cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Marrow accessory cell infection and alterations in hematopoiesis accompany severe neutropenia during experimental acute infection with feline immunodeficiency virus

Severe neutropenia and bone marrow (BM) morphologic abnormalities occur during experimentally induced primary infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a lentivirus biologically similar to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To further characterize the mechanisms involved in this acute infection model of lentivirus-induced BM suppression, peripheral blood counts, histologic BM studies, and BM culture assays were performed on 12 cats that underwent necropsy at regular intervals postinoculation (PI) with FIV Petaluma. Plasma viremia developed at week 3 PI and neutropenia was initially detected at week 6 PI. Low neutrophil counts, but normal hematocrits and platelet counts, persisted through week 12 PI. Infected BM mononuclear cells and megakaryocytes were identified by in situ hybridization assays for FIV nucleic acids in BM sections of cats that underwent necropsy at weeks 4 to 12 PI, correlating with detection of soluble FIV p24 antigen and identification of infected mononuclear and macrophage cells in BM buffy-coat cell cultures from these cats. At weeks 1.5 to 4 PI, the mean frequencies (number per 10(5) BM mononuclear cells) of erythroid progenitors (erythroid colony-forming units [CFU-E] and erythroid burst-forming units [BFU-E] and granulocyte/macrophage progenitors (CFU-granulocyte/macrophage [CFU-GM]) were increased to 508 +/- 74, 143 +/- 24, and 110 +/- 17, respectively (n = 5 cats) as compared with controls (172 +/- 24, 86 +/- 26, and 44 +/- 10; n = 3 cats; P < .02), and the percentages of progenitors in the DNA-synthetic phase of the cell cycle were equivalent to controls. In contrast, the progenitor frequencies at weeks 6 to 12 PI were significantly decreased (72 +/- 16, 43 +/- 6, and 19 +/- 4, respectively; n = 7 cats; P < .01), and these progenitors were more frequently in S-phase. Autologous serum significantly inhibited (P < .05) the growth of CFU-GM in 6 of 9 cats and failed to support the maximal growth of BFU-E in 4 of 9 cats studied at weeks 4 to 12 PI, whereas no such abnormalities were observed in colony assays containing autologous sera from control cats (n = 3) or cats studied at weeks 1.5 or 3 PI (n = 3). In comparison, sera from FIV-infected cats did not inhibit the growth of normal, allogeneic progenitors. However, FIV serum frequently failed to support maximal in vitro growth of normal CFU-GM as compared with uninfected allogeneic sera, further suggesting a lack of progenitor growth- promoting substances in infected cat sera.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Effects of Fast and Slow Yoga Breathing on Cerebral and Central Hemodynamics.

Background: Yoga breathing has shown to impose significant cardiovascular and psychological health benefits. Objective: The mechanism (s) responsible for these health benefits remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to assess the differences in cerebral and central hemodynamic responses following fast breathing (FB) and slow breathing (SB) protocols compared to breathing awareness (BA) as a control. Methods: Twenty healthy participants (10 males and 10 females) volunteered to take part in the study. Participants were between ages 18–55 years (group mean: 24 ± 5 years), with a height of 168.7 ± 9.8 cm and a weight of 70.16 ± 10.9 kg. A familiarization trial including FB and SB protocols were performed by each participant at least 24 h before the testing day. The breathing protocols were designed to achieve 6 breath/min for SB and ~ 120 breaths/min for FB. Results: FB resulted in an increase in both right prefrontal cortex (RPFC) and left prefrontal cortex (LPFC) hemoglobin difference (Hbdiff) (brain oxygenation) compared to BA (P
Preparedness and response activities of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home-based primary care program around the fall 2017 hurricane season

Large-scale natural disasters disproportionally affect both the medically complex and the older old, groups that are responsible for most medical surge after a disaster. To understand how to ameliorate this surge, we examined the activities of the nine US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) programs impacted during the 2017 Fall Hurricane Season. Convergent mixed methods design, incorporating independently conducted qualitative and quantitative analyses. Phase One: 34 clinical staff were interviewed from the nine VA HBPC programs impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria to examine the experiences of their HBPC programs in response to the Hurricanes. Phase Two: Secondary quantitative data analysis used the VA’s Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) to examine the electronic health records of patients for these same nine sites. The emergency management activities of the HBPC programs emerged as two distinct phases: preparedness, and response and recovery. The early implementation of preparedness procedures, and coordinated post-Hurricane patient tracking, limited disruption in care and prevented significant hospitalizations among this population. Individuals aged 75 or older, who often present with multiple comorbidities and decreased functional status, typically prefer to age in their homes. Additionally, as in-home medical equipment evolves, more medically vulnerable individuals are able to receive care at home. HBPC programs, and similar programs under Medicare, connect the homebound, medically complex, older old to the greater healthcare community. Engaging with these programs both pre- and post-disasters is central to bolstering community resilience for these at-risk populations.
Achieving Information Freshness With Selfish and Rational Users in Mobile Crowd-Learning

