cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Halothane effects on human malignant hyperthermia skeletal muscle single calcium-release channels in planar lipid bilayers

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) may be life-threatening when genetically predisposed individuals are administered triggering anesthetic agents that are believed to produce intracellular calcium release. To test this theory, the effects of halothane on normal and MH human skeletal muscle calcium-release channels were studied. Single calcium-release channels were incorporated from isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane vesicles into a planar lipid bilayer, and halothane effects on the conductance and gating properties were measured by electrophysiologic techniques. Among the subjects studied, seven were MH-susceptible, and 13 channels were recorded from this group. Five subjects were negative for MH, and 10 channels were recorded from this group. Among the 13 channels recorded from the MH group, 7 were affected by halothane, which increased the probability of the channel to change from the inactive, closed state to an open state. This effect of halothane to increase open-state probability was associated with an overall increase in channel conductance. Thus, halothane affected the activation/inactivation process of the halothane-sensitive calcium-release channel from MH muscle as well as the gating properties of the MH calcium-release channel, as evidenced by the increased conductance. In 6 of the 13 channels recorded from MH muscle, halothane (2.2-17.6 microM) was without effect on these properties of the channel. Halothane (2.2-17.6 microM or 0.0057-0.0456 vol%) also had no measurable effect on the 10 channels from the negatively diagnosed subjects. Results of this study support a defect in the ryanodine-sensitive calcium-release channel from MH human muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
TransDec:A spatiotemporal query processing framework for transportation systems

In this paper, we present TransDec, an end-to-end-data-driven system which enables spatiotemporal queries in transportation systems with dynamic, real-time and historical data. TransDec fuses a variety of real-world spatiotemporal datasets including massive traffic sensor data, trajectory data, transportation network data, and point-of-interest data to create an immersive and realistic virtual model of a transportation system. With TransDec, we address the challenges in visualization, monitoring, querying and analysis of dynamic and large-scale transportation data in both time and space.
Effective ion internal temperatures achieved via boundary activation in the quadrupole ion trap: protonated leucine enkephalin

The dissociation rate of protonated leucine enkephalin in a quadrupole ion trap was measured as a function of the proximity to which the ions are brought to a stability boundary. A bath gas temperature of 480 K was used so that a dissociation rate could be readily measured even when the parent ions were remote from a stability boundary. Changes in the dissociation rate as a function of d.c. potential applied to the ring electrode of the ion trap, used to bring ions close to a stability boundary, could then be attributed to the ‘boundary activation’ process. A relationship between dissociation rate and parent ion effective internal temperature, derived from a study involving conventional ion trap resonance excitation, was used to estimate effective ion internal temperatures achieved under the boundary activation conditions used here. Effective ion internal temperatures 170 K above the bath gas temperature could readily be achieved using boundary activation. However, the efficiency of the overall boundary activation experiment was compromised by an initial rapid parent ion loss that occurred upon application of the d.c. potential. After correction for this initial ion loss, dissociation rates and relatively low ion ejection rates could be measured. Effective ion internal temperatures achieved with boundary activation are similar to those observed previously using conventional resonance excitation. However, the generally poorer efficiencies associated with boundary activation that are observed with resonance excitation at high dissociation rates suggests that higher ion internal temperatures can be achieved with conventional resonance excitation. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Particle transport and deposition in the hot-gas filter vessel at Wilsonville

Abstract Particle transport and deposition in the Wilsonville hot-gas filter vessel is studied. The filter vessel contains a total of 72 filters, which are arranged in two tiers. These are modeled by six upper and one lower cylindrical effective filters. An unstructured grid of 296,781 cells generated by GAMBIT is used in the simulations. The Reynolds stress model of FLUENT™ (version 5.0) code is used for evaluating the gas mean velocity and root mean-square fluctuation velocities in the vessel. The particle equation of motion includes the drag, the gravitational and the lift forces. The turbulent instantaneous fluctuation velocity is simulated by a filtered Gaussian white-noise model provided by the FLUENT code. The particle deposition patterns are evaluated, and the effect of particle size is studied. The particle deposition pattern inside the vessel is qualitatively compared with those observed in the physical plant at Wilsonville. In addition, the effect of turbulence dispersion, the lift force and the gravitational force are analyzed. The results show that some ash particles deposit on the tubesheet/shedroof and the central post areas. Furthermore, the deposition pattern depends on particle size, and turbulence dispersion plays an important role in transport and deposition of particles in the vessel. The gravitational force affects the motion of large particles, but has no effect on the transport and deposition of small particles.
Freon FC-113, an alternative to methylene chloride for liquid—liquid extraction of trace organics from chlorinated drinking water

