cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Drug-induced suppression of phosphorylase kinase activity correlates with resolution of psoriasis as assessed by clinical, histological and immunohistochemical parameters.

BACKGROUND: Phosphorylase kinase (PhK), also known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-phosphorylase b phosphotransferase, integrates multiple calcium/calmodulin-dependent signalling pathways, including those involved in cell migration and cell proliferation, while coupling these pathways to glycogenolysis and ATP-dependent phosphorylation, thus ensuring continuing energy supply for these activities. OBJECTIVES: Our laboratory recently reported correlation of elevated PhK activity with psoriatic activity. This study further evaluates the significance of drug-induced suppression of PhK activity on psoriatic activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PhK activity was assayed in four groups, each with 10 patients: (i) active untreated psoriasis; (ii) resolving psoriasis treated by calcipotriol (Dovonex(R), Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, U.S.A. ), a vitamin D3 analogue and an indirect inhibitor of PhK; (iii) curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a selective PhK inhibitor; and (iv) 10 normal non-psoriatic subjects. RESULTS: PhK activity in units mg-1 protein was highest in active untreated psoriasis (1204 +/- 804.3; mean +/- SD), lower in the calcipotriol-treated group (550.7 +/- 192. 9), lower in curcumin-treated group (207.2 +/- 97.6), and lowest in normal skin (105.4 +/- 44.6). One-way analysis of variance performed on log-transformed PhK activity measure showed significant differences among the four groups, F3,36 = 48.79, P < 0.0001. Decreased PhK activity in curcumin-and calcipotriol-treated psoriasis was associated with corresponding decreases in keratinocyte transferrin receptor (TRR) expression, severity of parakeratosis and density of epidermal CD8+ T cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that drug-induced suppression of PhK activity is associated with resolution of psoriatic activity as assessed by clinical, histological and immunohistochemical criteria, and support the hypothesis that effective antipsoriatic activity may be achieved through modulation of PhK activity.
Bioassay of estrogenicity and chemical analyses of estrogens in streams across the United States associated with livestock operations

Animal manures, used as a nitrogen source for crop production, are often associated with negative impacts on nutrient levels in surface water. The concentrations of estrogens in streams from these manures also are of concern due to potential endocrine disruption in aquatic species. Streams associated with livestock operations were sampled by discrete samples (n = 38) or by time-integrated polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS, n = 19). Samples were analyzed for estrogens by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS(2)) and estrogenic activity was assessed by three bioassays: Yeast Estrogen Screen (YES), T47D-KBluc Assay, MCF-7 Estrogenicity Screen (E-Screen). Samples were collected from 19 streams within small (≈ 1-30 km(2)) watersheds in 12 U.S. states representing a range of hydrogeologic conditions, dominated by: dairy (3), grazing beef (3), feedlot cattle (1); swine (5); poultry (3); and 4 areas where no livestock were raised or manure was applied. Water samples were consistently below the United Kingdom proposed Lowest Observable Effect Concentration for 17β-estradiol in fish (10 ng/L) in all watersheds, regardless of land use. Estrogenic activity was often higher in samples during runoff conditions following a period of manure application. Estrone was the most commonly detected estrogen (13 of 38 water samples, mean 1.9, maximum 8.3 ng/L). Because of the T47D-KBluc assay's sensitivity towards estrone (1.4 times 17β-estradiol) it was the most sensitive method for detecting estrogens, followed by the E-Screen, GC-MS(2), and YES. POCIS resulted in more frequent detections of estrogens than discrete water samples across all sites, even when applying the less-sensitive YES bioassay to the POCIS extracts.
Analysis Engine for Automated Health Checks, Early Problem Detection and Advanced Problem Determination

With current trends in software industry toward increased complexity of modern software, tight integration of multiple software products, emphasis on software reliability and high-level availability, software support and maintenance costs increase dramatically. It is imperative for businesses to be able to monitor health of their systems making sure that they are performing at top levels, quickly respond to any problems and timely fix them and also be able to perform advanced problem determination to reduce total time for outages that already occurred. Equally important is to prevent problems from occurring based on best practices and knowledge of known problems/issues for specific software products. To achieve these goals, a powerful analysis engine capable of performing comprehensive health checks of customer systems and advanced problem determination based on analysis of customers' data is proposed. It can be used for both proactive and reactive customer support. Such an engine works as a virtual consultant for the end users. It detects potential problems related to customer systems and installed products and provides notifications or alerts proactively, i.e. could be considered as an early detection system. It is also capable of analyzing FFDC (First Failure Data Capture) data after a problem has occurred, comparing the data with well known problems and related symptoms from relevant knowledge databases and providing customers with the results of analysis, found matches of previously recorded problems and recommendations on how to fix the problem at hand. The engine proposed utilizes up to date analytics from subject matter experts and best practices encoded in it. In the present work, a system architecture and design of such an analysis engine is presented. The proposed engine has a low bar of adoption, flexible extensible design and could be easily adopted for any software product. It is able to analyze encoded human knowledge, compare collected customer data with available historical data and report problems and issues found along with the relevant recommendations and suggested fixes. More specifically, the engine provides a comprehensive analysis in terms of health checks, best practices compliance check, prerequisites check, end-of-service product check, operating environment and configuration setup check, outage prevention, state comparison, problem determination and others. A case study based on the proposed engine design is presented and discussed in more detail.
PHYLOGENETIC SYSTEMATICS OF LEPIOTA SENSU LATO BASED ON NUCLEAR LARGE SUBUNIT RDNA EVIDENCE