The proliferation of smart mobile devices has spurred an explosive growth of mobile crowd-learning services, where service providers rely on the user community to voluntarily collect, report, and share real-time information for a collection of scattered points of interest (PoI). A critical factor affecting the future large-scale adoption of such mobile crowd-learning applications is the freshness of the crowd-learned information, which can be measured by a metric termed “age-of-information” (AoI). However, we show that the AoI of mobile crowd-learning could be arbitrarily bad under selfish and rational users’ behaviors if the system is poorly designed. This motivates us to design efficient reward mechanisms to incentivize mobile users to report information in time, with the goal to keep the AoI and congestion level of each PoI low. Toward this end, we consider a simple linear AoI-based reward mechanism and analyze its AoI and congestion performances in terms of price of anarchy (PoA), which characterizes the degradation of the system efficiency due to selfish and rational behavior of users. In this paper, we consider both average maximum age and average weighted sum of age. Remarkably, we show that the proposed mechanism achieves the optimal AoI performance in terms of average maximum age asymptotically in a deterministic scenario, i.e., the corresponding PoA decreases to 0 asymptotically. Moreover, the PoA in terms of average total age under our proposed mechanism can be upper-bounded by 1/2 asymptotically. Further, we prove that the proposed mechanism achieves a bounded PoA in general stochastic cases, and the bound only depends on system parameters. Particularly, when the service rates of PoIs are symmetric in stochastic cases, the achieved PoA is upper-bounded by 1/2 asymptotically. Collectively, this work advances our understanding of information freshness in mobile crowd-learning systems.
Significant hospitalization cost savings to the payer with a pharmacist-led mobile health intervention to improve medication safety in kidney transplant recipients

This was an economic analysis of a 12-month, parallel arm, randomized controlled trial in adult kidney recipients 6 to 36 months posttransplant (NCT03247322). All participants received usual posttransplant care, while the intervention arm received supplemental clinical pharmacist-led medication therapy monitoring and management, via a smartphone-enabled mHealth app, integrated with risk-based televisits. Hospitalization charges were captured from the study institution accounts payable and non-study institution hospitalization charges were estimated using multiple imputation. Multivariable modeling was used to assess the impact of the intervention on charges. The intervention significantly reduced rates of hospitalization (1.08 per patient-year in the control arm vs 0.65 per patient-year in the intervention arm, p = .007). The control arm had estimated hospitalization costs of $870,468 vs $390,489 in the intervention arm. Modeling demonstrated a 49% lower hospitalization charge risk in the intervention arm (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28-0.91; p = .022). From a payer or societal perspective, the net estimated cost savings, after accounting for intervention delivery costs, was $368,839, with a return on investment (ROI) of $4.30 for every $1 spent. These results demonstrate that a mHealth-enabled, pharmacist-led intervention significantly reduced hospitalization costs for payers over a 12-month period and has a positive ROI.
Pengaruh Intensitas Pengaksesan Konten Pornografi terhadap Spiritualitas Generasi Milenial Kristen

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji, mengetahui, membuktikan dan memperoleh data terhadap pengaruh pornografi bagi peserta didik milenial kristen . P eneliti menganalisis data penelitian untuk mengetahui pengaruh pengaksesan konten internet yang mengandung pornografi terhadap perilaku spiritual peserta didik mil l e n n i al K risten di SMA Negeri 33 Jakarta. Metode yang digunakan adalah kuantitatif dengan analisis software SPSS . S ampel penelitian sebanyak 40 orang, diambil dengan menggunakan teknik nonprobability sampling, pendekatan validitas kontruksi dilakukan dengan interaksi sebanyak satu kali dan perhitungan koefisien reabilitasnya dilakukan dengan rumus Alpha Crombach . Instrumen yang dilakukan dalam mengumpulkan data adalah kuesioner atau angket tertutup berpolakan skala model likert, pengujian validitas instrument dengan rumus person product moment. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pengaruh intensitas pengaksesan konten yang mengandung pornografi terhadap spiritual generasi Milenial Kristen di SMA Negeri 33 Jakarta Berdasarkan penghitungan koefisien korelasi dikuadratkan maka diperoleh hasil koefisien determinasi sebesar 0,754 atau 75,4%, artinya pengaruh antara pengaksesan konten internet yang mengandung pornografi (X) terhadap spiritual generasi milenial kristen (Y) berdasarkan varians (koefisien determinasi) sebesar 0,754 atau 75,4%. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa faktor pengaksesan konten internet yang mengandung pornografi memberikan kontribusi kurang efektif atau dapat dikatakan terbilang normal 75,4% terhadap Spiritual generasi milenial dan sisanya 24,6% dipengaruhi oleh faktor lain.
Librarianship in Azerbaijan: What Can a Leader Do?