Abstract Methylene chloride is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency solvent of choice for the liquid—liquid extraction of base-neutral organic compounds from water. The presence of cyclohexene as a preservative in the methylene chloride becomes a serious constraint when a 105 concentration factor is needed to isolate ng/l amounts of the trace constituents for biological testing (e.g. Ames bioassay) and/or gas chromatographic (GC) and GC—mass spectrometric (MS) analysis of chlorinated water samples. Cyclohexene reacts with the residual free chlorine in the samples to produce many chlorinated and oxidized cyclohexene products. These artifacts mask large portions of the early chromatogram (Kovats index A continuous liquid—liquid extractor is used to compare the extraction efficiency of methylene chloride and freon. The results showed that the extraction efficiency of both solvents are comparable when 100–300 ng/l of non-polar organics are extracted and concentrated 1000-fold. Solvent blanks showed freon to have no contaminants at 200-fold concentration and, when used to extract chlorinated water, no byproducts were observed. Field sampling and quality assurance considerations show that freon is an acceptable alternative to methylene chloride for the isolation of trace organic compounds when large volumes of chlorinated waters are concentrated 105-fold for toxicity testing or GC and GC—MS analysis.
Massive hemoptysis and recurrent tricuspid infective endocarditis in a heroin addict. Successful treatment by bronchial artery embolization and valvulectomy.

A 46-year-old man had recurrent infective tricuspid endocarditis and massive hemoptysis. When conventional modes of localizing and controlliing the pulmonary hemorrhage failed, selective bronchial arteriography and transcatheter embolization were used successfully, allowing the systemic heparinization needed for subsequent surgical excision of the tricuspid valve. The results illustrate the expanding role of bronchial artery embolization in the treatment of life-threatening hemoptysis.
Infrared multiphoton excitation of SO2 to fluorescent states

Abstract SO2 molecules excited under essentially collision-free conditions by intense (>20 G/Wcm2) CO2 laser pulses give off a broad UV—visible luminescence through inverse electronic relaxation. Unlike in larger polyatomics, the infrared multiphoton excitation process is controlled by the laser intensity and not the laser fluence.
Medication nonadherence in Parkinson's disease.

A number of previously fatal neurological conditions have been rendered treatable, chronic conditions by advances in research. As clinicians delivering a diagnosis such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD) to a concerned patient, we take solace in the knowledge that we have many symptomatic therapies to restore quality of life. Just as we consider the individual’s pertinent symptoms and comorbidities in selecting treatments, we must also consider the prevalence and impact of medication non-adherence. Previously referred to as medication compliance, the term “medication adherence” is preferred as it emphasizes patient autonomy and decision-making (1, 2).
A Comprehensive Approach to the Treatment of Drug Dependence

This article describes the Drug Dependence Unit, a multimodality treatment agency which functions both independently and as an integral part of a community mental health center and a university medical school. Discussed are benefits and disadvantages of comprehensive care for drug-dependent individuals and problems incurred in the delivery of service to the selected population.
In retrospect: The art of influence

Thomas Dietz reassesses Robert Cialdini's revolutionary treatise on the science of decision-making.
Biomarkers of exposure, sensitivity and disease

PURPOSE: This review is to evaluate the use of biomarkers as an indication of past exposure to radiation or other environmental insults, individual sensitivity and risk for the development of late occurring disease. OVERVIEW: Biomarkers can be subdivided depending on their applications. Markers of exposure and dose can be used to reconstruct and predict past accidental or occupational exposures when limited or no physical measurements were available. Markers of risk or susceptibility can help identify sensitivity individuals that are at increased risk for development of spontaneous disease and may help predict the increased risk in sensitive individuals associated with environmental or therapeutic radiation exposures. Markers of disease represent the initial cellular or molecular changes that occur during disease development. Each of these types of biomarkers serves a unique purpose. OUTLINE: This paper concentrates on biomarkers of dose and exposure and provides a brief review of biomarkers of sensitivity and disease. The review of biomarkers of dose and exposure will demonstrate the usefulness of biomarkers in evaluation of physical factors associated with radiation exposure, such as LET, doserate and dose distribution. It will also evaluate the use of biomarkers to establish relationships that exist between exposure parameters such as energy deposition, environmental concentration of radioactive materials, alpha traversals and dose. In addition, the importance of biological factors on the magnitude of the biomarker response will be reviewed. Some of the factors evaluated will be the influence of species, tissue, cell types and genetic background. The review will demonstrate that markers of sensitivity and disease often have little usefulness in dose-reconstruction and, by the same token, many markers of dose or exposure may not be applicable for prediction of sensitivity or risk.
Ameliorating effects of extracellular polymeric substances excreted by Thalassiosira pseudonana on algal toxicity of CdSe quantum dots.