Taxonomic circumscription and segrega- tion of the genus Lepiota has been problematic. Phy- logenetic relationships were investigated for lepi- otoid and closely related taxa using DNA sequence data. Our analysis reflects a broad sampling across eight segregate genera used by Singer: Lepiota s.s., Cystolepiota, Leucocoprinus, Leucoagaricus, Macrolepi- ota, Chlorophyllum, Cystoderma, and Ripartitella (Agaricaceae, Agaricales, Basidiomycota). Related fungi were evaluated from the dark-spored genera Agaricus and Coprinus and representative secotioid and attine fungi, along with more distantly related fungi. DNA sequences were compared for the 5' end region of the nuclear encoded large subunit riboso- mal RNA gene (25-28S rDNA) from 55 ingroup and outgroup taxa. Results from parsimony analysis are consistent with the exclusion of the tribe Cystoder- mateae (Cystoderma and Ripartitella) from the family Agaricaceae, and the retention of the tribes Lepi- oteae and Leucocoprineae. Lepiotoid segregate gen- era remain poorly resolved using this molecule. Par- simony analysis indicates that both Agaricus and Co- prinus section Comati are nested within the lepiotoid fungi. The support for Coprinus section Comati to be within the Agaricaceae presents interesting taxonom- ic problems involving nomeclatural precedence and usage of commonly known groups including Agari- cus, Coprinus, and Lepiota.
Medial and anterior-posterior ligament stability of the human knee, measured with a stress apparatus

The five ligaments studied act with a symphonic harmony to provide stability to the knee. The SMCL was of major importance in medial knee stability. The other ligament which provided the most dramatic contribution to knee stability was the PC. It was the only ligament which when sectioned resulted in a significant posterior anterior drawer instability and on three occasions produced a jerk test.
Calcium modulation of the renin-aldosterone axis

Changes in the extracellular calcium concentration have important effects on hormone secretion. In vitro, kidney juxtaglomerular cells have been shown to secrete renin in an inverse relationship to the extracellular calcium concentration. The effect of physiologic changes in calcium on renin secretion in humans is less clear. We therefore investigated the effects of physiologic changes in extracellular calcium levels on renin and aldosterone secretion in 7 healthy men. Serum ionized calcium, ACTH, plasma renin activity (PRA), and aldosterone levels were serially measured during 90-min infusions of dextrose, disodium edetate (EDTA) and calcium gluconate, and the latter two infusions were repeated with dexamethasone pre-treatment. ACTH levels decreased during the 5% dextrose in water and the EDTA infusions but increased during the calcium infusion. Similarly, PRA and aldosterone levels fell during the D5W and EDTA infusions but this decrease was absent with increments in calcium levels. Dexamethasone administration suppressed ACTH and the aldosterone response to calcium but did not affect the PRA response to the calcium infusion. Our data indicate that increases in calcium within the physiological range blunt the diurnal decline in both PRA and aldosterone. This appears to be a direct effect of calcium on PRA but mediated through ACTH in the case of aldosterone.
The growth and characterization of metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MO-CVD) quantum well transport structures

Data are presented which describe the general growth of Ga1−xAlxAs by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MO-CVD) with specific application to quantum well heterostructure (QWH) transport structures. These data, including preliminary TEM data, Hall mobility data and carrier concentration profile data, show that alternating-layer, modulation-doped, Ga1−xAlxAs-GaAs QWH samples exhibit 77 K mobilities several times greater than the observed or predicted upper limit for comparably doped bulk GaAs. The carrier concentration profile data reflect the periodic nature of the multiple layer samples but indicate an asymmetrical peak in the carrier concentration of each GaAs well.
Wound-induced ATP release and EGF receptor activation in epithelial cells.