Abstract To be successful library leaders in the 21st century, it is important to make decisions that blend the strengths of the past, the demands of the present, and the uncertainty of the future as well as to have someone who will take a lead. Emotional intelligence (EI) is a crucial component of leadership. The five components of EI are examined in the article. Based on a testimony of a librarian from Azerbaijan, who envisioned the changes taking place in the profession and became a catalyst of these changes, the article describes a development of Azerbaijani librarianship for the last 10 years.
Transport Protein Trafficking in Polarized Cells

▪ Abstract In order to carry out their physiological functions, ion transport proteins must be targeted to the appropriate domains of cell membranes. Regulation of ion transport activity frequently involves the tightly controlled delivery of intracellular populations of transport proteins to the plasma membrane or the endocytic retrieval of transport proteins from the cell surface. Transport proteins carry signals embedded within their structures that specify their subcellular distributions and endow them with the capacity to participate in regulated membrane trafficking processes. Recently, a great deal has been learned about the biochemical nature of these signals, as well as about the cellular machinery that interprets them and acts upon their messages.
Incomplete basis set problem. IV. Perturbative corrections to pair energies

A partitioning of the molecular Hamiltonian into the occupied and virtual orbital spaces and their orthogonal complement is introduced and used to develop a perturbation expansion of the exact ground-state energy relative to the Hartree–Fock energy computed using an incomplete basis set. The leading perturbation corrections to pair energies due to using the incomplete basis set are considered in detail. Summations of certain classes of pair contributions are discussed and a resummed correction is obtained.
Molecular responses of vascular smooth muscle cells and phagocytes to curcumin-eluting bioresorbable stent materials

A major complication of coronary stenting is restenosis, often accompanied by inflammatory reactions and smooth muscle cell proliferation. Curcumin has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties, thus we hypothesize that locally released curcumin by coronary stent would diminish in-stent restenosis. As a first test of this hypothesis, curcumin-eluting PLLA films (C-PLLA) were produced and the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties were then tested using peritoneal phagocytes and human coronary artery smooth muscle cell (hCASMCs) culture systems. We find that the addition of curcumin reduced phagocyte accumulation and activation on C-PLLA films. On the other hand, C-PLLA significantly reduced the proliferation, but not the adhesion, of hCASMCs. The molecular responses of hCASMCs to C-PLLA were further assessed by cDNA microarray analysis. Curcumin up-regulated genes related to apoptosis and enhanced the expression of anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory factors, and of antioxidants. Equally important, C-PLLA inhibited the cell cycle progression of adherent hCASMCs. The results suggest that curcumin regulates gene expression and cell function through the protein kinase (PK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. These results support the use of curcumin to inhibit in-stent restenosis.
Effects of media composition on submerged culture spores of the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum, Part 1: Comparison of cell wall characteristics and drying stability among three spore types

Abstract Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum (IMI 330189) can produce at least three spore types in vitro; blastospores, submerged conidia, and aerial conidia, as defined by culturing conditions, sporogenesis, and spore morphology. This study compares morphological characteristics (dimensions and cell wall structure), chemical properties of cell wall surfaces (charge, hydrophobicity, and lectin binding), and performance (germination rate and drying stability) among these three spore types. Submerged conidia and aerial conidia both possessed thick, double-layered cell walls, with hydrophobic regions on their surfaces. However, in contrast to aerial conidia, submerged conidia have: (1) a greater affinity for the lectin concanavalin-A; (2) more anionic net surface charge; and (3) a less distinct outer rodlet layer. Blastospores were longer and more variable in length than both submerged conidia and aerial conidia, and had thinner single-layered cell walls that lacked an outer rodlet layer. Also, blastospores...
Elastic modulus imaging: some exact solutions of the compressible elastography inverse problem

We consider several inverse problems motivated by elastography. Given the (possibly transient) displacement field measured everywhere in an isotropic, compressible, linear elastic solid, and given density ρ, determine the Lame parameters λ and μ. We consider several special cases of this problem: (a) for μ known a priori, λ is determined by a single deformation field up to a constant. (b) Conversely, for λ known a priori, μ is determined by a single deformation field up to a constant. This includes as a special case that for which the term λ∇ ⋅ u ≡ 0. (c) Finally, if neither λ nor μ is known a priori, but Poisson's ratio ν is known, then μ and λ are determined by a single deformation field up to a constant. This includes as a special case plane stress deformations of an incompressible material. Exact analytical solutions valid for 2D, 3D and transient deformations are given for all cases in terms of quadratures. These are used to show that the inverse problem for μ based on the compressible elasticity equations is unstable in the limit λ → ∞. Finally, we use the exact solutions as a basis to compute non-trivial modulus distributions in a simulated example.
RhoB and the cellular response to farnesyltransferase inhibitors: the search for clues to cell death mechanisms.

