cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Construction of the Galápagos platform by large submarine volcanic terraces

[1] New multibeam bathymetric and side-scan sonar data from the southwestern edge of the Galapagos platform reveal the presence of ∼60 large, stepped submarine terraces between depths of 800 m and 3500 m. These terraces are unique features, as none are known from any other archipelago that share this geomorphic form or size. The terraces slope seaward at 3000 m) lava flow fields west of Fernandina and Isabela Islands. The terraces are formed of thick sequences of lava flows that coalesce to form the foundation of the Galapagos platform, on which the subaerial central volcanoes are built. The compositions of basalts dredged from the submarine terraces indicate that most lavas are chemically similar to subaerial lavas erupted from Sierra Negra volcano on southern Isabela Island. There are no regular major element, trace element, or isotopic variations in the submarine lavas as a function of depth, relative stratigraphic position, or geographic location along the southwest margin of the platform. We hypothesize that magma supply at the western edge of the Galapagos hot spot, which is influenced by both plume and mid-ocean ridge magmatic processes, leads to episodic eruption of large lava flows. These large lava flows coalesce to form the archipelagic apron upon which the island volcanoes are built.
Acute-phase behavior of factor VIII procoagulant and other acute-phase reactants in rabbits

We measured the plasma concentrations of factor VIII procoagulant (FVIII:C) in rabbits in two laboratory models of inflammation and after injections of purified homologous interleukin 1 (IL-1). The mean FVIII:C activities 2-4 days following the intramuscular injection of turpentine were significantly elevated, as were the concentrations of fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP). By contrast, rabbits given 50 ng of bacterial lipopolysaccharide intravenously developed increased levels of FVIII:C but not of fibrinogen or CRP. We then studied plasma levels of FVIII:C, fibrinogen, and CRP after injections of either form of purified rabbit IL-1. If the rabbits' temperatures were monitored, FVIII:C levels increased in a log dose-related manner. This effect was not seen unless the rabbits were restrained and was seen in restrained rabbits even if the temperatures were not monitored. Fibrinogen and CRP levels did not change after IL-1 injections. These findings demonstrate that FVIII:C is an acute-phase reactant as judged by its response to turpentine inflammation or endotoxin injections, and to injections of IL-1 in restrained rabbits. FVIII:C appears to be a more sensitive acute-phase reactant than either fibrinogen or CRP. Neither of the latter proteins responded to low-dose endotoxin injections nor to either form of purified homologous IL-1. The doses of IL-1 given did cause fever, neutrophil leukocytosis, and hypoferremia.
Hyperreal operating points for nonlinear transfinite networks

A transfinite nonlinear resistive network need not have any operating point in the sense that Kichhoff's current law may be violated at some nodes of infinite degree and Kirchhoff's voltage law may be violated around some transfinite loops. This is so when standard analysis is used to determine branch voltages and currents. However, by borrowing some techniques of nonstandard analysis, we can show that Kirchhoff's laws will be satisfied everywhere when branch voltages and currents are determined as hyperreals (i.e., as nonstandard numbers).
The role of elastic, undrained, and drained responses in triggering earthquakes at Monticello Reservoir, South Carolina

Following reservoir impoundment, stress changes occur due to elastic response and changes in pore pressure due to drained and undrained responses of the substratum. Elastic response may stabilize or destabilize the reservoir environment, depending on the nature of pre-existing stress field. However, the increase in pore pressure always leads to weakening of the rocks, facilitating the onset of seismicity. In most reservoirs, we usually observe the coupled poroelastic effect, and it is usually difficult to isolate individual contributions. Due to the availability of detailed seismicity and geological and in situ stress data at Monticello Reservoir, it was possible to study various factors that control the mechanism of reservoir-induced seismicity. Our results suggest that, during the filling period, the instability resulted from elastic, undrained, and possibly onset of drained response. Subsequently, the seismicity showed a more consistent pattern associated with diffusion of pore pressure.
CMOS cells for analog VLSI Laplace equation solver based on the resistive analogy method

An analog VLSI Laplace equation solver is described. The system uses MOS transistors in ohmic mode to simulate a resistive grid of cells similar to the resistive analogy method used for solving the Laplace equation. The VLSI circuit is a two-dimensional array of cells, each of which can be configured digitally to simulate a resistive or a boundary cell. The CMOS cell implementation and the overall system architecture are discussed. >
What new information pediatric autopsies can provide: a retrospective evaluation of 100 consecutive autopsies using family-centered criteria.

