate its permeation and gating properties in plasma membrane. The relative permeability sequence determined from reversal potentials is: PNa+: PK+ : PCa2+ : PCl− = 1: 1.2: 4.4: 0.52, indicating that CALHM1 is a Ca2+-permeable channel. Inward currents elicited by lowering extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o) were inhibited by Gd3+, but not by blockers of connexin or NMDA receptors. CALHM1 channels are activated by voltage and by lowering [Ca2+]o with an IC50 of 250 μM at a holding potential of −15 mV. 5 mM Ca2+ shifts the G-V relation by +150 mV and increases the slope (Ze) by 3-fold without reducing Gmax (Boltzman fits in 0 Ca2+: V0.5 = −70 mV, Ze= 0.54; in 5 mM Ca2+: V0.5 =+82 mV, Ze=1.48), indicating that CALHM1 has an intrinsic voltage-dependent gate, although it lacks an S4-like domain, and that Ca2+o regulates voltage-dependent gating by voltage-dependent conformation changes rather than by voltage-dependent blockage, with high selectivity for Ca2+ over Mg2+ (IC50 0.25 vs 3 mM). Mild oxidation of CALHM1 by 0.1% H2O2 alters this Ca2+-regulation, resulting in channel more leaky at physiological conditions. Biochemical and single molecule bleaching measurements suggest that CALHM1 is oligomeric with six monomers comprising the pore. Together these properties suggest that CALHM1 is a novel Ca2+-permeable cation channel, which is regulated by voltage, Ca2+o and oxidative stress. Insights into the properties of CALHM1 channels may help us to understand the mechanism of Ca2+ influx through CALHM1 in physiological and pathological conditions, and to facilitate therapeutic interventions in Alzheimer's disease.
Differential responsiveness of the somatotroph to growth hormone-releasing factor during early neonatal development in the rat.

The effects of human pancreatic GH-releasing factor-40 (hpGRF-40; 0.01–100 nm) and (Bu)2cAMP (0.015-1.5 HIM) on GH release from primary monolayer cultures of pituitary cells were evaluated in rats of three age groups: postnatal days 2 and 12, and young adult males (3–4 months). Both hpGRF-40 and (Bu)2cAMP elicited a dose-related increase in GH release in cell cultures from each age group. However, the magnitude of the fractional increase over basal release was markedly age dependent. hpGRF-40-stimulated GH release (expressed as a percentage of control values) was greater in cultured cells of 2- day-old than of 12-day-old rats, which was, in turn, significantly greater than in cells of adult rats (P < 0.001). Maximum hpGRF- 40-stimulated GH release was 1058 ± 50% of control values (± se) in 2-day-old, 617 ± 21% of control values in 12-day-old, and 405 ± 6% of control values in adult pituitary cell cultures. The slopes of the dose-response curves differed significantly among the three age groups (P < 0.001)...
Security Analysis and Related Usability of Motion-Based CAPTCHAs: Decoding Codewords in Motion

We explore the robustness and usability of moving-image object recognition (video) captchas, designing and implementing automated attacks based on computer vision techniques. Our approach is suitable for broad classes of moving-image captchas involving rigid objects. We first present an attack that defeats instances of such a captcha (NuCaptcha) representing the state-of-the-art, involving dynamic text strings called codewords. We then consider design modifications to mitigate the attacks (e.g., overlapping characters more closely, randomly changing the font of individual characters, or even randomly varying the number of characters in the codeword). We implement the modified captchas and test if designs modified for greater robustness maintain usability. Our lab-based studies show that the modified captchas fail to offer viable usability, even when the captcha strength is reduced below acceptable targets. Worse yet, our GPU-based implementation shows that our automated approach can decode these captchas faster than humans can, and we can do so at a relatively low cost of roughly 50 cents per 1,000 captchas solved based on Amazon EC2 rates circa 2012. To further demonstrate the challenges in designing usable captchas, we also implement and test another variant of moving text strings using the known emerging images concept. This variant is resilient to our attacks and also offers similar usability to commercially available approaches. We explain why fundamental elements of the emerging images idea resist our current attack where others fail.
Water sources are associated with childhood diarrhoea prevalence in rural east‐central Mali

Summary background Water supply improvements generally reduce the incidence of diarrhoea. However, populations with limited access to a safe water supply may continue to draw water from unimproved sources, thereby increasing their risk of diarrhoea. Furthermore, young children who are not breastfed may be even more susceptible to water-borne diarrhoeal pathogens. Our study explored the interactive protective effects against diarrhoea of exclusively using improved water sources and breastfeeding among children in rural Mali. methods Interviews were conducted with parents or guardians of children under 7 years of age in seven villages with access to a variety of water supplies. Water sources used, breastfeeding status, demographics and recent diarrhoea symptoms were determined for 1117 children. The cross-sectional findings were used to compare diarrhoea prevalence among exclusive and non-exclusive users of improved water sources. Variation in prevalence by age and exclusive breastfeeding status was evaluated using chi-square and multivariate analyses. results Children whose water was drawn exclusively from wells had a significantly lower prevalence of diarrhoea as compared with children whose water was drawn from a spring or stream (5.9% vs. 8.7%; P ¼ 0.04). The exclusive use of improved water sources had no impact on diarrhoea prevalence among children who were exclusively breastfed. Similarly, the strongest protective effect was observed among children who were not exclusively breastfed. conclusions Our results indicate that using surface water as a primary or secondary water source exposes children to greater risk of diarrhoeal disease than using only improved sources such as wells. It is particularly beneficial for young children who are not exclusively breastfed to be supplied with water drawn from improved sources.
Electrophoretic mobility and zeta-potential of lysozyme crystals in aqueous solutions of some 1 : 1 electrolytes