We have shown previously that wounding of human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells resulted in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation through ectodomain shedding of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF). However, the initial signal to trigger these signaling events in response to cell injury remains elusive. In the present study, we investigated the role of ATP released from the injured cells in EGFR transactivation in HCE cells as well as in BEAS 2B cells, a bronchial epithelial cell line. Wounding of epithelial monolayer resulted in the release of ATP into the culture medium. The wound-induced rapid activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways in HCE cells was attenuated by eliminating extracellular ATP, ADP and adenosine. The nonhydrolyzable ATP analog ATP-γ-S induced rapid and sustained EGFR activation that depended on HB-EGF shedding and ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase). Targeting pathways leading to HB-EGF shedding and EGFR activation attenuated ATP-γ-S-enhanced closure of small scratch wounds. The purinoceptor antagonist reactive blue 2 decreased wound closure and attenuated ATP-γ-S induced HB-EGF shedding. Taken together, our data suggest that ATP, released upon epithelial injury, acts as an early signal to trigger cell responses including an increase in HB-EGF shedding, subsequent EGFR transactivation and its downstream signaling, resulting in wound healing.
Real-time detection of individual airborne bacteria

Airborne bacteria and bacterial spores were directly sampled by an ion trap mass spectrometer with an atmospheric pressure inlet system. Samples were aerosolized from suspensions of single species. The organisms were individually characterized in real time by laser ablation mass spectrometry. Either positive or negative ions could be studied. Ions of a particular value of m/z (mass to charge ratio) could be further characterized by tandem mass spectrometry in the ion trap.
Influence of nitrate concentration on carbon tetrachloride transformation by a denitrifying microbial consortium

Abstract A denitrifying consortium capable of transforming carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) was cultured from an aquifer soil isolated sample from the DOE Hanford Site in southeastern Washington State. Experiments were performed to determine the effects of nitrate concentration on CCl 4 transformation by these microbes. The microorganisms were cultured under two different experimental conditions, both of which gave similar cell growth. Under conditions where both the electron donor (acetate) and electron acceptor (nitrate) were present at all times, little CCl 4 transformation was observed. However, transformation was observed if the nitrate concentration was reduced to a level where it was periodically depleted. These results are discussed in relation to the design of an in situ bioremediation system.
Limited thrombogenicity of low temperature, laser-welded vascular anastomoses.

Background and Objective : Laser welding of vascular anastomoses has been shown to be feasible, but the clinically relevant advantages of this technique remain to be demonstrated. Study Design/Materials and Methods : To determine whether laser welding decreases initial anastomotic thrombogenicity, argon laser-welded aortic and venacaval anastomoses were constructed in 15 New Zealand white rabbits. Low temperature welding was done in one-half of welded anastomoses using low power (< 0.7W) and increased irrigation with saline during welding. Anastomotic surface temperature, bursting strength, procedure time, and surface thrombogenicity ( 111 Indium labeled platelet accumulation) were determined at 24 hours and compared to sutured anastomoses. Results : Aortic and vena caval low temperature laser-welded anastomoses were significantly less thrombogenic than sutured or higher temperature laser-welded anastomoses. In addition, bursting strength of welded anastomoses exceeded physiologic requirements and vessel closure time was less with welding than with suture techniques. Conclusion : Low temperature laser welding limits anastomotic thrombogenicity, which may improve early patency of venous and small arterial bypass grafts.
Basic Foundations for Creating an Effective Computer Information System

Abstract Creating an effective computer information system to meet user's needs and gain support of administrators is a complex undertaking. This article examines successful projects so designers of new systems can learn about goals and guidelines common to several established systems, avoid problems, and incorporate suggestions from initial design to implementation.
Thermal degradation of 6‐chloro carbohydrates

It has been shown that 6-chloro sugar derivatives are thermally less stable than the corresponding unsubstituted carbohydrates. When heated, they generate hydrogen chloride which catalyzes a series of heterolytic reactions including transglycosylation, dehydration, inter- and intramolecular etherification, and condensation. The latter products are ultimately carbonized through free-radical reactions producing large amounts of char.
Vocal Communication in the First 18 Months of Life.

Fifty-one normally developing infants aged birth to 18 months, 10 or 11 in each of five age groups, were videorecorded in their homes before and after an expected change in the form of their vocalizations and under a set of conditions that reflected common daily occurrences. The vocalizations produced were coded according to their communicative contexts, defined in nonvocal behavioral terms. Communicative codes were assigned to seven major categories. The distribution of codes across categories was found to be different for different age groups. It varied between the first and second observations; however, the pattern of change differed across age groups. Data from individuals were transformed to proportions, to control for individual differences in productivity. They were then found to reflect differences in level of development of vocal communication. It was concluded that vocal communication follows an orderly developmental sequence in normally developing infants in the first 18 months of life.
Mutant Tyrosine Kinases with Unnatural Nucleotide Specificity Retain the Structure and Phospho-Acceptor Specificity of the Wild-Type Enzyme

The direct substrates of one protein kinase in a cell can be identified by mutation of the ATP binding pocket to allow an unnatural ATP analog to be accepted exclusively by the engineered kinase. Here, we present structural and functional assessment of peptide specificity of mutant protein kinases with unnatural ATP analogs. The crystal structure (2.8 A resolution) of c-Src (T338G) with N(6)-(benzyl) ADP bound shows that the creation of a unique nucleotide binding pocket does not alter the phospho-acceptor binding site of the kinase. A panel of optimal peptide substrates of defined sequence, as well as a degenerate peptide library, was utilized to assess the phospho-acceptor specificity of the engineered "traceable" kinases. The specificity profiles for the mutant kinases were found to be identical to those of their wild-type counterparts.
Using Impenetrable Borders in a Graphical Web Browser: Are All Angles Equal?