a b s t r a c t Quantum dots (QDs) are engineered nanoparticles (ENs) that have found increasing applications and shown great potential in drug delivery, biological imaging and industrial products. Knowledge of their stability, fate and transport in the aquatic environment is still lacking, including details of how these nanomaterials interact with marine phytoplankton. Here, we examined the toxicity of functional- ized CdSe/ZnS QDs (amine- and carboxyl-) by exposing them for five days to Thalassiosira pseudonana (marine diatom) grown under different nutrient-conditions (enriched versus nitrogen-limited media). The released polysaccharides and proteins, the major components of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), were measured to assess their potential effects on the interactions between QDs and T. pseudonana. The partitioning of QDs was analyzed by monitoring the concentration of Cd in different size fractions of the cultures (i.e., filtrate, <0.22 m and permeate, <3 kDa). We found that the Cd release of QDs in the T. pseudonana culture was dependent on the nutrient conditions and nature of QDs' surface coating. Both amine- and carboxyl-functionalized QDs exhibited higher rates of Cd release in N-limited cultures than in nutrient enriched cultures. The results also showed that amine-functionalized QDs aggregate with minimal Cd release, independent of nutrient conditions. Laser scanning confocal microscopy images con- firmed that aggregates are composed of QDs and the culture matrix (EPS). In addition, both types of QDs showed limited toxicity to T. pseudonana. The increasing production of proteins induced by QDs suggests that extracellular proteins might be involved in the detoxification of QDs to T. pseudonana via the Cd release of QDs. Our results here demonstrated that EPS can play an ameliorating role in QD toxicity, fate and transport in the aquatic environment. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Comments on “Role of membrane lipid asymmetry in aging”: Friedhelm Schroeder

Abstract One truly cannot discuss what happens in a membrane during a pathological process, such as one may consider aging to be, without discussing at every turn the interrelationships of specific lipids and proteins. For example, faulty control of the cascades of reactions which are released by ligand-receptor interactions, among which are those catalyzed by phospholipase A2 and transglutaminase, could lead to excessive fatty acid peroxidation and the crosslinking of membrane constituents, eventually leading to many of the phenomena observed in irreversible processes of cellular aging. Even if excellent correlations should be shown to exist between alterations of membrane sterol asymmetry in cell membranes, as suggested by Dr. Schroeder, and precisely defined functional variables, causal relations could not necessarily be inferred. However, such data would be welcome leads for further study.
Multivariate nonparametric tests for independence

Abstract Multivariate generalizations of Bhuchongkul's bivariate rank statistics [ Ann. Math. Statist. 35 (1964)] have been introduced and studied in this paper for the purpose of testing mulitvariate independence. It is shown that the test statistics can be expressed as rank statistics which are easy to compute, have asymptotic normal distributions, and can detect mutual dependence in alternatives which are pairwise independent. The tests are compared to the Puri-Sen-Gokhale [ Sankyh a Ser. A 32 (1970) ] tests and a normal theory test [ Anderson, “An Introduction to Statistical Analysis,” Wiley, 1958 ] using Pitman efficiency.
Creative Ideas for Biology Podcasts: The Immune System as an Example

Podcasts (digital audio files) can be utilized creatively to supplement classroom learning. They can be both easily created by instructors and conveniently accessed by students. Students are very receptive to the use of this type of technology as a way to reinforce conceptual understanding of course material. An activity combining a podcast with an active-learning worksheet references the literary classic "The Lord of the Rings" as an analogy to help students understand the many proteins, cells, and processes involved in the human immune response. This activity has helped a significant number of students improve their understanding of this subject.
Boron analysis in soil extracts and plant tissue by plasma emission spectroscopy 1

Abstract Nine Colorado soils were treated with sodium borate and were subjected to 3 wetting and drying cycles. These soils were extracted with hot water for boron analysis. Plant samples, including NBS standard reference materials (SRM) 1571, 1570, 1573, were dry ashed and wet digested using nitric acid. All soil extracts and plant digests were analyzed for boron using ICP‐AES and colorimetrically using the Azomethine‐H method. A high degree of correlation (r2 = .99) was found between boron determination by ICP and the Azomethine‐H method for soil extracts and plant digests. The Azomethine‐H method gave B values 9% higher than ICP‐AES on the average. Boron levels determined by ICP were similar to NBS boron values for both the dry ashed and wet digested SRM plant samples. Boron levels determined colorimetrically were comparable to the NBS values for dry ashed SRM plant samples. Plant samples digested in nitric acid could not be analyzed for boron by the Azomethine‐H colorimetric method due to interference...
Experimental and Numerical Studies of the Thermal Hinge in a Notebook Computer