Objective To determine the proportions of pediatric autopsies yielding various types of new information (eg, genetic diagnosis, additional explanation) that might be valued by families. Design Retrospective case series analysis. Setting Large urban children's hospital. Participants One hundred consecutive autopsies, 2003-2004. Intervention Using both traditional criteria and a novel classification scheme developed with expert clinicians and nonmedical parent faculty, 3 reviewers independently assessed each case for new information found at autopsy. Classifications were based on unanimous consensus. Main Outcome Measure Proportions of autopsies yielding new information. Results Decedents' ages ranged from 1 to 24 years. Using traditional criteria, major unexpected findings related to death occurred in 28% of the autopsies. Applying our novel criteria to the same 100 autopsies, we found new information that had the potential to further clarify the cause(s) of a child's death (53% of cases); inform the future reproductive choices of either the parents (10%) or siblings (8%); affect siblings' future health care (6%); or contribute to patient care quality control (36%) or publishable knowledge (7%). Conclusions Pediatric autopsies can yield different types of information that may be important to families. While the proportion of autopsies providing specific types of new information will vary between hospitals (depending on case mix, autopsy policies, and clinician/pathologist expertise) and across time (depending on available diagnostic modalities), hospital-specific data classified in this manner may be useful to physicians counseling families about autopsy.
The accumulation of 65Zn and other Radionuclides by Tubificid Worms

Tubificid worms did not accumulate radionuclides bound to sediments, but did accumulate dissolved radionuclides. The level of accumulation of dissolved 65Zn by the worms was dependent upon temperature and concentration of the radionuclide.
Bilinear time-frequency distributions for ultrasonic signal processing and NDE applications

In this paper, we introduce Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) of Wigner Distribution (WD). The WD is a special and widely adapted method of generalized bilinear time-frequency (GBTF) representation that reveals frequency contents of ultrasonic signals as function of time. The WD offers the best time-frequency (t-f) resolution but significantly suffers because of cross-term artifacts generated due to the inherent bilinear operation of GBTF. In this study, we use SVD to reduce the adverse impact of cross-terms. This approach has been extended to the SVD of Choi-Williams Distribution (CWD), a well-adapted version of GBTF distributions. Gaussian echoes are used to model the ultrasonic backscattered signals and this model is examined to reveal the pitfalls of WD and CWD. For CWD, the range of the exponential kernel parameter is attained based on the impetus to sustain desirable auto-terms, while suppressing the superfluous cross-terms. The SVD of WD and CWD generates basis functions uniquely corresponding to auto-terms and cross-terms. After identifying and discarding the basis functions corresponding to the cross-terms and noise, the desirable basis functions of auto-terms and their singular values are used to reconstruct the t-f distribution. We have applied SVD to WD and CWD of two overlapping echoes with different arrival times and frequency distributions corrupted with noise. We further used this method to detect flaw echoes masked by microstructure scattering noise. The flaw echo in the t-f plane clearly reveals lower frequency distribution at the location of the defect. These numerical results and experimental evaluations confirm that the application of SVD is a desirable approach to improve the accuracy of GBTF.
Congenital middle ear cholesteatoma: need for early recognition—role of computed tomography scan

Background: Congenital cholesteatoma (CC) of middle ear is a rare entity that may go undiagnosed for years. Patients with CC who are diagnosed at a later stage of disease have poor outcome. There is controversy regarding the best way to delineate CC preoperatively. More specifically, the need to obtain preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan in all cases of CC is debated. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine factors that may influence the outcome of surgery in CC as well as the value of obtaining preoperative CT scan in CC. Method: A retrospective chart review of all patients with a diagnosis of middle ear cholesteatoma operated on between 1994 and 2000 was carried out. Patients with CC were identified using the criteria proposed by Levenson and Parisier. Results: Thirty-five patients with CC were identified. In 30 (86%) patients, the diagnosis was made during ear examination and the remaining five (14%) patients were diagnosed during myringotomies. Preoperative CT scans were available in 17 patients. The findings on CT scans were classified into four categories based on the ossicular chain and mastoid septae status as well as the presence or absence of middle ear and mastoid opacification. Intraoperatively, 22 (63%) patients were found to have extensive cholesteatomas with or without extension beyond the mesotympanum. Eleven of these 22 patients had ossicular chain erosion and five were later found to have recidivism. Preoperative CT scan accurately predicted the extent of the cholesteatoma seen during surgery in 14/17 (82%) and ossicular chain status in 15/17 (88%), while micro-otoscopy predicted the extent of the existing pathology in only 10/35 (29%). Intraoperative location and size of CC influenced the type of surgical approach, status of ossicular chain, postoperative hearing level and rate of recidivism. Conclusions: Children still present with late stage CC. Micro-otoscopy is insufficient to clearly delineate the extension of CC. Preoperative CT scan is essential in defining the extent of existing pathology. The intraoperative CC size and location influence the outcome of surgery. Early surgical intervention and long-term follow-up are essential.
A taxonomy of metrics for testing the industrial ecology hypotheses and application to design of freezer insulation