Impenetrable borders can be created by placing graphical user interface targets (e.g., buttons, scroll bars, etc.) on the edge of a computer display. Research demonstrated that targets with impenetrable borders (edge targets) are selected faster than targets of the same size that are not against the edge of the screen (non-edge targets). This paper discusses the reasons why edge targets are selected faster than non-edge target and points out a critical weakness in past research on impenetrable borders. Specifically, researchers have always placed targets at a 90° angle from the cursor's origin, thus forgoing any ecological validity. Accordingly, an experiment is reported that tests the effectiveness of impenetrable borders when approach angle varies on a graphical web browser interface. Results indicate that impenetrable borders are effective across all of the approach angles used. These results support the recommendation to place commonly used targets at the edge of the screen whenever possible.
Caffeine and exercise

Caffeine is the most commonly consumed drug in the world, and athletes frequently use it as an ergogenic aid. It improves performance and endurance during prolonged, exhaustive exercise. To a lesser degree it also enhances short-term, high-intensity athletic performance. Caffeine improves concentration, reduces fatigue, and enhances alertness. Habitual intake does not diminish caffeine's ergogenic properties. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the physiologic effects of caffeine, but adenosine receptor antagonism most likely accounts for the primary mode of action. It is relatively safe and has no known negative performance effects, nor does it cause significant dehydration or electrolyte imbalance during exercise. Routine caffeine consumption may cause tolerance or dependence, and abrupt discontinuation produces irritability, mood shifts, headache, drowsiness, or fatigue. Major sport governing bodies ban excessive use of caffeine, but current monitoring techniques are inadequate, and ethical dilemmas persist regarding caffeine intake by athletes.
Genetic differences in naloxone enhancement of ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion.

The influence of the opioid system on acquisition of an ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion was examined in alcohol-preferring and avoiding inbred strains of mice (C57BL/6J and DBA/2J). Fluid-deprived mice from each strain received either ethanol alone, naloxone alone, or both ethanol and naloxone immediately after access to a novel tasting fluid. Naloxone alone (1 or 3 mg/kg) did not induce a conditioned taste aversion in either strain of mice. Administration of ethanol (1.5 g/kg) to DBA/2J mice produced a moderate taste aversion that was not affected by co-administration of naloxone. Although ethanol administered alone (3 g/kg) did not cause a taste aversion in C57BL/6J mice, the combination of ethanol and the higher dose of naloxone produced a significant taste aversion that increased across trials. A second experiment addressed the possibility that naloxone failed to enhance the ethanol-induced condition taste aversion in DBA/2J mice due to a “floor” effect on consumption. A lower ethanol dose (1 g/kg) was given alone or in combination with naloxone (1 or 3 mg/kg). Again, ethanol produced a moderate conditioned taste aversion that was not potentiated by naloxone. Subsequent conditioning with a high ethanol dose produced further suppression of intake, confirming that naloxone's failure to enhance aversion on earlier trials was not due to a “floor” effect. These data demonstrate a strain specific interaction between the aversive effect of ethanol and naloxone. More specifically, the results indicate that blockade of opioid receptors enhances the aversive effect of ethanol in C57BL/6J but not DBA/2J mice, suggesting that genetically determined differences in the endogenous opioid system of alcohol-preferring mice may mitigate ethanol's aversive effect.
An inverse calculation technique for quasi-three-dimensional turbomachinery cascades

Abstract This article describes a technique for the rapid calculation of three-dimensional gas turbine blade shapes for preliminary design purposes. An inverse blade design technique is combined with a generalized form of the radial equilibrium equation for turbomachinery to produce physically meaningful flow cascades. Such cascades can provide feedback as to potential structural, heat transfer, or manufacturing problems very early in the turbomachine design process.
Failure Analysis of Turboexpander

This article describes an investigation into a failure of a turboexpander wheel driving a compressor. Some of the wheel blades were completely cracked and detached, while others had cracks of varying lengths running parallel to the root of the blade. Detailed failure investigation using different characterization techniques such as visual examination, chemical analysis, fractography, metallography, SEM/EDX, hardness testing, modal impact testing, and FEA showed that the cracks and fractures in the turboexpander wheel were caused by fatigue which progressed from multiple origins on concave blade side surfaces, near the hub. The fatigue performance of the turboexpander wheel was degraded significantly by the presence of the anodized layer on the wheel surface. Corrective measures to avoid similar failures are suggested and discussed.
Dealing with debt in the 1980s