The power of semiconductor chips, especially the CPU chip used in the notebook computer, is increasing nowadays while the size of the computer box is decreasing. To cope with this ever-increasing heat load within the notebook computer, many design engineers tend to use bigger heat sinks and fans. However, these approaches add weight, acoustic noise, and power consumption to the computer, none of which is desirable. A method of transferring heat from a CPU chip to the backside of the liquid-crystal display (LCD) and letting heat dissipate into the surroundings has been explored before. This is sometimes called the thermal hinge method since heat is transferred across the hinge of a notebook computer. In this paper, the structure of a new thermal hinge and its thermal performance will be revealed. This new thermal hinge has two main parts: one is the base, which is stationary and which has a heat pipe connected to a metal plate on top of a CPU chip, and the other is the rotational part, which is mounted on the LCD cover with a heat pipe connected to a heat spreader. The base is supported by a set of springs to ensure that the base is always in good thermal contact with the rotational part of the hinge. This spring-loaded thermal hinge using an aluminum heat spreader on a plastic LCD cover was built and tested and the results were compared with a numerical model that was constructed using a commercially available CFD code. The results from the experiments and numerical modeling agree reasonably well. Because of this, the numerical model has been used to optimize the hinge structure. The effects of the size, thickness, and materials of the heat spreader as well as the materials of the LCD cover on the hinge thermal performance have been studied and will be discussed.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Ionic Concentrations and Water Relations of Alfalfa Seedlings Differing in Salt Tolerance

There is great variability within alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) populations in response to salinity stress. This study was conducted to investigate the physiological basis of that variability. Growth performance and physiology were compared in two groups of a population of alfalfa seedlings that differ in vigor when grown under 0.7 MPa salinity. The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse using a system designed to screen seedlings for salt tolerance. Plant height, internode length, leaf area, number of leaves, dry weight, ion concentration, percent water, and water potential were measured (...)
The Analysis of Limiting Dilution Assays Conducted Under Non-Saturating Conditions

A form of mathematical analysis is presented which permits an extended analysis of limiting dilution assays under conditions in which either accessory factors, or cells or both are limiting. This is in contrast to the traditional form of analysis which permits only a single limiting parameter. Both make use ofin vitroexperiments in order to determine the number of antibody-producing cell precursors: the traditional form of analysis requires that all accessory cells or their factors be present in saturating concentrations: whereas in the analytic method employed here, not only B cells, but also accessory cells (macrophages) or their factors may be limiting. Analysis under non-saturating conditions permits greater elucidation of the mechanisms of intercellular interaction.
Correlates of health and financial literacy in older adults without dementia

Recent research has begun to recognize the important influence of literacy levels and how they affect health and wellbeing, especially in older adults. Our study focuses on health and financial literacy, two domains of literacy which previous research has suggested may be significantly related to health and wellbeing. Our study examines the relation of health and financial literacy with health promoting behaviors and health status among community-based older persons. We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Rush Memory and Aging Project, a community-based cohort study of aging in northeastern Illinois. The study consisted of 556 older persons without dementia, each determined by a clinical evaluation. Health and financial literacy were measured using a series of questions designed to assess the ability to understand and process health and financial information, concepts, and numeracy; the two scores were averaged to yield a total literacy score. Health promoting behaviors, including engagement in cognitive, physical, and social activities, were assessed using self report measures. Indicators of heath status, including cognition (global cognition and five specific cognitive abilities), functional status (basic and instrumental activities of daily living, mobility disability), and mental health (depressive symptoms, loneliness) were assessed. In a series of regression models adjusted for age, sex, and education, higher total literacy scores were associated with more frequent participation in health promoting behaviors, including cognitive, physical and social activities (all p values <0.05). Higher total literacy scores were associated with higher cognitive function, less disability, and better mental health (all p values < 0.05). Literacy remained associated with health promoting behaviors and health status in fully adjusted models that also controlled for income and the number of chronic medical conditions. Most of the findings were similar for health and financial literacy except that health literacy was more strongly associated with health promoting behaviors whereas financial literacy was more strongly associated with mental health. Health and financial literacy are associated with more frequent engagement in health promoting behaviors and better health status in older persons without dementia.
Tissue Transglutaminase Is an Integrin-Binding Adhesion Coreceptor for Fibronectin

The protein cross-linking enzyme tissue transglutaminase binds in vitro with high affinity to fibronectin via its 42-kD gelatin-binding domain. Here we report that cell surface transglutaminase mediates adhesion and spreading of cells on the 42-kD fibronectin fragment, which lacks integrin-binding motifs. Overexpression of tissue transglutaminase increases its amount on the cell surface, enhances adhesion and spreading on fibronectin and its 42-kD fragment, enlarges focal adhesions, and amplifies adhesion-dependent phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase. These effects are specific for tissue transglutaminase and are not shared by its functional homologue, a catalytic subunit of factor XIII. Adhesive function of tissue transglutaminase does not require its cross-linking activity but depends on its stable noncovalent association with integrins. Transglutaminase interacts directly with multiple integrins of β1 and β3 subfamilies, but not with β2 integrins. Complexes of transglutaminase with integrins are formed inside the cell during biosynthesis and accumulate on the surface and in focal adhesions. Together our results demonstrate that tissue transglutaminase mediates the interaction of integrins with fibronectin, thereby acting as an integrin-associated coreceptor to promote cell adhesion and spreading.
Antiferromagnetic-Resonance Linewidths in Mn F 2

The fundamental relaxation mechanisms by which the uniform and magnetostatic modes decay in an antiferromagnet are identified by antiferromagnetic-resonance linewidth observations in Mn${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ at 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K in fields of 85 kOe. The dependence of the linewidth---0.2 Oe in the narrowest instance---on sample geometry, surface preparation, and impurity concentrations makes quantitative comparison with the Loudon-Pincus theory possible. The predominant relaxation process is surface pit scattering into the degenerate spin-wave manifold in all but the most impure crystals.
Abnormal cell relationships in Jimpy mice: electron microscopic and immunocytochemical findings.