Commentary to: Genetic Response to Farnesyltransferase Inhibitors: Proapoptotic Targets of RhoB Uma Kamasani, Ai-xue Liu and George C. Prendergast
Distributed gradient ascent of random fields by robotic sensor networks

This paper considers a robotic sensor network, deployed in an environment of interest, that takes successive measurements of a spatial random field. Taking a Bayesian perspective on the kriging interpolation technique from geostatistics, we design the distributed kriging algorithm to estimate the distribution of the random field and of its gradient. The proposed algorithm makes use of a novel distributed strategy to compute weighted least squares estimates when measurements are spatially correlated. This strategy results from the combination of the Jacobi overrelaxation method with dynamic consensus algorithms. The network agents use the information gained on the spatial field to implement a gradient ascent coordination algorithm, whose convergence is analyzed via stochastic Lyapunov functions in the absence of measurement errors. We illustrate our results in simulation.
Internal pressures, hard core and free space volumes and Boltzmann's rule

Abstract Two fundamental relationships describing natural phenomena are posited to be functions of the free space in which atoms and molecules are confined and interact. These relationships are the Boltzmann energy distribution principle and the equation of state. In both cases the free space is that space available to the centers of mass of the atoms and molecules as they move randomly in translational motion. The hard core volume of atoms and molecules is not available for translational motion of their centers of mass and is excluded from the volume function in both Boltzmann's principle and the equation of state. Only in this way is it possible: 1) to apply Boltzmann's principle to the distribution of atoms or molecules between the two energy states of two phases in equilibrium; solid-gas, liquid-gas or solid-liquid and 2) to apply the equation of state to the gas, liquid or solid phase in order to determine the internal pressure exerted by the translational motion of atoms or molecules and to deduce t...
Unanticipated interest rates, bank stock returns and the nominal contracting hypothesis

Abstract The relationship between unexpected interest rate movements and bank stock returns is analyzed in the context of the nominal contracting hypothesis. Unanticipated changes in interest rates should influence individual bank profits and stock returns depending on the maturity characteristics of their assets relative to their liabilities. This hypothesis is investigated by constructing portfolios on the basis of the nominal contracting positions of banks. The main conclusion of this paper is that the wealth redistribution implications of the nominal contracting hypothesis is found to be unimportant in the determination of bank stock returns.
Response to oCRH in depressed and nondepressed adolescents: does gender make a difference?

ABSTRACT Objective To examine the hypothesis that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal responses to stress vary across gender, contributing to gender differences in the prevalence of depression. Method This study examined gender differences between depressed ( n =21) and control ( n =20) adolescents in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol response to two ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (oCRH) tests, at baseline and following a cognitive stressor. Results Boys had higher ( p p Conclusions Gender differences in hormone responses may be related to differences in peripheral metabolism of ACTH, resulting in changes of immunoreactivity but not bioactivity or a different set point of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The pattern of ACTH and cortisol responses to oCRH and the 24-hour excretion of free cortisol was normal in adolescents with depression, probably reflecting normal negative feedback mechanisms at this age or that most of these patients suffer from atypical rather than melancholic depression.
Mariner-Jupiter-Saturn Low Energy Charged Particle Experiment

The Low Energy Charged Particle Experiment shown in Figure 1 will be launched on the Mariner-Jupiter-Saturn spacecraft in August 1977. The experiment has been designed to perform particle measurements in the intense radiation belts of the Jovian and Saturnian environments, and to provide detailed spectral analysis of both solar and galactic particles in interplanetary space. These objectives are met by a single instrument which uses 23 solid-state detectors configured in two distinct detector subsystems. One subsystem is optimized for interplanetary and interstellar measurements. The second subsystem is optimized for specific particle species, energies, and intensities expected near the planets. Angular distributions in the ecliptic plane and pitch angle distributions are obtained using an 8-sector scanning motor.
Porous anodic alumina optimized as a catalyst support for microreactors

Abstract This paper describes the optimization of process conditions for making porous anodic alumina as a catalyst support in monolithic microreactors. The basic process involves direct current anodization of 1100 alloy aluminum in oxalic acid. Electrolyte concentration, temperature, and anodization potential are optimized with respect to oxidation efficiency and pore density via a Box–Behnken experimental design to the values of 0.6 M, 18 °C, and 30 V, respectively. The effects of subsequent hydrothermal–thermal treatment on the surface area enhancement and surface morphology of the porous oxide are also investigated and optimized. The resulting films are employed in the fabrication of active catalytic aluminum–alumina microreactors for the decomposition of ammonia to hydrogen and nitrogen.
Acidosis and coma in adult diabetic maintenance dialysis patients with extreme hyperglycemia