External debt problems, like wars, are common occurrences in a broader historical perspective. They occur every thirty or fifty years, much in the same circumstances. And when they do occur they put at odds the bond holder and the debtor and leave fundamental imprints on history. Hitler's Germany or Latin America's import substitution policy were the outgrowth of the last world debt crisis. Today Latin America is once again in a debt crisis and the debate confronts those who call for dramatic action, including even repudiation, and others who suggest the problem is minor and can be solved by time, adjustment and some tying-over finance-the 'muddling through' strategy. In fact not much has changed from the debt crisis of the 1930s: today, the International Monetary Fund [IMF] plays the role of the League of Nations Financial Committee, the Bank Steering Committee replaces the Foreign Bank Holders Protective Council, and Bill Rhodes plays the role of Sir Otto Niemeyer. Surprisingly, there was very little memory of debt history when the lending splurge of the 1970s got underway. Few remembered the terrible reputation of the US in European credit markets following the defaults of the early 1840s which history relates as follows: 'The vitriolic London Times indiscriminately denounced all Americans; and prophesied that the American name would not recover for half-acentury from the slur which had been cast upon it by the temporary or complete failure of some of the states to pay their debts.'1 But closer to our topic virtually all Latin American states defaulted on their external debt in the 1920s and 1930s. Looking back over Latin credit history, Winkler wrote in 1933: 'The fiscal history in Latin America, that stretch of territory lying south of the Rio Grande and housing about 110,000,000 inhabitants of various races and origins, is replete with instances of government defaults. Borrowing and default follow each other with almost perfect regularity. When payment is resumed, the past is easily forgotten and a new borrowing orgy ensues. This process started at the beginning of the past century and has continued down to the present day. It has taught us nothing.' 2
I = 2 pion scattering length and quenched staggered spectrum

Abstract I report on a study of quenched QCD using staggered fermions being done with Rajan Gupta and Greg Kilcup. We calculate the I = 2 pion scattering length at β = 5.7 and 6, and find agreement with predictions from the chiral Lagragian. I mention highlights of our spectrum calculation, including preliminary results at β = 6.4.
Coronal Shear Fractures of the Distal Humerus

Management of coronal shear fractures of the distal humerus has evolved considerably over the past 3 decades, with an increased appreciation of the complexity of these fractures, improvements in internal fixation techniques, and the use of more extensile exposures. Nearly all of these fractures are displaced, given the paucity of soft tissue attachments and correspondingly, nonsurgical management is fraught with complications including chronic pain, mechanical symptoms, and instability and is not recommended. Good to excellent outcomes can be achieved in the majority of patients with open reduction internal fixation, particularly when the fracture is limited to the radiocapitellar joint. Outcomes are worst for those with considerable medial extension or comminution. Computed tomography is highly recommended to guide surgical planning. The presence of posterior comminution or extension to the medial column might require more extensile exposures and supplemental fixation for adequate stability. Arthroscopic reduction and fixation techniques have been described for the simple fracture. Those not amenable to fixation might do better with total elbow arthroplasty in a select population. Long-term data demonstrate the durability of these elbows following open reduction internal fixation. Complications other than stiffness are rare. Radiographic avascular necrosis does not appear to affect outcome. Radiographic mild to moderate arthritis was observed in half of patients at 17-year follow-up.
Baroclinic instability of flows along sloping boundaries

In the two-layer quasi-geostrophic model with boundaries sloping perpendicular to the basic flow, the ratios of the slopes of the bottom and the top to that of the interface between the fluid layers in the basic state are important parameters in the expression of the growth rate of unstable waves. When Eady's (1949) model is extended to include sloping bottom and top boundaries, the growth rates of unstable waves depend on the ratios of the slopes of the bottom and the top to that of the isentropes of the basic state. For the Eady model with sloping bottom, an important parameter characterizing the instability is the ratio between the vertical and horizontal heat transports by the wave divided by the slope of the isentropes of the basic state. An interpretation of these ratios and their relations clarifies the stabilization of the system for large slopes, the variation of the wavelength of the most unstable wave with the bottom slope, and the destabilization of some short waves for negative bottom slopes. It is found that the most unstable wave of the system has zero vertical energy flux convergence at the sloping bottom.
Infantile psoriasis: a follow-up study.