The mutant mouse strain Jimpy is characterized by a deficiency of myelin formation throughout the C.N.S. The cause of this hypomyelination is unknown. Based on previous reports, astrocytes, axons and oligodendrocytes are all altered, but no single cell type can be unequivocally defined as the primary target. Jimpy and age-matched normal mice were investigated using thin sectioning, freeze-fracturing and immunocytochemistry. We examined optic nerves and cervical spinal cords of Jimpy to determine which cells were morphologically altered during the period which precedes the onset of myelination and which cellular alterations persisted during myelinogenesis. Abnormalities of astrocytes and axons were frequently observed in Jimpy not only during myelination but also in early postnatal development before mature oligodendrocytes were present. The early astrocytic changes included hyperplasia and alterations of both cytoplasm and plasma membrane. An unusually complex network of astrocytic processes divided the axons into very small groups. During myelination, astrocytic processes were found insinuated between the axons and myelin sheath and/or within the myelin lamellae. Immunocytochemical investigations also revealed a complex network of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive processes in contact with the majority of the axons. At stages prior to myelination axonal alterations were detected. Most of the axons were not in close contact with one another and individual axons had an undulating and irregular course. In areas where axon separation by astrocytic processes occurred, axonal diameters were more variable than the homogeneously sized axons of the normal mice. Our immunocytochemical results at stages during myelination showed not only many myelin basic protein-positive processes around axons in Jimpy but also clearly immunostained myelin sheaths. This indicates that the myelinating glia present not only produce myelin basic protein but can also incorporate it into the myelin spiral. The presented results suggest that the mouse mutant Jimpy could be a model for disturbed cell interactions in the C.N.S. Therefore, the hypomyelination may not be attributed to a defect of a single cell but rather to a deficiency in both macroglial types and, perhaps, the axon as well.
Type A behaviour and psychological androgyny among Greek college students

Research conducted primarily in the United States suggests that the combination of Type A behaviour, high instrumentality, and low expressiveness may place individuals at relatively high risk for coronary-artery and heart disease. The present research investigates the trans-societal generalizability of the structure, reliability, relationships among, and distributional characteristics of these measures for 117 college students in Athens, Greece. As hypothesized, the Greek students were significantly less instrumental and less expressive than the American students, and scored significantly higher on the measure of Type A. Although there were significant mean differences between these samples, the results suggest that many of the interscale relationships are comparable, supporting an etic (universal) interpretation of the findings. Nevertheless, the results suggested several emic (unique) characteristics of these measures and their interrelationships.
Measurements of H216O Linestrengths and Air-Induced Broadenings and Shifts in the 815-nm Spectral Region

Abstract The linestrengths for 40 absorption lines of H 2 16 O water vapor that were located between 813 and 820 nm were measured; most of these lines were selected for their potential usefulness in laser remote measurements of atmospheric humidity using the differential absorption lidar technique. The air-induced pressure-broadening coefficients were also measured for 32 of these lines and the air-induced pressure shift coefficients were measured for 29 lines. These spectroscopic parameters were derived from spectra obtained with an AlGaAs diode laser and two long-path absorption cells. Collisional narrowing effects were observed and were accurately described by a Galatry profile. Comparisons were made with previous experimental work or theoretical calculations as available.
A new view of the ECSK theory with a Dirac spinor

A formulation of the ECSK (Einstein-Cartan-Sciama-Kibble) theory with a Dirac spinor is given in terms of differential forms with values in exterior vector bundles associated with a fixed principalSL(2, ℂ)-bundle over a 4-manifold. In particular, tetrad fields are represented as soldering forms. In this setting, both the scalar curvature (Einstein-Hilbert) action density and the Dirac action density are well-defined polynomial functions of the soldering form and an independentSL(2,ℂ)-connection form. Thus, these densities are defined even where the tetrad field is degenerate (e.g. when fluctuations in the gravitational field are large). A careful analysis of the initial-value problem (in terms of an evolving triad field, SU(2)-connection, second-fundamental form and spinor field) reveals a first-order hyperbolic system of 27 evolution equations (not including the 8 evolution equations for the Dirac spinor) and 16 constraints. There are 10 conservation equations (due to local Poincare invariance) which team up with some of the evolution equations to guarantee that the 16 constraints are preserved under the evolution.
A wide output range, mismatch tolerant Sigma Delta DAC for digital PLL in 90nm CMOS