Abstract Industrial ecology is sometimes referred to as the science of sustainability, but unlike mature sciences, it has yet to establish reliable modes of inquiry or a uniform framework for dialogue—partly because sustainability is difficult to characterize, and partly because industry–environment interactions are difficult to model quantitatively. A number of sustainability metrics have recently been proposed that partially address the quantification problem, but inevitably oversimplify the problem of sustainability characterization. This paper proposes an overarching taxonomy for classifying the quantitative criteria of sustainability as financial, thermodynamic, environmental, ecological, socio-political or aggregated. Several examples are presented. Pollution potential, which is an environmental metric related to the ideal thermodynamic work (of mixing) per mole required to remove pollutants from the environment, is discussed in particular. However, because no single metric can capture sustainability per se, industrial ecology may be limited to elucidating the trade-offs that exist between different types of complementary (rather than substitutable) criteria. The life cycle of polyurethane foam insulation in freezer applications is presented as a quantitative example of how different environmental criteria can lead to different design recommendations. Lastly, the framework proposed herein suggests a research agenda for industrial ecology, especially regarding the linkages between different measures of sustainability and cross-comparison of the investigative methods found in different sciences related to sustainability.
Membrane potential and surface potential in mitochondria: uptake and binding of lipophilic cations.

The uptake and binding of the lipophilic cations ethidium+, tetraphenylphosphonium+ (TPP+), triphenylmethylphosphonium+ (TPMP+), and tetraphenylarsonium+ (TPA+) in rat liver mitochondria and submitochondrial particles were investigated. The effects of membrane potential, surface potentials and cation concentration on the uptake and binding were elucidated. The accumulation of these cations by mitochondria is described by an uptake and binding to the matrix face of the inner membrane in addition to the binding to the cytosolic face of the inner membrane. The apparent partition coefficients between the external medium and the cytosolic surface of the inner membrane (K' o) and the internal matrix volume and matrix face of the inner membrane (K' i) were determined and were utilized to estimate the membrane potential Δψ from the cation accumulation factorR c according to the relation Δψ=RT/ZF ln [(R cVo−K'o)/(Vi+K'i)] whereV o andV i are the volume of the external medium and the mitochondrial matrix, respectively, andR c is the ratio of the cation content of the mitochondria and the medium. The values of Δψ estimated from this equation are in remarkably good agreement with those estimated from the distribution of86Rb in the presence of valinomycin. The results are discussed in relation to studies in which the membrane potential in mitochondria and bacterial cells was estimated from the distribution of lipophilic cations.
Novel effect of helenalin on Akt signaling and Skp2 expression in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

We have previously shown that the F-box protein, Skp2, is highly regulated during preadipocyte proliferation and plays a mechanistic role in p27 degradation during cell cycle progression. Data presented here demonstrate that the anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic phytochemical, helenalin is a potent inhibitor of periodic Skp2 protein accumulation during early phases of 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation. Furthermore, helenalin was shown to completely block p27 degradation, cyclin A accumulation, and G 1 /S transition resulting in G 1 arrest. Helenalin was also shown to block Skp2 mRNA accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner and to completely suppress hormonally induced Skp2 promoter activity suggesting transcriptional mechanisms were involved. Examination of signaling events previously determined to be important for Skp2 upregulation during adipogenesis revealed impaired Akt phosphorylation immediately preceding the inhibitory effect of helenalin on Skp2 mRNA accumulation. These studies demonstrate a novel effect of helenalin on Skp2 regulation and growth factor receptor signaling during early stages of adipocyte differentiation.
Living donor nephrectomy.

opments have made living renal donation more significant. Among the strategies to increase the number of living donor kidney transplants are the use of genetically unrelated renal donors, transplantation across the ABO barrier, kidney transplantation across positive cytotoxic cross matches, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy and transplantation of abnormal kidneys from living donors. This issue of The Journal includes 2 articles on laparoscopic assisted donor nephrectomy and 1 on the management of living renal donation in the face of donor calculus disease.
Hypermetabolism during bilateral single-lung transplantation requiring cardiopulmonary bypass

S IGNIFICANT hypermetabollsm is fortunately only rarely encountered during the perioperative period. Persistent hypermetabolism despite hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, implied by low mixed venous oxygen saturation, offers a formidable challenge to the anesthesiologist. Described in this report is an episode of significant hypermetabolism that occurred during bilateral single-lung transplantation and required the assist of cardiopulmonary bypass.
Silica gel-catalyzed migration of acetyl groups from a sulfur to an oxygen atom

Abstract During the chromatographic separation of 3- S -acetyl-1,2- O -isopropylidene-3-thio-α- d -allofuranose on silica gel, a migration of the acetyl group from S to O was observed to give 6- O -acetyl-1,2- O -isopropylidene-3-thio-α- d -allofuranose, whereas 3- S -acetyl-6- O -benzoyl-1,2- O -isopropylidene-3-thio-α- d -allofuranose gave 5- O -acetyl-6- O -benzoyl-1,2- O -isopropylidene-3-thio-α- d -allofuranose. No acetyl migration was observed, however, in the case of 3- O -acetyl-1,2- O -isopropylidene-α- d -allofuranose.
Beyond Foucault: Toward a user‐centered approach to sexual harassment policy