Abstract We have measured the free solution electrophoretic mobility of micron-size lysozyme crystals suspended in aqueous 0.05 M sodium acetate buffer at 10°C to which was added one of the salts, NaCl, NaNO 3 , or NaSCN. The pH ranged between 3.75 and 5.5 while the ionic strength varied between 0.15 and 0.55 M. After determining the viscosities and densities of these solutions, zeta potentials, which ranged between 2.8 and 16.3 mV and which depended upon pH and ionic strength, could be calculated for these crystals. These positive zeta potentials represent an electrostatic barrier to the growth of a crystal by the addition of individual lysozyme molecules, which in acid solution are macro-ions with high positive charge. Although the electro-hydrodynamic theory of particle electrophoresis predicts that the mobility should be independent of ionic strength under the conditions of our experiment, we observed the mobility to decrease with increasing salt concentration. By assuming that this decrease was due to anion adsorption by the lysozyme crystal, we used the Langmuir adsorption isotherm to predict that the electrostatic barrier to crystallization should go through zero and become attractive at sufficiently high salt concentration.
Blood pressure and its relationship to plasma lipids and lipoproteins in children: cross-sectional data from the Fels longitudinal study.

Abstract Interrelationships of blood pressure and plasma lipid-lipoproteins were examined in cross-sectional data from 62 boys and 57 girls, aged 9 to 18 years. These white children, unselected on the basis of blood pressure or lipid-lipoproteins, are of middle socioeconomic class, live in southwestern Ohio, and are participants in the Fels Longitudinal Study. After covariance adjusting for age and measures of body size and ponderosity, girls in the lowest C-HDL quartile had higher mean systolic blood pressure than those in the top quartile (P = 0.003). Girls in the highest blood pressure quartile had high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (C-HDL) levels lower than those in the lowest blood pressure quartile although the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.13). There was a significant negative partial correlation (r = −0.31; P = 0.02) in girls between systolic blood pressure and C-HDL levels adjusted for age, fatness, and body size. There were no other consistent, significant relationships between lipid-lipoproteins and blood pressures observed. Associations between lipid-lipoproteins and blood pressure may have important health consequences, since both blood pressure and lipoprotein elevations contribute, synergistically, to coronary heart disease risk, and since both generally maintain their rank order over time from childhood.
Dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists in the management of hypertension.

Dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists have been maligned in recent years because of concerns regarding their cardiovascular and overall safety profile. Specifically, it was widely publicised in the mid-1990s that these agents might increase the risk of myocardial infarction, gastrointestinal bleeding and cancer. Data linking these agents with increased cardiovascular risk were based on nonrandomised studies and implicated short-acting, immediate-release agents. These results were inappropriately extrapolated to longer-acting compounds, extended-release products, and to the non-dihydropyridine class. Fortunately, recent studies have vindicated the class from safety allegations. These studies are reviewed herein. Compared with both diuretics and contemporary agents, amlodipine decreases cardiovascular events to a similar or greater extent without evidence for increased coronary heart disease, gastrointestinal bleeding or cancer. Despite these data, initial concerns have had lasting repercussions, as the use of dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists appears to lag behind what emerging data would support. Dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists have several noteworthy attributes that merit consideration in the management of hypertension. The blood pressure response to this class of drugs is less contingent on patient factors such as age and race compared with other antihypertensive agents (e.g. ACE inhibitors). Dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists may exert effects that protect against stroke that are independent of their blood pressure-lowering mechanism. Unlike diuretics and β-adrenoceptor anatagonists (β-blockers), dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists are lipid neutral and do not disturb glucose homeostasis. Dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists demonstrate a highly desirable profile when administered as part of combination therapy. Combinations of dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists and ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists display additive efficacy and an enviable adverse-effect profile. Collectively, the cardiovascular benefit, metabolic neutrality and homogeneous blood pressure response illuminated in recent studies, and reviewed here, represent a reaffirmation of the benefit of long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists and should serve to help reinforce the critical importance of these agents in the therapeutic armamentarium against cardiovascular disease.
New photon density rate equation for Fabry-Perot semiconductor optical amplifiers (FP SOAs)

Two different approaches are commonly used for Fabry-Perot Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (FP SOAs) performance analysis: the Fabry-Perot resonator approach and rate equation approach. Compared with the Fabry-Perot resonator approach, the rate equation approach is more powerful because noise and mode-related performance analysis can be included. However, it has been shown that the results based on Fabry-perot approach contains multiplicative factor which arise from an explicit consideration of the resonator and those factors are missing in the rate equation approach. As a result, the existing rate equations provide a poor description of FP SOAs. Our analysis shows that this is due to the fact that the interference between the injected optical field and the intracavity optical field has not been taken into account properly. In this paper, a new photon density rate equation for Fabry-Perot semiconductor optical amplifiers is derived based on the electric field rate equation. By taking this interference into account, our derivation shows that the input coupling term in the photon density rate equation is a function of the top and bottom mirror reflectivity, as well as the bias condition. Optical gain predictions from this new photon density rate equation match well with experimental measurements.
A Profile of Psychologists' Views of Critical Risk Factors for Completed Suicide in Older Adults.