Extreme hyperglycemia (serum glucose ≥ 800 mg/dL or 44.4 mmol/L) is infrequently associated with impaired consciousness in patients on maintenance dialysis. The purpose of this study was to determine features of extreme hyperglycemia that bring about coma in dialysis patients who do not have any of the potential conditions, other than hyperglycemia, that can affect the sensorium. We analyzed 24 episodes of extreme dialysis-associated hyperglycemia in men who did not have neurological disease or sepsis. We compared serum parameters related to hyperglycemia between a group of 12 patients (8 on peritoneal dialysis, 4 on hemodialysis) who were alert and oriented (group A) and another group of 12 patients (5 on peritoneal dialysis, 7 on hemodialysis) who displayed varying degrees of impairment of sensorium, ranging from drowsiness to coma (group B). Group B had, in the serum, lower total carbon dioxide (TCO2, 8 ± 4 vs. 20 ± 3 mmol/L, P < 0.01) and higher anion gap (AG, 32 ± 8 vs. 15 ± 4 mEq/L, P < 0.01) and potassium (6.3 ± 1.5 vs. 4.6 ± 1.0 mEq/L, P < 0.05) than group A. Serum levels of glucose, chloride, urea nitrogen, calculated osmolarity and tonicity did not differ between the two groups. The test for serum ketone bodies was positive only in group B (all patients). Stepwise multiple linear regression identified serum TCO2 and AG as the only predictors of impaired sensorium (r 2 = 0.74. P < 0.01). There is a strong statistical association between the severity of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and the level of impairment of consciousness in patients on dialysis with extreme hyperglycemia and no neurological or infectious disease. This association suggests that the presence or absence of DKA is usually the primary etiologic factor in the development of impaired sensorium in these patients.
Dating of Tropical Coastal Regression

IT is generally supposed that the coast-line of tropical Africa is regressing. The process of coastal regression, and its effect on the lagoon system of the immediate hinterland, have already been discussed and illustrated1. From this work it would appear that an absolute estimate of the rate of coastal regression can be obtained by dating the remains of the salt lagoon mangrove vegetation which has been overwhelmed by the coastal sandbar in its retreat, and has since, with continuing landward movement of the bar, re-emerged on the inter-tidal zone of the shore.
Can chaos and intransitivity lead to interannual variability

We suggest that the atmosphere–ocean–earth system is unlikely to be intransitive, i.e. to admit two or more possible climates, any one of which, once established, will persist forever. Our reasoning is that even if the system would be intransitive if the external heating could be held fixed, say as in summer, the new heating patterns that actually accompany the advance of the seasons will break up any established summer circulation, and an alternative circulation may develop during the following summer, particularly if chaos has prevailed during the intervening winter. We introduce a very-low-order geostrophic baroclinic “general circulation” model, which may be run with or without seasonal variations of heating. Under perpetual summer conditions the model is intransitive, admitting either weakly oscillating or strongly oscillating westerly flow, while under perpetual winter conditions it is chaotic. When seasonal variations of heating are introduced, weak oscillations prevail through some summers and strong oscillations prevail through others, thus lending support to our original suggestion. We develop some additional properties of the model as a dynamical system, and we speculate as to whether its behaviour has a counterpart in the real world. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0870.1990.t01-2-00005.x
Automatic fetal head measurements from sonographic images

Rationale and Objectives. We designed an image processing technique to automatically measure the biparietal diameter (BPD) and head circumference (HC) from prenatal sonograms. We evaluated the performance of the algorithm by comparing the resulting measurements with those made by experienced sonographers. Methods. Thirty-five digitized sonograms of the fetal head were obtained during routine imaging. The BPD and HC were automatically computed by detecting the inner and outer boundaries of the fetal skull using the computer vision technique known as the “active contour model.” Six experienced sonographers also measured the BPD and HC on these images. Results. The algorithm failed to locate the boundaries in two of the 35 cases. For the remaining cases, the mean absolute difference between the automated measurements and the average of the six observers was 1.4% for BPD and 2.9% for HC. The correlations were .999 for the BPD and .994 for the HC. The computer's measurements were no different from the six observers' measurements than the observers' measurements were from one another. Conclusion. The tested algorithm effectively and accurately measures BPD and HC automatically. We are currently in the process of integrating this algorithm into an ultrasound machine.
Pediatric Inguinal Hernias, Hydroceles, and Undescended Testicles

Pediatric inguinal hernias are extremely common, and can usually be diagnosed by simple history taking and physical examination. Repair is elective, unless there is incarceration or strangulation. Hydroceles are also quite common, and in infancy many will resolve without operative intervention. Undescended testicles harbor an increased risk of infertility and malignancy, and require orchiopexy in early childhood.
Studies of Thermal Stability of Multivalent DNA Hybridization in a Nanostructured System

A fundamental understanding of molecular self-assembly processes is important for improving the design and construction of higher-order supramolecular structures. DNA tile based self-assembly has recently been used to generate periodic and aperiodic nanostructures of different geometries, but there have been very few studies that focus on the thermodynamic properties of the inter-tile interactions. Here we demonstrate that fluorescently-labeled multihelical DNA tiles can be used as a model platform to systematically investigate multivalent DNA hybridization. Real-time monitoring of DNA tile assembly using fluorescence resonance energy transfer revealed that both the number and the relative position of DNA sticky-ends play a significant role in the stability of the final assembly. As multivalent interactions are important factors in nature's delicate macromolecular systems, our quantitative analysis of the stability and cooperativity of a network of DNA sticky-end associations could lead to greater control over hierarchical nanostructure formation and algorithmic self-assembly.
Some observations on the proton magnetic resonance spectra of phosphonium salts