A mismatch-tolerant current-mode Sigma Delta (ΣΔ) Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) is presented here. The current mode DAC is designed such that the outputs of any two adjacent current elements can be progressively brought out for separate ΣΔ operation. This increases the DAC range even as the ΣΔ step size and range are kept small to minimize ΣΔ switching noise. Mismatch between DAC current elements can result in Differential Non Linearity (DNL) at the DAC output. A novel scheme is proposed to mitigate this effect. It involves skewing the thresholds of the quantizer in the ΣΔ modulator based on the DAC input, in order to control which DAC elements are used in generating a particular output current. The DAC, implemented as part of a Digital PLL in 90nm CMOS, yields a current range of up to 2mA and occupies an area of 0.035mm2. It is shown that the proposed scheme attenuates mismatch effects by a factor of 16.
Cardiac Kv4.3 and KCNE2 Are Differentially Regulated by E2 and Have Different Sensitivities to Local Heart E2 Concentrations

Recently we reported that the KCNE2 gene is an estrogen-responsive gene and its transcripts are upregulated 6 fold by estrogen (E2) in ovariectomized (ovx) mice1. We have also shown that cardiac Kv4.3 transcripts were downregulated ∼2 fold by E22. As the effect of E2 treatment was more powerful on KCNE2 upregulation than Kv4.3 downregulation, we hypothesized that cardiac Kv4.3 and KCNE2 have different sensitivities to heart E2 concentrations [E2]. We measured heart [E2] together with KCNE2 and Kv4.3 transcript levels in 4 estrogenic conditions: i) E2-depleted (anastrozole treated mice, [E2]=4.2±0.4 pg/ml n=4; ii) low E2 (ovx sham, [E2]=16±1.4 pg/ml n=3 and diestrus [E2]=20.2±1.5 n=4), iii) intermediate E2 (male [E2]=35±3 pg/ml, n=6) and iv) high E2 (ovx mice treated with E2, [E2]=62.7±2.9 pg/ml, n=3). Kv4.3 transcript levels were not affected by heart [E2] lower than 35 pg/ml whereas KCNE2 transcript levels were very sensitive to this range of heart [E2], reaching a ∼10 fold increase from low to intermediate heart [E2], saturating at 35 pg/ml. The fact that Kv4.3 levels were unaffected by anastrozole treatment, whereas KCNE2 levels were dramatically reduced by ∼8 fold by anastrozole, further supports the finding that KCNE2 upregulation can take place at very low E2 levels. The downregulation of Kv4.3 transcripts were only evident at high estrogenic conditions, whereas KCNE2 remains at its maximum. As Kv4.3 is one of the molecular correlate of Ito,f and it has also been shown that KCNE2 can potentiate Kv4.3 currents in the expression system, we speculate that the relative expression of KCNE2 and Kv4.3 as defined by heart [E2] will determine Ito,f amplitude.1. Kundu et al., Mol Cell Endocrinol 2008;292:50-62.2. Eghbali et al., Circ Res 2005;96:1208-16.
cis-Acting Signals in Bromovirus RNA Replication and Gene Expression: Networking with Viral Proteins and Host Factors

Abstract Bromoviruses are representative members of the alphavirus-like superfamily of animal and plant positive-strand RNA viruses. Tractable biochemical and genetic features have made bromoviruses useful systems forin vivoandin vitrostudies ofcis-acting RNA sequences andtrans-acting factors in RNA replication, subgenomic mRNA synthesis, translation, encapsidation, and virus–host interactions. Among other findings, bromoviruscis-acting RNA replication signals are large, structurally complex, and conserve potential conformational switches that may coordinate RNA replication with other infection processes. The tRNA-like 3′ ends of bromovirus RNAs are required for negative-strand synthesis and recognized by multiple tRNA-specific host enzymes. The presence of additional host regulatory sequence motifs in other bromoviruscis-acting regions suggests that their function also involves interaction with host as well as viral factors.
Microwave devices with field emission cathodes

TO OBTAIN appreciable power from electron beams at millimeter or sub-millimeter wavelengths, it is necessary to employ devices that allow high power transfer per unit volume between the electrons and the circuit fields. This requirement results from the usual scaling laws that apply to the dimensions of devices as the wavelength is decreased. Unless very-high-energy electrons are used, the dimensions of the interaction region where the energy interchange takes place must be small in terms of the wavelength, and the power transferred per unit volume becomes of fundamental importance.
A method for comparing semi-parametric models with parametric models in competing risks analysis