Our current national policy regarding sexual harassment, expressed through legal, economic, and popular discourses, exemplifies the Foucauldian paradigm in its attempt to regulate sexuality through seemingly authorless texts. Arguing that regulation through such “discursive technologies”; need not lead to the effects of domination that Foucault recognized, I propose a user‐centered approach to policy drafting that values the knowledge of workers as users and makers of workplace policy.
Ballistic electrons in compound semiconductors

It is pointed out that shorter transit times in transistors can be obtained by only two techniques: constructing a device with a shorter active length, and accelerating the electrons to a higher velocity with a ballistic launcher. The work that has been done on these two techniques is surveyed. Various devices incorporating ballistic injection are described.
PTEN function in normal and neoplastic growth

The PTEN tumor suppressor is a central negative regulator of the PI3K/AKT signaling cascade that influences multiple cellular functions including cell growth, survival, proliferation and migration in a context-dependent manner. Dysregulation of this signaling pathway contributes to many cancers in man. PTEN is the most commonly altered component of the PI3K pathway in human malignancies. Mutations occur in both heritable and sporadic settings, with high frequency in sporadic glioblastoma, prostate and endometrial cancer. Data from human tumors and animal models support the concept that the effects of PTEN inactivation are tissue-specific. Elucidation of the mechanisms regulating activation of unique downstream effectors that mediate distinct outcomes of PTEN loss will augment our understanding of tumorigenesis and ultimately lead to novel therapeutic options.
Chewing gum does not induce context-dependent memory when flavor is held constant.

This study examined the effect of chewing gum on memory when flavor is held constant. Four separate groups of participants (total n = 101) completed a word recall task. At learning and recall, participants either chewed a piece of gum or sucked a sweet. Each participant completed the memory task twice, once with abstract words and once with concrete words. A significant effect of word type (concrete vs. abstract) was found, however recall performance was not improved by matched oral activity at learning and recall. The results cast further doubt on the ability of chewing gum to induce context-dependent memory effects.
Coping Strategies and Relationship Satisfaction in Couples

The present study examined the association between relationship satisfaction and dispositional coping in 70 dating and married couples. Couple members completed Spanier's Dyadic Adjustment Scale and provided information about their own coping as well as their perceptions of their partners' coping. Three important findings emerged from the correlational analyses. First, relationship satisfaction related to both self-reported coping and report-of-other coping (reports made by one member about the other member's coping). Regarding the latter, the strongest associations were between married females' report-of-other and their partners' satisfaction with the relationship. Second, there was limited support for the notion that the more similarly couple members cope the more satisfied they will be with the relationship. Third, the more similarly couple members believed they coped, the more satisfied each member was with the relationship, regardless of whether the coping dimension was adaptive or not.
Abstract 5255: EGFR is a conspiring kinase in gene fusion positive lung cancer

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA The use of kinase inhibitors directed at dominant oncogenes has proven a successful treatment strategy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring ALK gene fusions, but intrinsic or acquired drug resistance limits clinical benefit. We recently identified a novel class of oncogenes generated by translocations of the NTRK1 gene, which encodes the TRKA receptor tyrosine kinase. ROS1 and RET gene fusions represent additional oncogene targets in lung cancer and gene fusion positive tumors currently comprise ∼10% of lung adenocarcinomas. Previous results from our laboratory have demonstrated that EGFR signaling can mediate both intrinsic and acquired resistance in a ROS1+ NSCLC cell line. We asked whether EGFR might play a common role in other NSCLC cell lines harboring gene fusions with the aim of developing combination therapies that may delay drug resistance to oncogene-targeted kinase inhibitors in these tumors. We have observed high protein expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in NSCLC cell lines positive for ALK (H3122, H2228, and STE-1), ROS1 (HCC78 and CUTO-2), RET (LC-2/Ad), and NTRK1 gene fusions (CUTO-3), and in a NTRK1 patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. We observed increased inhibition of downstream signaling and in vitro cellular proliferation with the addition of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in these gene fusion positive cell lines. Furthermore, stimulation of EGFR with EGF rescues targeted inhibition with oncogene-specific kinase inhibitors in the critical downstream signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK. Inhibition of cellular proliferation of these cell lines using oncogene-specific kinase inhibitors was also rescued by stimulation of EGFR. Interestingly, we observed transactivation of the TRKA and RET kinase domains by EGFR stimulation in the CUTO-3 and LC-2/Ad cell lines, respectively, despite treatment with a TRKA or RET kinase inhibitor. Additionally, co-immunoprecipitation experiments show that EGFR and the chimeric protein RIP-TRKA (encoded by the fusion gene MPRIP-NTRK1) associate in the CUTO-3 cells or when ectopically expressed in 293T cells. Collectively, these data demonstrate a critical role for EGFR in gene fusion positive lung cancer and suggest that signaling via this receptor may provide a survival mechanism for cancer cells treated with an oncogene-specific kinase inhibitor. Further investigation of EGFR inhibition in addition to oncogene-specific kinase inhibitors may be warranted. Citation Format: Aria Vaishnavi, Anh T. Le, Stephen B. Keysar, Christine M. Lovly, Severine Kako, Marileila Varella-Garcia, Antonio Jimeno, Robert C. Doebele. EGFR is a conspiring kinase in gene fusion positive lung cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5255. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5255
Kinase Control Prevents HIV-1 Reactivation in Spite of High Levels of Induced NF-κB Activity