: The appearance of psoriasis in infancy has been questioned by many dermatologists and pediatricians, although childhood psoriasis is a well-recognized entity. To elicit further information on this matter, a follow-up group of nine children who had been diagnosed initially as having infantile psoriasis was reexamined 6 to 13 years later to determine the course of the disease over time. Seven of the nine children had recurrent psoriatic lesions and two remained completely clear after the resolution of the initial eruption. The majority did not have a severe disease course; on the contrary, progression of the illness was mild for most of them. Familial aggregation was noted in almost all of the children. In fact, over the intervening years the number of relatives with psoriasis significantly increased. Most patients were not aware of the role of such factors as infections, injury, and stress in precipitating psoriasis. Participation in a self-help workshop is recommended as a way for both parents and children to learn to cope with the clinical and psychologic aspects of the illness.
Thin-film piezoelectric-on-substrate resonators with Q enhancement and TCF reduction

In this paper we report on lateral mode thin-film piezoelectric-on-substrate (TPoS) resonators with techniques to enhance the quality factor (Q) and reduce the temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF). Such techniques utilize a highly or degenerately doped Si substrate layer as the ground electrode, and reduce the thickness and volume ratio between the AlN piezoelectric layer and the Si substrate. By patterning the AlN and eliminating the bottom metal electrode, a record quality factor of over 30,000 is observed in air at 27MHz (≫66,000 in vacuum). The highly-doped Si brings the resonator average TCF to around −12ppm/°C.
Energized gastric microsomal membrane vesicles--an index using metachromatic dyes.

Summary Energization of gastric microsomal membrane vesicles by ATP and pH gradient induced dramatic spectral changes on metachromatic dyes such as acridine orange and neutral red. The characteristics of these metachromatic effects are very similar to the known ion transport properties of these vesicles and may prove to be another parameter for monitoring the energization and ion transport processes in these vesicles.
Linked Changes in Values and Behavior in the Out Island Bahamas

The relationships between observable changes in sociocultural behavior on the one hand and underlying value systems on the other is examined in two communities that stem from a single sociocultural tradition but that recently diverged because of differential exposure to economic development. Value preferences of individuals in each community were elicited by structured questionnaires, which allowed operational measurement of values and statistical testing of differences within and between the community samples. The findings are explained with reference to the nature of the behavioral responses of individuals to perceived modifications (related to economic development) in their environments.
Topology Synthesis of Extrusion-Based Nonlinear Transient Designs

Many practical structural designs require that the structure is easily manufactured. Design concepts synthesized using conventional topology optimization methods are typically not easily manufactured, in that multiple finishing processes are required to construct the component. A manufacturing technique that requires only minimal effort is extrusion. Extrusion is a manufacturing process used to create objects of a fixed cross-sectional profile. The result of using this process is lower costs for the manufacture of the final product. In this paper, a hybrid cellular automaton algorithm is developed to synthesize constant cross section structures that are subjected to nonlinear transient loading. The novelty of the proposed method is the ability to generate constant cross section topologies for plastic-dynamic problems since the issue of complex gradients can be avoided. This methodology is applied to extrusions with a curved sweep along the direction of extrusion as well. Three-dimensional examples are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed methodology in synthesizing these structures. Both static and dynamic loading cases are studied.
Influence of estradiol, stress, and 5-HT2A agonist treatment on brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in female rats.

Abstract Background Estradiol affects neuronal plasticity, mood, and cognition. We examined the effects of the estrous cycle, acute and chronic estradiol treatments on BDNF mRNA expression in the hippocampus and cortex of female rats. The roles of 5-HT2A receptors and of stress on the BDNF mRNA regulation were also explored. Methods BDNF mRNA levels were measured using in situ hybridization at proestrus and estrus, and following acute and chronic estradiol treatment of acutely and chronically ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. Some rats were pretreated with 5-HT2A agonist and antagonist, and another group was subjected to two-hour immobilization stress. Results BDNF mRNA levels in the dentate gyrus and the medial prefrontal cortex were decreased during estrus, when estradiol levels are highest. Acute estradiol treatment decreased hippocampal BDNF mRNA in acutely OVX rats, but neither acute nor chronic estradiol had effect in chronically OVX rats. Estradiol pretreatment reduced the 5-HT2A receptor-mediated cortical upregulation in BDNF mRNA and did not effect the stress-induced down-regulation of BDNF mRNA in the dentate gyrus. Conclusions The duration of the estradiol treatment and the duration of the ovarian hormone deprivation are important factors in the regulation of BDNF synthesis and possibly in the functional outcome of estrogen treatment.
Strategies for maintaining the particle size of peptide DNA condensates following freeze-drying.

Abstract The particle size of peptide DNA condensates were studied after freeze-drying and rehydration as a function of sugar excipient, concentration, pH, DNA concentration, and peptide condensing agent. In the absence of an excipient, freeze-dried 50 μg/ml AlkCWK 18 (iodoacetic acid alkylated Cys-Typ-Lys 18 ) DNA condensates formed large fibrous flocculates on rehydration. Of the sugars tested as lyoprotectants, sucrose proved most effective at preserving particle size during rehydration. The addition of 5 wt/vol% sucrose preserved a mean particle diameter of less than 50 nm during rehydration of AlkCWK 18 DNA condensates prepared at DNA concentrations up to 200 μg/ml; however, higher DNA concentrations led to the formation of insoluble fibrous flocculates. Substitution of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-CWK 18 as a DNA condensing peptide eliminated the need for sucrose, resulting in peptide DNA condensates that retained particle size when rehydrated in water or normal saline at concentrations up to 5 mg/ml. The results suggest that sucrose functions primarily as a bulking agent during freeze-drying that only preserves the particle size of AlkCWK 18 DNA condensates up to a maximum concentration of 200 μg/ml. Alternatively, the steric layer created on the surface of PEG-CWK 18 DNA condensates provides far more efficient lyoprotection, preserving their particle size at a concentration of 5 mg/ml without a bulking agent.
Small ball probability estimates for log-concave measures