In survival analysis, Cox's regression model is often used to assess the effect of covariates on the time of failure. This semi-parametric model has been extended to the situation where more than one cause of failure is of interest. In this paper, two semi-parametric models for the analysis of competing risks with covariates in the presence of independent random censoring are considered. Particular attention is devoted to the comparison between the two models. A method using a measure derived from the generalized variance is proposed. This method is illustrated with an example in a cancer clinical trial. A FORTRAN program for the computer implementation of the method is also discussed.
Heat Capacity Change of the Hydrophobic Interaction

The thermodynamic properties of a methane pair in water are examined with use of molecular dynamics computer simulations. From the simulations, the heat capacity change for methane pair aggregation is examined for two different potential models. Various methods for calculating the heat capacity change are presented and evaluated. It is found that the heat capacity change for aggregation is negative, consistent with a positive heat capacity change for the aqueous solvation of nonpolar molecules.
Isotope effects upon the kinetic of ion-molecule reactions: Kr+ + HD

Abstract The reaction of Kr + with HD excibits a very unusual kinetic isotope effect. The ratioKrH + /KrD + begins near unity at the lowest collision energy, passes through a maximum of nearly 2.5 at 0.7 eV (c.m.), and then decreases to about 0.25 at 3 eV (c.m.).
ON THE ROLE OF INTERMEDIATE SANCTIONS IN CORRECTIONS REFORM: THE VIEWS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS

ABSTRACT This report describes findings from over 150 interviews conducted in late 1990 with prosecutors, trial judges, probation officers, and other corrections officials from 20 states to investigate the readiness of state and local criminal justice systems to systematize and expand the use of judicially imposed intermediate sanctions. These interviews revealed widespread support for the expansion of these sanctions, which is still being driven by the continuing problem of prison crowding and the lure of possible cost savings from a reduced reliance on incarceration. Many criminal justice practitioners, including prosecutors, also stress the potential of intermediate sanctions for involving drug-addicted offenders in rehabilitative programs. While recent policy analyses have stressed that implementing a full program of intermediate sanctions would create a system of punishment that is based on notions of “just deserts” and proportional sentencing, only a handful of our interview respondents cited this r...
An integratable microfluidic cartridge for forensic swab samples lysis

Fully automated rapid forensic DNA analysis requires integrating several multistep processes onto a single microfluidic platform, including substrate lysis, extraction of DNA from the released lysate solution, multiplexed PCR amplification of STR loci, separation of PCR products by capillary electrophoresis, and analysis for allelic peak calling. Over the past several years, most of the rapid DNA analysis systems developed started with the reference swab sample lysate and involved an off-chip lysis of collected substrates. As a result of advancement in technology and chemistry, addition of a microfluidic module for swab sample lysis has been achieved in a few of the rapid DNA analysis systems. However, recent reports on integrated rapid DNA analysis systems with swab-in and answer-out capability lack any quantitative and qualitative characterization of the swab-in sample lysis module, which is important for downstream forensic sample processing. Maximal collection and subsequent recovery of the biological material from the crime scene is one of the first and critical steps in forensic DNA technology. Herein we present the design, fabrication and characterization of an integratable swab lysis cartridge module and the test results obtained from different types of commonly used forensic swab samples, including buccal, saliva, and blood swab samples, demonstrating the compatibility with different downstream DNA extraction chemistries. This swab lysis cartridge module is easy to operate, compatible with both forensic and microfluidic requirements, and ready to be integrated with our existing automated rapid forensic DNA analysis system. Following the characterization of the swab lysis module, an integrated run from buccal swab sample-in to the microchip CE electropherogram-out was demonstrated on the integrated prototype instrument. Therefore, in this study, we demonstrate that this swab lysis cartridge module is: (1) functionally, comparable with routine benchtop lysis, (2) compatible with various types of swab samples and chemistries, and (3) integratable to achieve a micro total analysis system (μTAS) for rapid DNA analysis.
Naval fiber optic system development program

This paper provides an overview of the major fiber optic developments within the Department of the Navy, concentrating on developments within the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). Most of the fiber optic programs discussed were approved at the Chief Of Naval Operations (CNO) Executive Board (CEB) Meeting held in September 1990, and they include programs to develop standard fiber optic components and networks. These efforts are intended to capitalize on commercial industry products that use industry standards and open system architecture approaches such as FDDI, BISDN and FUTUREBUS+. Full military specifications will be imposed only when required, since both commercial and ruggedized equipments also will be installed on ships.
Association of TMV coat protein with chloroplast membranes in virus-infected leaves.