Despite its clinical importance, the molecular biology of HIV-1 latency control is at best partially understood and the literature remains conflicting. The most recent description that latent HIV-1 is integrated into actively expressed host genes has further confounded the situation. This lack of molecular understanding complicates our efforts to identify therapeutic compounds or strategies that could reactivate latent HIV-1 infection in patients, a prerequisite for the eradication of HIV-1 infection. Currently many therapeutic development efforts operate under the assumption that a restrictive histone code would govern latent infection and that either dissipation of the histone-based restrictions or NF-κB activation would be sufficient to trigger HIV-1 reactivation. We here present data that suggest an additional, higher level of molecular control. During a high content drug screening effort, we identified AS601245 as a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 reactivation in latently infected primary T cells and T cell lines. In either system, AS601245 inhibited HIV-1 reactivation despite high levels of induced NF-κB activation. This finding suggests the presence of a gatekeeper kinase activity that controls latent HIV-1 infection even in the presence of high levels of NF-κB activity. Potential therapeutic stimuli that would not target this gatekeeper kinase will likely fail to trigger efficient system-wide HIV-1 reactivation.
Close Companion Friends, Self-Expression, and Psychological Well-Being in Late Life.

This study has two central aims. Both are associated with self-expression, which is defined as the ability to fully utilize one’s own talents and abilities. The first goal is to see if self-expression reduces depressive symptoms over time whereas the second aim is to see whether close companion friends help older people more fully utilize their talents and abilities. Data from a nationwide longitudinal survey of older people in the United States suggest that older people who are able to find an outlet for their talents and abilities experience fewer symptoms of depression over time than older adults who do not feel they have been able to use their talents and abilities. The findings further reveal that older people who have a good relationship with a close companion friend are more likely to experience higher levels of self-expression.
Digital communication technology development for space applications at Goddard Space Flight Center

At NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), space qualified integrated circuits for several key elements in space communication systems have been in development to increase data return in bandwidth constrained channels for future missions. Particularly in the area of digital communication, the development includes data compression, channel coding and modulation. In on-board data compression area, development focuses on a high-speed compression scheme that serves both push-broom and frame sensors. The compression ratio can be easily adjusted for different applications from lossless to visually lossless. The algorithm conforms to the Consultative Committee on Space Data Systems (CCSDS) new compression recommendation to be released 2005. The radiation-tolerant (RT) hardware will afford 20 Msamples/sec processing on sensor data. For bandwidth efficient channel coding, newly developed low density paritycheck codes (LDPCC) will double channel utilization as compared to previously used concatenated convolutional/Reed- Solomon (CC/RS) coding scheme. An RT implementation of the encoder is expected to work up to 1 Gbps serving both low-rate and high-rate missions. In modulation, a versatile multi-function base-band modulator allows missions the flexibility to choose from 2 bits/symbol/Hertz quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK)-type schemes, to 2.0, 2.25, 2.5, and 2.75 bits/symbol/Hertz 8 phase shift keying trellis-coded modulation (8-PSK TCM) schemes--all CCSDS recommendations. Along with 8PSK, 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM), 16-ampliture phase shift keying (16-APSK), all modulations are implemented in a single RT chip with expected throughput of over 300 Mbps. This paper describes the development of these three technology areas and gives an update on their availability for space missions.
Far-Sidelobe Contamination of the Bell Laboratories H I Survey

This paper describes an approximate calculation of the far-sidelobe contamination present in the Bell Laboratories H I survey. The general method is to determine the position of the sidelobe, and to assume that the emission measured at the position of the sidelobe is free of contamination. We have analyzed the errors introduced by saturation in the main beam and found them to be insignificant. The far-sidelobe contamination is shown to be less than 2 x 10 exp 16/sq cm/per km/s over most of the entire sky. The low level of far-sidelobe contamination suggests that such contamination does not affect results from studies of H I 21-cm radiation at high latitudes during the Bell Laboratories Survey. In particular, the low-column-density features of high-velocity and intermediate-velocity clouds can be deemed real.
Contributions of renewable energy resources to resource diversity

This is a summary of the presentation on the panel entitled "Energy Resource Flexibility and Diversity" at the 2006 IEEE/PES GM in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The Spider Toxin ω-Aga IIIA Defines a High Affinity Site on Neuronal High Voltage-activated Calcium Channels