We establish a small ball probability inequality for isotropic log-concave probability measures: there exist absolute constants c1, c2 > 0 such that if X is an isotropic log-concave random vector in R with ψ2 constant bounded by b and if A is a non-zero n × n matrix, then for every e ∈ (0, c1) and y ∈ R, P (‖Ax− y‖2 6 e‖A‖HS) 6 e ( c2 b ‖A‖HS ‖A‖op )2 , where c1, c2 > 0 are absolute constants.
Ebbs and Flows in Recent U.S. Interstate Migration

Interstate migration exchanges in the United States are temporally and spatially transitory. Both the early and mid-1980s exhibited significant fluctuations in the origins and destinations of U.S. migrants, while the late 1980s and early 1990s were even more unstable. Regions once favored by interstate movers such as the West and the South, while remaining attractive, showed evidence of declining favor in the early 1990s. Meanwhile, numerous states in the national interior regained their attractiveness, including several that gained net migrants for the first time in decades. California exhibited a major turnaround in its migration, perturbing the entire U.S. migration system.
Improving the sensitivity of the OKP visual field screening test with a blue stimulus on a dark background

The standard oculokinetic perimetry test (OKP) was modified to present a light blue stimulus on a dark background (MOKP) to determine whether the sensitivity and specificity for detecting glaucomatous visual field loss could be improved. Thirty-five adult glaucoma patients (70 eyes) self-administered both tests and the results were correlated with the loss of retinal sensitivity on the Octopus IV program 38. The MOKP detected 18% more true scotomatous loci (more than 15 dB loss of attenuation) than the standard OKP (p < 0.0001). The gain was due to 37% fewer false negatives (p < 0.0001), but with a doubling of the false positives rate (p < 0.049). With a disease prevalence of approximately 2%, the MOKP and OKP would respectively miss 15% or 30%, and include 14 or 9 normals for each diseased individual. This relatively simple modification may further improve the OKP for detecting glaucoma.
The effect of polymyxin on plant roots.

Abstract Root growth of young seedlings of barley and other species was substantially inhibited when placed in 5–10 p.p.m. solutions of the antibiotic, polymyxin B. The inhibiting effect was suppressed by simultaneous presentation of an excess of calcium ions. Polymyxin solutions of the same concentration had no adverse effect on germination. Brief exposure of normal roots of seedlings to 50–100 p.p.m. polymyxin resulted in cessation of further growth or cation uptake, and irreversible injury accompanied by loss of organic and inorganic constituents from the root cells. Simultaneous presentation of calcium nullified these effects. It appears likely that calcium and polymyxin are retained at the same absorption sites, and that to prevent polymyxin absorption a large excess of calcium cations is required. If absorbed, however, polymyxin causes disorganization of cell membranes to the extent that cell contents are released into the medium. These observations parallel closely the bactericidal action of this antibiotic on certain microorganisms, and suggest that there are general features common to the cell walls of roots and bacteria.
Detection of Osteopontin in Calcified Human Aortic Valves

Cardiac valve calcification often results in obstruction of blood flow, which eventually leads to valve replacement. The molecular mechanisms resulting in valve calcification are unknown. Collagen and specific bone matrix proteins are thought to provide the framework for ectopic tissue calcification. This investigation was performed to determine whether the bone matrix protein osteopontin was present in calcified human aortic valves. Proteins extracted from human aortic valve tissue were subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by Western blotting, using polyclonal antibodies directed against osteopontin. Fresh frozen tissue sections were also screened for osteopontin and macrophages using immunohistochemical techniques. Osteopontin was present in both heavily and minimally calcified aortic valves and absent in noncalcified purely regurgitant or normal aortic valves by both radioimmunoassay (n = 16) and immunohistochemical techniques (n = 8). Osteopontin colocalized with valvular calcific deposits, and macrophages were identified in the vicinity of osteopontin. These results, in addition to showing that osteopontin is present in calcified human aortic valves, suggest that osteopontin is a regulatory protein in pathological calcification. Identification of the cells producing osteopontin in abnormal cardiac valves and of proximate stimuli for its secretion may lead to novel therapeutic strategies to prevent and/or reverse calcific valve disease.
A Comparison of seismic instrument noise coherence analysis techniques