Abstract The proton magnetic resonance spectra of a series of alkyl-, benzyl- and allyltriphenyl and -trialkylphosphonium salts and alkylenebis(triphenylphosphonium) salts have been determined. Chemical shifts of α-protons are dependent upon solvent and concentration and independent of temperature and halide ion; phosphorus-proton coupling constants are dependent only on solvent. In a series of methylphosphonium salts, the geminal |JPCH3| is constant and independent of the nature of the other groups (alkyl, aryl) attached to phosphorus. A four-bond phosphorus-aromatic proton coupling was observed in two para-substituted benzylphosphonium salts.
The fractal dimension as a measure of the roughness of rock discontinuity profiles

Abstract An important factor in the analysis of deformation and failure of rock masses along discontinuities is the roughness of the jointing surfaces. The fractal dimension is proposed as a method of objectively quantifying the roughness profile of such discontinuities. With this method much less engineering judgement and experience are required in determining the surface roughness,sb than is required for other methods such as the widely-used joint roughness coefficient (JRC) suggested by the International Society for Rock Mechanics [1] (Int. J. Rock. Mech. Min. Sci. & Geomech. Abstr. 15, 319–368, 1978). The fractal dimension, suggested by Mandelbrot [2] (Fractals—Form, Chance and Dimension, Freeman, San Francisco), describes the degree of variation of a curve, a surface or a volume has from its topological ideal. In this application, the length of the surface profile is measured stepwise along the curve with rulers of different lengths. From these data, the fractal dimension of the surface profile can be determined. An empirical equation was found relating the fractal dimension to the JRC value. Application of the fractal dimension to three independent studies (field and laboratory) all showed excellent agreement between the surface roughness and the fractal dimension, the rougher the surface, the higher the fractal dimension. The peak shear stress on large-block laboratory direct shear tests increased as the fractal dimension of the shear surface increased, which again verifies the usefulness of the concept.
Uranium and thorium microdistributions in stony meteorites

Abstract Uranium distributions have been determined in seventeen meteorites using fission track techniques. In seven cases, Th was also determined by a new method using fast neutrons. The actinides are generally concentrated in phosphates, usually whitlockite and/or chlorapatite. Wherever whitlockite and chlorapatite coexist, chlorapatite is richer in uranium. U concentrations in a given phosphate phase are highly variable from meteorite to meteorite and sometimes also show large variations in the same meteorite. A clinopyroxene phase enriched in U (0.2–0.3 ppm) is usually found in Ca-rich achondrites. The Th U ratios of phosphates differ considerably from whole rock values indicating that these elements were fractionated during the meteorite formation.
Tap or touch?: pen-based selection accuracy for the young and old

The effect of the decline in cognitive, perceptive, and motor abilities on older adults' performance with input devices has been well documented in several experiments. None of these experiments, however, have provided information on the challenges faced by older adults when using pens to interact with handheld computers. To address this need, we conducted a study to learn about the performance of older adults in simple pen-based tasks with handheld computers. The study compared the performance of twenty 18-22 year olds, twenty 50-64 year olds, and twenty 65-84 year olds. We found that for the most part, older adults were able to complete tasks accurately. An exception occurred with the low accuracy rates achieved by 65-84 year old participants when tapping on targets of the same size as the standard radio buttons, checkboxes, and icons on the PocketPC. An alternative selection technique we refer to as "touch" enabled 65-84 year olds to select targets more accurately. This technique did not negatively affect the performance of the other participants. If tapping to select, making standard-sized targets 50 percent larger provided 65-84 year olds with similar advantages to switching to "touch" interactions. The results suggest that "touch" interactions need to be further explored to understand whether they will work in more realistic situations.
A mathematical structure for composite particle fields (hadrons)

A second quantized theory of composite objects is discussed. Some aspects of this theory are similar to string theories. However, the number of constituents of these composites is finite like the number of quarks in a hadron. A physically intuitive invariant measure as well as a Lagrangian for such composites is proposed. The corresponding Fock space is derived through usual second-quantization conditions. The resulting vacuum is shown to be stable. The LSZ reduction formula for the scattering amplitudes is seen to be similar to that of ordinary field theories. The two-point Green’s functions necessary for perturbative computations is also derived.
Structural basis for high-affinity binding of LEDGF PWWP to mononucleosomes

Lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF/p75) tethers lentiviral preintegration complexes (PICs) to chromatin and is essential for effective HIV-1 replication. LEDGF/p75 interactions with lentiviral integrases are well characterized, but the structural basis for how LEDGF/p75 engages chromatin is unknown. We demonstrate that cellular LEDGF/p75 is tightly bound to mononucleosomes (MNs). Our proteomic experiments indicate that this interaction is direct and not mediated by other cellular factors. We determined the solution structure of LEDGF PWWP and monitored binding to the histone H3 tail containing trimethylated Lys36 (H3K36me3) and DNA by NMR. Results reveal two distinct functional interfaces of LEDGF PWWP: a well-defined hydrophobic cavity, which selectively interacts with the H3K36me3 peptide and adjacent basic surface, which non-specifically binds DNA. LEDGF PWWP exhibits nanomolar binding affinity to purified native MNs, but displays markedly lower affinities for the isolated H3K36me3 peptide and DNA. Furthermore, we show that LEDGF PWWP preferentially and tightly binds to in vitro reconstituted MNs containing a tri-methyl-lysine analogue at position 36 of H3 and not to their unmodified counterparts. We conclude that cooperative binding of the hydrophobic cavity and basic surface to the cognate histone peptide and DNA wrapped in MNs is essential for high-affinity binding to chromatin.
Effect of long-term sympathectomy on the arterial wall in rabbits and rats☆