Abstract The spider toxin ω-agatoxin IIIA (ω-Aga-IIIA) is a potent inhibitor of high voltage-activated calcium currents in the mammalian brain. To establish the biochemical parameters governing its action, we radiolabeled the toxin and examined its binding to native and recombinant calcium channels. In experiments with purified rat synaptosomal membranes, both kinetic and equilibrium data demonstrate one-to-one binding of ω-Aga-IIIA to a single population of high affinity sites, with K d = ∼9 pm andB max = ∼1.4 pmol/mg protein. Partial inhibition of ω-Aga-IIIA binding by ω-conotoxins GVIA, MVIIA, and MVIIC identifies N and P/Q channels as components of this population. ω-Aga-IIIA binds to recombinant α1B and α1E calcium channels with a similar high affinity (K d = ∼5–9 pm) in apparent one-to-one fashion. Results from recombinant α1B binding experiments demonstrate virtually identicalB max values for ω-Aga-IIIA and ω-conotoxin MVIIA, providing further evidence for a one-to-one stoichiometry of agatoxin binding to calcium channels. The combined evidence suggests that ω-Aga-IIIA defines a unique, high affinity binding site on N-, P/Q-, and R-type calcium channels.
Determination of acidic dissociation constants of several vic-dioximes

Abstract The acidic dissociation constants of three vic-dioximes have been determined from spectrophotometric data. The results may be summarized as follows: pK 1 pK 2 2,3-butanedionedioxime 10.6 ± 0.1 11.9 ± 0.3 1,2-cyclohexanedionedioxime 10.6 ± 0.2 12.4 ± 0.5 1,2-cycloheptanedionedioxime 10.7 ± 0.2 12.3 ± 0.5 The original method of stenstrom and goldsmith has been extended to permit evaluation of both acidic dissociation constants of a dibasic acid.
The life cycle of Cyclops bicuspidatus thomasi S. A. Forbes in Leavenworth County State Lake, Kansas, U.S.A. (Copepoda)

This is the publisher's version, which can also be found at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156854067X00116
Sample size calculation for non-compliance randomized trials with repeated measurements in binary data

When we have difficulty in recruiting patients into a randomized clinical trial (RCT), we may consider taking more than one measurement per patient to reduce the number of patients needed to achieve a desired power. In this paper, we consider a double blind RCT with two courses of treatment per patient. At each course, a patient assigned to the experimental treatment could switch to receive the placebo if the patient declined his/her assigned (experimental) treatment, and a patient assigned to the placebo could switch to receive the experimental treatment if the patient refused his/her assigned (placebo) treatment as well. Sample size calculation without accounting for this non-compliance can be inadequate when we apply the standard procedure of intention-to-treat analysis for non-compliance trials to test no treatment effect. Based on the simple additive risk model proposed elsewhere, we have incorporated the initial probability of compliance, the dependence of patient's selection of a treatment on his/her previous response, and the variation of probabilities of response between patients into sample size determination. We have included a quantitative discussion that provides an insight into the effect of various parameters on the minimum required sample size. We have also noted the situation in which taking repeated measurements per patient can be most effective to reduce the number of patients needed to maintain a given power.
Comparison of spectrin isolated from erythroid and non‐erythroid sources

Spectrin from erythrocytes and two other tissues (brain and intestine) were isolated from two distant species, pig and chicken; some structural and functional properties were compared. A quantitative antibody inhibition assay was used to determine that antibodies to mammalian red cell spectrin cross-react very poorly, if at all, with their non-erythroid (brain) counterpart and similarly antibodies to pig brain spectrin (fodrin) cross-react very weakly with erythroid spectrin. By contrast, antibodies which were directed against the 240000-Mr subunit of avian fodrin were completely inhibited with avian spectrin and vice versa. To analyze the structural relatedness of these molecules further we compared the chymotryptic iodinated peptide maps generated from each individual subunit. Consistent with the antibody results, we find little (< 10 %) homology between peptides derived from mammalian fodrin and spectrin, but complete homology (100%) of the peptides derived from the 240000-Mr subunits of chicken fodrin, spectrin and another related molecule from intestine, TW260/240. Whereas the peptide maps of fodrin (brain spectrin) revealed striking similarity between divergent species, suggesting a high degree of structural conservation, the peptide maps of erythrocyte spectrin was highly variable between species, indicating that it has diverged considerably in mammalian evolution. In addition we have compared a functional activity of mammalian spectrins, the ability to bind calmodulin, using two different assays. Both results show that, whereas fodrin-calmodulin interaction can be readily demonstrated, the binding to mammalian erythroid spectrin is negligible. This suggests that the high-affinity calmodulin site present on fodrin has been lost from spectrin in mammalian evolution.
The roles of exotic grasses and forbs when restoring native species to highly invaded southern California annual grassland