The ability to accurately and reliably predict whether an older adult will commit suicide has eluded clinicians and researchers. A random national sample of psychologists who work with older adults was surveyed regarding their perception of 36 risk factors for completed suicide and indirect self-destructive behavior in older adults. This study produced a profile of psychologists' assessment and treatment practices when working with suicidal older adults. Determining what psychologists consider to be the most salient risk factors for completed suicide is important in identifying a minimum standard that clinicians should follow when assessing older adults.
Missing Voices: Fourth through Eighth Grade Urban Students' Perceptions of Bullying

ABSTRACT This qualitative study aims to investigate urban students' perceptions of bullying. Thirty participants were recruited from the fourth through eighth grade in an urban school system. Five primary themes emerged representing these youths' perceptions of: (a) the nature of the bullying; (b) the characteristics of victims and bullies; (c) the perceived reasons for bullying; (d) reactions to bullying; and (e) preventive measures. Discrepancies pertaining to perceived power and the intent to inflict harm were found between student responses and adult-generated views of bullying in the literature. Future research is needed to verify the discrepancies found and to inform intervention development.
Investigation of the Ability of Plants Found in Western Kentucky to Hyperaccumulate Lead and Aluminum from Soils

Hazardous waste sites are a major problem and of heightened concern for the world today. Many conventional and experimental technologies are available for soil remediation. Unfortunately, the costs associated with the majority of these methods are nearly equivalent to the benefits. Heavy metal contaminants are quite common and present increased difficulty in soil remediation. Currently, the method most frequently used for the remediation of sites contaminated with heavy metals is excavation. This process is both expensive and impractical. A method that offers significantly more benefits than conventional technology is the use of plants to accumulate heavy metals from the soil. It is less expensive and safer for humans and the environment. A group of native plants found in western Kentucky have been identified as potential phytoremediators, along with common garden plants, which have the ability to hyperaccumulate lead and/or aluminum. Lettuce, cantaloupe, and corn are capable of collecting significant amounts of aluminum. Cauliflower and tomato plants can accumulate both aluminum and lead. The hyperaccumulation of heavy metals by these plants could be used as one solution to a costly environmental cleanup problem.
Portugal: national pride and imperial neurosis

Portugal’s journey, from a minor colonising power to a member of the European Union, transformed its sense of national belonging and citizenship. African colonial possessions, which under the Salazar-Caetano regime had been formally incorporated into the nation as a ruse to offset international criticism of Portugal’s prolonged imperialism, were later disavowed, along with those Africans who had become Portuguese citizens under the earlier arrangement. As a result, Portugal has failed to recognise the existence within its borders of a black community, its history and its exclusion, which continues to the present day.
Short‐period P wave constraints on D″ reflectivity

We present evidence of a P wave reflector in D beneath the central and eastern equatorial Pacific obtained from nearly 7000 short-period seismic recordings of earthquakes in the Tonga-Fiji and South America subduction complexes. Both regions overlap previous observations of an S wave triplication at similar depths. Double-array waveform stacking places the reflector 190 ± 20 km above the core-mantle boundary and allows for a velocity transition zone no thicker than 50 km. The data admit a wide range of compressional (v p ) and shear wave velocities (v s ); the 2-3% increase in v s suggested by earlier long-period S wave studies, however, necessitates only a 0.5-0.6% increase in v p . The data stacks represent spatial averages over large areas of the lower mantle, such that reflector intermittence and topography decrease stack amplitude and lower the apparent v p jump. Our results constrain these processes to act over length scales of 10-100 km.
Potential for all-trans retinoic acid (tretinoin) to enhance interferon-alpha treatment response in chronic myelogenous leukemia, melanoma, myeloma and renal cell carcinoma.

This note mechanistically accounts for recent unexplained findings that all-trans retinoic acid [ATRA, also termed tretinoin] exerts an anti-viral effect against hepatitis C virus [HCV] in chronically infected patients, in whom ATRA also showed synergy with interferon-alpha. How HCV replication was suppressed was unclear. Both effects of ATRA can be accounted for by ATRA's upregulation of RIG protein, an 18 kDa product of retinoic induced gene-1. Increased RIG then couples ATRA to increased Type 1 interferons' production. Details of this mechanism predict that ATRA will similarly augment interferon-alpha activity in treating chronic myelogenous leukemia, melanoma, myeloma, and renal cell carcinoma and that the addition of ribavirin and/or bexarotene will each incrementally enhance interferon-alpha responses in these cancers.