Abstract The effect of chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OH-DA) on collagen formation in the aortic wall was investigated in rabbits and rats. Eight weeks after 6-OH-DA treatment of rabbits, there was a significant increase an collagen content in aortas and histologic changes in the elastic elements within the media. The possibility of a direct effect of 6-OH-DA on connective tissue formation was investigated in a subsequent experiment in rats. The rates of collagen synthesis and prolyl hydroxylase activity (PHA) were determined in aortas and in the fibrotic granuloma around subcutaneously implanted polyvinylalcohol sponges. Rates of collagen synthesis and PHA were significantly increased in the aortas of 6-OH-DA treated rats, but not in fibrotic granuloma, confirming the changes seen in the aorta of rabbits and suggesting that 6-OH-DA does not directly affect collagen synthesis. We conclude that the sympathetic nervous system influences the metabolic activity of the aorta. Our data indicate that when the aortic wall is deprived of adrenergic nervous stimulation, changes occur which resemble those seen in natural aging of the aorta. It is plausible to assume that such a metabolic derangement in the vessel wall will make these vessels more vulnerable to additional stresses.
Cutaneous overexpression of neurotrophin-3 (NT3) selectively restores sensory innervation in NT3 gene knockout mice.

Neurotrophin-3 (NT3) is essential for development of sensory innervation to the skin. NT3 supports the postnatal survival of primary sensory neurons that mediate mechanoreception and their Merkel cell containing touch dome end organs (Airaksinen et al., 1996). In this study we determined whether NT3 overexpressed in the skin could restore innervation lost when endogenous NT3 levels were reduced. Hybrid mice that overexpress NT3 in basal keratinocytes but lack one endogenous NT3 allele (K14-NT3/NT3(+/-)) were compared to NT3 overexpresser (K14-NT3) mice, heterozygous knockout (NT3(+/-)) mice, and littermate control mice. In line with previous analyses, NT3(+/-) mice lost 63% of the Merkel cells associated with touch domes, 67% of touch dome units and the associated SAI innervation. All of these parameters were restored to overexpresser levels in K14-NT3/NT3(+/-) mice. Knockout NT3(+/-) mice also had a 31% reduction of L4/L5 dorsal root ganglion cells and a 24% reduction of myelinated axons in the saphenous cutaneous nerve. These losses were also restored in hybrid K14-NT3/NT3(+/-) mice, though only to control mouse values. These results indicate that overexpression of NT3 in skin of NT3(+/-) knockout mice rescued most cutaneous neurons lost in NT3(+/-) mice, but was unable to rescue NT3-dependent neurons that project to noncutaneous sensory targets.
Corrugated bipolar sheets as fuel distributors in PEMFC

Abstract The major focus of the current fuel cell industry is on reduction of cost and weight of the fuel cell stack for its commercial application. Usage of machined bipolar plates has the disadvantage of high cost of machining, weight, volume, etc. This paper discusses the use of sheet metallic bipolar plates (flow fields), with parallel hemispherical channels design. Single cell stack consisting of sheet metal bipolar plates with 16 cm 2 active area is tested and was observed to show excellent performance as compared to the conventionally machined parallel flow field design with the same active area. Maximum current density of about 7000 A m - 2 and power density of about 1500 W m - 2 was achieved. Long-term stability test of the stack at open circuit potential and constant load (1 A) for 100 h showed no detrimental effects on its performance. Substantial saving on weight and cost of the stack using sheet metal bipolar plates was also observed.
Spectroelectrochemical elucidation of the kinetics of two closely spaced electron transfers

Abstract The use of spectroelectrochemistry to facilitate the analysis of an EE mechanism was reported in this work. Using a set of spectra as a function of potential, the spectra of all three oxidation states were determined using evolving window factor analysis. From these spectra, the concentration of each species in solution was determined for each potential. Using these data, the current was calculated. Unlike the direct measurement of current, the current due to each redox process was determined, allowing one to analyze each redox process separate from the other. With the use of the Butler–Volmer equation, the redox potential and the heterogeneous electron transfer parameters were measured. The spectrally determined current has the advantage of determining the current due to each redox process which is not generally possible with voltammetric data when the redox potentials are close together. This method was applied to the spectroelectrochemical reduction of Escherichia coli sulfite reductase hemoprotein (SiR-HP) in a phosphate buffer and in the presence of cyanide. The electrochemical parameters ( E °’s, k °’s and α ’s) for each electron transfer were calculated for both the uncoordinated and cyanide coordinated species. The rates of electron transfer for the siroheme and iron–sulfur cluster were slower than the rates observed for other heme proteins. This is probably due to the fact that this protein is significantly larger than most of the heme protein previously studied. This approach is a powerful tool for two-electron transfers when the E ° values are close together.
Teaching the Use of Library of Congress Subject Headings as a Research Strategy for Undergraduate Students