Many semi-arid shrublands in the western US have experienced invasion by a suite of exotic grasses and forbs that have altered community structure and function. The effect of the exotic grasses in this area has been studied, but little is known about how exotic forbs influence the plant community. A 3-year experiment in southern California coastal sage scrub (CSS) now dominated by exotic grasses was done to investigate the influence of both exotic grasses (mainly Bromus spp.) and exotic forbs (mainly Erodium spp.) on a restoration seeding (9 species, including grasses, forbs, and shrubs). Experimental plots were weeded to remove one, both, or neither group of exotic species and seeded at a high rate with a mix of native species. Abundance of all species varied with precipitation levels, but seeded species established best when both groups of exotic species were removed. The removal of exotic grasses resulted in an increase in exotic and native forb cover, while removal of exotic forbs led to an increase in exotic grass cover and, at least in one year, a decrease in native forb cover. In former CSS now converted to exotic annual grassland, a competitive hierarchy between exotic grasses and forbs may prevent native forbs from more fully occupying the habitat when either group of exotics is removed. This apparent competitive hierarchy may interact with yearly variation in precipitation levels to limit restoration seedings of CSS/exotic grassland communities. Therefore, management of CSS and exotic grassland in southern California and similar areas must consider control of both exotic grasses and forbs when restoration is attempted.
Quantitative detection of tetrodotoxin (TTX) by a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor

Abstract We report the quantitative antibody-based detection of a low-molecular weight molecule tetrodotoxin (TTX) (∼319 Da) by inhibition assay with a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor. A novel anti-TTX antibody sensing surface was developed by chemically immobilizing TTX on a gold film with a mixed self assembled monolayer (SAM) consisting of amine terminated oligo-ethylene glycol (OEG) alkanethiol and a hydroxyl terminated OEG alkanethiol. The ratio of amine to hydroxyl terminated OEG alkanethiols and TTX immobilization chemistry were optimized to maximize specific anti-TTX binding, while minimizing non-specific binding. The calibration curves are reported for two antibody concentrations incubated with samples of varying TTX concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 10,000 ng/mL. The detection limit for TTX is defined as IC20 (20% inhibitory concentration), which is ∼0.3 ng/mL in this work. The corresponding calibration curve has a characteristic IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) of ∼6 ng/mL. The ability to reproducibly regenerate the TTX-immobilized surface was also demonstrated.
Carbon nanotube yarn sensors for structural health monitoring of composites

With increasing application of composite materials, real time monitoring of composite structures becomes vital for maintenance purpose as well as prevention of catastrophic failure. It has been reported that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have excellent piezoresistive properties, which may enable a new generation of sensors in nano or micro scales. We report here a novel prototype of carbon nanotube yarn sensors with excellent repeatability and stability for in-situ structural health monitoring. The CNT yarn is spun directly from CNT arrays, and its electrical resistance increases linearly with tensile strain, which makes it an ideal strain sensor. Importantly, it shows repeatable piezoresistive behavior under repetitive straining and unloading. Yarn sensors show stable resistances at temperatures ranging from -196° to 110°. Neat yarn sensors are also embedded into resin to monitor the loading conditions of the composites. With multiple yarn sensor elements aligned in the composite, the crack initiation and propagation could be monitored. Yarn sensors could be easily incorporated into composite structures with minimal invasiveness and weight penalty to enable the structure has self-sensing capabilities.
Preferential depression of IgM producing immunocytes during mastocytoma-induced immunosuppression.

SummaryImmunologic impairment occurs in mice bearing mastocytoma tumors or injected with cell free extracts and/or ascites fluids from the tumor bearing animals. In the present study it was found that the 19S IgM antibody response to sheep red blood cells as assessed at the individual hemolytic plaque forming cell level was preferentially affected. Whereas there were 60-80% fewer IgM PFCs in mice given a primary injection with sheep erythrocytes, there was only a slight effect on appearance of indirect 7S IgG plaque forming cells. Furthermore, mice primed with sheep red blood cells and then implanted with mastocytoma cells showed a marked impairment of the secondary IgM response but no depression of the IgG response. Injection of cell free ascites fluid derived from mastocytoma-bearing mice into normal recipient mice before primary or secondary immunization with sheep red cells resulted in marked depression only of the IgM response. These results indicate that mastocytoma affects preferentially in immunoc...
An Investigation of the Coupling Function of the FDS and FDP Tendons After Ulnar Superficial Slip Resection

The goal of this study is to assess kinematic changes in the flexion pattern of a digit after resection of a single arm of the FDS tendon (ulnar superficialis slip resection or USSR). Angular joint displacement as a function of a controlled tendon excursion driven by computerized motors was used to quantify the kinematics of the finger. This series of experiments was performed on fresh-frozen cadaver hands, and data was acquired in real time using a National Instruments DAQ card and a PC running LabView software.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Cobalt ion enhancement of 2-chloro[3H]adenosine binding to a novel class of adenosine receptors in brain: antagonism by calcium.