The polypeptide composition of extracts of chloroplasts from tobacco leaves systemically infected with different strains of Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) was analyzed by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. There were no changes in the protein profiles of chloroplasts from infected leaves when compared to control leaves except for the presence of coat protein (CP) of TMV, identified by immunoblotting. When protease-treated intact chloroplasts isolated on Percoll gradients were osmotically disrupted the CP could be detected in both stroma and membrane fractions. The majority of the CP associated with the thylakoid membranes (about 1–5% of the total thylakoid proteins) was in the form of free molecules while stroma contained aggregated or assembled CP (about 0.1% of the soluble proteins). Thylakoid-associated CP was insensitive to protease digestion unless the membranes were first treated with a detergent, indicating that the CP was embedded inside or otherwise complexed with the thylakoid membranes.
Endoscopic Stenting of Gastric Staple Line Leak Following Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is known to be associated with a risk of gastric staple line leak. We report on our experience with endoscopic stenting of the anomalous leaking tract. Three cases of post sleeve gastric leak confirmed by computed tomography scan were treated by endoscopic stenting of their leak with a plastic endoprosthesis under fluoroscopic and endoscopic guidance. Endoscopic stenting by means of biliary or pancreatic endoprosthesis was successful in the three patients. The median number of endoscopy procedures per patient was 1.3. Stents were extracted 6 to 10 weeks after their placement. Neither morbidity nor recurrence was noticed on follow-up. Endoscopic stenting of gastric staple line leak following sleeve gastrectomy proved to be an efficacious technique for leak healing.
Infinite variance stable moving averages with long memory

Abstract We investigate the notion of long memory for infinite variance moving averages with stable non-Gaussian innovations and regularly varying coefficients. Regularly varying coefficients decay to zero like j P L ( j ) as j → ∞, where L is a slowly varying function. We study the asymptotic behavior of two measures of dependence, the codifference and the covariation, which are extensions of the covariance.
The Neighborhood Diversity Index: A Complementary Measure of Racial Residential Settlement

This article proposes another research approach available to researchers for studying racial and ethnic integration. The measure, called the Neighborhood Diversity (ND) index, allows researchers to...
Factors Affecting the Analysis of Cefoperazone in Cerebral Spinal Fluid

The measurement of cefoperazone concentrations in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is important to understanding the biodisposition and pharmacokinetic behavior of the drug. We have demonstrated that cefoperazone is unstable in methanol and at alkaline pH and these factors may affect the accurate quantitation of the drug in CSF. Buffering CSF samples with acetate is recommended to improve cefoperazone stability in CSF.
Is gaming the optimal strategy? The impact of gaming facilities on the income and employment of American Indians

This paper provides two-stage estimates of the economic impact of Indian gaming on tribal members. Gaming increases income among tribal members in all areas and increases employment, by reducing the number of out of the labor force, in rural areas.
Identification of the murine AAVrh32.33 capsid-specific CD8+ T cell epitopes

Background Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is an ideal gene therapy vector and is non-immunogenic in many small animal models. The stable gene expression commonly seen in murine models does not necessarily translate to nonhuman primates and higher-order species, highlighting the need for a better understanding of immune activation to these vectors. One capsid variant, AAVrh32.33, demonstrates a unique phenotype in murine muscle, reminiscent of what is often seen in higher-order species. AAVrh32.33 generates a strong CD8+ T-cell response to both capsid and encoded transgene antigens in a manner independent of transgene product or major histocompatability complex haplotype, making it an ideal candidate for studying immune activation to AAV in the mouse. Methods To map the H-2b and H-2d dominant epitopes of the AAVrh32.33 capsid, C57BL/6 or Balb/C mice received an intramuscular injection of 1 × 1011 genome copies of AAV2/rh32.33.CB.nLacZ. Three weeks later, splenocytes were harvested and stimulated in vitro with pooled or individual peptides from the AAVrh32.33 capsid peptide library and analysed by an interferon (IFN)-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay or intracellular cytokine staining. Results The immunodominant epitopes within the AAVrh32.33 capsid responsible for driving CD8+ T-cell responses to the capsid protein in C57BL/6 (SSYELPYVM) and Balb/C (KIPASGGNAL) mice were defined. Conclusions Identification of dominant capsid epitopes will make it possible to monitor cellular responses to the AAV capsid in vivo, facilitating mechanistic studies critical to defining how cellular immunity to the AAV capsid arises and, ultimately, how the generation of capsid-specific T cells can be avoided to ensure safety in a gene therapy setting. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Filter Sand-Phosphate Buffer Effect on 2,4-Dinitrotoluene Ozonation

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of different sands and phosphate buffer on ozone decomposition by measuring the observed ozone decomposition rate constant of three different natural sands at pH 7 with and without the presence of phosphate buffer and with and without sand (i.e., aqueous ozone only). In addition, this study evaluated phosphate buffer effect on the heterogeneous catalysis of ozone for the destruction of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) by measuring the observed DNT degradation rate constant (kDNT). Ozone decomposition rates in the presence of NaOH buffer and sand were up to 7.9 times greater and 3.4 times in the presence of phosphate. In the absence of phosphate, sand reduced the observed rate of DNT degradation. In the presence of phosphate, sands enhance the observed DNT degradation rate by a factor approximately proportional to their surface manganese concentration. A proposed mechanism was developed explaining the observed effects of the phosphate in a sand ozone system.