Library of Congress subject headings (LCSH) are such a powerful tool that ACRL recognized them in the Information Literacy Competency Standards. The Standards state that the information-literate student should be able to select discipline-specific controlled vocabulary and construct a search strategy. The authors, recognizing this often-forgotten Standard, surveyed instruction librarians to determine if LCSH are still taught in the library instruction classroom, and, if so, which strategies are used for identifying relevant subject headings. Survey results were mixed. While teaching the use of controlled vocabulary has clearly fallen from popularity, it is still recognized as a valuable tool.
Thermodynamics and equilibrium solubility of carbon dioxide in diglycolamine/morpholine/water

Carbon dioxide solubility was studied in 3.5 m (23.5 wt %) morpholine (MOR), 17.7 m (65 wt %) 2-aminoethoxyethanol (diglycolamine or DGA), and 3.6 m MOR + 14.7 m DGA (11 wt % MOR + 53 wt % DGA). CO...
Hyperbolic heat equations in laser generated ultrasound models

The generation of ultrasound by pulsed lasers is a thermoelastic process, and in the literature on general thermoelasticity there are presently three different forms of the heat equation in popular use, the classical, Lord-Schulman (LS), and Green-Lindsay (GL) heat equations. The question may thus arise as to which heat equation should be used to model laser generated ultrasound. The purpose of this work is to summarize the current rationale for using these different heat equations, in order to provide a basis for choosing one of the forms. A review of the classical, LS and GL theories is given, and the potential advantages of hyperbolic heat flow theories in laser ultrasonics are discussed. A numerical example is given that clearly shows the small time differences these theories predict, and also points out potential problems with using hyperbolic heat equations on small time scales.
Type B atrial natriuretic peptide receptor in cardiac myocyte caveolae

We have previously shown that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is present in caveolae of in situ rat atrial myocytes. To investigate whether intracaveolar ANP of rat atrial myocytes exists within caveolae bound to type B ANP receptors (ANP-RB, a guanylyl cyclase), we have used confocal immunofluorescence microscopy applied to primary cultures of atrial myocytes from adult rats and to freshly dissociated rat atrial myocytes (not cultured). These experimental designs tested whether atrial myocyte ANP-RB colocalizes at the plasmalemma and elsewhere in the cell with the muscle-specific isoform of the caveolar coating protein caveolin-3, and with a fraction of cellular ANP. The experiments showed that cellular caveolin-3, a fraction of cellular ANP-RB, and a fraction of cellular ANP colocalize at the plasmalemma of cultured atrial myocytes and of freshly dissociated atrial myocytes. The observations support the hypothesis that in rat atrial myocytes, intracaveolar ANP is bound to ANP-RB, a protein whose cytosolic amino acid sequences are known to encode guanylyl cyclase activity. We suggest that among the (probably multiple) effects of the cGMP thus generated in the cytoplasmic microdomain underlying atrial myocyte caveolae may be the activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase, which would thereby inhibit plasma membrane Ca2+ channel activity and contribute to a negative inotropic effect of ANP.
Toxicity of serum from irradiated donors.

The “radiation sickness” which many mammals suffer may be due to a circulating by-product of energy absorption with toxin-like effects. When rats drink water flavoured with saccharin and are injected with serum from irradiated donors, they develop an aversion to this fluid. This effect had previously been observed in directly irradiated and poisoned animals.
Prokaryotic Sex: Eukaryote-like Qualities of Recombination in an Archaean Lineage

Summary Genetic exchange within one Archaean lineage is a bit like sex in eukaryotes — cells fuse and huge segments of DNA are recombined — with consequences for the spread of adaptations across species.
Communicating Theology to the Laity

WO facts are evident in the field of theology today. First, the prestige of theology has increased both among the theologians and in the world in general. Theology is attracting a distinguished group of thinkers and has a respected hearing in many quarters where not too long ago it was considered taboo. At the same time there has been a marked increase in the profundity, depth, and all around excellence of theological thinking. The second fact is that the gulf between the theologian and the laity has been deepened rather than diminished. Theological works of significance are frequently as unintelligible to the laity as is one of Einstein's technical treatises. Consequently, the valuable work of the theologians very frequently passes over the heads of the laity while works that oversimplify and pervert Christianity make the best seller lists.
Memory and mental images in verbal deficit modification

Available evidence suggests that human memory and thought are extremely complex and dependent on duration, modality, and brain function. By using unusual modalities and specific visual strategies for remembering and for problem solving it is possible to achieve great success. We should keep this in mind for our educational systems so that students’ non-verbal and other unusual thought processes can be used to increase the potential of human thought. Our present verbally oriented schools should not prevent geniuses with visual or other forms of thinking from achieving their full potential. Indeed, the total thinking power of even an average person can also be expanded.