We have recently reported the identification of a novel class of micromolar-affinity adenosine binding sites in rat brain membranes using the adenosine agonist 2-chloro[3H]adenosine (Cl[3H]Ado). These binding sites are distinguishable from the A1 and A2 adenosine receptors by a number of pharmacological criteria, and we have designated this new class of binding sites as the A3 adenosine binding sites. In the present study, the effects of a wide range of divalent and trivalent cations on micromolar Cl[3H]Ado binding to brain membranes were examined. Co2+, Ni2+ and La3+ markedly stimulated specific Cl[3H]Ado binding by 45–150% above control when tested at concentrations of 1–10 mM. Ca2+ had no significant effect on binding except at high concentrations where it depressed binding slightly. Ca2+, however, completely prevented the stimulation of Cl[3H]Ado binding by Co2+. These findings further distinguish the A3 class of adenosine binding sites from the previously characterized adenosine receptors and suggest that the A3 binding sites are associated with calcium systems in brain.
Cochlear integrity in rats with experimentally induced audiogenic seizure susceptibility.

Abstract While chronic susceptibility of rodents to audiogenic seizures (AGSs) is often accompanied by cochlear lesions, it has not been demonstrated whether cochlear hair cell losses are essential to pathogenesis in this epileptic disorder. An alternative possibility is that the neonatal timing of hearing losses is what unites various models of chronic AGS susceptibility. In the latter case, either transient or permanent hearing losses might induce susceptibility as long as they concur with a critical period of development. To address this issue, it was examined whether lesions were universally present in cochleas of adult rats after having been made susceptible to sound-triggered seizures by different types and severities of neonatal auditory trauma. Neonatal treatments included: (1) an 8 min exposure of rat pups to intense noise (125 dB SPL) on postnatal day (PND) 14; (2) injections of low doses of kanamycin (KM: 100 mg/kg) on PNDs 9–12; or (3) injections of high doses of KM (500 mg/kg) on PNDs 9–12. As adults, rats in all experimental groups, but not in sham-treated groups, exhibited sound-triggerable seizure responses. Nonetheless, this outcome did not depend on integrity of cochleas. Hair cells were rarely missing in the cochleas of noise-exposed, low-dosage KM-treated, or sham-treated rats. By contrast, all inner and outer hair cells were missing from the basal 75% of cochleas of adult rats which had been treated with high-dose KM on PNDs 9–12. Results indicate that cochlear lesions are not requisite for the induction or expression of AGS susceptibility. At the same time, however, significant hair cell losses do not necessarily preclude susceptibility. It appears that the neonatal timing rather than the permanence of hearing losses may be what engenders chronic AGS susceptibility.
The influence of affective associations on the development of cognitive maps of large environments

Abstract Anooshian and Siegel (1985) have argued that the affect associated with different environmental locations has relatively greater impact when adults initially become familiar with an environment than when they have been in that environment for an extended time period. In order to examine this hypothesis college freshmen and upperclassmen were tested. The students were asked initially to choose the four locations on their campus that they most liked and the four locations that they most disliked. They then estimated distances between each of these locations from memory. The results indicated that freshmen underestimated distances to locations associated with positive affect to a greater extent than distances to locations associated with negative affect. In contrast, the estimations of upperclassmen to locations associated with positive and negative affect were not significantly different. These results support Anooshian and Siegel's (1985) hypothesis, suggesting that affect initially influences memory for distance information but that this influence disappears with increased experience in the environment.
A compact directly-excited transmitter for wideband data transmission

A new technique to realize a high-rate data transmission through electrically small antennas is presented. In this technique, the fundamental resonant frequency of a single-mode antenna is modulated by feeding the antenna with a switched capacitor with a switching signal controlled by baseband digital data. The antenna operates completely in the transient state and a DC power source is used to excite the fundamental resonances and therefore, no RF source is required.
Enhancement of redirected target cell lysis by cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the presence of cytochalasin B.

Abstract The cytochalasins are known secretogogues. Their function as such is examined in light of the granule exocytosis model for lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity. Cytochalasin B is found to enhance target cell lysis by cytotoxic T lymphocytes when antibody-coated polystyrene beads are used to bridge the cells. The pattern of lysis is found to be biphasic in its dependence on cytochalasin B. Secretion of the enzyme BLT-esterase from the effector cells parallels the cytochalasin concentration-dependent pattern of lysis. Cytochalasin D is also able to enhance lysis but at concentrations less than Cytochalasin B. Cytochalasin B does not inhibit binding of beads to the effector cell. This is shown by the ability of fluorescent beads coated with antibody to bind with an appropriate specificity to cells. These studies indicate that cytochalasin B is not strictly inhibitory for the induction of target cell lysis but can enhance lymphocyte-mediated lysis at low drug concentrations. These results are compatible with the interpretation that target cell lysis is mediated through a secretion process from cytotoxic T lymphocytes.