Abstract The self-noise of a seismic instrument is a fundamental characteristic used to evaluate the quality of the instrument. It is important to be able to measure this self-noise robustly, to understand how differences among test configurations affect the tests, and to understand how different processing techniques and isolation methods (from nonseismic sources) can contribute to differences in results. We compare two popular coherence methods used for calculating incoherent noise, which is widely used as an estimate of instrument self-noise (incoherent noise and self-noise are not strictly identical but in observatory practice are approximately equivalent; Holcomb, 1989; Sleeman et al. , 2006). Beyond directly comparing these two coherence methods on similar models of seismometers, we compare how small changes in test conditions can contribute to incoherent-noise estimates. These conditions include timing errors, signal-to-noise ratio changes (ratios between background noise and instrument incoherent noise), relative sensor locations, misalignment errors, processing techniques, and different configurations of sensor types.
Characteristics of Plant Essential Genes Allow for within- and between-Species Prediction of Lethal Mutant Phenotypes

Essential genes represent critical cellular components whose disruption results in lethality. Characteristics shared among essential genes have been uncovered in fungal and metazoan model systems. However, features associated with plant essential genes are largely unknown and the full set of essential genes remains to be discovered in any plant species. Here, we show that essential genes in Arabidopsis thaliana have distinct features useful for constructing within- and cross-species prediction models. Essential genes in A. thaliana are often single copy or derived from older duplications, highly and broadly expressed, slow evolving, and highly connected within molecular networks compared with genes with nonlethal mutant phenotypes. These gene features allowed the application of machine learning methods that predicted known lethal genes as well as an additional 1970 likely essential genes without documented phenotypes. Prediction models from A. thaliana could also be applied to predict Oryza sativa and Saccharomyces cerevisiae essential genes. Importantly, successful predictions drew upon many features, while any single feature was not sufficient. Our findings show that essential genes can be distinguished from genes with nonlethal phenotypes using features that are similar across kingdoms and indicate the possibility for translational application of our approach to species without extensive functional genomic and phenomic resources.
Consistency of Self-Ratings Across Measurement Conditions and Test Administrations:

An experiment was conducted to examine the consistency of self-ratings of ability across four different measurement conditions and the relative leniency of retrospective pretest self-ratings compar...
"I wish I were over there": distributed execution protocols for data definition in R

The design and implementation of R*, an experimental prototype of a distributed system for the management of interrelated, voluntarily cooperating, but also autonomous databases is based on several major objectives: site autonomy, transparency, ease of use and performance. This paper discusses the way data definition and control statements are executed in a distributed environment and shows how the general objectives are fulfilled. Specialized distributed execution facilities have been developed to facilitate the implementation of complex multi-site functions. This paper describes the facilities and methodology used to implement the distributed processing needed to perform multi-site data definition operations in R*.
Studies on Bacterial Pyrogenicity II: A bacteriological test for pyrogens in parenteral solutions

The basis and procedure for a culture method employing membrane filters to test freshly prepared parenteral solutions for pyrogenic capacity is presented. Under the limiting conditions described, solutions which yielded counts of less than 10,000 per L. were found to be nonpyrogenic by rabbit test. On the basis of laboratory and field trial, it is concluded that the bacteriological assay for the purpose described is as specific and sensitive as the rabbit assay for pyrogenicity.
Testing secondary organic aerosol models using smog chamber data for complex precursor mixtures: influence of precursor volatility and molecular structure

Abstract. We use secondary organic aerosol (SOA) production data from an ensemble of unburned fuels measured in a smog chamber to test various SOA formation models. The evaluation considered data from 11 different fuels including gasoline, multiple diesels, and various jet fuels. The fuels are complex mixtures of species; they span a wide range of volatility and molecular structure to provide a challenging test for the SOA models. We evaluated three different versions of the SOA model used in the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model. The simplest and most widely used version of that model only accounts for the volatile species (species with less than or equal to 12 carbons) in the fuels. It had very little skill in predicting the observed SOA formation (R2 = 0.04, fractional error = 108%). Incorporating all of the lower-volatility fuel species (species with more than 12 carbons) into the standard CMAQ SOA model did not improve model performance significantly. Both versions of the CMAQ SOA model over-predicted SOA formation from a synthetic jet fuel and under-predicted SOA formation from diesels because of an overly simplistic representation of the SOA formation from alkanes that did not account for the effects of molecular size and structure. An extended version of the CMAQ SOA model that accounted for all organics and the influence of molecular size and structure of alkanes reproduced the experimental data. This underscores the importance of accounting for all low-volatility organics and information on alkane molecular size and structure in SOA models. We also investigated fitting an SOA model based solely on the volatility of the precursor mixture to the experimental data. This model could describe the observed SOA formation with relatively few free parameters, demonstrating the importance of precursor volatility for SOA formation. The exceptions were exotic fuels such as synthetic jet fuel that expose the central assumption of the volatility-dependent model that most emissions consist of complex mixtures with similar distribution of molecular classes. Despite its shortcomings, SOA formation as a function of volatility may be sufficient for modeling SOA formation in chemical transport models.